Daily Current Affairs Quiz
15 July, 2025
National Affairs
1. Kaziranga National Park
Context:
A landmark bird survey conducted in Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, Assam, between March 18 and May 25, 2025, has documented 43 species of grassland birds, underlining the ecological richness of the Brahmaputra floodplain’s wet grasslands.
Key Highlights:
- Species Recorded:
- Total grassland bird species: 43
- Critically Endangered: Bengal florican
- Endangered: Finn’s weaver, swamp grass babbler
- Vulnerable (6 species):
- Black-breasted parrotbill
- Marsh babbler
- Swamp francolin
- Jerdon’s babbler
- Slender-billed babbler
- Bristled grassbird
Kaziranga National Park (KNP)
Kaziranga National Park (KNP), located in Assam, spans the districts of Golaghat, Sonitpur, Biswanath, and Nagaon. It is globally renowned for its efforts in wildlife conservation, especially of the Indian rhinoceros.
Key Highlights:
- Location & Ranges:
- Situated in Assam with 5 administrative ranges, KNP is a critical biodiversity hotspot on the edge of the Eastern Himalaya biodiversity zone.
- Established in 1 June 1905.
- Indian Rhinoceros Population:
- Hosts two-thirds of the world’s Indian rhinoceros population.
- 2018 Census: Total rhino count stood at 2,613, including:
- Tiger Reserve Status:
- Declared a Tiger Reserve in 2006 under Project Tiger.
- Hosts a significant tiger population alongside other megafauna.
2. National Mobile Monitoring System (NMMS) in MGNREGS
Context:
Nearly four years after rolling out the National Mobile Monitoring System (NMMS) and three years after making it mandatory for MGNREGS (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme) workers, the Union Rural Development Ministry has identified serious misuse and manipulation in its implementation.
About NMMS Platform
The National Mobile Monitoring System (NMMS) is a mobile application developed by the Ministry of Rural Development to monitor attendance of workers under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (Mahatma Gandhi NREGS).
- Introduced to ensure real-time, geo-tagged attendance of MGNREGS workers.
- Requires two photographs per day: one at the start and another at the end of the shift.
- Aims to improve transparency and curb fake attendance or ghost beneficiaries.
What is MGNREGA ?
MGNREGA was launched in the year 2005 as one of the largest work guaranteed program by the Ministry of Rural Government. The basic objective of MGNREGA was providing 100 days guaranteed employment in every financial year to any rural or adult people who are willing to do public work – related which is unskilled manual work.
- Ministry
- Ministry of Rural Development
3. Crop Seeds on ISS Project
Context:
As Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and the Axiom-4 crew return to Earth, the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) is set to launch post-flight research on crop seeds that were part of a biological payload aboard the mission. The project is a significant step in India’s efforts to explore space-based agriculture and microgravity research.
About the “Crop Seeds on ISS” Project
- Objective:
- To study the impact of microgravity on the growth and yield of selected Indian crop varieties.
- Lead Institution:
- Space Biology Lab, IIST, Thiruvananthapuram
- Collaborating Institutions:
- Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) – Provided the seeds
- ISRO, European Space Agency (ESA)
- ISRO Human Spaceflight Centre (HSFC)
Crop Varieties Sent to ISS
- Jyothi and Uma – Rice
- Kanakamani – Horse gram
- Vellayani Vijay – Tomato
- Thilakathara – Sesame
- Soorya – Brinjal (Eggplant)
Significance of the Study
- Helps understand how plants respond to extraterrestrial environments, crucial for long-duration space missions and off-Earth agriculture.
- Adds a biological dimension to India’s human spaceflight program.
- Demonstrates India’s growing role in astrobiology and space-based food security research.
4. Pradhan Mantri Divyasha Kendra (PMDK)
Context:
The Union Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has inaugurated the 75th Pradhan Mantri Divyasha Kendra (PMDK) at Government Medical College, Badaun, Uttar Pradesh, reinforcing the Government of India’s commitment to inclusive development and empowerment of Divyangjan (persons with disabilities) and senior citizens.
Pradhan Mantri Divyasha Kendra (PMDK)
The Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO), under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, is spearheading the PMDK initiative to deliver affordable and high-quality assistive devices to senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PwDs).
Key Features of PMDK:
- Implementing Agency:
- ALIMCO, a Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.
- Objective:
- Provide assistive devices to enhance mobility, dignity, and independence of Divyangjan and senior citizens.
- Support economic empowerment through vocational training.
- Special Focus:
- The newly inaugurated centres give special emphasis to the visually impaired.
- Offer a comprehensive range of services:
- Prosthetics and orthotics
- Braille appliances
- Mobility aids
- Advanced rehabilitation technologies
Government Schemes for Empowerment of PwDs
| Scheme | Objective |
|---|---|
| PM-DAKSH | Skill development & rehabilitation for Divyangjan |
| DeenDayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme | Financial aid to NGOs for welfare of PwDs |
| Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/Fitting of Aids and Appliances (ADIP) | Free aids/appliances to PwDs |
| National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities | Financial support for higher education |
| Unique Disability ID (UDID) Card | Single document for identification and availing benefits |
5. India Ranked 26th in Global Internet Speed Gap: Ookla Report
Context:
India ranks 26th globally in average internet connection speed, with a median download speed of 136.53 Mbps (April–June 2025), per Ookla data. The country jumped 93 positions from Rank 119 in September 2022, driven largely by its rapid 5G rollout since October 2022. India is also the world’s largest consumer of mobile data, with per capita consumption reaching 32 GB/month, surpassing China (29 GB) and the US (22 GB), according to the Ericsson Mobility Report.
