National News
Centre Forms Rajiv Gauba-Led Panels to Spearhead Next-Gen Reforms and Viksit Bharat Vision
- To advance next-generation reforms and the Viksit Bharat vision, the Centre has set up two high-powered committees led by Rajiv Gauba, comprising top secretaries, economists, and industry leaders.
- One panel targets Viksit Bharat goals, while the other focuses on regulatory reforms in the non-financial sector.
- These panels will work alongside ministerial groups chaired by Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh, and coordinate with a state-level deregulation panel led by Cabinet Secretary TVS Swaminathan, following PM Modi’s call for reform in his Independence Day speech.
Kerala Becomes India’s First Fully Digitally Literate State
- Kerala has been declared India’s first fully digitally literate state, completing Phase I of the Digi Kerala project, which trained over 21.87 lakh people in basic digital skills, including senior citizens.
- Through a grassroots, inclusive model, the state bridged the digital divide, empowering citizens for e-governance, digital democracy, and socio-economic resilience, and set a model for Digital India by prioritizing people-centric digital empowerment over infrastructure alone.
State News
PM Modi Inaugurates ₹5,200 Crore Development Projects in Kolkata
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for multiple development projects worth over ₹5,200 crore in Kolkata, focusing on modern transport infrastructure and urban connectivity.
- Key highlights included the launch of 13.61 km of new metro lines, connecting areas like Noapara, Jai Hind Airport, Sealdah, and Hemanta Mukhopadhyay, as well as the foundation stone for the 6-lane elevated Kona Expressway.
- These developments aim to enhance the Ease of Living, port connectivity, and economic growth in West Bengal.
PM Modi Inaugurates ₹12,000 Crore Development Projects in Gaya, Bihar
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for development projects worth ₹12,000 crore in Gaya, Bihar on 22 August 2025, focusing on connectivity, energy, healthcare, urban development, and tourism.
- Major highlights include the Aunta–Simaria Bridge and Bakhtiyarpur–Mokama highway upgrade, the ₹6,880 crore Buxar Thermal Power Plant, the Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital in Muzaffarpur, Namami Gange projects, and new Amrit Bharat Express and Buddhist Circuit Trains.
- Additionally, housing for over 16,000 PMAY beneficiaries was delivered.
International News
Trump Appoints Sergio Gor as US Ambassador to India and Special Envoy for South, Central Asia
- US President Donald Trump has nominated his close aide Sergio Gor as the next US Ambassador to India and Special Envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs, marking a key diplomatic move amid rising US-India tensions over tariffs and Russian oil imports.
- Gor, a 38-year-old political strategist and current Director of Presidential Personnel, is a trusted Trump loyalist with deep roots in Republican politics.
- His dual-role appointment is unprecedented and has sparked interest in New Delhi, especially as the post has been vacant since January 2025.
Economy News
India’s Flash PMI Hits Record 65.2 in August 2025
- India’s private sector economy hit a record high in August 2025, with the HSBC Flash India Composite PMI soaring to 65.2, driven by a historic surge in services (65.6) and strong growth in manufacturing (59.8)—the fastest since 2008.
- This growth was fueled by robust new business orders, especially from exports across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the US.
- Despite rising input costs like wages and raw materials, firms enjoyed improved margins due to higher output prices and showed strong employment growth for the 27th month. Optimism among businesses reached its highest level since March, reflecting confidence in sustained demand.
India’s Interest Bill Nearly Tripled in a Decade to ₹12.76 Trillion in FY26
- India’s interest payments on government debt are projected to reach ₹12.76 trillion in FY26, nearly tripling from a decade ago, driven by high borrowing costs, especially from pandemic-era loans.
- While bond yields have eased since FY24, repayments on earlier bonds are pushing costs higher.
- The total government debt surged from ₹71 trillion (51.5% of GDP) in FY16 to a projected ₹200 trillion (56.1% of GDP) by FY26.
- The government is using buybacks and bond switches to smooth out repayments and reduce rollover risks.
India’s Forex Reserves Rise by $1.48 Billion to $695.10 Billion in Mid-August 2025
- India’s forex reserves rose by $1.48 billion to $695.10 billion for the week ending August 15, 2025, as per RBI data.
- This increase was largely due to a $1.92 billion rise in foreign currency assets, while gold reserves declined by $2.16 billion to $86.16 billion.
- Additionally, India’s reserve position with the IMF went up by $15 million to $4.75 billion.
- The RBI actively intervenes in forex markets to prevent excessive rupee volatility and ensure market stability, rather than targeting specific exchange rates.
APEDA to Open New Regional Offices in Patna, Raipur, and Dehradun to Boost Agri Exports
- To boost agricultural exports, APEDA is opening new regional offices in Patna, Raipur, and Dehradun, expanding its presence beyond the current 16 regional offices across India.
