Daily GK Update- 11th Aug, 2025

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Cabinet Approves ₹2,157 Crore 4-Lane Marakkanam–Puducherry NH-332A Project in Tamil Nadu: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the construction of a 4-lane 46 km stretch from Marakkanam to Puducherry on NH-332A in Tamil Nadu, under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM), with a total capital cost of ₹2,157 crore.The project aims to upgrade the congested existing 2-lane corridor to a 4-lane configuration, improving traffic flow, safety, and connectivity for rapidly growing towns including Chennai, Puducherry, Viluppuram, and Nagapattinam.The upgraded corridor will link with NH-32, NH-332, SH-136, and SH-203, while also connecting to two railway stations, two airports, and one minor port, boosting economic, social, and logistics integration in the region.

 

2. Second Edition of UN Women’s ‘She Leads II’ Programme inaugurated in New Delhi: Union Minister Annpurna Devi inaugurated the second edition of UN Women’s flagship capacity-building programme SheLeads II in New Delhi, a two-day workshop organised by UN Women India Country Office.The programme follows the enactment of the Women’s Reservation Act, 2023, which mandates 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies, aiming to strengthen women’s leadership in governance.SheLeads seeks to advance gender equality in public and political leadership by equipping women with skills, networks, and support to contest upcoming elections, bringing together grassroots leaders, elected representatives, and administrators from across India.

 

3. Rahul Singh Gets Two-Year Extension as CBSE Chairperson: Senior IAS officer Rahul Singh, from the 1996 Bihar cadre, has received a two-year extension as Chairperson of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).He was first appointed to the position on March 13, 2024, and his tenure will now continue until November 11, 2027.The extension was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), as stated in an order issued by the Personnel Ministry.

 

4. Zomato Appoints Shah Rukh Khan as Brand Ambassador for ‘Fuel Your Hustle’ Campaign: Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has been roped in by Zomato as the face of its ‘Fuel Your Hustle’ campaign, which celebrates the hard work and determination of people across India who relentlessly pursue their dreams.Zomato’s marketing head, Sahibjeet Singh Sawhney, stated that SRK’s journey from struggle to becoming a global icon resonates with everyone who believes in “hard work and consistency.”

 

5. India’s First Smart Intelligent Village: The village of Satnavri in rural Nagpur is at the forefront of India’s rural digital transformation. Selected under a state-backed pilot project, it aims to become the nation’s first ‘Smart Intelligent Village’. The initiative integrates advanced technology into daily rural life, covering agriculture, education, healthcare, governance, and finance. This project reflects a new model for holistic rural development using modern digital tools. The pilot was approved by Maharashtra’s Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis after a detailed blueprint presentation by the Voice of Indian Communication Technology Enterprises (VOICE). Satnavri was chosen for its small population of around 1,800, good connectivity, and readiness for infrastructure upgrades. Key officials including the divisional commissioner and district collector supported the selection, denoting the village’s suitability for a manageable and replicable model. Agriculture is the core focus. The village uses drone-assisted farming, smart irrigation, and soil sensors to improve productivity. Farmers receive real-time alerts on soil health, weather, and harvest timings through mobile interfaces. Data-driven farming helps optimise resource use and increase yields. Crop dashboards provide actionable insights, enabling farmers to plan better and access market forecasts.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. 10 August – World Biofuel Day: World Biofuel Day is observed every year on August 10 to raise awareness about the importance of non-fossil fuels as an alternative source of energy.It highlights the role of biofuels in reducing carbon emissions, promoting cleaner energy, and ensuring energy security, especially in agricultural and rural economies.Theme 2025 – The BioE3 WayThe day commemorates Sir Rudolf Diesel, who, on 10 August 1893, successfully ran a mechanical engine with peanut oil. His experiment demonstrated the possibility of using vegetable oil as an engine fuel, which later evolved into modern biofuels.

 

2. 10 August – World Lion Day: World Lion Day is observed every year on 10 August to raise awareness about the conservation of lions and to highlight the threats faced by this majestic species.The day was first celebrated in 2013, initiated by Big Cat Rescue and partners, to educate people about the importance of lions in the ecosystem and the urgent need to protect their habitats.Lions are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, with their population declining due to habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict. The day aims to promote global action to conserve lions, especially African lions and the Asiatic lions found in India’s Gir Forest.

