Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 4th March 2024

1. Which organizations recently collaborated to launch the Women Exporters in the Digital Economy (WEIDE) Fund?

A. International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank

B. International Trade Centre (ITC) and World Trade Organization (WTO)

C. International Labour Organization (ILO) and World Bank

D. World Health Organization (WHO) and International Monetary Fund (IMF)

• The International Trade Centre (ITC) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) have jointly initiated the Women Exporters in the Digital Economy (WEIDE) Fund, with a substantial investment of USD 50 million. This global fund aims to support women-led businesses and entrepreneurs in developing economies and least-developed countries by facilitating the adoption of digital technologies.

2. Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project is a bi-national hydropower project between which two countries?

A. India and Bhutan

B. India and Nepal

C. India and Bangladesh

D. India and Afghanistan

• Despite the recent India-Nepal agreement, the Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project (PMP) discussions remain deadlocked. Established through the Mahakali Treaty in 1996, the PMP is a cross-border hydropower initiative on the Mahakali River. With the goal of enhancing energy production and irrigation in both nations, it features a 315-meter dam (Sharda in India), aiming to generate 6,480 MW equally shared.

3. Recently, Jal Shakti Ministry has signed an agreement with 12 technical education institutions for basin management of how many rivers?

A. 5

B. 6

C. 7

D. 8

• The Jal Shakti Ministry has partnered with 12 technical education institutions to collaborate on academic and research initiatives for basin management of six rivers: Narmada, Godavari, Mahanadi, Krishna, Cauvery, and Periyar, as part of the National River Conservation Plan. Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat highlighted successful efforts in cleaning the Ganga, earning UNESCO recognition for the Namami Gange Mission.

4. Recently, which Indian received an Honorary Knighthood from United Kingdom’s King Charles III?

A. Rajan Bharti Mittal

B. Sunil Bharti Mittal

C. Sushil Kumar Sayal

D. Akhil Gupta

• King Charles III of the United Kingdom awarded Sunil Bharti Mittal, the founder and chairman of Bharti Enterprises, an honorary Knighthood. The honor is titled Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE), one of the highest honors given by the British Sovereign to civilians.

5. Vikramaditya Vedic Clock is located in which city?

A. Ujjain

B. Indore

C. Bikaner

D. Lucknow

• The Prime Minister inaugurated the Vikramaditya Vedic Clock at Jantar Mantar, Ujjain. A world-first ‘Vedic Clock,’ it displays time using the traditional Indian Panchang. Positioned on an 85-foot tower, it also provides planetary positions, Muhurat, astrological calculations, IST, and GMT. Developed by Lucknow-based Sanstha Arohan, it connects to the internet via a mobile app.

6. Global Waste Management Outlook – 2024 is published by which organization?

A. UNEP

B. UNDP

C. UNESCO

D. IMF

• The Global Waste Management Outlook 2024, co-published by UNEP and ISWA, highlights key trends. Predictions indicate municipal solid waste will surge from 2.3 to 3.8 billion tonnes by 2050. The direct cost of global waste management, at USD 252 billion in 2020, is projected to nearly double by 2050 without immediate intervention.

7. How many railway stations have successfully achieved the prestigious “Eat Right Station” certification?

A. 157

B. 154

C. 152

D. 150

• 150 railway stations and 6 metro stations have earned the coveted “Eat Right Station” certification, a part of the Eat Right India movement by FSSAI. Led by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, the initiative mandates stringent food safety, hygiene, and nutrition standards for all vendors at certified stations.

8. Melanochlamys Droupadi belongs to which one of the following species?

A. Octopus

B. Sea slug

C. Crab

D. Turtle

• Researchers from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have identified a new species of head-shield sea slug, Melanochlamys Droupadi, along the coasts of Odisha and West Bengal. Measuring up to 7 mm, it’s a small invertebrate with a brownish-black body and a distinctive ruby red spot. Inhabiting wet sandy beaches, the hermaphroditic slug forms a protective mucus sheath, leaving a trail like a turtle as it moves beneath the sand.

9. Recently, who has been appointed as the Director General (DG) of the National Security Guard (NSG)?

A. Anup Kumar Singh

B. Sudhir Pratap Singh

C. Daljit Singh Chaudhary

D. Subhash Joshi

• Daljit Singh Chaudhary, a 1990 batch IPS officer, has been appointed as the Director General of the National Security Guard (NSG), a crucial role in India’s security. Currently the DG of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), he takes on the added responsibility of leading the NSG, known as the “black cats.”

10. Recently, which two countries formally opposed the adoption of Investment Facilitation for Development (IFD) agreement?

A. India and Singapore

B. India and South Africa

C. India and China

D. India and Russia

• India and South Africa opposed the Investment Facilitation for Development (IFD) agreement at the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) of the World Trade Organization on February 28. The MC-13, held in Abu Dhabi from February 26 to 29, saw over 120 countries advocating for IFD to enhance the investment and business climate. India argued that IFD is a non-trade issue outside the multilateral trade body’s framework.

11. Which day is observed as ‘World Seagrass Day’?

A. 01 March

B. 02 March

C. 03 March

D. 04 March

• World Seagrass Day, observed annually on March 1, highlights the significance of seagrass in marine ecosystems. The 2024 theme is “Healthy Seagrass, Healthy Planet.” Seagrass, the sole flowering plant in marine environments, comprises over 60 species worldwide, acting as effective carbon sinks and supporting marine life with vital nutrients.

12. What is the theme of ‘Zero Discrimination Day 2024’?

A. Remove laws that harm, create laws that empower

B. Save lives: Decriminalise

C. To protect everyone’s health, protect everyone’s rights

D. Open Up, Reach Out

• March 1 marks Zero Discrimination Day, dedicated to advocating for every individual’s right to a life free from discrimination. Initiated by UNAIDS, this global observance raises awareness about discrimination’s harmful effects and promotes equality, compassion, and respect. First celebrated in 2014, its 2024 theme is “To protect everyone’s health, protect everyone’s rights”.