Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 5th and 6th June 2024

1. Akatsuki Mission is associated with space agency?

A. NASA

B. ISRO

C. JAXA

D. ESA

• The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) lost contact with Akatsuki, launched in 2010 as Japan’s first successful mission to another planet. Akatsuki, in an equatorial orbit around Venus, aimed to study its toxic atmosphere and volcanic surface, weather patterns, lightning, and super-rotation caused by strong winds. It complemented ESA’s Venus Express, operational until 2014, using ultraviolet and infrared cameras to globally map clouds and atmospheric structures.

2. What is ‘Dictyostelium discoideum’?

A. Amoeba

B. Algae

C. Weed

D. Drug

• Scientists discovered that green-beard genes drive natural altruism in the amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum. These genes enable individuals to recognize and cooperate with each other, potentially causing harmful behavior towards those with different gene versions. Altruism in nature involves behavior where an animal acts in a way that may be harmful to itself but benefits others of its species.

3. Which country will host the 81st IATA Annual General Meeting (AGM) and World Air Transport Summit in Delhi, India, on June 8-10, 2025?

A. Nepal

B. China

C. India

D. Russia

• India will host the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Annual General Meeting (AGM) next year. Established in 1945, IATA represents the global airline industry, advocating for its interests and setting industry standards to enhance safety, efficiency, and sustainability. With 330 member airlines, including leading passenger and cargo carriers, IATA plays a pivotal role in shaping the aviation sector. Headquarters are located in Montreal, Canada.

4. Recently, the central government has approved the establishment of an Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in which district of Assam?

A. Kamrup

B. Jorhat

C. Golaghat

D. Sonitpur

• The central government has approved Assam’s plan for a new Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in Kamrup district, with IIM Ahmedabad mentoring the project. This decision aims to bolster education and industry in the Northeast, where only one IIM currently exists. Assam’s collaboration with IIM Ahmedabad and provision of land underscores its commitment to advancing education and economic growth. The initiative is expected to benefit neighboring states like Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.

5. Which day is observed as ‘International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression’ every year?

A. June.03

B. June.04

C. June.05

D. June.06

• The International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression, observed annually on June 4th, highlights children’s suffering worldwide. Established on August 19, 1982, this day focuses on the pain endured by innocent children. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), founded in 1997, aims to end violence against children.

6. Hydroxyurea drug is related to which disease?

A. Dengue

B. TB

C. Malaria

D. Sickle cell anaemia

• The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is addressing the significant challenge of sickle cell disease in India, which affects over 20 million people. A major issue is the lack of hydroxyurea formulations suitable for paediatric patients, complicating precise dosing for children.
• Hydroxyurea, effective in treating sickle cell disease and thalassemia, currently lacks appropriate paediatric versions. To resolve this, ICMR is seeking collaboration for developing and commercializing low-dose paediatric hydroxyurea formulations, aiming to improve treatment protocols for young patients.

7. What is the theme of ‘World Environment Day 2024’?

A. Land restoration, desertification and drought resilience

B. Beat Plastic Pollution

C. Ecosystem Restoration

D. Solution to plastic pollution

• World Environment Day has been celebrated annually on June 5 since 1973. Millions worldwide participate in its observance. The 2024 theme is ‘land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience’.

8. Which country hosted the ‘World Environment Day 2024’?

A. India

B. China

C. Saudi Arabia

D. Russia

• World Environment Day, celebrated on June 5th annually, promotes environmental awareness and protection. The 2024 celebration, hosted by Saudi Arabia, coincides with the 30th anniversary of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). Each year features a specific theme addressing current environmental issues. Notably, India hosted the 45th World Environment Day in 2018 with the theme ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’.

9. How many medals were won by India at the Taiwan Athletics Open 2024?

A. 5

B. 6

C. 7

D. 8

• Indian athletes concluded their campaign at the 2024 Taiwan Athletics Open with a total of seven medals – three golds, three silvers, and one bronze. Notably, DP Manu secured the first gold in javelin throw, and Nayana James clinched another in women’s long jump. Ankesh Chaudhary added a gold in men’s 800 meters. Somnath Chauhan, Nithya Ramraj and Dev Meena bagged silver medals, while VK Vismaya earned bronze in the women’s 400 meters. The event, part of the World Athletics Continental Tour, took place in Taipei.

