Daily Current Affairs (DCA) 29 July, 2025

Daily Current Affairs Quiz
29 July, 2025

National Affairs

1. PM Pays Tribute to Rajendra Chola I

Context:

During the birth anniversary celebrations of Rajendra Chola I at Gangaikonda Cholapuram, the Prime Minister of India hailed the Chola dynasty’s enduring contributions to India’s maritime strength, democratic institutions, and cultural unity. Statues of Rajendra Chola and Rajaraja Chola were announced, alongside the release of a commemorative coin.

The Legacy of the Chola Empire

Historical Span and Geographic Reach:

• Ruled: 9th to 13th century CE
• Territory: Present-day Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh
• Overseas presence: Sri Lanka, Maldives, Malaysia, Indonesia

Iconic Chola Rulers and Their Contributions

1. Rajaraja Chola I (985–1014 CE):

• Strengthened India’s first blue-water navy
• Built the Brihadisvara Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Expanded control over Sri Lanka

2. Rajendra Chola I (1014–1044 CE):

• Led successful naval expeditions to Ganga, Southeast Asia
• Founded Gangaikonda Cholapuram as a new imperial capital
• Asserted Indian maritime dominance in Sumatra, Java, and the Malay Peninsula

3. Kulottunga Chola I:

• Introduced fiscal reforms, promoted trade and stable governance

Governance & Administration

Democratic Institutions:

• Kudavolai System: A proto-electoral mechanism where representatives were chosen via palm-leaf ballots
• Uthiramerur Inscriptions: Codified rules for rural elections and eligibility
• Village Autonomy: Empowered Ur (villagers), Sabha (Brahmin assembly), and Nagaram (trade guilds) for tax collection, land management, and justice delivery

Bureaucracy:

• Centralised yet efficient administration with clearly defined roles
• Regular land surveys and inscription-based revenue records

Economic Reforms and Maritime Trade

Global Trade Links:

• Maintained robust trade with China (Song dynasty), Srivijaya Empire, and Arabian ports
• Promoted merchant guilds like Manigramam and Ayyavole 500

Agricultural Innovation:

• Built large-scale irrigation systems, including Cholagangam Tank
• Developed canals and embankments to support temple-based agrarian economies

Naval Dominance and Diplomacy

Maritime Expansion:

• Chola navy conducted military expeditions across Bay of Bengal, asserting Indian naval supremacy
• First recorded example of Indian soft power projection via temples and trade

Foreign Relations:

• Diplomatic ties with China (Song court envoys)
• Spread Indian culture and architecture to Southeast Asia (influences seen in Angkor Wat, Borobudur)

Cultural & Artistic Renaissance

Religious Harmony:

• Royal patronage to both Shaivism and Vaishnavism
• Promoted temple construction across southern India and Southeast Asia

Temples as Socio-Economic Hubs:

• Functioned as schools (ghatikas), courts, granaries, and arts centers
• Temples were central to public life and administration

Literature and Arts:

• Patronised legendary Tamil poets like Kamban (Ramavataram), Sekkizhar, and Jayamkondar
• Developed bronze sculpture techniques like the iconic Nataraja using lost-wax casting
• Refined Dravidian temple architecture — monumental vimanas, pillared mandapas, axial planning

TH

2. India’s Tiger Conservation Status

Context:

India, which had just 1,411 tigers in 2006, recorded 3,682 wild tigers in 2022 — a 161% increase — making it home to nearly 75% of the global wild tiger population. This remarkable turnaround is a result of 50+ years of sustained conservation efforts under Project Tiger, but new threats demand attention.

Key Highlights:

1. Project Tiger

• Launched in 1973 in 9 reserves spanning 14,000 sq km.
• Today, it covers 58 tiger reserves across 84,487 sq km in 18 states, roughly 2.5% of India’s area.

2. Population Trends

• Tiger population grew from 1,411 (2006) to 3,682 (2022).
• Big successes in Uttarakhand and eastern Maharashtra.
• Local extinctions/declines reported in:
  • Palamau (Jharkhand)
  • Achanakmar (Chhattisgarh)
  • Satkosia (Odisha)
  • Dampa (Mizoram)
  • Buxa (West Bengal)

3. Threats & Challenges

• Poaching persists due to illegal international demand for tiger parts.
• Man-tiger conflict has risen due to expanding tiger territories:
  • 73 human deaths reported in tiger attacks in 2024 (highest: Maharashtra – 42 deaths).
• Understaffed, under-resourced forest teams struggle with:
  • Cross-border smuggling (esp. in Nepal border areas)
  • Encroachment resistance from locals
  • Administrative hurdles in conflict zones

4. Need for Policy Reforms

• ~35% of tiger reserves need urgent protection, including:
  • Habitat restoration
  • Prey base replenishment
  • Reintroduction of tigers
• Community engagement is key:
  • Livelihood improvement for forest-dependent people can reduce pressure on tiger habitats.
  • Poverty and insurgency correlate with declining tiger numbers.

