Daily GK Update- 21st Aug, 2025

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Cabinet Approves ₹1507 Crore Green Field Airport Project at Kota-Bundi, Rajasthan: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by PM Narendra Modi, approved the Airports Authority of India’s proposal for the development of a Green Field Airport at Kota-Bundi, Rajasthan, with an estimated cost of ₹1507 crore.The Government of Rajasthan has provided 440.06 hectares of land to AAI for the project, which will accommodate A-321 type aircraft.The new airport will feature a 20,000 sqm terminal building with a capacity of handling 1000 peak-hour passengers and 2 million passengers annually, along with a 3200m x 45m runway, 7 aircraft parking bays, taxiways, ATC block, fire station, and car park.Currently, Kota Airport has limited facilities, including a 1220m runway suitable for Code ‘B’ aircraft (DO-228) and a terminal building of just 400 sqm handling only 50 passengers at peak hours.

 

2. NABL Launches New Medical Application Portal for ISO 15189:2022 Applicant Laboratories: The National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL), under the Quality Council of India (QCI), launched a new Medical Application Portal for ISO 15189:2022 applicant laboratories during a virtual event titled “GOING LIVE”.The portal is designed to enhance ease, efficiency, and transparency in the accreditation process, with features like a restructured application flow, standardized templates, pre-registration checklist, and intuitive interface.It also provides multi-user access, enabling labs to assign multiple users with distinct roles, thereby improving data entry speed, oversight, and accountability throughout the accreditation lifecycle.

 

3. Press Registrar General Launches ‘Press Sewa’ Portal to Simplify Newspaper, Periodical Registration: Press Registrar General of India (PRGI) has launched the Press Sewa portal as a single-window digital platform.The portal will simplify and speed up registration for newspapers and periodicals across India. It is designed to enhance transparency, reduce approval delays, and improve ease of doing business for publishers.The initiative will remove bureaucratic hurdles and provide clarity in the registration process. The announcement was made during Vartalap, an interaction programme organised by Press Information Bureau (PIB) Hyderabad under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting

 

4. Passes Bill to Establish 22nd IIM in Guwahati with ₹555 Crore Investment: Rajya Sabha passed the IIM (Amendment) Bill, 2025, approving the establishment of the 22nd IIM in Guwahati with a government investment of ₹555 crore; admissions will begin from the current academic year after Presidential assent.The Bill was passed in the absence of Opposition members, who boycotted the debate demanding a discussion on Bihar’s Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls; the House also witnessed disruptions during the session.Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan highlighted that while only 13 IIMs were set up between 1961 and 2014, the Modi government has added nine more, increasing student intake from 3,500 in 2013-14 to 9,800 in 2024-25, reflecting the government’s commitment to higher education

5. Varanasi Becomes First City to Install Removable Solar Panels Between Railway Tracks: Varanasi became the first city in India to install portable solar panels between railway tracks, as part of Indian Railways’ mission to achieve net-zero emissions and promote sustainable energy.

Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW) made history by commissioning the country’s first 70-meter removable solar panel system (28 panels, 15 kW power) on active tracks, inaugurated by General Manager Naresh Pal Singh.The panels are installed on sleepers and support beams under the tracks using an indigenously designed installation process, ensuring smooth placement without disrupting rail traffic.This pilot project allows the solar panels to be easily removed during track maintenance, aligning with Indian Railways’ long-term vision of renewable energy adoption and climate change mitigation.

