Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 23rd August 2023
1. Which company is set to launch ‘India’s first kerosene-oxygen-powered rocket’?
[A] Agnikul Cosmos
[B] Dhruv Cosmos
[C] Pixxel Cosmos
[D] Orbit Cosmos
Answer: [A] Agnikul Cosmos
Indian firm Agnikul Cosmos is on its way to becoming the first in the country to privately design, develop and launch a liquid-fuelled rocket. Agnikul is targeting to launch their maiden rocket known as ‘Agnibaan SOrTeD’ (SubOrbital Technological Demonstrator). It is a single-stage launch vehicle driven by Agnikul’s patented Agnilet engine- an entirely 3D-printed, single-piece, 6kN semi-cryogenic engine.
2. ‘Vidhayak Ksetra Vikas Nidhi Yojana’ is associated with which state/UT?
[A] Gujarat
[B] Himachal Pradesh
[C] Assam
[D] West Bengal
Answer: [B] Himachal Pradesh
The Himachal Pradesh Government has relaxed the provisions of ‘Vidhayak Ksetra Vikas Nidhi Yojana’ (VKVNY) during the financial year 2023-24 by including protection works of retaining walls and channelization of Nullahs under it. This decision was taken in view of heavy losses caused to human lives besides public and private properties during recent heavy rains in the State, said Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.
3. Which institution launched Centralised Web Portal ‘UDGAM’?
[A] RBI
[B] NITI Aayog
[C] NHAI
[D] NASSCOM
Answer: [A] RBI
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) launched a Centralised Web Portal UDGAM (Unclaimed Deposits – Gateway to Access information). The launch of the web portal will aid users to identify their unclaimed deposits/ accounts and enable them to either claim the deposit amount or make their deposit accounts operative at their respective banks.
4. Which country is the organiser of ‘Army 2023: 9th International Military-Technical Forum’?
[A] Russia
[B] China
[C] India
[D] UAE
Answer: [A] Russia
India, China and Iran have set up pavilions at the ongoing Army 2023, the 9th International Military-Technical Forum organised by Russia. The India pavilion, which has stails by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), and three Defence Public Sector Undertakings including Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML), and Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL).
5. When was the ‘Maritime State Development Council’ constituted in India?
[A] 1957
[B] 1977
[C] 1997
[D] 2007
Answer: [C] 1997
Maritime State Development Council (MSDC) is an apex advisory body constituted in May 1997 to develop the Maritime Sector. It aims to ensure the integrated development of Major and other notified ports. Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal chaired the 19th meeting of the Maritime State Development Council (MSDC) at Kevadia in Gujarat. The meeting will be attended by the Chief Ministers, Ministers of the Coastal States and Administrators of Union Territories (UTS).
6. As per International Organization for Migration (IOM), 79 per cent of people in which country lack sufficient access to water for essential needs?
[A] Afghanistan
[B] Sri Lanka
[C] Israel
[D] Iran
Answer: [A] Afghanistan
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has said that 79 per cent of people in Afghanistan lack sufficient access to water for essential needs like drinking, cooking, bathing, and washing. The water crisis in Afghanistan is further enhanced by various challenges, particularly the most severe drought in 30 years, a deepening economic turmoil, and the enduring effects of forty years of warfare.
7. Which state organised ‘Startup Thiruvizha (Fair) 2023’ recently?
[A] Kerala
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Telangana
[D] Odisha
Answer: [B] Tamil Nadu
StartupTN, the State nodal agency for Startup and Innovation, which is taking strides to make Tamil Nadu a Global Startup ecosystem leader, is organising ‘Tamil Nadu Startup Thiruvizha 2023’. This first two-day annual mega event is to celebrate Tamil Nadu’s spirit of entrepreneurship and to highlight the efforts taken by the Government of Tamil Nadu to support Startups, aspirants, and other stakeholders at various stages of growth.
8. Madan Lal Dhingra was an Indian revolutionary from which state?
[A] Rajasthan
[B] Punjab
[C] Odisha
[D] West Bengal
Answer: [B] Punjab
Madan Lal Dhingra was an Indian revolutionary who was hanged to death on August 17, 1909, at the age of only 24, for killing British official Curzon Wyllie. On the 114th anniversary of his execution, a memorial in his name was formally inaugurated in Amritsar’s Golbagh area.
9. Sulina Channel, which was seen in the news, is situated in which country?
[A] Ukraine
[B] Russia
[C] Romania
[D] Bulgaria
Answer: [C] Romania
The Sulina Channel is situated in the eastern part of Romania, near the town of Sulina. It connects the Danube River to the Black Sea, providing a direct passage for ships traveling to and from the river and the sea. It has provided Ukraine with an alternative passage for its grain after Russia withdrew from the Black Sea grain deal last month. Ukraine, often called the “breadbasket of Europe”, is among the world’s biggest grain exporters, with its economy heavily dependent on agricultural exports.
10. Union Power Minister dedicated NTPC’s 660 MW Super Thermal Power Project in which state recently?
[A] Bihar
[B] Uttar Pradesh
[C] Rajasthan
[D] Madhya Pradesh
Answer: Bihar
RK Singh, Union Minister of Power, New and Renewable Energy, dedicated the 660 MW Unit of Barh Super Thermal Power Project at Barh in Patna, Bihar. NTPC fulfils over 90% of power requirement of Bihar. The Minister also laid the foundation stone for extension of POWERGRID’s Lakhisarai Sub-station.
