Welcome to your RankersChoice Weekly Current Affairs Digest, crafted especially for aspirants preparing for Punjab-level exams like PPSC, Punjab Police, PSTET, and other state services. This week’s updates span defence, sports, environment, history, and innovation—each explained in simple, engaging language with Punjab-centric relevance.
National Defence & Gallantry – Weekly Current Affairs Highlights
Indian Navy to Commission INS Udaygiri & INS Himgiri
On August 26, the Indian Navy will induct two stealth frigates—INS Udaygiri (built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders) and INS Himgiri (by GRSE). These warships, part of Project 17A, enhance India’s maritime strength with advanced sensors, weapons, and indigenous design.
IAF Embraer Jets Get a Facelift
The Embraer-135 jets, which were inducted in 2005, are currently being upgraded through a modernization program. These Brazilian-made aircraft serve VIP transport roles and will now feature upgraded avionics and interiors.
President Approves 127 Gallantry Awards
This Independence Day, 127 Gallantry Awards were announced, including:
- 4 Kirti Chakras
- 15 Vir Chakras
- 16 Shaurya Chakras
- 40 Distinguished Service Awards
- 290 Mentions-in-Despatches These awards honour bravery across the Army, Navy, Air Force, and paramilitary forces.
Group Captain Ranjeet Singh Honoured with Vir Chakra
Hailing from Muktsar, Punjab, Group Captain Singh was awarded the Vir Chakra for his role in Operation Sindoor, targeting terrorist hubs in Pakistan.
Tribute: Group Captain Parolkar Passes Away
A 1971 war hero who escaped Pakistani captivity, Group Captain Parolkar passed away. His legacy of courage remains etched in India’s military history.
Colonel Satpal Rai Gaba Receives Veteran Achievers Award
From Abohar, Punjab, Colonel Gaba was honoured by General Dwivedi for his contributions during Operation Sindoor.
14 Punjab Cops to Receive President’s Medal
Fourteen officers from Punjab Police, including those from Intelligence and Counter-Intelligence, will be awarded for meritorious service.
Sports & Youth Achievements
India Bags 14 Medals in Asian U-19 Boxing
India’s U-19 boxing team won 14 medals—including 3 golds—at the Asian Championships. This reflects India’s growing dominance in youth boxing.
Ritika Wins Gold in U-22 Boxing
Boxer Ritika clinched gold in the 80+ kg category at the U-22 Asian Championships in Bangkok, contributing to India’s total of 13 medals.
Indian Women Qualify for AFC U-20 Asian Cup
India’s U-20 women’s football team has secured qualification for the AFC Asian Cup in Thailand — marking their first entry since 2006. A proud moment for women’s sports!
Environment, Science & Innovation
Chacha Chaudhary Joins Clean Ganga Mission
In a creative collaboration, Chacha Chaudhary will promote river conservation through comics, in partnership with National Mission for Clean Ganga and Diamond Books.
Blue Pinkgill Mushroom Found in Telangana
A rare sky-blue mushroom, native to New Zealand, was discovered in Kagaznagar Forest, Telangana. Its vibrant colour comes from azulene pigments, highlighting India’s rich fungal biodiversity.
Heptapleurum assamicum: New Plant Species in Assam
Botanists discovered a new evergreen shrub in Assam, adding to India’s botanical diversity. Its purple flowers and lance-shaped leaves make it ecologically significant.
Sea of Galilee Turns Red
In Israel, the Sea of Galilee turned red due to an algae bloom of Botryococcus Braunii, a green algae. Though non-toxic, it signals climate-related ecological shifts.
Satnavri: India’s First Smart Intelligent Village
Satnavri, in Nagpur, is now India’s first Smart Intelligent Village, featuring drone farming, AI classrooms, and e-health cards. A model for rural innovation.
Global Affairs
Australian Defence Chief Visits India
General Simon Stuart visited India for five days, strengthening defence ties and discussing Indo-Pacific security cooperation.
Kenya Eliminates Sleeping Sickness
Kenya became the 10th country to eliminate Human African Trypanosomiasis (Sleeping Sickness), a deadly disease spread by tsetse flies. This milestone boosts Africa’s fight against neglected tropical diseases.
History & Culture
Kakori Conspiracy: 100 Years of Revolutionary Spirit
On 9 August 1925, revolutionaries of the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA) looted a British treasury train near Kakori, Uttar Pradesh. Led by Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqullah Khan, and Chandrashekhar Azad, this act symbolized resistance against colonial exploitation.
Sikkim Celebrates Tendong Lho Rum Faat
The Lepcha tribe of Sikkim celebrated Tendong Lho Rum Faat, honouring the hill that saved their ancestors from a flood. A beautiful blend of nature and tradition.
