National News
PM Modi to Visit Japan, China From 29 August to Sept 1
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Japan and China from August 29 to September 1, 2025. In Japan (Aug 29–30), he will attend the 15th India–Japan Annual Summit—his first with Japanese PM Shigeru Ishiba—to strengthen the Special Strategic and Global Partnership, focusing on defence, trade, technology, and regional issues.
- In China (Aug 31–Sept 1), he will attend the SCO Summit in Tianjin, hosted by President Xi Jinping, and hold bilateral meetings with various leaders.
State News
Ujjain Hosts Global Spiritual Tourism Conclave 2025
- Ujjain will host “रूहmantic” – PHDCCI’s 2nd Global Spiritual Tourism Conclave on 27 August 2025, organized with the Ministry of Tourism and Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board.
- Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav and Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat will inaugurate the event, with Gauranga Das Prabhu delivering the keynote address.
- Highlights include the release of the PHDCCI–KPMG Report “Faith & Flow”, a Government–Industry Roundtable, and sessions on temple economies, wellness, digital spirituality, and the Jyotirlinga circuit.
- Delegates will also visit Mahakaleshwar and Kal Bhairav temples to experience Ujjain’s rich spiritual heritage.
AP Govt Announces â‚ą1 Crore Cover for Municipal Staff
- The Andhra Pradesh government announced a â‚ą1 crore life insurance cover for regular municipal workers and â‚ą20 lakh for outsourced workers, with the same amounts assured in cases of permanent disability.
- Additionally, education support up to â‚ą8 lakh will be provided for their children.
- Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu made the announcement during the SwarnAndhra-SwachhAndhra campaign rally at Peddapuram, Kakinada district, emphasizing the government’s commitment to workers’ welfare and cleanliness.
International News
Temporary Suspension of Postal Services to the United States of America
- Due to the U.S. Executive Order No. 14324, which ends the duty-free exemption for goods under USD 800 from 29th August 2025, the Department of Posts has announced a temporary suspension of postal services to the USA from 25th August 2025, except for letters/documents and gift items under USD 100.
- The decision follows operational issues and lack of clarity from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on duty collection procedures, affecting U.S.-bound air carriers’ ability to process shipments.
- Customers can claim refunds for undeliverable items. The department is working to restore services as soon as possible.
Banking News
RBI Clears SMBC’s 24.99% Stake in Yes Bank
- Japan’s Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) has received RBI approval to acquire up to 24.99% stake in Yes Bank, marking a major cross-border M&A deal in India’s financial sector.
- The initial $1.6 billion investment for a 20% stake is SMBC’s largest in India, and the RBI has clarified that SMBC will not be classified as a promoter, easing regulatory requirements.
- This move strengthens foreign investor confidence and deepens SMBC’s presence in India’s banking sector.
Economy News
India’s Outbound Investments Rise 67% in FY25
- India’s outbound investments surged 67.7% to USD 41.6 billion in FY 2024-25, driven by a focus on ESG priorities, the rise of GIFT City as a strategic investment hub, and global tax reforms, according to an EY report.
- Indian companies are diversifying globally, expanding beyond traditional hubs like Singapore and Mauritius to countries such as the UAE, Luxembourg, and Switzerland.
- Sectors like IT, energy, pharma, and automotive are key contributors. GIFT City’s role has doubled, offering tax benefits and regulatory clarity, aiding Indian multinationals in managing overseas investments efficiently.
India’s Seafood Exports Flat at $7.45 Billion In FY2024-25
- India’s seafood exports remained steady at USD 7.45 billion in 2024-25, despite a drop in shipment volume to 16.98 lakh tonnes.
- Frozen shrimp dominated exports, accounting for nearly 70% of earnings, with the US and China as the largest importers—US imports valued at USD 2.71 billion.
- Other key markets include the EU, Southeast Asia, and Japan. Major export ports were Vizag and JNPT.
India’s Pharma Exports Rise 5.21% in Q1 FY26
- India’s pharmaceutical exports rose 5.21% to $7.57 billion in Q1 FY26, driven by formulations and biologics, according to Pharmexcil. Growth was seen in NAFTA, Oceania, Latin America, and Africa, though US pricing pressures dented earnings.
- Imports also increased 4.21% to $786 million, mainly in bulk drugs and intermediaries, though this segment shows a declining trend due to the PLI scheme.
- In FY25, pharma exports had grown 9.39% to $30.47 billion, but future growth may face tariff and pricing challenges.
Appointments News
Anish Dayal Singh Appointed Deputy NSA to PM
- Anish Dayal Singh, a 1988-batch IPS officer from the Manipur cadre, has been appointed Deputy National Security Advisor (NSA) to PM Narendra Modi.
- A former CRPF chief, Singh is known for his leadership in anti-Naxal operations, election security, and force restructuring.
