14 July 2023 Current Affairs – The Day’s Top News | GKSERIES
Current Affairs is the most important area in all competitive exams. But the difficulty level is very high. That’s why; many aspirants get confused, how to select Current Affairs for Preparation of Competitive Examination? In this Post, Daily Current Affairs 14 July 2023, we have tried to cover each and every point and also included all important facts from National/ International news that are useful for upcoming competitive examinations such as UPSC, SSC, Railway, State Govt. etc.
So, here is the Top News of the Day for 14 July 2023 to help you prepare the Latest Current Affairs part. After reading this section, you can successfully attempt Current Affairs Quiz.
Current Affairs for Competitive Exam – 14 July 2023
World Youth Skills Day 2023: Date, Theme, Significance and History
Since 2014, the United Nations has commemorated World Youth Skills Day on July 15th, with the goal of recognising the importance of providing young people with the required skills for employment, decent labour, and entrepreneurship. With the continuous progress of technology and changes in the labor market, it is essential to equip young people with adaptable and flexible skill sets.
Technical and vocational education and training (TVET) plays a critical role in meeting these needs by lowering barriers to employment, ensuring the relevance and certification of acquired skills, promoting environmentally friendly skills and practises, and providing skill development opportunities for youth who are not engaged in education, employment, or training.
Daily Current Affairs Quiz: July 2023
Theme of World Youth Skills Day 2023
The theme for World Youth Skills Day 2023 is Skilling teachers, trainers and youth for a transformative future. It highlights the essential role that teachers, trainers and other educators play in providing skills for youth to transition to the labour market and to actively engage in their communities and societies.
Why is World Youth Skills Day important?
In 2014, the United Nations General Assembly declared 15 July as World Youth Skills Day, to celebrate the strategic importance of equipping young people with skills for employment, decent work and entrepreneurship. Since then, World Youth Skills Day events have provided a unique chance for young people, technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions, enterprises, employers’ and workers’ organisations, policymakers, and development partners to interact. Participants have highlighted the ever-increasing significance of skills as the world is embarking on a transition towards a sustainable model of development.
History of World Youth Skills Day
During the aftermath of the Second World War, the United Nations was founded on October 24, 1945, after its Charter was ratified by China, France, the U.S.S.R., the U.K., and the United States, along with other signatories. The organization’s mission has always been to maintain world peace and security, to provide humanitarian assistance, to defend human rights, and to respect international law. It was created as a successor to the League of Nations that disintegrated prior to the Second World War.
Over its years of functioning, the United Nations has been an active part of the global polity. It has modified its functioning with changes in international relations: in the face of decolonization of the Global South, the end of the Cold War, the rise of the U.S. as a hegemon, climate change, refugee crises, etc. Today, the U.N. works to attain its 17 sustainable development goals.
The United Nations declared World Youth Skills Day in 2014. The goal of this day was to throw some light on the necessary skills for young people’s employment and entrepreneurship, as well as their strategic importance for the future. This day is a unique opportunity for policy partners, employers, development partners, and vocational and training educational programs to dialogue with young people about the skills needed as the world transitions into a sustainable development model.
PM Narendra Modi’s Visit to France and UAE: Strengthening Bilateral Cooperation
From July 13 to 15, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will go to France and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to strengthen bilateral ties. With a focus on areas such as defence, security, energy, and global partnerships, PM Modi’s visit holds significance for strengthening bilateral ties. This article provides an overview of the key highlights and objectives of the visit.
Daily Current Affairs Quiz: July 2023
France – Strengthening Strategic Partnership:
1.1. Honour at the Military Parade:
PM Modi has been invited to attend France’s military parade as the primary guest, a symbol of high regard. Former US President Donald Trump was the most recent foreign leader to be invited in 2017.
1.2. Formal Talks and Engagements:
Modi will hold formal talks with President Emmanuel Macron, followed by a state banquet and a private dinner hosted by the French president. Meetings with French counterparts and interactions with the Indian diaspora, business leaders, and notable personalities are also scheduled.
1.3. Defence Cooperation:
The visit is anticipated to finalise multiple agreements to strengthen defence cooperation, including the purchase of 26 naval Rafale combat fighter variants and three Scorpene-class submarines. Additionally, discussions on joint development of fighter jet engines with Safran, a French aircraft equipment manufacturer, and a roadmap for defence-industrial cooperation are anticipated.
