Daily Current Affairs - 16th August 2025
- TPP
- Aug 16
- 12 min read
Welcome to your one-stop destination for crisp, reliable, and exam-relevant Daily Current Affairs. The PRESS Pad delivers daily updates and smart summaries that go beyond the headlines and align perfectly with the evolving pattern of UPSC and other state-level examinations.
Today's edition features key updates including US-Russia meet, GST reforms, Two Indian Aquanauts Dives in Atlantic, Demography Mission, PMVBRY, Mission Sudarshan Chakra, SLINEX-25, GOCWI and more...
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USA and Russia Meet in Alaska to Discuss Russia-Ukraine Ceasefire |
The President of the USA and Russia recently met in Alaska to discuss a ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war.
Alaska is a non-contiguous U.S. state located at the northwest extremity of the North American continent.
The USA purchased Alaska from Russia under the Alaska Treaty of 1867.
Alaska is bordered by several maritime boundaries: the Beaufort Sea and Arctic Ocean to the north, the Gulf of Alaska and Pacific Ocean to the south, the Bering Sea to the west, and the Chukchi Sea to the northwest.
The Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis—a natural light display caused by solar particles interacting with Earth’s atmosphere—are visible across much of Alaska.
Nearly one-third of Alaska lies within the Arctic Circle, a polar region characterized by extreme cold.
About 85% of Alaska is underlain by permafrost, meaning the soil remains frozen year-round except for the top layer in summer.
Must Read | Why Did Russia Sell Alaska to the U.S.?
PM Highlights Next-Gen GST Reforms Focused on Structural Changes, Rate Rationalisation, and Ease of Living |
The Prime Minister highlighted the Next Generation GST reforms, which have been submitted to the Group of Ministers (GoM) formed by the GST Council.
These reforms are based on three key pillars: Structural Reforms, Rate Rationalisation, and Ease of Living.
Under Structural Reforms, the first focus is on correcting the Inverted Duty Structure by aligning input and output tax rates.
An inverted duty structure occurs when the tax on inputs is higher than the tax on the final product or when inputs are taxed but the output is exempt, leading to accumulation of input tax credit.
The reforms aim to resolve classification issues to streamline tax rates, reduce disputes, simplify compliance, and ensure fairness.
They also seek to provide stability and predictability by giving long-term clarity on tax rates and policy, helping to build industry confidence.
The second pillar, Rate Rationalisation, includes reducing taxes on items for the common man and aspirational goods.
It also aims to simplify the tax structure by reducing tax slabs, moving towards a two-slab system: Standard and Merit, with special rates for only select items.
The fiscal space created by the phasing out of the Compensation Cess will be utilized for the long-term sustainability of GST.
The third pillar, Ease of Living, focuses on technology-driven improvements like seamless registration, pre-filled returns to reduce manual errors, and faster automated refund processing for exporters.
About Goods and Services Tax (GST): It is a comprehensive indirect tax on the supply of goods and services across India.
GST was introduced in 2017 through the 101st Constitutional Amendment Act.
Its main features include One Nation, One Tax, replacing multiple central and state indirect taxes like excise duty and service tax.
GST follows a dual structure, comprising Central GST (CGST) and State GST (SGST).
The GST Council is the key decision-making body overseeing GST policies.
Two Indian Aquanauts Achieve Historic Deep-Sea Dives in Atlantic Ahead of Samudrayaan Mission |
Two Indian aquanauts achieved a historic milestone by diving to depths of 4,025 meters and 5,002 meters in the Atlantic Ocean.
These dives place India among a select group of nations capable of deep-sea exploration.
The dives were conducted aboard the French submersible Nautile in collaboration with IFREMER, France’s premier marine research institute.
The Indian team was led by experts from the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai.
This deep dive serves as a prelude to India’s Samudrayaan Mission, part of the flagship Deep Ocean Mission.
The Samudrayaan Mission aims to send three aquanauts to a depth of 6,000 meters in the indigenously developed submersible MATSYA-6000 by 2027.
MATSYA-6000 is a fourth-generation scientific submersible, designed for an operational endurance of 12 hours and an emergency endurance of up to 96 hours.
