Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 2nd & 3rd July 2023

1. When is the ‘International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking’ observed?

[A] June 21

[B] June 26

[C] July 1

[D] July 5

Answer: [B] June 26

The United Nations General Assembly in 1987, decided to observe June 26 as International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. This year’s theme is ‘People first: Stop stigma and discrimination; strengthen prevention’. Every year, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) issues the World Drug Report.

2. Which institution is set to deploy 10 million brushless direct current motor (BLDC) fans across the country from September?

[A] BIS

[B] EESL

[C] NITI Aayog

[D] NASSCOM

Answer: [B] EESL

The Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) has plans to bolster the market towards energy- efficient fans by deploying 10 million brushless direct current motor (BLDC) fans across the country from September. EESL is a joint venture of PSUs of the Ministry of Power. This plan is a part of its efforts to reduce energy consumption. It is also designed to support the country’s nationally determined contributions (NDC) targets.

3. Which company is set to buy the Danske Bank’s IT centre in India?

[A] HDFC Bank

[B] Infosys

[C] Axis Bank

[D] Tata Consultancy Services

Answer: [B] Infosys

Infosys has announced a long-term collaboration with Danske Bank. The projected agreement worth USD 454 million for a 5-year term has the possibility to renew for an extra year up to three times. As part of this agreement, Infosys will also buy Danske Bank’s IT centre in India, which employs over 1,400 people. Danske Bank, headquartered in Denmark, provides banking services to individuals and businesses, as well as large corporations and institutions.

4. Which country amended its Election Act to limit the disqualification of lawmakers to five years with retrospective effect?

[A] Sri Lanka

[B] India

[C] Pakistan

[D] Myanmar

Answer: [C] Pakistan

In Pakistan, the National Assembly has passed a bill seeking an amendment to the Elections Act 2017, aimed at limiting the disqualification of lawmakers to five years with retrospective effect. The Act- titled Elections (Amendment) Bill 2023 – also aims to empower the Election Commission of Pakistan to announce election dates unilaterally without having to consult the President.

5. Which institution leads the ‘Trans-Asia Railway (TAR) network’?

[A] World Bank

[B] UN

[C] WEF

[D] IMF

Answer: [B] UN

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is set to provide 400 million US dollars in loans to Bangladesh for the construction of 102 kilometers long dual gauge railways between Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar to promote trade, investment and tourism. Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar Railway is part of the Trans-Asia Railway (TAR) network, an initiative led by the United Nations, aiming to provide seamless rail links between Asia and Europe to better connect people and markets.

6. Who was awarded ‘BET Life time Achievement Award for 2023’?

[A] A R Rahman

[B] Busta Rhymes

[C] Bob Dylan

[D] Jennifer Lopez

Answer: [B] Busta Rhymes

American rapper Busta Rhymes was awarded the BET Lifetime Achievement Award for 2023. Throughout his career, Busta Rhymes has released a total of nine studio albums, all of which have received praise from critics. Busta Rhymes has received widespread recognition for his contributions to hip hop. He has been honored with 12 Grammy Awards nominations. It is presented by the Black Entertainment Television (BET) network and has been held since 2001.

7. Which ODI spin bowler recently took three consecutive 5-wicket hauls?

[A] R Ashwin

[B] Wanindu Hasaranga

[C] Shakib Al Hasan

[D] Kuldeep Yadav

Answer: [B] Wanindu Hasaranga

Wanindu Hasaranga equalled the record for the most Consecutive five-wicket hauls in ODIs during the Sri Lanka’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier. Hasaranga joined Pakistan great Waqar Younis as the only bowlers to claim five scalps in three consecutive ODIS when he took 5/79 from 10 overs against Ireland. Hasaranga currently has 61 wickets from 44 ODIS.

8. Which Indian golfer won ‘Czech Ladies Open title’?

[A] Aditi Ashok

[B] Diksha Dagar

[C] Pranavi Urs

[D] Amandeep Drall

Answer: [B] Diksha Dagar

Indian golfer Diksha Dagar won her second Ladies European Tour (LET) title as she grabbed a four-shot win at the Tipsport Czech Ladies Open. The 22-year-old won her first LET title back in 2019 in her rookie year and in 2021 she was part of the winning team at the Aramco Team Series in London. This was Diksha’s 79th start on the LET and she now has two individual wins and nine Top-10 finishes.

9. Sutirtha Mukherjee and Ayhika Mukherjee are associated with which sports?

[A] Badminton

[B] Tennis

[C] Table Tennis

[D] Squash

Answer: [C] Table Tennis

Sutirtha Mukherjee and Ayhika Mukherjee claimed its maiden women’s doubles title in the WTT Contender Tunis. The pair thus became the first Indian table tennis players to clinch a WTT Contender title this year. The Indian duo defeated the Japanese pair of Miyuu Kihara and Miwa Harimoto 3-1.

10. Which Union Ministry launched the ‘Swachh Survekshan 2023 – Mera Shehar, Meri Pehchan’ survey?

[A] Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs

[B] Ministry of Home Affairs

[C] Ministry of Jal Shakti

[D] Ministry of MSME

Answer: [A] Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs

Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MOHUA) launched the Field Assessment for Swachh Survekshan (SS) 2023. This is 8th edition of world’s largest urban swachhata survey, Swachh Survekshan 2023 – Mera Shehar, Meri Pehchan. The assessors will study performances of 4500+ cities across 46 indicators and it is expected to be completed within a month.

