Current Affairs Today: 22 August 2025

1. Which American satellite internet provider partnered with UIDAI in August 2025 for Aadhaar-based customer verification?
a) OneWeb India
b) HughesNet
c) Starlink Satellite Communication Private Limited
d) Viasat
e) SES Astra
Answer: Starlink Satellite Communication Private Limited

2. Under the UIDAI–Starlink partnership, Starlink has been designated as which of the following?
a) Authentication Service Provider (ASP) only
b) Sub-Authentication User Agency (SUA) and Sub-eKYC User Agency
c) Resident Data Controller (RDC)
d) UID Enrollment Agency (UEA)
e) Aadhaar Data Processor (ADP)
Answer: Sub-Authentication User Agency (SUA) and Sub-eKYC User Agency

3. UIDAI clarified that Aadhaar authentication under the Starlink collaboration will be:
a) Mandatory for all Starlink users
b) Optional/voluntary as per existing norms
c) Compulsory for business accounts only
d) Only for government institutions
e) Required for export-import transactions
Answer: Optional/voluntary as per existing norms

4. IEPFA opened 3 Niveshak Seva Kendras in Hyderabad at which of the following locations?
a) RBI Hyderabad Office, SEBI Hyderabad, and ICICI Branch
b) KFin Technologies Ltd., BSE Hyderabad Office, and NSE of India Limited
c) SBI Regional Office, NSE Branch, and NSDL Office
d) CDSL Head Office, BSE Mumbai, and KFin Technologies Delhi
e) NSE Mumbai, NSDL Delhi, and BSE Chennai
Answer: KFin Technologies Ltd., BSE Hyderabad Office, and NSE of India Limited

5. The Niveshak Seva Kendras were launched in collaboration with which set of agencies?
a) RBI, SEBI, and SIDBI
b) SEBI, CDSL, NSDL, BSE, and NSE
c) MoF, RBI, and IRDAI
d) PFRDA, SEBI, and BSE only
e) MoCA, CDSL, and SIDBI
Answer: SEBI, CDSL, NSDL, BSE, and NSE

6. The ‘Breaking Barriers Fellowship’ MoU was signed by DEPwD with which two organizations?
a) HelpAge India and CSR Council
b) Nipman Foundation and Young Leaders for Active Citizenship (YLAC)
c) NCPEDP and UNDP
d) GiveIndia and Teach For India
e) AICTE and NIPCCD
Answer: Nipman Foundation and Young Leaders for Active Citizenship (YLAC)

7. The Breaking Barriers Fellowship aims primarily to strengthen implementation of which Act?
a) Mental Healthcare Act, 2017
b) Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016
c) National Trust Act, 1999
d) Rehabilitation Council Act, 1992
e) Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities) Act, 1995
Answer: Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016

8. BVFCL signed a 5-year B2B pact for fertilizer supply with which Bhutan entity?
a) Bhutan Agricultural University (BAU)
b) National Seed Centre (NSC) of Bhutan
c) Ministry of Agriculture, Bhutan
d) Royal Dairy of Bhutan
e) Bhutan Fertilizer Corporation
Answer: National Seed Centre (NSC) of Bhutan

9. Which of the following fertilizers is NOT listed among those to be supplied by BVFCL to Bhutan’s NSC?
a) Urea
b) Suphala (NPK)
c) Ammonium Nitrate (AN)
d) Single Super Phosphate (SSP)
e) Muriate of Potash (MOP)
Answer: Ammonium Nitrate (AN)

10. From April 1, 2025, EPFO increased the ex-gratia amount under its Death Relief Fund for Central Board employees to:
a) Rs. 10 lakhs
b) Rs. 12.5 lakhs
c) Rs. 15 lakhs
d) Rs. 18 lakhs
e) Rs. 20 lakhs
Answer: Rs. 15 lakhs

11. EPFO announced that the ex-gratia amount will increase annually by what percentage starting April 1, 2026?
a) 2%
b) 3%
c) 4%
d) 5%
e) 6%
Answer: 5%

12. India signed the Terms of Reference (ToR) to begin FTA negotiations with which regional bloc in August 2025?
a) ASEAN
b) European Union (EU)
c) Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU)
d) MERCOSUR
e) African Union (AU)
Answer: Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU)

13. The EAEU comprises which of the following sets of countries?
a) Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, and Armenia
b) Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, and Georgia
c) Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan
d) Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, and Russia
e) Russia, Belarus, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia
Answer: Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, and Armenia

