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Daily Current Affairs PDF of 16th August 2025
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CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING, FINANCE & BUSINESS
India’s Wholesale Price Index Inflation Drops to Two-Year Low of -0.58% in July 2025
- India’s Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation fell to a two-year low of -0.58% in July 2025.
- This is the second consecutive month that WPI inflation has been in negative territory.
- For context, the WPI stood at -0.13% in June and 2.10% in July 2024.
- The WPI tracks factory-gate prices of goods sold in bulk, in contrast to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures retail prices paid by households.
- The base year for the WPI is 2011-12. The index is divided into three main groups: primary articles, fuel and power, and manufactured products.
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has projected CPI inflation at 3.1% for 2025-26.
State Bank of India Introduces Nominal Immediate Payment Service Charges for Transfers Above ₹25,000 from August 15, 2025
- State Bank of India (SBI) has revised its charges for Immediate Payment Service (IMPS) fund transfers, effective from August 15, 2025.
- The new charges apply only to online IMPS transfers above ₹25,000.
- The charges for transfers made through bank branches remain unchanged.
- Online transactions exceeding ₹25,000 will now incur nominal charges ranging from ₹2 to ₹10, plus Goods and Services Tax (GST).
Key Highlights :
The fee structure for online transfers is:
- ₹25,001 to ₹1 lakh: ₹2 + GST
- ₹1 lakh to ₹2 lakh: ₹6 + GST
- ₹2 lakh to ₹5 lakh: ₹10 + GST
- Salary package account holders and certain accounts like those for government departments and statutory bodies will continue to have a full waiver on these charges.
- The revised service charges for corporate customers will take effect from September 8, 2025.
About Immediate Payment Service :
- IMPS is a real-time interbank electronic fund transfer service, available 24/7, and is managed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
- The per-transaction limit for IMPS is ₹5 lakh for all channels except SMS and IVR.
Recent News :
- In July 2025, State Bank of India (SBI) was adjudged the World’s Best Consumer Bank for 2025 by Global Finance magazine.
About State Bank of India (SBI):
- Founded Year: 1955
- Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
- Chairman: Challa Sreenivasulu Setty
- Slogan: “The Banker to Every Indian”
BSE Launches India Defence Index Through Its Index Services
- BSE Index Services, a part of the BSE stock exchange, has launched the BSE India Defence Index.
- The index is designed to track the performance of stocks within the Indian defence sector.
- The constituents of the new index are selected from the BSE 1000 Index.
- It will be reconstituted semi-annually, in June and December.
- This index can be used for passive investment strategies like ETFs and Index Funds to gauge the overall performance of the defence sector.
- BSE Index Services MD & CEO : Ashutosh Singh
PhonePe tops UPI market with 8.93 billion transactions worth ₹12.20 trillion, capturing 45.88% share
- PhonePe led the market by processing 8.93 billion UPI transactions with a value of ₹12.20 trillion, giving it a 45.88% market share.
- Google Pay was the second-largest player, handling 6.92 billion transactions worth ₹8.91 trillion and holding a 35.56% market share.
- The combined market share of PhonePe and Google Pay was 81.44%.
- Paytm processed 1.36 billion transactions valued at ₹1.43 trillion, securing a 7.02% market share.
- According to NPCI data, the total value of UPI transactions in July was ₹25.08 lakh crore, a 4.3% increase from the ₹24.04 lakh crore recorded in the previous month.
- Other notable third-party app providers (TPAPs) included Navi (06 million transactions) and super.money (252.85 million transactions).
- Overall, UPI recorded a new high of 19.46 billion transactions, with a total value of ₹25.08 trillion in July.
- Grocery stores and supermarkets were the top merchant category, accounting for over three billion transactions worth ₹64,881.98 crore, which is nearly a quarter of all UPI peer-to-merchant (P2M) transactions by volume.
Recent News :
- In July 2025, PhonePe retained its top position on the UPI leaderboard, processing over 8.54 billion transactions and holding a 46.46% market share, as per National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) data.
About PhonePe:
- Headquarters: Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
- Founded: 2015
- CEO: Sameer Nigam
State Bank of India introduces ₹4 lakh collateral-free loan scheme for Agniveers
- State Bank of India (SBI) has launched a special personal loan scheme specifically for Agniveers.
- The scheme was introduced to mark India’s 79th Independence Day.
- Under the scheme, Agniveers who have a salary account with SBI can get loans of up to ₹4 lakh.
- These loans are offered without any collateral and with a complete waiver of processing fees.
- The repayment tenure for the loan is aligned with the duration of the Agnipath scheme.
