Daily Current Affairs - Week 34, 2025 (18 Aug 2025 - 24 Aug 2025)

• India’s trade deficit widens to $27.35 billion in July 2025, highest in eight months.
• SBI launches ₹4 lakh collateral-free personal loan scheme for Agniveers under Agnipath programme.
• India and Singapore hold 4th Joint Working Group meeting on Trade & Investment in New Delhi.
• NHAI launched FASTag Annual Pass at 1,150 toll plazas; 1.4 lakh users registered on the first day.
• On 79th Independence Day, PM Modi delivered India’s longest-ever Independence Day speech lasting 103 minutes.
• PM Modi inaugurated ₹11,000-crore Dwarka Expressway and UER-II projects in Delhi, pledging to make the Capital a world-class city.
• RBI released a framework with 7 principles for responsible AI adoption in financial services.
• Cabinet approves ₹1,507 crore Greenfield Airport project at Kota-Bundi, Rajasthan.
• UIDAI ties up with Starlink to use Aadhaar Authentication for secure customer verification.
• Dubai introduces unified free zone licence scheme; Louis Vuitton becomes first beneficiary.
• Honda Motor launches Honda Finance India to offer loans and leasing for its products; will seek NBFC licence.
• Govt extends Fortified Rice Scheme till 2028 with ₹17,082 crore funding.
• UIDAI launches Aadhaar authentication framework for Cooperative Banks nationwide.
• Meta signs $10 bn, six-year deal with Google Cloud to boost AI development.

• Abhishek Bachchan wins Best Actor award at IFFM 2025; Amitabh calls him “family’s pride”.
• Bibi Fatima Women’s SHG from Karnataka’s Teertha village won the UNDP Equator Initiative Award 2025.

India successfully test-fires indigenous Agni-5 ballistic missile from Chandipur, Odisha.

• The Geological Survey of India discovered 10–20 tonnes of gold reserves in four districts of Odisha.
• Karnataka Assembly passes Bill to rename Bengaluru City University after Dr. Manmohan Singh.
• West Bengal CM announces ₹5,000 monthly aid for returning migrant workers under Shramshree scheme.

• Former Australia Test captain Bob Simpson passes away at 89 in Sydney.
• Veteran actor Achyut Potdar, known for 3 Idiots role, passes away at 91 in Thane, Mumbai.

• PixxelSpace India-led consortium selected to build nation’s first private EO satellite constellation.
• ISRO-NASA’s ₹13,000 crore NISAR satellite deploys world’s largest antenna reflector in space.
• Indian aquanauts set record by diving 5,002 metres deep in the Atlantic Ocean.
• CERT-In issues high-level security alert for Microsoft Windows and Office users in India.
• IIT Madras licenses India’s first silicon photonics-based quantum RNG for ₹1 crore.
• Warwick University scientists develop diamond-based sensor for safer cancer tumour detection.
• Cyberattack on DaVita compromises data of 2.7 million patients, costing $13.5 mn.
• HDFC Bank invests in BharatGPT developer CoRover to promote sovereign AI.
• New moth species Carcina ingridmariae identified after decades of confusion.

• Shwetha Menon and Kukku Parameswaran became first women to lead Malayalam actors’ body AMMA in its 30-year history.  
• After Nagaland Governor La. Ganesan’s demise, Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla given additional charge of Nagaland.  
• Shareholders approved Noel Tata’s appointment to the Tata Sons board at the 107th AGM.

• Bihar CM Nitish Kumar unveiled logo, mascot ‘Chand’ and trophy of 12th Men’s Asia Cup Hockey, to be held in Rajgir from Aug 29–Sept 7, 2025.
• German Grandmaster Vincent Keymer clinched Quantbox Chennai Grand Masters 2025, entering the world’s live Top 10 rankings.  
• ‘Himalayan Kingfisher’ mascot and logo of Khelo India Water Sports Festival unveiled in Srinagar; event to be held at Dal Lake from Aug 21–23, 2025.
• Former captain Virat Kohli completed 17 years since his international debut on 18 August 2008.
• India’s Bhavina Patel won gold in Women’s Singles (Class 4–5) at the ITTF World Para Elite event in the USA.
• Kapil Bainsla and Girish Gupta bagged gold medals for India at the 16th Asian Shooting Championship in Kazakhstan.
• Rashmika Sahgal wins gold in junior women’s air pistol at Asian Shooting Championship.
• Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah becomes first player to win PFA Players’ Player of the Year three times.
• India bans all bilateral sports events with Pakistan across disciplines.

