10th AND 11th 12th AUGUST 2025 CURRENTAFFAIRS

27th AND 28th AUGUST 2025 CURRENTAFFAIRS

1. Nepal becomes member of India-led International Big Cat Alliance

 On August 24, 2025, Nepal officially joined the International Big Cat Alliance
(IBCA), an India-led initiative for the conservation of seven major big cat
species globally.
 Key Details of the IBCAObjective: The IBCA is a coalition aimed at
protecting and conserving seven species of big cats: tiger, lion, leopard,
snow leopard, cheetah, jaguar, and puma.
 India's Role: India, which has a successful history with its Project Tiger,
launched the IBCA on April 9, 2023, in Mysuru, Karnataka.
 India's long-standing experience in tiger conservation and other species serves as a
foundational model for the alliance.
 About Nepal :
 President : Ram Chandra Poudel
 Prime Minister : K. P. Sharma Oli
 Capital : Kathmandu
 Currency : Nepalese rupee
2.Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s Official Visit to India Strengthens
Bilateral Ties
 Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s 3-day official visit to India marked a major
milestone in India–Fiji bilateral relations.
 The visit resulted in multiple MoUs, agreements, and cooperation
announcements in healthcare, infrastructure, mobility, standards,
capacity building, defence, and culture under the spirit of “Veilomani
Dosti” (affectionate friendship).
 Major agreements signed:
o MoU for a Super-Specialty Hospital Project in Fiji (design,
construction, commissioning, operation, and maintenance).
o Agreement to supply affordable medicines under India’s Janaushadhi
Scheme between HLL Lifecare Ltd. and Fiji’s Ministry of Health.
o MoU between Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and DNTMS (Fiji) for
cooperation on quality and technical standards.
o Digital Skilling MoU between NIELIT (India) and Pacific POLYTECH.

 About Fiji
 Capital: Suva
 Currency: Fijian Dollar
 Prime minister: Sitiveni Rabuka
1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi Inaugurates and Lays Foundation for
Development Works worth ₹5,400 Crore in Ahmedabad, Gujarat

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated, laid the foundation stone,

and dedicated development works worth ₹5,400 crore in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
 Major projects include railway projects worth ₹1,400 crore, such as doubling of
the Mahesana–Palanpur Rail Line (65 km), gauge conversion of the Kalol–Kadi–
Katosan Road (37 km) and Bechraji–Ranuj (40 km) rail lines.
 Passenger train between Katosan Road & Sabarmati was flagged off; car-loaded
freight train service from Bechraji was also launched.
 PM inaugurated power distribution projects worth over ₹1,000
crore in Ahmedabad, Mehsana, Gandhinagar under the Revamped Distribution
Sector Scheme (RDSS), aimed at reducing breakdowns, modernizing networks,
and strengthening infrastructure.
 Urban infrastructure projects launched include:
o Development of slums at Ramapir No Tekro (PMAY-U)
o Widening of Sardar Patel Ring Road into six lanes
o New underpasses and railway overbridges in Ahmedabad region
o Strengthening of water and sewerage management systems.

2. India Hosts 3GPP RAN Working Group Meetings in Bengaluru for the First
Time

 The 3GPP Radio Access Networks (RAN) Working Group meetings (RAN1–
RAN5) were inaugurated at Whitefield, Bengaluru, and will continue
till 29th August 2025.
 The event is supported by the Department of Telecommunications
(DoT), Ministry of Communications, and hosted by
the Telecommunications Standards Development Society, India (TSDSI).
 This is the first time in India that discussions on 6G standardization
under 3GPP Release 20 are being held, along with the finalization
of Release 19 (5G Advanced) specifications.
 Key Highlights:
 TSDSI is India’s recognized Standards Development Organization (SDO) and one of
the seven organizational partners of 3GPP, the global body responsible for framing
specifications for 5G and 6G technologies.