UAE – Strengthening Comprehensive Strategic Partnership:
2.1. Building on Strong Ties:
The India-UAE comprehensive strategic partnership has been progressively expanding, and PM Modi’s visit intends to find opportunities to strengthen cooperation in areas such as energy, education, healthcare, food security, fintech, military, and culture.
2.2. Talks with UAE President:
PM Modi will hold talks with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and ruler of Abu Dhabi, to discuss bilateral cooperation and future prospects.
2.3. Global Engagement:
Discussions will encompass global issues, particularly in the context of the UAE’s presidency of COP28 (Conference of the Parties) and India’s G20 presidency, where the UAE is a guest country.
DAC Approves Procurement of 26 Rafale Marine Aircraft and Additional Scorpene Submarines
On July 13, 2023, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, convened and accepted three key proposals targeted at strengthening India’s naval capabilities.
Under the first proposal, the DAC granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the procurement of 26 Rafale Marine aircraft from the French Government. This procurement will include associated ancillary equipment, weapons, simulators, spares, documentation, crew training, and logistic support for the Indian Navy. An Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) between India and France was used to make the decision to purchase these modern aircraft.
Daily Current Affairs Quiz: July 2023
Procurement of Three Additional Scorpene Submarines
In another major development, the DAC approved the procurement of three additional Scorpene submarines under the Buy (Indian) category. Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) will build these submarines, bolstering India’s indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities. The inclusion of higher indigenous content in the submarines’ construction aligns with India’s vision for self-reliance in defense production.
This procurement not only ensures the Indian Navy’s required force level and operational readiness but also generates substantial employment opportunities within the domestic sector. Additionally, it enables MDL to enhance its expertise and capabilities in submarine construction.
Guidelines for Promoting Indigenous Content
The DAC also endorsed a proposal to establish guidelines that promote indigenous content in all categories of capital acquisition cases. Through indigenous manufacture, this strategic approach intends to create ‘Aatmanirbharta’ (self-reliance) in vital manufacturing technologies and the life-cycle sustenance of defence platforms and equipment.
By encouraging domestic production, these guidelines will contribute to India’s long-term defense preparedness and reduce reliance on foreign imports, while simultaneously boosting the country’s manufacturing sector.
A new book released ‘Prism: The Ancestral Abode of Rainbow’ before Chandrayaan 3 launch
Vinod Mankara, a national award-winning filmmaker-writer, has launched his new book from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The unique launch of ‘Prism: The Ancestral Abode of Rainbow’, a collection of science articles, was held at the SDSC-SHAR, as preparations were going on full swing there for the country’s much-awaited Moon mission Chandrayaan-3.
Daily Current Affairs Quiz: July 2023
While the countdown for the historic launch was underway at the space centre, ISRO Chairman S Somanath handed over the book to Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) Director S Unnikrishnan Nair. SDSC-SHAR Director A Rajarajan, Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) director V Narayanan, former ISRO Director K Radhakrishnan, and many other space scientists were present besides Lipi Publications managing director Lipi Akbar, the publisher of the book, during the function.
The essence of the book:
- Published by Kozhikode-based Lipi Books, ‘Prism’ is a compilation of 50 interesting articles from various streams of science including space science, astronomy, biology, anthropology and mathematics. It covers various topics such as the James Webb space telescope, dark sky tourism, black hole confirmation, the dog Laika’s first space journey and so on.
- Somanath himself has penned the foreword for the 167-page book in which he said it was full of the “marvels of science”.
- ‘Prism’ is an investigation of the artistic and poetic aspects of science, and it will assist ordinary people in developing a deep link with science and experiencing its beauty. Mankara is the maker of ‘Yanam’, a science-Sanskrit documentary on India’s historic Mars Orbiter Mission ‘Mangalyaan’. He has won national and state awards multiple times, has six films and 685 documentaries to his credit.
India’s Vizhinjam railway tunnel adopts Austrian tunneling method
The third longest railway tunnel in India, the Vizhinjam railway tunnel will adopt the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM) for undertaking the tunneling works. The work scheduled to begin in January will take 36 months for the completion of tunnelling work alone plus three months of initial installation work and another 3 months for track lining and commissioning, taking a total of 42 months for the entire work.
Daily Current Affairs Quiz: July 2023
This tunnel connects the under-construction Vizhinjam International Seaport.
It is being developed by the Adani Port with the railway mainline at Balaramapuram near Thiruvananthapuram.
India’s largest 12.75 km long railway tunnel (T-49) is built as part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramula Rail Link (USBRL). Instead of using the expensive tunnel boring machine (TBM), Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited (VISL) which is implementing the Vizhinjam deep water multipurpose seaport on a PPP basis, adopted the cost-effective NATM method which uses a modern drilling and blasting technique.
