Daily Current Affairs and GK | 15 and 16 August 2025

Topic: Awards and Prizes

1. Bibi Fatima Women’s Self-Help Group has received the UNDP Equator Initiative Award.

• The award is often described as the Nobel Prize for Biodiversity Conservation.
• The group is one of only 10 organisations worldwide to win the Equator Prize 2025.
• The announcement was made on the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples (9 August).
• The award recognises grassroots and indigenous efforts that use nature-based solutions.
• It focuses on promoting sustainable development and strengthening ecological resilience.
• Bibi Fatima SHG is the only Indian organisation to receive the award this year.
• The other winners are from Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Indonesia, Kenya, Papua New Guinea, Peru, and Tanzania.
• The prize includes $10,000 in cash, which is roughly ₹8.5 lakh.
• The 2025 awards followed the theme “Women and Youth Leadership for Nature-Based Climate Action.”
• Nearly 700 entries from 103 countries competed for the award this year.
• The group has revived millet-based mixed farming systems in about 30 villages.
• It uses natural farming methods for this revival.
• A community seed bank has been created to supply seeds free of cost to farmers.
• The SHG produces millet-based products like rotis and vermicelli.
• It works on biodiversity conservation in dryland farming areas.
• It also organises farmers’ markets and promotes sustainable agricultural practices.
• These initiatives have improved the livelihoods of women from small and marginal farming families.
• The group is working with the Devadhanya Farmer Producer Company.
• This partnership promotes rural and agriculture-based enterprises.
• The Bibi Fatima Women’s Self-Help Group is from Teertha village in Kundgol taluk, Dharwad district, Karnataka.

Topic: Sports

2. India’s 2030 Commonwealth Games bid officially approved by IOA.

• On 13 August, the Indian Olympic Association formally sanctioned the nation’s bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games during its Special General Meeting in New Delhi.
• Ahmedabad has been named as the proposed host city in the Expression of Interest already submitted.
• India is required to present the final bid documents before the August 31 submission deadline.
• Canada’s withdrawal from the bidding process has significantly improved India’s prospects.
• A Commonwealth Sport delegation led by Director of Games Darren Hall recently inspected Ahmedabad’s sports venues.
• Meetings were held between the delegation and Gujarat government officials during the inspection visit.
• A larger Commonwealth Sport team is expected to arrive later this month for further assessment.
• The host country for the 2030 Games will be chosen at the General Assembly in Glasgow in late November.
• India previously hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2010 in New Delhi.

Topic: MoUs and Agreements

3. India and Zambia sign agreement to strengthen cooperative trade ties.

• India has entered into an agreement with Zambia to boost trade cooperation between the cooperatives of both nations.
• On 12 August, the deal was announced by Cooperation Minister Amit Shah in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.
• The Ministry of Cooperation is working to strengthen the cooperative export ecosystem of India through Indian Missions abroad.
• A memorandum of understanding was signed on July 18 to facilitate cooperative trade partnerships.
• Shah said the ministry is working through Indian missions abroad to provide market information to National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL) and to establish contact with importers from specific countries.
• He said NCEL has also signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with Senegal and Indonesia-based entities Sintan Vantage Trading and PT Sintan Surini Nusantara.

