Daily Current Affairs and GK | 26 August 2025

Topic: Defence

1. Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has introduced its first all-women commando unit.

• This move aims to enhance gender inclusivity within the force.
• Training is being conducted at the Regional Training Centre in Barwaha, Madhya Pradesh.
• Thirty female personnel are currently enrolled in an intensive 8-week course.
• The program focuses on physical endurance, weapons handling, and live ammunition drills. It also includes rappelling and survival training.
• These commandos will be deployed in elite Quick Reaction Teams.
• They will also serve in Special Task Forces at high-security locations.
• In the initial phase, 100 women from Aviation Security Groups and sensitive units will receive this training.
• CISF plans to make this training program a permanent part of its curriculum.
• The force currently has 8% female representation. It aims to increase this number to 10%.
• An additional 2,400 women are expected to join the force next year.

Topic: Sports

2. Sharvari Somnath Shende won the Under-18 gold medal in the World Youth Archery.

• On 24 August, India’s Sharvari Somnath Shende won the U18 women’s individual recurve gold medal at the World Youth Archery Championships.

• The event was held in Winnipeg, Canada.
• In the final, Shende defeated South Korea’s Kim Yewon 6-5.
• With this feat, she joined the elite list of Deepika Kumari and Komalika Bari and became the third Indian to become world champion in this category.
• India finished with eight medals (four gold, two silver, and two bronze) at the World Archery Youth Championships 2025.
• The World Archery Youth Championships 2025 was the 19th edition of this biennial competition held since 1991.
• The Championships was held from 17 to 24 August 2025.
• A total of 570 top youth archers from 63 countries around the world competed for medals in Winnipeg.
• In 2027, the next World Archery Youth Championships will be held in Antalya, Turkey.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

3. A one-time switch facility from UPS to NPS introduced by the Union Finance Ministry.

• A one-time facility allowing a shift from the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) to the National Pension System (NPS) has been announced by the Union Finance Ministry.

• According to the notification, the option can be availed up to one year before superannuation or three months before voluntary retirement.
• It has been stated that employees facing dismissal, removal, or disciplinary action will not be eligible for this switch.
• Once exercised, the option to switch will make employees ineligible for UPS benefits, including assured payouts.
• The government’s 4% differential contribution will be credited to the NPS corpus of the individual at the time of exit.
• The initiative has been aimed at providing flexibility and reinforcing NPS as a long-term retirement solution.
• The government has introduced UPS as an option under the National Pension System for central government employees from April 1, 2025.
• Assured payouts have been promised under the UPS for employees opting for the scheme.
• Till July 20, around 31,555 central government employees had opted for UPS.
• The last date for enrolling under the Unified Pension Scheme has been set as September 30.

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

4. India and Fiji strengthen ties and reaffirm zero tolerance on terrorism.

• India and Fiji reiterated their stance of zero tolerance towards terrorism during bilateral talks in New Delhi.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka strongly condemned terrorism in all forms and manifestations.
• The terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, that killed 26 civilians in April, was condemned by both leaders.
• Stress was laid on countering radicalization, blocking terror financing, and preventing misuse of emerging technologies.
• Nine bilateral documents and MoUs were exchanged in the presence of both Prime Ministers.
• The discussions included cooperation in trade, agriculture, healthcare, education, mobility, capacity building, and people-to-people ties.
• A commitment to climate action, resilience building, and sustainable development in the spirit of India’s Mission LiFE and the 2050 strategy for the blue Pacific continent was reaffirmed.
• Both countries agreed to promote biofuels under the Global Biofuels Alliance framework.
• Emphasis was given to strengthening bilateral defense ties and ensuring regional peace and stability.
• The leaders also emphasized the importance of a free, open, secure, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.
• They announced their intention to cooperate to strengthen regional maritime security and contribute to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Topic: Summits/Conferences/Meetings

5. The ‘Giving Wings to Dreams Conclave 2025’ inaugurated by Minister Raksha Khadse.

• On 25 August, the ‘Giving Wings to Dreams Conclave 2025’ was inaugurated in New Delhi by Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Khadse.

• The minister highlighted that the golden years of athletes are wasted without exposure to sports science at an early stage.
• She also called for adopting the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model in the sports sector and urged private players to invest in sports.
• The minister also stressed the need to enhance research and development in sports science and focus on taking this progress to rural areas and training teachers and coaches.
• Teachers and coaches were urged to be trained with upgraded sports science knowledge.
• The minister also urged that sports equipment should be manufactured in India with the best quality to reduce dependence on imports from abroad.
• The minister suggested Corporate Social Responsibility funds should be channeled into sports growth.
• The conference added a new chapter in fostering an ecosystem that prioritises transparent governance, invests in grassroots talent, and leverages public-private partnerships.

