Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 15th June 2023
1. Which institution has launched “Vigyan Vidushi’ programme?
[A] NASSCOM
[B] TIFR
[C] ISRO
[D] DRDO
Answer: [B] TIFR
Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), through its Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Mumbai has started the summer programme “Vigyan Vidushi” for girl students pursuing Physics at M.Sc. level. It is an initiative to address the gender balance in the discipline of Physics at the doctorate level. The number of girl students at the doctorate level in Physics Departments of elite Research Institutes in India is 23%.
2. India held a meeting of the Joint Committee of Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with which country?
[A] Australia
[B] UAE
[C] France
[D] Indonesia
Answer: [B] UAE
The inaugural meeting of the Joint Committee of the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement concluded recently. During the meeting, both countries reviewed the bilateral trade under the CEPA. The 13th Ministerial Conference of the WTO (MC13) is scheduled to be held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, during February 2024.
3. ‘Ex Ekuverin’ is the joint military exercise between India and which country?
[A] Sri Lanka
[B] France
[C] Maldives
[D] Japan
Answer: [C] Maldives
The 12th edition of joint military exercise “Ex Ekuverin” between the Indian Army & the Maldives National Defence Force has commenced at Chaubatia, Uttarakhand. Ekuverin meaning ‘Friends’ is a bilateral annual exercise conducted alternatively in India and Maldives.
4. Which country organised the ‘Global Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Summit’?
[A] India
[B] USA
[C] Australia
[D] Spain
Answer: [A] India
Global DPI Summit and Global DPI Exhibition were inaugurated recently by Union Minister of State in Electronics and IT. Over 50 countries and 150 foreign delegates took part in Global DPI Summit, as the side event of third meeting of G20 Digital Economy Working Group. During the summit, India signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with four countries namely Armenia, Sierra Leone, Suriname and Antigua and Barbuda on sharing INDIA STACK digital solutions.
5. ADB signed a loan agreement with India for implementing ‘Subtropical Horticulture, Irrigation, and Value Addition Project’ in which state/UT?
[A] Assam
[B] Gujarat
[C] Himachal Pradesh
[D] West Bengal
Answer: [C] Himachal Pradesh
A USD 130 million loan agreement was signed recently between the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Indian Government. The agreement is for the implementation of the Himachal Pradesh Subtropical Horticulture, Irrigation, and Value Addition Project. Its aim is to promote horticulture in the state.
6. Which state is the host of the ‘SAI20 Summit’ in India?
[A] Assam
[B] Kerala
[C] Goa
[D] Odisha
Answer: [C] Goa
Supreme Audit Institutions (SAI) 20 Summit under India’s G20 Presidency commenced recently in Goa. The Summit has called upon the Supreme Audit Institutions (SAI) to take measures for suitable integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in audit processes and tasks for improved audit efficiency and effectiveness.
7. As per the ‘Global Slavery Index’, how many people are living in ‘modern slavery’ in India?
[A] 1 million
[B] 11 million
[C] 5 million
[D] 51 million
Answer: [B] 11 million
The Global Slavery Index 2023 was published recently. According to this index, on any given day in 2021, as many as 50 million people were living in “modern slavery”. Among these 50 million, 28 million suffer from forced labour and 22 million from forced marriages. Of these 50 million, 12 million are children. India has 11 million people in modern slavery.
8. Which country is the host of the ‘Subsidiary Bodies 58’ (SB58) Conference?
[A] Germany
[B] Australia
[C] India
[D] China
Answer: [A] Germany
The Subsidiary Bodies 58 (SB 58) conference in Bonn, Germany, hit a deadlock during its second plenary meeting regarding the adoption of the agenda, resulting in no formal agenda being approved. This is the 58th session of the UNFCCC Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) and Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA).
9. Chite Lui River flows through which state/UT?
[A] Mizoram
[B] Manipur
[C] Sikkim
[D] Arunachal Pradesh
Answer: [A] Mizoram
The Chite Lui River in Aizawl is at risk as it is being transformed into a site for dumping waste. The Chite Lui River flows through the city for approximately 20 km before joining River Tuirial, originating from the Bawngkawn range in north Aizawl. The Chite Lui River has turned into a small stream due to encroachments on its banks. Plastic makes up most of the solid waste in Chite Lui River.
10. Dhubri port is a key river port located in which state?
[A] West Bengal
[B] Assam
[C] Bihar
[D] Odisha
Answer: [B] Assam
Dhubri port is a key river port in Assam. The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Sarbananda Sonowal has announced infrastructure upgrade at this port recently. Plans were announced to develop a modern Integrated Office Complex at Dhubri Port, along with the construction of a new warehouse and road, aimed at benefiting stakeholders from Bhutan and Bangladesh.
