Daily Current Affairs and GK Updates (25th August, 2026) |

National News

NITI Aayog Finds 8.7 Crore Indian Youth Outside Work

NITI Aayog has estimated that around 8.7 crore Indian youth aged 15–29 are not engaged in education, employment or training.
These youth fall under the NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) category.
The report, titled “Reimagining Skilling for Viksit Bharat@2047,” used data from the 78th round of the National Sample Survey conducted in 2021.
NITI Aayog recommended affordable training, financial support, self-employment opportunities and flexible learning options.
The report found that only 8.25% of graduates are working in jobs matching their qualifications.
Key Fact: More than 7.67 crore people have received training since 2014–15.

AIIA Launches Garbhini Mitra Course for Maternal Wellness Support

The All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi, launched the Garbhini Mitra Course for the 2026–27 academic session.
It is a six-month skill-development programme focused on Ayurveda-based maternal wellness.
The course covers Garbhini Paricharya, Sutika Paricharya and Garbhadhana Vidhi.
Training also includes diet, lifestyle guidance, pregnancy-safe yoga, emotional support, newborn massage and basic life support.
Candidates must be at least 18 years old and have passed Class 12.
Key Fact: The course will admit 20 students per batch.

India Post Upgrades Digital Apps, Renovates 14 Post Offices

India Post upgraded its Dak MITRA and Dak Sewa applications as part of its digital modernisation programme.
The initiatives were launched on August 24, 2026 by Jyotiraditya M. Scindia and Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani.
Dak MITRA supports Branch Post Offices with paperless transactions, doorstep services, banking, insurance and Aadhaar-based e-KYC.
Dak Sewa provides tracking, booking, complaints, post office locators and calculators.
Dak Sewa supports services in 23 Indian languages.
Key Fact: Dak MITRA serves more than 1.4 lakh Branch Post Offices.

NSG Launches First All Women Commando Course Haryana

The National Security Guard (NSG) launched its first Mahila Commando Conversion Course at its Training Academy in Manesar, Haryana.
The programme is designed for women personnel from State Police Forces and Central Armed Police Forces.
Training includes physical conditioning, weapons handling, marksmanship and tactical intervention.
Participants will also receive specialised training in hostage rescue and counter-terror operations.
The programme aims to increase the pool of trained women commandos and improve interoperability among security forces.
Key Fact: The Mahila Commando Conversion Course is 12 weeks long.

India Restored 21.76 Million Hectares Of Land During 2011–2020

India restored 21.76 million hectares of degraded land between 2011 and 2020.
The restoration generated around 1.22 billion person-days of employment.
The information was highlighted by Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav at COP17 to UNCCD in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
India increased its Bonn Challenge restoration target to 26 million hectares by 2030.
Restoration activities covered forests, agriculture, soil and water conservation and agroforestry.
Key Fact: India’s 2030 land restoration target under the Bonn Challenge is 26 million hectares.

Amit Shah Inaugurates Ninth National Security Strategies Conference

Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the 9th National Security Strategies Conference 2026 in New Delhi.
The conference began on August 24, 2026, and is being held over two days.
More than 850 participants attended, including senior security officials, police officers and domain experts.
Discussions covered counter-terrorism, narcotics control, illegal migration, cybercrime and proxy warfare.
Shah stressed the implementation of the MHA’s PRAHAAR scheme and AI-based analysis of Multi Agency Centre information.
Key Fact: The conference is the 9th National Security Strategies Conference.

Mysuru Conclave Focuses Tribal Languages, Museums And Technology

The National Conclave on Tribal Languages & Museums began in Mysuru, Karnataka.
It was organised by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs along with Karnataka’s Tribal Research Institute and CIIL.
The three-day event focuses on documenting and revitalising tribal languages.
The upgraded Adi Vaani platform was launched with a new iOS application, five additional languages and a new logo.
The Ministry also launched Jago, its official AI conversational assistant for tribal welfare information.
Key Fact: Jago is the Ministry of Tribal Affairs’ official AI conversational assistant.

India’s Non-Fossil Fuel Power Capacity Crosses 300 GW Milestone

India’s installed non-fossil fuel power capacity reached 300.50 GW as of July 31, 2026.
This represents more than 54% of India’s total electricity generation capacity of around 552 GW.
Solar power contributed the largest share at 164.59 GW, followed by wind at 58.14 GW.
During 2025–26, India added a record 55.29 GW of non-fossil capacity.
India has achieved more than 60% of its 500 GW non-fossil capacity target for 2030.
Key Fact: India’s non-fossil power capacity stood at 300.50 GW on July 31, 2026.

