Current Affairs Today: 23 August 2025

1. What is the proposed new GST slab structure recommended by the Group of Ministers (GoM) in August 2025?
a) 5% and 12%
b) 5% and 18%
c) 12% and 28%
d) 5% and 28%
e) 18% and 40%
Answer: b) 5% and 18%

2. Who is the head of the Group of Ministers (GoM) on GST rate rationalisation?
a) Suresh Kumar Khanna
b) Samrat Choudhary
c) Gajendra Singh
d) Chandrima Bhattacharya
e) Krishna Byre Gowda
Answer: b) Samrat Choudhary

3. Which percentage of items currently taxed at 28% will move to the 18% slab under the proposed GST reform?
a) 80%
b) 85%
c) 90%
d) 95%
e) 99%
Answer: c) 90%

4. What is the purpose of the 40% GST slab proposed by the GoM?
a) For essential goods
b) For merit goods
c) For sin and luxury goods
d) For standard items
e) For agricultural products
Answer: c) For sin and luxury goods

5. Which ministry launched the “Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan” in August 2025?
a) Ministry of Education
b) Ministry of Tribal Affairs
c) Ministry of Rural Development
d) Ministry of Skill Development
e) Ministry of Home Affairs
Answer: b) Ministry of Tribal Affairs

6. How many tribal change leaders does the Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan aim to build across India?
a) 10 lakh
b) 15 lakh
c) 20 lakh
d) 25 lakh
e) 30 lakh
Answer: c) 20 lakh

7. Which flagship scheme is NOT mentioned as a foundation for the Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan?
a) Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan
b) Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan
c) National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission
d) Swachh Bharat Abhiyan
e) None of the above
Answer: d) Swachh Bharat Abhiyan

8. What is the guiding principle of the Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan?
a) Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Prayas, Sabka Vishwas
b) Unity in Diversity
c) Make in India
d) Atmanirbhar Bharat
e) Digital India
Answer: a) Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Prayas, Sabka Vishwas

9. Which organization introduced the Aadhaar-based authentication framework for Cooperative Banks in August 2025?
a) Reserve Bank of India
b) National Payments Corporation of India
c) Unique Identification Authority of India
d) Ministry of Cooperation
e) National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development
Answer: c) Unique Identification Authority of India

10. How many State Cooperative Banks (SCBs) are covered under the new Aadhaar-based authentication framework?
a) 32
b) 34
c) 36
d) 38
e) 40
Answer: b) 34

11. What is one of the services offered by cooperative banks under the new Aadhaar-based authentication framework?
a) Cryptocurrency trading
b) Biometric eKYC and face authentication
c) Stock market investments
d) International remittances
e) Insurance policy issuance
Answer: b) Biometric eKYC and face authentication

12. Who invited Union Minister S. Jaishankar for a 3-day visit to Russia in August 2025?
a) Vladimir Putin
b) Denis Manturov
c) Sergey Lavrov
d) Dmitry Medvedev
e) Alexei Overchuk
Answer: b) Denis Manturov

13. What was the main agenda of the 26th India-Russia IRIGC-TEC session held in Moscow?
a) Defence cooperation
b) Finalizing the Programme of Economic Cooperation till 2030
c) Space exploration
d) Climate change initiatives
e) Cultural exchange programs
Answer: b) Finalizing the Programme of Economic Cooperation till 2030

14. What is the trade target set by India and Russia to achieve by 2030?
a) USD 50 billion
b) USD 75 billion
c) USD 100 billion
d) USD 125 billion
e) USD 150 billion
Answer: c) USD 100 billion

15. With which German bank did Power Finance Corporation (PFC) sign a EUR 150 million loan agreement in August 2025?
a) Deutsche Bank
b) Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW)
c) Commerzbank
d) DZ Bank
e) HypoVereinsbank
Answer: b) Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW)

16. What is the purpose of the EUR 150 million loan signed between PFC and KfW?
a) To fund renewable energy projects
b) To strengthen power distribution under RDSS
c) To support rural electrification
d) To develop smart cities
e) To promote solar energy adoption
Answer: b) To strengthen power distribution under RDSS

17. What is the total budget outlay for the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) launched in 2021?
a) Rs 2,03,758 crore
b) Rs 2,53,758 crore
c) Rs 3,03,758 crore
d) Rs 3,53,758 crore
e) Rs 4,03,758 crore
Answer: c) Rs 3,03,758 crore

18. Which organization invested USD 40 million in Aavishkaar Capital’s Global Supply Chain Support Fund?
a) Asian Development Bank
b) Japan International Cooperation Agency
c) World Bank
d) International Monetary Fund
e) European Investment Bank
Answer: b) Japan International Cooperation Agency

