Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 29th August 2023

1. ‘Dholpur-Karauli’ is the recently approved tiger reserve of which Indian state?

[A] Gujarat

[B] Rajasthan

[C] Madhya Pradesh

[D] Maharashtra

Answer: [B] Rajasthan

The Union Ministry of environment, forest and climate change has accorded the final approval to Rajasthan’s fifth Tiger Reserve in Dholpur- Karauli. It is the country’s 53rd tiger reserve. The Ministry also gave in-principle approval to declare Kumbhalgarh as a tiger reserve in Rajasthan. The other four tiger reserves in Rajasthan are – Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, Sariska Tiger Reserve, Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve and Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve.

2. Which company announced to release ‘Code Llama’ AI model to assist in writing computer code?

[A] Google

[B] Apple

[C] Microsoft

[D] Meta

Answer: [D] Meta

Meta Platforms said it would release an artificial intelligence (AI) model designed to assist in writing computer code It is a large language model (LLM) that can use text prompts to generate and discuss code. It has the potential to make workflows faster and more efficient for developers. Code Llama has the potential to be used as a productivity and educational tool to help programmers write more robust software.

3. Which state/UT implements the Chief Minister Breakfast scheme?

[A] Kerala

[B] Tamil Nadu

[C] Goa

[D] Punjab

Answer: [B] Tamil Nadu

In Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister’s breakfast scheme has been extended to 31,000 schools across the State, benefiting 17 lakh students. Initially, the scheme was devised to provide nutritious breakfast to 1,14,095 students of classes 1 to 5 studying in 1,545 government schools and an amount of Rs 33.56 crore was allocated for this scheme.

4. Which movie won the best Feature Film award at the 69th National Film Awards in 2023?

[A] Rocketry: The Nambi Effect

[B] Gangubai Kathiawadia

[C] Sarpatta Parambarai

[D] RRR

Answer: [A] Rocketry: The Nambi Effect

‘Rocketry: The Nambi Effect’ was adjudged Best Feature Film at the 69th National Film Awards. Best Actor award went to Allu Arjun while Alia Bhatt, Kriti Sanon share Best Actress award. ‘RRR’ won six awards including Best Music Direction, Best Special Effects, Best Choreography, Best Action Direction/Stunt Choreography, Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment, and Best Male Playback Singer.

5. Rafael Nadal has been named as the ambassador for which Indian technology brand?

[A] TCS

[B] Wipro

[C] Infosys

[D] Tech Mahindra

Answer: [C] Infosys

Infosys announced entering into a three-year partnership with tennis legend Rafael Nadal. The 22-time Grand Slam champion will serve as the Brand Ambassador for the brand and Infosys Digital Innovation. Infosys will collaborate with Nadal on the development of cutting-edge digital innovation projects.

6. Which country has sued Elon Musk’s SpaceX over hiring policy?

[A] Japan

[B] USA

[C] UK

[D] China

Answer: [B] USA

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has said it is suing Elon Musk’s SpaceX, alleging the rocket firm discriminates against refugees and asylum seekers in its hiring practices. The Doj alleged that SpaceX routinely discouraged asylees and refugees from applying and refused to hire or consider non-US citizens, because of their citizenship status from September 2018 to May 2022.

7. Which country has developed a humanoid robot called ‘Apollo’ that is designed to work alongside humans?

[A] India

[B] USA

[C] Israel

[D] UAE

Answer: [B] USA

US-based robotics startup Apptronik has developed a humanoid robot that is designed to work alongside humans. The humanoid robot called Apollo 5 feet 8 inches tall and it weighs 72.6 kilograms. Apollo can handle weight up to 25 kilograms and it has been designed in such a way that it can work safely alongside humans. It works on electricity and is fitted with a four-hour battery that can be charged.

8. Which Union Ministry is associated with ‘Mera Bill Mera Adhikaar initiative’?

[A] Ministry of Finance

[B] Ministry of Corporate Affairs

[C] Ministry of MSME

[D] Ministry of Commerce and Industry

Answer: [A] Ministry of Finance

To promote the practice of customers requesting invoices or bills for all purchases, the Government of India is introducing the ‘Invoice Incentive Scheme’ known as ‘Mera Bill Mera Adhikaar’ in collaboration with State Governments. The Scheme will be launched on September 1, 2023. The initiative will apply to all business-to-consumer invoices provided to customers by GST-registered suppliers in participating states. A lucky draw must have at least Rs 200 worth of invoices to qualify.

9. Which institution has recommended a 5-year license for food business operators?

[A] NITI Aayog

[B] FSSAI

[C] FCI

[D] NABARD

Answer: [B] FSSAI

Food regulator FSSAI said a central advisory committee has recommended that licenses to food business operators (FBOs) can be issued for up to five years instead of one year. FSSAI will train the food handlers in hygiene protocols such as Hazard Analysis of Critical Control Points (HACCP).

