Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 26th September 2023
1. Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) approves to conduct Truenat test to detect which infection?
[A] Dengue
[B] Nipah
[C] Malaria
[D] Tuberculosis
Answer: [B] Nipah
The Indian Council for Medical Research (1CMR) has granted the state permission to conduct Truenat tests in certain hospitals, to support Kerala’s efforts to combat the Nipah virus outbreak. Truenat tests use portable, smart chip-based, battery-operated RT-PCR kits. Only hospitals equipped with level 2 biosafety facilities, which have strict protocols to prevent sample contamination, will be allowed to use Truenat test facilities.
2. What is the new award instituted to honour scientists in India?
[A] PM Vigyan Puraskar
[B] Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar
[C] Bharat Vigyan Puraskar
[D] DeenDayal Vigyan Puraskar
Answer: [B] Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar
The Indian government has announced the establishment of Rashtriya Vigyan Puruskar, a series of awards to honor scientists in India. These awards will be presented under four categories, including Vigyan Ratna for lifetime achievement, Vigyan Shri for distinguished contributions, Vigyan Yuva Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar to encourage young scientists, and Vigyan Team for recognizing teams of scientists. The awards will commence in 2024 and will cover 13 domains, ranging from Physics to Environmental Science.
3. What is the name of the first indigenous aircraft carrier of India?
[A] Vikrant
[B] Bhim
[C] Virat
[D] Akash
Answer: [A] Vikrant
The Indian Navy has submitted a proposal to the government for the construction of its second indigenous aircraft carrier, known as the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier-2 (IAC-2). Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) delivered the first indigenously built Aircraft Carrier (IAC-1) INS Vikrant to the Indian Navy in July 2022.
4. Which city hosted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Summit in September 2023?
[A] New Delhi
[B] New York
[C] Paris
[D] Nairobi
Answer: [B] New York
Leaders from around the world gathered at the UN-hosted High-level Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Summit in New York and endorsed a resolute political declaration. This declaration outlines their shared commitment to creating a Sustainable and inclusive world by 2030. Leaders reiterated the importance of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda and called for swift action to implement the UN Secretary-General’s proposal for an SDG stimulus.
5. India has partnered with which country to deploy 10,000 made-in-India electric buses across Indian cities?
[A] Germany
[B] Finland
[C] USA
[D] Australia
Answer: [C] USA
India and the United States nave initiated a collaboration to deploy 10,000 made-in-India electric buses across Indian cities. This partnership, announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the White House, focuses on expanding options for electric public transportation in India, fostering cleaner urban environments, and promoting healthier communities.
6. Which African country has 61 percent of women in its Parliament?
[A] Egypt
[B] South Africa
[C] Rwanda
[D] Kenya
Answer: [C] Rwanda
East African country Rwanda has a record with an impressive 61 percent of women in its Parliament, a contrast to many other countries. After the tragic Rwandan genocide in 1994, there was a predominant female population as large number of men killed during the violence. To address the societal and gender imbalances, Rwanda implemented a transformative gender equality initiative in its 2003 constitution, introducing quotas, ensuring women held 30 percent of decision-making positions.
7. The 1998 P V Narasimha Rao case, which was seen in the news, is related to?
[A] Immunity to MPs /MLAs against bribery
[B] Making Official Language as Hindi
[C] Imposition of Emergency in India
[C] Centre-State Relations
Answer: [A] Immunity to MPs/MLAS against bribery
The Supreme Court of India has decided to review the 1998 PV Narasimha Rao case, which granted legislators immunity against criminal prosecution for bribery charges related to their parliamentary activities. A 5-judge Constitution Bench, led by Chief justice D Y Chandrachud, has referred the matter to a 7-judge Bernch, This case originated from the 1993 JMM bribery case. Articles 105(2) and 194(2) of the Indian Constitution grant privileges to members of Parliament and State Legislatures.
8. Data Quality Index (DQI), which was seen in the news, is associated with which institution?
[A] NITI Aayog
[B] RBI
[C] SEBI
[D] NASSCOM
Answer: [B] RBI
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has directed Credit Information Companies (CICs) to extend the use of Data Quality Index (DQI) to the commercial and microfinance segments. Initially introduced in June 2014, DQI assesses the quality of data submissions by Credit Institutions (CIs) to CICs and aims to enhance data quality over time. CICs are now required to create DQIs for Commercial and microfinance segments and provide them to all member credit institutions by March 31, 2024.
9. As per latest Railway Board circular, what is the ex-gratia payments for victims of deceased passengers in train accidents?
[A] Rs 1 lakh
[B] Rs 2 lakh
[C] Rs 5 lakh
[D] Rs 10 lakh
Answer: [C] Rs 5 lakh
The Railway Board in India has significantly increased ex-gratia payments for victims of train accidents and untoward incidents. The ex-gratia relief amounts, last revised in 2012 and 2013, have been increased by tenfold. The circular states that relatives of deceased passengers in train accidents and manned level crossing accidents will now receive Rs 5 lakh, while grievously injured passengers will be awarded Rs 2.5 lakh. Passengers with simple injuries will receive Rs 50,000. Previously, these amounts were much lower, at Rs 50,000, Rs 25,000, and Rs 5,000, respectively.
