Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 2nd August 2023

1. Which institution approved the Guidelines for Institutional Development Plan (IDP) for Higher Education Institutions (HEIS)?

[A] NITI Aayog

[B] UGC

[C] AICTE

[D] CBSE

Answer: [B] UGC

Recently, the University Grants Commission (UGC) approved the Guidelines for Institutional Development Plan (IDP) for Higher Education Institutions (HEIS). These guidelines are intended to assist HEIS in attaining academic and research excellence while enhancing the quality of teaching and learning. Additionally, the IDP will offer direction to HEIS in exercising academic, administrative, financial, and business autonomy, while maintaining accountability.

2. How many deaths were recorded due to manual scavenging in the last five years in India?

[A] 25

[B] 15

[C] 10

[D] 0

Answer: [D] 0

Union government said that India had seen no deaths due to manual scavenging in the last five years, as per the data submitted by the Social Justice Ministry. It also added that 330 people had died while being engaged in cleaning sewers and septic tanks. Social Justice Ministry says manual scavenging no longer practised in India; Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, Bihar among States with all districts reporting free status.

3. Which state has announced the establishment of ‘Mangrove Cell’?

[A] Kerala

[B] Tamil Nadu

[C] West Bengal

[D] Assam

Answer: [C] West Bengal

West Bengal, which is home to about 40% of mangrove forests in India, announced the setting up of a ‘Mangrove Cell’ in the State, on the occasion of the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem. This platform will bring continuity to the efforts of State government in mangrove management. The Cell has an annual action plan for the plantation of mangroves and it will look at maintenance and coordinate with NGOs.

4. The child helpline is being integrated with which Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) pan-India number?

[A] 101

[B] 112

[C] 1200

[D] 1800

Answer: [B] 112

The government has said that integration of child helpline with Emergency Response Support System, ERSS-112 has been completed in nine States in the first phase. These States are Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Dadra, and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Goa, Gujarat, Ladakh, Puducherry, and Mizoram. A 24×7 dedicated WCD Control Room is set up for Child Helpline in each State and Union Territory and integrated with ERSS-112.

5. Which company is preparing to launch the world’s largest privately-owned satellite called JUPITER-3?

[A] Space X

[B] Virgin Galactic

[C] Blue Origin

[D] Boeing

Answer: [A] Space X

SpaceX is preparing to launch the world’s largest privately-owned satellite, called JUPITER-3. This impressive satellite will be sent into space aboard SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket from Launch Complex 39A in Florida. This launch will be the seventh for the robust triple-booster rocket.

6. Which company is involved in the advanced- stage clinical trial of skin cancer vaccine?

[A] Dr Reddys

[B] Bharat Biotech

[C] Moderna

[D] Serum Institute of India

Answer: [C] Moderna

Recently, Moderna and its collaborator Merck announced the commencement of patient enrolment for an advanced-stage clinical trial. This trial aims to test their customized mRNA- based vaccine for skin cancer, in combination with the immunotherapy drug Keytruda. Melanoma is the most deadly form of skin cancer.

7. Which country has passed a bill which criminalises the citizens travelling abroad to pursue surrogacy arrangements?

[A] USA

[B] Italy

[C] Finland

[D] Russia

Answer: [B] Italy

The Italian parliament has given its approval to a contentious bill that makes it a criminal offense for citizens to travel abroad to pursue surrogacy arrangements. This law, which has faced significant opposition, is specifically aimed at discouraging Italians from participating in surrogacy arrangements, and it carries the possibility of substantial fines exceeding USD 1 million and potential prison sentences of up to two years for those found guilty.

8. As per the J&K Re-organisation Bill passed, who has the authority to appoint two Kashmiri migrants to the legislative assembly?

[A] Prime Minister

[B] Lieutenant Governor

[C] Vice President

[D] DGP of J&K

Answer: [B] Lieutenant Governor

Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2023 is one of the four bills introduced by the Centre in the Lok Sabha recently. The bill grants authority to the Lieutenant Governor to appoint two members, with one being a woman, from the Kashmiri migrant community, and one member from the displaced persons from Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) to the legislative assembly of Jammu and Kashmir.

9. Which is the headquarters of the ‘Asia Pacific Telecommunity (APT)’?

[A] Bangkok

[B] Singapore

[C] New Delhi

[D] Colombo

Answer: [A] Bangkok

The Asia Pacific Telecommunity was founded on the joint initiatives of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, and the International Telecommunication Union. An important gathering of the Asia Pacific Telecommunity (APT) is set to take place in Brisbane, with the primary objective of determining the future allocation of the 6 GHz spectrum band for 5G services in India.

10. INDIAai has signed MoU with which company mutual cooperation in the realm of artificial intelligence (AI)?

[A] Samsung

[B] Apple

[C] Meta

[D] Google

Answer: [C] Meta

Recently, INDIAai and Meta India entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to create a structure for collaboration and mutual cooperation in the realm of artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies. The objective of this partnership is to make Meta’s open-source Al models accessible and usable through joint efforts.

