National News
India Opens First Mobile Tempered Glass Factory
- Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurated India’s first Tempered Glass Manufacturing Facility for mobile devices in Noida, developed by Optiemus Electronics in collaboration with Corning Inc., USA.
- This marks a major milestone in Make in India, as the facility will produce high-quality “Engineered by Corning” glass for domestic and international markets.
- India’s goal to manufacture all mobile components, including Made in India chips, as part of its ₹11.5 lakh crore electronics production boom, ₹3 lakh crore exports, and 2.5 million jobs.
India Launches First Multi-Lane Free Flow Tolling
- The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), through IHMCL, has signed an agreement with ICICI Bank to implement India’s first Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling system at Choryasi Fee Plaza in Gujarat on NH-48, enabling barrier-free tolling via FASTag and ANPR cameras.
- Another MLFF project is planned at Gharaunda Fee Plaza in Haryana, with 25 more locations targeted this year.
India Launches Adi Vaani: AI Translator for Tribal Languages
- The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has launched the Beta Version of “Adi Vaani”, India’s first AI-powered translator for tribal languages, aimed at preserving endangered tribal languages and promoting inclusive empowerment.
- Developed under Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh, Adi Vaani offers real-time translation, language learning, and digital preservation of tribal culture through AI models like NLLB and IndicTrans2.
- Created in collaboration with IIT Delhi, BITS Pilani, IIIT Hyderabad, and TRIs, it currently supports Santali, Bhili, Mundari, and Gondi, with more languages in development.
NeGD Integrates 2,000 e-Gov Services Milestone Nationwide
- The National e-Governance Division (NeGD) under MeitY has achieved a major milestone by integrating nearly 2,000 e-Government services across all 36 states and UTs on DigiLocker and e-District platforms.
- This enables citizens to access services like certificates, welfare schemes, and utility payments seamlessly, promoting convenience and transparency.
- Maharashtra leads with 254 services, followed by Delhi, Karnataka, Assam, and Uttar Pradesh.
- NeGD aims to further expand services using AI-driven technologies.
PM Modi Gifts Japanese PM Ramen Bowls, Shawl
- During his visit to Japan, PM Narendra Modi gifted Japanese PM Shigeru Ishiba a set of vintage moonstone ramen bowls with silver chopsticks, blending Indian artistry and Japanese culinary tradition.
- The moonstone, from Andhra Pradesh, symbolizes love and protection, while the bowl’s base features Makrana marble with Rajasthani parchinkari inlay.
- Modi also presented a handwoven Kashmiri Pashmina shawl in a hand-painted papier-mâché box to Ishiba’s spouse, showcasing Kashmir’s craftsmanship.
State News
Odisha Ranks 5th in E-Bus Adoption, Plans 1,000+ Fleet
- Odisha has emerged as a leader in green mobility, ranking 5th in India with 450 electric buses, ahead of several neighbouring states.
- The government plans to expand the e-bus fleet to over 1,000, extending services beyond Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and Puri to cities like Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Keonjhar, Berhampur, and Angul. Backed by central financial assistance,
- Odisha’s Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT) is driving the initiative, alongside infrastructure upgrades such as charging stations and smart ticketing systems (QR, NCMC, app-based).
International News
India-China Relations Thaw As PM Modi and Xi Jinping Reconnect at SCO Summit
- In a landmark diplomatic shift, Indian PM Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held their first meeting in 10 months during the SCO Summit in Tianjin, signaling a push to rebuild trust post-Galwan clashes.
- Key developments include the resumption of direct flights, pilgrimage and tourism, and border trade, alongside a mutual commitment to strategic autonomy, global cooperation, and engagement in the Global South.
- Both leaders stressed that India and China are partners, not rivals, aiming to prevent differences from escalating into disputes, while improved ties may boost economic sectors like EVs and rare earth trade.
- This meeting, rich in symbolism and substance, marks a notable diplomatic recalibration amid shifting US–India–China dynamics.
Agreements News
India, Japan Sign Pact on Critical Minerals Cooperation
- India and Japan have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) to enhance collaboration on critical minerals, aiming to strengthen supply chains essential for clean energy, technology, and economic security.
- Announced by Minister G. Kishan Reddy during PM Modi’s visit to Tokyo for the 15th India-Japan Annual Summit, the pact includes cooperation in exploration, mining, deep-sea mining, and stockpiling strategies. It also opens avenues for joint investments in India and third countries.
Economy News
India Set to Become Third Largest Economy In World
- RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra announced that India is set to become the world’s third-largest economy soon, crediting the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) for its role in fostering financial inclusion by opening 55 crore bank accounts.
- Highlighting India’s strong GDP growth of 7.8%, he emphasized the importance of updating KYC details to prevent misuse of accounts and urged greater adoption of digital banking and UPI.
Private Sector Capex to Jump 21.5% in FY26: RBI
- Private sector capital investment (capex) is projected to rise by 21.5% to ₹2.67 lakh crore in FY26, driven by strong macroeconomic fundamentals, a potential 100-bps policy rate cut, and improved financial health of firms, according to an RBI bulletin article.
- The infrastructure sector, especially power, leads the investment pipeline.
