1. Manika Vishwakarma Crowned Miss Universe India 2025

• Education: She's a final-year student pursuing a degree in Political Science and Economics and was previously crowned Miss Universe Rajasthan 2024.
• Talents: Manika is trained in classical dance and excels in painting, with her artistic work recognized by the Lalit Kala Academy and JJ School of Arts.
• Advocacy: She's the founder of Neuronova, an initiative dedicated to raising awareness about neurodivergence and promoting conditions like ADHD as unique cognitive strengths.
• Representation: Manika will represent India at the 74th Miss Universe pageant in Thailand this November, showcasing her skills and personality on a global platform.
• Background: Originally from Rajasthan, Manika currently resides in Delhi, balancing her studies and pageantry commitments while inspiring others with her achievements.

2. Jana Bank appointed Rajesh Sharma as Chief Operating Officer

• Appointment Date: Rajesh Sharma joined Jana Small Finance Bank as Chief Operating Officer effective August 18, 2025.
• Experience: Sharma brings 34 years of experience in operations, customer services, cash management, retail asset operations, and corporate relations to his new role.
• Previous Roles: Before joining Jana Bank, Sharma worked at HDFC Bank and Corporation Bank, leveraging his expertise in the banking sector.
• Leadership Team: Sharma's appointment is part of Jana Bank's efforts to strengthen its management team, alongside other key appointments such as Asheesh Maroo as Chief Credit Officer.
• Replacement: Sharma took over as Chief Operating Officer from Ganesh Nagarajan, who resigned due to family health reasons and will be relieved from the bank on November 17, 2025.

3. Union Bank of India Wins 16th NCPEDP-Mphasis Universal Design Award 2025

• Award Recognition: Union Bank of India was recognized for its groundbreaking initiatives in promoting accessibility and barrier-free banking services for all, including persons with disabilities.
• Inclusive Banking Practices: The bank's commitment to inclusive innovation sets a benchmark for accessibility practices in the Indian financial sector, showcasing its dedication to ensuring banking is inclusive, user-friendly, and equitable.
• Accessibility Initiatives: Union Bank has introduced various accessibility-focused initiatives, including user-friendly digital banking platforms, accessible branch facilities, and inclusive design practices that align with the principle of "banking for all".
• Digital Accessibility: The bank's Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) App, Accessible Digital Library for Employees with Disabilities, and Corporate Website meeting WCAG global accessibility standards were specifically recognized in the award.

4. Kapil Bainsla Wins India’s First Gold at Asian Shooting Championship

• Gold Medal Achievement: Kapil Bainsla from Palwal, Haryana, won India's first gold medal at the 16th Asian Shooting Championship in Shymkent, Kazakhstan, scoring 243.0 in the 10m air pistol men's junior final.
• Competition Details: Kapil edged past Uzbekistan's Ilkhombek Obidjonov, who finished second with a score of 242.4, after a thrilling final where Kapil's clutch shots of 10.8 and 10.6 secured his win.
• Additional Medals: Kapil, along with Jonathan Gavin Antony and Vijay Tomar, won the team silver medal in the event with a total score of 1723, behind Korea's gold medal score of 1734.
• Other Indian Performances: Jonathan Gavin Antony secured bronze with a score of 220.7, while Anmol Jain finished sixth in the senior men's final with 155.1. Anmol, Aditya Malra, and Saurabh Chaudhary won the team silver medal with a combined effort of 1735.

5. Carlos Alcaraz Wins First Cincinnati Open Title 2025

• Historic Win: Carlos Alcaraz won his first Cincinnati Open title, beating Jannik Sinner in the final after Sinner retired due to illness when Alcaraz was leading 5-0 in the first set.
• Record-Breaking Achievement: At 22 years and 105 days old, Alcaraz became the second-youngest player to win eight ATP 1000 titles, behind Rafael Nadal, and the youngest male player in tennis history to win all four major titles on American soil, breaking Pete Sampras' record.
• Sportsmanship: Alcaraz showed great sportsmanship, expressing sympathy for Sinner and wishing him a speedy recovery, even writing "Sorry Jannik" on the camera outside the court.
• Tournament Highlights: The Cincinnati Open 2025 saw a new two-week format and a $260 million venue renovation, enhancing the fan experience and setting a new standard for Masters 1000 events.

