NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Govt launches ‘Apna Ghar’ resting facilities for truck
drivers across highways: The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has
launched the ‘Apna Ghar’ initiative
to provide safe, clean, and comfortable resting spaces for truck drivers along
major highways, aiming to improve their well-being during long-haul journeys.As
of July 1, 2025, 368 ‘Apna Ghar’ units with 4,611 beds have been established by
Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) at fuel outlets across national
and state highways, offering dormitories, dhabas, clean toilets, bathing areas,
self-cooking spaces, and purified drinking water.The initiative has received
positive feedback from the trucking community, with increasing usage of the
dedicated mobile app, reflecting growing appreciation for the improved quality
of life and rest it provides for drivers on the road.
2. Punjab becomes first to empanel sign language experts
under juvenile law: Punjab has
become the first state in India to
empanel sign language interpreters, translators, and special educators under
the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015, ensuring accessible and sensitive justice for
children with speech and hearing impairments.The initiative, led by CM Bhagwant
Mann and announced by Minister Dr Baljit Kaur, aims to eliminate communication
barriers in legal and educational systems by deploying trained professionals
district-wise to assist children with special needs, including during court
proceedings.This move aligns with the POCSO Act, 2012, and reflects Punjab’s
broader commitment to inclusive governance, as seen in earlier efforts like
broadcasting Punjab Vidhan Sabha proceedings in sign language, thereby
promoting equality, accessibility, and justice for all children.
3. S Radha Chauhan Appointed Full-Time Chairperson of
Capacity Building Commission by ACC:
The Appointments Committee of the
Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of S Radha Chauhan, a retired
1988-batch IAS officer from the Uttar Pradesh cadre, as the full-time Chairperson of the Capacity Building
Commission (CBC) for a tenure of three years or until further
orders.The ACC has also extended the tenure of Adil Zainulbhai as the part-time
Chairperson of the CBC starting from August 1, until S Radha Chauhan assumes
charge as the regular incumbent.The Capacity Building Commission (CBC) was
constituted under the National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building
(Mission Karmayogi) and plays a critical role in driving reforms and enhancing
the capabilities of India’s civil services.
4. 8 August – Quit India Movement: Quit India Movement,
also known as August Kranti, was launched
by Mahatma Gandhi on 8 August 1942 at the Bombay session of the All
India Congress Committee, demanding an end to British rule in India.Gandhi’s
call for “Do or Die” became a historic slogan, sparking mass protests, strikes,
and civil disobedience across the country despite severe British repression and
arrests of top Congress leaders.The movement played a crucial role in India’s
independence struggle and is remembered every 8th August as Quit India Movement
Day, honoring the bravery and sacrifice of countless freedom fighters.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Moldova becomes 107th member of International Solar
Alliance: Moldova has become the 107th
member of the International Solar Alliance, the Ministry of External
Affairs (MEA) said.
The
International Solar Alliance is a global initiative launched in 2015 by India
and France at COP21 in Paris. It has 124 Member and Signatory Countries.ISA’s
mission is to unlock investments in solar energy while reducing the cost of
technology and financing it. It promotes the use of solar energy in
agriculture, healthcare, transportation, and power generation.
2. Bimaplan Appoints Anurag Mishra as CEO to Drive Global
Expansion and Profitability: Bimaplan has appointed Anurag Mishra as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead the company’s next
phase of growth, with a strategic focus on profitability and global expansion
into key markets like the Middle East and Africa.Anurag Mishra brings over 30
years of experience in global banking and financial services, having previously
served as Regional Head for Global Trade at IFC (World Bank Group) and as the
CEO of Standard Chartered Bank’s Nepal operations.