• India and Eurasian Economic Union sign Terms of Reference in Moscow to launch FTA negotiations.
• International Solar Alliance to set up 17 Centres of Excellence globally and a Global Capability Centre in India as a solar innovation hub.

• Former CJI DY Chandrachud to release debut book Why the Constitution Matters in August 2025.
• Government approves fresh ₹47,000 crore capex plan to expand BSNL’s telecom network.
• BJP announced Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan as NDA’s candidate for Vice-President after Jagdeep Dhankhar’s resignation.
• Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh to launch AI-powered tool ‘SabhaSaar’ in Delhi for automatic Panchayat meeting minutes.  
• The Centre released ₹36,027 crore to states under the Special Assistance Scheme for Capital Expenditure.
• The Union Government launched the PM Viksit Bharat Rojgar Yojna portal to generate 3.5 crore jobs.
• Opposition nominates ex-Supreme Court judge B. Sudershan Reddy as Vice-Presidential candidate.
• NABL launches new Medical Application Portal for ISO 15189:2022 applicant laboratories.
• Press Registrar General launches ‘Press Sewa’ portal to simplify newspaper, periodical registration.
• NCERT includes Operation Sindoor modules in school curriculum for Classes 3–12.
• Railways commissions India’s first removable solar panel system between tracks at BLW, Varanasi.
• Monsoon Session adjourned sine die after 21 sittings and 15 Bills passed.
• Supreme Court bans public feeding of stray dogs; Delhi civic body to set feeding zones.
• PM Modi inaugurates ₹13,000 crore projects in Gaya, including ₹1,870 crore Ganga bridge.

World Humanitarian Day was observed on 19 August to honor aid workers and support crisis-hit people.

The Union Cabinet has approved the continuation of the universal supply of fortified rice under all government food schemes until December 2028. This initiative, supported by 100% central funding amounting to ₹17,082 crore, aims to tackle nutritional deficiencies, particularly anemia. The Department of Food and Public Distribution highlighted that the Anemia Mukt Bharat campaign was launched in 2018, and a rice fortification pilot program began in 2019 to benefit the rice-consuming population of India.

Meta has signed a six-year, $10 billion agreement with Google Cloud, marking its first large-scale collaboration with the Alphabet subsidiary. The partnership aims to enhance Meta’s artificial intelligence capabilities, aligned with CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s strategic priority on AI, including the rollout of the Llama AI model and a new standalone AI application. The deal also represents a significant boost for Google Cloud as it competes with AWS and Microsoft Azure in the cloud services market.

Marking the International Year of Cooperatives, UIDAI has introduced a new framework to integrate Cooperative Banks into Aadhaar-enabled authentication services. The initiative is expected to strengthen last-mile banking access and promote digital inclusion. The framework was developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Cooperation, NABARD, NPCI, and cooperative banks, and will encompass all 34 State Cooperative Banks and 352 District Central Cooperative Banks nationwide.

Healthcare firm DaVita has confirmed a major cyberattack that exposed sensitive data of 2.7 million patients after hackers infiltrated its laboratory databases. While care at nearly 3,000 clinics and home-care programs continued, operations faced temporary disruptions. The attack resulted in a financial impact of $13.5 million in Q2, covering remediation costs and patient care expenses. Investor sentiment worsened as Berkshire Hathaway had reduced its stake in the company last month, further pushing retail outlook into bearish territory.

HDFC Bank has made its first strategic investment in Bengaluru-based AI startup CoRover, the developer of BharatGPT, India’s multilingual enterprise-grade artificial intelligence model. The partnership, which also includes BharatGPT Mini for offline applications, is expected to advance digital inclusion, enhance customer experience, and extend AI solutions to banking services, especially in rural India. The move highlights India’s growing leadership in indigenous, sovereign AI technology.

