Current Affairs Quiz 13th August 2025 Quiz

Exp. India’s Retail Inflation Drops to Eight-Year Low of 1.55% in July

India’s retail inflation eased to an eight-year low of 1.55% in July, down from 2.1% in June, marking the lowest year-on-year inflation since June 2017, as per the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.

Inflation softened to 1.18% in rural areas and 2.05% in urban regions, while food inflation dipped into deflation at 1.76%, the lowest since January 2019, with rural food inflation at 1.74% and urban at 1.9%.

The decline in headline and food inflation is mainly due to favorable base effects and decreases in prices of pulses and products, transport and communication, vegetables, cereals, education, eggs, and sugar/confectionery.

Previous Months CPI-based Retail inflation

• January 2025 – 4.26%
• February 2025 – 3.6%
• March 2025 – 3.34%
• April 2025 – 3.16%
• May 2025 – 2.84%
• June 2025 – 2.10%
• July 2025 – 1.55%

Exp. KSFE becomes first miscellaneous NBFC in India to cross ₹1 lakh crore business turnover

Kerala State Financial Enterprises (KSFE) became the first miscellaneous non-banking financial company in India to achieve a ₹1 lakh crore business turnover, doubling from ₹50,000 crore in just four years.

To celebrate this milestone, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the event featuring the launch of the “KSFE Onam Samriddhi Gift Card” and the unveiling of the new tagline “KSFE: The Courage of Kerala.”

KSFE reported a profit of ₹512 crore in FY 2024-25, provided ₹504 crore in financial assistance through interest waivers, contributed ₹920 crore to the state government, and holds fixed deposits worth ₹8,925 crore in the state treasury.

Exp. IDFC FIRST Bank Launches RemitFIRST2India: Zero-Fee Digital Remittance Platform for NRIs

IDFC FIRST Bank launched RemitFIRST2India, a next-generation digital remittance platform enabling NRIs to send money to India quickly, securely, and with zero transfer fees.

NRI customers of IDFC FIRST Bank can use the Mobile Banking App for transactions, while non-customers can onboard easily via a paperless web portal.

The platform, launched in partnership with SingX, currently supports transfers from Singapore and Hong Kong, offers live transaction tracking, and focuses on speed, transparency, and ease of use.

Exp. DPIIT Partners with Hero MotoCorp to Boost Early-Stage Startups through ‘Hero For Startups’ Accelerator Program

DPIIT signed an MoU with Hero MotoCorp to support and scale early-stage startups and entrepreneurs through the ‘Hero For Startups’ innovation accelerator program.

The partnership focuses on startups working in future mobility, clean technology, and deep technology, providing access to Hero MotoCorp’s R&D facilities in India and Germany.

Selected startups will receive mentorship, access to Hero’s dealer and supplier network, and opportunities for paid Proofs of Concept (PoCs) to pilot and scale their innovations.

Exp. DPIIT Partners with Zepto to Boost Manufacturing Startups through ‘Zepto Nova’ Innovation Challenge

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) signed an MoU with Zepto to launch the ‘Zepto Nova’ Innovation Challenge to support and scale early-stage manufacturing startups.

A six-month program will mentor startups in hardware, IoT, packaging, and sustainable manufacturing, helping them progress from prototype to market-ready solutions using Zepto’s delivery and digital infrastructure.

The initiative will focus on women-led and Tier II/III startups, integrating over 100 Indian startups into Zepto’s supply chain with market access, expert-led workshops, and Startup India assistance.

Recent MoU

• TCS Partners with Now Telecom to Boost Digital Infrastructure and Financial Inclusivity in the Philippines
• GAIL and Hindustan Copper Limited signed MoU to jointly explore and develop critical mineral resources in India and abroad.
• BEML and TuTr Hyperloop Join Hands to Develop India’s First Indigenous Hyperloop Transportation System
• BSNL and NRL Sign MoU to Launch India’s First 5G CNPN in Refinery Sector
• DPIIT Signs MoU with HDFC Capital to Boost Innovation in Affordable Housing and PropTech through H@ART Programme

Exp. Indian Navy to Commission INS Udaygiri & INS Himgiri in Visakhapatnam

The Indian Navy will simultaneously commission two advanced frontline frigates, INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri, on 26th August at Visakhapatnam, marking the first time two major surface combatants from different Indian shipyards are commissioned together.

INS Udaygiri, the second Project 17A stealth frigate, is built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai, while INS Himgiri, the first P17A ship from Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.

INS Udaygiri is the 100th ship designed by the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau, highlighting India’s naval modernization and the capability to deliver advanced warships from multiple shipyards.

Exp. Paytm Gets In-Principle Approval from RBI to Operate as Online Payment Aggregator

Paytm Payments Services Limited has received in-principle approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate as an Online Payment Aggregator under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007.

