Current Affairs Today: 12 August 2025

1. Who inaugurated India’s first Animal Stem Cell Biobank in Hyderabad, Telangana?
A) Prime Minister Narendra Modi
B) Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan
C) Union MoS Jitendra Singh
D) Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy
E) Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy
Answer: C) Union MoS Jitendra Singh

2. What is the primary focus of the Animal Stem Cell Biobank at NIAB in Hyderabad?
A) Genetic modification of livestock
B) Regenerative medicine and cellular therapies for livestock
C) Vaccine development for animals
D) Cloning of endangered species
E) Animal feed innovation
Answer: B) Regenerative medicine and cellular therapies for livestock

3. What is the cost of establishing the Animal Stem Cell Biobank and Laboratory at NIAB?
A) Rs. 1.85 crore
B) Rs. 9.30 crore
C) Rs. 19.98 crore
D) Rs. 25.00 crore
E) Rs. 50.00 crore
Answer: A) Rs. 1.85 crore

4. What is the total cost of the Bengaluru Metro Phase-3 project for which the foundation stone was laid by PM Narendra Modi?
A) Rs. 7,160 crore
B) Rs. 10,000 crore
C) Rs. 15,610 crore
D) Rs. 20,000 crore
E) Rs. 25,000 crore
Answer: C) Rs. 15,610 crore

5. Which of the following Vande Bharat train routes was NOT flagged off by PM Narendra Modi in August 2025?
A) Bengaluru to Belagavi
B) Nagpur to Pune
C) Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to Amritsar
D) Chennai to Hyderabad
E) None of the above
Answer: D) Chennai to Hyderabad

6. What is the total route length of the Bengaluru Metro Phase-3 project?
A) 32 km
B) 44 km
C) 56 km
D) 68 km
E) 80 km
Answer: B) 44 km

7. What is the theme of the commemorative postal stamps released during the Philippines President’s state visit to India?
A) National Birds of India and the Philippines
B) National Flowers of India and the Philippines
C) National Monuments of India and the Philippines
D) National Leaders of India and the Philippines
E) National Festivals of India and the Philippines
Answer: B) National Flowers of India and the Philippines

8. How many MoUs and Letters of Intent were signed by Indian companies during the Philippines-India Business Forum in August 2025?
A) 12
B) 14
C) 16
D) 18
E) 20
Answer: D) 18

9. Which global tech giant is establishing a 5G Centre of Excellence at BRBRAITT in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh?
A) Qualcomm Technologies
B) Cisco Systems
C) Ericsson India
D) Nokia Solutions
E) Huawei Technologies
Answer: C) Ericsson India

10. What is the approximate distance covered by the Ajni-Pune Vande Bharat Express, India’s longest Vande Bharat train?
A) 750 km
B) 881 km
C) 950 km
D) 1,000 km
E) 1,200 km
Answer: B) 881 km

11. What is the Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA) rating of the newly constructed Type-VII flats for MPs in New Delhi?
A) 2-star
B) 3-star
C) 4-star
D) 5-star
E) No rating
Answer: B) 3-star

12. According to the Numbeo Safety Index Mid-2025, which city was ranked as the safest globally?
A) Mangalore, India
B) Abu Dhabi, UAE
C) Taipei, Taiwan
D) Muscat, Oman
E) The Hague, Netherlands
Answer: B) Abu Dhabi, UAE

13. What was the safety score of Mangalore, ranked as the safest city in India, in the Numbeo Safety Index Mid-2025?
A) 60.3
B) 63.5
C) 74.3
D) 79.5
E) 83.4
Answer: C) 74.3

14. Which Indian city was ranked as the most unsafe in the Numbeo Safety Index Mid-2025?
A) Mumbai
B) Delhi
C) Kolkata
D) Bangalore
E) Chennai
Answer: B) Delhi

15. What is the full form of SWAGAT-FI proposed by SEBI?
A) Single Window Access for Global and Trusted Foreign Investors
B) Single Window Automatic & Generalised Access for Trusted Foreign Investors
C) Simplified Window for Approved Global and Trusted Investors
D) Single Window for Accredited Foreign Investors
E) Streamlined Window for Global Access to Trusted Funds
Answer: B) Single Window Automatic & Generalised Access for Trusted Foreign Investors

