For every UGC NET aspirant, particularly those preparing for Paper 1 and general awareness, staying updated with daily current affairs is not just useful—it’s a potential game-changer in cracking the exam. The 20th August 2025 updates span across multiple domains such as national policies, international affairs, economy, defense, business, science, culture, and sports. This curated roundup ensures you stay exam-ready and strengthen your preparation with relevant knowledge
National Space Day 2025 – Honoring India’s Space Journey
India celebrates National Space Day on 23rd August 2025, marking the 2nd anniversary of Chandrayaan-3’s landing near the Moon’s South Pole.
Theme: “Aryabhatta to Gaganyaan: Ancient Wisdom to Infinite Possibilities”
Celebrates ISRO’s journey from Aryabhatta (1975) to future goals: Indian Space Station (2035) & Human Moon Mission (2040).
India’s Flash PMI Reaches Record 65.2 in August 2025
India’s economy surged to a record high with the HSBC Flash Composite PMI hitting 65.2 in August 2025.
Services PMI: 65.6 (historic high)
Manufacturing PMI: 59.8 (fastest since 2008)
Growth fueled by robust new export orders from Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the US.
Despite rising input costs, higher margins and strong job growth were recorded for the 27th consecutive month.
Business optimism hit its highest since March 2025.
Centre Sets Up Rajiv Gauba-Led Committees to Drive Next-Gen Reforms & Viksit Bharat Vision
To accelerate next-generation reforms and advance the Viksit Bharat 2047 roadmap, the central government has constituted two high-level panels under Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba.
The committees include senior bureaucrats, leading economists, and industry experts.
One committee will focus on achieving Viksit Bharat goals, while the other will address regulatory reforms in non-financial sectors.
They will coordinate with ministerial groups headed by Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh, and also align with a deregulation task force at the state level led by TVS Swaminathan.
The initiative follows PM Modi’s Independence Day address, emphasizing reforms for a developed India.
PM Modi Inaugurates ₹12,000 Crore Projects in Gaya, Bihar
On 22nd August 2025, PM Modi inaugurated and launched projects worth ₹12,000 crore in Gaya, Bihar, covering transport, healthcare, power, tourism, and housing.
Highlights:
Aunta–Simaria Bridge & Bakhtiyarpur–Mokama Highway upgrade
₹6,880 crore Buxar Thermal Power Plant
Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital, Muzaffarpur
Namami Gange projects
Launch of Amrit Bharat Express & Buddhist Circuit trains
Handover of housing to 16,000+ PMAY beneficiaries
Trump Appoints Sergio Gor as US Ambassador to India & Special Envoy for South, Central Asia
US President Donald Trump has named his close aide Sergio Gor as the next US Ambassador to India and also as Special Envoy for South and Central Asia.
Gor, 38, is a political strategist and currently Director of Presidential Personnel.
His appointment is historic as no envoy has previously held a dual role.
The decision comes amid growing US-India tensions over tariffs and Russian oil imports, making this move closely watched by New Delhi.
PM Modi Launches ₹5,200 Crore Development Projects in Kolkata
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid foundation stones for projects worth ₹5,200 crore in Kolkata, emphasizing urban connectivity and modern transport infrastructure.
Key projects included 13.61 km of new metro lines connecting Noapara, Jai Hind Airport, Sealdah, and Hemanta Mukhopadhyay.
The 6-lane elevated Kona Expressway foundation stone was also laid.
These projects aim to boost ease of living, port connectivity, and economic activity in West Bengal.
India’s Forex Reserves Climb to $695.10 Billion (Mid-August 2025)
According to RBI data, India’s forex reserves increased by $1.48 billion to reach $695.10 billion.
The rise was led by a $1.92 billion increase in foreign currency assets.
Gold reserves, however, dipped by $2.16 billion to $86.16 billion.
India’s IMF reserve position improved by $15 million.
RBI continues to intervene to stabilize the rupee and avoid sharp volatility.
India’s Flash PMI Reaches Record 65.2 in August 2025
India’s economy surged to a record high with the HSBC Flash Composite PMI hitting 65.2 in August 2025.
Services PMI: 65.6 (historic high)
Manufacturing PMI: 59.8 (fastest since 2008)
Growth fueled by robust new export orders from Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the US.
Despite rising input costs, higher margins and strong job growth were recorded for the 27th consecutive month.
Business optimism hit its highest since March 2025.
India’s Interest Bill Almost Triples in 10 Years to ₹12.76 Trillion (FY26)
India’s interest payments on government debt are projected to touch ₹12.76 trillion in FY26, nearly 3x higher than a decade ago.
Main driver: repayments of pandemic-era loans.
Government debt rose from ₹71 trillion (51.5% of GDP) in FY16 to an estimated ₹200 trillion (56.1% of GDP) in FY26.
The government is using bond switches and buybacks to ease repayment pressure.
AAAI President Election
Srinivasan K Swamy re-elected as President of AAAI (2025–26) for his 4th term. Jaideep Gandhi elected Vice-President.
RBI Appoints New MPC member
Indranil Bhattacharyya appointed by RBI as new MPC member, replacing Rajiv Ranjan ahead of October policy meet.
India–France Partnership to Build Jet Engines for AMCA
India will co-develop advanced jet engines with France’s Safran for the indigenous AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft).
The new engine will deliver 110 KN thrust.
Approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security under a ₹15,000 crore project.
Aimed at strengthening India’s aerospace manufacturing & defense self-reliance.
NITI Aayog Report on Homestay Sector
NITI Aayog, along with IAMAI, released a report titled “Rethinking Homestays: Navigating Policy Pathways”.
Recommends light regulations, digital integration, and public-private partnerships.
Stresses local entrepreneurship, cultural tourism, and rural development.
Aims to position homestays as a driver of sustainable and inclusive tourism.
Summits & Conferences
India elected Chairman of AIBD Executive Board at the 23rd General Conference in Phuket, Thailand.
PM Modi will inaugurate SEMICON India 2025 on 2nd September at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi, with 350+ exhibitors and 33 countries under the theme “Building the Next Semiconductor Powerhouse”.
APEDA Expands Network with New Regional Offices
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) will open new regional offices in Patna, Raipur, and Dehradun.
With this, APEDA will have 19 offices nationwide.
The move aims to boost agri-exports by supporting exporters with registration, packaging, quality standards, and market linkages.
India’s Q1 FY26 GDP Growth Estimated at 6.7%
India’s Q1 FY26 GDP is projected to grow at 6.7%, supported by:
Government Capex (+52% YoY)
Rural demand revival
Strong services sector (IT, finance, transport)
While construction & agriculture grew steadily, industrial growth (IIP: 2%) remained weak.
The RBI forecast stands at 6.5% growth, with NSO data expected on 29th August 2025.
The 20th August 2025 current affairs highlight India’s growing influence in trade, technology, defense, and culture, along with key global economic and diplomatic developments.
For UGC NET aspirants, mastering these updates builds the conceptual clarity and depth required to achieve higher scores in the exam.
At Professor Academy, we don’t just deliver current affairs—we equip you with the strategies, smart revision plans, and study tools that transform every update into a scoring advantage.
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