01st September 2025

1. India-China Relations Thaw As PM Modi and Xi Jinping Reconnect at SCO Summit
2. Odisha Ranks 5th in E-Bus Adoption, Plans 1,000+ Fleet
3. Army Conducts Yudh Kaushal 3.0 Multi-Domain Drill in Arunachal
4. Satwik-Chirag Secure Worlds Medal with Redemption Win
5. Singapore Named Asia’s Safest Country in 2025 GPI
6. Govt Notifies 100% FDI Plan for Insurance Sector
7. ICC, Google Join Hands to Promote Women’s Cricket
8. NeGD Integrates 2,000 e-Gov Services Milestone Nationwide
9. PM Modi Gifts Japanese PM Ramen Bowls, Shawl
10. India, Japan Sign Pact on Critical Minerals Cooperation
11. India Launches First Multi-Lane Free Flow Tolling
12. India Opens First Mobile Tempered Glass Factory
13. IHMCL Signs Agreement with ICICI Bank to implement India’s First MLFF Tolling System
14. IIT-H Signed Pact with IA’s SDD under ARTRAC to Setup CoE ‘VIGRAHA’
15. RBI Imposes Rs.44.70 Lakh Monetary Penalty on Bandhan Bank
16. Cognizant CEO Ravi Kumar Featured in 2025 TIME100 AI List of the World’s Most Influential People in AI
17. Tata Steel Acquired Rs 3,100 Crore Stake in its Singapore Subsidiary, TSHPL
18. India Clinches 2025 SAFF U17 Women’s Championship Title in Nepal
19. ICC and Google Partner to Boost Fan Engagement in Women’s Cricket
20. International Day for People of African Descent 2025 – August 31
21. KELTRON Signs MoU with Zimbabwe to Supply Products and Services
22. Waves Film Bazaar Announces $20,000 Cash Grants for Co-Production Market at 19th Edition in Goa

National News

1. NeGD Integrates 2000 e-Gov Services on DigiLocker, e-District

• What:
  • The National e-Governance Division (NeGD) under MeitY has enabled pan-India integration of e-Government services on DigiLocker and e-District platforms, offering nearly 2,000 services across 36 States and UTs.
• Why:
  • The integration aims to ensure convenience, efficiency, transparency, and support the vision of Digital India through paperless and mobile governance.
• Tell me more:
  • Citizens can now access certificates, welfare schemes, utility payments, and other digital services seamlessly.
  • Maharashtra leads with 254 services, followed by Delhi (123), Karnataka (113), Assam (102), and Uttar Pradesh (86).
  • Kerala and Jammu & Kashmir provide 77 services each, Andhra Pradesh 76, Gujarat 64, Tamil Nadu and Goa 63 each, Haryana 60, and Himachal Pradesh 58.
  • A total of 1,938 services are currently available nationwide.

Source: ET

2. Govt to Launch Multi-Lane Free Flow Tolling on Highways

• What:
  • The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) announced plans to introduce Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling at 25 National Highway fee plazas in FY 2025-26.
• Why:
  • The system aims to improve toll revenue collection, cut congestion, save travel time, enhance fuel efficiency, and reduce emissions.
• Tell me more:
  • MLFF is a barrier-less tolling method using FASTag, Vehicle Registration Numbers, RFID readers, and ANPR cameras for seamless toll collection.
  • Vehicles will no longer need to halt at fee plazas, enabling faster movement across highways.
  • Gujarat’s Choryasi Fee Plaza will become India’s first barrier-free toll plaza under MLFF.
  • An agreement for the project was signed between Indian Highway Management Company Limited (IHMCL) and ICICI Bank.

Source: IE

3. India Inaugurates First Tempered Glass Manufacturing Plant

• What:
  • Union Minister for Electronics and IT Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurated India’s first tempered glass manufacturing plant, ‘Optiemus Infracom Limited’, in Noida, Uttar Pradesh.
• Why:
  • The plant aims to reduce dependence on imports, boost domestic manufacturing under ‘Make in India’, and strengthen India’s electronics ecosystem.
• Tell me more:
  • Earlier, India used to import all tempered glass, but now domestic production will meet this demand.
  • Electronics production in India has grown nearly six times in the last 11 years, while exports have risen nearly eight times.
  • Electronics manufacturing in the country currently employs around 2.5 million people.
  • On August 28, an advanced Semiconductor Assembly and Test facility (OSAT) of CG Semi Private Limited was inaugurated in Sanand, Gujarat.
  • The Sanand OSAT unit was set up by CG Power and Industrial Solutions Ltd with Renesas Electronics America Inc. and Stars Microelectronics (Thailand) Ltd.
  • The OSAT project involves an investment of about ₹7,600 crore, and the first chip from this facility will be dedicated to the nation soon by the Prime Minister.

