Daily Current Affairs (DCA) 21 August, 2025

Daily Current Affairs Quiz
21 August, 2025

National Affairs

1. Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025

Context:

The Lok Sabha passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 by voice vote, aiming to curb online money gaming and its associated social and financial harms.

• Objective:
  • Protect citizens, especially middle class and youth, from harmful online money games.
  • Promote e-sports, online social games, and responsible gaming.
• Background:
  • WHO recognizes gaming disorder as a health condition.
  • Online money games have led to addiction, financial ruin, suicides, fraud, and security risks.

Why the Bill Was Needed?

1. Addiction & Financial Ruin: Loss of savings, family distress.
2. Mental Health & Suicides: Depression linked to heavy monetary losses.
3. Fraud & Money Laundering: Platforms used for illegal activities.
4. National Security Threat: Misuse for terror financing & illicit messaging.
5. Legal Loopholes: Online domain largely unregulated compared to physical gambling laws.
6. Encouraging Healthy Alternatives: Promotion of e-sports and safe social/educational games.

Key Provisions:

• Applicability: Entire India, including offshore platforms offering services in India.
• Promotion of E-sports: Recognized as a legitimate competitive sport; training academies & incentives planned.
• Promotion of Social/Educational Games: Govt. to recognize and register safe, age-appropriate games.
• Ban on Online Money Games:
  • Covers games of chance, skill, or hybrid involving money.
  • Ads, promotion, and financial transactions linked to these games prohibited.
• Online Gaming Authority:
  • National-level regulator for classification, registration, grievance redressal.
• Penalties:
  • Up to 3 years imprisonment and ₹1 crore fine for offering/facilitating such games.
  • Repeat offenders: Up to 5 years imprisonment and ₹2 crore fine.
  • Advertising ban violation: Up to 2 years imprisonment and ₹50 lakh fine.
• Corporate Liability: Companies/officers accountable, except those proving due diligence.
• Investigation Powers: Search, seizure, and arrest without warrant under Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.
• Rule-making Power: Central Govt. to frame rules for e-sports, social games, and regulator functioning.

Benefits

• Boost to Digital & Creative Economy: Encourages innovation, jobs, exports.
• Youth Empowerment: Promotes constructive digital engagement & career opportunities.
• Safer Digital Environment: Shields families from predatory gaming practices.
• Global Leadership: Sets India as a model for responsible gaming regulation.

Other Supporting Initiatives

• IT Act, 2000 & Rules (2021, amended 2023): Mandatory registration of permissible games, blocking illegal platforms.
• Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023: Punishments for unauthorized betting & cybercrimes.
• IGST Act, 2017: Offshore platforms required to register & pay taxes.
• Consumer Protection Act, 2019: Prohibits misleading ads.
• Advisories (MIB, Education Ministry): Against betting ads, safe gaming guidelines.
• Cybercrime Reporting: cybercrime.gov.in, toll-free helpline 1930.

ET & BS

2. India Successfully Test-Fires Agni-5 Ballistic Missile

Context:

India successfully test-fired its intermediate-range ballistic missile Agni-5 from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, Odisha on August 20, 2025.

Key Details:

• Missile Type: Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) with nuclear capability.
• Range: Can strike targets up to 5,000 km, covering entire Asia and parts of Europe.

About Agni-5 Missile:

• Developed by: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
• Features:
  • Three-stage, solid-fuel propulsion system.
  • Canister-based launch system enabling quick deployment and high mobility.
  • Capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

TH

3. 130ᵗʰ Constitution Amendment Bill

Context:

Union Home Minister Amit Shah introduced the Constitution (130ᵗʰ Amendment) Bill, 2025, in the Lok Sabha, proposing the removal of the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, and Ministers if arrested for serious criminal charges for 30 consecutive days. The move sparked massive protests from the Opposition.

Key Provisions of the Bill:

• Automatic Removal: PM, CMs, and Ministers to lose office on the 31st day of arrest for offences carrying a minimum punishment of 5 years.
• Applicability: Separate bills introduced to extend provisions to Union Territories and Jammu & Kashmir.
• Legal Gap Addressed: Amends Section 45 of the Government of Union Territories Act, 1963, which currently lacks provisions for removal on such grounds.
• Review Mechanism: Bills referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee; report expected in the next session.

Significance & Implications:

• Aims to raise ethical standards in politics by preventing individuals from holding office while facing serious criminal charges.
• Could reshape political accountability and set a precedent for ethical governance.
• Likely to trigger intense political debate over morality vs. due process.

TH

4. Silicon Valley of Solar

Context:

The International Solar Alliance (ISA) announced plans to establish 17 centres of excellence across various countries by the end of 2025 and a Global Capability Centre (GCC) in India to function as a global hub for solar energy development.

Key Details:

• Centres of Excellence:
  • Located in 17 countries (names undisclosed).
  • Focus on testing, lab training, and start-up incubation in universities modeled on IITs.
  • Number may increase to 50 in future.
• Global Capability Centre (GCC):
  • To be set up in India, envisioned as a “Silicon Valley for solar”.
  • Will act as a hub connecting all centres of excellence worldwide.

What is ISA?

• ISA is a global coalition of solar resource-rich countries, aimed at promoting solar energy use, enhancing energy access, and facilitating investments in renewable energy projects.
• Launched: 30 November 2015, Paris, France
• Founders: India and France
• Headquarters: Gurugram, Haryana, India
• Treaty/Legal Status: ISA operates as an international intergovernmental treaty-based organization.

About ISA:

• Founded: 2015 by India and France at the Paris COP21.
• Headquarters: Gurugram, Haryana.
• Membership: ~100 countries.
• Objective: Promote solar energy deployment globally, especially in tropical countries.

