Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 11th & 12th June 2023

1. As per the 5th State Food Safety Index, which state secured the top ranking among the larger states?

[A] Punjab

[B] Kerala

[C] West Bengal

[D] Rajasthan

Answer: [B] Kerala

The 5th State Food Safety Index was released on the occasion of World Food Safety Day. It evaluated the performance of states and union territories across six different aspects of food safety. Among the larger states, Kerala secured the top ranking, followed by Punjab and Tamil Nadu. Among the smaller states, Goa emerged as the leader, followed Manipur and Sikkim. Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi and Chandigarh secured the first three ranks respectively among the UTS.

2. What is the outlay of ‘Exploration of Coal and Lignite Scheme’ from 2021 to 2025?

[A] Rs 298 crore

[B] Rs 798 crore

[C] RS 2980 crore

[D] Rs 7980 crore

Answer: [C] Rs 2980 crore

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) recently approved the continuation of the “Exploration of Coal and Lignite scheme”. This central sector scheme will be implemented from 2021-22 to 2025-26 with an estimated expenditure of Rs. 2980 crore.

3. Ministry of Power launched the ‘Mission on Advanced and High-Impact Research (MAHIR)’ along with which Union Ministry?

[A] Ministry of Renewable Energy

[B] Ministry of Steel

[C] Ministry of MSME

[D] Ministry of Science and Technology

Answer: [A] Ministry of Renewable Energy

The Ministry of Power and the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy have jointly launched

‘Mission on Advanced and High-Impact Research (MAHIR)’ to identify emerging technologies in the power sector and develop them indigenously for deployment within and outside India. The Mission aims to facilitate indigenous research, development and demonstration of the latest and emerging technologies in the power sector.

4. Ministry of Women and Child Development launched ‘Amrit Generation Campaign: Naye Bharat Ke Sapne’ along with which company?

[A] Meta

[B] Microsoft

[C] Google

[D] Apple

Answer: [A] Meta

‘Amrit Generation Campaign: Naye Bharat Ke Sapne’ was launched recently by Meta and Ministry of Women and Child Development. Its aim is to empower and engage the youth of India by encouraging them to express their aspirations and dreams for the future.

5. Which institution launched the National Campaign- “Addiction Free Amrit Kaal”?

[A] NITI Aayog

[B] FSSAI

[C] NCPCR

[D] IMA

Answer: [C] NCPCR

The National Campaign “Addiction Free Amrit Kaal” was recently launched by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR). Its aim is to make India a tobacco and drug-free nation among children. The theme of “World No Tobacco Day” this year is ‘We need food, not tobacco’.

6. Which country passed ICCPR Act to incorporate rights acknowledged by ICCPR into their domestic legal system?

[A] India

[B] Sri Lanka

[C] Australia

[D] France

Answer: [B] Sri Lanka

The ‘International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)’ is an international agreement that obliges countries to uphold the rights pertaining to civil and political matters for individuals. In 2007, the Sri Lankan government passed a law known as the ICCPR Act with the intention of incorporating the rights acknowledged by the ICCPR into their domestic legal system. It is currently being used to stifle free speech.

7. Which Indian-origin scientist received the Spinoza Prize also known as the Dutch Nobel Prize?

[A] Joyeeta Gupta

[B] Amit Kshatriya

[C] Kamlesh Lulla

[D] Sunita Williams

Answer: [A] Joyeeta Gupta

Joyeeta Gupta, a scientist of Indian origin, has received the prestigious Spinoza Prize, the highest honor in Dutch science. It is often known as the Dutch Nobel Prize. She was recognised for her scientific work focusing on a ‘just and sustainable world’, alongside Toby Kiers, another scientist chosen for the award.

8. Scientists have discovered the first documented case of a “virgin birth” in which species?

[A] Snake

[B] Crocodile

[C] Bat

[D] Turtle

Answer: [B] Crocodile

Scientists have discovered the first documented case of a “virgin birth” in crocodiles, where a female crocodile in Costa Rica has become pregnant without mating. This phenomenon, known as facultative parthenogenesis, has been observed in fish, lizards, and snakes, but this marks the first occurrence in crocodiles.

9. Fraser Island, the world’s largest sand island, is in which country?

[A] Sri Lanka

[B] Australia

[C] USA

[D] Japan

Answer: [B] Australia

Fraser Island, situated off Queensland’s coast in Australia, is the world’s largest sand island. Its name has been changed to restore to its indigenous name – K’gari. The World Heritage- listed Island is situated along the south-eastern coast in Australia. The island is approximately 250 km north of the state capital, Brisbane.

10. Françoise Gilot, who passed away recently, was associated with which profession?

[A] Scientist

[B] Painter

[C] Writer

[D] Politician

Answer: [B] Painter

Françoise Gilot is a renowned painter known for her relationship with Pablo Picasso. She recently passed away at the age of 101. Her memoir, “Life with Picasso,” was published in 1964 and it became an international best seller. Her painting “Paloma à la Guitare” (1965), a blue-toned portrait of her daughter, sold for USD 1.3 million in an online auction by Sotheby’s.