 

3. 2025 Numbeo Index: India ranked 67th globally in the mid-2025 Numbeo Safety Index with a score of 55.8. Globally, Middle Eastern cities dominate the top safety positions, with Abu Dhabi leading for the ninth consecutive year. Mangalore tops the list with a safety index of 74.2. It ranks 49th worldwide. Its low crime rates and effective civic infrastructure contribute to this. Gujarat dominates with three cities – Vadodara (69.2), Ahmedabad (68.2), and Surat (66.6). Southern cities like Thiruvananthapuram and Chennai also feature in the top 10, reflecting good urban governance. The Numbeo Safety Index is based on public perception. It measures safety during day and night. Factors include risks of mugging, robbery, car theft, physical attacks, and harassment. Discrimination based on skin colour, ethnicity, gender, or religion is considered. Property crimes such as burglary and vandalism, and violent crimes like assault and homicide, are also included. Higher scores indicate safer cities.

1. Great Barrier Reef Suffers Steepest Coral Decline: The Great Barrier Reef (GBR) has experienced its most severe loss of hard coral cover in nearly 40 years. The 2024 mass coral bleaching event, driven by climate change-induced heat stress, cyclones and crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks, devastated large parts of the reef. An annual survey by the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) revealed that nearly half of the surveyed reefs showed a decline in coral cover. The reef faces increasing threats from frequent bleaching and environmental stresses, pushing the ecosystem closer to collapse. The GBR has endured five major mass bleaching events since 2016. The 2024 event was part of the ongoing global bleaching crisis that began in 2023. Surveys between August 2024 and May 2025 covered 124 reefs across northern, central and southern regions. Nearly 48 per cent of reefs showed coral decline, 42 per cent remained stable, and only 10 per cent improved. The bleaching was most intense in northern and central areas, with some reefs experiencing up to 60 per cent bleaching prevalence.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. India’s Joint Doctrines for Cyberspace and Amphibious Operations: India’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan, formally released declassified Joint Doctrines for Cyberspace Operations and Amphibious Operations. This move enhances transparency and promotes wider understanding of integrated war-fighting concepts. These doctrines provide a unified framework for the Indian Armed Forces to operate cohesively across multiple domains. They reflect India’s strategic intent to modernise defence capabilities and strengthen joint operations among the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Cyberspace is a global domain comprising interconnected networks, communication systems, and data infrastructures. It functions as a critical operational environment where information flows and military activities occur. The doctrine outlines a combined offensive and defensive cyber strategy. It stresses threat-informed planning, real-time intelligence sharing, and resilience. The doctrine promotes synchronised cyber operations across all services. It addresses challenges such as anonymity of attackers and evolving technological threats. Legal and ethical compliance is emphasised to maintain legitimacy.

 

2. Punjab Deploys Baaj Akh Anti-Drone System: Punjab has taken a major step in combating drug and weapon smuggling across its border with Pakistan. Recently, the state government launched the Baaj Akh Anti-Drone System (ADS), becoming the first in India to deploy such technology along an international border. This initiative forms part of Punjab’s intensified War Against Drugs campaign. Punjab shares a sensitive 553-kilometre border with Pakistan, a hotspot for narcotics and arms smuggling. In recent years, drones have become a favoured method for traffickers. In 2024, authorities seized 283 drones carrying heroin, weapons, and ammunition. Recently, 137 drones have already been intercepted. To counter this, Punjab deployed three ADS units with plans to add six more soon. The Baaj Akh system, meaning Hawk Eye, uses advanced technology to detect drones and their ground control stations. It automatically alerts authorities without the need for manual monitoring. This system provides a second line of defence after the Border Security Force (BSF), with the Punjab Police coordinating closely with BSF, the Army, and the Air Force.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Sea of Galilee Turns Red : The Sea of Galilee in Israel displayed an unusual red hue over several days. Israeli authorities have investigated and explained the phenomenon as a natural occurrence linked to algae growth. The event marks growing concerns about climate change and its impact on freshwater ecosystems worldwide. The Sea of Galilee, Israel’s largest freshwater lake, changed colour to red due to an algal bloom. Officials confirmed the water remains safe for humans. The green algae Botryococcus braunii, common in the lake, produces red pigments under sunlight. This pigment accumulation caused the striking red tint. The Water Ministry continues to monitor the lake’s water quality and ecosystem health. Botryococcus braunii is a green algae from the Chlorophyta group. It produces carotenoid pigments that turn red in sunlight. Known for producing hydrocarbons, this algae is studied for biofuel potential. Its sudden bloom in the Sea of Galilee is unusual but not harmful to humans. Similar algae blooms have been recorded in Israel before, including in the Dead Sea area in 2022.