14. AU Small Finance Bank launched UPI access for NRE/NRO account holders with international mobile numbers covering how many countries?
a) 8
b) 10
c) 12
d) 15
e) 20
Answer: 12

15. Which of the following countries is included among those where AU SFB’s UPI for NRIs is available?
a) Brazil
b) Australia
c) Japan
d) Germany
e) South Africa
Answer: Australia

16. Thomas Cook India partnered with Mastercard to enable contactless cross-border payments via which mobile payment app?
a) Paytm
b) PhonePe
c) Google Pay (GPay)
d) Samsung Pay
e) Amazon Pay
Answer: Google Pay (GPay)

17. IRFC sanctioned a loan of Rs. 199.70 crore to SITCO for developing India’s first international-standard Multi-Modal Transport Hub in which city?
a) Ahmedabad
b) Surat
c) Vadodara
d) Rajkot
e) Gandhinagar
Answer: Surat

18. EIL signed an MoU with NPCIL to develop Bharat SMR with a national target of how much nuclear capacity by 2047?
a) 50 GW
b) 75 GW
c) 100 GW
d) 150 GW
e) 200 GW
Answer: 100 GW

19. On August 20, 2025, India test-fired which long-range ballistic missile from Chandipur, Odisha?
a) Agni-2
b) Agni-3
c) Agni-4
d) Agni-5
e) Agni-VI
Answer: Agni-5

20. The Agni-5 missile is classified as an:
a) Short Range Ballistic Missile (SRBM)
b) Medium Range Ballistic Missile (MRBM)
c) Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) / ICBM-class with range over 5,000 km
d) Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile (ASBM)
e) Tactical Cruise Missile
Answer: Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) / ICBM-class with range over 5,000 km

21. NASA’s advanced AI model ‘Surya’ — developed with IBM — is designed primarily to:
a) Forecast monsoons on Earth
b) Predict solar storms and space weather
c) Simulate Mars’ climate
d) Control satellites’ orbit adjustments
e) Map exoplanets’ atmospheres
Answer: Predict solar storms and space weather

22. The International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to Victims of Terrorism is observed each year on:
a) August 19
b) August 20
c) August 21
d) August 22
e) August 23
Answer: August 21

23. World Senior Citizen’s Day is observed annually on which date?
a) August 18
b) August 19
c) August 20
d) August 21
e) October 1
Answer: August 21

24. Which ministry approved the renaming of Jalalabad in Shahjahanpur district (UP) to ‘Parashurampuri’?
a) Ministry of Culture
b) Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)
c) Ministry of Tourism
d) Ministry of Minority Affairs
e) Ministry of Urban Development
Answer: Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)

25. The town Jalalabad was renamed ‘Parashurampuri’ because it is identified as the birthplace of which mythological figure?
a) Lord Rama
b) Lord Krishna
c) Lord Parashuram
d) Lord Shiva
e) Lord Vishnu
Answer: Lord Parashuram

National Affairs

UIDAI Partners with Starlink for Aadhaar-Based Customer Verification

Collaboration: UIDAI (under MeitY) and Starlink Satellite Communication Private Limited.
Purpose: Enable seamless Aadhaar-based authentication for customer verification, making onboarding smooth, secure, and easy.
Designation: Starlink appointed as Sub-Authentication User Agency (SUA) and Sub-eKYC User Agency.
Significance: Supports Starlink’s rollout of high-speed satellite internet; Aadhaar authentication remains voluntary.
Key Attendees: UIDAI CEO Bhuvnesh Kumar, Deputy DG Manish Bhardwaj, Starlink India Director Parnil Urdhwareshe.

IEPFA Opens 3 Niveshak Seva Kendras in Hyderabad

Launch Date: August 16, 2025.
Locations: KFin Technologies Ltd., BSE Hyderabad Office, NSE of India Limited.
Operating Hours: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Partners: SEBI, CDSL, NSDL, BSE, NSE.
Services: Facilitate unpaid dividend transfers (6-7 years pending), KYC/nomination updates, bank details updates, ISR-1/2/3 form submissions for KYC updates.
Additional Centres: Two more to become operational soon; Hyderabad is the first city with this investor-focused initiative.

DEPwD, Nipman Foundation & YLAC Sign MoU for ‘Breaking Barriers Fellowship’

Signing Date: August 21, 2025.
Signatories: Ashish Thakare (DEPwD Director), Nipun Malhotra (Nipman Founder), Rohit Kumar (YLAC Co-Founder).
Witnesses: Rajesh Agarwal (DEPwD Secretary), Manmeet Kaur Nanda (DEPwD Additional Secretary).
Program Details: Places young professionals in DEPwD offices to enhance RPwD Act, 2016 implementation.
Selection & Reporting: Merit-based, transparent; quarterly reporting; Official Secrets Act, 1923 compliance.
Duration: One year, extendable by mutual agreement.
Objectives: Build institutional capacity, provide mentorship/government experience, incorporate fresh policymaking perspectives.