11. Which country has launched the ‘Young Professional Scheme’ for visas to Indians aged between 18 and 30?

[A] USA

[B] UK

[C] Australia

[D] Canada

Answer: [B] UK

The British government has opened its second ballot under the UK-India Young Professional Scheme. This is a scheme for Indians aged between 18 and 30 years with graduate-level qualifications for visas to the United Kingdom. It offers eligible young Indians the opportunity to live, work or study in UK for up to two years. This joint scheme between UK and India was formally launched this year in February. This scheme will enable candidates to enter the UK at any time while their visa is valid and leave or return anytime during their stay.

12. Which country conducted the Han Kuang (Han Glory) military exercise?

[A] China

[B] Ukraine

[C] Taiwan

[D] Russia

Answer: [C] Taiwan

Taiwan staged its first-ever military drill at Taoyuan International Airport, halting commercial traffic as soldiers practised defending the facility against a simulated attack by Beijing. The exercise is part of Taiwan’s week- long massive wargames, the annual “Han Kuang” (Han Glory) drills. This is the first such drill held at Taiwan’s biggest airport near the capital since it opened in 1979.

13. Aditya Samant, who was seen in the news, is associated with which sports?

[A] Cricket

[B] Chess

[C] Badminton

[D] Tennis

Answer: [B] Chess

Maharashtra-based Aditya Samant became India’s 83rd Grandmaster after earning his third GM norm at the Master Tournament (MTO) in the Biel International Chess Festival. He had earned his first norm to become a grandmaster at the Abu Dhabi Masters last year in August. His second norm was achieved in December last year at the 3rd El Llobregat Open.

14. Which country is the host of Asian Games 2023?

[A] India

[B] China

[C] Bangladesh

[D] Japan

Answer: [B] China

Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur confirmed that India men’s and women’s football teams will participate in the upcoming Asian Games 2023 in China. India football teams did not get the nod to participate in the Asian Games 2018 edition. Sports Ministry of India relaxed a rule which stated that only top 8 teams in Asia will get the nod to participate.

15. Which city hosted the ‘UK-India Defence and Military Technology Cooperation workshop’?

[A] New Delhi

[B] London

[C] Pune

[D] Liverpool

Answer: [B] London

Recently, International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), a London-based think tank, in collaboration with India’s Bharat Shakti defense platform, organized the UK-India Defence and Military Technology Cooperation workshop in London. The workshop aimed to explore joint initiatives in defense research and industrial production, focusing on various themes such as the changing strategic context of UK-India defense relations, perspectives on India’s Atmanirbhar program, and the UK’s defense technology partnerships.

16. What is the name of the new forum created by OpenAI, Microsoft, Google, and Anthropic?

[A] Frontier Model Forum

[B] Learning Model Forum

[C] Knowledge Model Forum

[D] Public Model Forum

Answer: [A] Frontier Model Forum

OpenAI, Microsoft, Google, and Anthropic have teamed up to create the Frontier Model Forum, aiming to regulate the development of large machine learning models, particularly “frontier AI models” that surpass current advanced capabilities. These foundation models pose potential risks to public safety, and the forum will focus on ensuring their safe and responsible development, collaborating with policymakers, academics, and companies to advance AI safety research and establish best practices for deploying such models.

17. Which country’s population decreased by around 800,000 individuals in 2022 when compared to previous year?

[A] China

[B] Japan

[C] Indonesia

[D] India

Answer: [B] Japan

In a historic decline, Japan’s population decreased in all 47 prefectures for the first time, while the number of foreign residents reached a record high of nearly three million people. The population of Japanese nationals decreased by around 800,000 individuals, or 0.65%, to 122.4 million in 2022 compared to the previous year, marking the 14th consecutive year of decline.

18. Asian Development Bank (ADB) inked a deal with India for ‘Enhancing Connectivity and Sustainability in Roads Project’ for which state?

[A] Gujarat

[B] Assam

[C] Bihar

[D] Maharashtra

Answer: [C] Bihar

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India inked a deal for a $295 million loan for the implementation of the Enhancing Connectivity and Sustainability in Bihar Roads Project. The loan aims to enhance approximately 265 kilometers of state highways in Bihar with climate and disaster resilient features, alongside incorporating road safety elements.

19. Which country is the host of ‘Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships’?

[A] China

[B] India

[C] Sri Lanka

[D] Bangladesh

Answer: [B] India

For the first time, India is hosting the Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships in Greater Noida. It was inaugurated recently by the Union Minister of Youth Affairs. The international event will see the participation of more than 30 Indian weightlifters, including many Khelo India Athletes.

20. Which city hosted the ‘Global ESG Conclave 2.0’ event?

[A] New Delhi

[B] Dubai

[C] New York

[D] Malaysia

Answer: [B] Dubai

The Global ESG Conclave 2.0, organised by Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India was held in Dubai. The sessions were aimed to shed light on integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors into strategic business decisions and quantifying their impact on financial infrastructure and sustainability.