22nd August 2025

1. International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief – 22 August
2. Fortified Rice Scheme Extended to 2028 with ₹17,082 Crore Government Funding
3. Madras Day 2025
4. Punjabi Comedian Jaswinder Bhalla Passes Away at 65 in Mohali
5. India, Saudi Arabia Form Joint Working Group to Deepen Maritime Cooperation
6. Mohamed Salah Makes History with Third PFA Player of the Year Award
7. UIDAI Partners with Starlink for Aadhaar-based Customer Verification
8. IEPFA Opens 3 Niveshak Seva Kendra in Hyderabad, Telangana
9. DEPwD, Nipman Foundation & YLAC Sign MoU to Launch ‘Breaking Barriers Fellowship’
10. BVFCL Signed 5-Year Pact with Bhutan’s NSC for Fertilizer Supply
11. EPFO Hikes Ex-Gratia Amount to Rs.15 Lakhs Under Death Relief Fund from April 1, 2025
12. India, EAEU Sign ToR to Begin Free Trade Agreement Negotiations
13. AU SFB Launches UPI for NRE, NRO Account Holders with International Mobile Numbers
14. Thomas Cook India Partners with Mastercard to Enable Contactless Cross-Border Payments Via Pay
15. SBI Research Report Projects India’s GDP Growth at 6.8%-7.0% in Q1FY26
16. MOL, Suzuki, and TradeWaltz Sign MoU to Strengthen Automobile Trade between India and Africa
17. IRFC Sanctions Rs.199.7 Cr Loan to SITCO for Multi-Modal Transport Hub
18. EIL Signed MoU with NPCIL to Develop Bharat SMR
19. NASA and IBM Created ‘Surya’: Advanced-AI to Predict Solar Storms
20. MHA Approves Renaming of Jalalabad in UP to ‘Parashurampuri’
21. Indian Government Raises ₹1.42 Lakh Crore Through Asset Monetisation Till FY25
22. Iran Conducts “Sustainable Power 1404” Missile Drills in Gulf of Oman
23. Ahmedabad to Host Three Major International Sports Events in 2025
24. Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka to Visit India from August 24–26 to Deepen Bilateral Ties
25. CCPA Imposes ₹10 Lakh Penalty on Rapido for Misleading Advertisements and Unfair Trade Practices
26. SASCI Scheme Boosts Tourism Development with ₹3,295.76 Crore for Lesser-Known Destinations
27. Yamuna Water Pipeline Project: MoU for Inter-State Water Transfer

National News

1. Universal Supply of Fortified Rice Extended Till 2028

• What:
  • The government approved the continuation of supplying fortified rice under all schemes until December 2028 with full funding of Rs 17,082 crore.
• Why:
  • To address anaemia and micronutrient deficiencies by distributing fortified rice containing Iron, Folic Acid, and Vitamin B12 in food safety net programs.
• Tell me more:
  • The Anemia Mukt Bharat initiative started in 2018 emphasizes fortified foods, with rice fortification piloted in 2019 and scaled up in 2022.
  • Fortified rice is now used in meals under the PM POSHAN Scheme to improve children’s nutrition across all States and UTs.
  • The scheme also includes the use of Double Fortified Salt (for iron deficiency anaemia and goitre) and fortified edible oil (to prevent Vitamin A and D deficiencies).
  • The National Dairy Development Board Foundation for Nutrition distributes fortified milk products and runs a Gift Milk Programme reaching about 41,700 children in 11 states.
  • Fortified rice is also supplied under the Wheat Based Nutrition Programme and Scheme for Adolescent Girls since 2021-22 to combat malnutrition and anaemia among women and children.

Source: PIB

2. India and Saudi Arabia Strengthen Maritime Cooperation

• What:
  • India and Saudi Arabia agreed to deepen maritime relations by forming a Joint Working Group on shipping and logistics cooperation.
• Why:
  • To enhance their strategic partnership and improve trade and maritime connectivity between the two countries.
• Tell me more:
  • The agreement was made during a virtual meeting between India’s Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Saudi Arabia’s Minister Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser.
  • Saudi Arabia launched the Jeddah–Mundra/Nhava Sheva shipping route to reduce transit times and costs.
  • Sonowal proposed collaboration on India’s MAITRI digital platform to harmonize maritime trade.
  • Bilateral trade for FY 2024–25 was about USD 42 billion, with Saudi Arabia as India’s fifth-largest trading partner and India as Saudi Arabia’s second-largest.
  • India invited Saudi Arabia to invest in its port and shipping sectors, highlighting projects like Vadhavan Port and VO Chidambaranar Port.

