1. Who inaugurated Kartavya Bhavan-03 at Kartavya Path in New Delhi in August 2025?
a) Amit Shah
b) Narendra Modi
c) Rajnath Singh
d) Dharmendra Pradhan
e) Jagdeep Dhankhar
Answer: Narendra Modi
2. What is the primary objective of Kartavya Bhavan-03 as part of the Central Vista redevelopment project?
a) To promote tourism in New Delhi
b) To centralize administrative processes by co-locating ministries
c) To serve as a residential complex for government officials
d) To establish a cultural heritage site
e) To host international summits
Answer: To centralize administrative processes by co-locating ministries
3. Which of the following ministries is NOT housed in Kartavya Bhavan-03?
a) Ministry of Home Affairs
b) Ministry of External Affairs
c) Ministry of Finance
d) Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
e) Ministry of Rural Development
Answer: Ministry of Finance
4. What is the total area of the Kartavya Bhavan-03 office complex?
a) 1.2 lakh square metres
b) 1.5 lakh square metres
c) 1.8 lakh square metres
d) 2.0 lakh square metres
e) 2.5 lakh square metres
Answer: 1.5 lakh square metres
5. With whom did SAP Labs India sign an MoU to digitally upskill professionals in the logistics and transport sector?
a) Indian Institute of Technology Palakkad
b) Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya
c) National Skill Development Corporation
d) Indian Railways
e) NITI Aayog
Answer: Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya
6. Where was the Innovation Park of SAP Labs India inaugurated in August 2025?
a) Hyderabad, Telangana
b) Bengaluru, Karnataka
c) Pune, Maharashtra
d) Chennai, Tamil Nadu
e) Gurugram, Haryana
Answer: Bengaluru, Karnataka
7. Which of the following is NOT a key pillar of the MoU between SAP Labs India and Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya?
a) Employment enablement for graduates
b) Curriculum enhancement for students
c) Industry linkages for research and development
d) Infrastructure development for logistics hubs
e) Capacity building for government professionals
Answer: Infrastructure development for logistics hubs
8. What is the name of India’s first AI-powered learning app launched by IIT Palakkad?
a) EduAI
b) Tutoz
c) LearnEasy
d) SmartPrep
e) ExamGuru
Answer: Tutoz
9. Who officially launched the Tutoz app at IIT Palakkad in July 2025?
a) Rajnath Singh
b) Dharmendra Pradhan
c) Narendra Modi
d) Smriti Irani
e) Anurag Thakur
Answer: Dharmendra Pradhan
10. For which competitive exams is the Tutoz app designed to assist students?
a) UPSC, SSC, and IBPS
b) JEE, NEET, and CAT
c) GATE, GRE, and GMAT
d) CLAT, AILET, and LSAT
e) NDA, CDS, and AFCAT
Answer: JEE, NEET, and CAT
11. Which company developed the Tutoz app?
a) EduTech Solutions
b) Revin Techno Solutions Private Limited
c) LearnIndia Technologies
d) AIEd Innovations
e) SmartLearn Systems
Answer: Revin Techno Solutions Private Limited
12. Which feature of the Tutoz app allows for instant doubt resolution?
a) Gamified leaderboards
b) Daily practice sessions
c) Custom learning modules
d) Text, voice, or image-based doubt resolution
e) Personalized user dashboard
Answer: Text, voice, or image-based doubt resolution
13. Who chaired the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) that approved proposals worth Rs. 67,000 crores in August 2025?
a) Amit Shah
b) Rajnath Singh
c) Nirmala Sitharaman
d) Narendra Modi
e) Jagdeep Dhankhar
Answer: Rajnath Singh
14. Which equipment was approved for the Indian Army to enhance night driving capability?
a) BrahMos Fire Control System
b) Thermal Imager-based Driver Night Sight
c) Mountain Radars
d) SAKSHAM/SPYDER Weapon System
e) Compact Autonomous Surface Craft
Answer: Thermal Imager-based Driver Night Sight
15. For which armed force was the procurement of Mountain Radars approved?
a) Indian Army
b) Indian Navy
c) Indian Air Force
d) Indian Coast Guard
e) Border Security Force
Answer: Indian Air Force
16. How many Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft were approved for procurement by the DAC?
a) 67
b) 87
c) 107
d) 127
e) 147
Answer: 87
17. Which city topped the Global AI City Index 2025 released by Counterpoint Technology Market Research?
a) Bengaluru
b) Singapore
c) Seoul
d) Beijing
e) Dubai
Answer: Singapore
18. What was Bengaluru’s rank in the Global AI City Index 2025?
a) 16th
b) 20th
c) 26th
d) 30th
e) 36th
Answer: 26th
19. Which company was identified as the most active player in expanding AI infrastructure in the Global AI City Index 2025?
