Current Affairs

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.

Trump–Putin Alaska Summit Ends Without Deal on Ukraine Conflict

The high-stakes summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump in Anchorage, Alaska lasted nearly three hours but ended without a deal on the Ukraine–Russia conflict.

  • Putin called the war a tragedy, stressed removing the primary causes, and suggested the next meeting in Moscow. He also claimed the conflict would not have happened if Trump were president in 2022.
  • Trump termed the talks “extremely productive”, saying many points were agreed but “no deal until there’s a deal.” He added he would consult NATO allies and Ukraine’s Zelensky.

India Achieves 100 GW Solar PV Module Manufacturing Capacity

India has reached 100 Gigawatt (GW) of solar PV module manufacturing capacity under the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM), up from 2.3 GW in 2014.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed it as a step towards self-reliance and clean energy adoption. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi credited the success to initiatives like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme and the 2019 ALMM Order.

Capacity surged from 8.2 GW in 2019 to 100 GW in 2025, with 100 manufacturers operating 123 units (up from 21 in 2021). This achievement supports the 500 GW non-fossil fuel target by 2030 and boosts India’s role in global decarbonization efforts.

India Bids to Host 2030 Commonwealth Games

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on 14 August 2025 approved India’s bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. India will submit its final proposal by 31 August 2025. The Games will mark 100 years since the first edition in 1930 and 20 years since India last hosted (Delhi, 2010).

India has proposed Ahmedabad as the lead host city, with Delhi and Bhubaneswar as alternatives. Plans include new sports complexes like the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave, and the inclusion of kabaddi, kho kho, shooting, wrestling, and archery.

With Canada withdrawing its bid, India’s chances have increased. The host country will be announced by the Commonwealth Sport General Assembly in November 2025 at Glasgow. The bid also supports India’s ambition to host the 2036 Olympic Games.

Partition Horrors Remembrance Day- August 14

Partition Horrors Remembrance Day, observed annually on August 14, was instituted by the Government of India in 2021 to honor the victims and survivors of the 1947 Partition, which caused one of the largest forced migrations in history—nearly 15 million displaced and 1–2 million deaths.

The day serves to commemorate suffering, educate future generations, preserve survivor testimonies, and promote healing. Initiatives include museum exhibits, school discussions, and storytelling by survivors, ensuring the tragedies and resilience of that era are remembered to inspire unity and compassion today.

India Bans Jute Imports from Bangladesh via Land Routes, Allows Only Through Nhava Sheva Port

On 12 Aug 2025, India banned imports of certain jute products from Bangladesh via land routes, restricting them to Nhava Sheva Seaport in Maharashtra. The ban covers bleached/unbleached woven jute fabrics, jute twine/ropes, and jute sacks/bags.

This follows earlier 2025 trade curbs and the April 9 revocation of Bangladesh’s transhipment facility (except for Nepal and Bhutan), amid diplomatic tensions after remarks by Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus in China.

The move aims to protect India’s jute industry, apply diplomatic pressure, and regulate import routes, impacting bilateral trade worth USD 12.9 billion in 2023–24.

Parliament Passes Income-Tax Bill, 2025 – Major Overhaul of 1961 Act

On 12 August 2025, Parliament passed the Income-Tax Bill, 2025, replacing the Income Tax Act of 1961. The new law, effective from 1 April 2026, aims to simplify tax administration by reducing sections from 819 to 536, cutting chapters from 47 to 23, and introducing a single “tax year.”

It provides taxpayer reliefs such as late refunds, shorter TDS correction limits, and clearer pension/gratuity deductions, without changing tax rates. Drafted in six months and reviewed by a Parliamentary Select Committee chaired by Baijayant Panda, the bill was passed by voice vote despite an Opposition walkout.

Merchant Shipping Bill 2024 Passed by Parliament

The Merchant Shipping Bill 2024 received Rajya Sabha approval on 11 August 2025, completing its passage in Parliament. It will replace the Merchant Shipping Act 1958 to align India’s laws with obligations under maritime treaties and international instruments to which India is a party.

The Bill aims to:

  • Promote the development of Indian shipping.
  • Ensure efficient maintenance of Indian mercantile marine.
  • Serve the national interest in maritime affairs.

Australia to Recognize Palestinian State at UNGA September 2025

Australian PM Anthony Albanese announced that Australia will formally recognize the State of Palestine at the 80th UN General Assembly, joining nations like France, Britain, and Canada in supporting a two-state solution. Nearly 150 UN member states already recognize Palestine.

