Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 24th & 25th September 2023
1. The Chausath Yogini temple, which was seen in the news, is located in which state/UT?
[A] Gujarat
[B] Bihar
[C] Rajasthan
[D] Madhya Pradesh
Answer: [D] Madhya Pradesh
Designed by British architects Lutyens and Baker, the old Parliament building served as the Imperial Legislative Council during British rule and later as the Constituent Assembly and Parliament of India. The Chausath Yogini temple in Mitaoli, Madhya Pradesh, is believed to have inspired the old Indian Parliament’s circular, pillared structure. Built in the 14th century, this temple is dedicated to 64 powerful yoginis and features unique architectural elements, including a hypaethral design with no roof.
2. Which Indian armed force conducted the ‘Operation Sajag’ drill?
[A] Indian Army
[B] Indian Army
[C] Indian Air Force
[D] Indian Coast Guard
Answer: [D] Indian Coast Guard
The Indian Coast Guard conducted ‘Operation Sajag,’ a comprehensive drill along the west coast, aimed at enhancing coastal security. ‘Operation Sajag’ is conducted monthly to assess the effectiveness of coastal security measures and identify areas for improvement. It is focused on revalidating the coastal security mechanism while raising awareness among fishermen at sea.
3. The 128th Constitution Amendment Bill, 2023, which was introduced recently, is associated with?
[A] Reserve 33% of seats for women in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies
[B] Identify Other Backward Classes (OBCs)
[C] Reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWSs)
[D] Goods and Service Tax
Answer: [A] Reserve 33% of seats for women in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies
Indian government introduced the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty- eighth Amendment) Bill, 2023, which proposes to reserve 33% of seats for women in the Lok Sabha (the lower house of India’s parliament) and state Legislative Assemblies. This reservation will apply to seats reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCS) and Scheduled Tribes (STS) as well. These amendments were a result of recommendations made by the Balwantrai Mehta Committee in 1957 and the Asoka Mehta Committee in 1977, aiming to strengthen local self-governance and empower local bodies across rural and urban India.
4. Which institution is set to launch the online platform called ‘Bima Sugam’?
[A] IRDAI
[B] NITI Aayog
[C] PDRDA
[D] RBI
Answer: [A] IRDAI
The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) is set to introduce a groundbreaking online platform called Bima Sugam, which aims to become the world’s largest online market for insurance products and services. This platform will offer customers a user-friendly interface to explore and choose insurance schemes from various companies, covering life, health, and general insurance, including motor and travel insurance. It will streamline claim settlements, offering paperless processing based on policy numbers. IRDAI has allocated a budget of Rs 200 crore for Bima Sugam.
5. ‘Hoysala Temples’, which received UNESCO World Heritage Tag, are located in which state?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Karnataka
[C] Odisha
[D] West Bengal
Answer: [B] Karnataka
UNESCO has officially added Karnataka’s Sacred Ensembles of Hoysalas to its prestigious World Heritage list. These ancient temples, previously on UNESCO’s Tentative list since 2014, now gain global recognition for their exceptional cultural and historical significance. The Sacred Ensembles of Hoysalas include renowned temples in Belur, such as the Chennakesava Temple, and Halebid, featuring star-shaped architectural plans.
6. What is the objective of B-360 type of aircraft, recently procured by the Airport Authority of India (AAI)?
[A] Flight Calibration
[B] Infrastructure Creation
[C] Management of cargo terminals
[D] Communication services
Answer: [A] Flight Calibration
The Airport Authority of India (AAI) added two new B-360 type of aircraft to meet the requirement for Flight Calibration of the increased number of Ground Navigational aids installed at airports in India. With the induction of these new aircraft in its fleet, AAI will be able to accomplish the timely flight calibration of the Ground Radio Navigational at all airports in the country. AAI will also validate ANS procedures, which will generate revenue by undertaking flight calibrations in the neighboring countries.
7. ‘Udaan Bhawan,’ Integrated Office Complex, has been inaugurated in which state/UT?