A Mediterranean moth long mistaken for a known species has now been confirmed as a distinct species through DNA analysis. Named Carcina ingridmariae, the insect is vividly colored and had previously been misclassified due to its close resemblance to the European oak carcina. However, detailed examination of its sexual organs, along with genetic testing, has established it as a new species, resolving decades of entomological uncertainty.

The Government of India has unveiled a new policy regarding bilateral sports relations with Pakistan, declaring that no Indian sports team or athlete will travel to Pakistan for bilateral competitions. Likewise, Pakistani teams and players will not be allowed to participate in bilateral sports events hosted in India. The move effectively suspends all forms of direct sporting ties between the two countries across disciplines.

The Monsoon Session of Parliament, 2025, which began on July 21 and concluded on August 21, was adjourned sine die after 21 sittings held over 32 days. During this period, 14 new Bills were introduced in the Lok Sabha, while 12 were passed by the House. The Rajya Sabha passed 15 Bills, and ultimately, both Houses together cleared a total of 15 Bills. Additionally, one Bill was withdrawn in the Lok Sabha during the Session.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation for several development projects worth ₹13,000 crore in Gaya, Bihar. Among the highlights was the inauguration of the Aunta–Simaria bridge project on the River Ganga. The 1.86 km long, six-lane bridge, built at a cost exceeding ₹1,870 crore, will significantly improve connectivity between Mokama in Patna district and Begusarai, boosting regional transport and trade.

The Supreme Court has revised its earlier stance and ruled that feeding stray dogs on public roads and other open spaces will not be allowed. Instead, the Delhi civic body will designate specific feeding zones for stray animals. The Court further clarified that individuals who violate the order by feeding strays in public areas may face action under applicable legal provisions.

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has onboarded Starlink Satellite Communication Pvt Ltd. to carry out Aadhaar-based customer verification. The integration of Aadhaar Authentication will allow Starlink to onboard customers in a smooth, paperless, and highly secure manner while adhering to Know Your Customer (KYC) guidelines. This collaboration combines Starlink’s satellite-based internet services with one of the world’s most trusted digital identity systems, simplifying customer onboarding and expanding secure internet access in India.

The Dubai Free Zones Council (DFZC) has introduced a new initiative called the ‘One Freezone Passport,’ which allows businesses licensed in one free zone to expand operations into other free zones within the emirate without the need for additional licences. Luxury brand Louis Vuitton has become the first multinational to benefit from this scheme, successfully opening a warehouse in Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) and setting up a corporate office at One Za’abeel in the DWTC Free Zone. The entire licensing process was completed in just five days. The scheme aims to simplify regulatory procedures, encourage cross-zone business expansion, and boost Dubai’s global competitiveness.

Japan’s Honda Motor Company Ltd. has officially launched its new subsidiary, Honda Finance India Private Ltd., which will provide retail financing services to customers in the Indian market. The company aims to offer loans, lease options, and other sales financing schemes specifically for Honda products in India. To carry out these operations, the newly established entity will apply for a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) licence in India, enabling it to function as a regulated financial services provider.

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed the successful test of the indigenously developed Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) Agni-5. The trial was conducted on August 20 at the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, Odisha, under the supervision of the Strategic Forces Command. According to the official statement, the launch met all technical and operational requirements, further strengthening India’s strategic deterrence capabilities.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has launched the Shramshree scheme, aimed at supporting Bengali migrant workers who have returned home after facing alleged harassment and discrimination in other states for speaking their mother tongue. Under this scheme, each returning worker will receive financial assistance of ₹5,000 per month for up to a year, or until they find new employment in Bengal. In addition, the state government has directed that every cinema hall and multiplex must regularly screen at least one Bengali film on each screen, to promote regional culture and cinema.

Liverpool’s star forward Mohamed Salah has created history by becoming the first footballer to win the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Players’ Player of the Year award three times. He won the 2024–25 award at a ceremony in Manchester Opera House, adding to his earlier wins in 2017–18 and 2021–22. Salah’s remarkable season, where he contributed 29 goals and 18 assists, played a pivotal role in Liverpool’s Premier League title victory. This achievement cements his legacy as the most decorated player in the award’s history.