Topic: State News/Bihar

4. The Bihar Cabinet doubled the pension for 'JP Senanis’ and approved major development projects.

• On 13 August, a two-fold increase in the pension amount for ‘JP Senanis,’ political activists imprisoned during the Emergency for supporting socialist leader Jayaprakash Narayan's movement, was announced by the Bihar government.
• Activists imprisoned for over six months will now receive ₹30,000 monthly instead of ₹15,000.
• Those with shorter jail terms will have their pension increased from ₹7,500 to ₹15,000.
• At present, a total of 3,354 'JP Senanis' are receiving pensions under this scheme.
• The proposal was approved in a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
• Nitish Kumar himself was a prominent figure in the 'JP Movement' that began in 1974, a year before the Emergency was declared.
• In 2009, the CM had launched a pension scheme in the name of Jayaprakash Narayan.
• The cabinet also approved the acquisition of 2,627 acres of land at a cost of Rs 812 crore.
• It aims to expand the industrial area network to boost investment and create employment opportunities.
• A textile factory project worth ₹35.14 crore in Gaya Ji was sanctioned to generate local employment.
• The government approved an Obstacle Limitation Surfaces survey for six new greenfield airports.
• ₹290.91 crore was allotted to the Airports Authority of India for airport development.
• The expansion of Gaya Ji airport was approved with ₹137.17 crore for installing advanced landing systems.
• The Cabinet approved the proposal to release Rs 347.51 crore to the Rural Development Department for payment of increased honorarium to 'Jeevika Didi.'

Topic: State News/Uttarakhand

5. Uttarakhand announced a 10% horizontal reservation for former Agniveers.

• A 10% horizontal reservation for direct recruitment in government services for former Agniveers after their return from the army has been approved by the Uttarakhand Cabinet.
• It was approved in the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.
• The reservation applies to uniformed Group ‘C’ posts under the state government.
• Former Agniveers will be exempted from the physical efficiency test in recruitment processes.
• They will also receive relaxation in the maximum age limit for applications.
• Apart from this, the Cabinet passed amendments to the Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion Act, 2025.
• The new provisions aim to impose strict penalties for illegal religious conversions.
• The amendments include harsher penalties, a ban on digital promotion of conversions, and stringent measures to protect victims.
• The government stated that these steps are meant to protect citizens’ religious rights while ensuring communal harmony.
• The bills will be presented during the monsoon session of the State Assembly beginning August 19.

Topic: National News

6. India reached the milestone of 100 GW of solar PV module manufacturing.

• India has reached an installed manufacturing capacity of 100 GW for solar photovoltaic modules under the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) scheme.
• This marks a massive rise from just 2.3 GW of capacity in 2014.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the achievement as a step towards self-reliance in clean energy.
• Union Minister Pralhad Joshi credited the success to initiatives such as the Production Linked Incentive Scheme.
• The milestone supports India’s goal of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil energy capacity by 2030.
• The ALMM Order was introduced by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy in 2019, with the first list enlisting 8.2 GW of capacity.
• In just four years, this capacity has grown more than twelve-fold to 100 gigawatts, powered by 100 manufacturers operating 123 manufacturing units, up from 21 in 2021.
• This growth reflects contributions from both established companies and new entrants, many of which are adopting high-efficiency technologies and vertically integrated operations.
• This has created a competitive landscape that is able to meet both domestic and global demands.

Topic: Awards and Prizes

7. On August 14, 2025, the Union government announced 127 gallantry honours.

• It also announced 40 distinguished service awards for armed forces and Central Armed Police Forces members.
• President Droupadi Murmu approved these gallantry awards on the eve of Independence Day.
• President also approved Tatrakshak Medals for five Coast Guard officers.
• The awards included four Kirti Chakras and 15 Vir Chakras.
• They also included 16 Shaurya Chakras and two Bar to Sena Medals (Gallantry).
• There were 58 Sena Medals (Gallantry), six Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry), and 26 Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry).
• In addition, seven Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medals, nine Uttam Yudh Seva Medals, and 24 Yudh Seva Medals were given.
• BSF Sub-Inspector Mohd Imteyaj received the Vir Chakra posthumously.
• Constable Deepak Chingakham was also honoured with the Vir Chakra posthumously.
• Both were recognised for exceptional bravery and sacrifice.
• The Indian Army received 58 Sena Medals. Two of these were awarded to Agniveer soldiers.
• The Indian Navy received six Nao Sena Medals. The Indian Air Force earned 26 Vayu Sena Medals.
• The awards honoured courage during Operation Sindoor and other missions.
• They included the efforts of pilots, officers, and S-400 air defence system operators.
• Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai received the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal.
• He was recognised for his leadership in Operation Sindoor.
• Vice Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh (Retd.) also received the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal.
• Air Marshals Narmdeshwar Tiwari, Nagesh Kapoor, Jeetandra Mishra, and A.K. Bharti were honoured with the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal.
• The CRPF received 23 Gallantry Medals. This was the highest number among all Central Armed Police Forces.
• The list included three Shaurya Chakras and 20 Gallantry awards.
• These honours recognised valour in Jammu & Kashmir. They also recognised bravery in anti-Maoist operations.

