Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 26th February 2024

1. Which of the following countries participated in ‘Exercise Dosti’?

A. India, Sri Lanka & Maldives

B. Myanmar, Sri Lanka & Nepal

C. India, Bangladesh & Myanmar

D. Bhutan, Nepal & Myanmar

• Indian and Sri Lankan coast guard ships recently joined the Maldives for Exercise Dosti 16, a trilateral coast guard exercise held every two years since 1991. Sri Lanka joined in 2012, and the 16^th edition involves the Coast Guards of India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives, with observers from Bangladesh. The exercise focuses on mutual operational capability, interoperability, and cooperation in scenarios like sea accidents and pollution.

2. Ancient Badami Chalukya temples were recently discovered in Mudimanikyam village along the banks of which river?

A. River Godavari

B. River Kaveri

C. River Krishna

D. River Tapi

• Two Badami Chalukya temples, aged 1,300-1,500 years, and a 1,200-year-old label inscription were discovered in Mudimanikyam village, Telangana near the Krishna River. The Chalukyas ruled the Deccan from the 6th to 12th centuries, comprising the Badami Chalukyas and the sibling dynasties of the Western and Eastern Chalukyas. Pulikesi-I founded the dynasty in 550, making Badami the capital. Pulakesi II expanded the empire, defeating Harsha and Vishnukundins, but later lost Vatapi to Pallava Narasimhavarman.

3. Rani Chennamma is related to which one of the following events?

A. Moplah Rebellion

B. Ahom Revolt

C. Kittur Rebellion

D. Sanyasi Revolt

• Social groups nationwide recently organized the Naanoo Rani Chennamma campaign, marking 200 years since Rani Chennamma’s rebellion against the British East India Company. Born in Kakati, Karnataka, she became Kitturu’s queen after marrying Raja Mallasarja. Post his death, the British refused to recognize Shivalingappa as the successor, leading to the Kittur Rebellion. British forces initially suffered losses, but eventually captured Kittur Fort in 1824. Rani Chennamma and family were imprisoned; she passed away in 1829 at the Bailhongal fort.

4. Uttar Pradesh government will establish its first ‘Turtle Conservation Reserve’ in which river?

A. River Sarju

B. River Sharda

C. River Gomti

D. River Belan

• The Gonda Forest Department in Uttar Pradesh is partnering with Turtle Survival Alliance Foundation India to create a turtle conservation reserve in the Sarju River. Home to approximately 5,000 river turtles, recent studies show that the Sarju River hosts around half of this population. The collaboration aims to protect and preserve the rich turtle diversity in the region, emphasizing the importance of conservation efforts for these endangered species.

5. Recently, who has been appointed as Vigilance Commissioner in the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC)?

A. Suresh N Patel

B. A S Rajeev

C. Praveen Kumar Srivastava

D. Arvinda Kumar

• A S Rajeev, former MD & CEO of Bank of Maharashtra, is appointed as Vigilance Commissioner in the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) by President Droupadi Murmu. CVC, established under CVC Act, is now a three-member body with Praveen Kumar Srivastava as Central Vigilance Commissioner since May 2023 and Arvinda Kumar as Vigilance Commissioner since August 2022.

6. Which country is hosting the 5th edition of the International Gita Mahotsav (IGM) 2024?

A. India

B. Myanmar

C. Sri Lanka

D. Nepal

• The International Gita Mahotsav (IGM), rooted in India’s spiritual and cultural heritage, expands to Sri Lanka for its fifth edition from March 1 to 3. With past editions in Mauritius, London, Canada, and Australia, the Mahotsav’s global appeal is evident. The event aims to unite devotees worldwide, showcasing the universal significance of the Bhagavad Gita.

7. Which two ministries have recently collaborated to launch an initiative focused on the health of tribal students?

A. Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health

B. Ministry of AYUSH and Ministry of Tribal Affairs

C. Ministry of Tribal Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs

D. Ministry of Rural Development and Ministry of Agriculture

• The Ministry of AYUSH and Ministry of Tribal Affairs collaborate to enhance public health for over 20,000 tribal students. The joint effort emphasizes Ayurvedic interventions to tackle health issues, including malnutrition, iron deficiency anemia & sickle cell diseases. The initiative aims to study tribal health needs and provide targeted public healthcare services for improved well-being.

8. Government has recently launched Rashtriya Udyamita Vikas Pariyojana for which one of the following?

A. AB PM-JAY beneficiaries

B. PM SVANidhi beneficiaries

C. PM Suraksha Bima Yojana beneficiaries

D. PM Vishwakarma Yojana beneficiaries

• The Rashtriya Udyamita Vikas Pariyojana is a National Entrepreneurship Development Project that aims to provide entrepreneurship training. The program is part of the Skill India Mission and is specifically tailored to beneficiaries of the PM SVANidhi scheme.

9. What is theme of the 8^th Asia Economic Dialogue 2024?

A. Asia and the Emerging World Order

B. Global Trade and Finance Dynamics

C. Geo-economic Challenges in an Era of Flux

D. Sustainable Economic Development

• The theme of the 8^th Asia Economic Dialogue (AED) 2024 is “Geo-economic Challenges in an Era of Flux”. The conference will be held in Pune from February 29 to March 2, 2024. The AED is an annual geo-economics conference that will feature 46 speakers from 11 countries participating in 12 sessions over three days. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Pune International Centre are jointly hosting the event.

10. DURGA 2, a laser weapon, recently developed by which one of the following?

A. DRDO

B. ISRO

C. IIT Madras

D. NTRO

• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is developing a laser weapon called DURGA-2 (Directionally Unrestricted Ray-Gun Array). DURGA-2 is a 100-kilowatt, lightweight, directed-energy weapon (DEW). It can be used for land, naval, and air use. DURGA-2 can neutralise drone or ballistic missile attacks from the skies or even at the originating location. It can travel at the speed of light.

11. Guinea worm disease is caused by which one of the following agents?

A. Bacteria

B. Virus

C. Parasite

D. Fungi

• The world is on the verge of eradicating Guinea worm disease, a neglected tropical disease caused by the Dracunculus medinensis parasite. According to the World Health Organization, cases dropped to 14 in 2021, 13 in 2022, and just 6 in 2023. The disease is contracted by consuming water contaminated with Guinea worm larvae, leading to painful blisters. Currently, there is no drug treatment or vaccine for Guinea worm disease.

12. What is the revised Fair and Remunerative Price of sugarcane for the Sugar Season 2024-25?

A. Rs 340 per quintal

B. Rs 320 per quintal

C. Rs 310 per quintal

D. Rs 360 per quintal

• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi approved the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane for Sugar Season 2024-25 at ₹ 340/quintal at sugar recovery rate of 10.25%. This is historic price of sugarcane which is about 8% higher than FRP of sugarcane for current season 2023-24. The revised FRP will be applicable w.e.f. 01 Oct 2024.