[A] New Delhi
[B] Uttar Pradesh
[C] Gujarat
[D] Maharashtra
Answer: [A] New Delhi
Union Minister of Civil Aviation inaugurated ‘Udaan Bhawan,’ Integrated Office Complex at Delhi’s Safdarjung Airport. It aims to bring together multiple aviation regulatory authorities under one roof for improved coordination, including DGCA, BCAS, AAIB and AERA. A pilot e-wallet facility designed for processing fees related to regulatory approvals through the Bharatkosh portal was also launched.
8. ‘Swavlamban 2023’ is a flagship seminar hosted by which institution?
[A] RBI
[B] Indian Navy
[C] SEBI
[D] DRDO
Answer: [B] Indian Navy
The Indian Navy is set to host the 2nd Edition of the Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Seminar, ‘Swavlamban 2023’. This seminar follows the inaugural edition held in July 2022, where the Prime Minister launched the ‘SPRINT Challenges,’ consisting of 75 challenges for startups and MSMEs as part of the ‘Azadi kaAmrit Mahotsav’ initiative. The ‘SPRINT Challenges’ aim to promote the use of indigenous technology within the Indian Navy. ‘SPRINT’ stands for supporting Pole-Vaulting in R&D through Innovations for Defence Excellence.
9. Which country unveiled the “People’s G20” eBook?
[A] India
[B] Indonesia
[C] Japan
[D] Sri Lanka
Answer: [A] India
Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of India, unveiled the “People’s G20” eBook, highlighting India’s G20 Presidency, in New Delhi. The eBook provides a comprehensive overview of India’s G20 Presidency, featuring three main parts. The first section covers the G20 Summit held in September 2023 in New Delhi, while the second part offers a summary of meetings held by various Working Groups under the Sherpa and Finance Track.
10. Which institution has indigenously developed ‘Vibhav’ self-neutralizing anti-tank mines?
[A] HAL
[B] DRDO
[C] ISRO
[D] BHEL
Answer: [B] DRDO
The Indian Army has recently inducted 600 self- neutralizing anti-tank mines, known as “Vibhav,” into its arsenal. Developed indigenously in collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), these anti- tank mines are designed to provide mobility kill capability against all types of enemy armored vehicles. “Vibhav” mines are constructed using advanced plastic materials that offer durabilityand strength, making them suitable for storage, handling, and deployment in various field conditions.
11. Which state is planning to establish an aerotropolis around its upcoming International Airport?
[A] Maharashtra
[B] Uttar Pradesh
[C] Gujarat
[D] Odisha
Answer: [B] Uttar Pradesh
The Uttar Pradesh government is planning for a project to establish an aerotropolis around the upcoming Noida International Airport in Jewar. An aerotropolis is an airport-centric metropolitan subregion that integrates aviation infrastructure, land use, and economic activities. The aerotropolis aims to enhance connectivity, boost local and regional business activities.
12. Which institution has developed Pinaka Multi-Rocket Launch Systems (MRLS)?
[A] HAL
[B] DRDO
[C] ISRO
[D] BHEL
Answer: [B] DRDO
The Indian Army is emphasizing long-range and augmented firepower with the induction of Dhanush artillery guns, expansion of the Pinaka Multi-Rocket Launch Systems (MRLS) range, and the induction of the Pralay surface-to-surfacequasi-ballistic missile. The Army has ordered 114 Dhanush guns, with one regiment already operational, and expects to receive all guns by 2026. Dhanush is a 155 mm, 45-caliber towed artillery gun with a range of 36 km, upgradable to 38 km. The Pinaka MRLS, developed by DRDO, is being expanded, with efforts to increase its range to 120 km and 300 km.
13. Which institution unveiled the Global Database for ANImalantiMicrobial USE (ANIMUSE) platform?
[A] NABARD
[B] WOAH
[C] UNEP
[D] FAO
Answer: [B] WOAH
According to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), global usage of antimicrobials in animals decreased by 13% between 2017 and 2019, based on data provided by 80 countries. WOAH introduced an online platform called the Global Database for ANImalantiMicrobial USE (ANIMUSE) to facilitate data accessibility. The report also noted that 68% of participants had discontinued the use of antimicrobials as growth promoters, with 26% still employing them.
