Current Affairs One - Liner : 31st August & 1st September 2025

National:

• On August 28, 2025, Union MoS Sanjay Seth inaugurated MILMEDICON-2025 at Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi, organized by DGMS (Army). The event focused on combat trauma care, AI in military medicine, and mental health reforms under the Army’s Year of Reforms.

• On August 28, 2025, CG Power launched an end-to-end OSAT (Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test) pilot line in Sanand, Gujarat. The facility supports chip assembly, packaging, and testing, under the India Semiconductor Mission. Backed by ₹7,600 crore, the G1 unit will scale to 0.5 million units/day, with commercial rollout in 2026.
• On August 28, 2025, Union MoS George Kurian launched the ‘Matsya Shakti’ project in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala under the PM VIKAS scheme. It aims to uplift 700 minority fisher families through aquaculture training, skill development, and entrepreneurship support. Training by ICAR-CMFRI Vizhinjam Centre includes cage farming, seaweed cultivation, and pearl oyster breeding.
• The Mela Patt Festival was celebrated from August 28 to 30, 2025, in Bhaderwah, Jammu & Kashmir, marking over 600 years of cultural heritage. Dedicated to Lord Vasuki Nag, it commemorates the historic bond between Emperor Akbar and King Nag Pal.
• On August 30, 2025, India’s first tempered glass manufacturing facility for mobile devices was inaugurated in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. Set up by Optiemus Infracom and Corning Inc., it supports Make in India and aims to reduce import dependency. Phase 1 investment: ₹70 crore; capacity: 25 million units/year, scaling to 200 million units in Phase 2.
• On August 30, 2025, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) announced India’s first Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling system in Gujarat. The pilot will launch at Choryasi Fee Plaza on National Highway 48 (NH-48) using FASTag and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR). The system enables barrier-free tolling, cutting congestion, fuel use, and emissions.
• On September 1, 2025, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs launched Aadi Vaani, India’s first AI-based translator for tribal languages. Developed by IIT Delhi, BITS Pilani, and others, it supports Bhili, Gondi, Santali, Mundari, with more to follow. The app enables real-time translation between Hindi/English and tribal languages, aiding education and governance.
• On August 31, 2025, Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the Janrakshak projects under Dial 112 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The initiative unifies emergency services—police, fire, ambulance, and women-child helplines—under one number. A fleet of 1,000 GPS-enabled Janrakshak vans was launched with real-time tracking and rapid response tech.
• On August 31, 2025, the National e-Governance Division (NeGD) under MeitY integrated nearly 2,000 e-government services across India. Services are now accessible via DigiLocker and e-District platforms in all 36 States and Union Territories (UTs). The move supports Digital India, enabling paperless, secure, and interoperable public service delivery.
• On August 28, 2025, PRYMA Aerospace’s Arjuna drone received DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) Type Certification for agricultural use. It enables precision spraying, crop monitoring, and soil-water analytics, boosting sustainable farming. PRYMA also launched India’s first Drone School of Excellence, approved as a RPTO (Remote Pilot Training Organisation).
• On August 30, 2025, WaveX and IICT Mumbai launched the Media Tech Incubator to support AVGC-XR (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics & Extended Reality) startups. It offers mentorship, sandbox testing, and infrastructure for sectors like OTT, VFX, VR, and publishing. The incubator runs in two phases—Active (support) and Passive (global showcasing, investor connects).

International:

• Kokichi Akuzawa, aged 102, summited Mount Fuji on August 5, 2025, setting a world record. He became the oldest person to reach the 3,776m peak, recognized by Guinness World Records. Akuzawa completed the climb over three days with family and fellow mountaineers.

Banking:

• On August 28, 2025, Power Finance Corporation (PFC) signed a ₹3,500 crore loan agreement with the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) in Tokyo to support clean energy projects. The funding will assist Assam Bio Ethanol Pvt Ltd in setting up a second-generation bioethanol and chemicals plant using bamboo as feedstock.
• On August 28, 2025, Jio Payments Bank launched ‘Savings Pro’, India’s first auto-investing savings account. It invests idle deposits into overnight mutual funds, offering returns of 5–6% annually vs the usual 2.5% interest rate. Designed for balances under ₹2 lakh, it ensures next-day liquidity and suits short-term savings.
• On August 29, 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed a ₹44.70 lakh penalty on Bandhan Bank for regulatory non-compliance. Violations included unauthorized commission payments and manual data changes without audit trails.
• On August 26, 2025, Tata Steel acquired a ₹3,100 crore stake in its Singapore subsidiary T Steel Holdings Pte Ltd (TSHPL). The deal involved subscribing to 353.23 crore shares at a face value of USD 0.1005 each. This marks Tata Steel’s fourth capital infusion into TSHPL in 2025, supporting global expansion. The move aligns with its plan to invest USD 2.5 billion in TSHPL during FY 2025–26.
• On August 30, 2025, SBI signed a €100 million Line of Credit (LoC) with AFD (Agence Française de Développement) at its GIFT City branch. The funds will support climate mitigation and adaptation projects, aligned with India’s low-carbon transition goals. SBI aims to raise its green portfolio to 7.5–10% of domestic gross advances by 2030.

