20th August 2025

1. Lok Sabha Passes Bill to Establish IIM Guwahati in Assam
2. Sadbhavana Diwas 2025: Celebrating Peace, Unity, and Communal Harmony in India
3. Akshay Urja Day 2025 – History, Significance, and Celebrations
4. India’s GDP Growth Projected at 6.7% in Q1 FY2026 By ICRA, Surpassing RBI Estimate
5. Centre Implements “Anna-Chakra” Supply Chain Tool in 30 States to Optimize PDS Efficiency
6. India Approves ₹62,000 Crore Deal for 97 Tejas Mark 1A Jets to Strengthen IAF Fleet
7. World Mosquito Day 2025 – August 20
8. Greenfield Airport at Kota‑Bundi Approved; Boost to Connectivity and Growth in Rajasthan
9. IIT-M Signed Agreement worth Rs 1 crore to License India’s 1st Silicon Photonics-based QRNG
10. WHO: Rubella Eliminated as a Public Health Problem in Nepal
11. BoM and SBI Card Launches ‘Bank of Maharashtra SBI Card’ on Rupay and Visa
12. Bhavina Patel Clinched Top Medals at ITTF World Para Events, Secures World No.1
13. World Humanitarian Day 2025 – August 19
14. World Photography Day 2025 – August 19
15. West Bengal Launches ‘Shramshree` Scheme to Support Returning Bengali Migrant Workers
16. Dubai Launches ‘One Freezone Passport’ to Streamline Business Licensing and Attract Global Investment
17. India’s InvIT Market to Grow 3.5 Times, Reach $258 Billion by 2030

National News

1. Lok Sabha Passes Bill to Set Up IIM Guwahati

• What:
  • The Lok Sabha passed the Indian Institutes of Management (Amendment) Bill, 2025 to establish an IIM in Guwahati, Assam.
• Why:
  • The Bill aims to add IIM Guwahati as an institute of national importance to support Assam’s development.
• Tell me more:
  • The new IIM will receive a corpus of ₹555 crore for five years from 2025-26 to 2029-30.
  • After five years, no extra funds will be given, as the institute is expected to be financially self-sufficient.
  • With Guwahati, the number of IIMs with national importance status becomes 22, and this will be the second IIM in the North-east after Shillong.
  • The permanent campus will be built at Palasbari in Kamrup district, while classes will start this year from a temporary campus under the mentorship of IIM Ahmedabad.

Source: ET

2. “Anna-Chakra” Tool Optimises Public Distribution System Supply Chain

• What:
  • The “Anna-Chakra” Supply Chain Optimisation Tool under the Public Distribution System (PDS) has been implemented in 30 out of 31 States/Union Territories.
• Why:
  • The initiative aims to modernise the Public Distribution System, reduce logistics costs, and support environmental goals through route optimisation.
• Tell me more:
  • This information was given by the Union Minister of State for the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Smt. Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
  • Route optimisation is expected to save about ₹250 crore annually and has reduced transportation load (QKM) by 58 crores.

Source: PIB PIB

State News

1. West Bengal Launches ‘Shramshree’ Scheme for Migrant Workers

• What
  • West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee launched the “Shramshree” scheme to support Bengali migrant workers returning after alleged harassment in other states.
• Why
  • The scheme aims to provide financial help and employment support to migrant workers and promote the Bengali language and culture.
• Tell me more
  • Under the scheme, each returning worker will get ₹5,000 per month for a year or until they find a job in Bengal.
  • The scheme will be run by the Labour Department and is only for Bengali migrant workers.

