Daily Current Affairs and GK | 14 August 2025

Topic: National News

1. The Lok Sabha has approved the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2025.

• The bill aims to improve transparency and boost mineral exploration.
• It will further amend the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.
• Leaseholders can now apply to state governments to add more minerals to their existing leases.
• No extra charges are required for adding critical, strategic, or specified minerals.
• These minerals include lithium, cobalt, graphite, nickel, gold, and silver.
• The role of the National Mineral Exploration Trust has been expanded.
• It will now support both mineral exploration and development activities.
• The cap on captive mines selling only 50% of their output has been removed.
• Mines can now sell their entire production after meeting internal use needs.
• The bill provides for setting up a regulatory authority for mineral exchanges.
• Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy said critical minerals are vital for clean energy and electric vehicles.
• He said the Modi government has implemented a transparent process for mine allocation.

Topic: National News

2. Government tightened rules for Overseas Citizens of India (OCI).

• The Ministry of Home Affairs issued stricter rules for OCI registration.
• OCI registration will be cancelled if the holder is sentenced to two or more years in prison.
• The rule also applies if the person is charge-sheeted for offences punishable with imprisonment of seven years or more.
• The provision covers offences committed both in India and abroad if recognised under Indian law.
• OCI cards provide multiple-entry, multiple-purpose lifelong visa to persons of Indian origin and their spouses, along with certain economic and educational rights.
• The move is aimed at tightening the legal framework governing OCI status, which grants certain rights and privileges to overseas nationals of Indian origin.
• The Home Ministry notification comes under the provisions of the Citizenship Act, 1955, and the Citizenship Rules, 2009, which empower the Central government to cancel OCI registration under specified conditions.
• In recent years, the Home Ministry has taken steps to regulate the OCI scheme more closely, as there have been cases of OCI cardholders being involved in criminal or anti-national activities.
• The government says the facility is a privilege, not a right, and can be withdrawn if the holder is found to be violating Indian laws.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

3. The National Mission on Natural Farming will accelerate sustainable change in Indian agriculture.

• The mission aims to promote sustainable, climate-resilient agriculture and chemical-free food production while improving soil health and reducing input costs.
• The National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) was approved by the Union Cabinet on November 25, 2024, as a centrally sponsored scheme to be implemented until the 15th Finance Commission cycle (2025–26).
• A total outlay of ₹2,481 crore has been allocated, with ₹1,584 crore from the Centre and ₹897 crore from states.
• The NMNF restructures the earlier Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati (BPKP), implemented under Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) between 2020–21 and 2022–23.
• The key objectives of the mission include
  • Bringing 7.5 lakh hectares of land under natural farming in 15,000 clusters.
  • Setting up 10,000 bio-input resource centers for farmers.
  • Creating awareness among one crore farmers.
  • Launching a simple certification system and a common national brand for chemical-free products.
• The mission focuses on integrating indigenous livestock with multi-cropping, biomass mulching, and biodiversity enhancement for soil health and climate resilience.
• States such as Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Kerala have already developed successful natural farming models.
• The guidelines of the scheme were issued on December 26, 2024, and annual action plans have been approved for 33 states and union territories (UTs).
• In the financial year 2024-25, ₹177.78 lakh was released to the states and union territories.
• As of 28 March 2025, around 70,021 Krishi Sakhis have been trained in soil health and natural fertilizer practices.
• As of 22 July 2025, more than 10 lakh farmers have been enrolled.
• An annual incentive of ₹4,000 per acre for two years is being provided to farmers to support training, livestock upkeep, and bio-input preparation under the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS)-India.

Topic: Indian Economy

4. India's current account deficit will remain below 1% despite US tariffs.

• CareEdge Ratings has projected India’s current account deficit (CAD) at 0.9% of GDP for FY26 despite higher US tariffs on Indian goods.

• The domestic-driven economy and low goods export share to the US — around 2% of GDP — are cited as reasons for the resilience.
• Exports to the US, accounting for 19.8% of total exports, grew 22% year-on-year in Q1 FY26, led by electronic goods.
• Electronic goods, which make up 30% of India’s US-bound exports, remain exempt from US tariffs.
• Exports to China grew by 17.8% during the same period.
• CareAge attributed the growth to advance loading of shipments and continued relaxation in tariffs for sectors such as pharmaceuticals and electronics.
• Higher tariff rates have increased pressure on India to negotiate a trade deal with the US, though sensitive sectors like agriculture and dairy may delay talks.
• Gems and jewellery exports could be affected by reciprocal tariffs due to their dependence on discretionary spending.
• Competitor countries like Vietnam and Indonesia may benefit from lower US tariffs in sectors such as footwear, textiles, and leather.
• Exports to Asia and Europe—which account for 62% of India’s total exports—saw a year-on-year decline in Q1 FY26.
• Nevertheless, CareAge said the current account deficit will remain at a manageable level this year due to strong exports to the US in exempted categories and India’s economic structure.