10. Which country is to play host to the men’s tennis tour’s Next Gen ATP Finals from 2023 to 2027.?

[A] India

[B] Sri Lanka

[C] Saudi Arabia

[D] Argentina

Answer: [C] Saudi Arabia

The Next Gen Finals for men’s under-21 tennis players will be held in the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah from 2023 to 2027. The ATP makes its first competitive entry into the Gulf state. The tournament, which has been played in Milan since it began in 2017, will also have its prize money increased to a record $2 million, up from $1.4 million last year.

11. Which institution released a report on growth rate of retail sales of India’s ultra- processed food sector?

[A] NITI Aayog

[B] Union Health Ministry

[C] WHO

[D] FSSAI

Answer: [C] WHO

India’s ultra-processed food sector grew at a compound annual growth rate of 13.37 per cent in retail sales value from 2011 to 2021. This was found in a report by the World Health Organization with the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations found.

12. Which Indian city has secured first position in Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan-2023?

[A] Mysuru

[B] Gandhi Nagar

[C] Indore

[D] Chennai

Answer: [C] Indore

Indore has secured first position in Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan-2023, conducted by the Central Pollution Control Board. According to a release, in the category of cities with a population of over 10 lakhs in the Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan-2023, Indore has secured the first position, Agra second, Thane third, Srinagar fourth and Bhopal ranked fifth.

13. ‘Fukushima nuclear plant’ is a disabled nuclear power plant located in which country?

[A] China

[B] Japan

[C] North Korea

[D] South Korea

Answer: [B] Japan

Japan began releasing wastewater from the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean as tanks containing the radioactive water neared capacity. In 2011, an earthquake and tsunami hit the Fukushima area and triggered reactor meltdowns at the plant. To stop the meltdown, plant workers flooded the reactors with water. Even now, when the plant is offline, the reactors need to be cooled.

14. Who has been appointed as the Chairperson of the National Green Tribunal?

[A] Justice Prakash Shrivastava

[B] Justice Ranjan Gogoi

[C] Justice Chandru

[D] Justice Sathasivam

Answer: [A] Justice Prakash Shrivastava

Former Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court, Justice Prakash Shrivastava, took oath as the new Chairperson of the National Green Tribunal. Earlier, the Centre had appointed Justice Sheo Kumar Singh as the acting chairperson on the retirement of Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel.

15. Which Indian player won a bronze medal in men’s singles at BWF World Badminton Championships 2023?

[A] Lakshya Sen

[B] HS Prannoy

[C] K Srikanth

[D] Chirag Shetty

Answer: [B] HS Prannoy

Indian badminton player HS Prannoy finished with a bronze medal in the men’s singles at the BWF World Badminton Championships 2023 after losing his semi-final match in Copenhagen, Denmark. World No. 9 HS Prannoy lost 21-18, 13-21, 14-21 to Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn, third in the badminton ranking.

16. When is the ‘International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition’ observed?

[A] August 21

[B] August 23

[C] August 25

[D] August 27

Answer: [B] August 23

‘International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition’ is commemorated on 23 August each year. It was first celebrated in a number of countries, in particular in Haiti (1998) and Gorée Island in Senegal (1999). This International Day is intended to inscribe the tragedy of the slave trade in the memory of all peoples.

17. G20 Pandemic Fund granted USD 25 million to which country’s animal husbandry and dairying department?

[A] Indonesia

[B] India

[C] Sri Lanka

[D] Bangladesh

Answer: [B] India

The G20 Pandemic Fund has granted USD 25 million to India’s animal husbandry and dairying department to aid pandemic preparedness and response. According to the Ministry of fisheries, animal husbandry & dairying, this funding will improve India’s animal health system, a crucial part of the One Health approach for pandemic prevention.

18. International Finance Corporation (IFC) is set to invest up to $100 million in which Indian company?

[A] IIFL Home Finance Limited

[B] LIC Housing Finance Limited

[C] Can Fin Homes

[D] National Housing Bank

Answer: [A] IIFL Home Finance Limited

International Finance Corporation (IFC) is set to invest up to $100 million in IIFL Home Finance Limited (IIFL HFL) to increase access to housing finance for economically weaker sections (EWS) and low-income groups (LIG), including women borrowers in India. This investment aims to catalyse India’s affordable housing sector, foster eco-friendly construction practices, and contribute to India’s climate objectives.

19. Which state launched ‘India’s First Village Atlas’?

[A] Rajasthan

[B] Goa

[C] Jharkhand

[D] Chhattisgarh

Answer: [B] Goa

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant released the Biodiversity Atlas of Mayem in North Goa, which is India’s First Village Atlas. The function was jointly organised by Mayem Vaiguinim Grampanchayat, Biodiversity Management Committee, Mayem Vaiguinim and Mayem Panlot Sangh. The government will come up with a biodiversity atlas of all 191 panchayats in the state.

20. Who is the head of the committee set up to review functioning of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)?

[A] K Kasturirangan

[B] K Vijay Raghavan

[C] Mayilsamy Annadurai

[D] Satheesh Reddy

Answer: [B] K Vijay Raghavan

A nine-member committee headed by former Principal Scientific Advisor to government, K Vijay Raghavan, has been set up by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to review functioning of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The Committee will suggest restructuring and redefining of its role to improve the output of the state-owned agency, aiding government’s move to make India self-reliant in military sector.