Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 22nd July 2023

1. After late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who is the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the UAE?

[A] Atal Behari Vajpayee

[B] Manmohan Singh

[C] V P Singh

[D] Narendra Modi

Answer: Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Modi’s recent visit to the UAE marked his fifth visit to the country since assuming office in 2014. He holds the distinction of being the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the UAE in over three decades. Late Indira Gandhi was the last Indian Prime Minister to travel to the UAE in 1981.

2. Which institution released the ‘National Multidimensional Poverty Index’?

[A] RBI

[B] NSO

[C] NITI Aayog

[D] NABARD

Answer: [C] NITI Aayog

The second edition of the National Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) was released recently by NITI Aayog. According to a report by Niti Aayog, a remarkable 13.5 crore individuals managed to escape multidimensional poverty, as measured by advancements in healthcare, education, and living standards, over a span of five years until March 2021. Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh witnessed the most rapid reduction in poverty during this period.

3. Synchro, which was seen in the news, is associated with which sports?

[A] Shooting

[B] Swimming

[C] Archery

[D] Cricket

Answer: [B] Swimming

Artistic swimming, previously known as synchro, will witness the inclusion of male competitors in the Olympics for the very first time. Several nations, such as the United States, Japan, Germany, and China, have male swimmers participating in the world championships. Spain and Italy also boast prominent male competitors in the sport.

4. Which state has announced toe establish ‘CM Rise’ schools?

[A] Gujarat

[B] Madhya Pradesh

[C] Maharashtra

[D] Assam

Answer: [B] Madhya Pradesh

To ensure the availability of high-quality education, the Madhya Pradesh government has decided to establish 9,000 ‘CM Rise’ schools. During his visit to Shajapur district, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated a CM Rise School in Gulana village. He also announced that the school would be dedicated to the renowned jurist and social reformer, Babasaheb Ambedkar.

5. What is the brand name of the subsidized chana dal sold by the Ministry of Food and Consumer Affairs?

[A] India Dhal

[B] Bharat Dhal

[C] Janata Dhal

[D] Antyodaya Dhal

Answer: [B] Bharat Dhal

Recently, the Minister of Food and Consumer Affairs, Piyush Goyal, initiated the sale of subsidized chana dal under the brand name ‘Bharat Dal’ at a price of Rs 60 per kilogram. This initiative aims to make pulses more accessible and affordable to consumers.

6. As per the ‘Threat Intelligence Report 2023’ which sector faces the highest number of cyber attacks?

[A] Healthcare

[B] Banking and Insurance

[C] Education and Research

[D] Defence

Answer: [A] Healthcare

Check Point’s ‘Threat Intelligence Report 2023’ reveals that, on average, a single organization in India experienced 2,146 cyber-attacks per week over the past six months. In comparison, global organizations faced an average of 1,239 attacks during the same period. Based on the report, the healthcare sector faced the highest number of attacks in India with 4,839 incidents, followed by education and research with 3,532 attacks. The government/military sector experienced 3,017 attacks, while the insurance/legal industry encountered 2,523 cyber-attacks.

7. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that bird flu has caused the death of which animals in Poland?

[A] Cats

[B] Dogs

[C] Hyena

[D] Rats

Answer: [A] Cats

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that bird flu has caused the death of numerous cats in Poland. This marks the first instance of a significant number of infected cats across a wide geographic region within a country.

8. Which state/UT recently launched the “Yuva Tourismn Club’?

[A] Assam

[B] Gujarat

[C] Arunachal Pradesh

[D] West Bengal

Answer: [C] Arunachal Pradesh

Arunachal Pradesh Tourism Secretary Swapnil Naik launched the Yuva Tourism Club in an event organized by the Ministry of Tourism and Arunachal Pradesh State Tourism Department. The Yuva Tourism Club is an initiative by the Ministry of Tourism, to nurture and develop young ambassadors of tourism. It aims at making these young ambassadors to be a catalyst for promoting tourism in India.

9. Which country has handed over 105 antiquities to India?

[A] UK

[B] USA

[C] Austraalia

[D] France

Answer: [B] USA

The United States has handed over 105 antiquities to India. The repatriation ceremony was held at the Indian Consulate in New York and the antiquities would soon be transported to India. The handing over of the artefacts is a follow up of an agreement to the effect during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to the U.S. last month. India and the U.S. have also agreed to work for a Cultural Property Agreement that would help prevent illegal trafficking of cultural artefacts in future.

10. Which institution is set to issue SOP for banks to help fast track rupee trade?

[A] Ministry of Finance

[B] Reserve Bank of India

[C] National Statistical Office

[D] NITI Aayog

Answer: [B] Reserve Bank of India

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is expected to issue a standard operating procedure for banks to issue proofs of inward remittances for exporters. It aims to tide over the hiccups faced by exporters in the rupee-based trading mechanism for foreign trade.