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

5. An MoUs signed between MY Bharat and SOUL for Youth Leadership Development.

• An MoU has been signed between MY Bharat, the Department of Youth Affairs, the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, the Government of India, and the School of Ultimate Leadership Foundation (SOUL).
• The MoU was signed to collaborate on knowledge sharing, capacity building, and youth leadership development.
• The collaboration aims to develop 100,000 youth leaders aged 18–29 across India.
• Programs will focus on governance, public policy, social entrepreneurship, digital literacy, and financial literacy.
• This MoU is valid for three years and can be extended further with mutual consent.
• The MoU provides for designing and implementing leadership programs, organizing conferences and workshops, joint research, and capacity building of youth service organizations.
• The selection of participants will be done on an all-India level, with an inclusive approach, ensuring representation of rural, urban, aspirational, tribal, women, and disadvantaged communities.

Topic: Geography

6. Typhoon Podul struck Taiwan, causing major devastation.

• On August 13, 2025, Typhoon Podul struck Taiwan with wind gusts up to 178 kmph recorded before landfall in Taitung County.
• One person is missing, and 33 have been injured, according to the National Fire Agency.
• Over 7,300 residents have been evacuated, and power outages have affected more than 134,500 households.
• All domestic flights and several international journeys were cancelled, along with ferry services.
• More than 31,500 soldiers have been deployed for rescue and relief operations.
• A tropical cyclone is called a ‘hurricane’ in the American continent. In the Philippines and Japan, it is called a ‘typhoon.’ In Australia, tropical cyclones are called willy-willys.

Topic: Important Days

7. Partition Horrors Remembrance Day: 14 August

• Partition Horrors Remembrance Day is observed annually on 14th August.
• It commemorates the victims and sufferings of people during the Partition of India in 1947.
• The day pays homage to those who sacrificed their lives and endured immense pain during the partition.
• It also honors those displaced from their roots due to the partition.
• The Government of India decided in 2021 to observe this day every year.
• The observance serves as a reminder of the tragic human cost of the partition.
• The partition of India refers to the division of British India into two independent dominions, India and Pakistan, in August 1947. 
• The partition divided the provinces of Bengal and Punjab along religious lines, triggering massive displacement and migration.
• It resulted in the uprooting of 10 to 20 million people and caused the deaths of an estimated 200,000 to 2 million individuals.

Topic: National News

8. India will mark its 79th Independence Day on 15th August, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the celebrations at Delhi’s historic Red Fort.

• From the Red Fort’s ramparts, the Prime Minister will hoist the Tricolour and deliver his address to the nation.

• This year’s celebrations will revolve around the theme “Naya Bharat,” reflecting the national goal of achieving Viksit Bharat by 2047.
• The occasion will showcase the emergence of a confident, secure, and thriving New India.
• A special focus will be given to honouring the success of Operation Sindoor.
• Independence Day invitations bear the Operation Sindoor emblem alongside a watermark of the Chenab Bridge.
• Nearly 5,000 distinguished attendees from diverse fields have been invited to the Red Fort ceremony.
• Invitees include India’s Special Olympics 2025 contingent, winners of international sports events, and gold medalists from the Khelo India Para Games.
• For the first time, nationwide evening band performances will be staged to inspire patriotism and celebrate Operation Sindoor’s victory.
• Military and paramilitary bands from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, NCC, CRPF, ITBP, CISF, SSB, BSF, IDS, RPF, and Assam Rifles will perform across more than 140 landmark venues in the country.

Topic: Summits/Conferences/Meetings

9. New Delhi hosted the 3rd edition of the India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable.

• India was represented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, and Railways and Information & Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

• Singapore’s delegation was led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Young.
• The dialogue featured constructive engagement with members of the India-Singapore Business Roundtable.
• Participants stressed that collaboration between policymakers and industry leaders is crucial to the next chapter of bilateral relations.
• Ties between the two nations were upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Singapore last year.
• Talks revolved around six priority areas under ISMR. These areas are Digitalization, Skill Development, Sustainability, Healthcare and Medicine, Advanced Manufacturing, and Connectivity.
• The Ministerial Roundtable functions as a forum for charting fresh directions in India-Singapore cooperation.
• Singapore plays a pivotal role in India’s Act East Policy, MAHASAGAR Vision, and Indo-Pacific Vision.
• India was among the first countries to recognize Singapore's independence in 1965.
• Singapore is a major trading partner for India, particularly within the ASEAN region.
• The Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) was signed in 2005. It has significantly boosted bilateral trade and investment.
• Both nations engage in joint military exercises, including Exercise Agni Warrior (Army) and SIMBEX (Navy).

Topic: State News/Uttar Pradesh

10. In the Monsoon Session of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, a historic 24-hour discussion on ‘Vision 2047’ began.

• The debate focused on economic growth, social justice, environmental sustainability, and infrastructure development.

• Ministers reaffirmed the Yogi government’s ambition to make Uttar Pradesh India’s leading state by 2047.
• Key targets include eliminating poverty, building world-class infrastructure, and adopting advanced technology.
• The Assembly introduced the Banke Bihari Temple Trust Bill.
• The bill gives the trust complete control over offerings, donations, and all movable and immovable assets of the temple.
• The trust will have 11 nominated members and 7 ex officio members.
• The legislation protects the traditions of Swami Haridas.
• It ensures that all festivals, rituals, and ceremonies continue without change.
• The trust will set darshan timings, appoint priests, and fix salaries.
• It will also ensure the safety of devotees and manage the temple’s administration.
• Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak said Uttar Pradesh ranks first in wheat, milk, and sugar production.
• The state has AIIMS institutions in Raebareli and Gorakhpur.
• Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of expressways in the country.
• All 75 districts are connected by four-lane roads.