Source: BS

2. Cabinet approves Greenfield Airport at Kota-Bundi and Odisha Ring Road

• What:
  • The Cabinet approved development of a Greenfield Airport at Kota-Bundi in Rajasthan for ₹1,507 crore and construction of a 6-lane Capital Region Ring Road in Odisha for ₹8,307.74 crore.
• Why:
  • The projects aim to handle rising traffic, improve connectivity, reduce logistics costs, and boost socio-economic growth in the regions.
• Tell me more:
  • The Greenfield Airport will have a terminal building of 20,000 sq. meters, handling 1,000 peak-hour passengers.
  • Kota is known as Rajasthan’s industrial capital and as India’s educational coaching hub, making the airport important for future growth.
  • The Odisha Ring Road will divert heavy vehicles away from Cuttack, Bhubaneshwar, and Khordha, enhancing freight movement.
  • The Ring Road project is expected to generate around 74.43 lakh person-days of direct employment and 93.04 lakh person-days of indirect employment.

Source: NOA

International News

1. Nepal Eliminates Rubella As A Public Health Problem

• What:
  • WHO announced that Nepal has eliminated rubella as a public health problem after verification by the Regional Verification Commission for Measles and Rubella elimination.
• Why:
  • The achievement aims to protect people, especially women and children, from vaccine-preventable diseases and birth defects caused by rubella.
• Tell me more:
  • Nepal introduced the rubella vaccine in 2012 through a campaign for children aged 9 months to 15 years and added a second dose in 2016.
  • By 2024, Nepal achieved over 95% coverage for at least one dose of the vaccine.
  • Nepal also introduced the first robust laboratory testing algorithm in the WHO South-East Asia Region to strengthen surveillance.

Source: WHO

2. Dubai Launches ‘One Freezone Passport’ Scheme

• What
  • Dubai introduced the ‘One Freezone Passport’ scheme allowing companies licensed in one free zone to expand into others without needing another licence.
• Why
  • The scheme aims to simplify business expansion, remove regulatory barriers, and strengthen Dubai as a global investment hub.
• Tell me more
  • Louis Vuitton became the first corporate member under this scheme, setting up a warehouse in Jebel Ali Free Zone and a corporate office in the DWTC Free Zone.
  • The onboarding process for Louis Vuitton was completed in just five days.
  • Businesses can use facilities across multiple free zones but cannot transfer staff or hire for operations in other zones under this scheme.
  • Certain sectors like retail and practices such as virtual offices, desk sharing, or shared spaces are excluded from this programme.

Source: ET

Banking and Economy

1. Bank of Maharashtra and SBI Card launch co-branded cards

• What:
  • Bank of Maharashtra and SBI Card launched a co-branded credit card available in three variants – ELITE, PRIME, and SimplySAVE.
• Why:
  • The launch aims to provide customers with enhanced value, convenience, and a rewarding shopping experience.
• Tell me more:
  • The cards offer benefits like accelerated reward points, fuel surcharge waiver, utility bill payments, and exclusive discounts on travel, dining, and shopping.
  • Contactless payment capability is included for seamless transactions.
  • The card will be available on both RuPay and VISA payment platforms and accepted at millions of outlets worldwide.

Source: LM

2. India’s InvITs Set to Grow 3.5 Times by 2030

• What
  • A study by Knight Frank India projects that India’s InvITs will expand their assets under management (AUM) 3.5 times to USD 258 billion by 2030.
• Why
  • The growth aims to bridge infrastructure financing gaps and attract global infrastructure capital.
• Tell me more
  • As of FY25, India’s InvITs manage USD 73.3 billion in AUM, much larger than REITs at USD 20.6 billion.
  • Combined InvITs and REITs grew from USD 42.1 billion in FY20 to USD 93.9 billion in FY25, with 17 InvITs and 5 REITs listed in India.
  • Their combined market capitalisation stands at USD 33.2 billion, placing India 4th in Asia after Japan, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
  • Central government infrastructure spending grew from USD 12 billion in FY15 to USD 75 billion in FY25, supported by PPPs and the National Monetisation Pipeline (NMP).

Source: ET

GDP Forecasts

1. India’s Q1 FY2026 GDP Growth Projected at 6.7%

• Rating agency ICRA projected India’s GDP growth at 6.7% in Q1 FY2026, higher than RBI’s estimate of 6.5%.
• The projection highlights the role of strong services growth and higher government expenditure in supporting the economy.

