04 August, 2025
GK Update
Sat 02 Aug, 2025
National News
AI Impact Summit 2026
- India will host the AI Impact Summit 2026 in February 2026.
- The objective of this summit is to reframe the global discourse on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and ensure that the benefits of AI reach everyone.
Artificial Intelligence (AI):
|
Zojila Tunnel Project
- The initial deadline for the Zojila Tunnel Project was 29 September 2026, but due to challenges such as terrorist attacks, adverse weather conditions, and difficult terrain, the deadline has been extended to February 2028.
Zojila Tunnel Project:
|
Operation Akhal
- In Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district, one terrorist was killed in an encounter between security forces and militants.
- The Indian Army has named this operation "Operation Akhal."
Jammu and Kashmir:
|
Nyaya Bandhu Legal Aid Program
- "Nyaya Bandhu" (Pro Bono Legal Services) is an initiative of the Department of Justice, Government of India, implemented under the Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice (DISHA) scheme.
- The objective of this program is to ensure citizens’ right to access justice, as guaranteed by the Constitution.
Related Facts:
|
State News
Hot Cooked Meal under ICDS
- The Allahabad High Court has directed the Uttar Pradesh Government to reverse the dry nutrition distribution model under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme and instead provide hot cooked meals and take-home rations (THR) to the beneficiaries.
- The court issued this order to ensure that nutritional food at Anganwadi centres in the state is distributed only in the form of hot cooked meals and take-home rations.
Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS):
|
New road named after Shubhanshu Shukla
- A new road was named after space hero Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla in Lucknow.
Related Facts:
|
Uttar Pradesh and North Eastern Railway's First 'Private' Railway Station
- Gomti Nagar Railway Station, located in Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, has become the first 'private' railway station under Uttar Pradesh and the North Eastern Railway.
- Except for train operations, security, and ticket sales, all other passenger services such as station management, cleanliness, catering, parking, etc. have been handed over to private companies.
Related Facts:
|
International News
Expansion of Consular Services in the US
- India has announced a major expansion of consular services in the United States, with the opening of nine new Indian Consular Application Centres from August 1, 2025.
- The expansion aims to make visa, passport, Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) and other consular services more accessible, faster and efficient to the Indian diaspora in the US.
United States of America :
|
|
Order for Development of High-Speed Rail Network
- Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the government to develop Russia’s high-speed rail plan (high-speed rail network).
- He has directed the government to prepare a roadmap for this plan by March 31, 2026.
Related Facts:
|
India-Morocco Agreement
- India and Morocco have signed a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote cooperation in the judicial and legal sectors.
- The objective of this agreement is to enhance cooperation in civil and commercial legal matters and to strengthen mutual collaboration in the field of law.
- Through the MLAT, both countries will be able to facilitate legal assistance and exchange of information, while the MoU will promote cooperation in areas such as training and digital justice.
Morocco :
|
|
Economy and Banking
Merger of NICBL with Saraswat Cooperative Bank
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), on 1st August 2025, approved the merger of New India Cooperative Bank Limited (NICBL) with Saraswat Cooperative Bank under Sections 44A(4) and 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
- Following the merger, which will come into effect from 4th August 2025, all branches of NICBL will function as branches of Saraswat Bank.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI):
Established: April 1935 under the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 Nationalised: 1949 Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra |
|
Honours and Awards
Announcement of the 71st National Film Awards
- On 1st August 2025, the winners of the 71st National Film Awards were announced in New Delhi, with the film “12th Fail” receiving the award for Best Feature Film.
- The jury, headed by filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker, was constituted to evaluate films certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) between 1st January 2023 and 31st December 2023.
Related Facts:
|
Reports and Indexes
National Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI)
- The National Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) was released on 1st August 2025 by the General Economics Division (GED), in collaboration with UNICEF and the European Union (EU).
- This report highlights the severe poverty situation in Bangladesh, especially emphasizing the significant challenge of multidimensional poverty among children.
According to the report, the situation in Bangladesh:
|
Sports News
U-17 World Wrestling Championship 2025
- Indian women wrestlers won a total of 6 medals including 3 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze medal at the Under-17 World Wrestling Championship 2025 held in Athens.
Related facts:
|
Major Appointments
Khalid Jamil
- Khalid Jamil has been appointed as the Head Coach of the Indian Men's Football Team by the Executive Committee of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), based on the recommendation of its Technical Committee.
Related Facts:
|
Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan
- Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan assumed charge as the 47th Vice Chief of the Naval Staff of the Indian Navy on August 1, 2025.
- He succeeded Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan in this position.
Indian Navy:
|
Person In News
KPAC Rajendran
- Renowned Malayalam actor and theatre artist KPAC Rajendran passed away on July 31, 2025, at the age of 74.
Important Days
Anniversary of the Liberation of Dadra and Nagar Haveli
- Every year on August 2, the anniversary of the liberation of Dadra and Nagar Haveli from Portuguese rule is observed.
- On August 2, 1954, this region was freed from Portuguese control, and since then, this day has been celebrated as Liberation Day or Independence Day.
Dadra and Nagar Haveli:
|
Pingali Venkayya's Birth Anniversary
- Every year on August 2, the birth anniversary of Pingali Venkayya — the designer of India's national flag (Tiranga) and a prominent freedom fighter — is celebrated.
Pingali Vaikaya:
|