Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 24th January 2024
1. Where was the 19th Non-Aligned Movement Summit held?
A. Brazil
B. Delhi
C. Kampala
D. Ghana
- External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar offered insights into the 19th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit in Uganda, uniting 120 developing countries under the theme ‘Deepening Cooperation for Shared Global Affluence.’ As a key NAM member, India supports this theme, emphasizing its commitment to NAM’s principles.
2. Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD) comes under which ministry?
A. Ministry of Home Affairs
B. Ministry of Defence
C. Ministry of Finance
D. Ministry of Corporate Affairs
- The Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD) has issued a warning about scams on WhatsApp. Established in 1970 under the Ministry of Home Affairs, BPRD aims to address police needs and challenges. It conducts research, recommends solutions, and stays updated on science and technology. Additionally, it aids in modernizing State Police Forces.
3. Which one of the following is the highest peak of the Aravalli Range?
A. Guru Shikhar
B. Jharol
C. Achalgarh
D. Gogunda
- The Supreme Court has declared that the State of Rajasthan can prohibit mining in the environmentally sensitive Aravalli Range. Stretching 670 km in northwestern India, the Aravalli is one of the world’s oldest fold mountains, hosting diverse ecosystems. Guru Shikhar, its highest peak at 5,650 feet, overlooks Mount Abu, a popular hill station. The range serves as a geological boundary, separating the Thar desert from eastern Rajasthan. Rich in minerals, it also houses national parks like Sariska and wildlife sanctuaries.
4. Arichalmunai point is located in which state?
A. Tamil Nadu
B. Odisha
C. Chhattisgarh
D. Punjab
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage at the origin point of Ram Setu, Arichal Munai, in Tamil Nadu, and visited temples in Andhra Pradesh and Kerala linked to the Ramayana tale. Concluding his South India tour, he offered prayers at Kothandaramaswamy Temple in Rameswaram. The tour included stops at significant religious sites, aligning with cultural and historical significance.
5. What is the focus of the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding between India and Cuba?
A. Agricultural Collaboration for Crop Improvement
B. Digital public infrastructure
C. Cultural Exchange Programs for Mutual Understanding
D. Joint Efforts in Combating Climate Change
- The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology in India signed an MoU with the Ministry of Communications of Cuba to share successful digital solutions for population-scale digital transformation. The agreement, aimed at promoting digital transformation, includes capacity-building programs and the exchange of best practices. India will collaborate with Cuba to enhance the adoption of Digital Public Infrastructure, fostering mutual benefits for both countries’ digital ecosystems. The MoU was signed in New Delhi, emphasizing cooperation in these vital areas.
6. Which community in Kookkanam, Kerala, speaks the ‘Madhika language’?
A. Chakaliya
B. Koraga
C. Kurumbar
D. Chenchu
- Madhika, a language spoken by the Chakaliya community in Kookanam, Kerala, is on the verge of extinction. The Chakaliya were once nomadic and migrated from Karnataka to northern Malabar. Initially recognized as a Scheduled Tribe, they are now part of the Scheduled Caste category in Kerala. The language, resembling Kannada, faces a decline as the younger generation opts for Malayalam. With only two remaining speakers, efforts are underway, including the government’s ‘Scheme for Protection and Preservation of Endangered Languages of India,’ to safeguard Madhika from disappearing.
7. ‘Maru Mahotsav’, also known as Desert Festival, is celebrated in which region of India?
A. Jaipur
B. Jaisalmer
C. Kutch
D. Bikaner
- The Jaisalmer Desert Festival, also known as Maru Mahotsav, is a vibrant cultural extravaganza scheduled for 2024 in the heart of Rajasthan’s desert city, Jaisalmer. This unique blend of music, dance, art, and tradition showcases the rich heritage of Rajasthan. The festival, themed “Back to the Desert,” is a captivating celebration from February 22–24, 2024.
8. Which player won the title of Men’s Singles India Open 2024?
A. Shi Yu Qi
B. Lee Cheuk Yiu
C. Chirag Shetty
D. Satwiksairaj Rankireddy
- China’s Shi Yu Qi won the 2024 India Open men’s singles title on January 21, 2024. He beat Hong Kong’s Lee Cheuk Yiu in straight sets, 23-21, 21-17. The 2024 India Open badminton tournament was held in New Delhi, India from January 16–21, with a prize fund of USD 850,000. The other winners were: Women’s singles: Tai Tzu Ying (Chinese Taipei) Men’s doubles: Kang Min Hyuk-Seo Seung Jae (South Korea) Mixed doubles: Mayu Matsumoto-Wakana Nagahara (Japan).
9. Recently, which organization released guidelines on the ethical use of Large Multi-Modal Models (LMM) in healthcare?
A. WHO
B. UNICEF
C. UNESCO
D. Global Health Council
- The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued guidance on the ethical use of Large Multi-Modal Models (LMM) in healthcare. LMMs, powerful AI technology capable of processing diverse data, are transforming healthcare and research. The WHO emphasizes a collaborative approach involving governments, tech companies, healthcare providers, and civil society in LMM development. WHO outlines six core principles, including protecting autonomy, ensuring transparency, and promoting inclusiveness in AI development and deployment.
10. Who is the main architect of the Ram Mandir, Ayodhya?
A. Pramukh Swami Mahara
B. Arun Yogiraj
C. Subhash Bhoite
D. Chandrakant Sompura
- Chandrakant Sompura, the chief architect of Ayodhya Ram Mandir, comes from a renowned lineage of temple architects in Ahmedabad. With a legacy spanning generation, the Sompuras have crafted over 200 temples, including iconic structures like Somnath Temple, Swaminarayan Temple, Akshardham complex, and Birla Temple. The Ayodhya Ram Mandir epitomizes Nagara architecture, showcasing intricate carvings, majestic spires, and sacred sanctums, honoring India’s cultural diversity.
11. ‘Gole Mela’ festival is hosted by which state/UT?
A. Jammu & Kashmir
B. Haryana
C. Himachal Pradesh
D. Punjab
- The Jagannath Temple in Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir hosts the “Gole Mela” festival twice a year. The festival is a cultural and religious celebration that brings together devotees from the Udhampur district and beyond. The festival is a spiritual gathering that fosters a sense of community among devotees.
12. Willingdon Island is located in which city of India?
A. Bombay
B. Kochi
C. Kutch
D. Chennai
- The Cochin Port Joint Trade Union Forum recently appealed to the Indian Prime Minister to revive Willingdon Island’s former glory. Named after Lord Willingdon, a British Viceroy, it’s one of India’s largest man-made islands and a key commercial hub in Kochi. Besides hosting top hotels, it accommodates the Kochi Naval Base and Central Institute of Fisheries Technology.
13. What is the primary objective of NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter?
A. Conducting geological surveys on Mars
B. Performing experimental flight tests on Mars
C. Collecting Soil samples for Analysis
D. Searching for signs of ancient life on Mars
- NASA has successfully re-established contact with its Ingenuity helicopter on Mars. Launched aboard the Perseverance rover, Ingenuity made history on April 19, 2021, as the first aircraft to achieve powered, controlled flight on another planet. Operating independently of the rover’s science mission, it flew to a height of 10 feet, hovered for 30 seconds, and descended in a groundbreaking 39.1-second flight, demonstrating the feasibility of flight in Mars’ challenging atmosphere using onboard systems.