State News

Tamil Nadu will introduce the TN-ARIVU curriculum in government schools from the academic year 2027-28

Tamil Nadu will introduce the TN-ARIVU curriculum in government schools from the 2027–28 academic year.
TN-ARIVU focuses on analytical thinking, reasoning, innovation, entrepreneurship and upskilling.
The curriculum will incorporate artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.
It will have three stages: ARIVU Foundation, ARIVU Discovery and ARIVU Edge.
The state has announced 31 school education initiatives with an estimated outlay of ₹44,527 crore.
Key Fact: TN-ARIVU will begin from the 2027–28 academic year.

Khijadiya Becomes Major Black Necked Stork Breeding Site

Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary in Jamnagar, Gujarat, has emerged as an important breeding site for the Black-necked Stork.
The sanctuary is a Ramsar site containing freshwater and brackish-water wetlands.
Researchers surveyed 48 georeferenced sampling points between July 2024 and March 2025.
During the breeding season, four active nests were recorded and all successfully produced fledglings.
The four nests produced a total of eight juveniles.
Key Fact: Four active nests produced eight Black-necked Stork juveniles.

Mumbai Debuts In IWG 2026 Work From Anywhere Index

Mumbai became the only Indian city featured in the IWG 2026 Work From Anywhere Index.
The city scored 77 points in the global ranking of remote-work destinations.
Mumbai performed strongly in transport, accommodation, climate and flexible workspace availability.
Bangkok topped the ranking with 106.5 points, followed by Tokyo, Barcelona, Porto and Vancouver.
India had 79.7 million sq ft of flexible workspace across its top eight cities by Q2 2025.
Key Fact: Mumbai scored 77 points in the IWG 2026 index.

Tamil Nadu Launches Annapoorani Super Six LPG Welfare Scheme

Tamil Nadu announced the Annapoorani Super Six LPG Scheme on August 24, 2026.
The scheme aims to reduce the domestic cooking-fuel burden on eligible families.
Beneficiaries will initially purchase LPG cylinders and receive eligible reimbursement through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
The scheme will cover families with annual income below ₹2.5 lakh, middle and marginal farmers, and families of persons with disabilities.
The scheme is scheduled to launch on Pongal Day in January 2027.
Key Fact: The scheme is expected to have an annual financial outlay of around ₹4,000 crore.

International News

US Removes Syria From State Sponsors Of Terrorism List

The United States removed Syria from its State Sponsors of Terrorism (SST) list on August 24, 2026.
Syria had remained on the list since December 29, 1979.
The decision followed major political changes in Syria after the fall of Bashar al-Assad.
The US also revoked the designation of al-Nusrah Front, or Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist organisation.
Cuba, Iran and North Korea remain on the US State Sponsors of Terrorism list.
Key Fact: Syria was removed from the SST list on August 24, 2026.

Thailand Enforces New Political Amnesty Act From August 24

Thailand’s Act on Promoting a Peaceful Society B.E. 2569 (2026) came into force on August 24, 2026.
The law provides amnesty for specified political offences connected with political conflicts.
It covers offences and expressions linked to conflicts between January 1, 2005 and July 16, 2025.
Certain offences, including lese-majeste under Section 112, corruption and serious violent offences, are excluded.
A nine-member Peaceful Society Promotion Committee will determine qualifying cases.
Key Fact: Thailand’s Parliament passed the bill by 306 votes to 141.

US Launches Operation Economic Outcast Against Iran

The United States launched Operation Economic Outcast against Iran as a major economic pressure campaign.
The campaign aims to cut Iran’s revenue sources and isolate its economy.
The US is targeting Iranian economic sectors including oil, digital assets, technology, gold, aviation and shipping.
The Treasury imposed sanctions on 60 entities, vessels and individuals.
Iran rejected the sanctions and criticised the US pressure campaign.
Key Fact: The campaign focuses on five key economic areas.

India China Conduct Twenty Fifth Round Border Talks Beijing

India and China began the 25th round of Special Representatives talks on the boundary question in Beijing on August 25, 2026.
India’s Special Representative is National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi represents China in the talks.
The Special Representatives mechanism was established in 2003.
Discussions cover the unresolved boundary dispute involving western, middle and eastern sectors.
Key Fact: The August 2026 meeting is the 25th round of Special Representatives talks.

