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29 July 2023 Daily Defence Exam Current Affairs | UPSC CDS CAPF NDA AFCAT SSB Interview

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Written by NDI EDITOR

Jul 28 2023

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29 July 2023 Daily Defence Exam Current Affairs | UPSC CDS CAPF NDA AFCAT SSB Interview
1. World Cities Culture Forum
Recently, Bengaluru has become the first Indian city to become part of the World Cities Culture Forum (WCCF).

About World Cities Culture Forum:

  • It was founded in 2012 by Justine Simons OBE, London’s Deputy Mayor for Culture & the Creative Industries.
  • It is a global network of cities that share research and intelligence, and explore the role of culture in future prosperity.
  • The network currently has 40 cities spanning six continents. 
  • Bengaluru being the latest addition is set to join the league of cities like New York, London, Paris, Tokyo and Dubai among others.
  • World cities culture summit hosted on a rotating basis by city partners, an unprecedented gathering of city leaders sharing ideas and knowledge about culture’s role in public policy in a world city context.

Key facts about Bengaluru

  • Bengaluru (formerly Bangalore) is a megacity, the capital of the Southern state of Karnataka and the fastest growing city in India.
  • Its population has grown from one million in 1950 to over 16 million in 2023.
  • It is commonly referred to as the ‘Silicon Valley of India’ because of its role as the nation’s leading information technology exporter,
  • It is home to more than 30 government and private museums that showcase the city’s rich history, art and culture.
  • Most recently, South India’s first major private art museum, the Museum of Art and Photography (MAP), opened in February 2023.
  • Bengaluru’s distinction lies in being a rare city where both North Indian (Hindustani) and South Indian (Carnatic) classical music thrive.
  • As the “Garden City of India”, Bangaluru has many green spaces including two nationally recognised botanical gardens, Lal Bagh and Cubbon Park that act as green lungs for the city.
2. Digital Payment Index
As per Reserve Bank of India’s Digital Payments Index (RBI-DPI) , Digital payments across the country registered a growth of 13.24% in a year through March 2023.

About Digital Payment Index:

  • It has been constructed by the RBI to measure the extent of digitisation of payments across the country.
  • It is based on multiple parameters and reflects the expansion of various digital payment modes accurately.
  • It is a first-of-its kind index to measure the spread of digital payments across the country.
  • It contains five broad parameters that measure the deepening and penetration of digital payments in the country over different time periods.
    • Payment Enablers with a weight of 25% (Internet, mobile, Aadhaar, bank accounts, participants, merchants)
    • Payment Infrastructure – Demand-side factors weight 10% (Debit and credit cards, PPIs, Customers registered in mobile and internet banking, FASTags),
    • Payment Infrastructure – Supply-side factors weight 15% (Bank branches, BCs, ATMs, PoS Terminals, QR Codes, Intermediaries),
    • Payment Performance – weight 45% (Digital payment volumes, value, unique users, paper clearing, currency in circulation, cash withdrawals) and
    • Consumer Centricity weight – 5% (awareness and education, declines, complaints, frauds, system downtime).
  • The base period of the index is March 2018.
  • The index has been published on a semi-annual basis from March 2021 onwards with a lag of 4 months.
3.Cherry Farming
The prolonged cold weather and rains have devastated the cherry crop in the Kashmir Valley.

About Cherry Farming:

  • Cherries are delicious and nutritious fruits that belong to the genus Prunus.
  • It is a delicate crop and extremely sensitive to extreme weather conditions.
  • Having a very low shelf life, cherries cannot sustain heavy rains or high temperatures.
  • The Kashmir Valley contributes to 95 per cent of the total cherry production in India.
  • Eight cherry varieties grown in Kashmir include makhmali, siya, mishri, jaddi, Italy, dabal, vishkan and stela.
  • Climate:
    • It requires cool weather conditions with temperatures ranging between 15°C to 25°C during the growing season.
    • They also require a period of winter dormancy with temperatures below 7°C to induce flowering.
  • Soil: The soil should be well-draining, rich in organic matter, and have a pH between 6.0 to 7.5.
  • Planting: Cherry trees can be propagated by grafting onto rootstocks. The ideal time for planting is during the winter months from December to February.
  • Intercropping: Some suitable intercropping crops for cherry cultivation in India include legumes, such as peas and beans, and leafy vegetables, such as spinach and lettuce.
  • Fertilization: Fertilizers rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium should be applied in adequate amounts to promote healthy growth and fruit development.
  • Harvesting: Cherries can be harvested when they reach maturity, usually in late May to early June.
  • Area of Cultivation: They are primarily grown in the northern regions of India, particularly in the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
4. Corporate Debt Market Development Fund (CDMDF)
Recently, the Union Finance Minister launched the Corporate Debt Market Development Fund (CDMDF).