a) Google
b) Amazon
c) Microsoft
d) IBM
e) Tesla
Answer: Microsoft
20. Where was the first bilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) exercise between India and the Philippines conducted?
a) Bay of Bengal
b) Arabian Sea
c) South China Sea
d) Andaman Sea
e) Indian Ocean
Answer: South China Sea
21. Which Indian Naval Ship did NOT participate in the Maritime Cooperative Activity with the Philippines?
a) INS Mysore
b) INS Shakti
c) INS Kiltan
d) INS Vikramaditya
e) None of the above
Answer: INS Vikramaditya
22. What was the primary aim of the Maritime Cooperative Activity between India and the Philippines?
a) To conduct joint missile tests
b) To enhance maritime interoperability
c) To establish a naval base
d) To counter piracy in the region
e) To promote tourism in the South China Sea
Answer: To enhance maritime interoperability
23. Who announced the three consumer-centric schemes to drive financial inclusion in August 2025?
a) Nirmala Sitharaman
b) Sanjay Malhotra
c) Shaktikanta Das
d) Urjit Patel
e) Raghuram Rajan
Answer: Sanjay Malhotra
24. What is the duration of the doorstep banking camps announced by the RBI?
a) June 01 to August 31, 2025
b) July 01 to September 30, 2025
c) August 01 to October 31, 2025
d) September 01 to November 30, 2025
e) October 01 to December 31, 2025
Answer: July 01 to September 30, 2025
25. What is the purpose of the RBI’s simplified settlement process for deceased customers?
a) To increase banking fees
b) To streamline claim settlement for deceased account holders
c) To introduce new savings schemes
d) To promote digital banking
e) To enhance loan disbursal processes
Answer: To streamline claim settlement for deceased account holders
26. What type of investments can retail investors make through the RBI Retail platform’s expanded functionality?
a) Corporate Bonds
b) Treasury Bills through SIPs
c) Equity Shares
d) Mutual Funds
e) Fixed Deposits
Answer: Treasury Bills through SIPs
27. What is the purpose of the Special Rupee Vostro Accounts (SRVAs) relaxed by the RBI?
a) To promote foreign currency loans
b) To settle international trade in Indian Rupees
c) To facilitate cryptocurrency transactions
d) To support foreign direct investments
e) To enhance digital wallet services
Answer: To settle international trade in Indian Rupees
28. What is the name of the digital FOREX platform launched by Bank of Baroda?
a) BOB Trade
b) bob FxOne
c) BOB Forex
d) BOB Digital
e) BOB EasyTrade
Answer: bob FxOne
29. Which feature of the bob FxOne platform allows for instant deal booking?
a) Request for Quote
b) One-Click Trade
c) Personalized Dashboard
d) Real-Time Rates
e) Deal Tickets
Answer: One-Click Trade
30. Under which act did IRCTC Payments Ltd. receive RBI’s in-principle approval to operate as an Online Payment Aggregator?