6. Real Madrid Named Most Valuable Football Club in Brand Finance 2025

• Brand Value: Real Madrid's brand value rose 14% to €1.921 billion, securing its position as the most valuable football club brand in the world for the second consecutive year.
• Brand Strength: The club maintains a strong brand strength score of 94.9 out of 100 and received the highest AAA+ rating, reflecting its solid marketing investment, brand stakeholder equity, and business performance.
• Global Reach: Real Madrid's global appeal spans across Latin America, Asia, and Africa, with a massive fan following and strategic expansion through digital platforms and overseas matches.
• Revenue Streams: The club's record-breaking revenues are driven by global merchandising, long-term sponsorship deals, matchday revenues, and Champions League earnings, showcasing its commercial competitiveness.

7. Dr Manoj Kumar Mohapatra accredited as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Moldova

• Concurrent Accreditation: Dr. Manoj Kumar Mohapatra, currently Ambassador of India to Romania, has been concurrently accredited as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Moldova, with residence in Bucharest.
• Diplomatic Experience: A 2000 batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer, Mohapatra brings over two decades of diplomatic experience, with a strong background in bilateral and commercial relations.
• Previous Postings: Before becoming Ambassador to Romania, Mohapatra served as Minister (Commerce) at the Embassy of India in Washington, D.C., and as Ambassador to Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras.
• Qualifications: Mohapatra holds a Master of Veterinary Science (M.V.Sc.) degree and a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management (PGDIBM), reflecting his expertise in both scientific and administrative fields.

8. Kuldeep Dwivedi appointed as Joint Director, CBI

• Appointment Approval: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved Kuldeep Dwivedi's appointment as Joint Director in the CBI, effective from the date of assuming charge.
• Tenure: Dwivedi's tenure as Joint Director will continue until January 17, 2026, or until further orders, whichever is earlier, marking the completion of his five-year deputation term.
• Background: Kuldeep Dwivedi is a 2005 batch IPS officer of the Jharkhand cadre and has previously served as Deputy Inspector General (DIG) in the CBI.
• Experience: Dwivedi has a strong background in handling high-profile cases and has been instrumental in major probes during his tenure with the CBI, showcasing his leadership capabilities.

9. Bank of Maharashtra & SBI Card in Partnership launched co-branded credit card

• Card Variants: The co-branded credit card is available in three variants: Bank of Maharashtra SBI Card ELITE, Bank of Maharashtra SBI Card PRIME, and Bank of Maharashtra SimplySAVE SBI Card, catering to diverse customer needs.
• Rewards and Benefits: The card offers accelerated reward points, fuel surcharge waiver, utility bill payments, exclusive discounts on travel, dining, and shopping, as well as contactless payment capabilities for a seamless transaction experience.
• Payment Platforms: The credit card will be available on both RuPay and VISA payment platforms, ensuring wide acceptance across millions of merchant outlets globally.
• Application Process: Customers can apply for the credit card through Bank of Maharashtra's branches, making it easily accessible to existing and new customers.

10. Assam Rifles Signs MoU with IIIT Manipur to Boost Drone Technology

• The partnership aims to leverage academic expertise and indigenous innovation to strengthen surveillance, reconnaissance, and logistics capabilities in sensitive border regions, enhancing national security.
• Advanced Drone Training: An Advanced Drone Training and Refresher Course was launched to equip Assam Rifles personnel with DGCA-certified skills in drone flight operations, maintenance protocols, and certified procedures.
• Indigenization of Drone Technology: The collaboration focuses on indigenizing drone systems, promoting autonomy and resilience in defense technology, and reducing dependence on external sources.
• Defence-Academia Collaboration: The MoU highlights the importance of defence-academia collaboration, combining operational experience with technological innovation to build a more agile and future-ready security force.

Download Daily GK PDF of 19 August 2025