Daily Current Affairs 20th August 2025, Important News Headlines (Daily GK Update)

National News

NABL Launches New Medical Application Portal for ISO 15189:2022

• The National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL), under the Quality Council of India (QCI), has launched a new Medical Application Portal for laboratories applying under ISO 15189:2022.
• Announced during a virtual event titled “GOING LIVE”, the portal aims to enhance ease, efficiency, and transparency in the accreditation process.
• Key features include a restructured application flow, standardized templates, a pre-registration checklist, intuitive interface, and multi-user access, significantly reducing processing time.

Centre Implements “Anna-Chakra” Supply Chain Tool in 30 States to Optimize PDS Efficiency

• The Centre has implemented the “Anna-Chakra” Supply Chain Optimisation Tool in 30 out of 31 targeted States/UTs under the Public Distribution System (PDS), excluding Manipur.
• This tool enhances route optimisation, leading to an estimated annual saving of ₹250 crore in transportation costs.
• It also supports CO₂ emissions reduction, aligning with India’s climate change commitments.
• The information was shared by Union Minister Smt. Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya in the Rajya Sabha.

Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan: World’s Largest Tribal Leadership Programme for Responsive Governance Launched

• The Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan, launched by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, is envisioned as the world’s largest tribal grassroots leadership programme to promote responsive governance, tribal empowerment, and inclusive development.
• Aligned with Viksit Bharat 2047 and the spirit of “Sewa, Sankalp, Samarpan”, it aims to mobilize 20 lakh change leaders across 1 lakh tribal villages in 550 districts and 30 States/UTs.
• Key initiatives include Adi Sewa Kendras, Governance Lab Workshops, the Tribal Village Vision 2030, and training for Adi Sahyogi and Adi Saathi volunteers.

Press Registrar General Launches ‘Press Sewa’ Portal to Streamline Newspaper and Periodical Registration

• The Press Registrar General of India (PRGI), Yogesh Baweja, launched the ‘Press Sewa’ portal as a single-window solution to simplify the registration process for newspapers and periodicals.
• The portal aims to enhance transparency, speed up approvals, and improve the ease of doing business for publishers by resolving their registration issues.
• Since March last year, the entire registration process has shifted online, with applications deemed approved if there is no response within 60 days.

Parliament Clears Landmark Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill, 2025 to Boost Critical Mineral Production

• India passed the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2025, to liberalise mining, boost domestic production of critical minerals like lithium and rare earths, expand the role of the National Mineral Exploration and Development Trust.
• Allow greater lease flexibility, remove sale caps on captive mining, and introduce mineral exchanges for transparent trading, all aimed at reducing import dependency, promoting sustainability, and strengthening India’s strategic mineral security.

ECI Unveils 28 Reform Initiatives to Strengthen Electoral System in Six Months

• The Election Commission of India (ECI) has introduced 28 major initiatives in six months to enhance transparency, efficiency, and inclusivity in the electoral process.
• Key reforms focus on stakeholder engagement, cleaning electoral rolls, technology adoption through platforms like ECINET, improved voting ease, and extensive capacity building of officials.
• Measures include delisting inactive parties, photo ID cards for Booth Level Officers, 100% webcasting, and automatic updates of voter lists linked to death databases, aiming to ensure accountability, fairness, and voter convenience nationwide.

Indian Railways Commissions First Removable Solar Panel System Between Tracks at BLW, Varanasi

• Indian Railways has commissioned India’s first removable solar panel system installed between railway tracks at Banaras Locomotive Works, Varanasi—a 70-metre setup with 28 panels generating 15 KWp, marking a key step towards green and sustainable rail transport.
• Additionally, it expanded freight operations by flagging off the first industrial salt rake from Sanosara to Dahej, boosting regional industry and logistics.
• Western Railway also launched India’s first 2×25 kV Electric Traction System using Scott Transformer technology on the Nagda–Khachrod section, enhancing railway electrification efficiency.

Cabinet Approves Online Gaming Bill to Regulate E-Sports and Ban Online Betting

• The Union Cabinet has approved the Online Gaming Bill, which seeks to regulate e-sports, promote online social games, and criminalize online betting.
• The Bill proposes to prohibit advertisements, fund transfers, and participation in online money games, while establishing or designating an authority to oversee the sector.
• It prescribes punishments for violations, including stricter penalties for repeat offenders, and empowers authorities to block, investigate, and seize assets related to illegal gaming activities.

State News

Greenfield Airport at Kota‑Bundi Approved; Boost to Connectivity and Growth in Rajasthan

• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the development of a Greenfield Airport at Kota-Bundi (Rajasthan) at an estimated cost of ₹1507 crore.
• The Airports Authority of India (AAI) will develop the airport on 440.06 hectares of land provided by the Government of Rajasthan, with facilities to support A-321 aircraft, a 20,000 sqm terminal, and capacity for 2 million passengers per annum (MPPA).