Comparative Rankings
- China: 8th with 207.98 Mbps median speed
- USA: 13th with 176.75 Mbps
- India: 26th with 136.53 Mbps
5G Rollout Impact
- 57% of telecom towers in India now support 5G, according to EY.
- India’s 5G user base reached 326 million as of March 2025, accounting for 28% of total wireless subscribers.
- Monthly 5G data usage per user hit 40 GB — 1.5× more than the average mobile user.
Investment & Infrastructure
- ₹1.4 lakh crore invested by Indian telecom operators in 5G between FY23–FY25.
- Growth driven by:
- Low data costs
- Affordable smartphone penetration
- Heavy capex on network expansion
Banking/Finance
1. AU Small Finance Bank Partners with LIC to Distribute Insurance Products
Context:
On July 14, 2025, AU Small Finance Bank (AU SFB) and the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) announced a strategic bancassurance partnership to distribute LIC’s insurance offerings through the bank’s branch network and digital platforms.
Key Highlights:
- Type of Tie-Up:
- Bancassurance agreement for the distribution of LIC’s life insurance products.
- Product Categories Covered:
- Term Insurance
- ULIPs (Unit-Linked Insurance Plans)
- Annuity Plans
- Savings and Endowment Policies
- Channels of Distribution:
- Physical branches of AU SFB
- Digital platforms and mobile banking interfaces
Strategic Objectives
- Financial Inclusion:
- Targets rural and underserved segments of society.
- Enhances insurance penetration in Tier 2, Tier 3 cities and remote areas.
- Mutual Benefits:
- AU SFB expands its product suite with LIC’s trusted brand.
- LIC gains wider access to AU’s growing customer base and reach.
About the Institutions
- LIC:
- India’s largest life insurer, state-owned, offering diverse insurance and investment products.
- AU Small Finance Bank:
- A leading SFB headquartered in Jaipur, serving semi-urban and rural markets, known for its strong retail and MSME footprint.
2. MFIs Raise Lending Rates Despite RBI Rate Cuts
Context:
Despite the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cutting the repo rate by 100 basis points in recent months, several microfinance institutions (MFIs) have increased their lending rates, citing persistent borrowing costs and asset quality stress. This move contrasts with the expected transmission of monetary policy to end borrowers.
Key Developments
- Leading NBFC-MFIs such as CreditAccess Grameen, Muthoot Microfin, and Fusion Finance have hiked interest rates between June and July 2025.
- Asirvad Micro Finance and Arohan Financial Services, both earlier penalised by the RBI for “excessive” interest rates, have again revised their rates upward.
Why Are Rates Rising?
- High Credit Cost:
- Post-pandemic asset quality remains under pressure, increasing credit costs.
- Sticky Borrowing Costs:
- MFIs claim banks and capital markets haven’t yet passed on lower rates.
- Operational Costs:
- Rural outreach and servicing add to cost structures.
3. Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) Reforms
Context:
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance has recently deliberated on setting up a dedicated National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) and National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) specifically for IBC-related cases. This comes ahead of proposed amendments to the IBC in the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament.
Why Reforms Are Urgent
- Delays Continue to Undermine IBC Objectives:
- IBC’s original aim was to resolve insolvencies within 330 days.
- Yet, resolution cases took an average of 597 days (as per IBBI data till March 2025).
- Liquidation cases took 508 days on average.
- The Supreme Court’s verdict in the Bhushan Power and Steel case, which overturned a resolution plan, adds uncertainty to outcomes.
- Capacity Constraints at NCLT/NCLAT:
- The current tribunals handle both company law and IBC matters, leading to severe backlog and inadequate focus.
- No significant institutional expansion has accompanied their expanding mandate.
Proposed Solutions
- Establish Dedicated IBC Tribunals:
- A separate set of NCLT and NCLAT benches exclusively for insolvency matters could streamline case flow and reduce pendency.
- Rapid Capacity Expansion:
- Immediate recruitment of more judicial and technical members.
- Increase infrastructure, digitisation, and case management tools.
- Legislative Clarity and Certainty:
- Amendments must prevent reversal of resolution plans years later, ensuring finality and investor confidence.
- Clear rules on admission timelines, withdrawals, and valuation norms are needed.
4. Fintech Giants Push Co-Branded Credit Cards
Context:
With the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) continuing to offer zero-merchant-discount-rate (MDR) transactions, major fintechs are exploring credit products as alternative revenue sources. This includes a focus on co-branded credit cards, personal loans, and gold loans.