BVFCL Signs 5-Year Pact with Bhutan’s NSC for Fertilizer Supply

Signing Date: August 18, 2025.
Location: Siliguri, West Bengal.
Fertilizers Supplied: Urea, Suphala (NPK), SSP, MOP, Borax.
Signatories: From BVFCL – Satyajit Mishra (GM Marketing), Chandragupta Kakati, Sunil Kumar Tripathi (Senior Managers), Romi Chakravorty (Deputy Manager), Devendra Singh Rajawat (Assistant Manager); From NSC – Yonten Gyamtsho (Director, Dept. of Agriculture), Deepak Rai (Programme Director), Sonam (Senior Store Manager).
Purpose: Ensure timely agricultural inputs for Bhutan’s food security and productivity.
Significance: Strengthens India-Bhutan ties in agriculture; milestone in cross-border fertilizer supply.

EPFO Hikes Ex-Gratia Amount Under Death Relief Fund

New Amount: Rs. 15 lakhs (from Rs. 8.80 lakhs).
Effective Date: April 1, 2025.
Beneficiaries: Nominee/legal heirs of deceased Central Board employees.
Source: Staff Welfare Fund.
Annual Increase: 5% from April 1, 2026, to counter inflation.
Additional Simplifications: No Guardianship Certificate needed for minor children’s PF claims; streamlined joint declarations for Aadhaar-UAN linking/corrections.

International Affairs

India, EAEU Sign ToR for FTA Negotiations

Signing Date/Location: August 20, 2025, Moscow, Russia.
Signatories: Ajay Bhadoo (India’s Additional Secretary, DoC, MoC&I), Mikhail Cherekaev (EAEU’s Deputy Director, Trade Policy Dept., EEC).
EAEU Members: Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Russia.
Objectives: Boost exports, support MSMEs, diversify market access.
Trade Stats: USD 69 billion in 2024 (7% YoY growth); EAEU GDP: USD 6.5 trillion.
Significance: Unlocks trade potential, enhances investments; aligns with ongoing US trade talks.
EAEU Background: Established 2015; promotes free movement of goods/services/capital/labor; Belarus holds 2025 presidency.

Banking & Finance

AU SFB Launches UPI for NRE/NRO Holders with International Numbers

Launch Date: August 20, 2025.
Eligibility: NRE/NRO accounts linked to international mobile numbers.
Countries Covered: 12 (Australia, Canada, France, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, UAE, UK, USA).
Benefits: Seamless, secure, real-time UPI transactions (bills, merchants, transfers) without Indian SIM.
Alignment: Follows NPCI directive.

Thomas Cook India Partners with Mastercard for GPay Cross-Border Payments

Launch Date: August 20, 2025.
Integration: Add Thomas Cook prepaid forex cards to GPay for tap-and-pay/online transactions.
Cards Covered: Borderless Travel, One Currency, Study Buddy, EnterpriseFX.
Security: Tokenization (no card number shared with merchants).
Benefits: Eliminates physical cards; supports hotel, dining, shopping abroad.
Significance: Enhances mobile-based international payments for Indian travelers.

Economy & Business

SBI Research Projects GDP Growth at 6.8%-7.0% for Q1 FY26

GDP Estimate: 6.8%-7.0% (higher than RBI’s 6.5%).
Real GDP: 6.9% YoY.
GVA: 6.5%.
Full FY26 Projection: 6.3% (20 bps below RBI’s 6.5%).
Quarterly Breakdown: Q2: 6.5%, Q3: 6.3%, Q4: 6.1% (each 20 bps below RBI).
Drivers: Government CapEx, resilient consumption; limited private investment.
Nominal GDP: ~8% in Q1 FY26.

MOL, Suzuki, TradeWaltz Sign MoU for India-Africa Automobile Trade

Signing Date/Location: August 21, 2025, TICAD 9, Yokohama, Japan.
Focus: Digitize vehicle trade documentation; decarbonize transport.
Alignment: Japan-India Cooperation Initiative for Sustainable Economic Development in Africa (launched February 2025).
Challenges Addressed: Trade operations, digital solutions, supply chain resilience.