3. Rhisotope Project: The University of the Witwatersrand in
South Africa has launched an innovative anti-poaching campaign. It uses
radioactive isotopes injected into rhino horns. This method aims to make horns
traceable and deter illegal trafficking. The initiative follows six years of
research and testing. It is supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA). The Rhisotope Project began with injecting radioactive isotopes into
five rhinos at the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve. Following a successful pilot
involving 20 rhinos, the university plans mass treatment of rhinos across South
Africa. The radioactive tagging is claimed to be harmless to the animals and
detectable by global customs radiation monitors. Radioactive isotopes are
unstable elements that emit radiation to become stable. Low doses are injected
into rhino horns through a non-invasive procedure. The radiation makes the horn
detectable by radiation portal monitors at borders and ports worldwide. This
helps customs identify trafficked horns easily. Tests used 3D-printed horns
mimicking real keratin to confirm detection inside large shipping containers.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1. FIFA Launches First-Ever Girls’ Talent Academy in
India at Gachibowli Stadium: FIFA has launched
its first-ever Talent Academy for girls in
India, in collaboration with the All India Football Federation (AIFF)
and the Telangana government, to offer elite training to young footballers from
across the country.The academy, located at Gachibowli Stadium Complex in
Telangana, will provide year-round high-performance training, residential
facilities, education, medical care, nutrition, and mental wellness support for
60 elite players – 30 boys (U14), 30 girls (U16), along with 10 additional
players from Telangana in each category.A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was
signed between FIFA, AIFF, and the Telangana government to promote structured
and inclusive grassroots football development in India under FIFA’s global
Talent Development Scheme.
2. Archery Association of India Launches
First-Ever Franchise-Based Archery League: The Archery
Association of India (AAI) has announced the first edition of the
Archery League, a franchise-based international tournament featuring both
recurve and compound archers, including top-ranked foreign and Indian
players.The inaugural season of the league is scheduled to be held over 11 days
in October 2025 at the Yamuna Sports Complex in Delhi, with six franchise teams
participating in the competition.Aimed at strengthening the global and national
archery ecosystem, the league will showcase talent from the world’s top 10
archers, supported by AAI President Arjun Munda’s leadership.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Indri Lemur Microbiome: The intestinal microbiome
of the indri lemur, a critically endangered species native to Madagascar, has
been analysed for the first time. This study reveals unique bacterial species
and social transmission patterns. It offers new perspectives on conservation
efforts. The research uncovered 48 bacterial species in the indri microbiome.
Of these, 47 were previously unknown and unique to indris. Only Escherichia
coli was a known species, mostly found in populations near human settlements.
This suggests the indri host exclusive microbial communities. The extinction of
indris would also mean the loss of these unique bacteria. Researchers analysed
faecal and soil samples from six indri families. Using genome assembly
techniques, they identified bacterial species in the indri’s intestinal
microbiome. The findings were published in The ISME Journal.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. RBI Keeps Repo Rate Unchanged at 5.5% : The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) kept the repo rate unchanged at 5.5% during its August Monetary Policy Committee
(MPC) meeting, following a unanimous decision by all six MPC
members, citing easing inflation and favourable economic indicators.Retail
inflation based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) dropped to 2.10% in June
2025, the lowest since January 2019. Food inflation turned negative at -1.06%,
while the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) also declined to -0.13%.This decision
comes after a 50 basis point cut in June 2025, which brought the repo rate down
from 6% to 5.5% due to falling food prices and improving inflation trends.
2. Repairability Index: India took a major step to promote sustainable electronics by adopting a Repairability Index. This index ranks mobile phones and appliances based on how easy they are to repair, availability of spare parts, and software support. The government also introduced new e-waste policies that include minimum payments to encourage formal recycling. These efforts aim to make repair a consumer right and recognise repair as a valuable cultural and intellectual resource. The Repairability Index helps consumers choose products that last longer and are easier to fix. It ranks devices on repair-friendliness, spare part access, and software updates. Alongside, new e-waste rules incentivise formal recycling by setting minimum payments. This reduces informal dumping and promotes responsible disposal. The policies are aligned with global trends like the European Union’s Right to Repair rules and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12 on responsible consumption.
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