3. India Releases First-Ever National Guidelines for Veterinary Blood

Transfusion Services
 The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying issued the first national
guidelines for veterinary blood transfusion services.
 The framework standardizes animal blood donation, storage, and transfusion to
improve animal welfare, biosafety, and One Health integration.
 Highlights:
  Earlier, transfusions were done without protocols, with no
proper donor screening, blood typing, or biosafety measures, often
leading to adverse reactions.
 The guidelines mandate blood typing, cross-matching, donor health
checks, and vaccination status.
 Introduce a voluntary donation model with a Donor Rights
Charter ensuring ethical practices.
4. National Highways Authority of India Launches ‘Project Aarohan’ to
Support Education of Toll Plaza Employees’ Children
 National Highways Authority of India(NHAI) in collaboration with Vertis
Infrastructure Trust launched ‘Project Aarohan’ to support educational
aspirations of children of toll plaza employees.
 The program was launched by NHAI Chairman Shri Santosh Kumar Yadav at
NHAI Headquarters, New Delhi, in presence of Dr. Zafar Khan, Executive Director
& Joint CEO, Vertis Infrastructure Trust, and senior NHAI officials.
 Highlights
 Aim: To remove financial barriers, bridge socio-economic divides, and provide
equal access to quality education for students from economically weaker
sections, SC/ST/OBC, minority communities, first-generation learners, and
girls from low-income households.
 Implementation: To be carried out by SMEC Trust’s Bharat Cares.
 Fund Allocation: Rs. 1 Crore for the first phase (July 2025 – March 2026).
5. Government e Marketplace (GeM) Crosses ₹15 Lakh Crore Cumulative GMV
Since 2016
 Government e Marketplace (GeM) achieved ₹15 lakh crore (US$ 171.3
billion) cumulative Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) since its launch in 2016.
 It is a digital procurement platform connecting government departments
with MSEs, startups, women-led businesses, SC/ST enterprises, and Self-Help
Groups (SHGs).
 Key Highlights:
 GeM facilitates online procurement of common use Goods & Services required by
various Government Departments / Organisations / PSUs.
 The initiative was launched in August 2016, by the Ministry of
Commerce and Industry, Government of India.
 The current version of GeM, i.e., GeM 4.0 was launched on
September, 2020.
 The Union Government on 14th January 2019 launched
the Womaniya on Government e-Marketplace Portal.
 It is an initiative that enables women entrepreneurs and women self-
help group to sell handicrafts and handloom, accessories, jute and
coir products, home décor and office furnishings, directly to various
Government ministries, departments and institutions.
1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi Inaugurates Green Mobility Initiatives at
Hansalpur, Gujarat
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Green Mobility
Initiatives at Hansalpur, Gujarat.
 Marking a new milestone in Make in India, PM flagged off Suzuki’s first global
strategic Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) – “e VITARA”.
 The Made-in-India BEVs will be exported to over 100 countries, including
advanced markets like Europe and Japan.
 Highlights
 Also inaugurated local production of Hybrid Battery Electrodes at TDS Lithium-
Ion Battery plant, Gujarat (Joint venture of Toshiba, Denso & Suzuki).
 Over 80% of battery value will now be manufactured domestically,
boosting Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
 Announced Hybrid E-Ambulance prototype, developed by Maruti Suzuki in just 6
months under ₹11,000 crore PM E-DRIVE scheme.
 EV & Hybrid EVs seen as solution to pollution & mobility challenges.
2. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Launches ₹1 Crore Insurance Scheme for
Municipal Workers
 Chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, N. Chandrababu Naidu announced
a comprehensive insurance scheme for municipal staff, during the Swachh Andhra–
Swarna Andhra campaign at Peddapuram, Kakinada district.
 The scheme provides ₹1 crore life insurance cover for regular municipal workers in
case of accidental death.
 Key Highlights
 Families of outsourced workers will receive ₹20 lakh cover in case of accidental
death.
 In cases of permanent disability, the same compensation amounts will apply.
 The scheme also offers education assistance up to ₹8 lakh for children of both
municipal and outsourced workers.
 The initiative aims to ensure financial security for families of civic workers who face
high-risk working conditions.
 It extends institutional support to outsourced workers, often the most vulnerable
group.
 The move reflects human-centric governance under Naidu’s vision of “Swarna
Andhra” (Golden Andhra Pradesh) and strengthens trust between the government
and civic staff, while aligning with Swachh Bharat-inspired welfare measures
 About Andhra Pradesh:
