13th August 2025

1. DPIIT Signs MoU with Zepto to Support Manufacturing Startups through ‘Zepto Nova’ Innovation Challenge
2. NLCIL and BARC Signs MoU for Rare Earth Extraction from Fly Ash
3. India Signs trade cooperation agreement with Zambia
4. NABARD, APGB & Aqua Exchange Signed MoU to Launch Collateral-Free Shrimp Farming Loans
5. Tata’s Nelco to Roll Out Eutelsat OneWeb LEO Satellite Services in India
6. LTIMindtree Joins India’s First Quantum Valley at Amaravati, AP
7. Odisha Government Appointed Madhuri Dixit as Brand Ambassador of Handloom Industry
8. India’s U-20 Football Women’s Team Qualifies for AFC Asian Cup 2026 After 20 Year
9. Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis Launches ‘Garuda Drishti’ to Detect Cyber Fraud and Hate Speech
10. Karnataka Launches KATALYST to Set Up 500 New GCCs by 2029
11. UPSC to Celebrate 100 Years of Service: Centenary Year to Begin October 2025
12. UIDAI Partners with ISI for 5-Year R&D Pact to Fortify Aadhaar with Advanced Data-Driven Innovations
13. Australia to Recognise Palestinian State at UN in September
14. Karnataka GST Evasion Cases Jump Fivefold to ₹39,577 Crore in FY25
15. India Shines with 27 Medals at Asian U19 & U22 Boxing Championships 2025
16. Net Direct Tax Collection Falls Nearly 4% to ₹6.64 Lakh Crore in FY26 on Higher Refunds
17. Rare Blue Pinkgill Mushroom Discovered in Telangana Forests
18. India’s First Drone-AI Powered Artificial Rain Experiment Launched in Jaipur
19. Cabinet Approves ₹4,600 Crore Semiconductor Manufacturing Projects in Odisha, Punjab, and Andhra Pradesh

National News

1. UPSC to Celebrate 100th Year with Year-long Events

• What:
  • The Union Public Service Commission will celebrate its Centenary Year from 1st October 2025 to 1st October 2026 with various events and activities.
• Why:
  • The celebrations aim to honour UPSC’s legacy of transparency, fairness, and meritocracy while planning reforms and a roadmap for the next 100 years.
• Tell me more:
  • UPSC was established on 1st October 1926 under the Government of India Act, 1919, following the Lee Commission’s recommendations.
  • It was renamed the Federal Public Service Commission in 1937 and became the Union Public Service Commission on 26th January 1950.
  • UPSC is the Constitutional Authority responsible for selecting candidates for senior-level government positions.
  • Shri Ajay Kumar is the current Chairman of UPSC.

Source: PIB

2. UIDAI Signs 5-Year R&D Pact with ISI

• What:
  • The Unique Identification Authority of India signed a five-year umbrella agreement with the Indian Statistical Institute for joint R&D to improve the robustness, security, and reliability of Aadhaar operations.
• Why:
  • The collaboration aims to use data-driven innovations to enhance security features, detect fraud, and strengthen biometric systems in Aadhaar services.
• Tell me more:
  • The agreement covers areas like fraud and anomaly detection, biometric liveness detection tools, and identifying high-risk enrolment/update categories.
  • It also includes improving biometric matching algorithms and other mutually decided priority areas.
  • The agreement was signed by Ms Tanusree Deb Barma of UIDAI and Prof B. S. Daya Sagar of ISI in the presence of UIDAI CEO Bhuvnesh Kumar and Additional Secretary MoSPI, Puja Singh Mandol.
  • The Indian Statistical Institute is a premier academic and research institution under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.

Source: PIB

3. Cabinet Clears Four New Semiconductor Projects in India

• What:
  • The Union Cabinet approved four new semiconductor manufacturing projects under the India Semiconductor Mission, to be set up in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Punjab.
• Why:
  • The projects aim to boost domestic chip production, strengthen the electronics manufacturing ecosystem, and generate large-scale employment.
• Tell me more:
  • With these approvals, India now has 10 semiconductor projects worth around ₹1.60 trillion in six states.
  • The four projects involve ₹4,600 crore investment and will create 2,034 direct skilled jobs and many indirect jobs.
  • Odisha will host SiCSem (India’s first commercial compound semiconductor fab) and a 3D Glass Solutions packaging facility.
  • Andhra Pradesh will have ASIP’s unit for chips used in mobiles, set-top boxes, and automobiles, while Punjab will see CDIL expand its Mohali facility for high-power semiconductor devices.