19. What is the primary focus of the Global Supply Chain Support Fund by Aavishkaar Capital?
a) Technology startups
b) SMEs in agriculture, food processing, and manufacturing
c) Healthcare innovations
d) Renewable energy projects
e) Infrastructure development
Answer: b) SMEs in agriculture, food processing, and manufacturing

20. Which company collaborated with L&T Finance Limited to offer personal loans in August 2025?
a) Paytm
b) PhonePe
c) Google Pay
d) Amazon Pay
e) MobiKwik
Answer: c) Google Pay

21. Who was appointed as the ex-officio member of the RBI’s Monetary Policy Committee in August 2025?
a) Rajiv Ranjan
b) Indranil Bhattacharyya
c) Sanjay Malhotra
d) M. Rajeshwar Rao
e) T. Rabi Sankar
Answer: b) Indranil Bhattacharyya

22. Where was the 618th RBI Central Board of Directors meeting held in August 2025?
a) Mumbai, Maharashtra
b) New Delhi, Delhi
c) Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
d) Bengaluru, Karnataka
e) Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Answer: c) Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

23. How many members constitute the Reserve Bank of India’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)?
a) 4
b) 5
c) 6
d) 7
e) 8
Answer: c) 6

24. Who was re-appointed as the Chairperson of the Payments Council of India (PCI) for the 2025–2027 term?
a) Nalin Bansal
b) Vishwas Patel
c) M N Srinivasu
d) Rahul Chari
e) Bipin Preet Singh
Answer: b) Vishwas Patel

25. Which organization oversees the Payments Council of India (PCI)?
a) Reserve Bank of India
b) Internet and Mobile Association of India
c) National Payments Corporation of India
d) Ministry of Finance
e) Unique Identification Authority of India
Answer: b) Internet and Mobile Association of India

26. Who was elected as the President of the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) for the third term in August 2025?
a) Jaslal Pradhan
b) Ajay Singh
c) Pramod Kumar
d) Pon Baskaran
e) Hemanta Kalita
Answer: b) Ajay Singh

27. Where was the 18th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA) held in August 2025?
a) New Delhi, Delhi
b) Bengaluru, Karnataka
c) Mumbai, Maharashtra
d) Kolkata, West Bengal
e) Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Answer: c) Mumbai, Maharashtra

28. How many gold medals did India win at the 18th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA 2025)?
a) 2
b) 3
c) 4
d) 5
e) 6
Answer: c) 4

29. Which organization organized the 18th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA 2025)?
a) Indian Space Research Organisation
b) Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education
c) Tata Institute of Fundamental Research
d) Department of Science and Technology
e) National Science Foundation
Answer: b) Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education

30. What was the significant decision made during the IOAA 2025 Board Meeting regarding Israel’s participation?
a) Israel was granted permanent membership
b) Israel was suspended as a recognized national team
c) Israel was awarded hosting rights for 2026
d) Israel was allowed to participate with two teams
e) Israel was banned permanently
Answer: b) Israel was suspended as a recognized national team

31. Who passed away on August 21, 2025, and was honored with the Padma Bhushan in 1983?
a) Lord Swraj Paul
b) Ratan Tata
c) Azim Premji
d) Mukesh Ambani
e) Lakshmi Mittal
Answer: a) Lord Swraj Paul

32. What is the date of the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief?
a) August 20
b) August 21
c) August 22
d) August 23
e) August 24
Answer: c) August 22

33. When was the first observance of the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief held?
a) 2017
b) 2018
c) 2019
d) 2020
e) 2021
Answer: c) 2019

34. With which organization did the Odisha Tourism Department sign an MoU to promote heritage conservation?
a) Indian Institute of Science
b) Indian Institute of Technology Madras
c) National Institute of Water Sports
d) Light of Buddhadharma Foundation International
e) Archaeological Survey of India
Answer: b) Indian Institute of Technology Madras

35. What is the purpose of the MoU signed between Odisha Tourism Department and NIWS, Goa?
a) To promote Buddhist pilgrimage circuits
b) To enhance safety and standardization in adventure and water tourism
c) To conduct structural audits of heritage monuments
d) To develop skill education centres
e) To integrate agricultural datasets
Answer: b) To enhance safety and standardization in adventure and water tourism

36. Which organization signed an MoU with the Karnataka Agriculture Department to deliver real-time advisory services to farmers?
a) Tata Consultancy Services
b) Bharat Electronics Limited
c) Infosys
d) Wipro
e) National Informatics Centre
Answer: b) Bharat Electronics Limited

37. What is the duration of the pilot phase of the Karnataka-BEL MoU for delivering advisory services to farmers?
a) Six months
b) One year
c) Two years
d) Three years
e) Four years
Answer: b) One year

