Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 5th August 2023

1. Which Union Ministry launched the ‘ULLAS (Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society) initiative’?

[A] Ministry of Education

[B] Ministry of Finance

[C] Ministry of Corporate

[D] Ministry of MME

Answer: [A] Ministry of Education

Union Ministry of Education inaugurated the logo, slogan – “Jan Jan Sakshar,” and the mobile application for ULLAS: Nav Bharat Saksharta Karyakram. The ULLAS initiative aims to transform education and literacy nationwide by creating a learning ecosystem that provides basic education, digital and financial literacy, and critical life skills to individuals aged 15 and above who missed the chance to attend school.

2. The book titled ‘Memories Never Die, was launched as a tribute to?

[A] Atal Bihari Vajpayee

[B] Abdul Kalam

[C] Pranab Mukherjee

[D] Manmohan Singh

Answer: [B] Abdul Kalam

Union Home Minister Amit Shah unveiled a book titled ‘Memories Never Die,’ tribute to former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. The Minister unveiled the book during his two-day visit to the Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu. The book was co-authored by Dr. APJM Nasima Maraikayar and scientist Dr. Y. S. Rajan.

3. Which badminton player has clinched the Japan Open 2023 singles men’s title?

[A] Kidambi Srikanth

[B] Viktor Axelsen

[C] Lakshya Sen

[D] Chen Long

Answer: [B] Viktor Axelsen

The Danish World No.1 Viktor Axelsen clinched victory in the Japan Open final after defeating Jonatan Christie of Indonesia. In women’s singles, world number two An Se-Young of South Korea beat He Bing Jiao of China to clinch the title. She also replaced replacing Japan’s reigning world champion Akane Yamaguchi to bag the World No. 1 spot.

4. BARI Chinabadam-12, which was launched recently, is a new variety of which crop?

[A] Mango

[B] Ground-nut

[C] Paddy

[D] Cotton

Answer: [B] Ground-nut

The Hyderabad-based International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) released BARI Chinabadam-12 (ICGV 07219), an improved groundnut variety in Bangladesh. The variety is available for cultivation for the upcoming season post rains. It has resistance to foliar fungal diseases and matures four days earlier than its counterpart.

5. Benisagar, which is in the news recently, is a place located in which state?

[A] Jharkhand

[B] Maharashtra

[C] Gujarat

[D] Haryana

Answer: [A] Jharkhand

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) have stated excavations in Benisagar – which is a village in Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum district. The excavation has yielded hundreds of artifacts indicating continuous human habitation from the fifth century A.D. until the 16-17 century A.D. Benisagar has been recognized by the ASI and listed among the top 100 significant archaeological monuments in the country.

6. Which north-eastern state exported over 1.3 tonnes of Pineapples to the Middle East?

[A] Assam

[B] Arunachal Pradesh

[C] Meghalaya

[D] Mizoram

Answer: [C] Meghalaya

Department of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare, Government of Meghalaya and Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (MBMA) has recently facilitated market linkages of over 1.3 tonnes of Pineapples to the Middie East. The pineapples from Meghalaya are being sold across malls in Dubai, Kuwait and Sharjah.

7. Norway, Germany and Finland reported which disease on fur farms and mammals?

[A] Anthrax

[B] Avian Influenza

[C] Foot and mouth disease

[D] Blue tongue

Answer: [B] Avian Influenza

Finland’s Food Authority reported H5N1 on two more fur farms, both housing foxes, raising the number of outbreaks to 14. Norway reported the virus in a red fox pup while Germany reported the virus on a seal. Similar detections in seals and sea lions have occurred in multiple parts of the world.

8. The United States has announced USD 345 million in military aid for which country?

[A] Ukraine

[B] Taiwan

[C] Afghanistan

[D] Iran

Answer: [B] Taiwan

The United States has announced USD 345 million in military aid for Taiwan. This is Biden administration’s first major package drawing on America’s own stockpiles to help Taivwan counter China. The package would include defense, education and training for the Taiwanese. Washington will send man-portable air defense systems, or MANPADS, intelligence and surveillance capabilities, firearms and missiles, according to two U.S. officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters.

9. Which country is the host of the Worid University Games 2023?

[A] India

[B] China

[C] Australia

[D] USA

Answer: [B] China

The compound mixed archery team of Aman Saini and Pragati clinched a gold medal, India’s fourth in the event, at the World University Games in Chengdu, China. The Indian archers have also won two more medals in archery in men’s and women’s compound team events.

10. Which Indian city is the host of the ‘SemiconIndia 2023 conference’?

[A] Mumbai

[B] Pune

[C] Bengaluru

[D] Gandhi Nagar

Answer: [D] Gandhi Nagar

The Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) added two semiconductor design startups, Aheesa Digital Innovations, and Calligo Technologies, to the SemiconIndia future DESIGN DLI scheme. This was announced during the 2nd edition of the Se miconIndia 2023 conference in Gandhinagar, These startups/MSMEs will receive support under the scheme.

