Daily Current Affairs Update: 18th July 2023

Daily Current Affairs Update: 18th July 2023

For aspirants of UPSC, UPPSC, SSC, and other competitive exams, it's important to stay updated with current affairs across various domains. This blog post provides a detailed account of significant events from 18th July 2023 to enhance your preparations. Let's dive right into it.

China's Leap in Space Technology
A significant breakthrough in space technology was observed when China's ZhuQue-2 Y-2 rocket became the world's first methane-fueled rocket to reach orbit successfully. This illustrates notable advancements in reusable rocket technology.

PM Mitra Park: Aiming to Make India a Textile Hub
The textile sector is set to witness major transformation with the strategic plan laid out by the PM Mitra Park in Amravati, Maharashtra. The park aims to develop high-quality industrial infrastructure and position India as a global hub for textile manufacturing and exports.

Export Preparedness Index (EPI): Assessing Export Readiness
The EPI measures the export preparedness of states and union territories in India, identifying their strengths and weaknesses. Coastal states performed the best in terms of export readiness according to the Exports Preparedness Index (EPI), with Tamil Nadu topping the list in 2022.

Global Food Regulators Summit 2023: Enhancing Food Safety and Regulation
The Global Food Regulators Summit 2023, a G-20 event being held in Delhi, has become a platform for food regulators from over 40 countries to collaborate on food safety and regulatory aspects. The Sangrah regulatory platform serves as a comprehensive database of food regulatory authorities from 76 countries globally.

National Highway Projects: Enhancing Connectivity
Infrastructure development observed a boost with the inauguration of two National Highway projects in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. These projects are expected to improve connectivity and spur economic growth in the region.

NTPC Recognised at the ET HR World Future Skills Awards 2023
The NTPC bagged awards in two categories at the ET HR World Future Skills Awards 2023 for using AI/AR/VR in learning and upskilling and for its advances in creating extended enterprise learning programs.

Affordable 'Bharat Dal' for Consumers
The government has launched the sale of subsidised Chana Dal under the brand name 'Bharat Dal' to provide affordable prices for consumers. This move is seen as a significant step towards ensuring food security in the country.

Indian Athlete Clinches Gold in Para Athletics
In the field of sports, Indian athlete Ajit Singh secured a gold medal in the men's javelin throw F46 at the Para Athletics Championships in Paris, contributing another achievement to Indian athletics.

CRCS-Sahara Refund Portal: Addressing Grievances
The launch of the 'CRCS-Sahara Refund Portal' by Union Home Minister and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah will streamline the submission of valid claims by genuine depositors of the Sahara Group of Co-operative Societies. This initiative is aimed at protecting the interests of cooperative members in India.

Political Stalwart Oommen Chandy and His Influence
Oommen Chandy, an influential figure in Kerala politics, continues to contribute to the political landscape after five decades. His impact on the local politics is worth studying for competitive exams.

Revival of Namda Art: Highlighting Skill India's Impact
World Youth Skills Day underscores the importance of skill development among the youth. The successful revival of the dying Namda Art of Jammu and Kashmir through the Skill India project is a testament to this initiative's impact.

AI for India 2.0: Future-proofing Indian Youth
The AI for India 2.0 program aims to future-proof India's youth by offering AI skill training and enhancing employability. The program underscores the importance of easy accessibility of AI learning, language inclusivity, and expanding training in cutting-edge technologies.

India-UAE Pact: Promoting Use of Local Currencies
India and the UAE have signed a pact to establish a Local Currency Settlement System (LCSS) to promote the use of Indian Rupee and UAE Dirham for cross-border transactions. This development is crucial in terms of reducing transaction costs and settlement times, as well as facilitating payments for imports of oil and other commodities from the UAE.

IIT Delhi Sets Foot in Abu Dhabi

The establishment of an IIT Delhi campus in Abu Dhabi aims to strengthen India's global educational footprint and improve bilateral ties between India and the UAE.

New Cicada Species Discovered
The discovery of a new cicada species, Purana cheeveeda, in South India underscores the importance of biodiversity conservation and the challenges posed by human activities, climate change, and the use of pesticides.

Razorpay: Pioneering International Payment Gateway
In the world of finance, Razorpay has marked a milestone by launching its first international payment gateway in Malaysia. This strategic move will serve businesses effectively, leading to a considerable increase in transaction value.

IIT Roorkee Honours Research Excellence

In the realm of academia, IIT Roorkee has announced the Research Awards 2022 to commend the extraordinary contributions of the institute's awardees. The awards include the Khosla National Award in Science, the HRED Hydro and Renewable Energy Award, and the A.S. Arya Aapda Nivaran Puraskar. Recipients include notable personalities like Dr. Kanishka Biswas, Dr. RP Saini, and Professor DP Kanungo. Dr. Satish Chandra was also honoured with the SR Mehra Memorial Award for his significant contributions to teaching and research in Civil Engineering.

SMS Tariffs: A Topic of Debate

The definition of 'international traffic' that determines the cost of international SMS messages is currently under discussion. It's an important topic to understand from the perspective of telecom regulations and their impacts on consumers and telecom operators.
Smart Windows: The Future of Energy Efficiency
Smart windows, which can switch between transparency and opacity, are being hailed as a significant step forward in energy efficiency and privacy control.

E. moshkovskii: Emerging as a Leading Pathogen
A study has shown that Entamoeba moshkovskii is emerging as a leading cause of diarrhoea outbreaks in the Kolkata region, surpassing E. histolytica.

Potential Ecological Impact of Gambusia Fish
The release of Gambusia fish for mosquito control in Andhra Pradesh raises concerns about potential harm to native species and the overall ecosystem balance.

Stay tuned for more such daily updates and stay ahead in your preparation for competitive exams.