11. Which institution issued guidelines to banks and NBFCs not to levy penal interest on borrowers in case of default?
[A] Ministry of Finance
[B] RBI
[C] NITI Aayog
[D] Supreme
Answer: [B] RBI
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued a fresh set of guidelines for banks and other regulated entities (REs) on the imposition of penal charges on loan borrowers. It was reported that many banks use penal rate of interest, over and above the applicable interest rates, in case of defaults/ non-compliance by the borrower with the terms on which credit facilities were sanctioned. The guidelines will be effective from January 1, 2024.
12. Which country signed MoU with India to share INDIA STACK?
[A] Maldives
[B] Mauritius
[C] Trinidad and Tobago
[D] UAE
Answer: [C] Trinidad and Tobago
India and Trinidad and Tobago have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on sharing of INDIA STACK. It is a collection of open APIs and digital public goods that aim to facilitate identity, data, and payment services on a large scale.
13. Who is the first Indian after Viswanathan Anand to reach Chess World Cup semi-finals since 2002?
[A] D Gukesh
[B] R Praggnanandhaa
[C] Arjun Erigaisi
[D] Nihal Sarin
Answer: [B] R Praggnanandhaa
Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa became the first Indian after Viswanathan Anand to reach Chess World Cup semi-finals since 2002. The 18-year-old defeated World No 3 GM Fabiano Caruana 3.5-2.5 in a semifinal decided by a single tiebreak win. He defeated compatriot Arjun Erigaisi 5-4 to enter the semifinals. In the finals, he will face five-time world champion Magnus Carlsen.
14. Mohit Kumar and Priya, who were seen in the news, are associated with which sports?
[A] Shooting
[B] Wrestling
[C] Boxing
[D] Tennis
Answer: [B] Wrestling
Mohit Kumar became the first Indian wrestler to become a junior world champion since 2019 after edging Russia’s Eldar Akhmadudinov in the 61 kg final, in the World under-20 championships. Priya (women’s 76kg) earned another gold medal for the country and became the country’s only second woman grappler to grab the title.
15. India’s first 3D-printed post office was inaugurated in which city?
[A] Chennai
[B] Bengaluru
[C] Hyderabad
[D] Pune
Answer: [B] Bengaluru
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurated India’s first 3D-printed post office in Bengaluru’s Cambridge Layout. Its construction was completed in just 43 days, two days ahead of the deadline. Multinational company Larsen & Toubro Limited built the post office with technological support from IIT Madras-Building Technology and Construction Management Division, Department of Civil Engineering.
16. As per the ‘Lokniti-CSDS’ survey, what is the biggest problem before the country, as per the surveyed Indians between the ages of 15 and 34?
[A] Poverty
[B] Unemployment
[C] Corruption
[D] Hatred Speech
Answer: [B] Unemployment
36% Indians between the ages of 15 and 34 believe unemployment is the biggest problem before the country, as per the report released by Lokniti-CSDS. About one in six (16%) think it is poverty, and 13% think it is inflation. About 6% of respondents identified corruption as the most significant challenge; 4% each identified problems in education and high population.
17. Who was the founder of ‘Arya Samaj’?
[A] Ran Mohun Roy
[B] Dayanand Saraswati
[C] Aurobindo Ghose
[D] Rabindranath Tagore
Answer: [B] Dayanand Saraswati
To mark the 200th birth anniversary of Arya Samaj founder Dayanand Saraswati this year, the government has formed a high-level cofnmittee headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Among its memberS are a host of Union ministers, state governors, senior officials from various departments and office-bearers of the Arya Samaj organisation. He was born on 12th February 1824.
18. The East Coast Railway (ECoR) is set to install intrusion detection systems (IDS) in which state?
[A] West Bengal
[B] Odisha
[C] Telangana
[D] Madhya Pradesh
Answer: [B] Odisha
To prevent death of elephants due to train hits, the East Coast Railway (ECoR) has decided to instali intrusion detection systems (IDS) at sensitive locations of elephant passing zones and elephant corridors in Odisha. IDS is based on artificial intelligence (AI) and existing optical fibres will be used as sensors to identify movemnents of elephants at locations and alert control offices, station masters, gatemen and loco pilots.
19. Which country hosted the Camp David Summit in 2023?
[A] Australia
[B] Russia
[C] USA
[D] UK
Answer: [C] USA
Camp David is a 125-acre country retreat for the President of the United States. US, South Korea, and Japan agreed to deepen military and economic ties. In a landmark summit held at Camp David, leaders of the three nations also made their strongest collective condemnation yet of China’s “dangerous and aggressive behaviour” in the South China Sea. The meeting was attended by American President Joe Biden, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
20. As per a recent RBI study, which state topped the list of states that attracted investment funds from banks and financial institutions in 2022-23?
[A] Karnataka
[B] Uttar Pradesh
[C] Andhra Pradesh
[D] Odisha
Answer: [B] Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh topped the list of states that attracted investment funds from banks and financial institutions. As per the data from a RBI study, the state accounted for the highest share (16.2 per cent) in the total cost of projects sanctioned by banks/financial institutions, followed by Gujarat, Odisha, Maharashtra and Karnataka during 2022-23.