26th August 2025
India financial inflows 2035, Rajiv Ranjan NDB, animal blood bank guidelines, Oman Indian tourists, PM Modi Gujarat projects, Online Gaming Bill assent, Nepal Big Cat Alliance, Amit Shah Speakers’ Conference, RRU SSB national security MoU, SEBI LIC IDBI reclassification, Malaysia AI-powered bank, Akums Zambia pharma JV, Asian Short Track Skating Trophy Uttarakhand, World Water Week 2025.
- India to See $9.5 Trillion in Financial Inflows by 2035: Goldman Sachs
- Rajiv Ranjan Appointed VP, Chief Risk Officer at NDB
- India Launches First Guidelines for Animal Blood Banks
- Oman Targets 1 Million Indian Tourists Annually
- PM Modi Unveils ₹5,400 Cr Projects in Gujarat
- President Murmu gives assent to Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill
- Nepal Officially Joined India-led International Big Cat Alliance
- Union Minister Amit Shah Inaugurates Two-Day All India Speakers’ Conference in New Delhi, Delhi
- RRU Signs MoU with SSB to Strengthen Training and Academic Collaboration in National Security
- SEBI Approves Reclassification of LIC as a Public Shareholder in IDBI Bank
- Malaysia Launched Ryt Bank, World’s 1st AI-powered Bank
- Akums & Government of Zambia Announced JV to Setup Pharmaceutical Facility in Zambia
- India Host 1st-ever Asian Short Track Speed Skating Trophy 2025 in Uttarakhand
- World Water Week 2025 – August 24 to 28
- German students awarded 2025 Stockholm Junior Water Prize for flood warning innovation
- Professor Günter Blöschl Wins Stockholm Water Prize for Flood Research
Table of Content
National News
- India Releases First Guidelines for Veterinary Blood Transfusion
- What:
- The government has released the country’s first guidelines for blood transfusion and blood banks for animals to create standardized procedures in veterinary healthcare.
- Why:
- The guidelines aim to ensure safe, scientific, and regulated animal blood transfusions that were earlier done without national standards.
- Tell me more:
- The guidelines mandate blood typing, cross-matching, and donor eligibility checks based on health and vaccination status.
- They call for establishment of state-regulated veterinary blood banks with biosafety-compliant infrastructure.
- A National Veterinary Blood Bank Network with digital registries, real-time inventory tracking, and an emergency helpline is planned.
- Training modules on transfusion procedures will be introduced in veterinary education, and innovations like mobile blood units and rare blood type preservation are encouraged.
| Knowledge Nuggets |
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| - Blood transfusion in animals is globally recognised as critical for treating trauma, severe aneamia, surgical loss, infectious diseases, and bleeding disorders. - India has over 537 million livestock and 125 million companion animals, together contributing 5.5% to national GDP and over 30% to agricultural GDP. - The guidelines emphasise voluntary donations with informed consent through a Donor Rights Charter. - They were developed with inputs from the Veterinary Council of India, veterinary universities, research institutes, state governments, and practising veterinarians to align with global standards. |
Source: ET
- President Assents to Online Gaming Regulation Bill 2025
- What:
- President Droupadi Murmu has given assent to The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, which bans harmful online money games and promotes e-sports and social gaming.
- Why:
- The bill aims to prevent harms like addiction, financial losses, money laundering, and suicides while giving legal recognition and support to e-sports and online social games.
- Tell me more:
- The bill completely prohibits offering, operating, or facilitating online money games, whether based on skill, chance, or both.
- Offenders, such as service providers, advertisers, promoters, or financial supporters, may face imprisonment up to three years and/or fines up to ₹1 crore, with higher penalties for repeat offences.
- Advertising of money games may lead to imprisonment up to two years and/or fines up to ₹50 lakh.
