Daily Current Affairs - Week 35, 2025 (25 Aug 2025 - 31 Aug 2025)

• PNB signed an MoU with CRPF to provide enhanced insurance and welfare benefits under the ‘Rakshak Plus’ scheme.
• India’s GDP growth for FY26 is projected at 6.3%, slightly lower than RBI’s 6.5% estimate, as per SBI report.
• Wipro will acquire Samsung’s HARMAN DTS unit for $375 million, bringing over 5,600 employees under its fold by December 2025.
• India and Fiji reaffirm commitment to free and open Indo-Pacific, agree to deepen defence ties.
• AMFI signs MoU with India Post to train 1 lakh postmen for mutual fund distribution.
• Suzuki to invest ₹70,000 crore in India over next six years to boost EV production and clean mobility.
• PM Modi inaugurates and dedicates development projects worth ₹5,400 crore in Ahmedabad, including major railway upgrades.
• India partners with World Food Programme to supply fortified rice for fighting global hunger.
• IREDA signs MoU with MNRE, sets ₹8,200 crore revenue target for FY 2025-26 after surpassing last year’s goal.
• CCI approves Adani Group’s 100% acquisition of debt-ridden Jaiprakash Associates Limited.
• Meta to invest $50 billion in building the world’s largest data centre in Louisiana, says US President Trump.
• China’s Yangwang U9 hypercar sets world EV speed record at 472.41 kmph in Germany.
• Murugappa Group’s CG Semi launches ₹7,600 crore semiconductor pilot line in Gujarat under India Semiconductor Mission.
• Gangwal family trust sells ₹2,933 crore stake in IndiGo, taking 2025 divestment total beyond ₹39,500 crore.
• SEBI approves Groww IPO, paving way for $1 billion fintech listing in India.

Manika Vishwakarma from Rajasthan has won Miss Universe India 2025 and will represent India at Miss Universe in Thailand.

• INS Kadmatt completes goodwill port visit to Surabaya, strengthening India-Indonesia naval ties.
• India close to finalising $1 billion deal with US company GE for 113 fighter jet engines to power Tejas aircraft.

• Kerala has been declared India’s first fully digitally literate state after the success of the Digi Kerala project.
• Mizoram Assembly passes bill banning begging and ensuring rehabilitation for affected individuals.
• Delhi CM relaunches upgraded ‘U-Special’ DTC bus service with electric buses and enhanced safety features for students.

Former England fast bowler Ken Shuttleworth passes away at the age of 80.

• ICMR has launched CEREBO, a handheld, radiation-free, and cost-effective device to detect brain injuries within a minute, especially useful in rural and emergency care.
• 200-million-year-old fossil of phytosaur discovered in Jaisalmer, India’s first well-preserved find of its kind.
• Indian scientists discover IgM antibody can stabilise and neutralise bacterial toxins, opening new treatment avenues.
• Astronomers capture first-ever direct image of baby planet WISPIT 2b orbiting star WISPIT 2 in constellation Aquila.

• Ravi Narayanan has been appointed as the new CEO of SMFG India Credit, effective August 28, 2025.
• Satish Golcha has been appointed as the new Commissioner of Police, Delhi, replacing interim chief S.B.K. Singh.
• Former CRPF chief Anish Dayal Singh has been appointed Deputy NSA to handle internal security matters.
• RBI’s Rajiv Ranjan appointed Vice President and Chief Risk Officer of New Development Bank.
• Srinivasan K. Swamy elected as president of AAAI for 2025-26; new board members announced.
• Sajith Sivanandan appointed CEO of Tata Digital, to take charge from September 1, 2025.
• Metropolitan Stock Exchange raises ₹1,000 crore and reappoints Latika S Kundu as CEO for three years.
• Former RBI Governor Urjit Patel appointed IMF Executive Director for a three-year term.
• Indian-origin banker Piyush Gupta appointed Alternate Member of Singapore’s Council of Presidential Advisers for four years.

