National:
- On 13 August 2025, Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy unveiled the logo, brochure, and website of Bharat Steel 2026 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The event is India’s flagship international steel exhibition, scheduled for 16–17 April 2026 at Bharat Mandapam. It will focus on green steel, innovation, and global collaboration across primary and secondary steel sectors.
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- India achieved 100 GW Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Module Manufacturing Capacity under the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) on 13 August 2025. This milestone marks a jump from 2.3 GW in 2014, driven by the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme and clean energy initiatives. The ALMM now includes 100 manufacturers operating 123 manufacturing units, up from 21 in 2021.
- On August 13, 2025, the Bihar Cabinet doubled pensions for JP Senanis, raising it to ₹30,000/month for those jailed over six months. It approved ₹812 crore for land acquisition for five industrial zones and a ₹35.14 crore textile factory in Gaya. Land was cleared for an Integrated Manufacturing Cluster under the Amritsar-Kolkata Corridor. The Cabinet also sanctioned ₹290.91 crore for surveys to develop six greenfield airports.
- Krishna Janmashtami 2025 was celebrated on August 16, marking Lord Krishna’s 5252nd birth anniversary. Devotees observed fasts, midnight puja, and Dahi Handi festivities across India and abroad.
- On August 13, 2025, the Uttarakhand Cabinet approved a 10% horizontal reservation for former Agniveers in direct recruitment to Group 'C' uniformed posts under the state government. The decision, led by CM Pushkar Singh Dhami, also exempts them from the physical efficiency test and provides age relaxation.
- On August 6, 2025, Indian aquanaut Jatinder Pal Singh dived 5,002 metres in the North Atlantic and unfurled the national flag, marking a historic deep-sea achievement. The dive was part of an Indo-French expedition under India’s Deep Ocean Mission (Samudrayaan). NIOT scientist Raju Ramesh had earlier reached 4,025 metres.
- On 13 August 2025, SBI Life launched Smart Shield Plus, a flexible term insurance plan for evolving life stages. It offers three options: Level Cover, Increasing Cover, and Level Cover with Future Proofing. Includes Better Half Benefit and Accident Riders, with coverage up to 100 years.
- On 13 August 2025, Infosys announced it will acquire a 75% stake in Versent Group, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Telstra, for USD 153 million (AUD 233.25 million). The deal forms part of a strategic AI-led cloud joint venture with Telstra to accelerate digital transformation across Australia.
- On 13 August 2025, HDFC ERGO partnered with PhonePe to offer affordable health insurance via the app. It targets India’s “Missing Middle”, covering gig workers and youth aged 18–30. Plans start at ₹12/day for ₹3 lakh coverage, including OPD, accident, and vector-borne disease benefits. Initially launched in Hyderabad, Nagpur, and Madurai, with pan-India expansion planned.
- On August 15, 2025, SBI launched a special personal loan scheme for Agniveers under the Agnipath programme, offering up to ₹4 lakh without collateral. The loan carries a flat 10.50% interest rate and no processing fee till September 30, 2025. Repayment tenure aligns with their service duration.
- On 13 August 2025 in Ahmedabad, Astrophel Aerospace signed an MoU with IN-SPACe to develop reusable rocket engines. The aim is to build semi-cryogenic propulsion systems with access to ISRO’s testing infrastructure. A Joint Project Implementation Plan (JPIP) will guide design validation and system-level testing. Backed by ₹6.84 crore, Astrophel targets a fully reusable launch hopper within 24–36 months.
- On 13 August 2025, the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) and Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP) signed an MoU in New Delhi. The collaboration aims to integrate science and culture, supporting Project Mausam, digitisation, and climate history research.
- On 12 August 2025, S. Rohith Krishna became India’s 89th Chess Grandmaster at the Almaty Masters Qonaev Cup in Kazakhstan. He secured the title by defeating IM Artur Davtyan and scoring 6/9, crossing the 2500 Elo rating. Rohith is a third-year engineering student from Chennai, trained by K. Visweswaran.
- On 14 August 2025, Real Madrid was named the World’s Most Valuable Football Club by the Brand Finance Football 50–2025 report. The club’s brand value reached €1.921 billion, with a AAA+ rating and a brand strength score of 94.9/100. This marks a 14% increase from last year and the fourth consecutive year at the top spot.