Source: LM

3. Starlink Partners with UIDAI for Aadhaar-Based Onboarding

• What:
  • Elon Musk’s Starlink is partnering with UIDAI to use Aadhaar-based verification for quick, secure, and KYC-compliant onboarding of Indian users.
• Why:
  • To simplify and speed up the onboarding process while ensuring regulatory compliance and secure access to high-speed satellite internet.
• Tell me more:
  • The collaboration enables paperless, fast verification through Aadhaar e-KYC using biometric and face recognition technology.
  • Starlink will implement Aadhaar e-KYC to meet India’s KYC norms and reduce administrative hurdles for users across urban and rural areas.
  • The partnership highlights the strength and scalability of India’s digital infrastructure and its ability to support global technology adoption.
  • User consent remains voluntary, following UIDAI’s guidelines, ensuring privacy and control over personal data.

Source: TOI

4. India and EAEU Sign ToR to Start Free Trade Talks

• What:
  • India and the Eurasian Economic Union signed the Terms of Reference to begin negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement.
• Why:
  • To expand market access, improve competitiveness, and boost trade and investment between India and the EAEU countries.
• Tell me more:
  • The ToR was signed in Moscow by Indian Additional Secretary Ajay Bhadoo and Deputy Director Mikhail Cherekaev of the Eurasian Economic Commission.
  • Trade between India and the EAEU reached USD 69 billion in 2024, a 7% increase from 2023.
  • The EAEU includes Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, and the Russian Federation with a combined GDP of USD 6.5 trillion.

Source: PIB

5. Fiji PM Sitiveni Rabuka to Visit India

• What:
  • Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka will visit India from August 24 to 26 on his first official visit in his current role.
• Why:
  • The visit is aimed at strengthening bilateral ties, cooperation, and people-to-people connections between India and Fiji.
• Tell me more:
  • PM Rabuka will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 25, where PM Modi will also host a lunch in his honour.
  • He will call on President Droupadi Murmu, who had earlier visited Fiji in August 2024.
  • Rabuka is scheduled to deliver a talk on “Ocean of Peace” at the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA), New Delhi.

Source: TOI

6. Govt Sanctions ₹3295.76 Crore for 40 Tourism Projects

• What:
  • The Ministry of Tourism sanctioned 40 projects worth ₹3295.76 crore under the SASCI scheme with 100% central funding.
• Why:
  • The scheme aims to create iconic tourist centres with complete tourist experiences while following responsible tourism practices.
• Tell me more:
  • States submitted project proposals online, and projects were selected through a challenge method.
  • Selection parameters included connectivity, carrying capacity, tourism ecosystem, utilities, expected footfall, sustainability, and private investment.
  • The scheme is expected to boost the local economy and create opportunities for artisans and communities.

Source: PIB

State News

1. Madras Day 2025 Marks 386 Years of Chennai’s Founding

• What:
  • Madras Day is observed every year on August 22 to mark the founding of Madras (now Chennai) in 1639.
• Tell me more:
  • Madras was founded when the East India Company bought Madrasapatnam from local rulers in 1639, paving the way for British presence in India.
  • The state was called Madras until 1969 when it was renamed Tamil Nadu, and the city was renamed Chennai in 1996.
  • Madras Day was first suggested in 2004 by Chennai journalists Vincent D’Souza and Sashi Nair to historian S. Muthiah and has been celebrated annually since then.

Source: IE

2. Jalalabad in Uttar Pradesh Renamed Parashurampuri

• What:
  • The Home Ministry approved renaming Jalalabad town in Shahjahanpur district, Uttar Pradesh, as Parashurampuri.
• Why:
  • The town is regarded as the mythological birthplace of Lord Parashuram.
• Tell me more:
  • Jitin Prasada, a native of Shahjahanpur, played a key role in facilitating the proposal.
  • Head of Parashuram Janmabhoomi temple: Brahmachari Satyadev

Source: ET

3. Haryana and Rajasthan Sign MoU on Yamuna Water Transfer

• What:
  • Haryana and Rajasthan signed an MoU to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for transferring Yamuna water from Hathnikund to districts of Rajasthan through underground pipelines.
• Why:
  • The project aims to supply drinking water and meet other needs of Rajasthan districts facing water scarcity.
• Tell me more:
  • Phase-1 of the project will transfer up to 577 MCM of water from July to October each year.
  • Water will be supplied after Haryana utilises the full capacity (24,000 cusec) of the Western Yamuna Canal, including Delhi’s share.
  • Both states have constituted a Task Force to oversee the project.
  • The project will benefit Rajasthan districts such as Churu, Sikar, and Jhunjhunu.