• Gujarat will host seven international sporting events in Ahmedabad over the next five years, including the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship 2025.
• India’s Kajal Dochak won gold in the women’s 72kg category at the U-20 World Wrestling Championships in Bulgaria.
• Chikitha Taniparthi and Sharvari Shende won gold medals at the World Youth Archery Championships in Canada, with India finishing with 8 medals overall.
• India sweeps all three mixed air rifle gold medals at Asian Shooting Championship in Kazakhstan.
• Sharvari Somnath Shende wins U18 women’s recurve gold at World Youth Archery Championships.
• Indian Test cricket stalwart Cheteshwar Pujara retires from all formats.
• Mirabai Chanu wins gold with record lifts at 2025 Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships, qualifies for Glasgow 2026.
• India’s Union Cabinet approves bid to host 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad, calling it the ideal host city.

• Ethel Caterham, the world’s oldest living person, celebrated her 116th birthday on August 21.
• India has been elected Chairman of the AIBD Executive Board at the General Conference in Thailand after nearly a decade.
• India suspends postal services to the USA after new US tariff order removes duty-free exemption.
• Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to lead Indian delegation at the 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Barbados.
• Lithuania appoints Social Democrat leader Inga Ruginiene as new Prime Minister.
• Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth inaugurates MILMEDICON-2025, global military medicine conference, in New Delhi.
• India and Bhutan sign MoU to enhance cooperation in agriculture, livestock, and allied sectors.

• Since December 2024, Assam Rifles has mapped 42,000 Myanmar nationals entering India temporarily under the Free Movement Regime.
• NITI Aayog released a report providing a roadmap to boost India’s homestay and BnB ecosystem for tourism and rural economy.
• NCERT has included Indian classical music, dance, theatre, and visual arts in school textbooks for Classes 3 to 8.
• CBI has filed a ₹2,929-crore loan fraud case against Reliance Communications, Anil Ambani, and others based on SBI’s complaint.
• PM Jan Dhan Yojana completes 11 years, hailed as the world’s largest financial inclusion initiative.
• Centre forms PM-led committees for Patel’s and Birsa Munda’s 150th birth anniversaries and Vajpayee’s centenary celebrations.
• Cabinet approves restructuring of PM SVANidhi Scheme with extension till March 2030 to benefit 1.15 crore street vendors.

• August 22 is observed as International Day for Victims of Religious Violence, as designated by the UN General Assembly.
• August 23 was observed as International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition.
• First-ever World Lake Day observed on August 27 to highlight lakes’ ecological and cultural importance.

CG Semi, a subsidiary of Murugappa Group backed by the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), inaugurated its pilot line at a ₹7,600 crore semiconductor packaging facility in Sanand, Gujarat. The project, supported 50% by the Union government and developed in partnership with Renesas Electronics (U.S.) and Stars Microelectronics (Thailand), is the first among 10 ISM-approved projects to reach this stage. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel attended the inauguration. The facility will produce chips for electronics, automobiles, and appliances, with the pilot line testing qualifying chips before scaling up to a capacity of 5 lakh chips per day.

The Chinkerpoo Family Trust, promoted by IndiGo co-founder Rakesh Gangwal, sold a 1.3% stake in the airline worth ₹2,933 crore through open market transactions. This brings the cumulative stake sale by the Gangwal family, including Rakesh Gangwal and his wife Shobha Gangwal, to ₹39,532.79 crore ($4.51 billion) in 2025, with ₹14,497 crore worth of shares offloaded this year alone.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has approved the Initial Public Offering (IPO) of online investment platform Groww, enabling its public listing estimated to raise $1 billion. Valued between $7–8 billion, this IPO is set to be one of the largest fintech listings in India. With over 12 million active clients and consistent financial growth, the listing reflects strong investor confidence in India’s digital financial ecosystem.

Astronomers have, for the first time, captured a direct image of a forming planet within a dark gap in a multi-ringed disk surrounding a young star. The planet, named WISPIT 2b, is around 5 million years old and orbits WISPIT 2, a young star located 430 light-years away in the constellation Aquila. This discovery provides new insights into planetary formation.