 

6. Bihar Cabinet Cuts BPSC Preliminary Exam Fee to ₹100: The Bihar state cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, has approved reducing the preliminary examination fee to just ₹100 for BPSC and other government competitive exams, while no fee will be charged for the mains.The revised fee structure will apply to exams conducted by BPSC, BSSC, BTSC, BPSSC, and the Central Constable Selection Board, Bihar, providing major relief to economically weaker candidates.This decision, first announced by CM Nitish Kumar during the 79th Independence Day celebrations at Gandhi Maidan, Patna, reduces the preliminary exam fee by nearly eight times compared to earlier charges.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Kalai-II Hydroelectric Project: The Kalai-II Hydroelectric Project in Arunachal Pradesh is moving forward with recent public hearings held for environmental clearance. The 1,200 MW project is planned on the Lohit River in Anjaw district and is developed by THDC India Limited. This initiative is part of efforts to boost sustainable energy and regional development in Northeast India. Kalai-II is a run-of-river hydropower project with pondage. It involves a concrete gravity dam, coffer dams, diversion and intake tunnels, pressure shafts, an underground powerhouse, surge chamber, and a tail race tunnel. The reservoir capacity is 318.8 million cubic metres, with a gross head of 125 metres. The project will have six turbines, each rated at 190 MW.

 

2. India’s New Online Gaming Bill: The Government of India introduced Bill No. 110 of 2025, titled The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, in the Lok Sabha. Passed swiftly, the Bill marks shift from the earlier Information Technology Intermediary Rules of 2023. It aims to regulate online gaming but imposes a blanket ban on real money gaming formats. This move threatens the future of Indian online gaming start-ups and foreign direct investment in the sector. The Bill was introduced amid ongoing confusion over definitions of gambling and betting by various states. Courts, including high courts and the Supreme Court, have previously overturned state bans on real money games. Despite this, the Bill proposes a comprehensive ban on online games involving any form of monetary stakes. It still encourages e-sports, educational games, and social gaming but prohibits real money gaming operations.

3. Lipulekh Pass Dispute: India announced the resumption of border trade with China through the Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand. Nepal objected strongly, claiming the area as its territory. India rejected Nepal’s objections citing historical evidence and long-standing trade practices since 1954. The dispute involves the tri-junction region of Kalapani, Limpiyadhura, and Lipulekh, which Nepal includes in its official map and constitution. India insists the claims are baseless and invites Nepal for dialogue to resolve outstanding boundary issues. The India-Nepal border was defined by the 1816 Sugauli Treaty, which set the Kali River as the boundary. Nepal claims the river’s source lies at Limpiyadhura, placing Kalapani and Lipulekh within its territory. India argues the river originates further downstream, making these areas part of Uttarakhand. Both countries rely on British-era maps to support their claims. The dispute has persisted since the 1960s without final resolution.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. Govt approves procurement of 97 Tejas jets for IAF: The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by PM Narendra Modi, approved the procurement of 97 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk-1A and 6 advanced AEW&C aircraft for the Indian Air Force at a total cost of around ₹85,000 crore.Of the total, the Tejas fighter jet procurement will cost about ₹67,000 crore, while the AEW&C project is estimated at ₹18,000 crore, with second-hand Airbus-321 planes from Air India being modified for the surveillance role.The decision comes nearly four years after the February 2021 deal worth ₹48,000 crore for 83 Tejas Mk-1A jets with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).The new procurement aims to strengthen the IAF’s combat fleet, as it currently has only 31 fighter squadrons against the sanctioned 42, with Tejas Mk-1A expected to replace the ageing MiG-21 fleet and enhance India’s indigenous defence capabilities.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. IIT Madras licenses India’s first silicon photonics-based quantum RNG: IIT Madras has indigenously developed India’s first silicon photonics-based high-speed Quantum Random Number Generator (QRNG) and licensed it for commercial deployment to Indrarka Quantum Technologies Pvt Ltd in a ₹1 crore agreement.The technology, developed at the Centre for Programmable Photonic Integrated Circuits and Systems (CPPICS), IIT Madras, is expected to play a key role in strengthening India’s quantum innovation and security ecosystem.Earlier, a prototype QRNG module was delivered to DRDO’s DYSL-QT, while an advanced version was successfully deployed at SETS Chennai for quantum security applications.

