1. What was the Unemployment Rate (UR) for both males and females aged 15 years and above during the April-June 2025 quarter as per the PLFS Quarterly Bulletin?
A) 5.2%
B) 5.4%
C) 5.6%
D) 52.0%
E) 55.0%
B) 5.4%
2. According to the PLFS Quarterly Bulletin for April-June 2025, what was the Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) in CWS for persons aged 15 years and above at the all-India level?
A) 50.6%
B) 52.0%
C) 55.0%
D) 57.1%
E) 5.4%
C) 55.0%
3. In the PLFS Monthly Bulletin for July 2025, by how much did the Unemployment Rate (UR) in CWS decline compared to June 2025 for persons aged 15 years and above?
A) From 5.2% to 5.4%
B) From 5.4% to 5.2%
C) From 5.6% to 5.2%
D) From 54.2% to 54.9%
E) From 53.3% to 54.4%
C) From 5.6% to 5.2%
4. How many First Stage Units (FSUs) were surveyed at the all-India level during the April-June 2025 quarter as per the PLFS?
A) 5,061
B) 6,213
C) 11,274
D) 15,274
E) 50,000
C) 11,274
5. What was the Worker Population Ratio (WPR) in CWS for persons aged 15 years and above in rural areas during the April-June 2025 quarter?
A) 50.6%
B) 52.0%
C) 54.4%
D) 55.0%
E) 57.1%
E) 57.1%
6. When was the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PM-VBRY) formally rolled out?
A) July 2025
B) August 1, 2025
C) August 15, 2025
D) August 18, 2025
E) July 31, 2027
B) August 1, 2025
7. What is the total budget outlay for the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PM-VBRY)?
A) Rs 50,000 crore
B) Rs 99,446 crore
C) Rs 11,000 crore
D) Rs 5,360 crore
E) Rs 1 crore
B) Rs 99,446 crore
8. How many new jobs is the PM-VBRY scheme expected to generate over 2 years, including first-time employees?
A) 1.92 crore
B) 2.5 crore
C) 3.5 crore
D) 5 crore
E) 11,000 crore
C) 3.5 crore
9. Which ministry implements the PM-VBRY scheme through the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO)?
A) Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI)
B) Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH)
C) Ministry of Labour & Employment (MoL&E)
D) Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB)
E) Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)
C) Ministry of Labour & Employment (MoL&E)
10. During which event did PM Narendra Modi announce the launch of the PM-VBRY scheme?
A) 78th Independence Day
B) 79th Independence Day at Red Fort
C) Republic Day 2025
D) Workshop ‘Vartalap’
E) China Brand Festival
B) 79th Independence Day at Red Fort
11. What is the combined cost of the two major National Highway (NH) projects inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi in Delhi in August 2025?
A) Rs 1 crore
B) Rs 5,360 crore
C) Rs 5,580 crore
D) Rs 11,000 crore
E) Rs 50,000 crore
D) Rs 11,000 crore
12. Under which ministry’s Rs 50,000 crore comprehensive plan were the Delhi section of Dwarka Expressway and Urban Extension Road-II (UER-II) developed?
A) Ministry of Labour & Employment
B) Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH)
C) Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
D) Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
E) Ministry of External Affairs
B) Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH)
13. What is the length and cost of the Delhi section of the Dwarka Expressway inaugurated in August 2025?
A) 10.1 km, Rs 5,360 crore
B) 54.21 km, Rs 5,580 crore
C) 10.1 km, Rs 5,580 crore
D) 54.21 km, Rs 5,360 crore
E) 11,274 km, Rs 11,000 crore
A) 10.1 km, Rs 5,360 crore
14. Which locations does the Urban Extension Road-II (UER-II) pass through before reaching Dichaon Kalan?
A) Yashobhoomi, DMRC Blue line
B) Alipur, Bawana, Rohini, Mundka, Bakkarwala, Najafgarh, Dwarka
C) Spokane, Washington
D) Mantripukhri, Manipur
E) Jaipur, Rajasthan
B) Alipur, Bawana, Rohini, Mundka, Bakkarwala, Najafgarh, Dwarka
15. What is the length of the Urban Extension Road-II (UER-II) corridor?
A) 10.1 km
B) 54.21 km
C) 5,360 km
D) 11,000 km
E) 50,000 km
B) 54.21 km
16. With which company did IIT-M’s Technology Transfer Office sign a Rs 1 crore licensing agreement for India’s first Silicon Photonics-based QRNG in August 2025?
A) Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO)
B) Indrarka Quantum Technologies Private Limited
C) Press Registrar General of India (PRGI)
D) Assam Rifles
E) SBI Cards & Payment Services Limited
B) Indrarka Quantum Technologies Private Limited
17. Where was the Silicon Photonics-based QRNG technology developed at IIT-M?
A) Department of Electrical Engineering
B) Centre for Programmable Photonic Integrated Circuits and Systems (CPPICS)
C) Young Scientist Laboratory-Quantum Technologies (DYSL-QT)
D) Society for Electronic Transactions and Security (SETS Chennai)
E) Lalit Kala Academy
B) Centre for Programmable Photonic Integrated Circuits and Systems (CPPICS)
18. Who led the project for developing the Silicon Photonics-based QRNG at IIT-M?
A) Major General Ravroop Singh
B) Professor Krishnan Baskar
C) Bijoy Krishna Das
D) Yogesh Baweja
E) Tuhin Kanta Pandey
C) Bijoy Krishna Das
19. To which organization was a previous prototype of the QRNG module delivered?
A) DRDO’s Young Scientist Laboratory-Quantum Technologies (DYSL-QT)
B) WHO South East Asian Region (SEAR)
C) Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)
D) Glamanand Group
E) TopBrand Union
A) DRDO’s Young Scientist Laboratory-Quantum Technologies (DYSL-QT)
20. What are some applications of the Silicon Photonics-based QRNG technology?
A) Traffic congestion alleviation
B) Defence, cryptographic algorithms, scientific simulations
C) Newspaper registration
D) Migrant worker support
E) Credit card rewards
B) Defence, cryptographic algorithms, scientific simulations
21. On what date did Assam Rifles sign an MoU with IIIT Manipur to promote drone technology in August 2025?
A) August 1, 2025
B) August 7, 2025
C) August 15, 2025
D) August 18, 2025
E) August 19, 2025
D) August 18, 2025
22. Who signed the MoU between Assam Rifles and IIIT Manipur on behalf of their respective organizations?
A) Bijoy Krishna Das and Yogesh Baweja
B) Major General Ravroop Singh and Professor Krishnan Baskar
C) PM Narendra Modi and Mamata Banerjee
D) Nikhil Anand and Urvashi Rautela
E) Tuhin Kanta Pandey and Shruti Patil
B) Major General Ravroop Singh and Professor Krishnan Baskar
23. What course was launched under the MoU between Assam Rifles and IIIT Manipur?
A) Quantum Random Number Generator Training
B) Advanced Drone Training and Refresher course
C) Press Sewa Registration Workshop
D) Utkarsh Bangla Skill Development
E) Karmashree Job Card Program
B) Advanced Drone Training and Refresher course
24. What is the aim of the MoU between Assam Rifles and IIIT Manipur?
A) To simplify publisher registration
B) To enhance technical and operational readiness in surveillance and reconnaissance
C) To boost employment in manufacturing
D) To eliminate rubella
E) To launch co-branded credit cards
B) To enhance technical and operational readiness in surveillance and reconnaissance