The move comes amid public pressure and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Recognition is conditional on no Hamas role, Gaza demilitarization, and holding general elections. Albanese said the step is a practical contribution toward peace, coordinated with leaders from Britain, France, New Zealand, and Japan.

Namrata Batra Becomes First Indian to Enter Wushu Final at World Games 2025

On 11 August 2025, Namrata Batra became the first Indian to reach the women’s 52 kg Wushu final at the World Games in Chengdu, China, defeating Philippines’ Krizan Faith Collado 2-0.

This assured India’s first-ever World Games medal in Wushu, with at least a silver guaranteed. She will face Mengyue Chen of China in the final.

Earlier, Rishabh Yadav secured India’s first individual medal at the 2025 Games with bronze in men’s compound archery. Batra recently won gold at the Moscow Star International Wushu Championship ahead of the Games.

Indian Railways to Offer 20% Discount on Round-Trip Tickets

The Ministry of Railways announced a new round-trip package scheme offering 20% discount on fares for passengers booking both onward and return journeys for the same set of passengers.

Key points:

  • No fare refund will be allowed for tickets booked under this scheme.
  • Bookings start 14 August 2025 for travel from 13 October 2025 onwards.
  • The 60-day advance reservation rule will not apply for return journey tickets.

First Freight Train Reaches Kashmir Valley – Boost to Connectivity & Commerce

On 9 August 2025, the first-ever freight train arrived at the Anantnag Goods Shed, integrating the Kashmir Valley with India’s national freight network. Originating from Rupnagar, Punjab, it carried 21 BCN wagons of cement for infrastructure projects, covering ~600 km in under 18 hours via a WAG-9 electric locomotive.

Part of the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, this milestone promises lower transport costs, better market access for Kashmir’s produce, and year-round connectivity despite winter highway closures.

World Sanskrit Day 2025 – Celebrating India’s Ancient Language

World Sanskrit Day (Vishva Samskrita Dinam) is celebrated annually on Shravana Purnima (full moon day in Shravana), coinciding with Raksha Bandhan, to honor one of the world’s oldest languages.

First observed in 1969 by the Government of India, the day promotes Sanskrit learning and preserves its heritage. Sanskrit is the liturgical language of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, and the medium of ancient Indian texts like the Vedas, Upanishads, Ramayana, and Mahabharata.

In 2025, it is celebrated on 9 August, highlighting Sanskrit’s linguistic precision (Panini’s Ashtadhyayi), scientific relevance (AI and computational linguistics), and cultural continuity (Ayurveda, Yoga, astronomy, mathematics).

Rudrastra: Indian Railways’ 4.5 km Long Freight Giant Completes Successful Trial Run

Indian Railways has conducted a successful trial run of Asia’s largest freight train ‘Rudrastra’, measuring 4.5 km in length. The trial covered 209 km from Ganjkhwaja (UP) to Garhwa (Jharkhand) in 5 hours 10 minutes at an average speed of 40.50 km/h.

Rudrastra comprises 345 wagons with a capacity of 72 tonnes per wagon, powered by 7 engines. It was formed by coupling three long haul racks (two goods trains each), effectively lining up five goods trains.

The train, flagged from the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Division to the Dhanbad Division, aims to speed up freight loading and transportation, saving both time and resources.

Trump–Putin Alaska Meeting on August 15 in Alaska

US President Donald Trump announced he will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on August 15 to discuss efforts to end the war in Ukraine.

This will be their first in-person meeting since Trump’s return to the White House in January, and Putin’s first US visit in a decade.
The announcement followed Trump’s unveiling of a peace framework between Armenia and Azerbaijan, part of his push to resolve multiple global conflicts.

Parliament Passes Coastal Shipping Bill, 2025 to Boost India’s Maritime Economy

The Coastal Shipping Bill, 2025 was passed by the Rajya Sabha on 7 August 2025, after clearance from the Lok Sabha on April 3, 2025.