Source: BS

State News

1. India to Build First Quantum Technology Hub in Amaravati

• What:
  • LTIMindtree and Larsen & Toubro have partnered with the Government of Andhra Pradesh, IBM, and industry players to develop Amaravati Quantum Valley, India’s first dedicated quantum technology hub.
• Why:
  • The project aims to make India a global leader in quantum technology innovation through advanced research, industrial applications, and cross-sector collaboration.
• Tell me more:
  • LTIMindtree’s Quantum Centre of Excellence will lead deep tech research and incubation for industrial and societal applications.
  • L&T will design, develop, and manage the hub’s infrastructure using its large-scale construction expertise.
  • A Quantum Computing Centre will host IBM’s Quantum System Two, expected to be the largest quantum computer in India.
  • The facility will include R&D labs, co-working spaces for academia, startups, industry, and government, as well as zones for events like conferences and hackathons.
• Knowledge Nuggets:
  • LTIMindtree CEO and Managing Director is Venu Lambu.
  • The initiative aligns with India’s National Quantum Mission.

Source: DC

2. Maharashtra Launches ‘Garuda Drishti’ to Tackle Cyber Crime

• What:
  • Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis presented the ‘Garuda Drishti’ social media monitoring and cyber intelligence project to curb cyber crimes and misuse of social media.
• Why:
  • The project aims to detect, track, and prevent fraudulent and criminal activities on social media, maintaining law and order and protecting citizens from cyber fraud.
• Tell me more:
  • ‘Garuda Drishti’ has examined 30,000 social media posts, identifying and removing 650 offensive ones to prevent tension and law-and-order issues.
  • It helps track hate speech, fake news, threats, rumour-spreading, and drug trafficking activities on social media platforms.
  • Developed at minimal cost through the Cyber Hack 2025 competition, the IPR is owned by Nagpur police.
  • Rs 10 crore recovered from cyber financial crime cases was returned to victims during the event.

Source: ET

3. Karnataka Launches KATALYST to Boost GCC Growth

• What:
  • The Karnataka government launched KATALYST, an Ease of Doing Business cell to support Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in the state.
• Why:
  • The initiative aims to fast-track GCC setup, attract new investments, create jobs, and make Karnataka one of India’s most business-friendly states.
• Tell me more:
  • KATALYST will enable GCC setup in under 45 days, provide a GCC handbook, and streamline industry connect and incentive-related queries.
  • Under the GCC Policy 2024-2029, Karnataka plans to add 500 GCCs by 2029, generating 3.5 lakh jobs and $50 billion in economic output.
  • Karnataka currently has 875 GCCs, making up 30% of India’s total, and contributes 44% to India’s software exports while hosting half of the country’s AI talent.
  • The launch was announced ahead of the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2024, themed “Futurise,” scheduled from November 18-20 with participation from 60+ countries.

Source: ET

4. India’s First AI-Drone Artificial Rain Project Launched in Rajasthan

• What:
  • A pilot project using AI-powered drones for cloud seeding to create artificial rain was launched in Jaipur to revive Ramgarh Lake and improve water availability in drought-hit areas of Rajasthan.
• Why:
  • The initiative aims to increase rainfall in targeted regions to boost groundwater levels, improve irrigation, and enhance crop yields in drought-prone areas.
• Tell me more:
  • The project is led by Agriculture Minister Dr Kirori Lal Meena and uses “Hydro Trace” AI technology by Gen X AI to identify suitable clouds through real-time data, satellite images, and sensors.
  • Drones release sodium chloride to encourage raindrop formation; 60 test flights are planned over 60 days, flying 4–5 times a month depending on weather.
  • Data from IMD will help time seeding, with approvals from DGCA, Agriculture Department, Meteorological Department, and local authorities.

Source: IT

International News

1. Australia to Recognise Palestinian State at UNGA

• What:
  • Australia will recognise the State of Palestine at the 80th United Nations General Assembly in September 2025 to support a two-state solution and peace efforts in Gaza.
• Why:
  • The move aims to contribute to international momentum for a two-state solution, achieve a ceasefire in Gaza, secure the release of hostages, and isolate Hamas.
• Tell me more:
  • Recognition will depend on commitments from the Palestinian Authority, including no involvement of Hamas in any future state.
  • France, Britain, and Canada have recently made similar announcements, while New Zealand is considering its position.

