Daily Current Affairs and GK | 6 August 2025

Topic: International News

1. Russia has officially announced that it no longer considers itself obligated to adhere to the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty.

• The treaty prohibited ground-launched missiles with ranges between 500 and 5,500 kilometers.
• The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that the treaty’s terms are no longer relevant and that Russia will no longer abide by its missile deployment limits.
• Russia pointed to recent US military activities, such as placing a Typhon missile system in the Philippines and conducting missile exercises in Australia, as justification.
• The treaty had already weakened following the US withdrawal in 2019, when the US accused Russia of breaching the agreement.
• Russia denied those allegations and countered by accusing the US of developing prohibited missile systems.
• Relations between Moscow and Washington are increasingly strained, with President Trump recently deploying two nuclear submarines to undisclosed locations.
• Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty:
  • It was an arms control treaty between the United States and the Soviet Union (now Russian Federation).
  • It was signed on 8 December 1987. The treaty did not apply to air- or sea-launched missiles.

Topic: Reports and Indices

2. India Became World’s 5th Largest Aviation Market in 2024.

• India has officially become the fifth-largest aviation market globally, handling over 211 million passengers in the year 2024.
• This information has been released in the latest edition of the World Air Transport Statistics (WATS) for 2024 by the International Airport Transport Association (IATA).
• Passenger traffic in India grew by 11.1% in 2024 compared to the previous year, placing it ahead of Japan.
• Japan recorded 205 million passengers with an annual rise of 18.6%, while the US retained the top spot with 876 million passengers in 2024 on the strength of its domestic market, growing 5.2% year-on-year.
• China and the UK followed as the second and third biggest markets, with 741 million and 261 million passengers, respectively.
• Spain held the fourth position, recording 241 million air passengers in the calendar year.
• All international and domestic passengers departing from or arriving in each country were included in these figures.
• Among the top 10 air routes, the Mumbai-Delhi route is the seventh busiest, carrying 5.9 million passengers in 2024.
• The Asia-Pacific region topped the ranking of the world's busiest air routes, with the Jeju-Seoul route being the most popular globally with 13.2 million passengers in 2024.

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

3. India and New Zealand strengthen defence ties through inaugural strategic dialogue.

• On August 5, 2025, the first India-New Zealand Defence Strategic Dialogue was held in New Delhi.
• The dialogue was co-chaired by Joint Secretary (International Cooperation), Ministry of Defence, India, Shri Amitabh Prasad and Head of International Branch, Ministry of Defence, New Zealand, Ms. Kathleen Pearce.
• Ongoing defense cooperation was reviewed, and future areas for collaboration were identified during the meeting.
• Key areas discussed included training, the defense industry, maritime security, capability building, and multinational cooperation.
• The co-chairs also highlighted emerging areas of cooperation and steps to be taken towards issues related to global common interests.
• New Zealand was appreciated for its successful command of CTF-150, where five Indian Navy personnel were also deputed as staff.
• Further strengthening of the White Shipping Information Exchange was discussed as a step toward improved maritime coordination.
• In March 2025, India and New Zealand signed an MoU to constitute the Defence Strategic Dialogue, marking a significant milestone in strengthening defense relations.
• Bilateral relations gained momentum with the visit of the President of India to New Zealand in August 2024 and a bilateral meeting between the prime ministers of the two countries in March 2025.

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

4. India and the Philippines deepen strategic partnership with the exchange of nine MoUs.

• On 5 August, the nine MoUs were exchanged between India and the Philippines in the presence of PM Modi and Philippines President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr.
• These MoUs spanned sectors like defense, space, digital technology, tourism, culture, and mutual legal cooperation.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that the visit marked the 75th anniversary of India-Philippines diplomatic relations.
• Under the Development Partnership, India announced an increase in Quick Impact Projects in the Philippines.
• He said that India will also cooperate in the development of sovereign data cloud infrastructure in the Philippines.
• Bilateral trade between the two countries is steadily growing and has crossed the $3 billion mark.
• President Marcos Jr. appreciated India’s role in the ongoing Philippines Defense Modernization Program.
• Both sides agreed to strengthen defense and security cooperation and fast-track the review of the India-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement.
• PM Modi said that relations between the two countries date back to ancient times.
• India expressed gratitude to the Government and President of the Philippines for strongly condemning the Pahalgam attack and standing with India in the fight against terrorism.

Topic: Indian Polity

5. Amid opposition protests, Rajya Sabha approved the extension of President's rule in Manipur.

• On August 5, 2025, the Rajya Sabha passed a resolution to extend President’s Rule in Manipur by another six months.
• This extension followed the Lok Sabha’s approval of the same resolution a week earlier.
• The resolution was moved by Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai in the Upper House.
• Mr. Rai explained that a High Court order had led to inter-community tensions in Manipur.
• It was stated that only one violent incident had occurred since the imposition of President’s Rule.
• The resolution was passed amid protest from opposition members, who were demanding a discussion on the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar.
• Besides this, the Upper House also passed a resolution to amend the second schedule of the Customs Act, 1975.
• The resolution was moved by Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Choudhary.

