NATIONAL NEWS

Key Legislative Developments in Parliament – August 2025

• The Lok Sabha passed the Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025 and Income-Tax (No.2) Bill, 2025 via voice vote.

• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced both bills aimed at overhauling tax regulations.

• The Income-Tax (No.2) Bill focuses on modernizing and simplifying the existing income tax framework.

• The Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill brings changes to the Income-tax Act, 1961 and the Finance Act, 2025.

• The Rajya Sabha cleared the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2025, repealing the outdated 1958 Act.

• The new maritime law aligns India’s shipping rules with international agreements and standards.

• Rajya Sabha also passed a bill for readjusting ST representation in Goa’s assembly constituencies.

• Additionally, it returned the Manipur Budget 2025–26, GST Amendment, and Appropriation Bills to the Lok Sabha.

Parliament Passes Major Sports Legislation Aimed at Reform – 2025

• The Lok Sabha approved two landmark bills—National Sports Governance Bill, 2025 and National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, 2025—even as opposition protests continued over the Bihar electoral revision.

• The Sports Governance Bill sets out a statutory structure for overseeing national sports organizations across the country.

• It advocates for the formation of key institutions like the National Olympic Committee, Paralympic Committee, and regional federations.

• To ensure inclusive governance, the bill mandates the participation of top athletes and women in executive boards.

• A dedicated National Sports Tribunal will be created to settle conflicts involving sports entities and athletes.

• The Anti-Doping Bill introduces significant amendments to the 2022 Act, tightening anti-doping enforcement.

• Both bills are part of India’s broader vision to improve sports integrity and prepare for potential Olympic hosting in the future.

SUMMIT AND CONFERENCES

Delhi to Host Speakers’ Conference Marking 100 Years of Vitthalbhai Patel’s Speakership

• The All-India Speakers’ Conference will be held at the Delhi Assembly on August 24–25, themed “From Heritage to Development”.

• The event commemorates a century since Vitthalbhai Patel became the first Indian Speaker of the Central Legislative Assembly.

• Home Minister Amit Shah will inaugurate the event, reflecting on the Assembly’s democratic heritage.

• A commemorative stamp will be launched by Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia during the closing ceremony.

• Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla is set to preside over the final session of the conference.

• A special exhibition will feature archival materials, including rare photos and legislative documents.

• A documentary film will highlight Gandhi’s visits and Patel’s role in Indian parliamentary history.

• The 1912-built Delhi Assembly holds historic value as a hub of anti-colonial speeches by leaders like Gokhale and Lala Lajpat Rai.

7th Disarmament Dialogue in New Delhi – 2025

• India and Australia convened the seventh edition of their dialogue on disarmament and export control on August 12, 2025, in New Delhi.

• The discussions centered on nuclear, chemical, and biological disarmament, reflecting both nations' commitment to global security.

• Officials deliberated on the regulation of conventional arms and the growing influence of artificial intelligence in military applications.

• The talks also involved detailed exchanges on collaborative efforts within multilateral export control frameworks.

• The engagement aimed to strengthen mutual understanding on pressing non-proliferation issues at the international level.

• This dialogue is part of broader efforts to deepen the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

• Joint Secretary Ms. Muanpuii Saiawi led the Indian delegation, while Ambassador Vanessa Wood headed the Australian side.

STATE NEWS

Maharashtra Launches ‘Garuda Drishti’ to Tackle Cybercrime

• Maharashtra introduced the ‘Garuda Drishti’ system to monitor and prevent cybercrimes, especially on social media platforms.

• CM Devendra Fadnavis declared it as the world’s most advanced cybercrime tracking tool, developed under Cyber Hack 2025.

• The system, created by Nagpur Police at minimal cost, was unveiled at an event where ₹10 crore recovered from cyber fraud was returned to victims.

• Citizens were urged to report financial scams immediately via helpline numbers 1930 and 1945.

• The tool has already analyzed over 30,000 posts, with 650 offensive ones removed to prevent public disorder.

• CM Fadnavis warned about misuse of social media for spreading misinformation, hate, and fraud by anti-social groups.

• ‘Garuda Drishti’ has proven effective in curbing online threats and supporting real-time law enforcement responses.

• The initiative highlights Maharashtra’s push towards tech-driven policing and public safety in the digital age.

RANKING AND INDEX

Launch of SHRESTH Index to Boost Drug Regulatory Standards Across States

• The Union Health Ministry launched the SHRESTH (State Health Regulatory Excellence Index) on August 12 to enhance drug regulation across states.

• Initiated by CDSCO, the index offers a transparent, data-driven framework to ensure drug safety and quality compliance nationwide.

• Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava unveiled the index virtually, with key officials like Drug Controller General Dr. Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi present.

• The index categorizes states into two groups—Manufacturing and Distribution—to assess them separately.

• Manufacturing states will be evaluated on 27 parameters across five areas: staffing, infrastructure, licensing, monitoring, and accountability.

• Distribution-focused states will be assessed on 23 tailored indicators relevant to their regulatory roles.

• States and UTs must submit monthly data to CDSCO by the 25th, with evaluations shared by the 1st of the following month.

• SHRESTH aims to foster inter-state learning, elevate regulatory efficiency, and encourage stronger center–state collaboration.

SPORTS

Shubman Gill and Sophia Dunkley Named ICC Players of the Month for July 2025

• On August 12, Shubman Gill was honored as the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for July 2025.

• This marks Gill’s fourth ICC monthly award, with previous wins in Feb 2025, Jan and Sept 2023.

• In July, Gill impressed with 567 runs in three Tests, averaging 94.50, including a double ton and two centuries.

• England’s Sophia Dunkley clinched her first ICC Women’s Player of the Month award.

• Dunkley played a match-winning T20I knock of 75 runs against India, showcasing her all-round form.

• She totaled 144 runs across four T20Is and added 126 runs in ODIs during July.

• The ICC Player of the Month award, launched in January 2021, honors top male and female international performers.

• The award continues to highlight standout performances across formats each month.