🇮🇳 National News
Rajasthan is set to implement India’s first drone-assisted artificial rain trial at the Ramgarh Dam, shifting from the conventional aircraft-based cloud seeding to using UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles).
About 60 drones will release specific chemicals into rain-laden clouds to encourage droplet formation and potentially induce rainfall.
This initiative is a collaborative effort between the Rajasthan Agriculture Department and GenX AI, a technology company with offices in the US and Bengaluru.
This marks India’s first-ever drone-based cloud seeding operation, moving away from traditional aircraft methods.
The 2025 edition of the National Anubhav Awards commemorates the 10-year journey of the Anubhav Portal, which honours memoirs and services of retired government employees.
The awards are organised by the Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW).
Launched in 2015 under the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Anubhav Portal serves to document and preserve the experiences and institutional memory of retiring officials.
The portal preserves institutional memory by documenting experiences and contributions of retiring government servants for future generations.
💼 Business & Economy
In July 2025, the total number of demat accounts in India rose to 202.12 million, up from 199.14 million in June, surpassing the 200 million milestone.
The country witnessed the addition of 98 million new demat accounts in July — the highest monthly growth in the last seven months.
| Depository | Total Accounts (July 2025) | MoM Growth |
|---|---|---|
| CDSL | 161.11 million | +2.47 million |
| NSDL | 41 million | +0.51 million |
| Total | 202.12 million | +2.98 million |
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has proposed SWAGAT-FI (Single Window Automatic & Generalised Access for Trusted Foreign Investors) — a unified platform for verified, low-risk foreign investors.
The platform aims to streamline regulatory compliance and enhance foreign investment inflow.
SWAGAT-FI will simplify access to India’s capital markets for a select group of objectively verified foreign investors.
SWAGAT-FI: Single Window Automatic & Generalised Access for Trusted Foreign Investors
As of August 11, 2025, net direct tax collections amounted to ₹6.64 lakh crore, marking a 3.95% drop from last year.
Gross collections before refunds stood at ₹7.99 lakh crore, down 1.87% year-on-year.
| Tax Category | Collection |
|---|---|
| Corporate Tax | ₹2.29 lakh crore |
| Non-Corporate Tax | ₹4.12 lakh crore |
| Tax Refunds | ₹1.35 lakh crore (+10%) |
| Net Collection | ₹6.64 lakh crore |
The government has set a target of ₹25.20 lakh crore for direct tax collection in FY26 — a 12.7% increase compared to the previous year.
🛡️ Defence News
On August 26, 2025, the Indian Navy will commission two advanced frontline stealth frigates — Udaygiri (F35) and Himgiri (F34) — at Visakhapatnam.
This marks the first instance where two major surface combat vessels from two renowned Indian shipyards will be inducted simultaneously.
| Frigate | Pennant Number | Built By |
|---|---|---|
| Udaygiri | F35 | Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL), Mumbai |
| Himgiri | F34 | Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata |
From August 11–17, 2025, the Border Security Force (BSF) launched ‘Operation Alert’ along the Rajasthan border to strengthen security in the lead-up to Independence Day.
The operation focuses on strict border management, review of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and intensified patrolling to deter potential threats.
Advanced surveillance technology is being used for real-time monitoring and intelligence gathering. Full BSF deployment will be in place on August 15 for heightened security.
The operation coincides with the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign (August 2–15). PM Narendra Modi praised the “phenomenal participation” calling it a symbol of national unity and pride.
👔 Appointments
Zomato has named Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan as its brand ambassador, following his role in the “Fuel Your Hustle” campaign.
The campaign celebrates determination and perseverance, linking the idea of hustle to food as a source of motivation.
SRK will appear in Zomato’s TV, print, digital, and outdoor advertising.
The collaboration reflects shared values of persistence and innovation, aiming to inspire ambition.
🔬 Science & Technology
Nelco, a Tata Group company, has entered into an agreement with French satellite service provider Eutelsat to offer OneWeb Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite connectivity across India.
Nelco will collaborate with OneWeb India Communications to deliver secure, low-latency LEO internet services to customers.
Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites operate at altitudes of 500–2,000 km, providing lower latency and faster internet compared to traditional geostationary satellites.
📅 Important Days
Celebrated annually on August 13, this day acknowledges and appreciates the uniqueness of left-handed individuals worldwide.
Approximately 10% of the world’s population is left-handed. Famous left-handers include Albert Einstein, Leonardo da Vinci, and Barack Obama.
Observed every year on August 13, the day aims to raise awareness about the life-saving importance of organ donation and encourage posthumous contributions.
“Answering the Call”
🏅 Sports News
Australian cricketer David Warner has moved to 5th place in the all-time T20 run-scorers list with 13,545 runs, overtaking Virat Kohli’s 13,543 runs.
The milestone came during The Hundred 2025 tournament, where Warner played for London Spirit, scoring 71 runs off 51 balls, including 12 fours and a six.
| Rank | Player | T20 Runs |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chris Gayle | 14,562 |
| 5 | David Warner | 13,545 |
| 6 | Virat Kohli | 13,543 |
Warner’s T20 career stats: Average of 36.80, with 8 centuries and 113 fifties.
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