Source: PIB

International News

1. Iran Launches “Sustainable Power 1404” Missile Drill

• What:
  • Iran launched a two-day missile drill named “Sustainable Power 1404” in the northern Indian Ocean and Sea of Oman, its first large-scale exercise since the 12-day war in June.
• Why:
  • The drill was held to improve combat readiness, strengthen the command system, and reinforce deterrence.
• Tell me more:
  • The drill comes after Iran’s recent “Casarex 2025” joint naval exercise with Russia in the Caspian Sea.
  • Iran has two naval forces: the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy (IRIN) and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN).
  • IRIN operates in the Gulf of Oman, Indian Ocean, and Caspian Sea, while IRGCN controls the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, where it has previously seized Western vessels and shadowed U.S. ships.

Source: DD

Banking and Economy

1. IEPFA Opens Niveshak Seva Kendras in Hyderabad for Investors

• What:
  • The Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority opened three Niveshak Seva Kendras in Hyderabad starting from August 16, 2025.
• Why:
  • To strengthen investor protection and provide faster, easier services for unclaimed dividends, KYC, and nomination updates.
• Tell me more:
  • The centres help investors with unpaid dividend transfers pending for 6–7 years and hassle-free KYC and nomination updates.
  • Physical folio holders can submit ISR forms for KYC updates, which will enable crediting of pending dividends, while Demat account holders update bank details with Depository Participants.
  • The three operational centres in Hyderabad are located at KFin Technologies, Bombay Stock Exchange office, and National Stock Exchange office.

Source: PIB

2. EPFO Raises Death Relief Fund Amount and Reports Job Growth

• What:
  • EPFO increased the ex-gratia amount under the Death Relief Fund for Central Board employees from Rs 8.8 lakh to Rs 15 lakh effective April 1, 2025.
• Why:
  • To provide greater financial support to the families of employees who die while in service and keep pace with inflation through annual increments.
• Tell me more:
  • The increased amount will be paid from the Staff Welfare Fund to nominees or legal heirs of deceased employees.
  • Starting April 1, 2026, the ex-gratia amount will increase by 5% annually to match rising costs.
  • EPFO has simplified processes for death claims and Aadhaar-UAN linking to speed up service delivery.
  • Provisional payroll data for June 2025 shows 2.18 million net formal jobs added, the highest since 2018, with 60.2% of new subscribers aged 18–25.
  • Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Telangana contributed the majority of job growth, with sectors like schools, expert services, and construction leading.

Source: BT

3. India’s Largest Small Finance Bank Launches UPI for NRIs

• What:
  • The AU Small Finance Bank has launched UPI services for NRE and NRO account holders using international mobile numbers.
• Why:
  • To enable NRIs to make domestic payments easily without needing an Indian SIM card, following NPCI’s directive.
• Tell me more:
  • NRIs in countries like Australia, Canada, UK, US, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and others can link their accounts to UPI using their international numbers.
  • The service allows payments for utility bills, money transfers, and merchant purchases within India.
  • Customers can register for UPI through international numbers without extra charges.
  • This rollout improves accessibility of digital banking services for NRIs across multiple countries.

Source: AFB

4. Thomas Cook Launches Contactless Cross-Border Payments

• What:
  • Thomas Cook India introduced contactless cross-border payments through Google Pay and Mastercard.
• Why:
  • To provide Indians with a secure and seamless way to make international payments using mobile devices without carrying physical cards.
• Tell me more:
  • The service supports payments for accommodation, transport, dining, shopping, and more while traveling abroad.
  • It removes concerns about card loss, theft, or the need for emergency cash by enabling tap-and-pay and online transactions.
  • The feature is available on Thomas Cook’s prepaid forex cards such as Borderless Travel, One Currency, Study Buddy, and EnterpriseFX.
  • Payments are secured with tokenization and accepted at over 270 million Mastercard merchant locations worldwide.

