Daily Current Affairs (05 – Aug – 25)
1. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana –
• The Union Cabinet has approved a total outlay of ₹6,520 crore for Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY) during the 15th Finance Commission Cycle (2021–22 to 2025–26). This includes an additional ₹1,920 crore for enhancing food processing infrastructure and safety measures.
Key Approvals:
• 50 Multi-product Food Irradiation Units under Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure (ICCVAI).
• 100 NABL-accredited Food Testing Labs (FTLs) under Food Safety and Quality Assurance Infrastructure (FSQAI).
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana:
• It is a composite scheme designed to create modern infrastructure for efficient farm-to-retail supply chain management.
Major Components:
• Mega Food Parks
• Integrated Cold Chain & Value Addition Infrastructure (ICCVAI)
• Infrastructure for Agro-Processing Clusters
• Creation of Backward & Forward Linkages
• Expansion of Food Processing & Preservation Capacities
• Food Safety & Quality Assurance Infrastructure (FSQAI)
• Human Resource Development & Institutions
2. Indian Army Adapts Tactics to Counter Two-Front Threats –
• The Indian Army is undergoing structural and technological upgrades to become a future-ready force amid rising threats from China and Pakistan, especially post- Operation Sindoor.
• It aims to create self-contained integrated battle groups (IBGs) of soldiers.
Key Structural & Technical Upgrades
• Rudra All-Arms Brigades: Single-arm brigades are being restructured into integrated combat units combining infantry, tanks, artillery, engineers, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and Special Forces, customised for specific operational roles.
• Bhairav Light Commando Battalions: Planned raising of 40–50 agile, lethal battalions for swift border incursions; to supplement existing Para-Special Force (SF) and Para (Airborne) units.
• Artillery & Drone: The Army is raising ‘Shaktibaan’ artillery regiments with special ‘Divyadrishti’ surveillance and loitering munitions batteries for precision strikes.
• Over 400 infantry battalions will be equipped with dedicated drone platoons, with a strong push for UAV integration across combat formations.
• Army Air Defence (AAD): Strengthened with 2 Akash Prime and 3 Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM) regiments for high-altitude and rapid response, with IAF support.
Integrated Battle Groups (IBGs):
• IBGs are brigade-sized, agile, and self-sufficient combat formations designed to swiftly launch strikes against adversaries during hostilities.
• They are tailored for rapid mobilisation and effectiveness in modern, high-tempo warfare.
3. ISRO Launches HOPE Mission in Ladakh to Simulate Astronaut Life for Gaganyaan –
• On August 1, 2025, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched a 10-day high-altitude isolation experiment in Ladakh. Conducted at 14,000 feet, this mission simulates the extreme conditions astronauts might face on long-duration space missions to the Moon or Mars. The initiative is part of preparations for India’s Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme and future interplanetary exploration.
• HOPE: India’s Space Analogue Research Facility
• The mission takes place at the Himalayan Outpost for Planetary Exploration (HOPE), located near Tso Kar in Ladakh. Built by Bengaluru-based space technology firm Protoplanet, the site was inaugurated by ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan just a day before the mission began.
• HOPE was selected for its lunar-like rocky terrain, cold desert climate, and low oxygen environment—conditions that closely mimic extraterrestrial landscapes and stressors. Night-time temperatures drop well below freezing, adding another layer of challenge for the participants.
The Two-Person Crew
• From 135 applicants, ISRO selected Rahul Mogalapalli, a PhD candidate at Purdue University, and Yaman Akot, a planetary science graduate from the University of Aberdeen.
• Selection criteria included,
• Medical fitness
• Psychological resilience
• Experience in confined environment simulations
• Before deployment, both underwent a 15-day acclimatisation programme at lower altitudes to prepare for Ladakh’s extreme conditions.
4. UPI Sets New Record with 707 Million Daily Transactions: India’s Digital Payments Boom Continues –
• India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has reached yet another historic milestone. On August 2, UPI crossed 707 million daily transactions for the first time, according to a report by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). This record marks a major leap for the country’s digital payments ecosystem, which has been expanding rapidly in recent years.
