Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 10th August 2023

1. Which Indian state is conducting a caste- based survey across the state?

[A] Madhya Pradesh

[B] Bihar

[C] Tamil Nadu

[D] Kerala

Answer: [B] Bihar

Bihar’s caste-based survey resumed a day after the Patna High Court allowed the State government to continue with it. The Patna High Court has dismissed all petitions filed against the decision of the Bihar Government to conduct a caste-based survey. The survey is being conducted at a cost of z500 crore, approved by the Cabinet of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

2. Which Union Ministry has set up a panel to revisit its regulations on anti-discrimination in higher educational institutions?

[A] Ministry of Social Justice

[B] Ministry of Education

[C] Ministry of Culture

[D] Ministry of Skill Development

Answer: [B] Ministry of Education

The Union Education Ministry has constituted an expert committee to revisit its regulations and guidelines on anti-discrimination with respect to the Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, Other Backward Classes, Persons with Disabilities, and other minorities in higher educational institutions. University Grants Commission (UGC) had taken this step after a Supreme Court direction, where the top court asked the government to clarify the affirmative steps it had taken to make campuses free of caste discrimination.

3. As per the Supreme Court, who/ which institution retains power to scrap Article 370?

[A] Prime Minister of India

[B] President of India

[C] Rajya Sabha

[D] Lok Sabha

Answer: [B] President of India

The Supreme Court said that the President of India retains power to scrap Article 370, after Constituent Assembly dissolved in 1957. Clause (3) of Article 370 gave the President power to notify the Article inoperative or modify it. But a provision had made it necessary that such a move would have to be recommended by the Jammu and Kashmir Constituent Assembly.

4. In FY 2022-23, Government e-marketplace (GeM) registered its highest ever Gross Merchandise value of?

[A] ₹ 1.01 lakh crore

[B] ₹ 2.01 lakh crore

[C] ₹ 3.01 lakh crore

[D] ₹ 4.01 lakh crore

Answer: [B] ₹ 2.01 lakh crore.

In Financial Year 2022-23, Government e- marketplace (GeM) registered its highest ever Gross Merchandise Value of ₹ 2,01,113 crore. The Economic Survey 2021-22 observed that prices on GeM were observed to be 9.5% lower in comparison with other online platforms for 10 out of 22 commodities.

5. What is the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on full face value of online gaming?

[A] 5%

[B] 12%

[C] 18%

[D] 28%

Answer: [D] 28%

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council, in its 51st meeting held recently, decided to stick to its earlier decision to impose a 28 per cent tax on the full-face value of the bets placed on online gaming, casinos and horse-trading. The council said a 28 per cent GST would apply from October 1.

6. Which Union Ministry has invited applications for National Metallurgist Awards (NMA) 2023?

[A] Ministry of Steel

[B] Ministry of Coal

[C] Ministry of Power

[D] Ministry of Home Affairs

Answer: [A] Ministry of Steel

The Ministry of Steel has invited applications from Indian nationals belonging to the Industry and Research and Academia for the National Metallurgist Awards (NMA) 2023. Interested individuals may submit their applications through the online web portal. The awards will be presented in four categories- Lifetime Achievement Award, National Metallurgist Award, Young Metallurgist Award and Environment and Metal Science Award for Research and Development in the Iron and Steel Sector.

7. Port Moresby is the capital of which country?

[A] Indonesia

[B] Papua New Guinea

[C] Philippines

[D] Malta

Answer: [B] Papua New Guinea

Port Moresby, the expansive capital of Papua New Guinea, is located to the north of Australia. The Indian Naval Ships Sahyadri and Kolkata, which are on a mission in the Eastern Indian Ocean Region, reached Port Moresby with the aim of strengthening maritime collaboration and partnership with Papua New Guinea.

8. Study in India is a flagship program under the aegis of which Union Ministry?

[A] Ministry of Education

[B] Ministry of External Affairs

[C] Ministry of Home Affairs

[D] Ministry of Finance

Answer: [A] Ministry of Education

Study in India is a flagship program under the aegis of the Ministry of Education (MoE). It aims to increase the number of international students in India, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and Union External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, jointly launched the Study in India Portal. The platform serves as a comprehensive hub, streamlining the academic journey of international students studying in India.

9. Which institution launched the ‘Rajmargyatra’ mobile application?

[A] TRAI

[B] NITI Aayog

[C] NHAI

[D] NASSCOM

Answer: [C] NHAI

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) introduced ‘Rajmargyatra,’ a user-friendly mobile application designed with citizens in mind. The application functions as a centralized source of crucial information for National Highway users, providing real-time weather updates, timely notifications, and access to pertinent details on nearby toll plazas, petrol pumps, hospitals, hotels, and other vital services. Ensuring a smooth and secure travel experience on National Highways.

10. Which country has proposed plans to limit the usage of smartphones by children?

[A] India

[B] China

[C] USA

[D] Finland

Answer: [B] China

China’s cyberspace watchdog has proposed plans to limit the usage of smartphones by children to no more than two hours a day and to require all technology companies to introduce a ‘minor mode’ to enable restrictions. A draft “Guidelines for the Construction of Minor Mode of the Mobile Internet” is open for public comments. China is set to introduce some of the world’s most strict requlations for children in the usage of smartphones.

