Author name: Ajay Gulia

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Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) Completes 11 Years

The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), one of the world’s largest financial inclusion programmes, completed 11 years on 28 August 2025. Announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 15 August 2014 and launched on 28 August 2014.

PMJDY is a National Mission on Financial Inclusion, ensuring universal access to banking services. It provides:

  • Basic Savings Bank Accounts for every household
  • Need-based credit, remittances, insurance, and pension facilities
  • RuPay Debit Card to every account holder
  • Zero balance account opening at bank branches or Bank Mitra outlets
  • Mobile banking via USSD, even on basic feature phones

Appointment of Two New Supreme Court Judges

On 27 August 2025, the President of India appointed:

  • Justice Alok Aradhe, Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court
  • Justice Vipul Manubhai Pancholi, Chief Justice of the Patna High Court
    as Judges of the Supreme Court of India.

The appointments followed the recommendation of the Supreme Court Collegium headed by Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai.

US Imposes 50% Tariffs on Indian Goods from Aug 27, 2025

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a draft notice implementing 50% tariffs on Indian imports, effective 27 August 2025, in line with President Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14329.

The move follows Trump’s earlier announcement of an additional 25% tariff, citing India’s high trade barriers and close energy and defense ties with Russia.

Ganesh Chaturthi 2025 – Festival of New Beginnings

Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha, revered as the remover of obstacles and the god of wisdom and prosperity.

Celebration Dates (2025): From 27 August to 6 September, ending with Ganesh Visarjan on Anant Chaturdashi.

Historical Significance: Though ancient in origin, it became a mass community festival in the late 19th century when Lokmanya Tilak used it to unite Indians during colonial rule.

Women’s Employment Rate in India Nearly Doubles Since 2017-18

According to Ministry of Labour and Employment, Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2023-24, Women workforce participation rate (WPR) nearly doubling from 22% (2017-18) to 40.3% (2023-24), and unemployment falling from 5.6% to 3.2%.

  • Rural female employment grew by 96%, while urban female employment rose 43%.
  • Women’s employability: 47.53% (2024) vs 42% (2013).
  • Postgraduates & higher: employment rate rose from 34.5% to 40% (2017-18 to 2023-24).
  • India Skills Report 2025: 55% graduates globally employable (vs 51.2% last year).
  • EPFO payroll: 1.56 crore women joined formal workforce in 7 years.
  • e-Shram portal: 16.69 crore women workers registered.
  • Female self-employment share: 51.9% → 67.4% (2017-18 to 2023-24).
  • Gender budgeting: ₹0.85 lakh cr (2013-14) → ₹4.49 lakh cr (2025-26).
  • PM Mudra Yojana: 68% loans to women (35.38 cr loans worth ₹14.72 lakh cr).
  • PM SVANidhi: 44% women beneficiaries.
  • Women-led MSMEs doubled to 1.92 cr, creating 89 lakh new jobs (FY21–FY23).

ISRO Successfully Conducts First Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-01) for Gaganyaan Mission

ISRO Successfully Conducts First Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-01) for Gaganyaan Mission on 24 Aug 2025, at Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota.

  • Agencies Involved: ISRO, Indian Air Force, DRDO, Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard.
  • Objective: End-to-end demonstration of parachute-based deceleration system for Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission.

Mirabai Chanu Wins Gold at 2025 Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships

Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu clinched the gold medal in the women’s 48kg category at the 2025 Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships in Ahmedabad (25 Aug 2025).

  • Total Lift: 193 kg (Snatch 84kg + Clean & Jerk 109kg)
  • Records: New Commonwealth Championship records in snatch, clean & jerk, and total
  • Impact: Secured direct qualification for Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games

Anish Dayal Singh Appointed Deputy National Security Advisor

Anish Dayal Singh, 1988-batch IPS (Manipur cadre) and former DG of CRPF & ITBP, has been appointed as Deputy NSA under Ajit Doval.

