School Assembly News Headlines: 19 August 2025 

National News

1. Opposition INDIA bloc moves impeachment motion against CEC Gyanesh Kumar after voter theft allegations, removal requires process similar to Supreme Court Judge

2. Lok Sabha introduces Jan Vishwas Bill 2025 to decriminalise minor offences, referred to Select Committee amid uproar over Bihar voter roll controversy

3. India launches ₹4,077 crore Deep Ocean Mission to explore marine resources, strengthen blue economy, and develop sustainable technologies in phased five-year programme

4. Heavy rains bring Mumbai to standstill with waterlogging, traffic chaos; IMD issues red alert, BMC declares schools, colleges closed

International News

1. Ukraine’s Zelenskyy and European leaders to meet President Trump in Washington to discuss peace deal, prevent Moscow-favourable settlement pressure

2. Iran to continue nuclear talks with UN watchdog after war disruptions, IAEA seeks access to sites bombed during June conflict

Sports News 

1. Ishan Kishan and Akash Deep ruled out of Duleep Trophy quarterfinal against North Zone as injuries sideline key East Zone players

2. New Sports Governance Bill reduces eligibility rules for top federation posts, encouraging younger administrators and athlete-leaders in National Sports Federations

Business News

1. Foxconn starts iPhone 17 production at new $2.8 billion Bengaluru factory, marking second-largest manufacturing unit outside China for Apple

2. Centre proposes two-tier GST structure with special 40% rate, 18% slab expected to remain largest contributor to revenues

1. Opposition INDIA bloc decides to move impeachment motion against CEC Gyanesh Kumar after voter theft accusations and press conference controversy
INDIA bloc floor leaders resolved to initiate impeachment against CEC Gyanesh Kumar. The move follows voter theft allegations and bias charges. Removal requires process similar to a Supreme Court Judge.

2. Lok Sabha introduces Jan Vishwas Bill 2025 decriminalising minor offences, referred to Select Committee amid opposition uproar on Bihar voter rolls
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal introduced Jan Vishwas Bill 2025 in Lok Sabha. Aimed at ease of business, the bill was referred to Select Committee while opposition protested voter roll revisions.

3. India’s Deep Ocean Mission launched with ₹4077 crore investment to explore marine resources, advance blue economy and develop sustainable deep-sea technologies
Launched by Ministry of Earth Sciences in 2021, Deep Ocean Mission aims to harness marine wealth. Phased over five years, the national project supports fishing, biotechnology, shipping, and tourism under India’s blue economy.

4. India plans major GST reform to cut taxes on small cars and insurance, boosting auto and consumer sectors after PM Modi’s announcement
The government’s sweeping GST overhaul, India’s biggest since 2017, will lower product prices from October. Auto, insurance, and consumer companies expected to benefit significantly, sparking stock market rally after reform plans.

5. Prime Minister Modi meets NDA Vice Presidential nominee CP Radhakrishnan in Delhi, extends wishes highlighting his decades of public service and experience
PM Modi met CP Radhakrishnan, NDA’s Vice Presidential nominee, in Delhi. In a post on X, he praised Radhakrishnan’s service and dedication, expressing confidence in his continued contribution to the nation.

6. Centre clarifies no proposal to impose transaction charges on UPI payments, reaffirms commitment to affordable and accessible digital payment ecosystem for users
Minister Pankaj Chaudhary confirmed in Lok Sabha that UPI remains charge-free under law. CBDT has already notified UPI and RuPay debit cards as fee-free modes, reinforcing digital payments affordability nationwide.

7. Science Minister Jitendra Singh hails astronaut Subhanshu Shukla’s ISS mission, calls it historic milestone for India’s space programme and vision of Viksit Bharat 2047
In Lok Sabha discussion, Minister Jitendra Singh praised Group Captain Subhanshu Shukla’s ISS mission. He said the achievement strengthens India’s space programme and inspires the nation’s journey towards Viksit Bharat by 2047.

8. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla meets PM Modi in New Delhi, shares Axiom-4 mission experiences and presents commemorative memento
Shukla shook hands and hugged PM Modi, showing snippets of his space travel. The interaction included visuals of them holding the national flag from the Axiom-4 mission and presenting a memento.

1. Heavy rains bring Mumbai to halt with waterlogging and traffic chaos, IMD issues red alert, BMC declares schools and colleges shut
Mumbai witnessed severe waterlogging and traffic disruptions after heavy rains. IMD issued red alert for 48 hours, while BMC declared holiday for schools and colleges scheduled to open post noon.

2. Odisha districts face extremely heavy rainfall as Bay of Bengal low-pressure triggers flooding, IMD issues red alert, schools and Anganwadi centres closed
Malkangiri witnessed relentless downpour, submerging NH-326 and bridges. IMD issued red alert for southern districts. Floodwaters entered homes, disrupting connectivity, while schools and Anganwadi centres were ordered closed for safety.

3. Yamuna River in Delhi crosses warning mark at 205.24 meters, water released from Hathinikund Barrage raises flood concerns
Yamuna water level reached 205.24 meters in Delhi, surpassing warning mark. Officials attribute the rise to discharge from Hathinikund Barrage, heightening flood preparedness measures.

4. Himachal Pradesh Assembly begins Monsoon Session in Shimla today, 12 sittings planned till September 2 with focus on disaster damage discussions
Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Pathania said that the monsoon session of Himachal Pradesh includes additional sittings. The House will hold extensive discussions on natural calamity damage, with the first sitting..