Source: ET

State News

1. Odisha Becomes Fifth in E-Bus Adoption

• What:
  • Odisha secured the fifth position in the country for adoption of electric buses, with 450 already running and plans to increase the fleet to over 1,000 within a year.
• Tell me more:
  • India currently has 14,329 e-buses, led by Delhi, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh.
  • Odisha has moved ahead of West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand in terms of e-bus numbers.
  • E-buses are already operating in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and Puri, with expansion planned for Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Keonjhar, Berhampur, and Angul.
  • Charging stations are being set up at depots and terminals, along with smart ticketing systems and training for crew.
  • The rollout in Odisha is being led by the Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT).

Source: ET

2. KELTRON Signs Agreement to Supply Products to Zimbabwe

• What:
  • Kerala State Electronics Development Corporation (KELTRON) signed an agreement with Zimbabwe to supply its products and services, starting with laptops.
• Why:
  • The agreement aims to promote mutual cooperation, productivity, and innovation between India and Zimbabwe.
• Tell me more:
  • KELTRON will manufacture and supply 3,000 Coconics laptops under the initial purchase order.
  • Future cooperation may include products like traffic lights, solar systems, and knowledge services.
  • Plans also include establishing a skill development centre, knowledge-sharing centre, and assembly unit in Zimbabwe.
  • The agreement was exchanged between KELTRON officials and Zimbabwe’s Zindia company representatives.

Source: TW

International News

1. 25th SCO Summit in Tianjin

• What:
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a bilateral meeting at the SCO summit in Tianjin, endorsing earlier agreements and highlighting India-China cooperation despite past tensions.
• Why:
  • SCO Summit aimed to strengthen cooperation under SCO in areas of security, connectivity, and opportunity, while promoting peace, stability, and joint action against terrorism.
• Tell me more:
  • India and China have had a troubled relationship since the 1962 border war and the 2020 Galwan clash.

Source: PIB

Banking and Economy

1. Govt Clears Path for 100% FDI in Insurance Sector

• What:
  • The finance ministry issued a notification to implement 100% foreign investment in the insurance sector, subject to parliament approval.
• Why:
  • The FDI limit will rise from 74% to 100%, with proposals allowed on the automatic route subject to IRDAI verification.
• Tell me more:
  • The February budget announced that companies availing 100% FDI must invest their entire premiums in India.
  • The Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill will also allow composite licences and foreigners as key managerial personnel in Indian insurers.
  • The government plans to review and simplify conditions associated with FDI in the insurance sector.
  • The notification was issued on August 29 under the Indian Insurance Companies (Foreign Investment) Amendment Rules, 2025.
  • The Indian insurance sector is projected to grow at 7.1% annually over the next five years.

Source: ET

2. RBI Imposes ₹44.7 Lakh Penalty on Bandhan Bank

• What:
  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed a penalty of ₹44.7 lakh on Bandhan Bank for deficiencies in statutory and regulatory compliance.
• Why:
  • The penalty was imposed due to non-compliance with RBI directions found during supervisory inspection.
• Tell me more:
  • RBI found the bank paid remuneration in the form of commission to certain employees.
  • Manual intervention through the back-end in certain accounts’ data was noted, and audit trails/logs with user details were not captured.
  • RBI clarified the penalty only relates to compliance deficiencies and not to the validity of transactions or agreements with customers.

Source: ET

3. Tata Steel Infuses ₹3,100 Crore into Singapore Subsidiary

• What:
  • Tata Steel acquired shares worth ₹3,100 crore in its wholly owned foreign subsidiary, T Steel Holdings (TSHP), based in Singapore.
• Why:
  • The acquisition was made to infuse funds into its overseas unit through equity share subscription.
• Tell me more:
  • Tata Steel acquired over 353 crore equity shares of TSHP, each with a face value of USD 0.1005.
  • The total investment amounted to USD 355 million (₹3,104.03 crore).
  • After this acquisition, TSHP continues to remain a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Steel.

Source: MoC

4. Waves Film Bazaar 2025 Opens Co-Production Market Submissions

• What:
  • Waves Film Bazaar has opened submissions for its Co-Production Market at the 19th edition, to be held from November 20 to 24 at Marriott Resort, Goa.
• Why:
  • The aim is to position India as a global hub for content creation, creativity, and international cinematic co-productions.
• Tell me more:
  • The Co-Production Market invites feature films and documentaries, offering curated opportunities for financial and artistic support.
  • For 2025, $20,000 in cash grants will be awarded — $10,000 for a feature film, $5,000 for another feature film, and $5,000 for a documentary.
  • Filmmakers can submit feature films till September 7 and documentaries till September 13.
  • The event will run alongside the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) and will include screenings, viewing rooms, producer workshops, and market stalls.

Source: DD

Reports and Indices

1. Global Peace Index (GPI) 2025

• What:
  • The Global Peace Index (GPI) 2025 ranked Singapore as the most peaceful country in Asia and the sixth most peaceful in the world.
• Why:
  • The GPI uses 23 indicators such as crime rates, political stability, and military expenditure.
• Tell me more:
  • Singapore’s GPI score improved from 1.339 in 2024 to 1.357 in 2025, even though it slipped from fifth to sixth globally.
  • The GPI evaluates 163 countries based on societal safety, conflicts, and militarization.
  • Iceland, Ireland, and New Zealand secured the top three positions in the 2025 GPI rankings.