Source: DD

Banking and Economy

1. Global Satcom Operators Enter India’s Market

• What:
  • Many global satellite operators—including Intelsat, Inmarsat, Singapore Telecom, KT SAT, IPSTAR, and PT Telekomunikasi—are adding satellite capacity to offer services in India’s growing satcom market.
• Why:
  • These operators aim to take part in India’s fast-growing market for broadband-from-space services and meet high demand for strong satellite connectivity.
• Tell me more:
  • India’s satcom market is worth $2.3 billion and is expected to reach $20 billion by 2028, mainly due to direct-to-cell services.
  • Tata Group’s Nelco has partnered with Eutelsat OneWeb and added Koreasat-7 for Ku-band operations.
  • Companies are reselling capacity to major operators who offer broadband-from-space to millions of Indian users.
  • Starlink, Reliance Jio-SES JV, and Bharti Eutelsat OneWeb already have approvals, while Amazon’s Kuiper and Globalstar have applied for permits.

Source: ET

2. CGST Detects ₹39,577 Crore Tax Evasion in Karnataka

• What:
  • Central GST officers in Karnataka detected ₹39,577 crore tax evasion in 2024-25, over five times higher than the previous year.
• Why:
  • The detection aims to curb large-scale GST evasion, ensure tax compliance, and recover dues from offenders.
• Tell me more:
  • In 2024-25, 1,254 cases were detected, nine people were arrested, and ₹1,623 crore was recovered through voluntary payments.
  • In 2023-24, 925 cases involving ₹7,202 crore evasion were found, with two arrests and ₹1,197 crore recovered.
  • In 2022-23, 959 cases involving ₹25,839 crore evasion were detected, with two arrests and ₹1,705 crore recovered.
  • Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman clarified no notices were issued by Central GST authorities based on UPI transactions; recent notices in Karnataka were sent by State GST field offices.

Source: TH

3. India’s Net Direct Tax Collection Falls 4% in FY26 So Far

• What:
  • India’s net direct tax collection between April and August 11, 2025, fell nearly 4% to ₹6.64 lakh crore from ₹6.91 lakh crore a year earlier due to tax cuts, higher refunds, and extended return filing deadlines.
• Why:
  • The fall is due to lower personal income tax inflows and delayed payments from taxpayers, but collections are expected to improve in coming months to meet the FY26 target.
• Tell me more:
  • Gross direct tax collections fell about 2% year-on-year to ₹7.99 lakh crore.
  • Refunds worth ₹1.35 lakh crore were issued, up 10% from last year.
  • Net corporate tax grew 2.3% to ₹2.29 lakh crore, while net non-corporate tax fell 7.4% to ₹4.12 lakh crore.
  • Filing deadline for income tax returns was extended to September 15 from July 31, causing delays in collections.

Source: ET

Science and Technology

1. Rare Blue Pinkgill Mushroom Spotted in Telangana Forest

• What:
  • Rare and colourful fungi, including the ‘blue pinkgill’ native to New Zealand, have been documented in Kagaznagar forest division of Komaram Bheem Asifabad district.
• Tell me more:
  • The blue pinkgill’s vivid colour comes from rare azulene pigments and was found in Kadamba Reserve Forest and other areas of Kagaznagar.
  • Kagaznagar forests see many mushroom species each monsoon, showcasing biodiversity richness.
  • Researchers from Osmania University recorded the first Eastern Ghats sighting of the rare shuttlecock mushroom (Clathrus delicatus) in Kawal Tiger Reserve.
  • The blue pinkgill is famously featured on New Zealand’s $50 note.

Source: IE

Sports

1. India Qualifies for AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup 2026

• What:
  • India’s U20 women’s football team qualified for the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 after defeating hosts Myanmar 1-0 in Yangon.
• Why:
  • The win ended India’s 20-year wait to secure a place in the Asian Cup and provided an opportunity to compete at the continental level.
• Tell me more:
  • The AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 will be held in Thailand.
  • The tournament will feature 12 teams, with the remaining 11 spots decided through qualifiers among 32 teams divided into eight groups.