5. All schools in Jammu Division closed today due to adverse weather, Met Department warns of heavy rain, flash floods and landslides in J&K
Authorities ordered closure of government and private schools across Jammu Division amid weather warnings. Met Department cautioned of heavy rains, thunderstorms, cloudbursts, flash floods, landslides, and mudslides across vulnerable areas.

1. Ukraine’s Zelenskyy and European leaders to meet President Trump in Washington to discuss peace deal and avoid Moscow-favourable settlement pressure
Leaders from Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Finland, EU and NATO will join Zelenskyy in Washington, aiming to support Ukraine and prevent a repeat of February’s tense Oval Office encounter.

2. Iran to continue nuclear talks with UN watchdog after war disruptions, IAEA seeks access to sites bombed during June conflict with U.S. and Israel
Iran confirmed upcoming negotiations with IAEA amid restricted inspections. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi reiterated access to nuclear sites remains top priority after U.S.-Israel bombings disrupted oversight during June’s 12-day war.

3. China urges quick agreement in Washington peace talks on Ukraine war as Trump hosts Zelensky, rules out NATO membership and Crimea reclamation
Beijing called for all parties to reach settlement swiftly. President Trump, hosting Zelensky in Washington, stated Ukraine’s NATO entry and Crimea reclamation would not be part of the negotiations.

4. ILO ranks Pakistan worst in South Asia for gender wage gap, women earn 34 percent less than men with no progress recorded
ILO’s Global Wage Report reveals Pakistan’s pay gap exceeds regional peers India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Structural discrimination, cultural barriers, and institutional factors continue driving persistent disparity in labour market.

5. Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian to begin two-day visit to Armenia and Belarus focusing on trade ties and signing cooperation agreements
Advisor Mehdi Sanaei said President Pezeshkian’s tour aims at boosting bilateral relations. The agenda includes strengthening trade partnerships and finalising cooperation documents with Armenia and Belarus during the two-day visit.

1. India’s Ishan Kishan and Akash Deep ruled out of Duleep Trophy quarterfinal against North Zone due to injuries, East Zone faces setback
Wicketkeeper-captain Ishan Kishan and pacer Akash Deep will miss Duleep Trophy quarterfinal in Bengaluru. Akash is recovering from back injury sustained during England tour, while Kishan remains unavailable with fitness concerns.

2. New Sports Governance Bill eases eligibility rules for federation posts, aspirants now need one term in Executive Committee instead of two
Parliament passed National Sports Governance Bill, awaiting presidential assent. It reduces eligibility for top federation posts, encouraging younger administrators and athlete-leaders in National Sports Federations to contest positions of President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

3. Bangladesh may replace Pakistan in Men’s Asia Cup Hockey in Bihar as PHF cites security concerns despite India clearing visas
Hockey India said Bangladesh could step in if Pakistan doesn’t confirm participation. The Asia Cup begins August 29 in Rajgir, Bihar, amid PHF’s refusal over security issues.

4. Jannik Sinner to face Carlos Alcaraz in Cincinnati Open men’s final, fourth clash of year after Wimbledon, French Open and Rome
Defending champion Sinner enters final unbeaten in 26 hard-court matches. Alcaraz, after tough three-set wins, reaches first Masters 1000 hard-court final since Indian Wells 2024. Both meet for fourth title clash this year.

5. Neeraj Chopra qualifies for Diamond League Final in Zurich with 15 points despite skipping Silesia leg, joins top javelin contenders
World champion Neeraj Chopra secures his place in Diamond League Final with consistent early-season performances. Despite limited appearances, his 15 points guarantee qualification for Zurich showdown on August 27–28.

1. Foxconn begins iPhone 17 production at new $2.8 billion Bengaluru factory, its second-largest unit outside China
Apple supplier Foxconn has started manufacturing iPhone 17 devices at its Bengaluru Devanahalli plant, set up with an investment of ₹25,000 crore. The unit, now operational alongside the Chennai facility, marks a key milestone in Apple’s India push despite earlier staffing hurdles.

2. Centre plans shift to two-tier GST structure with special 40% rate, keeping 18% slab as major revenue contributor
The Centre’s proposal may replace the current four-tier GST with a two-tier system. The 18% slab will remain the biggest revenue source, while luxury and sin goods may face a 40% rate.

3. Government considers Diwali relief by cutting GST on small cars to 18% and reducing insurance premiums tax to 5%
Consumers may benefit from proposed GST cuts, with small car taxes possibly reduced to 18% and health, life insurance premiums lowered to 5% or exempted, offering festive relief.

4. Government plans Diwali relief by cutting GST on small cars to 18% and reducing insurance premiums tax to 5%
Centre may slash GST on small petrol and diesel cars from 28% to 18%. It may also reduce taxes on health and life insurance premiums to 5% or exempt them, offering festive relief.

5. MTNL loan defaults rise to ₹8,659 crore with growing dues to public sector banks
State-run MTNL reported loan defaults of ₹8,659 crore as of July 31, 2025. This includes ₹7,794.34 crore principal and ₹864.75 crore interest, higher than June’s ₹8,584.93 crore.

1. IMD warns low-pressure area over Bay of Bengal may intensify into depression, bringing heavy to very heavy rains across Andhra Pradesh and Yanam.
IMD forecasts low-pressure area over Bay of Bengal may develop into a depression within 12 hours. Extremely heavy rain likely in North Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam, with heavy showers elsewhere.

2. Over 200 stranded in Maharashtra’s Nanded district due to heavy rains; Indian Army deployed for rescue as IMD issues yellow alert for two-day rainfall.
Heavy rains in Nanded, Maharashtra stranded over 200 people across villages. Authorities deployed the Indian Army for rescue operations. IMD issued a yellow alert forecasting continued rainfall on Monday and Tuesday.