- India and Russia signed a pact on August 6, 2025 during the 11th session of their Working Group on Industrial Cooperation to boost ties in sectors like aluminium, fertilisers, railways, and mining. Emerging areas include aerospace, carbon fibre, additive manufacturing, and rare earths. The agreement was signed by Amardeep Singh Bhatia (India) and Alexey Gruzdev (Russia). It aims to enhance tech transfer, industrial infrastructure, and strategic collaboration.
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- On August 6, 2025, Kerala launched the Heat Resilient Moodadi Project in Moodadi Panchayat, Kozhikode, to tackle rising heatwaves. Led by the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA), it’s the state’s first localised Heat Action Plan. The pilot phase includes cool roofing, heat-reflective materials, and ventilation upgrades in Anganwadis and public buildings.
- India will be the Guest of Honour at the 38th Bogota International Book Fair (FILBo) 2026, announced on August 7, 2025. The event, held annually in Bogotá, Colombia, is one of the largest literary festivals in the Spanish-speaking world. India’s participation will highlight its literature, publishing, and cultural heritage, led by the National Book Trust.
- On August 8, 2025, a grand temple dedicated to Goddess Sita was launched at Punaura Dham, Sitamarhi, Bihar—her mythological birthplace. The ₹883 crore project spans 67 acres, modeled after Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and CM Nitish Kumar laid the foundation stone. The temple aims to boost religious tourism and revive Mithila’s cultural legacy.
- NITI Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) partnered with Digital India Bhashini on August 7, 2025, to boost innovation in Indian languages. AI-based language tools will be integrated into AIM programs for wider regional access. WIPO Academy’s IPR content to be translated for grassroots innovators. Startups can use Bhashini’s sandbox to build multilingual solutions in fintech, agritech, and more.
- On April 2, 2025, the U.S. imposed its highest tariffs in 90 years, affecting over 180 countries, including key allies. The average tariff rate surged to 14.5%, with China facing 125%, and India’s rate rising to 26%. The move is expected to generate $206.6 billion in revenue and cut imports by 30% in 2025. The policy triggered global market volatility and marked a sharp shift from decades of trade liberalization.
- IDFC FIRST Bank launched RemitFIRST2India for NRIs to send money to India with zero fees and guaranteed forex rates. Built with SingX, it enables real-time tracking and paperless onboarding via app or web. Transfers are currently supported from Singapore and Hong Kong, with global expansion planned.
- On August 6, 2025, Goldman Sachs cut India’s GDP forecast to 6.5% for 2025 and 6.4% for 2026, citing U.S. tariff uncertainty. The downgrade reflects investor caution more than direct trade impact, with risks tied to policy unpredictability. Inflation was revised down to 3.0%, driven by falling vegetable prices, marking a rare low in India’s economic history.
- On August 6, 2025, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) proposed new base years: 2022–23 for Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Index of Industrial Production (IIP), and 2024 for Consumer Price Index (CPI). CPI will use data from the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) 2023–24, covering 2,900 markets including e-commerce and Over-the-Top (OTT) platforms.
- China tested its Lanyue lunar lander on August 6, 2025, simulating moon conditions in Hebei. The lander will carry two astronauts between lunar orbit and surface, acting as shelter and data hub. The test verified key systems like ascent, descent, and coordination under complex scenarios. China targets its first crewed moon landing before 2030, with plans for a lunar research station by 2035.
- On August 5, 2025, researchers from Mizoram University discovered a new species, Smithophis leptofasciatus, in Mizoram’s montane forests. Named for its narrow cream-yellow bands on a glossy black body, it thrives in humid, streamside habitats at 900–1,200m elevation. Locally called “Ruahrul”, the snake is semi-aquatic, nocturnal, and active during the monsoon season.
- A 17-member Indian team is competing in the World Games 2025 held in Chengdu, China from August 7–17. India is participating in five sports: Archery, Billiards, Roller Skating, Wushu, and Racquetball. The Games feature 253 medal events across 34 sports not included in the Olympics. India aims to improve its tally of five medals won since its debut in the inaugural 1981 edition.
- On August 6, 2025, the Indian Army inducted MMME Mk-II (Mechanical Minefield Marking Equipment Mark-II), developed by BEML and DRDO’s R&DE (Engineers), Pune. Mounted on a TATRA 6x6, it marks minefields semi-automatically, deploying 500 pickets/run at 1.2 km/hr. It enhances safety and supports Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
- On August 7, 2025, the UP Cabinet approved the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-Chevening Scholarship Scheme for UK-bound postgraduates. It funds 5 meritorious students yearly for a one-year Master’s at leading UK universities. Jointly launched with the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
- Every year, August 8 is observed as Quit India Movement Day, also known as August Kranti Diwas, to commemorate the launch of the historic movement in 1942. On this day, Mahatma Gandhi gave the iconic call of “Do or Die” at Bombay’s Gowalia Tank Maidan, urging the British to leave India immediately. The Quit India Resolution was passed by the All India Congress Committee, marking a decisive shift toward complete independence.
- Airbus announced Jürgen Westermeier as President & MD of Airbus India on August 6, 2025. He will assume charge from September 1, 2025, succeeding Rémi Maillard. Westermeier is currently Airbus’s Chief Procurement Officer with 25+ years of global experience.
Questions:
Q.1 Goldman Sachs revised India’s GDP growth forecast for 2025 to:a) 6.8%
b) 6.5%
c) 6.4%
d) 6.0%
Answer: b) The cut to 6.5% was due to U.S. tariff uncertainty and investor caution, with 2026 forecast at 6.4%.
Q.2 In April 2025, the U.S. imposed its highest tariffs in 90 years. What was India’s new average tariff rate under this policy?
a) 26%
b) 18%
c) 27%
d) 35%
Answer: a) India’s average tariff rate rose to 26% under the U.S. policy, part of a global tariff hike affecting over 180 countries.
