Current Affairs & G.K. 19/08/2025
1. Who won the title of Miss Universe India 2025?
Answer : Manika Vishwakarma
Manika Vishwakarma from Rajasthan won the title of Miss Universe India 2025. The grand finale was held on 18 August 2025 in Jaipur, where she was crowned by the outgoing queen Rhea Singha.
Manika is 22 years old, pursuing her final year studies in Political Science and Economics in Delhi. She is a classical dancer and painter, with her artworks recognized by the Lalit Kala Academy and JJ School of Arts.
Apart from modeling, she is the founder of Neuronova, a platform that works to spread awareness about neurodivergence, especially ADHD, highlighting it as a strength rather than just a disorder.
In the final Q&A round, she impressed the judges by saying she would prioritize women’s education over short-term economic aid, as educated women can uplift entire families and communities.
She will now represent India at Miss Universe 2025, which is scheduled to be held in Thailand.
2. Rajya Sabha passed which Bill on 18 August 2025?
Answer : Indian Ports Bill, 2025
On 18 August 2025, the Rajya Sabha passed the Indian Ports Bill, 2025.
This new law replaces the Indian Ports Act of 1908, which was more than a century old. The aim of the bill is to modernize port governance, improve efficiency, and strengthen India’s position as a global maritime hub by 2047.
Key highlights of the Indian Ports Bill, 2025:
• Establishes a Maritime State Development Council for better coordination between the Centre and States.
• Empowers State Maritime Boards to manage ports in a professional and transparent manner.
• Introduces modern safety, security, and environmental standards for ports.
• Focuses on integrated port planning, similar to models in Singapore and Europe, to boost trade and logistics efficiency.
• Aims to promote ease of doing business in the maritime sector and attract global investment.
This reform is expected to play a major role in India’s goal of becoming a leading maritime economy by 2047.
3. Which cyclone formed in the Andaman Sea recently?
Answer : Shakti-1
Recently, a cyclonic storm named Shakti formed over the Andaman Sea in May 2025.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) tracked its development as a low-pressure system that gradually intensified into a cyclonic storm.
It was the first cyclone of the 2025 North Indian Ocean cyclone season.
The cyclone moved northwestwards, bringing heavy rainfall and strong winds to the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
It was also linked with the early advance of the southwest monsoon over parts of the Bay of Bengal and the Indian mainland.
Authorities in coastal states such as Odisha, West Bengal, and Andhra Pradesh were put on alert, as the system was expected to strengthen further.
4. What is India’s rank in the Human Development Index (HDI) 2025?
Answer : 130th
India’s Human Development Index (HDI) rank in 2025 is 130th out of 193 countries.
This ranking is based on data from 2023, published in the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Human Development Report 2025.
Key Points:
• India’s HDI value rose from 0.676 (2022) to 0.685 (2023).
• This helped India improve its position from 133rd to 130th, moving 3 places up.
• India remains in the “Medium Human Development” category but is now closer to the “High Development” threshold (0.700).
• The report highlights progress in life expectancy, education, and per capita income.
• However, challenges remain in areas like inequality, gender disparity, and access to quality healthcare and education.
5. How many new sites were added to UNESCO’s Global Geopark Network in 2025?
Answer : 16
In 2025, UNESCO expanded its Global Geoparks Network by adding 16 new sites, bringing the total to 229 geoparks across 50 countries.
Key Highlights:
• The announcement came in April 2025, during the 10th anniversary of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Programme.
• The new geoparks are spread across four continents.
• North Korea joined the network for the first time with one site.
• Saudi Arabia also entered the network with two new geoparks.
• Other new sites came from countries like China, Ecuador, Indonesia, Italy, Norway, South Korea, Spain, the UK, and Vietnam.
What is a UNESCO Global Geopark?
A UNESCO Global Geopark is a single, unified geographical area recognized for its international geological significance. These sites promote:
• Geological heritage conservation
• Sustainable tourism and education
• Community development by involving local people