 

 

 

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. GST rate rejig to give ₹1.98 trillion consumption boost: SBI report: The Centre has proposed a simplified two-rate GST structure of 5% (merit goods) and 18% (standard goods), along with a 40% levy on 5–7 demerit goods like pan masala and tobacco, replacing the current multi-slab system of 5%, 12%, 18% and 28%.SBI Research estimated that while the reform may cause an annual revenue loss of ₹85,000 crore, it will boost consumption by ₹1.98 lakh crore, contributing around 0.6% increase in GDP without triggering inflation.The decline in GST rates on essentials like food and clothing (from 12% to 5%) could reduce CPI inflation by 20–25 basis points overall, with a 10–15 bps drop in food inflation and an additional 5–10 bps reduction from services rate rationalisation.With income tax cuts announced in the Union Budget and GST 2.0 combined, the total consumption expenditure boost is estimated at ₹5.31 lakh crore (1.6% of GDP), with discussions scheduled in the GST Council after state finance ministers’ panel review.

 

2. India Exim Bank signs $40 million credit line deal with Africa’s ECOWAS Bank: India Exim Bank signed a $40 million commercial credit line agreement with the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) to boost bilateral economic cooperation.The partnership will create opportunities for Indian companies in African infrastructure projects, leveraging India’s cost-effective and adaptable goods and services. Exim Bank of India plays a key role in promoting India’s international trade and investments, while EBID, owned by 15 ECOWAS member states, supports regional development financing.

 

3. PNB becomes first PSU bank to migrate to Secure ‘.bank.in’ domain: State-owned Punjab National Bank (PNB) has successfully migrated its corporate website to ‘.bank.in’ domain (https://pnb.bank.in), in line with RBI circular and under the guidance of Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology (IDRBT).With this move, PNB has become the first public sector bank in the country to migrate its corporate website to the secure ‘.bank.in’ domain reaffirming its commitment to customer safe and secure digital banking.The ‘.bank.in’ domain is reserved exclusively for banks, providing stronger safeguards to combat frauds, strengthen the cybersecurity framework and enhance public confidence in the digital banking.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Rajasthan’s Manika Vishwakarma Crowned Miss Universe India 2025: Rajasthan’s Manika Vishwakarma was crowned Miss Universe India 2025 in Jaipur, taking over the title from Rhea Singha.Tanya Sharma (UP) was the first runner-up, Mehak Dhingra (Haryana) the second runner-up, and Amishi Kaushik the third runner-up.Manika, originally from Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan and now in Delhi, is a final-year Political Science & Economics student and had earlier won Miss Universe Rajasthan 2024.She will represent India at the 74th Miss Universe pageant in Thailand (November 2025); India’s past winners include Sushmita Sen (1994), Lara Dutta (2000), and Harnaaz Sandhu (2021).

Daily GK Update- 20th Aug, 2025

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. South-Central Railway Makes History as Five Key Departments Come Under Women Leadership: For the first time, South-Central Railway (SCR) has five crucial departments — Operations, Commercial, Finance, Security, and Medical — being led by women officers.Key officials include K. Padmaja (Operations), Ity Pandey (Commercial), Aroma Singh Thakur (Security), Dr. Nirmala Narasimhan (Medical), and T. Hema Suneetha (Finance).These officers are responsible for vital functions such as train operations, passenger services, revenue growth, security initiatives, and healthcare management across the zone.

 

2. Centre Releases ₹36,027 Crore to States under SASCI Scheme; UP Gets Highest Allocation in FY26: The Centre has released ₹36,027 crore till 11 August 2025 to states and UTs under the Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Expenditure and Investment (SASCI); since its launch in FY21, a total of ₹3.66 lakh crore has been disbursed.The scheme incentivises states for reforms in sectors like land-related reforms (rural areas) and industrial growth regulations; in FY25, 22 states availed incentives for both, though none could utilise the incentive linked to urban land reforms.SASCI, launched in FY21 with ₹12,000 crore, has become a major policy lever, offering 50-year interest-free loans; allocations have grown to ₹1.5 lakh crore annually in FY25 and FY26.In FY26 (till 11 August 2025), the top recipients were Uttar Pradesh (₹6,065.96 crore), followed by Bihar (₹3,136 crore). Rajasthan (₹2,669 crore), Madhya Pradesh (₹2,618 crore) and Maharashtra (₹2,230 crore)

