Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 15th July 2023
1. Which Union Ministry achieved a Guinness World Record for ‘largest display of Lambani items’?
[A] Ministry of MSME
[B] Ministry of Culture
[C] Ministry of External Affairs
[D] Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Answer: [B] Ministry of Culture
During the 3rd Culture Working Group Meeting of G20 held in Hampi, the Ministry of Culture’s Culture Working Group achieved a Guinness World Record for organizing the largest display of Lambani items. In line with their ‘Culture Unites All’ campaign, a special exhibition showcasing Lambani embroidery patches was officially opened at the Yeduru Basavanna complex in Hampi. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Prahlad Joshi, the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs & Coal and Mines.
2. Which disease, listed among WHO’s 9 priority diseases, is spreading across Europe, Africa and Middle East?
[A] Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever
[B] Dengue Fever
[C] Swine Flu
[D] Chikungunya
Answer: [A] Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever
The highly dangerous Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus is expanding its reach in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, prompting concerns over its potential impact in the context of climate change. World Health Organization (WHO) has listed CCHF among its 9 priority diseases. The list contains the diseases which the organisation thinks are the biggest threats to public health.
3. PBW RS1, which was seen in the news, is a new variety of which crop?
[A] Rice
[B] Wheat
[C] Cotton
[D] Sugarcane
Answer: [B] Wheat
Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has come up with a new wheat variety called PBW RS1, which contains high levels of amylose starch. RS stands resistant starch. This new wheat will help regulate blood sugar and obesity and to reduce the risk of type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
4. How many people were lifted out of poverty in India from 2005-06 to 2019-21, as per the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI)?
[A] 215 million
[B] 315 million
[C] 415 million
[D] 515 million
Answer: [C] 415 million
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and OPHI released the latest update of the Multidimensional Poverty Index. It revealed that India has witnessed a significant reduction in poverty, with 415 million people lifted out of poverty within a span of 15 years from 2005-2006 to 2019-2021.
5. Pholcodine, is a drug present in which type of medicine?
[A] Cough Syrup
[B] Analgesic
[C] Anti-septic
[D] Anti-pyretic
Answer: [A] Cough Syrup
India’s drug regulatory authority has planned to issue a warning about the potential risks associated with Pholcodine-containing cough and cold remedies due to concerns of life- threatening allergic reactions. Pholcodine, an opioid cough suppressant found in certain cough medications, has sedative effects and is used to alleviate dry coughs.
6. Which country announced a national emergency, in response to a sharp increase in Guillain-Barre syndrome cases?
[A] China
[B] North Korea
[C] Peru
[D] Chile
Answer: [C] Peru
In response to a sharp increase in Guillain-Barré syndrome cases, Peru has announced a national emergency. This condition causes the immune system to mistakenly target nerves, potentially resulting in paralysis. Guillain-Barré syndrome is rare, found in 1 or 2 cases per 100,000 people every year.
7. Who has been chosen as the recipient of 41st Lokmanya Tilak Award?
[A] Narendra Modi
[B] Amit Shah
[C] Dr K.Sivan
[D] Dr.Mayilsamy Annadurai
Answer: [A] Narendra Modi
The 41st Lokmanya Tilak National Award would be conferred upon the Prime Minister of India by the Tilak Smarak Mandir Trust on 1st August 2023. This esteemed award is presented annually by the Trust on the occasion of Lokmanya Tilak’s death anniversary Indian PM has been chosenfor this award in recognition of his exceptional leadership and his efforts in fostering a sense of patriotism among citizens.
8. Which Union Ministry launched the comprehensive guidelines for exhibition of Public Service Awareness (PSA) films?
[A] Ministry of Communication
[B] Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
[C] Ministry of Home Affairs
[D] Ministry of Science and Technology
Answer: [B] Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has published a preliminary version of extensive guidelines regarding the screening of Public Service Awareness (PSA) films created by the Central Government and intended for display in cinema theaters. The guidelines aim to rationalize the screening of PSA films in cinema theatres.
9. What is Candida auris, which was seen in the news?
[A] Fungus
[B] Algae
[C] Bacteria
[D] Bird
Answer: [A] Fungus
Isolated live cultures of Candida auris, a new fungus that poses a significant worldwide health risk and is highly resistant to most antifungal treatments, have been found and documented within the ear canals of stray dogs receiving hospital care in Delhi. Candida auris is a multidrug-resistant oval-shaped fungus that is on the rise and has the potential to cause life- threatening outbreaks, particularly within healthcare facilities.
10. What is the objective of ‘Ama Odisha, Naveen Odisha’ scheme?
[A] Promote Rural Infrastructure
[B] Aid Farmers
[C] Aid Students
[D] Aid Transgenders
Answer: [A] Promote Rural Infrastructure
The Odisha Cabinet has granted approval for the ‘Ama Odisha Nabin Odisha’ scheme, aimed at enhancing rural infrastructure to stimulate rapid development and safeguard the culture and traditions of the state’s Jagannath community. An official statement revealed that a budget of INR 4,000 crore will be allocated from the state funds to ensure the scheme’s effective implementation.
