Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 3rd and 4th June 2024

1. Which day is observed as ‘World Milk Day’ every year?

A. June.01

B. June.02

C. June.03

D. June.04

• World Milk Day, observed annually on June 1, emphasizes dairy’s role in global nutrition. Established in 2001 by the FAO, it celebrates milk as a vital food source and the dairy sector. Milk consumption dates back to the Neolithic age, evolving into a significant part of many cultures and religious traditions.

2. Recently, which Indian peacekeeper honoured posthumously with UN’s Dag Hammarskjold medal?

A. Vikram Singh

B. Naik Dhananjay Kumar Singh

C. Ram Vishnoi

D. Jeet Sinha

• Naik Dhananjay Kumar Singh, a UN peacekeeper serving in Congo, was posthumously awarded the Dag Hammarskjold medal during the UN’s International Day of Peacekeepers. The medal, established in 1997, honors peacekeepers who sacrificed their lives under the UN’s authority. Named after Dag Hammarskjöld, it’s awarded annually to nations losing peacekeepers.

3. Purana Qila was built on the banks of which river?

A. Ganges

B. Yamuna

C. Indus

D. Saraswati

• Recently, Purana Qila was handed over to the Sabhyata Foundation of the Dalmia Group under the ‘Adopt a Heritage’ scheme by the Ministry of Tourism. Located in New Delhi, it’s one of the oldest forts built on the banks of the Yamuna River, also known as Qila-e-Kohna. Built under Humayun and Sher Shah Suri, it reflects a blend of Islamic and Hindu architecture. The rectangular fort boasts three gates, notably the Bara Darwaza, combining Islamic and Hindu elements.

4. Recently, which state/UT has declared human rabies a notifiable disease under the Epidemic Diseases Act of 1897?

A. Lakshadweep

B. Jammu and Kashmir

C. Sikkim

D. Nagaland

• The government of Jammu and Kashmir has designated human rabies as a notifiable disease under the Epidemic Diseases Act of 1897. Rabies, caused by the RABV virus, is a fatal viral disease affecting the central nervous system.
• It primarily spreads through the saliva of infected animals, with domestic dogs being the main transmitters. Rabies poses a significant threat, especially in Asia and Africa, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities and remains a neglected tropical disease.

5. Which state recently hosted ‘Outlook Planet Sustainability Summit & Awards 2024’?

A. Tamil Nadu

B. Karnataka

C. Goa

D. Maharashtra

• Goa recently hosted the inaugural Outlook Planet Sustainability Summit & Awards 2024 for Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs). Organized by Outlook Media Group, with BDO India as Awards Process Advisor and IIT Goa as Knowledge Partner, the event gathered policymakers and CPSE top management to discuss sustainability initiatives. REC Limited was honored with the “Sustainability Champion—Editor’s Choice Award,” and Power Finance Corporation (PFC) Limited received the Corporate Social Responsibility award in the Non-Fossil Fuel category.

6. Recently, which ministry launched implementation Manual of Tobacco Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI) on World No Tobacco Day, 2024?

A. Ministry of Education

B. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

C. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

D. Ministry of Agriculture

• The Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education, launched the Implementation Manual of Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions on World No Tobacco Day 2024 in New Delhi, in collaboration with SEEDS. Aligned with this year’s theme, “Protecting children from tobacco industry interference,” the manual aims to help schools implement ToFEI guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

7. Pampa Lake is located in which state?

A. Kerala

B. Karnataka

C. Odisha

D. Gujarat

• A team from the Karnataka State Department of Archaeology Museums and Heritage has discovered rock shelter paintings estimated to be 2,500 years old near Pampa Lake in the Hampi World Heritage Area. Pampa Lake, located in Karnataka’s Koppal district near Hampi, is one of the five sacred lakes in Hindu mythology. Surrounded by hills and temples, it holds cultural and religious significance, featuring prominently in Hindu epics like the Ramayana.

8. Paraparatrechina neela belongs to which species?

A. Ant

B. Fish

C. Spider

D. Frog

• Indian researchers have recently uncovered a new ant species, Paraparatrechina neela, in Arunachal Pradesh’s remote Siang Valley. Belonging to the rare genus Paraparatrechina, this species is distinguished by its metallic blue color, reflected in its name “neela,” meaning blue in many Indian languages. It marks the first discovery of a new Paraparatrechina species in 121 years.