IRFC Sanctions Rs. 199.7 Cr Loan to SITCO for Surat MMTH

Loan Amount: Rs. 199.70 crore.
Purpose: Develop India’s first international-standard Multi-Modal Transport Hub (MMTH) in Surat, Gujarat.
Integration: Rail, metro, BRTS, buses, autos, taxis; upgraded amenities/infrastructure.
Developer: SITCO (MoR-Gujarat JV).
Significance: Enhances connectivity, reduces congestion, boosts economic growth.
Agreement Signed: August 19, 2025, New Delhi (Mohit Kumar/Namrata Makharia – SITCO; Ashish Saini – IRFC).

EIL Signs MoU with NPCIL for Bharat SMR

Signing Date/Location: August 12, 2025, NPCIL Mumbai office.
Signatories: EIL Director (Commercial), NPCIL Director (Technical).
Witnesses: Vartika Shukla (EIL CMD), B.C. Pathak (NPCIL CMD).
Scope: Engineering services for conceptual design/engineering of BSMR structures, systems, components.
Significance: Supports 100 GW nuclear capacity by 2047; advances Nuclear Energy Mission for Viksit Bharat.

Science & Technology

India Test-Fires Agni-5 Ballistic Missile

Test Date/Location: August 20, 2025, Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, Odisha.
Conducting Body: Strategic Forces Command (under NCA).
Developer: DRDO.
Type: IRBM (ICBM-class); range >5,000 km.
Payload: Nuclear-capable, up to 1.5 tonnes; weight ~50 tonnes.
Propulsion: Three-stage solid-fuel.
Features: MIRV technology, RLG-INS, MINGS, NavIC/GPS support, advanced avionics, composites, re-entry shielding; canister-launch for mobility.
Previous Test: March 11, 2024 (Mission Divyastra – MIRV equipped).
DRDO Details: Chairman Dr. Samir V. Kamat; HQ New Delhi; est. 1958.

NASA and IBM Launch ‘Surya’ AI for Solar Storm Prediction

Launch Date: August 2025.
Developers: NASA’s IMPACT (Office of Data Science) with IBM; supported by NAIRR Pilot (NSF-led), NVIDIA.
Name Origin: Sanskrit for ‘Sun’.
Training Data: 9 years from Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO, launched 2010; images every 12 seconds in multiple wavelengths + magnetic fields).
Capabilities: Analyzes solar activity; predicts flares/eruptions up to 2 hours ahead (16% more accurate than conventional methods); forecasts solar winds, EUV spectra, active regions.
Applications: Protects satellites, power grids, aviation, communications, space missions from solar storms.
Open-Source: Available on Hugging Face; includes SuryaBench (datasets/benchmarks for solar research).
NASA Details: Acting Administrator Sean Duffy; HQ Washington, DC; est. 1958.

Important Days

International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to Victims of Terrorism – August 21

Purpose: Honour victims/survivors; promote human rights/fundamental freedoms.
2025 Theme: “United by Hope: Collective Action for Victims of Terrorism”.
Background:
- Proposed: HRC Resolution A/HRC/RES/17/8 (June 16, 2011) – initially August 19.
- Proclaimed: UNGA Resolution A/RES/72/165 (December 19, 2017).
- First Observance: August 21, 2018 (8th in 2025).
Event: UN high-level virtual event; launch of VoTAN (Victims of Terrorism Associations Network) for peer-led advocacy.

World Senior Citizens’ Day – August 21

Purpose: Honour seniors’ contributions; raise awareness of challenges (health, abuse, isolation, finances, cyber risks).
2025 Theme: ‘Empowering Elderly Voices for an Inclusive Future’.
Background:
- Proclaimed: US President Ronald Reagan’s Proclamation 5847 (August 19, 1988).
- UN Designation: October 1 as International Day of Older Persons (UNGA, December 14, 1990).
Significance: Promotes dignity/inclusion; celebrates wisdom/achievements.

State News

MHA Approves Renaming of Jalalabad to ‘Parashurampuri’ in UP

Approval Date: August 20, 2025.
Location: Jalalabad town, Shahjahanpur district, Uttar Pradesh.
Significance: Recognized as Lord Parashuram’s birthplace; houses ancient temple.
Background: UP Municipal Board resolutions (March 2018, September 2023); formal proposal June 27, 2025.
Impact: Boosts religious tourism; strengthens cultural identity; attracts heritage projects.
Response: Union Minister Jitin Prasada (Pilibhit MP) hailed as “moment of pride” for Sanatanis.

Current Affairs Today: 22 August 2025