Daily Current Affairs 4th August 2025, Important News Headlines (Daily GK Update)

National News

India’s First ‘Make in India’ Hydrogen Plant Sets a New Benchmark In This State

• The Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) has commissioned India’s first indigenous 1MW green hydrogen plant at Kandla, setting a new milestone in the nation’s clean energy journey.
• With plans to expand to 10MW by next fiscal year, the plant will initially power buses and lighting at the port, eventually fueling all port operations.
• This Make in India green hydrogen initiative is a pivotal step toward maritime decarbonization, boosting India’s global leadership in sustainable port management.

India Ranks Second Globally in Fish Production

• India has once again affirmed its strong position in the global fisheries sector, securing the second rank in fish production worldwide, according to Union Minister of Fisheries and Animal Husbandry Rajiv Ranjan Singh.
• The announcement was made during a meeting in Kolkata, where the minister chaired discussions with representatives from West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh to explore ways of further boosting fish production.

Western Railway Resumes Heritage Train on This 155-Year-Old Line

• The Western Railway has restarted its heritage train services on the 155-year-old Patalpani–Kalakund line in Madhya Pradesh.
• Originally built under the reign of Maharaja Tukoji Rao Holkar II in 1878 as part of the Holkar State Railways, the line was later merged with the Rajputana-Malwa Railway.
• Running through the hilly terrain of Mhow–Khandwa, the 9.5 km metre-gauge section is both a tourism hotspot and a historical landmark.

Centre Notifies New Rules for Cosmetic Products

• The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has amended the Cosmetics Rules, 2020, effective July 29, 2025.
• The new rules mandate clear distinction between “use before” and “expiry date”, batch-wise testing, detailed documentation, and designate CDL as the Central Cosmetics Laboratory. Exporters get flexibility to comply with importing nations’ norms.
• These reforms aim to improve consumer safety, regulatory transparency, and India’s global competitiveness in cosmetics.

Govt Launches ‘Apna Ghar’ Resting Facilities for Truck Drivers

• The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has launched ‘Apna Ghar’, a nationwide initiative providing truck drivers with hygienic and safe resting spaces.
• As of July 2025, 368 units with 4,611 beds have been set up across highways, offering dormitories, dhabas, clean toilets, bathing areas, cooking facilities, and purified drinking water.
• With the support of a dedicated mobile app, the programme has received overwhelmingly positive feedback, reinforcing the government’s resolve to enhance driver welfare and highway infrastructure.

State News

This State Becomes First State to Launch Sabbatical Leave Scheme for Government Employees

• Sikkim has made history as the first state in India to implement a Sabbatical Leave Scheme for government employees, offering 365 to 1,080 days of leave with 50% basic pay, while ensuring seniority and service continuity.
• The scheme covers both regular and temporary employees and now includes a decentralized approval system to speed up decisions, reflecting the state’s commitment to progressive governance and employee empowerment.

Banking News

Why July 2025 Was a Historic Month for UPI Transactions?

• India’s UPI platform reached an all-time high in July 2025 with 1,947 crore transactions worth ₹25.1 lakh crore, showing a 35% rise in volume and a 22% growth in value year-on-year.
• With 62.8 crore daily transactions and deeper reach into Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, UPI continues to dominate India’s cashless economy, driven by innovations like credit on UPI, recurring payments, and strong government support.

India Post Payments Bank Launches Aadhaar-Based Face Authentication for Digital Banking

• The India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) has rolled out Aadhaar-based face authentication nationwide, allowing customers to conduct banking transactions using facial recognition without fingerprints or OTPs.
• Developed under UIDAI, the feature enhances financial inclusion and digital security, especially benefiting the elderly, differently-abled, and those with worn fingerprints, while ensuring safe banking during health emergencies.

PNB Housing Finance Announces New Leadership Appointments After CEO Resignation

• Following the resignation of MD & CEO Girsh Kousgi, PNB Housing Finance has appointed Jatul Anand as Executive Director and Valli Sekar as Chief Business Officer — Affordable Business.
• While Kousgi will step down officially on October 28, 2025, he will assist with the transition. Despite an 18% fall in share price, the company reaffirmed its focus on growth, asset quality, and margins, even as it faces the challenge of multiple senior-level exits.

RBI Approves Merger of New India Co-operative Bank with Saraswat Bank

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved the merger of New India Co-operative Bank with Saraswat Bank, effective August 4, 2025. Saraswat Bank will assume all assets and liabilities of New India Co-operative Bank, and its customers will enjoy full protection of their interests.
• The move, endorsed by the shareholders of both banks, strengthens the cooperative banking framework and expands the service reach for customers.