  • He brings nearly 30 years of IB experience, including as Special Director.
  • Will handle internal security affairs – J&K, Left-Wing Extremism, Northeast insurgency, cybersecurity, and counter-terrorism inputs.
  • Joins NSA team with Rajinder Khanna (Addl NSA), T.V. Ravichandran (Dy NSA), and Pawan Kapoor (Dy NSA).

🔎 Significance: His appointment strengthens India’s internal security strategy with expertise in counter-insurgency, intelligence, and reforms.

India’s First Removable Solar Panel by Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW)

Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW), Varanasi, has rolled out India’s first Removable Solar Panel pilot project. The 70-metre setup includes 28 solar panels generating up to 15 KW electricity.

These panels are durable, efficient, and removable, allowing for maintenance and seasonal adaptation, and are installed between railway tracks without land acquisition.

NorthEast United FC Retains Durand Cup Title

NorthEast United FC (NEUFC) retained the Durand Cup title with a 6–1 win over debutants Diamond Harbour FC (DHFC) on 23 August 2025 at Kolkata’s Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan.

  • NEUFC became the first team in 34 years to defend the Durand Cup, a feat last achieved by East Bengal (1989–1991).
  • Six different NEUFC players scored, with Alaaeddine Ajaraie contributing 3 assists and a stoppage-time penalty.
  • DHFC’s lone goal came via Jobby Justin (68’, deflected header).

Supreme Court’s Modified Order on Stray Dogs

The Supreme Court modified its earlier order on 22 August 2025, that mandated the confinement of all stray dogs to shelters across Delhi-NCR.

  • Now allowed: Stray dogs can be released back to their original places after sterilisation and vaccination.
  • Exception: Dogs infected with rabies or showing aggressive behaviour must be kept in shelters.
  • Public feeding ban: Feeding of stray dogs in public is prohibited; instead, dedicated feeding spaces will be created by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) in each ward.
  • Adoption: Animal lovers can apply to the MCD for adopting dogs.

National Space Day – 23 August

National Space Day 2025 – Date: 23 August 2025 (Second National Space Day).

Origin: Marks Chandrayaan-3’s soft landing of Vikram Lander & deployment of Pragyan Rover on 23 Aug 2023.

Historic Firsts:

  • India became 4th country to land on Moon.
  • 1st to land near the South Pole region.
  • Landing site named Shiv Shakti Point.

Theme 2025: “Aryabhatta to Gaganyaan: Ancient Wisdom to Infinite Possibilities”.

Kajal Dochak clinches gold in U-20 World Wrestling Championships

On 22 August 2025, India’s Kajal Dochak clinched gold in the 72kg category, defeating China’s Yuqi Liu 8-6. Saarika (53kg) and Shruti (50kg) earned bronze medals, while Suraj bagged bronze in the men’s Greco-Roman 60kg category.

On 21 August 2025, Reena (55kg) and Priya Malik (76kg) won silver medals after tough final losses.

India’s Medal Tally so far: 9 medals (2 Gold, 4 Silver, 3 Bronze).

James Webb Telescope Discovers Uranus’ 29th Moon, S/2025 U1

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) discovered a new moon of Uranus, named S/2025 U1.

  • The discovery was made by a team led by the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) on On 2 February 2025.
  • This raises the total number of Uranian moons to 29.
  • The moon is estimated to be just 10 km in diameter.
  • It orbits Uranus at a distance of 56,000 km.
  • Lead scientist Maryame El Moutamid called it a “small but significant discovery.”

ISRO to Conduct Gaganyaan’s First Test Flight in December 2025

On 21 August 2025, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman V. Narayanan announced that India’s maiden manned space mission – Gaganyaan will have its first test flight in December 2025.

  • Progress: Around 7,700 tests (80%) completed; remaining 2,300 tests to finish by March 2026.
  • Other Achievements (2025): 196 milestones, including GLEX-2025, a high-thrust electric propulsion system, and plans to launch a 6,500 kg US communication satellite from India.
  • Aditya L1 Mission: Delivered 13 terabits of scientific data this year.
  • Axiom-4 Mission: ISRO corrected a LOX leakage in Falcon-9’s first stage, ensuring a safe launch.