India and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU)—comprising Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, and Russia—have signed a Terms of Reference (ToR) document in Moscow, formally launching negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The ToR lays down the framework for structured discussions that aim to unlock new trade opportunities, boost investments, and build a long-term India–EAEU economic partnership. Both sides emphasized their commitment to conclude the agreement at the earliest and to strengthen institutional mechanisms for deeper cooperation.

The International Solar Alliance (ISA), a joint initiative of India and France launched during the 2015 Paris Climate Conference, will establish 17 Centres of Excellence in different countries by the end of this year. Each centre, designed to function like IIT-level institutions, will provide facilities such as testing, laboratory training, and a supportive start-up ecosystem. Further, ISA is planning to create a Global Capability Centre (GCC) in India, envisioned as a “Silicon Valley for solar energy,” which will act as a central hub linking these centres. According to ISA Director General Ashish Khanna, the number of centres may rise to 50 as many countries are seeking India’s expertise in solar engineering and human resource development. The Gurugram-based ISA, which now has nearly 100 member countries, will focus on providing skilled engineers to support solar projects worldwide, including digital tenders, maintenance, and reskilling.

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has included Operation Sindoor in its school curriculum as supplementary reading material. Two new modules have been introduced: ‘Operation Sindoor — A Saga of Valour’ for Classes 3–8 and ‘Operation Sindoor — A Mission of Honour and Bravery’ for Classes 9–12. These modules narrate the background of the attack, stating that Pakistan’s political and military leadership had directly ordered it, while denying any official involvement or efforts to stop the terrorists. The lessons aim to educate students about the bravery and sacrifices involved in the operation. The material is now available online on NCERT’s official website.

Marking a major step in green innovation, the Ministry of Railways has commissioned India’s first-ever removable solar panel system between railway tracks at the Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW), Varanasi. This initiative is designed to enhance sustainability while utilizing unused track space for solar energy production. Alongside this achievement, Indian Railways has expanded freight operations. On August 10, the first rake carrying industrial salt was flagged off from Sanosara (Bhuj–Naliya section) to Dahej. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that this new logistics solution will create fresh opportunities for the salt industry in the region.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the development of a Greenfield Airport at Kota-Bundi (Rajasthan), with an investment of ₹1,507 crore by the Airports Authority of India (AAI). Known as the industrial capital of Rajasthan and the coaching hub of India, Kota will soon gain a modern airport suitable for handling A-321 type aircraft. The Rajasthan government has provided 440.06 hectares of land for the project.

The Congress-led Karnataka government on Tuesday passed legislation to officially rename Bengaluru City University as Dr. Manmohan Singh Bengaluru City University, in honour of the late former Prime Minister, who died at the age of 92 in December last year. The decision, however, drew objections from BJP leader R. Ashoka, who accused the Congress of harbouring “disdain” for Bengaluru even while seeking to rename its key university after Singh.

Renowned actor Achyut Potdar, celebrated for his role as a professor in Aamir Khan’s film 3 Idiots, passed away on Monday in Thane, Mumbai at the age of 91. He was admitted to Jupiter Hospital after facing health complications but could not recover. Over his extensive career, Potdar acted in more than 125 Hindi and Marathi films and nearly 100 television serials, leaving behind a rich legacy in Indian cinema and television. Tributes poured in, including heartfelt words from filmmaker Hansal Mehta, who called himself a “permanent fan.”

The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) has issued a high-severity threat alert to millions of Microsoft Windows and Office users in India. It warned that multiple vulnerabilities in the software could allow cyber attackers to steal sensitive data, launch ransomware attacks, or cause system crashes. CERT-In has strongly advised users to install the latest security updates immediately to safeguard their systems from potential breaches.