11. Which Union Ministry launched NOC Approvals for New Drugs & Inoculation System (NANDI)?

[A] Ministry of Health and Family Affairs

[B] Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying

[C] Ministry of Science and Technology

[D] Ministry of External Affairs

Answer: [B] Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying

Union Minister Parshottam Rupala launches NOC Approvals for New Drugs & Inoculation System (NANDI) portal. With this portal, DAHD will facilitate the regulatory approval process with transparency to assess and examine veterinary product proposals will be more streamlined through integration with the SUGAM portal of Central Drugs Standard Control Organization.

12. An important variety of pineapple called Queen Pineapple is grown in which state?

[A] West Bengal

[B] Tripura

[C] Assam

[D] Odisha

Answer: [B] Tripura

International Pineapple Day is celebrated on June 27th each year to honor and appreciate the tropical fruit. One of the finest varieties of pineapple called Queen Pineapple is particularly grown in Tripura. Another famous variety of pineapple that is grown in the state is Queue.

13. How many medals were won by India in the ‘Special Olympics World Games 2023’?

[A] 101

[B] 202

[C] 303

[D] 404

Answer: [B] 202

India ended their Special Olympics World Games campaign with 202 medals, including 76 gold medals. The Indian athletes bagged six medals from the track events (2 gold, 3 silver, 1 bronze) on the concluding day. The Special Olympics- World Games, closing ceremony was held at the Brandenburg Gate, in Berlin.

14. Which city is the host of the ‘ODI Cricket World Cup 2023’?

[A] Chennai

[B] Mumbai

[C] Ahmedabad

[D] Kolkata

Answer: [C] Ahmedabad

The International Cricket Council (ICC)) announced the schedule for the 2023 men’s ODI cricket world cup. The 50-over men’s cricket will Commence on 5 October at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. India is set to host Pakistan after seven years for a cricket match.

15. Which country approved ‘National Research Foundation (NRF) Bill, 2023’?

[A] USA

[B] India

[C] Japan

[D] Australia

Answer: [B] India

The Union Cabinet of India approved the introduction of the National Research Foundation (NRF) Bill, 2023 in the Parliament. The approved Bill will pave the way to establish National Research Foundation (NRF) that will promote Research and Development (R&D) and promote a culture of research and innovation throughout India’s universities, colleges, research institutions, and R&D laboratories.

16. Union Culture Ministry is set to implement “Financial Assistance for Veteran Artists” along with which bank?

[A] State Bank of India

[B] Canara Bank

[C] Punjab National Bank

[D] HDFC Bank

Answer: [B] Canara Bank

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Ministry of Culture and Canara Bank for disbursal of financial assistance to veteran artists under the “Scheme for Financial Assistance for Veteran Artists”. Under the scheme, a financial assistance of Rs. 6000/- per month is provided to artists and scholars above the age of 60 years who have contributed significantly in their specialized fields of performing arts and culture.

17. Which state/UT is implementing the ‘Anna Bhagya scheme’?

[A] Karnataka

[B] Telangana

[C] Goa

[D] Rajasthan

Answer: [A] Karnataka

Karnataka Government decided to temporarily give *170 per person per month from July 1 in replacement for the promised five kg of free rice. As the Food Corporation of India (FCI) refused to sell rice to the state, the State has not been able to procure enough grains in time for the July 1.

18. Which Union Ministry implements the ‘PM- PRANAM scheme’?

[A] Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers

[B] Ministry of Sports

[C] Ministry of Defence

[D] Ministry of Home Affairs

Answer: [A] Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers

The Centre approved a new scheme PM-PRANAM to incentivise states to promote alternative fertilisers and reduce the use of chemical fertilisers. PM-PRANAM stands for PM – Programme for Restoration, Awareness, Generation, Nourishment and Amelioration of Mother Earth scheme. It also decided to continue the current urea subsidy scheme for three years ending March 2025, with an outlay of Rs 3.68 lakh crore.

19. Which Union Ministry announced ‘5G & Beyond Hackathon 2023’?

[A] Ministry of Communication

[B] Ministry of Science and Technology

[C] Ministry of MSME

[D] Ministry of External Affairs

Answer: [A] Ministry of Communication

The Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications recently announced the ‘5G & Beyond Hackathon 2023’. It is aimed at shortlisting India-focused cutting-edge ideas that can be converted into workable 5G & beyond products and solutions, Hundred winners of the hackathon will share a total prize pool of Rs one crore.

20. Which country announced USD 74 million assistance package to Ukraine?

[A] Indonesia

[B] Australia

[C] New Zealand

[D] USA

Answer: [B] Australia

Australia, one of the biggest non-NATO contributors to Ukraine, announced new USD 74m assistance package to Ukraine. The money will go towards providing new military vehicles and artillery ammunition but funds are also being sent for humanitarian needs. Australia will also extend duty-free access for goods imported from Ukraine for a further 12 months.