Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 31st May 2024

1. What is ‘K-9 Vajra’?

A. Self-propelled artillery system

B. Nuclear ballistic submarine

C. 3D printed semi-cryogenic engine

D. Asteroid

• Several key ‘Made in India’ defense projects await final approval post-elections, including more K-9 Vajra self-propelled howitzers. The K-9 Vajra, built by Larsen & Toubro with technology from South Korea’s Hanwha Défense, is a 155 mm, 52-caliber self-propelled artillery system. It can fire various shells, has all-welded steel armor, and strikes targets up to 50 km away with a burst rate of three rounds per 15 seconds.

2. Recently, where was the fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4) held?

A. Trinidad and Tobago

B. Antigua and Barbuda

C. Bahamas

D. Barbados

• The SIDS4 conference, held from May 27-30, 2024, gathered over 3,000 delegates to develop the “Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS” (ABAS), aiming for resilient prosperity in Small Island Developing States. The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) announced funding through its Infrastructure for Resilient Island States Programme (IRIS) at the United Nations 4th International Conference on SIDS in Antigua and Barbuda.

3. Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In or ICERT) is a functional organization of which ministry?

A. Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers

B. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology

C. Ministry of Commerce and Industry

D. Ministry of Communications

• India’s Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) warned of a high-severity vulnerability in Google Chrome for desktops. CERT-In, the national agency for computer security incidents under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, aims to secure Indian cyberspace. Operational since January 2004, CERT-In is responsible for responding to and mitigating cybersecurity threats in India.

4. Earth Cloud Aerosol and Radiation Explorer (EarthCARE) satellite mission is a joint venture between which two space agencies?

A. ESA & JAXA

B. NASA & ISRO

C. CNSA & JAXA

D. ISRO & ESA

• The EarthCARE Mission, a joint effort by ESA and JAXA, aims to understand the interplay between clouds, aerosols, and radiation, crucial for Earth’s radiation balance amid the climate crisis. The sun-synchronous orbit mission uses instruments like Atmospheric Lidar and a cloud profiling radar. Clouds and aerosols significantly influence Earth’s heat budget, affecting climate through their roles in reflecting sunlight and trapping radiation. Human activities notably impact aerosol levels.

5. Recently, the researchers of which country developed a tiny wooden satellite named ‘LignoSat’?

A. China

B. India

C. Japan

D. Australia

• Japanese researchers have developed the world’s first wooden satellite, Lignosat, in collaboration with NASA and JAXA. This tiny cuboid craft, made from resilient magnolia wood, will be launched by a SpaceX rocket. Lignosat aims to reduce space clutter and promote environmentally friendly space activities. Unlike traditional aluminium satellites, Lignosat will burn harmlessly upon re-entry.

6. Which country has recently assumed the chair of the Colombo Process for the term 2024-26?

A. India

B. Bangladesh

C. Nepal

D. Bhutan

• India assumed the Chair of the Colombo Process for 2024-26, its first time since 2003. The Colombo Process, a regional consultative platform for managing overseas employment and labor, includes 12 Asian member states like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. India, a founding member, focuses on skills recognition and ethical recruitment. The UN’s International Organization for Migration supports this process.

7. Researchers recently identified 40 novel ‘Nidoviruses’ in which organisms using AI?

A. Vertebrates

B. Invertebrates

C. Both Vertebrates and Invertebrates

D. None of the above

• Researchers identified 40 novel Nidoviruses in vertebrates using AI. Nidoviruses are enveloped, positive-strand RNA viruses infecting both vertebrates and invertebrates. When hosts are co-infected with different viruses, gene recombination can occur, potentially creating new, more hazardous viruses.

8. According to ILO, the Global Unemployment rate is expected to fall slightly to what percent in 2024?

A. 4.5%

B. 4.9%

C. 5.3%

D. 5.5%

• The International Labour Organization (ILO) predicts a slight decrease in global unemployment, with a projected rate of 4.9 percent in 2024, contrary to previous forecasts of a rise. Despite this improvement, the agency warns of “slow progress” in addressing inequalities. The report indicates that the unemployment rate is expected to remain stable at 4.9 percent in 2025.

9. What is the theme for the World Health Assembly (WHA) 2024?

A. All for Health, Health for All

B. Health for peace, Peace for Health

C. Saving Lives, Driving Health for All

D. Support Nurses and Midwives

• The Seventy-seventh World Health Assembly convenes in Geneva, Switzerland, from May 27 to June 1, under the theme “All for Health, Health for All.” Live webcasts of the proceedings will be accessible, featuring simultaneous interpretation in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish.

10. Which Indian mountaineer has recently made history by becoming the first person to scale Mt. Everest and Mt. Lhotse twice in one season?

A. Prerna Dangi

B. Ajeet Bajaj

C. Satyadeep Gupta

D. Jai Vardhan Bahuguna

• Indian mountaineer Satyadeep Gupta achieved a historic feat by becoming the first person to climb Mount Everest and Mount Lhotse twice in one season. He also set the record for the fastest traverse from Mount Everest to Mount Lhotse, completing it in 11 hours and 15 minutes. Accompanied by guides, Gupta summited Mount Everest on May 21, followed by Mount Lhotse on May 22, marking the first Double Dual Ascent in a single season.

11. How much sovereign loan has been sanctioned by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to India in the year 2023?

A. $4.6 billion

B. $2.6 billion

C. $3.6 billion

D. $1.6 billion

• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) sanctioned $2.6 billion in sovereign lending to India in 2023. The loan will fund urban development, power sector promotion, industrial corridor development, horticulture support, connectivity enhancement, and climate resilience building. Sovereign loans are given to the Indian government for various projects across states. ADB aims to drive India’s structural transformation, job creation, infrastructure development, green growth, and social inclusiveness, including funding for the Visakhapatnam–Chennai Industrial Corridor.

12. Recently, where was the 6th Meeting of India-Japan Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism held?

A. New Delhi

B. Hyderabad

C. Chennai

D. Bengaluru

• The 6th Meeting of the India-Japan Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism took place in New Delhi on 29 May. Key discussions involved regional terrorist threats, state-sponsored terrorism, and the misuse of technology by terrorists. Both nations emphasized enhancing cooperation through information exchange, capacity building, and multilateral cooperation. The next meeting will be in Tokyo at a mutually convenient date.