Daily Current Affairs- 29th July 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 29th July 2025

PM Modi Launches ‘Gyan Bharatam Mission’ to Digitise Ancient Manuscripts

In the News: Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the ‘Gyan Bharatam Mission’, a national initiative to digitise and preserve ancient manuscripts, as announced during the 124th episode of Mann Ki Baat. The mission aims to survey, document, and conserve over one crore (10 million) ancient manuscripts held in institutions, museums, libraries, and private collections throughout India.

Key Points:

• Mission Launch & Announcement: PM Modi officially introduced the Gyan Bharatam Mission in his Mann Ki Baat broadcast on July 27, 2025, declaring the project a historic step towards safeguarding India’s intellectual legacy.
• Scope & Target: The mission targets the digitisation and conservation of more than one crore manuscripts located across academic institutions, museums, libraries, and private repositories.
• Creation of National Digital Repository (NDR): Post-digitisation, all manuscripts will be consolidated into a publicly accessible National Digital Repository, enabling global access for students, educators, and researchers to India’s knowledge traditions.
• Budget Allocation & Institutional Restructuring: The initiative was formalised in the 2025–26 Union Budget, significantly increasing funding from ₹3.5 crore to ₹60 crore within the newly renamed Gyan Bharatam Mission (formerly National Mission for Manuscripts under IGNCA). The four-year Central Sector Scheme spanning 2024–31 has been allocated a total of ₹482.85 crore for comprehensive implementation. 

Exercise Drone Prahar

In the News: The Indian Army carried out Exercise Drone Prahar in Rayang, situated in Arunachal Pradesh’s East Siang district. The drill was aimed at validating the integration of drone technology into tactical battlefield operations and enhancing situational awareness for commanders.

Key Points:

• Exercise Launch & Location: The exercise was conducted at the military station in Rayang, East Siang district, Arunachal Pradesh, under operational conditions reflecting realistic battlefield scenarios. It was observed by Lieutenant General Abhijeet S. Pendharkar, General Officer Commanding of Spear Corps.
• Objective: The primary goal was to validate the use of drones in tactical operations—specifically for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR) and sensor‑to‑shooter coordination, enhancing commanders’ situational awareness and command reach.
• Operational Execution: Exercise scenarios included real-time precision targeting based on live surveillance feeds, layered drone surveillance, and dynamic decision-making support to ground commanders.
• Technical Evaluations: The drill also tested critical systems essential for drone integration, including airspace deconfliction, secure communications, and coordination protocols across various arms and services to ensure seamless interoperability. 

EU and US Seal Landmark Trade Deal with 15% Tariffs

In the News: The United States and the European Union sealed a landmark trade agreement to avert a looming tariff war, agreeing to a 15% U.S. import tariff on most EU exports—down from a previously threatened 30% rate. The deal was announced following a high-level meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at Turnberry, Scotland.

Key Points:

• Tariff Agreement: The U.S. will impose a 15% baseline tariff on EU goods—including automobiles, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and related industrial products—effective August 1, replacing earlier proposals for tariffs up to 30%.
• Scope & Sectoral Carve-Outs: Tariffs on steel, aluminum, and copper remain at 50%, though future quota-based reductions are planned. Select goods—such as aircraft parts, some agricultural products, and certain medical devices—are to be exempted from duties on both sides under a reciprocal framework.
• Commitments & Investments: The EU has pledged to invest $600 billion in the U.S. economy and purchase $750 billion in U.S. energy products by 2028. The agreement also includes plans for major EU acquisition of American military equipment, and elimination of tariffs on many U.S. industrial exports.
• Asymmetry & Economic Criticism: Analysts warn the deal is uneven: U.S. exports to the EU face no reciprocal tariffs, while EU exporters bear the full 15%. The agreement is expected to raise consumer prices in the U.S. (estimated average household income loss of ~US $2,400) and may shave about 2% off EU GDP.
• Political and Strategic Context: The EU’s acceptance of higher tariffs is partly seen as a trade-off for maintaining strong S. security support, particularly regarding NATO and defense cooperation amid Russian threats. Critics in Europe call the deal a sign of EU strategic weakness.
• Future Negotiations & Uncertainties: Diverging interpretations have already emerged—especially around pharmaceutical tariffs and the binding nature of investment commitments. The U.S. claims immediate effect, while EU officials say key elements await clarification and further legislative support. 

Turkey Unveils Gazap: The World’s Most Powerful Non-Nuclear Bomb

In the News: Turkey unveiled Gazap (“Wrath” in Turkish), its most powerful non‑nuclear aircraft bomb at the 17th International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF 2025) in Istanbul. The 970 kg thermobaric fragmentation weapon has been hailed as one of the most devastating conventional bombs ever built.

