Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 29th & 30th June 2023

1. Joha rice, which was seen in the news, is from which state/UT?

[A] West Bengal

[B] Assam

[C] Odisha

[D] Bihar

Answer: [B] Assam

Scientists at the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology conducted research on the nutraceutical properties of Joha rice, an aromatic rice grown in the Northeastern region of India, especially Assam. They found that Joha rice is effective in reducing blood glucose levels and preventing the onset of diabetes, making it a promising choice for managing diabetes.

2. Which Union Ministry announced changes in UAV Export Policy to make it simpler and liberalized?

[A] Ministry of Commerce and Industry

[B] Ministry of MSME

[C] Ministry of Home Affairs

[D] Ministry of External Affairs

Answer: [A] Ministry of Commerce and Industry

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry’s Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has made the export policy for civilian drones/UAVs from India simpler and more liberalized, aligning with the focus of India’s Foreign Trade Policy 2023. This decision aims to promote the export of domestically manufactured drones/UAVs for civilian purposes while considering India’s international commitments regarding non- proliferation.

3. Archaeologists have unearthed a 4,000-year- old sanctuary in which country?

[A] Netherlands

[B] Greece

[C] Japan

[D] China

Answer: [A] Netherlands

Archaeologists have unearthed a 4,000-year-old sanctuary in the central Netherlands, composed of ditches and burial mounds, believed to have had a similar purpose to Stonehenge. The large sanctuary, equivalent to at least three soccer fields in size, was constructed with soil and wood and aligned with the sun during the solstices.

4. Heliopolis Memorial, which was seen in the news, is located in which country?

[A] Japan

[B] USA

[C] Egypt

[D] Germany

Answer: [C] Egypt

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Heliopolis War Cemetery in Cairo, Egypt, to honor the memory of around 4,000 Indian soldiers who fought in World War 1 in Egypt and Palestine. The Heliopolis (Port Tewfik) Memorial is part of the larger Heliopolis Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery. The cemetery also pays tribute to 1,700 Commonwealth soldiers who lost their lives in World War 2.

5. Which country leads the ‘Minerals Security Partnership (MSP)’?

[A] USA

[B] India

[C] Germany

[D] Italy

Answer: [A] USA

The establishment of the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), led by the United States, aims to fast-track the global development of resilient and eco-friendly supply chains for crucial energy minerals. India recently became its member alongside 12 other partner countries and the European Union.

6. Giant African land snail’ is an invasive nature that has been discovered in which country recently?

[A] USA

[B] Australia

[C] UK

[D] India

Answer: [A] USA

Broward County in Florida has been placed under quarantine after the discovery of a large African land snail, known for its invasive nature and destructive impact on the environment. These snails can grow up to eight inches in size, lay numerous eggs, and carry a parasite that poses health risks to humans, including meningitis.

7. What is the name of the closest supermassive black hole to the Earth?

[A] Tarzan A

[B] Sagittarius A

[C] Titan A

[D] Suzlon A

Answer: [B] Sagittarius A

Sagittarius A, the closest supermassive black hole to the Earth, has transitioned from a dormant state to a highly luminous state, increasing its brightness by a million times. Located at the center of the Milky Way, this black hole, which is immensely larger than the Sun, exhibited increased activity around two centuries ago, consuming nearby cosmic objects.

8. ‘Atrial fibrillation’, which was seen in the news, is associated with which part of the body?

[A] Lungs

[B] Heart

[C] Brain

[D] Pancreas

Answer: [B] Heart

As per a recent research, around 1 in 45 individuals in the United Kingdom experience atrial fibrillation (AF), a condition marked by irregular heart rhythms, which greatly raises the chances of having a stroke. Detecting atrial fibrillation (AF), early is vital since there are available treatments to address the condition.

9. ‘Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah mosque’ is located in which country?

[A] Israel

[B] UAE

[C] Iran

[D] Egypt

Answer: [D] Egypt

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to tour the Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah mosque, situated in Cairo, Egypt. It is named after Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah (985-1021), the 16th Fatimid Caliph. As the fourth oldest mosque in Egypt and the second largest, it holds significant historical and architectural importance.

10. Which species produce ‘Domoic acid’ which is harmful for small sea creatures?

[A] Dolphin

[B] Shark

[C] Algae

[D] Fungus

Answer: [C] Algae

The rapid proliferation of a harmful algae species that produces domoic acid is causing the death of numerous marine animals, according to experts. The toxin is initially consumed by small sea creatures like shellfish, anchovies, and sardines in significant amounts, and then it progresses through the food chain as larger mammals consume these creatures.

11. ‘Online News Act’, which was seen in the news, is implemented in which country?