Key Developments:
- Google Pay is developing a co-branded credit card with Axis Bank, after previously launching:
- Gold loans in partnership with Muthoot Finance
- Personal loans ranging from ₹30,000 to ₹10 lakh (tenure: 6 months to 6 years)
- PhonePe, India’s top UPI app, has launched a co-branded credit card with HDFC Bank.
- Amazon already operates a popular co-branded ICICI Bank card with over 5 million users and is exploring an NBFC license via Axio (formerly Capital Float).
Fintech Revenue Strategy
- Fintechs earn commissions for sourcing credit customers for partner banks:
- Credit card sourcing: ₹1,000–₹1,200 per customer
- Personal loan commission
- Gold loan commission
- These credit partnerships also:
- Boost user engagement on the fintech platforms
- Open cross-selling channels across a wide customer base
Implications for the Fintech Ecosystem
- The shift marks a diversification from pure payments to credit-led monetization amid regulatory pressure on free UPI.
- It underscores the growing convergence between big tech and banking, especially in India’s fast-evolving digital finance sector.
5. RBI Likely to Adopt Secured Rate as New Benchmark Tool for Monetary Policy Operations
Context:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is reportedly preparing to shift its operational benchmark for monetary policy transmission from the unsecured Weighted Average Call Rate (WACR) to a secured overnight rate, such as TREPS or the newly introduced Secured Overnight Rupee Rate (SORR).
Key Highlights:
- Reason for Shift:
- The secured rates (TREPS/SORR) represent over 98% of overnight market volumes, offering a more robust and transparent benchmark than WACR, which is based on a smaller share of unsecured interbank trades.
- Liquidity Management Proposal:
- Banks have urged RBI to replace the current 14-day variable rate reverse repo (VRRR) auctions with a fixed-rate daily repo to better handle 24×7 banking and fluctuating liquidity.
- The move is expected to improve RBI’s ability to anchor short-term interest rates more effectively.
- Support Measures Being Considered:
- A possible 100 bps cut in CRR (Cash Reserve Ratio) effective from September 2025 to infuse durable liquidity.
- Integration of digital systems and operational tweaks to facilitate smoother monetary policy implementation.
Impact
- Improved policy transmission to money markets and commercial banks.
- Greater stability in short-term rates.
- Strengthening of monetary policy credibility and global integration of India’s financial markets.
Agriculture
1. NABARD Launches RuralTech CoLab to Boost Innovation in Rural Ecosystem
Context:
On its 44th Foundation Day (July 13, 2025), the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) launched RuralTech CoLab, a dedicated portal to unify and support rural technology start-ups in India.
Key Highlights:
- What is RuralTech CoLab?
- Empanelment & Onboarding:
- The portal provides a structured and transparent onboarding mechanism for tech partners to work with NABARD.
- Partners will gain access to NABARD’s grassroots network:
- Additional Digital Initiative:
- NABARD also launched a WhatsApp channel to share:
- Market advisories
- FPO-related updates
- Real-time rural sector information
- NABARD also launched a WhatsApp channel to share:
Significance
- Encourages tech-driven rural entrepreneurship.
- Enhances access to digital services and rural finance.
- Supports policy goals under Digital India and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Facts To Remember
1. Saroja Devi, pioneer superstar, dies at 87
Veteran actor B. Saroja Devi passed away at her residence at Malleswaram in Bengaluru on Monday. She was 87 and died of age-related illness.
2. Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Returns from ISS Aboard SpaceX Dragon after 18 Days in Orbit
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the pilot of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), has begun his return journey to Earth after an 18-day stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The mission marks a milestone for India’s expanding role in commercial human spaceflight.
3. NSE 4th in global IPO fundraising in H1
The National Stock Exchange (NSE) ranked fourth on the global IPO league table in the first half of the 2025 calendar year (H1CY25), with a fund offering of $5.51 billion, according to a note from S&P Global Market Intelligence.
4. Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Announces ‘Youth Spiritual Summit’ in Varanasi, from July 18 to 20, 2025
Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, announced convening of the ‘Youth Spiritual Summit’ on the theme ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat’, a transformative initiative aimed at empowering the Bharat’s Yuva Shakti and fostering a drug-free society in New Delhi.
5. Jannik Sinner wins Wimbledon 2025
The Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner Wimbledon men’s singles final went down to the wire, with the Italian emerging as the winner.
6. Taiwan’s CTBC Bank Applies to Set Up IBU in GIFT City
CTBC Bank, Taiwan’s largest privately owned bank, has applied to the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) for establishing an IFSC Banking Unit (IBU) in GIFT City, Gujarat, joining the growing list of foreign banks entering India’s premier international financial hub.
7. Ancy Sojan wins bronze in women’s long jump at Lignano Continental Tour event
In Athletics, India’s Ancy Sojan claimed third place in the women’s long jump at the Lignano Meeting, a World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze event held in Italy.
8. 10th anniversary of Skill India Mission being observed on World Youth Skills Day
Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Jayant Chaudhary reaffirmed the government’s commitment to empowering youth through practical, job-ready skills across sectors. He said, under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, Skill India continues to transform lives, especially for women and marginalised communities.