- The government will promote e-sports through a framework under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and regulate online social games.
| Knowledge Nuggets |
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- Offences under key sections of the bill are cognizable and non-bailable, with officers empowered to enter, search, arrest, and seize property without a warrant in certain cases. - The rules under the bill are yet to be drafted, but some provisions can come into force even without them. - The bill may cause a GST revenue loss of around ₹15,000–₹20,000 crore annually, but the government says safeguarding social interests is the priority. - The Finance Ministry has approved the bill, and notification of the date of its enforcement will follow soon. |
Source: ET
- Amit Shah Inaugurates All-India Speakers’ Conference in Delhi
- What:
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the All-India Speakers’ Conference at the Delhi Assembly to celebrate 100 years of India’s parliamentary journey.
- Why:
- The event was organised to honour India’s democratic heritage and to highlight the contributions of Vithalbhai Patel, the country’s first speaker of the central legislative assembly.
- Tell me more:
- A special exhibition “Veer Vithalbhai Patel Gaurav Gatha” was launched showcasing archival records, photographs, and documents on Patel’s life and parliamentary history.
- A postal stamp in honour of Vithalbhai Patel was released, along with two flip books—one on Patel and another on the Delhi Vidhan Sabha’s journey.
- The exhibition includes a virtual reality zone that highlights milestones of the Delhi Vidhan Sabha, Constitution House, and the new Parliament.
- Seven life-sized statues of national leaders including Vithalbhai Patel, Mahatma Gandhi, and Bhagat Singh are part of the exhibition.
| Knowledge Nuggets |
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- Vithalbhai Patel was the first elected Indian Speaker of the Central Legislative Assembly. - The exhibition features stories of key events like Gandhi’s visits to Delhi Vidhan Sabha and Patel’s leadership. - The conference was attended by speakers and deputy speakers from states and union territories. - The exhibition will remain open to the public from August 26 onwards at Delhi Assembly. |
Source: HT
International News
- Nepal Joins India-Led International Big Cat Alliance
- What:
- Nepal has officially joined the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) by signing its Framework Agreement.
- Why:
- The move aims to strengthen global cooperation for conserving big cats and ensuring ecological security.
- Tell me more:
- IBCA is a coalition of over 90 big cat range and non-range countries working together for big cat conservation.
- Nepal hosts snow leopards, tigers, and common leopards in its landscape.
- Nepal has successfully increased its tiger population from 121 in 2009 to 355 in 2022.
- The IBCA congratulated Nepal on joining the initiative as a significant ecological step.
| Knowledge Nuggets |
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| - The International Big Cat Alliance was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 9, 2023, in Mysuru, Karnataka. - IBCA focuses on the conservation of seven big cats—Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar, and Puma. |
Source: IE
- Malaysia Launches First AI-Powered Bank ‘Ryt Bank’
- What:
- Malaysia has launched Ryt Bank, its first AI-powered bank, developed by YTL Group in partnership with Sea Limited.
- Why:
- The initiative aims to make banking more inclusive, user-friendly, and technologically advanced by using homegrown AI and supporting local languages.
- Tell me more:
- Ryt Bank uses Ryt AI, powered by ILMU, Malaysia’s first locally-developed large language model, to assist customers in natural conversations.
- The bank’s app supports Bahasa Malaysia and English, with Mandarin to be added by September 2025.
- Customers can save, spend, borrow, pay bills, and earn up to 4% annual interest, credited daily, with no lock-in period.
- Features include Ryt PayLater for instant credit, Ryt Card with debit/credit switching, cashback, and rewards.
| Knowledge Nuggets |
|---|
| - Ryt Bank is licensed by Bank Negara Malaysia and deposits are insured by PIDM up to RM250,000 per customer. - Security features include biometric login, encryption layers, and real-time fraud alerts. - Users can pay via DuitNow and JomPAY, upload bills for instant payments, and access financial guides. - The launch positions Malaysia as a step closer to becoming an AI-driven banking and innovation hub. |
Source: AIN
Banking and Economy
- India’s Household Savings to Generate $9.5 Trillion Inflows
- What:
- Household savings in India are expected to generate around USD 9.5 trillion inflows into financial assets over the next ten years, according to Goldman Sachs.
