16 August 2025 Current Affairs (With PDF)

Stay updated with 16 August 2025 Current Affairs on this page! We bring you the most relevant and important news updates from around the world and India, specially curated for competitive exams and different entrance exams. Today's Current Affairs cover all significant national and international headlines, legal updates, economic news, and environmental highlights to boost your preparation. With our crisp, to-the-point coverage, you can confidently tackle current affairs questions in your exams. 

Western Australia Witnesses Record Coral Bleaching

Why in News

• Western Australia has experienced its longest, largest, and most intense marine heatwave, leading to unprecedented coral bleaching along the west coast.
• Ningaloo Reef (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) has suffered extensive bleaching damage in recent years.
• This event forms part of the fourth global mass coral bleaching episode, declared by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in 2024.
• Meanwhile, the Great Barrier Reef on Australia’s east coast has also recorded its steepest coral decline in four decades.

About Corals

• Living Organisms: Corals are marine animals that live in a symbiotic relationship with microscopic algae called zooxanthellae.
• Nutrient Exchange: Algae provide food through photosynthesis and impart vibrant colors to corals, while corals offer algae shelter.

What is Coral Bleaching?

• Definition: Coral bleaching occurs when corals, stressed by environmental changes, expel zooxanthellae from their tissues.
• Triggers: Factors such as abnormal temperature rise, changes in light, or altered nutrient levels.
• Impact: Corals turn white, lose their main food source, and become more vulnerable to disease and death.

Ideal Conditions for Coral Survival

• Clean Water: Free from pollutants and sediment runoff to allow sufficient sunlight for algae photosynthesis.
• Optimal Temperature: Most reef-building corals thrive between 23°C and 29°C.
• Healthy Marine Populations: Species like parrotfish and sea turtles help maintain balance by grazing on algae, preventing coral smothering.

Significance of the Event

• Highlights the growing threat of climate change and marine heatwaves to ocean ecosystems.
• Raises concerns about the future of global coral reefs, vital for biodiversity, coastal protection, and supporting millions of livelihoods.
• Reinforces the urgency of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and strengthening marine conservation measures.

India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable (ISMR): Deepening Strategic Partnership

Why in News

• The India–Singapore Ministerial Roundtable (ISMR) was recently convened to review and advance the bilateral strategic partnership.
• Discussions focused on six core pillars: Advanced Manufacturing, Connectivity, Digitalization, Healthcare, Skills Development, Sustainability
• Both sides identified new initiatives and emphasized the crucial role of private sector participation.

India-Singapore Relations: An Overview

1. Diplomatic Ties:

• India recognized Singapore’s independence in 1965.

2. Strategic Upgradation:

• 2005: Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) signed.
• 2015: Relations elevated to Strategic Partnership.
• 2024: Further upgraded to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
• 2025: Marks the 60th year of diplomatic relations.

Trade and Economic Cooperation

1. Trade Partner:

• Singapore is India’s largest ASEAN trading partner and ranks 6th globally (2023–24; 3.2% share in India’s total trade).

2. Investments:

• Major source of FDI into India across sectors like fintech, real estate, and startups.

3. Digital & Fintech Collaboration:

• Cross-border UPI–PayNow payments linkage operational.
• RuPay card acceptance in Singapore.

Multilateral and Defence Engagements

• Multilateral Cooperation: Singapore actively participates with India in platforms like the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA).
• Defence Exercises: Agni Warrior (Army), SIMBEX (Navy).

Strategic Significance for India

1. ASEAN Bridge:

• Acts as a key partner in advancing Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific Vision.
• Enhances trade, connectivity, counter-terrorism, and security cooperation with ASEAN.

2. Crisis Partnership:

COVID-19 Pandemic:

• Singapore provided medical aid and oxygen to India.
• India supplied vaccines under the Vaccine Maitri initiative.

3. Counterbalancing China:

• India’s access to Changi Naval Base bolsters its maritime presence and balances China’s influence in the region.

India’s First Commercial Earth Observation (EO) Satellite Constellation

Why in News

• The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) has selected a consortium of four private firms, led by PixxelSpace India, to develop India’s first fully indigenous commercial EO satellite constellation.
• Other firms in the consortium include Piersight Space, Satsure Analytics India, and Dhruva Space.

