Current Affairs Quiz 9th, 10th and 11th August 2025 Quiz

Exp. Cabinet Approves ₹300 LPG Cylinder Subsidy for PMUY Beneficiaries in FY 2025–26

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the continuation of a targeted subsidy of ₹300 per 14.2 kg LPG cylinder (up to nine refills annually) for Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) beneficiaries during FY 2025–26, with an estimated expenditure of ₹12,000 crore.

Launched in May 2016, PMUY provides adult women from poor households with a deposit-free LPG connection, including a free first refill, stove, and installation, with costs borne by the Government of India and Oil Marketing Companies; as of July 1, 2025, there are about 10.33 crore PMUY connections.

To protect beneficiaries from global LPG price fluctuations, the government introduced a targeted subsidy of ₹200 per 14.2 kg cylinder in May 2022, later raised to ₹300 in October 2023.

Average per capita LPG consumption among PMUY households has improved from 3 refills per household in 2019–20 to 4.47 refills in FY 2024–25, indicating increased adoption of clean cooking fuel.

Exp. Cabinet Approves ₹30,000 Crore Compensation to OMCs for Domestic LPG Losses

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved ₹30,000 crore compensation for public sector Oil Marketing Companies (IOCL, BPCL, HPCL) to cover under-recoveries on domestic LPG sales, with the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas handling its distribution.

The compensation will be provided in 12 tranches, ensuring that OMCs continue supplying LPG cylinders at regulated, affordable prices despite high international LPG prices in 2024–25.

To protect consumers from global price fluctuations, the cost increase was not passed on, resulting in substantial losses for OMCs, yet they maintained uninterrupted domestic LPG supply nationwide.

Exp. Cabinet Approves ₹4,200 Crore MERITE Scheme to Boost Technical Education and Research Across India

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the Multidisciplinary Education and Research Improvement in Technical Education (MERITE) Scheme with a total outlay of ₹4,200 crore for 2025–26 to 2029–30, benefiting 275 technical institutions (175 engineering and 100 polytechnics) across all States/UTs.

The scheme, a Central Sector Scheme, will receive ₹2,100 crore as external assistance from the World Bank, aiming to enhance quality, equity, and governance in technical education in line with the National Education Policy 2020.

Designed to foster innovation and upgrade academic and research standards, the MERITE scheme addresses modern challenges and supports sustainable, inclusive growth through reforms in higher education, in collaboration with the World Bank.

Exp. Cabinet Approves ₹4,250 Crore Special Development Packages for Assam and Tripura to Boost Infrastructure, Livelihoods, and Peace

The Union Cabinet, chaired by PM Narendra Modi, approved four new components under the Central Sector Scheme of Special Development Packages (SDPs) for Assam and Tripura with a total outlay of ₹4,250 crore, aimed at infrastructure and community development in areas inhabited by Adivasi, Dimasa, ULFA, and tribal groups.

The fund allocation includes ₹500 crore for Adivasi areas in Assam, ₹500 crore for Dimasa-inhabited areas in the North Cacher Hills Autonomous Council, ₹3,000 crore for ULFA-affected areas, and ₹250 crore for tribal development in Tripura.

The overall project outlay is ₹7,250 crore, with ₹4,250 crore from the central scheme and ₹3,000 crore contributed by the Assam State Government, to be implemented between FY 2025–26 and FY 2029–30.

The scheme will boost employment, skill development, tourism, entrepreneurship, and socio-economic upliftment of vulnerable communities, benefiting youth and women in both states.

Building on past successes of MoS-based packages (for Bodo and Karbi groups), this initiative aims to mainstream affected communities, improve livelihoods, enhance peace, and attract tourists to the North Eastern region.

Exp. Indian Railways Successfully Trials Asia’s Longest 4.5 km Freight Train ‘Rudrastra’

Indian Railways successfully conducted the trial run of Asia’s longest freight train ‘Rudrastra’, measuring 4.5 km in length, from Ganjkhwaja (Uttar Pradesh) to Garhwa (Jharkhand), covering 209 km in 5 hours 10 minutes at an average speed of 40.50 km/h.

