Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 29th March 2023
1. As per the QS World University Rankings 2023, which is the most represented country in Asia?
[A] India
[B] China
[C] Singapore
[D] Malaysia
Answer : [B] China
As many as 44 programmes offered by Indian higher education institutions in different disciplines have figured in the top 100 globally, according to QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023. India is the second most represented country in Asia for the number of ranked universities (66), after China (Mainkland) (99).
2. Which city is the host of the ‘First G20 Trade and Investment Working Group (TIWG) Meeting’
[A] New Delhi
[B] Mumbai
[C] Gandhi Nagar
[D] Mysore
Answer : [B] Mumbai
The First G20 Trade and Investment Working Group (TIWG) Meeting is set to be held in Mumbai from March 28 to 30 this year. The three-day event will witness the attendance of over 100 delegates from G20 member states, invitee countries regional groupings and international organizations.
3. ‘SWAMIH Fund’ is sponsored by which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Finance
[B] Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
[C] Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
[D] Ministry of Rural Development
Answer : [A] Ministry of Finance
The Special Window for Affordable and Mid-Income Housing (SWAMIH) Investment Fund I is a social impact fund. The Fund is sponsored by the Ministry of Finance and is managed by SBICAP Ventures Ltd., a State Bank Group company. It was launched to provide assistance to stressed or stalled mid-income and affordable housing projects. As of March 2023, RS 2,646.57 crore was released to this fund.
4. Anji Khad Bridge, which was seen in the news, is located in which state/UT?
[A] Jammu and Kashmir
[B] Sikkim
[C] Uttarakhand
[D] Arunachal Pradesh
Answer : [A] Jammu and Kashmir
India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge, the Anji Khad Bridge, is set to be operational by May 2023. The bridge is expected to connect the Union Territory of Kashmir with the rest of India through train for the first time. Anji Khad Bridge is the second-most important bridge after Chenab Bridge on the Udhampur – Srinagar – Baramulla Rail Project.
5. What is the name of ‘India’s First Cloned Desi Gir Female Calf’?
[A] Narendra
[B] Ganga
[C] Virat
[D] Veera
Answer : [B] Ganga
India’s first cloned female calf of the desi breed Gir was produced recently by the National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal. It can produce more than 15 litres of milk per day. Scientists of the institute have produced a female cloned calf from the somatic cell of the tail of the indigenous Gir cow breed. It is a native tract in Gujarat and is popular for its docile nature, disease-resistance heat-tolerance and high milk producing qualities.
6. Which country has provided ‘Challenger 2 tanks’ to Ukraine recently?
[A] UK
[B] USA
[C] India
[D] Israel
Answer : [A] UK
UK has supplied Challenger 2 main battle tanks have arrived in Ukraine and will begin combat missions. The UK promised 14 of the vehicles to Ukraine, a move which helped persuade other Western nations to supply their own tanks. These tanks are capable of using depleted uranium shells as ammunition.
7. Which state/UT hosted the ‘23rd INDIASOFT’ event?
[A] Maharashtra
[B] New Delhi
[C] Gujarat
[D] Uttar Pradesh
Answer : [B] New Delhi
23rd INDIASOFT was inaugurated recently at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. It brings together Indian tech companies and international technology players under one roof. MoS for Commerce and Industry inaugurated 23rd INDIASOFT, New Delhi. Over 650 delegates from 80 countries are participating in the three-day event. More than 1500 Indian exhibitors are showcasing their products and solutions at the event.
8. Which Union Ministry implements the ‘Scheme of Scholarship and Fellowship for Promotion of Art and Culture’?
[A] Ministry of Tourism
[B] Ministry of Culture
[C] Ministry of Home Affairs
[D] Ministry of External Affairs
Answer : [B] Ministry of Culture
The Ministry of Culture is implementing a Scheme by the name of ‘Scheme of Scholarship and Fellowship for Promotion of Act and Culture’ to protect all genres of artists including folk song artists. It consists of 3 components including (i) Award of Scholarships of Young Artists in Different Cultural Fields (SYA), (ii) Award of Senior/Junior Fellowships to outstanding persons in different cultural fields and (iii) Award of Tagore National Fellowship for cultural research (TNFCR).
9. During Earth Hour 2023, which Indian state/UT saved 279 MW of electricity?
[A] Mumbai
[B] New Delhi
[C] Chennai
[D] Gandhi Nagar
Answer : [B] New Delhi
Earth Hour is an annual global event that seeks to raise awareness about the challenges of climate crisis and promote energy conservation. During this occasion, Delhi saved 279 MW of electricity. Earth Hour is one of the world’s largest grassroots movements for the environment and for the 17th year in a row, millions of people have celebrated Earth Hour.
10. Which Union Ministry implements the ‘MSE-Cluster Development Programme’?
[A] Ministry of MSME
[B] Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
[C] Ministry of Rural Development
[D] Ministry of Tourism
Answer : [A] Ministry of MSME
The Micro and Small Enterprises – Cluster Development Programme (MSE-CDP) is being implemented by the Union MSME Ministry across India. Its objective is to improve the productivity and competitiveness of the MSEs and ensure their holistic development via financial aid for establishing Common Facility Centres (CFCs) and for establishing new of up-gradation of existing Industrial Areas or Estates among others.
