Current Affairs: August 08, 2025 – Key Updates for Competitive Exams

National Highlights

Parliament Passes Coastal Shipping Bill

On August 7, 2025, the Rajya Sabha passed the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2025. This bill, already passed by the Lok Sabha, aims to modernize India's maritime laws and promote efficient coastal trade. It seeks to regulate vessels engaged in trade within the country's coastal waters, encourage domestic participation, and align with global cabotage standards. The bill replaces Part XIV of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958, simplifying licensing and laying down a framework for regulating foreign vessels in coasting trade. The legislation also mandates the formulation of a National Coastal and Inland Shipping Strategic Plan within two years.

ICMR Launches SHINE Initiative

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) launched the ICMR-SHINE Initiative (Science & Health Innovation for the Nextgen Explorers) on August 8, 2025. This national outreach campaign aims to inspire students in Classes 9-12 to explore health and biomedical research and pursue careers in these fields. The program includes interactive activities like lab tours, exhibitions, and discussions with scientists, and commemorates the birth anniversary of Prof. V. Ramalingaswami. It aligns with the Prime Minister's vision for 'One Day as a Scientist' and India's constitutional promotion of scientific temper.

New National Cooperative Policy & C-FLOOD System

A new National Cooperative Policy is being proposed, which includes the creation of an apex bank to strengthen coordination within the cooperative financial sector. Additionally, a C-FLOOD Unified Inundation Forecasting System for real-time flood monitoring was inaugurated.

India Electric Mobility Index (IEMI)

NITI Aayog introduced the IEMI to track states' progress towards Electric Mobility targets, aiming to accelerate India's transition to EVs.

Bank of India Achieves STQC Certification

Bank of India became the first Indian bank to receive Standardization Testing and Quality Certification (STQC) for its official website.

International Relations

US Imposes Further Tariffs on Indian Imports

On August 6, 2025, the US imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian imports, bringing the total to 50%. This action, citing India's purchase of discounted Russian oil, has strained bilateral relations, with India's Ministry of External Affairs terming the move "extremely unfortunate," "unfair, unjustified and unreasonable". The US has offered a negotiation window, but trade talks would not resume until the tariff issue is resolved. The tariffs are expected to impact Indian exports, especially in textiles and gems. Moody's warned that these tariffs could undermine India's manufacturing ambitions. However, the Indian Ministry of Defence denied reports of pausing defence purchase talks with the U.S.

Moldova Joins International Solar Alliance (ISA)

Moldova became the 107th member of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) on August 7, 2025. The ISA, jointly launched by India and France in 2015, promotes solar energy adoption globally.

Russia Withdraws from INF Treaty

Russia formally exited the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, citing its irrelevance and US actions.

Economy & Business

RBI Maintains Repo Rate

The Reserve Bank of India's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) unanimously decided to keep the policy repo rate unchanged at 5.50% on August 8, 2025. This decision follows previous rate reductions, with the RBI maintaining a 'Neutral' stance. The MPC retained the FY26 GDP growth forecast at 6.5% and lowered the inflation forecast to 3.1%. The RBI also announced plans to standardize claim settlement procedures for deceased bank customers' accounts and lockers.

SEBI Innovation Sandbox for Fractional Shares

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) approved a startup's proposal to test fractional share trading within its innovation sandbox. This marks a potential shift in India's equity market, allowing investors to purchase portions of high-value shares. The approved model involves maintaining fractional shares at the depository level.

Government Approves LPG Compensation

The Union Cabinet approved a ₹30,000 crore compensation for Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) to cover losses incurred on domestic LPG sales.

Science & Technology

Indian Aquanauts Achieve Deep Ocean Dive

Indian aquanauts successfully completed deep ocean dives exceeding 4,000 meters in the Atlantic Ocean, a preparatory step for India's Samudrayaan mission.

World's Longest Lightning Flash Certified

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) certified an 829 km lightning flash in the US as the world's longest. India is enhancing lightning preparedness with alert apps and early warning systems.

Sports

Annu Rani Wins Gold in Javelin

Olympian Annu Rani won the women's javelin throw title at the Indian Open 2025 World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze Meet in Bhubaneswar with a throw of 62.01 meters. In the same event, India's Shivam Lohakare won silver in men's javelin, while Sri Lanka's Rumesh Pathirage claimed gold. Murali Sreeshankar won the men's long jump title. The Indian Open 2025 was India's first time hosting a World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze Level meet. Annu Rani also won gold at an event in Poland earlier.

Shubman Gill Nominated for ICC Player of the Month

India's cricketer Shubman Gill was nominated for the ICC Player of the Month for July.

World Boxing Cup Gold Medal

An Indian boxer won gold at the World Boxing Cup.

Important Days

Quit India Movement Day & International Cat Day

August 8 is observed as Quit India Movement Day, commemorating the launch of the movement in 1942. This day remembers Mahatma Gandhi's 'Do or Die' call. August 8 also marks International Cat Day.