Current Affairs 29/08/2025
1. National Sports Day is celebrated in India on which date every year?
Answer : 29 August
• National Sports Day in India is celebrated every year on 29 August.
• It marks the birth anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand, one of the greatest hockey players in history, who won three Olympic gold medals for India (1928, 1932, 1936). Because of his extraordinary skill, he is remembered as the “Wizard of Hockey”.
On this day:
• The Government of India organizes sports events and awareness programs.
• The National Sports Awards such as Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, Arjuna Award, Dronacharya Award, and Dhyan Chand Award are presented by the President of India.
2. PM Narendra Modi started his two-day official visit to which country on 29 August 2025?
Answer : Japan
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his two-day official visit to Japan on 29 August 2025.
• The visit was mainly for the 15th India–Japan Annual Summit in Tokyo, where he held talks with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
The discussions focused on:
• Strengthening defence and security cooperation.
• Expanding trade and investment ties.
• Collaboration in technology, clean energy, and digital innovation.
• Regional and global issues, including the Indo-Pacific and UN reforms.
• This visit highlighted the importance of the India–Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership, aimed at boosting cooperation in both economic and strategic areas.
3. Quad alliance (India, Japan, USA, Australia) emphasized cooperation in which sector?
Answer : Critical Minerals
• The Quad alliance – which includes India, Japan, the United States, and Australia – recently emphasized cooperation in the field of critical minerals.
• Critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements are essential for making electric vehicle batteries, renewable energy technologies, semiconductors, and defense equipment.
Through the Quad Critical Minerals Initiative, the four countries aim to:
• Build secure and resilient supply chains.
• Reduce dependence on a single country (especially China, which dominates this sector).
• Promote sustainable mining and processing technologies.
4. Which country successfully launched its first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier “Fujian” on 29 Aug 2025?
Answer : China
• On 29 August 2025, China launched its most advanced aircraft carrier, the Fujian (Type 003).
• Although sometimes mistakenly described as nuclear-powered, the Fujian is actually conventionally powered. It is, however, a major milestone for the Chinese Navy because:
- It is China’s first carrier with electromagnetic catapult launch systems (CATOBAR), similar to the U.S. Navy’s Gerald R. Ford–class carriers.
- It can launch heavier and more advanced aircraft, including stealth fighter jets and early warning aircraft.
- It greatly increases China’s blue-water naval capability and ability to project power in the Indo-Pacific region.
• China is also working on its next-generation Type 004 aircraft carrier, which is expected to be nuclear-powered, but it has not yet been launched.
5. Tamil Nadu Govt planned to sell ₹3,000 crore bonds via RBI on which date?
Answer : 2 September
• The Tamil Nadu government has planned to raise ₹3,000 crore through the sale of state development loans (bonds) via the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 2 September 2025.
Key Details:
• The auction will be conducted through RBI’s E-Kuber system in Mumbai.
• Bonds will be issued in three maturities :
- 2-year bonds worth ₹1,000 crore
- 9-year bonds worth ₹1,000 crore
- 30-year bonds worth ₹1,000 crore
Bidding schedule:
• Non-competitive bids: 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
• Competitive bids: 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• The raised funds will be used to support state development projects and fiscal requirements.
6. FIDE Chess World Cup 2025 will be hosted in which state of India?
Answer : Goa
The FIDE Chess World Cup 2025 will be hosted in Goa, India, from October 30 to November 27, 2025.
Key Points:
• This is the first time India is hosting the Chess World Cup.
• The event will feature the world’s top chess players competing in knockout rounds.
• The total prize pool is about ₹17.5 crore (USD 2.1 million), making it one of the richest tournaments in chess history.
• The tournament will also serve as a qualifier for the Candidates Tournament, which decides who challenges the World Chess Champion.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the announcement, saying that chess is gaining huge popularity among India’s youth and this event will inspire more players.