Daily Current Affairs - 11th August 2025

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Today's edition features key updates including 100th Anniversary of the Kakori Train Action, Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace Deal, Asiatic Lion Population, MERITE Scheme, First State-of-the-Art Animal Stem Cell Biobank, PM E-DRIVE Scheme, PMUY, SDPs for Assam and Tripura, SHINE Programme, CATCH Program, and more...

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100th Anniversary of the Kakori Train Action of 1925

1. The Kakori Train Action took place on August 9, 1925, at Kakori, a village near Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

2. This incident involved the robbery of the official cash carried by the Number 8 down-train, which was travelling from Shahjahanpur to Lucknow.

3. The stolen money was intended to be used for revolutionary activities against the British colonial government.

4. The key revolutionaries involved belonged to the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA), a group fighting for India’s independence.

   • Important personalities involved in the Kakori Incident were Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqullah Khan, Chandrashekhar Azad, Manmathnath Gupta, and Rajendra Lahiri.

5. The British Government reacted quickly and harshly to the incident by arresting many revolutionaries.

6. The arrested revolutionaries were tried in the Kakori Conspiracy Case (1925).

7. This trial resulted in the hanging of Ashfaqullah Khan, Ram Prasad Bismil, Roshan Singh, and Rajendra Lahiri.

8. Although the Kakori Incident was a setback for northern Indian revolutionaries, it was not a fatal blow to their movement.

9. After the incident, the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA) was reorganized and renamed as the Hindustan Socialist Republican Army (HSRA).

10. The HRA was originally formed in Kanpur in 1924.

    • Key personalities of the HRA included Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqullah Khan, Sachindra Nath Bakshi, Sachindranath Sanyal, and Jogesh Chandra Chatterjee.

11. The HRA’s main goal was to establish a Federal Republic of the United States of India, where adult suffrage (meaning the right to vote for all adults) would be the basic principle.

12. In 1928, the HRA evolved into the HSRA at Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi.

13. The HSRA included prominent revolutionaries such as Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Shiv Verma, Chandrashekhar Azad, and Vijay Kumar Sinha.

14. The HSRA aimed to establish a Socialist Republic in India, focusing on socialism as the core principle.

US-Brokered Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace Deal Establishes TRIPP Transit Route and Promotes Regional Cooperation

1. The United States brokered a peace agreement aiming to end decades of conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, two countries in the South Caucasus region.

2. A key provision of the deal is the cessation of hostilities, where both nations agreed to end armed conflict and establish diplomatic relations.

3. The agreement includes the creation of the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP), a new transit route linking Azerbaijan to its exclave Nakhchivan through Armenian territory.

4. The US holds exclusive development rights over this transit route.

5. Both Armenia and Azerbaijan also signed separate cooperation agreements with the US to enhance collaboration in energy, technology, and the economy.

6. The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan primarily centers on Nagorno-Karabakh, a mountainous region inside Azerbaijan but predominantly populated by ethnic Armenians.

7. In the 1980s, Nagorno-Karabakh sought to break away from Azerbaijan with Armenia’s support.

8. Both countries gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, but the dispute over Nagorno-Karabakh persisted.

9. In 2023, Azerbaijan regained full control of Nagorno-Karabakh, leading to nearly 100,000 Armenians fleeing to Armenia.

10. India supports this peace deal, describing it as an “important achievement” for promoting dialogue and diplomacy.

11. India’s interest stems from its Friendship and Cooperation Treaty with Armenia, signed in 1995.

12. Additionally, Azerbaijan is strategically located on the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) route, connecting India with Russia through Central Asia.

IIT-Roorkee Develops Compound 3b to Combat Antibiotic Resistance in KPC-2-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae

1. Researchers at IIT-Roorkee have developed a novel drug candidate named Compound 3b that neutralizes antibiotic resistance mechanisms.

2. Compound 3b has shown strong therapeutic results in preclinical models.

3. This compound works in combination with the antibiotic Meropenem to treat infections caused by KPC-2-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae, a superbug recognized as a top-priority threat by the World Health Organization (WHO).