A New Milestone for India’s Digital Payments
• Over the past two years, the number of daily transactions has doubled, reflecting strong adoption across urban and rural India. While transaction volumes have surged, the growth rate of the transaction amount has been relatively slower, suggesting that digital payments are now being used for both small and large transactions alike.
Government’s 100 Crore Transaction Goal
• The Indian government has set an ambitious goal of achieving 100 crore (1 billion) transactions per day through UPI. Based on the current growth trajectory, NPCI projects that this milestone could be reached as early as next year. This would not only mark a technological achievement but also cement India’s position as a global leader in digital financial inclusion.
5. Devastating Flash Flood in Uttarkashi’s Dharali Village after Cloudburst –
• On Tuesday, a devastating flash flood triggered by a cloudburst in the upper catchment area of the Kheer Ganga river wreaked havoc in Dharali village of Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand. The village, an important stop for pilgrims travelling to Gangotri Dham, witnessed large-scale destruction as torrential waters swept through homes, shops, and roads, leaving behind debris, mud, and despair.
Cause of the Flash Flood
• According to initial reports, the cloudburst occurred in the upper reaches of the Kheer Ganga river, significantly raising the water level of Kheer Gadh in the Harsil area. The sudden surge in water flow cascaded down to Dharali, resulting in catastrophic flooding and destruction.
Scale of Destruction
• The powerful floodwaters tore through Dharali village, damaging critical infrastructure.
• Homes, shops, and roads have been washed away.
• Hotels and homestays in the area have suffered complete destruction.
• Locals fear that 10 to 12 labourers might be trapped under debris from collapsed buildings.
MCQ Quiz
Q1. According to Union Health Ministry, which state has recorded the highest number of organ donations in India ?
a) Odisha
b) Maharashtra
c) Telangana
d) Karnataka
Q2. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) functions under which Union Ministry ?
a) Ministry of Defence
b) Ministry of External Affairs
c) Ministry of Finance
d) Ministry of Home Affairs
Q3. BlueBird communication satellite is developed by which country ?
a) United States
b) France
c) China
d) Russia
Q4. With regard to the South China Sea, consider the following statements:
• It is a marginal sea of the Indian Ocean.
• The Mekong River is one of the major rivers that drains into it.
• It is bordered by China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei.
• The Strait of Hormuz connects it to the Indian Ocean.
How many of the above statements are correct ?
a) Only one
b) Only two
c) Only three
d) All four
Explanation-
• Statement 1 is incorrect. The South China Sea is a marginal sea of the western Pacific Ocean, not the Indian Ocean.
• Statement 2 is correct. The Mekong River, along with others like the Pearl River and the Red River, drains into the South China Sea, contributing significant freshwater and sediment.
• Statement 3 is correct. These nations, along with Taiwan and Indonesia, are the littoral states bordering the South China Sea and are involved in the complex territorial claims in the region.
• Statement 4 is incorrect. The South China Sea is connected to the Indian Ocean via the Strait of Malacca, not the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea.
Q5. Consider the following statements:
Statement I: The first-ever India-Philippines joint naval drill in the South China Sea is a direct implementation of the ‘Necklace of Diamonds’ strategy.
Statement II: The ‘Necklace of Diamonds’ strategy involves India building a network of alliances and naval bases in the Indo-Pacific to counter China’s strategic influence.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements ?
a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
Explanation-
• Statement I correctly identifies the naval exercise as an application of the ‘Necklace of Diamonds’ strategy. This exercise represents a practical step in building stronger maritime partnerships with key countries in the region.
• Statement II accurately defines the ‘Necklace of Diamonds’ strategy as India’s strategic initiative to enhance its maritime presence and partnerships in the Indo-Pacific to counterbalance China’s growing influence, often referred to as the ‘String of Pearls’ strategy. The joint naval drill with the Philippines perfectly aligns with this strategic objective of fostering security cooperation with like-minded nations in China’s maritime periphery.