National News: Key Headlines
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated two major highway projects in Delhi—Dwarka Expressway and Urban Extension Road-II—worth nearly ₹11,000 crore to ease traffic congestion in NCR.
Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan was declared the NDA’s nominee for the post of Vice-President of India.
Uttar Pradesh launched its first green hydrogen plant, becoming the second state in the country to operate a commercial green hydrogen facility.
A devastating cloudburst in Kishtwar, Jammu & Kashmir, claimed over 60 lives, with rescue operations ongoing at the Machail Mata Yatra base camp.
Election Commission demanded an affidavit from Rahul Gandhi to substantiate ‘vote theft’ allegations regarding the 2024 general election.
Rahul Gandhi kicked off a massive ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ in Bihar—a 16-day, 1,300 km campaign for electoral reforms and awareness.
As part of the Independence Day celebration, school closures were announced for August 18 in Chandigarh and Ujjain; Ujjain’s holiday marked Baba Mahakal’s royal procession.
Rajasthan Tiger Safari incident—tour guide leaves tourists stranded in the jungle, raising questions over tourism safety.
Heavy rainfall warnings persisted in eastern Rajasthan with several districts reporting flood-like conditions.
Economy & Banking Updates
The Banking Laws (Amendment) Act, 2025, came into effect from August 1, 2025, aiming to boost governance and enhance depositor protection. Key amendments impact public sector and cooperative banks, aligning governance with modern standards.
State Bank of India (SBI) revised IMPS charges for online fund transfers beyond ₹25,000, effective August 15, 2025. New charges range from ₹2 to ₹10, exempting certain account holders.
ICICI Bank reduced its minimum average balance requirement for savings accounts to ₹15,000 in metros and urban areas. Other banks continue to refine balance requirements, balancing customer inclusion and compliance.
The Reserve Bank of India kept the repo rate unchanged at 5.50% in August 2025, maintaining a neutral policy stance. The inflation forecast for FY26 was cut to 3.1%, with GDP growth projected at 6.5% for the same period.
RBI will initiate a phased reduction in cash reserve ratio (CRR) from September 2025 to support market liquidity and credit growth.
Union Cabinet introduced the PM Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PM-VBRY) to incentivize job creation, effective August 1, 2025. The scheme has an outlay of ₹99,446 crore targeting over 3.5 crore jobs in two years.
Government Schemes & Policy Highlights
Ongoing spotlight on flagship initiatives: PM-PRANAM (ecological restoration), National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA), PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, PMAY (housing), and the rollout of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2025.
Parliament continued the Monsoon Session with major bills tabled, including amendments to GST laws, National Sports Governance Bill, Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, and National Anti-Doping Amendment Bill.
Next Generation GST reforms proposed to streamline tax compliance and boost exporters with technology-driven processes.
Education & NEP 2025 Updates
NEP 2025 aims for 100% gross enrollment ratio in school education by 2030 and pushes for 50% of students to have vocational training by 2025.
Two attempts for Class 10 board exams will be available from 2025, letting students improve their scores without being penalised for a single poor showing.
The policy focuses on digital- and experience-based learning, inclusion for differently abled students, practical skills, and multidisciplinary education.
Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) proposal moves forward, streamlining UGC, AICTE, and NCTE functions for efficient regulation.
International News: Global Affairs
President Trump and President Putin met in Alaska to discuss the Ukraine conflict. While a ceasefire was not reached, the US and allies worked on security guarantees for Ukraine. European leaders including Macron and Ursula von der Leyen prepared to meet with Trump and Zelenskyy in Washington to further peace efforts.
Israel’s economy showed contraction due to continuing conflict with Iran. Peace protests and demands for ceasefire continued within Israel.
Protests erupted in the US over new federal policing powers in Washington, D.C., following presidential executive orders.
The Philippines allocated $875 million to modernize its armed forces as part of efforts to bolster regional security.
Spain grappled with escalating wildfires amid a prolonged heatwave; Canada prepared to resume suspended flights after reaching a breakthrough in cabin crew strikes.
South Korea, the US, and Japan reaffirmed trilateral security cooperation on the anniversary of the Camp David Agreement.
Sports Headlines
Neeraj Chopra secured a spot in the finals of the Diamond League 2025 in Zurich, affirming India’s continued global athletics prominence.
Pakistan’s squad for the Asia Cup excluded key players Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. Salman Ali Agha was named captain, fueling debate before the much-anticipated India-Pakistan clash.
Indian shuttler Devika Sihag won her first International Challenge title in Malaysia, defeating compatriot Isharani Baruah.
Durand Cup football: East Bengal defeated Mohun Bagan 2-1, advancing to the semifinals, with Greek striker Diamantakos making a strong impact.
Lionel Messi captured fans’ attention with a no-look assist for Luis Suarez in MLS.
Mumbai Metro-13 and new infrastructure projects were highlighted as game-changers for urban transport and sporting events.
Technology & Science
Samsung began manufacturing laptops in India, adding momentum to the “Make in India” initiative.
Developments in AI and digital banking featured as top stories, with WhatsApp preparing to roll out AI features to help users.
India’s space hero Shubhanshu Shukla received a hero’s welcome following his successful mission, and Parliament plans a special discussion on the advancement of India’s space program.
Stock Market and Economic Indicators
Indian stock indices, including Sensex and Nifty, anticipated a positive opening on August 18, amid global volatility and AI-led optimism in tech stocks.
S&P 500 held near record highs with strategists divided on whether the next movement will be a rally or a correction.
S&P Global upgraded ratings for ten Indian financial institutions including SBI and HDFC Bank, reflecting robust corporate earnings and lending performance.
Noteworthy Inaugurations & Other Events
The Delhi section of the Urban Extension Road-II and Dwarka Expressway was inaugurated, marking a significant step for NCR’s connectivity and urban expansion.
Ujjain observed a school holiday to celebrate Baba Mahakal ji’s royal procession; Chandigarh declared a school holiday on administrative orders.
International Summits & Diplomacy
The Trump-Putin Alaska Summit was the centerpiece of high-stakes diplomacy, with further talks promised in Moscow and enduring questions over Ukraine’s future and security architecture.
European leaders, including France and the UK, joined efforts to secure a peaceful outcome in Eastern Europe.
Key Takeaways for Banking and Competitive Exams
Keep in mind updates in policy rates, banking amendments, and key government schemes.
Focus on infrastructural and technology pushes, new education policy reforms, and major international summits.
Sports and business events, especially relating to India and its neighboring countries, remain key areas for current affairs questions in competitive exams.
National and international political developments, especially India’s position in global diplomacy, should also be noted for GK sections.
For daily exam preparation, regularly review all sections: National, International, Economy & Banking, Sports, Science & Technology, and Government Policy.
