National News Updates
Parliamentary Affairs and Legislation
Parliament successfully passed the Online Gaming Promotion and Regulation Bill, 2025 with voice vote in Rajya Sabha amid Opposition protests
The bill provides strict regulations for real money gaming operators with heavy penalties for violations
Lok Sabha passed 12 bills without debate while Rajya Sabha approved 15 bills amid commotion
Group of Ministers accepted Centre’s GST proposal to recommend scrapping of 12% and 28% slabs, moving towards a simplified two-slab structure of 5% and 18%
Infrastructure and Development Projects
Prime Minister Modi inaugurated and laid foundation stones for projects worth over Rs 13,000 crore in Bihar including the 660 MW Buxar thermal power plant worth Rs 6,880 crore
Three new Kolkata Metro stretches spanning 13.62 km across three corridors were inaugurated adding connectivity to airport, Howrah, Sealdah, and IT hub areas
The 8.15 km Aunta-Simaria bridge including a six-lane 1.86 km stretch connecting Mokama with Begusarai district was opened for public use
Foundation laid for 7.2 km elevated corridor on Kona Expressway valued at over Rs 1,200 crore to improve Howrah-Kolkata connectivity
Administrative and Security Developments
Supreme Court delivered verdict on stray dog issue in NCR with orders for capturing aggressive dogs and creating designated feeding areas
Centre granted Z-category CRPF security to Delhi CM after security concerns
MHA approved renaming of Jalalabad in Uttar Pradesh to ‘Parashurampuri’
Assam temporarily halted issuing Aadhaar cards to adults except SC, ST communities for one year to prevent illegal documentation
Defence and Strategic Updates
India successfully test-fired advanced Agni-5 ballistic missile from Odisha demonstrating enhanced strategic capabilities
Direct flights between India and China likely to begin within a month improving bilateral connectivity
China backed India opposing 50% US tariff threatened hike during diplomatic discussions
International News Highlights
US-Global Relations
US paused worker visas for commercial truck drivers after Florida crash incident that killed three people
Trump administration visited police and military in Washington amid crime crackdown initiatives
US Supreme Court allowed Trump administration to cut $783 million in medical research grants
Federal agencies conducted searches in Maryland as part of FBI Director ordered probe
Russia-Ukraine and Middle East Developments
Russia launched fresh drone and missile barrage at Ukraine amid ongoing peace talk discussions
Israeli PM Netanyahu proceeded with Gaza plans while restarting negotiation processes
Palestinians fled Gaza City as Israel began first stages of military assault operations
Iran conducted missile drill exercises in Indian Ocean and Sea of Oman regions
Asia-Pacific Updates
China’s President Xi Jinping made rare visit to Tibet marking 60 years of Chinese administrative rule
US implemented screening for immigrants checking ‘anti-Americanism’ in visa and green card applications
Saudi Arabia launched “Nusuk Umrah” digital service platform for pilgrimage management
Pakistan Supreme Court granted bail to Imran Khan in 8 cases linked to May 9 violence incidents
Economic and Business News
Market Performance and Trends
Indian benchmark indices ended higher for sixth consecutive session with Nifty around 25,100 points
Sensex closed at 82,000.71 up 142.87 points while Nifty 50 closed at 25,083.75 up 33.20 points
Biggest Nifty gainers included Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, Cipla, Bajaj Finserv, Bajaj Finance, and Reliance Industries
Foreign portfolio investment levels reached lowest point in a decade according to Jefferies report
Corporate Developments and Partnerships
UIDAI partnered with Starlink for Aadhaar-based customer verification making processes smoother and more secure
Wipro acquired 100% of Harman Connected Services and subsidiaries for up to $375 million
Thomas Cook India partnered with Mastercard to enable contactless cross-border payments via Pay platform
PTC Industries bagged Rs 110 crore order from BrahMos Aerospace for supply of critical titanium castings
Banking and Financial Sector Updates
AU Small Finance Bank launched UPI for NRE, NRO account holders with international mobile numbers
SBI Research Report projected India’s GDP growth at 6.8%-7.0% in Q1FY26
EPFO hiked ex-gratia amount to Rs 15 lakhs under Death Relief Fund from April 1, 2025
IRFC sanctioned Rs 199.7 crore loan to SITCO for Multi-Modal Transport Hub development
Government Schemes and Initiatives
