NATIONAL NEWS

Bihar Government Approves Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana

The Bihar government, led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, approved the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana.

The scheme focuses on women empowerment and economic inclusion by promoting self-employment opportunities.

Under the scheme, ₹10,000 will be provided as initial financial assistance to one woman per family through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

Applications will open soon, and transfers are expected to begin in September 2025.

After six months of activity, a performance review will be conducted. Based on outcomes, women may receive additional support up to ₹2 lakh for scaling businesses.

Beneficiaries can choose activities such as small-scale manufacturing, handicrafts, dairy, poultry, agriculture-based ventures, retail, and services.

The government will set up haat bazaars (local markets) in villages, towns, and cities to help women directly sell their products.

The scheme aims to generate employment for rural and semi-urban women, enhance family income, reduce migration, and promote local economic resilience.

Department of Posts Collaborates with MapmyIndia

The Department of Posts (DoP), under the Ministry of Communications, has signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MapmyIndia - Mappls to support the development and implementation of DIGIPIN.

The MoU was signed at Dak Bhawan, New Delhi.

MapmyIndia will provide base maps for the Know Your DIGIPIN application, which will help generate accurate DIGIPINs based on geographic location and enhance visibility.

DIGIPIN functionality will be integrated into the Mappls application, allowing users to search and navigate using a DIGIPIN.

MapmyIndia will also help in the allocation of DIGIPINs to pre-identified addresses, which will strengthen location-based services.

This integration is intended to help enterprises, government agencies, and developers use DIGIPIN, thereby promoting the Digital Address Code initiative and the Address as a Service (AaaS) framework in India.

Indian Highways Management Company Limited and ICICI Bank Signed Agreement

Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL), promoted by NHAI, signed an agreement with ICICI Bank to implement India’s first comprehensive Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling system at Choryasi Fee Plaza, Gujarat (NH-48).

The agreement was signed in the presence of NHAI Chairman Shri Santosh Kumar Yadav and senior officials of NHAI, IHMCL, and ICICI Bank at NHAI Headquarters, New Delhi.

Choryasi Fee Plaza will be the first barrier-free toll plaza in the country.

A similar agreement has also been signed with ICICI Bank for implementing MLFF at Gharaunda Fee Plaza, Haryana (NH-44).

NHAI plans to roll out MLFF-based tolling at 25 National Highway fee plazas during the current financial year.

Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) is a barrier-less tolling system that uses FASTag, Vehicle Registration Number (VRN), High Performance RFID Readers, and ANPR Cameras to enable toll transactions without stopping vehicles.

Benefits include seamless toll collection, reduced congestion, improved fuel efficiency, lower emissions, and better revenue collection.

This initiative is seen as a major milestone in modernizing tolling in India, promoting a technology-driven, transparent, and efficient highway network.

 

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

China Deploys Wukong AI Chatbot on Tiangong Space Station to Assist Taikonauts

China has introduced an AI chatbot named Wukong AI aboard the Tiangong Space Station to assist taikonauts.

Wukong AI is named after Sun Wukong (the Monkey King), symbolizing adaptability, endurance, and the pursuit of knowledge.

The chatbot was launched on July 15, 2025, and provided support to three taikonauts during a 6.5-hour spacewalk for space debris protection and inspections.

It is a Large Language Model (LLM) built on a domestic open-source AI platform.

The system operates in two modules: an onboard module for real-time crew support and an Earth module for deeper analysis.

This marks the first deployment of an LLM in China’s space program, highlighting its ambition in the global space race.

 

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Pixxel Space, Dhruva Space Satellites Successfully Launched Aboard SpaceX Falcon-9 from California

Pixxel Space and Dhruva Space successfully launched satellites onboard SpaceX’s Falcon-9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California.

Pixxel launched three Firefly satellites, completing Phase 1 of its six-satellite hyperspectral constellation for high-resolution Earth observation.

Each Firefly satellite captures 135 spectral bands at 5-metre resolution across a 40 km swath, making it the most advanced commercial hyperspectral imaging system

Pixxel had earlier launched three Firefly satellites in January 2025; now it plans to launch Honeybee satellites using SWIR band

Dhruva Space (Hyderabad-based) launched its first commercial satellite LEAP-01, carrying payloads from Australia’s Akula Tech and Esper Satellites.

LEAP-01 is Dhruva Space’s first hosted payload mission, featuring AI model optimisation technology by Akula Tech for efficient Geospatial AI/ML operations in space.

 

BANKING

Flipkart and SBI Card Launched Co-Branded ‘Flipkart SBI Credit Card’

SBI Card and Flipkart have jointly launched the ‘Flipkart SBI Credit Card’, a co-branded credit card.

The launch was attended by SBI Chairman Challa Sreenivasulu Setty and SBI MD Ashwini Kumar Tewari.

The card is designed to provide curated cashback benefits for a rewarding shopping experience.

Salila Pande, the MD and CEO of SBI Card, is associated with this initiative.

SBI Card, launched in 1998, is one of India’s leading credit card issuers.

It was originally a joint venture between SBI and GE Capital. In 2017, GE exited, and the Carlyle Group became a stakeholder, with SBI retaining majority ownership.