a) Banking Regulation Act, 1949
b) Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007
c) Companies Act, 2013
d) Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934
e) Information Technology Act, 2000
Answer: Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007
31. What is the name of the existing payment aggregator platform of IRCTC?
a) IRCTC PayEasy
b) IRCTC iPay
c) IRCTC PayNow
d) IRCTC QuickPay
e) IRCTC ePay
Answer: IRCTC iPay
32. What is the primary purpose of Axis Bank’s ‘Lock FD’ feature?
a) To increase FD interest rates
b) To safeguard fixed deposits from digital fraud
c) To simplify FD account opening
d) To allow online premature FD closure
e) To promote fixed deposit investments
Answer: To safeguard fixed deposits from digital fraud
33. How can the ‘Lock FD’ feature of Axis Bank be activated?
a) Through email request
b) Via Axis Bank mobile app or branch
c) By calling customer care
d) Through SMS banking
e) Via third-party apps
Answer: Via Axis Bank mobile app or branch
34. What is the name of the women-centric term insurance plan launched by Tata AIA Life Insurance?
a) Shakti Suraksha
b) Shubh Shakti
c) Nari Raksha
d) Mahila Suraksha
e) Empower Shakti
Answer: Shubh Shakti
35. What is the additional discount offered to single mothers under the Shubh Shakti plan?
a) 1% lifetime discount
b) 2% lifetime discount
c) 3% lifetime discount
d) 5% lifetime discount
e) 10% lifetime discount
Answer: 1% lifetime discount
36. What is the Business Confidence Index (BCI) value for Q1 of FY26 as per NCAER’s survey?
a) 129.4
b) 139.3
c) 149.4
d) 159.4
e) 169.4
Answer: 149.4
37. How many companies were surveyed by NCAER for the Business Expectations Survey in June 2025?
a) 379
b) 429
c) 479
d) 529
e) 579
Answer: 479
38. Which company acquired a 100% stake in Jaiprakash Associates Limited as approved by CCI?
a) Adani Cement
b) Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Limited
c) UltraTech Cement
d) Ambuja Cements
e) ACC Limited
Answer: Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Limited
39. What was the value of the acquisition deal of Jaiprakash Associates Limited?
a) Rs. 4,666 crore
b) Rs. 5,666 crore
c) Rs. 6,666 crore
d) Rs. 7,666 crore
e) Rs. 8,666 crore
Answer: Rs. 5,666 crore
40. What was the transaction value for the acquisition of Theobroma Foods Private Limited by ChrysCapital Group entities?
a) Rs. 1,410 crore
b) Rs. 2,410 crore
c) Rs. 3,410 crore
d) Rs. 4,410 crore
e) Rs. 5,410 crore
Answer: Rs. 2,410 crore
41. What percentage of stake did Ant Financial sell in Paytm?
a) 3.84%
b) 4.84%
c) 5.84%
d) 6.84%
e) 7.84%
Answer: 5.84%
42. Who purchased a 1.06% stake in Paytm as part of Ant Financial’s stake sale?
a) MY Asian Opportunities Master Fund LP
b) Societe Generale
c) Goldman Sachs
d) Morgan Stanley
e) BlackRock
Answer: Societe Generale
43. Where was the HOPE Analog Mission facility inaugurated by ISRO?
a) Leh, Ladakh
b) Tso Kar Valley, Ladakh
c) Kargil, Ladakh
d) Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir
e) Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh
Answer: Tso Kar Valley, Ladakh
44. What is the primary purpose of ISRO’s HOPE Analog Mission?
a) To explore mineral resources in Ladakh
b) To simulate Mars-like conditions for future missions
c) To test satellite communication systems
d) To train astronauts for low Earth orbit missions
e) To study high-altitude climate change
Answer: To simulate Mars-like conditions for future missions
45. Which organization operates the HOPE Analog Mission?
a) Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology
b) Protoplanet
c) Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology
d) Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
e) Institute for Aerospace Medicine
Answer: Protoplanet
46. Why was Tso Kar Valley chosen for the HOPE Analog Mission?
a) Its proximity to urban centers
b) Its resemblance to early Mars conditions
c) Its low altitude and accessibility
d) Its dense forest cover
e) Its tropical climate
Answer: Its resemblance to early Mars conditions
47. What was the outcome of the Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy 2025 Test series between India and England?
a) India won 3–2
b) England won 3–2
c) Series ended in a 2–2 draw
d) India won 4–1
e) England won 4–1
Answer: Series ended in a 2–2 draw
48. Who were jointly adjudged Player of the Series in the Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy 2025?
a) Virat Kohli and Joe Root
b) Shubman Gill and Harry Brook
c) Rohit Sharma and Ben Stokes
d) Ravindra Jadeja and Jonny Bairstow
e) Jasprit Bumrah and James Anderson
Answer: Shubman Gill and Harry Brook
49. Who scored the highest runs in the Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy 2025 series?
a) Harry Brook
b) Shubman Gill
c) Joe Root
d) Ravindra Jadeja
e) Ben Stokes
Answer: Shubman Gill
50. When is Hiroshima Day observed annually?
a) August 4
b) August 5
c) August 6
d) August 7
e) August 8
Answer: August 6
51. What significant event does Hiroshima Day commemorate?
a) The end of World War II
b) The atomic bombing of Hiroshima in 1945
c) The establishment of the United Nations
d) The signing of the Treaty of Tokyo
e) The liberation of Japan
Answer: The atomic bombing of Hiroshima in 1945
52. Where is the Memorial Service for Hiroshima Day held annually?
a) Tokyo Peace Park
b) Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
c) Nagasaki Memorial Park
d) Kyoto Peace Garden
e) Osaka War Museum
Answer: Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
Current Affairs Today: 7 August 2025
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
- PM Narendra Modi Inaugurates Kartavya Bhavan-03
- Event: In August 2025, PM Modi inaugurated Kartavya Bhavan-03 at Kartavya Path, New Delhi, as part of the Central Vista redevelopment project.