The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has successfully developed and licensed India’s first silicon photonics-based high-speed quantum random number generator (QRNG). The ₹1 crore licensing agreement was signed with Indrarka Quantum Technologies Pvt Ltd through IIT Madras’s Technology Transfer Office (TTO) for commercial deployment. Developed at the Centre for Programmable Photonic Integrated Circuits and Systems (CPPICS), the innovation is seen as a strategic advancement for India’s quantum innovation ecosystem.

Researchers at Warwick University have developed a handheld, diamond-based magnetic field sensor capable of tracing magnetic fluid injected into the human body. Reported in Physical Review Applied, this non-toxic and non-radioactive device offers a safer and less invasive alternative to current radioactive techniques used for tumour detection, particularly in diagnosing metastasised breast cancer. By harnessing the unique quantum properties of diamond, the innovation could mark a breakthrough in cancer diagnostics.

At the 16th Asian Shooting Championship in Shymkent, Kazakhstan, India’s Rashmika Sahgal clinched the junior women’s air pistol gold medal with a commanding score of 241.9, 4.3 points ahead of Korea’s Han Seunghyun. This marked India’s third individual gold on day two of the event. Rashmika also secured a team gold along with Vanshika Chaudhary and Mohini Singh, after an impressive qualification score of 582. Meanwhile, Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker won bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol event with a score of 219.7.

The Opposition alliance on Tuesday announced former Supreme Court judge B. Sudershan Reddy as its joint candidate for the vice-presidential election. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge described the election as an “ideological battle”, stressing that opposition parties unite whenever democracy and the Constitution come under attack. The nomination signals a strategic move to counter the ruling party’s influence in the high-profile election.

The National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL), part of the Quality Council of India (QCI), has launched a Medical Application Portal designed specifically for laboratories applying under ISO 15189:2022 standards. Released during the virtual event “GOING LIVE”, the revamped portal streamlines applications, reduces processing time, and mirrors the real-world workflow of medical labs, thereby improving efficiency, transparency, and accuracy in the accreditation process.

The Press Registrar General of India (PRGI), Yogesh Baweja, has launched the ‘Press Sewa’ portal, a single-window digital platform aimed at simplifying registration for newspapers and periodicals under the new Registration of Periodicals Act (PRP Act). The initiative is designed to improve transparency, reduce approval delays, and enhance ease of business for publishers. At a PIB Hyderabad session, Shruti Patil, Additional DG, announced plans for a dedicated publisher helpline, highlighting this as the first interactive session of its kind in Telangana.

The Bibi Fatima Women’s Self-Help Group (SHG) from Teertha village in Dharwad district, Karnataka, has been selected as one of the 10 global winners of the prestigious UNDP Equator Initiative Award 2025, often referred to as the “Nobel Prize for Biodiversity Conservation.” Announced on the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, the award recognizes outstanding community-led, nature-based solutions for sustainable development. The Teertha SHG’s innovative efforts in biodiversity preservation and sustainable livelihood promotion earned them this global honor.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), through its expert committee on Responsible and Ethical Enablement of Artificial Intelligence (FREE-AI), has released a framework recommending seven key principles for safe adoption of AI in financial services. Among its proposals are the creation of shared infrastructure for regulated entities to ensure democratized access to data and computing resources, and the establishment of an AI Innovation Sandbox to test new technologies. The detailed report, now available on the RBI website, provides guidelines to harness AI’s potential while mitigating risks and ensuring ethical standards.

The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has discovered between 10 and 20 metric tonnes of gold reserves spread across Odisha’s Deogarh, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, and Nabarangpur districts. This discovery is expected to give a significant boost to India’s mining sector and reduce dependence on imported gold. While the reserves promise strong economic prospects, experts have cautioned the need for environmentally sustainable mining practices to ensure long-term benefits.

At the 107th Annual General Meeting of Tata Sons Pvt Ltd, shareholders approved the appointment of Noel Tata and three others as directors on the company’s board. Noel Tata, who became chairman of Tata Trusts in October 2024, had been nominated by the Trusts and appointed as an additional director earlier, and has now received full shareholder approval. The AGM also saw the reappointment of Venu Srinivasan and Saurabh Agrawal, along with the appointment of Anita Marangoly George, cofounder and CEO of Prosperete, an emerging-markets growth fund, as an independent director.