4. Compound 3b belongs to the class of β-lactamase inhibitor drugs.

5. Beta-lactamase inhibitors have very little antibiotic activity on their own but block the activity of beta-lactamase enzymes.

   • Beta-lactamases are enzymes that inactivate the beta-lactam ring, a chemical structure common to all beta-lactam antimicrobials, thereby preventing the degradation of these antibiotics.

6. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites no longer respond to antimicrobial medicines.

   • Antimicrobials include antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, and antiparasitics, which are used to prevent and treat infectious diseases in humans, animals, and plants.

7. The consequence of AMR is that antibiotics and other antimicrobial medicines become ineffective, increasing the risk of disease spread.

8. AMR also imposes significant economic costs; the World Bank estimates that AMR could lead to an additional US$1 trillion in healthcare costs by 2050.

9. Major factors contributing to AMR include industrial waste from the production of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), landfill leachate, untreated wastewater, and sewage effluents.

   • To combat AMR, initiatives such as the One Health approach and the Global Action Plan (GAP) on AMR adopted during the 2015 World Health Assembly of WHO have been undertaken.

Dr. Urjit Patel’s Paper Highlights US Economic Coercion and Advocates BRICS, AIIB as Sanctions Risk Mitigants

1. A working paper by Dr. Urjit Patel, former governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), recognizes that the use of economic coercion to achieve geopolitical goals has been a longstanding policy of the United States.

2. This policy has expanded notably under the Trump Presidency.

3. Over the years, the US has imposed sanctions on oil exports from countries such as Venezuela, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Sudan, and Syria.

4. The paper highlights sanctions as a tool of economic warfare, where restrictions on trade, shipping, banking, and payment channels substitute for direct military conflict.

5. Despite a significant increase in sanctions in the 21st century, these measures have shown limited effectiveness in achieving their intended diplomatic goals.

6. Since 2000, out of 687 sanctions imposed, fewer than 20% have achieved complete success.

7. The paper discusses the rise of secondary sanctions, which are extraterritorial and target the economic activities of third countries that are not directly violating the primary sanctions.

8. The US and its allies, including the G7 and the European Union (EU), use secondary sanctions to block trade between third-party countries and sanctioned nations.

9. Notable examples include the Chabahar Port in Iran, where Indian investments were affected by US sanctions.

10. Another example is Indian Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) being unable to access $900 million in dividends from oil investments in Russia due to US and EU payment restrictions.

11. The effectiveness of US sanctions relies heavily on the dominance of the US dollar, which serves as the global reserve currency.

12. Additionally, the US has financial control through its central position in international banking systems.

13. The payment networks leverage the dollar correspondent banking system as a “switch” to control and monitor global financial transactions.

14. In response to the expanding sanctions regime, India should view emerging international financial structures such as BRICS and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) as important risk mitigants.

15. These institutions offer a rational response to the geopolitical and economic challenges posed by US-led sanctions.

Asiatic Lion Population in India Rises to 891 in 2025

1. India has witnessed a remarkable rise in the Asiatic lion population, growing from 284 lions in 1990 to 891 lions in 2025.

2. This represents a 70% increase over the last decade, showcasing the success of India’s conservation efforts.

3. The Asiatic lion primarily inhabits dry deciduous forests and open grassy scrublands in the southwestern part of the Saurashtra region of Gujarat.

4. Currently, the Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is the only natural habitat of the Asiatic lion.

5. The conservation status of the Asiatic lion is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and included in Appendix I of CITES.

   • IUCN stands for the International Union for Conservation of Nature, which assesses species’ risk of extinction.

   • Schedule I under the Wildlife Protection Act offers the highest level of legal protection in India.

   • CITES Appendix I includes species threatened with extinction, prohibiting international trade.

6. Asiatic lions are slightly smaller than African lions and notably have no particular breeding season.

7. Key conservation efforts include Project Lion (2020), which focuses on habitat improvement, advanced monitoring technologies like radio-collaring and camera traps, and mitigating human-wildlife conflict.

   • Radio-collaring involves fitting lions with GPS collars to track their movements and behavior.