25. Where was the MoU between Assam Rifles and IIIT Manipur signed?
A) Jaipur, Rajasthan
B) Mantripukhri, Manipur
C) Rohini, Delhi
D) Shenzhen, China
E) Spokane, Washington
B) Mantripukhri, Manipur
26. Who announced the launch of the ‘Press Sewa Portal’ in August 2025?
A) PM Narendra Modi
B) Mamata Banerjee
C) Press Registrar General of India (PRGI) Yogesh Baweja
D) Bhavina Patel
E) Manika Vishwakarma
C) Press Registrar General of India (PRGI) Yogesh Baweja
27. At which event was the ‘Press Sewa Portal’ announced?
A) 79th Independence Day celebrations
B) Workshop ‘Vartalap’ organized by PIB, Hyderabad
C) China Brand Festival
D) ITTF World Para Events
E) BIMSTEC Sewocon
B) Workshop ‘Vartalap’ organized by PIB, Hyderabad
28. What is the purpose of the Press Sewa Portal launched by PRGI?
A) To support migrant workers
B) To simplify registration process for newspapers and periodicals
C) To provide drone training
D) To pledge securities in depositories
E) To celebrate photography
B) To simplify registration process for newspapers and periodicals
29. Who announced a dedicated helpline for publishers during the ‘Vartalap’ workshop?
A) Yogesh Baweja
B) Shruti Patil, Additional Director General (ADG) of PIB Hyderabad
C) Major General Ravroop Singh
D) Professor Krishnan Baskar
E) Bijoy Krishna Das
B) Shruti Patil, Additional Director General (ADG) of PIB Hyderabad
30. Under which ministry was the ‘Vartalap’ workshop organized where the Press Sewa Portal was announced?
A) Ministry of Labour & Employment
B) Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB)
C) Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
D) Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
E) Ministry of External Affairs
B) Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB)
31. Which country was declared by WHO SEAR as having eliminated Rubella as a Public Health Problem in August 2025, becoming the 6th in the region?
A) India
B) Bhutan
C) Nepal
D) Maldives
E) Sri Lanka
C) Nepal
32. Which countries in WHO SEAR have eliminated Rubella, including Nepal?
A) India, China, Japan, Korea, Nepal
B) Bhutan, DPR Korea, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Timor-Leste
C) USA, UK, France, Germany, Nepal
D) Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, West Bengal, Manipur
E) Microsoft, Apple, NVIDIA, Amazon, Google
B) Bhutan, DPR Korea, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Timor-Leste
33. What is Rubella commonly known as, and what severe condition can it cause in newborns?
A) German Measles; Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS)
B) Japanese Encephalitis; Autism Spectrum Disorder
C) Chickenpox; Neurodivergence
D) Measles; Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
E) Dengue; Cardiac Defects
A) German Measles; Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS)
34. What achievement led to Nepal’s declaration of Rubella elimination by WHO SEAR?
A) Over 95% vaccination coverage and nationwide campaigns
B) Launch of drone technology
C) Signing of licensing agreement for QRNG
D) Inauguration of NH projects
E) Release of Top 500 Global Brands List
A) Over 95% vaccination coverage and nationwide campaigns
35. What risks does Rubella pose to pregnant women?
A) Mild fever only
B) Miscarriage, stillbirth, or debilitating birth defects
C) Enhanced immunity
D) Improved surveillance
E) Financial aid
B) Miscarriage, stillbirth, or debilitating birth defects
36. On August 18, 2025, which two entities jointly launched the ‘Bank of Maharashtra SBI Card’?
A) Bank of Maharashtra (BoM) and SBI Cards & Payment Services Limited (SBICPSL)
B) SEBI and EPFO
C) IIT-M and DRDO
D) Assam Rifles and IIIT Manipur
E) Glamanand Group and TopBrand Union
A) Bank of Maharashtra (BoM) and SBI Cards & Payment Services Limited (SBICPSL)