11. Which company has won order of Rs 800 crore in the Defence Sector including Field Artillery Tractor (FAT 4×4)?

[A] Tata

[B] Ashok Layland

[C] HAL

[D] BHEL

Answer: [B] Ashok Leyland

Ashok Leyland, one of the largest suppliers of logistics vehicles to the Indian Army has won order for Rs 800 crore in the defence Sector. The contracts awarded include the procurement of the Field Artillery Tractor (FAT 4×4) and the Gun Towing Vehicle (GTV 6×6). The FAT 4×4 and GTV 6×6 are specialised vehicles employed by the Artillery for towing light and medium guns, respectively.

12. Which country has exited UN-brokered deal to export Ukrainian grain via Black Sea?

[A] USA

[B] Russia

[C] UK

[D] Germany

Answer: [B] Russia

Russia backed out of a UN-brokered deal to export Ukrainian grain via Black Sea. The deal was brokered by the United Nations and Turkey last July and allowed the safe export of Ukrainian grain blocked by the conflict. The Black Sea Grain Initiative has allowed the export of around 36.2 million tons of food from Ukraine since August last year.

13. Pakistan and which country have agreed to work together to stop border attacks by militants?

[A] Afghanistan

[B] Iran

[C] India

[D] China

Answer: [B] Iran

The top military leadership of Pakistan and neighboring Iran agreed to step up cooperation and intelligence sharing and take actions to prevent attacks by separatist militants along their porous border. The agreement was reached during a visit by Pakistan’s powerful army chief General Asim Munir to Tehran following a surge in attacks in the country’s southwestern Baluchistan province, which shares a long border with Afghanistan and Iran.

14. Which gulf city has recorded a rise 23 per cent rise in visitor arrivals from India?

[A] Muscat

[B] Kuwait

[C] Abu Dhabi

[D] Dubai

Answer: [D] Dubai

Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) said it recorded a 23% rise in visitor arrivals from India between January-May compared with the same period in 2019. The increase in overnight visitor numbers compared to 2019 surpassed one million visitors in the first five months of the year. In the January-June period, DET, UAE body promoted economic growth through expanding tourism business.

15. Which state of Australia announced not to host 2026 Commonwealth Games due to projected exceeding expenditures?

[A] Victoria

[B] Queensland

[C] Tasmania

[D] New South Wales

Answer: [A] Victoria

Australia’s state of Victoria not to host 2026 Commonwealth Games due to projected exceeding expenditures. The state head announced that the prices could blow out to more than A$7 billion ($4.8 billion) from a budgeted A$2.6 billion if they went ahead.

16. Prithviraj Tondaiman, who was seen in the news, plays which sports?

[A] Cricket

[B] Shooting

[C] Football

[D] Squash

Answer: [B] Shooting

In shooting, India shooter Prithviraj Tondaiman bagged the bronze medal in the men’s trap event at the ISSF Shotgun World Cup Lonato 2023 in Italy. Prithviraj Tondaiman’s bronze was India’s only medal at the Lonato shooting meet. This was his second individual ISSF World Cup medal, having won a bronze in Doha in March. The ISSF Shotgun World Cup in Italy was a qualifying event for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

17. Which institution unveiled the Techno- Commercial Readiness and Market Maturity Matrix (TCRM Matrix) Framework?

[A] SEBI

[B] NITI Aayog

[C] NASSCOM

[D] BSE

Answer: [B] NITI Aayog

The Techno-Commercial Readiness and Market Maturity Matrix (TCRM Matrix) Framework was unveiled by NITI Aayog, aiming to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in India. It is an innovative evaluation tool, has been developed to transform technology assessment, promote innovation, and ignite entrepreneurship in India.

18. Which city hosted the ‘India’s Historical Journey with Africa: Marching Ahead Together’ Exhibition?

[A] New Delhi

[B] Varanasi

[C] Niger

[D] Cairo

Answer: [A] New Delhi

The exhibition titled “India’s Historical Journey with Africa: Marching Ahead Together” was inaugurated at the National Museum, New Delhi. It is a collaborative effort between the National Museum, South African High Commission, and the Vivekananda International Foundation. It is organized in commemoration of Nelson Mandela’s birth anniversary.

19. Which bloc’s Expert Group suggested the establishment of a ‘Global Challenges Funding’ mechanism?

[A] ASEAN

[B] BIMSTEC

[C] G-20

[D] European Union

Answer: [C] G-20

Recently, the G20 Independent Expert Group on Strengthening Multilateral Development Banks has proposed that multilateral development banks (MDBS) embrace a triple mandate focused on eradicating extreme poverty, promoting inclusive growth, and financing global public goods. Additionally, they have suggested the establishment of a ‘Global Challenges Funding’ mechanism specifically dedicated to funding global public goods.

20. Which country hosted the 19th session of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA)?

[A] Italy

[B] India

[C] USA

[D] Egypt

Answer: [A] Italy

Representatives from various countries have convened in Rome, Italy, for the 19th session of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA). Attendees and observers discussed three main topics: reviewing efforts related to biodiversity, nutrition, and human health; exploring access and benefit- sharing for food and agriculture; and addressing the issue of digital sequence information for food and agriculture.