IEPFA opened 3 Niveshak Seva Kendra in Hyderabad, Telangana for investor services
DEPwD, Nipman Foundation and YLAC signed MoU to launch ‘Breaking Barriers Fellowship’ program
BVFCL signed 5-year pact with Bhutan’s NSC for fertilizer supply ensuring agricultural cooperation
PM Viksit Bharat Rojgar Yojana registration opened for employment generation and social security enhancement
Sports and Entertainment Updates
Cricket and Team Sports
India suspended all bilateral sports engagements with Pakistan while confirming Asia Cup participation
Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma continued as No. 1 batters in ODIs and T20Is according to ICC Rankings
Shreyas Iyer’s father voiced disappointment over omission from Asia Cup 2025 squad selection
Ajinkya Rahane resigned as Mumbai domestic cricket team captain to nurture new leadership
International Sports Achievements
Wrestler Tapasya Gehlawat from India became Under-20 World Champion in wrestling competition
U.S. Open 2025 saw Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori retain mixed doubles title
India added two more medals at U20 World Wrestling Championships 2025 in Bulgaria with Reena and Priya Malik winning silver
India’s team bagged third spot in debut appearance at AI Olympiad competition
Sports Infrastructure and Events
Hero Asia Cup Hockey match scheduled to start from 29 August in Rajgir with LED wall live screening
CM Nitish Kumar planned to inaugurate the hockey tournament with extensive arrangements
Exercise Samanvay Shakti 2025 launched at Laipuli, Tinsukia district involving Assam and Manipur officials
Science and Technology Developments
Space Program Advances
ISRO unveiled model of Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) module during National Space Day celebrations
India plans to launch first module of BAS by 2028 with five modules in orbit by 2035
Gaganyaan’s first uncrewed space launch expected in December with half-humanoid robot Vyommitra
ISRO chief confirmed 80% of tests completed for Gaganyaan program with remaining tests by March 2026
Scientific Research and Innovation
NASA and IBM created ‘Surya’ advanced AI system to predict solar storms accurately
Scientists warned that surging tourism is polluting Antarctica environment significantly
IIT Kanpur invested Rs 30 crore in cybersecurity startups for technology advancement
India’s eight core industries recorded 2% growth in July showing economic recovery
Important Days and Observances
International Commemorations
International Day Commemorating Victims of Violence Based on Religion or Belief observed on 22 August
International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to Victims of Terrorism marked on 21 August
World Senior Citizen’s Day celebrated on 21 August focusing on elderly welfare
Educational and Professional Updates
UPSC Civil Services Mains 2025 began with exams scheduled for August 22, 23, 24, 30 and 31
SSC Selection Posts Phase 13 rescheduled exam dates and cities announced from August 23
SSC reduced exam notice duration from 45 to 21 days according to government response in Rajya Sabha
Key Appointments and Changes
Government and Administrative Positions
ISRO Chief V. Narayanan provided updates on space missions and achievements
Secretary DOS and Chairman ISRO addressed National Space Day celebrations
Multiple departmental secretaries involved in infrastructure project inaugurations
Corporate and Institutional Leadership
Various banking sector appointments and extensions announced for key positions
Defense and security leadership changes implemented across multiple departments
Educational institution heads appointed for enhanced academic governance
Awards and Recognition
National Honours and Achievements
Multiple MPs and committees received Sansad Ratna Awards 2025 for parliamentary excellence
Distinguished Service Awards presented to Lt Gen Manoj Kumar Katiyar, Vice Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh, and Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari
Chhatrapati Shivaji Airport ranked 9th among World’s Best Airports
International Recognition
Kumar Mangalam Birla received USISPF Global Leadership Award
State Bank of India honored as World’s Best Consumer Bank
Various handloom weavers received Handloom Awards 2024 for traditional craftsmanship
This comprehensive coverage of daily current affairs for 22.08.2025 provides essential information for banking and competitive examination preparation, covering all major national and international developments across various sectors.
Daily Current Affairs and GK Update – 22.08.2025