 Chief Minister: N. Chandrababu Naidu
 Governor: S. Abdul Nazeer
 Capital: Amaravati
 National Parks: Sri Venkateswara National Park, Papikonda National Park
1. PhonePe launches affordable home insurance product for homeowners
 PhonePe has introduced a new home insurance product line designed to be a
simple and affordable solution for homeowners.
 The plan is an end-to-end digital offering available directly on the PhonePe app.
 Key Features of the Home Insurance Plan
 Affordable Premiums: Premiums start at just ₹181 per year, including GST.
 Flexible Coverage: The coverage ranges from ₹10 lakhs up to ₹12.5 crore,
allowing customers to select a plan that fits their specific home and budget.
 Comprehensive Protection: The policy covers both the structure and contents of
the home against more than 20 risks, including fire, floods, earthquakes, riots, and
theft.
 Broad Eligibility: It is available to all homeowners, with or without an existing
home loan, addressing a gap in the market where most plans are bundled with
loans at a higher cost.
2. Finance Ministry Launches One-Time Option to Shift from Unified Pension
Scheme to National Pension System
 The Union Finance Ministry has introduced a one-time, one-way switch
facility allowing central government employees to move from the Unified Pension
Scheme (UPS) to the National Pension System (NPS).
 Highlights :
 Switch Facility: The facility allows employees who have opted for the UPS to switch
to the NPS.
 This is a one-way switch, meaning the decision is irreversible.
 Timeline: The switch can be exercised at any time, but not later than one year
before superannuation or three months before voluntary retirement.
 Eligibility: Employees facing disciplinary action, dismissal, or removal are not
eligible for this facility.
3. Fitch Ratings Reaffirms India’s Sovereign Credit Rating at ‘BBB-’ with
Stable Outlook, Lowest Investment Grade
 Fitch Ratings has affirmed India's sovereign credit rating at ‘BBB-’ with a stable
outlook.
 This is the lowest investment-grade rating.
 The agency's decision is underpinned by India's robust economic growth and solid
external finances.
 Fitch's forecast for India's GDP growth is 6.5% for the fiscal year ending March
2026 (FY26), which is unchanged from FY25.
 This figure is significantly higher than the median of 2.5% for other countries with
a 'BBB' rating.
 The agency also projects India's medium-term growth potential at 6.4%, driven by
strong public spending on infrastructure, a potential pick-up in private investment,
and favorable demographics.
1. Reserve Bank of India’s Rajiv Ranjan appointed Vice President of New
Development Bank
 Rajiv Ranjan, an Executive Director at the Reserve Bank of India
(RBI), has been appointed as Vice President and Chief Risk Officer of
the New Development Bank (NDB), a multilateral bank founded by
the BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa).
 His appointment is for a five-year term, and he is expected to assume
his new role from September 2025.
 He has been a member of the RBI's rate-setting body, the Monetary
Policy Committee (MPC), since May 2022.
 He previously served as the head of the Monetary Policy
Department and secretary to the MPC.
2. IndusInd Bank board names Rajiv Anand as Managing Director and Chief
Executive Officer
 The IndusInd Bank board has approved the appointment of Rajiv Anand as the
new Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
 His three-year tenure officially began on August 25, 2025.
 Following his assumption of charge, the bank's Committee of
Executives and the Oversight Committee of the board have been
dissolved.
 About Rajiv Anand :
 Rajiv Anand is a qualified Chartered Accountant with a degree in
Commerce.
 Prior to this appointment, he was the Deputy Managing Director at Axis Bank,
where he was in charge of the wholesale banking business and the bank's digital
strategy.
 He previously served as the founding MD & CEO of Axis Asset Management
Company in 2009.
3. Appointments Committee of the Cabinet assigns 15 IAS officers to various
ministries
 The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the postings
of 15 senior IAS and IPS officers across various government ministries and
bodies.
 This significant bureaucratic reshuffle affects key sectors including defence,
finance, culture, and women and child development.
 Key Appointments :
 Manish Bhardwaj (IAS: 1997, Gujarat cadre) has been appointed as Secretary of
the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) within the Ministry of
Home Affairs.
 Sanjay Rastogi (IAS: 1991, Odisha cadre) has been appointed Director General of
the National Archives of India in the Ministry of Culture.
  Lav Aggarwal (IAS: 1996, AP cadre) takes over as Additional Secretary in
the Ministry of Women and Child Development, replacing Gyanesh Bharti (IAS:
1998), who has been appointed Deputy Election Commissioner in the Election
Commission of India.
 A.Anbarasu (IAS: 1996) has been named Additional Secretary and Director
