Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 24th May 2024

1. Recently, which country has become the 99th member of the International Solar Alliance (ISA)?

A. Spain

B. Morocco

C. Algeria

D. Brazil

• Spain has joined the International Solar Alliance (ISA) as its 99th member. The ratification was handed over in New Delhi by Ambassador José María Ridao Domínguez to Joint Secretary Abhishek Singh. The ISA, co-founded by India and France during COP21 in 2015, aims to promote solar energy deployment, enhancing energy access, security, and transition in member countries to combat climate change.

2. Recently, where was the first Asian Relay Championships 2024 held?

A. Beirut, Lebanon

B. Bangkok, Thailand

C. Beijing, China

D. New Delhi, India

• The Indian athletic contingent won three medals at the inaugural Asian Relay Championships in Bangkok, Thailand, held on May 20-21, 2024. The Indian team secured one gold in the 4×400-meter mixed relay, setting a national record of 3 minutes 14.1 seconds with Muhammed Ajmal, Jyothika Sri Dandi, Amoj Jacob, and Subha Venkatesan.
• The men’s 4×400-meter relay team won silver, clocking 3 minutes 05.76 seconds, and the women’s 4×400-meter relay team also secured silver with a time of 3 minutes 33.55 seconds. Sixteen countries participated, and this event was a qualifier for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

3. According to a recent report by the Wildlife Institute of India, which state has the maximum number of Gangetic dolphins in India?

A. Uttarakhand

B. Uttar Pradesh

C. Bihar

D. Madhya Pradesh

• According to the Wildlife Institute of India, about 4,000 dolphins inhabit the Ganga and its tributaries, with Uttar Pradesh home to approximately 2,000. To protect these dolphins, the UP government declared a Dolphin Sanctuary in Chambal, where 111 dolphins have been recorded.
• The Namami Gange initiative aims to stabilize and double the dolphin population by 2030, integrating pollution control, wetland conservation, and public participation. The river dolphin is a globally endangered species, thriving in various rivers like Ganga, Yamuna, and Chambal.

4. What is the name of the Indian-origin professor who has been awarded the 2024 Shaw Prize in Astronomy?

A. Raghu Raj Bahadur

B. Abhijit Banerjee

C. Shrinivas R. Kulkarni

D. Ganesh Thakur

• Shrinivas R Kulkarni, an Indian-origin professor at Caltech, receives the 2024 Shaw Prize in Astronomy for groundbreaking contributions to the field. Recognized for his research on millisecond pulsars, gamma-ray bursts, and supernovae, Shrinivas R Kulkarni’s work has advanced understanding of variable and transient celestial phenomena.

5. Recently, where was the ‘Exercise Cyber Suraksha – 2024’ held?

A. Hyderabad

B. New Delhi

C. Chennai

D. Bengaluru

• Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan attended ‘Exercise Cyber Suraksha – 2024’ on May 22, emphasizing the need to strengthen India’s cyber defence. Conducted by the Defence Cyber Agency from May 20-24 in New Delhi, the exercise aims to enhance cyber defence capabilities, promote collaboration, and unify cyber security efforts. Chauhan praised the initiative for fostering jointness among stakeholders to tackle emerging cyber threats effectively.

6. Saga Dawa, a Buddhist festival, recently celebrated in which state?

A. Sikkim

B. Nagaland

C. Assam

D. Manipur

• Sikkim celebrated Saga Dawa, the ‘Triple Blessed Festival’, on May 23, 2023, coinciding with Buddha Purnima. This sacred Buddhist festival marks the birth, enlightenment, and passing of Buddha Shakyamuni. Celebrated on the 15th day of the fourth month of the Tibetan Buddhist calendar, Buddhists in Sikkim offer prayers in monasteries to honor these significant events in the life of Siddhartha Gautama as Lord Buddha.

7. Recently, who has become oldest woman to climb Mount Everest?

A. Kami Rita

B. Jyoti Ratre

C. Sangeeta Bahl

D. Premlata Agarwal

• Jyoti Ratre, a 55-year-old entrepreneur and fitness enthusiast from Madhya Pradesh, became the oldest Indian woman to summit Mount Everest on May 19. Her achievement comes six years after Sangeeta Bahl’s record. She has already conquered the highest peaks on five continents and aims to summit Mount Vinson and Denali to complete all seven.

8. Recently, where was the 16^th Meeting of India-UK Joint Working Group On Counter Terrorism held?

A. London

B. New Delhi

C. Chennai

D. Birmingham

• The 16th India-UK Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism met in New Delhi, led by KD Dewal from India’s Ministry of External Affairs and Chris Felton from the UK. They discussed ongoing counter-terrorism cooperation, emphasizing the need for strengthened international efforts.
• Both nations shared assessments of terrorist threats, including those from globally sanctioned entities and individuals, highlighting the importance of comprehensive and sustained counter-terrorism measures.

9. Which Indian Navy ships recently completed their visit to Manila, Philippines as part of the Operational Deployment of the Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet to the South China Sea?

A. INS Vikrant, INS Shardul, and INS Kesari

B. INS Delhi, INS Shakti, and INS Kiltan

C. INS Karanj, INS Vela, and INS Vagir

D. INS Satpura, INS Betwa, and INS Kora

• Indian Navy ships INS Delhi, INS Shakti, and INS Kiltan concluded their visit to Manila, Philippines, as part of the Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet deployment to the South China Sea. The Ministry of Defence highlighted the visit’s significance, showcasing India’s robust relations with the Philippines and its dedication to strengthening bilateral ties. Activities during the port call encompassed Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE), sports events, cultural exchanges, cross-deck visits, and collaborative community outreach programs.

10. Which public sector company was awarded with the third rank in the Talent Development category at the ATD BEST Awards 2024?

A. NTPC

B. NHPC

C. REC

D. SJVN

• NTPC earned the third rank globally for Talent Development at the ATD BEST Awards 2024. The award, presented on May 21 in New Orleans, was accepted by Ms. Rachana Singh Bhal, NTPC’s chief general manager of strategic HR & talent management. The ATD BEST Awards, established in 2003, recognize organizations excelling in employee development. NTPC, India’s largest power sector company, was founded in 1975.

11. Recently, United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has proclaimed which day as the International Day of the Markhor?

A. May.23

B. May.24

C. May.25

D. May.26

• The United Nations General Assembly designated May 24 as the International Day of the Markhor, following a resolution sponsored by Pakistan and eight other countries. This day aims to raise awareness and promote the conservation of the Markhor, an iconic and ecologically significant species native to the mountainous regions of Central and South Asia.

12. Recently, which airport has made history by becoming the first airport in India to achieve the Zero Waste to Landfill (ZWL) accolade?

A. Thiruvananthapuram International Airport

B. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport

C. Rajiv Gandhi International Airport

D. Chennai International Airport

• Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is the first in India to achieve the Zero Waste to Landfill accolade from the Confederation of Indian Industry. The airport diverted 99.50% of waste from landfills, including 100% of plastic and municipal solid waste. This success was achieved through a robust value chain and the 5R principles: Reduce, Reuse, Reprocess, Recycle, and Recover, demonstrating exceptional waste management practices.