10. Recently, which country emerged as India’s third largest export destination in 2023-24?

A. Mauritius

B. The Netherlands

C. Vietnam

D. China

• The Netherlands became India’s third largest export destination in 2023-24, following the US and UAE, despite a 3% dip in India’s overall merchandise shipments. Key exports to the Netherlands included petroleum products ($14.29 billion), electrical goods, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. Consequently, India’s trade surplus with the Netherlands rose to $17.4 billion, up from $13 billion in 2022-23, according to the Commerce Ministry data.

11. Recently, who received the Hindi Sahitya Bharati Award 2024?

A. Rameshchandra Shah

B. Seeni Viswanathan

C. Krishna Prakash

D. Sandeep Joshi

• Krishna Prakash, renowned for leading Mumbai Police’s counterterrorism unit, Force One, has received the Annual Hindi Sahitya Bharati Award at Mumbai’s Sab Me Ram Shashwat Shri Ram event. Known as a “super cop,” Prakash heads the elite Force One and is a two-time Guinness World Record holder.

12. Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve, recently seen in the news, is located in which state?

A. Tamil Nadu

B. Madhya Pradesh

C. Maharashtra

D. Odisha

• The Tamil Nadu Forest Department has initiated a three-day elephant census at Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve. Located at the Eastern and Western Ghats junction in Erode District, Tamil Nadu, this reserve is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. It is contiguous with Mudumalai, Bandipur, and Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Tiger Reserves, collectively hosting over 280 tigers, the world’s largest tiger population. Declared a tiger reserve in 2013, it connects the Eastern and Western Ghats, supporting diverse wildlife.

13. Recently, the “None of the Above” (NOTA) option emerged as the runner-up in which constituency of Madhya Pradesh?

A. Gwalior

B. Indore

C. Khajuraho

D. Jabalpur

• In Madhya Pradesh’s Indore constituency, the “None of the Above” (NOTA) option became the runner-up with a record 2,18,674 votes, the highest ever. NOTA allows voters to disapprove of all candidates without choosing any, expressing negative opinions and maintaining secrecy. First used in the 2013 Assembly elections, it was introduced following a 2013 Supreme Court directive in the PUCL vs. Union of India case.

14. Which organization recently released the report titled ‘State and Trends of Carbon Pricing 2024’?

A. UNEP

B. UNDP

C. World Bank

D. IMF

• The World Bank’s “State and Trends of Carbon Pricing 2024” report highlights that CP revenues surpassed USD 100 billion in 2023, with 75 global CP instruments covering 24% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Brazil, India, and Türkiye have made significant strides in CP implementation, while China and India lead in carbon credit issuances. Carbon pricing attaches costs to greenhouse gas emissions, primarily through CO2 pricing mechanisms.

15. What is ‘Parengyodontium album’?

A. Amoeba

B. Fungi

C. Bacteria

D. Protein

• Marine microbiologists from the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research discovered the marine fungus Parengyodontium album, which can break down plastic polyethylene (PE) in the ocean. This fungus converts PE-derived carbon into fungal biomass, aided by UV sunlight’s initial photodegradation of PE. Annually, humans produce over 400 billion kilograms of plastic, much of which pollutes the ocean.

16. Recently, the National Level Coordination Committee (NLCC) held its maiden meeting at which place for the World’s largest grain storage plan?

A. New Delhi

B. Bengaluru

C. Chennai

D. Hyderabad

• The National Level Coordination Committee (NLCC) convened its inaugural meeting at the Ministry of Cooperation, New Delhi, to discuss the world’s largest grain storage plan.
• This initiative aims to bolster agricultural infrastructure at grassroots levels through the establishment of warehouses, processing units, and Fair Price Shops in Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS). It integrates various government schemes and is implemented by agencies like NCDC, NABARD, FCI, and CWC in collaboration with concerned States/UTs.