 

2. Quantum Magnetic Navigation System: Recent conflicts highlight the growing importance of remote warfare. Modern battles increasingly depend on jets, missiles, and drones operating without large troop deployments. Satellite navigation systems such as GPS (USA), Glonass (Russia), Galileo (EU), and BeiDou (China) play a critical role in guiding these platforms over long distances. However, adversaries now target these satellite signals through jamming, spoofing, and meaconing to disrupt navigation. This has exposed vulnerabilities and driven the search for alternative navigation technologies. Among these, the Quantum Magnetic Navigation System (QMNS) has emerged as a promising solution. Satellite navigation is vulnerable to electronic warfare. Jamming floods receivers with noise. Spoofing sends false location data. Meaconing rebroadcasts delayed or altered signals. Natural phenomena like solar flares also degrade signal quality. In conflict zones such as Ukraine, West Asia, and South Asia, these tactics have become common. This necessitates navigation systems that do not rely solely on satellites.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. GAIL and HCL Join Hands to Explore and Develop Critical Mineral Resources : GAIL and Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL) have signed an MoU to jointly explore and develop critical mineral resources in India and abroad.The collaboration aims to boost India’s self-reliance in vital minerals and support the clean energy and technology sectors.DPIIT Signs MoU with HDFC Capital to Boost Innovation in Affordable Housing and PropTech through H@ART ProgrammeDPIIT Signs MoU with Roche India to Boost Innovation and Startup Growth in Healthcare SectorDPIIT Signs MoU with Ather Energy to Boost EV Manufacturing and Empower Startup Ecosystem

 

2. DSP Mutual Fund Launches Flexicap Quality Index Fund: DSP Mutual Fund introduced the DSP

Nifty500 Flexicap Quality 30 Index Fund. This fund is India’s first low-cost flexicap strategy that blends quality stock selection with dynamic market capitalisation allocation. It aims to help investors confidently navigate changing equity markets through a rules-based, automated approach. The fund’s New Fund Offer (NFO) period was from 8 to 22 August 2025. It replicates the Nifty500 Flexicap Quality 30 Index, which selects 30 fundamentally strong companies. These companies are equally divided across large, mid, and small cap segments. The fund uses a passive investment style to reduce costs and complexity for investors. Quality stocks are chosen based on financial strength. Key parameters include high return on equity (ROE), low debt levels, and consistent earnings growth. This ensures the fund invests only in companies with robust fundamentals. The equal weighting within each segment avoids concentration risk.

 

3. UPI Data and Tax Compliance Challenges in Small Businesses: The rapid rise of Unified Payments Interface (UPI) usage in India has transformed digital payments. By 2025, UPI transactions reached ₹260 lakh crore annually, capturing 28% of retail payments. However, this surge has presented new challenges for tax authorities and small vendors. The Karnataka Commercial Taxes Department’s use of UPI data to identify tax evaders sparked protests from small traders. This situation marks the complex balance between digitisation, transparency, and the concerns of small businesses. UPI started as a peer-to-peer payment method but has expanded to merchant payments. In FY25, 70% of UPI transactions were peer-to-peer and 30% peer-to-merchant. The share of NEFT payments declined from 61% in FY18 to 48% in FY25, showing a shift towards instant digital payments. This growth reflects convenience but also creates a digital trail for all transactions.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Telangana awarded with maximum number of organ donations in the country: Telangana recorded the highest organ donation rate in India in 2024, with 4.88 donations per 10 lakh population compared to the national average of 0.8, earning the state an award from the Union Health Ministry and NOTTO.The recognition was given for the state’s Jeevandan programme, with State Health Minister D. Rajanarsimha highlighting the recent adoption of the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act (THOTA) to ensure equitable access to organs.

Under the Aarogyasri scheme, organ transplant surgeries are provided free of cost; in 2024 alone, organs from 188 donors saved 725 lives in Telangana.