Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 5th March 2024

1. Recently, which state government has decided to establish a State Water Information Centre (SWIC)?

A. Bihar

B. Odisha

C. Gujarat

D. Jharkhand

• The Odisha government is establishing the State Water Information Centre (SWIC) to coordinate, store, and disseminate water resource data. Operating under the Water Resources Department, it aims to maintain a comprehensive repository of hydro-meteorological data for Odisha. The center will be staffed with experts in water resources management and data handling.

2. Sindri Fertiliser Plant is located in which state?

A. Jharkhand

B. Uttar Pradesh

C. Rajasthan

D. Gujarat

• PM Modi dedicated the HURL Sindri Fertilizer Plant in Jharkhand on March 1, 2024, addressing India’s urea demand. The nation requires 360 lakh metric tons yearly, but in 2014, produced only 225 lakh metric tons. Thanks to government efforts, production increased to 310 lakh metric tons in the last decade. Modi revealed plans to revive more plants by 2025, ensuring affordable fertilizers for farmers and generating employment opportunities for local youth, including the Talcher Fertilizer Plant.

3. Recently, which state became the first state to issue five crore Ayushman cards under AB-PMJAY?

A. Gujarat

B. Madhya Pradesh

C. Uttar Pradesh

D. Maharashtra

• Uttar Pradesh has marked a milestone by issuing 5 crore Ayushman cards, making it the first state to do so under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana. The state boasts 50,017,920 issued cards, benefiting 74,382,304 individuals across 3,716 hospitals. With 3,481,252 health claims filed, an impressive 92.48% were settled, reflecting the scheme’s success.

4. Amrabad Tiger Reserve is located in which state?

A. Telangana

B. Kerala

C. Karnataka

D. Odisha

• The leopard population in Amrabad Tiger Reserve, Telangana, has significantly increased, as per the recent ‘Status of Leopards in India’ report. Spanning 2611.4 sq km, it is one of India’s largest tiger reserves and the second-largest in core area. Originally part of Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve, Amrabad Tiger Reserve emerged post-state bifurcation.

5. Where was the 66^th meeting of Network Planning Group held?

A. Chennai

B. New Delhi

C. Bengaluru

D. Jaipur

• The 66th Network Planning Group meeting in New Delhi, chaired by the Additional Secretary of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, assessed three projects from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and two from the Ministry of Railways. The Integrated Multimodal NPG oversees unified planning and integration for connectivity infrastructure ministries, facilitating stakeholder interactions. It guides departments in creating economic zones and connectivity infrastructure.

6. What is ‘VSHORADS’?

A. Man Portable Air Defence System (MANPAD)

B. Military exercise between India and Europe

C. Peacekeeping Operations in Europe

D. Mobile Short Range Air Defence System

• The DRDO successfully tested the Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) missile, a fourth-gen MANPAD developed indigenously in collaboration with Indian industry partners. Designed for short-range air defense, it boasts a 6-km range. The portable missile, propelled by a dual-thrust solid motor, aims to safeguard ground forces and critical assets against low-altitude aerial threats.

7. Which ministry recently launched the ‘Alliance for Global Good-Gender Equity and Equality’?

A. Ministry of Defence

B. Ministry of Women & Child Development

C. Ministry of Rural Development

D. Ministry of Home Affairs

• Union Minister of Women & Child Development Smriti Irani revealed the logo and website for the Alliance for Global Good – Gender Equity and Equality in a ceremony attended by Bill Gates and Chandrajit Banerjee. Emphasizing India’s leadership in women’s empowerment, Irani highlighted international support garnered at Davos.
• Launched at Davos 2024, the alliance aligns with PM Narendra Modi’s vision for women-led development. Focused on SDGs, it seeks to consolidate practices, exchange knowledge, and attract investments in women’s health, education, and entrepreneurship.

8. How much funding has the Union Cabinet approved for the International Big Cat Alliance?

A. Rs 250 crore

B. Rs 150 crore

C. Rs 100 crore

D. Rs 110 crore

• The Union Cabinet has officially launched the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) with a one-time budgetary allocation of Rs 150 crore from the Indian government until 2028. Initiated by the Prime Minister in April 2023 to commemorate Project Tiger’s 50th anniversary, IBCA aims to foster cooperation among 97 ‘range’ countries for the conservation of seven big cat species. Its multifaceted approach includes governance structures like a General Assembly, a Council, and a Secretariat, along with financial support from the Indian government.

9. Recently, which ministry signed an MoU with ISRO on Urban Framed Survey using Bhuvan?

A. Ministry of Commerce and Industry

B. Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment

C. Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation

D. Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways

• The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has partnered with ISRO for the Urban Frame Survey (UFS) using Bhuvan. UFS, managed by the Field Operations Division (FOD) of NSSO, utilizes compact units in urban areas with 120-150 households.
• Executed in five-year phases, it acts as a sampling frame for large-scale socio-economic surveys. The digital implementation of UFS occurred for the first-time during Phase 2017-22, employing the Bhuvan platform for data collection.

10. Exercise Samudra Laksamana is conducted between which two countries?

A. India and Singapore

B. India and Malaysia

C. India and China

D. India and Russia

• The Exercise Samudra Laksamana, a joint naval drill between the Indian Navy and Royal Malaysian Navy, commenced on Feb.28 and concluded on March.2 off the coast of Visakhapatnam. In its 3rd edition, the exercise involves Indian Naval Ship Kiltan and Royal Malaysian Ship KD Lekir. Professional interactions, knowledge exchange, and collaborative sea operations aim to strengthen bilateral bonds, foster cooperation, and enhance interoperability between the two navies.

11. India’s first indigenously developed hydrogen fuel cell ferry was deployed for service at which place of Uttar Pradesh?

A. Lucknow

B. Kanpur

C. Varanasi

D. Ayodhya

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched India’s first indigenous hydrogen fuel cell ferry, built by Cochin Shipyard Limited, to operate in Varanasi. The hydrogen fuel cell system was developed by KPIT Technologies in collaboration with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Labs.
• The initiative, named Harit Nauka (green boat), is led by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, aiming for a green transition in inland vessels. Guidelines unveiled in January 2024 mandate states to use green fuels for 50% of inland waterways passenger fleets by 2034 and 100% by 2045 to combat greenhouse gas emissions.

12. According to Status of Leopards in India 2022 report, which state has the largest population of leopards?

A. Tamil Nadu

B. Madhya Pradesh

C. Uttar Pradesh

D. Maharashtra

• The ‘Status of Leopards in India, 2022’ report reveals a leopard population increase to 13,874 from 12,852 in 2018.
• Indian leopards, found in various forested regions spanning India, Nepal, Bhutan, and parts of Pakistan, are most abundant in Central India and Eastern Ghats (8,820), followed by the Western Ghats (3,596) and the Shivalik Hills/Gangetic Plains (1,109). Statewise, Madhya Pradesh leads with 3,907 leopards, followed by Maharashtra (1,985), Karnataka (1,879), and Tamil Nadu (1,070).