Illinois Senate Declares August 15 National India Hub Day

The Illinois State Senate declared August 15 as National India Hub Day.
The proclamation was presented during INDIA FEST 2026 on August 15, 2026.
The declaration recognises the Indian-American community and National India Hub in Schaumburg.
The National India Hub is a 107,000-square-foot community centre.
It brings together more than 150 independent organisations.
Key Fact: National India Hub is located in Schaumburg, Illinois.

Banking News

UPI Completes Decade Transforming India’s Digital Payments

India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) completed 10 years on August 25, 2026.
UPI was launched in 2016 by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) under RBI oversight.
Transactions increased from 1.78 crore in FY 2016–17 to more than 24,162 crore in FY 2025–26.
In July 2026, UPI recorded 2,366 crore transactions worth ₹29.88 lakh crore.
The platform now has 741 participating banks and operates in 11 countries.
Key Fact: UPI completed 10 years on August 25, 2026.

RBI Absorbs ₹1.41 Trillion Surplus Liquidity Through VRRR

The Reserve Bank of India conducted two Variable Rate Reverse Repo (VRRR) auctions on August 24, 2026.
The auctions absorbed a combined ₹1.41 trillion from the banking system.
The seven-day VRRR auction accepted bids worth ₹91,980 crore at a 5.24% cut-off rate.
The overnight auction accepted ₹49,206 crore, also at 5.24%.
Banking-system liquidity stood at a surplus of ₹3.4 trillion.
Key Fact: RBI absorbed ₹1.41 trillion through the two VRRR auctions.

SEBI Introduces Information Technology Resilience Index For MIIs

SEBI introduced the Information Technology Resilience Index (ITRI) for Market Infrastructure Institutions.
The index covers stock exchanges, depositories and clearing corporations.
ITRI will assess nine parameters including availability, security, integrity, governance and reliability.
Availability and security carry the highest weightage of 20% each.
MIIs must calculate the index half-yearly and establish an Early Warning System.
Key Fact: ITRI uses nine parameters to assess IT resilience.

Awards News

Publications Division Wins Seven FIP Book Production Honours

The Publications Division of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting won seven honours at the FIP Awards 2026.
The awards were presented at the 46th FIP Awards ceremony on August 24, 2026.
The division secured four Second Prizes and three Third Prizes.
Yojana and English Kurukshetra received Second Prizes in their respective categories.
Dharti Ki Sehat, Rangoli Roop Sur Lay Ki and Ajkal Urdu received Third Prizes.
Key Fact: Publications Division won seven FIP honours.

Kaziah Liz Mejo Crowned Miss Universe India 2026

19-year-old Kaziah Liz Mejo from Kerala was crowned Miss Universe India 2026.
She won the national competition in Jaipur on August 23, 2026.
Mejo emerged victorious among 52 finalists at the grand finale.
She was crowned by Miss Universe India 2025 Manika Vishwakarma.
Mejo will represent India at the 75th Miss Universe pageant in Puerto Rico in November 2026.
Key Fact: Kaziah Liz Mejo will represent India at Miss Universe 2026.

Defense News

CSIR NAL Unveils Indigenous Micro Gas Turbine Engines

CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories unveiled three indigenous micro and small gas turbine engines in New Delhi on August 25, 2026.
The engines are named NJ-05, NJ-50 and NJ-100.
Their thrust ratings are 5 kg, 50 kg and 100 kg respectively.
They are intended for tactical UAVs, drone interceptors and compact missile systems.
The engines operate using the Brayton cycle for generating thrust or shaft power.
Key Fact: NJ-100 has a thrust rating of 100 kg.

Rajnath Singh Approves DRDO Missile Technology Transfer

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approved the transfer of technology for all conventional DRDO-developed missile systems.
The decision was taken on August 25, 2026.
Indian defence industries can manufacture the systems after fulfilling qualification, certification and regulatory requirements.
The move aims to shift missile systems from development to large-scale domestic production.
It is expected to increase domestic value addition and reduce dependence on defence imports.
Key Fact: The technology transfer covers all conventional DRDO missile systems.

Science & Technology News

India Launches First Non-GMO High-Expansion Popcorn Maize Hybrid

India launched its first indigenous non-GMO, high-expansion popcorn maize hybrid on August 24, 2026.
Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan launched the hybrid at Musunuru in Andhra Pradesh’s Eluru district.
The new seed aims to reduce India’s dependence on imported popcorn maize hybrid technology.
More than 17,500 farmers across eight States are associated with the Gourmet Popcornica ecosystem.
These farmers cultivate nearly 40,000 acres under the ecosystem.
Key Fact: The hybrid was launched at Musunuru, Eluru district, Andhra Pradesh.