General (Acquisition) in the Ministry of Defence.
 Pawan Kumar Sharma (IAS: 1999) has received an in-situ upgradation to the rank
of Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Defence.
4. Ex-Central Reserve Police Force director general Anish Dayal Singh named
Deputy National Security Adviser
 Anish Dayal Singh, a retired 1988-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from
the Manipur cadre, has been appointed as the new Deputy National Security
Advisor (NSA).
 His primary mandate in this role is to handle internal affairs,
including security issues in Jammu and Kashmir, as well
as Naxal and Northeastern insurgencies.
 He brings nearly three decades of experience from his service in
the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and as the Director General of the Indo-
Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the Central Reserve Police Force
(CRPF).
 During his tenure as CRPF chief, he spearheaded key initiatives, such as the
establishment of new battalions and forward operating bases to combat Naxalism,
and the realignment of over 130 CRPF battalions to improve operational
efficiency and provide troops with more "family time."
5. Nayara Energy Announces Appointment of Teymur Abasguliyev as Chief
Executive Officer, Effective September 2025
 Nayara Energy appointed Teymur Abasguliyev as new Chief Executive Officer
(CEO), effective September 2025.
 Teymur has 20+ years international leadership experience in
the energy sector, known for organisational
transformation and sustainable growth.
 Since 2013, he has served as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for Group
Companies at SOCAR Türkiye Enerji A.Ş. Handled corporate
governance, financing, M&A, capital markets, and large-scale
restructuring.
 Teymur is a Fellow of the UK Association of Certified Public
Accountants (FCCA) since 2002.
 Career timeline:
 Began in 1994 at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies.
 Spent 17 years at PwC (Pricewaterhouse Coopers) → rose to Senior Manager &
Partner, led major projects across Central & Eastern Europe.
1. MoU Signed Between Ministry of Minority Affairs and ICAR-CMFRI Under
PM VIKAS Scheme
 Union Minister of State George Kurian chaired the MoU signing between
the Ministry of Minority Affairs and ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research
Institute (CMFRI) at Kovalam, Kerala.
 The project is part of Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS)
scheme, focusing on skill training and women entrepreneurship
development.
 Key Highlights:
 All participants will receive stipends during training.
 The project aims to promote self-employment opportunities and socio-economic
empowerment of minority communities.
2. India-Japan Hold Ministerial-Level Energy Dialogue to Strengthen Clean
Energy Partnership
 India and Japan are strengthening their partnership under the Japan-India Clean
Energy Partnership, focusing on energy security, clean energy transition,
and climate change mitigation.
 The cooperation is institutionalized through the India-Japan Energy
Dialogue and sectoral Joint Working Groups (JWGs). A Ministerial-level
India-Japan Energy Dialogue was held via video conferencing.
 Highlights:
 The dialogue was co-chaired by Shri Manohar Lal, Minister of Power &
Housing and Urban Affairs (India), and Mr. Muto Yoji, Minister of Economy, Trade
and Industry (Japan).
 Indian ministries including MoP, MNRE, MoPNG, and Ministry of Coal gave
presentations on progress achieved under JWGs and future cooperation pathways.
3. Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited Signs Performance-
Based MoU with Ministry of New and Renewable Energy for FY 2025-26
 Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA) signed
a performance-based Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of
New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India.
 The MoU was signed by Shri Santosh Kumar Sarangi, Secretary, MNRE and Shri
Pradip Kumar Das, CMD, IREDA at Atal Akshay Urja Bhawan, New Delhi, in the
presence of senior officials.
 Highlights
 Revenue from Operations target for FY 2025-26 has been set at ₹8,200 crores.
 In FY 2024-25, IREDA exceeded its target by achieving ₹6,743.32 crores against the
target of ₹5,957 crores.
1. Indian Naval Ship Kadmatt completes three-day port visit to Surabaya,
Indonesia
 Indian Naval Ship (INS) Kadmatt, an indigenously built anti-submarine warfare
(ASW) corvette, successfully completed a three-day port call
in Surabaya, Indonesia.
 The visit strengthened maritime cooperation and reinforced the
partnership between the Indian Navy and the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL).
 The port call, which concluded on August 23, 2025, included a variety
of professional and cultural engagements aimed at enhancing mutual
understanding and operational synergy between the two navies.
 Key activities included professional interactions, cross-deck visits, and
