Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 13th September 2023

1. What does “I” stand in I-CRR stand for?

[A] Incidental

[B] Incremental

[C] Instrumental

[D] International

Answer: [B] Incremental

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has recently announced the phased discontinuation of the Incremental Cash Reserve Ratio (I-CRR), which was introduced on August 10, 2023. The I CRR was implemented to absorb surplus liquidity caused by various factors, including the return of Rs 2,000 notes to the banking system. The RBI aims to release I-CRR funds gradually to avoid shocks to system liquidity and ensure orderly money market functioning.

2. India has decided to settle WTO Poultry Dispute with which country?

[A] Japan

[B] USA

[C] China

[D] Pakistan

Answer: [B] USA

India and the United States of America have reached an agreement to settle their longstanding World Trade Organisation (WTO) poultry dispute. This resolution was announced in a joint statement following a meeting between Indian Prime Minister and US President. As part of the settlement, India will reduce tariffs on various American products, including frozen turkey, frozen duck, fresh, frozen, dried, and processed blueberries and cranberries.

3. The RBI has encouraged/called upon which set of entities, to establish Self-Regulatory Organizations (SROS)?

[A] Multi-state Cooperative Banks

[B] Fin-Tech Firms

[C] Small Finance Banks

[D] Regional Rural Banks

Answer: [B] Fin-Tech Firms

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has recently called upon fintech entities to establish Self- Regulatory Organizations (SROS). These SROS serve as non-governmental entities responsible for creating and enforcing industry-specific codes of conduct on transparency, fair competition, and consumer protection. They would act as intermediaries between regulators and market participants.

4. A report by which institution has stated that the window to reach climate goals is ‘rapidly closing’?

[A] UN

[B] WHO

[C] IMF

[D] FAO

Answer: [A] UN

A new report from the United Nations has emphasized the urgency of addressing climate change, stating that the window of opportunity to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels is rapidly closing. The report, part of the Global Stock take (GST) mandated by the Paris Agreement, highlights that while some progress has been made, countries are far from achieving the necessary targets to meet this goal.

5. NASA’S MOXIE Successfully Generated Oxygen on which planet?

[A] Mars

[B] Jupiter

[C] Moon

[D] Venus

Answer: [A] Mars

The US Space agency NASA has announced that its Mars Oxygen In-Situ Resource Utilization Experiment (MOXIE) which is on board the Perseverance Mars Rover has been successful in generating oxygen in Mars. The equipment demonstrated its ability to convert Martian carbon dioxide (CO2) into oxygen. This technology breakthrough could play a crucial role in future human missions to Mars, providing a sustainable source of breathable air and rocket propellant.

6. Scientists of which country has recently grown human kidneys inside pig embryos?

[A] USA

[B] Russia

[C] China

[D] Japan

Answer: [C] China

In a first of its kind, Chinese scientists at the Chinese Academy of Sciences Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health have successfully grown human kidneys inside pig embryos. This has presented a potential solution to the shortage of transplant organs. This groundbreaking achievement involved inserting human stem cells into pig embryos, resulting in kidneys containing 50 to 60 percent human cells.

7. ‘Medal of the City of Paris’ has been revoked from whom?

[A] Mahmoud Abbas

[B] Michael Jackson

[C] Rafael Nadal

[D] Hocine Ziani

Answer: [A] Mahmoud Abbas

Paris Mayor has recently revoked the prestigious Medal of the City of Paris awarded to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in 2015, due to his recent comments denying the Holocaust’s historical truth. In an open letter, Paris Mayor has expressed strong condemnation for Abbas’ remarks and emphasized that they were contrary to our universal values and the historical truth of the Holocaust.

8. Which country is developing AI-Powered Ghost Sharks submarines?

[A] China

[B] USA

[C] Australia

[D] Russia

Answer: [C] Australia

The Australian Navy is rapidly developing AI- powered unmanned submarines called “Ghost Sharks,” with a per-unit cost of just over AUD$23 million. These AI-powered subs will be delivered by mid-2025, offering a cost-effective and swift solution to enhance naval capabilities. Alongside, the country is also s investing in a costly and slow project to acquire up to 13 nuclear-powered attack submarines, with each sub estimated to cost over AUD$28 billion ($18 billion).

9. ‘DEEP VZN’ is a research initiative of which country?

[A] India

[B] USA

[C] Austria

[D] Germany

Answer: [B] USA

The USA has abruptly terminated funding for its DEEP VZN program, which is a research initiative designed to discover and study thousands of exotic pathogens worldwide. The program aimed to collect over half a million samples from across the globe and analyze around 12,000 viruses found within these samples. This decision comes as the U.S. government reevaluated the relative risks and impacts of the research program.

10. Which place has become Florida’s first sanctuary city for LGBTQ+ individuals and their families?

[A] Lake Worth Beach

[B] Miami

[C] Orlando

[D] Destin

Answer: [A] Lake Worth Beach

The Lake Worth Beach, situated in southeastern Florida, has made history by becoming Florida’s first sanctuary city for LGBTQ+ individuals and their families. The unanimous decision by Lake Worth Beach commissioners signifies a significant milestone in the LGBTQ+ community’s fight for inclusivity and acceptance. The decision aims to provide a safe and welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ residents.