Topic: Defence

6. DAC approved defense proposals worth Rs 67,000 crore to boost the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

• On 5 August, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved major procurement proposals worth ₹67,000 crore under the chairmanship of Rajnath Singh.

• For the Indian Army, Acceptance of Necessity was granted for the procurement of Thermal Imager based Driverless Night Sight for Infantry Fighting Vehicles (BMP) to enhance night mobility.
• The Navy received approval for compact autonomous surface craft and upgraded missile systems, including BARAK-1.
• These autonomous vessels are expected to support anti-submarine warfare through threat detection and neutralization.
• The Indian Air Force was granted approval for mountain radars and upgrades to SAKSHAM and SPYDER systems.
• These upgrades will be integrated with the Integrated Air Command and Control System to boost air defense capabilities.
• Acceptance of Necessity was also approved for procurement of medium-altitude long-endurance MALE Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPAs) for the three services.
• These MALE RPAs can perform long-range missions, carry multiple payloads, and offer continuous surveillance.
• Acceptance of Necessity was also accorded by the DAC for the sustenance of C-17 and C-130J fleets and for the comprehensive annual maintenance contract of the S-400 Long Range Air Defence Missile System.

Topic: Environment and Ecology

7. Shayok village in eastern Ladakh is developing 10 hectares of barren community land into a botanical garden.

• The project focuses on conservation of varieties of fruits, medicinal plants and flora and fauna of Ladakh.
• It will be the first-ever botanical garden in the Union Territory of Ladakh.
• The garden aims to protect native fruit species, medicinal plants, mountain flora, and local wildlife.
• The Leh Hill Council is supporting the project.
• Its Command Area Development department is handling infrastructure work.
• This includes soil preparation and construction of a water storage reservoir.
• The Council has allocated ₹1 crore for the project so far.
• Area Councillor Tashi Namgyal Yakzee has funded a solar-powered water pumping system.
• The location is along the route to Galwan Valley.
• This area may soon open to tourists under the Battlefield Tourism initiative.
• The garden will display local plant species like apricots and apples.
• It will also feature high-altitude medicinal herbs, native trees, and Ladakh’s unique rocks.
• The project is part of the “Go Green Go Organic” movement.
• This initiative is led by Drikung Kyabsgon Chetsang Rinpoche.
• The botanical garden is expected to be completed by 2029.

Topic: Indian Economy

8. GST evasion exceeded ₹7 lakh crore between FY21 and FY25, as stated by the Finance Ministry.

• This figure represents over 17% of the total Central GST revenue collected during this time.

• Reported cases of evasion rose sharply, reaching over 30,000 compared to around 12,500 previously.
• The value of detected evasion surged beyond ₹2.3 lakh crore, up from less than ₹50,000 crore.
• While voluntary payments relative to detected amounts were better in FY21, they have declined since.
• A major source of evasion is Input Tax Credit (ITC) fraud.
• ITC fraud values nearly doubled over five years, growing from ₹31,200 crore to more than ₹58,000 crore.
• These frauds often involve generating fake invoices without any actual transaction of goods or services.
• The rise in forged registrations and false invoicing has become a major cause of revenue leakage.
• To combat this, the government has adopted digital tools like e-invoicing and GST data analytics.
• Indicators such as suspicious e-way bills and unusual filing patterns are monitored for irregularities.
• A special initiative, Project Anveshan, was launched to detect anomalies using advanced analytics.
• The project incorporates tools like Facial Recognition and e-way bill data to identify GST numbers linked to fraudulent activity.

Topic: Personality in News

9. Former Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik passed away on 5 August 2025.

• He also served as the Governor of Goa and the Governor of Meghalaya.
• In total, he had served as governor of five states.
• The names of states are Bihar, Odisha, Jammu and Kashmir, Goa, and Meghalaya.
• He served as 10th and last Governor of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.
• He was born in Meerut, United Provinces, British India (now Bagpat, Uttar Pradesh).

Topic: Geography

10. A devastating cloudburst struck Dharali village in the Harsil region of Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand, on 5 August 2025.

• This triggered a sudden surge in the Kheer Ganga river.
• The sudden flooding led to extensive destruction in the Dharali market area, where heavy debris damaged numerous buildings, hotels, and commercial establishments.
• The Army, along with NDRF, SDRF, district authorities, and other emergency units, is actively conducting rescue and relief operations.
• More than 130 individuals have been successfully evacuated to safety.
• Initial reports confirm four fatalities, while several others are currently unaccounted for.
• Temporary relief camps have been established, providing essential supplies such as food, clean water, medical aid, and shelter for affected residents.
• To speed up relief and evacuation efforts, the Army has been requested to deploy MI-17 and Chinook helicopters.
• Cloudburst:
  • A cloudburst is an extreme and sudden downpour of rain over a short period of time, usually in a localized area.
  • It often leads to flash floods, landslides, and severe damage, especially in hilly or mountainous regions.
  • Cloudbursts occur when warm, moist air rapidly rises and cools, causing sudden, intense rainfall over a small area.
  • They are often caused by atmospheric instability, orographic lift in mountains, and high moisture content in the air.