Source: MoC

2. TIME 100 AI List

• What:
  • Cognizant CEO Ravi Kumar S. has been named to the 2025 TIME 100 AI list of influential leaders shaping the global AI landscape.
• Why:
  • Under Kumar’s leadership, Cognizant pledged $1 billion in 2023 to accelerate enterprise AI.
• Tell me more:
  • The Synapse skilling initiative is set to reach 1 million people with AI and advanced technology training.
  • Cognizant achieved a Guinness World Record for the largest online generative AI hackathon, with 53,000 employees from 40 countries producing 30,000 prototype projects.
  • The Bluebolt program, launched in 2023, has generated over 500,000 employee ideas for AI use cases.
  • TIME 100 AI list includes leaders like Elon Musk (xAI), Sam Altman (OpenAI), Mark Zuckerberg (Meta), Andy Jassy (Amazon), Liana Wenfeng (Deepseek), and Steve Huffman (Reddit).

Source: ET

Defence News

1. Indian Army Conducts Exercise Yudh Kaushal 3.0 in Arunachal

• What:
  • The Indian Army conducted Exercise Yudh Kaushal 3.0 in the high-altitude Kameng region of Arunachal Pradesh to showcase preparedness for next-generation warfare.
• Why:
  • The exercise aimed to validate combat effectiveness in extreme Himalayan terrain while integrating advanced technology with traditional combat skills.
• Tell me more:
  • The exercise included drone surveillance, precision strikes, real-time target acquisition, air–littoral operations, and synchronized battlefield tactics.
  • It marked the operational debut of newly raised ASHNI platoons, designed to combine advanced technology with combat skills.
  • The drill was observed by the General Officer Commanding of Gajraj Corps.

Source: TH

2. IIT Hyderabad, Army Training Command Launch CoE VIGRAHA

• What:
  • IIT Hyderabad signed an MoU with the Army Training Command, Shimla to establish a Centre of Excellence (CoE) named VIGRAHA for advanced defense technologies.
• Why:
  • The collaboration aims to promote research, innovation, and self-reliance in emerging defense technologies for the Indian Armed Forces.
• Tell me more:
  • VIGRAHA stands for Virtual, Intelligent, Ground-breaking Research in AR/VR and High-tech Applications for Indian Army.
  • The CoE will work on AR/VR, Artificial Intelligence, robotics, unmanned systems, and drones.
  • It will support training and certification in new technologies, internships for IIT Hyderabad students at the Simulator Development Division (SDD), and joint incubation programs.
  • The agreement was formalised with participation from senior officials of IITH and SDD, including Prof. B.S. Murty (IITH Director) and Brigadier A.K. Chaturvedi (SDD).

Source: IE

Important Days

1. International Day for People of African Descent 2025 – August 31

• Theme: People of African Descent: Recognition, Justice, and Development
• UN is celebrating the Second International Decade for People of African Descent from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2034.
• 1st International Decade for People of African Descent was celebrated during 2015-2024.

Source: UN

Sports

1. Satwik-Chirag Secure World Championships Medal

• What:
  • Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty entered the semifinals of the World Championships, ensuring their second medal after winning bronze in 2022.
• Tell me more:
  • They defeated top Chinese pair Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang to seal a semifinal spot.
  • Their next challenge is against China’s Chen Bo Yang and Liu Yi, ranked No. 11.

Source: IE

2. ICC Partners with Google to Promote Women’s Cricket

• What:
  • The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced a global partnership with Google ahead of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 in India.
• Why:
  • Google will bring in products like Google Gemini, Google Pay, Google Pixel, and Android to enhance fan experiences through match highlights, player stories, and special moments.
• Tell me more:
  • ICC Chairman Jay Shah called the partnership a landmark moment for women’s cricket.
  • Two major ICC events are coming up—the Women’s ODI World Cup in India and Sri Lanka (2025) and the Women’s T20 World Cup in England and Wales (2026).
  • The Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 will begin in India in the second week of September.

Source: Wion

3. India Wins 2025 SAFF U-17 Women’s Championship

• India won the 2025 SAFF Under-17 Women’s Championship by defeating Nepal 5-0 in Thimphu.
• The championship was held at Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu, Bhutan.
• India’s under-17 women’s team is nicknamed the “Young Tigresses.”

Source: NOA

Memorandum of Understanding

1. India Signs MoU with Japan for Critical Mineral Resources

• What:
  • India and Japan signed a memorandum of cooperation in the mineral resources sector to strengthen and diversify critical mineral supply chains.
• Why:
  • The agreement aims to support energy, food, and national security while helping India achieve its net zero emission targets.
• Tell me more:
  • The deal was signed between India’s Ministry of Mines and Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).
  • Both countries agreed to exchange information on mineral resources, policies, and regulations.
  • They will explore joint investments in mining and processing projects in India and other resource-rich nations.
  • The announcement was made during the 15th India-Japan Annual Summit in Tokyo.

Source: ET

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