9. Recently, ISRO collaborated with which company for sustainable space exploration through additive manufacturing?

A. Wipro 3D

B. Skyroot aerospace

C. Google 3D

D. IBM

• Wipro 3D and ISRO have successfully 3D-printed the PS4 rocket engine for the PSLV’s 4th stage, marking a significant advancement in space technology. Dr V Narayanan of ISRO praised this achievement. The PS4 stage’s advanced navigation and control systems enable precise orbital placements for various satellite missions. The collaboration utilized Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM) and Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) technology, streamlining production and improving structural integrity.

10. According to recent government data, India got highest FDI from which country in 2023-24?

A. Mauritius

B. Singapore

C. Vietnam

D. China

• In 2023-24, India received the highest foreign direct investment (FDI) from Singapore, amounting to $11.77 billion despite a 31.55% decline, according to government data. Overall, FDI into India contracted by about 3.5% due to global economic uncertainties. However, Singapore remained the top source of FDI for India during this period.

11. Recently, which research institute has developed a way of generating non-infectious Nipah virus-like particles (VLPs) in the laboratory?

A. Central Drug Research Institute

B. Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology

C. Institute of Advanced Virology

D. Raman Research Institute

• Scientists at the Institute of Advanced Virology, Thiruvananthapuram, developed non-infectious Nipah virus-like particles (VLPs). VLPs resemble viruses but lack genetic material, making them non-infectious. They effectively create vaccines for diseases like HPV, hepatitis B, and malaria by triggering an immune response without causing symptoms. VLPs, sized 20-200 nm, enter lymph nodes to activate the immune system, offering immunity against the actual virus.

12. Dinesh Karthik, who recently announced his retirement, belongs to which sports?

A. Cricket

B. Football

C. Basketball

D. Hockey

• Dinesh Karthik, the veteran wicketkeeper-batter, announced his retirement from all forms of cricket after an emotional farewell from Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL. His international career spanned 180 games across all formats, amassing 3463 runs with one Test hundred and 17 half-centuries. As a wicketkeeper, he recorded 172 dismissals.

13. Recently, Claudia Sheinbaum has been elected as the first woman President of which country?

A. Malaysia

B. Thailand

C. Singapore

D. Mexico

• Claudia Shienbaum has been elected as Mexico’s first woman president. With a decisive lead confirmed by the election commission, she received congratulations from her mentor, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. The elections on June 2, 2024, also included over 20,000 political positions. Shienbaum will be sworn in on October 1, 2024.

14. What is ‘JADES-GS-z14-0’?

A. Galaxy

B. Submarine

C. Aircraft

D. Invasive Plant

• The James Webb Space Telescope set a new record by detecting the galaxy JADES-GS-z14-0, observed as it was 290 million years after the Big Bang. This surpasses the previous record of 325 million years. The galaxy’s unexpected brightness suggests rapid star formation or more luminous early stars. Webb’s observation of significant oxygen indicates the galaxy’s advanced maturity despite its young age.

15. Recently, how much gold did RBI allocate from the UK to domestic vaults in FY24?

A. 50 metric tonnes

B. 100 metric tonnes

C. 150 metric tonnes

D. 200 metric tonnes

• In FY24, RBI relocated 100 metric tonnes of gold from the U.K. to Indian vaults in Mumbai and Nagpur. India’s gold reserves surged to 822 metric tonnes, with nearly 50% now stored domestically. RBI’s banknotes are secured by assets like gold, Government Securities, and Foreign Currency Assets, as per the RBI Act, 1934. The recent geopolitical tensions emphasized risks of storing gold abroad.

16. What is ‘Tmesipteris oblanceolata’?

A. Fork fern

B. Fish

C. Asteroid

D. Spider

• New research reveals Tmesipteris oblanceolata, a fork fern species, boasts the largest genome known. A genome encompasses an organism’s complete genetic information. This fern contains 160 billion base pairs, surpassing the human genome by over 50 times. Belonging to an ancient plant group predating dinosaur, it’s exclusive to New Caledonia and nearby Pacific islands, thriving in rainforest canopies.