- He has also headed the ITBP and served in the Intelligence Bureau.
- During his CRPF tenure, he launched key initiatives like forward bases in LWE areas, battalion realignment, and ‘Samvaad’ sessions to improve troop welfare and operational efficiency. He will now report to NSA Ajit Doval.
Agreements News
RRU and SSB Alwar Sign MoU on National Security Training
- Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), Alwar have signed an MoU to enhance training and academic collaboration in national security.
- With over 900 trainees at SSB, the partnership will blend field expertise with academic research, enabling joint training programs, R&D, and certified education.
- RRU’s Pro VC Prof. Kalpesh H. Wandra and SSB DIG Sanjeev Yadav highlighted the initiative as a step toward innovative, knowledge-driven security training, strengthening leadership and professionalism in India’s security forces.
Defense News
DRDO Tests Indigenous Integrated Air Defence System
- DRDO successfully conducted maiden flight-tests of the Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS) on 23 August 2025 off Odisha’s coast.
- This multi-layered air defence system, featuring indigenous QRSAM, VSHORADS missiles, and a laser-based Directed Energy Weapon (DEW), demonstrated its capability by simultaneously destroying multiple aerial targets, including UAVs and drones. Controlled by a Centralised Command Centre, the system’s performance was flawless.
Ranks & Reports News
40% of Chief Ministers Face Criminal Cases: ADR Report
- 40% of India’s Chief Ministers face criminal cases, according to a report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).
- Of the 30 CMs, 12 have declared criminal cases, with Revanth Reddy (Telangana) topping the list at 89 cases, followed by MK Stalin (Tamil Nadu) with 47. 33% CMs face serious charges such as attempt to murder, kidnapping, and bribery.
- The report coincides with the government introducing bills to disqualify top leaders arrested for 30+ days on serious charges.
Sports News
NorthEast United Retain Durand Cup 2025 with 6-1 Win
- NorthEast United FC retained the Durand Cup title with a dominant 6-1 win over debutants Diamond Harbour FC in the final of the 134th edition held in Kolkata.
- With six different scorers including Asheer Akhtar, Parthib Gogoi, and Alaaeddine Ajaraie, the Highlanders showcased attacking prowess and depth.
- Ajaraie starred with three assists and a goal, while Diamond Harbour’s lone goal came from a deflected Jobby Justin header.
- This victory marks NorthEast United’s second consecutive Durand Cup win, making them the first team in 25 years to defend the title.
Aishwary Tomar Wins Gold at Asian Shooting 2025
- Indian shooter Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar won the gold medal in the 50-meter rifle three-position event at the 16th Asian Shooting Championship in Shymkent, Kazakhstan, scoring 462.5 points.
- China’s Wenyu Zhao took silver with 462 points, and Japan’s Naoya Okada earned bronze with 445.8 points. Earlier, the Indian men’s team—Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, Chain Singh, and Akhil Sheoran—won silver in the team event for the same category.
Science & Technology News
OpenAI Announced to Open First India Office in 2025
- OpenAI has confirmed plans to open its first India office in New Delhi later this year, supporting the government’s IndiaAI Mission and aiming to build “AI for India, with India.”
- Citing India as its second-largest user base and one of the fastest-growing markets, CEO Sam Altman praised the country’s tech talent and developer ecosystem.
- The office will help better serve India’s students, professionals, and businesses, already using OpenAI tools in sectors like agriculture, recruitment, and governance.
- OpenAI is also planning an Education Summit and Developer Day in India, and is actively hiring for local roles.
India Emerges as Global AI Battleground in 2025
- India has become ground zero in the global AI race, with OpenAI leading the charge by launching ChatGPT Go at just â‚ą399/month and announcing its first India office in New Delhi.
- This move, aligned with the IndiaAI Mission, intensifies competition with Google, Microsoft, Perplexity, and xAI, sparking a price war in a rapidly expanding market.
- OpenAI’s localisation—UPI integration, Indic languages, and education tools—caters to India’s massive student base and developer ecosystem.
- While this surge offers users affordable AI access, it also challenges Indian startups, forcing them to collaborate or adapt in a capital-heavy landscape.
ISRO Achieves Key Air Drop Test for Gaganyaan
- ISRO successfully conducted the first Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-01) for the Gaganyaan Mission, showcasing the parachute-based deceleration system for human spaceflight.
- This milestone, achieved with support from the Indian Air Force, DRDO, Indian Navy, and Coast Guard, follows the completion of the Human Rated Launch Vehicle (HLVM3) and other critical systems like the Crew Module, Service Module, and Crew Escape System (CES).
- The mission is part of India’s broader space vision, aiming for the Bharatiya Antariksha Station by 2035 and a Moon landing by 2040.
Current Affairs Today | 25 August Current Affairs 2025 | Daily Current Affairs By Ashish Gautam
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