Current Affairs

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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.

71st National Film Awards 2025: 12th Fail Wins Best Film, SRK & Rani Mukerji Among Top Winners

71st National Film Awards were announced on 1 August 2025 in New Delhi by the Jury Chairpersons Ashutosh Gowariker (Feature Film) and P. Sheshadri (Non-Feature Film).

  • Best Film: 12th Fail
  • Best Actor: Shah Rukh Khan (Jawan) and Vikrant Massey (12th Fail)
  • Best Actress: Rani Mukerji (Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway)
  • Best Non-Feature Film: Flowering Man (Dir: Soumyajit Ghosh Dastidar)
  • Best Direction: Piyush Thakur
  • Best Documentary: God Vulture and Human
  • Best Popular Film for Wholesome Entertainment: Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani
  • Best Film Promoting National, Social, Environmental Values: Sam Bahadur
  • Best Music Direction: GV Prakash Kumar (Vaathi – Tamil)
  • Best Playback Singers: Shilpa Rao (Jawan – Hindi), PVN S Rohit (Baby – Telugu)
  • Best Editing: Pookalam (Malayalam)
  • Best Children’s Film: Naal 2 (Marathi)
  • Best Cinematography: The Kerala Story
  • Best Film Critic: Utpal Dutta

Durand Cup: Asia’s Oldest Football Tournament

Durand Cup 2025: from July 23 – August 23, 2025.

📜 Historical Legacy

  • Established in 1888, the Durand Cup is the oldest football tournament in Asia and the fifth oldest in the world.
  • Originally started as an Army Cup for British Indian Army troops, it later opened up to civilian teams, becoming a prestigious event in Indian football.
  • Named after Sir Mortimer Durand, the then Foreign Secretary of British India.

📍 Format & Participation

  • The tournament features 24 teams, including top clubs from the Indian Super League (ISL), I-League, and armed forces teams.
  • Teams are divided into six groups, with group winners and two best runners-up advancing to the knockout stage.
  • Matches are hosted across five cities: Kolkata, Shillong, Jamshedpur, Kokrajhar, and Imphal.

₹2,000 Crore Grant to NCDC Approved to Boost Cooperatives

On July 31, 2025, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved a ₹2,000 crore grant-in-aid to the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) under a Central Sector Scheme.

The grant will be disbursed over four years (FY 2025–26 to FY 2028–29) at ₹500 crore annually.

This financial support will empower NCDC to mobilize ₹20,000 crore from the open market, which will be extended as loans to cooperative societies.

Starlink Approved to Launch Satellite Internet in India

On 31 July 2025, the Indian government granted Elon Musk’s Starlink a Unified License to offer satellite-based internet services in India. The service will deliver high-speed (50–250 Mbps), low-latency internet via LEO satellites, especially targeting rural and remote areas.

  • License announced by Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia.
  • Starlink kit cost: ₹33,000; Monthly fee: ₹3,000.
  • Will partner with Airtel and Reliance Jio for nationwide rollout.
  • Competes with OneWeb and Jio SES.
  • Launch expected by late 2025 or early 2026, supporting India’s Digital growth and 5G/6G leadership.

Myanmar Forms New Government After Ending Emergency Rule

On 31 July 2025, Myanmar’s National Defence and Security Council (NDSC) announced a new Union Government, appointing U Nyo Saw as Prime Minister and Senior General Min Aung Hlaing as head of the State Security and Peace Commission.

  • The state of emergency, in place since the 2021 military coup, was terminated.
  • General elections are planned within six months, by December 2025.
  • Opposition groups plan to boycott the elections, calling them undemocratic.
  • A new law criminalizes election disruption, with penalties of up to 10 years in prison.
  • Despite stepping down as PM, Min Aung Hlaing retains key powers as acting president and military chief.
  • Myanmar is also pushing its Digital Economy Roadmap 2030, aiming to grow GDP through tech development.

U.S. Imposes 25% Tariff on Indian Imports from August 1, 2025

On 30 July 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff on goods imported from India starting August 1, along with an unspecified penalty for India’s continued purchase of Russian oil and arms.

  • The move targets India more harshly than other countries, risking a major setback in U.S.-India trade talks.
  • Trump cited India’s high tariffs and non-monetary trade barriers, and its strong defense and energy ties with Russia.
  • India responded that it is reviewing the impact and remains committed to a fair bilateral trade deal.
  • The tariff is expected to hurt Indian exports, especially in textiles, footwear, furniture, and pharmaceuticals.
  • The U.S. has a $45.7 billion trade deficit with India; Indian exports to the U.S. were $87 billion in 2024.
  • The announcement could strain relations, already tense due to Trump’s ties with Pakistan and stalled trade negotiations.