11. Which Indian company has collaborated with Spain’s Navantia for Indian Navy’s P75 (1) Submarine Program Bid?
[A] Larsen and Toubro
[B] HAL
[C] DRDO
[D] BHEEL
Answer: [A] Larsen and Toubro
Recently, Navantia from Spain and Larsen & Toubro joined forces by signing a collaborative agreement called the Teaming Agreement (TA), aiming to present a cutting-edge techno- commercial proposal for India’s esteemed P75 (India) submarine program. To fulfill the requirements of Project 75 (I), the Indian bidder must establish a partnership with a Foreign Collaborator (FC) and successfully carry out the program’s implementation, delivering six conventional submarines equipped with Air- Independent Propulsion (AIP).
12. Which month of the year 2023 recorded the hottest week ever on recorded on Earth?
[A] January
[B] May
[C] June
[D] July
Answer: [D] July
As per the World Meteorological Organization, the week at beginning of July was the hottest week on record for the planet as a whole, The year 2023 had already seen the hottest June on record as per the WMO, which is primarily driven by climate change and the early stages of an El Niño weather pattern.
13. Which institution has developed a framework named Osteo HRNet?
[A] IIT Madras
[B] IIT Varanasi
[C] IIT Guwahati
[D] IIT Kanpur
Answer: [C] IIT Guwahati
A team of scientists at the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, has created a cutting- edge framework called Osteo HRNet, which utilizes Deep Learning (DL) techniques to automatically evaluate the intensity of Knee Osteoarthritis (OA) by analyzing X-ray images. This artificial intelligence (AI) model has the potential to identify the extent of the condition and support healthcare professionals in remote locations, facilitating more precise diagnoses.
14. Which is the first state/UT to introduce trial runs of buses powered by hydrogen?
[A] West Bengal
[B] Assam
[C] New Delhi
[D] Tamil Nadu
Answer: [C] New Delhi
In the coming months, the initial trial runs of buses powered by hydrogen are expected to commence in Delhi, with other states to follow suit. In this trial, the hydrogen-powered buses operate similarly to electric buses, as hydrogen reacts with a ‘fuel cell’ battery to generate electricity without generating any carbon emissions.
15. Which city hosted the Laser National Championship?
[A] Pune
[B] Chennai
[C] Secunderabad
[D] Varanasi
Answer: [C] Secunderabad
The 37th Hyderabad Sailing Week -2023 and Laser National Championship concluded on a grand note at Secunderabad Sailing Club. The EME Sailing Association, the Laser Class Association of India (LCAI) and Secunderabad Sailing Club organized the event.
16. Which institution has operationalized the Urban Infrastructure Development Fund (UIDF)?
[A] Rs 5000 crore
[B] Rs 10000 crore
[C] Rs 15000 crore
[D] Rs 20000 crore
Answer: [B] Rs 10000 crore
The National Housing Bank (NHB) said it has operationalized the Rs 10,000-crore Urban Infrastructure Development Fund (UIDF) announced in this year’s Budget for creation of urban infrastructure in tier-2 and tier-3 cities. The initial corpus for this fund managed by NHB is Rs 10,000 crore. UIDF has been launched to supplement efforts of the State governments by providing stable and predictable source of finance for creation of urban infrastructure in tier-2 and tier-3 cities.
17. Emma Reyes, who is known as “godmother” of Latin American art, belonged to which country?
[A] USA
[B] Brazil
[C] Colombia
[D] Equador
Answer: [C] Colombia
Emma Reyes, who is known as “godmother” of Latin American was a realism painter and writer from Bogota, Colombia. Her birth anniversary was observed recently on 9th July. She was orphaned at a young age, and she spent much of her childhood in orphanages. Despite these challenges, she realized her dream of becoming successful painter and sculptor.
18. Which month of the year 2023 recorded the hottest week ever on recorded on Earth?
[A] January
[B] May
[C] June
[D] July
Answer: [D] July
As per the World Meteorological Organization, the week at beginning of July was the hottest week on record for the planet as a whole, The year 2023 had already seen the hottest June on record as per the WMO, which is primarily driven by climate change and the early stages of an El Nino weather pattern.
19. The European Union has reached an agreement with which country to continue storing data of European individuals?
[A] Japan
[B] China
[C] USA
[D] Russia
Answer: [C] USA
The European Union has reached an agreement with the United States that will enable companies to continue storing data of European individuals on American servers, avoiding potential disruptions in trans-Atlantic data flows. The deal ensures the continuity of data transfers utilized by numerous businesses for activities such as online advertising and website traffic analysis.
20. The Product Design Centre (PDC) of the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) was recently inaugurated at which city?
[A] Chennai
[B] Kolkata
[C] New Delhi
[D] Pune
Answer: [B] Kolkata
The Product Design Centre (PDC) at the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C- DAC) in Kolkata was officially inaugurated recently. This newly established center is equipped with advanced software and printing technologies, providing facilities for system designing, prototyping, ideation, and fabrication.