Daily Current Affairs – 02-08-2025
National News
Indian naval ships arrive in Manila to strengthen ties
The Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet, comprising INS Delhi, Shakti, and Kiltan, has arrived in Manila. The visit reaffirms maritime ties with the Philippines and underscores India’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific region. This deployment to Southeast Asia is part of an ongoing operational mission commanded by Rear Admiral Susheel Menon, Flag Officer Commanding the Eastern Fleet. The ships were welcomed upon arrival by personnel from the Philippine Navy. The visit serves as a testament to the Indian Navy’s commitment to strengthening partnerships in the Indo-Pacific.
Vice-Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan takes charge as Navy vice-chief
Vice-Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan assumed charge as the Vice-Chief of the Naval Staff (VCNS) on Friday. Upon assuming office, he paid homage to fallen personnel who made the supreme sacrifice for the nation by laying a wreath at the National War Memorial in New Delhi. The Indian Navy stated that Vice-Admiral Vatsayan is a specialist in gunnery and missile systems. He has held a broad spectrum of command, operational, and staff appointments over a distinguished naval career spanning more than three decades. At sea, he has served aboard several frontline warships, including the guided missile destroyer INS Mysore and INS Nishank.
July GST Collection at ₹1.95 Lakh Crore: A 7.5% Increase
The Goods and Services Tax (GST) collection in the country for this past July has increased by 7.5 percent to ₹1.95 lakh crore. According to statistics released on the GST portal on Friday, the total GST collection in the country in July of last year was ₹1,82,075 crore. This has increased by 7.5 percent to ₹1,95,735 crore in July of the current year. Of the ₹1,95,735 crore, the total domestic revenue is ₹1,43,023 crore, and the total import revenue is ₹52,712 crore. The total GST refund in July of last year was ₹16,275 crore. This has increased by 66.8 percent to ₹27,147 crore in July of the current year. At the state level, Tamil Nadu’s GST revenue, which was ₹10,490 crore in July of last year, increased by 8 percent to ₹11,296 crore. Similarly, Puducherry’s GST revenue, which was ₹225 crore in July of last year, increased by 9 percent to ₹245 crore in the current year.
Sonali Mishra Takes Charge as First Woman DG of RPF
IPS officer Sonali Mishra took charge as the first woman Director General (DG) of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) on Friday. With this, she has earned the distinction of being the first woman officer to head the force in its 143-year history. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet had approved the appointment of Sonali Mishra as the DG of RPF. Accordingly, she will continue in that post until October 31, 2026. She is a 1993 batch IPS officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre. In a press release regarding this, the Ministry of Railways stated, ‘IPS officer Sonali Mishra, with 30 years of work experience, will complete the tasks assigned to her with dedication and efficiency. She has held important positions, including Director of the Madhya Pradesh Police Academy, and in various organizations including the CBI and the Border Security Force (BSF). She has now been appointed as the DG of the RPF. Her aim is to prevent human trafficking and crimes against passengers using modern technology. The RPF proudly welcomes her,’ it was stated.
79.71 Crore Ayushman Bharat Accounts Created
The Central Government has announced that as of July 28, a total of 79.71 crore Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts (ABHA) have been created across the country. In a reply to a question in the Lok Sabha on Friday, Union Minister of State for Health, Prataprao Jadhav, stated the following: The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) has been created to maintain a digital health record for every citizen. Under this scheme, 4.17 lakh medical professionals and 6.76 lakh healthcare workers across the country have been registered. As of July 28, 79.71 crore Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts have been created nationwide, and 65.09 crore health records have been linked to them. In areas with limited internet connectivity, we have implemented a system to maintain Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts via mobile phone text. To effectively implement this scheme, the National Health Authority is working in collaboration with state governments. In March, information boards regarding the features of the Ayushman Bharat scheme were placed in state and district-level hospitals. The government is taking various measures to ensure that this scheme reaches every citizen. Similarly, steps have been taken to ensure that the benefits of the Ayushman Bharat scheme reach remote and rural areas. Accordingly, two telemedicine schemes, e-Sanjeevani and Ayushman Arogya Mandir, have been implemented. As of July 28, the e-Sanjeevani scheme has provided services to 39 crore patients. This service has been delivered through 1,34,029 Ayushman Arogya Mandir centers. Minister Prataprao Jadhav stated in his reply that state governments are working with telecommunication companies to provide internet connectivity to Ayushman Arogya Mandir centers.
Personalities, Awards and Events
71st National Film Awards
Best Actor: Shah Rukh Khan (Jawan), Vikrant Massey (12th Fail) Best Actress: Rani Mukerji (Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway) Best Supporting Actor: M.S. Baskar (Parking) Best Music Director: G.V. Prakash (Parking - Vaathi) Best Film: Bollywood movie ‘Gauri’ Best Director: Rishab Shetty (Kantara) Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment: ‘ULLOZHUKKU’ (Malayalam) Best Debut Director: Shafi Quandaleen’s Mark Antony Indira Gandhi Award for Best Debut Film of a Director: Shifucin John’s ‘Aami-Mare’ Best Debut Female Star of 2023: Anikha Surendran Best Animation Film: ‘Kanavu’ Awards for ‘Parking’ (Tamil Film) Best Screenplay Best Tamil Film Best Supporting Actor Short Films Best Short Film: ‘Timeless Tamil Nadu’ Best Arts and Culture Film: ‘Timeless Tamil Nadu’ Best Short Film Director: Vignesh for the Tamil short film ‘Little Wings’
Sports News
Khalid Jamil is the new coach of the Indian football team
Former player Khalid Jamil (48) was appointed as the head coach of the Indian men’s football team on Friday. He is the first Indian to be appointed as the team’s coach in the last 13 years.
States’ News
’Level Up’ Scheme to Enhance English Skills
With the ‘Level Up’ scheme being implemented in government schools to develop basic English language skills, the School Education Department has ordered teachers to report on the students’ learning achievements under this scheme at appropriate intervals. The School Education Department is implementing a voluntary scheme called ‘Level Up’ to improve the basic English language skills of listening, reading, speaking, and writing for students from classes 6 to 8 in government schools. Positive feedback has been received from parents and teachers that this scheme has led to a significant improvement in the students’ language skills. As a continuation, for the month of August, activities integrating the four basic language skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing with vocabulary, grammar exercises, and creative writing have been included. Through this, activities have been designed to enable students to learn basic grammar concepts related to their lessons, new words, and skills such as creative writing. English teachers must follow this properly and take measures to ensure that all students acquire basic language skills.