Current Affairs - August 6, 2025 Current Affairs

Pratyay Amrit, a 1989-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, has been appointed as the next Chief Secretary of Bihar. He will take over the role from the outgoing Chief Secretary, Amrit Lal Meena. Prior to assuming this new position, Pratyay Amrit has been serving as the Development Commissioner of Bihar and will act as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Chief Secretary’s office until the transition is complete. His appointment was officially announced by the General Administration Department of Bihar. This change marks a significant administrative development in the state’s bureaucratic leadership.

Argentina emerged as the dominant force at the 2025 Pan American Hockey Cup held in Montevideo, Uruguay, by clinching gold in both the men’s and women’s categories. In the men’s final, Argentina defeated the USA with a commanding 10-0 victory, marking their fourth consecutive and fifth overall title. The women’s team also showcased their supremacy by beating the USA 3-0, securing their seventh consecutive championship. This dual triumph underscores Argentina’s long-standing excellence and consistency in field hockey across the Americas, setting a high standard for regional competition.

Tata Motors has acquired Italian truck and bus manufacturer Iveco for €3.8 billion, marking its largest deal since the Corus acquisition in 2007 and its most significant move in the automotive sector since taking over Jaguar Land Rover in 2008. This strategic acquisition strengthens Tata Motors’ global position in the commercial vehicle segment by combining its dominance in India with Iveco’s strong presence in Europe and the Americas. The deal is expected to boost innovation in zero-emission transport, expand global market access, and challenge industry leaders like Volvo and Daimler, reinforcing Tata Motors’ ambitions to be a global CV powerhouse.

South Africa launched the innovative Rhisotope Project through the University of the Witwatersrand to tackle the persistent issue of rhino poaching. The initiative involves injecting small amounts of radioactive isotopes into rhino horns, making them traceable and less attractive to poachers and smugglers. The project is supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and was piloted on five rhinos at the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve. The use of radioisotopes not only allows for easier tracking of illicit wildlife trade but also introduces health and legal risks for traffickers, thereby creating a powerful deterrent against poaching.

The Indian Army, in collaboration with IIT Madras, launched 'Agnishodh', a dedicated research cell named the Indian Army Research Cell (IARC), as part of its broader transformation initiative. Situated on the IIT Madras campus, this initiative aligns with the Army’s Five Pillars of Transformation strategy, specifically focusing on Modernisation and Technology Infusion. The goal of Agnishodh is to translate academic and laboratory research into practical, deployable defence technologies. This is achieved through synergistic efforts involving the IIT Madras Research Park and the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Development Centre (AMTDC), highlighting a strong civil-military partnership for innovation.

India is set to host the WHO–IRCH Workshop on Herbal Medicine Safety and Regulations from August 6 to 8, 2025, in Ghaziabad. Organised by the Ministry of Ayush in collaboration with the World Health Organisation and supported by the Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy (PCIM&H), the workshop will focus on global safety standards, regulations, and the integration of traditional medicine into public health systems. Delegates from several countries will attend in person and virtually. Key sessions will include hands-on training in herbal drug identification and safety assessments, with special focus on herbs like Ashwagandha and regulatory convergence across nations.

On August 2, 2025, India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) set a new benchmark by crossing 707 million daily transactions, highlighting the country’s accelerating digital payments ecosystem. This growth reflects widespread adoption across both urban and rural areas, with increasing usage among small vendors, large retailers, and consumers alike. The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has indicated that UPI now handles around 85% of all digital transactions in India and nearly half of global real-time digital payments. This surge aligns with the Indian government’s goal of reaching 1 billion daily transactions, underlining India’s leadership in digital financial innovation and inclusion.

Rajiv Anand has been appointed as the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of IndusInd Bank for a three-year term starting from August 25, 2025, subject to shareholder approval. Anand previously served as the Deputy Managing Director at Axis Bank, where he played key roles in both wholesale and retail banking divisions and was instrumental in the growth of the corporate banking business. He also held leadership roles in Axis Asset Management. His appointment is seen as a strategic move by IndusInd Bank to strengthen its leadership team and drive growth in the competitive Indian banking sector.

The Asian Giant Tortoise, known for being the largest tortoise in mainland Asia and sometimes referred to as “small elephants of the forest” due to their ecological importance, was recently reintroduced into the Zeliang Community Reserve in Nagaland. This critically endangered species, as listed on the IUCN Red List, plays a vital role in forest ecosystems. Its distribution spans several countries in Southeast Asia, including parts of Northeast India such as Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Nagaland. The reintroduction effort in Nagaland represents a significant step in conservation initiatives for this threatened species.

The Sub-junior (U-15) National Boxing Championships will be hosted in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, with participation from over 700 young athletes, including approximately 400 boys and 300 girls. Organised by the Boxing Federation of India (BFI), the competition will feature 15 weight categories for each gender. This event forms a crucial part of BFI’s long-term strategy to identify and nurture boxing talent from the grassroots level, aiming to create a robust pipeline of skilled boxers who can potentially represent India at elite international levels in the future.

ISRO launched the HOPE (Himalayan Outpost for Planetary Exploration) mission in Ladakh on August 1, 2025, as part of its efforts to prepare for future human spaceflight under the Gaganyaan programme. The 10-day mission, located near Tso Kar at an altitude of 14,000 feet, simulates Moon and Mars-like conditions such as low oxygen, freezing night temperatures, and rocky terrain. This analogue environment helps researchers study the effects of isolation and extreme stress on human health and performance. The insights gained from this mission will play a crucial role in designing astronaut protocols for long-duration interplanetary missions.

India and the Philippines have recently agreed to upgrade their bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership. This development was marked by the adoption of a 2025–2029 Action Plan during a meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The move signifies deepening cooperation across various sectors, including legal assistance, defence, trade, and coast guard operations. Additionally, the visit of President Marcos Jr. coincides with the celebration of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations, highlighting the long-standing and growing partnership.