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Daily Current Affairs 18th August 2025 Daily GK Update
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National News
NHAI Launches FASTag Annual Pass at 1,150 Toll Plazas Nationwide
- NHAI launched the ‘FASTag Annual Pass’ facility on 15th August 2025 across 1,150 toll plazas on National Highways & Expressways, in line with PM Modi’s vision of promoting technology and ‘Ease of Living’.
- On the first day itself, around 1.4 lakh users purchased & activated the pass, recording 1.39 lakh transactions; the Rajmargyatra App saw 20,000–25,000 concurrent users at any given time.
- The annual pass, available for ₹3,000 with 1-year validity or 200 toll crossings, eliminates the need for frequent recharges; it is applicable for all non-commercial vehicles with a valid FASTag.
- User support strengthened with NHAI officials/nodal officers at toll plazas and an upgraded 1033 National Highway Helpline (100+ new executives), ensuring smooth and grievance-free travel.
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta Launches Atal Canteens to Serve Food at Rs 5
- Delhi CM Rekha Gupta announced Atal Canteens in her first Independence Day speech, offering food at just Rs 5 for workers, and promised pucca houses for all slum residents.
- Atal Canteens plan details: 100 canteens will be set up in Delhi’s slum clusters, with a government allocation of Rs 100 crore, covering around 700 big and small slums.
- Objective of Atal Canteens: To enhance food security and improve the nutritional status of economically weaker sections, launched in honor of Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s birth centenary.
Bihar Launches AI-Powered Bridge Management Training for Engineers Under New State Policy
- Bihar Road Construction Department has partnered with IIT Delhi to launch a six-month advanced certification programme for engineers on AI-powered bridge management and real-time structural health monitoring, starting September 2025.
- The programme will train over 100 state engineers in AI/ML-based analysis of drone and sensor data, compute Bridge Health Index (BHI), implement real-time monitoring systems, and apply algorithm-driven Maintenance Priority Index (MPI) models for efficient resource planning.
- This initiative is part of the Bihar State Bridge Management & Maintenance Policy, 2025, aiming to build indigenous technical capacity, reduce reliance on external consultants, and ensure transparency through publicly accessible bridge data on the BIMS portal.
Banking and Financial
HDFC ERGO Partners with PhonePe to Launch Affordable Health Insurance for Young Adults
- HDFC ERGO has partnered with PhonePe to launch an affordable health insurance solution for India’s ‘missing middle’, combining a digital-first insurer with a popular digital payment platform.
- Premiums start at Rs 12 per day (approx. Rs 4,380 per year) for Rs 3 lakh coverage, and the policy can be purchased directly through the PhonePe app.
- The policy primarily targets individuals aged 18–30 years, many of whom are first-time insurance buyers, to enhance accessibility and adoption of health insurance.
SBI Life Launches Smart Shield Plus Term Insurance with Flexible Coverage Options
- SBI Life has launched Smart Shield Plus, a non-linked, non-participating, pure risk life insurance product designed to address the evolving protection needs of modern consumers.
- The plan offers three coverage options — Level Cover, Increasing Cover, and Level Cover with Future Proofing Benefit — allowing policyholders to tailor coverage according to life milestones and changing responsibilities.
- Key benefits include the Increasing Cover option, which raises the sum assured by 5% per year up to 200% of the original amount, and the Future Proofing option, which lets policyholders enhance coverage as their financial needs grow.
PhonePe Leads UPI in July 2025 with 8.93 Billion Transactions and 46% Market Share
- PhonePe led the UPI ecosystem in July 2025 with 8.93 billion transactions worth ₹12.20 trillion, securing a 45.88% market share, ahead of Google Pay and Paytm.
- Google Pay followed with 6.92 billion transactions (₹8.91 trillion, 35.56% share), while Paytm processed 1.36 billion transactions (₹1.43 trillion, 7.02% share).
- Among emerging players, Navi handled 444.06 million transactions, and super.money processed 252.85 million transactions, indicating growing competition in the UPI space.
Indian Overseas Bank Partners with Mumbai Metro One to Launch Smart Ticketing Solutions
- Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) has partnered with Mumbai Metro One Pvt Ltd to provide ticketing solutions, including smart cards, paper tickets, and QR-based ticketing for commuters.
- The system will be integrated with Mumbai Metro’s ticketing APIs, enabling real-time validation and instant confirmation for passengers.
- Mumbai Metro Line 1, connecting Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar, handles around 4.5 lakh daily commuters and over 3 lakh daily transactions, significantly easing traffic congestion in the city.