38. Who approved the Rs. 600 crore project for skill education centres in Assam?
a) Himanta Biswa Sarma
b) Sarbananda Sonowal
c) Jagdish Mukhi
d) Pema Khandu
e) Bhupen Kumar Borah
Answer: a) Himanta Biswa Sarma

39. What is the funding split for the Assam-Nelco skill education project?
a) Tata Group: 60%, Assam Government: 40%
b) Tata Group: 70%, Assam Government: 30%
c) Tata Group: 75%, Assam Government: 25%
d) Tata Group: 80%, Assam Government: 20%
e) Tata Group: 50%, Assam Government: 50%
Answer: c) Tata Group: 75%, Assam Government: 25%

40. How many hubs are planned in the first phase of the Assam-Nelco skill education project?
a) 5
b) 10
c) 15
d) 20
e) 25
Answer: b) 10

Current Affairs Today: 23 August 2025

National Affairs

GoM Accepts Centre’s GST Proposal

• Decision: Group of Ministers (GoM) on GST rate rationalisation, headed by Bihar DyCM Samrat Choudhary, accepted GoI’s proposal to reduce four-slab structure (5%, 12%, 18%, 28%) to two slabs: 5% (merit goods) and 18% (standard items).
• Details: 99% of 12% slab items shift to 5%; 90% of 28% slab items to 18%. 40% slab for sin/luxury goods.
• GoM Members: UP FM Suresh Kumar Khanna, Rajasthan HM Gajendra Singh, WB FM Chandrima Bhattacharya, Karnataka Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, Kerala FM K N Balagopal.

MoTA Launches ‘Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan’

• Launch: World’s largest tribal grassroots leadership programme by Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
• Scale: Build cadre of 20 lakh tribal change leaders across 1 lakh villages, 550 districts, 30 States/UTs.
• Builds On: DA-JGUA, PM JANMAN, NSCEM.
• Emphasis: Sewa, Sankalp, Samarpan; promotes responsive governance.
• Objectives: People-centric governance; multi-departmental workshops for trainers from state to village levels.
• Alignment: Part of Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh; supports Viksit Bharat by 2047.

UIDAI Introduces Aadhaar-Based Framework for Cooperative Banks

• Launch Date: August 21, 2025 (during IYC2025).
• Purpose: Onboard cooperative banks for Aadhaar authentication; expand digital inclusion in rural/semi-urban areas.
• Coverage: 34 SCBs, 352 DCCBs.
• Registration: SCBs as AUA/KUA; DCCBs use SCB infrastructure.
• Services: Biometric eKYC, face authentication, AePS, APB for subsidies/welfare.
• Development Partners: Ministry of Cooperation, NABARD, NPCI, cooperative banks.
• UIDAI Details: CEO Bhuvnesh Kumar; HQ New Delhi; est. 2009.

International Affairs

EAM S. Jaishankar’s Visit to Russia (August 19-21, 2025)

• Invitation: By Russian 1st Deputy PM Denis Manturov.
• Purpose: Strengthen India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.
• Key Highlights:
  • Met Russian President Vladimir Putin: Addressed trade imbalances, expanded cooperation.
  • Co-chaired 26th IRIGC-TEC Session: Finalized Programme of Economic Cooperation till 2030; early India-EAEU FTA; USD 100 billion trade by 2030.
  • Signed protocol for 26th IRIGC-TEC.
  • Addressed India-Business Forum in Moscow.

Banking & Finance

PFC Signs EUR 150 Million Loan with KfW

• Purpose: Fund RDSS projects to strengthen power distribution.
• Signatories: PFC CMD Parminder Chopra; KfW CEO Stefan Wintels. Witnessed by Gottifried von Gemmingen (German Embassy).
• Significance: Bolsters India-Germany bilateral ties in energy transition.
• RDSS Details: Launched 2021; budget Rs. 3,03,758 crore.
• Prior Ties: Multiple power distribution projects.
• PFC Details: CMD Parminder Chopra; HQ New Delhi; est. 1986.

JICA Invests USD 40 Million in Aavishkaar Capital Fund

• Announcement Date: August 22, 2025.
• Fund: Global Supply Chain Support Fund.
• Purpose: Boost SMEs in global supply chains across Asia/Africa (agriculture, food processing, manufacturing).
• Focus: Social/environmental impact; supply chain resilience.
• Background: 8th Aavishkaar fund; collaboration with KfW.

L&T Finance Partners with Google Pay for Personal Loans

• Purpose: Offer fast, seamless personal loans via GPay.
• Benefits: Easy application/access for eligible users; aligns with LTF’s diversification strategy.

