Daily Current Affairs- 21st August 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 21st August 2025

Jalalabad Renamed Parashurampuri: Centre Approves Name Change Honouring Lord Parashuram

In the News:  The Union Ministry of Home Affairs approved the renaming of Jalalabad town in Shahjahanpur district, Uttar Pradesh, to Parashurampuri, in recognition of its cultural and religious significance as the mythological birthplace of Lord Parashuram. The announcement was made by Union Minister Jitin Prasada, with a formal gazette notification expected shortly.

Key Points:

• Renaming Approval: The Ministry of Home Affairs issued its approval for changing the name of Jalalabad to Parashurampuri, a move driven by local and religious sentiments.
• Religious Significance: The renaming reflects the belief that the town is the mythological birthplace of Bhagwan Parshuram, the sixth avatar of Lord Vishnu. The area is known for its ancient temples and religious heritage.
• Approval Process: The Uttar Pradesh government formally requested the change. The Ministry of Science & Technology also recommended the renaming. A no-objection certificate was issued in August 2025. A gazette notification is awaited in Hindi, English, and regional languages.
• Local Reactions: MoS Jitin Prasada expressed heartfelt gratitude to Home Minister Amit Shah, PM Modi, and CM Yogi Adityanath for their support. MLA Hariprakash Verma remarked that the renaming removes what residents saw as a symbol of “slavery” (“ghulami”) and reinstates cultural pride. Religious leaders, including the temple mahant, celebrated the decision as a triumph for Sanatan Dharma.
• Historical Context: Established around 1560 by Mughal emperor Akbar, Jalalabad carried a legacy of Mughal-era naming. From 2016 onward, the town was being developed as a tourist destination.
• Implementation & Details: Upon issuance of the gazette notification, official records, signages, and administrative references will be updated to Parashurampuri. The change is seen as a reclaiming of regional identity and religious heritage, replacing a name considered to reflect colonial or foreign rule.

West Bengal Launches ‘Shramshree’ Scheme for Returning Migrant Workers

In the News: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee unveiled the ‘Shramshree’ scheme, aimed at supporting Bengali-speaking migrant workers returning to the state after facing alleged harassment and discrimination in other states. The initiative provides financial assistance and various welfare measures to aid their reintegration and rebuild their lives.

Key Points:

• Scheme Launch : West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee launched the Shramshree scheme on August 18, 2025, framing it as a rehabilitation support mechanism for migrants facing linguistic discrimination.
• Financial Support A one-time grant of ₹5,000 is provided to returning workers upon their return as travel/recovery assistance. Thereafter, they receive a monthly stipend of ₹5,000 for up to one year or until they secure employment.
• Welfare & Social Support
  Returning migrants also benefit from:

Khadya Sathi food ration cards for subsidized nutrition.

• Swasthya Sathi health insurance coverage for medical care.
• Children’s enrollment in state schools, ensuring continued education.
• Temporary accommodation or community kitchens for those without housing.

• Employment & Skill Development: Migrants are assessed for existing skills and enrolled in training programs under the Utkarsh Bangla initiative. They are issued job cards via the Karmashree scheme to access employment opportunities suited to their skills.
• Registration & Access Mechanism : Beneficiaries must register on the Shramshree portal, after which they receive an ID card enabling access to the scheme’s benefits. The process is monitored by the Labour Department and overseen by the Chief Secretary.
• Scope & Background : The scheme targets the estimated 22 lakh Bengali migrant workers residing in other parts of India who have reportedly faced mistreatment. In response, over 2,700 families (nearly 10,000 people) have already returned.
• Political and Cultural Context : The scheme reflects CM Banerjee’s response to perceived linguistic aggression and “harassment” of Bengalis in BJP-ruled states, and is part of the broader “language movement” advocating protection of Bengali identity.

6th anniversary of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)

In the News: India observed the sixth anniversary of the Jal Jeevan Mission, which was launched on August 15, 2019. Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked the occasion, celebrating the delivery of clean drinking water to over 15 crore rural households through household tap connections. He highlighted the mission’s impact in improving public health and empowering India’s Nari Shakti (women) through increased access to safe water.

Key Points:

• Mission Launch: JJM was officially launched on August 15, 2019 by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, with the ambitious goal of providing Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs) to every rural home—targeting 55 liters per person per day.
• Anniversary & Achievements: As of the sixth anniversary, the mission has successfully delivered tap water connections to more than 15 crore rural households, significantly enhancing access to clean water across India.
• Mission Extension: The Government has extended JJM’s deadline to 2028, moving past the original 2024 target, with increased funding proposed in the 2025–26 Union Budget.
• Social Impact & Empowerment: PM Modi noted that the initiative has substantially improved rural healthcare, especially by easing water access for women—helping alleviate time-consuming drudgery and enabling greater participation in education and livelihood activities.
• Technological Integration & Community Role:
  JJM incorporates modern tools and inclusive governance:
  • Real-time monitoring via the IMIS dashboard, IoT sensors, and geo-tagging.
  • Strong emphasis on community-led water quality testing, with trained village members (often women) actively ensuring water safety.
• Coverage & Statistics: As of mid‑2025, rural tap water coverage stands at nearly 16 crore households (~80% of the total rural households), with some reports citing over 15.44 crore households already connected.
• Concerns Over Data Reliability: A recent Parliamentary Standing Committee raised concerns over the authenticity of data uploaded to the JJM’s IMIS portal by various states, urging robust verification measures to ensure accurate reporting and effective implementation.

Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill, 2025

In the News: The Indian Parliament passed the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2025, marking a significant modernization of the 1957 Act. Key reforms include expanding the National Mineral Exploration Trust, allowing lease extensions, enabling mineral exchanges, and removing sales caps for captive mines—all aimed at boosting availability and transparency in the mining sector, with a crucial focus on critical and strategic minerals.

Key Points:

• Legislative Progress: Introduced in the Lok Sabha on August 11, 2025, the bill passed on August 12, and was approved in the Rajya Sabha by August 19.
• Scope Expansion: Mine leaseholders can now include multiple minerals—such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, gold, silver, graphite—into existing leases. No additional payment is required for critical and strategic minerals, while others may require royalties or auction premiums.
• National Mineral Exploration and Development Trust (NMEDT): The pre-existing Trust is renamed and its mandate expanded to fund both exploration and development, including projects offshore and abroad. Contribution from lessees increases from 2% to 3% of royalty, generating a projected additional corpus of ₹2,500 crore over five years.
• Sale Limit Removal for Captive Mines: The bill lifts the earlier 50% sales cap on captive mines, enabling unrestricted sale of surplus production. It also authorizes state governments to permit sale of mineral dumps, improving utilization.
• Lease Extensions for Deep-Seated Minerals: Authorization for one-time lease area extensions: up to 10% for mining leases and 30% for composite licences for minerals located deeper than 200 meters.
• Mineral Exchanges: The Bill introduces regulation of mineral exchanges—electronic marketplaces to trade minerals and metals—with central government oversight on registration, fees, market conduct, and grievance mechanisms.
• Strategic Context & Objectives: Aimed at securing India's supply of critical minerals—essential for semiconductors, EVs, clean energy, and defense—amid growing import dependence.  The reforms complement the National Critical Mineral Mission, facilitating exploration, processing, startups, and international mineral diplomacy.
• Governance, Transparency & Economic Impact: The amendments are projected to enhance transparency, bolster investment, and create job opportunities by modernizing the regulatory environment.  Parliamentarians highlighted its importance for India’s economic security, sustainable development, and resource independence.

S&P Upgrades India’s Credit Rating After 18 Years; Growth Outlook Stays Strong Despite US Tariffs

In the News: S&P Global Ratings upgraded India's long-term sovereign credit rating from ‘BBB‑’ to ‘BBB’, marking the first such upgrade in 18 years. The outlook remains stable, signaling increased confidence in India’s economic resilience and fiscal stability despite external challenges, including high US tariffs.

Key Points:

• Historic Upgrade After Long Hiatus: This is India’s first sovereign rating upgrade by S&P since 2007. The move followed the agency’s May 2024 revision of India's outlook to “positive” from “stable.”
• Rationale Behind Upgrade: S&P cited India’s robust economic growth, sustained fiscal consolidation, effective monetary policy, and a strong infrastructure investment push as key drivers of the decision.
• Growth Resilience and Projections: India’s real GDP growth averaged 8.8% between FY2022–24—the highest in the Asia-Pacific region. S&P projects growth will continue at around 6.8% annually over the next three years.
• Fiscal and Debt Trajectory: S&P expects India’s debt-to-GDP ratio to decline from 83% in FY2025 to around 78% by FY2029, supported by strong growth and prudent fiscal management.
• Handling US Tariffs: Despite the U.S. imposing 50% tariffs on some Indian goods, S&P considers their impact to be manageable, thanks to India’s domestic-demand-driven economy and limited export exposure (~1–2% of GDP).
• Market Response: The announcement prompted a decline in the 10-year government bond yield (to ~6.38–6.4%) and a strengthening of the rupee.
• Mixed Market Impact Perception: Bank of America Securities noted that while the upgrade bolsters fiscal credibility, its short-term market impact may be limited due to lingering tariff-related uncertainties.
• Wider Institutional Boost: S&P also raised India’s short-term credit rating to A‑2 (from A‑3) and improved the transfer and convertibility assessment to A‑ (from BBB+).

India, Saudi Arabia Form Joint Working Group to Deepen Maritime Cooperation

In the News: India and Saudi Arabia agreed to deepen their bilateral maritime cooperation by forming a Joint Working Group (JWG) focused on collaboration in the shipping and logistics sectors. The decision was announced after a virtual meeting between Indian Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal and Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser. The move marks a significant step forward in strengthening economic ties and strategic maritime partnerships.

