Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 28th July 2023
1. Which Union Ministry is set to launch ‘Ayushman Bhav programme’?
[A] Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
[B] Ministry of MSME
[C] Ministry of Commerce and Industry
[D] Ministry of Women and Child Development
Answer: [A] Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
The Union Health Ministry is preparing to introduce the ‘Ayushman Bhav’ program to ensure effective implementation of all state-run health schemes to reach every intended beneficiary, even in the most remote areas. The campaign aims to provide comprehensive and widespread coverage of health schemes, ensuring that all eligible beneficiaries can access and benefit from them. Activities like Ayushman Apke Dwar 3.0, Ayushman Sabha, Ayushman Mela, and Ayushman Gram are part of this initiative.
2. What is the name of the internet ransomware virus, regarding which CERT-In issued an advisory?
[A] Agata
[B] Akira
[C] Aira
[D] Alima
Answer: [B] Akira
Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) issued an advisory regarding the internet ransomware virus named ‘Akira.’ This malware targets Windows and Linux-based systems, stealing personal information and encrypting data to extort money from victims through a double extortion scheme.
3. Hindon River is a tributary of which river?
[A] Ganges
[B] Yamuna
[C] Narmada
[D] Tapti
Answer: [B] Yamuna
In Uttar Pradesh, water entered houses as the Hindon River swelled up and overflowed its banks. The Hindon River flows into the Yamuna River as one of its tributaries. Heavy rain in the Yamuna river’s upper catchment areas, including Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Haryana, led to the Yamuna’s water swelling to record levels.
4. Which Union Ministry is set to launch the ‘JJM Digital Academy’?
[A] Ministry of Jal Shakti
[B] Ministry of MSME
[C] Ministry of Commerce and Industry
[D] Ministry of Science and Technology
Answer: [A] Ministry of Jal Shakti
During the two-day national conference held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation and Echo India entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish JJM Digital Academy. The Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, inaugurated the online portal of JJM Digital Academy on this occasion.
5. ‘Market Access Initiatives (MAI) Scheme’ is associated with which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of MSME
[B] Ministry of Commerce and Industry
[C] Ministry of Home Affairs
[D] Ministry of Women and Child Development
Answer: [B] Ministry of Commerce and Industry
The Market Access Initiatives (MAI) Scheme has been updated to allow startups and new exporters to receive airfare reimbursement for participating in international events, and existing exporters will now receive a 20% higher ceiling for this incentive. Despite these measures, India’s goods exports experienced a significant 22% year-on-year contraction in June, reaching $32.97 billion, marking the steepest decline in three years. The MAI Scheme aims to provide financial support for export promotion activities.
6. Leon Marchand, who was seen in the news, is associated with which sports?
[A] Tennis
[B] Swimming
[C] Cricket
[D] Shooting
Answer: [B] Swimming
During the first day of the world swimming championships in Japan, France’s Leon Marchand broke American swimmer Michael Phelps’ final individual world record by winning the 400m individual medley. Phelps, the most celebrated athlete in the history of the Summer Olympics, was present at the event, having earned 28 medals across five Olympics, including 23 gold medals, three silver medals, and two bronze medals.
7. Which state/UT hosted the ‘Semicon India 2023’ exhibition?
[A] Maharashtra
[B] New Delhi
[C] Uttar Pradesh
[D] Gujarat
Answer: [D] Gujarat
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the inauguration of ‘Semicon India 2023’, exhibition highlighting India’s semiconductor capabilities and chip design innovation, taking place in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The event will witness the participation of prominent companies such as Foxconn, Micron, AMD, IBM, Marvell, Vedanta, LAM Research, NXP Semiconductors, and showcasing India’s STMicroelectronics, significant progress in nurturing a global semiconductor manufacturing and design ecosystem.
8. Which country hosted the ‘Talisman Sabre exercises’?
[A] USA
[B] Australia
[C] France
[D] Russia
Answer: [B] Australia
Recently, live-fire drills featuring the American- made HIMARS missile system were conducted at the Shoalwater Bay military complex in Queensland, Australia, showcasing its recent acquisition by the Australian Defence Force. The drills are part of the biennial Talisman Sabre exercises, involving over 30,000 troops from various countries, including Japan, France, Germany, and South Korea.
9. ‘Inflation Reduction Act’, which was seen in the news, is associated with which country?
[A] USA
[B] India
[C] China
[D] Japan
Answer: [A] USA
Companies in North America are rushing to recycle electric vehicle batteries due to a lesser- known provision in the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act, which aims to challenge China’s dominant position in this industry on a global scale. The act’s clause automatically designates EV battery materials recycled in the U.S. as American-made for subsidies, making it beneficial for automakers using these materials in electric vehicle production to qualify for incentives.
10. The first in-person follow-up event of BRICS Urbanisation Forum is set to be organised in which country?
[A] India
[B] South Africa
[C] Australia
[D] Japan
Answer: [B] South Africa
The BRICS Urbanisation Forum, which was initially launched in New Delhi in February 2013, will hold its first in-person follow-up event in Durban, South Africa. During the two-day conference, representatives from the five BRICS nations will engage in discussions about crucial urban development matters, aiming to explore how cities worldwide are enhancing their resilience to these challenges.