11. ‘Conjunctiva’ is a tissue layer present in which part of the body?

[A] Heart

[B] Lungs

[C] Eye

[D] Muscle

Answer: [C] Eye

Conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye, is the condition characterized by the inflammation and swelling of the conjunctiva, a thin, transparent tissue layer that covers the inner surface of the eyelid and the white part of the eye. The continuous rainfall has led to an increase in instances of conjunctivitis, also known as ‘pink eye,’ in various regions of the country, such as New Delhi, Chandigarh, and Gujarat.

12. Which institution released a report titled ‘Scorching divide’: How extreme heat inflames gender inequalities in health and income?

[A] WHO

[B] FAO

[C] Oxfam International

[D] Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation

Answer: [D] Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation

Scorching divide: How extreme heat inflames gender inequalities in health and income report was released recently by the Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center (Arsht-Rock). The report has cautioned that in hot years, extreme temperatures could lead to the deaths of approximately 204,000 women each year in India, Nigeria, and the United States combined by 2050.

13. Which country has introduced ‘TechEquity’ digital inclusion platform?

[A] UK

[B] USA

[C] India

[D] Japan

Answer: [C] India

During the G20 EMPOWER summit in Gandhinagar, India introduced TechEquity, a digital inclusion platform aimed at reducing the gender digital gap. It is one of the key outcomes of India’s G20 presidency and it will be free for women to use. It will have courses on digital and financial literacy, tech skill development and core skill enhancement. The platform – to be funded by India for the next three years will be maintained by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (Ficci).

14. Where was the Russia-Africa Summit held recently?

[A] Russia

[B] Zimbabwe

[C] South Africa

[D] Kenya

Answer: [A] Russia

The second Russia-Africa Summit was held at St. Petersburg, Russia on 27 and 28 July 2023. It was originally scheduled to be held at African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa. At the commencement of the Summit, President Putin promised to provide free grain shipments to six African countries. Under this commitment, Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Mali, Somalia, the Central African Republic, and Eritrea will receive 25,000-50,000 tons of grain in the upcoming months.

15. Western Tragopan is the state Bird for which Indian State?

[A] Uttar Pradesh

[B] Himachal Pradesh

[C] Tamil Nadu

[D] Kerala

Answer: [B] Himachal Pradesh

The Western Tragopan (Tragopan- melanocephalus) is the Himachal Pradesh’s state bird. It has been reported that the species is experiencing habitat loss in certain regions of the country. However, due to the dedicated efforts of the state authorities, there has been a steady rise in the population of this endangered species at the State’s Sarahan pheasantry, the conservation breeding center, providing hope for its survival and future expansion.

16. Which state is planning to launch Labour Bima Scheme?

[A] Uttar Pradesh

[B] Telangana

[C] Maharashtra

[D] Andhra Pradesh

Answer: [B] Telangana

The Government of Telangana is planning to launch a scheme named Labour Bima on the lines of the existing scheme Rythu Bima. It is an insurance scheme and the insurance coverage for the beneficiaries will be raised from *1.5 lakh to 3 lakh. It is also proposed that the renewal period will be extended from five years to ten years.

17. Which country has recently conducted a  referendum for a New Constitution?

[A] China

[B] Central African Rebublic

[C] United Kingdom

[D] Norway

Answer: [B] Central African Republic

The Central African Republic, a land locked country in African continent, has conducted a voting in a referendum for a new constitution. This comes after the country witnessing multiple coups. In 2020, Mr. Touadera secured a second term as President of the country until 2025. If the referendum is passed, it would allow the existing President for a third term.

18. Where is the ‘World Police and Fire Games 2023’ held?

[A] India

[B] Australia

[C] Japan

[D] Canada

Answer: [D] Canada

The 2023 World Police and Fire Games is a community-wide sports event that is held from July 28 – August 6, 2023 at Winnipeg, Canada. India is represented by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and the athletes of CRPF bagged five gold and one silver medal for India on the first day of the event.

19. Which Union Ministry has launched the ‘Company Law Committee (CLC)’?

[A] Ministry of Corporate Affairs

[B] Ministry of Finance

[C] Ministry of MSME

[D] Ministry of Justice

Answer: [A] Ministry of Corporate Affairs

The Company Law Committee (CLC) has been established in 2019 by the Union Ministry of Corporate Affairs. It is expected to explore the implementation of regulatory measures specific to startups. This initiative comes in response to growing concerns about corporate governance matters within startup entities.

20. Isle of Rum, which was seen in the news, is located in which country?

[A] Scotland

[B] Australia

[C] Philippines

[D] Japan

Answer: [A] Scotland

NASA is using rocks from Scotland’s Isle of Rum to practice testing methods for examining Martian rocks, as they share similarities in geological, mineral, and chemical content. The igneous rocks from the Isle of Rum exhibit comparable geological, mineral, and chemical characteristics to those discovered on Mars.