Daily Current Affairs and GK | 17 and 18 August 2025

Topic: National News

1. National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) rolled out the FASTag Annual Pass service across 1,150 toll plazas in the country.

• The facility was introduced on the occasion of the 79th Independence Day.
• About 1.4 lakh users purchased and activated the annual pass on the first day till 7 PM.
• Nearly 1.4 lakh transactions were recorded at toll plazas on the first day.
• NHAI officials and nodal officers were appointed at each toll plaza for smooth operations.
• The annual pass requires a one-time payment of ₹3,000.
• The pass is valid for one year or 200 toll plaza crossings, whichever is earlier.
• It is applicable only for non-commercial vehicles with a valid FASTag.

Topic: Personality in News

2. Nagaland Governor La Ganesan passed away on 15th August.

• La Ganesan Iyer passed away in Chennai at the age of 80.
• La Ganesan Iyer was a senior BJP leader.
• He was appointed as the Governor of Nagaland in February 2023.
• Earlier, he served as the Governor of Manipur.
• He also briefly held additional charge as Governor of West Bengal.
• He was earlier a member of the Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh.

Topic: National News

3. The Indian tricolour was hoisted at Seattle’s 605-feet-tall Space Needle to mark India’s 79th Independence Day.

• This marks the first time a foreign nation's flag has been raised at the iconic American landmark.
• The event was organized by the Consulate General of India in Seattle.
• Consul General Prakash Gupta, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, and other city dignitaries attended the ceremony.
• The Space Needle, built in 1962 for the World Fair, is a symbol of Seattle’s skyline and its tech-forward identity.
• The Space Needle is an observation tower in Seattle, Washington, United States.

Topic: Indian Economy

4. India’s merchandise exports witnessed a notable 7.3% year-on-year rise in July, reaching 37.24 billion dollars.

• Imports for the month climbed by 8.6%, amounting to 64.59 billion dollars.
• As a result, the trade deficit expanded to 27.35 billion dollars, marking the highest level in eight months.
• Key sectors driving export growth included engineering, jewellery, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and both organic and inorganic chemicals.
• Exports of electronic goods surged by nearly 34%, increasing from 2.81 billion dollars in July 2024 to 3.77 billion dollars in July 2025.
• Between April and July of the current fiscal year, total merchandise exports stood at 149.20 billion dollars.
• During the same four-month span, imports rose to 244.01 billion dollars.
• Combined exports of goods and services for the April–July period are projected at 277.63 billion dollars.
• This overall export performance reflects a 5.23% increase compared to the same timeframe the previous year.

Topic: Art and Culture

5. The Maharashtra government has formally recognized Ganeshotsav as the official state festival through a new Government Resolution.

• As part of the initiative, Bhajani Mandals can access financial support of up to ₹5 crore.
• To elevate the festival’s presence both nationally and globally, various cultural and devotional events such as spiritual theatre, drone displays, and statewide lecture series will be held.
• An exclusive online portal will be created to stream live footage from key Ganesh temples and public festivities.
• A separate digital platform will allow people to share images of their household Ganeshotsav celebrations.
• Top-performing Ganeshotsav Mandals across the state will be honored with awards to boost public participation.

Topic: Sports

6. Indian badminton player Devika Sihag has won her first International Challenge title.

• She claimed the women’s singles crown at the 2025 Malaysia International Challenge in Ipoh.
• In the final, she defeated fellow Indian and fifth seed Isharani Baruah.
• The match ended with scores of 15-7 and 15-12 in Sihag’s favor.
• The tournament used the BWF’s trial 3x15 scoring system.
• Under this format, each game is played up to 15 points instead of the usual 21.
• This victory adds to Sihag’s successful 2024 season.
• She had earlier won titles at the Swedish Open and the Portugal International. Both of those were International Series events.
• The Malaysia International Challenge is part of the BWF Continental Circuit.
• Sihag’s recent achievements come after her national triumph last year.
• She won the women’s singles title at the Senior National Badminton Championships in Bengaluru.

Topic: State News/ Delhi

7. PM Modi launched two major highway projects in New Delhi on 17 August 2025.

• The total cost of these projects is around ₹11,000 crore.
• They include the Delhi section of the Dwarka Expressway and the Urban Extension Road-II (UER-II).
• The 10.1-kilometer stretch of the Dwarka Expressway in Delhi has cost over ₹5,300 crore.
• It will link important locations like Yashobhoomi and the Blue and Orange lines of the Delhi Metro.
• It will also connect to the upcoming Bijwasan railway station and the Dwarka cluster bus depot.
• The UER-II section runs from Alipur to Dichaon Kalan.
• It also includes new road links to Bahadurgarh and Sonipat.
• This part of the project has been built at a cost of about ₹5,580 crore.
• It is expected to ease traffic on Delhi’s Inner and Outer Ring Roads.
• It will also reduce congestion at key points like Mukarba Chowk, Dhaula Kuan, and NH-9.

Topic: Indian Economy

8. India’s wholesale price inflation fell to -0.58% in July on a year-over-year basis.

• This marks the second month in a row where wholesale prices have declined.
• The drop was largely attributed to lower prices in food items, mineral oils, crude oil, natural gas, and basic metal manufacturing.
• The WPI food index also recorded a decline, with inflation falling to -2.15%.
• Primary articles saw deeper deflation, with prices falling by 4.95%.
• The fuel and power category experienced a price drop of 2.43%.
• In contrast, inflation in manufactured goods rose to 2.05% during the same period.
• Unlike the Consumer Price Index (CPI), WPI measures price movement at the wholesale level.
• This fall in WPI is consistent with a decrease in retail inflation, which dropped to an eight-year low of 1.55% in July due to lower food costs.

Topic: Personality in News

9. Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt. General KT Parnaik (Retd.) congratulated mountaineer Kabak Yano for successfully summiting Mount Elbrus.

• She recently completed a successful ascent of Mount Elbrus.
• Mount Elbrus is the tallest mountain in both Russia and Europe.
• Kabak Yano reached the summit on 16th August 2025.
• The Governor had earlier flagged off her Seven Summits expedition.
• This mission involves climbing the highest peak on each continent.
• Mount Elbrus is a dormant volcanic mountain.
• It is located in the Caucasus range in southwestern Russia, near the Georgian border.
• The peak stands at 18,510 feet above sea level.
• It is the highest mountain in Europe and the tallest volcano in the Eurasian region.
• Mount Elbrus is also among the ten most prominent mountains in the world.
• Climbing this peak is considered a key milestone in completing the Seven Summits challenge.

Topic: Sports

10. India will host the Asian Open Short Track Speed Skating Trophy 2025 for the first time.

• The event will take place from 20 to 23 August 2025.
• It will be held at Maharana Pratap Sports College in Raipur, Dehradun.
• This is the biggest international winter sports event ever hosted by India.
• ISAI President Amitabh Sharma announced the participation of over 11 Asian countries.
• Participating countries include China, Japan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Chinese Taipei, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, and India.
• Athletes will compete in 9 different events.
• The events range from the 222-meter sprint to the 5000-meter relay.
• The competition marks a significant milestone in India’s involvement in international winter sports.