17. Which tiger reserve of Maharashtra recently reported the first photographic record of the ‘spot-bellied eagle owl’?

A. Tadoba Tiger Reserve

B. Pench Tiger Reserve

C. Koyna Tiger Reserve

D. Umred Karhandla Sanctuary

• Pench Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra recently documented the first photograph of a spot-bellied eagle-owl, Ketupa nipalensis. This large bird of prey inhabits diverse environments like forests and savannas across India, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia.
• Recognizable by its rich brown coloration and striking white-spotted pattern, it’s a nocturnal apex predator feeding on various prey. Classified as Least Concern by IUCN, it comes protection under India’s Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

18. Recently, which Indian shuttler won the title at Bonn International tournament?

A. Aakarshi Kashyap

B. Ashmita Chaliha

C. P V Sindhu

D. Tanvi Sharma

• Tanvi Sharma, a promising Indian badminton player, secured victory in the Bonn International tournament by defeating Wang Pei Yu of Chinese Taipei in straight sets. The contest lasted just over half an hour, with Tanvi claiming a 21-19 22-20 win. Ranked 181st globally, the 15-year-old from Punjab showcased her skill, notably overcoming a deficit in the final set.

19. Recently, NASA collaborated with which space agency to develop a standardized time system for the moon?

A. ISRO

B. ESA

C. JAXA

D. CNSA

• NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) are collaborating to create a standardized lunar time system for the Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the moon. This initiative addresses the need for unified timekeeping to coordinate international and private lunar missions. With upcoming missions from China, India, and private companies, a common lunar time system is essential for successful operation and coordination.

20. Which space organization recently developed Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software named ‘PraVaHa’?

A. ISRO

B. JAXA

C. ESA

D. CNSA

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) developed PraVaHa, a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software, at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre. Parallel RANS Solver for Aerospace Vehicle Aero-thermo-dynamic Analysis (PraVaHa) simulates airflow for launch vehicles, crucial for designing their shape, structure, and thermal protection systems. It is used in the Gaganyaan program for analyzing human-rated launch vehicles.

21. Department of Higher Education recently signed an MoU with which organization for creating the Digital Library Platform, Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya?

A. Central Board of Secondary Education

B. National Book Trust

C. National Library Association

D. Ministry of Culture

• The Department of School Education and the National Book Trust signed an MoU in New Delhi to create the Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya, a 24/7 Digital Library Platform. Secretary K. Sanjay Murthy highlighted its potential to enhance book accessibility and address library reach issues in many states. He anticipates that in 2-3 years, the platform will feature over 10,000 books in more than 100 languages.

22. What is the primary objective of the ‘Phenome India project’?

A. To study the genetic diversity of India

B. To develop India-specific risk prediction models for cardio-metabolic diseases

C. To promote traditional Indian medicine

D. To conduct clinical trials for new drugs

• Recently, CSIR concluded the first phase of its Phenome India project and hosted the Phenome India Unboxing 1.0 event. Launched on December 7, 2023, Phenome India aims to develop India-specific risk prediction models for cardio-metabolic diseases. It is the first pan-India longitudinal health study, involving nearly 10,000 participants from 17 states and 24 cities, collecting comprehensive health data including clinical, lifestyle, and biochemical information.

23. Recently, where was the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) held?

A. London

B. Paris

C. Geneva

D. New Delhi

• India participated in the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS)+20 Forum High-Level Event 2024 in Geneva, Switzerland. The WSIS+20 Forum commemorates 20 years since the WSIS, held in Geneva (2003) and Tunis (2005), and is co-organized by ITU, UNESCO, UNDP, and UNCTAD. Its aim is to address information and communication technology issues through a multi-stakeholder approach, fostering a people-centric, inclusive, and development-oriented Information Society.

24. Which organization has recently commercialised herbicide-tolerant (Ht) basmati rice varieties?

A. Indian Council of Agricultural Research

B. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research

C. Ministry of Agriculture

D. None of the above

• ICAR has commercialized herbicide-tolerant (Ht) basmati rice varieties for weed control. Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) offers efficient and sustainable cultivation, replacing traditional transplanting. ICAR’s non-genetically modified Ht basmati rice allows direct herbicide application. Research suggests hand weeding in DSR enhances yield over herbicides. ICAR advocates eco-friendly weeding for higher seed yield.