About Corporate Debt Market Development Fund:

  • It is a backstop facility for specified debt funds during market dislocations.
  • The fund is intended to provide liquidity support in the event of a financial crisis.
  • It will be in the form of an alternative investment fund (AIF), meant to instil confidence among the participants in the Corporate Bond Market during times of stress
  • The fund has Rs 33,000-crore backstop facility for Mutual Funds.
  • Of the Rs 33,000 crore, Rs 30,000 crore will come from the government, while the balance Rs 3,000 crore will be contributed by the Asset Management Companies.
  • Contributions to the fund can be done by the specified debt-oriented mutual fund schemes and asset management companies of mutual funds.
  • This fund is guaranteed by the National Credit Guarantee Trust Company (NCGTC) and the backstop facility will be managed by SBI Mutual Fund.
  • Who can invest?
    • Specified debt-oriented mutual fund schemes here are ‘open-ended debt oriented mutual fund schemes, excluding the overnight funds and gilt funds and including conservative hybrid fund’.
    • These specified debt-oriented schemes will invest 25 basis points (0.25 per cent) of their asset under management (AUM) in CDMDF units and will increase their contribution when their AUM increases and review it every six months.
    • However, there will be no redemption from CDMDF in case their AUM reduces.
    • The same applies to the specified schemes of new mutual funds or such new schemes from the existing mutual funds.
    • The AMCs are also required to make a contribution of 2 per cent of their specified debt-oriented schemes’ AUM as a one-time contribution.
    • The initial contribution for this purpose will be based on the AUM as of December 31, 2022, in the specified schemes of the mutual funds.

What is a Backstop facility?

  • A backstop is an act of providing last-resort support or security in a securities offering for the unsubscribed portion of shares.
  • When a company is trying to raise capital through an issuance, it may get a backstop from an underwriter or a major shareholder, such as an investment bank, to buy any of its unsubscribed shares.
5. Pedicularis Revealiana
Recently, scientists from the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) Prayagraj Centre have discovered a new plant species Pedicularis Revealiana, in the state of Sikkim.

About Pedicularis Revealiana:

  • It is unique among all Pedicularis species.
  • It is stout and woody stems, bears minute flowers of pinkish-purple colour.
  • It is a hemiparasitic plant species.
  • Along with making its own food, it has the ability to gather nutrients from the roots of trees and plants located nearby.
  • This new flora is found in remote forests, which are covered with snow for most of the year.
  • This genus includes about 677 species worldwide, of which 82 species, 13 subspecies and nine varieties have been reported so far in India.
  • Pendicularis revealiana is the 83rd species reported by the botanists and the plant is commonly known as a perennial herb.

Key Facts about Botanical Survey of India

  • It is the apex taxonomic research organization of the country which is under the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of India.
  • It was established on 13thFebruary 1890 under the direction of Sir George King.
  • The mandate of the organization has been broadened to biosystematics research, floristic studies, documentation, databasing of National Botanical collection, digitization of herbarium specimens etc.
  • Headquarter: Kolkata
6. International Tiger Day 2023
International Tiger Day is observed globally on July 29 every year.

About International Tiger Day:

  • It is observed on July 29 each year.
  • It serves as a platform to raise awareness about the endangered tiger species.
  • It is celebrated worldwide to promote comprehensive efforts in safeguarding tigers and their natural habitats, fostering harmonious coexistence between humans and tigers.
  • History of International Tiger Day:
    • Global Tiger Day, commonly referred to as International Tiger Day, was first established in 2010 during the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit by nations that are home to tigers. 
    • 13 tiger range countries came together to create Tx2 – the global goal to double the number of wild tigers by the year 2022.
    • The 29th of July was chosen as International Tiger Day because it represents the halfway point between the first and last days of the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit and the ongoing international campaign to rescue tigers.

Key Facts about Bengal Tiger:

  • Bengal tiger (subspecies Panthera tigris tigris) inhibits the forests, and wetlands of India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal.
  • Features:
    • It is distinguished from other tiger subspecies by its orange coat accented by prominent brownish-to-black stripes; a rare white-coated variant of the subspecies also exists. 
    • The largest male Bengal tigers can grow up to about 3.2 metres long (including a 1-metre-long tail) and weigh nearly 295 kg. 
    • Females are smaller, the largest ones measuring about 2.7 metres long and weighing as much as 181 kg. 
    • They are solitary hunters, preying primarily on ungulates(including deer and antelope), gaurs, and wild boars (Sus scrofa). 
  • Conservation Status:
    • IUCN Red List: Endangered
    • Wildlife (Protection) Act (WPA), 1972: Schedule-1
7. Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM-SHRI) Scheme
Prime Minister will inaugurate Akhil Bhartiya Shiksha Samagam 2023 and also release the first instalment of funds under the PM SHRI Scheme at the event.

About Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM-SHRI) Scheme:

  • It is a Centrally Sponsored scheme announced in 2022.
  • Objective: Development of more than 14500 schools across the country by strengthening selected existing schools being managed by Central Government/ State/ UT Government/ local bodies.
  • The duration of the scheme is from 2022-23 to 2026-27,after which it shall be the responsibility of the States/UTs to continue to maintain the benchmarks achieved by these schools.
  • Features:
    • The selected schools will act as exemplar schools showcasing all components of the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP) and offering mentorship to other schools in their vicinity.
    • The PM SHRI Schools will be developed as Green Schools, incorporating environment-friendly aspects.
    • The pedagogy adopted in these schools will be more experiential, holistic, integrated, play/toy-based (particularly in the foundational years), inquiry-driven, discovery-oriented, learner-centric, discussion-based, flexible and enjoyable.
    • The focus will be on the learning outcomes of every child in every grade.
    • Assessment at all levels will be based on conceptual understanding and application of knowledge to real-life situations and will be competency-based.
    • Linkage with Sector Skill Councils and local industry for enhancing employability and providing better employment opportunities will be explored.
    • A School Quality Assessment Framework (SQAF) is being developed, specifying the key performance indicators to measure outcomes. Quality evaluation of these schools at regular intervals will be undertaken to ensure the desired standards.
8. Permafrost
Scientists recently revived a worm that was frozen 46,000 years ago below the surface in the Siberian permafrost.

About Permafrost:

  • Permafrost is any ground that remains completely frozen—32°F (0°C) or colder—for at least two years straight.
  • Global Distribution: 
    • These permanently frozen grounds are most common in regions with high mountains and in Earth’s higher latitudes—near the North and South Poles.
    • Permafrost covers large regions of the Earth. Almost a quarter of the land area in the Northern Hemisphere has permafrost underneath. 
  • Composition: 
    • Permafrost is made of a combination of soil, rocks and sand that are held together by ice. The soil and ice in permafrost stay frozen all year long. 
    • Near the surface, permafrost soils also contain large quantities of organic carbon—a material leftover from dead plants that couldn’t decompose, or rot away, due to the cold.
    • Lower permafrost layers contain soils made mostly of minerals. 
    • A layer of soil on top of permafrost does not stay frozen all year. This layer, called the active layer, thaws during the warm summer months and freezes again in the fall.
9. U.N. World Food Programme (WFP)
Deputy executive director of the World Food Program recently said that United Nations has been forced to cut food, cash payments and assistance to millions of people in many countries because of "a crippling funding crisis".

About U.N. World Food Programme (WFP):

  • It is a branch of the United Nations that deals with hunger eradication and promotes food security in the world.
  • WFP is the world’s largest humanitarian agency and was established in 1961.
  • The organization's work is guided by Sustainable Development Goal 2, which aims to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture by 2030.
  • It operates in more than 120 countries, provides food assistance during emergencies and works with communities to enhance nutrition and generate resilience.
  • Funding: WFP is funded by voluntary donations from governments, corporates and private donors.
  • It is a member of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
  • Headquarters: Rome, Italy
  • It has been functioning in India since 1963.
  • It was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020. 
  • Report released by the WFP is Global Report on Food Crisis which describes the scale of acute hunger in the world.
10. Aravalli Range
A seven-member team called the "Aravalli Rejuvenation Board" was recently formed to curb illegal mining in the protected Aravallis region.

About Aravalli Range:

  • It is one of the oldest fold mountains of the world.
  • It runs approximately 670 km (430 mi) in a south-west direction, starting near Delhi, passing through southern Haryana and Rajasthan, and ending in Gujarat.
  • The highest peak is Guru Shikhar at 1,722 metres (5,650 ft). Guru is a peak in the Arbuda Mountains of Rajasthan.
  • Rivers: Three major rivers and their tributaries flow from the Aravalli, namely Banas and Sahibi rivers which are tributaries of Yamuna, as well as Luni River which flows into the Rann of Kutch. 
  • Formation:
    • It is part of the Aravalli-Delhi orogenic belt, which is a large and complex geological structure formed due to the collision of tectonic plates during the Proterozoic era.
    • It is part of the Indian Shield that was formed from a series of cratonic collisions. 
    • In ancient times, Aravalli were extremely high but since have worn down almost completely by millions of years of weathering. 
  • The range is rich in mineral resources like copper, zinc, lead, and marble.
  • It is divided into two sections: the Sambhar-Sirohi ranges, taller and including Guru Shikhar; and the Sambhar-Khetri ranges, consisting of three ridges that are discontinuous. 
About Authour
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Written by NDI EDITOR

National Defence Institute's Editor

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