The Deep Ocean Mission was launched in 2021 by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) as a mission mode project.
Its purpose is to develop technologies for exploring deep ocean resources, promote a sustainable Blue Economy, and address climate change and pollution.
The mission has an estimated budget of Rs. 4077 crore and is planned to be implemented over five years (2021-2026).
The Deep Ocean Mission comprises six major components for ocean exploration:
Deep sea mining & manned submersible development to harvest deep-sea resources (Blue Economy).
Ocean climate change advisory services providing future projections of climate variables over seasonal to decadal timescales.
Support for coastal tourism as part of the Blue Economy.
Exploration and conservation of deep-sea biodiversity, including study of microbes and marine resources supporting marine fisheries.
Deep ocean survey and exploration to identify potential sites and assess ocean resources.
Energy and freshwater from the ocean, including Offshore Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) and OTEC-powered desalination plants.
Advanced marine stations for ocean biology to translate research into industrial applications with on-site business incubators.
Recently, the Prime Minister announced the launch of the National Deepwater Exploration Mission to explore oil and gas reserves in the sea.
High-Powered Demography Mission: Tackling Illegal Migration to Safeguard National Security and Unity |
The Prime Minister announced the High-Powered Demography Mission to tackle the challenges posed by illegal migration.
The mission aims to address national security challenges while ensuring the unity, integrity, and rights of Indian citizens, especially in border areas.
Illegal immigration has multiple impacts, including socio-economic, demographic, and national security concerns.
Demographic shifts in states like Assam and West Bengal cause local discontent due to changes in population composition.
Illegal migration puts strain on public services such as healthcare, education, housing, sanitation, and overloads welfare schemes.
It causes distortion in the labour market, as migrants often work for lower wages, displacing local workers and disrupting wage structures.
Land encroachment occurs when illegal settlers occupy agricultural and forest lands, leading to conflicts and social unrest.
From a national security perspective, there is a risk of extremist groups exploiting vulnerable migrant communities for recruitment and indoctrination.
Borders are often exploited for smuggling, human trafficking, and other illegal activities, posing border security challenges.
The presence of immigrants sometimes leads to communal tensions—ethnic or religious conflicts often worsened by political mobilization and misinformation.
Political exploitation of immigration issues can hinder effective policymaking due to electoral considerations.
To address these, the mission plans to strengthen border management by modernizing fencing and using smart surveillance technologies like drones, sensors, and AI.
It proposes to enact a National Refugee Law to legally distinguish between refugees and illegal immigrants.
The mission will maintain biometric records of all illegal immigrants and asylum seekers to prevent identity fraud.
It aims to expedite the issuance of National Identity Cards (NID) and the implementation of the National Register of Indian Citizens (NRC) for all citizens.
The government will pursue legal and diplomatic measures, including bilateral repatriation agreements with Bangladesh and Myanmar, leveraging forums like SAARC and BIMSTEC.
It also plans to enhance international cooperation by engaging with agencies like the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to manage illegal immigration and repatriation effectively.
PM Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana: Creating 3.5 Crore Jobs with Employee and Employer Incentives |
The Prime Minister announced the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana, a scheme under the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
The scheme aims to support the creation of over 3.5 crore jobs within a period of two years.
The scheme has two key parts: Part A focuses on support to first-time employees, and Part B provides incentives for employers.
Part A targets first-time employees registered with the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).
Eligible employees under Part A are those earning salaries up to Rs 1 lakh per month.
The scheme offers an incentive of one-month EPF wage up to Rs 15,000, paid in two instalments.
The first instalment is payable after 6 months of continuous service.
The second instalment is payable after 12 months of service and completion of a financial literacy programme by the employee.
A portion of the incentive is encouraged to be kept in a savings instrument or deposit account for a fixed period to promote savings habits.
Payments under Part A will be made via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) using the Aadhar Bridge Payment System (ABPS).
Part B offers incentives to employers for hiring new employees with salaries up to Rs 1 lakh per month.
Employers will receive up to Rs 3000 per month for two years for each additional employee who stays for at least six months.
For the manufacturing sector, the incentive period will be extended to the 3rd and 4th years as well.