Source: BS

5. IRFC Provides Loan for Surat Multi-Modal Transport Hub

• What:
  • Indian Railway Finance Corporation sanctioned a Rs 199.70 crore loan to Surat Integrated Transportation Development Corporation for Surat’s Multi-Modal Transport Hub development.
• Why:
  • To support the construction and financial viability of India’s first international standard Multi-Modal Transport Hub at Surat.
• Tell me more:
  • SITCO is a joint venture of Ministry of Railways and Government of Gujarat developing the transport hub.
  • The hub aims to boost regional economic growth and improve India’s transport infrastructure capacity.
  • Surat MMTH is India’s first international standard multi-modal transport hub.
  • IRFC finances infrastructure projects related to Indian Railways.

Source: BS

6. Govt Mobilises ₹1.42 Lakh Crore via Highway Monetisation

• What:
  • The government has mobilised ₹1,42,758 crore through various highway asset monetisation routes up to FY25 and aims to add ₹30,000 crore more in the current fiscal.
• Why:
  • The step has been taken to raise funds for building and maintaining highways through different asset monetisation models.
• Tell me more:
  • Highway assets are monetised through three methods: Toll Operate & Transfer (ToT), Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT), and securitisation via Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs).
  • Under ToT, road stretches are auctioned for 15–30 years to the highest bidder above the reserve price.
  • NHAI has formed the National Highways Infra Trust (NHIT), which raises funds by issuing bonds and selling units on the SEBI platform.
  • Securitisation allows NHAI to turn toll revenues, like those from the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, into bonds through SPVs.

Source: TOI

7. CCPA Fines Rapido ₹10 Lakh for Misleading Ads

• What:
  • The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) fined Rapido ₹10 lakh for misleading advertisements and unfair trade practices.
• Why:
  • The action was taken to protect consumer rights and stop deceptive claims in advertisements.
• Tell me more:
  • Rapido’s ad promised “AUTO IN 5 MIN OR GET ₹50” and “Guaranteed Auto”, but the ₹50 was not in cash, only “Rapido coins” with 7-day validity.
  • The offer often gave “up to ₹50” coins, forcing consumers to use Rapido services again within a short time.
  • Rapido ran the misleading ad for nearly 1.5 years (around 548 days) in multiple regional languages across India.
  • Rapido operates in over 120 cities nationwide.

Source: ET

GDP Forecasts

1. India’s GDP Expected to Grow 6.9% in Q1 FY26: SBI Report

• What:
  • India’s economy is projected to grow 6.9% in the first quarter of FY26, supported by government spending and consumption but restrained by weak private investment.
• Why:
  • Government capital expenditure is driving growth, while limited private investment restricts momentum.
• Tell me more:
  • SBI Research expects GDP growth between 6.8% and 7.0% for April-June 2025, higher than RBI’s 6.5% forecast.
  • Government spending has a GDP elasticity of 1.17, meaning a 1% increase in spending raises GDP by 1.17%.
  • Private investment intentions for FY26 are lower than the previous year, affected by US tariffs and other risks.
  • Inflation is low, and rural consumption shows recovery, supported by a favorable monsoon and increased tractor sales.
  • SBI forecasts sequential GDP moderation through FY26, with an estimated full-year growth of 6.3%.
  • Global growth forecast by IMF for 2025 is 3%, with India’s growth at 6.4%.

Source: BW

Science and Technology

1. NASA Launches Surya AI to Forecast Solar Storms Early

• What:
  • NASA developed Surya, an AI model that predicts solar flares hours ahead to protect technology and infrastructure from solar storms.
• Why:
  • To provide accurate space weather forecasts that can prevent damage to satellites, power grids, aviation, and future space missions.
• Tell me more:
  • Surya uses raw solar data from NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory covering almost 15 years and identifies subtle patterns for better predictions.
  • It predicts solar flares two hours in advance with 16% better accuracy than current methods.
  • The model is open-source, encouraging global scientific collaboration through platforms like GitHub and HuggingFace.
  • Developed with support from National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource and partners including IBM, it offers fast, precise space weather forecasting.
  • Early warnings help protect $2.4 trillion worth of infrastructure and astronauts from harmful radiation.