- Why:
- The rise in financial savings is aimed at shifting household investments from physical assets like gold and real estate to financial assets, supporting India’s economic growth.
- Tell me more:
- Household financial savings are projected to average 13% of GDP in the coming decade, up from 11.6% in the last ten years.
- Out of the total inflows, over USD 4 trillion will go into long-term products such as insurance, pensions, and retirement funds.
- Bank deposits are expected to attract about USD 3.5 trillion, while equities and mutual funds may receive around USD 0.8 trillion.
- Similar financialization trends have been seen in other countries as incomes rise and financial systems mature.
| Knowledge Nuggets |
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- Higher household financial savings will provide stable funding for corporate capital expenditure without widening the current account deficit. - It will support long-duration bond markets and encourage issuance of longer tenure quasi-sovereign or corporate bonds for infrastructure financing. - The rise in savings will increase retail participation in capital markets and boost professional wealth management services. - Household savings choices depend on income, inflation, interest rates, risk preferences, and access to financial markets. |
Source: ET
- Oman Targets One Million Indian Tourists Annually
- What:
- The Sultanate of Oman has set a target to attract one million Indian tourists annually, up from 700,000 visitors in 2024.
- Why:
- The target aims to strengthen cultural and economic ties with India while using tourism to diversify Oman’s economy and establish it as a global travel hub.
- Tell me more:
- The focus is on high-value tourism segments like luxury travel, destination weddings, MICE events (meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions), and adventure tourism.
- Oman is promoting its pristine coastlines, mountainous terrain, and cultural heritage that connect well with Indian travelers.
- Campaigns such as the ‘Focus Oman’ roadshow in Jaipur are being run to showcase the country’s unique attractions.
- Improved air connectivity and visitor-friendly visa policies are making travel from India to Oman easier.
- India has been identified as a priority market by Oman’s Ministry of Heritage and Tourism due to strong growth potential.
Source: NOA
- SEBI Approves LIC as Public Shareholder in IDBI Bank
- What:
- SEBI has approved the reclassification of LIC as a public shareholder in IDBI Bank after completion of its strategic disinvestment.
- Why:
- The move is aimed at ensuring that LIC does not exercise control over IDBI Bank and functions only as a regular public investor.
- Tell me more:
- LIC’s voting rights in IDBI Bank will be capped at 10% of total net effective voting rights.
- LIC cannot have board representation, nominees, or special rights in the bank through any agreement.
- The reclassification will be cancelled if LIC fails to follow SEBI’s conditions.
- Post-disinvestment, LIC must reduce its stake in IDBI Bank to 15% or below within two years as per RBI’s direction.
| Knowledge Nuggets |
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- The Centre and LIC together currently hold 95% stake in IDBI Bank. - Of this, 60.72% stake is being divested under the strategic disinvestment plan. - SEBI’s approval was conveyed to IDBI Bank by the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM). |
Source: BS
- Akums Forms Joint Venture with Zambia for Pharma Plant
- What:
- Akums Drugs and Pharmaceuticals (based in Delhi) has announced a joint venture with the Government of Zambia to set up a pharma manufacturing facility in the country.
- Why:
- The partnership aims to strengthen Zambia’s healthcare self-reliance by reducing import dependency and to expand Akums’ presence in the African pharma market.
- Tell me more:
- Akums will hold a 51% stake in the venture, while Zambia will hold 49% through its state entity.
- The facility will manufacture generics including tablets, capsules, liquids, injectables, and beta-lactam products.
- The Zambian government has committed to purchase medicines worth at least USD 25 million annually from Akums’ Indian facilities in 2026 and 2027.
| Knowledge Nuggets |
|---|
| - This is Akums’ first international manufacturing facility outside India. - The facility will also serve neighbouring African countries such as Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, Malawi, Tanzania, and Mozambique. - Currently, over 75% of Zambia’s essential medicines are imported, making the project key to local healthcare security. |
Source: BS
Awards
- Germany Wins 2025 Stockholm Junior Water Prize for Flood Warning
- What:
- Niklas Ruf and Jana Spiller from Germany won the 2025 Stockholm Junior Water Prize for developing a scalable flood warning system for small streams.
