Top Current Affairs of the day for 21st August 2025
- Vice Presidential Election 2025: NDA and Opposition Announce Candidates. NDA candidate C.P. Radhakrishnan filed his Vice Presidential nomination at Parliament House yesterday. Opposition I.N.D.I.A. bloc nominated former Supreme Court Judge B. Sudershan Reddy. He will file his nomination papers today. The Vice Presidential Election will be held on 9th September 2025. The Vice President is elected by Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha members. The Vice President also serves as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
- Parliament Approves IIM Guwahati Bill, 2025. Parliament passed the Indian Institutes of Management (Amendment) Bill, 2025. Rajya Sabha approved the Bill yesterday after Lok Sabha clearance. The Bill amends the Indian Institutes of Management Act, 2017. It establishes the Indian Institute of Management at Guwahati, Assam. IIM Guwahati will strengthen management education in the North-East. India currently has 21 IIMs across different states. IIMs are premier institutions declared as Institutions of National Importance.
- Home Minister Introduces Key Amendment Bills in Lok Sabha. Home Minister Amit Shah introduced three key Bills in the Lok Sabha. The Bills include the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025. They also include the Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill, 2025. The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2025 was also introduced. The Bills propose disqualification of PM, Ministers, or CMs detained for 30 days. Disqualification applies if offences carry minimum five years imprisonment. Opposition parties strongly opposed the Bills, calling them unconstitutional.
- IIT Madras Develops India’s First Quantum Random Number Generator. IIT Madras developed India’s first silicon photonics-based quantum random number generator. The institute licensed it to industry in a deal worth ₹1 crore. The device ensures stronger encryption and cybersecurity applications. Quantum random numbers are vital for secure communication and defence technologies. This innovation marks a major step in India’s quantum technology mission. IIT Madras is a leading institute in advanced semiconductor and photonics research.
- Indian Railways Commissions First Removable Solar Panel System. Indian Railways commissioned India’s first removable solar panel system in Varanasi. The system was installed at Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW). It was operationalized on 19 August 2025 by the Ministry of Railways. The setup spans 70 metres between railway tracks. It includes 28 solar panels generating 15 kW power. This innovation highlights Railways’ push for renewable energy integration. Indian Railways targets net zero carbon emissions by 2030.
- Government Plans Uniform ‘Creamy Layer’ Rules for OBC Reservations. The government is working to standardize the ‘creamy layer’ concept for OBC reservations. This aims to remove inconsistencies across central and state jobs. The rule will also apply to public sector units and universities. Currently, different institutions follow varying income and eligibility norms. Uniform criteria will ensure fair benefits for deserving OBC candidates. The creamy layer income ceiling is ₹8 lakh annually at present. The concept was introduced following the Indra Sawhney judgment, 1992.
- Home Ministry Clarifies LG’s Power in Jammu & Kashmir Assembly. The Union Home Ministry clarified powers of the J&K Lieutenant Governor. The LG can nominate five members to the J&K Legislative Assembly. This can be done without consulting the Council of Ministers. The clarification was made before the J&K and Ladakh High Court. The issue raises questions on democratic functioning in Union Territories. J&K became a Union Territory after the 2019 Reorganisation Act. UTs with legislatures include Delhi, Puducherry, and Jammu & Kashmir. Article 239 gives administrative powers to LGs. Article 239AA grants Delhi a special legislative framework.
- India Successfully Test-Fires Agni-5 Missile. India successfully test-fired the Agni-5 missile from Chandipur, Odisha. The launch took place at the Integrated Test Range. Agni-5 is an Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM). It can strike targets over 5,000 kilometers away. The missile strengthens India’s nuclear deterrence and strategic capabilities. Agni-5 is part of India’s Agni missile series. The missile uses three-stage solid fuel and advanced guidance systems. The project is developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
- Cabinet Clears ₹62,000 Crore Defence Deal for IAF. The Cabinet Committee on Security approved a ₹62,000 crore defence deal. The deal includes six Netra Mark II aircraft for the Indian Air Force. It also includes 97 Tejas Mark 1A fighter jets. This is the second major order for Tejas aircraft. Earlier, 83 Tejas Mark 1A jets were ordered for ₹48,000 crore. The total Tejas Mark 1A fleet will now reach 180 jets. Tejas is an indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft by HAL.
- Indian Army Releases SSC Tech 66 Notification 2025.The Indian Army announced SSC Tech 66 Entry 2025 for engineering graduates. A total of 381 vacancies are available in this entry. Out of these, 350 are for men and 31 for women. Selected candidates will train at the Officers Training Academy, Chennai. After training, they will be commissioned as Lieutenants. Eligible unmarried candidates must be aged 20 to 27 years. Applications can be submitted online at www.indianarmy.gov.in. The Short Service Commission offers initial service of 10 years.
- UK Royal Navy Appoints First Hindu Chaplain. The UK Royal Navy appointed its first Hindu chaplain in August 2025. Acharya Bhanu Attri, originally from Himachal Pradesh, achieved this milestone. He passed out from Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth. He is also the Royal Navy’s first non-Christian chaplain. He will provide spiritual guidance and cultural support to sailors. Over 1,550 Hindus serve full-time in the UK military. Most of them are currently serving in the British Army.
- COP 30 to be Held in Brazil in November 2025. The 30th Conference of the Parties (COP 30) will be held in Belem, Brazil. The climate summit is scheduled for November 2025. COP 30 is part of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. It will review global progress on Paris Agreement goals. Brazil will highlight Amazon rainforest’s role in tackling climate change. Previous summit, COP 29, was hosted in Baku, Azerbaijan. COP meetings guide international climate negotiations and emission reduction commitments.
- Dubai Launches Unified License for Free Zones. Dubai introduced the “One Freezone Passport” in 2025. The system allows firms to operate in all Dubai free zones under one license. It was launched by the Dubai Free Zones Council. The reform aims to cut business costs and reduce bureaucracy. It will also accelerate investment and expansion opportunities in Dubai. Dubai hosts over 20 specialized free zones, including JAFZA and DIFC. Free zones contribute nearly 40% of Dubai’s total trade.
- Finnish MP Eemeli Peltonen Dies in Parliament House. Finnish lawmaker Eemeli Peltonen allegedly died by suicide in Helsinki. He was 30 years old and a Social Democratic Party member. The incident occurred inside Finland’s Parliament House on Tuesday. Peltonen was known for his work on youth and education policies. His sudden death shocked Finland’s political community and public. Finland has one of the world’s highest parliamentary transparency ratings. The Social Democratic Party is a major political force in Finland.
- India Announces Squad for Men’s Asia Cup Hockey 2025. India named an 18-member squad for the Men’s Asia Cup Hockey. The tournament will be held in Bihar from August 29 to September 7. Veteran drag-flicker Harmanpreet Singh will continue as team captain. India will face China in the opening match on August 29. The team will then play Japan on August 31. India will play Kazakhstan in their final group match on September 1. The Men’s Asia Cup is governed by the Asian Hockey Federation.
- Anant Jeet Singh Naruka Wins Gold in Asian Shooting Championships. India’s Anant Jeet Singh Naruka won gold in the Men’s Skeet event. The victory came at the Asian Shooting Championships in Shymkent, Kazakhstan. Naruka is India’s top skeet shooter and a Paris 2024 Olympian. He earlier won silver at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou. This medal adds to India’s growing shooting success in international competitions. The Asian Shooting Championships are crucial Olympic qualification events.