• 20 Aug 2025

Railways’s Longest Grade Separator Bridge

Why in News? 

Indian Railways has achieved a significant milestone with the completion of the country's longest elevated grade separator bridge at Katni Junction, Madhya Pradesh, as part of a landmark project in the Jabalpur division of the West Central Railway. 

Key Points

• The project, which began in 2020 and is slated for completion by 2025, will feature Rail Over Rail (ROR) bridges with spans of up to 91.40 metres, allowing trains to bypass the entire city, easing traffic, and enhancing operational efficiency. 
• The new elevated 15.85 km bridge is a major part of the ongoing infrastructure modernization under the Prime Minister’s Gati Shakti initiative.

PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan

• About: A digital platform (launched in October 2021) integrating efforts of 16 ministries for seamless infrastructure planning and execution. 
• Objective: A transformative Rs. 100 lakh crore initiative aimed at revolutionizing India's infrastructure over the next five years. 
  • Developed by BISAG-N (Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geoinformatics). 
  • Seeks to accelerate project completion, reduce timelines, and enhance India’s global competitiveness by breaking down inter-ministerial obstacles. 
• 6 Pillars of PM GatiShakti: 
  • Comprehensiveness: Integrates initiatives across ministries through a centralised portal. 
  • Prioritisation: Ministries prioritize projects effectively based on national needs. 
  • Optimisation: Identifies gaps, selects efficient routes, reduces costs, and minimises delays. 
  • Synchronisation: Coordination across ministries to avoid delays. 
  • Analytical Capabilities: GIS-based platform with 200+ data layers for better decision-making. 
  • Dynamic Monitoring: Real-time project monitoring using satellite imagery to track progress. 

Chevening-Atal Bihari Vajpayee Scholarship Scheme

Why in News? 

The Uttar Pradesh government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) for the Chevening-Atal Bihari Vajpayee Uttar Pradesh State Government Scholarship Scheme.  

Key Points 

• About: The MoU was signed in Lucknow by Lindy Cameron, the British High Commissioner to India, in the presence of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. 
  • The UP Cabinet recently approved the scheme, with the state government allocating Rs 2 crore for the program in the current financial year (2025-26). 
  • The scheme will provide five meritorious students from Uttar Pradesh with the opportunity to pursue master’s degrees at leading UK universities every year. 
• Objective: The scholarship aims to empower meritorious students from Uttar Pradesh by enabling them to achieve excellence in education, research, and leadership at the international level. 
  • It is designed to transform the state’s education system and prepare students for global leadership roles. 
• Program Timeline: The program will begin in the 2025-26 academic session and run for three years, with the potential for renewal from the 2028-29 session. 
• Financials: The scholarship will cover tuition, examination and research fees, living allowances, and airfare to and from the UK. 
• Cost: The estimated total cost per student is between £38,048 to £42,076 (Rs 45–48 lakh). 
  • State Contribution: Approximately £19,800 (Rs 23 lakh). 
  • FCDO Contribution: The remainder of the funding. 
• Student Selection: Five students will receive full scholarships each year to study at prestigious UK universities, including the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, the University of Edinburgh, and the London School of Economics and Political Science. 
• Strategic Importance: The scheme reflects the growing collaboration between India and the UK, particularly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to the UK, where he signed the Trade Agreement and Vision 35, opening new avenues for business and education. 

World Humanitarian Day

Why in News? 

On August 19th, World Humanitarian Day is observed to recognize the dedicated efforts of those who risk their lives to assist others in times of crisis. It also serves as a day to show support for the millions of people whose lives are endangered due to conflict and disasters. 

Key Points 

• About: World Humanitarian Day, led by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), advocates for the well-being, dignity, and survival of people affected by crises, as well as the safety of humanitarian workers. 
• History: On 19th August 2003, a bomb attack on the Canal Hotel in Baghdad killed 22 humanitarian aid workers, including Sergio Vieira de Mello, the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq.  
  • In his honor, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution to designate this day as World Humanitarian Day (WHD). 
• Theme: This year's theme calls for ending attacks on humanitarians and civilians and ending impunity under International Humanitarian Law, urging those in power to #ActForHumanity. 
  • The #ActForHumanity campaign with a call for: 
    • Protection of humanitarian workers and the civilians they serve 
    • Upholding international humanitarian law 
    • Funding the vital lifelines that humanitarian aid provides 

104th Birth Anniversary of Dr Shanker Dayal Sharma

Why in News? 