Key Points:

• Purpose & Scope of the JWG: The JWG will act as a collaborative platform for the two nations to enhance cooperation in areas such as maritime trade, port infrastructure, shipping, logistics, and allied sectors.
• High-Level Engagements & Strategic Alignment: The announcement came during talks between Ministers Sonowal and Al-Jasser, underlining the deep-rooted economic and socio-cultural ties between the countries. India’s Maritime India Vision 2030 and Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 were emphasized alongside Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, showing clear alignment of long-term developmental goals.
• Trade and Routes Enhancement: Attention was brought to the recently launched Jeddah–Mundra/Nhava Sheva shipping route by Saudi firm Folk Maritime Services, which is expected to reduce transit times and operational costs.
• Investment Opportunities: India invited investments from Saudi Arabia across its maritime ecosystem. The Maritime Development Fund, with a corpus exceeding USD 3 billion, was highlighted as a key facility aimed at port infrastructure, coastal shipping, and logistics development. Notable infrastructure projects like Vadhavan Port (Maharashtra) and the Outer Harbour Project at VO Chidambaranar Port (Tamil Nadu) were presented as prime investment opportunities.
• Digital Maritime Integration: India proposed collaboration on its MAITRI digital platform, aimed at harmonizing maritime trade procedures—an effort that could enhance trade efficiency between the two nations.

India–China Relations 2025

In the News: India–China relations saw a notable thaw as both countries engaged in multiple high-level dialogues aimed at de-escalation, diplomatic normalization, and economic reintegration. Key developments include India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi meeting Chinese FM Wang Yi in New Delhi, the resumption of direct flights, facilitation of trade and visa norms, and China addressing India’s demand for critical imports like rare earths. Simultaneously, border negotiations progressed with the formation of expert and working groups to manage border affairs and pursue “early harvest” agreements.

Key Points:

• Diplomatic Engagements & Trust-Building:
  • Prime Minister Modi met FM Wang Yi in New Delhi, praising the "steady progress" in bilateral ties since their 2024 encounter in Kazan. Talks emphasized mutual respect and sensitivity.
  • NSA Ajit Doval and FM Wang co-chaired the 24th Special Representatives’ dialogue, leading to agreements on border peace and structured dialogue mechanisms under the WMCC.
• Restoring People-to-People and Economic Connectivity:
  • Both nations agreed to resume direct flights, reopen trade routes at Lipulekh, Shipki La, and Nathu La passes, ease visa constraints, and facilitate cultural and pilgrim exchanges.
  • China signalled willingness to import all Indian commodities, offering India access to essential items like rare earths, fertilizers, and tunnel boring machines.
• Structured Border Dialogue and Management:
  • Plans include setting up an Expert Group to explore early harvest agreements and a Working Group under WMCC for effective border management. This also involves expanding general-level dialogue mechanisms across different border sectors and enhancing diplomatic-military coordination.
• Geopolitical Context and External Pressures:
  • Improved bilateral ties partly reflect mutual strategic calculus amid mounting US tariffs under the Trump administration. Both countries appear to benefit by mitigating external pressures through enhanced cooperation.
• Cautious Military Vigilance Continues:
  • Despite diplomatic progress, the Indian Army remains alert along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), warning that Chinese forces could quickly reassert positions, necessitating continued readiness.
• Balanced Diplomatic Messaging:
  • EAM S. Jaishankar called for a pragmatic, constructive approach from both sides—"meeting halfway"—to reinforce border peace following prolonged tensions.

India Successfully Test-Fires Agni-5 Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile

In the News: India successfully test‑fired the Agni‑5, a nuclear‑capable intermediate‑range ballistic missile, from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, Odisha. The launch, conducted under the supervision of the Strategic Forces Command, validated all operational and technical parameters, reinforcing the nation's strategic deterrence credentials.

Key Points:

• Missile Overview: The Agni‑5 is a solid-fueled, intermediate‑range ballistic missile (IRBM) developed indigenously by DRDO, capable of carrying nuclear warheads over distances up to 5,000 km.
• Strategic Reach: With its range, Agni‑5 can reach nearly all of Asia—including northern China—and parts of Europe, enhancing India’s long-range strike capability.
• Successful Launch Details:
  • The test was executed flawlessly from Chandipur under the aegis of the Strategic Forces Command.
  • All operational and technical parameters were validated.
• Technological Capabilities:
  • Agni‑5 can potentially be equipped with MIRV (Multiple Independently Targetable Re‑entry Vehicle) technology, enabling a single missile to strike multiple targets.
  • India's first MIRV test, Mission Divyastra, occurred in March 2024.
• Context & Timing: The test comes amid an intensified regional security environment, following a military confrontation with Pakistan earlier in 2025. It underscores India’s commitment to modernizing its missile arsenal.
• Regional Repercussions: The launch drew significant attention from neighboring countries, especially Pakistan, which views such enhancements in India's strategic missile capability with concern.