- Details: First of multiple Common Central Secretariat (CCS) buildings; aims to streamline administration and enable agile governance.
- Features: 1.5 lakh sq m, 2 basements, 7 floors; hosts MHA, MEA, MSME, MoPNG, MoRD, DoPT (MoPP&P), and PSA office.
- Significance: Co-locates ministries for efficiency; part of Central Vista alongside new Parliament and VP Enclave.
- SAP Labs India-GSV MoU for Logistics Upskilling
- Event: Signed August 5, 2025, during SAP Labs India’s Innovation Park inauguration in Bengaluru.
- Objective: Digitally upskill logistics and transport professionals via GSV’s curriculum with SAP solutions.
- Pillars:
- Employment enablement for graduates/PGs.
- Curriculum enhancement for students/govt professionals.
- Industry linkages for R&D and jobs.
- Impact: Builds a future-ready logistics workforce; aligns with national logistics goals.
- IIT Palakkad Launches ‘Tutoz’ AI Learning App
- Event: Launched July 2025 by Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan at IIT Palakkad, Kerala.
- Details: India’s first AI-powered app for JEE, NEET, CAT prep; developed by Revin Techno Solutions (IIT Palakkad incubatee).
- Features: Instant doubt resolution (text/voice/image), daily practice, custom modules, gamified leaderboards; mentored by IIT experts.
- Significance: Affordable, accessible, personalized learning for competitive exams.
- DAC Approves Rs. 67,000 Cr Defence Proposals
- Event: Approved August 5, 2025, by DAC chaired by Rajnath Singh (MoD).
- Proposals:
- Indian Army: Thermal Imager-based Driver Night Sight for BMP vehicles (enhances night mobility).
- Indian Navy: Compact Autonomous Surface Craft (CASC), 8 BrahMos Fire Control Systems (Rs. 650 crore), BARAK-1 missile system upgrade.
- Indian Air Force: Mountain Radars, SAKSHAM/SPYDER system upgrade for air surveillance/defence.
- Armed Forces: 87 MALE RPAs for surveillance/combat; C-17, C-130J fleet sustenance; S-400 maintenance contract.
- Impact: Boosts operational readiness across forces.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
- Global AI City Index 2025
- Report: Released August 2025 by Counterpoint Technology Market Research; Bengaluru ranks 26th, India’s top AI R&D/data centre hub.
- Top Cities: Singapore (1st), Seoul, Beijing, Dubai, San Francisco.
- Fastest-Growing: Bengaluru, Riyadh, Hangzhou, São Paulo.
- Industry Leader: Microsoft (expanding AI data centres, training, hubs).
- India-Philippines Maritime Cooperative Activity
- Event: First bilateral MCA in August 2025 in South China Sea (West Philippine Sea).
- Participants: India (INS Mysore, Shakti, Kiltan); Philippines (BRP Miguel Malavar, Jose Rizal).
- Aim: Enhance maritime interoperability, counter China’s territorial claims.
- Context: Philippines’ MCAs with USA, Japan, Australia, France, Canada since 2023.
BANKING & FINANCE
- RBI’s Consumer-Centric Schemes
- Event: Announced August 2025 by Governor Sanjay Malhotra post-MPC meeting (FY26) in Mumbai.
- Schemes:
- Doorstep Banking Camps: July 1–September 30, 2025, at Panchayat level; marks 10 years of PMJDY.
- Simplified Deceased Claims: Streamlined process under Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
- RBI Retail Expansion: T-Bill investments via SIPs for retail investors.
- Purpose: Enhance financial inclusion, simplify banking, expand G-Secs access.
- RBI Relaxes SRVA Norms
- Event: August 2025; banks can open Special Rupee Vostro Accounts without prior RBI approval (effective immediately).
- Purpose: Facilitates INR-based trade settlement (introduced July 2022); reduces hard currency reliance.
