Daily Current Affairs and GK | 28 August 2025

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has introduced Project Aarohan to enhance educational opportunities for families of toll plaza staff.

• The initiative focuses on improving access to education for students from low-income backgrounds.
• The goal is to remove financial hurdles and ensure equal learning opportunities.
• NHAI Chairman Santosh Kumar Yadav highlighted the organization’s commitment to its employees through this project.
• He stated that nurturing young talent is essential for the country’s development.
• The project will benefit 500 students from Class 11 to the final year of graduation.
• Each of these students will receive a yearly scholarship of ₹12,000 during the 2025-26 financial year.
• Additionally, 50 high-performing students aiming for postgraduate or higher education will get ₹50,000 each.
• The application process will take place through an online portal.
• Students must submit academic records, income certificates, caste certificates, and valid ID proof.

Topic: National Appointments

2. Former CRPF DG Anish Dayal Singh appointed Deputy NSA.

• Former CRPF and ITBP DG Anish Dayal Singh has been appointed Deputy National Security Advisor (NSA), with a mandate to handle internal affairs.
• Mr. Singh retired in December 2024 as a 1988-batch IPS officer from the Manipur cadre.
• His career includes nearly three decades of service in the Intelligence Bureau.
• He also headed the Indo-Tibetan Border Police and later the Central Reserve Police Force.
• As Deputy National Security Adviser, Mr. Singh will be in charge of the country's internal affairs, including Jammu and Kashmir, Naxalism, and Northeast insurgency.
• During his tenure, he supervised security arrangements for the 2024 Lok Sabha and J&K Assembly elections.
• Former RAW chief Rajinder Khanna is the additional NSA, while retired IPS officer T.V. Ravichandran and former IFS officer Pavan Kapoor are the two serving deputy NSAs.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

3. The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana completed 11 years on 28 August, marking a milestone in financial inclusion.

• This scheme was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 15th August 2014 from the Red Fort.

• The formal launch was done on 28th August 2014 and was described by the Prime Minister as a festival for the poor’s liberation from a vicious cycle.
• PMJDY is considered one of the world’s largest financial inclusion programs.
• It was designed as a National Mission to ensure access to financial services for every household.
• The scheme ensures availability of a basic savings bank account, access to need-based loans, and access to a range of financial services such as a money remittance facility, insurance, and pension.
• Every household was aimed to be provided with at least one basic banking account under the mission.
• The accounts under the scheme are linked to the Core Banking System and supported by RuPay debit cards.
• Mobile banking services using USSD were also enabled even on feature phones for greater accessibility.
• The scheme has successfully covered both urban and rural areas, making banking services more inclusive.

Topic: National News

4. Multi-tracking projects in four states and a new rail line for Kutch approved by the CCEA.

• On 27 August, multi-tracking projects in Karnataka, Telangana, Bihar, and Assam were approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs.

• A new railway line for the far-flung Kutch region in Gujarat has also been cleared.
• These initiatives will provide connectivity and improve travel convenience, while reducing logistics costs and dependence on oil imports.
• Rail operations will become more efficient, and CO₂ emissions will be reduced.
• Direct employment of about 251 lakh human-days will be generated during construction.
• The multi-tracking projects approved to boost connectivity will enhance connectivity to about 3,108 villages and about 47.34 lakh population, benefiting the states of Karnataka, Telangana, Bihar, and Assam.
• The Secunderabad–Wadi line (173 km) will be completed in 5 years at a cost of ₹5012 crore.
• The Bhagalpur–Jamalpur line (53 km) will be built in 3 years at a cost of ₹1156 crore.
• The Furkating–New Tinsukia doubling (194 km) will be finished in 4 years with an investment of ₹3634 crore.
• The new line in Kutch will add 145 route km and 164 track km, connecting 866 villages and 16 lakh people.
• These projects under PM-Gati Shakti are expected to expand the Indian Railways network by 565 km across 13 districts.

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

5. MoU signed between the Defence Ministry and QCI for veteran services.

• A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Quality Council of India has been signed by the Defence Ministry.
• The agreement was signed in New Delhi to improve services for over 63 lakh veterans and their families.
• The MoU will cover pension delivery, healthcare, resettlement, and welfare services.
• QCI will assist the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare in digital evaluations and policy recommendations.
• Impact assessments and evidence-based strategies will be conducted under the partnership.
• DESW will facilitate data access and stakeholder coordination with state governments, District Sainik Boards, Armed Forces Headquarters, and empanelled hospitals.
• The initiative is expected to strengthen institutional frameworks of State and District Sainik Boards.
• Re-employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for veterans will be expanded through this MoU.

Topic: Art and Culture

6. The Suru Summer Festival 2025 kicked off with historic August snowfall.

• The Suru Summer Festival 2025 began in Ladakh with the valley witnessing its first-ever August snowfall.
• The snowfall turned the festival into a unique snow celebration instead of a traditional summer event.
• The inaugural ceremony was attended by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju as Chief Guest and LG Kavender Gupta as Guest of Honor.
• The leaders were welcomed by CEC Dr. Mohd. Jaffar Akhoon, UT Ladakh Tourism Secretary, and the DC Kargil.
• Kiren Rijiju praised the people of Suru Valley for their hospitality and highlighted the rare experience.
• The minister announced new skill development and youth empowerment packages for Ladakh.
• He said projects like Zojila Tunnel and new roads are expected to further increase tourism opportunities.
• The Suru Summer Festival 2025, featuring exciting sports, cultural performances, handicrafts, and traditional cuisine, continues to shine as a celebration of Kargil's identity and tourism potential.

Topic: Government Sshemes and Initiatives

7. The Union Cabinet has approved a revamp of the PM Street Vendor’s Atma Nirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) Scheme.

• The loan disbursement period has been extended. It will now continue until 31st March 2030, instead of ending in December 2024.
• The revised scheme has a total budget of ₹7,332 crore.
• The first loan amount has been increased. It has gone up from ₹10,000 to ₹15,000.
• The second loan amount has also been raised. It has increased from ₹20,000 to ₹25,000.
• The third loan amount remains the same at ₹50,000.
• A UPI-linked RuPay Credit Card will be given to eligible beneficiaries.
• This applies to those who repay their second loan successfully.
• Vendors using digital payments can earn cashback.
• They can receive up to ₹1,600 through retail and wholesale transactions.
• The restructured scheme aims to benefit 1.15 crore street vendors.
• This includes 50 lakh new beneficiaries. The scheme’s coverage is being expanded.
• It will now include census towns and peri-urban areas.
• The UPI-linked RUPAY Credit Card is designed to offer quick access to funds.
• It can be used for both personal and business needs.
• The scheme was first launched on 1st June 2020. It was created to support street vendors affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• As of July 2025, over 96 lakh loans have been disbursed.
• These loans amount to ₹13,797 crore and have helped more than 68 lakh vendors.

Topic: Space and IT

8. SpaceX completed its 10th successful test flight of the Starship rocket from its Starbase facility in Texas.

• This launch represented a major advancement in efforts to build a fully reusable space launch system.

• The rocket’s two-stage system lifted off following delays caused by unfavorable weather.
• The Super Heavy booster carried out a planned descent and splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico.
• The Starship upper stage successfully performed critical in-space maneuvers, including reigniting its engines.
• It concluded its mission with a controlled splashdown in the Indian Ocean.
• For the first time, SpaceX simulated payload deployment using mock Starlink satellites.
• All key mission objectives were achieved during the test.
• The flight yielded valuable technical data to support the development of future missions.
• The results will directly contribute to planning for NASA’s Artemis III lunar mission, scheduled for 2027.

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

9. The Ministry of Minority Affairs will partner with ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute in Kerala.

• An MoU will be signed to formalize the collaboration.
• The initiative will train 690 individuals from minority communities in Kerala.
• Minister of State George Kurian will attend the signing ceremony.
• The event will take place in Thiruvananthapuram.
• The training program is part of the PM Virasat Ka Samvardhan scheme.
• It will focus on non-traditional skills in the fisheries sector.
• Participants will also receive training in entrepreneurship and leadership.
• Women’s entrepreneurship will be a key component of the program.
• All trainees will be provided with stipends during their course.
• The project aims to build technical skills and business knowledge.
• It is designed to empower minority communities through education and training.
• The program will also help guide participants toward self-employment.
• Ongoing support will be offered to ensure long-term success.

Topic: State News/ Madhya Pradesh

10. The Madhya Pradesh government organised the Global Spiritual Conclave in Ujjain on 27 August.

• The event was organized by the state Tourism Department. It is supported by the Ministry of Tourism.
• Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat inaugurated the conclave.
• Chief Minister Mohan Yadav also attended the opening ceremony.
• More than 300 guests participated. These included spiritual leaders, thinkers, and global visionaries.
• Gauranga Das, a prominent spiritual leader, delivered the keynote address.
• The conclave aimed to promote spiritual tourism. It also sought to preserve India’s cultural heritage.
• The event encouraged discussions on responsible hospitality. It was designed to benefit the tourism sector.
• The conclave connected India’s spiritual heritage with modern life.
• It provided a global platform to highlight India’s spiritual and cultural richness.
• The event concluded with visits to Mahakaleshwar and Kal Bhairav temples.
• These visits offered delegates a deep spiritual experience.