Key Points:

• Bomb Unveiling & Design: Gazap is a 970 kg (2,000 lb) MK‑84-class aircraft bomb with an advanced thermobaric warhead, showcased alongside the NEB‑2 “Hayalet” bunker‑buster at IDEF 2025.
• Fragmentation & Devastation: Engineered for maximum lethal impact, Gazap disperses 10,000 fragments within a 1 km radius, achieving 16 fragments per square meter, compared to ~3/m² in standard MK-series bombs—making it three times more powerful than its conventional counterparts.
• Thermobaric Overpressure & Heat: The bomb’s thermobaric design generates temperatures up to ~3,000 °C, melting steel, concrete, and human tissue instantly. It creates a massive overpressure wave, followed by a 160‑meter wide smoke and debris cloud visible in test footage.
• Deployment Platforms: Compatible with Turkey’s F‑16 and legacy F‑4 aircraft, with plans underway to adapt Gazap for drone deployment in the future.
• Concurrent Military Advances: Alongside Gazap, Turkey introduced the NEB‑2 Ghost (Hayalet), capable of penetrating up to 7 meters of C50 reinforced concrete, and the hypersonic Tayfun Block 4 missile, showcasing its deep‑strike and strategic weapons development ambitions.
• Strategic Implications: Military analysts consider Gazap a step below nuclear weapons in destructive capacity. The introduction of such a weapon highlights Turkey’s increasing defense self-reliance and technological advancement, and has raised strategic concerns in regions like South Asia—especially given Turkey’s growing defense ties with Pakistan. 

Thailand And Cambodia Truce Agreement

In the News: Thailand and Cambodia signed an immediate and unconditional ceasefire (truce agreement) to halt five days of intense fighting along their disputed border. The accord, reached during peace talks in Putrajaya, Malaysia under the mediation of Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim and diplomatic pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, took effect at midnight local time.

Key Points:

• Truce Agreement & Mediation: The ceasefire was agreed during Malaysian‑hosted talks including Prime Ministers Hun Manet (Cambodia) and Phumtham Wechayachai (Thailand), with significant involvement from the U.S. and China. It was declared "immediate and unconditional" and intended to stop the border conflict that had escalated rapidly in late July 2025.
• Conflict Overview & Human Cost: Hostilities began around July 24, 2025, following cross‑border incidents between Cambodian and Thai soldiers. The clashes killed at least 43 people and displaced over 300,000 citizens on both sides of the border .
• Terms & Implementation Mechanisms: The truce required both sides to halt troop movement, cease strikes, and facilitate the return of casualties. Military commanders were scheduled to meet immediately, followed by a regional Committee session on August 4 in Cambodia. Additionally, mechanisms for monitoring compliance through international observers were established ([turn0news20]turn0news16]turn0news14]).
• Early Compliance & Alleged Violations: While shelling ceased and calm returned to many border areas, Thailand accused Cambodian forces of multiple ceasefire violations—such as firing rifles and grenade launchers—particularly in Sisaket Province. Cambodia denied these claims and reaffirmed its full adherence to the agreement, urging independent monitoring to build mutual confidence .
• Strategic Leverage & Diplomatic Catalyst: Analysts highlight that U.S. pressure — specifically a threatened 36% trade tariff on both countries — was instrumental in compelling negotiations. President Trump later touted the ceasefire as a diplomatic success linked to trade leverage .
• Regional Implications & Future Risks: The truce halts the worst Thailand–Cambodia violence in over a decade, but unresolved territorial disputes and nationalist politics continue to pose risks. ASEAN’s muted response, China’s neutral stance, and internal power dynamics complicate long-term peace. Ongoing diplomatic engagement and sustained monitoring are seen as essential for durable resolution . 

Kaziranga Ranks Third Globally in Tiger Density

In the News: Figures from the “Status of Tigers in Kaziranga, 2024” survey revealed that Kaziranga Tiger Reserve in Assam now ranks third globally in tiger density, with a population density of 18.65 tigers per 100 sq km. This achievement was marked on International Tiger Day and represents a significant milestone in Indian wildlife conservation.

Key Points:

• Tiger Density & Global Ranking: Kaziranga has reached the world’s third-highest tiger density, trailing only Bandipur Tiger Reserve in Karnataka (19.83 per 100 sq km) and Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand (19.56 per 100 sq km).
• Population Growth: The count of adult tigers rose from 104 in 2022 to 148 in 2024, including 83 females, 55 males, and 10 individuals of undetermined sex.
• Survey Methodology & Effort: The 103-day survey, conducted between December 2023 and April 2024 under NTCA Phase IV protocols, used 293 camera traps across 1,307 sq km, resulting in 4,011 tiger images over 13,157 trap-nights. Expansion of Habitat Coverage:
  For the first time, the Biswanath Wildlife Division was included in sampling, contributing 27 tigers. Meanwhile, Eastern Assam Wildlife Division’s count increased from 104 to 115, and Nagaon Division remained steady at six tigers. This expansion added 200 sq km under protection—including parts of Burhachapori–Laokhowa sanctuaries—enhancing tiger movement and reproduction potential
• Advanced Monitoring & Anti-Poaching Technologies:The reserve leveraged modern tools—camera traps, drones, M-STrIPES, and "Electronic Eye" surveillance systems—to boost real-time tracking, habitat monitoring, and anti-poaching efficiency.
• Community & Staff Involvement: Key contributors include dedicated forest staff—such as 113 female rangers known as “Van Durgas”—along with local community participation in monitoring, biodiversity counting, and conservation outreach.