Lok Sabha Passes Bill to Establish IIM Guwahati in Assam

• The Lok Sabha has passed the Indian Institutes of Management (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which seeks to establish a new IIM at Guwahati, Assam — a key educational hub in the North-Eastern region.
• Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced a financial grant of ₹550 crore for the institute, fulfilling a long-standing regional demand.
• He also highlighted that 21 IIMs currently operate in India and are gaining international recognition, with an IIM Dubai campus set to launch next month.
• The bill was passed without discussion due to opposition uproar over the SIR issue.

International News

Dubai Launches ‘One Freezone Passport’ to Streamline Business Licensing and Attract Global Investment

• Dubai has launched the “One Freezone Passport,” a unified business licensing system allowing companies to operate across all Dubai free zones with a single license, eliminating the need for multiple permits.
• This initiative, announced by the Dubai Free Zones Council, reduces costs and simplifies operations, supporting the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 to double GDP by 2033.
• It offers benefits like tax exemptions, full foreign ownership, and faster market entry, attracting global firms and startups while boosting Dubai’s position as a competitive global business hub.

Economy News

India’s GDP Growth Projected at 6.7% in Q1 FY2026 By ICRA, Surpassing RBI Estimate 

• India’s GDP growth is projected at 6.7% in Q1 FY2026, surpassing the RBI’s target of 6.5%, according to ICRA.
• While overall growth slows from 7.4% in Q4 FY2025, the services sector leads with an 8.3% rise, offsetting declines in industry (4.0%) and agriculture (4.5%).
• Strong government spending, including a 52% surge in central capital expenditure and rising state outlays, along with robust project activity, support the growth.
• Improved monetary transmission and potential GST rationalisation are expected to boost urban consumption ahead.

India’s InvIT Market to Grow 3.5 Times, Reach $258 Billion by 2030

• India’s Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT) market is set to grow 3.5 times from $73 billion in FY2025 to $258 billion by 2030, driven by rising investments from institutional investors, pension and insurance funds, foreign participation, and greater retail awareness, according to Knight Frank.
• The rapid expansion in infrastructure spending—central government outlay rising from $12 billion in FY2015 to $75 billion in FY2025—is fueling this surge.

Defense News

India Approves ₹62,000 Crore Deal for 97 Tejas Mark 1A Jets to Strengthen IAF Fleet

• India has cleared a ₹62,000 crore deal for 97 Tejas Mark 1A fighter jets for the Indian Air Force (IAF), significantly boosting indigenous defence manufacturing under the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat missions.
• The jets, with over 65% indigenous components, will replace ageing MiG-21s, raising the total IAF Tejas Mark 1A fleet to 180 aircraft.
• Developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the aircraft features advanced avionics and radar systems.

Schemes News

Banks Sanction ₹62,791 Crore to 2.75 Lakh Beneficiaries Under Stand-Up India Scheme

• Since its launch in April 2016, the Stand-Up India Scheme has seen Rs 62,791 crore sanctioned to 2.75 lakh beneficiaries, supporting SC/ST and women entrepreneurs through loans for greenfield enterprises in trading, manufacturing, services, and agriculture-allied sectors.
• Additionally, Rs 17,811.72 crore was disbursed under the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS) in 2024–25 for short-term crop loans.
• Peer-to-Peer (P2P) lending is regulated by the RBI to ensure fair practices and borrower protection.

Important Days News

World Mosquito Day 2025: Awareness and Action Against Mosquito-Borne Diseases

• World Mosquito Day, observed every August 20, marks the discovery by Sir Ronald Ross in 1897 that malaria is transmitted by the female Anopheles mosquito.
• This day raises awareness of mosquito-borne diseases like dengue, malaria, chikungunya, Japanese encephalitis, and Zika virus, which remain major public health threats, especially during the monsoon.
• These diseases strain healthcare systems, cause social and economic disruption, and lack universal vaccines. India faces recurring outbreaks, especially in urban and rural regions.

Sadbhavana Diwas 2025: Celebrating Peace, Unity, and Communal Harmony in India

• Sadbhavana Diwas, observed on August 20, marks the birth anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi and promotes communal harmony, tolerance, and national integration across India’s diverse society.
• Instituted to uphold unity in diversity, the day encourages peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, and brotherhood among different communities.
• It reinforces values of secularism, combats communalism, and highlights Rajiv Gandhi’s vision of a progressive and inclusive India through active participation from citizens, institutions, and government bodies.

Akshay Urja Day 2025 – History, Significance, and Celebrations

• Akshay Urja Day, observed annually on August 20, marks the birth anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi and promotes the use of renewable energy like solar, wind, hydro, and biomass. Initiated in 2004 by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
• It aims to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and raise public awareness about clean energy’s environmental and economic benefits.
• The day emphasizes youth engagement, community participation, and supports government missions like the National Solar Mission, with celebrations including competitions, rallies, and educational outreach across India.

Current Affairs Today | 20 August Current Affairs 2025 | Daily Current Affairs By Ashish Gautam