- SBI is also offering a flat interest rate of 10.50% on personal loans to all Defence personnel until September 30, 2025.
Reserve Bank of India report says Generative Artificial Intelligence can enhance banking operations in India by up to 46%
- According to an RBI report, Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to boost banking operations in India by up to 46%.
- The central bank noted that AI can help banks better understand customer behavior, improve efficiency, and offer more personalized services at scale.
- Globally, GenAI adoption in financial services is growing rapidly and is projected to exceed ₹1.02 lakh crore by 2033, with an annual growth rate of 28-34%.
- The RBI highlighted that the proper use of AI can make banking more efficient, inclusive, and customer-friendly, which will drive strong growth in the sector.
ICICI Bank to enable India’s first barrier-free toll payment system
- ICICI Bank will manage the online payment services for India’s first barrier-less toll collection system.
- This system is being implemented at the Choryasi Toll Plaza on the NH-48 in Gujarat.
- The project is an initiative by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to modernize road infrastructure.
- The system uses multi-lane free flow (MLFF) technology, which includes RFID scanners and AI-based automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras to collect tolls.
- The goal is to eliminate traditional toll booths and enable seamless, contactless payments without requiring vehicles to slow down.
- ICICI Bank will process all digital transactions as per the mandate from NHAI, and only banks are eligible to bid for such projects.
National Payments Corporation of India directs banks and payment apps to disable Unified Payments Interface peer-to-peer collect requests starting October 1,2025
- The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has directed banks and payment apps to halt all peer-to-peer (P2P) Unified Payments Interface (UPI) “collect requests” from October 1 to curb frauds.
- The “UPI collect” feature allows users to request money from another UPI user by sending a payment request through their UPI app.
- At present, the maximum amount a UPI user can collect per transaction is ₹2,000.
- The number of successful P2P credit transactions is capped at 50 a day.
- While “collect request” frauds were common in the early days of UPI, these frauds have reportedly reduced dramatically after NPCI limited the value to around ₹2,000.
- The move ensures that users have full control over transactions, addressing loopholes previously exploited in digital payment scams.
Recent News :
- In July 2025, NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL), the international arm of National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), has added 13 more banksto the UPI-PayNow real-time payment linkage.
About NPCI:
- Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
- Founded: 2008
- CEO: Dilip Asbe
- Key Initiatives: Unified Payments Interface (UPI), Immediate Payment Service (IMPS), RuPay (domestic card payment network), Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS), Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS)
CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL AND STATE NEWS
Indian Sporting Fraternity Welcomes Passage of National Sports Governance Bill 2025 & National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill 2025
- Parliament passed the National Sports Governance Bill 2025 and National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill 2025, hailed as landmark reforms for sports governance and athlete protection.
- Union Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya termed the Bill the biggest reform in sports since Independence.
- The National Sports Governance Bill seeks to transform India’s sports administration through the establishment of New Bodies:
- National Olympic Committee
- National Paralympic Committee
- National and Regional Sports Federations for designated sports
- Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill aims to strengthen governance, speed up dispute resolution, enhance collaboration with WADA, and raise athlete awareness about doping regulations.
Significance of the Reforms Olympics 2036 Preparation:
- The legislation is part of India’s roadmap to bid for the Summer Olympics, requiring compliance with the Olympic Charter and international best practices.
- Addressing Long-standing Gaps: Efforts to create a robust sports governance law date back to 1975, with multiple failed attempts due to political hurdles. This Bill finally delivers on decades of unfinished reforms.
- Promoting Gender Inclusion: Provisions ensure greater participation of women in sports federations and leadership roles.
- Enhancing Performance: By enforcing accountability and reducing political interference, the Bills aim to improve India’s performance in global sports events.
CURRENT AFFAIRS: AWARDS AND HONOURS
Telangana awarded with maximum number of organ donations in the country
- Telangana recorded the highest number of organ donations in India and was recognised during National Organ Donation Day in Delhi.
- Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda presented the award to representatives of Telangana’s Jeevandan programme.
- As per the Union Health Ministry, Telangana’s organ donation rate in 2024 was 4.88 per 10 lakh population, compared to the national average of 0.8 per 10 lakh population.
Key Highlights:
- National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) honoured Telangana for this achievement.
- Telangana adopted the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act (THOTA) to ensure equitable access to organs irrespective of financial status.
- Organ transplant surgeries are provided free of cost under the Aarogyasri scheme.
- In 2024, 188 donors helped save the lives of 725 recipients through organ harvesting.
