📘 Daily Current Affairs Capsule – 31 August 2025
(For UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railways, State PSCs & other govt exams)
🏛 National Affairs
- RESET Programme (Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports)
- What: Retired Sportsperson Empowerment Training (RESET) for athletes 20–50 years who represented India/medalled internationally.
- Offerings: Skilling in coaching, sports management, entrepreneurship, with job placement & virtual + practical modules.
- Why it matters: Tackles post-retirement uncertainty, improves athlete welfare, and can reduce drop-outs—linking to India’s Olympic pipeline.
- Exam link: GS-2: Welfare & Sports Policy | GS-1: Society (Sports culture).
- NHPC, SECI, RailTel, SJVN → Navratna
- What: Four CPSEs upgraded, gaining higher financial/operational autonomy (capex up to ₹1,000 crore without prior approval).
- Sectors: Hydropower (NHPC), renewables (SECI), telecom infra (RailTel), hydro/solar (SJVN).
- Why it matters: Faster project execution; aligns with Atmanirbhar Bharat, energy security, and green transition.
- Exam link: GS-3: Economy/PSUs/Infrastructure | GS-2: Governance reforms.
- India’s Largest Aero Lounge @ Cochin International Airport
- What: 10,000 sq ft premium lounge with business, dining & wellness facilities.
- Why it matters: Upgrades passenger experience amid aviation boom; supports tourism & trade.
- Exam link: GS-3: Infrastructure (Aviation).
- Amrit Lal Meena → Chief Secretary, Bihar
- What: Senior IAS officer (1989 batch) appointed CS; administrative push for state schemes & delivery.
- Exam link: GS-2: Appointments, State administration.
🌍 International Affairs
- India–Sri Lanka: Energy, Fisheries, Defence Training
- What: New pacts on solar/renewables, fisheries management, and defence training.
- Why it matters: Reinforces SAGAR, counters IOR competition, and deepens people-to-people ties.
- Exam link: GS-2: Neighbourhood diplomacy | GS-3: Energy security.
- India–Bangladesh Floods & River Cooperation
- What: Monsoon floods killed at least 12; talks on joint water management (Teesta et al.).
- Why it matters: Climate risks, transboundary river governance, BIMSTEC scope.
- Exam link: GS-3: Disaster Mgmt/Environment | GS-2: Bilateral issues.
- EAM Jaishankar on Pakistan
- What: “Era of uninterrupted dialogue is over” due to cross-border terror; case-by-case responses.
- Exam link: GS-2: Foreign Policy | GS-3: Internal Security.
💹 Economy & Finance
- Mastercard ‘Payment Passkey’ in India
- What: Biometric (face/fingerprint/PIN) authentication for e-commerce—replacing OTPs.
- Why it matters: Faster checkout, fewer frauds; dovetails with RBI’s digital push.
- Exam link: GS-3: Digital economy/Fintech.
- Visa × Skill India (THSC)
- What: 3-year pact to skill 20,000 youth in tourism/hospitality across 10 states.
- Why it matters: Employment generation in a high-growth services sector.
- Exam link: GS-3: Employment/Skilling | GS-2: Welfare.
- Fiscal Deficit
- Status: ₹4.68 lakh crore = 29.9% of FY target by July; glide path towards 4.4% of GDP.
- Exam link: GS-3: Fiscal policy/FRBM.
- ASI 2023–24 (Industry)
- Highlights: Tamil Nadu leads in factories & employment; GVA +11.89%—manufacturing resilience.
- Exam link: GS-3: Industry/PLI/Make in India.
🏛 Polity & Governance
- Chief Election Commissioners (1950–2025) – Updated List
- Why it matters: Tracks institutional evolution, reforms, and context for Article 324 debates.
- Exam link: GS-2: Constitutional bodies/Election Commission.
🔬 Science & Technology
- Air India Express joins IATA
- What: Access to global safety/ops standards and data networks.
- Why it matters: Better safety culture & efficiency for a fast-growing LCC.
- Exam link: GS-3: Aviation tech/standards.
🌱 Environment & Ecology
- Nepal Tourism Board wins PATA Gold
- What: Recognition for innovative promotion, eco-tourism focus.
- Why it matters: Regional lessons for India’s Himalayan eco-tourism.
- Exam link: GS-3: Environment–Tourism linkages.
🛡 Defence & Security
- Indian Army – Project NAMAN
- What: SPARSH-enabled centres for veterans’ pensions & welfare; nationwide rollout.
- Why it matters: Strengthens ex-servicemen support architecture.
- Exam link: GS-3: Defence welfare.
🏅 Sports
- No new marquee results today; RESET reflects continuity of athlete-first policy post National Sports Day.
🏆 Awards & Honours
- No notable awards recorded for the day.
👔 Appointments
- Amrit Lal Meena → Chief Secretary, Bihar (see National Affairs).
⚖️ Social Issues & Justice / Judiciary
- Malayalam Cinema #MeToo
- What: Actor M. Mukesh arrested; Hema Committee findings revived debate on harassment & workplace safety.
- Exam link: GS-1: Gender | GS-2: Justice/Institutional reforms.
- Actor Siddique – Bail Denied (Rape Case)
- What: HC rejected interim bail; matter moved to Supreme Court.
- Exam link: GS-2: Judiciary/Criminal justice.
📅 Important Days
- No central observance; note: Bhatke Vimukt Diwas in Maharashtra (nomadic communities).
🎯 Current Affairs Quiz – 31 August 2025 (Expanded)
- RESET Programme targets athletes aged:
a) 18–40 b) 20–50 c) 25–55 d) 30–60 - Navratna status permits board-level investments up to:
a) ₹500 cr b) ₹1,000 cr c) ₹2,000 cr d) ₹5,000 cr - Mastercard’s Payment Passkey authenticates via:
a) OTP b) Biometrics c) SMS d) Email - Visa–Skill India pact aims to train:
a) 10,000 b) 20,000 c) 30,000 d) 50,000 - Fiscal deficit by July 2025 (of FY target):
a) 19.9% b) 29.9% c) 39.9% d) 49.9% - India’s largest aero lounge opened at:
a) Delhi b) Mumbai c) Cochin d) Chennai - Jaishankar said the era of ______ with Pakistan is over:
a) Trade b) Uninterrupted dialogue c) Borders d) Alliances - Actor M. Mukesh arrest relates to:
a) Financial fraud b) #MeToo row c) Tax evasion d) Defamation - ASI 2023–24: State topping factories & employment:
a) Maharashtra b) Gujarat c) Tamil Nadu d) Uttar Pradesh - India–Bangladesh floods: deaths reported at least:
a) 5 b) 12 c) 20 d) 30 - Hema Committee’s core revelation for Malayalam cinema:
a) Fin. irregularities b) Harassment & exploitation c) Plagiarism d) Award fixing - SCO Summit 2025 venue:
a) Delhi b) Beijing c) Tianjin d) Islamabad - Project NAMAN primarily serves:
a) Youth skilling b) Veterans’ welfare c) Flood relief d) Energy projects - Key implication of Navratna upgrade:
a) Reduced autonomy b) Faster decision-making c) Govt takeover d) Privatization - Bhatke Vimukt Diwas is observed in:
a) Gujarat b) Maharashtra c) Bihar d) Kerala
Answers: 1-b, 2-b, 3-b, 4-b, 5-b, 6-c, 7-b, 8-b, 9-c, 10-b, 11-b, 12-c, 13-b, 14-b, 15-b