Agni-5
News-India Successfully Test-Fires Agni-5 Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile.
- Event – Successful test-firing of Agni-5 IRBM.
- Date – 20 August 2025.
- Location – Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, Odisha.
- Conducted By – Strategic Forces Command.
- Developer – DRDO, marking it as the most advanced missile in the Agni series.
- Purpose – Validate operational and technical parameters.
- Significance – Strengthens India’s nuclear deterrence and strategic readiness.
- About Agni 5:
- Type – Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM).
- Range – Over 5,000 km, capable of reaching most parts of Asia and parts of Europe.
- Payload – Capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads.
- Stages – Three-stage, solid-fuelled missile.
- Launch Platform – Canisterised – allows quick launch from road-mobile platforms.
India Post IT 2.0
News-India Post Unveils IT 2.0 Advanced Postal Technology to Power Digital India.
- Event – Launch of India Post IT 2.0 (Advanced Postal Technology).
- Date – Nationwide rollout under Digital India initiative.
- Features – QR payments, OTP-based delivery, DIGIPIN.
- Developer – Indigenously built by Centre for Excellence in Postal Technology (CEPT).
- Infrastructure – Runs on MeghRaj 2.0 cloud, supported by BSNL connectivity.
- Significance – Boosts last-mile digital connectivity in postal services.
- IT 2.0 – Complete overhaul of India Post’s digital ecosystem, with the following major advancement:
- Unified Digital Interface – Single integrated platform for all postal services.
- QR-Code Payments – Instant, secure, cashless transactions via QR scan.
- OTP Delivery Verification – Secure doorstep delivery through one-time password authentication.
- DIGIPIN – New 10-digit alphanumeric postal ID for accuracy and traceability.
Online Gaming Bill, 2025
News-LS passes Bill encouraging e-sports, online social gaming, prohibits harmful online money gaming
- Event – Lok Sabha passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025.
- Aim – Promote e-sports and online social games; prohibit harmful online money gaming.
- Authority – Establishment of an Online Gaming Authority for policy, development, and regulation.
- Protection – Safeguard youth and vulnerable groups from adverse impacts of money gaming.
- Minister’s Statement – Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted:
- Tremendous growth of digital sector in last 11 years.
- Online money gaming causing addiction, fraud, financial distress, money laundering and terror financing.
- 32 suicides in 31 months linked to money gaming.
- Bill Segments – E-sports, online social games, and online money games.
- Ban – Complete ban on offering/operating/facilitating online money games.
- Penalties:
- First offence – Imprisonment up to 3 years and fine up to ₹1 crore.
- Repeat offences – Jail term 3–5 years and fine up to ₹2 crore.
- Framework – Creates a uniform national-level legal structure for online gaming.
World Entrepreneurs’ Day
News-World Entrepreneurs’ Day 2025.
- Date – 21 August 2025 (Thursday).
- Purpose – Celebrate entrepreneurs’ role in innovation, jobs, and economic growth.
- Global Reach – Observed in 170+ countries.
- Origin – Started around 2010 as a global awareness campaign.
- Key Focus – Creativity, resilience, mentorship, and entrepreneurial education.
- Celebrations – Seminars, workshops, networking events, and social media campaigns (#WorldEntrepreneursDay, #WED2025).
Ajay Kumar Bhalla
News–Ajay Kumar Bhalla Given Additional Charge as Nagaland Governor
- Event – Appointment of Ajay Kumar Bhalla as Governor of Nagaland (additional charge).
- By – President Droupadi Murmu.
- Reason – Following the demise of Nagaland Governor La. Ganesan.
- Current Role – Ajay Kumar Bhalla is Governor of Manipur; now holds additional charge of Nagaland.
- About Governor:
- Article – 153 ; Governor for each state.
- Appointment – By President of India.
- Tenure – 5 years; holds office at President’s pleasure.
- Qualifications – Indian citizen, 35+ years, not hold office of profit.
- Oath – Administered by Chief Justice of State High Court.
MCQs
Q1. Agni-5, recently test-fired in August 2025, is classified as which type of missile?
a) Short Range Ballistic Missile
b) Medium Range Ballistic Missile
c) Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile
d) Intercontinental Ballistic Missile
Q2. Which organization developed India Post IT 2.0 (Advanced Postal Technology)?
a) NITI Aayog
b) Centre for Excellence in Postal Technology (CEPT)
c) National Informatics Centre (NIC)
d) Ministry of Electronics and IT
Q3. The Online Gaming Bill 2025 seeks to?
a) Promote all forms of online money gaming
b) Encourage e-sports and social gaming, prohibit harmful money gaming
c) Allow gambling under regulated framework
d) Legalize all card-based online games
Q4. World Entrepreneurs’ Day is observed every year on?
a) 15 August
b) 18 August
c) 21 August
d) 25 August
Q5. Ajay Kumar Bhalla was given additional charge as the Governor of Nagaland after the demise of?
a) R.N. Ravi
b) La. Ganesan
c) B.D. Mishra
d) Banwarilal Purohit