CURRENT AFFAIRS 22 August, 2025

CURRENT AFFAIRS 22 August, 2025

1. PRODUCTION LINKED INCENTIVE (PLI) SCHEME –

• The Government informed Parliament that PLI disbursements crossed ₹21,000 crore, with applications clearance across 14 sectors since its launch.

Key Highlights of PLI Scheme Implementation

• Investment Mobilisation: The scheme has attracted investments worth ₹1.90 lakh crore, boosting manufacturing capacity across priority sectors.
• Application Clearances: A total of 806 applications have been approved under various PLI schemes.
• Higher approvals were seen in strong sectors like food products (182), specialty steel (109), and automobiles & auto components (95).
• Electronics and Mobile Manufacturing Success: Mobile phone production value rose 146% from ₹2.13 lakh crore (2020-21) to ₹5.25 lakh crore (2024-25).
• Exports of mobile phones surged 775%, from ₹22,870 crore in 2020-21 to ₹2,00,000 crore in 2024-25.
• Gains in Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices: Pharmaceutical PLI led to cumulative sales of ₹2.66 lakh crore, with exports worth ₹1.70 lakh crore.
• India became a net exporter of bulk drugs (₹2,280 crore surplus in FY 2024-25 versus ₹1,930 crore deficit in FY 2021-22).
• In medical devices, 21 projects are manufacturing 54 unique products, including advanced equipment such as MRI, CT-scan, stents, and dialysis machines.

2. SILVER ECONOMY –

• World Senior Citizen Day is celebrated every year on 21st August to acknowledge the contributions of senior citizens, raise awareness about the challenges they face globally, and highlight the growing importance of the silver economy.

          Note: World Senior Citizen Day began in 1988 when US President Reagan designated 21st August to honor seniors and promote supportive policies.

• It is different from the International Day of Older Persons. The United Nations General Assembly designated 1st October as the International Day of Older Persons, which was first observed in 1991.

What is the Silver Economy ?

• About: It refers to all economic activities, goods, and services catering to senior citizens.
• Importance for India: According to the Technical Group on Population Projections (2020), India’s elderly population will rise from 103.8 million in 2011 (8.6% of the population) to 193.4 million by 2031.
• According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) India’s elderly population is set to double to over 20% by 2050, surpassing children (0–15 years) by 2046. Senior citizens are becoming key economic players, creating opportunities in healthcare, technology, insurance, housing, and wellness.

Main Drivers of Silver Economy Growth:

• Active Aging: India is moving towards active aging, where senior citizens are healthier, more independent, and seen as contributors rather than dependents. Professionals in the 45-64 age group are currently the wealthiest, making seniors a key consumer class.
• Unlike previous generations, they are increasingly participating in the workforce and adding greater value to the economy.

3. TRUMP APPOINTS SERGIO GOR AS US AMBASSADOR TO INDIA AND SPECIAL ENVOY FOR SOUTH, CENTRAL ASIA –

• In a major diplomatic and political move, US President Donald Trump has nominated his long-time aide, Sergio Gor, as the next United States Ambassador to India and Special Envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs.
• This nomination comes amid rising tensions between the US and India over steep tariffs and geopolitical disagreements, making the role particularly sensitive and high-stakes. Gor’s appointment highlights Trump’s intent to ensure loyalists take on critical global roles during his second term.

4. INDIA PARTNERS WITH FRANCE’S SAFRAN TO BUILD JET ENGINES FOR NEXT-GEN FIGHTER AIRCRAFT –

• In a landmark move aimed at bolstering India’s aerospace self-reliance, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced a strategic partnership between India and French aerospace major Safran to co-develop and manufacture jet engines domestically. These engines will power the upcoming Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA)—India’s indigenously designed fifth-generation stealth fighter jet.
• This collaboration reflects not just technology transfer but a long-term investment in defence manufacturing and innovation, enhancing India’s capability to develop cutting-edge aerospace systems.

AMCA: India’s Fifth-Generation Fighter Jet

• The AMCA project, greenlit by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in 2024, is a ₹15,000 crore mission to design and prototype a fifth-generation fighter aircraft. This aircraft is being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
• AMCA will be developed in two variants,
• Mark 1: Powered by existing engines.
• Mark 2: Expected to use the new co-developed engine with higher thrust capacity (110 kN).