  • The bill replaces Part XIV of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 with a modern legal framework aligned with global cabotage norms.
  • Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, who introduced the bill, stated it will help increase India’s coastal cargo share to 230 million metric tonnes by 2030.
  • Key Features:
    • Introduces a simplified licensing system for coastal shipping.
    • Provides a framework for regulating foreign vessels in coastal trade.
    • Mandates a National Coastal and Inland Shipping Strategic Plan to guide future policy and infrastructure.
    • Proposes a National Database for Coastal Shipping to support transparency and investment.
  • The bill aims to enhance supply-chain security, promote Indian vessel usage, reduce foreign dependence, and generate local employment.
  • With its passage, all three key maritime laws are now approved:
    1. Merchant Shipping Bill, 2025
    2. Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025
    3. Coastal Shipping Act, 2025

M.S. Swaminathan Centenary Conference: Honouring the Father of India’s Green Revolution

The M.S. Swaminathan Centenary International Conference 2025 was held from August 7–9, 2025, at ICAR-PUSA, New Delhi with the theme “Evergreen Revolution – The Pathway to Biohappiness.”

The event marked the birth centenary of Prof. M.S. Swaminathan, known as the Father of India’s Green Revolution, and celebrated his vision for sustainable agriculture, food security, and social equity.

👨‍🔬 Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the event, released a commemorative coin and stamp, and launched the M.S. Swaminathan Award for Food and Peace.

🌍 The conference featured global participation, focusing on:

  • Climate-resilient, nutrition-sensitive farming
  • Biodiversity conservation
  • Biohappiness – linking ecology with human well-being
  • Youth and women’s role in agriculture

🏆 The first Swaminathan Award was conferred on Prof. Adenle of Nigeria for work with marginalized communities.

The event emphasized a shift from food security to nutritional security, highlighting millets, soil health, and community seed banks as future priorities.

Vice-Presidential Election 2025: EC Announce Schedule

The Election Commission of India has notified the schedule for the Vice-Presidential Election 2025 on August 7, 2025.

📅 Key Dates:

  • Last date for nominations: August 21, 2025
  • Scrutiny of nominations: August 22, 2025
  • Last date for withdrawal: August 25, 2025
  • Voting date (if required): September 9, 2025

US Slaps Extra 25% Tariff on Indian Imports Over Russian Oil, Total Now 50%

On August 6, 2025, US President Donald Trump announced an additional 25% tariff on Indian imports, raising the total tariff to 50%. The move was in response to India’s continued purchase of Russian oil, which the US claims violates its foreign policy and national security interests.

India condemned the action as “unfair and unreasonable”, defending its energy security strategy. The Ministry of External Affairs warned of taking necessary countermeasures.

📉 Experts predict a 40–50% drop in Indian exports to the US, with sectors like textiles, pharma, and auto parts likely to suffer.

The tariff will take effect from August 27, 2025. India may explore WTO dispute resolution, diplomatic talks, or retaliatory tariffs, potentially reshaping India-US trade relations.

RBI Keeps Repo Rate Unchanged at 5.5% – MPC Meet, August 2025

📅 RBI MPC Meeting – 4th, 5th, and 6th August 2025

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Reserve Bank of India kept the repo rate unchanged at 5.5%, maintaining a neutral stance.

  • SDF rate: 5.25%
  • MSF & Bank Rate: 5.75%
  • Follows a 100 bps cut since February
  • Decision comes ahead of the festive season

📊 Projections:

  • FY26 GDP growth retained at 6.5%
  • FY26 inflation projected at 3.1% (down from 3.7% in June)
  • FY27 CPI expected to rise to 4.9%

11th National Handloom Day Celebrated on 7th August 2025

11th National Handloom Day was celebrated on 7th August 2025 with the theme “Weaving Innovation into Tradition”.

It marks the anniversary of the Swadeshi Movement (1905) and was first observed in 2015.

President Droupadi Murmu led celebrations at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, which included:

  • Awards to 24 weavers
  • Launch of “Haat on Wheels” and Handloom Expo
  • Handloom Hackathon 2025 at IIT Delhi

🧵 The handloom sector supports over 35 lakh workers, many of them women, and plays a key role in sustainable, eco-friendly fashion.

PM Modi Inaugurates Kartavya Bhavan-3 at Central Vista

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Kartavya Bhavan-3 at Kartavya Path in New Delhi on 6 August 2025.

🔹 Key Features:

  • First of several Common Central Secretariat buildings under Central Vista Project
  • Spread over 1.5 lakh sq. meters, includes 2 basements + 7 floors
  • Will house key ministries: Home, External Affairs, MSME, Rural Development, DoPT, Petroleum, and more
  • Equipped with IT-ready secure workspaces, electronic surveillance, and centralized control systems

🌱 Sustainability Highlights:

  • 30% energy savings, generates 5 lakh+ units of electricity annually
  • Features solar panels, HVAC systems, rainwater harvesting, and zero-discharge waste management
  • Promotes eco-conscious infrastructure with e-vehicle charging, recycled materials, and solid waste processing

Cloudburst in Uttarkashi’s Dharali Area Causes Major Destruction

A powerful cloudburst struck Dharali near Harsil in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand on 5 August 2025, causing a sudden surge in water levels and sweeping away a village.

