Current Affairs 18th August 2025 : Daily GK Update in English
1. Which ministry launched the Incredible India Digital Platform (IIDP) in August 2025?
A) Ministry of Culture
B) Ministry of Tourism
C) Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
D) Ministry of External Affairs
Answer: B) Ministry of Tourism
Explanation: The Incredible India Digital Platform (IIDP) was launched by the Ministry of Tourism to serve as a resource for travelers and stakeholders, promoting India’s cultural heritage, natural beauty, and diverse attractions. This initiative enhances digital access to tourism-related information.
2. Who took charge as the Vice Chief of Naval Staff of India on August 1, 2025?
A) Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan
B) Vice Admiral Rakesh Verma
C) Vice Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi
D) Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan
Answer: A) Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan
Explanation: Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan assumed the role of the 47th Vice Chief of Naval Staff on August 1, 2025, and paid homage to martyrs at the National War Memorial upon taking charge.
3. What is the total budget approved for the Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY) by the Union Cabinet in 2025?
A) ₹4,800 crore
B) ₹6,520 crore
C) ₹7,000 crore
D) ₹5,200 crore
Answer: B) ₹6,520 crore
Explanation: The Union Cabinet approved ₹6,520 crore for the PMKSY to boost farmers’ income and strengthen agricultural supply chains, focusing on food processing and infrastructure development.
4. Which Union Minister inaugurated the SheLeads II program in 2025?
A) Nirmala Sitharaman
B) Annapurna Devi
C) Meenakshi Lekhi
D) Smriti Irani
Answer: B) Annapurna Devi
Explanation: SheLeads II, a capacity-building program for empowering women leaders, elected representatives, and administrators, was inaugurated by Union Minister Annapurna Devi in 2025.
5. The ‘Apna Ghar’ initiative, launched in August 2025, is associated with which ministry?
A) Ministry of Home Affairs
B) Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
C) Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas
D) Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
Answer: C) Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas
Explanation: The ‘Apna Ghar’ initiative, launched by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, aims to provide safe, comfortable, and hygienic resting facilities for truck drivers.
6. India celebrated its ___ Independence Day on August 15, 2025.
A) 76th
B) 77th
C) 78th
D) 79th
Answer: D) 79th
Explanation: India marked its 79th Independence Day on August 15, 2025, commemorating 78 years since gaining independence from British rule in 1947.
7. Which Indian state became the first to launch a sabbatical leave scheme for its government employees in 2025?
A) Assam
B) Sikkim
C) Uttarakhand
D) Himachal Pradesh
Answer: B) Sikkim
Explanation: Sikkim introduced a sabbatical leave scheme for its government employees in 2025, a first in India, to support professional and personal development.
8. The National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB) operates under which ministry?
A) Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
B) Ministry of Science and Technology
C) Ministry of AYUSH
D) Ministry of Agriculture
Answer: C) Ministry of AYUSH
Explanation: The NMPB, established on November 24, 2000, functions under the Ministry of AYUSH to promote the cultivation and conservation of medicinal plants.
9. Which village in Maharashtra was chosen as India’s first smart intelligent village in 2025?
A) Bamhani
B) Satnavri
C) Kuhi
D) Peth
Answer: B) Satnavri
Explanation: Satnavri, a village in rural Nagpur with a population of 1,800, was approved by CM Devendra Fadnavis as India’s first smart intelligent village, focusing on advanced infrastructure and technology.
10. Which Indian state launched the Swasthya Sathi health insurance scheme?
A) West Bengal
B) Chhattisgarh
C) Manipur
D) Odisha
Answer: A) West Bengal
Explanation: The Swasthya Sathi scheme, launched by West Bengal on December 30, 2016, provides health insurance coverage of up to ₹5 lakh for families’ medical expenses.
11. What is the name of Asia’s longest freight train that completed its trial run in August 2025?
A) Vande Bharat
B) Rudrastra
C) Gati Shakti
D) MegaFreight
Answer: B) Rudrastra
Explanation: Rudrastra, a 4.5 km-long freight train, completed its trial run in August 2025, marking it as Asia’s longest freight train under the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project.