 

FINANCE

India’s Foreign Exchange Reserves Fall By $4.38 Billion To $690.72 Billion

According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), India’s forex reserves fell by $4.386 billion to $690.72 billion for the week ended August 22, 2025.

In the previous week, reserves had increased by $1.488 billion to $695.106 billion.

Foreign Currency Assets (FCA), the largest component, declined by $3.652 billion to $582.251 billion.

Gold reserves decreased by $665 million to $85.003 billion.

Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) fell by $46 million to $18.736 billion.

India’s reserve position with the IMF dropped by $23 million to $4.731 billion.

Changes in FCA also reflect the appreciation/depreciation of major currencies like the euro, pound, and yen.

 

DEFENCE

Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth Launches MILMEDICON-2025

Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth inaugurated MILMEDICON-2025 on August 28, 2025, at Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi.

It was organised by DGMS (Army), the conference focuses on innovations, challenges and reforms in military medicine

The conference's theme is “International Conference on Physical and Mental Trauma in Military Settings”, and it was organized by the Directorate General of Medical Services (Army).

The two-day conference focuses on innovations, challenges, and reforms in military medicine, aligning with the Indian Army’s Year of Reforms.

MILMEDICON-2025 also commemorates the Centenary (100 years) of the Military Nursing Service, celebrating Nari Shakti in combat medical care.

Key topics of discussion include Advanced Combat Trauma Care, AI integration in Military Healthcare, Emergency and Battlefield Medical Response, and Women in Combat and Leadership Roles.

The conference saw participation from over 15 foreign countries, along with the Indian Armed Forces, international delegations, civilian healthcare experts, and academia.

India and Thailand To Hold 14th Edition Of Exercise Maitree At Umroi

The 14th edition of Exercise Maitree, a bilateral military exercise between India and Thailand, is scheduled to take place at Umroi, Meghalaya, from September 1 to 14, 2025.

The main objective is to enhance operational skills for both armies in conducting joint counter-terrorism operations in semi-urban areas.

The exercise will focus on developing tactical and technical skills for counter-insurgency and counter-terrorist operations under a UN mandate, covering both rural and urban environments.

The 13th edition of Exercise Maitree was held in Tak Province, Thailand, from 1st to 15th July 2024 with each country deploying 76 soldiers.

India's representation was the Ladakh Scouts, while Thailand's was the 1st Battalion of the 14th Infantry Regiment.

Indian Army Holds First-Ever Exercise Aarogya Setu In Assam’s Tinsukia District

The Indian Army organized the maiden Exercise Aarogya Setu at Rupai, Doomdooma, Tinsukia district, Assam.

This was the first-ever civil-military medical fusion exercise in the region.

The exercise aimed to strengthen cooperation between the Army Medical Corps, senior civil doctors from reputed hospitals, Primary Health Centres (PHCs) of Tinsukia, and the Northern Frontier Railway Hospital, Tinsukia.

A key highlight was the introduction of the train ambulance concept by a doctor from the Northern Frontier Railway Hospital, showcasing a life-saving facility.

 

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Railway Board

The Government of India has reappointed Satish Kumar as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Railway Board for a one-year term, effective September 1, 2025.

This is the first extension for this post in five years.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved his re-employment on a contract basis under existing terms.

Satish Kumar took charge in September 2024, becoming the first Dalit (SC/ST) to lead the Railway Board.

He is from the Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineers (IRSME) and started his career in 1986.

He will now oversee the completion and rollout of Vande Bharat sleeper trains.

His career postings include the Jhansi Division (Central Railway), Diesel Locomotive Works (Varanasi), North Eastern Railway (Gorakhpur), and Patiala Locomotive Works.

       

SPORTS

Neeraj Chopra Secures 2nd Place at Zurich Diamond League Final 2025

Neeraj Chopra, Olympic and World Champion, finished 2nd place at the Zurich Diamond League Final 2025 with a final throw of 85.01m.

This marked his 26th consecutive top-two finish in international javelin competitions.

Chopra’s throw sequence: 84.35m (1st), 82.00m (2nd), 3rd–5th fouls, 85.01m (6th, secured 2nd position).

Germany’s Julian Weber clinched gold with a world-leading throw of 91.51m (2nd attempt, personal best).

Keshorn Walcott (Trinidad & Tobago) secured 3rd place with 84.95m.

Neeraj overtook Walcott in the final round, showing composure under pressure.

Neeraj’s consistency makes him one of the most reliable and consistent athletes in world athletics, maintaining podium finishes since Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

He now focuses on defending his World Championship title at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo starting 13th September 2025.

 

IMPORTANT DAYS

National Nutrition Week

National Nutrition Week is observed from September 1 to September 7 every year.

The theme for the National Nutrition Week (celebrated September 1-7) is "Eat Right for a Better Life"  

The need to spread awareness this National Nutrition Week is because a large population of India especially children and women don’t get food supply due to poverty, illiteracy, and lack of awareness.

The objective is to intensify awareness generation on the importance of nutrition for health which has an impact on development, productivity, economic growth, and ultimately national development.

National Nutrition Week was established in 1975 by the members of the American Dietetic Association(ADA), now known as the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

This week was set aside to raise awareness among the general public of the value of good nutrition and the need for an active lifestyle.