37. What are the variants of the ‘Bank of Maharashtra SBI Card’ launched in August 2025?
A) Gold, Platinum, Diamond
B) ELITE, PRIME, and SimplySAVE
C) Rural, Urban, National
D) Quantum, Silicon, Photonics
E) Silver, Gold, Future
B) ELITE, PRIME, and SimplySAVE
38. Which payment networks does the ‘Bank of Maharashtra SBI Card’ support?
A) Mastercard and American Express
B) Rupay and Visa
C) Discover and Diners Club
D) UnionPay and JCB
E) Crypto and Blockchain
B) Rupay and Visa
39. What benefits does the ‘Bank of Maharashtra SBI Card’ offer?
A) Drone training certifications
B) Accelerated reward points, fuel surcharge waiver, discounts on travel and dining
C) Quantum security applications
D) Rubella vaccination coverage
E) Migrant worker financial aid
B) Accelerated reward points, fuel surcharge waiver, discounts on travel and dining
40. What is the revised implementation timeline for SEBI’s new margin pledge framework, extended in August 2025?
A) September 1, 2025
B) October 10, 2025
C) November 2025
D) July 31, 2027
E) August 19, 2025
B) October 10, 2025
41. Under which act and regulation did SEBI issue the circular extending the margin pledge framework timeline?
A) SEBI Act, 1992, Section 11(1) and Regulation 30 of SEBI (Stock Brokers) Regulations, 1992
B) Companies Act, 2013
C) RBI Act, 1934
D) EPFO Act, 1952
E) MoRTH Act, 2025
A) SEBI Act, 1992, Section 11(1) and Regulation 30 of SEBI (Stock Brokers) Regulations, 1992
42. What is the primary aim of SEBI’s new margin pledge framework introduced in June 2025?
A) To boost employment generation
B) To reduce chances of brokers misusing securities and ensure clear transaction trail
C) To simplify newspaper registration
D) To promote drone technology
E) To eliminate public health problems
B) To reduce chances of brokers misusing securities and ensure clear transaction trail