Parliament Passes Online Gaming Bill 2025: Real-Money Games Banned

On 21 August 2025, Parliament passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, creating a national framework for India’s gaming sector.

Objectives: Promote skill-based gaming & esports, regulate the industry, ban real-money betting/wagering games, and protect users from addiction & financial harm.

  • Prohibitions: Ban on money games, their advertisements, and related financial transactions.
  • Penalties: Up to 5 years jail, fines up to ₹2 crore for repeat offences.
  • Impact: Real-money platforms like Dream11, MPL, PokerBaazi face bans; esports & social gaming expected to grow.

India Successfully Test-Fires Agni-5 IRBM with MIRV Capability

On 20 August 2025, India successfully test-fired the Agni-5 Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) from the Integrated Test Range (Chandipur, Odisha).

  • Technology: Equipped with MIRV (Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle) capability, enabling deployment of multiple warheads.
  • Range: Over 5,000 km, covering Asia, parts of Europe, and beyond.
  • Conducted by: Strategic Forces Command, validating all parameters.
  • Developer: DRDO, marking it as the most advanced missile in the Agni series.

UIDAI–Starlink Tie-Up for Aadhaar-Based Customer Verification in India

On 10 August 2025, UIDAI partnered with Starlink Satellite Communication Pvt Ltd (owned by Elon Musk) to enable Aadhaar-based customer verification for Starlink’s satellite internet services in India.

  • Aadhaar e-KYC will allow paperless, secure onboarding.
  • Authentication is voluntary, as per regulations.
  • Starlink is now a Sub-Authentication User Agency (AUA) and Sub-eKYC User Agency (KUA).
  • Face authentication is being promoted for ease of use.

This move supports Digital India, helping provide high-speed satellite internet to rural and remote regions.

India–China to Resume Direct Flights

On 19 August 2025, India and China agreed to resume direct flight connectivity between the Chinese mainland and India and to finalise an updated Air Services Agreement.

The decision came after talks in New Delhi between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar.

Direct flights, suspended since the COVID-19 pandemic and earlier tensions after the Doklam standoff and 2020 Galwan Valley clash, will now be restored.

INDIA Bloc Names Justice B. Sudershan Reddy as Vice Presidential Candidate

The INDIA bloc on 19 August 2025 named Justice B. Sudershan Reddy (former Supreme Court Judge) as its candidate for the Vice Presidential election on September 9.

The announcement was made by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in New Delhi. Justice Reddy will file his nomination on August 21. All opposition parties, including TMC and AAP, are supporting him.

He will contest against NDA nominee CP Radhakrishnan. The VP post fell vacant after Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned (21 July).

BCCI announces India’s Squad for Asia Cup T20 (UAE, 2025)

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced India’s squad for the upcoming Asia Cup T20 on 19 August 2025. The tournament will be played in Abu Dhabi and Dubai from September 9 to 28, 2025.

India, the defending champions, will be led by Suryakumar Yadav, while Shubman Gill has been appointed vice-captain, marking his return to the T20 format.

India to Establish Bharatiya Antariksh Station by 2035; Crewed Moon Mission by 2040

On 16 August 2025, Science & Technology Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh announced India’s plan to set up an operational Bharatiya Antariksh Station by 2035 and send an Indian crewed mission to the Moon by 2040.

The announcement was made during a special Lok Sabha discussion on India’s first astronaut aboard the ISS. The Minister lauded IAF Group Captain Subhanshu Shukla for his historic mission to the International Space Station.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s India Visit (August 18–19, 2025)

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to Indi from August 18–19, 2025. First visit by Wang Yi since Galwan Valley clashes (2020) and LAC disengagement (2024).

  • Meetings with EAM S. Jaishankar, NSA Ajit Doval, and PM Modi.
  • SR-level boundary talks (24th round) with Ajit Doval on LAC peace.
  • China pledged support in fertilisers, rare earths, and tunnel boring machines.
  • Visit precedes PM Modi’s likely trip to SCO Summit, Tianjin (China).
  • Symbolic goodwill: resumption of Indian pilgrimages to Mount Kailash (Gang Renpoche) & Lake Manasarovar (Mapam Yun Tso).