The Government of India has appointed former Reserve Bank of India Governor Urjit Patel as Executive Director at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a three-year term. The appointment was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, following the recall of former CEA Krishnamurthy V. Subramanian from the post earlier this year. Patel, a noted monetary economist, served as RBI Governor from 2016 to 2018, after having worked as Deputy Governor for over three years.

• Indian-origin banker Piyush Gupta has been appointed as an Alternate Member of the Council of Presidential Advisers in Singapore for four years.
• President Tharman Shanmugaratnam made the appointment on the advice of Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, the President's Office said in a media release.
• Now a Singapore citizen, the 65-year-old has a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Degree in Economics from St. Stephen's College, Delhi University, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Management from IIM, Ahmedabad.

Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth inaugurated MILMEDICON-2025: International Conference on Physical and Mental Trauma in Military Settings on 28th August 2025 at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi. The conference was organised by the Directorate General of Medical Services (Army) to highlight challenges and advances in military medicine.

In Thimphu, India and Bhutan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen cooperation in agriculture and allied areas. The MoU was signed by Shri Devesh Chaturvedi, Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India, and Mr. Thinley Namgyel, Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Bhutan. The agreement outlines joint collaboration in agricultural research, livestock health and production, post-harvest technologies, value chain development, and exchange of skills and expertise between the two nations.

The Central Government has constituted three high-level committees, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to commemorate the 150th birth anniversaries of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda, along with the centenary celebrations of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Separate gazette notifications have been issued for each panel. Patel, born on October 31, 1875, was India’s first Home Minister and is remembered as the ‘Iron Man of India’ with the Statue of Unity in Gujarat symbolising his legacy. Birsa Munda is honoured as a revered tribal icon and freedom fighter. The Vajpayee committee will oversee centenary events to celebrate the life and contributions of the former PM.

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given its approval for restructuring the Prime Minister Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) Scheme and extending its lending period from the earlier deadline of 31st December 2024 to 31st March 2030. The scheme, with a total financial outlay of ₹7,332 crore, now aims to support 1.15 crore beneficiaries, including an additional 50 lakh new street vendors.

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the acquisition of up to 100% shareholding in Jaiprakash Associates Limited (JAL) by Adani Group entities, including Adani Enterprises Limited (AEL) and Adani Infrastructure and Developers Private Limited (AIDPL). JAL is currently undergoing corporate insolvency resolution under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, as directed by the National Company Law Tribunal, Allahabad Bench.

US President Donald Trump announced that Meta, led by Mark Zuckerberg, will construct a data centre in Louisiana at a massive investment of $50 billion. Described as being the size of Manhattan, the centre will be the largest of its kind globally. Trump presented an illustration of the project’s scale by comparing the planned structure’s layout with a map of Manhattan.

China’s BYD luxury sub-brand, Yangwang, has broken the world speed record for electric vehicles. Its U9 Track Edition, a quad-motor hypercar with a power output of nearly 3,000 horsepower, achieved a top speed of 472.41 kmph at Germany’s ATP Papenburg test track. This performance surpasses the previous records held by Croatian EV Rimac Nevera and Japanese hypercar Aspark Owl.

The Mizoram Assembly has passed the Mizoram Prohibition of Beggary Bill, 2025. Social Welfare Minister Lalrinpuii stated that the law not only aims to make Mizoram free from beggary but also ensures care and rehabilitation of individuals involved. The government plans to establish temporary retention centres where beggars will be kept before being sent back to their home states or native places within 24 hours.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta relaunched the special ‘U-Special’ bus service for Delhi University students, which had been suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The new fleet will include more than 20 electric buses in the first phase, equipped with upgraded safety features like CCTV cameras, SOS emergency buttons, and live GPS tracking. These buses will operate according to college timings, ensuring safe and reliable transportation for students.

A breakthrough study at S.N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences (SNBNCBS) has revealed a novel function of IgM, the body’s largest antibody. Beyond binding pathogens, IgM acts as a structural “brace,” physically stabilising bacterial toxins and preventing them from damaging cells. This discovery opens new avenues for developing innovative treatments that disarm harmful proteins in the body, potentially revolutionising approaches to infectious diseases.