16. What is the proposed periodicity for the KYC review of SWAGAT-FI investors?
A) 5 years
B) 7 years
C) 10 years
D) 12 years
E) 15 years
Answer: C) 10 years

17. What was the business turnover achieved by Kerala State Financial Enterprises (KSFE) in August 2025?
A) Rs. 50,000 crore
B) Rs. 75,000 crore
C) Rs. 1 lakh crore
D) Rs. 1.5 lakh crore
E) Rs. 2 lakh crore
Answer: C) Rs. 1 lakh crore

18. Who inaugurated the celebrations for KSFE’s Rs. 1 lakh crore turnover milestone?
A) Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan
B) Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan
C) Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal
D) KSFE Brand Ambassador Suraj Venjaramoodu
E) Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
Answer: B) Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan

19. What is the value of the overseas rail and metro contract secured by BEML from Malaysia?
A) USD 500,000
B) USD 1 million
C) USD 2 million
D) USD 5 million
E) USD 10 million
Answer: B) USD 1 million

20. What is the purpose of BEML’s contract with Malaysia?
A) To build new metro stations
B) To retrofit and recondition Malaysia’s MRT system
C) To supply new metro trains
D) To develop a high-speed rail network
E) To provide maintenance services for buses
Answer: B) To retrofit and recondition Malaysia’s MRT system

21. Which airport won the International Architectural Award 2025 in the Transport Category?
A) Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi
B) Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, Guwahati
C) Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru
D) Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai
E) Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata
Answer: B) Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, Guwahati

22. What inspired the architectural design of Terminal 2 of the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport?
A) Lotus flower and peacock
B) Bamboo and foxtail orchid
C) Tea plantations and rhinos
D) Silk weaving and Assamese culture
E) Brahmaputra River and hills
Answer: B) Bamboo and foxtail orchid

23. What was the value of the 2.1% stake acquired by Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance in JM Financial Home Loans?
A) Rs. 48 crore
B) Rs. 65.5 crore
C) Rs. 80 crore
D) Rs. 100 crore
E) Rs. 120 crore
Answer: B) Rs. 65.5 crore

24. What was the share price per equity share for the stake acquired by Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance in JM Financial Home Loans?
A) Rs. 36
B) Rs. 42
C) Rs. 48
D) Rs. 54
E) Rs. 60
Answer: C) Rs. 48

25. Where was the Indian Open World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze Meet 2025 held?
A) Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi
B) Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar
C) Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata
D) GMC Balayogi Stadium, Hyderabad
E) Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru
Answer: B) Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar

26. Who broke the Indian U18 national record in the Men’s Long Jump at the Indian Open World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze Meet 2025?
A) Rishabh Yadav
B) Shahnavaz Khan
C) Jeswin Aldrin
D) Murali Sreeshankar
E) Praveen Chithravel
Answer: B) Shahnavaz Khan

27. What was the distance of Shahnavaz Khan’s record-breaking long jump at the Indian Open World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze Meet 2025?
A) 7.84 meters
B) 8.04 meters
C) 8.24 meters
D) 8.44 meters
E) 8.64 meters
Answer: B) 8.04 meters

28. Who won the bronze medal in the Men’s Individual Compound Archery at the World Games 2025?
A) Abhishek Verma
B) Rishabh Yadav
C) Curtis Broadnax
D) Jyothi Surekha Vennam
E) Atanu Das
Answer: B) Rishabh Yadav

29. Where were the World Games 2025 held?
A) Tokyo, Japan
B) Chengdu, China
C) Birmingham, USA
D) The Hague, Netherlands
E) Dubai, UAE
Answer: B) Chengdu, China

30. What is the purpose of World Lion Day observed on August 10?
A) To promote lion hunting regulations
B) To raise awareness about lion conservation and their role in ecosystems
C) To celebrate the cultural significance of lions
D) To fund lion sanctuaries
E) To promote tourism in lion habitats
Answer: B) To raise awareness about lion conservation and their role in ecosystems

31. What was the population of Asiatic (Indian) lions in 2025 as per the provided data?
A) 674
B) 750
C) 891
D) 1,000
E) 1,200
Answer: C) 891

32. What is the significance of World Biofuel Day observed on August 10?
A) To honor the invention of the steam engine
B) To promote the use of non-fossil fuels as a sustainable energy option
C) To celebrate advancements in nuclear energy
D) To raise awareness about electric vehicles
E) To promote solar energy adoption
Answer: B) To promote the use of non-fossil fuels as a sustainable energy option