5. Forward Strategy

• Experts suggest population management planning to avoid backlash from affected communities.
• Sustainable coexistence and ecological balance require aligning conservation with social justice.

TOI

3. Special Public Security Bill

Context:

The Maharashtra Legislature recently passed the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, 2024, aimed at curbing the activities of Left-Wing Extremist (LWE) organisations and their alleged urban fronts. The Bill has sparked controversy over its potential for misuse, ambiguity, and its implications for civil liberties.

Key Highlights:

• Purpose of the Bill:
  • To prevent unlawful activities by “urban Naxal” organisations and their frontal networks in cities.
  • The State claims that over 60 such organisations operate in Maharashtra, aiding Maoist activities.
• Background:
  • First introduced in the 2024 monsoon session under the previous Mahayuti government.
• States with Similar Acts:
  • Maharashtra joins Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha, which have enacted similar Public Security Acts.

Major Objections to the Bill

• Arbitrary declaration of organisations as “illegal” without due process.
• No time limit on bans; possible indefinite extension.
• Ambiguous definition of “unlawful activity” — may include peaceful dissent.
• Section 2(f) criminalises signs, speech, or gestures that merely “cause concern” or “interfere” with public order — no requirement of violence or intent.
• No lower court jurisdiction, restricting access to judicial remedy.
• Protection for State officials acting in “good faith” could encourage abuse.
• Fear of misuse against student groups, farmers’ organisations, and opposition activists.

TH

4. National Mission on Cultural Mapping & Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar (MGMD Portal

Context:

To strengthen India’s cultural identity and empower rural communities, the Ministry of Culture has launched the National Mission on Cultural Mapping (NMCM), implemented by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA).

Key Highlights:

1. About NMCM:

• A central initiative to document and map India’s rich cultural heritage, particularly in rural areas.
• Aims to use cultural documentation as a tool for rural economic revitalization and community empowerment.

2. MGMD Portal – A Digital Cultural Archive:

• Launched: June 2023 as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav
• Target: Mapping 6.5 lakh villages across India
• Current Status:
  • Cultural data for 4.7 lakh villages uploaded
  • In West Bengal:
    • Target: 41,116 villages
    • Mapped so far: 5,917 villages
    • Remaining: 35,199 under documentation
• No financial assistance has been sanctioned yet for any State under the programme

3. Scope of Documentation:

• Oral traditions, beliefs, customs, festivals, art forms
• Traditional food, dress, ornaments, local landmarks
• Cultural knowledge of marginalized and tribal communities
• Intangible heritage such as folk performances and rituals

4. Significance:

• Aids in cultural preservation and promotion
• Fosters local pride and identity
• Lays groundwork for sustainable cultural tourism and rural development

PIB

5. State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) 2025 Report

Context:

The United Nations’ flagship report, State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) 2025, assesses global progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger). The 2025 edition focuses on post-pandemic recovery, food affordability, and regional disparities, while projecting the hunger landscape up to 2030.

Key Findings:

• Chronic Hunger:
  • In 2024, 8.2% of the global population—about 720 million people—were chronically hungry. Hunger levels remain above pre-pandemic benchmarks.
• Undernourishment Forecast:
  • Only a 65 million reduction in undernourished people is projected by 2030, making the SDG-2 goal unachievable at the current pace.
• Diet Affordability Crisis:
  • Over 3 billion people globally cannot afford a healthy diet, leading to increased dependence on calorie-rich, nutrient-poor foods.
• Regional Disparities:
  • Africa faces the highest undernourishment rate (>20%), while Asia hosts nearly half the global food-insecure population. Southeast Asia and South America have shown marginal improvement due to targeted reforms.
• Climate and Conflict Impact:
  • War, drought, floods, and other climate shocks have become key drivers of food insecurity since 2020.
• Post-COVID Setback:
  • The pandemic reversed a decade of gains, leaving 96 million more people hungry than in 2015.