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given its approval to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to formally submit India’s bid for hosting the Commonwealth Games (CWG) 2030. Ahmedabad has been highlighted as the “ideal host city” due to its modern stadiums, advanced training facilities, and vibrant sporting culture. The Games, if awarded to India, will feature athletes from 72 Commonwealth nations competing in multiple sporting events.

Lithuania’s parliament has approved Social Democrat leader Inga Ruginiene as the country’s new Prime Minister. Currently serving as the Minister of Social Security and Labour, she now has up to 15 days to present her Cabinet list, which must be agreed upon with the President and then approved by Parliament. Once the President signs the appointment decree, she will formally assume office. Ruginiene, elected to Parliament in 2024, earlier served as chair of the Lithuanian Trade Union Confederation.

The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), launched on 28 August 2014 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has completed 11 years, transforming India’s financial inclusion landscape. Recognised as the world’s largest financial inclusion initiative, PMJDY has enabled millions of unbanked citizens to open zero-balance accounts with no maintenance charges. The Ministry of Finance continues to strengthen this mission to support marginalised and economically weaker sections of society, ensuring accessible and affordable banking for all.

The first-ever World Lake Day was observed on 27 August to highlight the ecological, economic, and cultural significance of lakes. Lakes are vital natural reservoirs that provide drinking water, support agriculture and industries, regulate climate, absorb floods, and store carbon. Apart from their environmental role, they also generate recreational and economic benefits, including tourism, fishing, and local community livelihoods. The observance calls for collective global efforts to protect lakes from pollution and degradation.

Global automobile manufacturer Suzuki Motor Corporation unveiled plans to invest ₹70,000 crore in India over the next 5–6 years, making it the company’s largest-ever investment in the country. Announced by CEO Toshihiro Suzuki during the launch of the e-Vitara in Gujarat, the investment will support electric vehicle production, development of new models, and expansion of clean mobility solutions. The move is expected to strengthen India’s position as Suzuki’s global hub for EV innovation and market leadership.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated, laid the foundation stone, and dedicated to the nation a series of development projects worth ₹5,400 crore in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Among these, railway projects worth over ₹1,400 crore were highlighted, including the doubling of the 65 km Mahesana–Palanpur Rail Line (₹530 crore) and gauge conversion of the Kalol–Kadi–Katosan Road (37 km) and Bechraji–Ranuj (40 km) rail lines worth ₹860 crore. These infrastructure projects aim to improve broad-gauge connectivity, making rail transport smoother, safer, and more efficient in the region.

The Government of India, through the Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD), signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with the World Food Programme (WFP) to strengthen efforts against global hunger. Under this partnership, India will supply fortified rice to WFP, ensuring nutritional support to vulnerable populations in food crisis zones across the world. The agreement highlights India’s commitment to addressing malnutrition and hunger globally, while showcasing the role of international cooperation in humanitarian assistance.

The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA) signed a performance-linked Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India, setting a Revenue from Operations target of ₹8,200 crore for FY 2025-26. In the previous fiscal year, IREDA surpassed expectations by generating ₹6,743.32 crore against a target of ₹5,957 crore. The MoU also specifies critical performance indicators such as Return on Net Worth, Return on Capital Employed, Asset Turnover Ratio, NPA-to-loans ratio, and EBITDA, reflecting IREDA’s role in advancing India’s renewable energy goals.

India is on the verge of finalising a $1-billion defence deal with US-based General Electric (GE) for the purchase of 113 jet engines to power 97 LCA Mark 1A Tejas fighter aircraft, according to media reports. The agreement builds upon an earlier deal where Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) procured 99 GE-404 engines. Additionally, the Centre has reportedly approved a ₹62,000 crore project for the procurement of the Tejas jets, further strengthening India’s indigenous air combat capabilities.

Veteran English cricketer Ken Shuttleworth, a right-arm pacer who played for England and Lancashire, passed away at the age of 80. Born in St Helens, Shuttleworth represented England in five Test matches, making his debut during the 1970–71 Ashes-winning tour of Australia. He notably claimed five wickets in Brisbane’s second innings, contributing to England’s historic victory. He is survived by his wife Barbara and daughters Sara and Hannah.

