Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 9th & 10th April 2023

1. The ‘Stand Up India Scheme’ has been extended till which year?

[A] 2025

[B] 2027

[C] 2030

[D] 2050

Answer: [A] 2025

The Stand Up India scheme was launched in 2016 to promote entrepreneurship focusing on economic empowerment and job creation. The scheme has been extended till 2025. Over Rs 40,700 crore was sanctioned under the Stand Up India Scheme over the seven years of its implementation. Around 80 percent of the loans under this scheme were provided to women.

2. Which institution released the ‘Stacking up the Benefits Lessons from India’s Digital Journey Report?

[A] World Bank

[B] IMF

[C] World Economic Forum

[D] NITI Aayog

Answer: [B] IMF

The International Monetary Fund recently released a working paper titled ‘Stacking up the Benefits Lessons from India’s Digital Journey’. It credits India’s building black approach and its focus on promoting innovation for the success of the country’s digital public infrastructure.

3. Which Asian country has been elected to UN Statistical Commission for a 4-year-term?

[A] India

[B] Sri Lanka

[C] China

[D] Bangladesh

Answer: [A] India

The UN Statistical Commission is the highest decision-making body for International statistical activities. Shigeru Kawasaki of Japan is the current chair of the Commission. India has recently been elected to this body for a 4-year term starting from January 1, 2024.

4. ‘Gaia Mission’, which was seen in the news is associated with which space agency?

[A] ISRO

[B] NASA

[C] ESA

[D] JAXA

Answer: [C] ESA
Gaia Mission, the ESA’s project, seeks to understand the formation of the Milky Way and its present nature. With this mission’s data, the space agency has discovered a new family of black holes. These two black holes are believed to be the closest to the Earth.

5. What is ‘Raccoon Stealer’ which was seen in the news?

[A] Animal

[B] Malware

[C] Crypto-currency

[D] Super computer

Answer: [B] Malware

Raccoon Stealer is an information stealing malware that is usually delivered via mail. It was used to target 8 central government entities of India, including the IT Department and central paramilitary forces. National Technical Research Organization (NTRO), a specialized intelligence agency under the National Security Advisor, wrote to the affected agencies informing them of the attack.

6. Places of Worship Act protects the character of the places of worship as it stood on which date?

[A] August 15, 1947

[B] January 26, 1950

[C] December 31, 1950

[D] January 1, 1947

Answer: [A] August 15, 1947

Places of Worship Act, 1991 is a law that protects the character of the places of worship as it stood on August 15, 1947 and prevent any changes that could compromise the character. The Supreme Court’s 3-judge bench will hear petitions challenging this law in July 2023.

7. What is the name of the Dark Web market place, which was recently shut down?

[A] Hyper Market

[B] Genesis Market

[C] Dark Market

[D] Forum Hack

Answer: [B] Genesis Market

Genesis Market is one of the world’s largest black markets where internet fraudsters can purchase credentials. The online forum hosted about 80 million credentials and digital fingerprints stolen from more than two million people. It was shut down recently due to a global law enforcement effort, including that of the UK.

8. Which institution released the ‘Government Trends Report’?

[A] NITI Aayog

[B] Deloittee Center for Government Insights

[C] Oxfam International

[D] Amnesty International

Answer: [B] Deloittee Center for Government Insights

The ‘Government Trends Report’ was released recently by the Deloittee Center for Government Insights. It highlighted 9 trends that are reshaping how the governments deliver solutions to the common citizen. The report cites six shifts that have emerged as factors behind this transition in the government’s approach towards delivering public value.

9. Which country launched the ‘Overseas Security Assistance (OSA) programme?

[A] USA

[B] Japan

[C] Australia

[D] Germany

Answer: [B] Japan

Japan’s Overseas Security Assistance (OSA) programme was announced recently. It will provide financial assistance to help foreign nations strengthen their defences. As per the foreign ministry, since the help would be offered as grants, only poor nations will be able to receive it.

10. ‘Order of White Eagle’ is the highest distinction of which country?

[A] USA

[B] France

[C] Poland

[D] Australia

Answer: [C] Poland

Order of White Eagle is Poland’s highest distinction. It was received recently by Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky. The Order of the White Eagle is the oldest and highest decoration of the Republic of Poland. Zelenski received the award in recognition of his merits in deepening relations between Poland and Ukraine, for his activities for security, and his steadfastness in defending human rights.

11. Project CAVForth is the first registered service of which country to use full-sized autonomous buses?

[A] USA

[B] UK

[C] India

[D] China

Answer: [B] UK

Project CAVForth was launched in 2019 to provide fully autonomous full-sized bus service across the Forth Road Bridge. CAVForth is a joint project of various institutions and it is part funded by the UK Government’s Centre for Connected and Autonomous vehicles. It will be the first registered service in the UK to use full-sized autonomous buses. Bus services under this project will be launched in Scotland soon.

