16th March 2023 Tnpsc Current Affairs in English
1. Which state approved the 10% horizontal reservation to statehood activists in state government job?
[A] Jharkhand
[B] Uttarakhand
[C] Punjab
[D] Rajasthan
Answer : [B] Uttarakhand
In Uttarakhand, the government has given approval to the 10 percent horizontal reservation to the statehood activists in the state government job. The decision was taken in the cabinet meeting under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. The Cabinet also given approval to new solar policy and to the proposal of increasing MLA Local Area Development Fund from 3 crore 75 lakh to 5 crore per year.
2. Which state/UT is the host of the ‘First international conference on Shared Buddhist Heritage?
[A] New Delhi
[B] Assam
[C] Kerala
[D] Bihar
Answer : [A] New Delhi
The first international conference on Shared Buddhist Heritage commenced in New Delhi. It is being organized with a focus on India’s civilizational connect with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) nations 2023. The event, under India’s leadership of SCO, will bring together Central Asian, East Asian, South Asian and Arab countries on a common platform to discuss Shared Buddhist Heritage. The programme is being organized by the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of External Affairs and the International Buddhist Confederation.
3. As per the recent MoSPI data, what is India’s retail inflation recorded in February 2023?
[A] 7.44%
[B] 6.44%
[C] 5.44%
[D] 4.44%
Answer : [B] 6.44%
India’s retail inflation has been recorded at 6.44% in February 2023 from January’s three-month high of 6.52 per cent. This was according to the data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI). However, the inflation print stayed above the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) upper tolerance level of 6 per cent for second straight month.
4. Which film won seven awards during the Oscars 2023 event?
[A] Everything Everywhere All at Once
[B] Elvis
[C] Tar
[D] Top Gun: Maverick
Answer : [A] Everything Everywhere All at Once
The science fiction comedy, ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ dominated the Oscars, by winning seven awards. At the 95th Academy Awards, the film received seven awards, which included the Best Picture award, best actress, best director, best supporting actor, best supporting actress, best editing and best original screenplay. Michelle Yeoh has become only the second woman of colour to win the best actress Oscar after 2002.
5. What is the name of the cyclone that has caused winds and torrential rain in Malawi and Mozambique?
[A] Feddy
[B] Freddy
[C] Mousie
[D] Rhino
Answer : [B] Freddy
Cyclone Freddy with powerful winds and torrential rain has killed over 100 people in Malawi and Mozambique. Freddy is on track to become the longest-lasting storm on record, as per the authorities. United Nations also announced that more than 11,000 people were affected by the storm, said the United Nations.
6. Indian defence forces suspended operations of which type of helicopters after the incident of sudden loss of power?
[A] Dhruv
[B] Virat
[C] Akash
[D] Kattabomman
Answer : [A] Dhruv
Indian Navy ALH Dhruv experienced a sudden loss of power and rapid loss of height, on a routine flying mission off Mumbai. Following the incident, Indian defence forces suspended operations of the ALH until the cause of the technical failure is established by investigators. The ALH Dhruv helicopters serve various purpose for the Indian defence forces, including transportation of personnel and equipment.
7. IREDA is an independent government organization which functions under which Ministry?
[A] Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
[B] Ministry of Finance
[C] Ministry of Steel
[D] Ministry of Power
Answer : [A] Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
IREDA (Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited) is an independent government organization formed in 1987 to promote, develop. And provide financial assistance for projects related to renewable energy and energy efficiency. This statutory body operates under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). The IREDA organized a cyclothon event recently, which commemorated the 36 years of IREDA’s exercise and its role in financing and developing the renewable energy sector in the country.
8. Which company was awarded the ‘Bengaluru-Mysuru expressway’ project?
[A] Dilip Buildcon
[B] Larsen and Toubro
[C] Shapoorji Pallonji Group
[D] GMR Group
Answer : [A] Dilip Buildcon
The Bengaluru-Mysuru expressway projects aims to reduce travel time between the two cities by constructing a six-lane road that is 10 metres wide. Prime Minister Modi recently inaugurated the Bengaluru-Mysuru expressway. It was developed at the cost of Rs. 8,480 crore by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highway. The project was awarded to Dilip Buildcon. The 119 km-long expressway is expected to boost economic activity in the region.
9. The VC-25B or new Air Force One is modified Boeing 747-8i that will replace the current jet of which country’s President?
[A] India
[B] USA
[C] Russia
[D] UK
Answer : [B] USA
The VC-25B or new Air Force One is modified Boeing 747-8i that will replace the US Presidential jet in a few years. The VC-25B is the military version of the Boeing 747 airliner and is designed for the purpose of presidential transport. It will replace the current aging fleet and will be operated by the United States Air Force (USAF), in conjunction with Marine One helicopters.
10. With reference to defence, what is Vayulink, which was seen in the news recently?
[A] Missile
[B] Military Exercise
[C] Data link system
[D] Submarine
Answer : [C] Data link system
The Vayulink, system developed by Wing Commander Vishal Mishra of the Indian Air Force (IAF), has completed operational trials and is set to be deployed in all forward areas. This data link system enhances battlefield transparency and aids in effective decision-making by integrating inputs from multiple sources to provide real-time data to operators.
