Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 8th May 2024

1. What is ‘MQ-9B Predator’?

A. A technique used to remove pest from crop

B. High Altitude Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

C. Nuclear Ballistic Submarine

D. Earth Observation Satellite

• India will acquire MQ-9B Predator drones from the US, deploying them in Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh. Developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, it’s a high-altitude, long-endurance armed UAV. Used by the US for surveillance and airstrikes, it has two variants: SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian.

2. Recently, which country clinched Men’s AFC U-23 Asian Cup 2024 by defeating Uzbekistan?

A. China

B. Indonesia

C. Japan

D. Kazakhstan

• Japan secured their second Men’s AFC U-23 Asian Cup title by defeating Uzbekistan in the final match held in Doha, Qatar. The solitary goal scored by substitute Yamada, secured Japan’s victory and a spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics. The Japanese goalkeeper’s crucial penalty saves ensured their win. Iraq claimed the bronze medal after defeating Indonesia in the semifinals.

3. Recently, which country’s men’s team won 11^th Thomas Cup by defeating Indonesia?

A. China

B. Malaysia

C. India

D. Vietnam

• The 2024 BWF Thomas and Uber Cup, held in Chengdu, China, saw the Chinese badminton team’s dominance, winning both men’s and women’s titles. In the Thomas Cup, China beat Indonesia 4-1, claiming their 11th victory. India, defending champions, lost to China in the quarterfinals. China’s victory marks the first time since 2012 that one nation has clinched both titles at the world team championships.

4. Recently, which organization has released the norms, guidelines and procedures for the implementation of Indian Space Policy, 2023?

A. CSIR

B. DRDO

C. ICAR

D. IN-SPACe

• IN-SPACe has released norms, guidelines, and procedures (NGP) for Indian Space Policy, 2023, enhancing regulatory predictability and ease of business. It covers Authorization for space activities within Indian territory and jurisdiction, including launch, operation, and re-entry of space objects. Only Indian entities can seek Authorization, while non-Indian entities can apply through Indian counterparts. The NGP outlines criteria and conditions for Authorization, ensuring transparency and compliance with regulations in the Indian space sector.

5. Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve is located in which state?

A. Telangana

B. Maharashtra

C. Kerala

D. Karnataka

• The Maharashtra Forest department plans to move tigers from Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve to Sahyadri Tiger Reserve, located in the Western Ghats. Formed in 2010, it includes Chandoli National Park and Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary. The reserve boasts unique undulating terrain with steep escarpments and barren rocky plateaus known as “Sadas.” It hosts abundant climax and near-climax vegetation, with minimal human impact anticipated.

6. What is the projected percentage of milk production reduction in India by 2085, as per the Lancet report?

A. 25%

B. 35%

C. 45%

D. 65%

• Rising temperatures in India could slash milk production by 25% by 2085, warns a Lancet report. India, the top global milk producer and consumer, faces severe livelihood and nutrition risks. The northern plains contribute 30% of India’s milk, supported by 89 million smallholder farmers. Heat stress, measured by the Temperature Humidity Index (THI), reduces milk yield.

7. Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) operates under which ministry?

A. Ministry of Health & Family Welfare

B. Ministry of Home Affairs

C. Ministry of Women & Child Development

D. Ministry of Defence

• Starting May 15, 2024, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) gains sole authority to issue manufacturing licenses for new drugs intended for export, sidelining state governments.
• All export-related No Objection Certificates (NOCs) must now be applied for through CDSCO zonal offices via the SUGAM Portal. Previously, state authorities handled this. The move aims to streamline exports and tackle delays identified by the Drug Consultative Committee (DCC).

8. Who have been named as laureates of the 2024 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize?

A. Russian journalists

B. Ukrainian journalists

C. Palestinian journalists

D. China journalists

• Palestinian journalists covering Gaza won the 2024 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize, recognizing their bravery in perilous conditions. The award ceremony held on 2 May during the World Press Freedom Conference in Santiago, Chile. Amid ongoing Gaza conflict, 26 journalists and media workers lost their lives since October 2023.

9. Which states are related with the dispute of Mullaperiyar Dam?

A. Tamil Nadu & Kerala

B. Tamil Nadu & Karnataka

C. Kerala & Karnataka

D. Karnataka & Andhra Pradesh

• Tamil Nadu accuses Kerala in Supreme Court of obstructing Mullaperiyar dam maintenance while raising safety concerns. Kerala allegedly delays routine maintenance for months to over a year.
• Tamil Nadu seeks court’s intervention for completing strengthening works on smaller and main dams, requesting permission to cut fifteen trees. It criticizes Kerala for not cooperating despite supervisory committee’s authority under Dam Safety Act, 2021. The dam, built in late 1800s, diverts Periyar river to Tamil Nadu.

10. What is the main objective of Indian National Center for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS)

A. To provide agricultural data and services

B. To monitor and forecast weather patterns

C. To provide ocean data, information, and advisory services

D. To conduct research on space exploration

• INCOIS, established in 1999 under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, issues alerts to coastal states about rough seas, high waves, and inundation risks. It operates under ESSO, aiming to furnish oceanic data, information, and advisory services to various sectors.
• Its activities include round-the-clock monitoring and warning services for tsunamis, storm surges, and high waves, daily advisories for fisherfolk, and short-term ocean state forecasts. It also deploys Ocean Observing Systems to collect data and predict oceanic changes.

11. Border Road Organization (BRO), recently celebrated its 65^th raising day, comes under which ministry?

A. Ministry of Civil Aviation

B. Ministry of Earth Sciences

C. Ministry of Road Transport and Highways

D. Ministry of Defence

• The Border Road Organisation (BRO) marked its 65^th raising day on May 7, 2024, with a ceremony in New Delhi, led by Union Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane. Established in 1960 by the Nehru government, BRO undertakes critical road projects for the Army. Notably, Project Tuskar, now Project Vartak, connects Bhalukpong to Tenga in Arunachal Pradesh, while Project Beacon focuses on Kashmir. Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan currently heads BRO, operating under the Ministry of Defence with the motto: “In the Silence of Our Great Mountains – Work Speaks.”

12. Pakistan recently launched its first-ever lunar mission, iCube-Qamar, in collaboration with which country?

A. Russia

B. India

C. China

D. Iran

• Pakistan and China jointly launched iCube-Qamar, Pakistan’s inaugural lunar mission. The 7kg satellite, developed by Pakistan’s Institute of Space Technology (IST), SUPARCO, and China’s SJTU, is part of China’s Chang’e-6 mission. Equipped with two optical cameras, it orbits the moon, enabling Pakistan to conduct satellite-based research on lunar surface imagery independently.