17. Which organization recently hosted the ’12th Plenary Assembly of the Global Soil Partnership (GSP)’?

A. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

B. World Meteorological Organization (WMO)

C. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

D. World Bank

• The 12th Plenary Assembly of the Global Soil Partnership (GSP) was hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) from June 3–5, 2024. The assembly included over 700 partners and FAO members.
• The GSP is a globally recognized mechanism that promotes sustainable soil management and has implemented programs around the world. The assembly is a key platform for GSP partners and FAO members to exchange knowledge and expertise and make important decisions about the global soil agenda.

18. Ministry of Defence recently signed an MoU with which ministry to set up a dedicated Tele Manas Cell for the armed forces?

A. Ministry of Home Affairs

B. Ministry of Agriculture

C. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

D. Ministry of Communications

• The Ministries of Health and Defence signed an MoU to establish a dedicated Tele Manas Cell for the Armed Forces, providing specialized mental health support.
• This initiative adds to the 51 existing Tele Manas cells operating across all States and Union Territories, enhancing mental health services for military personnel nationwide.

19. Minuteman III, an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) is developed by which country?

A. United States

B. Russia

C. China

D. Japan

• The US tested an unarmed Minuteman III ICBM from Vandenberg Space Force Base. The Minuteman III, deployed in the 1960s, is the sole land-based component of the US nuclear triad, designed by Boeing. Despite initial plans for a ten-year service, it will be used until the GBSD is available in 2029. The three-stage, solid-fuel missile, with a 13,000 km range, currently carries a single nuclear warhead, ensuring fast launch and high reliability.

20. H5N2 virus is related to which disease?

A. Malaria

B. Dengue

C. Bird flu

D. AIDS

• The first human case of H5N2 avian flu has been reported in Mexico City, involving a 59-year-old man who died. Bird flu, caused by the Avian Influenza A virus, primarily infects poultry and wild birds but can jump to humans through direct contact. H5N2, a subtype first reported in Mexican poultry, spreads through migratory bird patterns and interactions with domestic birds. Environmental changes also influence its spread.

21. What is the theme for ‘World Food Safety Day 2024’?

A. Prepare for the unexpected

B. Food Standards Save Lives

C. Safer food, better health

D. Safe food today for a healthy tomorrow

• World Food Safety Day, celebrated on June 7th, raises awareness about food safety and promotes actions to prevent foodborne risks. Initiated by the UN in 2016 and supported by FAO and WHO, it underscores the importance of safe, nutritious food for all. Officially recognized on August 3, 2020, this day emphasizes food safety’s critical role in global health. This year’s theme has been revealed as: Food safety: Prepare for the unexpected.

22. NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL) recently joined hands with which South American country to enable UPI payments?

A. Brazil

B. Argentina

C. Peru

D. Chile

• The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and Peru’s central bank have partnered to create a UPI-like payment system in Peru. This makes Peru the first South American country to adopt NPCI’s technology, enabling instant payments between individuals and businesses. The initiative aims to expand digital payments among Peru’s large unbanked population.

23. What is the name of the Russian cosmonaut, who recently became the first person to spend 1000 days in space?

A. Yelena Kondakova

B. Nikolai Chub

C. Yuri Gagarin

D. Oleg Kononenko

• ROSCOSMOS cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko set a world record by spending 1,000 days in space. His latest mission to the ISS began on September 15, 2023, with NASA astronaut Loral O’Hara and Nikolai Chub. A cosmonaut since 1996, Kononenko, an aviation mechanical engineer, has commanded four Soyuz missions.

24. Recently, India launched Biopharmaceutical Alliance with which countries?

A. US, Japan and South Korea

B. China, Russia and Nepal

C. UK, Russia and Israel

D. Australia, China and UK

• India, the US, South Korea, Japan, and the EU have formed a Biopharmaceuticals Alliance. The first meeting was in San Diego during the Bio International Convention 2024. Biopharmaceuticals, derived from living organisms, are set to comprise 50% of future medical drugs. The alliance aims to prevent drug shortages like those during the COVID-19 pandemic by diversifying and mapping the pharmaceutical supply chain, ensuring a resilient and sustainable system.