Current Affairs - August 2, 2025 Current Affairs

The Haryana Cabinet approved significant amendments to its mineral mining rules, facilitating the implementation of the Inter-State Transit Pass (ISTP) framework. This move is aimed at better regulating mineral transportation into the state. Under the revised rules, a fee of ₹80 per metric tonne will be levied on all vehicles bringing minerals into Haryana, irrespective of where the minerals will be used or delivered. The entire payment process is mandated to be conducted through the designated department’s online portal, enhancing transparency and compliance. This policy reform reflects Haryana’s efforts to streamline the mineral trade and reduce illegal transportation.

Uttar Pradesh achieved a significant milestone with Gomti Nagar becoming its first privately managed railway station. This development also makes Gomti Nagar the first such station in the entire Northeast Railway zone. As one of the busiest railway stations in the state, the transition to private management aims to enhance passenger experience by introducing world-class facilities, efficient services, and better infrastructure. This initiative is part of a broader push to modernise railway operations and infrastructure across India, using private sector expertise to raise the quality of services while maintaining oversight through public-sector frameworks.

Bangladesh has taken a significant step by launching its first National Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), a tool that highlights various dimensions of poverty beyond income levels. Developed with support from UNICEF and the EU, the MPI reveals critical insights, including that 28.9% of Bangladeshi children experience multidimensional poverty—significantly higher than the 21.44% rate among adults. This indicates children are 35% more likely to face such poverty, emphasising the urgent need for targeted social policies. The index identifies over 39 million people in Bangladesh living under these conditions, making it an essential instrument for shaping national development strategies.

India and Morocco recently signed a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) that aims to strengthen cooperation in civil and commercial legal matters. The treaty also includes provisions for exchanging legal expertise, conducting joint training programs, and fostering legal research between the two countries. To ensure effective implementation, a joint coordination committee will be established to design and monitor annual cooperation plans. Morocco, a mountainous country located in western North Africa, is strategically positioned across the Strait of Gibraltar from Spain. This agreement represents a deepening of legal and diplomatic ties between India and the North African region.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) granted its approval for the merger of New India Co-operative Bank Ltd (NICBL) with Saraswat Co-operative Bank under Section 44A(4) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949. This section specifically deals with the amalgamation of co-operative banks, providing a legal framework for such mergers. The approval followed consent from shareholders of both banks and submission of a merger proposal to the RBI. Alongside Section 44A(4), Section 56 of the Act was also invoked, which pertains to the application of certain provisions of the Act to co-operative banks. This ensures regulatory oversight and legal compliance during such consolidations.

The Government of India has finalised seven PM MITRA (Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel) Parks across seven states—Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra. This ambitious initiative, with an outlay of ₹4,445 crore up to 2027–28, aims to boost India's textile manufacturing ecosystem by integrating the entire value chain from fibre to fashion. These parks are expected to generate around 20 lakh direct and indirect jobs and attract investments worth ₹70,000 crore. By developing world-class infrastructure and logistics, the scheme supports India’s goal to become a global textile manufacturing and export hub.

The 2025 U17 World Wrestling Championships, where Indian women wrestlers achieved remarkable success by winning a total of five medals, took place in Athens. The performance included two golds—won by Rachana in the 43 kg freestyle category and Ashvini Vishnoi in the 65 kg category—along with two silver and one bronze medal. Hosting the event in Athens, a city with a deep-rooted Olympic legacy, added further prestige to the competition. This venue served as the stage for one of India’s standout performances in junior wrestling, demonstrating the country’s growing strength in the sport on an international level.

On August 1, 2025, Vice Admiral Manish Chadha, AVSM, VSM, took over as the Commandant of the Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala, succeeding Vice Admiral CR Praveen Nair. With 34 years of distinguished service in the Indian Navy, Vice Admiral Chadha brings vast operational experience and specialised expertise in Communication and Electronic Warfare. His leadership background includes commanding frontline warships like INS Mysore, INS Veer, and INS Kirpan. An alumnus of the NDA, DSSC Wellington, and the National Defence University in Washington, he has a strong foundation in both strategic thinking and naval operations, making him well-suited for this prestigious role.+

On July 31, 2025, the Indian Navy inducted INS Himgiri, a Nilgiri-class stealth frigate built indigenously under Project 17A by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata. Armed with BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, LR SAM systems, anti-submarine torpedoes, and a powerful medium-range naval gun, the warship significantly boosts India's maritime strike capability. INS Himgiri revives the legacy of its namesake from the Leander-class and embodies India’s commitment to self-reliance in defence under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. Its integrated propulsion and management systems enable seamless control over navigation, combat, and operations, making it a cutting-edge addition to the Indian Navy’s surface fleet.

Dr. Mayank Sharma, a senior officer from the 1989 batch of the Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS), officially took charge as the Financial Advisor (Defence Services) on August 1, 2025. With over 30 years of experience in defence accounts and policymaking, he has held numerous important positions, including Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA). His previous roles in the Cabinet Secretariat as Under Secretary, Deputy Secretary, and Joint Secretary, along with his international representation at institutions like the UNODC and UNCITRAL, reflect his broad expertise. His appointment signifies a strategic move to enhance financial oversight and efficiency within the defence sector.