Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 9th 10th & 11th September 2023

1. The Viability Gap Funding for development of BESS aims to generate 4,000 MWh of BESS projects by?

[A] 2024-25

[B] 2030-31

[C] 2035-36

[D] 2040-41

Answer: [B] 2030-31

The Union Cabinet has approved the Scheme for Viability Gap Funding (VGF) aimed at fostering the development of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). This scheme aspires to generate 4,000 MWh of BESS projects by 2030-31, backed by up to 40% capital cost support in the form of VGF. The scheme seeks to provide clean, reliable, and cost-effective electricity to citizens. With an initial outlay of Rs. 9,400 crores, it aims to achieve a Levelized Cost of Storage (LCoS) ranging from Rs. 5.50-6.60 per kWh.

2. The Cabinet granted approval for allocation of Rs. 1164 crore for the Industrial Development Scheme (IDS) 2017 in which states?

[A] Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand

[B] Punjab and Rajasthan

[C] Kerala and Tamil Nadu

[D] West Bengal and Odisha

Answer: [A] Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand

The Cabinet has granted approval for an allocation of Rs. 1164.53 crore for the Industrial Development Scheme (IDS) 2017 in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The IDS 2017 was initially introduced in 2018 with a financial outlay of Rs. 131.90 crore, which was fully utilized by the fiscal year 2021-22. To fulfil obligations until 2028-29, an additional fund was required, prompting the Cabinet’s approval. These measures aim to stimulate industrial growth and create job opportunities.

3. Which city is the host of ‘Bharat Drone Shakti 2023’?

[A] Pune

[B] Ghaziabad

[C] Mysuru

[D] Hyderabad

Answer: [B] Ghaziabad

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is collaborating with the Drone Federation of India to jointly host ‘Bharat Drone Shakti 2023.’ This event, scheduled for September 25th and 26th, will take place at the IAF’s Hindan airbase in Ghaziabad and will feature live aerial demonstrations, as per the Ministry of Defence.

4. Which institution launched ‘Face Authentication system’ at the Global Fintech Festival?

[A] NPCI

[B] NITI Aayog

[C] NASSCOM

[D] UIDAI

Answer: [D] UIDAI

At the Global Fintech Festival in Mumbai, Unique Identity Authority of India (UIDAI) introduced its enhanced Face Authentication system, developed in-house with AI and ML capabilities, focusing on reimagining Aadhaar authentication. UIDAI’s Volunteer Guideline 2022 encourages collaboration with industry and fintech partners to accelerate technology adoption and enhance solutions for residents.

5. Which city is the host of Transnational Grid Interconnections for One Sun, One World, One Grid (OSOWOG) Conference?

[A] New Delhi

[B] Mumbai

[C] Gandhi Nagar

[D] Bengaluru

Answer: [A] New Delhi

In preparation for the 18th G20 Summit, a Conference titled Transn ational Grid interconnections for One Sun, One World, One Grid (OSOWOG) took place in New Delhi. Organized by Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PoWERGRID), this event highlighted the significance of cross-border grid interconnections in the context of global energy sustainability.

6. Which state has extended Social Security to Transgender Community through Universal Pension Scheme?

[A] Tamil Nadu

[B] Jharkhand

[C] Kerala

[D] Goa

Answer: [B] Jharkhand

The jharkhand government, has decided to incorporate the transgender community into its universal pension scheme, in a bid to provide social security and inclusion. The Cabinet decided to include transgender individuals under the backward class category, ensuring they receive associated benefits. Under the Mukhyamantri Rajya Samajik Suraksha Pension Yojana, eligible transgender beneficiaries will receive Rs 1,000 per month as financial aid.

7. India has imported Date Palm tree from which country, as part of sapling planting event under G-20 Summit?

[A] Saudi Arabia

[B] UAE

[C] Oman

[D] Bahrain

Answer: [A] Saudi Arabia

India is set to host the G20 Summit., and as part of the event, visiting leaders will plant saplings of native trees from 17 different countries. It aims to promote environmental awareness and symbolize cooperation among nations. Saplings of native plants have been imported from both G20 member countries and other invitee nations. India has imported trees like the Date Palm from Saudi Arabia, Olive from Italy and Turkey, and Camphor Laurel from China and Japan. For the invitee countries, saplings include the Ghaf tree from the UAE, Frankincense from Oman, Frangipani from Mauritius, and Mango tree from Bangladesh.

8. A new global data platform ‘Marine Sand Watch’ has been developed under which institution?

[A] World Bank

[B] UNEP

[C] UNFCCC

[D] WWF

Answer: [B] UNEP

A new global data platform, Marine Sand Watch, developed by GRID-Geneva within the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), has unveiled that six billion tonnes of sand are being extracted annually from the world’s ocean floors, posing irreparable harm to benthic life. The platform monitors sand, clay, silt, gravel, and rock dredging in marine environments, particularly in hotspots like the North Sea, Southeast Asia, and the East Coast of the United States.

9. As per a recent report, the coastal waters of which state are facing a ecological threat from the invasive Caribbean false mussel?

[A] Kerala

[B] Andhra Pradesh

[C] Goa

[D] Tamil Nadu

Answer: [A] Kerala

The coastal waters of Kerala are facing a significant ecological threat from the invasive Caribbean false mussel, as revealed by a report from the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). This invasive species, originally from South and Central America, has rapidly spread throughout Kerala’s coastal waters, displacing native clams and oysters crucial for the state’s fisheries.