14. As per a new study, Socio-political and ecological fragility threatens which species in
Africa?
[A] Lion
[B] Elephant
[C] Bee
[D] Dog
Answer: [A] Lion
A new study, ‘Socio-political and ecological fragility of threatened, free-ranging African lion populations has found that socio-political factors are posing a significant threat to already fragile lion populations in Africa. The study revealed that Somalian and Malawian lion populations are the most threatened when considering socio-political and ecological fragility. Ethiopia’s Maze National Park was identified as the most ecologically fragile geographic population.
15. Which country/region parliament approved the ‘Critical Raw Materials Act’?
[A] USA Parliament
[B] European Parliament
[C] UK Parliament
[D] Australian Parliament
Answer: [B] European Parliament
The European Parliament has approved the Critical Raw Materials Act with a significant majority, aiming to reduce the European Union’s dependence on China for critical minerals and metals essential for green technologies. The EU seeks to increase its domestic capacity for these materials used in manufacturing solar panels, windmills, and electric car batteries. The regulation aims to diversify imports and ensure secure and sustainable supplies by 2030.
16. Amrita Sher-Gil, who was seen in the news, was associated with which profession?
[A] Sports person
[B] Politician
[C] Painter
[D] Writer
Answer: [C] Painter
Amrita Sher-Gil’s 1937 masterpiece, “The Story Teller,” achieved a record-breaking sale of Rs 61.8 crore (USD 7.44 million). This marked thehighest price ever paid for a work by an Indian artist. The canvas represents a fusion of European and Indian influences in Sher-Gil’s distinctive artistic language and features intimate depictions of women, a recurring theme in her work.
17. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has listed. how many NBFCs in in the Upper Layer (NBFC-UL) under Scale Based Regulations (SBR)?
[A] 5
[B] 10
[C] 15
[D] 20
Answer: [C] 15
The Reserve Bank of India (RB has listed 15. non-banking finance companies (NBFCs), including LIC Housing Finance, Bajaj Finance, Shriram Finance, Tata Sons, and Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Company, placing them in the Upper Layer (NBFC-UL) under Scale Based Regulations (SBR) for non-bank lenders. These NBFCs will be subject to enhanced regulatory requirements, at least for a period of five years from their classification in the layer, even in case they do not meet the parametric criteria in the subsequent year/s.
18. ‘Bard’ is the name of Artificial Intelligence-based chatbot developed by which institution?
[A] Google
[B] Microsoft
[C] OpenAI
[D] Samsung
Answer: [A] Google
Google is introducing Bard, its artificially intelligent chatbot, to other members of its digital family including Gmail, Maps and YouTube. Bard’s expanded capabilities will be provided through an English-only extension that will enable users to allow the chatbot to mine information embedded in their Gmail accounts as well as pull directions from Google Maps and find helpful videos on YouTube.
19. Which company has developed ‘Just Walk Out’ a cashier-less shopping technology?
[A] Apple
[B] Amazon
[C] Walmart
[D] e bay
Answer: [B] Amazon
Amazon has developed a new version of its cashier-less shopping technology for clothing retailers to expand the system beyond convenience and grocery stores. The retail and cloud-computing giant said the latest iteration of its Just Walk Out technology uses radio frequency identification, or RFID, tags to keep track of apparel.
20. National Welfare Fund for Sportspersons is named after which leader?
[A] Atal Behari Vajpayee
[B] Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay
[C] Netaji Subash Chandra Bose
[D] Dhyan Chand
Answer: [B] Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay
Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Singh Thakur felicitated players under Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Welfare Fund for Sportspersons (PDUNWFS). The fund was formulated to help sportspersons who play well but are from poor and needy family. It helps in procurement of sports equipment and training and till date 270 sportspersons have been provided support of around 8 crore 15 lakhs rupees.