Current Affairs – 24/08/2025
1. National Space Day in India is observed to commemorate which mission?
Answer : Chandrayaan-3 landing
Why is it important?
• On August 23, 2023, India became the first country to land near the Moon’s south pole.
• India also became the fourth country in the world to land a spacecraft on the Moon (after the USA, the former USSR, and China).
Who launched the mission?
• The mission was launched by ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation).
• The mission included:
- Vikram Lander
- Pragyan Rover
2. EPFO has increased the ex-gratia amount under the Death Relief Fund for Central Board employees from ₹8.8 lakh to how much?
Answer : ₹15 Lakh
The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is a government body in India that manages retirement savings for employees in the organized sector.
What is the update?
• EPFO has increased the ex-gratia amount given to families of Central Board employees in case of their death.
• The amount has been raised from ₹8.8 lakh to ₹15 lakh.
• This money is given from the Death Relief Fund under the Central Staff Welfare Committee.
3. Who has been appointed as the new ex-officio member of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) ahead of RBI’s October policy meet?
Answer : Indranil Bhattacharya
Who has been appointed?
• Indranil Bhattacharyya has been appointed as the new ex-officio member of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
• He is currently serving as an Executive Director at RBI.
When was this appointment made?
• The appointment was approved by the RBI’s Central Board on August 22, 2025, ahead of the October 2025 MPC meeting.
4. Who inaugurated the 4th edition of Semicon India 2025 at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi?
Answer : Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Where and when was it held?
• Venue: Yashobhoomi (India International Convention & Expo Centre), New Delhi
• Dates: September 2 to 4, 2025
What is Semicon India?
• Semicon India is a global conference aimed at making India a hub for semiconductor design and manufacturing.
It brings together leaders from:
• Semiconductor industries
• Startups
• Research and academia
• Government agencies
5. India has been elected Chairman of the Executive Board of which organization in August 2025?
Answer : AIBD
India elected Chairman of AIBD Executive Board – August 2025
• In August 2025, India was elected as the Chairman of the Executive Board of the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD).
• This took place during the 23rd General Conference of AIBD, held in Phuket, Thailand, from August 19 to 21, 2025.
About AIBD
• AIBD (Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development) is an intergovernmental organization that works to promote media cooperation, training, and development in the Asia-Pacific region.
• It was established under the auspices of UNESCO and consists of both government and broadcast media members.