12. ‘Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project’ is located in which Indian state?

[A] Assam

[B] Uttarakhand

[C] Tamil Nadu

[D] Odisha

Answer: [C] Tamil Nadu

Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project involves the setting up of India’ largest nuclear power station in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. A pressurizer was delivered for Reactor 5 of this power plant by AEM-Technologies Izhora, which is part of the machine-building division of Rosatom-Atomenergomash.

13. “TOPS” scheme, which was seen in the news, is associated with which Union Ministry?

[A] Ministry of External Affairs

[B] Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports

[C] Ministry of Home Affairs

[D] Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Answer: [B] Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports

Target Olympic Podium Scheme’s purpose is to identify, groom and prepare potential candidates for Olympic medals. The Sports Ministry’s Mission Olympic Cell recently gave nod for financial assistance under this scheme for 12 para-badminton players, who are set to participate in the upcoming Brazil Para-Badminton International.

14. ‘Lumpy Skin Disease’ causes high fever in which type of species?

[A] Cattle

[B] Poultry

[C] Fish

[D] Human Beings

Answer: [A] Cattle

Lumpy Skin Disease is highly contagious viral infection of cattle and buffalo that causes high fever, large lymph nodes and multiple nodules on the skin and mucous membrane. The Indian Government is expecting stagnation in milk production and a possible scarcity due to the Lumpy Skin Disease, which resulted in deaths of Over 1.89 lakh cattle recently.

15. Which state approved agreement with KfW for a loan to fund the ‘Kerala Green Energy Corridor’?

[A] Tamil Nadu

[B] Kerala

[C] Andhra Pradesh

[D] Telangana

Answer: [B] Kerala

Kerala Green Energy Corridor seeks to synchronize electricity produced from renewables with conventional power stations in the grid. The state cabinet recently approved the agreement with the German development bank, KfW, for a loan on fund this project.

16. ‘Parambikulam Tiger Reserve’ is situated in which state/UT?

[A] Kerala

[B] Jharkhand

[C] Andhra Pradesh

[D] West Bengal

Answer: [A] Kerala

Parambikulam Tiger Reserve is situated in Kerala in the Western Ghats. A Division Bench of the Kerala HC has ordered the wild elephant locally called ‘Arikompan’ to be captured, radio-collared and translocated to this protected area. The Forest department approached the Assam government to procure a Satellite Radio Collar to be attached to the wile tusker in Idukki before it is translocated from Idukki to Parambikulam.

17. Who is the head of the committee set up by the Urban Affairs Ministry to examine stalled real estate projects?

[A] Parameswaran

[B] Amitabh Kant

[C] Saraswat

[D] Urjit Patel

Answer: [B] Amitabh Kant

Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry has set up a committee headed by Amitabh Kant to examine stalled real estate projects. It seeks to examine the related to legacy stalled real estate projects in the country and recommend ways to complete them.

18. What is India’s growth forecast for this fiscal year, as per the World Bank?

[A] 6.1 %

[B] 6.3%

[C] 6.7%

[D] 7.2%

Answer: [B] 6.3%

The Worls Bank has forecast a 6.3% economic growth rate for India in the current fiscal year (FY) 2023-24, in its South Asia Economic Focus: Expanding Opportunities: Toward Inclusive Growth report. This is a downgrade of 0.7 percentage points since its October forecast. The primary reasons for this are high borrowing costs and slower income growth causing weaker consumption, as well as the government tightening fiscal expenditure.

19. ‘B-52H strategic bomber’ was recently used in the bilateral air drills between which countries?

[A] South Korea-USA

[B] Japan – South Korea

[C] India – South Korea

[D] India – France

Answer: [A] South Korea – USA

B-52H strategic bomber is a long-range, supersonic, jet-powered strategic heavy bomber capable of carrying nuclear arsenals. It was recently used during the bilateral air drills between South Korea and the United States. In recent weeks, North Korea has tested an underwater nuclear-capable drone and an intercontinental ballistic missile.

20. Which state/UT recently received the GI tag for its famous Wood carving?

[A] Jharkhand

[B] Rajasthan

[C] Ladakh

[D] Kerala

Answer: [C] Ladakh

Ladakh’s Wood Carving recently received GI (Geographical Indications) tag. In December last year, the government also granted GI Tag for Raktsey Karpo apricot of Ladakh. Wood carving of Ladakh has been a vibrant art from in the Ladakh region, including the capital Leh and Kargil.