Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 6th & 7th May 2024

1. Recently, where was the event titled “Localizing the SDGs: Women in Local Governance in India Lead the Way” organized?

A. London

B. Paris

C. New York

D. New Delhi

• On May 3, 2024, the Permanent Mission of India to the UN and the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, with UNFPA, host “Localizing the SDGs: Women in Local Governance in India Lead the Way” during CPD57 in New York. Elected women representatives, including Sabhadhipati Supriya Das Datta (Tripura), Sarpanch Kunuku Hema Kumari (Andhra), and Sarpanch Neeru Yadav (Rajasthan), led by Secretary Vivek Bharadwaj, will showcase Indian women’s grassroots leadership.

2. Recently, which Indian received the ‘Green Oscar’ Whitley Gold Award 2024?

A. Tulsi Gowda

B. Purnima Devi Barman

C. Alice Garg

D. Amrita Devi

• Dr Purnima Devi Barman, an Assamese wildlife biologist, clinched her second Whitley Gold Award, also known as the Green Oscar, for safeguarding the endangered Hargila or Greater Adjutant Stork and its wetland home. She previously won in 2017. Princess Anne, the charity’s patron, presented her the trophy in London. Dr Barman mobilized locals to protect the stork and its habitat, increasing their population from 450 to over 1800.

3. According to recently released OECD report, what is the expected growth rate of India’s economy in 2024-25?

A. 5.5%

B. 6.6%

C. 7.2%

D. 7.8%

• The OECD’s “Economic Outlook” report, released on May 2, 2024, raised India’s economic growth forecast for 2024-25 to 6.6%, up from 6.2%. It also projects a 6.6% growth rate for 2025-26. The OECD joins other institutions in revising India’s growth prospects.
• The report attributes India’s accelerated growth to increased public investment and business confidence. It emphasizes the need for the government to address indebtedness through revenue growth, spending efficiency, and fiscal rules.

4. Recently, Geological Survey of India (GSI) explorers discovered ancient fossils in which hills of Meghalaya?

A. South Garo Hills

B. East Khasi Hills

C. West Khasi Hills

D. Jaintia Hills

• Geological Survey of India (GSI) explorers discovered ancient fossils, estimated at 35-40 million years old, in Tolegre, South Garo Hills, Meghalaya. Garo Hills, part of Meghalaya State, lies in the Meghalaya subtropical forests eco-region near the Indo-Bangladesh border. The Patkai hill range, extending into Myanmar, encompasses Garo Hills, known for heavy rainfall.

5. What is ‘Batillipes chandrayaani’?

A. Marine Tardigrade Species

B. Invasive plant

C. Naval Ship

D. Exoplanet

• Researchers from Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) discovered a new marine tardigrade species, Batillipes chandrayaani, on Tamil Nadu’s southeast coast, named after Chandrayaan-3. Found in Mandapam’s intertidal beach sediments, it measures 0.15mm in length and 0.04mm in width. Sporting a trapezoid-shaped head and four pairs of legs with sharp-tipped sensory spines, both sexes share similar morphology. It’s the 39th species under the genus Batillipes. Tardigrades, dubbed “water bears,” are resilient micro-animals.

6. Recently, which institution released the ‘Aging well in Asia: Asian Development Policy Report’?

A. World Bank

B. Asian Development Bank

C. European Investment Bank

D. African Development Bank

• The Asian Development Bank’s report on Aging well in Asia highlights four vital aspects of older persons’ well-being: health, productive work, economic security, and social engagement. It reveals that developing Asia faces rapid aging, with the older population set to almost double to 25.2% by 2050.

7. Sri Madhava Perumal Temple is located in which state?

A. Tamil Nadu

B. Maharashtra

C. Andhra Pradesh

D. Karnataka

• The Sri Madhava Perumal Temple reveals a historic trade route from over 1,000 years ago. Submerged in the Bhavanisagar dam, lowered water levels now unveil the temple in Erode district, Tamil Nadu. Hoysala King Veera Ballala III appointed Madhava Perumal Dhandanayaka to govern, who constructed the Dhandanayaka Fort 680 years ago. His son, Veera Siddha Keththaya Dhandanayaka, built the temple within. Later ruled by Vijayanagara Empire, Ummattur chiefs, and Tipu Sultan, the fort witnessed the Battle of Sathyamangalam in 1790.