MoUs:

• On August 30, 2025, IIT Hyderabad signed an MoU with the Indian Army’s SDD under ARTRAC to establish CoE ‘VIGRAHA’. VIGRAHA focuses on AI, robotics, AR/VR, drones, and simulation technologies for defence innovation. The aim is to co-develop indigenous military solutions and offer training, internships, and academic programs.

Reports:

• On August 28, 2025, the National Commission for Women (NCW) launched the NARI 2025 Report—National Annual Report and Index on Women’s Safety. Based on a survey of 12,770 women across 31 cities, India’s overall safety score was pegged at 65%. Kohima, Visakhapatnam, and Bhubaneswar ranked safest; Patna, Delhi, and Ranchi were among the least safe.
• The Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) 2025 Report, released by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) on 30 August 2025, shows India’s average life expectancy drops by 3.5 years due to air pollution. All Indians live in areas exceeding the World Health Organization (WHO) safe PM2.5 limit of 5 µg/m³. Delhi residents face the highest impact—8.2 years lost in life expectancy.

Sports:

• On August 29, 2025, India won the 2025 SAFF U-17 Women’s Football Championship by defeating Nepal 5–0 in Thimphu, Bhutan. The final was held at Changlimithang Stadium, marking India’s dominant run in the tournament. India scored 27 goals across matches, showcasing strong attack and defence under coach Joakim Alexandersson.
• The 29th BWF World Championships 2025 were held from August 25–31 at the Adidas Arena, Paris, France. India’s Satwik–Chirag won bronze in Men’s Doubles, keeping the nation’s medal streak alive since 2011. Shi Yu Qi (China) won Men’s Singles; Akane Yamaguchi (Japan) clinched her third Women’s Singles title.
• On August 29, 2025, the International Cricket Council (ICC) partnered with Google to boost fan engagement in women’s cricket. The collaboration spans Android, Google Gemini, Google Pay, and Pixel, enhancing access and interactivity. It supports major events like the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 and T20 World Cup 2026.
• The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 will award a record ₹39.55 crore ($4.48 million) to the winning team. This marks a 239% increase from the ₹11.65 crore prize in 2022, surpassing even the 2023 Men’s World Cup payout. The tournament runs from September 30 to November 2, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka across five venues.

Summits & Conferences:

• On August 29, 2025, the 17th CII Global MedTech Summit was held in New Delhi, organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). It was chaired by Union Minister Piyush Goyal, with the theme “Innovating for a Healthier Future – Make in India, Make for the World”. The summit aimed to boost domestic manufacturing, exports, and MedTech innovation, reducing import dependency. Highlights included advanced device production, launch of medical parks, and ₹5,000 crore PRIP scheme for R&D.
• The 56th BSF–BGB DG-Level Border Conference was held from August 25–28, 2025 at Pilkhana HQ, Dhaka, Bangladesh. It was chaired by BSF DG Daljit Singh Chaudhary and BGB DG Maj Gen Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui, focusing on border security cooperation. The aim was to curb border killings, smuggling, and enhance joint management and intelligence sharing.
• The 15th India–Japan Annual Summit was held in Tokyo from August 29–30, 2025, between PM Narendra Modi and PM Shigeru Ishiba. Key outcomes included a Joint Vision for the Next Decade, Security Cooperation Declaration, and Human Resource Action Plan. Japan pledged ¥10 trillion investment in India over 10 years, focusing on AI, clean energy, semiconductors, and mobility. The summit reaffirmed the Special Strategic and Global Partnership, with 13 MoUs signed across critical sectors.