India-Specific Insights

• Nutritional Inaccessibility:
  • About 6% of India’s population is unable to afford a nutritious diet, despite the country having surplus food grain stocks.
• Rural–Urban Divide:
  • Urban areas are witnessing recovery due to income rebound, but rural regions suffer due to inefficiencies in the public distribution system and high price volatility.
• Child Malnutrition:
  • India continues to report high levels of child stunting and wasting, pointing to failures in early-age nutrition.
• Micronutrient Deficiencies:
  • A cereal-dominant diet with low fruit, vegetable, and protein intake leads to widespread hidden hunger.
• Need for Policy Shift:
  • Experts recommend including millets, pulses, and fortified foods in government schemes to ensure diet diversity and combat undernutrition.

Positive Developments

• Decline in global hunger from 8.7% in 2022 to 8.2% in 2024.
• Regional improvements seen in Southeast Asia and Latin America, driven by social protection and agricultural reforms.
• Improved coordination among UN agencies and adoption of data-driven hunger tracking systems.

Key Concerns

• The pace of progress remains too slow to meet the 2030 zero hunger goal.
• Hunger is increasingly concentrated in Africa, projected to account for 60% of the global undernourished by 2030.
• Rising food prices are disproportionately affecting low-income populations.
• Despite global food surplus, fair distribution remains a critical issue.

Way Forward

1. Nutrition-Centric PDS: Expand India’s food subsidy programs to include millets, pulses, and locally grown nutrient-rich foods.
2. Diversify Agriculture: Promote crops beyond rice and wheat to improve dietary balance and nutritional intake.
3. Resilient Food Systems: Invest in climate-resilient and regionally adapted agricultural practices to reduce disaster-driven hunger.
4. Strengthen Global Support: Intensify international cooperation to support vulnerable regions, particularly in Africa and South Asia.
5. Affordability Reform: Align food pricing with income growth through minimum wage policies, better inflation management, and streamlined food supply chains.

Banking/Finance

1. One District One Product (ODOP) & Districts as Export Hubs (DEH)

Context:

The Government of India is promoting balanced regional development and local entrepreneurship through the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative, integrated with Districts as Export Hubs (DEH), and supported by schemes targeting MSMEs.

ODOP – One District One Product Initiative

• Launched by: DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce & Industry
• Objective: Identify, brand, and promote one unique product or service per district to:
  • Boost local manufacturing
  • Attract investment
  • Promote exports
  • Generate local employment
• ODOP has been merged with the “Districts as Export Hubs” (DEH) initiative for operational efficiency.

Districts as Export Hubs (DEH)

• Led by: Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)
• Each district prepares a District Export Action Plan (DEAP) for identified product(s)/services with export potential.
• DEAP focuses on:
  • Quality improvement
  • Capacity building
  • Infrastructure development
  • Market access and promotion
• A District Export Promotion Committee (DEPC) oversees implementation, supported by state-level Export Promotion Committees.

MSME Export and Marketing Support

a. International Cooperation Scheme (Ministry of MSME)

• Supports MSMEs in:
  • Participating in international fairs, exhibitions, seminars, buyer-seller meets abroad
  • Market intelligence and cost reimbursements for exports
  • Enhancing export-readiness and building global competitiveness

b. Digital & E-Commerce Enablement

• Schemes covering digital marketing training:
  • Procurement and Marketing Support Scheme
  • MSME Trade Enablement and Marketing (TEAM) scheme

c. Financial Incentives for MSMEs:

• PMEGP, PM Vishwakarma, Khadi Gramodyog Vikas Yojana, Coir Vikas Yojana, etc., provide:
  • Enterprise creation, tool kits, capacity building, and marketing support
• Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for MSEs (CGTMSE):
  • Offers loan guarantee cover, with enhanced support for women-led enterprises

PIB

2. UPI Set to Introduce Biometric Authentication for Transactions

Context:

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) is preparing to introduce biometric authentication (facial recognition, fingerprints) for UPI transactions to strengthen digital payment security and user convenience.

Key Highlights:

What’s Changing?

• UPI users may soon authenticate transactions using biometric data (facial recognition or fingerprint) instead of a 4/6-digit PIN.
• The move aims to reduce fraud risks like PIN theft and phishing.

Status and Rollout

• NPCI has been developing the feature for over a year.
• A demo is likely to be presented at the 2025 Global Fintech Fest.
• The feature is work in progress (WIP) and awaits:
  • Regulatory approvals from the RBI
  • Clearance by NPCI Steering Committee

Rationale Behind the Move

• Addresses rising security concerns and fraud incidents linked to PIN and OTP.
• Aims to provide greater convenience, especially for elderly or less tech-savvy users.
• Leverages India’s biometric infrastructure (e.g., Aadhaar-linked data and mobile biometric sensors).

