For every UGC NET aspirant, especially those targeting Paper 1 and General Awareness, daily current affairs aren’t just another subject—they’re a deciding factor. The updates from 18th & 19th August 2025 cover a wide spectrum: national policies, international affairs, economy, banking, defense, sports, science, and cultural milestones. This curated roundup is designed to sharpen your preparation and give you the competitive edge you need.
Manika Vishwakarma Crowned Miss Universe India 2025
Rajasthan’s Manika Vishwakarma won the Miss Universe India 2025 title in Jaipur and will represent India at the 74th Miss Universe in Thailand. Already crowned Miss Universe Rajasthan 2024, she is now modeling in Delhi. Her victory drew praise from jury members, including Urvashi Rautela.
Delhi’s Urban Extension Road-II: A Game Changer for NCR Connectivity
The newly opened Urban Extension Road-II (UER-II) is set to transform travel across Delhi and the NCR. By linking NH-44, NH-09, and the Dwarka Expressway, it reduces congestion and slashes travel time between Delhi and nearby states such as Haryana, Punjab, Uttarakhand, and J&K.
The project includes six-lane and four-lane stretches, key interchanges, Road over Bridges (RoBs), and links to the Sonipat and Bahadurgarh bypasses.
Veteran Actor Achyut Potdar Passes Away at 91
Veteran film and theatre actor Achyut Potdar passed away on August 18, 2025, at the age of 91. With a career spanning over 125 films including Tezaab, Rangeela, Lage Raho Munna Bhai, and 3 Idiots, Potdar was widely admired for his versatile performances.
FPIs Shift Focus to Debt Markets
Foreign investors infused ₹4,469 crore into India’s debt market in August 2025 but withdrew ₹20,975 crore from equities (Aug 1–15). This follows July’s ₹17,741 crore equity outflow, after strong inflows in May and June.
Unemployment Rate Drops to 5.2% in July
India’s unemployment rate fell to 5.2% in July 2025, with rural India leading job creation, according to the government’s latest PLFS survey. Labour Force Participation was higher in rural areas (57.1%) than in urban regions (50.6%). Agriculture remains the top rural employer, while services dominate urban jobs.
Indian Cinema Festival Begins in Sri Lanka
A six-day Indian film festival has started at the Trincomalee campus of Eastern University, Sri Lanka. The event showcases six Indian films in multiple languages, celebrating more than 111 years of Indian cinema. Inaugurated by Governor Prof. Jayantha Lal Ratnasekera, the festival highlights the cultural bond between India and Sri Lanka.
SBI’s New Loan Scheme for Agniveers
On Independence Day, SBI launched a collateral-free loan program for Agniveers under the Agnipath scheme. Eligible candidates can avail up to ₹4 lakh at 10.50% interest with no processing fee until September 30, 2025. Repayment is aligned with the service tenure.
Additionally, SBI revised IMPS charges for transfers above ₹25,000, effective August 15, now ranging between ₹2–₹10 plus GST.
Assam Rifles Partners with IIIT Manipur on Drone Tech
The Assam Rifles signed an MoU with IIIT Manipur to advance drone-based defence applications. The initiative includes DGCA-certified drone training for personnel, covering operations, maintenance, and surveillance applications.
SabhaSaar: AI Tool for Gram Sabhas
The government introduced SabhaSaar, an AI-powered platform that automatically generates structured meeting records from Gram Sabha video and audio. Built on BHASHINI, it supports multiple Indian languages, integrates with e-GramSwaraj, and is monitored through the Panchayat NIRNAY portal. The tool ensures transparency and digital participation, strengthening local governance under the 73rd Constitutional Amendment.
International News
Dubai Airport Launches AI Corridor
Dubai International Airport (DXB) has rolled out an AI-driven passenger corridor that eliminates the need for immigration counters. Using facial recognition and pre-registered biometrics, travelers can clear checks in just seconds. Currently live at Terminal 3’s First and Business Class lounges, the system can process up to 10 passengers in 14 seconds.
