Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 8th July 2023

1. Which country has reached a USD 3 Billion Stand-By Arrangement (SBA)with IMF?

[A] Afghanistan

[B] Pakistan

[C] Iran

[D] Thailand

Answer: [B] Pakistan

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Pakistan have reached a staff-level agreement on a USD 3 billion ‘stand-by arrangement’. The agreement, pending approval by the IMF board in mid-July, provides temporary relief to Pakistan as it grapples with a severe balance of payments crisis and declining foreign exchange reserves.

2. Which city is the host of ‘United Nations High Level Political Forum (HLPF)’?

[A] New Delhi

[B] New York

[C] Paris

[D] Rome

Answer: [B] New York

The United Nations High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) is taking place in New York from July 10 to 14. The forum’s central theme revolves around “Accelerating the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and the comprehensive implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at all levels.”

3. Which city hosted the ‘Startup20 Shikhar Summit’?

[A] Mumbai

[B] Varanasi

[C] Gandhi Nagar

[D] Gurgaon

Answer: [D] Gurgaon

The Startup20 Shikhar Summit, organized by the Startup20 Engagement Group under the India G20 Presidency, concluded recently in Gurugram. Saudi Arabia was the first country to endorse and support the Startup20’s call to allocate an ambitious sum of USD 1 trillion per annum into the startup ecosystem by 2030.

4. Which public sector bank along with NeSL has launched e-BG (electronic bank guarantee) services under Project WAVE?

[A] Indian Bank

[B] State Bank of India

[C] Punjab National Bank

[D] Canara Bank

Answer: [A] Indian Bank

Indian Bank, in partnership with National E- Governance Service Limited (NeSL), has rolled out e-BG (electronic bank guarantee) services under Project WAVE. Indian Bank has also introduced a new facility under Project WAVE, to ensure fully end-to-end digitally pre-approved business loans. The facility is available to process a loan of 25 lakh.

5. France has collaborated with which country to fast-track transition to clean energy?

[A] UAE

[B] Italy

[C] Germany

[D] UK

Answer: [A] UAE

France and the United Arab Emirates have joined forces to expedite the transition to clean energy solutions. The two countries are collaborating on projects in fields such as hydrogen and nuclear energy. A trilateral cooperation initiative involving France, the UAE, and India was established earlier this year.

6. Which country’s king recently apologised for his country’s role in slavery and asked for forgiveness during a historic speech?

[A] UK

[B] The Netherlands

[C] Spain

[D] Thailand

Answer: [B] The Netherlands 

King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands apologised for his country’s role in slavery and asked for forgiveness during a historic speech at an event to commemorate the anniversary of the abolition of slavery in Dutch colonies. The king’s speech followed Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s apology late last year. The government is establishing a 200-million-euro fund for initiatives that tackle the legacy of slavery in the Netherlands and its former colonies.

7. Which Union Ministry launched the ‘Bharat 6G Alliance’?

[A] Ministry of Communication

[B] Ministry of Electronics and Communication

[C] Ministry of Science and Technology

[D] Ministry of MSME

Answer: [A] Ministry of Communication

The Department of Telecommunications (DOT), Ministry of Communication launched the Bharat 6G Alliance with the aim of fostering creativity and cooperation in the advancement of future wireless technology. The Bharat 6G Alliance (B6GA) brings together a diverse coalition comprising governmental entities, businesses from both the public and private sectors, educational institutions, research organizations, and standardization bodies.

8. Santa Fe frog, which was seen in the news, are found in which region?

[A] South Asia

[B] South America

[C] Europe

[D] Oceania

Answer: [B] South America

Leptodactylus laticeps is a species of frog in the family Leptodactylidae. It is found in South American region especially Argentina, Bolivia, and Paraguay. Scientists from Argentina have conducted research on a frog with a distinct “leopard-print” pattern to gain insights into its reproductive behavior, aiming to safeguard the endangered Santa Fe frog. The species faces a threat due to habitat destruction caused by deforestation in the Dry Chaco region.

9. Which organisation released the report titled ‘Trade in services for development’ Report?

[A] UNDP and World Bank

[B] IMF and World Bank

[C] WTO and World Bank

[D] WEF and World Bank

Answer: [C] WTO and World Bank

A report titled ‘Trade in services for development’ was released recently by the World Bank and World Trade Organization (WTO). According to this report, in India, South Africa, and Turkey, employment opportunities directly associated with cross-border services exports constitute over 10% of the total workforce in the services sector.

10. National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) functions under which Union Ministry?

[A] Ministry of Defence

[B] Ministry of Jal Shakti

[C] Ministry of Earth Sciences

[D] Ministry of External Affairs

Answer: [C] Ministry of Earth Sciences

Scientists from Bangladesh and Mauritius joined the Indian research vessel ‘Sagar Nidhi’ for a collaborative oceanic expedition lasting approximately 35 days. The expedition is being organized by the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), operating under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.