- Impact: Simplifies exports/imports invoicing, payments, and settlements.
- BOB Launches ‘bob FxOne’ Platform
- Event: Launched August 5, 2025, for corporate/MSME clients.
- Features: One-Click Trade, Request for Quote, real-time forex rates, instant confirmations, personalized dashboard; supports cash, tom, spot, forward, bills, options trades.
- Significance: Digitizes treasury/forex operations for efficiency/transparency.
- IRCTC Payments Gets RBI Approval as Online PA
- Event: August 2025; RBI grants in-principle approval under PSS Act, 2007.
- Details: Enables IRCTC Payments (IRCTC iPay) to process online transactions, pool/settle funds.
- Impact: Enhances digital payment capabilities for railway/tourism services.
- Axis Bank’s ‘Lock FD’ Feature
- Event: Launched August 6, 2025; first-in-industry to protect FDs from digital fraud.
- Details: Disables online premature FD closure; requires in-person branch verification; activated via mobile app/branch.
- Target: Protects vulnerable customers (e.g., less tech-savvy) from fraud.
- Tata AIA’s ‘Shubh Shakti’ Term Plan
- Event: Launched August 5, 2025, for women.
- Features: 15% lower premiums vs. men; 1% extra discount for single mothers; two 12-month premium holidays (pregnancy/childbirth); covers PCOD, IVF, vaccinations; optional child education benefit (till age 25); premium waiver for spouse/accidental death.
- Significance: Promotes women’s participation in insurance.
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
- NCAER Business Confidence Index
- Event: Released August 2025; BCI rises to 149.4 (Q1 FY26) from 139.3 (Q4 FY25) based on June 2025 survey of 479 firms across 6 cities.
- Components: Economic conditions, financial position, investment climate, capacity utilization (>60% positive responses).
- Trends: Production (78.7%), domestic sales (79.1%), exports (66.5%) expected to rise; raw material imports up from 46.1% to 54.3%.
ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS
- CCI Approvals on August 5, 2025
- JAL Acquisition: Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Ltd. acquires 100% of Jaiprakash Associates Ltd. (Rs. 5,666 crore) under IBC’s CIRP.
- Theobroma Foods: ChrysCapital Group (Infinity Partners, Aqua Investments, Atreides) acquires 90% stake (Rs. 2,410 crore); founders retain 10%.
- Ant Financial Exits Paytm
- Event: August 5, 2025; Antfin sells 5.84% stake (3.73 crore shares) for Rs. 3,803 crore at Rs. 1,020/share.
- Buyers: Societe Generale (1.06%, Rs. 720.56 crore), MY Asian Opportunities (0.55%, Rs. 373.62 crore).
- Impact: Paytm now fully Indian-owned, aiding regulatory approvals.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
- ISRO’s HOPE Analog Mission
- Event: Inaugurated August 2025 by Dr. V. Narayanan in Tso Kar Valley, Ladakh (4,530m altitude); held August 1–10.
- Details: Simulates Mars-like conditions; operated by Protoplanet with ISRO’s HSFC; tests workflows for Moon/Mars missions.
- Partners: IIST, RGCB, IIT Hyderabad, IIT Bombay, Institute for Aerospace Medicine.
- Focus: Epigenetic/genomic/physiological/psychological responses, health protocols, surface operations.
- Facility: 8m Habitat Module, 5m Utility Module; Tso Kar chosen for UV flux, low pressure, saline permafrost.
SPORTS
- Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy 2025
- Event: June 20–August 4, 2025; India-England 5-Test series ends 2–2; India wins final Test by 6 runs.
- Records:
- Shubman Gill: 754 runs (highest visiting captain; beats Gooch/Gavaskar).
- India: 3,809 runs (team record for 5-match series).
- Ravindra Jadeja: 6 half-centuries (most in India-England series).
- Mohammed Siraj: 7 4-wicket hauls (Asian record in England).
- Akash Deep: 3rd Indian nightwatchman to score Test fifty.
- Player of Series: Shubman Gill, Harry Brook (first joint award in Tests).
IMPORTANT DAYS
- Hiroshima Day – August 6, 2025
- Details: Marks 80th anniversary of 1945 Hiroshima atomic bombing; observed globally for peace.
- Events: Memorial Service at Genbaku Dome (UNESCO WHS, 1996), Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park; first Peace Festival in 1947.