Former Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli celebrated 17 years in international cricket on 18 August 2025. Kohli, who has retired from Tests and T20 Internationals, made his debut in an ODI against Sri Lanka on 18 August 2008, where he opened alongside India’s current head coach and scored 12 runs off 22 balls. Over the years, Kohli has established himself as one of cricket’s most prolific batsmen, achieving numerous records and becoming a central figure in Indian cricket.

Bhavina Patel, Assistant Director at Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), Ahmedabad, created history by winning gold at the ITTF World Para Elite Table Tennis Championship in Spokane, Washington, USA. Competing from 9–13 August 2025, Patel triumphed in the Women’s Singles Class 4–5 category, defeating top-ranked global opponents with her outstanding skill and strategy. Her victory marked a major milestone for India in para sports and brought pride to the nation.

At the 16th Asian Shooting Championship in Shymkent, Kazakhstan, India’s Kapil Bainsla clinched the gold medal in the junior men’s air pistol event, narrowly defeating Uzbekistan’s Ilkhombek Obidjonov by 0.6 points. Jonathan Antony, who topped qualification with 582 points, secured the bronze medal. In the senior men’s air pistol, Amit Sharma (588) and Varun Tomar (584) scored impressively but were not eligible for medals due to competing in the RPO category. Anmol Jain, with a score of 580, was the only Indian to reach the final, finishing sixth. India also earned team silver medals in both the senior men’s and junior sections, finishing behind China and Korea respectively. In the youth category, Girish Gupta won gold and Dev Pratap bagged silver, helping India secure another team silver, this time behind Iran.

According to Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary, the Centre has released ₹36,027 crore up to 11 August 2025 under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Expenditure and Investment (SASCI) scheme. Responding in Parliament, Chaudhary noted that since the scheme’s inception in FY 2021, a total of ₹3,66,249.45 crore has been allocated to states and union territories till FY 2025. The scheme incentivizes states to carry out reforms in various sectors, with the Centre providing financial assistance to support developmental and investment-related activities.

World Humanitarian Day was commemorated on 19 August to honor those who risk their lives in crisis zones to assist others, and to express solidarity with millions of people facing life-threatening situations. This year’s theme highlights the severe strain on the global humanitarian system, which remains underfunded, overstretched, and often under attack. The day traces back to 19 August 2003, when a devastating bomb explosion at the UN headquarters in Baghdad killed 22 humanitarian workers, including Sergio Vieira de Mello, the UN Special Representative for Iraq. In 2008, the UN General Assembly formally recognized the day by designating 19 August as World Humanitarian Day.

On 18 August 2025, the Union Government officially launched the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rojgar Yojna portal. Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya encouraged employers and first-time employees to benefit from the scheme, which was recently approved by the Cabinet and aims to create 3.5 crore jobs nationwide. The scheme covers all employers and first-time employees, with incentives available upon registration through the dedicated portal or UMANG app using the Universal Account Number (UAN). The scheme is divided into two components: Part A for first-time employees, and Part B for employers, both designed to boost employment generation.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officially launched the FASTag Annual Pass on August 15, 2025, covering about 1,150 toll plazas on National Highways and Expressways. By 7 PM on Day 1, nearly 1.4 lakh users purchased and activated the pass, resulting in 1.39 lakh toll transactions. To ensure smooth adoption, Nodal officers have been deployed at each plaza, while the 1033 National Highway Helpline has been expanded with 100+ additional executives for grievance redressal.

On the 79th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a 103-minute address from the Red Fort, marking the longest-ever Independence Day speech by any Indian Prime Minister. With this, he surpassed his own record of 98 minutes in 2024, and earlier 96 minutes in 2016. His shortest Independence Day speech remains the 56-minute address in 2017. This year’s speech included wide-ranging references to governance, economy, and India’s global aspirations.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated two mega road infrastructure projects in Delhi — the Dwarka Expressway (Delhi stretch) and the Urban Extension Road-II (UER-II) — collectively worth ₹11,000 crore, at a public gathering in Rohini on Sunday. Highlighting the government’s vision, Mr. Modi pledged to make Delhi a global-class capital symbolising India’s growth and confidence. He noted that over the past 11 years, expressways, metro expansion, and the Namo Bharat Rapid Rail have revolutionised commuting in Delhi-NCR.
• The Dwarka Expressway will enhance Gurugram-Delhi connectivity, while UER-II aims to reduce congestion at choke points like Mukarba Chowk, Dhaula Kuan, and NH-09. Once operational, travel time from Singhu border to IGI Airport will be cut to just 40 minutes.

