Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 9th May 2024

1. What is theme of ‘World Asthma Day 2024’?

A. Closing Gaps in Asthma Care

B. Uncovering Asthma Misconceptions

C. Enough Asthma Deaths

D. Asthma Education Empowers

• In observation of World Asthma Day, GINA promotes the theme “Asthma Education Empowers”, stressing the importance of educating those with asthma for effective disease management and timely medical intervention. With over 260 million affected globally, asthma causes over 450,000 preventable deaths annually.

2. Which state has decided to implement the Central Government’s SMART-PDS scheme?

A. Tamil Nadu

B. Kerala

C. Karnataka

D. Goa

• Kerala embraces the SMART-PDS scheme, aimed at modernizing and enhancing efficiency in the Public Distribution System. Led by the Department of Food & Public Distribution, it aims to curb food grain leakage and improve distribution chain efficiency. This technology-driven initiative centralizes ration card data and enables real-time monitoring from procurement to distribution.

3. Which institute recently conducted a study on coral bleaching in the Lakshadweep Sea?

A. IIT, Kanpur

B. ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI)

C. National Institute of Oceanography

D. Marine Biological Laboratory

• The ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) reports severe coral bleaching in the Lakshadweep Sea due to prolonged marine heatwaves since 2023. Rapid warming in the Indian Ocean, coupled with strong El Niños, has increased heatwave frequency. The western Indian Ocean saw the highest rise, with about 1.5 events per decade, followed by the north Bay of Bengal at 0.5 events per decade. In 2020, 85% of corals in the Gulf of Mannar bleached.

4. Which ministry launched ‘Cool Summers of India’ campaign in Dubai during the Arabian Travel Mart 2024?

A. Ministry of Tourism

B. Ministry of External Affairs

C. Ministry of Defence

D. Ministry of Finance

• India’s Ministry of Tourism is actively engaging in the Arabian Travel Mart 2024 in Dubai, aiming to bolster its presence in the Middle East tourism market. At the event, the ‘Incredible India’ pavilion showcases diverse destinations, including hill resorts promoted through the ‘Cool Summers of India’ campaign. This initiative challenges perceptions about India’s climate, promoting it as a year-round destination. Participation holds significant potential for revenue generation and job creation in India’s tourism sector.

5. Tirthahalli region, recently seen in news due to areca nut, is located in which state?

A. Telangana

B. Maharashtra

C. Kerala

D. Karnataka

• The Areca Research Centre at Shivamogga discovered that Areca nuts from Tirthahalli, Karnataka, are of superior quality compared to other varieties. Areca nut, also known as Betel Nut or Supari, is a key cash crop in India. It ranks fourth among the most commonly consumed psychoactive substances globally, following caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol. Widely chewed, especially in Southern Asia, it’s a key ingredient in various Smokeless Tobacco (SLT) products. Over 600 million people consume it regularly.

6. What is the primary goal of carbon farming?

A. To capture and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere

B. To increase agricultural yields

C. To reduce water consumption in agriculture

D. To increase greenhouse gas emission

• Carbon farming, or carbon sequestration farming, aims to mitigate climate change by capturing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in soil or biomass. It’s adaptable across various agro-climatic zones and addresses soil degradation, water scarcity, and climate variability challenges. Best suited to regions with long growing seasons and adequate rainfall, carbon farming utilizes vegetation growth to sequester carbon. This practice helps reduce greenhouse gas concentrations and fosters sustainable agriculture.

7. Polavaram Water Project is associated with which state?

A. Tamil Nadu

B. Andhra Pradesh

C. Kerala

D. Rajasthan

• During Lok Sabha elections, the Polavaram water project becomes central, featured in party manifestoes. The project, dating back to 1941, faces delays and controversies. The Polavaram Water Project, also known as the Indira Sagar Project, is located in the East Godavari and West Godavari districts of Andhra Pradesh, India. The project is a multi-purpose dam on the Godavari River that provides irrigation, drinking water, and hydropower to the districts of East Godavari, Visakhapatnam, West Godavari, and Krishna.

8. Pulitzer Prize is associated with which field?

A. Journalism

B. Agriculture

C. Entertainment

D. Sports

• Columbia University announced the 2024 Pulitzer Prize winners on May 7. The prestigious award, established by Joseph Pulitzer in 1904, recognizes excellence in journalism, arts, and culture. Winners are selected by the Pulitzer Prize Board, with categories spanning journalism and arts. The ceremony, to be held later, will see recipients honored by the university president. This year’s winners join a legacy dating back to the first prize in 1917.

9. Which IIT has recently launched Secure IoT, India’s first indigenous microcontroller chip?

A. IIT Bombay

B. IIT Madras

C. IIT Kanpur

D. IIT Roorkee

• India’s Mindgrove Technologies, incubated by IIT Madras, has launched Secure IoT, the nation’s first high-performance SoC (system on chip). Supported by Peak XV Partners, the chip enables Indian OEMs to integrate locally-made technology, reducing costs without sacrificing quality. Secure IoT, a system-on-chip, consolidates multiple electronic components into one, facilitating smaller and more efficient devices.

10. What is the causative agent of West Nile fever?

A. Bacteria

B. Virus

C. Protozoa

D. Fungus

• Kerala’s health department confirms five West Nile fever cases in Kozhikode, Malappuram, and Thrissur districts. Four patients have recovered; one remains under observation. Kerala recorded its first West Nile case in 2011 and first death in 2022.
• The virus, traced back to Uganda in 1937, primarily infects birds and spreads via migratory birds. West Nile Fever, caused by the West Nile Virus, is a flavivirus commonly found in Africa, Europe, and the Americas. It primarily spreads through infected mosquitoes biting birds and occasionally humans.

11. Which day is observed as ‘World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day’?

A. 7 May

B. 8 May

C. 9 May

D. 10 May

• Every year on May 8th, World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day honors the efforts of these humanitarian societies, including the IFRC, the largest of its kind. Originating from the 14^th International Conference of the Red Cross in 1938, the date marks the birth of Jean Henri Dunant, founder of the Red Cross. Renamed in 1984, this day’s theme for 2024, “Everything we do comes from the heart,” reflects the compassion driving their actions.

12. Glyptothorax punyabratai belongs to which species?

A. Spider

B. Catfish

C. Frog

D. Snake

• The ICAR-NBFGR discovered a new catfish species, Glyptothorax punyabratai, in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tung Stream, a Brahmaputra River tributary. It’s nocturnal and benthic, common traits among catfish. Catfish, over 2000 species strong, mostly inhabit freshwater, some marine.