11. ABA First Runner (AFR) is the maiden satellite of which country-based company?

[A] Russia

[B] India

[C] Israel

[D] UAE

Answer: [B] India

ABA First Runner (AFR) is the maiden satellite of India’s Azista BST Aerospace. It will be launched by the Falcon 9 rocket. Azista BST Aerospace (ABA) is a joint venture between Azista Industries Pvt. Ltd. and Berlin Space Technologies GmbH. The ABA First Runner (AFR) is an 80-kilogram satellite and has an optical remote sensing payload with both panchromatic and multispectral imaging capabilities.

12. Which country is set to deploy a satellite constellation called “Silent Barker”?

[A] Russia

[B] Ukraine

[C] USA

[D] China

Answer: [C] USA

The US Space Force is preparing to deploy a satellite constellation called “Silent Barker” to monitor Chinese or Russian space vehicles capable of harming orbiting objects. This network of satellites, placed in geosynchronous orbit approximately 22,000 miles above Earth, will work in conjunction with ground-based sensors and low-earth orbit satellites, marking the first system of its kind.

13. Which is the only human species except Homo sapiens and Neanderthals, which was engaged in burial practices?

[A] Homo naledi

[B] Homo erectus

[C] Homo entecessor

[D] Homo floresiensis

Answer: [A] Homo naledi

New findings by paleoanthropologists indicate that Homo naledi, an extinct human species from long ago, may have engaged in burial practices and symbolic carving in caves. These behaviors were previously attributed only to Homo sapiens and Neanderthals.

14. Which state/UT approved the Guaranteed Pension Scheme (GPS) to employees?

[A] Kerala

[B] Andhra Pradesh

[C] Odisha

[D] West Bengal

Answer: [B] Andhra Pradesh

The Andhra Pradesh cabinet recently approved the Guaranteed Pension Scheme (GPS) to employees. Under this scheme, qualified employees will be entitled to a pension equivalent to 50% of their most recent salary. This pension will include dearness relief (DR), similar to the practice of the Central Government, which announces dearness allowance and DR twice annually.

15. RBI expanded the scope of ‘Trade receivables discounting system (TReDS)’ by allowing which institutions?

[A] Asset Management Companies

[B] Insurance Companies

[C] Pension Management Companies

[D] Stock Broking Companies

Answer: [B] Insurance Companies

The Reserve Bank of Indian (RBI) has expanded the scope of the trade receivables discounting system (TReDS) by allowing insurance companies to function as participants. This is expected to boost the cash flows of MSMEs. TREDS is an electronic platform for facilitating the financing / discounting of trade receivables of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) through multiple financiers.

16. ‘Geraniol’ is a naturally occurring substance in which plant species?

[A] Onion

[B] Turmeric

[C] Egg plant

[D] Tomato

Answer: [C] Egg plant

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune have employed metabolomics to discover a naturally occurring substance called ‘geraniol’ in a specific Himalayan eggplant variant. This compound has the potential to decrease the usage of synthetic pesticides.

17. Which country is the host of ‘Air Defender 23 air force exercise’?

[A] France

[C] Germany

[C] Italy

[D] Ukraine

Answer: [C] Germany

Air Defender 23 is the biggest air force exercise to be held by NATO. This 10-day military undertaking is primarily based in Germany. It’s the biggest drill of its type since the military alliance was formed in 1949. The event will see 10,000 participants and 250 aircraft from 25 nations.

18. HUDA City Centre-Cyber City metro project is to be constructed in which city?

[A] New Delhi

[B] Gurugram

[C] Hyderabad

[D] Bengaluru

Answer: [B] Gurugram 

The Union cabinet has approved the elevated Gurugram metro project to connect Cyber City with Huda City Centre with spur to Dwarka Expressway covering a total of 28.5 km. The metro project was approved recently by the Union Cabinet. The estimated expenditure of this project is Rs 5,452 crore.

19. ‘Devankanam Charuharitham’ project is associated with which state/UT?

[A] Karnataka

[B] Kerala

[C] Odisha

[D] Assam

Answer: [B] Kerala

Kerala has initiated a unique approach to address climate change and its adverse effects by implementing a project to enhance the greenery in over 3,000 temples managed by the state’s five Devaswom Boards. The project, named ‘Devankanam Charuharitham’ (Beautiful Green Abodes of God), aims to improve water resources by restoring abandoned temple ponds and safeguarding sacred groves throughout the state.

20. As per the ‘World Bank’s Latest Global Economic Prospects Report’, what is the growth rate of the global economy in 2023?

[A] 2.1%

[B] 2.5%

[C] 2.7%

[D] 3.0%

Answer: [A] 2.1%

The World Bank’s most recent Global Economic Prospects report predicts that the global economy will experience a growth rate of 2.1% in 2023, compared to 3.1% in 2022. The report also highlights that trade in 2023 is expected to expand at a significantly slower pace, less than one-third of its pre-pandemic levels.