12th India–Sri Lanka Naval Exercise SLINEX-25 Underway off Colombo

The sea phase of the 12th Sri Lanka-India Naval Exercise (SLINEX-25) is underway in western waters off Colombo.

Indian Navy ships INS Jyoti (fleet tanker) and INS Rana (destroyer) are participating along with Sri Lanka Navy ships SLNS Vijayabahu and SLNS Sayura.

Drills include VBSS operations, gunnery, screening, vertical replenishment, flashing, and fuelling approaches.

The harbour phase (14–16 Aug 2025, Colombo Port) featured joint briefings, helicopter training, professional exchanges, sports, yoga, and ship visits for schoolchildren.

S&P Upgrades India’s Sovereign Credit Rating to ‘BBB’

On 14 August 2025, S&P Global Ratings upgraded India’s long-term sovereign credit rating to ‘BBB’ from ‘BBB-’, the first upgrade in 18 years, citing strong economic growth, better monetary policy credibility, and sustained fiscal consolidation.

  • India’s last upgrade by S&P was in 2007.
  • India’s real GDP growth averaged 8.8% (FY 2022–24), the highest in Asia-Pacific, and is projected at 6.8% annually over the next three years.
  • India’s debt-to-GDP ratio expected to decline from 83% (FY 2025) to 78% (FY 2029).
  • Other agencies’ ratings: Fitch: BBB- (since 2006), Moody’s: Baa3 (since 2020).
  • The upgrade came despite U.S. tariffs on Indian exports (50%), citing oil imports from Russia.

Devika Sihag Wins International Challenge Title at Malaysia Open 2025

On 17 August 2025, Indian shuttler Devika Sihag (20 years) won the women’s singles title at the Malaysia International Challenge 2025 in Ipoh.

She defeated compatriot Isharani Baruah (5th seed) with scores 15-7, 15-12.

The tournament was held under BWF’s experimental 3×15 scoring system (games to 15 instead of 21).

CP Radhakrishnan Named NDA Candidate for Vice Presidential Election 2025

On 17 August 2025, BJP President JP Nadda announced that Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan will be the NDA’s candidate for the upcoming Vice Presidential Election.

  • The decision was taken at the BJP parliamentary board meeting in New Delhi, attended by PM Modi, Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, and others.
  • All NDA allies supported the decision; efforts are being made to seek consensus with opposition parties.
  • The Vice Presidential Election will be held on 9 September 2025.
  • The election was necessitated by the resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar.

Vincent Keymer Wins Chennai Grand Masters 2025

The Chennai Grand Masters 2025, held from August 7–15, marked the third edition of India’s premier classical chess tournament. Organized by MGD1 and sponsored by Quantbox, the event featured two elite round-robin sections—Masters and Challengers—with 10 players each, battling across nine rounds for a total prize pool of ₹1 Crore.

Masters Section Highlights

  • Champion: Vincent Keymer (Germany)
    • Clinched the title with a round to spare
    • Final score: 7/9
    • Earned ₹25 Lakhs and 24.5 FIDE Circuit points
  • Runner-ups (Joint Second – 5 points):
    • Arjun Erigaisi – third consecutive runner-up finish
    • Karthikeyan Murali
    • Anish Giri

PM Modi Sets Record with Longest Independence Day Speech

On 15 August 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered the longest-ever Independence Day speech from the Red Fort, lasting 1 hour 43 minutes.

  • Surpassed his own 98-minute record of 2024; his shortest was 56 minutes in 2017.
  • This was his 12th consecutive Independence Day address since 2014 (65 minutes).
  • Previous PMs’ speeches: Nehru (1947 – under 20 min), Indira Gandhi (shortest 14 min in 1966), Manmohan Singh (longest ~55 min in 2007).
  • Modi’s 2025 speech highlighted economic reforms, digital sovereignty, youth empowerment, and India’s global role.
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