Source: NOA

2. Four Indian Boxers Enter U22 Asian Championship Finals

• What:
  • Four Indian boxers, including two women, reached the finals of the U22 Asian Boxing Championships in Bangkok on Day 3.
• Tell me more:
  • Neeraj defeated South Korea’s Kyeongho Bang 5:0 to become the first Indian finalist of the day, followed by Ishan Kataria’s win over Chen Chen of China.
  • Yatri Patel triumphed 5:0 against Vietnam’s Thi Nhung Quand in the women’s 57kg, while Priya beat Uzbekistan’s Odinakhon Ismoilova in the women’s 60kg.
  • India has sent 40 boxers (20 each in U19 and U22 categories) to the championship.
  • Several Indian semifinalists, including Rockey Chaudhary, Harsh, Mayur, Ankush, Bhawna Sharma, Parthavi Grewal, Parnjal Yadav, and Shruti, finished with bronze medals.

Source: DD

Memorandum of Understanding

1. DPIIT Signs MoU with Zepto to Boost Startups

• What:
  • The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) signed an MoU with Zepto to support and scale early-stage manufacturing sector startups through the ‘Zepto Nova’ innovation challenge.
• Why:
  • The partnership aims to discover, mentor and provide market access to startups, enabling them to grow and contribute to innovation, economic growth, and self-reliance.
• Tell me more:
  • The ‘Zepto Nova’ programme will run for six months and focus on hardware, IoT, packaging, and sustainable manufacturing technologies.
  • Zepto will integrate over 100 Indian startups into its supply chain to help them showcase products and expand market access.

Source: PIB

2. NLCIL and BARC to Extract Rare Earth from Fly Ash

• What:
  • NLC India Limited signed an MoU with Bhabha Atomic Research Centre to develop a process for extracting rare earth elements from fly ash, a by-product of thermal power generation.
• Why:
  • The initiative aims to manage fly ash and ensure domestic access to rare earth elements, reducing import dependence and supporting strategic mineral security.
• Tell me more:
  • A pilot project will be set up at Neyveli with technical support from BARC to demonstrate the extraction process.
  • NLCIL Chairman and Managing Director is Prasanna Kumar Motupalli.

Source: ET

3. India-Zambia Sign MoU to Boost Cooperative Trade

• What:
  • India signed an MoU with Zambia on July 18 to promote cooperatives and facilitate trade alliances between cooperatives of both countries.
• Why:
  • The agreement aims to strengthen India’s cooperative export ecosystem and enhance trade opportunities through global partnerships.
• Tell me more:
  • The Cooperation Ministry is working through Indian missions abroad to provide market information to National Cooperative Exports Ltd (NCEL) and connect with importers from specific countries.
  • NCEL has also signed MoUs with Senegal-based Sinton Vantage Trading and Indonesia-based PT Sinton Surini Nusantara.

Source: IE

4. NABARD, APGB Launch IoT-based Loan Model for Shrimp Farmers

• What:
  • NABARD and Andhra Pradesh Grameen Bank signed an MoU with Aqua Exchange Agritech to launch a pilot loan model for shrimp farmers using IoT technology.
• Why:
  • The initiative aims to bring shrimp farmers into the formal credit system with low-interest loans, reduce dependence on informal lending, and promote sustainable aquaculture practices.
• Tell me more:
  • The MoU was signed in Vijayawada and includes real-time monitoring of water quality, feed usage, and disease control through IoT devices.
  • Andhra Pradesh is a major contributor to India’s shrimp exports, and the model could be scaled up across the State if successful.
  • Loan sanction letters worth Rs 1.25 crore were distributed to five shrimp farmers along with IoT devices.
  • NABARD also sanctioned a Rs 346.27 lakh grant for a six-year tribal development project in 10 villages of Eluru district, benefiting 500 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group families through mango and cashew orchards.

Source: IE

Appointments

1. Madhuri Dixit Named Brand Ambassador for Odisha Handloom

• What:
  • The Odisha government appointed Madhuri Dixit as the brand ambassador of the state’s handloom industry, announced during the inauguration of the ‘EKTA’ initiative on National Handloom Day.
• Why:
  • The move aims to promote Odisha’s handloom products, preserve traditional crafts, and help them gain recognition in national and international fashion markets.
• Tell me more:
  • ‘EKTA’ stands for Exhibition-cum-Knowledge Sharing for Textile Advantage and focuses on providing market access, training, and financial support to handloom artisans.
  • The announcement was made by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi during the state’s 11th National Handloom Day celebrations.
  • Madhuri Dixit praised Odisha’s textile heritage, highlighting Bomkai sarees and Sambalpuri ‘ekat’ as symbols of traditional artistry.
  • Bomkai saree and Sambalpuri ‘ekat’ are traditional handloom products of Odisha.

Source: ET

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