Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 27th May 2024

1. What is ‘Gliese 12 b’?

A. Submarine

B. Critical mineral

C. Earth sized exoplanet

D. A type of vaccine

• Astronomers, using NASA’s TESS and other telescopes, have discovered Gliese 12b, a temperate, Earth-sized exoplanet orbiting the red dwarf Gliese 12 in Pisces, 40 light-years away. Gliese 12b, similar in size to Earth or Venus, has a mass 3.87 times that of Earth and orbits its star every 12.8 days. It receives 1.6 times more energy than Earth and has an estimated surface temperature of 107°F (42°C).

2. Which day is observed as ‘World Thyroid Day’ annually?

A. 22 May

B. 23 May

C. 24 May

D. 25 May

• World Thyroid Day, annually on May 25th, raises awareness about the thyroid gland and related conditions. The thyroid, a butterfly-shaped gland near the neck’s base, regulates vital functions by releasing thyroid hormones (T4 and T3). These hormones influence metabolism, body temperature, heart rate, and protein production. Thyroid disorders, common in women but affecting all ages and genders, include Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) and Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), impacting hormone production.

3. Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve is located in which state?

A. Tamil Nadu

B. Maharashtra

C. Odisha

D. Gujarat

• The Tamil Nadu Forest Department has initiated a three-day elephant census at Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve, located at the junction of Eastern and Western Ghats in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. It spans 1,411.6 sq km, declared a tiger reserve in 2013, fostering a continuous habitat for tigers and other wildlife. The reserve boasts the world’s largest tiger population, over 280 tigers, and is home to indigenous tribes like the Irula and Kurumba.

4. PM KUSUM scheme comes under which ministry?

A. Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare

B. Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers

C. Ministry of New & Renewable Energy

D. Ministry of Commerce and Industry

• The Ministry of Renewable Energy warns farmers against fake websites and apps soliciting registration fees for solar water pump installation under PM-KUSUM Scheme. Launched in 2019, PM-KUSUM aims to de-dieselise farming, boost farmer income, and ensure energy security. It targets adding 34,800 MW of solar capacity by March 2026 with Rs 34,422 crore funding. Farmers receive subsidies up to 30-50% for solar pumps and grid-connected plants.

5. Project ISHAN is related to which sector?

A. Airspace sector

B. Agricultural sector

C. Health sector

D. Educational sector

• India launches Mission Indian Single Sky Harmonized Air Traffic Management (ISHAN) to merge its fragmented airspace into a unified system headquartered in Nagpur, aiming to revolutionize air traffic management. Currently, Indian airspace is divided into 4 regions managed separately. ISHAN consolidates them into one centered in Nagpur, enhancing efficiency. AAI, formed in 1995, operates under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India.

6. What are eVTOLs?

A. These are vehicles that can take off and land vertically using electric propulsion

B. It’s a medicine to cure cancer

C. It’s a new variety of weedicide

D. It’s a pyrolysis system which is run on the solid waste

• IIT Madras-incubated ePlane Company plans to debut eVTOL (electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing) aircraft in Bengaluru. eVTOLs use electric propulsion for vertical takeoff and landing, employing lithium-ion batteries to power electric motors driving rotors or propellers. They aim to alleviate urban traffic congestion, reduce air pollution, and enhance connectivity and emergency services.

7. Which institute’s scientists recently developed a new vaccine candidate to battle malaria?

A. Jawaharlal Nehru University

B. IIT, Kanpur

C. Banaras Hindu University

D. IIT, Roorkee

• Scientists from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) discovered a potential malaria vaccine candidate targeting the parasite’s Prohibitin protein. Published in iScience by Cell Press, their research offers hope for better prevention and treatment. Malaria, transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes, remains a significant health burden globally, with 249 million cases and 60,800 deaths in 2022. The vaccine development could revolutionize malaria control, addressing a disease that has plagued humanity for centuries.

8. Periyar River is the longest river in which state?

A. Tamil Nadu

B. Kerala

C. Goa

D. Karnataka

• A recent mass fish kill devastated the Periyar River in Kerala, causing widespread destruction and outrage. The Periyar River, Kerala’s longest, originates in the Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu and flows northward, passing through the Periyar National Park into the man-made Periyar Lake. It eventually joins the Vembanad Lake before reaching the Arabian Sea. The river, spanning 244 km, sustains a vast area and is vital for Kerala’s economy, notably with the Idukki Dam, the state’s largest hydroelectric project.

9. What is the theme of ‘World Schizophrenia Day 2024’?

A. Breaking the Stigma, Sharing Our Stories

B. Celebrating the Power of Community Kindness

C. Do what you can do

D. Embracing recovery

• World Schizophrenia Day, observed on May 24, aims to raise awareness about the serious mental illness affecting over 21 million people worldwide. It seeks to dispel myths, including the misconception of split personalities, associated with schizophrenia. Symptoms include confused thinking, delusions, and hallucinations. 2024 theme for this day is “Celebrating the Power of Community Kindness”.

10. Recently, National Council for Cement and Building Materials-Incubation Centre (NCB-IC) was inaugurated by which ministry?

A. Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare

B. Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers

C. Ministry of New & Renewable Energy

D. Ministry of Commerce and Industry

• Recently, the National Council for Cement and Building Materials-Incubation Centre (NCB-IC) was inaugurated by the Joint Secretary, DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry. At NCB-IC, startups/entrepreneurs receive mentorship from NCB scientists and industry experts for product development. DPIIT-recognised startups now total 1,36,584. NCB, under DPIIT, is a leading R&D organization focusing on cement, building materials, and construction industries, offering research, technology development, education, and industrial services.

11. Which country named the cyclonic storm ‘Remal’ that recently hit the Bay of Bengal?

A. Oman

B. Myanmar

C. Bangladesh

D. India

• The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) warns that a low depression in the Bay of Bengal has intensified into severe cyclonic storm Remal, with wind speeds of 100-120 km/h. Cyclone Remal, named by Oman, is the season’s first in the region and will bring heavy rain and thundershowers to West Bengal and Bangladesh.

12. Who has become the first Indian gymnast to win a gold medal at the 2024 Asian Gymnastics Championships?

A. Dipa Karmakar

B. Pranati Nayak

C. Rucha Divekar

D. Kalpana Debnath

• Dipa Karmakar of Tripura made history by becoming the first Indian gymnast to win gold at the Asian Championships. She won the women’s vault final at the 2024 Asian Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, with a score of 13.566. North Korea’s Kim Son-hyang and Jo Kyong-byol took silver and bronze. Despite this victory, Dipa finished 16th in the all-around, missing the 2024 Paris Olympics quota.