India’s Solar Progress:

• Installed Capacity: ~119 GW (as of July 2025).
• Emerging as a global supplier of skilled engineers for solar infrastructure.

TH

Banking/Finance

1. RBI MPC August 2025

Context:

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released the minutes of the latest Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting, underscoring concerns over the adverse impact of global trade tensions, tariffs, and geopolitical uncertainties on India’s growth outlook.

Key Highlights:

• Growth Concerns:
  • India’s economic growth is still a bit slow.
  • Private companies are hesitant to invest, partly because of uncertainty in global trade, like US tariffs.
  • Banks are not lending as much as expected, even though interest rates are lower.
• Domestic Economic Conditions:
  • Rural Economy: High-frequency indicators show buoyant rural economic activity and consumption.
  • Urban Economy: Urban spending remains sluggish, with private investments showing limited momentum.
  • Policy Support: Growth is expected to receive support from supply-side factors and a favourable policy environment in the second half of the financial year.
• Inflation Risks:
  • Inflation is likely to go above the RBI’s 4% target, possibly near 4.9% in early 2026.
  • RBI wants to avoid cutting rates too soon, which could reduce room to act if inflation rises further.
• Ongoing Transmission:
  • Previous rate cuts are still taking time to reflect fully in the economy.
  • Right now, borrowing costs aren’t a big problem for growth.
• Global Uncertainty:
  • Geopolitical tensions and trade-policy uncertainties persist.
  • Interest rate decisions by US Fed and other central banks could influence future RBI policy moves.

TOI

2. Centre Proposes GST Exemption on Life and Health Insurance Policies for Individuals

Context:

The Centre has proposed to exempt individual life and health insurance policies from the ambit of Goods and Services Tax (GST), aiming to make insurance more affordable and boost financial inclusion.

Key Highlights:

• Proposal: Complete GST exemption on individual life and health insurance policies.
• GoM Approval: The 13-member Group of Ministers (GoM) on health and insurance, headed by Bihar Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary, has endorsed the proposal.
• Objective:
  • Reduce financial burden on consumers.
  • Promote financial inclusion, strengthen healthcare, and support schemes like Ayushman Bharat.

GST on Life and Health Insurance Policies for Individuals

• Life Insurance Policies
  • GST Rate: 18% on the insurance premium.
  • Premium Components: GST is charged on the premium paid by the policyholder, excluding any investment component in ULIPs.
  • Example: If annual premium = ₹1,00,000 → GST = ₹18,000.
• Health Insurance Policies
  • GST Rate: 18% on the premium for individual health insurance.
  • Policy Type: Applies to standalone health policies and riders like critical illness cover.
  • Family Floater: GST charged on the total premium for the family.
• Exemptions / Clarifications
  • No GST on maturity or claim payouts.
  • GST is applicable only on premium payments, not on bonuses or surrender amounts.
  • Corporate/group health insurance may attract different GST rules (still 18% generally).

TOI

3. India Exim Bank signs $40 million credit line deal with Africa’s ECOWAS Bank

Context:

The Export-Import Bank of India (India Exim Bank) and the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) signed a $40 million commercial credit line agreement to boost India-Africa economic ties.

About the Agreement:

• Parties Involved: India Exim Bank (India) & EBID (West Africa).
• Objective:
  • Facilitate Indian business participation in infrastructure projects in Africa.
  • Strengthen bilateral trade and economic relations amidst global trade uncertainties.
• Significance for Indian Businesses:
  • Provides financing support for Indian companies exporting goods & services to Africa.
  • Enhances India’s role in cost-effective, locally adaptable infrastructure solutions.

About India Exim Bank:

• Founded in 1982 under the Export-Import Bank of India Act.
• Apex financial institution for facilitating and promoting India’s international trade and investment.

About EBID:

• Full Form: ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development.
• Nature: Regional development finance institution.
• Ownership: Owned by 15 ECOWAS member states (West Africa).

BL

Agriculture

1. Bayer Launches Camalus Insecticide for Indian Horticulture

Context:

Bayer has introduced Camalus, a dual-action insecticide specifically targeting chewing and sucking pests in horticultural crops, addressing a major pest-management gap for Indian vegetable farmers.

Key Highlights:

• Target Crops: Tomato, brinjal, chilli, cabbage, okra, and other premium vegetables.
• Mode of Action: Dual action through roots and leaves, stops pests from feeding quickly and provides long-lasting protection.
• Benefits:
  • Reduces frequent spray cycles and lowers input costs.
  • Compatible with Integrated Pest Management (IPM); minimizes harm to beneficial insects.
  • Enhances leaf penetration for consistent performance even in adverse weather.

BL

Facts To Remember

1. 21.89 lakh net additions to EPFO in June, says govt.

The Union Labour Ministry said that the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) registered a net member addition of 21.89 lakh in June – the highest since tracking of payroll data began in April 2018. Compared with May, net payroll additions increased 9.14%, and vis-a-vis June 2024, the growth is 13.46%.

2. Exotel unveils programmable voice infrastructure for AI agents

Exotel has announced the launch of programmable voice infrastructure for AI agents designed to deliver “significant power” to plug-’n’-play AI bots.

3. RBI gets bids of ₹ 31K cr in ₹ 50K cr VRR auction

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) received bids worth ₹ 31,025 crore at the overnight variable rate repo (VRR) auction on Thursday against the notified amount of ₹ 50,000 crore, which the experts said was on expected lines.

4. APEDA opening new offices at Patna, Raipur, Dehradun 

The commerce ministry’s arm, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), has decided to open its three new regional offices in Patna, Dehradun and Raipur to support agri exporters, an official said.