Current Affairs - National

The FASTag Annual Pass, introduced by NHAI on 15 August 2025, provides a year-long facility for non-commercial vehicle owners to travel seamlessly across national highways without repeated toll recharges. Priced at ₹3,000, the pass remains valid for one year or 200 toll crossings, whichever occurs first. This scheme simplifies highway travel by removing the inconvenience of frequent FASTag top-ups and ensuring zero toll deductions after activation. With nationwide coverage across 1,150 toll plazas and tech-enabled features through the Rajmargyatra App, it enhances convenience, reduces congestion, and supports a smoother, more efficient toll payment ecosystem.

‘Mission Sudarshan Chakra’, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 15, 2025, is a landmark national security initiative focused on protecting India’s vital establishments through indigenous technology. The mission represents a major stride towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat by aiming to reduce dependency on foreign systems and create a comprehensive multi-layered security shield. It integrates advanced surveillance, cyber protection, and physical defence in one unified framework, ensuring a proactive approach to national security. By anchoring protection on indigenous research and innovation, the mission not only strengthens defence infrastructure but also reflects India’s cultural ethos of self-reliance and resilience in the face of emerging threats.

The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved four new semiconductor projects under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), with a cumulative investment of around ₹4,600 crore. These projects will be established in Odisha, Punjab, and Andhra Pradesh, marking a significant step toward enhancing India’s semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem. The approved companies include SiCSem, Continental Device India Pvt Ltd (CDIL), 3D Glass Solutions Inc., and Advanced System in Package (ASIP) Technologies. By spreading the projects across multiple states, the initiative not only boosts local economies but also supports India’s goal of becoming a global hub in semiconductor production.

The 18th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA) was inaugurated in Mumbai, hosted by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE) at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR). The event witnessed participation from 288 high school students representing a record 64 countries, with 12 countries joining for the first time. Hosting such a large and diverse international academic competition highlights Mumbai’s role as a hub for science and education. It also reflects India’s growing contribution to global scientific collaboration, encouraging young minds to pursue research and innovation in astronomy and astrophysics.

India’s first Animal Stem Cell BioBank was inaugurated at the National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NIAB) in Hyderabad by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh. This advanced facility, spanning 9,300 sq ft and costing ₹1.85 crore, is equipped with cutting-edge infrastructure such as stem cell culture units, 3D bioprinting, bacterial culture labs, cryostorage, and high biosafety standards. It is designed to revolutionise animal health, regenerative medicine, and agricultural productivity through research in disease modelling, reproductive biotechnology, and tissue regeneration. The inauguration also included the launch of five breakthrough veterinary technologies aimed at improving livestock health and combating antimicrobial resistance.