On the occasion of Dr. Shanker Dayal Sharma's 104th birth anniversary, the ninth President of India (served from 25th July 1992 to 25th July 1997), President Droupadi Murmu paid floral tributes at Rashtrapati Bhavan. 

Key Facts About Dr Shanker Dayal Sharma  

• About: Dr Shanker Dayal Sharma, born on 19th August 1918 (Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh), was an esteemed lawyer, politician, and the President of India.  
  • He played a crucial role in India’s independence struggle and made significant contributions in various political capacities. 
• Education: Dr Sharma pursued his higher education at Agra and Lucknow Universities.  
  • After obtaining a doctorate in law from Cambridge University, he attended Lincoln’s Inn in London and Harvard University.  
  • He began his legal practice in 1940 in Lucknow. 
• Literary Work: He was also a noted poet and writer. He authored several books and edited prestigious publications such as the Lucknow Law Journal (1941-43) and Socialist India (1971-74). 
• Political Journey: He became a member of the erstwhile Bhopal Legislative Assembly from 1952 to 1956 and went on to serve as the youngest Chief Minister of the state. 
  • He was re-elected to the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly from 1956 to 1971 and also served as the Governor of Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, and Maharashtra. 
  • In 1971, he was elected to the Lok Sabha and served as the Minister of Communications from 1974 to 1977.  
• Vice-Presidency and Presidency: In 1984, Dr. Sharma was elected as the eighth Vice President of India, serving in that role for two terms until he was elected as the President of India in 1992.  
  • In October 2000, President Shri K.R. Narayanan released a special commemorative postage stamp in honor of Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma. 
• Death: Dr Shanker Dayal Sharma passed away on 26th December 1999, following a massive heart attack.  

Some Facts About the Office of the President of India 

• Two Terms: The only President of India to have served two terms is Dr. Rajendra Prasad. 
• Presidential Deaths: So far, two Presidents, Dr. Zakir Hussain and Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, have passed away during their term in office. 
• Acting President: When Dr. Zakir Hussain passed away in May 1969, the then Vice-President, V.V. Giri became the acting President.  
  • Following this, V.V. Giri resigned to contest the presidential election. 
• CJI as Acting President: After V.V. Giri's resignation, Chief Justice M. Hidayatullah served as the officiating President from 20th July 1969 to 24th August 1969. 

Note: Justice Hidayatullah is the only person in Indian history to have served in all three highest constitutional offices: Chief Justice of India, Acting President and Vice President.  

Presidents of India (1950-2025)

S.No.	Name	Term Start	Term End	Duration	Key Details
1	Dr. Rajendra Prasad	26th January 1950	13th May 1962	12 years, 107 days	First President of India; Only President to serve two terms
2	Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan	13th May 1962	13th May 1967	5 years	Philosopher-President; Teacher's Day celebrated on his birthday
3	Dr. Zakir Husain	13th May 1967	3rd May 1969	1 year, 355 days	First Muslim President; Died in office
Acting	V.V. Giri	3rd May 1969	20th July 1969	78 days	Acting President after Zakir Husain's death
Acting	Justice Mohammad Hidayatullah	20th July 1969	24th August 1969	35 days	CJI acted as President; V.V. Giri resigned to contest election
4	V.V. Giri	24th August 1969	24th August 1974	5 years	Won as independent candidate against official Congress nominee
5	Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed	24th August 1974	11th February 1977	2 years, 171 days	Died in office during Emergency period
Acting	B.D. Jatti	11th February 1977	25th July 1977	164 days	Acting President; Former Chief Minister of Karnataka
6	Neelam Sanjiva Reddy	25th July 1977	25th July 1982	5 years	First President elected unopposed
7	Giani Zail Singh	25th July 1982	25th July 1987	5 years	First Sikh President
8	R. Venkataraman	25th July 1987	25th July 1992	5 years	Former Vice President and Defence Minister
9	Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma	25th July 1992	25th July 1997	5 years	Former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh
10	K.R. Narayanan	25th July 1997	25th July 2002	5 years	First Dalit President; Career diplomat
11	Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam	25th July 2002	25th July 2007	5 years	"People's President"; Missile Man of India
12	Pratibha Patil	25th July 2007	25th July 2012	5 years	First Woman President of India
13	Pranab Mukherjee	25th July 2012	25th July 2017	5 years	Veteran politician; Former Finance Minister
14	Ram Nath Kovind	25th July 2017	25th July 2022	5 years	Second Dalit President; Former Governor of Bihar
15	Droupadi Murmu	25th July 2022	Current	3+ years	Current President; First tribal woman President

10th Anniversary of National Anubhav Awards

Why in News? 

Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State for the Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, awarded the 8th "National Anubhav Awards" during the ceremony at Vigyan Bhawan, alongside the 57th Pre-Retirement Counselling Workshop. 

Key Points 

• Awards 2025: The 10th anniversary of the Anubhav Awards in 2025 highlighted significant milestones in governance and diversity. 
  • One-third of this year's awardees were women, reflecting the increasing presence of women officials in governance. 
  • A total of 15 awardees from 11 ministries and departments were honored, including officers from a public sector bank and a central public sector enterprise for the first time. 
• Notable Awardees:   
  • M. Venkatesan: Recognized for his service during critical times, including the 2014 Kashmir floods and Ukraine evacuation of 2022. 
  • Hukum Singh Meena: Led the digitization of land records in over 6.4 lakh villages. 
  • Shalini Kacker (SBI): Instrumental in Direct Benefit Transfer, pension reforms, and Digital Life Certificate campaigns. 
  • O. Virupakshappa (Department of Posts): Expanded postal savings and insurance schemes in rural areas. 
  • Saju P.K. (CRPF): Served in sensitive operational areas like Assam and Pulwama. 
• Pre-Retirement Counselling: The event included pre-retirement counselling to inform soon-to-retire employees about pension procedures, health benefits, investment options, and income tax matters. 
• New Initiatives Launched: The event saw the release of several initiatives, including: 
  • Guidelines for the Digital Life Certificate Campaign 4.0. 
  • A Coffee Table e-Book highlighting success stories from Special Campaign 2.0. 
  • Plans have also been announced to use artificial intelligence to analyze memoirs submitted on the Anubhav portal.

National Anubhav Awards 

• About: The Anubhav Awards, initiated by the Department of Pension and Pensioners' Welfare (DoPPW), is designed to recognize and document the experiences of retiring and retired Central Government employees. 
  • Launched in March 2015 on the direction of the Prime Minister of India, the objective is to create a culture of sharing experiences, fostering good governance and administrative reforms through the Anubhav Portal. 
• Eligibility: Retiring Central Government employees/pensioners are eligible. Write-ups published on the Anubhav Portal, during the time frame notified by DoPPW, are considered for the awards. 

Formation of Chhattisgarh

Why in News? 

Chhattisgarh is celebrating its Silver Jubilee year, marking 25 years since its formation. As part of its Silver Jubilee celebrations, the Public Relations Department organized a photo exhibition and quiz competition in Raipur.  

Key Facts About Chhattisgarh 

• History: The history of Chhattisgarh dates back to the 4th century C.E., when it was known as Dakshin Kosala. The name "Chhattisgarh" means "thirty-six forts," referring to the Hehaya dynasty of Ratanpur. 
  • The Kalachuri dynasty ruled the region from the 9th to 18th century, with Ratanpur as their capital.  
• Formation as a State: Chhattisgarh was formed on 1st November 2000, after being carved out of Madhya Pradesh.  
  • Its capital is Raipur, with Naya Raipur (Atal Nagar) being developed as a modern smart city.  
• Geographical Significance: It is the 9th largest state in India with an area of 135,192 square kilometers. The state is rich in natural resources, especially coal, iron ore, and bauxite, making it a key hub for power, steel, and cement industries.  
  • Chhattisgarh is also known as the 'Rice Bowl of India' due to its high rice production. More than 40% of its land is forested.

