22.08.25

India successfully test-fired Agni-5: This is the primary event.

• Why in news: It’s a significant achievement in India’s defense capabilities, as stated by the Ministry of Defence.

Nuclear-capable Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM): Agni-5 is designed for nuclear warheads and falls into the IRBM category.

• Why in news: This highlights its strategic importance and potential deterrent role.

Purpose: Validate operational and technical parameters, maintain credible minimum deterrence: The test was conducted to ensure the missile’s readiness and reaffirm India’s nuclear posture.

• Why in news: Demonstrates India’s commitment to its security and strategic autonomy.

Advanced surface-to-surface ballistic missile (SSBM): Developed under India’s Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP).

• Why in news: Shows the advancement of India’s indigenous missile technology.

Range: Around 5,000 km: This gives it a significant reach.

• Why in news: A 5,000 km range is substantial for strategic deployment and deterrence.

Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicle (MIRV) capable: Agni-5 possesses this advanced technology.

• Why in news: MIRV capability places India in an elite group of nations with sophisticated missile technology.

Test Location and Date: Successfully test-fired from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur in Odisha on August 20, 2025.

• Why in news: Provides specific details of the event and confirms its execution.

Conducted under the aegis of the Strategic Forces Command: This indicates its strategic deployment readiness.

• Why in news: Emphasizes the military’s control and operationalization of such advanced weapons.

Why in News: World Senior Citizen Day (August 21st) highlights the growing importance of the “Silver Economy” and the contributions of senior citizens.

What is the Silver Economy: It encompasses all economic activities, goods, and services catering to senior citizens.

Importance for India:

• India’s elderly population is projected to significantly increase, reaching 193.4 million by 2031 and over 20% by 2050.
• Seniors are becoming key economic players, driving demand in healthcare, technology, insurance, housing, and wellness.
• The 45-64 age group, often the wealthiest, are becoming a key consumer class.

Main Drivers of Growth:

• Active Aging: Seniors are healthier, more independent, and increasingly participating in the workforce.
• Home Care Services: High prevalence of chronic diseases fuels demand for home-based healthcare.
• Health Technology: Telehealth and remote monitoring are transforming elderly care, with the remote patient monitoring market showing strong growth.
• Ayush-based Services: Growing preference for traditional and holistic health solutions.

Challenges in India’s Silver Economy:

• Healthcare Gaps: Limited geriatric facilities, high out-of-pocket expenses, and low insurance coverage (~18% insured).
• Financial Insecurity: Many seniors lack pensions or savings, particularly in the unorganized sector.
• Digital Divide: Low digital literacy and access hinder seniors’ use of digital services.
• Social Isolation: Changing family structures lead to loneliness and mental health issues.
• Policy and Infrastructure Gaps: Lack of age-friendly infrastructure and targeted policies.
• Workforce Barriers: Age-based stereotypes and lack of flexible work models limit employment.
• Awareness and Accessibility: Limited knowledge of available schemes and services.

Reforms Needed:

• Healthcare: Expand geriatric care, promote health literacy, integrate senior care into Ayushman Arogya Mandir.
• Financial Security: Develop age-specific insurance, expand pension coverage (e.g., APY), promote reskilling (SACRED Portal).
• Social Inclusion: Foster social engagement and community sensitization.
• Infrastructure: Develop age-friendly spaces, housing, and transport.
• Digital Inclusion: Launch digital literacy campaigns, provide user-friendly platforms.
• Economic Integration: Encourage PPPs (SAGE Programme), support startups, integrate seniors as consumers and contributors.

SLINEX-25 Concluded Successfully: The 12th edition of the India-Sri Lanka bilateral naval exercise, SLINEX-25, successfully concluded in Colombo on August 18, 2025.

• Why in news: This marks the completion of a significant bilateral military exercise, reinforcing maritime cooperation between the two nations.

IPKF Memorial Tribute: Participants paid tribute at the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) Memorial, honoring Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives during peacekeeping operations in Sri Lanka (1987-1990).

• Why in news: This highlights the historical context of India-Sri Lanka defense relations and acknowledges past sacrifices.

Enhanced Interoperability and Maritime Security: The exercise, initiated in 2005, aims to enhance interoperability, mutual understanding, and best practice exchange, contributing to maritime security and stability.

• Why in news: Demonstrates the ongoing efforts to strengthen defense capabilities and cooperation for regional maritime safety.

Participation: Indian naval ships INS Jyoti and INS Rana participated alongside Sri Lankan Naval Ships SLNS Sayura and SLNS Vijayabahu.

• Why in news: Details the specific military assets involved, showcasing the operational scope of the exercise.

Comprehensive Training: The exercise involved both a harbour phase (Aug 14-16) and a sea phase (Aug 17-18) with drills covering firefighting, damage control, HADR, gunnery, VBSS, and more.