10. Which state/UT launched “Mukhyamantrir Atmanirbharshil Asom Abhiyan”?
[A] Assam
[B] West Bengal
[C] Odisha
[D] Jharkhand
Answer: [A] Assam
The Assam government launched a new scheme called “Mukhyamantrir Atmanirbharshil Asom Abhiyan.” This scheme aims to provide financial assistance of Rs. 2 lakh each to two lakh young individuals, fostering self-reliance and economic independence among the state’s youth. The registration process for the program is scheduled to commence by September end.
11. Which institution released a report titled ‘State of Working India 2023’?
[A] IIT Madras
[B] Azim Premji University
[C] NITI Aayog
[D] Oxfam International
Answer: [B] Azim Premji University
A report by Azim Premji University titled ‘State of Working India 2023’ highlights the impact of India’s economic slowdown from 2018-2020 and the subsequent Covid-19 pandemic on the labor market. The report reveals that the workforce has shifted more towards self-employment during this period, with women being disproportionately affected.
12. Which institution has introduced ‘Geocoding’ functionality to identify and locate businesses across the country?
[A] NITI Aayog
[B] GSTN
[C] DPIIT
[D] Invest India
Answer: [B] GSTN
The Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) in India has introduced ‘Geocoding’ functionality to identify and locate businesses accurately across all states and union territories. This technology helps tax authorities pinpoint the geographical coordinates of properties and taxpayers, facilitating the detection of tax evaders and eliminating fake registrations.
13. A recent CAG report has filed mismanagement affecting wildlife and forests in which state?
[A] Arunachal Pradesh
[B] Sikkim
[C] Gujarat
[D] Maharashtra
Answer: [C] Gujarat
A report by the Comptroller Auditor General of India (CAG) has raised concerns over violations and mismanagement affecting wildlife and forests in Gujarat. The report highlights poor spending of funds allocated to the state’s forest department, leading to issues like encroachment, mining, and deforestation in six sanctuaries. Less than 1% of the allotted funds were spent by the department in 2016-17, and overall, only a fraction of the allocated budget was utilized from 2016-2017 to 2020-2021.
14. As per UNESCO report, mass exclusion of girls from education in which country, widened the global educational gap?
[A] Iran
[B] Afghanistan
[C] Syria
[D] Sri Lanka
Answer: [B] Afghanistan
A new report from UNESCO reveals that slow progress on achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of education for all, combined with socio-economic pressures and the mass exclusion of girls from education in Afghanistan, has widened the global educational gap. The report states that there are now 250 million children not enrolled in school, an increase of six million since 2021. To meet the 2030 targets of SDG 4 (Quality Education), a new child needs to join school every two seconds.
15. Which institution released the report titled ‘Embracing a One Health Framework to Fight Antimicrobial Resistance’?
[A] World Bank
[B] OECD
[C] FAO
[D] IMA
Answer: [B] OECD
A new report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has focussed on the health and economic consequences of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Titled “Embracing a One Health Framework to Fight Antimicrobiat Resistance,” the report provides fresh evidence of the global impact of AMR and offers recommendations to combat it. The report reveals that the consumption of antibiotics in humans has been increasing, especially in G20 countries.
16. Which institution released the International Tourism Highlights’ report?
[A] World Bank
[B] UNWTO
[C] WEF
[D] IMF
Answer: [B] UNWTO
The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has released a report highlighting the severe economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global tourism industry. According to the report titled “International Tourism Highlights, 2023 Edition – The Impact of COVID-19 on Tourism (2020-2022),” international tourism lost $2.6 trillion in export revenues, exceeding its earnings in 2019 by one and a half times.
17. Agumbe Rainforest Complex (ARC), which was seen in the news, is located in which state?
[A] West Bengal
[B] Assam
[C] Karnataka
[D] Uttarakhand
Answer: [C] Karnataka
Agumbe Rainforest Complex (ARC) in Karnataka, known as the ‘Cherrapunji of the South’ for its high rainfall, has seen a decine in its monsoon rainfall over the past two years. Some towns, such as Nadpal and Mudradi, located 45-50 kilometers away from ARC, have recorded higher rainfall in 2022, pushing Agumbe to the third position in terms of rainfall in Karnataka.
18. Which Indian state signed MoU with the British Council for research, faculty, student exchange programmes?
[A] Telangana
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Kerala
[D] Karnataka
Answer: [B] Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu state government signed an agreement with the British Council for two-way student mobility, capacity building, research and transnational education. The British Council would enable collaborations in new and emerging areas through ‘Going Global Partnerships’ that the state is already part of.
19. The ‘Conference of the Asia Pacific Forum on Human Rights’ was inaugurated in which country?
[A] India
[B] Sri Lanka
[C] Bangladesh
[D] Japan
Answer: [A] India
President of India inauqurated Annual General Meeting and Biennial Conference of the Asia Pacific Forum on Human Rights in New Delhi. This year’s Conference marks the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights. Asia Pacific Forum also celebrated 30 years of national human rights institutions and the Paris Principles; with a sub- theme on the environment and climate change.
20. Which institution released its first-ever report on the global impact of high blood pressure?
[A] WHO
[B] CDC
[C] FAO
[D] WEF
Answer: [A] WHO
World Health Organization (WHO) released its first-ever report on the global impact of high blood pressure. The report shows that hypertension affects 1 in 3 adults worldwide and approximately 4 out of every 5 people with hypertension are not adequately treated. But if countries can scale up the coverage, 76 million deaths could be averted between 2023 and 2050. Hypertension affects 1 in 3 adults worldwide.