Current Affairs - August 21, 2025 Current Affairs

The Constitution (One Hundred and Thirtieth Amendment) Bill, 2025, introduced by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, specifies that the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, and other ministers will be automatically removed from office if they are detained for 30 consecutive days on charges that carry a minimum sentence of five years. This clause strengthens accountability and ensures that individuals holding the highest executive positions cannot continue in office while under prolonged detention. By fixing the threshold at 30 days, the law balances due process with public trust in governance, preventing misuse of power and safeguarding democratic integrity.

In July 2025, India’s infrastructure output, measured by the Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI), recorded a growth of 2% compared to the same month in the previous year. This performance was largely driven by strong growth in steel and cement sectors, which posted double-digit increases of 12.8% and 11.7% respectively. Fertilizer production also contributed positively with a rise of 2%, while electricity generation showed a smaller increase of 0.5%. The 2% growth reflects resilience in core industries despite mixed performances across sectors, highlighting steel and cement as major drivers of infrastructure development during this period.

India’s marine fish production in 2023–24 reached 44.95 lakh tonnes, marking a significant increase from 34.76 lakh tonnes in 2020–21, with an impressive average annual growth rate of 8.9%. This surge is attributed to the government’s dual strategy of sustainable fisheries development and climate-resilient practices under initiatives such as the PM Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and the National Innovation in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA). These programs focus on ecological restoration, climate adaptation, and infrastructure support for coastal communities. The achievement not only highlights India’s growing fishery sector but also underscores its commitment to sustainability and long-term resilience against climate impacts.

Dubai has launched the ‘One Freezone Passport’ initiative, which allows companies licensed in one free zone to expand their operations into other free zones without the need for additional licenses. This move simplifies regulatory processes, enhances business flexibility, and reduces operational costs for global firms. Louis Vuitton became the first company to benefit from this system, facilitating its operations between Jafza and the DWTC Free Zone. By unifying its free zone ecosystem, Dubai strengthens its status as a global business hub, attracting multinational companies and fostering a more streamlined and competitive economic environment.

Odisha has initiated efforts to promote Palmyra palm trees (Borassus flabellifer) as a natural safeguard against lightning strikes, given its high vulnerability to lightning-related deaths according to IMD and NCRB data. The tree, commonly found in tropical regions of South and Southeast Asia, is known for its resilience and tall structure, which helps in dispersing lightning safely, thereby reducing the risk to human life. While the Palmyra palm holds cultural significance in Tamil Nadu as its State Tree, Odisha’s move to expand its plantation highlights a strategic environmental and safety measure to protect vulnerable communities from natural hazards.

Anantjeet Singh Naruka secured the gold medal in the Men’s Skeet event at the Asian Shooting Championships held in Shymkent, Kazakhstan. He outperformed Kuwait’s Mansour Al Rashidi in the final to claim the top podium position, showcasing exceptional skill and composure under pressure. This victory highlights India’s growing presence in the shooting sport on the international stage. Alongside his triumph, Saurabh Chaudhary and Suruchi Inder Singh contributed to India’s medal tally by winning bronze in the 10 meter air pistol mixed team event, reflecting the country’s strength across multiple shooting disciplines.

The Agni-5 Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile, successfully test-fired from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, Odisha, is capable of reaching speeds up to Mach 24, making it one of the fastest strategic missiles in India’s arsenal. The launch was conducted under the Strategic Forces Command and validated all key operational and technical parameters. This speed enables the missile to cover vast distances within minutes, ensuring high precision and deterrence capabilities. Alongside Agni-5, India has also maintained operational readiness of other systems like Prithvi-II and Agni-I, strengthening the country’s layered missile defence and strategic strike capability.

World Entrepreneurs’ Day is observed annually on August 21 to honour innovators and business leaders who contribute to economic growth, job creation, and societal progress. This global observance highlights the resilience, creativity, and leadership of entrepreneurs ranging from small business owners to large-scale startup founders. Celebrated in over 170 countries, the day fosters awareness about the value of entrepreneurship and its role in driving GDP, innovation, and social change. By commemorating this day, governments, academic institutions, and business communities encourage entrepreneurial education, inspire new leaders, and strengthen ecosystems that nurture sustainable enterprise worldwide.

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have successfully developed two potential antibiotics using generative AI to address the growing challenge of drug-resistant infections. These antibiotics are specifically designed to target Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the bacterium responsible for gonorrhea, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a leading cause of hospital-acquired infections. The application of AI in drug discovery accelerates the identification of effective compounds, reducing the time and cost involved in traditional research. This breakthrough represents a significant advancement in the fight against antimicrobial resistance, offering hope for novel treatments against some of the most dangerous superbugs threatening global health.

World Senior Citizens’ Day is observed every year on August 21 to honour the invaluable contributions of elderly people and to highlight the importance of serving them with dignity, respect, and compassion. First proclaimed by U.S. President Ronald Reagan in 1988 and later recognised globally by the United Nations in 1990, the day has grown into a worldwide observance. It emphasises the need to address challenges such as health issues, social isolation, and financial insecurity faced by senior citizens. Celebrating this day also promotes intergenerational solidarity, ensuring that elders’ wisdom and experiences remain central to community growth and policy-making.