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18 August, 2025
GK Update
Sun 10 Aug, 2025
National News
Removal of 334 RUPPs by Election Commission
- The Election Commission has removed 334 Registered Unrecognized Political Parties (RUPPs) from its list for not contesting any elections consecutively for six years since 2019.
- This action has been taken under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, aiming to enhance transparency and accountability in the election system.
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First Freight Train Arrival in Kashmir Valley
- The first freight train arrived in Kashmir Valley on 9 August 2025.
- This train departed from Rupnagar, Punjab, and reached the Anantnag Goods Shed in Kashmir Valley, covering approximately 600 kilometers in less than 18 hours.
Firsts in Indian Railways:
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Longest Freight Train 'Rudrastra'
- Indian Railways conducted a trial run of Asia’s longest freight train, 'Rudrastra', measuring 4.5 km in length, from Ganjkhwaja Railway Station in Chandauli, Uttar Pradesh, to Garhwa in Jharkhand.
- The train covered a distance of 209 km in 5 hours and 10 minutes at an average speed of 40.50 km/h.
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Round-Trip Package Scheme
- Indian Railways has launched the Round-Trip Package Scheme under which passengers will get a 20% discount on the base fare for return journey tickets.
- This scheme is implemented on a pilot basis, especially aimed at managing crowd during the festive season and providing easier booking facilities to passengers.
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NOTTO’s 10-Point Advisory
- The National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) has issued a 10-point advisory aimed at addressing gender imbalance among organ transplant recipients and promoting organ donation.
- The advisory specifically includes provisions to prioritize female patients awaiting organ transplants and relatives of deceased donors, to increase transplant opportunities for women and boost the overall number of organ donations.
National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO):
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‘Mann Ki Baat’ Program Earns Over ₹34 Crore
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’ program has earned over ₹34 crore since its inception on Akashvani (All India Radio).
- This revenue has been primarily generated through advertisements and sponsorships.
Mann Ki Baat Programme:
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State News
“Gaudham Yojana”: Chhattisgarh
- The Government of Chhattisgarh has announced a new animal conservation scheme called the "Gaudham Yojana."
- The primary objective of this scheme is to empower the rural economy and give a new direction to livestock conservation.
Chhattisgarh :
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Equator Prize 2025
- The self-help group "Bibi Fatima Self Help Sangh" from Karnataka has been named among the 10 winners of the prestigious Equator Prize 2025 by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
- This award is given to indigenous and local communities for promoting sustainable development and climate resilience through nature-based solutions.
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International news
Peace Agreement Between Azerbaijan and Armenia
- Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a historic peace agreement in August 2025, mediated by former U.S. President Donald Trump.
- The agreement aims to end the decades-long Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and establish a foundation for normalizing bilateral economic and transportation relations.
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Azerbaijan :
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Armenia :
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Defense News
Five Pakistani Fighter Jets Shot Down During Operation Sindur
- According to Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal A. P. Singh, India shot down five Pakistani fighter jets and one large intelligence or AWACS aircraft during Operation Sindur.
- This success was achieved using the S-400 surface-to-air missile system deployed in the operation.
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India’s Defence Export
- According to DRDO Chairman Dr. Sameer Kamat, India’s defence exports reached approximately ₹23,000 crore in the financial year and are expected to double in the next 2-3 years.
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Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO): Established: 1958, Headquarters: New Delhi, |
Person In News
Jim Lovell
- Astronaut Jim Lovell, who helped safely bring back the Apollo 13 mission to Earth in 1970, passed away at the age of 97.
Apollo Missions:
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Major missions:
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Science and Technology
India’s First Stem Cell Biobank
- Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated India’s first advanced animal stem cell biobank and animal stem cell laboratory at the National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NIAB) in Hyderabad.
Animal-related ‘firsts’ in India:
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Important Days
International World Tribal Day
- International World Tribal Day is observed annually on 9 August to recognize the cultural diversity, rights, and struggles for existence of indigenous tribal communities worldwide.
International World Indigenous Day:
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World Lion Day
- World Lion Day is observed annually on 10 August to raise awareness about the protection and conservation of lions worldwide.
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Lion:
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Habitat:
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World Sanskrit Day
- World Sanskrit Day is celebrated annually on the full moon day of the month of Shravan (coinciding with Raksha Bandhan), which in 2025 fell on 9 August.
- The day is dedicated to honoring the timeless heritage of the Sanskrit language and promoting its popularity, preservation, and development.
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9th Foundation Day of GeM
- The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) celebrated its 9th Foundation Day on 8 August 2025.
- GeM achieved a Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) of ₹5.4 lakh crore in the financial year 2024-25.
Government e-Marketplace (GeM):
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Nagasaki Day
- Nagasaki Day is observed annually on 9 August in memory of the atomic bomb attack carried out by the United States on the Japanese city of Nagasaki during World War II in 1945.
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Results:
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Sports News
Ramesh Budihal
- Ramesh Budihal became the first Indian surfer to reach the finals of the 2025 Asian Surfing Championship held in Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram).
- He performed brilliantly in the competition, securing second place in the semifinals and qualifying for the finals with a score of 11.43 points.
| Non-profit organization that promotes and develops the sport of surfing in Asia: Asian Surfing Federation (ASF) |
World Games 2025
- At the World Games 2025 held in Chengdu, China, Rishabh Yadav won the bronze medal in the men’s compound archery event, securing India’s first individual medal in the competition.
World Games 2025:
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