8. The Greater Gir Concept aims to expand lion habitats beyond Gir to areas such as Girnar, Pania, and Mitiyala.

9. The International Big Cats Alliance strengthens global efforts to conserve big cats, including Asiatic lions.

10. Asiatic lions are also covered under the Species Recovery Programme, which is part of the Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats Scheme.

11. The Barda Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Porbandar and Devbhumi Dwarka districts of Gujarat, is emerging as a second home for Asiatic lions.

12. Despite its small forest area of 192.31 sq. km, Barda Sanctuary is a significant biodiversity hotspot hosting many medicinal plants.

13. Barda Wildlife Sanctuary was officially declared a sanctuary in 1979.

14. Key flora in Barda includes species such as Gorad, Babul, Dhav, Rayan, Ber, Jamun, Amli, Dhudhlo, and Bamboo.

15. The sanctuary’s fauna includes animals like Sambar deer, Chital (spotted deer), and Chinkara (Indian gazelle).

MERITE Scheme

1. The Union Cabinet has approved budgetary support for the MERITE Scheme.

2. The MERITE Scheme is a Central Sector Scheme, meaning it is fully funded and implemented by the Central Government.

3. The nodal ministry responsible for the scheme is the Ministry of Education.

4. The primary objective of MERITE is to improve quality, equity, and governance in technical education across all States and Union Territories (UTs).

5. This objective is aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which aims to transform India’s education system.

6. The scheme has a total budget allocation of ₹4200 crore for the period 2025-26 to 2029-30.

7. Out of this budget, ₹2100 crore will come as an external assistance loan from the World Bank.

8. The beneficiaries of MERITE include 275 technical institutions, which comprise 175 engineering colleges and 100 polytechnic institutes.

9. The scheme is significant as it supports the development of Maker Labs, skill hubs, and initiatives to improve employability among students.

   • Maker Labs are practical workshops that encourage innovation and hands-on learning in technical fields.

5th Anniversary of Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan

1. The 5th anniversary of the launch of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) is currently being celebrated.

2. The nodal ministry responsible for NMBA is the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE).

3. NMBA was launched in 2020 as a key initiative under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR).

4. The initiative draws constitutional backing from Article 47, which directs the State to curb the consumption of intoxicating substances injurious to health.

5. The purpose of NMBA is to prevent, treat, and rehabilitate people affected by substance abuse.

6. Initially, NMBA targeted 272 high-risk districts, but its coverage has now expanded to include all districts across India.

7. The program follows a three-pronged strategy to tackle substance abuse comprehensively.

8. The Supply Control aspect is led by the Narcotics Control Bureau, which focuses on restricting the availability of illegal drugs.

9. The Demand Reduction and Awareness component is managed by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE), focusing on educating people to reduce drug use.

10. The Treatment and Rehabilitation of affected individuals is overseen by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

11. At the local level, District Nasha Mukt Committees are formed to prepare and implement action plans.

12. These committees are headed by District Collectors or Magistrates, who coordinate efforts within their respective districts.

India’s First State-of-the-Art Animal Stem Cell Biobank and Laboratory Established at NIAB, Hyderabad

1. India’s first state-of-the-art animal stem cell biobank and laboratory has been inaugurated at the National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NIAB), Hyderabad.

   • Stem cells are non-specialised cells that have the ability of self-renewal and potency, meaning they can divide to produce more stem cells and differentiate into various specialized cell types.

2. The Animal Stem Cell Biobank features a range of advanced facilities including a stem cell culture unit, a 3D bioprinter, a bacterial culture laboratory, and cryostorage capabilities.

   • Cryostorage refers to the preservation of cells at ultra-low temperatures to maintain their viability over long periods.

3. The biobank’s significance lies in its focus on regenerative medicine and cellular therapies for livestock, aiming to improve animal health and productivity.

4. It also supports advanced research in disease modelling, which involves creating biological models to study diseases, and tissue engineering, which is the development of artificial tissues for medical applications.

5. The initiative is supported by the National Biopharma Mission (NBM), which operates under the Department of Biotechnology through the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC).

6. The NBM, approved in 2017, is an industry-academia collaborative mission designed to accelerate biopharmaceutical development in India.