43. What unique feature did SEBI introduce in the new margin pledge framework for ‘Pledge Release for Pay-in’?
A) Manual intervention required
B) Automatic release of pledge and setup of pay-in block in demat account
C) Physical instructions for un-pledging
D) Drone-based verification
E) Quantum encryption
B) Automatic release of pledge and setup of pay-in block in demat account
44. Who is the current Chairperson of SEBI as mentioned in the context?
A) Yogesh Baweja
B) Tuhin Kanta Pandey
C) Bijoy Krishna Das
D) Major General Ravroop Singh
E) Nikhil Anand
B) Tuhin Kanta Pandey
45. When was Manika Vishwakarma crowned Miss Universe India 2025?
A) August 7, 2025
B) August 15, 2025
C) August 18, 2025
D) August 19, 2025
E) November 2025
C) August 18, 2025
46. From which state is Miss Universe India 2025 Manika Vishwakarma, and where was the crowning event held?
A) Uttar Pradesh, Delhi
B) Rajasthan, Jaipur
C) Haryana, Mumbai
D) West Bengal, Kolkata
E) Manipur, Imphal
B) Rajasthan, Jaipur
47. Who passed the crown to Manika Vishwakarma at the Miss Universe India 2025 finale?
A) Tanya Sharma
B) Mehak Dhingra
C) Rhea Singha
D) Amishi Kaushik
E) Urvashi Rautela
C) Rhea Singha
48. What initiative did Manika Vishwakarma found to promote neurodivergence awareness?
A) Shramshree
B) Neuronova
C) Press Sewa
D) Utkarsh Bangla
E) Karmashree
B) Neuronova
49. How many contestants participated in the Miss Universe India 2025 finale?
A) 22
B) 48
C) 74
D) 500
E) 10,000
B) 48
50. Which organization released the TopBrand 2025 ‘Top 500 Global Brands List’ during the China Brand Festival?
A) WHO SEAR
B) SEBI
C) TopBrand Union
D) Glamanand Group
E) PIB Hyderabad
C) TopBrand Union
51. Which company topped the TopBrand 2025 ‘Top 500 Global Brands List’ with a brand value of USD 1,062.5 billion?
A) Apple
B) NVIDIA
C) Microsoft
D) Amazon
E) Google
C) Microsoft
52. What was the theme of the 19th China Brand Festival where the TopBrand 2025 list was released?
A) Strengthening global solidarity
B) AI and Global Expansion
C) My Favourite Photo
D) Drawing with light
E) Empowering local communities
B) AI and Global Expansion
53. How did NVIDIA perform in the TopBrand 2025 list compared to 2024?
A) Slipped to 4th
B) Retained 5th
C) Climbed from 4th to 2nd
D) Dropped from 1st to 3rd
E) New entry at 1st
C) Climbed from 4th to 2nd
54. Which country dominated the top 5 spots in the TopBrand 2025 ‘Top 500 Global Brands List’?
A) China
B) India
C) United States of America (USA)
D) Japan
E) Germany
C) United States of America (USA)
55. In which events and categories did Bhavina Patel win medals in August 2025 to secure World No.1 ranking?
A) ITTF World Para Future (Silver) and Elite (Gold) in Women’s Singles Class 4–5
B) Miss Universe India in Political Science
C) China Brand Festival in AI Expansion
D) PLFS Survey in Unemployment Rate
E) Drone Training in Surveillance
A) ITTF World Para Future (Silver) and Elite (Gold) in Women’s Singles Class 4–5
56. What is Bhavina Patel’s current world ranking in Women’s Singles Class 1–5 after her August 2025 achievements?
A) No. 2
B) No. 3
C) No. 1
D) No. 4
E) No. 5
C) No. 1
57. Where were the ITTF World Para Events held where Bhavina Patel won medals in August 2025?
A) Jaipur, India
B) Spokane, Washington, USA
C) Mantripukhri, Manipur
D) Rohini, Delhi
E) Shenzhen, China
B) Spokane, Washington, USA
58. What is Bhavina Patel’s designation at the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC)?
A) Professor
B) Assistant Director
C) Inspector General
D) Additional Director General
E) Chief Investigator
B) Assistant Director
59. When is World Humanitarian Day observed annually, and what tragic event does it commemorate?
A) August 19; 2003 UN headquarters bombing in Baghdad
B) August 15; Independence Day
C) August 18; MoU signing
D) November 2025; Miss Universe
E) August 7; Brand Festival
A) August 19; 2003 UN headquarters bombing in Baghdad
60. What is the 2025 theme for World Humanitarian Day?
A) My Favourite Photo
B) AI and Global Expansion
C) Strengthening global solidarity and empowering local communities
D) Drawing with light
E) Shramshree Support
C) Strengthening global solidarity and empowering local communities
61. When was the first World Humanitarian Day observed, following UNGA Resolution A/RES/63/139?
A) 2008
B) 2009
C) 2010
D) 2025
E) 2003
B) 2009
62. Which UN office launched the World Humanitarian Day campaign in 2010?
A) UNESCO
B) United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
C) WHO SEAR
D) SEBI
E) EPFO
B) United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
63. What is World Photography Day observed to celebrate, and what is its 2025 theme?
A) Invention of daguerreotype; “My Favourite Photo”
B) Humanitarian workers; “Strengthening global solidarity”
C) Brand expansion; “AI and Global Expansion”
D) Drone technology; “Advanced Training”
E) Migrant support; “Shramshree”
A) Invention of daguerreotype; “My Favourite Photo”
