09th-11th August 2025

1. India’s Annu Rani Wins Gold at International Wiesław Maniak Memorial
2. PM’s Mann Ki Baat Programme Earns Over ₹34 Crore Since 2014: Government
3. Indian Railways Conducts Trial Run of Asia’s Longest Freight Train ‘Rudrastra’
4. India’s Top 10 Safest Cities 2025
5. India Nominates Ancient Buddhist Site ‘Sarnath’ to UNESCO for 2025-26 Cycle
6. IFC Commits USD 150 Mn to HDFC Capital’s H-DREAM Fund
7. BoB & FSSAI Signed MoU to Launch Customized Web-based Payment Solution
8. DSP Mutual Fund Launches India’s First Flexi Cap Index Fund
9. BEML to Set Up Vande Bharat, Amrit Bharat Train Coach Manufacturing Unit in MP
10. Paras Defence Partners with German Firm to Develop Satellite Antenna Technology in India
11. Zomato Roped in Shah Rukh Khan as Brand Ambassador
12. Antfin Singapore Divests 1.46% Stake in Eternal for Rs. 4,097 Crores
13. National Javelin Day 2025 – August 7
14. Nagasaki Day 2025 – August 9
15. Quit India Movement Day 2025 – August 08
16. India’s First Smart Intelligent Village to be in Satnavri, Nagpur
17. J&K and Maharashtra Conduct First Interstate Agri Trade via eNAM
18. Cabinet Approves Rs. 4,250 Crore Special Development Packages for Assam and Tripura
19. DARPG Partners with RTS Commissioners for Improvement of e-services under NeSDA, Issues Guidelines for NAeG 2026
20. RBI Imposes Rs. 75 Lakh Monetary Penalty on ICICI Bank
21. BSNL and NRL Signs MoU to Implement India’s First 5G CNPN through Industry 4.0 Adoption
22. Skyroot Aerospace Conducts Static Test of Vikram-1 Rocket’s KALAM-1200
23. Former CJI D.Y. Chandrachud’s Debut Book “Why the Constitution Matters”
24. International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples 2025 – August 9
25. World Sanskrit Day 2025 – August 9
26. Chhattisgarh Government Inks Agreement with NHPC for 1,800 MW PSP
27. Union Cabinet approves Rs 30,000 crore compensation to public sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) for domestic LPG supply losses.

National News

1. Mann ki Baat Programme Generated Over Rs. 34.13 Crore Revenue since its Inception

• What:
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Mann Ki Baat is a monthly radio programme highlighting inspiring stories and positive changes across India.
• Why:
  • The programme aims to encourage citizens to actively participate in the country’s development journey and celebrate India’s diversity and social commitment.
• Tell me more:
  • Broadcast live on Akashvani’s national and regional networks, telecast on Doordarshan channels, and available through DD Free Dish and digital platforms.
  • Also streamed and archived on YouTube, WAVES OTT, NewsOnAIR app, PB SHABD, and shared worldwide via social media.
  • Produced by Akashvani using existing resources without extra cost, earning Rs 34.13 crore since inception.
  • Viewers in rural and remote areas can access through 48 Akashvani radio channels and 92 private TV channels via DD Free Dish.
  • Citizens participate by giving suggestions through MyGov, writing letters/emails, and collective listening sessions in schools, gram panchayats, SHGs, and NGOs.

Source: PIB

2. Indian Railways Tests Asia’s Longest Freight Train ‘Rudrastra’

• What:
  • Indian Railways successfully conducted a trial run of ‘Rudrastra’, Asia’s longest freight train, covering 209 km between Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand.
• Why:
  • The train aims to make freight transportation and loading faster, saving both time and resources.
• Tell me more:
  • The 4.5 km long ‘Rudrastra’ ran from Ganjkhwaja station in Chandauli to Garhwa in 5 hours 10 minutes at an average speed of 40.50 km/h.
  • The train is planned to operate between Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Division and Dhanbad Division for quicker goods movement.
  • ‘Rudrastra’ is the longest freight train in both Bharat and Asia.