A fossil unearthed in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, has been identified as belonging to a phytosaur, a 200-million-year-old semiaquatic reptile resembling modern crocodiles. Experts describe it as India’s first well-preserved fossil of its kind, a discovery of international importance. According to Professor V.S. Parihar of Jai Narain Vyas University, such fossils have previously been found only in England, making this a rare and significant find from the Jurassic era.

The Metropolitan Stock Exchange of India (MSE) successfully completed its second round of capital raising worth ₹1,000 crore, reinforcing investor confidence in its growth plans. The shareholders also endorsed the reappointment of Latika S Kundu as Managing Director and CEO for three more years. With the new funds, MSE aims to enhance liquidity in equities and derivatives markets and invest in building a state-of-the-art data centre, ensuring stronger security, scalability, and innovation in trading systems.

Ace Indian weightlifter and Tokyo Olympic silver medallist Mirabai Chanu made a spectacular comeback to competitive weightlifting by clinching the gold medal in the women’s 48kg category at the 2025 Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships in Ahmedabad. She lifted a combined total of 193kg, creating new championship records in snatch (84kg), clean and jerk (109kg), and overall total. Her victory not only reaffirmed her dominance but also secured her direct qualification for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will lead the Indian parliamentary delegation to the 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) scheduled from October 5–12, 2025, in Bridgetown, Barbados. The event will focus on key themes, including financial transparency in elections. Ahead of the conference, Birla held a preparatory meeting with presiding officers of legislative bodies across India. The Indian team will include Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh, along with presiding officers and secretaries of various state and Union Territory legislatures.

During a bilateral meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Fijian counterpart Sitiveni Rabuka highlighted their shared vision for a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific. In a joint statement, both sides stressed their mutual interests in promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the region. India pledged to support Fiji by providing training and equipment to strengthen its maritime security. The countries also agreed to collaborate in UN peacekeeping operations and military medicine.

The Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Posts to provide training to one lakh postmen across the country. This initiative aims to enable postal staff to distribute mutual funds in rural and remote regions where financial services are less accessible. The MoU was formalized during an event in New Delhi marking AMFI’s 30th foundation day celebrations.

Indian Naval Ship INS Kadmatt, an indigenously built anti-submarine warfare (ASW) corvette, successfully completed a three-day port call at Surabaya, Indonesia. The visit strengthened bilateral naval ties between the Indian Navy and the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) through professional exchanges, cultural interactions, and sports activities. The crew participated in joint yoga sessions, friendly volleyball matches, cross-deck visits, and operational interactions to enhance interoperability and cooperation in maritime security.

The New Development Bank (NDB), established by BRICS nations, has appointed Rajiv Ranjan, Executive Director at the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), as Vice President and Chief Risk Officer for a five-year tenure. With over 35 years of experience as a central banker, Ranjan has been a key member of RBI’s Monetary Policy Committee since 2022 and previously led the Monetary Policy Department. He will assume office in September 2025 and play a vital role in shaping NDB’s risk and financial strategies.

Tata Digital, the ecommerce arm of Tata Sons, has announced the appointment of Sajith Sivanandan as its new Chief Executive Officer effective September 1, 2025. Previously serving as the President of Jio Mobile Digital Services, Sivanandan brings extensive leadership experience in digital businesses. His appointment follows the resignation of former CEO Naveen Tahilyani in May 2025. The announcement was formally conveyed to employees through an internal communication.

At its annual general body meeting on August 14, 2025, the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) elected Srinivasan K. Swamy, executive group chairman of R. K. Swamy Ltd., as its president for the 2025-26 term. Jaideep Gandhi was chosen as vice-president. The newly elected board members include industry leaders such as Anupriya Acharya (Leo Burnett, TLG India), Sam Balsara (Madison Communications), Tanya Goyal (Everest Brand Solutions), Tapas Gupta (BEI Confluence Communication), Vishandas Hardasani (Matrix Publicities and Media India), and Mohit Joshi (Havas Media India).