The initiative, operated by the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Division of East Central Railway to the Dhanbad Division, aims to ensure faster loading and transportation of goods.

Rudrastra was created by combining three long-haul racks (two goods trains each), comprising 345 wagons, with each empty wagon capable of carrying 72 tonnes of goods.

The train used seven engines — two at the front and one after every 59 bogies in each rack — making freight movement quicker, more resource-efficient, and time-saving.

Exp. Cabinet Approves ₹2,157 Crore 4-Lane Marakkanam–Puducherry NH-332A Project in Tamil Nadu

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the construction of a 4-lane 46 km stretch from Marakkanam to Puducherry on NH-332A in Tamil Nadu, under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM), with a total capital cost of ₹2,157 crore.

The project aims to upgrade the congested existing 2-lane corridor to a 4-lane configuration, improving traffic flow, safety, and connectivity for rapidly growing towns including Chennai, Puducherry, Viluppuram, and Nagapattinam.

The upgraded corridor will link with NH-32, NH-332, SH-136, and SH-203, while also connecting to two railway stations, two airports, and one minor port, boosting economic, social, and logistics integration in the region.

Exp. Rahul Singh Gets Two-Year Extension as CBSE Chairperson

Senior IAS officer Rahul Singh, from the 1996 Bihar cadre, has received a two-year extension as Chairperson of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).

He was first appointed to the position on March 13, 2024, and his tenure will now continue until November 11, 2027.

The extension was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), as stated in an order issued by the Personnel Ministry.

Recent Appointments

• CEO of Bimaplan – Anurag Mishra
• Chairperson of Capacity Building Commission – S Radha Chauhan; for 3 years
• Chairman of Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) India – Gaurav Banerjee (replace Shashi Sinha); for 3 years
• CEO of Jaguar Land Rover – P B Balaji
• Financial Advisor (Defence Services) – Dr. Mayank Sharma

Exp. India to be ‘Guest of Honour’ at 38th Bogota International Book Fair 2026 in Colombia

India will participate as the ‘Guest of Honour’ country at the 38th Bogota International Book Fair (FILBo) in 2026, strengthening cultural and literary ties with Colombia.

Indian Ambassador to Colombia Vanlalhuma highlighted that the event will serve as a bridge for deeper people-to-people connections between the two nations.

India’s National Book Trust had earlier showcased a collective exhibit of Indian books at the 37th FILBo 2025 held from April 25 to May 11, marking its debut at the fair.

Exp. Second Edition of UN Women’s ‘She Leads II’ Programme inaugurated in New Delhi

Union Minister Annpurna Devi inaugurated the second edition of UN Women’s flagship capacity-building programme SheLeads II in New Delhi, a two-day workshop organised by UN Women India Country Office.

The programme follows the enactment of the Women’s Reservation Act, 2023, which mandates 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies, aiming to strengthen women’s leadership in governance.

SheLeads seeks to advance gender equality in public and political leadership by equipping women with skills, networks, and support to contest upcoming elections, bringing together grassroots leaders, elected representatives, and administrators from across India.

Exp. CCI Approves Dalmia Cement’s 100% Acquisition of Jaiprakash Associates Under Insolvency Process

The Competition Commission of India approved the 100% acquisition of Jaiprakash Associates Limited (JAL) by Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Limited under the corporate insolvency resolution process (CIRP) of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016.

Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Dalmia Bharat Limited, which is primarily engaged in cement manufacturing and sales.

JAL operates in multiple sectors, including real estate, cement, hospitality, engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC), and is currently undergoing CIRP.

Exp. GAIL and HCL Join Hands to Explore and Develop Critical Mineral Resources

GAIL and Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL) have signed an MoU to jointly explore and develop critical mineral resources in India and abroad.

The collaboration aims to boost India’s self-reliance in vital minerals and support the clean energy and technology sectors.

Recent MoU

• 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
• DPIIT Signs MoU with Roche India to Boost Innovation and Startup Growth in Healthcare Sector
• DPIIT Signs MoU with Ather Energy to Boost EV Manufacturing and Empower Startup Ecosystem

Exp. Telangana awarded with maximum number of organ donations in the country

Telangana recorded the highest organ donation rate in India in 2024, with 4.88 donations per 10 lakh population compared to the national average of 0.8, earning the state an award from the Union Health Ministry and NOTTO.