BS

3. RBI Proposes New Regime for Co-op Bank Branch Expansion

Context:

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released a draft Master Direction introducing the Eligibility Criteria for Business Authorisation (ECBA) to regulate the expansion activities of Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs). This proposed framework will replace the existing Financially Sound and Well Managed (FSWM) criteria.

Key Highlights:

• Applicability:
  • For approvals related to opening new branches, ATMs, processing centres, and infrastructure by UCBs.
• Eligibility Conditions under ECBA:
  • Capital Adequacy: Must meet the minimum regulatory Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR).
  • Asset Quality: Net NPAs must not exceed 3%.
  • Profitability: Net profit reported in the preceding two financial years; no accumulated losses.
  • Liquidity Compliance: No default in CRR or SLR during the current or preceding financial year.
  • Technology: Must have fully implemented Core Banking Solutions (CBS).
  • Governance: Should have at least two professional directors on the board.
  • Regulatory Clean Status: Should not be under RBI directions, Supervisory Action Framework (SAF), or Prompt Corrective Action (PCA).
• Compliance Declaration:
  • To be verified annually based on audited financial statements as of March 31 of the previous financial year.
  • Board must pass a resolution confirming compliance.
  • RBI must be notified within 15 days of the board resolution.
• Validity:
  • ECBA compliance is considered valid up to September 30 of the next financial year.
• Significance:
  • This reform aims to introduce a more structured, transparent, and risk-sensitive approach to UCBs’ expansion, aligned with modern supervisory expectations and operational readiness.

BS

4. BoI Mutual Fund Launches Midcap Fund Targeting Growth Sectors

Context:

Bank of India Mutual Fund (BoI MF) has launched a new midcap equity scheme to tap into India’s growing midcap segment across high-potential sectors.

Key Highlights:

• Scheme Type: Actively managed midcap equity fund.
• Investment Focus:
  • Invests in midcap companies across financials, industrials, healthcare, and consumer sectors.
  • Emphasizes quality businesses with scalable models, sectoral tailwinds, and proven execution.
• Approach:
  • Bottom-up stock-picking strategy.
  • Aims to balance growth and risk by targeting firms with competitive advantages and strong management teams.
• Objective:
  • To deliver long-term capital appreciation by leveraging opportunities in India’s expanding midcap space.

What are Mid Cap Funds?

Mid Cap Funds are equity mutual funds that invest primarily in mid-sized companies, classified by SEBI as those ranked 101st to 250th by market capitalization.

Key Features

Investment Universe

• Invest in mid cap stocks — companies larger than small caps but smaller than large caps.
• These firms typically have growth potential and are in expansion phases.

SEBI Classification

• Small Caps: Rank 251 onwards
• Large Caps: Rank 1–100
• Mid Caps: Rank 101–250

TET

5. LIC Enters Bond Derivatives Market to Hedge Interest Rate Risk

Context:

Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has signed $1 billion worth of forward rate agreements (FRAs) with major Wall Street banks, marking a major push into bond derivatives.

Forward Rate Agreements (FRAs)

A Forward Rate Agreement (or FRA) is an agreement between two parties to exchange payments usually equal to short term underlying interest rate obligations of those two parties. The notional principal amount of a FRA is used to calculate the interest payment only and is not exchanged. FRAs allow LIC to lock in future bond yields, protecting income from falling interest rates.

Bond Derivatives

Bonds are fixed-income securities that reflect loans made to borrowers by investors. Derivatives can be understood as a security with a price that is based on or derived from one or more underlying assets is referred to as a derivative.

Market Impact

• LIC’s participation is boosting demand for long-term bonds.
• The last two auctions for long-term bonds saw record bid-to-cover ratios in FY26 (since April 1).
• Banks, in turn, hedge their exposure by buying long-term bonds, increasing overall bond market depth.

Working Mechanism of FRA

• In an FRA, LIC agrees to purchase a bond at a fixed future price.
• The bank counterparty assumes bond price risk and earns a premium.
• This instrument is vital for insurers to stabilize portfolio returns amid uncertain interest rate cycles.

Significance

• LIC’s aggressive FRA participation:
  • Deepens India’s bond derivatives market
  • Enhances risk management practices among institutional investors
  • Aligns with global standards in insurance portfolio management
• Signals a shift toward modern financial instruments for liability-driven investment strategies in India.

