Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 18th January 2024

1. On which date, the ‘National Startup Day’ observed in India?

A. 11 January

B. 17 January

C. 16 January

D. 18 January

• In 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared January 16 as National Startup Day, marking a significant initiative to celebrate and boost the Indian startup ecosystem. The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, along with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, designated January 10 to 16 as National Startup Week. On January 11, 2024, Startup India Innovation Week was launched under the theme “Startups Unlocking Infinite Potential.”

2. Where has the Tibetan brown bear recently been sighted in India?

A. Sikkim

B. Mizoram

C. Assam

D. Arunachal Pradesh

• The Tibetan brown bear, a rare subspecies, was recently spotted in Sikkim, marking the first confirmed sighting in India. Scientifically known as Ursus arctos pruinosus, it historically thrived in the alpine eastern Tibetan plateau. With distinctive features like shaggy dark fur and a white collar, these solitary bears have acute senses and feed on marmots and alpine vegetation. Despite their rarity, their conservation status is currently listed as “Least Concern” on the IUCN Red List.

3. Which portal, recently launched by the IMD, provides weather services for farmers in multiple languages?

A. Monsoon Mission Portal

B. Panchayat Mausam Sewa Portal

C. Monsoon Research Agenda Portal

D. Mausam Sewa Portal

• The Panchayat Mausam Sewa Portal, a collaboration between the India Meteorological Department, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, and Green Alert Mausam Sewa, offers weather forecasts in English, Hindi, and twelve regional languages to every panchayat head and secretary. The initiative aims to empower farmers with timely weather alerts, reducing input costs and crop losses.

4. ‘Ayutthaya’ is a maritime exercise conducted by which two countries?

A. India & China

B. India & Thailand

C. India & Russia

D. India & Japan

• The inaugural Bilateral Maritime Exercise, ‘Ex-Ayutthaya,’ between the Indian Navy and Royal Thai Navy took place, symbolizing the historic ties between Ayodhya in India and Ayutthaya in Thailand. Indian Naval ships Kulish and IN LCU 56 participated, enhancing operational synergy. The 36^th Indo-Thai CORPAT was also conducted simultaneously.

5. Recently, India has signed an agreement with which country for the exploration and mining of lithium?

A. Australia

B. Russia

C. Iran

D. Argentina

• India has signed an agreement with Argentina for the exploration and mining of lithium. The agreement is between India’s state-owned company Khanij Bidesh India Ltd. (KABIL) and the state-run enterprise CATAMARCA MINERA Y ENERGÉTICA SOCIEDAD DEL ESTADO (CAMYEN SE). The agreement is worth $24 million. The agreement grants KABIL exclusive rights to explore five lithium brine blocks in the Catamarca province. This is the first-ever lithium exploration and mining project by a Government of India-owned enterprise.

6. Recently, who received the Best FIFA Men’s Player Award?

A. Cristiano Ronaldo

B. Lionel Messi

C. Neymar

D. Robert Lewandowski

• Lionel Messi won the Best FIFA Men’s Player Award for 2023, beating out Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé. This is the third time Messi has won the award, making him the first player to do so. The Best FIFA Men’s Player Award was previously known as the FIFA World Player of the Year (1991–2009) and the FIFA Ballon d’Or (2010–2015). FIFA’s selection criteria for the 2023 men’s awards were based on achievements during the period from December 19, 2022 to August 20, 2023.

7. The venue of Exercise Topchi of Indian Army was ____________

A. Nashik, Maharashtra

B. Kutch, Gujarat

C. Jaisalmer, Rajasthan

D. Indore, Madhya Pradesh

• The Indian Army exhibited its indigenous firepower capabilities in the ‘Exercise Topchi’ at Devlali, Maharashtra. Conducted on January 14, 2024, the event showcased Atmanirbhar Bharat’s artillery equipment, including K-9 Vajra, Dhanush, and Pinaka rocket launchers. K-9 Vajra is a 155 mm tracked artillery system developed by Larsen & Toubro. Dhanush, a 155 mm towed artillery gun, was also featured.