33. Who is honored on World Biofuel Day for inventing the diesel engine?
A) Nikola Tesla
B) Rudolf Christian Karl Diesel
C) Thomas Edison
D) Henry Ford
E) James Watt
Answer: B) Rudolf Christian Karl Diesel

Current Affairs Today: 12 August 2025

NATIONAL AFFAIRS

1. India’s First Animal Stem Cell Biobank Inaugurated in Hyderabad
   • Event: On August 9, 2025, Union MoS (IC) Dr. Jitendra Singh (MoS&T, MoES) inaugurated the Animal Stem Cell Biobank and Laboratory at NIAB, Hyderabad, Telangana.
   • Details: 9,300 sq ft facility (Rs. 1.85 crore); focuses on regenerative medicine, cellular therapies for livestock; includes stem cell culture, 3D bioprinter, bacteria lab, cryostorage, autoclave rooms; advanced air handling, UPS.
   • Support: National Biopharma Mission (NBM); expansion for biobanking stem cells/derivatives.
   • Additional: Foundation stone for Rs. 19.98 crore hostel/Type-IV quarters; launch of 5 veterinary diagnostic tools (e.g., RapiChex JE NS1 for Japanese Encephalitis).
   • Significance: Boosts ‘One Health’ approach, livestock productivity, zoonotic disease combat; aligns with BioE3 policy.
2. PM Modi Inaugurates Bengaluru Metro Projects
   • Event: On August 10, 2025, PM Modi inaugurated the 19.15 km Yellow Line (RV Road–Bommasandra, Rs. 7,160 crore) and laid foundation for Phase-3 (44.65 km, Rs. 15,610 crore; 31 elevated stations, completion 2029).
   • Yellow Line: 16 stations; expands network to 96 km; eases congestion in southern Bengaluru (Electronic City, IT hubs); daily ridership ~8 lakh.
   • Vande Bharat Flags-Off: Bengaluru–Belagavi (Karnataka; boosts trade/tourism); Nagpur (Ajni)–Pune (881 km, 12 hrs, 10 halts: Wardha, Badnera, Akola, Shegaon, Bhusawal, Jalgaon, Manmad, Kopargaon, Ahmednagar, Daund Chord Line; 6 days/week); Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra–Amritsar (Punjab–J&K).
   • Other: Inaugurated 184 Type-VII MP flats (New Delhi; 5,000 sq ft each; GRIHA 3-star; monolithic concrete).
   • Significance: India’s metro network now 1,000+ km (24 cities; 3rd globally); Phase-3 serves 25 lakh in western Bengaluru; CSR funding (Infosys, Biocon, Delta).
3. Philippines President Marcos’ State Visit to India
   • Event: August 4–8, 2025; first by Marcos Jr.; coincides with 75th diplomatic anniversary.
   • Highlights:
     • Bilateral: Met President Murmu, PM Modi; elevated ties to Strategic Partnership (5th for Philippines: Japan, Vietnam, Australia, South Korea); adopted 2025–29 Plan of Action.
     • Commemorative: Jointly unveiled stamps (India’s lotus, Philippines’ sampaguita).
     • Agreements: 14 MoUs/LoIs; 3 ToRs (Army, Navy, Air Force); ICG–Philippine Coast Guard maritime cooperation.
     • Business: 18 MoUs/LoIs (USD 5.8B investments) in IT, telecom, waste-to-energy, healthcare, BPM, digital infra; exchanged at Bengaluru forum.
   • Significance: Strengthens defence (BrahMos delivery 2024), trade (USD 3.5B in 2023–24; Indian investments USD 5B); visa-free travel, direct flights by late 2025; aligns with Act East, MAHASAGAR, Indo-Pacific.
4. BSNL Signs MoUs with Tech Giants for 5G/AI Skilling
   • Event: August 11, 2025; MoUs with Ericsson India, Qualcomm Technologies, Cisco Systems, Nokia Solutions in New Delhi; witnessed by MoC Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia.
   • Details: Advance training at BRBRAITT, Jabalpur (MP); focuses on 5G, AI/ML, networking, digital tech; >2,000 students/year; Phase 1: Rs. 1 crore+ investment.
     • Ericsson: 5G CoE; hands-on/online (Ericsson Educate); 2,000+ students/year.
     • Qualcomm: Institute for 5G/AI; internships; sponsors first 100 students.
     • Cisco: Networking Academy for cybersecurity/IT infra; free curriculum/tools.
     • Nokia: 5G CoE/AI/ML lab; joint certification with TSSC; 300 students/year.
   • Significance: Establishes TIRTC; supports Digital/Skill/Make in India; boosts Northeast jobs; Atmanirbhar Bharat.
5. PM Modi Flags Off Longest Vande Bharat Express
   • Event: August 10, 2025; virtually from KSR Bengaluru; Ajni (Nagpur)–Pune (881 km, 12 hrs, 10 halts: Wardha, Badnera, Akola, Shegaon, Bhusawal, Jalgaon, Manmad, Kopargaon, Ahmednagar, Daund Chord Line; 6 days/week; AC CC/EC coaches).
   • Other Flags-Off: Bengaluru–Belagavi (Karnataka; boosts trade/tourism); Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra–Amritsar (Punjab–J&K; Rs. 1,170 AC CC, Rs. 2,085 EC CC).
   • Inaugurations: 184 Type-VII MP flats (New Delhi; 5,000 sq ft; GRIHA 3-star; monolithic concrete; NBC 2016-compliant).
   • Significance: Maharashtra’s 12th Vande Bharat; fastest Nagpur–Pune (73 kmph avg.); enhances connectivity; MP flats self-sufficient.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