Women Empowerment & Rural Innovation
Bibi Fatima Women’s Self-Help Group Honored with UNDP Equator Initiative Award for Climate Action and Biodiversity Conservation
The Bibi Fatima Women’s Self-Help Group from Teertha village, Dharwad, won the UNDP Equator Prize 2025. Their work in millet farming, seed banking, and eco-friendly agriculture showcases women-led climate action.
Governance & Technology
Bhu-Neer Portal Launched
The Central Ground Water Authority launched the Bhu-Neer Portal, a digital platform for groundwater regulation. It offers QR-coded NOCs and PAN-based login for transparency and ease.
PM Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana
Launched on August 15, this ₹1 lakh crore scheme aims to create 3.5 crore jobs by 2027.
- Part A: ₹15,000 incentive for first-time employees
- Part B: ₹3,000/month for employers hiring new staff Special focus is on the manufacturing sector, with extended benefits for sustained employment.
Literature & Legacy
Gunned Down by Sundeep Misra
A newly released book delves into the life and mysterious death of Olympic hockey legend Prithipal Singh, weaving together sports legacy and investigative reporting.
Dr. Vece Paes Passes Away
Bronze medallist at the 1972 Munich Olympics, Dr. Vece Paes was a pioneer in sports medicine and father of tennis legend Leander Paes.
Safety & Rankings
India Ranks 67th in Numbeo Safety Index
India placed 67th globally, with Mangalore ranked 49th among cities. Vadodara, Ahmedabad, and Surat also featured. Abu Dhabi retained the top spot for the 9th year.
Domestic Static GK Table
| Topic/Event | State/Location | Chief Minister | Governor | Capital |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| INS Udaygiri – MDS | Maharashtra | Devendra Fadnavis | Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan | Mumbai |
| INS Himgiri – GRSE | West Bengal | Mamata Banerjee | C.V. Ananda Bose | Kolkata |
| Gallantry Awards | India (National) | Narendra Modi (PM) | Droupadi Murmu (President) | New Delhi |
| Group Captain Ranjeet Singh | Punjab (Muktsar) | Bhagwant Mann | Gulab Chand Kataria | Chandigarh |
| Colonel Satpal Rai Gaba | Punjab (Abohar) | Bhagwant Mann | Gulab Chand Kataria | Chandigarh |
| Punjab Police Medals | Punjab | Bhagwant Mann | Gulab Chand Kataria | Chandigarh |
| Chacha Chaudhary – Clean Ganga Mission | Delhi | Rekha Gupta | Vinai Kumar Saxena (LG) | New Delhi |
| Blue Pinkgill Mushroom Discovery | Telangana | Revanth Reddy | Jishnu Dev Varma | Hyderabad |
| Heptapleurum assamicum Plant | Assam | Himanta Biswa Sarma | Lakshman Prasad Acharya | Dispur |
| Satnavri Village Development | Maharashtra (Nagpur) | Devendra Fadnavis | Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan | Mumbai |
| Kakori Conspiracy Memorial | Uttar Pradesh | Yogi Adityanath | Anandiben Patel | Lucknow |
| Tendong Lho Rum Faat Festival | Sikkim | Prem Singh Tamang (P.S. Golay) | Om Prakash Mathur | Gangtok |
| Bibi Fatima SHG Recognition | Karnataka | Siddaramaiah | Thawar Chand Gehlot | Bengaluru |
| Bhu-Neer Portal Launch | Central (CGWA) | Narendra Modi (PM) | Droupadi Murmu (President) | New Delhi |
| PM Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana | Central (India) | Narendra Modi (PM) | Droupadi Murmu (President) | New Delhi |
| Gunned Down – Prithipal Singh Biography | Punjab | Bhagwant Mann | Gulab Chand Kataria | Chandigarh |
International Static GK Table
| Country/Event | Capital | Currency | Leader/PM/President |
|---|---|---|---|
| Embraer Jets – Brazil | Brasília | Brazilian Real (BRL) | Lula da Silva |
| Asian Boxing Championship – Thailand | Bangkok | Thai Baht (THB) | Paetongtarn Shinawatra |
| AFC U-20 Women’s Cup – Thailand | Bangkok | Thai Baht (THB) | Paetongtarn Shinawatra |
| Sea of Galilee – Israel | Jerusalem | Israeli Shekel (ILS) | Benjamin Netanyahu |
| Australian Defence Chief Visit | Canberra | Australian Dollar (AUD) | Anthony Albanese |
| Kenya – Sleeping Sickness Elimination | Nairobi | Kenyan Shilling (KES) | William Ruto |
| Dr. Vece Paes – 1972 Munich Olympics | Berlin (Germany) | Euro (EUR) | Frank-Walter Steinmeier (President) |
| Numbeo Safety Index – Abu Dhabi, UAE | Abu Dhabi | UAE Dirham (AED) | Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan |
