Daily GK Update- 17th Aug, 2025

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Extreme Weather Events in Jammu and Kashmir: The Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir faced a tragic flash floodrecently. Torrential rain struck the remote village of Chasoti near Machail Mata temple. At least 65 people died and over 50 remain missing. Experts link the rising frequency and intensity of such disasters to global warming and changing weather patterns. Jammu and Kashmir has seen a sharp rise in extreme weather events, causing thousands of deaths over recent years. Between 2010 and 2022, Jammu and Kashmir recorded 2,863 extreme weather events. These included thunderstorms, heavy rain, flash floods, landslides, and heavy snow. Thunderstorms occurred 1,942 times, while heavy rain was reported 409 times. Flash floods and landslides took place 168 and 186 times respectively. Heavy snow events were fewer but deadlier, causing 182 deaths. Overall, 552 deaths were recorded during this period due to extreme weather. Jammu and Kashmir’s mountainous terrain amplifies extreme weather effects. Orographic rainfall occurs when moist air rises over hills, cools, and condenses into heavy precipitation. This natural feature makes the region prone to sudden floods and landslides. The unstable terrain also worsens the damage caused by flash floods and heavy rains.

 

2. US-Russia Talks Impact India’s Russian Oil Imports: The 2025 US-Russia summit in Alaska ended without a ceasefire agreement for Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin emerged politically stronger while US President Donald Trump showed no immediate follow-up on sanctions or concrete outcomes. The talks drew global attention, especially from India, which closely watched the implications for its trade and energy security amid ongoing US sanctions related to Russian oil imports. The Russia-Ukraine war that began in 2022 has shaped global geopolitics. The US imposed sanctions on Russia and its allies to pressure Moscow to cease hostilities. Trump’s administration threatened tougher sanctions but hesitated to act decisively. Putin used such summits to improve Russia’s global image without making major concessions. Since 2022, India has increased its imports of Russian crude oil. Initially less than 2% of India’s oil came from Russia. Discounts offered by Russia amid Western sanctions made it the largest crude supplier to India by 2025, accounting for 35-40% of India’s oil imports. This shift helped India secure energy at competitive prices.

 

3. Indian Phoenix Palms: Recent botanical research has uncovered a new species of palm in India and reclassified existing ones within the genus Phoenix. These findings stem from revisiting the 17th-century work Hortus Malabaricus by Hendrik van Rheede. The study resolves longstanding confusion about palms found across the Indian subcontinent and neighbouring regions. The palm named Katou-Indel appears in Hortus Malabaricus, a monumental 17th-century botanical treatise on Malabar flora. Compiled by Hendrik van Rheede with help from physician Itty Achudan, the work documents medicinal plants of Kerala’s coast. The palm was later named Phoenix sylvestris by William Roxburgh in the 19th century. A team from Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (JNTBGRI) and Botanical Survey of India (BSI) re-examined Katou-Indel. They confirmed that the palms in Kerala and Sri Lanka belong to Phoenix sylvestris. They also reclassified three previously distinct species—P. pusilla, P. farinifera, and P. zeylanica—as Phoenix sylvestris.

 

4. India’s Wholesale Price Inflation Hits Two-Year Low: India’s factory gate inflation, measured by the Wholesale Price Index (WPI), recorded a two-year low of -0.58 per cent in July 2025. This marked the second consecutive month of negative inflation, mainly driven by falling food and fuel prices. Despite this overall decline, prices of manufactured goods showed an upward trend during the same period. The WPI is the primary inflation indicator in India. It tracks price changes of a basket of goods at the wholesale level. The index is divided into three groups – Primary Articles (22.6%), Fuel and Power (13.2%), and Manufactured Products (64.2%). Food items from Primary Articles and Manufactured Products together form 24.4% of the total weight. Key subgroups include Basic Metals, Food Products, Chemicals, and Textiles. Primary food articles fell by 6.29% in July, marking the third consecutive month of deflation. Onion prices plunged by 44.4%, potatoes by 41.3%, and vegetables by 28.9%. Pulses and fruits also saw price drops of 15.12% and 2.65%, respectively. Protein-rich foods like eggs, meat, and fish fell by 1.09%. Wheat prices rose by 4.4%, while oil seeds surged by 9.77%, showing mixed trends within food items.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India Achieves Historic Deep Ocean Dives in Atlantic: India reached a new milestone in ocean exploration in August 2025. Two Indian aquanauts descended to depths of 4,025 and 5,002 metres in the Atlantic Ocean. This achievement places India among fewer than six nations to explore such extreme ocean depths. The expedition was part of an Indo-French collaboration using the French submersible Nautile. It sets the stage for India’s upcoming Samudrayan Mission, which aims to reach 6,000 metres using the indigenous submersible MATSYA-6000 by 2027. The dives mark India’s first ventures beyond 4,000 metres depth. They demonstrate India’s growing scientific and technological capabilities in deep ocean research. The missions contribute to the understanding of deep-sea environments and resource potential. The success boosts India’s global standing in marine exploration and supports its goal of becoming a leading economy. The expedition was conducted with IFREMER, the French marine research institute. Indian aquanauts boarded the Nautile submersible from the research ship L’Atalante near Portugal. This collaboration provided valuable experience in deep-sea operations. It helped Indian scientists gain expertise in piloting, sample collection, and managing submersible systems. Such partnerships enhance knowledge transfer and encourage international scientific cooperation.

 

2. US Supreme Court Upholds Mississippi Social Media Age Law: The Supreme Court recently declined to block a Mississippi law that requires age verification and parental consent for social media use by minors. This ruling marks moment in ongoing legal battles over regulating online platforms to protect children. The law aims to address concerns about social media’s impact on youth mental health and safety. The law mandates that social media companies verify users’ ages and obtain parental consent for minors under 18. It also obliges platforms to make reasonable efforts to prevent minors from accessing harmful content. Violations can result in fines up to $10,000. The law targets safety issues like sexual abuse, trafficking, and exploitation. Tech companies led by NetChoice, representing giants like Google, Meta, and Snap Inc., challenged the law. They argued it violates the First Amendment by restricting free speech and threatens user privacy. A federal judge initially blocked the law, citing constitutional concerns. However, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals allowed enforcement while the case proceeds. The Supreme Court’s recent refusal to stay the law means it remains active during litigation.

 

3. Ancient Human Presence in Wallacea: Recent discoveries in Sulawesi, Indonesia, have pushed back the timeline of early human habitation in the Wallacea region to about 1.5 million years ago. Archaeologists unearthed stone tools that suggest Homo erectus lived on islands between Asia and Australia far earlier than previously believed. This challenges existing views on early human migration and sea travel capabilities. Archaeologists from Australia and Indonesia found small, chipped stone tools in Soppeng, South Sulawesi. These tools were used for cutting small animals and carving rocks. The tools were buried under soil layers and dated using radioactive methods, showing an age of up to 1.48 million years. Animal teeth found nearby supported the dating results. Previously, it was thought that early humans in Wallacea lived only around 1 million years ago on nearby islands like Flores and Luzon. These new findings in Sulawesi extend the timeline by nearly half a million years. They suggest that Homo erectus had the ability to cross ocean gaps much earlier than assumed. This implies early humans had some form of sea travel or island hopping skills.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. Decline of Naxalite Violence Amid Global Terror Threats: Recent developments show a sharp decline in ideologically-driven Naxalite militancy in India. This contrasts with persistent and evolving global terrorism threats, especially those inspired by groups like Islamic State (IS). The rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) adds complexity and danger to future terror scenarios worldwide. India’s internal security dynamics, however, indicate a nearing end to one of its longest militant insurgencies. More than two decades after the 9/11 attacks, terrorism remains a major global concern. IS-inspired attacks, including vehicle rammings, continue in several countries. Lone wolf attacks are increasing, fuelled by online propaganda. Experts warn that AI could enable terrorists to develop bio-weapons or launch more devastating attacks. The risk of AI systems acting beyond human control adds to global insecurity fears. The Naxalite movement began in the late 1960s as a radical Marxist-Leninist uprising. It drew inspiration from revolutions in China, Vietnam, and Latin America. Early leaders like Charu Mazumdar aimed to mobilise tribal and urban poor populations against perceived social injustices. Over time, the movement fragmented and lost mass appeal, turning more violent but less ideologically cohesive.

2. Char Dham Road Project Risks Himalayan Ecology: Recent concerns have emerged over the Char Dham all-weather road widening project in the Bhagirathi eco-sensitive zone (BESZ). Experts warn that the current plan could destabilise the fragile Himalayan terrain. Two members of a Supreme Court-appointed panel have brought into light risks based on their detailed surveys. Their findings link recent floods and landslides to slope instability caused by construction activities. They have urged the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to reconsider the project design and enforce eco-sensitive protections strictly. The Bhagirathi ESZ notification mandates the preparation of a Zonal Master Plan (ZMP) by the Uttarakhand government. The ZMP follows a watershed development approach based on participatory planning. It integrates forest and wildlife governance, watershed management, irrigation, energy, tourism, public health, sanitation, and road infrastructure. The plan aims to balance ecological conservation with development needs. Approval of the ZMP is expected to guide sustainable development in the region.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Jellyfish Swarms Disrupt Nuclear Power Plants Worldwide: Recent incidents have brought into light the growing challenge posed by jellyfish swarms to nuclear power plants. Recently, France’s Gravelines Nuclear Power Station temporarily shut down multiple reactors after jellyfish clogged its cooling system. This event is part of a rising trend where marine life disrupts critical infrastructure. Understanding the causes and impacts of these disruptions is essential for energy security and environmental management. Nuclear plants rely on large volumes of seawater to cool reactors. Intake pipes draw water through grated screens designed to keep out debris and aquatic life. When millions of jellyfish are drawn in during blooms, they clog these screens rapidly. This blocks water flow, risking overheating of turbines, condensers, and boilers. To avoid damage, plants must shut down reactors until the blockage is cleared. Removing jellyfish is difficult and hazardous, sometimes taking up to two days. Jellyfish-related shutdowns have increased due to several environmental factors. Global warming raises ocean temperatures, boosting plankton populations, the main jellyfish food. Warmer water also speeds up jellyfish reproduction. Overfishing removes natural jellyfish predators like tuna and sea turtles, allowing jellyfish numbers to grow unchecked. Plastic pollution creates low oxygen zones and artificial breeding sites near coastlines, further aiding jellyfish proliferation.

 

2. Simplified Two-Tier GST System Proposed: The Centre has proposed a simplified Goods and Services Tax (GST) system with two main slabs – standard and merit. This reform aims to replace the existing four slabs of 5%, 12%, 18%, and 28%. The proposal was sent to the Group of Ministers (GoM) for review. The move is part of next-generation GST reforms promised by the Prime Minister to be revealed by Diwali 2025. These reforms are expected to provide tax relief to the common man and support small and medium enterprises. The new GST system will have two broad slabs. The standard slab will cover most goods and services. The merit slab will apply to essential and socially important items. Special rates will be maintained only for a few select goods. This simplification aims to reduce confusion and disputes related to tax classifications. It will also address inverted duty structures where input tax is higher than output tax, encouraging domestic production. The reforms target affordability for common citizens including women, students, farmers, and the middle class. By lowering tax rates on essential and aspirational goods, the government hopes to boost consumption and make products more accessible. This will help stimulate economic activity and support sectoral expansion across the country.

 

3. PelV-1: Recent research in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre has revealed a giant virus named PelV-1. This virus infects the plankton Pelagodinium and possesses a tail far longer than any previously identified. Measuring 2.3 micrometres, the tail is about 19 times the length of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. This discovery provides new vital information about marine viruses and their ecological roles. PelV-1 was found at Station ALOHA, north of Hawaii, by sampling seawater 25 metres below the surface. Scientists isolated Pelagodinium plankton and detected the virus as a hitchhiker. Viruses infecting dinoflagellates like Pelagodinium are extremely rare, with only two other large DNA viruses known to target this group. PelV-1 has a 200-nanometre capsid and an exceptionally long tail measuring 2.3 micrometres. This tail is the longest viral appendage discovered to date. Unlike most viruses, which lack tails or have very small ones, PelV-1’s tail likely aids in attaching to and entering host cells. Time-lapse imaging shows the tail attaching to plankton cells during infection, but it disappears once the virus is inside, suggesting the tail forms only outside the host.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana: The Centre launched the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PM-VBRY) on 15 August 2025. The scheme aims to boost formal employment by providing financial incentives to both first-time employees and employers. Operated by the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), the scheme has a budget of ₹99,446 crore and targets the creation of over 3.5 crore jobs in two years. The scheme seeks to formalise jobs and increase job creation in the organised sector. It offers direct cash incentives to encourage employers to hire new workers and motivate employees to retain jobs. The initiative also promotes financial literacy and long-term savings among workers. Employees joining an EPFO-registered establishment for the first time after 15 August 2025 and earning up to ₹1 lakh per month are eligible. They receive up to ₹15,000 in two instalments. The first instalment is paid after six months of employment. The second instalment is given after 12 months, contingent on completing a financial literacy module. A portion of the second instalment is credited to a designated savings account to encourage future savings.

 

2. Generative AI to Boost Banking Efficiency in India by 46%, Says RBI Report: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reported that Generative AI could enhance banking operations in India by up to 46%, improving efficiency, customer understanding, and personalised services.The generative AI segment in India is projected to exceed ₹1.02 lakh crore (~USD 12 billion) by 2033, with an annual growth rate of 28–34%.RBI highlighted that AI adoption across the financial services sector is expected to directly boost revenue growth in the coming years.In India, where millions lack formal banking access, AI can assess creditworthiness using non-traditional data sources, expanding financial inclusion.

 

3. WPI Falls to -0.6% in July; Retail Inflation Hits 8-Year Low at 1.55% : Wholesale inflation (WPI) fell to (-)0.6% in July 2025 from (-)0.1% in June, mainly due to declining prices of food articles, mineral oils, crude petroleum, natural gas, and basic metals, with food articles recording a deflation of 6.29%.Retail inflation (CPI) dropped to 1.55% in July, the lowest in 8 years, compared to 2.1% in June, raising expectations for a possible policy interest rate cut by the RBI in October.Vegetables saw a sharp price fall, with deflation at 28.96% in July (from 22.65% in June), while manufactured products inflation rose slightly to 2.05%; fuel and power inflation remained negative at 2.43%.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. 1090 Personnel Honoured with Gallantry and Service Medals on Independence Day: A total of 1090 Personnel of Police, Fire, Home Guard and Civil Defence and Correctional Services have been awarded Gallantry and Service Medals on the occasion of Independence Day.According to the Home Ministry, 233 personnel have been awarded the Medal for Gallantry (GM), 99 personnel awarded the President’s Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM) and 758 personnel awarded the Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM).Medals for Gallantry (GM) are awarded on the grounds of the Rare Conspicuous Act of Gallantry and Conspicuous Act of Gallantry respectively in saving life and property, or in preventing crime or arresting criminals. The President’s Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM) is awarded for special distinguished record in Service and Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM) is awarded for valuable service characterised by resource and devotion to duty.