1. Numbeo Safety Index Mid-2025: Mangalore Safest in India
   • Report: Released August 2025; India 67th globally (score 55.8; 391 cities).
   • India’s Top 10 Safest:

• 
  
• Least Safe: Delhi (316th, 41.0); Noida (55.1); Ghaziabad (58.44).
• Global Top 5: Abu Dhabi (UAE, 88.8; 9th year); Doha (Qatar); Dubai (UAE); Sharjah (UAE); Taipei (Taiwan).
• Methodology: 0–100 scale (perceptions of crime, safety day/night); Middle East dominates (5/10 top).

BANKING & FINANCE

1. SEBI Proposes SWAGAT-FI Gateway for FPIs
   • Event: August 2025; consultation paper for Single Window Automatic & Generalised Access for Trusted Foreign Investors (SWAGAT-FI).
   • Objective: Streamlines low-risk FPIs/FVCIs (e.g., sovereign funds, central banks, multilateral entities, regulated retail funds, insurance/pension funds; >70% FPI assets).
   • Key Proposals:
     • Single-window registration (FPI/FVCI without extra docs).
     • Extend KYC/registration to 10 years (from 1–5 years).
     • Remove 50% NRI/OCI/RI cap for SWAGAT-FI MFs.
     • Optional single demat for all holdings.
   • Significance: Reduces compliance; aligns with global standards; boosts FDI; 11,913 FPIs hold Rs. 81 tn (Jun 30, 2025). Comments till Aug 29.
2. KSFE Crosses Rs. 1 Lakh Crore Turnover
   • Event: August 2025; first miscellaneous NBFC milestone; doubled from Rs. 50,000 crore in 4 years; profit Rs. 512 crore (FY25).
   • Details: Celebrated with CM Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurating event (Thiruvananthapuram); FM K.N. Balagopal chaired; launched ‘Onam Samriddhi Gift Card’, tagline “KSFE: The Courage of Kerala”; brand ambassador Suraj Venjaramoodu.
   • Contributions: Rs. 504 crore interest waivers; Rs. 920 crore to state; Rs. 8,925 crore fixed deposits; 59.52 lakh customers (‘Mission One Crore’ target).
   • Significance: From 1969 (Rs. 2 lakh capital, 10 branches) to 683 branches; reflects public trust; boosts Kerala’s economy.

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

1. BEML Secures USD 1M Malaysia Contract
   • Event: August 9, 2025; first overseas rail-metro order for retrofit/reconditioning of Mass Rapid Transport System.
   • Details: USD 1M (Rs. 8.3 crore); enhances efficiency/safety; aligns with global expansion.
   • Significance: BEML’s entry into international services; supports defence/mining/rail sectors; recent July 2025 warehousing inauguration (KIADB Aerospace SEZ, Bengaluru).