Employer incentives will be paid directly into their PAN-linked bank accounts.
Mission Sudarshan Chakra: India’s Strategic Plan to Protect Critical Infrastructure by 2035 |
The Prime Minister recently announced the Mission Sudarshan Chakra, focusing on the protection of India’s critical civil and defence infrastructure by the year 2035.
Mission Sudarshan Chakra is a comprehensive national security initiative aimed at safeguarding the country’s vital assets.
The mission plans to equip critical national sites with cutting-edge technology and powerful weapon systems by 2035.
Its objective is not only to neutralize enemy attacks but also to deliver impactful counterstrikes, inspired by the Sudarshan Chakra, a legendary spinning weapon in Indian mythology symbolizing swift and precise action.
The mission is designed to enhance rapid, precise, and powerful defence responses, thereby reinforcing India’s strategic autonomy—the ability to independently make and implement defence decisions.
S&P Upgrades India’s Sovereign Credit Rating to BBB with Stable Outlook |
Standard & Poor’s (S&P) Global Ratings has upgraded India’s long-term Sovereign Credit Rating (SCR) from BBB- to BBB.
Alongside, S&P raised India’s short-term rating from A-3 to A-2, maintaining a Stable Outlook.
This upgrade marks India’s first sovereign credit rating increase by S&P since 2007, when India was initially elevated to investment grade at BBB-.
The upgrade reflects India’s strong commitment to fiscal consolidation, meaning efforts to reduce budget deficits and control debt.
It also recognizes the improved quality of public spending and strong corporate, financial, and external balance sheets.
Sovereign Credit Ratings (SCR) are independent evaluations of a country’s creditworthiness, assessing its ability to meet debt obligations.
Major agencies that issue SCRs include S&P, Fitch, and Moody’s.
SCR grades broadly categorize countries as investment grade or speculative grade, with speculative grades indicating a higher risk of default.
The investment-grade rating scale for S&P and Fitch ranges from BBB- (lowest investment grade) to AAA (highest); for Moody’s, it ranges from Baa3 to Aaa.
A favourable sovereign rating helps countries by improving access to global capital markets, attracting foreign investment, and reducing borrowing costs.
However, concerns exist around potential bias in rating processes, conflicts of interest, and the concept of a rating ceiling.
The rating ceiling means a corporate issuer within a country generally cannot have a credit rating higher than that country’s sovereign rating, which can limit the growth of the domestic financial market.
Supreme Court Urges UP to Consider Making NOIDA a Metropolitan Corporation |
The Supreme Court has directed the Uttar Pradesh government to consider converting the New Okhla Industrial Development Authority (NOIDA) into a Metropolitan Corporation.
This step aims to promote people-centric governance, meaning a local government system that is more responsive and accountable to the residents.
Noida, located in the Delhi-NCR region, currently does not have an elected local government.
Instead, it is governed by NOIDA, which was created under the Uttar Pradesh Industrial Area Development Act, 1976.
A Municipal Corporation is typically created for the administration of large cities and is established by the state legislature concerned.
The Municipal Corporation has three main authorities:
The Council, which acts as the legislative wing responsible for making policies.
The Standing Committees, which facilitate the working of the Council by focusing on specific issues.
The Commissioner, who is the chief executive authority responsible for implementing policies and day-to-day administration.
Indian Navy to Join Sri Lanka for SLINEX-25 Naval Exercise in Colombo |
Indian Naval Ships INS Rana (a Guided Missile Destroyer) and INS Jyoti (a Fleet Tanker) will participate in the 12th edition of SLINEX, known as SLINEX-25.
The exercise will take place in Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka.
SLINEX stands for Sri Lanka–India Naval Exercise, a bilateral naval exercise between the Indian and Sri Lankan Navies.
It was initiated in 2005 to strengthen naval cooperation between the two countries.
The main aim of SLINEX is to enhance interoperability, meaning the ability of the two navies to operate together effectively.
It also aims to boost maritime cooperation, which involves working jointly on naval security and maritime domain awareness.
Another key objective is to exchange best practices, allowing both navies to learn from each other's operational experiences and standards.
SLINEX holds strategic importance as it aligns with India’s ‘Neighbourhood First Policy’, which prioritizes strong relations with neighboring countries.