About the EO Constellation Programme

1. Scale & Technology:

• Planned deployment of 12 satellites with all-weather, day–night imaging capability.
• Equipped with panchromatic, multispectral, hyperspectral sensors, and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR).

2. Public–Private Partnership (PPP) Model:

• Government Role: Provide strategic, technical, and policy support.
• Private Sector Role: Ownership and operation of EO systems-covering manufacturing, launches from India, ground infrastructure, and data commercialisation.

3. Deployment Timeline:

• To be rolled out within four years.

4. Applications:

• Climate Change Monitoring
• Disaster Management & Risk Assessment
• Agriculture Planning
• Delivery of Analysis Ready Data (ARD) and advanced Geospatial Intelligence Services.

India’s Private Space Industry: Current Status

1. Economic Potential:

• Current size: $8 billion.
• Projected growth: Could reach $100 billion by 2040 with strong private sector involvement.

2. Rising Private Participation:

• Over 200 space startups operational in India.
• Example: Vikram-S-India’s first privately developed rocket launched under Mission Prarambh.
• Industry associations such as the Indian Space Association (ISpA) play a key role in industry–government collaboration.

Government Support Measures

• IN-SPACe: Nodal agency to promote private participation in India’s space sector.
• Indian Space Policy 2023: Provides regulatory clarity and policy stability.
• Liberalisation: 100% FDI permitted in space sector.
• Venture Capital Suppor: A ₹1,000 crore fund approved to finance space-tech startups.

Significance

• Marks India’s entry into indigenous commercial EO satellite constellations.
• Strengthens self-reliance in geospatial intelligence, critical for national security, environmental monitoring, and economic planning.
• Showcases the evolving role of private sector in advancing India’s space economy alongside ISRO.

RBI’s FREE-AI Vision for India’s Financial Sector

Why in News

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released the Framework for Responsible and Ethical Enablement of Artificial Intelligence (FREE-AI) to promote responsible AI adoption in India’s financial sector.
• The initiative seeks to balance innovation with risk management, ensuring AI technologies are used in a safe, fair, and accountable manner.

About FREE-AI Vision

• Aim: Safe, transparent, and inclusive use of AI in the financial system.
• Core Framework: Based on 7 “Sutras” (principles for ethical AI adoption).

Dual Approach of FREE-AI

1. Fostering Innovation:

• Shared Infrastructure: Democratized access to data and compute, aligned with AI Kosh under the IndiaAI Mission.
• AI Innovation Sandbox: Testbed for developing indigenous financial AI solutions.
• Regulatory Guidance: AI policy framework to provide clarity for financial entities.
• Capacity Building: Training boards, regulators, and workforce in AI governance.
• Ease of Compliance: Relaxed rules for low-risk AI applications to promote financial inclusion.

2. Mitigating Risks:

• Governance: Mandatory board-approved AI policies for regulated entities.
• Product Oversight: Incorporation of AI aspects in product approvals, consumer protection, and audits.
• Cybersecurity: Stronger incident reporting and AI-linked risk monitoring.
• Lifecycle Governance: Comprehensive checks from AI model design to deployment.
• Consumer Protection: Mandatory consumer awareness whenever AI is deployed.

Why FREE-AI Matters

1. Growing AI Investment in Finance:

• ₹8 lakh crore ($97 bn) by 2027 across banking, insurance, capital markets, and payments.
• ₹1.02 lakh crore ($12 bn) by 2033 in Generative AI (GenAI) alone, with 28–34% annual growth.

2. Emerging Complex Risks:

• Data Privacy breaches.
• Algorithmic bias and discrimination.
• Market manipulation and systemic risks.
• Cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
• Governance failures in AI lifecycle.

3. Systemic Importance:

• Mismanaged AI adoption could erode consumer trust, weaken market integrity, and create financial instability.

National Green Tribunal: New Appointments

Why in News

• The Union Environment Ministry has appointed 2 Judicial Members and 4 Expert Members to the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
• The appointments aim to strengthen the tribunal, which has been functioning below its sanctioned strength.