India’s top table tennis league UTT tournament is being organized in Pune
India’s top table tennis league Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) tournament is being organized at the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, Pune from July 13 to 27, 2023. The semifinals will be held on the 28 and the 29th of July and the final will be held on the 30th of July.
It is being organized under the aegis of the Table Tennis Federation of India, after a gap of four years. The event is joined by India’s table tennis player Sharath Kamal.
Daily Current Affairs Quiz: July 2023
The Ultimate Table Tennis league consists of six teams. There are 36 players in total with six from each team – four Indian players and two International players. Each team will play five matches. India’s ace table tennis player Sharath Kamal is participating in the UTT league. He will be leading the Indian team to the 26th Asian Championships to be held from the 3rd to the 10th of September this year in South Korea. While speaking to AIR Pune, Sharath hoped to better India’s medal tally this time.
India’s index of industrial production jumps to 5.2% in May 2023
According to the data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), the index of industrial production (IIP) in India has increased by 5.2% in May 2023 from 4.2% in April 2023.
Daily Current Affairs Quiz: July 2023
In May 2022, the factory output was at all time high-growth of 19.6%.
India’s industrial production growth (IIP) declined to its lowest level in five months at 1.1% in March 2023. The lowest growth rate was observed in October 2022 when it contracted by 4.1%. IIP is an index that details out the growth of various sectors in the economy. The Eight Core Industries comprise more than 40% of the weight of items included in IIP. These Eight Core Industries are Electricity, steel, refinery products, crude oil, coal, cement, natural gas, and fertilizers.
A new campaign for banks under Agri Infra Fund launched
Manoj Ahuja (Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture) launched a month-long campaign for banks under Agri Infra Fund, starting on July 15-August 15, 2023.
Daily Current Affairs Quiz: July 2023
This one month-long Campaign (from 15th July 2023 to 15th August 2023) with a target of Rs 7200 crore was launched through Video Conference attended by more than 100 Banking Executives that included MDs/Chairman, EDs of commercial Banks in public and private sector, Regional Rural Banks, Small Finance Banks, NBFCs and select cooperative Banks.
- Title of the campaign: BHARAT (Banks Heralding Accelerated Rural & Agriculture Transformation)
- Target: Rs 7,200 Crore
- Aim: To promote Rs 1 lakh crore Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) for the creation of necessary infrastructure in the farm sector.
The AIF is a financing facility launched on July 8, 2020.
In his welcome address, he complimented the Banks for their active involvement and support to promote this Scheme which has resulted in creation of more than 31, 850 agri infra projects in the country with Rs 24750 crore as loan amount under AIF with an outlay of Rs 42,000 crores.
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurates DGNSS ‘‘SAGAR SAMPARK’
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is committed towards innovation, building best infrastructure, and strengthening the Indian Maritime sector.
Daily Current Affairs Quiz: July 2023
The digital initiative in maritime sector the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the indigenous Differential Global Navigation Satellite System (DGNSS) ‘SAGAR SAMPARK’ in the presence of Shri Shripad Y. Naik, the Minister of State of Ports, Shipping and Waterways; Shri TK Ramachandran, IAS Secretary, MoPSW and other senior officials from the ministry and Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships. DGNSS is a terrestrial based enhancement system which corrects the errors and inaccuracies in the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) allowing for more accurate positioning information. It would provide more accurate information to the ships for safe navigation.
About DGNSS:
- It is a terrestrial-based enhancement system.
- It corrects the errors and inaccuracies in the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS).
- It will help mariners in safe navigation and will reduce the risk of collisions, and accidents.
43 new implementing partners empanelled under SAMARTH Scheme
According to the Textile Ministry, 43 new implementing partners have been appointed under SAMARTH initiatives, with a training objective of 75,000 beneficiaries and a 5% increase in support to implementing partners.
Daily Current Affairs Quiz: July 2023
What’s in News?
- The Empowered Committee for the Scheme for Capacity Building in the Textile Sector (SAMARTH) announced the addition of 43 new implementing partners, with an extra 75,000 beneficiaries being trained.
- The decision was taken with the motive to enhance the skill development of the workforce in the textile sector.
- Implementing partners will receive a 5% rise in order to provide financial support to industries engaging in skill development under the SAMARTH scheme.
- The Ministry of Textile has collaborated with 157 Textile Industries/Industry Associations, 16 Central/State Government Agencies, and 3 Ministry Sectoral Organisations to efficiently carry out training programmes through SAMARTH Schemes.
