Current Affairs - August 7, 2025 Current Affairs

The District Flood Severity Index (DFSI) is a data-driven tool aimed at assessing and categorising flood severity at the district level in India. It was developed jointly by researchers from IIT Delhi and IIT Gandhinagar. This tool supports the identification of flood-prone districts and helps in guiding effective allocation of resources for flood mitigation and emergency response planning. By using detailed district-level data, DFSI enables disaster management authorities to better prepare for and respond to floods, ensuring timely intervention and minimising potential loss of life and property.

The 64th National Exhibition of Art was inaugurated in New Delhi by the Lalit Kala Akademi. This prestigious annual event showcases the finest works in the visual arts from across India. For the first time in its history, the exhibition allows the sale of award-winning artworks, creating opportunities for artists to directly benefit financially from their creations. A total of 20 artists were honoured with the Lalit Kala Akademi Award for their excellence in visual arts. The event not only celebrates artistic talent but also contributes to strengthening the creative economy and promoting cultural heritage.

A cloudburst over the Kheer Ganga River, a tributary of the Alaknanda River, triggered flash floods in Dharali, a high-altitude village located in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. Cloudbursts are characterised by extremely intense rainfall, often exceeding 100 mm in one hour over a small area of about 10 km². These events are particularly common in mountainous regions like the Himalayas due to the combination of steep terrain and unique weather patterns. The flash floods caused by such incidents pose significant risks to lives, property, and infrastructure in vulnerable areas.

The Delhi Legislative Assembly, located in New Delhi, has become India’s first legislature to operate entirely on solar power. This milestone was achieved through the installation of a 500-kilowatt rooftop solar plant, expected to save ₹15 lakh per month in electricity costs. Alongside this green energy initiative, the Assembly adopted the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) to enable paperless legislative functioning under the “One Nation, One Application” program. By integrating renewable energy with digital governance, the Delhi Assembly sets a benchmark for other state legislatures, demonstrating how sustainability and technological modernisation can work together in public administration.

The Republic of Moldova has joined the International Solar Alliance (ISA) as its 107th member, further expanding the coalition’s global reach in promoting sustainable solar energy. Launched in 2015 by India and France at the COP21 Climate Summit, the ISA works to mobilise investments, lower technology costs, and facilitate knowledge sharing in the solar sector. Moldova’s entry grants it access to technical expertise, financing opportunities, and international partnerships aimed at boosting its domestic solar capacity. This move underscores Moldova’s commitment to a clean energy transition while strengthening international cooperation in renewable energy development.

India and Russia signed a protocol during the 11th session of the India-Russia Working Group on Modernisation and Industrial Cooperation, held at Vanijya Bhawan in New Delhi. This agreement reaffirms their strategic partnership and focuses on boosting collaboration in industrial and technological sectors. Organised under the India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission, the initiative covers trade, economic, scientific, technological, and cultural cooperation. Such measures aim to strengthen bilateral relations, promote technology exchange, and enhance industrial capabilities between the two countries for long-term mutual benefit.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Kartavya Bhavan as the first building under the Common Central Secretariat (CCS) project, a significant part of the Central Vista redevelopment plan. This modern complex will house multiple ministries, including Home Affairs, External Affairs, Rural Development, and others, replacing older and outdated government buildings like Shastri Bhavan and Krishi Bhavan. The aim is to centralise government operations, enhance coordination, and reduce inefficiencies. Kartavya Bhavan represents a key step toward creating a more streamlined, efficient, and future-ready administrative system that reflects India’s ambitions for modern governance in the 21st century.

Five newly appointed judges — Pramod Kumar Srivastava-II, Santosh Rai, Zafeer Ahmad, Abdul Shahid, and Tej Pratap Tiwari — will take oath in the Allahabad High Court, bringing its current strength to 83 judges. The oath ceremony will be held in the Chief Justice's courtroom. Although the sanctioned strength of the Allahabad High Court is 160 judges, the present appointment marks an important step toward filling vacancies and improving judicial capacity. Strengthening the bench is crucial for reducing case backlogs, ensuring timely justice, and enhancing the overall efficiency of the judicial system in Uttar Pradesh.

Bengaluru secured the 26th position in the Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) City Index 2025, making it India’s top AI hub. Released by Counterpoint Research, the index highlights Bengaluru’s rapid growth as a global centre for AI research and development, as well as its increasing number of data centres. The city’s strong AI startup ecosystem, supportive innovation environment, and significant foreign investments have propelled it into the global spotlight. This ranking underscores Bengaluru’s importance in shaping the AI landscape and its potential to become a leading player in future technological advancements.

National Handloom Day 2025 is celebrated on August 7 to honour India’s weaving heritage and commemorate the launch of the Swadeshi Movement in 1905. This historic date marks the call for boycotting foreign textiles and promoting indigenous handloom products as a symbol of economic self-reliance and cultural pride. The 2025 theme, “Handlooms – Empowering Women, Empowering the Nation,” recognises the pivotal role of women, who make up over 70% of the sector’s workforce. The day also highlights the significance of sustainable, community-based textile production in preserving regional identities and fostering economic empowerment across rural India.