Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 31st January 2024

1. What is ‘Armado’?

A. Electric vehicle

B. Ballistic missile

C. Satellite

D. Armoured Light Specialist Vehicle (ALSV)

• The new Mahindra Armado, India’s first Armoured Light Specialist Vehicle (ALSV), debuted at the Republic Day Parade. Designed and built by Mahindra Defence Systems, it’s intended for the Indian armed forces in counter-terrorism, Special Forces, reconnaissance, and border patrolling. Armado accelerates from 0 to 60 kmph in 12 seconds, reaching speeds exceeding 120 kmph, equipped with self-cleaning exhaust and air filtration for extreme climates.

2. Who has become the first woman to hold the rank of Subedar in the Indian Army?

A. Preeti Rajak

B. Rajeshwari Kumari

C. Manisha Keer

D. Shreyasi Singh

• Champion trap shooter Preeti Rajak made history as the first woman subedar in the Army, promoted from havildar. Subedar Rajak, a meritorious sportswoman in shooting, joined the Army in 2022 based on her trap shooting prowess.

3. Exercise ‘SADA TANSEEQ’ is conducted between which two countries?

A. India and Israel

B. India and Saudi Arabia

C. India and Egypt

D. India and Japan

• The Indian Army announced that the first joint military exercise between India and Saudi Arabia, “SADA TANSEEQ”, will take place from January 29 to February 10, 2024. The exercise will be held at the Mahajan Field Firing Ranges in Rajasthan. The exercise aims to improve synergy, interoperability by sharing best practices between the two countries’ armies.

4. When is the ‘World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day’ observed every year?

A. 28 January

B. 29 January

C. 30 January

D. 31 January

• World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day is observed annually on January 30. Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are a group of 20 conditions prevalent in tropical areas, affecting impoverished communities. Caused by various pathogens, NTDs like Guinea worm, Chikungunya, Dengue, and Elephantiasis pose severe health, social, and economic consequences. India hosts around 12 NTDs. WHO estimates over 1 billion people are affected, with 1.6 billion needing interventions.

5. ‘Kottai Ameer Communal Harmony Award’ is associated with which state?

A. Tamil Nadu

B. Kerala

C. Himachal Pradesh

D. Andhra Pradesh

• Mohammed Zubair, co-founder of Alt News, received the 2024 Kottai Ameer Communal Harmony Award from the Tamil Nadu government. Established in 2000, the award acknowledges remarkable contributions to fostering harmony. Presented annually on Republic Day by the Chief Minister, it honors individuals in Tamil Nadu for outstanding efforts in promoting communal harmony. The award includes a medal, Rs. 25,000 cash, and a certificate recognizing their services.

6. Which country is the second-largest producer of ‘Tasar silk’?

A. Japan

B. Russia

C. China

D. India

• Jharkhand’s Republic Day parade tableau highlighted tribal women’s expertise in crafting Tasar silk, a wild silk variety derived from silkworms feeding on plants like Asan and Arjun. Known by various names like tusaar and tusser, India is the second-largest global producer after China, with exclusive Indian tussar, mainly cultivated by tribals.

7. Futala Lake is located in which state?

A. Kerala

B. Andhra Pradesh

C. Maharashtra

D. Madhya Pradesh

• The Supreme Court has directed the Maharashtra government and its metro rail corporation to halt construction activities at Futala Lake in Nagpur. Futala Lake, also called Telankhedi Lake, in western Nagpur, Maharashtra, is over 200 years old, spanning 60 acres. Constructed by the Bhonsle kings, the lake is renowned for its vibrant fountains and is flanked by forest on three sides, with a landscaped beach on the fourth.

8. INSAT-3DS, recently launched by ISRO, is what kind of satellite?

A. Geostationary satellite

B. Meteorological satellite

C. Communication satellite

D. Earth observation satellite

• ISRO and IMD collaborate for a new meteorological satellite, part of a climate observatory series to enhance climate services. The Geosynchronous Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F14) will deploy it, joining INSAT-3D and INSAT-3DR.
• The satellite boasts improvements like night-time imaging, accurate sea surface temperature estimation, and higher spatial resolution. Its payloads include a multispectral imager, a 19-channel sounder, data relay transponder, and a search and rescue transponder.

9. Which article of the Constitution states that “There shall be a Supreme Court of India”?

A. Article 124

B. Article 129

C. Article 110

D. Article 112

• The Prime Minister recently inaugurated the Diamond Jubilee celebration of the Supreme Court of India, the apex judicial body established on January 26, 1950. Article 124 of the Constitution of India states that “There shall be a Supreme Court of India”. The Supreme Court is the highest court in India and the final court of appeal for all civil and criminal cases.

10. Which state government has launched ‘Road Safety Force’ to prevent road accidents?

A. Punjab

B. Haryana

C. Rajasthan

D. Maharashtra

• Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann launched the ‘Road Safety Force’ in Jalandhar, making Punjab the first state to initiate a dedicated road safety and traffic management force. Concerned about the high fatality rate of 17-18 lives lost daily in road accidents, Mann deployed 144 hi-tech vehicles and 5000 personnel to streamline traffic and enhance road safety across the state.

11. Rusoma Orange Festival is celebrated in which state?

A. Assam

B. Nagaland

C. Sikkim

D. Manipur

• The Rüsoma Orange Festival is a two-day festival held in Rüsoma Village, Kohima, Nagaland. The festival’s goal is to encourage rural farmers to promote organic products and generate income. The festival also helps to strengthen the village’s economy.

12. Purple Revolution is associated with which one of the following?

A. Lavender

B. Sunflower

C. Honey

D. Cotton

• The Purple Revolution in Jammu & Kashmir, presented during the Republic Day Tableau (2024). A part of the Aroma Mission by the Union Ministry of Science & Technology, it signifies the remarkable rise of lavender cultivation. This initiative seeks to boost the local aromatic crop-based agro economy, elevate farmer incomes, and foster commercial-scale lavender farming, presenting lucrative startup opportunities for overall regional growth.