Agreements News

BSNL and NRL Join Hands to Drive Industry 4.0 Adoption in India

• The MoU between BSNL and NRL marks a historic partnership to deploy India’s first 5G CNPN in the refinery sector, strengthening the country’s march toward Industry 4.0.
• By combining technologies like IoT, AR/VR, Digital Twins, and Big Data Analytics, this initiative will not only enhance operational efficiency and cybersecurity but also create new opportunities for employment, skilling, and innovation.
• It stands as a shining example of the Government’s Whole of Government approach to building a digitally empowered, self-reliant Bharat.

Defense News

India Receives Final Airbus C-295 Aircraft from Spain

• India received the final Airbus C-295MW transport aircraft from Spain, completing the delivery of the first 16 planes under the 2021 contract. The aircraft, capable of carrying 5–10 tonnes with 11-hour endurance, will replace the ageing Avro fleet of the IAF.
• The remaining 40 aircraft will be manufactured in India at the TATA Aircraft Complex, Vadodara, India’s first private Final Assembly Line for military aircraft.
• This programme strengthens India’s defence self-reliance under the Make in India initiative and marks a historic milestone in aviation manufacturing.

Summits & Conferences News

Indo-Burma Ramsar Regional Initiative (IBRRI)

• The Indo-Burma Ramsar Regional Initiative (IBRRI), developed by Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam with IUCN support, works to conserve and restore wetlands through transboundary cooperation.
• At Ramsar COP15, IBRRI launched its Strategic Plan 2025–2030, aiming to halt and reverse wetland loss, enhance climate resilience, and ensure sustainable wetland management.
• With a strong governance structure and community focus, IBRRI is a major step towards regional ecological security and biodiversity conservation.

First-Ever BIMSTEC Traditional Music Festival Begins in New Delhi

• The first BIMSTEC Traditional Music Festival, titled ‘SaptaSur: Seven Nations, One Melody’, will be held today at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, with performances from artists representing India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
• Organised by the ICCR, the event, inaugurated by Dr. S. Jaishankar, marks a cultural milestone in regional cooperation, fulfilling PM Modi’s vision announced at the 2025 BIMSTEC Summit in Thailand.

Sports News

Lando Norris Clinches Hungarian Grand Prix After Thrilling Duel With Piastri

• At the Hungarian Grand Prix 2025, Lando Norris claimed a thrilling victory after a fierce late-race battle with teammate Oscar Piastri, finishing just 0.698s ahead.
• The win, Norris’s fifth of the season, slashed Piastri’s championship lead to nine points. George Russell completed the podium, while early leader Charles Leclerc faded to fourth after a penalty.
• The race was a mix of strategic gambles, intense duels, and surprises, making it a highlight of the Formula 1 season.

Magnus Carlsen Wins First-Ever Chess Esports World Cup

• At the Chess Esports World Cup 2025 in Riyadh, Magnus Carlsen delivered a commanding performance to defeat Alireza Firouzja and secure the first-ever title in the tournament’s history.
• Representing Team Liquid, Carlsen’s 4–2–1 scoreline earned him $250,000 and vital championship points, while Firouzja took home $190,000 for Team Falcons. This victory adds another jewel to Carlsen’s crown, proving his dominance as chess embraces the esports era.

AB de Villiers’ Blazing Century Powers South Africa Champions to WCL 2025 Title

• In the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 Final at Edgbaston, AB de Villiers delivered a stunning century off 58 balls, powering South Africa Champions to a 9-wicket victory over Pakistan Champions and securing the tournament’s second edition title.
• Pakistan, led by Sharjeel Khan’s 76, had posted 195/5, but South Africa’s chase was dominated by de Villiers’ masterclass, supported by JP Duminy. Despite battling injury, de Villiers’ brilliance overshadowed Pakistan’s effort, marking an unforgettable finale and ending Pakistan’s dream run in the competition.

Science & Technology News

ISRO Prepares for BlueBird Satellite Launch with U.S. Collaboration

• After the successful NISAR mission, ISRO is preparing to launch the 6,500 kg BlueBird communications satellite, developed by AST SpaceMobile, aboard the LVM3 from Sriharikota in late 2025.
• The mission strengthens Indo-U.S. space collaboration and comes alongside ISRO’s preparations for the Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme and the long-term goal of building Bharatiya Antariksh Station by 2035.

Current Affairs Today | 3-4 August Current Affairs 2025 | Daily Current Affairs By Ashish Gautam