Source: NOA

3. DARPG, RTS Commissions Collaborate to Boost e‑Service Delivery

• What:
  • DARPG held a meeting with Right to Services (RTS) Commissions of eight States/UTs to strengthen public service delivery under the NeSDA Way Forward initiative.
• Why:
  • The aim is to enhance e‑Service delivery, grievance redressal, and ease of living/business through the Right to Services framework.
• Tell me more:
  • The meeting on 8 August 2025 was chaired by V. Srinivas, Secretary DARPG, with RTS Commissioners from Chandigarh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Meghalaya, Assam, West Bengal, Haryana, and Maharashtra.
  • API linkage of the CPGRAMS portal with RTS websites is nearing completion for real‑time sharing of State‑specific service grievances.
  • Collaboration will focus on e‑services in land, labour, finance, and environment sectors under the RTS Act.
  • States/UTs are reporting over 22,000 e‑Services under NeSDA, evaluated by the NIC’s AAKLAN benchmarking tool.

Source: PIB

State News

1. UP Pushes for UNESCO Heritage Status for Sarnath

• What:
  • Uttar Pradesh tourism department and ASI are preparing to secure UNESCO World Heritage Site status for Sarnath under the 2025–26 nomination cycle.
• Why:
  • The aim is to gain global recognition for India’s Buddhist heritage and promote sustainable tourism.
• Tell me more:
  • Sarnath, near Varanasi, is where Gautam Buddha delivered his first sermon after enlightenment.
  • A joint meeting in Lucknow focused on documentation, site management, and compliance with UNESCO’s selection criteria.

Source: HT

2. BEML to Build Railway Coach Plant in Madhya Pradesh

• What:
  • Defence Minister Rajnath Singh laid the foundation stone for a ₹1,800 crore BEML railway coach manufacturing unit in Raisen, Madhya Pradesh.
• Why:
  • The project aims to boost indigenous rail manufacturing, support ‘Make in India’, and reduce dependency on imported rolling stock.
• Tell me more:
  • The plant will be set up in Umaria village, Goharganj tehsil, over 148 acres, generating nearly 5,000 direct and indirect jobs.
  • It will produce Vande Bharat, Amrit Bharat, and metro coaches—starting with 125–200 coaches annually and expanding to over 1,000 in five years.
  • The unit will help meet Indian Railways’ plan for 500 new Vande Bharat trains by 2030 and growing metro demand in tier-2 cities.
  • The project will spur ancillary industries in Raisen and Bhopal districts, and a rail coach technology institute is under consideration.

Source: ET

3. Satnavri in Nagpur Becomes India’s First Smart Intelligent Village

• What:
  • Satnavri village in Nagpur district is being developed as India’s first ‘Smart Intelligent Village’ under a state pilot project with advanced digital infrastructure.
• Why:
  • The project aims to integrate technology into rural life to improve agriculture, health, education, and governance, empowering villagers through digital tools and training.
• Tell me more:
  • The initiative includes sensor-equipped farms, AI-assisted learning, e-health cards, WiFi-enabled gram panchayat, and telemedicine facilities.
  • 15 private firms are implementing modules like real-time crop dashboards, remote health consultations, and smart classrooms in anganwadis and schools.
  • The village is connected via optical fibre, enabling data-driven agriculture, irrigation tracking, and water quality monitoring.
  • Farmers receive mobile alerts on soil health, weather, and harvest timings, while AI-integrated digital books and remote learning are enhancing education.

Source: TOI

4. First Interstate Trade Under eNAM Between J&K and Maharashtra

• What:
  • The first-ever interstate trade on the National Agriculture Market (eNAM) was conducted between Jammu & Kashmir and Maharashtra, involving apples and pears.
• Why:
  • The aim is to integrate APMCs across states through a digital platform to ensure transparent trading, better price discovery, and quality assurance for farmers and traders.
• Tell me more:
  • A truck carrying 11 metric tonnes of apples and pears from Kashmir reached the Gultekdi APMC in Pune.
  • eNAM is a Government of India initiative to create a unified national market for agricultural commodities.
  • Maharashtra has connected 133 APMCs to eNAM and is encouraging traders to use the platform for maximum transactions.

