Daily Current Affairs and GK | 24 and 25 August 2025

Topic: Summits/ Conferences/ Meetings

1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be on a four-day visit of Japan and China from August 29 to September 1, 2025.

• He will be in Japan from August 29 to 30 to take part in the 15th Annual India-Japan Summit.
• This will be his eighth visit to Japan and the first time he meets Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba for a summit.
• Both leaders will assess progress in their comprehensive strategic and global partnership, with focus areas including defense, security, trade, economic cooperation, technology, and innovation.
• They are also expected to exchange views on pressing regional and international developments.
• Following his Japan visit, Prime Minister Modi will head to Tianjin, China, from August 31 to September 1 to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit.
• During the summit, he is likely to engage in one-on-one talks with several world leaders present.
• India became a full member of the SCO in 2017.
• India held the SCO Chairmanship for the Council of Heads of State during the 2022–23 term.

Topic: Summits/Conferences/Meetings

2. The 4th SEMICON India 2025 will begin in New Delhi.

• On 2 September 2025, the fourth edition of Semicon India will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• The three-day event will be organized in New Delhi.
• The event aims to showcase the country's growing capabilities and ambitions in the microelectronics and semiconductor value chain
• For the first time, the exhibition will include four international pavilions from Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Malaysia.
• Over 350 companies from 18 countries and regions will showcase their products.
• Nine states of India will participate in the event.
• SEMICON India 2025 aims to foster global collaboration, support domestic innovation, and strengthen India's role as a reliable, scalable, and competitive electronics manufacturing hub.
• This is one of the country's most robust efforts towards building a world-class semiconductor industry.
• The event will also include a dedicated Semiconductor Design Startup Pavilion, providing a platform for innovation-led chip design enterprises.

Topic: State News/Gujarat

3. Prime Minister Modi is on a two-day visit to Gujarat for development projects on 25 August.

• At Khodaldham ground in Ahmedabad, development projects worth over ₹5,400 crore will be inaugurated and foundation stones laid by PM Modi.

• A public function will also be addressed by the Prime Minister during this program.
• The projects launched are linked to energy, urban development, railways, and road infrastructure.
• On 26 August, the localized production of hybrid battery electrodes will be inaugurated, and electric vehicle exports to 100 countries will be flagged off at Hansalpur in Ahmedabad.
• Railway projects worth over ₹1,400 crore will be dedicated to the nation by the Prime Minister.
• Doubling of the 65 km Mahesana-Palanpur line and gauge conversion of Kalol-Kadi-Katosan Road and Bechraji-Ranuj lines are included in this.
• A passenger train between Katosan Road and Sabarmati will also be flagged off by him.
• The Viramgam-Khudad-Rampura road widening, six-lane underpasses on the Ahmedabad-Mehsana-Palanpur route, and a new overbridge on the Ahmedabad-Viramgam road will also be inaugurated.
• Industrial growth, transport efficiency, and economic opportunities in the region are expected to accelerate through these initiatives.

Topic: National News

4. India's first removable solar panel project launched in Varanasi.

• India’s first removable solar panel has been rolled out in a pilot project at the premises of Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW) in Varanasi.

• This pilot project is part of Indian Railways’ move towards sustainable and green energy practices.
• A 70-metre stretch with 28 panels has been installed, producing up to 15 KWs of electricity.
• The panels have been designed to be durable, efficient, and removable for maintenance and seasonal needs.
• The project has not required land acquisition, as panels are placed between the railway track spaces.
• BLW GM Naresh Pal Singh said that 20% of the energy requirement is already being met through solar energy at BLW.
• A lifespan of around 25 years is expected from these panels.
• Their installation and removal are convenient and adaptable to different conditions.

Topic: Summits/Conferences/Meetings

5. A two-day National Summit on Technical Textiles and Viksit Bharat held in Patna, Bihar.

• A two-day “Viksit Bharat—Global Summit on Technical Textiles” was organized by the Ministry of Textiles on 22–23 August.
• Union Textile Minister Giriraj Singh inaugurated and addressed the summit.
• The National Summit was organized to discuss the contribution and role of technical textiles in India's growth story.
• The event was held at Gyan Bhawan with participation from industry bodies, startups, researchers, and government officials.
• Synthetic fibers’ role in various sectors was discussed during the sessions.
• Experts emphasized that technical textiles are vital for India’s infrastructure and economic growth.
• Use of technical textiles in healthcare, agriculture, and environmental sustainability was highlighted.
• The event was jointly organized by the Ministry of Textiles and MATEXIL (Man-Made & Technical Textiles Export Promotion Council).
• It promoted exports of man-made fiber textiles such as fibers, yarns, fabrics, and made-ups, besides home textiles and technical textiles.