12. What was the repo rate set by the RBI’s Monetary Policy Committee on August 6, 2025?
A) 5.25%
B) 5.50%
C) 6.00%
D) 6.50%
Answer: B) 5.50%
Explanation: The Reserve Bank of India’s Monetary Policy Committee maintained the repo rate at 5.50% during its meeting on August 6, 2025, to balance inflation and growth.
13. Which Hindi film won the Best Film award at the 71st National Film Awards in 2025?
A) 12th Fail
B) Jawan
C) Pathaan
D) Animal
Answer: A) 12th Fail
Explanation: The film 12th Fail, directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra, won the Best Film award at the 71st National Film Awards for its inspiring story and cinematic excellence.
14. Which country conducted the ‘Drone Prahar Exercise’ in 2025 to test drone technologies in combat zones?
A) China
B) Russia
C) USA
D) India
Answer: D) India
Explanation: India conducted the ‘Drone Prahar Exercise’ to test and enhance drone technologies for combat scenarios, showcasing advancements in defense capabilities.
15. Who established the COP-33 cell to host the 2028 UN Climate Summit?
A) Germany
B) Russia
C) India
D) Brazil
Answer: C) India
Explanation: India established the COP-33 cell to prepare for hosting the 2028 UN Climate Summit, reflecting its commitment to global climate action.
16. Which organization launched the ‘Global Specs 2030’ initiative in 2025?
A) UNICEF
B) World Bank
C) World Health Organisation
D) Google
Answer: C) World Health Organisation
Explanation: The WHO launched the ‘Global Specs 2030’ initiative to address vision care and promote accessible eye health solutions globally.
17. How many children were awarded the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2025 by President Droupadi Murmu?
A) 15
B) 17
C) 18
D) 20
Answer: B) 17
Explanation: President Droupadi Murmu honored 17 children with the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2025 for their exceptional achievements in various fields.
18. Who was appointed as the first woman Vice-Chancellor of IGNOU in 2025?
A) Najma Akhtar
B) Radha Sharma
C) Uma Kanjilal
D) Gautami Sharma
Answer: C) Uma Kanjilal
Explanation: Uma Kanjilal was appointed as the first woman Vice-Chancellor of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) in 2025, marking a historic milestone.
19. Which country will host the Chess World Cup 2025?
A) India
B) Germany
C) USA
D) Norway
Answer: A) India
Explanation: India was selected to host the Chess World Cup 2025, reflecting its growing prominence in the global chess community.
20. Which Indian Navy ship conducted a hydrographic survey of Mauritius in 2025?
A) INS Viraat
B) INS Sarvekshak
C) INS Kalvari
D) INS Saryu
Answer: B) INS Sarvekshak
Explanation: INS Sarvekshak conducted a hydrographic survey of Mauritius in 2025, strengthening India-Mauritius maritime cooperation.
21. The United States jointly develops the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) with which country?
A) France
B) Norway
C) Greece
D) Australia
Answer: B) Norway
Explanation: NASAMS is a collaborative defense system developed by the United States and Norway, widely used for air defense.
22. What is ‘Australopithecus,’ recently mentioned in the news?
A) A genus of extinct Primates
B) A prehistoric species of Fish
C) Traditional irrigation technique
D) Newly discovered species of Frog
Answer: A) A genus of extinct Primates
Explanation: Australopithecus, a genus of extinct primates, was in the news due to new archaeological findings related to early human evolution.
23. The Dhanauri wetland, recently in the news, is located in which state?
A) Maharashtra
B) Uttarakhand
C) Uttar Pradesh
D) Bihar
Answer: C) Uttar Pradesh
Explanation: The Dhanauri wetland in Uttar Pradesh was highlighted for its ecological significance and conservation efforts.
24. Which state topped the Fiscal Health Index Report 2025 released by NITI Aayog?
A) Karnataka
B) Tamil Nadu
C) Kerala
D) Odisha
Answer: D) Odisha
Explanation: Odisha ranked first in the NITI Aayog’s Fiscal Health Index Report 2025, reflecting its strong economic management and fiscal policies.
25. Which day is observed as Kokborok Day in Tripura?
A) 18 January
B) 19 January
C) 20 January
D) 21 January
Answer: B) 19 January
Explanation: Kokborok Day is celebrated on January 19 in Tripura to promote the Kokborok language and its cultural significance.