11. Which country is the host of Durand Cup 2023?

[A] India

[B] Bangladesh

[C] Indonesia

[D] Japan

Answer: [A] India

Asia’s oldest football tournament Durand Cup has commenced in India. A total of 43 matches will be played across four venues in Assam and West Bengal, which include Guwahati, Kokrajhar and Kolkata. The Durand Cup will feature 24 teans. The roster includes teams from the Indian Super Leaque, 1-Leaque and the Armed Forces. Army teams from Nepal and Bangladesh have also been included this season.

12. ‘Sagar Setu’ portal is launched by which nion Ministry?

[A] Ministry of Jal Shakti

[B] Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways

[C] Ministry of Defence

[D] Ministry of Skill Development and Entreprenurship

Answer: Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) and AYUSH inauqurated the Port Health Organisation (PHO) module within the Sagar Setu – National Logistics Portal (Marine) to facilitate a more efficient and streamlined ecosystem, promoting Ease of Doing Business (EODB). The PHO will be responsible for disease surveillance, health inspections, and quarantine measures to ensure the safety of citizens and port workers

13. ‘Article 117 of the Constitution’ pertains to which field?

[A] Financial Bill

[B] Language to be used in Parliament

[C] Salaries of Judges

[D] Freedom of speech in Parliament

Answer: [A] Financial Bill

Article 117 of the Constitution pertains to t the specific provisions concerning financial Bills. A Bill that addresses any of the matters mentioned in clauses of Article 110 (1) can only be introduced or proposed in the Lok Sabha based on the President’s recommendation and cannot be introduced in the Rajya Sabha. It was recently stated that the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Bill is categorized as a regular Bill and not a money bill, contrary to earlier reports.

14. Which Indian state hosts the 7th edition of the men’s Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament?

[A] Goa

[B] Tamil Nadu

[C] Maharashtra

[D] Odisha

Answer: [B] Tamil Nadu

The 7th edition of the men’s Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament, which was instituted in 2011, began at Chennai’s Mayor Radhakrishnan stadium. It’s the first time that the tournament is being held in India, and the Tamil Nadu capital will be hosting an international hockey tournament after a gap of more than 15 years. India, South Korea, Malaysia, Japan and Pakistan teans are participating.

15. HSN code 8471, which was seen in the news, includes which category of products in trade?

[A] Medical Devices

[B] Electronic Gadgets

[C] Vaccines

[D] Food products

Answer: [B] Electronic Gadgets

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade has restricted imports of laptops, tablets, all-in-one personal computers and ultra-small computers and servers under seven categories of HSN code 8471 to promote domestic manufacturing and reduce China’s majority share in imports. However, the restriction will not apply to imports under baggage rules.

16. The Government of NCT of Delhi Bill proposes to constitute which institution?

[A] National Capital Civil Service Authority

[B] National Capital Authority

[C] National Capital Government Affairs Authority

[D] National Capital Chief Secretary Authority

Answer: [A] National Capital Civil Service Authority

Parliament has passed the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill 2023. The Rajya Sabha cleared it by voting 131 MPs in favour of the bill, while 102 MPS against bill. It empowers the Central Government to make rules in connection with the affairs of the Government of Delhi. It also has a provision of the constitution of the National Capital Civil Service Authority, consisting of Delhi Chief Minister, the Chief Secretary of Delhi, and the Principal Home Secretary of Delhi.

17. Similipal Tiger Reserve is located in which state/UT?

[A] Uttarakhand

[B] Odisha

[C] West Bengal

[D] Assam

Answer: [B] Odisha

In response to the killing of two forest frontline workers by alleged poachers, the Odisha government established a joint task force (TF) consisting of approximately 200 armed police and forest personnel to safeguard the Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) and its wildlife. The JTF will be led by the field director of STR and will also involve senior forest and police officers.

18. Which institution has launched the ‘Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)”?

[A] IMF

[B] WHO

[C] World Bank

[D] WTO

Answer: [B] WHO

Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) is a system for ensuring that pharmaceutical products are consistently produced and controlled according to quality standards. The Indian government mandated the implementation of revised GMP standards by all drug manufacturers. Companies with a turnover exceeding Rs 250 crore must comply within six months, while smaller enterprises have a year to implement the updated GMP in line with World Health Organization (WHO) standards.

19. The Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill, which was passed, allows private sector to mine how many minerals?

[A] Two

[B] Four

[C] Six

[D] Ten

Answer: [C] Six

The Rajya Sabha passed the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2023, allowing the private sector to mine six atomic minerals, including lithium, as well as deep-seated minerals like gold and silver. In the past, the mining and exploration of all 12 atomic minerals were exclusively reserved for state- owned entities.

20. Press and Registration of Periodicals (PRP) Bill, 2023 aims to replace which act?

[A] Press and Registration of Periodicals (PRB) Act, 1867

[B] Press and Registration of Books (PRB) Act, 1867

[C] Press and Registration of Periodicals (PRB) Act, 1992

[D] Press and Registration of Periodicals (PRB) Act, 1992

Answer: [B] Press and Registration of Books (PRB) Act, 1867

Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur introduced the Press and Registration of Periodicals (PRP) Bill, 2023 in the Rajya Sabha. The bill aims to replace the current Press and Registration of Books (PRB) Act, 1867, which regulates the registration of the print and publishing industry in India.