8. Which mobile app, recently launched by the IMD, provides integrated GIS-based services for all weather-related information?

A. Monsoon

B. Mausam

C. Accurate Weather

D. RadarScope

• India Meteorological Department (IMD) launched MAUSAM, an integrated GIS-based mobile app offering weather services such as hourly forecasts, Rainfall, Humidity, Sunrise/Sunset, Moonrise/Moonset, Rain Alert, Lightning Alert, Cyclone Alert, and more. The app supports 12 Indian languages and introduces “mausamgram” accessible via the mobile app or IMD website.

9. Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the first installment of which scheme for constructing permanent houses of poor tribals?

A. PM-JANMAN scheme

B. Antyodaya Scheme

C. Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana

D. NTR Housing Scheme

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the first installment of the PM-JANMAN scheme, a part of the Pradhan Mantri-Janjatiya Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN), dedicated to the welfare of poor tribals. Launched on November 15, 2023, with a budget of ₹24,000 crore, the scheme aims to benefit tribals, particularly those in particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVVTGs). under the PM Awas Yojana-Gramin, the funds are directly transferred to the beneficiaries bank accounts for the construction of permanent houses.

10. Panama Canal, which has been in news, connects which two oceans?

A. Atlantic Ocean & Pacific Ocean

B. Atlantic Ocean & Indian Ocean

C. Indian Ocean & Arctic Ocean

D. Pacific Ocean & Arctic Ocean

• Scientists recently discovered a 22-million-year-old lost forest in the Panama Canal, a crucial artificial waterway connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Stretching 80 kilometers, the canal features locks to adjust water levels for ship passage through the isthmus. Initiated by France in 1881, the United States took over in 1904, completing and managing the canal until 1999. Panama assumed full control in 2000, following the Torrijos-Carter Treaties with the U.S. in 1977.

11. What is ‘Paramyrothecium indicum’, that was seen in the news recently?

A. Flowering plant

B. Phytopathogenic fungus

C. Herbicide-resistant crop

D. Marine species

• Scientists discovered a new phytopathogenic fungus species in Kerala, named ‘Paramyrothecium indicum.’ Most Paramyrothecium are phytopathogens, causing serious plant diseases that impact crop productivity. Paramyrothecium leaf spots are a type of fungal disease affecting various plants. Some produce bio-herbicidal metabolites, potentially used for weed control. Fungi, one of the 6 biological kingdoms, are eukaryotic organisms with diverse roles, including decomposition, plant diseases, and human skin ailments.

12. Recently, which state was ranked as the Best Performer in the Indian startup ecosystem ranking for 2022?

A. Tamil Nadu

B. Bihar

C. Manipur

D. Rajasthan

• Tamil Nadu secured the title of the ‘best performer’ state in the 2022 Startup India State Startup Rankings. The state’s strategic efforts included the revamping of its nodal startup agency, StartupTN, in 2021, and budget allocations for the launch of new funds like Tamil Nadu Startup Seed Fund (TANSEED), Emerging Sector Seed Fund, and Tamil Nadu SC/ ST Fund. The rankings also recognized Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, and Himachal Pradesh as best performers, while Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Telangana were categorized as ‘leaders.’ Currently, Tamil Nadu boasts over 7,600 startups registered under the Startup India scheme.

13. Who has been appointed as the ‘Director General of Naval Operations’ in the Indian Navy?

A. Vice Admiral AN Pramod

B. Vice Admiral MA Hampiholi

C. Vice Admiral R Hari Kumar

D. Vice Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi

• Vice Admiral AN Pramod assumed charge as the Director General Naval Operations (DGNO) in the Indian Navy. Pramod previously served as the flag officer commanding (FOC) of the Indian Navy’s Maharashtra Naval Area. Pramod is a graduate of the 38th Integrated Cadet Course at the Naval Academy in Goa and was commissioned into the Indian Navy on July 1, 1990. Pramod succeeds Vice Admiral Atul Anand, who was appointed DGNO on April 1, 2023.