Current Affairs 05 August 2025

India, UN Launch 1st Projects Under Global Capacity Initiative.

• India launched first tranche of 4 projects under the India-UN Global Capacity Building Initiative.
• The initiative supports the Global South in achieving SDG goals through specialized training.
• It is a joint effort by India’s MEA and UN agencies, announced in September 2023.
• Builds on India’s ITEC programme, which offers 12,000+ training slots to nearly 160 countries.

IPPB Launches Aadhaar Face Authentication for Banking Access.

• India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) has launched Aadhaar-based face authentication for banking.
• Developed under the UIDAI framework, it boosts security and inclusivity.
• Enables facial recognition-based transactions, eliminating the need for fingerprints or OTPs.
• Especially helps the elderly, differently-abled, and those with worn fingerprints.

The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics.

• ICRISAT is an international organisation that conducts agricultural research for development in Asia & sub-Saharan Africa.
• It helps farmers by providing improved crop varieties and hybrids and also helps smallholder farmers in the drylands fight climate change.
• It was established under a Memorandum of Agreement between the Government of India and the CGIAR on 28 March 1972.

India is the world's second-largest producer of fish.

• India ranks 2nd globally in fish production.
• 103% growth in fish production recorded in 2024–25 compared to 2013–14.
• Announcement made by Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh in Kolkata.
• Minister chaired a meeting with officials from West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh.
• Discussions focused on strategies to further boost fish production.

Heritage Train Resumes on Patalpani–Kalakund Line in MP.

• Western Railway has resumed operations of the 9.5 km metre-gauge heritage train.
• The route is on the Patalpani–Kalakund line in Madhya Pradesh.
• The line’s origin dates back to the 19th century, envisioned by Maharaja Tukoji Rao Holkar II (1844–1886).
• Originally part of the Holkar State Railways, it was merged with Rajputana-Malwa Railway in 1881–82.