Ministry of Heavy Industries Extends PM E-DRIVE Scheme Tenure to March 2028

1. The Ministry of Heavy Industries has extended the tenure of the PM E-DRIVE Scheme by two years, from 31 March 2026 to 31 March 2028.

2. The PM E-DRIVE Scheme is a Central Sector Scheme fully funded by the Central Government.

3. Its primary purpose is to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in India.

4. It also aims to build the necessary charging infrastructure to support widespread EV use.

5. Additionally, the scheme seeks to enhance the overall EV manufacturing ecosystem in the country.

6. The scheme targets incentivizing various types of electric vehicles, including electric two-wheelers (e-2Ws), electric three-wheelers (e-3Ws), electric ambulances, electric trucks, and electric buses.

7. Under the scheme, subsidies are provided as demand incentives to encourage the purchase of these electric vehicles.

8. These subsidies cover not only traditional EV categories but also other emerging EV segments to promote innovation.

9. The scheme also offers grants for capital assets, which include funding for the procurement of electric buses.

10. Grants are provided to support the establishment of EV charging infrastructure, essential for EV usability and adoption.

11. Funding is also allocated for the modernization of Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) testing agencies, which ensure EV quality and safety standards.

12. To ensure smooth implementation, the scheme provides administrative support, including Information, Education & Communication (IEC) activities.

13. It also covers fees for the Project Management Agency (PMA), responsible for overseeing and managing the scheme’s operations.

Union Cabinet Approves Continuation of Targeted Subsidy under PMUY for FY 2025–26

1. The Union Cabinet has approved the continuation of a targeted subsidy under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) for the financial year 2025–26.

2. This includes a subsidy of ₹300 per 14.2 kg LPG cylinder, available for up to 9 refills annually per PMUY consumer.

   • LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) is a clean cooking fuel used as an alternative to traditional fuels like firewood and cow dung.

3. The PMUY scheme was launched in 2016 by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.

4. The objective of PMUY is to make clean cooking fuel like LPG accessible to rural and deprived households, reducing indoor air pollution and health hazards.

5. The scheme is targeted at adult women from poor households, empowering them by making them the direct beneficiaries.

6. The original target of the scheme was to release 8 crore LPG connections to rural poor households by March 2020.

7. This target was achieved ahead of schedule in September 2019, indicating strong implementation and demand.

8. As of 01 July 2025, there are about 10.33 crore PMUY connections across the country, showing continued growth and outreach.

9. The scheme supports both energy access and women’s empowerment, while also contributing to public health and environmental sustainability.

New Special Development Packages Approved for Adivasi, Dimasa, ULFA Areas in Assam and Tribal Communities in Tripura

1. The Union Cabinet has approved four new components under the Special Development Packages (SDPs) for Assam and Tripura.

2. These new components focus on the development of Adivasi, Dimasa, and ULFA areas in Assam, and tribal communities in Tripura.

   • Adivasi refers to indigenous tribal groups, while Dimasa and ULFA (United Liberation Front of Asom) areas are historically affected by ethnic and insurgent movements.

3. The SDPs for Assam and Tripura are implemented as a Central Sector Scheme, which means they are fully funded by the Central Government.

4. The primary objective of these SDPs is to improve the socio-economic conditions of vulnerable and marginalised groups in these states.

5. The packages aim to boost access to jobs, healthcare, education, skill development, and livelihood opportunities, especially for youth and women.

6. Another key focus is to promote tourism, which is expected to create additional employment and stimulate local economies.

7. The new SDP expansion draws inspiration from earlier Memorandum of Settlement (MoS)-based development packages.

8. Previous MoS-based packages were introduced for communities such as the Bodo and Karbi groups in Assam.

9. These earlier interventions have shown promising outcomes in peace-building and development in the North Eastern Region.

SHINE Programme Introduced by ICMR to Promote Careers in Science and Public Health

1. The Science, Health and Innovation for Nextgen Explorers (SHINE) Programme was organized by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Department of Health Research.

   • The ICMR is India’s apex body for the formulation, coordination, and promotion of biomedical research.

2. The Department of Health Research works under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, focusing on health-related research policy and support.

3. The SHINE Programme aims to introduce students to health and biomedical research, areas critical for improving public health and advancing medical science.