Topic: National Appointments

6. Ajay Kumar Bhalla took oath as the 22nd Governor of Nagaland.

• On 25 August, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Governor of Manipur, has been sworn in as the 22nd Governor of Nagaland.
• The Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court, Justice Ashutosh Kumar, administered the oath of office to him at Raj Bhavan, Kohima.
• On August 15, Mr. Bhalla was given additional charge of Nagaland after the demise of Governor La Ganesan.
• A ceremonial guard of honor was accorded to the new governor.
• Following the oath-taking, Mr. Bhalla held his first meeting with the State Cabinet.

Topic: Summits/ Conferences/ Meetings

7. The FIBAC banking conference titled ‘Charting New Frontiers’ began in Mumbai on August 25.

• It is a two-day event. The conference is jointly organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA).
• RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra addressed the gathering. He said India is on track to become the world’s third-largest economy.
• He spoke about current global economic challenges.
• These include ongoing trade disputes, financial instability, and rising geopolitical tensions.
• Malhotra stressed the importance of monetary policy.
• He said it plays a key role in maintaining stability while promoting growth.
• Malhotra announced plans for a Regulatory Review Cell.
• This cell will reassess financial regulations every 5 to 7 years.
• Malhotra spoke about building a prosperous India—‘Samriddh Bharat’.
• The conference brings together top banking leaders and global experts.
• They will discuss major issues facing the sector and share effective strategies.
• A roadmap for the future of India’s banking industry will be developed during the event.

Topic: Committees/Commissions/Taskforces

8. The Government of India has set up three high-level committees to commemorate three major upcoming anniversaries.

• These anniversaries include the 150th birth anniversaries of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Birsa Munda.
• They also include the birth centenary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair all three committees.
• The panels will oversee the planning and execution of nationwide events.
• They will approve programmes, supervise implementation, and provide guidance.
• Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was born on 31st October 1875. His birthplace is Nadiad in Gujarat.
• He played a key role in India’s freedom movement. He unified more than 560 princely states into the Indian Union.
• This was achieved in a very short period. He is popularly called the "Iron Man of India."
• Birsa Munda was a legendary tribal leader and freedom fighter.
• He led several tribal revolts against British colonial rule.
• His most famous uprising was the Ulgulan, or Great Tumult.
• He fought against exploitation and injustice faced by tribal communities.
• He is revered as Bhagwan, or God, by many tribal groups.
• His birth anniversary on 15th November is widely celebrated.
• Atal Bihari Vajpayee was a poet, writer, and statesman. He served as India’s Prime Minister for three terms.
• During his leadership, India conducted the Pokhran-II nuclear tests in 1998.
• He was known for his leadership, oratory, and vision.
• His birthday, 25th December, is observed as Good Governance Day.
• In 2015, he was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour.

Topic: Indian Economy

9. The Ministry of Labour and Employment has reported a major increase in women’s employment.

• This growth took place between 2017-18 and 2023-24.

• According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), the female unemployment rate has declined.
• It dropped from 5.6% in 2017-18 to 3.2% in 2023-24.
• In rural areas, women’s employment has surged significantly.
• There has been a 96% increase in rural female employment.
• Urban areas have also seen positive growth. Female employment in urban regions rose by 43%.
• The number of women-led MSMEs has also shown strong progress.
• It has doubled between 2010-11 and 2023-24.
• Over the past seven years, 1.56 crore women joined the formal workforce.
• This reflects a growing shift towards formal employment among women.
• The e-Shram portal has registered a large number of women workers.
• As of this month, over 16 crore unorganized women workers are registered on the platform.

Topic: Art and Culture

10. The 5th Lok Samvardhan Parv is being held in Kochi, Kerala.

• It started on 26 August and will continue until the 4th of next month.
• The event lasts for 10 days. The Ministry of Minority Affairs is organising the festival.
• George Kurian, the Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs, inaugurated the event.
• More than 100 artisans will participate. There will also be 15 culinary experts from across India.
• Traditional crafts like Zari and Chikankari from Uttar Pradesh will be displayed.
• Phulkari embroidery from Punjab and Madhubani paintings from Bihar will also be showcased.
• The festival will include Blue Pottery from Rajasthan.
• Pashmina weaving from Ladakh and Bastar Iron Craft from Chhattisgarh will be featured too.
• The festival will host cultural performances. There will also be live demonstrations of crafts.
• These activities highlight the heritage of minority communities.
• Lok Samvardhan Parv is an important initiative by the Ministry.
• It aims to support artisans, craft workers, chefs, and entrepreneurs from minority groups.
• The event offers them exposure and market opportunities.
• The Parv promotes economic growth for these communities. It also celebrates India’s diverse cultural traditions.