Source: DD

Defence News

1. Govt approves purchase of 97 Tejas Mark 1A jets

• What:
  • The central government approved the purchase of 97 Tejas Mark 1A fighter jets for the Indian Air Force at a cost of ₹62,000 crore.
• Why:
  • The decision aims to replace ageing MiG-21 jets and boost India’s self-reliance in defence production.
• Tell me more:
  • This is the second major order for Tejas Mark 1A after an earlier order of 83 jets worth ₹48,000 crore.
  • With this new order, the total number of Tejas Mark 1A jets for the Air Force will be 180.
  • Tejas Mark 1A includes advanced avionics and radar systems and has over 65% indigenous components.
  • HAL will begin production, and the programme is expected to support hundreds of small and medium enterprises in defence manufacturing.

Source: ET

Science and Technology

1. IIT Madras transfers Quantum Random Number Generator technology

• What:
  • IIT Madras signed a ₹1 crore licensing agreement to transfer India’s first silicon photonics-based quantum random number generator (QRNG) to industry for commercial use.
• Why:
  • This technology will boost India’s cybersecurity, defence communication, and financial security by enabling truly random encryption keys.
• Tell me more:
  • The QRNG was developed at IIT Madras’ Centre for Programmable Photonic Integrated Circuits and Systems (CPPICS).
  • The technology has been licensed to Indrarka Quantum Technologies Pvt. Ltd. through IIT Madras’ Technology Transfer Office.
  • Earlier prototypes were deployed at DRDO’s Young Scientist Laboratory – Quantum Technologies (DYSL-QT) and at SETS Chennai for security applications.
  • The QRNG has potential applications in cryptography, defence IT security, financial transactions, quantum key distribution, scientific simulations, and gaming.

Source: BW

Important Days

1. Sadbhavana Diwas – August 20

• Sadbhavana Divas is observed every year on August 20 to mark the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
• Rajiv Gandhi became India’s sixth Prime Minister in 1984 at the age of 40, after the assassination of Indira Gandhi.
• He was India’s youngest Prime Minister and worked towards modernising India through technology and stronger global ties.

Source: IT

2. Akshay Urja Day 2025 – August 20

• What:
  • Akshay Urja Diwas or National Renewable Energy Day is an annual event celebrated on August 20. It was established by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) in 2004.
• Tell me more:
  • India has set a target to achieve 50% of installed power capacity from clean energy by 2030.
  • Installed renewable capacity increased from 76.37 GW in 2014 to 226.79 GW in June 2025, with renewable energy’s share in total power generation rising to around 22.2%.
  • The global initiative One Sun – One World – One Grid (OSOWOG), launched in 2018 under the International Solar Alliance, aims to create a transnational solar power grid.

Source: ETV

3. World Mosquito Day 2025 – August 20

• Theme: Accelerating the Fight Against Malaria for a More Equitable World
• It commemorates the discovery by Ronald Ross in 1897 that female Anopheles mosquitoes transmit malaria.

Source: IT

4. World Humanitarian Day 2025 – August 19

• Theme: #ActForHumanity

Source: UN

5. World Photography Day 2025 – August 19

• Theme: My Favourite Photo

Source: IT

Sports

1. Bhavina Patel Wins Gold at ITTF Para Table Tennis

• What
  • Bhavina Patel, Assistant Director at ESIC, won Gold at the ITTF World Para Elite event and Silver at the ITTF World Para Future event in Spokane, USA.
• Tell me more
  • She won the Gold Medal in Women’s Singles Class 4–5 at the ITTF World Para Elite event held from 9th to 13th August 2025.
  • At the ITTF World Para Future event held from 6th to 8th August 2025, she secured a Silver Medal.
  • With back-to-back wins, she has reached the World No. 1 ranking in Women’s Singles Class 1–5 categories.
  • Bhavina Patel works as Assistant Director at the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), Regional Office, Ahmedabad.

Source: PIB

Start Quiz of 20th August 2025 on Mobile

Start Quiz of 20th August 2025 on Desktop