- Why:
- Their work addresses the urgent challenge of increasing floods by providing real-time data and early warnings on smaller streams.
- Tell me more:
- The system uses a network of sensors linked to an app that sends live alerts to experts and the public.
- Their flood warning system is being scaled regionally with support from multiple partners.
- The award was presented by Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden during World Water Week at Stockholm City Hall.
- Other notable awards included Türkiye’s Kagan Mehmet Ozkok for AI-based leak detection and the UK’s Divyasri Kothapalli for a solar water distillation system.
| Knowledge Nuggets |
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- The Stockholm Junior Water Prize is a global competition for students aged 15 to 20 focusing on innovative water solutions. - It has been organized annually since 1997 and is hosted by the Stockholm Water Foundation with Xylem as founding partner. |
Source: BW
- Professor Günter Blöschl Wins Stockholm Water Prize for Flood Research
- What:
- Professor Günter Blöschl (Austrian) received the Stockholm Water Prize for his pioneering work in flood risk reduction and water resource management.
- Why:
- His research has deeply advanced understanding of flood risks under climate change and emphasized the need for context-specific solutions.
- Tell me more:
- Blöschl founded the scientific fields of regional process hydrology and co-founded sociohydrology.
- He created a flood database analyzing flood behaviors over 500 years, showing complex flood patterns and climate impacts.
| Knowledge Nuggets |
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- Blöschl is a professor and head of the Institute of Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources Management at Vienna University of Technology (TUW). - He founded the Doctoral Programme of Water Resources Systems at TUW over 15 years ago. He also serves as a part-time professor at the University of Bologna. - This year, both the Junior and senior Stockholm Water Prizes highlighted flood risks and innovative responses. |
Source: SWF
Sports
- Dehradun Hosts Asian Open Short Track Skating Trophy 2025
- What:
- The Asian Open Short Track Speed Skating Trophy 2025 was held for the first time in India at the Himadri Ice Skating Rink in Dehradun.
- Why:
- The event aimed to promote international ice-skating in India and showcase Uttarakhand’s Olympic-standard facility for future global competitions.
- Tell me more:
- The championship saw participation from over 200 athletes and staff representing 10 Asian countries, with India fielding the largest contingent of 95 members.
- Thailand emerged as overall champions with 30 medals, including 15 golds, 12 silver, and 3 bronze.
- India secured second place with 9 gold, 12 silver, and 18 bronze, followed by Japan in third with 8 gold, 8 silver, and 7 bronze.
- Other top performers included Chinese Taipei with 16 medals, Vietnam with 8, Hong Kong with 9, and Indonesia with 2.
| Knowledge Nuggets |
|---|
| - The Himadri Ice Skating Rink in Dehradun is India’s only Olympic-standard facility, revived after 14 years. - Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami was the chief guest at the closing ceremony. |
Source: TOI
Appointments
- Dr. Rajiv Ranjan Appointed Vice President of NDB
- What:
- The New Development Bank (NDB) has appointed Dr. Rajiv Ranjan as vice president and chief risk officer for a five-year term.
- Tell me more:
- Dr. Ranjan started his career at the Reserve Bank of India in 1989 and most recently served as executive director and Monetary Policy Committee member since May 2022.
- He brings experience from working with global financial groups like G20, IMF, World Bank, BIS, FSB, OECD, Saarc, and central banks from the Global South.
- India has the second-largest NDB project portfolio after China, with projects worth USD 7.5 billion in areas like metro rails, water systems, clean energy, and digital infrastructure.
| Knowledge Nuggets |
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| - NDB was established by BRICS nations—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. - China leads the NDB portfolio with USD 8.1 billion, followed by India with USD 7.5 billion. |
Source: LM
About Anuj Jindal
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Anuj Jindal, the founder, is an ex-manager from SBI, with an M.Com from Delhi School of Economics. He also has a JRF in Commerce & Management and NET in HRM, along with more than 5 years of experience in the field of Education.
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