Notes: Ukraine is commemorating its 34th Independence Day today (August 26, 2025), with President Volodymyr Zelensky calling for a fair peace and stability, while receiving continued support from the U.S.

Notes: The Albanese-led government unveiled the scheme to boost housing affordability, while climate targets and education reforms also featured prominently in today’s national discourse.

Notes: Recently, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) launched AI-powered climate advisory services for farmers on July 30, 2025, in Hyderabad. The initiative is named “AI-powered Context-Specific Agromet Advisory Services for Climate-Resilient Agriculture at Scale.” It is a joint project by International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). It uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) to deliver real-time, personalised climate and weather advisories.

Notes: Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced that its Digital Payments Index (RBI-DPI) rose to 493.22 in March 2025. This is a sharp increase from 465.33 recorded in September 2024, showing rapid growth in digital transactions. The Digital Payments Index is a tool created by RBI to measure the extent of digitisation of payments across India. It was first launched in January 2021 to track and encourage the adoption of digital payment systems. It is the first-of-its-kind index to map the nationwide spread of digital transactions. The base year for the index is March 2018, with the score for that year set at 100.

Notes: Recently, Assam’s successful ‘Hargila Army’ model was introduced in Cambodia’s Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve for stork conservation. The model is led by Purnima Devi Barman, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Champion of the Earth and biologist at Aaranyak. A training was held on July 28 for 20 Cambodian women conservationists and park rangers at Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary. The training focused on protecting the endangered greater adjutant stork using community-led, women-centric strategies.

Notes: The US President recently announced a 175 billion dollar Golden Dome missile defence shield for the United States. It is a ground and space-based system designed to protect the country from advanced missile threats. Golden Dome will use a network of satellites to detect, track and intercept incoming missiles, including long-range ones from space or other continents. It will integrate with existing US defence systems like Patriot, THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defence), Aegis Ballistic Missile Defence and Ground-based Midcourse Defence (GMD).

Notes: The world celebrates World Photography Day on August 19 every year. The day honours the history, art, and significance of photography. On this day in 1839, the French government announced the invention of the daguerreotype, an early photographic process by Louis Daguerre. This invention made photography accessible and practical for people. The day raises awareness about photography’s role in storytelling, communication, and documentation. The 2025 theme is “My Favourite Photo.”

Notes: Ludhiana boy Rayansh Gupta won 1 Gold and 1 Silver medal at the 18th International Earth Science Olympiad (IESO 2025) held in Jining, China. He is a Class 12 student at Sat Paul Mittal School, Dugri, Ludhiana and represented India as team captain, holding the national flag at the final round. Team India won a total of 7 medals and 1 special award, competing against 31 countries including the USA, Germany, Japan, China, and Australia. The Union Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) supported the team and highlighted India’s growing strength in science education, research, and innovation.

Notes: On 19 August 2025, Sundarbans in West Bengal became India’s second-biggest tiger reserve after the National Board of Wildlife (NBWL) approved its expansion. The reserve area increased by 1,044.68 sq km, taking the total to 3,629.57 sq km, just behind Andhra Pradesh’s Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (3,727.82 sq km). Three tiger-inhabited ranges in South 24 Parganas — Matla, Raidighi, and Ramganga — were added. The expansion, cleared by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) earlier, brings all tiger-bearing mangroves under unified management.

Notes: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Maruti-Suzuki’s first battery electric vehicle (BEV) “e VITARA” and lithium-ion battery production facility at Hansalpur, Ahmedabad district. He called the India–Japan partnership “Made for Each Other” and highlighted the pride of Made in India EVs exported to over 100 countries. The TDSG lithium-ion battery facility will produce hybrid battery electrodes, with 80% locally made, reducing import dependence. Maruti-Suzuki exports EVs, enhancing India-Japan ties and green mobility leadership.

Notes: India has become the world’s third-largest solar power producer, surpassing Japan, as per International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). India generated 1,08,494 GWh of solar energy, while Japan produced 96,459 GWh. China is the world’s largest solar power producer, generating the highest amount of solar electricity annually. United States holds the second position with large-scale solar farms and widespread adoption of rooftop systems. As of July 2025, India’s total solar capacity is 119.02 GW, with 90.99 GW from ground-mounted plants, 19.88 GW from rooftop systems, 3.06 GW from hybrid projects, and 5.09 GW from off-grid installations.

Notes: A Ukrainian drone attack recently caused a short-lived fire at the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant in Russia. Kursk region is located in the European part of Russia, bordering Ukraine to the west. It is historically famous for the Battle of Kursk in 1943, the largest tank battle in history and a turning point in World War II. The region lies within the basins of the Dnieper and Don rivers. Kursk hosts the Kursk Magnetic Anomaly, the world’s largest magnetic anomaly and one of the richest iron ore deposits. The incident raised concerns over nuclear safety in a strategically important region.

Notes: World Organ Donation Day is observed every year on August 13 to promote organ donation and raise awareness about its importance. The theme of 2025 is “Answering The Call” set by the Organ Donation and Transplant Alliance. The theme honours professionals in the field and urges greater collaboration to advance organ donation and transplantation. According to the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), about 1,03,993 people need life-saving organ transplants, but donors remain critically low. The day also pays tribute to donors and their families for their selfless contributions.