11. India recently held a Business Forum ‘Cooperation for Development and Growth’ with which country?
[A] Russia
[B] USA
[C] UK
[D] Germany
Answer : [A] Russia
The India-Russia Business Forum ‘Cooperation for Development and Growth’ will take place in New Delhi, as part of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum’s foreign events segment. The aim is to explore new areas of economic cooperation, such as IT, construction, and mechanical engineering. The forum seeks to create high-tech alliances in various fields, such as cybersecurity, manufacturing, smart cities, transport, logistics, and healthcare.
12. Katarniya Ghat Wildlife Sanctuary is located in which state/UT?
[A] Karnataka
[B] Telangana
[C] Uttar Pradesh
[D] Gujarat
Answer : [C] Uttar Pradesh
The Katarniya Ghat Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Terai of Bahraich district in Uttar Pradesh, India. It forms an important link between the tiger habitats of Dudhwa and Kishanpur in India and Nepal. The Katarniya Ghat Wildlife Sanctuary provides a refuge for several threatened species such as the gharial, tiger, rhino, Gangetic dolphin, Swamp deer, Hispid hare, Bengal florican, the White-backed and Long-billed vultures. A rare albino deer was found spotted recently in this sanctuary.
13. Which institution constructed the ‘INS Sahyadri’ Shivalik-class stealth multi-role frigate?
[A] DRDO
[B] HAL
[C] L & T
[D] Mazagon Dock Limited
Answer : [D] Mazagon Dock Limited
‘INS Sahyadri’ is a Shivalik-class stealth multi-role frigate constructed at the Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) in Mumbai. It was commissioned on July 21, 2012, joining the Eastern Naval Command based in Visakhapatnam. INS Sahyadri recently participated in a two-day maritime partnership exercise with two French warships in the Arabian Sea.
14. Which state government has tabled the ‘Right to Healthcare Bill’?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Kerala
[C] Gujarat
[D] Rajasthan
Answer : [D] Rajasthan
The Rajasthan state government has tabled the Right to Healthcare Bill recently. The purpose of this legislation is to provide free and affordable medical services in public and private hospitals, clinics and laboratories. The bill also requires the government to strengthen the public healthcare system and establish grievance redressal mechanisms. The bill provides 20 rights to state residents, including the right to informed consent and to seek medical information.
15. ‘Merits of the Plague’ is a famous book written originally in which language?
[A] English
[B] Arabic
[C] Russian
[D] Greek
Answer : [B] Arabic
‘Merits of the Plague’ is a treatise written by medieval scholar Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani. It provides a unique perspective on pandemics and the Black Death from a non-Western point of view. It was translated written 6 centuries ago. The translated version of the treatise was released recently. It has been translated from Arabic to English by Joel Blecher and Mairaj Syed. The book deals with the origins of the disease, effective responses.
16. Siler niser, which was seen in the news, belongs which species?
[A] Turtle
[B] Spider
[C] Snake
[D] Gecko
Answer : [B] Spider
A new species of spider, named Siler Niser, has been found on the National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) Bhubaneswar campus. Siler Niser was found during a monitoring project aimed at studying the spider diversity on the campus. This discovery highlights the importance of grasslands as habitats for different organisms and emphasizes the significance of studying open habitats.
17. Sariska Tiger Reserve, which was seen in the news, is in which state?
[A] Rajasthan
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Madhya Pradesh
[D] Gujarat
Answer : [A] Rajasthan
Sariska Tiger Reserve is located in the Alwar district of Rajasthan, India, and covers an area of 881 km2 (340sq mi). Recently, a five-year-old tiger known as T-113 was relocated from Ranthambore Tiger Reserve (RTR) to Sariska Tiger Reserve (STR) in order to increased the tiger population is Sariska. Currently, there are 24 tigers in the reserve, including 10 females, seven males, and seven cubs.
18. Which state/UT is the host of ‘International Day of Yoga’ main event in India?
[A] New Delhi
[B] Gujarat
[C] Uttar Pradesh
[D] Assam
Answer : [A] New Delhi
Yoga Mahotsav 2023 marks the start of the 100-day countdown of the 9th International Yoga Day. It is a three day event that will be organized in New Delhi. The International Day of Yoga was first proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014 and was later adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015. The day is celebrated globally to raise awareness about the benefits of yoga and to promote its practice as a means of improving physical and mental well-being.
19. As per a recent report, how many countries are currently facing catastrophic levels of debt distress and rising hunger?
[A] 12
[B] 21
[C] 35
[D] 55
Answer : [B] 21
The report titled “Breaking the cycle of unsustainable food systems, hunger, and debt” was released recently by the International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems. According to a report, at least 21 countries are currently facing catastrophic levels of debt distress and rising hunger. As many as 60% of low-income countries and 30% of middle-income countries are at high risk of debt distress or already in it.
20. Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary is located in which state/UT?
[A] Odisha
[B] Andhra Pradesh
[C] Kerala
[D] Goa
Answer : [A] Odisha
The Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary is a well-known tourist destination in Odisha. It is a protected area for marine wildlife, recognized as the largest nesting beach for Olive Ridley Turtles in the world. The annual ‘arribada’ or mass nesting of Olive Ridley Sea turtles has begun in Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary, earlier than last year. Over the four days, 503,719 turtles have laid eggs on the beaches of the sanctuary.