Current Affairs - August 24, 2025 Current Affairs

Uttar Pradesh marked a significant milestone in India’s clean energy journey with the inauguration of its first Green Hydrogen plant in Gorakhpur by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Developed by Torrent Power and Torrent Gas, the plant is designed to produce 72 tonnes of green hydrogen annually. This hydrogen will be blended with natural gas and distributed to households, CNG stations, and industries, making it the largest blending initiative in India’s City Gas Distribution sector. The project not only enhances the adoption of green hydrogen but also aligns with India’s larger vision of sustainable energy and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

Sergio Gor, a long-time aide to Donald Trump, has been appointed as the next US Ambassador to India and Special Envoy for South and Central Asia. At just 38, Gor brings a diverse background, having been born in Uzbekistan, lived in Malta, and later migrated to the US. His career includes roles with John McCain, Rand Paul, and eventually joining Trump’s political circle. He co-founded Winning Team Publishing with Donald Trump Jr. and played a central role in Trump’s second term as Director of Presidential Personnel. His dual appointment signals Trump’s strategic shift in US-India relations amid growing trade and geopolitical tensions.

The 23rd General Conference of the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD) was hosted in Phuket, Thailand, from 19–21 August 2025. During this event, India was elected as the Chairman of the AIBD Executive Board with the highest number of votes, marking a return to leadership after last serving in 2016. The conference carried the theme “Media for People, Peace & Prosperity,” bringing together global broadcasting stakeholders to deliberate on content collaboration, media development, and policy exchange. Hosting the conference in Thailand reinforced its role as a hub for regional cooperation in media and broadcasting development.

Indranil Bhattacharyya, Executive Director of the Reserve Bank of India, has been appointed as the newest ex officio member of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), replacing Rajiv Ranjan ahead of the October 2025 policy meeting. With over 28 years of experience in central banking, Bhattacharyya has played a significant role in monetary policy formulation, having also served as Executive Director of the Department of Economic and Policy Research. His international experience at the Qatar Central Bank and academic background from JNU further strengthen his expertise. His appointment ensures continuity and expertise in the RBI’s critical policy-making body.

NITI Aayog, in partnership with the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), launched the report “Rethinking Homestays: Navigating Policy Pathways” on 22 August 2025. The report presents a comprehensive roadmap to strengthen India’s homestay and BnB ecosystem by balancing cultural authenticity, economic opportunity, and sustainable tourism practices. It emphasises creating light-touch regulatory frameworks, promoting public–private collaboration, and encouraging digital empowerment for scaling the sector. By positioning homestays as both cultural bridges and economic drivers, the report highlights their role in rural job creation, heritage preservation, and boosting India’s tourism growth in alignment with inclusive development goals.

SEMICON India 2025, scheduled from September 2–4 at Yashobhoomi in New Delhi, is India’s largest semiconductor and electronics showcase. The event will host participation from 33 nations, along with 350 exhibitors and 50+ global industry leaders. With the theme “Building the Next Semiconductor Powerhouse,” it aims to strengthen India’s position in the global semiconductor ecosystem. The event will feature high-profile keynotes, roundtables, and discussions on supply chain resilience, sustainability, and advanced chip manufacturing. By attracting international collaboration and highlighting India’s growing semiconductor mission, the participation of 33 nations underlines its strategic importance in the global electronics sector.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for development projects worth over ₹5,200 crore in Kolkata, West Bengal, on 22 August 2025. The initiatives included major metro network extensions such as the Noapara–Jai Hind Bimanbandar line for direct airport access, the Sealdah–Esplanade line reducing travel time drastically, and the Beleghata–Hemanta Mukhopadhyay section enhancing IT hub connectivity. Alongside these, he laid the foundation for the six-lane elevated Kona Expressway, expected to boost trade, tourism, and logistics. These projects highlight Kolkata’s transformation into a modern urban mobility hub while strengthening its historical role in India’s economic development.

Kerala has been declared India’s first fully digitally literate state after successfully completing Phase I of the Digi Kerala project. The initiative reached 1.5 crore individuals across 83.46 lakh families, identifying 21.88 lakh digitally illiterate persons and training 21.87 lakh of them with a remarkable 99.98% success rate. What makes this achievement historic is the inclusiveness of the program, ensuring participation across age groups, including a 104-year-old trainee. By leveraging grassroots governance and community-led training, Kerala has empowered its citizens to access e-governance portals, welfare schemes, and digital financial services, effectively bridging the digital divide.

Srinivasan K Swamy, Executive Group Chairman of R K Swamy Ltd, has been re-elected as the President of the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) for 2025-26. This marks his fourth term as AAAI President, coinciding with the association’s 80th anniversary of representing the advertising industry in India. Swamy, a veteran leader in the advertising and communications sector, is recognised for his influential role in advancing collaboration, ethical practices, and policy advocacy. His prior leadership experience (2004–2007) and continued industry influence ensure strong guidance for AAAI as it navigates challenges and opportunities in the digital era.

Punjab National Bank (PNB) has become the first public sector bank in India to migrate its corporate website to the highly secure ‘.bank.in’ domain, complying with the RBI’s directive on enhancing cybersecurity in the banking sector. This transition was supported by the Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology (IDRBT), ensuring stronger digital security and trust in online banking services. The initiative highlights PNB’s commitment to safeguarding customer data and adapting to modern technological advancements. With its roots established by Dyal Singh Majithia and Lala Lajpat Rai, PNB continues to uphold its legacy under the leadership of MD & CEO Ashok Chandra.

Cheteshwar Pujara, India’s dependable No. 3 Test batsman, announced his retirement from all formats of cricket on August 24, 2025. Often called “India’s Modern Wall,” he carried forward the legacy of Rahul Dravid by playing long, patient innings and providing stability to the Indian batting lineup. With 103 Test matches, 7,195 runs, and 19 centuries, Pujara is India’s 8th highest run-scorer in Test history. His most memorable performance came during the 2018–19 Test series in Australia, where he scored 521 runs and played a pivotal role in India’s historic first-ever series win there. His retirement signifies the end of an era of classical Test batting.