Appointments & Resignations

RBI Appoints Indranil Bhattacharyya to MPC

• Date/Meeting: August 22, 2025; 618th Central Board Meeting in Lucknow (chaired by Governor Sanjay Malhotra).
• Role: Ex-officio MPC member (replaces Rajiv Ranjan, now DEPR head).
• Meeting Agenda: Reviewed global/domestic economy, geopolitical issues, financial markets; assessed departments, committees, Ombudsman Scheme.
• Attendees: Deputy Governors M. Rajeshwar Rao, T. Rabi Sankar, Swaminathan J, Dr. Poonam Gupta; Govt reps Nagaraju Maddirala (DFS), Anuradha Thakur (DEA); Board members Satish K. Marathe, Revathy Iyer, Prof. Sachin Chaturvedi, Anand Gopal Mahindra, Pankaj Ramanbhai Patel, Dr. Ravindra H. Dholakia.
• Bhattacharyya Profile: 28+ years at RBI (mostly MPD); Adviser MPD; 5 years at QCB (2009-2014).
• MPC Details: Under RBI Act, 1934; 6 members (3 RBI, 3 external); sets policy rates for inflation/growth.

PCI Re-Appoints Leadership (2025-2027)

• Chairperson: Vishwas Patel (Infibeam Avenues; 3rd term, first in 2018).
• Co-Chairpersons: M N Srinivasu (BillDesk), Nalin Bansal (NPCI).
• Committees:

• PCI Details: Under IAMAI; represents non-banking digital payments; Executive Council: 16 members + IAMAI Chairman ex-officio; HQ Mumbai; est. 2013.

Ajay Singh Re-Elected BFI President

• Date/Location: August 21, 2025, Gurugram, Haryana.
• Votes: 40 (vs. Jaslal Pradhan’s 26).
• Term: Third consecutive.
• Other Roles: Secretary General – Pramod Kumar (UP; defeated Digvijay Singh); Treasurer – Pon Baskaran (TN; defeated Anil Kumar Bohidar).
• Supervision: Rajesh Tandon (Returning Officer), Fairuz Mohammed (BFI Interim Committee Chair/Observer).

Sports

18th IOAA Held in Mumbai

• Dates: August 11-21, 2025.
• Organizer: HBCSE (TIFR national centre).
• Support: DAE, GoI (Vigyan Pratibha Project).
• Participation: 300+ students from 64 countries (largest ever; first hosted by India).
• India’s Medals: Gold – Aarush Mishra (Bengaluru), Banibrata Majee (Delhi), Panini (Patna), Akshat Srivastava (Kolkata); Silver – Sumant Gupta (Gurugram).
• Notable: Suspension of Israel as national team (students as individuals only).

Obituary

Lord Swraj Paul Passes Away

• Date/Age: August 21, 2025; 94.
• Birth: February 18, 1931, Jalandhar, Punjab.
• Awards: Padma Bhushan (1983) for social work.
• Profile: NRI industrialist, philanthropist, UK House of Lords member (Life Peer 1996).
• Contributions: Committees on trade/education/entrepreneurship; Panel 2000 (re-brand Britain); Ambika Paul Foundation (child welfare/health/education); Founder Caparo Group.

Important Days

International Day Commemorating Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief – August 22

• Purpose: Condemn violence/terrorism based on religion/belief.
• 2025 Observance: 7th.
• Background: UNGA Resolution A/RES/73/296 (May 28, 2019); first observed August 22, 2019.
• UN Details: SG António Guterres; HQ New York, USA; est. 1945.

State News

Odisha Signs 3 MoUs for Tourism Boost

• Partners: IIT-M (heritage conservation), NIWS Goa (adventure tourism), LBDFI (Buddhist pilgrimage).
• Details:
  • IIT-M: Scientific audits, documentation, testing, geo-investigations, project reports, sustainable reuse.
  • NIWS: Safety guidance, evaluations, training for operators/lifeguards.
  • LBDFI: Revive Buddhist heritage with Odia Language Dept.; integrate religious tourism.

Karnataka MoU with BEL for Farmer Advisory

• Date: August 21, 2025.
• Purpose: Real-time, tech-driven advisory via integrated datasets (crops, weather, FRUITS, schemes).
• Phases: Pilot (1 year), full-scale (4 years).
• BEL Role: Customize Equinox platform, technical consultancy, data integration.

Assam Approves Rs. 600 Crore Project with Nelco

• Approval Date: August 22, 2025 (by CM Himanta Biswa Sarma).
• Partner: Nelco Limited (Tata Power subsidiary).
• Framework: Samagra Shiksha Axom (SSA).
• Model: 50 hubs + 500 spokes for vocational education.
• Phase 1: 10 hubs (10 trades, 2 trainers each), 70 spokes (2 trades, 2 trainers each); connected via satellite (Nelco).
• Funding: Tata Group 75%, Assam Govt 25%.
• Aim: Revolutionize vocational education in secondary/higher-secondary schools.