CURRENT AFFAIRS: MOUS AND AGREEMENT
National Health Authority and C-DAC Sign MoU to Launch e-Sushrut@Clinic for Small and Medium Healthcare Providers
- National Health Authority (NHA) and Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) signed an MoU to roll out e-Sushrut@Clinic in the presence of Union Health Secretary Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava.
Key Highlights
- e-Sushrut@Clinic is a lightweight, cloud-based Hospital Management Information System (HMIS) designed for outpatient clinics, especially small and medium healthcare providers.
- Part of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) ecosystem, launched in September 2021 to create an integrated digital health infrastructure and bridge gaps among healthcare stakeholders through digital highways.
- Many AIIMS hospitals already use C-DAC’s systems; e-Sushrut@Clinic is a lighter version of flagship e-Sushrut HMIS, currently in use at 17 AIIMS and over 4000 health facilities nationwide.
- Healthcare providers can onboard via laptop/mobile using Health Facility Registry (HFR) and Health Professionals Registry (HPR); unregistered providers can register directly on the platform.
CURRENT AFFAIRS: SPORTS NEWS
German GM Vincent Keymer Wins Quantbox Chennai Grand Masters 2025
- Vincent Keymer clinched the Quantbox Chennai Grand Masters 2025 title with one round to spare, becoming the first sole champion in the event’s history.
Key Highlights:
- The 20-year-old secured the title after drawing with Dutch GM Jorden van Foreest, with other results confirming his victory.
- This win pushed Keymer into the world’s Top 10 in live ratings for the first time.
- In the Masters section, all Round 8 games ended in draws, keeping the battle for 2nd and 3rd place open.
- Arjun Erigaisi and Karthikeyan Murali, who face each other in the final round, are among the contenders for the remaining podium spots.
- In the Challengers section, GM Pranesh M leads with 6.5 points after defeating GM Harika Dronavalli.
- GM Abhimanyu Puranik and GM Leon Luke Mendonca trail by 0.5 points, following a win and a draw respectively.
- Other results included wins for GM Adhiban Baskaran and GM Aryan Chopra.
Himalayan Kingfisher Unveiled as Mascot for First-Ever Khelo India Water Sports Festival
- Himalayan Kingfisher unveiled in Srinagar as mascot for the first-ever Khelo India Water Sports Festival (KIWSF) to be held at Dal Lake from 21–23 August 2025.
- Festival is part of the expanding Khelo India calendar; follows the first-ever Khelo India Beach Games held in Diu in May 2025.
Key Highlights
- Organised by Jammu & Kashmir Sports Council in collaboration with Union Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports and Sports Authority of India (SAI).
- Second Khelo India event for Jammu & Kashmir after Gulmarg hosted Khelo India Winter Games (snow events) in March 2025.
- Medal events: Rowing, Canoeing, Kayaking.
- Demonstration events: Water Skiing, Shikara Race, Dragon Boat Race.
- Participation: Over 400 athletes from 36 States/UTs expected.
- Mascot & logo released by J&K Minister for Youth Services and Sports, Shri Satish Sharma and MLA Zadibal, Tanvir Sadiq.
- Mascot significance: Represents adventure, nature, and competition; colours orange and blue symbolise energy, tranquillity, and beauty of Kashmir; promotes eco-friendly sports, tourism, and youth engagement.
- Logo design: Shikara on Dal Lake with snow-capped mountains and pine trees; reflects Kashmir’s natural beauty and uses Khelo India colours.
CURRENT AFFAIRS: BOOKS AND AUTHOR
The Rise of the Hitman – Biography of Rohit Sharma by R. Kaushik
- “The Rise of the Hitman: The Rohit Sharma Story” is a book that chronicles the journey of Indian cricketer Rohit Sharma from his early days to his current status as a legendary player, particularly in white-ball cricket.
- This was published recently by Rupa Publications
- Written by R.Kaushik, the book offers a warm, personal narrative covering Rohit’s triumphs and challenges, enriched with stories from teammates, coaches, and friends.
Key Highlights
Career Milestones:
- Debuted for India at age 20.
- Breakthrough performances: 2007 T20 World Cup (South Africa) & 2008 Australia series.
- Missed 2010 Test debut (ankle injury) and 2011 Cricket World Cup.
- Test debut: November 2013; scored centuries in first two Tests.
- Shifted to opening in limited-overs cricket in January 2013.
- Became Test opener in October 2019.
- Achievements as captain:
- Reached final of 2023 ODI World Cup.
- Won 2024 T20 World Cup.
- Lifted 2025 Champions Trophy.