8. What is the purpose of the MoU recently signed between RailTel Corporation of India and the tech firm?

A. To explore and deliver KAVACH implementation projects in India and other countries

B. To develop a new version of KAVACH

C. To develop a new railway lines

D. To manufacture train engines

• RailTel Corporation of India has partnered with a tech firm to implement KAVACH, an indigenous Automatic Train Protection System, in India and abroad. Developed by RDSO in collaboration with the Indian industry, KAVACH operates at Safety Integrity Level – 4 with a remarkably low error probability. Its features include centralized train movement monitoring, automatic overspeed prevention, and SOS message relaying.

9. Which organization of India recently organized #PlayTrue Campaign to create awareness about clean sports?

A. National Anti-Doping Agency

B. National Sports Federation

C. Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports

D. National Sports Organisation

• National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) India recently concluded up its #PlayTrue Campaign, drawing over 12,133 participants nationwide. The campaign aimed to raise awareness about clean sports and anti-doping practices. It showcased NADA’s dedication to educating athletes, coaches, and sports enthusiasts on anti-doping regulations.
• Through various activities like quizzes and awareness sessions, NADA encouraged fair play and integrity in sports, aligning with World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA’s) vision.

10. Recently, which state launched the ‘Nakshatra Sabha’, India’s first astro tourism campaign?

A. Uttarakhand

B. Haryana

C. Himachal Pradesh

D. Rajasthan

• The Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board and Starscapes have collaborated to introduce Nakshatra Sabha, an Astro Tourism venture. Beyond star-gazing, it offers solar observations, astrophotography contests, and camping. Aimed at astronomy enthusiasts and adventurers, it aims to merge cosmic wonders with Uttarakhand’s natural beauty.

11. Which state did the Supreme Court recently order to halt illegal mining in the Aravalli range?

A. Rajasthan

B. Gujarat

C. Haryana

D. Maharashtra

• The Supreme Court ordered an end to illegal mining in the Aravalli Range in Rajasthan. Stretching 692 kilometers across Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Haryana, the Aravallis are India’s oldest mountain range, vital for ecology and hydrology. They prevent desertification, regulate climate, and support diverse ecosystems and rivers like Sabarmati and Luni.

12. Saksham Valley is a territorial dispute between which two countries?

A. India & Bhutan

B. India & Pakistan

C. India & Nepal

D. India & China

• India protests China’s construction in Saksham Valley, deemed illegal. The valley is part of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. It is a disputed territory claimed by India but controlled by Pakistan and ceded to China in 1963 by Pakistan. Article 6 of the agreement stipulates renegotiation after Kashmir dispute settlement. It borders Xinjiang, POK, and Siachen Glacier. The Karakoram highway, built in the 1970s, resulted from the agreement between China and Pakistan.

13. Which country recently launched the Chang’e 6 probe to bring back soil from the dark side of the moon?

A. China B. Russia

C. India D. Japan

• China launched the Chang’e-6 probe to gather samples from the Moon’s far side, aiming to be the first nation to do so. Previously, only the USA and USSR collected lunar samples, all from the near side. China’s Chang’e 4 landed on the far side in 2019 but didn’t retrieve samples. In 2023, India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission achieved a first by landing near the Moon’s South Pole.

14. India recently agreed to enhance cooperation in energy and local currency settlement with which African country?

A. Kenya

B. Tanzania

C. Senegal

D. Nigeria

• India and Nigeria agreed to expedite the Local Currency Settlement System Agreement, aiming to enhance bilateral trade. Trade settlements will occur in Indian rupees and Nigerian naira. The decision was reached during the 2^nd India-Nigeria Joint Trade Committee session in Abuja. Led by Amardeep Singh Bhatia, the Indian delegation included representatives from the RBI, EXIM Bank, and NPCI. The meeting, held from April 29 to 30, 2024, outlined areas for trade enhancement.

15. Bhadra Tiger Reserve is located in which state?

A. Kerala

B. Karnataka

C. Gujarat

D. Maharashtra

• The Bhadra Tiger Reserve, located in Karnataka’s Western Ghats, has seen a surge in safari visitors. Tourists must tread carefully in this eco-sensitive zone. The reserve, declared India’s 25^th Tiger Reserve in 1998, houses a significant tiger population alongside elephants and diverse fauna. Other Karnataka state tiger reserves include Bandipur, Nagarhole, Dandeli-Anshi, and Biligiriranga.

16. Recently, where was the 7^th India-Indonesia Joint Defence Cooperation Committee meeting held?

A. New Delhi

B. Jakarta

C. Chennai

D. Hyderabad

• India and Indonesia recently held their seventh Joint Defence Cooperation Committee meeting in New Delhi, focusing on expanding collaboration in defence industry, maritime security, and multilateral cooperation.
• Both nations expressed satisfaction with the growing scope of defence cooperation. The meeting emphasized defence industry collaboration involving firms like Bharat Forge and Mahindra Defence. They stressed maritime security cooperation and highlighted Indonesia’s role in India’s Act East Policy.

