Current Affairs - August 25, 2025 Current Affairs

OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, has announced that it will establish its first office in India in New Delhi later in 2025. This marks a significant step in its global expansion and aligns closely with India’s national initiative, the IndiaAI Mission, which promotes inclusive and trusted AI development. India is ChatGPT’s second-largest market and among the top five developer hubs worldwide, making it a strategic choice for OpenAI’s first South Asian office. The Delhi hub will focus on supporting students, developers, educators, and enterprises by expanding AI accessibility, fostering collaborations with academic and industry stakeholders, and contributing to AI-powered solutions in areas like governance, agriculture, and recruitment. This move highlights India’s growing role as a global AI powerhouse.

India’s seafood exports for FY2024–25 recorded a total value of USD 7.45 billion, reflecting a slight increase from USD 7.38 billion the previous year. Despite the growth in value, the overall export volume declined to 16.98 lakh tonnes from 17.81 lakh tonnes, showing challenges in international market demand and supply chain dynamics. Frozen shrimp continued to dominate, contributing USD 5.17 billion and nearly 70% of the total earnings, consolidating India’s global leadership in shrimp exports. The United States remained the largest buyer, followed by China, the European Union, Southeast Asia, Japan, and the Middle East, highlighting India’s wide-reaching seafood trade network.

Anish Dayal Singh, a 1988-batch IPS officer of the Manipur cadre and former CRPF chief, has been appointed as the Deputy National Security Advisor (NSA) to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. With a distinguished career in internal security, counter-insurgency, and intelligence, Singh brings over three decades of experience to his new role. He previously led the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), where he implemented major initiatives like the establishment of Forward Operating Bases in Naxal-affected areas, election security management, and restructuring of battalions for better operational efficiency. His expertise strengthens India’s security framework under NSA Ajit Doval, enhancing inter-agency coordination and strategic planning.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully carried out the maiden test of the Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS) off the Odisha coast. This advanced system integrates multiple cutting-edge defence technologies, including the Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM), Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS), and a laser-based Directed Energy Weapon (DEW). The system is centrally managed through a Command & Control Centre developed by the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL). Additionally, VSHORADS and DEW were developed by Research Centre Imarat (RCI) and the Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences (CHESS), marking a significant step in strengthening India’s air defence capabilities.

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) launched its first all-women commando unit in Madhya Pradesh, marking a major step towards strengthening gender inclusivity in paramilitary forces. The training for this unit is being conducted at the Regional Training Centre in Barwaha, where 30 women personnel are undergoing an intensive 8-week advanced course. The training modules include physical fitness, advanced weapons handling, live-fire drills, rappelling, and survival techniques. Once trained, these women commandos will be deployed in Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) and Special Task Forces (STFs), enhancing the force’s operational capabilities while promoting women’s empowerment in security services.

Madhya Pradesh secured the top position in the first-ever Khelo India Water Sports Festival, which took place over three days at Dal Lake in Srinagar. The state dominated water sports, particularly kayaking and canoeing, where it won all four gold medals. In total, Madhya Pradesh bagged 18 medals, comprising 10 gold, 3 silver, and 5 bronze, making it the clear champion. Odisha followed with 10 medals, while Kerala secured the third spot with seven. The event was organised by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the J&K Sports Council, marking a significant milestone in promoting water sports in India.

The Government of Andhra Pradesh, under the leadership of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, launched a welfare initiative on August 23, 2025, during the Swachh Andhra–Swarna Andhra campaign in Peddapuram, Kakinada district. The scheme provides a ₹1 crore life insurance cover for municipal staff and a ₹20 lakh cover for outsourced workers in case of accidental death or permanent disability. Additionally, education assistance of up to ₹8 lakh will be offered for their children. This initiative not only ensures financial and educational support for vulnerable civic workers but also reflects the government’s vision of inclusive governance and its commitment to building “Swarna Andhra” (Golden Andhra Pradesh).

The X-37B, officially known as the Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV), is a highly secretive U.S. spaceplane developed initially by NASA and later managed by Boeing for the Department of Defense. Operated today by the U.S. Space Force, the X-37B has carried out multiple classified missions since its first launch in 2010. Measuring around 9 meters in length with a 4.5-meter wingspan, it resembles a mini space shuttle and features a payload bay comparable to a small pickup truck bed. Its standout capability is reusability and endurance, with the ability to remain in orbit for over 900 days. The program is widely believed to test advanced space technologies, materials, and sensors, potentially serving as a platform for future space dominance in an era of growing strategic competition.

Haryana launched the 11-week-long ‘Swachh Kurukshetra – Mera Kurukshetra, Mera Abhimaan’ mission under the leadership of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini. The campaign, held from August 24 to November 7, 2025, aims to transform Kurukshetra into the cleanest and most beautiful city in India. The launch event took place at Gita Gyan Sansthanam, Kurukshetra, where citizens and officials pledged their commitment to cleanliness. A campaign poster was also unveiled. This initiative is part of the larger Haryana Shehr Swachhta Abhiyan – 2025, designed to promote sustainable cleanliness practices and foster civic pride across the state.

India’s Department of Posts announced the suspension of international postal services to the United States of America from August 25, 2025. This decision came after the U.S. government, under Executive Order 14324, revoked the de minimis exemption that previously allowed imports valued up to USD 800 to enter duty-free. The new rules impose customs duties on all shipments, with only gift items up to USD 100 exempt. Airlines handling mail shipments to the U.S. refused carriage due to the lack of operational clarity, forcing India to halt most postal categories. Letters, documents, and low-value gifts remain permitted, but broader services are suspended until systems stabilise.