26 August 2025 Current Affairs – Top Questions & Answers for UPSC, BPSC, SSC, State PCS Exams

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CA 1: SASCI Boosts India’s Tourism Capital Investment

✅ Story in Brief:
The Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme sanctioned 40 tourism projects worth ₹3295.76 crore across 23 states in 2025. This is the first time tourism is included in SASCI. Projects aim to promote responsible tourism, create jobs, and enhance tourist experiences.

💡 One-Liner Questions:

• Q. How many tourism projects were sanctioned under SASCI in 2025? 40 projects
• Q. What is the total tourism investment approved under SASCI in 2025? ₹3295.76 crore
• Q. How many states are covered under SASCI tourism projects? 23 states
• Q. When was SASCI launched? 2020-21
• Q. What type of loan does SASCI provide to states? Interest-free loans
• Q. SASCI generates how much GDP per ₹1 invested? ₹3 in GDP
• Q. India’s Capex allocation in FY 2025-26 is? ₹11.21 lakh crore (3.1% of GDP)
• Q. Which reforms progressed under SASCI land digitisation? 90% maps geo-referenced, 30% land with ULPIN, 91% RoR digitised

📌 “SASCI Tourism Push 2025: 40 Projects Worth ₹3295 Cr Approved | Key Facts for Exams”

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CA 2: NITI Aayog Report on Rethinking Homestays

✅ Story in Brief:
NITI Aayog released ‘Rethinking Homestays – Navigating Policy Pathways’ to promote sustainable homestays and BnBs. India’s homestay sector is growing at 11% CAGR till 2031, fastest in the world. The report calls for uniform registration, digital portals, local entrepreneurship, and incentives.

💡 One-Liner Questions:

• Q. Which report did NITI Aayog release in August 2025? ‘Rethinking Homestays – Navigating Policy Pathways’
• Q. Growth CAGR of India’s homestay sector till 2031? 11% (world’s highest)
• Q. Domestic tourism spending in India in 2023-24? ₹16 lakh crore
• Q. Which states have 5-6 step homestay registration processes? Kerala, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh
• Q. Which state requires 3 steps for homestay registration? Goa
• Q. Proposed digital portal for homestays will cover? Registration, renewals, compliance

📌 “NITI Aayog ‘Rethinking Homestays’ Report 2025: Growth, Challenges & Policy”

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CA 3: NTCA Limits Tiger Corridors to 32 Least Cost Pathways

✅ Story in Brief:
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) revised tiger corridor definition to only 32 least cost pathways (2014 report) + corridors in Tiger Conservation Plans. This move impacts clearances for mining/industrial projects, especially in Maharashtra, but raises concerns on tiger conservation.

💡 One-Liner Questions:

• Q. NTCA revised tiger corridors to how many least cost pathways? 32
• Q. Which year’s NTCA report identified these pathways? 2014
• Q. Which Act regulates tiger reserve project approvals? Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
• Q. Which court is hearing cases on tiger corridor clearances? Bombay High Court
• Q. Which mining projects benefit from corridor revision? Western Coalfields (Durgapur mines), Lloyds Metals (Surajgarh mines)
• Q. Which institution’s studies mapped 192 tiger corridors? LRC Foundation, Nagpur (Circuitscape modelling)

📌 “NTCA Narrows Tiger Corridors to 32 Pathways | Conservation vs Development Debate”

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CA 4: Sundarbans Tiger Reserve Expansion

✅ Story in Brief:
The Sundarbans Tiger Reserve (STR), West Bengal, expanded by 1,044.68 sq km, making it India’s 2nd largest tiger reserve (3629.57 sq km) after Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam TR. Expansion was approved by NBWL chaired by Bhupender Yadav.

💡 One-Liner Questions:

• Q. Which tiger reserve became India’s 2nd largest in Aug 2025? Sundarbans Tiger Reserve (3629.57 sq km)
• Q. How much area was added to STR? 1,044.68 sq km
• Q. Which tiger reserve is India’s largest? Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam TR, Andhra Pradesh
• Q. STR expansion was approved by which board? National Board of Wildlife (NBWL)
• Q. Union Environment Minister and NBWL Chairman? Bhupender Yadav
• Q. Name the added ranges in STR expansion? Matla, Raidighi, Ramganga
• Q. Current tiger population in Sundarbans? About 101 tigers
• Q. Sundarbans is the world’s largest? Mangrove forest

📌 “Sundarbans Tiger Reserve Becomes India’s 2nd Largest | 1044 sq km Expansion”

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CA 5: ISRO’s Lunar Module Launch Vehicle (LMLV)

✅ Story in Brief:
ISRO is developing its heaviest rocket – Lunar Module Launch Vehicle (LMLV), ready by 2035, to carry 27 tonnes to the Moon & 80 tonnes to LEO. It will power India’s first crewed Moon mission in 2040.

💡 One-Liner Questions:

• Q. Name India’s heaviest rocket under development for Moon missions? Lunar Module Launch Vehicle (LMLV)
• Q. LMLV payload capacity to Moon? 27 tonnes
• Q. LMLV payload to LEO? 80 tonnes
• Q. LMLV expected completion year? 2035
• Q. India’s first crewed Moon mission planned for? 2040
• Q. First Indian indigenous rocket? SLV-3 (1980 success, A P J Abdul Kalam)
• Q. Which PSLV mission put India into planetary exploration? Mangalyaan 2013
• Q. What does GSLV use for heavy satellites? Cryogenic engines (LH2 + LOX)

📌 “ISRO’s LMLV Rocket for Crewed Moon Mission 2040 | Facts & History of Indian Rockets”

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CA 6: India Elected Chairman of Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Board

✅ Story in Brief:
India was elected Chairman of the Executive Board of AIBD during the 23rd General Conference (Phuket, Aug 2025). India also holds President of AIBD General Conference (till Aug 2025), strengthening its dual leadership role.

💡 One-Liner Questions:

• Q. India was elected Chairman of which broadcasting body in Aug 2025? Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD)
• Q. Where was the 23rd AIBD General Conference held? Phuket, Thailand
• Q. When was AIBD founded? 1977 (under UNESCO)
• Q. How many member organisations does AIBD have? 92 members from 45 countries
• Q. India is represented in AIBD by? Prasar Bharati
• Q. Who chaired AIBD 2025 conference? Gaurav Dwivedi, CEO Prasar Bharati
• Q. Theme of AIBD 2025 conference? Media for People, Peace & Prosperity
• Q. India last held AIBD top leadership nearly how many years ago? Nearly a decade

📌 “India Elected Chairman of AIBD 2025 | Prasar Bharati Leads Asia-Pacific Media”