About the National Green Tribunal (NGT)

• Establishment: Constituted under the NGT Act, 2010.
• Headquarters: New Delhi.
• Purpose: Dedicated forum for expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and natural resources.

Powers & Functioning

1. Judicial Authority:

• Possesses powers equivalent to a Civil Court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908.

2. Flexibility:

• Not bound by the CPC, 1908 or the Indian Evidence Act, 1872.
• Guided by the Principles of Natural Justice.

3. Jurisdiction:

• Handles matters related to environmental rights, compensation, and damages for harm to persons or property.

Composition

• Chairperson: Must be a Supreme Court Judge or a Chief Justice of a High Court.
• Members: Judicial and Expert Members appointed.
• Tenure: 5 years, with no provision for re-appointment.

Significance

• Strengthens India’s environmental governance framework.
• Provides specialized, speedy, and effective adjudication of green laws.
• Helps balance development and ecological sustainability.

India’s Bid to Host the 2030 Commonwealth Games

Why in News

• The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has given formal approval to India’s bid for hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games.
• The Commonwealth Games, first held in 1930 at Hamilton, Canada, is the second-largest multi-sport event in the world, bringing together athletes from 71 nations and territories.

About the Indian Olympic Association (IOA)

1. Establishment & Recognition:

• Founded in 1927 by Sir Dorabji Tata (First President) and Dr. A.G. Noehren (First Secretary General).
• Recognised in the same year by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

2. Legal Status:

• Registered as a non-profit organisation under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.

3. Objectives:

• Promotion and development of the Olympic Movement in India.
• Ensuring participation of Indian athletes in Olympic, Asian, Commonwealth and other international competitions.
• Protecting the rights and welfare of athletes and national sports federations.

4. Governance Structure:

• Managed by a 32-member Executive Council.
• Headed by the President of IOA.

Project Kusha: India’s Indigenous Long-Range Air Defence System

Why in News

• Following the success of Operation Sindoor, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has urged rapid progress on Project Kusha, India’s ambitious long-range surface-to-air missile (LRSAM) programme.

About Project Kusha (PGLRSAM)

• Full Form: Program Long Range Surface to Air Missile (PGLRSAM).
• Approval: Cleared in 2022 with an outlay of ₹21,700 crore.
• Nodal Agency: Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
• Objective: To create an indigenous, multi-layered long-range air defence system capable of neutralising advanced aerial threats.

Development Phases

1. Phase 1:

Development of four interceptor variants:

• M1: Range up to 150 km.
• M2: Range up to 250 km.
• M3: Range 350–400 km.
• Naval Variant: Range 200–300 km.

2. Phase 2:

• Focused on developing an extended-range interceptor missile with capability exceeding 600 km.

Strategic Significance

• Enhances India’s air defence shield against modern aerial threats including fighters, bombers, cruise missiles, and UAVs.
• Reduces dependence on imported systems such as S-400 (Russia).
• Strengthens self-reliance in defence (Aatmanirbhar Bharat) and boosts deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region.

NASA’s Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO) Missions

Why in News

• Trump administration had proposed to terminate NASA’s Orbiting Carbon Observatory missions, which are critical for tracking global carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions and monitoring plant health.
• These missions provide vital climate data for scientists, policymakers, and even farmers.

About the OCO Missions

• OCO-2: Launched in 2014.
• OCO-3: Installed in 2019 as an instrument aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
• Technology: Uses Hubble-like precision instruments-among the world’s most sensitive CO₂ monitoring systems.

Importance of OCO Missions

1. Carbon Tracking:

• Maps global CO₂ emissions and absorption.
• Findings include:
  - Amazon rainforest now emits more CO₂ than it absorbs.
  - Boreal forests in Canada, Russia, and melting permafrost regions still act as carbon sinks.

2. Plant Health Monitoring:

• Measures faint photosynthetic “glow” emitted by plants.
• Enables tracking of drought conditions.
• Helps predict potential food shortages.

Significance

• Provides the most accurate global CO₂ dataset, essential for climate negotiations and carbon budgeting.
• Helps assess the effectiveness of carbon mitigation policies.
• Supports agriculture planning by monitoring crop stress and health.

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