Current Affairs — 18 August 2025
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Mon, 18 Aug 2025
Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2025 introduced in Lok Sabha; 288 provisions to be decriminalised
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal introduced the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2025 in the Lok Sabha on 18 August 2025, proposing to decriminalise 288 provisions across 16 Central Acts.
Jaishankar–Wang Yi talks in New Delhi: 'three mutuals', de-escalation and resumption of direct flights
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in New Delhi on 18 August 2025, the first visit by a Chinese Minister since the leaders met in Kazan in October 2024.
PLFS: unemployment rate 5.4% in April–June 2025; first quarterly bulletin covering rural and urban areas
The PLFS Quarterly Bulletin for April–June 2025, released on 18 August 2025, put the unemployment rate (CWS, age 15+) at 5.4% and was the first in the series to cover both rural and urban areas.
12th edition of India–Sri Lanka naval exercise SLINEX-25 concludes at Colombo
The 12th edition of the India–Sri Lanka bilateral naval exercise SLINEX-25 concluded at Colombo on 18 August 2025.
Rajya Sabha passes Indian Ports Bill, 2025 replacing the Indian Ports Act, 1908
The Rajya Sabha passed the Indian Ports Bill, 2025 on 18 August 2025, completing parliamentary approval of the law that replaces the colonial-era Indian Ports Act, 1908.
President Putin calls PM Modi, shares assessment of Alaska meeting with President Trump
Russian President Vladimir Putin telephoned Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 18 August 2025 and shared his assessment of his meeting with US President Donald Trump in Alaska.
Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana portal goes live
The Ministry of Labour and Employment said on 18 August 2025 that the portal for the ₹99,446-crore Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana, aimed at over 3.5 crore jobs, had gone live.
PM Modi interacts with astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla; calls for a pool of 40–50 astronauts
Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla in New Delhi on 18 August 2025, discussing his space experience and India's Gaganyaan and space station plans.
NHAI imposes ₹20 lakh penalty on toll agency over assault on Army personnel at Bhuni Toll Plaza
The National Highways Authority of India on 18 August 2025 imposed a ₹20 lakh penalty on the toll collection agency at Bhuni Toll Plaza on the Meerut–Karnal section of NH-709A after its staff assaulted an Army personnel.
'Waterways to Wonder: Unlocking Cruise Tourism' conference held in Mumbai
Mumbai Port Trust, with the Inland Waterways Authority of India, organised the 'Tourism Avenues – Waterways to Wonder: Unlocking Cruise Tourism' conference in Mumbai on 18 August 2025.
DRI seizes 119.4 kg Alprazolam at clandestine unit in Anakapalli, Andhra Pradesh; eight arrested
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence seized 119.4 kg of Alprazolam worth about ₹23.88 crore at a clandestine manufacturing facility in Atchuthapuram, Anakapalli district, Andhra Pradesh, the Ministry of Finance said on 18 August 2025.