• Why in news: Illustrates the wide range of skills and technical aspects covered, indicating a thorough and advanced training regimen.

People-to-People Connections: Ships were opened to visitors, including Sri Lankan Navy personnel, government officials, students, and the Indian diaspora, to showcase capabilities and promote understanding.

• Why in news: Shows an emphasis on building broader connections beyond military personnel, fostering goodwill and cultural exchange.

Alignment with SAGAR Policy: The exercise contributes to the vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR), reflecting India’s broader security policy.

• Why in news: Positions the exercise within India’s larger strategic objectives for the Indo-Pacific region.

Why in News: India’s growing space achievements (Gaganyaan, Bharat Antariksh Station) are highlighted by National Space Day, but the lack of a national space law hinders commercial and innovative ambitions.

Operationalise Global Commitments: India needs a law to enact principles of Outer Space Treaty (OST) like peaceful use and state responsibility, as UN treaties aren’t self-executing. Other nations have such laws, and India risks non-compliance and falling behind.

Balance Domestic Gaps with Geopolitical Realities: Rising tensions among space superpowers necessitate a robust domestic legal framework to protect India’s commercial interests.

Provide Legal Certainty for Industry: A national space law will give IN-SPACe statutory authority, streamline licensing, reduce delays, and boost investor confidence, moving beyond policy intent.

Support Startups and Innovation: Legislation can mandate third-party liability, create frameworks for insurance and accident investigations, and protect intellectual property, vital for high-risk startups.

Manage Safety and Sustainability: A law is needed for safety standards, space debris management, accident procedures, and unified satellite frameworks for responsible space use.

Challenges Without a Law: Includes regulatory hurdles from multiple ministries, liability concerns for private entities, unclear FDI rules deterring investment, cybersecurity risks, climate change impacts on infrastructure, and strategic military gaps due to lack of statutory support.

Measures Needed: Enacting a comprehensive space law, expanding private sector participation, strengthening IN-SPACe, improving Space Traffic Management, enhancing cybersecurity, and fostering international cooperation are crucial.

Nepal Declared Rubella-Free: The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially declared Nepal free of rubella.

• Why in News: This is a significant public health achievement, demonstrating the success of vaccination efforts in eradicating the disease.

Rubella’s Nature and Risks: Rubella, or German measles, is a highly contagious viral infection causing mild fever and rash.

• Why in News: While mild in children and adults, it poses severe risks to pregnant women, potentially causing miscarriage, stillbirth, or Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS) in infants. CRS leads to preventable disabilities like hearing impairment and heart defects, making rubella a major global cause of such conditions.

Global Vaccination Gaps: In 2024, 14.3 million children missed all vaccinations, and only 84% of infants received the first dose of the measles vaccine globally.

• Why in News: This highlights ongoing challenges in achieving universal vaccination coverage, which is crucial for preventing outbreaks and eliminating diseases like rubella.

India’s Elimination Efforts: India aims to eliminate Measles and Rubella by 2026 through its National Zero Measles-Rubella Elimination Campaign (2025-26).

• Why in News: India is making substantial progress, with over 90% of children receiving both MR vaccine doses and many districts already declared rubella-free, showcasing a strong commitment to public health.

Why in News: CAG presented its 2023-24 annual review of the FRBM Act, indicating India is moving towards long-term macroeconomic stability.

Central Government Debt: Declined to 57% of GDP in March 2024 from 61.38% in FY 2020-21.

• Why: This shows a positive trend in managing the nation’s direct debt.

General Government Debt (GGD): Declined slightly to 81.3% of GDP in March 2023 from 83% in March 2022, but remains above the 60% target.

• Why: While central debt is improving, the overall government debt (including states) is still a concern for long-term stability.

Debt Sustainability: The debt-to-GDP ratio is stable or declining, indicating the government’s ability to service its debt. The debt stabilisation indicator was positive in 2023-24.

• Why: This suggests the government’s borrowing practices are manageable in the long run.

Unrealised Taxes: Rs 31.11 lakh crore in taxes remained unrealised at the end of FY 2023-24, an increase from FY 2022-23.

• Why: This highlights a challenge in revenue collection, impacting the government’s financial position.

Interest Payments to Revenue Receipts Ratio: Increased to 35.72% in FY 2023-24, up from 33.99% in FY 2021-22.

• Why: A higher ratio means more government revenue is spent on servicing debt, leaving less for other expenditures.

FRBM Act Context: Enacted to ensure long-term macroeconomic stability by setting fiscal deficit and debt reduction targets. The CAG conducts annual reviews to assess compliance.

• Why: The review is mandated by the Act to keep the government accountable for its fiscal management.