4. Its objective is to motivate young leaders toward careers in science and public health, thereby nurturing future professionals in these domains.

5. The programme involves a variety of interactive activities to engage students in hands-on learning.

6. Key activities include guided laboratory tours, which allow students to observe real-time scientific work and understand research environments.

7. It also features research exhibitions, where scientific concepts and discoveries are displayed in accessible formats.

8. Another component is poster walks, which involve viewing and discussing scientific posters to understand ongoing research themes.

9. These activities are designed to ignite scientific curiosity, encouraging students to think critically and explore scientific ideas.

10. The programme also seeks to foster innovation by exposing students to real-world research challenges and solutions.

11. One of its key goals is to inspire the next generation of health researchers, addressing the future need for skilled professionals in biomedical sciences.

12. The SHINE Programme witnessed the participation of over 13,000 students from grades 9 to 12 across various regions.

IndiaAI Mission and NCG Launch CATCH Program

1. The IndiaAI Mission has announced the launch of the Cancer AI & Technology Challenge (CATCH).

2. The IndiaAI Mission is a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).

3. It aims to promote the development and adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in critical sectors, including healthcare.

4. The CATCH Grant Program is designed to accelerate the validation and deployment of AI-based solutions in the field of cancer care in India.

   • Cancer care continuum refers to the entire spectrum of cancer management, including prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, and palliative care.

5. The program was launched as a joint innovation grant initiative in collaboration with the National Cancer Grid (NCG).

   • The National Cancer Grid (NCG) is a network of cancer centers across India aimed at standardizing cancer care and facilitating collaborative research.

6. Under the CATCH program, selected proposals will receive milestone-based pilot funding of up to ₹50 lakhs.

7. Milestone-based funding means the financial support will be released in phases upon achieving predefined development or implementation goals.

8. In addition to funding, participants will receive mentorship support to guide innovation and implementation.

9. The program also provides access to clinical validation sites, allowing innovators to test and refine their AI solutions in real-world healthcare settings.

10. Successful solutions will have the opportunity to scale across the NCG network, enabling widespread clinical adoption.

11. They will also gain access to IndiaAI-supported public channels, which can help expand their reach and impact nationally.

India Enhances Protection for Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros Through National Strategy and Vision 2020

1. The Greater One-horned Rhinoceros is a large herbivorous mammal known for its single horn and thick armor-like skin.

2. It is the largest among the five extant rhino species found globally.

3. This species is primarily found in India and Nepal, especially in protected national parks and reserves.

4. Its natural habitat includes forests, grasslands, and inland wetlands, where it thrives in areas with abundant water and vegetation.

5. The diet of the Greater One-horned Rhino consists of grass, leaves, fruits, and aquatic plants, making it a grazing and browsing herbivore.

6. Despite conservation efforts, it faces serious threats such as habitat loss and degradation, mainly due to agricultural expansion, human encroachment, and infrastructure development.

7. Another major concern is the loss of genetic diversity, which occurs when populations become isolated and breeding is limited, reducing adaptability.

8. Poaching for its horn was once a critical threat, but recent efforts have significantly curbed this menace.

9. A 2025 IUCN–TRAFFIC report commends India’s improved monitoring and surveillance mechanisms, which have sharply reduced poaching incidents.

   • TRAFFIC is a leading global non-governmental organization (NGO) that works on wildlife trade monitoring.

10. TRAFFIC operates in the context of biodiversity conservation and sustainable development, ensuring species are protected while balancing ecological and human needs.

11. It is jointly managed by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

12. The IUCN Red List classifies the Greater One-horned Rhino as Vulnerable, indicating it faces a high risk of extinction in the wild.

13. Under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the species is listed in Appendix I, which prohibits international commercial trade of the species.

14. In India, it is protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, where it is listed in Schedule I, granting it the highest level of legal protection.

15. India has launched key initiatives to conserve this iconic species and its habitat.

16. The National Conservation Strategy for the Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros, launched in 2019, provides a strategic framework for rhino conservation.

17. Another major program is the Indian Rhino Vision 2020 (IRV 2020), which aimed to increase the population and geographic range of the species across Assam.

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