 

3. India’s Unemployment Rate at 5.4% in Q1 FY26; Youth Joblessness Rises to 14.6%: The unemployment rate in India for the April-June period of this financial year was 5.4%, according to the first quarterly Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) released by the National Statistics Office (NSO).The unemployment rate in rural areas was 4.8%, while in urban areas, it was higher at 6.8%, based on the Current Weekly Status (CWS) for individuals aged 15 and above.The youth unemployment rate (15–29 years) was recorded at 14.6%, with female unemployment (16%) higher than male unemployment (14.1%), highlighting stress among first-time entrants in the labour market.Current Weekly Status (CWS) Definition: A person is considered unemployed in CWS if they did not work for even one hour during the reference week but were available for or sought work for at least one hour in that week.

 

4. Centre Removes 11% Cotton Import Duty Till Sept 30 to Boost Textile Sector and Exports: The Finance Ministry has removed the 11% duty (Basic Customs Duty + AIDC) on raw cotton imports from 19 August to 30 September 2025, providing temporary relief to the textile and garment industry.This exemption is expected to benefit the entire textile value chain — yarn, fabric, garments, and made-ups — while also helping stabilize cotton prices and ensure access to high-quality, contamination-free cotton for global exports.The move, long demanded by industry bodies like CITI, aims to make Indian textiles more competitive globally as the country targets $100 billion textile exports by 2030.The US remains India’s largest market for textiles; in the first six months of 2024, exports rose 12% to $5.36 billion, while competitors like Vietnam ($8.54B, +19%) and Bangladesh ($4.36B, +24%) also strengthened their positions.

 

5. NDA Fields C.P. Radhakrishnan, INDIA Bloc Nominates B. Sudershan Reddy for Vice-Presidential Election: BJP-led NDA has declared Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan as its candidate for the upcoming Vice-Presidential election.While, INDIA bloc has nominated Former Supreme Court Judge B. Sudershan Reddy as its Vice-Presidential candidate, announced by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge.

 

6. 20 August – Sadbhavna Diwas: Sadbhavna Diwas (Goodwill Day) is observed every year on 20 August to promote national integration, peace, and harmony across India.The day commemorates the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi (20 August 1944 – 21 May 1991), who strongly advocated for unity, peace, and communal harmony in the country.

The day aims to encourage citizens to foster goodwill, national unity, and communal harmony, and highlights the importance of tolerance, brotherhood, and social cohesion.

 

7. 20 August – Indian Akshay Urja Day: Indian Akshay Urja Day is observed annually on 20 August to promote awareness about renewable energy sources and sustainable energy practices in India.The day marks the importance of alternative energy, including solar, wind, biomass, and small hydro sources, to reduce dependency on conventional fuels and tackle environmental challenges. The day aims to educate citizens, industry, and institutions about energy conservation, renewable energy adoption, and innovations in clean energy technologies.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. 20 August – World Mosquito Day: World Mosquito Day is observed every year on 20 August to raise awareness about the diseases caused by mosquitoes and promote measures to prevent them.The day commemorates Sir Ronald Ross, who discovered in 1897 that mosquitoes are the carriers of the malaria parasite. His discovery was a milestone in the fight against malaria.The day aims to educate people about mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, chikungunya, Zika, and yellow fever, and highlights the importance of prevention measures like mosquito nets, repellents, and removing stagnant water.

 

2. India-US-Russia Relations Post 2025 Alaska Summit : The August 2025 Alaska Summit between United States President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin marked moment in global diplomacy. However, its impact on India’s foreign policy and bilateral ties with the US and Russia remains complex and uncertain. India’s strategic interests faced challenges as the summit failed to produce clear outcomes beneficial to New Delhi. The Trump-Putin meeting showed warmth but no major policy shifts. India hoped the summit would ease US pressure over its ties with Russia. Expectations included rollback of US secondary sanctions on India’s Russian oil imports and resumption of stalled India-US trade talks. These hopes were dashed as US maintained a tough stance, with Trump’s senior advisor, Peter Navarro, affirming punitive tariffs aimed at India.

