Current Affairs One - Liner : 5th August 2025

National:

• On 2 August 2025, Union Ministers Manohar Lal Khattar and Bhupender Yadav launched the ‘Matri Van’ initiative in Gurugram, Haryana, under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign during Van Mahotsav. This 750-acre urban forest in the Aravalli Hills aims to restore biodiversity and improve air quality.

• Telangana was spotlighted as India’s rising handloom hub on August 3, 2025, during National Handloom Day celebrations in Hyderabad. The ₹10,000 crore Kakatiya Mega Textile Park in Warangal will create 2 lakh jobs and boost exports. Telangana’s handlooms like Pochampally and Gadwal have GI tags and global recognition.
• Pariksha Pe Charcha 2025 achieved a Guinness World Record with 3.53 crore registrations on MyGov in one month. Led by PM Narendra Modi, it turned exam stress into a vibrant learning dialogue. Garnered 21 crore+ viewership, reflecting massive civic participation. The Guinness certificate was awarded in Delhi with ministers like Dharmendra Pradhan present.
• India and the UN World Food Programme launched a rice fortification initiative in Nepal on August 1, 2025. It aims to improve supply chains, data systems, and workforce skills for better nutrition delivery. The 12-month project will be implemented in three phases with support from India’s ITEC Programme. Focus areas include digital tech, procurement, and grievance redressal mechanisms.

Economy:

• India’s smartphone exports hit $7.72 billion in Q1 FY 2025–26 (Apr–Jun), up 58% YoY from $4.9 billion. Apple led with $6 billion worth of iPhones, marking an 82% surge. Growth was powered by the PLI scheme and top players like Samsung and Padget Electronics. The milestone was officially announced on August 4, 2025, spotlighting India’s export strength.

Sports:

• Abdulla Aboobacker won gold in men’s triple jump at the Qosanov Memorial 2025 on August 3 in Almaty, Kazakhstan. He secured victory with a 16.08m leap, edging out South Korean athletes by 1 cm. The event was part of the World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze.

Defence:

• General Upendra Dwivedi launched ‘Agnishodh’ at IIT Madras to develop battlefield-ready tech and boost defence self-reliance. It focuses on emerging areas like cybersecurity, quantum computing, and UAVs, while upskilling Army personnel.

Govt. Schemes:

• On Aug 2, 2025, AP CM N. Chandrababu Naidu launched the Annadata Sukhibhava–PM KISAN scheme. First phase transferred ₹7,000 to 46.86 lakh farmers—₹5,000 from State and ₹2,000 from Centre. Farmers will receive ₹20,000 annually in three installments with Aadhaar-linked benefits. Support via Sukhibhava portal and toll-free 155251, with tech-driven advisories.

Important Days:

• India observed the 15th Indian Organ Donation Day on 3 August 2025, led by NOTTO under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The theme was “Angdaan – Jeevan Sanjeevani Abhiyaan,” promoting organ donation as a lifesaving act. India ranked third globally in organ transplants in 2024 with over 18,900 procedures.
• India marked National Bone and Joint Day on 4 August 2025, led by the Indian Orthopaedic Association to promote musculoskeletal health. The theme “Old is Gold – Care for Elderly” emphasized support for senior mobility and preventive care. Experts warned of rising joint issues due to sedentary lifestyles and posture problems.

Appointments:

• PB Balaji, Tata Motors’ Group CFO, was appointed CEO of Jaguar Land Rover on August 4, 2025. He will officially take charge in November 2025, succeeding Adrian Mardell after his 35-year tenure. Balaji becomes the first Indian CEO of the iconic British luxury car brand.
• Rajiv Anand was appointed as the Managing Director and CEO of IndusInd Bank on August 4, 2025, following RBI approval. He will officially assume charge from August 25, 2025, for a three-year term till August 24, 2028. Anand previously served as Deputy Managing Director at Axis Bank, with over 35 years of banking experience.

Obituaries:

• Satya Pal Malik, former Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, passed away on August 5, 2025, at the age of 79 at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi, after a prolonged illness involving kidney failure and urinary tract infection.

Questions:

Q.1 Who became the first Indian CEO of Jaguar Land Rover, appointed in August 2025?
a) Shailesh Chandra
b) PB Balaji
c) N Chandrasekaran
d) Rajesh Gopinathan

Answer: b) PB Balaji, Tata Motors Group CFO, will take over as JLR CEO in November 2025, succeeding Adrian Mardell.

Q.2 Which campaign led by the Prime Minister set a Guinness World Record with over 3.53 crore registrations?
a) Study India Mission
b) Pariksha Pe Charcha 2025
c) Digital Exam Dialogue
d) MyGov Mentorship Movement

Answer: b) Pariksha Pe Charcha 2025 broke records for civic engagement by turning exam stress into a positive discussion, gaining 21 crore+ viewers.