Topic: Sports

6. Cheteshwar Pujara retired from all forms of Indian cricket.

• On 24 August, Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.

• His last international appearance was in the 2023 World Test Championship final against Australia.
• With 7,195 test runs, 19 centuries, and 35 fifties, he retires as India’s eighth-highest test run-getter.
• Since his debut in 2010, he has played 103 Test matches for the country.
• Pujara’s defining contribution came in the 2018/19 Australia tour, where his batting led to India’s historic series win.
• He also played 130 List A games, scoring 5,759 runs, and appeared in 70 T20 matches.
• A domestic career of 21,301 runs, including 66 centuries, has made him one of first-class cricket’s greats.
• He was the first Indian to score three triple centuries in first-class cricket.

Topic: Summits/ Conferences/ Meetings

7. Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the All India Speakers’ Conference.

• The two-day event is being held at the Delhi Assembly in the national capital.

• The event marks 100 years since Vithalbhai Patel became the first Indian Speaker of the Central Legislative Assembly.
• Amit Shah praised Vithalbhai Patel for laying the foundation of democratic governance in India.
• Shah highlighted the need to uphold the dignity of legislative institutions.
• Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju also addressed the gathering.
• He said the conference provides a valuable platform to share effective practices.
• Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta attended the event.
• Speakers, Deputy Speakers, Chairpersons, and Deputy Chairpersons from across states participated.
• The conference focused on the use of digital tools and AI in lawmaking.
• These innovations aim to improve transparency, efficiency, and public responsiveness.
• Amit Shah also opened a special exhibition. It featured rare photos, documents, and records on Vithalbhai Patel and India’s parliamentary history.
• A commemorative postage stamp honoring Vithalbhai Patel was released during the event.

Topic: State News/ Tamil Nadu

8. The Tamil Nadu Government has launched a new reform-based punishment system.

• It assigns community service to individuals who commit certain offences.

• Tasks include cleaning hospital wards and assisting in outpatient care.
• The initiative was created in coordination with the judiciary.
• It provides an alternative to traditional punitive measures.
• The Tamil Nadu Governor has approved the new rules.
• The policy outlines 16 different types of community-based punishments.
• Offenders may clean classrooms and organize books in libraries.
• They can also maintain public spaces like parks and beaches.
• Other tasks include traffic regulation and planting trees.
• Offenders might also help maintain government offices and hostels.
• They may assist elderly residents in old age homes.
• Support duties in museums are also part of the program.
• Courts will decide the specific type of service for each case.
• They will also determine the duration of the assigned work.
• Designated police officers will supervise the service in various institutions.
• This includes hospitals, schools, and local government bodies.
• Probation officers or official monitors will ensure that duties are carried out.
• They will submit compliance reports to the courts.

Topic: Sports

9. India achieved clean sweep in the mixed air rifle events at the 16th Asian Shooting Championship.

• The event was held in Shymkent, Kazakhstan. Indian shooters won gold in the Senior, Junior, and Youth 10m Air Rifle mixed team categories.

• In the Senior final, Elavenil Valarivan and Arjun Babuta defeated China’s Peng Xinlu and Lu Dingke.
• The match ended with a score of 17-11 in favour of the Indian pair.
• They also led the qualification round with a score of 634.0.
• This was Elavenil Valarivan’s second gold medal of the tournament.
• She had earlier won the women’s individual 10m air rifle event.
• In the Junior category, Shambhavi Kshirsagar and Naraen Pranav claimed the gold medal.
• They beat China’s Tang Huiqi and Han Yinan in the final.
• In the Youth category, Ameerah Arshad and Ansh Dabas took the top spot.
• They defeated Korea’s Kim Minseo and Shin Sungwoo in the gold medal match.
• India is currently at the top of the medal tally in the championship.
• The Indian team has won a total of 41 medals. This includes 23 gold, 8 silver, and 10 bronze medals.

Topic: Geography

10. Vietnam and China have begun urgent preparations as Typhoon Kajiki strengthens.

• Vietnam plans to evacuate about 600,000 people from central provinces such as Thanh Hoa, Quang Tri, Hue, and Danang.
• China’s National Meteorological Centre said the storm will pass near the southern coast of Hainan Island before heading to Vietnam.
• Wind speeds could reach up to 180 km/h.
• In Sanya, China, shops, tourist spots, and public transport have been closed.
• A red typhoon alert, the highest level, has been issued in China.
• Officials warned of heavy rainfall up to 400mm, flooding, and storm surges reaching 1.2 meters.
• Thailand and Laos are also preparing for heavy rain and localized flooding due to the storm.