Source: TT

5. Centre Approves ₹4,250 Crore Packages for Assam and Tripura

• What:
  • The Union Cabinet approved four new components under the Central Sector Scheme of Special Development Packages for Assam and Tripura with a total outlay of ₹4,250 crore.
• Why:
  • The aim is to promote peace, improve socio-economic conditions, and integrate marginalised communities in Assam and Tripura through infrastructure and livelihood development.
• Tell me more:
  • ₹500 crore for infrastructure in Adivasi-inhabited areas of Assam as per the 2022 MoS with Adivasi groups.
  • ₹500 crore for infrastructure in North Cacher Hills Autonomous Council areas under the 2023 MoS with DNLA/DPSC groups.
  • ₹3,000 crore for infrastructure in Assam under the 2023 MoS with ULFA groups.
  • ₹250 crore for development of Tripura’s tribal communities under the 2024 MoS with NLFT/ATTF groups.
  • Funding includes ₹4,250 crore from the Centre and ₹3,000 crore from the Assam government; projects will run from FY 2025-26 to FY 2029-30 (Assam) and FY 2025-26 to FY 2028-29 (Tripura).

Source: PIB

6. NHPC to Develop 1800 MW Pumped Storage Projects in Chhattisgarh

• What:
  • Chhattisgarh government, NHPC, and Chhattisgarh State Power Generation Company Limited (CSPGCL) signed MoUs to develop two pumped storage projects — Hasdeo Bango (800 MW) and Kurund (1000 MW) — with a total capacity of 1800 MW.
• Why:
  • The projects aim to boost renewable energy infrastructure, enhance energy security, and help achieve India’s target of 19 GW pumped storage capacity by 2030.
• Tell me more:
  • Hasdeo Bango project in Korba district will require an investment of about ₹3,417 crore, while the Kurund project will need ₹6,000 crore.
  • Pumped storage projects store excess electricity by pumping water to a higher reservoir and generate power by releasing it during demand peaks.

Source: BS IM

Banking and Economy

1. IFC Invests in H-DREAM Fund for Green Affordable Housing

• What:
  • IFC has committed up to USD 150 million as anchor equity investment in the H-DREAM Fund, promoted by HDFC Capital, to promote green, affordable and mid-income housing.
• Why:
  • The aim is to expand access to sustainable financing for developers while bridging the housing gap through affordable, eco-friendly housing projects.
• Tell me more:
  • The fund targets a corpus of USD 1 billion (USD 500 million plus a green shoe of USD 500 million) and will be managed by HDFC Capital.
  • It will support projects using the EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) green building framework aligned with global sustainability standards.
  • IFC’s investment is expected to mobilise up to USD 850 million of long-term capital and enable the development of at least 25,000 green housing units.

Source: TW

2. Bank of Baroda, FSSAI Launch Web-Based Payment Platform

• What:
  • Bank of Baroda and FSSAI have signed an MoU to launch a web-based payment platform for FSSAI’s specific needs.
• Why:
  • It will handle payments like grant disbursements and vendor payments for FSSAI and its stakeholders.
• Tell me more:
  • The platform will also enable monitoring and control of nodal accounts, including State Child Accounts and District Sub-Child Accounts.

Source: ET

3. DSP Launches India’s First Flexicap Quality Index Fund

• What:
  • DSP Mutual Fund has launched the DSP Nifty500 Flexicap Quality 30 Index Fund, India’s first low-cost flexicap index fund combining high-quality stocks with dynamic market cap allocation.
• Why:
  • The fund aims to help investors invest in high-quality companies across market caps with automatic allocation, reducing the need for constant monitoring and minimizing costs.
• Tell me more:
  • It tracks the Nifty500 Flexicap Quality 30 Index, which selects 30 strong companies—10 each from large, mid, and small caps—based on high ROE, low debt, and consistent earnings growth.
  • Stocks get equal weight in each segment; allocation between large, mid, and small caps changes quarterly based on momentum signals.
  • Since October 2009, the index has delivered 18.1% CAGR, outperforming Nifty 500 TRI’s 13%, and showing better downside protection in volatile markets.