10. Which institution launched ‘Hello! UPI – Conversational Payments on UPI’?

[A] NASSCOM

[B] NPCI

[C] RBI

[D] SEBI

Answer: [B] NPCI

The National Payments Corporation of India. (NPCI) has launched a set of innovative digital payment products during the Global Fintech Fest 2023 in Mumbai. ‘Credit Line on UPI’ enables pre-sanctioned credit lines from banks via the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), providing users with access to instant credit. ‘UPI LITE X’ facilitates offline payments, while ‘UPI Tap & Pay’ enhances digital payments through Near Field Communication (NFC) technology for QR code- based transactions. ‘Hello! UPI – Conversational Payments on UPI’ allows voice-enabled UPI payments in Hindi and English through UPI apps, telecom calls, and IoT devices.

11. Zhen Hua 15, a project cargo vessel, which has commenced its maiden voyage from the East China Sea to the coast of Kerala, is from which country?

[A] Japan

[B] Hong Kong

[C] Taiwan

[D] South Korea

Answer: [B] Hong Kong

The Zhen Hua 15, a project cargo vessel flying the Hong Kong flag, has commenced its maiden voyage from the East China Sea to the coast of Kerala. This vessel carries one quay crane and two-yard cranes is destined for the Vizhinjam international seaport in Kerala. Port authorities in Kerala ordered eight quay cranes and 24-yard cranes from Zhenhua Port Machinery Company in Shanghai, China.

12. Which institution has been granted patent for the creation and manufacturing of a “reusable straw”?

[A] KVIC

[B] BSI

[C] NABARD

[D] e-NAM

Answer: [B] BSI

The Government of India’s patent office has granted a patent to the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) for the creation and manufacturing of a “reusable straw.” This straw is developed from the endemic bamboo species known as Schizostachyum andamanicum, which is native to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The bamboo’s economic potentia! has received a significant boost with the patent issuance.

13. Which country’s Supreme Court has decriminalized abortion across the country?

[A] Qatar

[B] Mexico

[C] Chile

[D] Italy

Answer: [B] Mexico

Mexico’s Supreme Court has made a decision by ruling that all federal criminal penalties for abortion are unconstitutional, effectively decriminalizing abortion across the country. This decision does not automatically guarantee access to abortion for all Mexican women, as the country has a federal system with varying state laws. Some 20 Mexican states still criminalize abortion, necessitating further legal efforts to remove penalties and ensure access.

14. Which state has proposed ‘GPS-Enabled Ankle Monitoring for Undertrial Prisoners’?

[A] Uttar Pradesh

[B] Odisha

[C] Telangana

[D] Jharkhand

Answer: [B] Odisha

The Directorate of Prisons in Odisha has submitted a proposal to attach GPS-enabled tracking/monitoring devices to the ankles of undertrial prisoners (UTPs). The potential first- of-its-kind policy in India aims to ease overcrowding in prisons, a long-standing issue in the country. The proposal focuses on attaching tracking devices to undertrial prisoners accused of non-heinous crimes to allow them to lead normal lives outside of jail while being monitored.

15. Which country has announced plans to finalize the route for the ‘Power of Siberia 2’ pipeline?

[A] Russia

[B] Japan

[C] Ukraine

[D] Belarus

Answer: [A] Russia

Russia has announced plans to finalize the route for the “Power of Siberia 2” pipeline, a major project. The project is aimed at increasing natural gas exports to China. This move comes as Russia seeks to diversify its energy markets in response to its military actions in Ukra ine, shifting its focus towards Asian buyers. The construction of the pipeline is scheduled to begin next year.

16. Which country has conducted a test of an unarmed Minuteman 3 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM)?

[A] Japan

[B] China

[C] USA

[D] South Korea

Answer: [C] USA

The U.S. Air Force conducted a test of an unarmed Minuteman 3 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The missile was launched from a silo and successfully delivered a re-entry vehicle to a target approximately 4,200 miles away in the Pacific Ocean, The test was deemed an important demonstration of the nation’s nuclear deterrent capability.

17. Which institution issued guidelines to strengthen cyber security and cyber resilience framework for stock exchanges?

[A] RBI

[B] SEBI

[C] IRDAI

[D] PFRDA

Answer: [B] SEBI

SEBI issued guidelines to strengthen cyber security and cyber resilience framework for stock exchanges and other market infrastructure institutions (MIIS). As per the guidelines, MIIS shall maintain offline, encrypted backups of data and shall regularly test these backups at least on a quarterly basis to ensure confidentiality, integrity and availability.

18. Which country agreed to take over the regional bloc’s chairmanship in 2026?

[A] Bangladesh

[B] Nepal

[C] Myanmar

[D] Philippines

Answer: [D] Philippines

Southeast Asian leaders decided that Myanmar won’t take over the rotating leadership of their regional bloc as scheduled in 2026. The Philippines agreed to take over the regional bloc’s chairmanship in 2026 at an ASEAN summit hosted by Indonesia.

19. Which company is the official sponsor of Indian contingent at Hangzhou Asian Games?

[A] Byju’s

[B] Amul

[C] Odisha state

[D] Tata

Answer: [B] Amul

Amul will be the Official Sponsor of the Indian Contingent for the XIX Asian Games 2022 to be held in Hangzhou, China from September 23 to October 8 2023. As part of this association, Amul will use the integrated logo in its communication to celebrate the efforts of the sportsperson. The XIX Asian Games 2022 will feature 482 events across 40 sports.

20. Divya Deshmukh, who was seen in the news, is associated with which sports?

[A] Golf

[B] Chess

[C] Squash

[D] Tennis

Answer: [B] Chess

Divya Deshmukh recently clinched the women’s rapid title at the Tata Steel Chess India tournament. The 17-year-old chess player from Nagpur earned the title of woman grandmaster in the year 2021 at the age of 15. She won the Asian Women’s Chess Championships title this year. She is currently ranked 7th in the list of the nation’s women’s players.