Topic: Geography

8. On 14 August, a devastating cloudburst hit Chasoti village in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir.

• The disaster claimed several lives, left more than 75 people injured, and many others are still missing.

• The disaster hit Chasoti. Chasoti, situated 90 km from Kishtwar, is the last motorable point on the route to Machail Mata Temple.
• The calamity struck as pilgrims had gathered in huge numbers for the Machail Mata Yatra.
• From Chasoti begins the 8.5 km uphill trek to the revered Machail shrine.
• A langar set up for devotees was also washed away by the gushing waters.
• The annual Machail Yatra has been halted in the wake of the tragedy.
• Authorities quickly mobilised resources and began extensive rescue and relief measures.
• District administration teams were the first to reach the affected site.
• Two contingents of NDRF were dispatched from Udhampur to join the operations.
• Officials indicated that relief, rescue, and rehabilitation could take nearly three weeks.
• Rescue efforts and relief work are continuing on a large scale in Kishtwar.
• Recently, a cloudburst struck Dharali village in the Harsil region of Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand, on 5 August 2025.

Topic: National News

9. A total of 100 beneficiaries of the National SC-ST Hub (NSSH) Scheme were invited as special guests for the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort.

• The beneficiaries were chosen from both rural and urban areas.
• They also included participants from six North Eastern states. Six Union Territories were represented as well.
• Union MSME Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi hosted them on Independence Day.
• Minister of State for MSME Shobha Karandlaje also joined him in hosting a lunch in their honour.
• The invited guests also visited historic monuments in Delhi.
• National SC-ST Hub Scheme:
  • The National SC-ST Hub Scheme was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2016.
  • The scheme was created to promote entrepreneurship among Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
  • It also ensures that four percent of government procurement is reserved for SC and ST-owned Micro and Small Enterprises.
  • Currently, around 1.48 lakh SC and ST entrepreneurs are receiving support under the scheme.

Topic: Science and Technology

10. For the first time, Indian aquanauts dived 5,000 metres beneath the ocean surface and unfurled the national flag at that extraordinary depth.

• The mission was carried out in the Atlantic Ocean. Two aquanauts from India successfully completed the task.
• The project was undertaken jointly by the National Institute of Ocean Technology and France.
• Union Minister Jitendra Singh announced that Indian aquanauts Raju Ramesh and Cdr. Jatinder Pal Singh (Retd) set a new national record by diving to depths of 4,025 meters and 5,002 meters in the Atlantic Ocean on August 5 and 6.
• This mission marked the deepest underwater expedition ever carried out by India.
• The achievement elevated India into the league of fewer than six nations with deep-sea exploration capabilities at such depths.
• The dives were undertaken using the French submersible Nautile in partnership with IFREMER, France’s marine research institute.
• A five-member team from the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai, played a central role in the expedition.
• Singh described the accomplishment as a precursor to India’s Samudrayan Mission.
• The Samudrayan Mission envisions sending three aquanauts to 6,000 meters by 2027.
• It will be powered by India’s indigenous deep-sea submersible, MATSYA-6000.
• The Samudrayan project forms a key part of the Deep Ocean Mission.
• Its goal is to tap marine resources in a sustainable manner to fuel India’s blue economy.
• India’s 11,098 km-long coastline and extensive Exclusive Economic Zone provide vast opportunities for ocean resource exploration.
• India has already obtained a contract from the International Seabed Authority to explore seabed minerals at depths of 4,000–5,500 meters.
• This latest feat surpassed India’s earlier dive records of 3,800 meters in 1997 and 2,800 meters in 2002.