- India will host the Asian Open Short Track Speed Skating Trophy 2025 for the first time from August 20–23 in Dehradun. The event will see 240+ athletes from 11 Asian countries competing in 9 speed skating events. It is organized by the Ice Skating Association of India and sanctioned by the International Skating Union.
- Vincent Keymer won the Quantbox Chennai Grand Masters 2025 chess event on August 15 at Hyatt Regency, Chennai. He scored 7/9, becoming the first sole champion and entering the world’s Top 10 live ratings. The tournament featured top grandmasters in a FIDE-rated classical format.
- On 13 August 2025 in Coimbatore, Union Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh launched the HAWK system for forest and wildlife crime management. HAWK (Hostile Activity Watch Kernel) aims to digitize surveillance, offender tracking, and legacy data integration. Developed by Wildlife Trust of India and NTT DATA, it was unveiled during World Elephant Day celebrations.
- India observed the 7th death anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on August 16, 2025, at his memorial ‘Sadaiv Atal’ in New Delhi. PM Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and other dignitaries paid floral tributes, recalling Vajpayee’s legacy of visionary leadership and inclusive development.
- On 13 August 2025, H.E. Zeenat Kureshi became the first Indian woman appointed as GCC-India Trade Commissioner. She will lead luxury diplomacy across fashion, jewellery, hospitality, fine arts, and premium real estate. Her role strengthens India–GCC trade ties through expos, delegations, and cultural exchange.
- On August 16, 2025, following the demise of Nagaland Governor La Ganesan on August 15, President Droupadi Murmu appointed Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Governor of Manipur, to take additional charge of Nagaland.
- On August 15, 2025, Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound won Best Film and Best Director at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM). The film stars Ishaan Khatter, Janhvi Kapoor, and Vishal Jethwa, and explores themes of belonging and displacement. Homebound received a 9-minute standing ovation at Cannes 2025 and will close IFFM on August 24.
- On Independence Day 2025, 1,090 personnel received Gallantry and Service Medals from the Ministry of Home Affairs. This included 233 Gallantry Medals, 99 President’s Medals for Distinguished Service, and 758 Meritorious Service Medals. Jammu & Kashmir led with 152 gallantry awards, followed by LWE areas (54) and North-East (3). CRPF, BSF, ITBP, CISF, and other forces were prominently recognized for their bravery and service.
- On August 15, 2025, strategic thinker and author Vivek Singhal released his latest book, Dominion and Dharma: Reframing Capitalism Through Conquest, Consciousness, and Civilizational Memory. The book contrasts the Western model of Dominion—rooted in control and conquest—with the Eastern ethic of Dharma, emphasizing consciousness, harmony, and ethical living.
- On 13 August 2025, self-taught linguist Njattyela Sreedharan passed away at age 87 in Kannur, Kerala. He created a unique dictionary linking Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, and Telugu—a landmark in Dravidian linguistics. Despite no formal education, he became a cultural icon and was dubbed Kannur’s Hermann Gundert.
- Nagaland Governor La Ganesan passed away at 80 on 15 August 2025 in Chennai after a head injury. He was a senior BJP leader and served as Governor of Manipur, West Bengal (additional charge), and Nagaland. Appointed Nagaland’s 21st Governor in February 2023, he was known for his commitment to public service.
- Former Australian captain and coach Bob Simpson passed away on August 16, 2025, at the age of 89 in Sydney. He played 62 Tests, scored 4,869 runs, took 71 wickets, and captained in 39 matches. Simpson coached Australia to victory in the 1987 World Cup and 1995 Frank Worrell Trophy.
Questions:
Q.1 Who authored the book “Dominion and Dharma: Reframing Capitalism Through Conquest, Consciousness, and Civilizational Memory” released in August 2025?a) Ruchir Sharma
b) Vivek Singhal
c) Bibek Debroy
d) Sanjeev Sanyal
Answer: b) Author Vivek Singhal contrasts Western Dominion with Eastern Dharma in this book.
Q.2 Who became India’s 89th Chess Grandmaster (GM) in August 2025?
a) S. Rohith Krishna
b) D. Gukesh
c) R. Praggnanandhaa
d) Arjun Erigaisi
Answer: a) He earned the Grandmaster title at the Almaty Masters Qonaev Cup in Kazakhstan.
