Daily current affairs for the Day 23rd August 2025

 

1. Khelo India Water Sports Festival Begins in Srinagar. The first Khelo India Water Sports Festival began at Dal Lake, Srinagar. Seventeen-year-old local shikarawalla Mohsin Ali won the first gold in men’s 1000m kayaking. Vishal Kumar of Uttar Pradesh won gold in men’s 1000m canoe singles. Odisha’s Rasmita Sahoo claimed gold in women’s 200m canoe singles. Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated the three-day event. Over 500 athletes from 28 states and UTs are participating. Demonstration events include shikara sprints, dragon boat races, and water skiing.
2.  India Shines at U20 World Wrestling Championships 2025. Reena won silver in the women’s 55kg after losing to Everest Leydecker of the USA. Priya Malik claimed silver in the 76kg, losing to Ukraine’s Nadia Sokolovska. Kajal entered the 72kg final after dominant wins over Bulgaria and Kyrgyzstan wrestlers. India’s medal tally reached five, including one gold and four silvers. Last year in Spain, India won seven medals, with Jyoti Berwal winning gold in the 76kg.
3. India Grants Privileges to International Big Cat Alliance. The government extended privileges and immunities to the International Big Cat Alliance under the UN Act of 1947. Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said the move strengthens India’s global commitment to big cat conservation. The alliance now gains empowerment to work as an effective global platform for conservation efforts. It will foster collaboration, knowledge exchange, and capacity building worldwide. Big cat conservation also supports ecosystem protection and ensures planetary well-being.
4. ICAR-KVK Wokha Wins Best KVK Award in North East. ICAR-KVK Wokha, Nagaland, won the Best KVK award in the North Eastern Region. The award was conferred by ICAR-NRCB during its 32nd Foundation Day at Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu. The centre was selected from over 200 nominations for its impactful agricultural contributions. Thungjano S Ezung dedicated the award to stakeholders in Nagaland’s agri and allied sector. Nineteen farmers from Nagaland attended the mela and received training on advanced banana cultivation and processing.
5. President Murmu Gives Assent to Five Major Bills — A Vital Update for Exam Aspirants. President Droupadi Murmu recently gave her assent to five significant bills passed by Parliament. She approved the Income-tax Act, 2025, replacing the outdated 1961 law with a simpler, transparent tax regime featuring new deductions and family-friendly provisions . She signed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, introducing licensing, penalties up to ₹1 crore, and strict control over money-based digital gaming . The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 became law, repealing the Mussalman Wakf Act and enhancing transparency, gender representation, and inclusivity in waqf management . She approved the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Act, 2025, which formally abolished the 1923 legislation . She endorsed the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, creating updated legal frameworks for immigration and foreign national regulation .
6. India Sanctions 23 Chip-Design Projects to Power Semiconductor Independence. The government sanctioned 23 chip-design projects under the ₹1,000-crore Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme. It aims to boost India’s semiconductor design capabilities. Domestic firms, startups, and MSMEs will develop chips for surveillance, energy meters, networking, and microprocessor IPs. The scheme offers up to 50 % cost reimbursement (₹15 cr cap) and 4–6 % net sales incentives (₹30 cr cap) over five years. It supports access to EDA tools and IP cores. The total approved project outlay is ₹803.08 crore, with funds released upon milestone progress.
7. Rajasthan’s Manika Vishwakarma Crowned Miss Universe India 2025. Manika Vishwakarma from Rajasthan won the Miss Universe India 2025 crown at the grand Jaipur finale on August 18, 2025. She beat 48 contestants to claim the title and succeed Rhea Singha. Manika studies Political Science and Economics in her final year and excels in dance, painting, and social work. She founded Neuronova, promoting ADHD awareness as a strength. She now prepares to represent India at the 74th Miss Universe pageant in Thailand this November.
8. DRDO and the Indian Air Force co-develop a mobile ground-based S-band jammer. They model its design on Russia’s Krashuka system and mount it on rapid-deployment platforms. The jammer disrupts GNSS signals and deceives enemy radars. It suppresses aircraft communication and creates denial zones over 300 km away. This technology forces hostile aircraft to retreat and strengthens border security. Government-job aspirants should note this advance in electronic warfare for exam preparation.
9. DRDO Unveils India’s First Indigenous Radar Cross-Section Prediction Software, Nirvana. DRDO launched Nirvana, India’s first indigenous radar cross-section prediction software. It simulates radar signatures of aircraft, drones, missiles, and warships accurately. It helps optimise stealth shaping and radar-absorbing materials. NSTL launched it during its 56th Lab Raising Day in Visakhapatnam. Government-job aspirants should study its role in defence R&D and stealth technology under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
10. Dal Lake Hosts India’s First Khelo India Water Sports Festival. Srinagar’s Dal Lake hosted India’s first Khelo India Water Sports Festival from August 21 to 23. The three-day event attracted over 800 participants from India and abroad. Athletes competed in rowing, canoeing, kayaking, and shikara races, and demonstrated water skiing and dragon boat events. Officials launched a vibrant mascot inspired by the Himalayan kingfisher and a logo featuring a shikara gliding against mountain vistas. Aspirants should note its role in promoting youth sports, tourism, and cultural integration within the Khelo India initiative.
11. Elavenil Valarivan Wins Gold in 10 m Air Rifle at Asian Championships. Elavenil Valarivan from Tamil Nadu clinched the women’s 10 m air rifle gold at the 16th Asian Shooting Championships on August 22 in Shymkent. She scored 253.6 in the final with composed precision under pressure. Her performance set a new Asian Championship record and added India’s second senior individual gold at this edition. China’s Xinlu Peng won silver, and Korea’s Eunji Kwon took bronze. Government-job aspirants should note her resilience and strategic excellence for exam-relevant sports insights.