  • Kheer Gadh stream overflowed, severely damaging the local market and nearby areas.
  • Multiple people are reported missing; exact casualties are yet to be confirmed.
  • Rescue operations are underway by teams from the Uttarakhand Police, SDRF, NDRF, Fire Department, and the Indian Army.
  • CM Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed concern and said agencies are working on a war footing.

India Becomes World’s 5th Largest Aviation Market in 2024

India handled 211 million air passengers in 2024, becoming the 5th largest aviation market globally, as per IATA’s World Air Transport Statistics (WATS) report.

This marks an 11.1% increase from 2023, overtaking Japan (205 million passengers).

The top aviation markets in 2024 were:

  1. USA – 876 million
  2. China – 741 million
  3. UK – 261 million
  4. Spain – 241 million
  5. India – 211 million

The Mumbai–Delhi route was ranked the 7th busiest airport pair in the world, with 5.9 million passengers. The busiest route globally was Jeju–Seoul (South Korea) with 13.2 million passengers.

MEA Defends India’s Oil Imports from Russia Amid Western Criticism

On 4 August 2025, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) defended India’s continued oil imports from Russia, calling U.S. and EU criticism unjustified and unreasonable.

India clarified that it began importing more oil from Russia only after traditional supplies were diverted to Europe due to the Ukraine conflict. The MEA emphasized that such imports are necessary for national interest and affordable energy for Indian consumers.

The MEA highlighted Western hypocrisy, noting that:

  • The U.S. still imports uranium, palladium, fertilizers, and other goods from Russia.
  • The EU had trade worth €67.5 billion in goods and €17.2 billion in services with Russia in 2024.
  • European LNG imports from Russia hit a record 16.5 million tonnes in 2024, surpassing previous years.

India asserted that its trade is a strategic compulsion, while others trade despite sanctions, undermining their own criticism.

India Beat England by 6 Runs in Final Test, Series Ends 2–2

On 4 August 2025, India defeated England by 6 runs in a thrilling final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at The Oval, London, leveling the five-match series 2–2.

Chasing 374, England was bowled out for 367, with Mohammed Siraj starring for India by taking 9 wickets in the match, including 5 in the second innings. He was named Player of the Match.

India had scored 396 in their second innings, after trailing in the first. Shubman Gill (India) and Harry Brook (England) were named Players of the Series.

Philippines President Marcos Jr. on 5-Day State Visit to India from 4 August 2025

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. of the Philippines will arrive in New Delhi on 4 August 2025 for his first State Visit to India, accompanied by First Lady Louise Araneta Marcos and a high-level delegation.

During the visit, he will hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, meet President Droupadi Murmu, and be called upon by External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar. President Marcos will also visit Bengaluru.

This visit marks the 75th anniversary of India-Philippines diplomatic ties and aims to boost cooperation in areas such as trade, defence, maritime security, healthcare, and digital technologies under India’s Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific vision.

First BIMSTEC Traditional Music Festival in New Delhi on 4 August 2025

India will host the first-ever BIMSTEC Traditional Music Festival on 4 August 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. Titled ‘SaptaSur: Seven Nations, One Melody’, the event will be inaugurated by External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar.

Artists from all seven Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) countries—India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand—will showcase their unique musical traditions. Organized by ICCR, this festival reflects India’s commitment to strengthening cultural ties in the region. The event is free and open to all, with entry on a first-come, first-served basis.

India’s First Make-in-India Green Hydrogen Plant Commissioned at Kandla Port

On 31 July 2025, India commissioned its first Make-in-India Green Hydrogen Plant at Deendayal Port Authority (DPA), Kandla, Gujarat. Developed by Larsen & Toubro (L&T), the 1 MW facility will produce 140 metric tonnes of green hydrogen annually.

This fully indigenous project aligns with the Maritime India Vision 2030 and supports India’s Net Zero emissions goal. It will power port operations like electric buses and street lighting, showcasing rapid execution (in just 4 months) and India’s push toward green port infrastructure.

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