Making history, the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA), in its three-decade existence, has elected women leaders for the first time. In the elections held on August 15, 2025, in Kochi, actor Shwetha Menon was elected President and Kukku Parameswaran became General Secretary, defeating Devan and Raveendran, respectively. Over 290 of 504 members voted to elect the new executive committee. Actor Unni Shivapal is the new Treasurer, while Jayan Cherthala and Lakshmipriya were chosen as Vice Presidents. Though women had previously served in other posts, the top leadership positions had always been male-dominated until now.

Following the demise of Nagaland Governor La. Ganesan (80 years) on August 15, 2025 while undergoing treatment at a Chennai hospital, President of India appointed Ajay Kumar Bhalla, the Governor of Manipur, with the additional responsibility of Nagaland. The Rashtrapati Bhavan’s communique (August 16) confirmed that Mr. Bhalla will discharge the duties of Nagaland Governor in addition to his existing charge in Manipur until a full-time successor is appointed.

• Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar launched the logo, mascot, and trophy of the 12th Men’s Asia Cup Hockey Championship at the CM Secretariat in Patna.
• The tournament, hosted for the first time in Bihar, will be held from August 29 to September 7, 2025 at the Rajgir International Stadium. The CM also flagged off the ‘Trophy Pride Journey’, where the Asia Cup torch will travel through all districts of Bihar.
• The mascot, ‘Chand’, inspired by India’s national animal — the tiger, represents courage, agility, and sporting excellence.

• German chess prodigy Vincent Keymer won the Quantbox Chennai Grand Masters 2025 with a round to spare, becoming the first-ever sole champion in the tournament’s history. His stellar performance elevated him into the world’s live Top 10 rankings for the first time.
• In the Challengers category, GM Pranesh M leads with 6.5 points after defeating GM Harika Dronavalli, while GMs Abhimanyu Puranik and Leon Luke Mendonca remain close behind, trailing by just half a point.

The mascot and logo of the first-ever Khelo India Water Sports Festival (KIWSF) were unveiled in Srinagar, with the Himalayan Kingfisher chosen as the mascot, symbolising agility and vibrancy. Scheduled from August 21 to 23, 2025, the festival will take place at the iconic Dal Lake. The event, organised by the J&K Sports Council in collaboration with the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports and SAI, marks the second Khelo India event in Jammu & Kashmir after Gulmarg hosted the Winter Games in March 2025. This follows the Khelo India Beach Games in Diu (May 2025), expanding the sporting footprint across varied terrains.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) announced CP Radhakrishnan, the Governor of Maharashtra, as the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate for the Vice-Presidential election. BJP National President JP Nadda made the declaration on Sunday, with Union Minister and HAM leader Jitan Ram Manjhi extending full support. The election became necessary following Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar’s sudden resignation due to health issues.

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj is set to roll out ‘SabhaSaar’, an Artificial Intelligence-powered tool that will automatically generate structured Minutes of Meeting (MoM) from Gram Sabha and Panchayat meeting audio/video recordings. Scheduled to be launched by Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh in New Delhi, the tool leverages AI and NLP technologies to transcribe conversations, identify key action points, and prepare accurate minutes. Integrated with Bhashini (National Language Translation Mission), SabhaSaar currently supports 13 Indian languages, ensuring inclusivity and efficiency in local governance.

Actor Abhishek Bachchan received the Best Actor award for his performance in the film I Want to Talk at the prestigious Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) Awards 2025 held on Friday. Celebrating the achievement, his father, legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan, expressed his happiness through a heartfelt social media post, saying he was “the happiest father in the entire universe” and described Abhishek as “the pride and honour” of the Bachchan family.