The approval is conditional on compliance with RBI’s guidelines on regulation of Payment Aggregators and Payment Gateways issued in 2020 and related clarifications from 2021.

Exp. SBI Leads Public Sector Banks in Education Loan Disbursals; Maharashtra Tops State-Wise Chart

Over the past three years, public sector banks have significantly supported higher education financing in India, with State Bank of India (SBI) leading by disbursing Rs 32,311 crore in education loans between FY 2022-23 and 2024-25.

Maharashtra topped the state-wise education loan disbursal chart with Rs 11,426 crore, followed by Kerala (Rs 8,938 crore) and Andhra Pradesh (Rs 8,101 crore), reflecting strong demand for higher education funding across major states.

Despite large disbursals, repayment challenges remain, with SBI reporting Rs 336 crore in Gross NPAs on education loans as of March 2025, indicating the need to strengthen loan recovery mechanisms nationwide.

Exp. CCEA Approves Rs 8,146 Crore for 700 MW Tato-II Hydro Electric Project in Arunachal Pradesh

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved Rs 8,146.21 crore investment for the 700 MW Tato-II Hydro Electric Project in Arunachal Pradesh, with an estimated completion time of 72 months.

The project, a joint venture between NEEPCO and the Arunachal Pradesh government, will generate 2738.06 MU of energy, improving power supply in the state and helping balance the National Grid.

The state will receive 12% free power, 1% for Local Area Development Fund, and infrastructure development, including roads, bridges, hospitals, schools, and marketplaces funded by project allocations.

Exp. UIDAI Signs Agreement with Indian Statistical Institute to Strengthen Aadhaar Security and Reliability

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has signed an agreement with the Indian Statistical Institute for joint research and development to further enhance the robustness, security and reliability of Aadhaar operations.

The agreement effective for a period of five years, will cover areas such as fraud and anomaly detection, development of biometric liveness detection tools, improvements in biometric matching algorithms, and other priority areas.

Exp. Gill and Dunkley named ICC Players of the Month for July 2025

India Test captain Shubman Gill and England spinner Sophia Dunkley have been named the International Cricket Council (ICC) men’s and women’s Player of the Month for July, respectively.

Gill bagged the Player of the Month award after a stiff competition from England Test skipper Ben Stokes and South African all-rounder Wiaan Mulder. This is his fourth Player of the Month honour, having won previously in February this year and in January and September 2023.

Meanwhile, Sophia Dunkley’s consistent run with the bat has seen her clinch the ICC Women’s Player of the Month honour for the first time. She edged out strong competition from her England teammate Sophie Ecclestone and Ireland captain Gaby Lewis for the monthly award.

Exp. 64th Subroto Cup to Kick Off on August 19

The 64th Subroto Cup International Football Tournament will begin with the junior girls’ (U-17) event on August 19 in Delhi, concluding with the junior boys’ final on September 25.

For the first time, the tournament will be held across multiple cities, with Bengaluru hosting the sub-junior boys’ (U-15) matches from September 2 to 11, along with bone age-determination tests.

Matches in Delhi-NCR will be played at Ambedkar Stadium, Tejas Ground, Subroto Park, and Pinto Park, while Bengaluru matches will be hosted at Air Force School (Jalahalli & Yelahanka) and HQ Training Command Ground.

A total of 106 teams, including participants from Nepal and Sri Lanka, will compete, with seven players chosen for advanced football training in Germany under the Indian Tigers & Tigresses campaign.

Exp. 13 August – International Left-Handers Day

International Left-Handers Day is observed annually on 13 August to celebrate the uniqueness of left-handed individuals and raise awareness about their needs.

The day was first celebrated in 1976 by Dean R. Campbell, founder of the Left-Handers Club.

Around 10% of the global population is left-handed, often facing challenges in a predominantly right-handed world.

Exp. 13 August – World Organ Donation Day

World Organ Donation Day is observed every year on 13 August to promote awareness about the importance of organ donation.

The day highlights how one donor can save up to eight lives by donating vital organs like the heart, liver, kidneys, lungs, and pancreas.

Theme 2025 – Answering The Call

Exp. Union Health Secretary Launches SHRESTH Initiative to Strengthen State Drug Regulatory Systems

Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava launched the State Health Regulatory Excellence Index (SHRESTH) in New Delhi, stressing that public health begins with the safety, quality, and efficacy of medicines.

The SHRESTH initiative by CDSCO aims to benchmark and strengthen state drug regulatory systems through a transparent, data-driven framework, ensuring consistent drug safety and quality standards.

Ms. Srivastava called for strong Centre–State collaboration and recognition of best practices to improve medicine manufacturing and distribution across India.