Unique Facts About Chhattisgarh

• Both the Tropic of Cancer and the Indian Standard Time (IST) meridian pass through Chhattisgarh, with their intersection located in Surajpur. 
• The Indian Standard Time meridian runs through several districts in Chhattisgarh, including Surajpur, Korba, Janjgir-Champa, Balodabazar, Mahasamund, Gariaband, and Balod.
  • This meridian, which is based on the 82.5° E longitude, is used to calculate IST. 
  • The standard meridian of India also passes through other states, such as Uttar Pradesh (Mirzapur, village Kharavada), Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh. 
• The Tropic of Cancer, situated at 23° 26′ North latitude, crosses through eight Indian states: Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura, and Mizoram.  
  • In Chhattisgarh, the Tropic of Cancer passes through the districts of Korea (Koriya), Surajpur, Balrampur, and Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur. 

12th Men’s Asia Cup Hockey Championship

Why in News? 

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar unveiled the logo, mascot, and trophy for the 12th Men’s Asia Cup Hockey Championship. 

• The Chief Minister also flagged off the Trophy Pride Journey, a symbolic torch relay that will travel through all districts of Bihar leading up to the tournament.

Key Points 

• About: The tournament will take place from 29th August 2025 (National Sports Day and Major Dhyan Chand's birth anniversary) to 7th September 2025 at the Rajgir International Stadium, marking the first time Bihar is hosting the event. 
  • Rajgir, a historic city in Bihar, will host the event following an MoU signed between Hockey India and the Bihar State Sports Authority. 
  • This is the second international sporting event for Rajgir, after hosting the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy in 2024. 
• Tournament Details: The tournament will feature teams from India, China, Japan, Chinese Taipei, Malaysia, South Korea, Oman, and Bangladesh. 
  • The tournament will serve as a qualifier for the 2026 International Hockey Federation (FIH) Men’s Hockey World Cup, to be hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands.  
  • The winner will qualify directly for the Hockey World Cup. 
• Mascot: The official mascot, Chand, symbolizes the courage and agility of India’s national animal, the tiger, and is inspired by Major Dhyan Chand, India's legendary hockey player. 
  • Chand’s Design: The red cape represents strength, and the magician’s hat honors Dhyan Chand's extraordinary talent.

Asian Hockey Federation (AHF)

• The Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) was founded during the Asian Games in Tokyo in 1958, during which hockey made its first Asian Games appearance.  
• The five founding AHF member countries were India, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia and Pakistan. 
• As one of the five Continental Federations, AHF assists the International Hockey Federation (FIH) in promoting, developing, and administering the sport by supporting its Member National Associations through high-performance projects, grants, equipment, and technical guidance. 

Kapil Bainsla Won Gold at Asian Shooting Championship

Why in News? 

Haryana’s Kapil Bainsla from Palwal made history by winning India’s first gold medal at the 16th Asian Shooting Championship held in Kazakhstan, securing the top position in the 10m Air Pistol Men’s Junior Final, bringing immense pride to both Haryana and the entire nation. 

Key Points 

• The 16^th Asian Shooting Championship, featuring Rifle, Pistol, and Shotgun events, was held in Shymkent, Kazakhstan, from 16th August to 30th August 2025.  
• The event was organized by the Kazakhstan Sports Shooting Federation and sanctioned by the Asian Shooting Confederation (ASC) based in Kuwait.  
  • The competition was governed by the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF). 
• A total of 27 countries participated, with over 800 athletes competing. India's contingent was the largest, consisting of 164 shooters. 

India's Performance 

• 1 Gold Medals: Kapil Bainsla - Gold in Men's 10m Air Pistol Junior event. 
• 2 Silver Medals: Men's 10m Air Pistol Team - Silver (Anmol Jain, Saurabh Chaudhary, Aditya Malra). 
• 2 Bronze Medals: Women's 10m Air Pistol Team - Bronze (Manu Bhaker, Suruchi Singh, Palak Gulia). 
  • Manu Bhaker - Individual Bronze in Women's 10m Air Pistol. 

MP’s Civil Services Leave Rules 2025

Why in News?  

The Madhya Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav, has approved the Madhya Pradesh Civil Services (Leave) Rules 2025, which introduce several modern provisions.  

Key Points About Civil Services Leave Rules 2025 

• The new leave rules align with central government standards, replacing the 1977 rules. Notable changes include: 
  • Maternity leave for surrogate mothers, 
  • Paternity leave of 15 days for adoptive fathers, 
  • Child care leave extended to single male employees, 
  • The process for leave applications has been simplified for seriously ill and specially-abled employees. 

Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act 2017 

Madhya Pradesh Cabinet Clears Major Projects

Why in News? 

The state cabinet, headed by CM Mohan Yadav, approved various key project,s including the establishment of an Electronic Manufacturing Cluster at Bandikhedi village, Berasia tehsil in Bhopal district. 

Key Points 

• Electronic Manufacturing Cluster (EMC): 
  • Project Details: A new Electronic Manufacturing Cluster (EMC) will be established at Bandikhedi village, Berasia Tehsil in Bhopal district under the Government of India's EMC 2.0 project. 
    • The EMC 2.0 scheme aims to develop a robust electronics ecosystem, provide infrastructure, and offer financial assistance for projects and common facilities. 
  • Purpose: The cluster will focus on promoting the Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) sector, featuring world-class infrastructure and Common Facility Centres (CFCs). 
  • Impact: The initiative supports programs such as Digital India and Make in India, aiming to enhance investment, create employment, increase government revenue, foster entrepreneurship, drive innovation, and stimulate economic growth. 
• New Ayurvedic Medical Colleges and Wellness Centres: 
  • Locations: They are planned at locations including Narmadapuram, Morena, Balaghat, Shahdol, and Sagar, with 1,570 posts sanctioned for these centers after approvals. 
    • Each college will have a 100-bed hospital, hostels, residential quarters, and a pharmacy building. 
  • Funding: Under the National AYUSH Mission, Rs 350 crore allocated (Rs 70 crore per college, with a 60:40 funding ratio between Centre and State). 
  • Objective: Strengthen Ayurveda-based healthcare and the wellness industry across divisions in the state. 
• Department of Endocrinology: 
  • In response to the rising cases of diabetes and non-communicable diseases, the government has approved the creation of the first dedicated endocrinology department at Gandhi Medical College (GMC), Bhopal, to enhance care and explore the introduction of DM seats in endocrinology. 
• ‘Geeta Bhavan’ Scheme: 
  • Objective: Promote reading, cultural, and literary activities by establishing well-equipped study centers in urban local bodies. 
  • Target & Funding: Aim to set up one 'Geeta Bhavan' in each district by 2030, with financial support from the state government for construction, expansion, and maintenance. 
• Scholarship Increase for Tribal Hostels: 
  • The scholarship for mess facilities in tribal hostels has been increased to 12 months (from 10 months), with an amount of Rs 1,650 per month for boys and Rs 1,700 per month for girls, based on attendance.

CM Inaugurates India’s First ESG Lab

Why in News? 

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated India's first ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) Lab in Mumbai, urging students to prepare for a rapidly evolving world influenced by climate change, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing.  

• The event also included the felicitation of winners from the national robotics competition, organized by STEM Learning and Brilio (a Private Company). 

ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) 

• About: Environmental, social and governance (ESG) is a set of standards for how an institution operates in regard to the planet and its people. 

Importance of ESG for India 

• Climate: India faces extreme weather events (e.g., floods, heatwaves, sea-level rise). 
  • In 2024, extreme weather occurred on 322 out of 366 days (CSE report). 
  • Companies with strong environmental practices, clean energy, and reduced emissions can mitigate these risks. 
• Social: India struggles with poverty, inequality, and lack of basic needs. 
  • Companies focusing on social responsibility can create a more inclusive economy and drive positive societal change. 
• Governance: Strong corporate governance based on transparency and ethics rebuilds trust, attracts investments, and supports sustainable growth. 

India’s ESG Initiatives 

• SEBI Mandate: The top 1,000 listed companies must disclose ESG performance through the Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) Framework. 
  • The framework aligns with Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB).

ESG Related Recommendations of Parliamentary Standing Committee  

• ESG Oversight Body: Proposed within the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) to ensure genuine sustainability claims. 
  • The body should include forensic experts and set sector-specific ESG guidelines. 
  • Recommendations to support Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in adopting ESG practices. 
  • Amend the Companies Act, 2013 to make ESG a core duty of directors and embed sustainability into business strategy. 
• Penalties for False Claims: Stricter and faster penalties for false ESG claims to prevent greenwashing. 
  • Strengthen Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) and the National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) to tackle financial crimes and improve Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) oversight.