At the 16th Asian Shooting Championship held in Shymkent, Kazakhstan, Indian shooters dominated by winning all three gold medals in mixed air rifle events across the Senior, Junior, and Youth categories. In the senior 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team final, the Indian duo of Elavenil Valarivan and Arjun Babuta overcame China’s Peng Xinlu and Lu Dingke with a 17-11 victory. These victories further consolidated India’s top position on the medals table.

Indian archer Sharvari Somnath Shende secured the women’s U18 individual recurve gold medal at the 2025 World Youth Archery Championships in Winnipeg, Canada. The 16-year-old defeated South Korea’s Kim Yewon 6-5 in a thrilling final that went into a shoot-off. Leading 4-1 early on, Shende was challenged by Kim who levelled the match. In the deciding arrow, Kim scored 9, but Shende sealed victory with a perfect 10. She became the second Indian woman to strike gold at the event, following Chikitha Taniparthi’s U21 compound individual win against Korea’s Yerin Park.

Renowned Indian batsman Cheteshwar Pujara, known as one of the finest Test specialists of the 21st century, announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on August 24, 2025. Son of former Ranji player Arvind Pujara, he showcased batting brilliance from a young age with milestones such as a triple century in Under-14 cricket and a double hundred against England in Under-19 matches. He is best remembered for his match-saving knocks in India’s historic Border-Gavaskar Trophy triumphs in Australia in 2018 and 2020, where his resilience and technique troubled Australian bowlers.

The Department of Posts has announced a temporary suspension of postal services to the United States after the U.S. Administration issued Executive Order No. 14324 on July 30, 2025. The order removes the duty-free de minimis exemption for goods up to USD 800, effective August 29, 2025. As a result, all postal items destined for the USA, regardless of value, will attract customs duties under the International Emergency Economic Power Act (IEEPA). However, gifts valued up to USD 100 will continue to remain exempt.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has introduced CEREBO, a handheld, non-invasive diagnostic device designed to detect traumatic brain injuries, particularly in rural and emergency settings where CT or MRI scanners are not easily available. Developed using near-infrared spectroscopy integrated with machine learning, CEREBO can detect intracranial bleeding and brain swelling within a minute. It provides colour-coded, radiation-free, cost-effective results and is safe for use on infants and pregnant women. With just 30 minutes of training, even paramedical staff or non-specialised personnel can operate it. According to ICMR Director-General Dr. Rajiv Bahl, this indigenous technology aims to reduce deaths and disabilities caused by traumatic brain injuries. The ICMR has urged State governments to adopt the technology to expand access to affordable brain diagnostics.

Satish Golcha, currently Director General of Prisons, has been appointed Commissioner of Police, Delhi, succeeding interim chief Shashi Bhushan Kumar Singh, who had been holding charge since Sanjay Arora’s retirement on August 1. Golcha, who took over Delhi’s prisons department in May 2024, managed Tihar, Mandoli, and Rohini jails, tackling issues such as gang rivalries, smuggling of mobile phones, and violent incidents including the murders of gangsters Prince Teotia and Sunil Tajpuria. His appointment comes at a time when the capital faces challenges of law and order and prison-linked crimes.

Anish Dayal Singh, a 1988-batch IPS officer from the Manipur cadre, has been appointed as the new Deputy National Security Adviser (NSA) with responsibility for internal security matters. Singh, who retired in December 2024, brings three decades of Intelligence Bureau (IB) experience and has previously headed both the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). As Deputy NSA, he will oversee sensitive internal issues, including Jammu and Kashmir, Naxal insurgency, and militancy in the Northeast.

India’s 17-year-old Kajal Dochak clinched the gold medal in the women’s 72kg category at the U-20 World Wrestling Championships in Samokov, Bulgaria. In a fiercely contested final, she defeated China’s Yuqi Liu 8-6, adding to her reputation as reigning Under-20 Asian champion. In addition, Saarika won bronze in the women’s 53kg category by beating Poland’s Ilona Valchuk, while Shruti secured bronze in the 50kg event after defeating Germany’s Josephine Wrench 6-0. India also earned success in the men’s Greco-Roman category, with Suraj winning bronze in the 60kg division.