It also supports the vision of Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions (MAHASAGAR), a regional maritime security initiative by India.
Maize Cultivation Rises in India Driven by Ethanol Demand |
India's maize cultivation has surged, primarily due to the growing demand for ethanol production.
Maize is classified as a kharif crop, which means it is typically sown with the onset of the monsoon and harvested in autumn.
It requires a temperature range of 21°C to 27°C for optimal growth.
Maize grows well in old alluvial soil, which is a fertile soil type found in river basins, rich in nutrients and good for agriculture.
In some states like Bihar, maize is also grown as a rabi crop, which means it is cultivated in the winter season.
Maize serves a dual purpose—it is used both as food for human consumption and as fodder for livestock.
Karnataka is the top producer of maize in India.
Other major maize-growing states include Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh.
During 2023–24, India’s major export destinations for maize included Vietnam, Nepal, Bangladesh, Malaysia, and Thailand.
India Rejects PCA Ruling on Indus Waters Treaty Interpretation |
India has rejected the recent award by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) concerning the general interpretation of the Indus Waters Treaty.
The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) is a treaty-based intergovernmental organization, meaning it was created through international agreements between sovereign states.
The PCA facilitates arbitration and other forms of dispute resolution between states, state entities, intergovernmental organisations, and private parties.
The genesis of the PCA dates back to 1899, when it was established by the Convention for the Pacific Settlement of International Disputes.
This convention was adopted during the First Hague Peace Conference, a key diplomatic gathering focused on promoting international peace and legal mechanisms for conflict resolution.
The PCA currently has 125 contracting parties, meaning 125 countries have agreed to its founding treaty—including India.
Its headquarters is located at the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands—a city known as a global center for international law and justice.
South Africa Launches Global Water Investment Council Under G20 Initiative |
The President of South Africa officially announced the launch of the Global Outlook Council on Water Investments (GOCWI).
GOCWI has been launched as a G20 Presidential Legacy Initiative, meaning it is a flagship project introduced under the leadership of South Africa’s G20 presidency.
It forms a core pillar of the Global Transformation Agenda on Water Investments, led by the Global Water Partnership (GWP).
The Global Water Partnership (GWP) is a multi-stakeholder action network, meaning it brings together governments, NGOs, and private actors for collective action on water issues.
GWP is also an intergovernmental organisation, which means it is formed by multiple governments working together on shared goals related to water resource management.
GWP focuses on equitable, sustainable, and efficient management of water resources—ensuring fairness, long-term environmental care, and optimal use of water.
As part of its Transformation Agenda, GWP aims to mobilise $15 billion in investments for water security by the year 2030.
GOCWI will serve as a high-level platform, meaning it involves senior leaders and experts in its operations and decision-making processes.
Its main goal is to sustain political and financial momentum for water investments globally—this means keeping global attention and funding consistently focused on solving water challenges.
Doctors Without Borders: Global Humanitarian Medical Aid |
Doctors Without Borders, also known by its French name Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), is a global medical humanitarian organisation.
The organisation was founded in 1971 in France, in response to the suffering caused by war and famine in Biafra, Nigeria.
MSF is known for being international, meaning it operates across many countries, and independent, meaning it is not controlled by any government or political body.
Its primary mission is to deliver emergency medical humanitarian aid to people affected by crises such as conflicts, epidemics, disasters, or exclusion from healthcare.
The aid is provided in a way that is quick, meaning it responds rapidly to emergencies; effective, meaning it focuses on results and patient outcomes; and impartial, meaning it treats people based only on need, regardless of race, religion, or political affiliation.
MSF's work is currently making a major impact in Iraq, where it is bridging critical gaps in healthcare—this means MSF is providing essential medical services where local health systems are overwhelmed or under-resourced.
In recognition of its groundbreaking work, MSF was awarded the 1999 Nobel Peace Prize.
The Nobel Peace Prize is a globally prestigious award given annually to individuals or organisations that have made significant contributions to peace efforts.
MSF received this award for its pioneering humanitarian work across multiple continents, which includes not just medical care, but also advocacy for those without access to healthcare.
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