India Launches NISAR Satellite with NASA

On 30 July 2025, India and NASA jointly launched the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite, a $1.5 billion Earth observation mission, from Satish Dhawan Space Centre using GSLV-F16.

  • NISAR is the first radar satellite to use dual-frequency (L-band & S-band) for tracking minute surface changes.
  • Placed in a 747 km Sun-synchronous orbit, it will map the globe every 12 days.
  • It helps monitor climate change, disasters, glacier retreat, and more.
  • The mission marks a milestone in U.S.-India space cooperation.
  • Data will be freely available worldwide; expected mission life is 5 years.
  • It supports India’s rising space ambitions, including Gaganyaan and a space station by 2035.

ISRO to Launch NASA-ISRO NISAR Earth Observation Satellite

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite today, 30 July 2025, at 5:40 PM from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, using the GSLV-F16 rocket.

  • Countdown began at 2:10 PM on 29 July 2025.
  • NISAR is an advanced Earth observation satellite capable of capturing minute surface changes smaller than a centimetre.
  • It can map the Earth day and night, in all weather conditions, and will scan the entire globe every 12 days.
  • The mission places the satellite into a Sun Synchronous Polar Orbit.
  • The GSLV rocket is used due to the satellite’s heavier payload, replacing the more commonly used PSLV.
  • NISAR is a joint mission between ISRO and NASA, marking their first hardware collaboration, with both agencies contributing distinct radar systems.

International Tiger Day : 29 July 2025

International Tiger Day was celebrated globally on 29 July 2025, a day dedicated to raising awareness about tiger conservation and the need to protect their natural habitats.

  • The day has been observed annually on 29 July since its declaration in 2010 at St. Petersburg, to unite tiger range countries for conservation efforts.
  • On this occasion, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav highlighted India’s success, with 3,682 tigers across 58 reserves, making it a global leader in tiger conservation.
  • The Minister emphasized that tiger conservation is also about protecting forest health and supporting livelihoods for local communities.
  • He urged citizens to pledge their support for preserving tigers and ecosystems.

Divya Deshmukh Creates History: Wins FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025

On 28 July 2025, 19-year-old Divya Deshmukh made history by becoming the first Indian woman to win the FIDE Women’s World Cup, defeating veteran Koneru Humpy in an all-Indian final held in Baku.

  • The classical games ended in draws, leading to rapid tie-breaks.
  • Divya won the final 1.5–0.5, capitalizing on Humpy’s errors under time pressure.
  • With this win, she became India’s 88th Grandmaster and the fourth Indian woman Grandmaster.
  • Divya was the underdog, ranked No. 18 in classical and No. 22 in rapid chess, while Humpy was World No. 5 in classical and a two-time World Rapid Champion.
  • Divya had also won the 2024 World Junior Championship and helped India win gold at the 2024 Chess Olympiad in Budapest.

Thailand-Cambodia Agree to Ceasefire After Deadly Border Clashes

In a major diplomatic breakthrough, Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to an unconditional ceasefire starting 28 July 2025, following five days of deadly border clashes that caused dozens of deaths and displaced tens of thousands.

  • The announcement was made by Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim at a press conference in Putrajaya, alongside Cambodian PM Hun Manet and Thai Acting PM Phumtham Wechayachai.
  • Military commanders from both countries will begin talks on Tuesday to ease tensions.
  • Cambodia will host a border committee meeting on 4 August.
  • Foreign and defense ministers of Malaysia, Cambodia, and Thailand will draft a mechanism to implement and monitor the ceasefire, aiming for lasting peace in the region.

India–Singapore Joint Military Exercise ‘Bold Kurukshetra 2025’ in Jodhpur

The 14th edition of Exercise Bold Kurukshetra between India and Singapore began on 27 July 2025 in Jodhpur and will run till 4 August. This tabletop and computer-based wargame aims to enhance joint operational readiness in mechanised warfare under a UN mandate.

The 42 Singapore Armoured Regiment and India’s Mechanised Infantry Regiment are participating. The exercise will conclude with an equipment display and aims to boost interoperability, training, and bilateral defence cooperation.

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