 

3. India’s Role in Global Food Security Progress 2025: The world is witnessing a positive shift in the fight against hunger. The latest data shows a decline in global undernourishment from 688 million in 2023 to 673 million in 2024. India has been a key player in this progress. Its efforts in food security and nutrition have helped reduce hunger amid pandemic challenges. This article explores India’s strategies and challenges in transforming food systems to ensure nutrition and sustainability. Global hunger rates peaked during the COVID-19 pandemic. The recent decline marks the first fall since 2018 but still remains above pre-pandemic levels. About 8.2% of the world’s population is undernourished in 2024. This improvement is a sign of recovery but also marks ongoing challenges in food access and affordability. India’s undernourishment rate dropped from 14.3% in 2020–22 to 12% in 2022–24. This means 30 million fewer people face hunger. The reduction is given India’s large population and pandemic disruptions. These gains reflect focused policy actions and improved service delivery systems.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. Exercise Ulchi Freedom Shield: South Korea and the United States commenced their annual large-scale joint military exercise, Ulchi Freedom Shield. This 11-day drill involves 21,000 troops, including 18,000 South Koreans. It aims to enhance preparedness against threats from nuclear-armed North Korea. The exercise comes amid heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula and ahead of a planned summit between South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung and US President Donald Trump. Ulchi Freedom Shield is designed to improve joint operational readiness. It focuses on computer-simulated command post exercises and field training. The drills prepare forces to counter nuclear, missile, drone, and other unconventional attacks. The allies describe the exercise as defensive rather than offensive. North Korea strongly opposes the drills. It views them as rehearsals for invasion and a threat to its sovereignty. Pyongyang has vowed to respond to any provocation beyond the military boundary line. North Korean officials link the exercises to increased military confrontation and continue weapons testing to advance their nuclear programme.

 

SPORTS

 

1. Bhavina Patel Creates History: Wins Gold & Silver at ITTF World Para Events, Becomes World No. 1: Bhavina Patel, Assistant Director at ESIC, Ahmedabad, won Gold Medal in Women’s Singles Class 4–5 at the ITTF World Para Elite event in Spokane, USA.Earlier, she secured a Silver Medal in the same category at the ITTF World Para Future event (6–8 August 2025) in Spokane.With these achievements, Bhavina Patel has achieved the World No. 1 ranking in Women’s Singles (Class 1–5) para table tennis.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. India Post Launches IT 2.0 – Advanced Postal Technology to Drive Digital Transformation Nationwide: India Post has launched IT 2.0 — Advanced Postal Technology (APT), marking a major step in digital transformation under the vision of PM Narendra Modi and guidance of Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia.Developed indigenously by the Centre for Excellence in Postal Technology, the system operates on the government’s MeghRaj 2.0 cloud and is supported by BSNL’s nationwide connectivity.APT introduces next-generation features such as a unified interface, QR-code-based payments, OTP-based delivery, and a unique 10-digit alphanumeric DIGIPIN to enhance accuracy and efficiency.

 

2. Russia Plans Venera-D Venus Mission Launch by 2036: Russia has planned the Venera-D mission to Venus between 2034 and 2036, after earlier Soviet Venera probes (1961–1983) captured surface images.The mission will have a lander, balloon probe, and an orbital spacecraft, with design work starting in January 2026, led by the Space Research Institute (IKI) and Lavochkin Association.The design phase will last two years, and the exact launch date will be finalized afterward, but it will surely happen before 2036.

