Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 27th March 2024

1. What is the name of the operation recently launched by India to evacuate Indian Nationals from Haiti?

A. Operation Meghdoot

B. Operation Shakti

C. Operation Raahat

D. Operation Indravati

• Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar announced ‘Operation Indravati’ on microblogging site X to evacuate stranded Indians from violence-hit Haiti to the Dominican Republic. 12 citizens were safely relocated. Around 75 to 90 Indians reside in Haiti, with 60 registering for repatriation.

2. ‘Order of the Druk Gyalpo’ Award is the highest civilian honour award of which country?

A. Bhutan

B. Nepal

C. Myanmar

D. Bangladesh

• Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made history by being the first non-Bhutanese to be honored with Bhutan’s highest civilian award, the ‘Order of the Druk Gyalpo’. During his two-day state visit to Thimphu, he received the prestigious award from Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. This lifetime achievement award is the apex of Bhutan’s honor system, with only four individuals, including Modi, having received it since its establishment.

3. IMT Trilateral Exercise is conducted between which one of the following countries?

A. India, Malaysia and Turkey

B. India, Mozambique and Tanzania

C. Iran, Myanmar and Thailand

D. Ireland, Malta and Turkmenistan

• INS Tir and INS Sujata join India Mozambique Tanzania (IMT) Tri Lateral Exercise, March 21-29, 2024. IMT TRILAT began in Oct 22 with INS Tarkash. The current edition’s harbour phase (Mar 21-24) involves joint training in Damage Control, Fire Fighting, Visit Board Search and Seizure, Medical Lectures, and more in Zanzibar and Maputo.

4. Recently, which two-star clusters have been discovered in space by European Space Agency’s Gaia space telescope?

A. Aditya and Vikram

B. Ajay and Pushp

C. Shiva and Shakti

D. Dhruv and Ganga

• The European Space Agency’s Gaia telescope uncovered ancient star streams, Shiva and Shakti, shedding light on galaxy origins. These structures, formed 12 billion years ago, influenced Milky Way formation. Shakti stars orbit farther from the galactic center in circular paths, unlike Shiva. Gaia, launched in 2013, maps the Milky Way by analyzing data from over a decade, measuring stars’ positions, distances, and speeds.

5. Recently, ISRO successfully conducted the Reusable Landing Vehicle (RLV) LEX 02 Landing Experiment. What is the name of RLV?

A. Rishabam

B. Akash

C. Pushpak

D. Gadayuddha

• ISRO’s successful Pushpak Reusable Landing Vehicle (RLV) LEX 02 Landing Experiment marks a milestone in India’s space program. This experiment is part of the Reusable Launch Vehicle Technology Demonstration (RLV-TD) Programme, reaffirmed indigenous high-speed autonomous landing technologies. RLV, resembling a space plane, aims to enable cost-effective access to space.

6. Project ANAGRANINF is related to which one of the following?

A. Development of nuclear powered submarines

B. Development of a novel class of antibiotics

C. New strategy to combat naxal attacks

D. To study the prevalence of disease in rural areas

• The Technology Development Board has allocated funds for Project ANAGRANINF, aimed at developing a new class of antibiotics to combat Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections. This collaborative effort involves Indian and Spanish companies with the objective of creating a novel lead compound to combat critical gram-negative pathogens. The project aligns with WHO’s criteria for tackling Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) infections.

7. Recently, which institute has developed an indigenous electric standing wheel chair named ‘NeoStand’?

A. IIT Madras

B. IIT Kharagpur

C. IIT Roorkee

D. IIT Delhi

• IIT Madras has unveiled ‘NeoStand,’ an indigenous electric standing wheelchair, claimed as India’s most customizable. Professor Sujatha Srinivasan led its development under TTK Center for Rehabilitation Research. She also led ‘Arise,’ India’s first manual standing wheelchair, and ‘NeoBolt,’ the first motorized add-on.

8. Recently, which one of the following companies has been awarded the status of Miniratna Category-I Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE)?

A. Bharat Petroleum

B. NTPC Ltd

C. GRID-INDIA

D. Indian Oil Corporation

• GRID-India, a crucial entity in India’s power sector, achieved Miniratna Category-I CPSE status in March 2024, designated by the Ministry of Power. Responsibilities include ensuring smooth operation of the Indian Electricity System, efficient power transfer within and across regions, and facilitating transnational power exchange.

9. Recently, the government has approved inclusion of which crops under its price stabilization fund (PSF)?

A. Cotton and Coffee

B. Wheat and Rice

C. Jute and Tea

D. Pulses and Barley

• The government has recently included wheat and rice in the Price Stabilization Fund (PSF). Established in 2014-15 under Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Famers Welfare (DAC&FW), it was transferred to DOCA in 2016. Managed centrally by PSFMC, it regulates proposals from State Governments and Central Agencies. SFAC maintains it as a central corpus fund. The fund aims to stabilize prices of selected commodities by distributing or procuring them.

10. Recently, where was the 41^st Steering Committee Meeting of the International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (IPHE) held?

A. Chennai

B. New Delhi

C. Hyderabad

D. Bengaluru

• India recently hosted the 41^st Steering Committee Meeting of the International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (IPHE) in New Delhi. Established in 2003, IPHE comprises 23 member countries and the European Commission, including major economies like the US, Japan, and China. It aims to expedite the transition to clean energy and mobility systems through hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. IPHE fosters international collaboration in research, development, and commercial utilization activities.

11. Which player won WTT Feeder Beirut Table Tennis 2024 title?

A. Mouma Das

B. G Sathiyan

C. Sharath Kamal

D. Manav Thakkar

• Indian table tennis player G Sathiyan clinched the men’s singles title at the WTT Feeder Beirut 2024 tournament, defeating compatriot Manav Vikash Thakkar. Diya Chitale and Manush Shah secured the mixed doubles title, marking India’s second win. G Sathiyan’s victory marked India’s first-ever singles title at the WTT Feeder Series, beating world no 74 Manav Thakkar.

12. Which ministry has recently announced guidelines for betting and gambling platforms?

A. Ministry of Commerce and Industry

B. Ministry of Information and Broadcasting

C. Ministry of Communications

D. Ministry of Home Affairs

• The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting advises endorsers and influencers on social media to avoid promoting offshore online betting and gambling platforms due to their negative impact on consumers, especially youth.
• Social media and online advertising intermediaries are urged not to target Indian audiences with such content. The Central Consumer Protection Authority expresses concerns about celebrities endorsing these platforms and warns of legal consequences under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 for non-compliance.