Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 5th July 2023
1. Which state/UT is associated with ‘EKAMRA project’?
[A] West Bengal
[B] Odisha
[C] Bihar
[D] Gujarat
Answer: [B] Odisha
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik initiated the Rs 280-crore EKAMRA project, aimed at enhancing the surroundings of the 11th-century Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar, as part of his government’s commitment to the development of ancient temples. Launched in 2019, the EKAMRA plan focuses on revitalizing approximately 80 acres of land surrounding the historic Lord Shiva shrine in the Ekamra Kshetra (ancient name of Bhubaneswar).
2. Which institution is set to release a consultation paper on ‘Finfluencers’?
[A] RBI
[B] NITI Aayog
[C] SEBI
[D] NPCI
Answer: [C] SEBI
Finfluencers are individuals who utilize their public social media platforms to provide guidance and share anecdotes regarding money, finance, and stock investments. Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) chief Madhabi Puri Buch talked about the growing number of finfluencers and inducements in the market. SEBI’s plan to publish a consultation paper consisting of a set of rules to be followed by the financial influencers.
3. What is the name of the type of electricity tariff which includes lower tariff during daytime and higher rates during peak hours?
[A] Differential time-based tariff
[B] Dynamic Electricity tariff
[C] Static Electricity Tariff
[D] Peak power Tariff
Answer: [A] Differential time-based tariff
The government has indicated its intention to introduce differential time-based electricity tariffs, involving lower prices during an eight- hour period in the daytime and higher rates during peak power consumption hours. The Ministry of Power recently announced amendments to the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020, which include the incorporation of provisions for time-of-day (ToD) tariffs.
4. Gustav Klimt, who is renowned for ‘The Kiss’ painting, is from which country?
[A] Austria
[B] France
[C] Greece
[D] Russia
Answer: [A] Austria
At a London auction held by Sotheby’s, the final portrait created by Austrian artist Gustav Klimt was sold for USD 108.4 million or 885 crores, making it the highest-priced artwork ever sold at a European auction. Regarded as one of the most influential decorative painters of the 20th century, Gustav Klimt’s oil on canvas painting, “The Kiss,” created between 1907 and 1908, depicts two lovers in an embrace and is recognized as one of his most iconic masterpieces.
5. Which Indian Armed Force is the host of ‘Tarang Shakti’ multinational air exercise?
[A] Indian Army
[B] Indian Navy
[C] Indian Air Force
[D] Indian Coast Guard
Answer: [C] Indian Air Force
The Indian Air Force is making preparations for a large-scale multinational exercise called Tarang Shakti, which will involve the air forces of 12 nations, with six nations joining with their aircraft and the remaining six as observers. This exercise is set to be the largest air exercise held in India. It aims to strengthen military cooperation among participating air forces and enhance interoperability and synergy in joint operations.
6. As per a recent research, which factor has a significant impact on Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) against women?
[A] Finance
[B] Mean temperature
[C] Education
[D] Employment
Answer: [B] Mean temperature
A group of researchers from China, Pakistan, Australia, Germany, Tanzania, the United Kingdom, and the United States has discovered epidemiological proof indicating a potential link between high ambient temperature and the risk of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) against women. Each 1 °C increase in the annual mean temperature was associated with a mean increase in IPV prevalence of 4.49%.
7. Which country released the draft regulations for a ‘Green Credit’ system?
[A] Sri Lanka
[B] India
[C] China
[D] Afghanistan
Answer: [B] India
The Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change has released draft regulations for a ‘Green Credit’ system, offering incentives to individuals, farmer-producer organizations (FPOS), industries, rural and urban local bodies, and other stakeholders for their environmentally beneficial actions. In the notification, the ministry has invited feedback and suggestions for a period of 60 days.
8. What is the name of the chronic disorder wherein the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks itself?
[A] Self sclerosis
[B] Active sclerosis
[C] Multiple sclerosis
[D] Potential sclerosis
Answer: [C] Multiple sclerosis
In a recent study, researchers have identified a genetic variation associated with the progressive deterioration of multiple sclerosis (MS), marking an important milestone towards the development of a potential new medication. MS is a chronic disorder wherein the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks itself, resulting in various symptoms including visual impairment, mobility issues, and balance problems.
9. Which state/UT introduced the country’s first ‘Police Drone Unit’?
[A] Kerala
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Karnataka
[D] Rajasthan
Answer: [B] Tamil Nadu
The Greater Chennai Police has introduced the country’s first ‘Police Drone Unit’ in order to conduct aerial surveillance in the capital city of Tamil Nadu. The unit consists of nine drones across three categories, operated by 20 trained police personnel.
10. Who was conferred with the ‘Points of Light honour’ by the British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak?
[A] Narendra Modi
[B] Rajnath Singh
[C] Rajindar Singh Dhatt
[D] Bipin Singh Rawat
Answer: [C] Rajindar Singh Dhatt
During a UK-India Week reception, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak bestowed a Points of Light honor upon Rajindar Singh Dhatt, one of the few remaining Sikh soldiers who participated in World War II. Aged 101, Dhatt was acknowledged for his service and for his efforts in leading the “Undivided Indian Ex-Servicemen’s Association,” which aims to unite British Indian veterans of war.