World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing
Beijing hosted the World Humanoid Robot Games, where 500 robots from 16 nations competed in events such as athletics, soccer, dancing, and kickboxing. A robot ran the 100m sprint in 21.5 seconds, while others excelled in martial arts. Some, however, stumbled during soccer and relays, showcasing both achievements and ongoing challenges in robotics.
World Photography Day 2025
Celebrated on August 19, this year’s theme “My Favorite Photo” invites people to share their most cherished images online with #WorldPhotographyDay2025.
World Humanitarian Day 2025
Observed on August 19, this year’s theme is “Strengthening Global Solidarity and Empowering Local Communities.” It honours humanitarian workers worldwide and raises awareness of global crises, emphasizing unity and compassion.
Science & Technology News
Parag Agrawal Launches AI Startup ‘Parallel’
Former Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal has founded Parallel Web Systems, an AI startup creating a “web for machines.” Its APIs outperform GPT-5 in certain benchmarks, supporting AI agents in deep research and data validation.
India Plans Space Station by 2035, Moon Mission by 2040
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh reaffirmed India’s ambitious space goals: establishing the Bharatiya Antariksh Station by 2035 and launching a crewed Moon mission by 2040.
Russia’s Venera-D Mission to Venus by 2036
Russia announced its plan to send the Venera-D mission to Venus between 2034–2036. The mission will include a lander, orbiter, and balloon probe, with design work starting in 2026.
Sports News
Iga Świątek Clinches Cincinnati Open Title
Poland’s Iga Świątek defeated Jasmine Paolini (7-5, 6-4) to win the women’s singles title. It’s her first hard-court title since Indian Wells 2024 and her 24th career trophy overall, boosting her to World No. 2 just ahead of the U.S. Open.
Carlos Alcaraz Wins Cincinnati Open 2025
Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz lifted his first Cincinnati Open title, winning after Jannik Sinner retired due to illness. This marks his 6th title of the year and 8th Masters 1000 trophy. He now leads the PIF ATP Live Race to Turin by 1,890 points.
Now Its Time For Online UGC NET Current Affairs Quiz
Question 1: Who won the Miss Universe India 2025 title?
A) Urvashi Rautela
B) Manika Vishwakarma
C) Priya Sharma
D) Ananya Gupta
Question 2: Which road project is set to transform NCR connectivity by linking NH-44, NH-09, and Dwarka Expressway?
A) Urban Extension Road-I
B) Urban Extension Road-II
C) Delhi Metro Extension
D) NCR Highway Project
Question 3: At what age did veteran actor Achyut Potdar pass away in August 2025?
A) 89
B) 90
C) 91
D) 92
Question 4: What was India’s unemployment rate in July 2025 according to the PLFS survey?
A) 4.8%
B) 5.0%
C) 5.2%
D) 5.5%
Question 5: Which AI tool was introduced by the government for Gram Sabha meeting records?
A) GramAI
B) SabhaSaar
C) PanchayatBot
D) VillageAI
Question 6: What is the maximum loan amount available for Agniveers under SBI’s new scheme?
A) ₹3 lakh
B) ₹4 lakh
C) ₹5 lakh
D) ₹6 lakh
Question 7: Which airport launched an AI-driven passenger corridor eliminating immigration counters?
A) Singapore Changi
B) Dubai International
C) London Heathrow
D) Tokyo Narita
Question 8: Who founded the AI startup ‘Parallel Web Systems’?
A) Sundar Pichai
B) Satya Nadella
C) Parag Agrawal
D) Elon Musk
Question 9: By which year does India plan to establish the Bharatiya Antariksh Station?
A) 2030
B) 2035
C) 2040
D) 2045
Question 10: Who won the Cincinnati Open 2025 women’s singles title?
A) Iga Świątek
B) Jasmine Paolini
C) Aryna Sabalenka
D) Coco Gauff
Final Thoughts
The 18th & 19th August 2025 current affairs reflect India’s rising stature in economy, defense, technology, and culture, alongside key global developments shaping diplomacy and markets. For UGC NET aspirants, keeping track of such dynamic updates is essential to build strong conceptual clarity, improve recall, and boost exam scores.
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