Daily current affairs for 13th August 2025

Top Current Affairs of the day for 13th August 2025

 

1. Parliament passes landmark taxation reform with both bills cleared. Parliament passed the Income-Tax Bill, 2025 and the Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025 after thorough discussion in both Houses. Rajya Sabha approved and returned both bills to Lok Sabha through a voice vote, completing the legislative process. The Income-Tax Bill replaces the Income Tax Act, 1961, simplifying language and modernizing tax administration. The Amendment Bill harmonizes tax treatment of pension schemes such as UPS and NPS.
2. Parliament enacts major sports reforms with twin bills cleared. Parliament passed the National Sports Governance Bill, 2025 and National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, 2025 after Rajya Sabha approval . The Sports Governance Bill recognises national sports bodies, mandates athlete representation, ethics codes, and sets up a Sports Tribunal . It creates a National Sports Board to oversee federations and enforce accountability . The Anti-Doping Bill gives NADA greater autonomy, aligns India with WADA norms, and puts WADA rules into Indian law . These reforms aim to enhance transparency, fairness, and India’s credibility in global sports .
3. Lok Sabha greenlights Indian Ports and Mines reform bills . Lok Sabha passed the Indian Ports Bill, 2025, replacing the colonial-era law to modernize port governance. The Bill promotes integrated port development, ease of doing business, and environmental safeguards. It establishes State Maritime Boards and a Maritime State Development Council to streamline port management. The House also passed the Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2025. This amendment expands the National Mineral Exploration Trust, eases mineral exploration, and boosts critical mineral access.
4. Union Cabinet approves ₹4,594 crore semiconductor push in three states. The Union Cabinet approved four semiconductor manufacturing projects worth ₹4,594 crore. Two plants will be set up in Odisha, while one each will come in Punjab and Andhra Pradesh. One project involves advanced 3D Glass packaging technology with backing from Intel and Lockheed Martin. Odisha’s two units will include a silicon carbide (SiC) fab and a cutting-edge packaging facility. The initiative strengthens India’s domestic chip production under the India Semiconductor Mission.
5. Indian analogue astronauts complete 10-day HOPE mission in Ladakh. Aerospace engineer Rahul Mogalapalli and astrobiologist Yaman Akot completed a 10-day isolation mission in the HOPE habitat. The mission ran from August 1 to 10 at the Himalayan Outpost for Planetary Exploration in Tso Kar Valley, Ladakh. The crew endured low pressure, extreme cold, high UV radiation, and compelling mental stress tests. Scientists studied their physical and psychological responses in Mars-like conditions using monitoring and operational protocols. This mission marks a crucial leap in ISRO’s human spaceflight preparation under Gaganyaan and planetary exploration efforts.
6. Indian Railways launches festive “Round Trip Package” with 20% return fare rebate. Indian Railways introduced an experimental Round Trip Package for the 2025 festive season. Passengers get a 20% rebate on the return journey base fare when booking both legs together . Bookings open on August 14 2025 for onward travel between October 13–26, and return between November 17–December 1 . The offer applies to confirmed tickets in the same class and route, excluding flexi-fare trains . The scheme aims to ease festival rush, encourage advance planning, and optimize train utilization .
7. 18th International Olympiad on Astronomy & Astrophysics begins in Mumbai. Mumbai hosted the 18th International Olympiad on Astronomy & Astrophysics (IOAA) from August 11 to 21, 2025. Nearly 300 high school students from 64 countries participated in this prestigious event. Organized by HBCSE-TIFR, the Olympiad tested theoretical, observational, and data-analysis skills through rigorous challenges. Students attended events at The Westin Powai Lake, and dignitaries inaugurated and closed the event at prominent venues.
8. DoF launches ‘Maha Abhiyan’ to promote Nano DAP nationwide. The Department of Fertilizers (DoF) launched a “Maha Abhiyan” to promote Nano DAP across 15 agro-climatic zones. DoF collaborates with fertilizer companies to conduct consultations and field demonstrations. It also organises farmer camps, webinars, street plays, Kisan Sammelans, and regional films for awareness. DoF ensures availability of Nano DAP through regular stocking at PMKSKs and its monthly supply plan. This campaign supports sustainable farming by enhancing nutrient efficiency and reducing environmental impact.
9. Amitabh Bachchan hosts Indian Armed Forces heroes on KBC Independence Day special. Amitabh Bachchan hosted three decorated officers on Kaun Banega Crorepati 17 for Independence Day. The guests included Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, and Commander Prerna Deosthalee. They recounted key moments from Operation Sindoor, India’s high-risk counterterror mission. Colonel Qureshi explained that, “A response was necessary; hence Operation Sindoor was planned.” Wing Commander Singh added that the mission concluded swiftly—in just 25 minutes. This episode celebrated the courage, leadership, and valor of women in India’s defence forces.
10. India fast-tracks GE F404 engine deliveries to power Tejas Mk-1A fighters.India holds defence talks with the US to expedite GE F404 engine deliveries for the Tejas Mk-1A. HAL received two F404-IN20 engines—one in April and another in July 2025. The US plans to deliver engines at a rate of two per month until March 2026. A third engine is expected by the end of this month, bolstering aircraft production timelines.
11. Government tightens OCI cancellation norms under Citizenship Act. The Home Ministry issued a notification tightening OCI card cancellation rules. An OCI’s registration can now be cancelled if they receive two years or more imprisonment. If they face charges in an offence punishable with seven years or more, cancellation applies too. These rules apply even if the conviction or charges arise outside India under Indian law. Government framed the move to protect security and ensure the credibility of OCI benefits.
12. US designates BLA and Majeed Brigade as Foreign Terrorist Organisations. On August 11, 2025, the U.S. State Department designated the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). It added the Majeed Brigade—BLA’s armed wing—as an alias under the FTO listing. The BLA already held a U.S. “Specially Designated Global Terrorist” (SDGT) status since 2019. The State Department said the designations help curb support for terrorism and pressure these groups operationally.
13. India bags 27 medals at Asian U19 & U22 Boxing Championships. India secured a total of 27 medals at the Asian U19 & U22 Boxing Championships 2025 in Bangkok. The U19 team won 14 medals—3 gold, 7 silver, and 4 bronze—and finished second overall. The U22 team earned 13 medals—1 gold, 4 silver, and 8 bronze—and ranked fourth overall. Ritika was India’s only gold medalist in the U22 category, winning the women’s 80+ kg event.
14. Namrata Batra wins historic silver in Wushu at World Games.Namrata Batra claimed silver in women’s 52 kg sanda at the 2025 World Games in Chengdu, China. She became the first Indian ever to win a Wushu medal at the World Games. The 24-year-old defeated Lebanon’s Barbara El Rassi and the Philippines’ Krizan Faith Collado to reach the final. In the final, China’s Mengyue Chen beat her 2-0. This medal marks India’s second podium finish in Chengdu after Rishabh Yadav’s archery bronze.
15. Jharkhand Women’s Hockey Wins 15th Junior National Title Again. Jharkhand clinched the 15th Junior Women’s National Hockey Championship title again by beating Haryana 2–1. They scored early through Sweety Dungdung in the 10th minute and Shanti Kumari in the 12th minute. Haryana reduced the deficit with a late goal from Kirty in the 52nd minute. This marks Jharkhand’s second consecutive junior title win, underlining their rising dominance in women’s hockey.