Recent MoUs Signed in Banking Sector
- HDFC ERGO Partners with PhonePe to Launch Affordable Health Insurance for Young Adults
- PhonePe Partners with SBI Card to Launch PURPLE and SELECT BLACK Co-Branded Credit Cards
- Shriram Life Partners with ESAF Small Finance Bank to Boost Insurance Access for Rural and Low-Income Families
- AU Small Finance Bank partnered with LIC to distribute LIC’s life insurance products across its extensive network
- SBM Bank India Partners with ICICI Prudential Life Insurance to Expand Retail Banking and Insurance Offerings
SBI launches special Rs. 4 lakh collateral-free loan scheme for Agniveers
- State Bank of India (SBI) has launched a special collateral-free personal loan scheme for Agniveers under the Agnipath recruitment programme, offering loans up to ₹4 lakh with zero processing fees.
- The repayment tenure of the loan will be aligned with the duration of the Agnipath scheme, ensuring flexibility and convenience for Agniveers.
- SBI is also offering a flat interest rate of 10.50% on personal loans to all Defence personnel, valid till 30th September 2025.
Appointment
Abhinav Bindra Appointed as IOC Mental Health Ambassador to Promote Athlete Well-Being
- Olympic gold medalist and former athlete Abhinav Bindra has been appointed as one of nine International Olympic Committee (IOC) Mental Health Ambassadors, recognising his long-time advocacy for athlete mental health.
- Mental Health Ambassadors are tasked with breaking stigma, promoting open conversation about mental health, and supporting athlete well-being through education, social media engagement, and one-on-one guidance.
Recent Brand Ambassador
- Madhuri Dixit – Odisha state’s handloom industry.
- Shah Rukh Khan – Zomato (for Fuel Your Hustle Campaign)
- MS Dhoni – ACKO
- MS Dhoni – Dettol’s ‘Icy Cool’ Range
- Shubman Gill – Oakley
- Anil Kumble – Karnataka Forest and Wildlife Department
Sports
Sathiyan Clinches Men’s Singles Title at World Table Tennis Feeder in Laos
- India’s G. Sathiyan won the men’s singles title at the World Table Tennis Feeder in Vientiane, Laos, defeating top seed Ryoichi Yoshiyama of Japan 11-4, 11-6, 12-10 in the final.
- This victory marks Sathiyan’s second Feeder title and his fifth senior crown overall, highlighting his consistent performance at the international level.
Former Sri Lankan cricketer Saman banned from all forms of cricket
- Former Sri Lankan domestic cricketer Saliya Saman has been banned from all forms of Cricket for five years after an ICC Anti-Corruption Tribunal found him guilty of breaching the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) Anti-Corruption Code.
- Saman was among eight people charged in September 2023 for breaching the Code during the 2021 Abu Dhabi T10 League, where attempts to corrupt matches in the tournament were disrupted by the ICC, the Designated Anti-Corruption Official (DACO) for the purposes of the ECB’s Code for the tournament.
- The ban, as per the ICC statement today, is backdated to 13 September 2023, when Saman was provisionally suspended.
Logo & Mascot of 1st Khelo India Water Sports unveiled
- The first-ever Khelo India Water Sports Festival (KIWSF) logo and mascot were unveiled in Srinagar, with the Himalayan Kingfisher chosen as the mascot.
- The logo highlights Kashmir’s beauty, depicting a Shikara on Dal Lake with snow-capped mountains and pine trees in the background.
- The event will be hosted on Dal Lake from August 21-23, featuring 400+ athletes from 36 States/UTs competing in rowing, canoeing, and kayaking, organized by the J&K Sports Council and the Ministry of Youth Affairs.
Navy win Armed Forces Inter Services Squash Championship
- The Indian Navy has won the Armed Forces Inter Services Squash Championship 2025-26 by defeating Indian Air Force by 2-1 during the final match played at Indian Air Force’s Base Repair Depot at Chandigarh.
- The championship, which was held from August 10-14, 2025, having four teams – Army Red, Army Green, Air Force, and Indian Navy, was aimed to select the best players to represent the Services Squash Team in the upcoming National Squash Championship.
Important day
15 August – The Day of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary
- The Day of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary is celebrated every year on 15 August by Christians worldwide, especially by the Catholic Church.
- It commemorates the belief that the Virgin Mary was assumed body and soul into Heaven, marking her purity and divine grace.
- The day is a major feast in Christianity, observed with special prayers, masses, and cultural traditions in many countries.
Obituary
Nagaland Governor La Ganesan Passes Away at 80
- Nagaland Governor La Ganesan passed away at 80 in Chennai.
- La Ganesan’s political career included serving as Governor of Nagaland (from February 2023), Governor of Manipur, and briefly holding additional charge of West Bengal.
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