 

3. NASA plans to build a nuclear reactor on the moon: As part of its Artemis initiative, NASA plans to establish a nuclear reactor on the Moon by 2030, following China’s announcement in April 2025 to construct a lunar nuclear power plant by 2035.The goal of NASA’s project is to return humans to the Moon and create a long-term sustainable presence on the lunar surface.The Artemis mission — an acronym for Acceleration, Reconnection, Turbulence, and Electrodynamics of Moon’s Interaction with the Sun — is NASA’s second major effort to land astronauts on the Moon.Often referred to as NASA’s “back-to-the-Moon” program, the mission is named after Artemis, the Greek goddess of the Moon and twin sister of Apollo.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Jan Vishwas Bill 2025: The Government of India introduced the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2025 in the Lok Sabha. This Bill proposes amendments to 355 provisions across 16 Central Acts. Its primary objective is to ease the applicability of laws by decriminalising 288 minor offences and amending 67 provisions to promote ease of living. The Bill builds on the Jan Vishwas Act, 2023, which decriminalised 183 provisions in 42 Central Acts. The Bill has been referred to a Select Committee for detailed examination. The Jan Vishwas Bill, 2025 is part of the Government’s ongoing effort to simplify laws and reduce regulatory burdens. The 2023 Act was the first consolidated legislation aimed at decriminalising minor offences to encourage trust-based governance. The 2025 Bill extends this effort by targeting more provisions and introducing proportionate penalties. The Government emphasises ‘Minimum Government Maximum Governance’ to improve ease of doing business and ease of living.

 

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Bibi Fatima SHG from Karnataka Wins UNDP Equator Initiative Award 2025, Only Winner from India: Bibi Fatima Women’s Self-Help Group (SHG) from Teertha village, Dharwad district, won the prestigious UNDP Equator Initiative Award 2025, also called the Nobel Prize for Biodiversity Conservation.It is the only group from India among 10 global winners, with others from Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Indonesia, Kenya, Papua New Guinea, Peru, and Tanzania.The award, announced on International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, carries a cash prize of $10,000 (approx. ₹8.5 lakh). The SHG, chosen under the theme “Women and Youth Leadership for Nature-Based Climate Action”, has also established a community seed bank to provide seeds free of cost to farmers.

 

Daily GK Update- 19th Aug, 2024

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Government Launches ₹1 Lakh Crore Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana to Create 3.5 Crore Jobs: The government launched the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PMVBRY) portal, a central sector scheme with an outlay of ₹1 lakh crore, aiming to generate 3.5 crore jobs between August 1, 2025, and July 31, 2027.

The scheme has two parts:

·       Part A: One-time incentive for first-time employees, equivalent to up to one month’s wage (max ₹15,000) in two instalments.

·       Part B: Incentives for employers hiring new/additional employees, with a special focus on the manufacturing sector.

Under Part A, employees with gross wages up to ₹1 lakh are eligible. Employers get slab-based incentives: ₹1,000 (salary up to ₹10,000), ₹2,000 (₹10,000–₹20,000), and ₹3,000 (₹20,000–₹30,000). Under Part B, establishments get up to ₹3,000 per month per additional employee for 2 years (4 years for manufacturing sector), provided they sustain at least 2 or 5 additional employees (depending on establishment size).

 

2. Prime Minister Modi Inaugurated ₹11,000 Crore Dwarka Expressway and UER-II Projects in Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated two major highway projects worth nearly ₹11,000 crore in Delhi at Rohini, followed by a public address.A 10.1-km Delhi section of the Dwarka Expressway, built at ₹5,360 crore, will connect Yashobhoomi, Metro’s Blue & Orange lines, upcoming Bijwasan railway station, and Dwarka cluster bus depot, and directly link with UER-II.The Alipur–Dichaon Kalan stretch of Urban Extension Road-II (UER-II) with spurs to Bahadurgarh and Sonipat, developed at ₹5,580 crore, will ease congestion on Delhi’s Inner/Outer Ring Roads and choke points like Mukarba Chowk and Dhaula Kuan.These projects will help decongest Delhi, improve connectivity, reduce travel time, and boost NCR’s economic activity through world-class infrastructure.

 

3. Srinivasan K Swamy Elected AAAI President for 2025–26, Marks Fourth Term: Srinivasan K Swamy, Executive Group Chairman of R K Swamy Ltd, has been elected President of the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) for 2025–26, succeeding Prasanth Kumar.AAAI is India’s national organisation for advertising agencies, promoting professionalism and sound business practices among advertisers, agencies, and media.Swamy expressed his honour and humility, noting this is his fourth term as AAAI President, with his previous tenure from 2004 to 2007.