11. Which country has recently ended affirmative action in college admissions?
[A] India
[B] USA
[C] China
[D] Pakistan
Answer: [B] USA
Recently, the Supreme Court of the United States of America has ruled to end the ‘affirmative action’ or ‘positive discrimination’ in college admissions. The verdict was pronounced in the Students for Fair Admissions v Harvard case, which has sparked significant debate and discussion across the world over positive discrimination.
12. National Defence Mobilisation Offices (NDMO) are associated with which country?
[A] India
[B] China
[C] Japan
[D] Russia
Answer: [B] China
The People’s Republic of China (PRC) has recently created National Defence Mobilisation Offices (NDMO) and introduced significant revisions to its Reserve Personnel Law. NDMOS are being established in in Beijing, Shanghai, Shandong, Fujian, Wuhan, Tibet, Inner Mongolia, etc which are primarily influenced by the insights gained from the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
13. What is Aspartame, which was mentioned by the World Health Organisation (WHO)?
[A] Sugar Substitute
[B] Human Enzyme
[C] Anti AIDS Drug
[D] Bird Disease
Answer: [A] Sugar Substitute
The World Health Organization’s cancer research division has intended to classify the widely used sugar substitute aspartame as “potentially carcinogenic to humans.” The official declaration is expected in the upcoming months. Aspartame is an artificial non-saccharide sweetener 200 times sweeter than sucrose and is commonly used as a sugar substitute in foods and beverages.
14. What is a country’s disparity between the exports and imports of goods and services called?
[A] Budget Deficit
[B] Current Account Deficit
[C] Gross Domestic Product
[D] Gross National Product
Answer: [B] Current Account Deficit
The current account deficit (CAD) quantifies the disparity between the exports and imports of goods and services in an economy. In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2022-2023, India witnessed a reduction in its current account deficit (CAD) to 0.2 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP), compared to 2 percent in the previous quarter.
15. Who is honoured with PEN Pinter Prize 2023?
[A] Michael Rosen
[B] Arundhati Roy
[C] Raquel Myrillo
[D] Monica Esther
Answer: [A] Michael Rosen
Michael Rosen, a renowned British children’s writer and performance poet, has been honoured with the prestigious PEN Pinter Prize 2023. This esteemed award is established in memory of English playwright Harold Pinter bestowed upon writers from the UK, Ireland, and the Commonwealth, recognizing their commitment to fearlessly portraying the realities of modern life.
16. Bald eagle is endemic to which part of the world?
[A] North America
[B] Africa
[C] Ireland
[D] Australia
Answer: [A] North America
The bald eagle is a bird of prey and a sea eagle found in North America. It is the national bird of USA. In 2007, the American bald eagle was taken off the endangered species list in the United States. Since then, there has been a consistent increase in the population of these birds. According to a report by the US Fish and Wildlife Service in 2021, the number of bald eagles in their natural habitat has multiplied by four since 2009.
17. What is IOD in meteorology, which is in news recently?
[A] Indian Ocean Dipole
[B] Internal Oceanic Disturbance
[C] International Ocean Distribution
[D] Indian Ocean Disturbance
Answer: [A] Indian Ocean Dipole
The Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) is defined by the difference in sea surface temperature between two areas – a western pole in the Arabian Sea and an eastern pole in the eastern Indian Ocean south of Indonesia. The IOD affects the climate of Australia and other countries that surround the Indian Ocean Basin, and is a significant contributor to rainfall variability in this region.
18. The import of which product has been recently prohibited if its value per unit is less than Rs.20?
[A] Tempered Glass
[B] Cigarette Lighters
[C] Die cast toys
[D] Fire crackers
Answer: [B] Cigarette Lighters
As per a recent notification by the Directorate general of foreign trade (DGFT), the import of cigarette lighters if the price per unit is less than Rs.20, stands prohibited, with a view to discourage inbound shipments of the product. The prohibition has been imposed on pocket lighters, gas fuelled, non-refillable or refillable. However, the import is not prohibited, if the CIF value is Rs.20 or more per unit.
19. When is the International Day of Parliamentarism observed by the United Nations?
[A] June 30
[B] July 1
[C] July 5
[D] July 10
Answer: [A] June 30
June 30 marks the annual celebration of the International Day of Parliamentarism which commemorates the founding of the Inter- Parliamentary Union (IPU) in 1889. This special day was established by a United Nations General Assembly Resolution in 2018 to reflect on the progress made by parliaments worldwide in achieving predetermined goals.
20. Meira Paibi is associated with which Indian State?
[A] Kerala
[B] Madhya Pradesh
[C] Uttar Pradesh
[D] Manipur
Answer: [D] Manipur
Meira Paibi (Women torch bearers) is a women’s social movement in the Indian state of Manipur. The Meira Paibis, also referred to as Imas or Mothers of Manipur, are women from diverse backgrounds who marching through city streets, often at night as a patrol, and in protest, seeking redress against human rights violations. They enjoy widespread respect and are recognized as a formidable moral influence. They do not adhere to strict hierarchies, structures, or exhibit explicit political affiliations.