Daily Current Affairs – 26-08-2025
National News
Gyanesh Bharti Appointed as Deputy Election Commissioner
The Union Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions announced in an order issued on Monday that Gyanesh Bharti has been appointed as the Deputy Election Commissioner of India.
A 1998-batch IAS officer of the Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram, and Union Territories (AGMUT) cadre, he currently serves as an Additional Secretary in the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development. Currently, Gyanesh Bharti has been appointed as an Additional Secretary to the Central Government.
Hari Desh Kumar has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID), an integrated intelligence database system functioning under the Union Home Ministry. He is a 1999-batch IAS officer of the AGMUT cadre.
High-Level Committees
The Central government has formed three high-level committees for the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, known as the Iron Man of India, and Birsa Munda, who fought for the rights of tribal people, as well as the centenary birth anniversary remembrance of former Prime Minister Vajpayee.
These three committees have been formed under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
International News
India-Fiji Pledge to Strengthen Security Cooperation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that "India and Fiji have resolved to strengthen mutual cooperation in the defense sector. A working plan has also been prepared for this."
The Prime Minister stated this in a joint statement issued by both leaders after his meeting with Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, who is on a three-day visit to India.
In the joint statement, Prime Minister Modi further said: "During my meeting with the Prime Minister of Fiji, it was resolved to strengthen mutual cooperation in the defense sector between the two countries. A working plan has been prepared for this."
India has provided assistance to Fiji based on the priorities of the Global South, contributing to the world's southern analytical community. Specifically, India is strengthening maritime security in that country and providing training and weapons and equipment to its soldiers.
Similarly, climate change poses a major threat. Therefore, India will also provide assistance to effectively manage disaster response.
7 Agreements: Following discussions between the leaders, seven agreements were signed between the two countries to strengthen mutual cooperation in various sectors including healthcare, skill development, and trade.
This is the first time a Fiji Prime Minister, Rabuka, has visited India.
Tamil Nadu News
Expansion of Breakfast Scheme: Chief Minister to Launch Today
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin will launch the expansion of the breakfast scheme in urban government-aided schools on Tuesday (Aug. 26).
He will participate as a special guest at the event held at St. Joseph's Primary School, Mylapore, Chennai, at 8:30 AM. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin will preside.
The Tamil Nadu government has announced that with the expansion of the scheme, 3.06 lakh more children from 2,429 schools will be fed breakfast.
"Through the scheme, 17 lakh 53 thousand 257 students from 34,987 schools have benefited. Now, an additional 3 lakh people will benefit.
The breakfast scheme brings various benefits to children. It has been found in research studies that it improves classroom attendance and increases their concentration. Children enjoy eating the specially prepared and nutritious meals.