M.S. Swaminathan: The Man Who Fed India – Biography written by Priyambada Jayakumar
- The book “M.S. Swaminathan: The Man Who Fed India” is written by Priyambada Jayakumar and published by HarperCollins.
- Launched in New Delhi, the biography is a tribute to one of India’s greatest agricultural scientists.
- The book presents a deeply human and inspiring portrait of M.S. Swaminathan, the visionary who played a pivotal role in making India self-sufficient in food during the Green Revolution.
Key Highlights
- The biography covers three major phases of Swaminathan’s life:
- His formative years
- His scientific journey
- His role in shaping India’s food security
- Priyambada Jayakumar, known for her engaging storytelling style, blends meticulous research with vivid narration to bring alive Swaminathan’s life and times.
- The book captures not only Swaminathan’s scientific achievements but also his humanity, values, and vision for India.
Sugata Srinivasaraju’s Book The Conscience Network Is Released
- The book “The Conscience Network” is authored by Sugata Srinivasaraju, a veteran journalist and historian, and published by Penguin Random House.
Key Highlights
- It narrates the story of a group of young Indian diaspora in the United States who actively opposed Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s Emergency (1975–77).
- The Emergency, declared in June 1975, was a period when civil liberties were suspended, press freedom was curbed, and political opponents were imprisoned.
- The central focus is on Indians for Democracy (IFD), a group comprising students and professionals in the U.S. who campaigned against the Emergency.
- IFD’s initiatives included organising lectures on American campuses, meeting with U.S. lawmakers, publishing opinion pieces in newspapers, and holding protest marches to raise awareness about the situation in India.
- The book highlights how the movement demonstrated that defending democracy is a responsibility that can extend beyond national borders.
- The author brings credibility with over three decades of journalism experience, having held senior editorial positions and received multiple national and international fellowships.
CURRENT AFFAIRS : OBITUARIES
Apollo 13 commander and veteran astronaut Jim Lovell passed away at 97
- Jim Lovell, the astronaut who commanded the Apollo 13 mission, has died at the age of 97.
- He was a veteran of four spaceflights: Gemini VII, Gemini XII, Apollo 8, and Apollo 13.
- The Apollo 13 mission, launched on April 11, 1970, was intended to be the third moon landing but became famous for a near-disastrous failure that was successfully averted.
- Lovell holds the distinction of being the first person to journey to the Moon twice (on Apollo 8 and Apollo 13) but never actually landed on its surface.
- He retired from NASA in 1973 after spending a total of 715 hours in orbit.
Daily CA One- Liner: August 16
- Parliament passed the National Sports Governance Bill 2025 and National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill 2025, hailed as landmark reforms for sports governance and athlete protection
- Telangana recorded the highest number of organ donations in India and was recognised during National Organ Donation Day in Delhi
- National Health Authority (NHA) and Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) signed an MoU to roll out e-Sushrut@Clinic in the presence of Union Health Secretary Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava
- Vincent Keymer clinched the Quantbox Chennai Grand Masters 2025 title with one round to spare, becoming the first sole champion in the event’s history
- Himalayan Kingfisher unveiled in Srinagar as mascot for the first-ever Khelo India Water Sports Festival (KIWSF) to be held at Dal Lake from 21–23 August 2025
- “The Rise of the Hitman: The Rohit Sharma Story” is a book that chronicles the journey of Indian cricketer Rohit Sharma from his early days to his current status as a legendary player, particularly in white-ball cricket
- The book “M.S. Swaminathan: The Man Who Fed India” is written by Priyambada Jayakumar and published by HarperCollins
- The book “The Conscience Network” is authored by Sugata Srinivasaraju, a veteran journalist and historian, and published by Penguin Random House.
- India’s Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation fell to a two-year low of -0.58% in July 2025.
- State Bank of India (SBI) has revised its charges for Immediate Payment Service (IMPS) fund transfers, effective from August 15, 2025.
- BSE Index Services, a part of the BSE stock exchange, has launched the BSE India Defence Index.
- PhonePe led the market by processing 8.93 billion UPI transactions with a value of ₹12.20 trillion, giving it a 45.88% market share.
- State Bank of India (SBI) has launched a special personal loan scheme specifically for Agniveers.
- According to an RBI report, Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to boost banking operations in India by up to 46%.
- ICICI Bank will manage the online payment services for India’s first barrier-less toll collection system.
- The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has directed banks and payment apps to halt all peer-to-peer (P2P) Unified Payments Interface (UPI) “collect requests” from October 1 to curb frauds.
- Jim Lovell, the astronaut who commanded the Apollo 13 mission, has died at the age of 97.
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