5. INDIA’S FOREX RESERVES RISE BY $1.48 BILLION TO $695.10 BILLION IN MID-AUGUST 2025 –

• India’s foreign exchange reserves continued their upward trajectory, increasing by $1.48 billion to $695.10 billion for the week ending August 15, 2025, as per the latest data released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). This rise, driven largely by higher foreign currency assets, comes after a period of volatility in global markets and underscores the central bank’s active role in ensuring currency stability.

Breakdown of the Reserve Components

• The total reserves, which serve as a key buffer against external shocks, comprise several components,
• Foreign currency assets (FCA) rose significantly by $1.92 billion, reaching $585.90 billion. These assets include investments in major global currencies like the euro, yen, and pound, which are held in non-US denominations but converted into dollar terms for reporting. The FCA is sensitive to exchange rate fluctuations and valuation changes.
• Gold reserves, in contrast, declined by $2.16 billion, bringing the total value down to $86.16 billion. This decrease could reflect a dip in global gold prices or portfolio rebalancing by the RBI.
• India’s reserve position with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) increased modestly by $15 million, standing at $4.75 billion.

MCQ QUIZ

Q1.   Agni-5 is a nuclear-capable land-based Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) developed by which organization ?

1. a) Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)
2. b) Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
3. c) Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
4. d) Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL)

Q2.   Vihar Lake, that was recently seen in news, is located in which city ?

1. a) Mumbai
2. b) Hyderabad
3. c) Bhopal
4. d) Chennai

Q3.   Rubella disease, that was recently seen in news, is caused by which agent ?

1. a) Bacteria
2. b) Virus
3. c) Fungus
4. d) Protozoa

Q4.   The primary stated objective of the 130th Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2025, is to uphold constitutional morality and public trust by:

1. a) introducing educational qualifications for individuals holding the office of a Minister.
2. b) ensuring Ministers under prolonged detention for serious criminal charges vacate their office.
3. c) barring individuals with any pending criminal case from being appointed as a Minister.
4. d) creating a special judicial mechanism for the swift trial of Ministers accused of corruption.

Explanation-

• The ‘Objects and Reasons’ of the Bill explicitly state that its goal is to protect constitutional morality, good governance, and public trust. It aims to achieve this by ensuring that a Minister who is arrested and detained for a significant period (30 days) in connection with a serious criminal charge (punishable with 5+ years) cannot continue to hold their high constitutional office.
• This directly addresses the issue of ministers potentially misusing their office while under custody.

Q5.   Consider the following statements about the Agni-V missile:

1. It is a three-stage missile that exclusively uses liquid fuel for higher thrust.
2. The missile’s range of over 5,000 km covers the entirety of Asia and parts of Africa.
3. Its canister-launch system enhances its shelf life and reduces the time required for launch.
4. Agni-V has been successfully tested with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology.

          How many of the above statements are correct ?

1. a) Only one
2. b) Only two
3. c) Only three
4. d) All four

Explanation-

• Statement 1 is incorrect. Agni-V is a three-stage missile, but it uses solid fuel in all its stages. Solid propellants are preferred for ballistic missiles because they are stable, easy to store, and allow for a much faster launch sequence compared to liquid fuels, which need to be loaded before launch.
• Statement 2 is correct. With a range of 5,000–5,500 km, the Agni-V’s operational footprint is extensive. It can reach targets across all of China and other parts of Asia, as well as reaching into parts of Eastern Europe and Africa, forming a credible pillar of India’s strategic deterrence.
• Statement 3 is correct. The canisterised launch system is a significant technological advantage. The missile is hermetically sealed within a climate-controlled canister, which protects it from environmental factors, thereby increasing its longevity (shelf life). It also allows the missile to be launched directly from the canister, dramatically reducing the launch preparation time and improving its operational readiness and survivability.
• Statement 4 is correct. India successfully conducted the first flight test of the Agni-V missile with MIRV technology in March 2024. This capability allows a single missile to carry multiple warheads, each capable of striking a different target, significantly enhancing its effectiveness and ability to bypass missile defense systems.

Answer Key