11. The Government of India has cautioned which segment of companies to not use “dark patterns” on their platforms?

[A] E Commerce

[B] Insurance

[C] Banking

[D] Health Care

Answer: [A] E Commerce

The Government of India has recently urged e- commerce companies to abstain from employing “dark patterns” on their platforms, which have the potential to deceive customers or manipulate their decision-making process. Dark patterns, alternatively referred to as deceptive patterns are the methods employed by websites or applications to manipulate users into performing actions they did not intend to do.

12. The report titled “Burden of disease attributable to unsafe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene: 2019 update” is released by which organization?

[A] WHO

[B] AIIMS

[C] IIT Bombay

[D] UNICEF

Answer: [A] WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently released a report titled “Burden of disease attributable to unsafe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene: 2019 update” According to this report, the lack of access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and proper hygiene (WASH) has led to the unfortunate loss of 395,000 lives among children under the age of five.

13. The Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) is set to establish pig schools in collaboration with which country?

[A] China

[B] New Zealand

[C] Japan

[D] Denmark

Answer: [D] Denmark

The Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) is set to finalize an agreement with the Danish government to establish India’s inaugural pig schools. The authorities of BTC have collaborated with the Danish Consortium of Academic Craftsmanship (DCAC) and an agricultural business academy based in Denmark, to establish these schools. The BTC is governing a region of 8,970 sq. km in Assam that includes four districts bordering Bhutan.

14. “Animal Discoveries – New Species and New Records 2023” is published by which institution?

[A] Zoological Survey of India

[B] Blue Cross

[C] WWF India

[D] Animal Wellness Institute

Answer: [A] Zoological Survey of India

The Zoological Survey of India has published the faunal discoveries in a publication titled “Animal Discoveries – New Species and New Records 2023.” As per the publication, India has expanded its faunal database by including 664 animal species between 2022 to 2023, which consists of 467 newly discovered species and 197 species recorded in India for the first time.

15. Which Indian Institution is working on the development of a secure signaling system for the Indian Railways, by using block chain technology?

[A] ISRO

[B] DRDO

[C] IIT Kharagpur

[D] Indian Army

Answer: [C] IIT Kharagpur

The Indian Institute of Technology – Kharagpur, is working on the development of a secure signaling system for the Indian Railways, utilizing blockchain technology. This tamper-proof system will incorporate advanced safety features and serve as a complement to the existing Data Logger, commonly known as the ‘Black Box,’ used in rolling stock.

16. Recently, which Indian Naval vessel was handed over to Vietnam People’s Navy?

[A] INS Kirpan

[B] INS Talwar

[C] Ins Vikrant

[D] Ins Vikram

Answer: [A] INS Kirpan

INS Kirpan is the indigenously built Khukri class missile corvette, which will be handed over to Vietnam People’s Navy. The vessel commenced its final journey from Visakhapatnam, which on arrival at Vietnam shall be handed over to Vietnam People’s Navy. This is the first time India has presented such a vessel to a friendly foreign country, aligning with India’s vision of global unity and regional security.

17. Where is the International Seabed Authority headquartered?

[A] Jamaica

[B] Japan

[C] Australia

[D] United Kingdom

Answer: [A] Jamaica

The International Seabed Authority is a Jamaica- based intergovernmental body of 167 member states and the European Union established under the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. The International Seabed Authority is making preparations to restart discussions that may potentially allow mining activities in the international seabed, called Deep Sea mining.

18. Which event has been commemorated as the Dharma Chakra Pravartana Divas by the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC)?

[A] Ashadha Purnima

[B] Buddha Purnima

[C] Holi

[D] Diwali

Answer: [A] Ashadha Purnima

Recently, the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) has commemorated Ashadha Purnima as the Dharma Chakra Pravartana Divas at the National Museum in Janpath, New Delhi. The Ashadha Purnima falls every year on the full moon day of the month of Ashadha as per the Indian lunar calendar. This event holds great significance as it is the annual flagship celebration of the IBC and is considered the second most sacred day for Buddhists, following the Buddha Purnima.

19. Which Union Ministry launched the ‘eSARAS mobile App’?

[A] Ministry of Rural Development

[B] Ministry of MSME

[C] Ministry of Power

[D] Ministry of External Affairs

Answer: [A] Ministry of Rural Development

The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojna- National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) has introduced the eSARAS mobile App, aimed at enhancing marketing assistance for products created by women belonging to Self-help Groups (SHGs). This app will contribute to the existing eCommerce endeavors focused on promoting SHG-produced goods. DAY-NRLM is a flagship scheme of Ministry of Rural Development.

20. National Anti-Doping Agency(NADA) functions under which Union Ministry?

[A] Ministry of Education

[B] Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports

[C] Ministry of Defence

[D] Ministry of Home Affairs

Answer: [B] Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports

During the NADA India – SARADO Cooperation Meet held in New Delhi, NADA India and SARADO, which includes Anti-Doping Organizations from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The purpose of the MoU is to enhance regional collaboration in the field of anti-doping within sports. NADA functions under Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.