India’s merchandise trade deficit surged to an eight-month high of $27.35 billion in July 2025, according to quick estimates released by the Commerce Ministry. Exports rebounded after two months of decline, rising 7.3% to $37.24 billion, driven by strong shipments to the United States ahead of reciprocal tariff measures and a recovery in other key markets. Imports also grew by 8.6% to $64.6 billion, reaching a three-month high, thus widening the overall trade gap.

The State Bank of India (SBI) has launched a new personal loan scheme for Agniveers – young recruits serving under the government’s Agnipath short-term defence recruitment programme. Eligible Agniveers with salary accounts in SBI can now avail loans up to ₹4 lakh without any collateral or processing fees. The repayment schedule will be aligned with their service tenure under Agnipath, ensuring convenience during their transition to civilian life. Additionally, SBI announced a concessional flat interest rate of 10.50% on personal loans for all Defence personnel until 30th September 2025.

On 14th August 2025, India hosted the 4th Meeting of the India–Singapore Joint Working Group on Trade & Investment (JWGTI) at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi. The discussions were co-chaired by Shri Rajesh Agrawal, Special Secretary, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and Dr. Beh Swan Gin, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Singapore. The meeting holds special importance as the year 2025 marks the 60th anniversary of India–Singapore diplomatic ties and the 20th anniversary of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA).

Bob Simpson, former captain of the Australian men’s cricket team and a legendary figure in the sport, passed away in Sydney at the age of 89. Simpson, who had a distinguished career between 1957 and 1978, played 62 Test matches, scoring at an average of 46.81 and also contributing as a bowler with 71 wickets. He had initially retired from international cricket in 1968 after an 11-year stint but made a comeback in 1977. His death marks the end of an era in Australian cricket.

The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) has selected Bengaluru-based PixxelSpace India-led consortium to develop India’s first indigenous commercial earth observation (EO) satellite constellation under a public-private partnership model. For the first time, a private consortium will invest over ₹1,200 crore in the next five years to launch a constellation of 12 cutting-edge EO satellites equipped with panchromatic, multispectral, hyperspectral, and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) sensors. The consortium includes PixxelSpace India, Piersight Space, Satsure Analytics India, and Dhruva Space. The selection was made after a competitive bidding process involving two other consortia.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and NASA’s joint mission NISAR, the ₹13,000-crore Earth observation satellite launched 17 days ago, successfully unfurled its massive antenna reflector, NASA confirmed. The giant umbrella-like structure remained folded until its 30-foot (9-metre) boom was deployed and securely locked in place. This antenna is the largest reflector ever deployed on a NASA mission and will enhance the satellite’s capability for high-resolution Earth navigation and monitoring.

India’s first-ever aquanauts, Senior Scientist Raju Ramesh and Commander (Retd.) Jatinder Pal Singh, successfully undertook deep-sea expeditions in the Atlantic Ocean, reaching depths of 4,025 metres and then 5,002 metres, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh confirmed. This historic milestone makes it the deepest underwater dive ever conducted by Indians. The two record-setting dives, which lasted for a combined seven hours, mark India’s entry into the global league of deep ocean exploration.

Former Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud, who retired in November 2024 as the country’s 50th CJI after over 25 years on the bench, is set to publish his debut book Why the Constitution Matters under Penguin Random House by the end of August 2025. Justice Chandrachud is widely respected for his landmark judgments upholding the Right to Privacy, decriminalisation of homosexuality, and gender equality in the armed forces. The book highlights the relevance of the Indian Constitution in the modern era.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) on Thursday announced through social media platform X that the Union Government has prepared a fresh capital expenditure plan worth nearly ₹47,000 crore to strengthen Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited’s (BSNL) telecom infrastructure. Last year, BSNL had invested a record ₹25,000 crore in its network upgradation, including the installation of one lakh 4G mobile service towers. According to Union Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, this was BSNL’s highest-ever capex in its history. Most of the previous ₹25,000-crore project for telecom equipment supply was executed by the Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DoT)-led consortium. The government is also pressing BSNL to improve its average revenue per user (ARPU).