 

4. Shwetha Menon and Kukku Parameswaran Become First Women to Lead Malayalam Actors’ Body AMMA: For the first time, the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) will be led by women, with Shwetha Menon elected as President and Kukku Parameswaran as General Secretary.The election took place in Kochi, Kerala on August 15, 2025, where they defeated actors Devan and Raveendran; more than 290 out of 504 members voted.Unni Shivapal was elected Treasurer, while Jayan Cherthala and Lakshmipriya became Vice Presidents, marking a new phase in AMMA’s leadership history.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. S&P Global Upgrades India’s Credit Rating to BBB After 18 Years: S&P Global upgraded India’s long-term sovereign credit rating from BBB- to BBB, citing economic resilience and fiscal consolidation, and maintained a stable outlook.S&P emphasized India’s buoyant economic growth, enhanced monetary policy, and government efforts in fiscal consolidation and spending quality as key factors supporting the upgrade.The stable outlook reflects political stability and high infrastructure investment, supporting India’s long-term growth prospects; this is the first upgrade in 18 years since January 2007.

 

2. Kotak Mahindra International becomes first Indian firm to receive SCA license for investment and portfolio management in UAE: Kotak Mahindra (International) has received a license from the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) of the UAE to conduct Investment Fund Management and Portfolio Management activities.With this approval, Kotak Mahindra (International) became the first Indian firm to obtain such a license from the SCA, marking a key milestone in cross-border financial services.The development enables the launch of UAE-domiciled funds for retail investors, strengthening the UAE’s status as a regional financial and investment hub.

 

3. 19 August – World Humanitarian Day: World Humanitarian Day is observed annually on 19 August around the world to pay tribute to aid workers who risk their lives in humanitarian service. This day also honours the work of women in crises throughout the world.Theme 2025 – Strengthening Global Solidarity and Empowering Local Communities.The day commemorates the 1995 bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad, which killed 22 people, including UN staff members. This tragic event serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by aid workers in conflict zones.

 

4. 19 August – World Photography Day: World Photography Day is celebrated annually on 19 August to honour the art, craft, and science of photography.It recognises the role of photography in documenting moments, telling stories, and capturing memories.Theme 2025 – My Favourite PhotoThe day commemorates the invention of the first permanent photograph in 1839 by Louis Daguerre, who introduced the daguerreotype process, marking a major milestone in the history of photography.

 

 

 

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medals: The Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medals (SYSM) were awarded in 2025 to seven military leaders for their distinguished service during Operation Sindoor. This operation was launched by the Indian Armed Forces in response to a terror attack in Pahalgam. The awards recognise exceptional leadership and operational success in wartime. This year, the Indian Air Force received the majority of medals, followed by the Army and Navy. Operation Sindoor began on 7 May 2025. It targeted nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The operation was a direct response to the Pahalgam terror attack, which resulted in 26 civilian deaths. The attack was attributed to terrorists linked with Lashkar-e-Taiba. The operation aimed to neutralise terror infrastructure and restore security along the Line of Control (LoC).

 

SPORTS

 

1. Bihar CM Unveils Logo, Mascot “Chand” and Trophy for 12th Men’s Asia Cup Hockey 2025 in Rajgir: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar unveiled the logo, mascot (“Chand”) and trophy of the 12th Men’s Asia Cup Hockey Championship, which Bihar is hosting for the first time from 29 August to 7 September 2025 at Rajgir International Stadium.The mascot “Chand”, inspired by Major Dhyan Chand and the tiger of Valmiki Tiger Reserve, symbolises courage, agility, strength, and pays tribute to India’s hockey legacy.The tournament, starting on National Sports Day (29 August), will feature teams from India, China, Japan, Chinese Taipei, Malaysia, South Korea, Oman, and Bangladesh, with the winner directly qualifying for the Hockey World Cup.