11. As per a new research, astronauts in longer space missions encountered enlargement of which part of the body?
[A] Arteries
[B] Ventricles
[C] Nerves
[D] Pancreas
Answer: [B] Ventricles
Ventricles are the hollow spaces within the brain, which house cerebrospinal fluid. According to a recent scientific study conducted at the University of Florida, long-duration space missions have been found to cause detrimental effects on the ventricles in the brains of astronauts. Scientists advise individuals who are frequently on such missions to allow a three-year interval for their brains to undergo a reset process.
12. ‘Trooping the Colour’ is a ceremony that is associated with which country?
[A] USA
[B] UK
[C] Australia
[D] Japan
Answer: [B] UK
Trooping the Colour is a ceremony that is associated with the British monarch’s birthday. This year’s ceremony will mark King Charles’ first birthday parade as the British monarch. Buckingham Palace announced that the King will ride on horseback in his upcoming birthday parade in London. It will mark the first time the British monarch has saddled up for the annual event since 1986.
13. Which rocket is set to be used for the launch of ‘Chandrayaan-3’ mission?
[A] LVM-1
[B] LVM-3
[C] LVM-5
[D] LVM-9
Answer: [B] LVM-3
Chandrayaan-3 will be launched between July 12 and 19 in the year 2023. It is an ambitious space mission that aims to land on the surface of the Moon. The rocket, LVM-3, is going to be used for this launch and its assembly is being undertaken. The upcoming launch intends to demonstrate end-to-end competence in safe lunar landing and exploration.
14. Which institution created an internal model to produce an Export Leading Index (ELI) specifically for India?
[A] SEBI
[B] RBI
[C] EXIM Bank
[D] DPIIT
Answer: [C] EXIM Bank
Export Leading Index (ELI) predicts the growth of a country’s exports by considering various external and internal factors on a quarterly basis. The EXIM bank has created an internal model to produce an Export Leading Index (ELI) specifically for India, enabling the tracking and prediction of India’s export trends on a quarterly basis.
15. Which bloc has recently amended Draft Proposal on Gig workers’ Rights?
[A] ASEAN
[B] G- 7
[C] G- 20
[D] EU
Answer: [D] EU
The European Union-EU countries made adjustments to draft rules intended to provide employee benefits for workers in online companies like Uber and Deliveroo. EU countries propose that companies will be considered employers if they meet three out of seven criteria.
16. Which institution has established the NRL – Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Sustainable Materials Translational Facility on Bioplastics?
[A] IIT Madras
[B] IIT Guwahati
[C] IIT Varanasi
[D] IIT Kanpur
Answer: [B] IIT Guwahati
Indian Institute of Technology- Guwahati has set up the NRL – Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Sustainable Materials Translational Facility on Bioplastics. Its aim is to work towards the development of environment-friendly sustainable plastics.
17. The Indian government has put forth stock limit on which food product for the first time in 15 years?
[A] Rice
[B] Wheat
[C] Sugar
[D] Coconut
Answer: [B] Wheat
The Indian government has put forth stock limit on wheat for the first time in 15 years. The stock limit has been imposed until March 31 next year. The centre has also decided to offload 15 lakh tonnes of wheat in the first phase from central pool stock under Open Market Sale Scheme to control retail prices of wheat.
18. Flag Day 2023, observed on June 14 every year, marks the anniversary of adoption of which country’s flag?
[A] India
[B] USA
[C] Canada
[D] UK
Answer: [B] USA
The Flag Day is observed in the United States on June 14th. It marks the anniversary of the American flag’s official adoption. The Continental Congress designated the “Stars and Stripes” as the official American flag on June 14, 1777, during the Revolutionary War.
19. Which Union Territory topped the ‘Food Safety Index 2022-23’?
[A] New Delhi
[B] Lakshadweep
[C] Ladakh
[D] Jammu and Kashmir
Answer: [D] Jammu and Kashmir
Jammu and Kashmir has maintained its first rank in the Union Territory (UT) category in Food Safety Index 2022-23. The Department of Food and Drugs Administration J&K has received the award third time in a row for 2021, 2022, and 2023. The index is released annually by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
20. Which institution successfully tested the ‘Agni Prime- New Gen Ballistic Missile?
[A] BEL
[B] HAL
[C] ISRO
[D] DRDO
Answer: [D] DRDO
The New Generation Ballistic Missile ‘Agni Prime’ was successfully flight-tested by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha. During the flight test, all objectives were successfully demonstrated.