11. ‘Khalkha Jetsun Dhampa Rinpoche’ is associated with which religion?
[A] Jainism
[B] Buddhism
[C] Jewism
[D] Sikhism
Answer : [B] Buddhism
An eight-year-old US-born Mongolian boy has been named as the 10th Khalkha Jetsun Dhampa Rinpoche by the Dalai Lama. He is set to become the third most important leader in the Tibetan Buddhism.
12. Which institution released the “How is India Adapting to Heatwaves?” report?
[A] NITI Aayog
[B] Centre for Policy Research
[C] IEA
[D] UNEP
Answer : [B] Centre for Policy Research
The Centre for Policy Research (CPR) released a report analysing all 37 heat action plans (HAPs) across 18 states to evaluate how policy action is keeping up with the warming weather in India. It finds that heat action plans in India are not only poorly funded but have a weak legal framework.
13. ‘Dama celiae’ which was seen on the news, belongs to which species?
[A] Deer
[B] Gecko
[C] Spider
[D] Snake
Answer : [A] Deer
Dama celiae is an extinct species of fallow deer with two-pointed antlers. It lived Europe during the Pleistocene epoch, around 365,000 and 295,000 years ago. The fossilized remains of Dama celiae, including a rib with seven cut marks, were collected from the sand quarries of Pedro Jaro I and Orcasitas in the Manzanares valley.
14. Which Indian Armed Force launched the ‘Operation Sadbhavana’ in Jammu and Kashmir?
[A] Indian Army
[B] Indian Navy
[C] Indian Air Force
[D] Indian Coast Guard
Answer : [A] Indian Army
Operation Sadbhavana (Goodwill) was launched by the Indian Army in Jammu and Kashmir. Under this operation, a veterinary camp was organized recently at Dabbar near Dabrah village. It is a unique humane initiative undertaken by Indian Army to address aspirations of people affected by terrorism.
15. Which Union Ministry is associated with C-PACE, which will help in closing down businesses?
[A] Ministry of Finance
[B] Ministry of Corporate Affairs
[C] Ministry of External Affairs
[D] Ministry of Home Affairs
Answer : [B] Ministry of Corporate Affairs
The Centre for Processing Accelerated Corporate Exit (C-PACE) is going to be set up by the Indian Government to process and dispose of applications for removal of company names from the records under the companies law. It will help ease the process of closing down businesses and getting their names removed from the Register of Companies. Ministry of Corporate Affairs will implement the process.
16. Chow-chow, which belongs to the gourd family, originated from which country?
[A] Mexico
[B] Turkey
[C] Greece
[D] China
Answer : [A] Mexico
Chow-chow belongs to the gourd family Cucurbitaceae. It originated from Mexico, which hosts the largest number of wild relatives of chow-chow like S compositum, S hintonii and S tacaco. The plant arrived in India in the late 1800s with Welsh missionaries, who brought the gourd to Mizoram.
17. Mahim Fort, which was seen in the news, is located in which state/UT?
[A] Maharashtra
[B] New Delhi
[C] Gujarat
[D] Karnataka
Answer : [A] Maharashtra
Mahim Fort is situated in the Mahim Bay in Mumbai, Maharashtra. This 800-year-old fort is currently being developed by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) as a tourist destination. As per BMC, the descendants of King Bimbdev, who established his kingdom Mahikawati in ‘Aparant’ or north Konkan belt of Maharashtra, built the fort between 1140 and 1241.
18. Kota was the last New Guinea singing dog of which country?
[A] UK
[B] India
[C] USA
[D] Australia
Answer : [A] UK
New Guinea singing dog is a species found in New Guinea Highlands. UK’s last New Guinea singing dog, named Kota, recently died in Exmoor Zoological Park. The singing dog has died at the age of 15. The dogs get their name from their unique howl, which has been compared to both the song of the humpback whale and a yodel.
19. Which team won the inaugural Women’s Premier League trophy in 2023?
[A] Delhi Capitals
[B] Mumbai Indians
[C] UP Warriorz
[D] Gujarat Giants
Answer : [B] Mumbai Indians
Mumbai Indians have won the inaugural Women’s Premier League. They defeated Delhi Capitals by seven wickets in the Summit Clash in Mumbai. Chasing a target of 132 runs, Mumbai Indians surpassed the score, posting 134 for 3 in 19.3 overs. For Mumbai, Nat Sciver-Brunt was the highest scorer who remained not out at 60.
20. Which Union Ministry implements the ‘National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-systems’ (NPCA)’?
[A] Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change
[B] Ministry of Home Affairs
[C] Ministry of Power
[D] Ministry of Tourism
Answer : [A] Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change
Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF & CC) provided financial assistance to the States/Union Territories under National Wetlands Conservation Programme (NWCP) and National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP). NWCP and NLCP have been merged into a centrally sponsored scheme namely ‘National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-systems’ (NPCA) in 2013.