BS

6. MSME Ministry Simplifies SPICE Scheme to Promote Circular Economy

Context:

The Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) has streamlined the process under the Scheme for Promotion and Investment in Circular Economy (SPICE) to encourage material efficiency and green practices in micro and small enterprises (MSEs).

Key Highlights:

• Technology Portal Launched:
  • The MSME Ministry has developed a technology portal listing 116 eligible technologies for subsidy support under SPICE.
  • This aims to address previous issues of banks rejecting subsidy claims due to lack of clarity on eligible technologies.
• Target:
  • The government aims to onboard 3,400 MSEs under SPICE by FY2026-27.
• Eligible Sectors:
  • The scheme covers 11 sectors, including plastics, rubber, and electronic waste.
• Subsidy Details:
  • Maximum project cost admissible: ₹50 lakh
  • Subsidy amount: 25% of the plant and machinery cost
  • MSEs must apply through banks or Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs).
• Objective:
  • To reduce material wastage, promote resource efficiency, and accelerate the adoption of circular economy technologies in small-scale industries.

Scheme for Promotion and Investment in Circular Economy (SPICE)

The MSE-SPICE Scheme (Scheme for Promotion and Investment in Circular Economy) is a flagship initiative by the Government of India to foster sustainable industrial practices in the Micro and Small Enterprises (MSE) sector. It is aligned with India’s broader goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.

Objectives

• Support circular economy (CE) projects in MSEs through credit-linked subsidies.
• Encourage resource efficiency, waste reduction, and recycling technologies.
• Empower MSEs to become environmentally sustainable and climate-resilient.

Scheme Framework

• Credit subsidy-based assistance for eligible MSEs undertaking CE projects.
• Promotes cleaner production, reuse of industrial waste, and low-carbon technologies.
• Part of India’s commitment to the LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) movement and net-zero roadmap.

TET

Agriculture

1. IN-SPACe Launches Course on Space Technology for Agriculture

Context:

On July 27, 2025, the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) launched a short-term course titled “Essentials of Space Technology in Agriculture Sector” in collaboration with ISRO, NCVET, and Amity University, Noida.

Course Overview

• It is designed to introduce non-governmental stakeholders, academia, and young professionals to space-based applications in agriculture.
• Focus areas include:
  • Remote sensing
  • Satellite data interpretation
  • Crop health monitoring
  • Precision farming using GPS
  • Disaster response and resource optimization

Strategic Purpose

• Part of IN-SPACe’s capacity-building mission under India’s space sector reforms.
• Aims to bridge knowledge gaps and mainstream space technology into core economic sectors, especially agriculture.
• Encourages multi-sectoral engagement, particularly among students, universities, and private organizations.

BL

Facts To Remember

1. Teenager Divya outlasts Humpy, emerges India’s first women’s World Cup winner

Indian chess recorded yet another great moment on Monday, as Divya Deshmukh won the women’s World Cup in the Georgian city of Batumi.

2. Toor takes gold, Damneet impresses on final day of the Indian Open

National record holder and two-time Asian Games champion Tajinderpal Singh Toor expectedly took the shot put gold on the second and final day of the Indian Open athletics in Sangrur.

3. Thailand, Cambodia agree to ceasefire

Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to an “unconditional” ceasefire starting at midnight, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Monday, a significant breakthrough to resolve five days of deadly border clashes that have killed dozens and displaced tens of thousands of people.

4. China offers subsidies to boost birth rate

China’s government will offer subsidies to parents to the tune of $500 per child under the age of three per year, Beijing’s state media said on Monday, as the world’s second most populous nation faces a looming demographic crisis.

5. Junior women shuttlers hope to build on Asian C’ships success

Tanvi Sharma continued her recent impressive run, winning bronze at the Badminton Asia Junior Championships, along with Vennala Kalagotla, as India returned with two individual medals for women in the event for the first time.

6. RBIs digital payments index rose to 493.22 in March

The Reserve Bank of Indias (RBI) digital payments index (DPI) rose to 493.22 as of March 2025, compared to 465.33 in September 2024, reflecting the rapid adoption of digital payments in the country.

7. India pioneers world’s 1st int’l tiger rewilding

India is preparing to send around six wild tigers to Cambodia’s Cardamom Mountains, where the species was declared extinct in 2016.

8. Union Bank to Auction Future Brands Assets to Recover ₹230 Crore

Union Bank of India has initiated the auction of 10 brands owned by Future Brands Ltd to recover dues under the SARFAESI Act, with a reserve price of ₹230 crore.