- The expansion of SAMARTH Scheme through the addition of implementing partners and increased training targets, signifies the government’s commitment to promote skill development and create employment opportunities in the textile sector.
About the SAMARTH Scheme:
The SAMARTH Scheme is a Textile Sector Capacity Building Scheme (SCBTS). SAMARTH is the Ministry of Textiles’ demand-driven and placement-oriented umbrella skilling programme. The scheme was formulated under the broad skilling policy framework. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs launched the SAMARTH Scheme in 2017 under the Ministry of Textile. The SAMARTH Scheme focuses on the organised and traditional sectors.
Silent Features of SAMARTH Scheme:
- SAMARTH Scheme provides enhanced facility of skill development to the master trainers.
- Aadhar Enabled Biometric Attendance System (AEBAS): This maintains the authenticity of the trainers and beneficiaries.
- CCTV recording of training programmes: To avoid major conflicts in the functioning of the scheme, training institutes are fixed with CCTVs.
- Dedicated call centre with helpline number.
- Mobile app-based Management Information System (MIS).
- On-line monitoring of training processes.
Objective of the SAMARTH Scheme:
- It offers over 10 lakh people National Skills Framework Qualification (NSFQ)-compliant skilling programmes.
- The skilling programmes offered under the SAMARTH Scheme aims to incentivize and supplement the efforts of the Textile Industry.
- SAMARTH Scheme aims to create job opportunities in the textile and other related sectors.
- Traditional sectors of handlooms, handicrafts, sericulture and jute will be upgraded through skilling and skill upgradation.
- It also aims to induce self-employment capabilities among youth and others.
- It also aims to promote sustainable livelihood to all sections of the society.
Numaligarh Refinery in Assam upgraded to ‘Schedule A’ category enterprise
NRL Emerges as Top 20 CPSE with Impressive Performance, Global Expansion, and Ambitious Growth Plans:
In terms of sales revenue and profitability, NRL has established itself as one of India’s top 20 CPSEs. It has acquired worldwide acclaim as the country’s most efficient refinery, setting industry standards for distillate production, specific energy utilisation, and gross refining profit. Furthermore, NRL has embarked on exporting petroleum products to neighboring countries, solidifying its global presence and playing a vital role in advancing the Act East Policy of the Government of India.
Daily Current Affairs Quiz: July 2023
NRL is the largest refinery in Northeast India, with a refining capacity of 3 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA). Currently, it is undertaking a significant expansion project to triple its refining capacity to 9 MMTPA, alongside the construction of a transnational crude oil pipeline from Paradip in Odisha. NRL is also actively involved in projects valued at Rs. 35,000 crores in the region, representing one of the largest investments in the oil and gas sector.
NRL’s Schedule A Status Upgrade Unlocks Financial Autonomy and Expansion Opportunities
The advancement to Schedule A status also qualifies NRL for Navratna status, which provides greater financial autonomy. This will empower the organization to undertake larger and more complex projects, make prompt decisions regarding joint ventures, strategic alliances, and special purpose entities for strategic expansion.
Key takeaways for competitive examinations
- Numaligarh Refinery Limited is a division of : Oil India Limited
- Numaligarh Refinery Limited Director(Finance): Sanjay Choudhuri
Harshvardhan Bansal appointed president of NAREDCO Delhi Chapter
The National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO) has announced the formation of a chapter in Delhi. Harshvardhan Bansal, Director of Unity Group, has been appointed as the president of the NAREDCO Delhi Chapter. NAREDCO is a significant national organisation that represents the real estate sector, and it is affiliated with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
Daily Current Affairs Quiz: July 2023
Other Appointments & Objectives
National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO) has also appointed PK Gupta, the current CMD of NBCC, as the Chairman, while Vineet Kanwar, the Group Executive Director of DLF, has been designated as the Vice Chairman. Gaurav Jain, the CEO of India Infracorp Bahrain, has also been named President Elect. The goal of the NAREDCO Delhi chapter is to create a favourable environment in the real estate sector that will foster long-term growth and attract investment by working closely with the government, industry professionals, and other key participants.
Expansion Plans: Uttarakhand Chapter
At present, NAREDCO has established state chapters in Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Rajasthan. Following the prosperous launch of the Delhi chapter, NAREDCO is actively engaged in the process of establishing a chapter in Uttarakhand.
Key takeaways for competitive examinations
- National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO) was formed in: 1998
- Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs: Shri Hardeep Singh Puri