Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 28th February 2024

1. ‘DHARMA GUARDIAN’ exercise is conducted between which two countries?

A. India & Japan

B. India & Sri Lanka

C. India & Egypt

D. India & Australia

• The 5^th edition of Joint Military Exercise ‘DHARMA GUARDIAN’ between the Indian Army and the Japan Ground Self Defence Force commenced today at Mahajan Field Firing Ranges in Rajasthan. The Exercise is scheduled to be conducted from 25^th Feb to 9^th March 2024. Exercise ‘DHARMA GUARDIAN’ is an annual exercise and conducted alternatively in India and Japan.
• The Exercise will also facilitate developing inter-operability, bonhomie and camaraderie between troops of both the sides. This will enhance the level of defence cooperation, further fostering bilateral relations between the two friendly nations.

2. Attukal Pongal festival is celebrated in which state?

A. Gujarat

B. Kerala

C. Maharashtra

D. Karnataka

• Attukal Pongal, the world’s largest women’s congregation festival, extends globally with devotees observing rituals in the US and the UK. It is celebrated annually at Kerala’s Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, the event spans 10 days, starting on the Karthigai star of the Malayalam month of Makaram or Kumbham. On the 9^th day, the Attukal Pongala Mahotsavam occurs, featuring the ritualistic preparation and offering of a sweet payasam to the Goddess Bhagavathy.

3. Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) has successfully commissioned India’s largest Battery Energy Storage System in which state?

A. Uttar Pradesh

B. Jharkhand

C. Chhattisgarh

D. Gujarat

• SECI has successfully commissioned India’s largest Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Chhattisgarh, funded by the World Bank and Clean Technology Fund. The project utilizes battery storage to store solar energy for peak demand in the evening. It incorporates bifacial solar panels which increases electricity generation. It is estimated to save tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

4. Recently, which state established a special fund to save Purple Frog in the Western Ghats?

A. Tamil Nadu

B. Odisha

C. Kerala

D. Karnataka

• Tamil Nadu has established a special fund to conserve the Purple Frog, considered a ‘living fossil’ coexisting with dinosaurs. Acknowledged globally as one of the rarest frogs, it belongs to the Sooglossidae family and spends most of its life underground, emerging only during the monsoon for mating. With a distinct appearance, short hind legs, and preference for specific Western Ghats habitats, the Purple Frog is listed as Near Threatened by IUCN and under Schedule I of WPA, highlighting its conservation significance.

5. IIT Madras recently collaborated with which institution to develop ‘Garbhini-GA2’ AI model?

A. Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI)

B. IIM Ahmedabad

C. IISc Bangalore

D. IIT Bombay

• The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) and the Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI) in Faridabad recently developed an AI model called “Garbhini-GA2”. The model can accurately determine the age of a fetus in pregnant women during the second and third trimesters. The model was developed as part of the GARBH-Ini program, a collaboration between the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC) and THSTI. The model reduces error by almost three times compared to other methods.

6. Recently, where was the 13^th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) held?

A. New Delhi

B. California

C. Abu Dhabi

D. Paris

• The 13^th Ministerial Conference (MC13) of the World Trade Organization (WTO) started at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates from February 26 to 29, 2024. The conference will bring together trade ministers from around the world to review the multilateral trading system and chart the WTO’s future course. Priority items on the agenda include reforming the WTO’s dispute settlement function and new disciplines to eliminate fisheries subsidies that encourage overfishing.

7. ‘Sudarshan Setu’, the nation’s longest cable-stayed bridge, recently inaugurated in which state?

A. Tamil Nadu

B. Gujarat

C. Maharashtra

D. Goa

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India’s longest cable-stayed bridge, Sudarshan Setu, in Gujarat’s Dwarka, connecting Okha and Beyt Dwarka island. This ₹979 crore infrastructure project spans 2.32 km, symbolizing India’s dedication to progress and connectivity.

8. Where was the largest-ever global textile event ‘Bharat Tex 2024’ organized?

A. Madurai

B. New Delhi

C. Jaipur

D. Bhopal

• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated Bharat Tex 2024, a significant global textile event in New Delhi. The event, held at Bharat Mandapam and Yasho Bhoomi, featured over 3000 exhibitors from 100 countries and attracted 40,000 visitors. Modi emphasized Bharat Tex’s role in connecting Indian tradition with modernity, blending technology with heritage. The event symbolized Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, showcasing diverse textile traditions and highlighting India’s rich textile heritage in terms of depth, longevity, and capability.

9. ‘Savera’, a program for early breast cancer detection, recently launched by which state?

A. Bihar

B. Kerala

C. Haryana

D. Rajasthan

• Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar launched the “Savera” program, a pioneering initiative for early detection and prevention of breast cancer in women. Developed with the Medanta Foundation and Health Department, Savera utilizes visually impaired women’s heightened tactile sensitivity for breast cancer screenings, enabling earlier detection of abnormalities and improving treatment outcomes.

10. Beyt Island is located in which state?

A. Gujarat

B. Andhra Pradesh

C. Goa

D. Kerala

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the ‘Sudarshan Setu,’ India’s longest cable-stayed bridge, spanning 2.32 km over the Arabian Sea. Connecting Beyt Dwarka to mainland Okha in Gujarat, it features a unique design with a Bhagavad Gita-adorned footpath and Lord Krishna images. The bridge incorporates solar panels generating one megawatt of electricity and cost Rs 979 crore. Beyt Dwarka, believed to be Lord Krishna’s residence, is a small island with temples, white sand beaches, and coral reefs at the Gulf of Kutch mouth.

11. Recently, which country aims to produce 1-5 lakh tonnes of hydrogen a year by 2030?

A. Iran

B. Malaysia

C. Vietnam

D. Iraq

• Vietnam targets annual hydrogen production of 100,000-500,000 metric tonnes by 2030, a key element in its energy transition. The nation plans to scale up output to 10-20 million tonnes by 2050, incorporating green hydrogen, showcasing a strong commitment to sustainable energy initiatives and contributing to global decarbonization efforts.

12. NTPC Renewable Energy Ltd recently inaugurated its first solar project in which state?

A. Gujarat

B. Rajasthan

C. Odisha

D. Bihar

• NTPC Renewable Energy Ltd. (NTPC-REL) inaugurated its first solar project in Rajasthan. The 70 MW project is designed to produce 370 million units annually and is part of NTPC’s renewable energy expansion strategy. NTPC is also developing India’s largest floating solar power plant in Telangana.