Source: BS

4. Antfin Sells 1.46% Stake in Zomato’s Parent Firm Eternal

• What:
  • Alibaba-backed Antfin Singapore Holding sold 1.46% stake in Eternal, Zomato’s parent company, through open market transactions on August 7.
• Tell me more:
  • As of June 2025, Antfin held a 1.95% stake in Eternal before this sale.
  • Eternal is the parent company of Zomato, a major online food delivery platform in India.
  • Antfin is affiliated with Alibaba and has been reducing its stake in Indian companies.

Source: MoC

5. RBI Fines ICICI Bank ₹75 Lakh for Compliance Lapses

• What:
  • RBI has imposed a monetary penalty of ₹75 lakh on ICICI Bank for violating norms on property valuation and opening of current accounts.
• Why:
  • The penalty was issued for deficiencies in regulatory compliance to ensure banks follow guidelines on independent property valuation and disciplined current account operations.
• Tell me more:
  • ICICI Bank failed to conduct property valuations through independent valuers in certain mortgage loans.
  • The bank also opened or maintained current accounts in violation of RBI’s regulatory norms.

Source: BS

6. BSNL, NRL Partner to Deploy India’s First 5G CNPN in Refinery Sector

• What:
  • BSNL and Numaligarh Refinery Limited signed an MoU to deploy India’s first 5G Captive Non-Public Network (CNPN) in the refinery sector.
• Why:
  • The initiative aims to boost industrial modernization, enhance operational efficiency, and promote adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies in line with Atmanirbhar Bharat.
• Tell me more:
  • The MoU was signed during the “Industry 4.0 Workshop for CPSEs” organised under the Ministry of Finance in Guwahati.
  • Technologies covered include 5G CNPN, Digital Twins, 3D printing with AI, AR/VR/MR, IoT, and Big Data Analytics.
  • The 5G CNPN will provide secure, ultra-reliable, real-time connectivity for mission-critical refinery operations.
  • The project is expected to create employment, promote advanced skilling, and enable applications like AR/VR-based training and real-time IoT monitoring.
  • This is the first deployment of 5G CNPN in India’s refinery sector using indigenous infrastructure.

Source: PIB

7. Govt Approves ₹30,000 Cr Support for OMCs to Cover LPG Losses

• What:
  • The government has approved ₹30,000 crore as budgetary support to Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum, and Hindustan Petroleum for under-recoveries on supplying LPG cylinders at regulated prices.
• Why:
  • The support aims to help OMCs manage high international LPG prices without passing the burden to consumers, ensuring affordable and uninterrupted supply.
• Tell me more:
  • The financial support will be released in 12 tranches and distributed among OMCs by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
  • Since 2024-25, global LPG prices have stayed high, leading to significant losses for OMCs.
  • The funds will help OMCs procure crude and LPG, service debt, sustain capital expenditure, and ensure stable LPG supply.
  • The Union Cabinet also approved ₹12,060 crore for FY 2025-26 to provide ₹300 subsidy per 14.2 kg domestic LPG cylinder to PM Ujjwala Yojana beneficiaries.

Source: ET

Reports and Indices

1. Numbeo Safety Index Mid-2025 Rankings

• What:
  • Abu Dhabi is the world’s safest city, holding the top spot for nine years with a score of 88.8.
  • India is placed 67th among the world’s safest countries in the Numbeo Safety Index with a score of 55.8.
• Why:
  • Safety rankings are based on public perception of threats like robbery, harassment, and discrimination.
• Tell me more:
  • Mangalore has been ranked the safest city in India for 2025 based on low crime rates and strong civic infrastructure. Mangalore has a safety index score of 74.2 and global rank of #49.
  • Gujarat’s Vadodara, Ahmedabad, and Surat are next with scores of 69.2, 68.2, and 66.6.
  • New Delhi, Noida, and Ghaziabad are among the most unsafe Indian cities, having high crime index scores.
  • Top 10 Safest Cities in the World in 2025