The recognition was given for the state’s Jeevandan programme, with State Health Minister D. Rajanarsimha highlighting the recent adoption of the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act (THOTA) to ensure equitable access to organs.

Under the Aarogyasri scheme, organ transplant surgeries are provided free of cost; in 2024 alone, organs from 188 donors saved 725 lives in Telangana.

About Telangana

• Established – 2 June 2014
• Capital – Hyderabad
• Chief Minister – Revanth Reddy (replace K. Chandrashekar Rao)
• Deputy CM – Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka
• Governor – Jishnu Dev Varma

Exp. Zomato Appoints Shah Rukh Khan as Brand Ambassador for ‘Fuel Your Hustle’ Campaign

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has been roped in by Zomato as the face of its ‘Fuel Your Hustle’ campaign, which celebrates the hard work and determination of people across India who relentlessly pursue their dreams.

Zomato’s marketing head, Sahibjeet Singh Sawhney, stated that SRK’s journey from struggle to becoming a global icon resonates with everyone who believes in “hard work and consistency.”

Recent Brand Ambassador

• MS Dhoni – ACKO
• MS Dhoni – Dettol’s ‘Icy Cool’ Range
• Shubman Gill – Oakley
• Anil Kumble – Karnataka Forest and Wildlife Department
• Kapil Dev – Sobo Mumbai Falcons team for T20 Mumbai League season 2025
• Kriti Sanon – Dreame Technology India

Exp. 9 August – International Day of the World’s Indigenous People

International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is observed every year on 9 August to raise awareness about the unique cultures, traditions, and rights of Indigenous communities, and to address their specific needs.

The date marks the anniversary of the first meeting of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations held in Geneva in 1982.

The 2025 theme, “Indigenous Peoples and AI: Defending Rights, Shaping Futures”, focuses on ensuring that technological advancements, especially AI, respect Indigenous rights and help build an inclusive future.

Exp. Defence Minister Lays Foundation Stone for ₹1,800 Crore BEML Rail Hub ‘Brahma’ in MP

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh laid the foundation stone for the ₹1,800 crore BEML Rail Hub in Umaria village, Raisen district, Madhya Pradesh, which will be spread over 60 hectares and generate employment for over 5,000 people.

The facility, named ‘Brahma’ after the creator in Indian tradition, will manufacture coaches for Vande Bharat, Amrit Bharat, and Metro trains, contributing to India’s high-speed rail network.

Exp. 9 August – World Sanskrit Day

World Sanskrit Day is celebrated annually on Shravana Purnima, and in 2025, it falls on 9 August, to promote the Sanskrit language and its cultural heritage.

The day highlights Sanskrit’s role as one of the world’s oldest languages and the root of many Indian languages, as well as its importance in literature, philosophy, and science.

It marks an auspicious occasion traditionally considered ideal for starting the study of Sanskrit and Vedic scriptures.

Exp. 10 August – World Lion Day

World Lion Day is observed every year on 10 August to raise awareness about the conservation of lions and to highlight the threats faced by this majestic species.

The day was first celebrated in 2013, initiated by Big Cat Rescue and partners, to educate people about the importance of lions in the ecosystem and the urgent need to protect their habitats.

Lions are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, with their population declining due to habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict. The day aims to promote global action to conserve lions, especially African lions and the Asiatic lions found in India’s Gir Forest.

Exp. 10 August – World Biofuel Day

World Biofuel Day is observed every year on August 10 to raise awareness about the importance of non-fossil fuels as an alternative source of energy.

It highlights the role of biofuels in reducing carbon emissions, promoting cleaner energy, and ensuring energy security, especially in agricultural and rural economies.

Theme 2025 – The BioE3 Way

The day commemorates Sir Rudolf Diesel, who, on 10 August 1893, successfully ran a mechanical engine with peanut oil. His experiment demonstrated the possibility of using vegetable oil as an engine fuel, which later evolved into modern biofuels.