Source: ET

Agriculture and Rural Development

1. BVFCL Signs Five-Year Fertilizer Export Deal with Bhutan

• What:
  • Brahmaputra Valley Fertilizer Corporation Limited (BVFCL) signed a five-year B2B agreement with Bhutan’s National Seed Centre to export fertilizers.
• Why:
  • To ensure Bhutan’s timely access to essential fertilizers and support its food security and agricultural productivity.
• Tell me more:
  • BVFCL will supply Urea, Suphala (NPK), SSP, MOP, and Borax under this agreement.
  • BVFCL is a Government of India undertaking under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.
  • The National Seed Centre operates under Bhutan’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.

Source: ET

Awards

1. Mohamed Salah Wins PFA Player of the Year Third Time

• What:
  • Mohamed Salah became the first man to win the PFA Player of the Year award three times.
• Why:
  • Salah’s outstanding performance helped Liverpool win the Premier League by scoring 29 goals and providing 18 assists last season.
• Tell me more:
  • Salah previously won the award in 2018 and 2022 and also won the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year three times.
  • Liverpool won the Premier League title for the second time since 1992/93 and 20th time overall, equalling Manchester United’s record.

Source: IE

Important Days

1. International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief – August 22

Source: UN

Sports

1. Ahmedabad to Host Three Major International Sports Events

• What:
  • Ahmedabad will host the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship, Asian Aquatics Championship, and AFC Under-17 Asian Cup Football Qualifiers in 2025.
• Why:
  • These events aim to showcase Gujarat as a global sporting hub and promote it as a multi-sport high-performance destination.
• Tell me more:
  • The Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship will be held at Naranpura Sports Complex from August 24–30 with 350 players from 29 countries.
  • The Asian Aquatics Championship will take place in September–October with swimmers from China, Japan, and Korea.
  • The AFC Under-17 Asian Cup Qualifiers will be held from November 22–30 at The Arena by TransStadia, featuring matches of India, Iran, Chinese Taipei, and Lebanon.
  • India is one of the seven host countries for the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers.

Source: BS

Memorandum of Understanding

1. Breaking Barriers Fellowship Launched to Support Disability Policies

• What:
  • DEPwD signed an MoU with Nipman Foundation and YLAC to launch the Breaking Barriers Fellowship to place young professionals in DEPwD offices.
• Why:
  • To strengthen policy support and help implement the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 through fresh ideas and professional mentorship.
• Tell me more:
  • The fellowship aims to enhance DEPwD’s capacity by providing mentoring and government experience to young professionals.
  • The MoU was signed by senior officials from DEPwD, Nipman Foundation, and YLAC, with government secretaries present.

Source: PIB

2. MOL, Suzuki, TradeWaltz Partner to Boost India-Africa Auto Trade

• What:
  • Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Suzuki Motor Corporation, and TradeWaltz signed an MoU to strengthen automobile trade between India and Africa focusing on digitalisation and decarbonisation.
• Why:
  • To build a sustainable and digitalised auto trade corridor that meets growing vehicle demand in Africa and supports efficient supply chains.
• Tell me more:
  • MOL contributes expertise in shipping and logistics, Suzuki offers vehicle production and market access, and TradeWaltz provides a blockchain-based trade digitalisation platform.
  • The partnership aims to create a future-ready supply chain with reduced emissions and improved resilience against disruptions.
  • Africa is becoming an important export market for automakers, while India is one of the fastest-growing passenger car markets.
  • The MoU was signed during the TICAD 9 conference in Yokohama, Japan.

Source: HBL

4. EIL and NPCIL Partner for Small Modular Reactor Development

• What:
  • Engineers India Ltd signed an MoU with Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) to provide engineering services for Bharat Small Modular Reactor development.
• Why:
  • To support India’s vision for clean and reliable nuclear energy and achieve 100 GW nuclear capacity by 2047 under the Nuclear Energy Mission.
• Tell me more:
  • The MoU covers engineering services for conceptual design and engineering of structures, systems, and components of the small modular reactors.
  • EIL operates under the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, offering services from concept to commissioning in multiple industries.
  • NPCIL is under the Department of Atomic Energy and is responsible for setting up and operating nuclear power plants in India.

Source: ET

Miscellaneous

1. Punjabi Actor Jaswinder Bhalla Passes Away at 65

• Punjabi comedian and actor Jaswinder Bhalla died at the age of 65 due to a brain stroke in a private hospital in Mohali.

Source: IE

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