[A] India

[B] Canada

[C] USA

[D] Australia

Answer: [B] Canada

Meta Platforms Inc (META.O) has announced its decision to block access to news on Facebook and Instagram for all users in Canada. The Online News Act, a legislation mandating payment from internet giants to news publishers, is enforced. The Online News Act has received approval from the Senate upper chamber and is awaiting royal assent for it to become law.

12. ‘Ronald Reagan’ is the name of the aircraft carrier of which country?

[A] UK

[B] USA

[C] Canada

[D] Argentina

Answer: [B] USA

The U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan will stop at Central Vietnam’s port city of Danang in a rare visit for a U.S. warship to the southeast Asian nation. This visit is scheduled amid tensions with Beijing in the South China Sea remain high. The USS Theodore Roosevelt stopped in Vietnam in 2020 to mark 25 years of normalised diplomatic relations after the end of the Vietnam War in 1975. USS Ronald Reagan is only the third visit of a U.S. aircraft carrier since the end of the Vietnam War.

13. Which state/UT launched ‘Jagananna Suraksha’ program?

[A] Tamil Nadu

[B] Andhra Pradesh

[C] Odisha

[D] Telangana

Answer: [B] Andhra Pradesh

Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh has initiated the ‘Jagananna Suraksha’ program, a month- long effort aimed at addressing unresolved grievances by reaching out to households in the state. This program involyes volunteers and secretariat employees visiting all households, totaling 1.6 crore, within the next 10 days to identify and assist those who have been left out of previous benefit schemes.

14. India signed a Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) for authorized economic operators (AEOS), with which country?

[A] UAE

[B] USA

[C] Italy

[D] France

Answer: [A] UAE

India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have signed a Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) for authorized economic operators (AEOS), allowing Customs authorities of both countries to recognize safe and compliant exporters and importers. This agreement aims to enhance facilitation and streamline customs clearances for AEOS, providing them with improved benefits and efficiencies.

15. Which term refers the ‘collapse of an object inward upon itself, often caused by extreme force or pressure’?

[A] Extreme implosion

[B] Catastrophic implosion

[C] Impulsive explosion

[D] Destructive implosion

Answer: [B] Catastrophic implosion

Catastrophic implosion refers to the sudden collapse of an object inward upon itself, often caused by extreme force or pressure. This phenomenon caused the destruction of the missing Titanic submersible in the Atlantic.

16. ‘International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR)’ is administered by which country?

[A] USA

[B] Germany

[C] France

[D] UK

Answer: [A] USA

Plans for US-India defence technology sharing between the US and India are facing hurdles because of strict US rules like the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). The U.S. Department of State’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) oversees and enforces the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), which are a collection of regulations governing the export of defense articles and services from the United States.

17. ‘Blue Pansy (Junonia Orithya)’ has been named as the official butterfly of which state/UT?

[A] Karnataka

[B] Jammu and Kashmir

[C] Arunachal Pradesh

[D] Sikkim

Answer: [B] Jammu and Kashmir

Blue Pansy (Junonia Orithya) has been named the official butterfly of Jammu and Kashmir. The Blue Pansy, a type of vivid blue butterfly, can be observed in different regions of Southeast Asia, Australia, and Africa. These butterflies, recognized for their territorial behavior, display 26 distinct local subspecies within their habitat.

18. Which public sector, enterprise announced financial support of Rs. 3,045 crores to Bangalore Metro?

[A] SAIL

[B] REC

[C] ONGC

[D] GAIL

Answer: [B] REC

REC Limited, a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise affiliated with the Union Ministry of Power, has made the choice to provide financial support amounting to Rs. 3,045 crores to Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL). This assistance aims to facilitate the creation and advancement of Metro Lines as part of the Phase-II initiative for Bangalore Metro.

19. When is the ‘Udyami Bharat-MSME Day’ observed in India?

[A] 25 June

[B] 27 June

[C] 30 June

[D] 1 July

Answer: [B] 27 June

To commemorate International MSME Day, the Ministry of MSME will be observing ‘Udyami Bharat-MSME Day’ on June 27th at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. Union Ministry of MSME Narayan Rane launched ‘CHAMPIONS 2.0 Portal’. ‘Mobile App for Geo-tagging of Cluster Projects, Technology Centers’ and ‘MSME Idea Hackathon 3.0’ for women entrepreneurs.

20. Egypt conferred the ‘Order of the Nile’ honour to which personality?

[A] Ratan Tata

[B] Narendra Modi

[C] Droupadi Murmu

[D] Rajnath Singh

Answer: [B] Narendra Modi

The ‘Order of the Nile’ was conferred recently to Prime Minister Modi. It is the highest civilian award of Egypt. It is the 13th such highest state honour that various countries across the world have conferred upon the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Commenced in 1915, the ‘Order of the Nile’ is conferred upon Heads of states, Crown Princes, and Vice-Presidents who offer invaluable services.