 

2. Former Australian Cricketer, Captain and Coach Bob Simpson Dies: Former Australian cricketer, captain and coach Bob Simpson passed away at the age of 89; he represented Australia in 62 Tests and 2 ODIs (1957–1978), scoring 4,869 runs and taking 71 wickets, while captaining in 39 Tests.Simpson made his first-class debut at age 16 for New South Wales against Victoria and went on to score 10 centuries and 27 half-centuries in Test cricket.As coach of Australia from 1986 to 1996, he guided the team to the 1987 World Cup victory, four Ashes wins, and the 1995 Frank Worrell Trophy, ending a 17-year drought against West Indies.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Himalayan Disaster Risks: The 2025 monsoon season exposed the growing vulnerability of the Himalayan region to extreme weather events. Catastrophic cloudbursts in Uttarkashi and Kishtwar caused massive loss of life and infrastructure damage. Himachal Pradesh faced numerous cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides, displacing thousands. These incidents reveal a disturbing trend – severe natural hazards in the Himalayas are intensifying and becoming more frequent due to climate change and human activities. Rapid urbanisation on fragile slopes often ignores geological safety. Concrete constructions replace traditional buildings without adequate drainage or risk assessments. Infrastructure projects like hydropower plants and roads cause deforestation and blasting, weakening hillsides. Poor enforcement of building codes and environmental safeguards compounds vulnerability.

 

2. India’s Innovation Surge Fuels Patent Growth: India’s innovation landscape has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years. For the first time in 2023, Indian-origin patent filings exceeded those from any other single foreign country within India. This milestone marks India’s shift from a technology consumer to a technology creator. The change reflects government policies, institutional support, and rising research capabilities. ndian applicants accounted for 57% of all patent filings in 2023. This is increase from the early 2000s when Indian institutions filed less than 20% of patents domestically. India has also become the second-largest recipient of granted patents, overtaking the US in 2021. The growing share of patents indicates the country’s expanding role in the global intellectual property ecosystem.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Bank of Baroda Expands bob इ Pay with International UPI Services for NRIs and Global Payments: Bank of Baroda has enhanced its bob इ Pay UPI app by introducing three new international features – UPI Global Acceptance, Foreign Inward Remittance, and UPI Services for NRIs.The upgrade will enable seamless, secure, and real-time cross-border digital payments and remittances for both Indian residents and NRIs.The initiative reflects Bank of Baroda’s commitment to innovative, user-centric digital banking solutions, as highlighted by Executive Director Sanjay Mudaliar.

 

2. RBI to Roll Out Real-Time Cheque Clearing from October 4, 2025, Reducing Settlement Time to Hours: RBI will introduce real-time cheque clearing from October 4, 2025, reducing settlement risks and improving customer convenience, replacing the current CTS system that clears cheques in 1–2 working days.The system will run alongside NEFT, RTGS, and IMPS, which already provide electronic fund transfers, with NEFT having no RBI-set limit (e.g., SBI allows up to ₹25 lakh, HDFC has its own restrictions).Cheques will be scanned, processed, and settled continuously during business hours, ending the batch-clearing method and reducing the current T+1 clearing cycle to just a few hours.Phase 1 (Oct 4, 2025 – Jan 2, 2026): Banks must confirm cheques by 7:00 pm same day; if no response, the cheque will be automatically approved and settled.

 

3. Sebi Launches Investor Awareness Campaign on AIR and Nationwide Training for Panchayat Representatives: Sebi has started an investor awareness campaign on All India Radio to alert investors about frauds in the securities market occurring via social media platforms.In collaboration with the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Sebi is conducting nationwide training for block-level panchayat representatives to promote financial literacy and investor education at the grassroots level.The initiative aims to caution investors to protect themselves from fraudulent schemes on platforms like YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, X (formerly Twitter), and Telegram.The first training programme, held on 9–10 August 2025 at Yashwantrao Chavan Academy, Pune, trained over 100 sarpanch and block-level representatives on financial planning, savings, investments, protection from scams, and awareness of the securities market ecosystem.