- These new offices aim to support agri-exporters through assistance in export facilitation, exporter registration, standard setting, packaging improvements, and marketing support, enhancing India’s agri-export ecosystem under the Commerce Ministry.
India’s Q1 FY26 GDP Projected at 6.7% Backed by Government Capex and Rural Demand
- India’s economy is projected to grow at a robust 6.7% in Q1 FY26, driven by strong government capital expenditure (up 52% YoY), reviving rural demand, and a resilient services sector including finance, IT, and transport.
- While construction and agriculture showed solid performance, concerns persist due to slower industrial output (IIP growth at 2%) and climate/trade disruptions.
- Despite these headwinds, the RBI’s 6.5% growth forecast suggests steady momentum, with official NSO GDP data due on August 29 expected to confirm this trend.
Appointments News
Srinivasan K Swamy Re-Elected as President of AAAI for 2025-26
- Srinivasan K Swamy, Executive Group Chairman of R K Swamy Ltd, has been re-elected as President of the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) for 2025-26, marking his fourth term after previously serving from 2004 to 2007.
- His appointment coincides with AAAI’s 80th anniversary, reaffirming industry confidence in his leadership. Jaideep Gandhi was elected Vice-President, with prominent industry leaders like Anupriya Acharya and Sam Balsara joining the board.
- Established in 1945, AAAI is India’s apex body for advertising agencies.
RBI Appoints Indranil Bhattacharyya as New MPC Member Ahead of October Policy Meet
- RBI has appointed Indranil Bhattacharyya, Executive Director of the Monetary Policy Department, as a new ex officio member of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), replacing Rajiv Ranjan ahead of the October 2025 policy meeting.
- With over 28 years of central banking experience, Bhattacharyya brings deep expertise in monetary policy, making him well-suited for influencing interest rate decisions, inflation targeting, and economic stability through the MPC’s crucial policymaking role.
Defense News
India Partners with France’s Safran to Build Jet Engines for Next-Gen Fighter Aircraft
- India is partnering with France’s Safran to domestically manufacture advanced jet engines for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), a fifth-generation fighter jet designed indigenously.
- Announced by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, this collaboration aims to develop a new engine with a powerful 110 Kilo Newton thrust, surpassing current global standards.
- The project, approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security and backed by DRDO, is a decade-long effort and part of the Rs 15,000-crore plan to boost India’s defense technology and self-reliance in aerospace manufacturing.
Ranks & Reports News
NITI Aayog Releases Report on “Rethinking Homestays: Navigating Policy Pathways”
- NITI Aayog, in collaboration with IAMAI, released the report “Rethinking Homestays: Navigating Policy Pathways,” offering a strategic roadmap to unlock the potential of homestays and BnBs in India’s tourism sector.
- The report emphasizes cultural immersion, local entrepreneurship, employment generation, and calls for light-touch regulations to ensure tourist safety, heritage protection, and sustainable growth.
- It highlights the role of digital integration, flexible policies, and public-private collaboration to build a resilient and inclusive homestay ecosystem, especially in rural and semi-urban areas.
Summits & Conferences News
India Elected Chairman of AIBD Executive Board
- India has been elected as the Chairman of the Executive Board of the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD) at the 23rd General Conference held in Phuket, Thailand.
- This election marks a significant milestone, reinforcing India’s leadership role within AIBD, which it last held in 2016. Founded in 1977 under UNESCO, AIBD comprises over 92 member organizations from 45 countries.
- As a founding member, India’s leadership will now further influence regional broadcasting policies, cooperation, and media development aligned with the theme “Media for People, Peace & Prosperity.”
PM Modi to Inaugurate SEMICON India 2025 at Yashobhoomi
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate SEMICON India 2025 on 2 September at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi, marking the 4th edition of India’s largest semiconductor and electronics show.
- Under the theme “Building the Next Semiconductor Powerhouse”, the event will host 350+ exhibitors, 50+ global CXOs, and 33 participating nations.
- Organized by SEMI and India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) under MeitY, it will showcase India’s expanding semiconductor ecosystem, including advances in Fabs, packaging, AI, smart manufacturing, and design innovation.
Important Days News
National Space Day 2025: Celebrating India’s Cosmic Journey from Aryabhatta to Gaganyaan
- India celebrates National Space Day 2025 on August 23 to mark the second anniversary of Chandrayaan-3’s historic soft landing near the Moon’s South Pole.
- Declared by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the day honors ISRO’s remarkable achievements—from Aryabhatta to the upcoming Gaganyaan mission—highlighting India’s journey in space exploration, scientific innovation, and inspiring youth towards STEM careers.
- The theme, “Aryabhatta to Gaganyaan: Ancient Wisdom to Infinite Possibilities,” reflects India’s blend of ancient astronomy and modern technology as the nation aims for future milestones like an Indian space station by 2035 and crew missions to the Moon by 2040.
Current Affairs Today | 22 August Current Affairs 2025 | Daily Current Affairs By Ashish Gautam
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