- The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) launched Project Aarohan on August 26, 2025, to support education for toll plaza staff families. Implemented by Bharat Cares (SMEC Trust), it offers scholarships of ₹12,000 for 500 students and ₹50,000 for 50 PG aspirants. Funded with ₹1 crore for Phase 1, it aims to uplift EWS, SC/ST/OBC, and minority communities.
.png "Current Affairs One - Liner : 28th & 29th August 2025")
- The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved ₹12,328 crore for multi-tracking rail projects in Karnataka, Telangana, Bihar, and Assam. A new 145 km rail line in Kutch, Gujarat will connect remote areas like Dholavira and Narayan Sarovar. The projects will benefit 3,974 villages, generate 251 lakh human-days of employment, and boost freight by 68 MTPA.
- On August 25, 2025, Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) celebrated its 42nd Foundation Day at its Delhi campus. Minister Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani praised C-DOT as “guardians of India’s digital borders” and urged global leadership by 2047.
- On August 28, 2025, Army Hospital Research and Referral (AHRR), New Delhi, became the first government institute in India and second in South Asia to perform Robotic Custom Laser Cataract Surgery. The procedure was conducted by Brigadier S.K. Mishra using the ALLY Adaptive Cataract Treatment System, integrating femtosecond laser and robotic precision.
- On August 26, 2025, Aditya Birla Capital Digital Ltd (ABCDL) received RBI’s in-principle payment aggregator license. The approval falls under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, enabling ABCDL to serve merchants digitally. ABCDL is a subsidiary of Aditya Birla Capital Ltd, active in lending, insurance, and asset management.
- India’s Index of Industrial Production (IIP) grew by 3.5% in July 2025, marking a 4-month high. Growth was led by manufacturing (5.4%), with strong performance in metals and electrical equipment. Infrastructure goods rose 11.9%, while mining contracted by 7.2%, pulling down overall momentum. The data was officially released by MoSPI on August 28, 2025.
- On August 28, 2025, the Centre extended the import duty exemption on raw cotton till 31st December 2025. The move aims to support the domestic textile sector and exporters amid rising input costs and global trade tensions. The exemption covers Basic Customs Duty (5%), Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess (5%), and Social Welfare Surcharge (10%).
- On August 28, 2025, India and Bhutan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on technical cooperation in agriculture and allied sectors. The agreement, signed in Thimphu, aims to enhance collaboration in areas like agricultural research, livestock health, and value chain development.
- On August 26, 2025, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Quality Council of India (QCI) in New Delhi to enhance welfare services for over 63 lakh veterans and their dependents. The collaboration aims to improve the delivery of pensions, healthcare, resettlement, and skilling initiatives through digital evaluations, impact assessments, and evidence-based policy recommendations.
- The Ministry of Minority Affairs signed an MoU with ICAR–Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) on August 27, 2025, in Kerala. The initiative is part of Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) scheme to empower minority communities. It will train 690 candidates, including 420 women, in fisheries-based and entrepreneurial skills.
- On August 27, 2025, Punjab National Bank (PNB) signed an MoU with Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) at its new startup-centric branch in Bhikaji Cama Place, New Delhi. The aim is to support incubated and graduated startups with tailored financial products and credit access.
- SpaceX successfully completed its 10th Starship test flight on August 26, 2025, from Starbase, Texas. Both stages—Super Heavy and Starship—executed clean separation and controlled splashdowns. The flight tested payload deployment, engine relight, and heat shield durability.
- Israel’s Elbit Systems launched the JUPITER space camera aboard Luxembourg’s NAOS satellite on Aug 26, 2025. It features multispectral imaging—panchromatic, RGB, and near-infrared—for high-res Earth observation. The camera supports military, environmental, and scientific missions with AI-ready data streams.
- On August 28, 2025, Neeraj Chopra finished 2nd in the Zurich Diamond League Final (Men’s Javelin Throw) at Letzigrund Stadium, Switzerland. He recorded a best throw of 85.01m, while Julian Weber (Germany) won with 91.51m. Chopra earned $12,000 in prize money, marking his third consecutive runner-up finish at the Diamond League Final.
- On August 26, 2025, the Indian Navy (IN) commissioned INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri at Eastern Naval Command (ENC), Visakhapatnam. Built under Project 17A, these Nilgiri-class stealth frigates were developed by MDL and GRSE with 75% indigenous content. They feature BrahMos (Brahmaputra Moskva) missiles and Barak-8 air defence systems for multi-role operations.
- The Chiefs of Defence (CHODs) Conference 2025 was held from August 26–28 at Dusit Thani Hua Hin, Thailand, co-hosted by United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) and Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTAF). 🇮🇳 Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit (CISC) represented India and held strategic talks with defence leaders from USA, UK, Vietnam, and South Korea. Theme: “Peace through Strength – Ensuring Security and Prosperity in the Indo-Pacific”, focused on enhancing regional defence cooperation and a rules-based Indo-Pacific.
- On August 29, 2025, a two-day national conference of the Parliamentary Committee on the Welfare of SCs and STs began in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla inaugurated the event, joined by key dignitaries and state leaders. Theme: “Role of Parliamentary and Legislative Committees on Welfare, Development and Empowerment of SCs and STs”.
- On August 28, 2025, Dr. Urjit Patel, former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), was appointed as Executive Director (ED) at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a three-year term. He will represent India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka on the IMF’s 25-member Executive Board, which oversees global financial governance.
- On August 28, 2025, seasoned diplomat Dinesh K Patnaik was appointed as India’s High Commissioner to Canada by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). A 1990-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer, Patnaik was previously serving as Ambassador to Spain and has held key roles in the UK, Cambodia, Morocco, and Vienna.
- On August 26, 2025, OpenAI appointed Raghav Gupta, ex-Coursera MD, as Head of Education for India and Asia-Pacific (APAC). He will lead AI integration in education from OpenAI’s New Delhi office, partnering with IIT Madras, AICTE, and ARISE schools.
- On August 27, 2025, Akash Tripathi, IAS (1998 batch, MP cadre), was appointed Managing Director of Solar Energy Corporation of India Ltd. (SECI). The appointment was cleared by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) in the rank of Additional Secretary. He will lead SECI’s efforts in renewable energy, green hydrogen, and energy storage expansion.
Questions:
Q.1 Neeraj Chopra secured which position at the Zurich Diamond League Final 2025?a) 1st
b) 2nd
c) 3rd
d) 4th
Answer: b) Chopra finished 2nd with 85.01m; Julian Weber of Germany won with 91.51m.
Q.2 Which hospital became the first government institute in India to perform Robotic Custom Laser Cataract Surgery in August 2025?
a) Army Hospital (Research & Referral), New Delhi
b) All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi
c) Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi
d) Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh
Answer: a) Army Hospital (Research & Referral) achieved this milestone using the ALLY Adaptive Cataract Treatment System.