• Top 10 Safest Cities in India
  

Source: IE

Defence News

1. Skyroot Tests KALAM 1200 Motor for Vikram-1 Launch Vehicle

• What:
  • Skyroot Aerospace successfully conducted the first static test of the KALAM 1200 solid rocket motor, the first stage of the Vikram-1 launch vehicle, at the Static Test Complex, Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota.
• Why:
  • The test marks a major milestone in Vikram-1’s development and supports India’s Space Policy 2023 that promotes private sector use of ISRO facilities.
• Tell me more:
  • KALAM 1200 is 11 metres long, 1.7 metres in diameter, and carries 30 tonnes of solid propellant.
  • It is the longest monolithic composite motor built at the Solid Propellant Plant in Sriharikota.
  • ISRO designed the special test stand for this trial, which is part of the development of Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace’s Vikram-1.

Source: ET

Science and Technology

1. Paras Defence, HPS GmbH to Develop Satellite Antenna Systems

• What:
  • Paras Defence & Space Technologies Ltd signed an agreement with Germany’s HPS GmbH to co-develop deployable antenna reflector systems for satellites in the Indian market.
• Why:
  • The partnership aims to reduce India’s reliance on foreign suppliers by developing satellite antenna reflector technology domestically.
• Tell me more:
  • The teaming agreement was signed on August 7, 2025, with Paras Defence as the primary customer interface in India and HPS GmbH providing design and manufacturing support from Germany.
  • The focus is on unfurlable antenna reflectors that fold during satellite launches and deploy automatically in orbit, including assemblies, release mechanisms, electronics, and thermal hardware.
  • The reflectors will support satellite internet, Earth imaging, disaster response, and military communications.
  • HPS GmbH may set up similar facilities in India through a potential joint venture.

Source: HBL

Important Days

1. National Javelin Day 2025 – August 7

• This day celebrates Neeraj Chopra’s Olympics Gold win at Tokyo Olympics 2020 (held in 2021). It is the 4th edition of the day.

Source: Wion

2. 80th Nagasaki Day 2025 – August 9

3. Quit India Movement Day 2025 – August 8

• The Quit India Movement began on August 8, 1942.

Source: IE

4. International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples 2025 – August 9

• Theme: Indigenous Peoples and AI: Defending Rights, Shaping Futures
• Every year on 9 August, the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is observed to highlight the needs of these communities, marking the anniversary of the first meeting of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations held in Geneva in 1982.

Source: UN

5. World Sanskrit Day 2025 – August 9

Source: PIB

Sports

1. Annu Rani Wins Gold at Wiesław Maniak Memorial in Poland

• What:
  • Annu Rani won the gold medal in women’s javelin throw at the International Wiesław Maniak Memorial in Poland with a season-best throw of 62.59m.
• Why:
  • The win boosts her bid to achieve the 64m qualification mark for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo next month.
• Tell me more:
  • Turkey’s Eda Tugsuz took silver with 58.36m, and Australia’s Lianna Davidson won bronze with 58.24m.
  • Other Indian athletes’ results included Pooja finishing third in women’s 800m (2:02.95) and Jisna Mathew placing sixth in women’s 400m (54.12s).

Source: NOA

Appointments

1. Zomato Signs Shah Rukh Khan as Brand Ambassador

• Zomato has appointed Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan as its brand ambassador, featuring him in its latest ‘Fuel Your Hustle’ campaign.
• The ‘Fuel Your Hustle’ campaign celebrates the effort and persistence behind some of India’s most celebrated names.

Source: BS

Miscellaneous

1. Justice DY Chandrachud to Release ‘Why the Constitution Matters’

• Penguin Random House will publish ‘Why the Constitution Matters’ by former Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud at the end of August 2025.
• The book is a collection of speeches highlighting how the Constitution shapes democracy, justice, and equality in India.
• DY Chandrachud was appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court in May 2016.

Source: LM

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