Current Affairs - August 12, 2025 Current Affairs

The Equator Prize 2025, presented by the United Nations Development Programme through its Equator Initiative, recognised 10 community-led nature-based solutions by Indigenous Peoples and local communities. The central theme for this year’s awards was “Nature for Climate Action,” emphasising the vital role that ecosystems and biodiversity play in mitigating climate change. Winners came from diverse countries including Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Papua New Guinea, Peru, and Tanzania. Each recipient was awarded USD 10,000 and will receive global recognition during significant international events such as the UN General Assembly and COP30 in Belém, Brazil.

International Youth Day is observed every year on August 12 to highlight the contributions and potential of young people worldwide. It was established by the United Nations in 1999 and was first celebrated in the year 2000. The day serves as a platform to empower youth voices, promote engagement in decision-making, and address challenges faced by young generations. Each year, it features a theme to focus global attention on a specific area; for 2025, the theme is “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond,” emphasising grassroots youth initiatives for sustainable development and a better future.

On 26 August 2025, the Indian Navy will achieve a historic first by commissioning two advanced stealth frigates, INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri, on the same day at Visakhapatnam. Both ships are part of Project 17A, featuring stealth-optimised hulls, advanced propulsion systems, and formidable multi-role weaponry. INS Udaygiri was built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, while INS Himgiri was constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers. This event not only marks a milestone in India’s naval modernisation and indigenous shipbuilding but also showcases the country’s industrial strength, involving over 200 MSMEs and generating thousands of direct and indirect jobs.

India’s first drone-AI-powered artificial rain experiment was launched at Ramgarh Dam in Jaipur, Rajasthan. This pioneering project uses cloud seeding technology enhanced with drones and artificial intelligence to induce rainfall. Conducted by GenX AI in collaboration with the Rajasthan Government, it aims to revive the historic 129-year-old reservoir, which has been dry for two decades, and improve water supply, agriculture, and biodiversity in the region. The drones spray sodium chloride into clouds to trigger precipitation, a technique already used in several countries to combat drought. The initiative also involves multiple government departments and has received DGCA approval for drone operations.

The rare Blue Pinkgill mushroom (Entoloma hochstetteri), native to New Zealand, was recently found in the Kagaznagar forest division of Komaram Bheem Asifabad district, Telangana. Known for its vivid sky-blue colour due to rare azulene pigments, this species is among the most visually striking fungi in the world. Its discovery in Telangana suggests that the local forest ecosystem provides conditions similar to its native habitat. Alongside, the shuttlecock mushroom (Clathrus delicatus) was spotted for the first time in the Eastern Ghats at Kawal Tiger Reserve. These findings highlight Telangana’s rich biodiversity and the ecological significance of its forest regions.

World Elephant Day is celebrated annually on August 12 to raise awareness about the conservation and protection of elephants. Established in 2012 by Canadian filmmaker Patricia Sims and Thailand’s Elephant Reintroduction Foundation, it aims to address threats such as poaching, habitat destruction, and mistreatment of captive elephants. The 2025 theme, “Bringing the world together to help elephants,” highlights the need for unified global action. The day also promotes initiatives like Project Elephant in India, focuses on preserving natural habitats, and advocates stronger laws for elephant welfare, ensuring the survival of both African and Asian elephant species for future generations.

IDFC FIRST Bank has introduced RemitFIRST2India, a zero-fee digital remittance platform designed for Non-Resident Indians to send money to India quickly, securely, and transparently. Launched in partnership with SingX, the service currently operates from Singapore and Hong Kong, offering competitive forex rates, real-time transaction tracking, and fully digital, paperless transfers to any bank account in India. Existing NRI customers can access it directly through the bank’s mobile app, while new users benefit from simple online onboarding. This initiative aligns with IDFC FIRST Bank’s customer-first approach, digital innovation leadership, and commitment to ethical, socially responsible, and inclusive banking practices.

Zomato has partnered with Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan as its new brand ambassador, building on his appearance in the company’s recent “Fuel Your Hustle” campaign. The collaboration aims to inspire people by linking food with the spirit of persistence, reflecting both Khan’s decades-long journey of hard work and Zomato’s mission to support every hustle. The association will be visible across television, digital, print, and outdoor media, ensuring nationwide reach. By aligning with Shah Rukh Khan’s influence and credibility, Zomato strengthens its emotional connection with consumers while promoting perseverance, ambition, and the importance of staying fueled for success.

India’s U-20 women’s football team secured qualification for the AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 after a long gap of 20 years. They achieved this milestone by defeating Myanmar 1–0 in Yangon, with the decisive goal coming from Pooja’s first-half header. This qualification is significant as it marks a major achievement in Indian women’s football, demonstrating the team’s growth and determination. The tournament will feature 12 teams, including the host nation Thailand, who qualify automatically, and 11 other teams that made it through the qualifiers.

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has entered into strategic partnerships with global technology leaders Ericsson, Qualcomm, Cisco, and Nokia to advance 5G, AI, and networking skills in India. These collaborations will be implemented at BSNL’s premier training institute, the Bharat Ratna Bhim Rao Ambedkar Institute of Telecom Training (BRBRAITT) in Jabalpur. The initiative is part of the Department of Telecommunications’ plan to set up the Telecom Innovation, Research and Training Centre (TIRTC) to create a skilled, future-ready workforce. It aligns with the Skill India and Atmanirbhar Bharat missions, aiming to foster telecom R&D, innovation, and industry-led skill development nationwide.

World Biofuel Day is celebrated annually on August 10 to honour Sir Rudolf Diesel, the inventor of the diesel engine. On this date in 1893, Diesel successfully operated his engine using peanut oil, demonstrating the potential of vegetable oils as a fuel source. The observance aims to promote awareness about the importance of non-fossil fuels like bioethanol, biodiesel, and biogas, which are derived from renewable biomass sources such as plants, crop residues, and animal waste. It underscores the role of biofuels in reducing carbon emissions, enhancing energy security, and contributing to sustainable development worldwide.

The Maharashtra government is preparing to introduce a social security framework aimed at providing benefits to more than 5 lakh gig workers. This initiative will cover individuals working on over 320 e-commerce, aggregator, and service platforms. The proposed draft bill includes a cess on companies, linked to tax and GST collections, to create a dedicated welfare fund. Workers and their families will gain access to health insurance, life cover, fixed income support, and educational assistance. This move is in alignment with the Social Security Code, 2020, reflecting a progressive step toward securing the livelihoods of gig economy participants.

Axis Bank has introduced the ‘Lock FD’ feature as a proactive measure to safeguard customers from digital banking fraud. This feature prevents the premature closure of fixed deposits through online channels, allowing closure only via in-person visits to a branch with proper identity verification. By blocking digital closure requests and requiring branch-based verification, the initiative significantly reduces the risk of unauthorised fund withdrawals, even if digital credentials are compromised. Customers can activate ‘Lock FD’ through the Axis Bank mobile app or by visiting a branch, thereby adding a strong human and procedural layer of protection to their savings.