11. What is the name of the technique which uses time disparities to advance climate objectives?
[A] Greening the Time
[B] Extending the time
[C] Delaying the time
[D] Overarching time
Answer: [A] Greening the time
‘Greening the time’ means the technique to use time or temporal disparities to advance climate objectives. It is expected to help India achieve its climate goals. The sun rises almost two hours earlier on the eastern side of the country. As per researchers, it is important to consider multiple time zones for India. This could save massive units of electricity.
12. What is the name of the weather event which involves rise in the sea surface temperature?
[A] Marine heat waves
[B] Oceanic heat waves
[C] Pacific heat waves
[D] Surface heat waves
Answer: [A] Marine heat waves
In April, ocean temperatures soared to 21.1 degrees Celsius, breaking the previous record set in 2016. Since then, these record-high ocean temperatures have led to marine heat waves in various regions, including the north-east Pacific, the southern Indian Ocean, the Pacific etc. A marine heat wave is an extreme weather event characterized by the sea surface temperature rising 3 to 4 degrees Celsius above the average temperature for at least five days and can last for weeks.
13. Which state signed a MoU with OneWeb to establish ‘Satellite network portal site’?
[A] Maharashtra
[B] Gujarat
[C] Andhra Pradesh
[D] Madhya Pradesh
Answer: [B] Gujarat
Recently, the Gujarat government, through its Department of Science and Technology (DST), entered into a memorandum of understanding with OneWeb India Communications to establish a ‘satellite network portal site’ in Mehsana, Gujarat. This marks the first instance of such a setup in India by a state. The site is planned to provide high-speed, low-latency, and affordable connectivity,
14. ‘Lycaenidae’ which was seen in the news, is a family of which species?
[A] Butterflies
[B] Snakes
[C] Turtles
[D] Cats
Answer: [A] Butterflies
According to a recent study, smaller and lighter- colored butterflies, particularly those from the Lycaenidae family, may encounter difficulties in regulating their body temperatures as the Earth’s climate warms. Unlike their larger- winged and darker-colored counterparts, these butterflies might struggle to cope with rising air temperatures.
15. ‘Batagaika crater’, the largest permafrost crater in the world, is located in which country?
[A] Russia
[B] Ukraine
[C] Philippines
[D] Japan
Answer: [A] Russia
Scientists have sounded an alarm as the Batagaika crater, the largest permafrost crater in the world located in Russia’s Far East, is experiencing thawing. The concerning “mega slump” poses a threat to cities and towns in northern and northeastern Russia.
16. Mount Kun, which was seen in the news, is located in which state/UT?
[A] Ladakh
[B] Jammu and Kashmir
[C] Sikkim
[D] Assam
Answer: [A] Ladakh
Mount Kun is situated in Ladakh in the western Himalayan Range. It is the second highest summit of the massif with elevation of 23,219 feet. To commemorate Kargil Vijay Diwas, a group of mountaineers from the Indian Army’s Dagger Division achieved an extraordinary accomplishment by successfully climbing Mount Kun, reaching its 7,077-meter summit in record time, and performing Yoga to pay tribute.
17. ‘Bali Paragraphs’ which was seen in the news, is associated with which bloc?
[A] European Union
[B] G-20
[C] G-7
[D] ASEAN
Answer: [B] G-20
Amid preparations for the G-20 Summit in New Delhi, a dispute over the “Bali Paragraphs” has arisen, as Russia and China oppose language related to the war in Ukraine contained in the statements. India has been forced to issue a series of “Chairman’s Summary and Outcomes Documents” instead of a Joint Communiqué due to the disagreement, raising concerns about the future of the G-20’s consensus-based approach.
18. Which state is to create at least five regional coordination units to identify violations in Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) areas?
[A] Goa
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Andhra Pradesh
[D] Kerala
Answer: [B] Tamil Nadu
The Tamil Nadu State Coastal Zone Management Authority (TNSCZMA) intends to create at least five regional coordination units to establish an efficient system for identifying violations in Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) areas, conducting essential monitoring, and taking appropriate actions against such violations. The TNSCZMA has also suggested a significant increase in the scrutiny fee collected from project proponents.
19. The redeveloped India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) complex was inaugurated in which state/UT?
[A] Gujarat
[B] New Delhi
[C] Uttar Pradesh
[D] West Bengal
Answer: [B] New Delhi
Prime Minister has recently inaugurated the redeveloped India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) complex at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. Called ‘Bharat Mandapam’, the complex is the venue for the G-20 leaders’ meeting in September.
20. Which state has unveiled its dedicated Semiconductor Policy (2022-2027)?
[A] Telangana
[B] Gujarat
[C] Odisha
[D] West Bengal
Answer: [B] Gujarat
The Gujarat government has unveiled the Semiconductor Policy (2022-2027), becoming ione of the first states in India to introduce a dedicated Semiconductor Policy. The State government has also unveiled an IT/ITES (Information Technology and Information Technology Enabled Services) policy to promote the information technology and semiconductor design domains.