community outreach. The crew also participated in a joint yoga session and a
friendly volleyball match to foster camaraderie.
2. Indian Navy Commissions Stealth Frigates INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri in
Vizag in Presence of Defence Minister
 In a major step toward achieving naval self-reliance, the Indian Navy has
simultaneously commissioned two Project 17A multi-mission stealth
frigates, INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri.
 The commissioning ceremony, presided over by Defence Minister
Rajnath Singh, took place at Visakhapatnam on August 26, 2025.
 This is the first time in the Navy's history that two such major frontline
warships, built by different shipyards, were commissioned at the same
time.
 Highlights
 INS Udaygiri, built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd. (MDL) in
Mumbai, is the 100th ship designed in-house by the Indian Navy's Warship
Design Bureau (WDB), marking a significant milestone in India's indigenous
warship design capabilities.
 INS Himgiri was constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers
(GRSE) in Kolkata.
3. INS Tamal Visits Souda Bay to Boost India-Greece Maritime Cooperation
 INS Tamal, a stealth frigate of the Indian Navy, called at Souda Bay,
Greece from August 19-22, 2025.
 This port call is part of the ship's passage to her home base in India.
 The crew engaged with the Hellenic Navy and NATO
 The Commanding Officer of INS Tamal met with:
 Commodore Dionysios Mantadakis, Base Commander of Souda Bay Naval Base.
 Captain Kouplakis Iliias, Head of the NATO Maritime Interdiction Operation
Training Centre (NMIOTC)
 Captain Stephen Steacy, Commanding Officer of the Naval Support Activity of
the US Navy.
1. Ravichandran Ashwin Announces Retirement from IPL
 Ravichandran Ashwin, legendary off-spinner and one of India’s finest cricketing
minds, has retired from the Indian Premier League (IPL) after
playing his last season with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in 2025.
 With his exit from both international and IPL cricket, Ashwin can
now explore opportunities in global T20 leagues, in line with BCCI’s
policy.
 Key Highlights
 IPL Career Overview:
o Debut: 2009
o Matches played: 221
o Franchises represented: CSK, Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals, Rajasthan
Royals
o Bowling record: 187 wickets, economy rate 7.20, best bowling 4/34
o Batting record: 833 runs, highest score 50, strike rate 118.15
2. FIDE World Cup 2025 to be Hosted in Goa, India
 The FIDE World Cup 2025 will be held in Goa from October 30 to November 27,
2025.
 A total of 206 players will compete in a knockout format for a USD 2,000,000 prize
pool and three spots in the 2026 Candidates Tournament.
 Highlights
 Goa was chosen for its beaches, vibrant culture, and hospitality, offering players
and fans a global sporting experience.
 India has emerged as a global chess powerhouse, producing champions and
hosting major events.
 Recent achievements:
o Gukesh Dommaraju became the World Champion in 2024.
o Indian teams won the Chess Olympiad (Open & Women categories).
o Divya Deshmukh won the Women’s World Cup 2024.
3. Mirabai Chanu Wins Gold at Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships
2025
 Tokyo Olympics silver medallist Mirabai Chanu made a triumphant
return by winning the women’s 48kg title at the Commonwealth
Weightlifting Championships in Ahmedabad.
 She lifted 84kg in snatch and 109kg in clean & jerk, with a total of
193kg, securing the gold medal with a record-breaking performance.
 This was her first competition since finishing fourth at the Paris
Olympics 2024.
 Key Highlights
 Chanu competed in the new 48kg category after the International
Weightlifting Federation (IWF) revised weight divisions, as the 49kg class was
removed from the Olympics.
 QUIZ OF THE DAY
1) Which country has recently released its first-ever National Guidelines for
Veterinary Blood Transfusion Services?
a) Australia
b) United States
c) India
d) United Kingdom
2) Which state’s Chief Minister has recently launched a ₹1 crore insurance
scheme for municipal workers?
a) Karnataka
b) Kerala
c) Tamil Nadu
d) Andhra Pradesh
3) Who, the former Director General of the Central Reserve Police Force
(CRPF), has recently been appointed as the Deputy National Security
Adviser (Dy NSA) of India?
a) Kuldiep Singh
b) Anish Dayal Singh
c) Rajiv Rai Bhatnagar
d) Rakesh Asthana
4) The Indian Navy recently commissioned the stealth frigates INS Udaygiri
and INS Himgiri in Visakhapatnam in the presence of the Defence Minister.
These warships belong to which class?
a) Shivalik-class
b) Nilgiri-class
c) Talwar-class
d) Kolkata-class
5) Which Indian cricketer has recently announced his retirement from the
Indian Premier League (IPL)?

a) Ravindra Jadeja
b) Ravichandran Ashwin
c) Yuzvendra Chahal
d) Dinesh Karthik
 KEY FOR THE QUIZ

S.no. ANSWERS
1. c) India

2. d) Andhra Pradesh

3. b) Anish Dayal Singh

4. b) Nilgiri-class

5. b) Ravichandran Ashwin