- Despite global uncertainties, robust domestic fundamentals, rising capacity utilisation, and a push for greenfield infrastructure projects point to both cyclical recovery and structural growth.
Govt Notifies 100% FDI Plan for Insurance Sector
- In a major financial liberalization move, the Ministry of Finance has proposed 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in India’s insurance sector, up from the current 74% cap.
- Detailed in the Indian Insurance Companies (Foreign Investment) Amendment Rules, 2025, the policy allows automatic route FDI, subject to IRDAI verification, aiming to attract global players, unlock capital, and modernize the industry.
- With the sector expected to grow 7.1% annually, the reform is poised to boost product diversification, digital innovation, and financial inclusion, while IRDAI ensures regulatory oversight and sector stability.
Awards News
Educate Girls Wins 2025 Ramon Magsaysay Award
- The Indian NGO Educate Girls, founded by Safeena Husain, has been awarded the 2025 Ramon Magsaysay Award for its tireless work in educating out-of-school girls in India’s remote villages.
- Launched in 2007, the organization has empowered over 2 million girls through grassroots efforts, high retention rates, and innovative models like the Development Impact Bond.
- Its open-schooling initiative, Pragati, now supports over 31,500 young women.
- This marks a historic first for an Indian organization to win Asia’s highest honour, often dubbed the “Asian Nobel Prize”, spotlighting India’s movement for girls’ education.
Defense News
Army Conducts Yudh Kaushal 3.0 Multi-Domain Drill in Arunachal
- The Indian Army has successfully conducted Exercise Yudh Kaushal 3.0 in Arunachal Pradesh’s Kameng region, highlighting its multi-domain operational readiness in high-altitude, extreme-climate conditions.
- The drill featured drone surveillance, precision strikes, AI-enabled tactics, and the debut of ASHNI platoons, integrating indigenous technologies under the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
- The exercise also emphasized collaboration with India’s civil defence industry, showcasing a shift toward technology-driven combat preparedness.
Sports News
Satwik-Chirag Secure Worlds Medal with Redemption Win
- India’s top men’s doubles badminton duo, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, stunned their long-time rivals Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik of Malaysia to storm into the semifinals of the 2025 BWF World Championships in Paris.
- In a powerful 21-12, 21-19 victory over 43 minutes, the World No. 3 pair avenged their painful 2024 Olympic quarterfinal defeat to the same opponents at the same venue, securing their second Worlds medal after a 2022 bronze.
- The win extends India’s medal streak at the event, continuing a legacy started by Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa in 2011.
ICC, Google Join Hands to Promote Women’s Cricket
- The International Cricket Council (ICC) has partnered with Google to boost the global reach and fan engagement of women’s cricket, leveraging Google’s technologies like Android, Google Gemini, Google Pay, and Google Pixel.
- This collaboration supports upcoming major events—the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 and the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026—aiming to make the sport more dynamic, accessible, and meaningful.
Ranks & Reports News
India’s School Teachers Cross One Crore: UDISE Report
- The UDISE+ 2024–25 report reveals that India’s school teacher count has crossed one crore, marking a 6.7% increase, leading to improved pupil-teacher ratios across all levels, well below the NEP 2020 norms.
- Dropout rates have declined significantly, with better retention and rising gross enrolment ratios (GER) at middle and secondary levels.
- The report also notes fewer single-teacher and zero-enrolment schools, alongside enhanced infrastructure like digital access, electricity, water, and accessibility features.
- Female teacher representation rose to 54.2%, with improved girls’ enrolment, highlighting progress in access, quality, and inclusivity in education.
Singapore Named Asia’s Safest Country in 2025 GPI
- Singapore has been ranked Asia’s safest country and 6th globally in the 2025 Global Peace Index, despite dropping one spot from 2024. With an improved score of 1.357, it leads the continent, followed by Japan and Malaysia.
- The top global ranks are held by Iceland, Ireland, and New Zealand, while India stands at 115th with no change from last year.
- The Index, published by the Institute for Economics and Peace, evaluated 163 nations on safety, conflict, and militarization.
Science & Technology News
Rare Dragonfly Reconfirmed in Western Ghats Highlands
- Odonatologists have reconfirmed the rare dragonfly species Crocothemis erythraea in the high-altitude Western Ghats of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, a species previously misidentified due to its similarity with the common lowland Crocothemis servilia.
- This discovery highlights the impact of ancient climate changes on biodiversity, reinforces the Western Ghats’ status as a global biodiversity hotspot, and underscores the urgent need to protect sensitive montane habitats like Sholas and grasslands.
Important Days News
National Nutrition Week 2025: Theme and Significance
- National Nutrition Week 2025 will be observed across India from September 1 to 7, emphasizing balanced diets and healthy eating habits under the theme “Eat Right for a Better Life.”
- Organized by the Ministries of Health & Family Welfare and Women & Child Development, it promotes nutrition awareness for all ages through activities like healthy tiffin days, workshops, poster competitions, and recipe demos.
- This campaign supports flagship schemes like POSHAN Abhiyaan and the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, aiming to combat malnutrition, obesity, and lifestyle diseases.
Current Affairs Today | 31Aug – 1 Sep Current Affairs 2025 | Daily Current Affairs By Ashish Gautam