At the World Youth Archery Championships in Winnipeg, Canada, Chikitha Taniparthi made history as the first Indian compound archer to win the women’s under-21 individual title. The 20-year-old from Sultanpur, Telangana, who transitioned from karate to archery, defeated Korea’s Park Yerin in the final after overcoming Spain’s Paula Diaz Morillas in the semifinal. Meanwhile, 16-year-old Sharvari Shende from Pune secured gold in the women’s under-18 recurve individual event. India also bagged medals in other events, with Gatha Khadake and Agstay Singh earning the recurve mixed team bronze. Overall, India finished with four gold, two silver, and two bronze medals.

At the 23rd General Conference of the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD), held from August 19–21, 2025, in Phuket, Thailand, India was elected Chairman of the AIBD Executive Board with the highest number of votes. This marks a return to the position after nearly a decade, the last being in 2016. India continues to hold the presidency of the AIBD General Conference until August 2025, and its new leadership role reflects its growing influence in shaping broadcasting development policies across the Asia-Pacific region.

NITI Aayog, in collaboration with the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), released a report titled “Rethinking Homestays: Navigating Policy Pathways”. The study provides a strategic roadmap for expanding the homestay and bed-and-breakfast (BnB) ecosystem in India’s tourism sector. Drawing insights from hosts, aggregators, and policymakers, the report highlights the role of homestays in offering authentic cultural experiences to travelers while also fostering local entrepreneurship, boosting employment opportunities, and strengthening rural economies.

For the first time, NCERT has integrated Indian art forms—including classical music, dance, theatre, and visual arts—into textbooks for Classes 3 to 8 in line with the National Education Policy’s vision of culturally rooted education. A new Class 8 arts education textbook, Kriti, for the 2025–26 academic session, introduces students to core elements of Indian classical music such as swar, laya, and shabd. It also includes Sanskrit shloka recitations in rhythmic patterns, regional folk songs, and practical lessons on Hindustani and Carnatic ragas. Dance education will expose students to eight classical dance forms like Bharatnatyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, Mohiniyattam, and Sattriya. Until now, such exposure to classical traditions was available only through private training.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a case against Reliance Communications (RCom), its former director Anil D. Ambani, and others over allegations of a ₹2,929.05-crore bank loan fraud. Based on a complaint lodged by the State Bank of India (SBI), Mumbai branch, the case involves charges of criminal conspiracy, misrepresentation of facts to secure credit facilities, and diversion of funds between April 2013 and March 2017. Acting on warrants issued by a special Mumbai court, CBI officials conducted searches at RCom’s corporate office and Mr. Ambani’s Mumbai residence. The fraud came to light following a forensic audit report submitted in October 2020, which revealed irregularities during the specified period.

Every year on August 23, the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition is commemorated to honour the victims of one of history’s darkest chapters. First marked in 1998 in Haiti and in 1999 on Gorée Island, Senegal, the day calls for reflecting on the causes, methods, and consequences of the transatlantic slave trade. It also highlights the global interactions and cultural exchanges between Africa, Europe, the Americas, and the Caribbean born out of this painful history. The day forms part of UNESCO’s intercultural initiative “The Routes of Enslaved Peoples.”

Punjab National Bank (PNB) has signed an updated memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) to extend enhanced financial services and insurance benefits to serving personnel and pensioners under its flagship scheme “PNB Rakshak Plus.” The revised MoU was formalized at the CRPF Directorate General office in New Delhi’s CGO Complex. The document was signed by Binay Kumar Gupta, Chief General Manager of PNB, and Zaki Ahmad, IPS, Inspector General (ADM) of CRPF, in the presence of senior officials from both organizations.

India’s GDP is likely to grow at 6.3% in FY26, marginally lower than the Reserve Bank of India’s projection of 6.5%, according to the latest SBI Research Report. The report estimates first-quarter growth between 6.8% and 7%, attributing the slowdown to subdued private sector capital expenditure. It highlights that while India’s macroeconomic fundamentals remain robust, strategic policy actions will be essential to tackle global uncertainties. The report comes in the backdrop of India’s moderate GDP growth of 6.5% in FY25, a sharp drop compared to 9.2% growth in the previous fiscal year.