Defence:

• On August 30, 2025, BHEL (Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited) signed a LAToT (Licence Agreement for Transfer of Technology) with DMRL (Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory), Hyderabad. The deal enables BHEL to manufacture Fused Silica Radar Domes using Cold Isostatic Pressing and Sintering, replacing imports.
• On August 29, 2025, DRDO’s HEMRL (High Energy Materials Research Laboratory) delivered the Signal Star Naval Flare System to the Indian Navy. It’s designed for Kalvari-class submarines, enabling underwater signaling, distress alerts, and fleet coordination. The flares are pressure-resistant, activate via hydrostatic triggers, and function in low-visibility conditions.

Govt. Schemes:

• On August 29, 2025, the Bihar Cabinet approved the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana to support one woman per family in starting her own occupation. Beneficiaries will receive ₹10,000 via DBT, with up to ₹2 lakh available after 6 months based on progress. The scheme is led by the Rural Development Department, with urban support from the Housing Department.

Important Days:

• National Nutrition Week 2025 is observed from September 1–7, led by the Ministry of Women & Child Development. The theme is “Eat Right for a Better Life”, promoting balanced diets and mindful eating habits. It aligns with key initiatives like POSHAN Abhiyaan and the Mid-Day Meal Scheme to combat malnutrition.
• International Day for People of African Descent 2025 was observed on August 31, as per UNGA Resolution 75/170. The theme was “Recognition, Justice, and Development”, marking the start of the Second International Decade (2025–2034). It honours the contributions of African descendants and calls for action against racism and systemic inequality.
• International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances 2025 was observed on August 30. The theme was “Hear the Victims – End Enforced Disappearances”, urging global justice and accountability. It highlights the trauma faced by families and the need for truth and legal safeguards.
• National Small Industry Day 2025 was observed on August 30 to celebrate MSMEs and SSIs. The theme was “Empowering Small Industries for a Resilient Economy”, highlighting innovation and growth. It marks the 24th year since the 2000 SSI policy package and promotes inclusive development.

Appointments:

• On September 1, 2025, Shiv Charan Jain, an officer from the Indian Railway Service of Engineers (IRSE), will assume additional charge as Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL). He replaces Pradeep Gaur, IRSE (1987 batch), who retires on August 31, 2025.
• TCS launched an AI & Services Transformation Unit to scale enterprise AI solutions. Amit Kapur was appointed Chief AI Officer, effective September 1, 2025. The unit will unify AI teams and modernize delivery across domains. Kapur previously led TCS UK–Ireland and brings 26 years of experience.
• Tiruvalam Cudamani Aishwarya Kalyani, a 1991-batch ICAS officer, was appointed as the 29th Controller General of Accounts (CGA) on September 1, 2025. She previously served as Principal Chief Controller of Accounts in the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• On September 1, 2025, President Droupadi Murmu appointed new judges to Kerala and Allahabad High Courts. Advocate Arun Kumar was appointed as a Judge of the Allahabad High Court. Justices Johnson John, G.U. Girish, and C.N. Pratheep Kumar were elevated as Permanent Judges of the Kerala High Court. These appointments aim to strengthen judicial capacity and reduce case pendency.
• On August 30, 2025, Thailand’s Cabinet appointed Phumtham Wechayachai as Acting Prime Minister after Paetongtarn Shinawatra was dismissed. The Constitutional Court removed Paetongtarn over an ethics violation linked to a leaked diplomatic phone call.

Awards & Honours:

• Educate Girls was announced as a 2025 Ramon Magsaysay Award winner on August 31, 2025. It’s the first Indian NGO to win the award for empowering over 2 million girls through education. Founded by Safeena Husain, its key initiatives include Pragati and a Development Impact Bond. The award will be conferred on November 7, 2025, in Manila, Philippines.
• On August 30, 2025, Younus Ahamed, an NRI entrepreneur from Palakkad, received the Camel International Award in Dubai. The ceremony was held aboard the Queen Elizabeth II Ship Hotel, honoring global achievers across diverse fields. The award was presented by Sheikh Matar Bin Huwaiden Al Ketbi, Chairman of Sharjah Camel Racing Club.

Questions:

Q.1 The Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based translator “Aadi Vaani” launched on September 1, 2025, supports which group?
a) Tribal languages
b) Foreign languages
c) Sanskrit manuscripts
d) Sign language

Answer: a) On September 1, 2025, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs launched Aadi Vaani, India’s first AI-based translator for tribal languages.

Q.2 Which Indian Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) won the Ramon Magsaysay Award 2025?
a) Pratham
b) Akshaya Patra
c) Smile Foundation
d) Educate Girls

Answer: d) Educate Girls was announced as a 2025 Ramon Magsaysay Award winner on August 31, 2025.