17. What is the rank of India in the World Press Freedom Index 2024?

A. 158

B. 159

C. 160

D. 161

• India’s World Press Freedom Index score declined from 36.62 to 31.28 in 2024, as per Reporters Without Borders. This annual report assesses journalism freedoms across 180 nations. India’s rank improved from 161 to 159 due to others’ decline. However, India lags behind Turkey, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Despite a slight improvement in security, scores fell across other indicators, signaling challenges to press independence.

18. Recently, India and the Netherlands organized which round of foreign consultations in The Hague?

A. 11^th

B. 12^th

C. 13^th

D. 14^th

• India and the Netherlands held the 12^th round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) in The Hague on May 2, 2024. The consultations were led by Shri Pavan Kapoor, Secretary (West), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.
• The meeting was a chance to evaluate progress since the last FOC in New Delhi in December 2022. During the meeting, India and the Netherlands agreed to strengthen their bilateral ties by focusing on new technologies like green hydrogen and semiconductors.

19. Recently, who has been appointed as President of Goods & Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT)?

A. O P Choudhary

B. Pankaj Chaudhary

C. Sanjaya Kumar Mishra

D. Ajay Bhushan Pandey

• Retired Justice Sanjaya Kumar Mishra appointed as President of GSTAT, the Second Appellate Authority under the Central GST Act, 2017. GSTAT hears appeals against orders from the Appellate Authority under CGST Act, 2017 and State GST Acts, ensuring dispute resolution uniformity.
• GSTAT comprises a Principal Bench in New Delhi, led by the President and two Technical Members (one from Centre, one from State), along with several State Benches.

20. Lakshya Aircraft is designed and built by which organization?

A. DRDO

B. ISRO

C. CSIR

D. HAL

• The Aeronautical Development Establishment, a Bengaluru-based Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) lab, creator of Lakshya aircraft, is under CBI scrutiny. Lakshya, a micro-light, pilot-less aircraft, was developed by ADE for Indian Armed Forces, inducted in 2000 (IAF), 2001 (IN), and 2003 (IA). Cost-effective, reusable, with HAL-manufactured engine, it can launch from land or sea.

21. How much has the fossil fuel capacity in India increased during FY24?

A. 1.65%

B. 2.44%

C. 3.50%

D. 3.80%

• In FY24, the country’s fossil fuel-based power capacity increased by 2.44% to 243.22 GW from March 2023’s 237.27 GW. Non-fossil fuel capacity increased by 10.79%, reaching 190.57 GW in 2023-24 compared to 172.01 GW in 2022-23. This includes solar, wind, and hydropower. Nuclear power capacity grew to 8.18 GW from 6.78 GW, marking a 20.64% yearly increase.

22. Recently, who has been appointed as Secretary at Director level in the National Jute Board, Kolkata, under the Ministry of Textiles?

A. Ajay Kumar

B. Shashi Bhushan Singh

C. Rajeev Saxena

D. Arvind Kumar

• Shashi Bhushan Singh, an Indian Railway Traffic Service officer, has been appointed as Secretary (Director level) of the National Jute Board in Kolkata by the Central Government. The appointment is for 5 years or until further notice. Established under the National Jute Board Act, 2008, the NJB began operations on April 1, 2010, consolidating the Jute Manufactures Development Council and the National Centre for Jute Diversification.

23. Paliyar Tribe is related to which state?

A. Tamil Nadu

B. Kerala

C. Karnataka

D. Andhra Pradesh

• Recent research on Paliyar Tribals in Kodaikanal and Theni areas urges immediate government action for their upliftment. Derived from “Palaniyan” in Tamil, they’re also known as Paliyans, Pazhaiyarares, and Panaiyars. Distributed in Tamil Nadu districts, they speak Tamil and traditionally hunted and gathered. They worship Vanadevadai and Karuppan. They bury their dead on the western side of their residential area, avoiding cremation.

24. Recently, where was the 26^th ASEAN-Indian Senior Officials’ meeting held?

A. New Delhi

B. Jaipur

C. Chennai

D. Hyderabad

• The 26^th ASEAN-India Senior Officials’ Meeting in New Delhi, co-chaired by Jaideep Mazumdar and Albert Chua, reviewed ASEAN-India relations, focusing on political-security, economic, and socio-cultural engagement. They discussed implementing the Prime Ministers’ 12-Point Proposal to strengthen the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Preparation for the upcoming ASEAN-India Summit in Vientiane, Laos, was also discussed.