64. Who coined the word ‘photography’ meaning ‘drawing with light’?
A) Louis Daguerre
B) Sir John Herschel
C) Sérgio Vieira de Mello
D) Mamata Banerjee
E) Narendra Modi
B) Sir John Herschel
65. When was the invention of the daguerreotype officially announced, leading to World Photography Day?
A) 1837
B) 1839
C) 2008
D) 2009
E) 2010
B) 1839
66. What is the duration of World Photography Week 2025?
A) One day on August 19
B) Two weeks from August 12 to 26
C) One month in November
D) 22nd anniversary
E) 19th edition
B) Two weeks from August 12 to 26
67. Who launched the ‘Shramshree’ scheme in West Bengal in August 2025?
A) PM Narendra Modi
B) West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee
C) SEBI Chairperson
D) WHO SEAR
E) TopBrand Union
B) West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee
68. What financial aid does the ‘Shramshree’ scheme provide to eligible returning migrant workers?
A) Rs 1,000 per month
B) Rs 5,000 per month for up to one year or until employment
C) Rs 11,000 one-time
D) Rs 99,446 lifetime
E) Rs 1 crore grant
B) Rs 5,000 per month for up to one year or until employment
69. Under which department is the ‘Shramshree’ scheme managed in West Bengal?
A) Ministry of Road Transport
B) Labour Department of WB
C) Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
D) Employees’ State Insurance Corporation
E) Press Information Bureau
B) Labour Department of WB
70. What additional benefits do returning workers receive under the ‘Shramshree’ scheme besides financial aid?
A) Drone training and quantum technology
B) Ration cards, Swastha Sathi healthcare cards, free Utkarsh Bangla training, Karmashree job cards
C) Credit card variants and reward points
D) Miss Universe participation
E) Rubella vaccination
B) Ration cards, Swastha Sathi healthcare cards, free Utkarsh Bangla training, Karmashree job cards
Current Affairs Today: 19 August 2025
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
- NTPC Adopts Global Standard for Power Supply Continuity
- What: NTPC Limited, India’s largest power producer, became the first PSU to adopt a Business Continuity Plan (BCP) aligned with ISO 22301:2019 for uninterrupted power supply.
- Significance: Enhances resilience against disruptions (natural disasters, cyberattacks, etc.).
- BCP Features: Regular risk assessments, disaster recovery drills, backup systems, and continuous improvement.
- Exam Hint: First PSU to adopt BCP; aligns with ISO 22301:2019.
- India’s First Hydrogen-Powered Train
- What: Successfully completed load tests at Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai, under RDSO, Ministry of Railways.
- Details: Part of “Hydrogen for Heritage” initiative; trial route: Jind-Sonipat (89 km, Haryana); capacity: 2,638 passengers, 110 km/h; cost: Rs. 136 crores.
- Significance: Positions India as a leader in hydrogen train technology.
- Exam Hint: First hydrogen train; developed by ICF; trial in Haryana.
- FAITH’s ‘Tourism Vision 2047’
- What: Unveiled by FAITH at its 2025 Conclave in New Delhi to boost India’s tourism economy to USD 3 trillion by 2047.
- Targets: 100M inbound tourists, 20B domestic visits, 200M jobs, USD 400B forex earnings; increase tourism’s GDP share from 5% to 10%.
- Pillars: Policy reforms, marketing, infrastructure, sustainability.
- Exam Hint: Theme: ‘Indian Tourism-Invincible Spirit’; targets USD 3T economy.
- Indian Railways’ Removable Solar Panel System
- What: Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW), Varanasi, commissioned India’s first removable solar panel system between railway tracks on Aug 15, 2025.
- Details: 70m system, 28 panels, 15 KWp capacity, ~3.21 lakh units/km annual generation.
- Significance: Supports Indian Railways’ net-zero carbon emissions goal.
- Exam Hint: First removable solar system; installed at BLW, Varanasi.
BANKING & FINANCE
- SBI’s Agniveer Loan Scheme
- What: SBI launched a collateral-free Rs. 4 lakh loan at 10.5% interest for Agniveers under the Defence Salary Package on Aug 15, 2025.
- Details: No processing fees; repayment aligns with Agnipath scheme (4 years); valid until Sep 30, 2025.
- About Agnipath: Launched in 2022 for youth to serve 4 years in armed forces.