11. Which state has approved Rs 256.46 Crore for Chambal River Bridge and Road Construction Projects?

[A] Rajasthan

[B] Madhya Pradesh

[C] Uttar Pradesh

[D] Maharashtra

Answer: [A] Rajasthan

The State of Rajasthan has approved to allocate Rs 256.46 crore for the construction of a high- level bridge over the Chambal River in Kota district. The earlier budget allocation was Rs 165 crore for the project. The bridge, set to be built promises to provide a shorter travel route and enhanced convenience for the people.

12. Which institution has released the report titled “India Real Estate: Vision 2047”?

[A] Knight Frank India

[B] Reserve Bank of India

[C] National Housing Bank

[D] Real Estate Association of India

Answer: [A] Knight Frank India

Knight Frank India in association with NAREDCO has released a report titled “India Real Estate: Vision 2047”. This report presents a comprehensive outlook on transformative trends in India’s real estate sector over the next 25 years. The report states that real estate sector played a pivotal role in contributing to the revenue of Indian states and Union Territories. The sector has generated about Rs 2 lakh crore through stamp duties, registration fees, and land revenue.

13. Which Indian city is set to launch an innovative disease surveillance dashboard?

[A] Mumbai

[B] Chennai

[C] Bengaluru

[D] New Delhi

Answer: [C] Bengaluru

Bengaluru, India’s tech capital, is set to launch an innovative disease surveillance dashboard in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Science (IISC), the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), and the Health and Family Welfare Department. This dashboard can predict disease outbreaks up to four weeks in advance with an impressive accuracy rate of 70%. Unlike previous models, this system forecasts a range of communicable diseases, including vector-borne illnesses like dengue, chikungunya, and malaria.

14. Which state has mandated Vehicle Location Tracking Devices for Commercial Vehicles?

[A] Tamil Nadu

[B] Kerala

[C] Karnataka

[D] Odisha

Answer: [D] Odisha

The Odisha State Transport Authority (STA) has made it mandatory for all commercial vehicles, excluding three-wheelers, to install Vehicle Location Tracking (VLT) devices with panic buttons. This decision, aimed at enhancing passenger safety, particularly for women and children, applies to all categories of new commercial vehicles, including buses, taxis, goods vehicles, and ambulances. The deadline for new vehicles to have these devices is October 1, with installation required at the time of registration. Older vehicles have until December 31 to comply.

15. ‘Air Quality and Climate Bulletin’ is released by which organisation?

[A] WMO

[B] IMF

[C] UNFCCC

[D] IMO

Answer: [A] WMO

“Air Quality and Climate Bulletin” – a report by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) highlights the link between climate change, heatwaves, wildfires, and rising air pollution, including ozone. The report states that climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of heatwaves, which, in turn, raise the risk and severity of wildfires. The report cites examples from the European summer of 2022, which experienced record-breaking heatwaves resulting in increased concentrations of ozone and particulate matter.

16. Nairobi Declaration was adopted in which summit?

[A] BRICS 23

[B] Africa Climate Summit 23

[C] G 20 Summit

[D] ASEAN 23 Summit

Answer: [B] Africa Climate Summit 23

The inaugural Africa Climate Summit (ACS23) in Nairobi concluded with the adoption of the ‘Nairobi Declaration,’ aimed at giving Africa a unified voice on climate issues in international forums. The declaration includes recommendations, pledges, and demands to strengthen Africa’s position on climate change. The declaration also highlights green investment opportunities in Africa and proposes a carbon tax on fossil fuel trade, maritime transport, and aviation.

17. As per the study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), which type of cancer has witnessed highest increase?

[A] Breast Cancer

[B] Blood Cancer

[C] Lung Cancer

[D] Stomach Cancer

Answer: [A] Breast Cancer

A new study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) reveals a significant increase in global cancer cases among adults under 50, with early-onset cancer cases rising by 79.1% between 1990 and 2019. The study attributes this trend to changes in diet, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Breast cancer saw the highest increase in new cases and deaths.

18. Mount Fuji is located in which country?

[A] Tibet

[B] China

[C] Japan

[D] Indonesia

Answer: [C] Japan

The iconic Mount Fuji in Japan has witnessed a dramatic increase in visitors, with over 5.1 million tourists between 2012 and 2019. This has led to concerns about ecological damage and safety risks to the mountain ecosystem. Visitors, including those climbing at night to witness the sunrise, have overwhelmed the region. Facilities catering to tourists rely on diesel generators, leading to environmental concerns, while overcrowding and breaches of etiquette have become common.

19. Which state passed a resolution declared ‘Poila Baisakh’ as State Foundation Day?

[A] Odisha

[B] West Bengal

[C] Sikkim

[D] Gujarat

Answer: [B] West Bengal

The West Bengal Legislative Assembly passed a resolution declaring ‘Poila Baisakh’, the first day of the Bengali calendar, as ‘Bangla Dibas’ or West Bengal Foundation Day. The resolution was passed after a debate in the Assembly, with 167 MLAS voting in support of the resolution and 62 MLAs opposing the motion.

20. What is the name an enormous cosmic bubble packed with galaxies, recently discovered by Astronomers?

[A] Bubble of galaxies

[B] Great Bearing

[C] Great Dipper

[D] Cosmos Interference

Answer: [A] Bubble of galaxies

Astronomers recently discovered “Bubble of galaxies” an enormous cosmic bubble packed with galaxies that stretches nearly 1 billion light- years across and located within our galactic neighborhood. It is estimated to be located just 820 million light years from our galaxy. Within this vast bubble, called “Ho’oleilana,” lies the Bootes supercluster of galaxies, surrounded by an expansive void known as “the Great Nothing.”