Wipro Ltd. has signed an agreement to acquire the Digital Transformation Solutions (DTS) business of HARMAN International, a subsidiary of Samsung, in an all-cash transaction worth $375 million. As part of this deal, over 5,600 DTS employees, including key leadership teams spread across the Americas, Europe, and Asia, will transition to Wipro by December 31, 2025. Following the completion of the acquisition, the DTS division will be merged into Wipro’s Engineering Global Business Line, strengthening its digital engineering capabilities worldwide.

Manika Vishwakarma from Rajasthan won the Miss Universe India 2025 crown on August 18, succeeding Miss Universe India 2024, Rhea Singha, who crowned her at the grand finale. Tanya Sharma from Uttar Pradesh was declared the first runner-up, Mehak Dhingra from Haryana secured the second runner-up position, while Amishi Kaushik emerged as the third runner-up. Manika will now go on to represent India at the prestigious 74th Miss Universe pageant, to be held in Thailand in November 2025.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced on Thursday that Kerala has become the first Indian state to achieve full digital literacy, marking the successful completion of the first phase of the Digi Kerala project. The initiative, implemented across all local bodies, was aimed at bridging the digital divide at the grassroots level. Out of 1.5 crore people surveyed across 83.46 lakh households, 21.88 lakh were found to be digitally illiterate. Remarkably, 21.87 lakh of them (99.98%) completed training and assessments successfully. During the event, Mr. Vijayan also interacted via video call with 104-year-old M.A. Abdullah Moulavi Baqavi from Ernakulam, one of the project’s oldest trainees.

SMFG India Credit (SMICC), a leading non-banking financial company with assets under management (AUM) exceeding ₹60,000 crore and a customer base of more than 30 lakh, has appointed Ravi Narayanan as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective August 28, 2025. Mr. Narayanan has previously held senior leadership roles at Axis Bank and HDFC Bank, bringing over three decades of expertise in retail banking and branch distribution. He has also served on the boards of Axis Securities and Axis Mutual Fund. The appointment was announced by Rajeev Kannan, Chairman of SMFG India Credit.

Gujarat will serve as the venue for seven international-level sporting events in Ahmedabad over the next five years, with three competitions scheduled in 2025 alone, according to a state government press note. Among them, the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship 2025 will take place at the newly built Naranpura Sports Complex from August 24–30, with 350 athletes from 29 countries participating. Soon after, the Asian Aquatics Championship 2025 will be held during September–October, drawing participation from top swimming nations including China, Japan, and Korea.

Ethel Caterham, the world’s oldest living person and the oldest British individual in recorded history, celebrated her 116th birthday on August 21. Born in England, Ethel has held the longevity record since April 30, 2025. She spent part of her youth in India, where she worked as a nanny for a British family at the age of 18. Notably, she also survived the COVID-19 pandemic, making her one of the oldest known survivors of the disease.

Since December 2024, security forces have recorded the movement of around 42,000 Myanmar nationals into India through designated points along the 1,643-km Indo-Myanmar border, according to a statement by the Assam Rifles. These individuals generally take temporary shelter in the four northeastern states of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, and Nagaland before returning to Myanmar, in line with the provisions of the revised Free Movement Regime (FMR). The clarification came after a video of Assam Rifles Director General Lt. Gen. Vikas Lakhera’s speech at Manipur University circulated online, shared by former CM N. Biren Singh, claiming 42,000 “outsiders” had entered Manipur. The Assam Rifles emphasized that the remarks were being misinterpreted.

The United Nations General Assembly, through resolution A/RES/73/296, has designated August 22 as the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief. The observance highlights the need to provide justice, support, and assistance to victims and their families in line with applicable laws. The day also underscores the interconnected nature of rights such as freedom of religion or belief, freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association, as enshrined in Articles 18, 19, and 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.