- Exam Hint: Loan for Agniveers; 10.5% interest; no collateral.
- Kotak Mahindra International’s UAE Licence
- What: Kotak Mahindra (International) Ltd secured a license from UAE’s SCA to sell investment funds to retail investors.
- Significance: First Indian company to get this license; minimum investment: USD 500.
- Future Plans: Launch UCITS and India-domiciled funds by Q4 2025.
- Exam Hint: First Indian firm with UAE retail fund license; Kotak Mahindra.
- SBI Report on UPI Transactions
- What: SBI’s Economic Research Department reported a surge in UPI transactions in 2025.
- Key Findings:
- Value: Avg. daily transactions rose from Rs. 75,743 cr (Jan) to Rs. 90,446 cr (Aug).
- Volume: Avg. daily volume increased by 127M to 675M (Aug).
- Top State: Maharashtra (9.8% volume, 9.2% value share in July).
- Top Banks: SBI (top remitter, 5.2B transactions); Yes Bank (top beneficiary, 8B transactions).
- Exam Hint: Maharashtra leads UPI usage; SBI top remitter.
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
- JSW-POSCO Steel Plant HoA
- What: JSW Steel and POSCO Group signed a non-binding HoA for a 6 MTPA steel plant in Odisha via a 50:50 JV.
- Details: Investment: Rs. 65,000 cr (USD 7.44B); upgraded from 5 MTPA; also explores EV battery materials and renewable energy.
- Significance: Supports Atmanirbhar Bharat for domestic and export markets.
- Exam Hint: 6 MTPA steel plant; JSW-POSCO JV; Odisha.
APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS
- Ajay Kumar Bhalla as Nagaland Governor
- What: President Droupadi Murmu appointed Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Governor of Manipur, as Governor of Nagaland (additional charge) on Aug 15, 2025.
- Details: Succeeds La. Ganesan (deceased); 1984-batch IAS (Assam cadre); former Home Secretary (2019-24).
- Exam Hint: Bhalla’s dual governorship; succeeds Ganesan.
- TCL Appoints Eileen Gu
- What: TCL named Eileen Gu, freestyle skier, as global brand ambassador on Aug 18, 2025.
- Details: Aligns with TCLforHer initiative; supports 2026 Winter Olympics; Gu won 2 gold, 1 silver at 2022 Olympics.
- Exam Hint: Eileen Gu; TCL global ambassador; freestyle skiing.
SPORTS
- Vincent Keymer Wins Chennai Grand Masters 2025
- What: German GM Vincent Keymer won Quantbox Chennai Grand Masters 2025 in Chennai (Aug 6-15).
- Details: First sole champion; scored 1.5 points ahead in Round 8; performance rating: 2917; now World No. 10.
- Challengers Section: M. Pranesh (India) won, earning 2026 Masters spot.
- Exam Hint: Keymer’s first sole win; Chennai; Pranesh tops challengers.
- Marc Marquez Wins 2025 Austrian GP
- What: Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo) won MotoGP 2025 Austrian GP in Spielberg, Austria.
- Details: First Austrian GP win; 1,000th premier class race; leads championship by 142 points over Álex Márquez.
- Top 3: Marquez (1st), Fermin Aldeguer (2nd), Marco Bezzecchi (3rd).
- Exam Hint: Marquez’s 6th consecutive GP win; 1,000th MotoGP race.
OBITUARY
- Bob Simpson Passes Away
- What: Former Australian cricket captain and coach Bob Simpson died on Aug 16, 2025, aged 89.
- Career: Played 62 Tests (1957-78), scored 4,869 runs, took 71 wickets; captained 39 Tests.
- Achievements: Coached Australia to 1987 World Cup and 1989 Ashes; inducted into Australian Cricket Hall of Fame (2005) and ICC Hall of Fame (2013).
- Exam Hint: Simpson’s triple century; 1987 World Cup coach.