Daily Current Affairs (DCA) 04&05 January, 2026

Daily Current Affairs Quiz
04 & 05 January, 2026

National Affairs

1. Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) Completes 9 Years

Context:

Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, a flagship scheme of the government for pregnant women and lactating mothers, has completed nine years.

Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)

The Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) is a maternity benefit scheme implemented by the Government of India to provide conditional cash assistance to pregnant and lactating women for their first living child. The scheme aims to improve maternal health, nutrition, and compensate for wage loss during pregnancy and after childbirth.

• Launched: 1 January 2017
• Ministry: Ministry of Women and Child Development

Key Objectives

• Improve health and nutrition of pregnant and lactating women
• Encourage early registration of pregnancy
• Promote institutional delivery
• Ensure timely vaccination and post-natal care
• Partially compensate wage loss
• Coverage: Over 4.5 crore women enrolled; more than ₹19,000 crore disbursed
• Significance: Strengthens maternal health, nutrition, and early childcare outcomes

Cash Assistance Structure

Total benefit: ₹5,000 (Direct Benefit Transfer – DBT)

Installment	Amount	Condition
1st	₹1,000	Early registration of pregnancy
2nd	₹2,000	At least one antenatal check-up
3rd	₹2,000	Childbirth registered + first cycle of immunisation

Additionally, eligible women also receive ₹1,000 under Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), making the total maternity benefit ₹6,000, as mandated under the National Food Security Act, 2013.

2. Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS)

Source: ET

Context:

India is accelerating its push to strengthen domestic electronics manufacturing and reduce import dependence through targeted fiscal incentives.

Key Development

• The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has approved 22 additional projects under the Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS).
• Total investment committed by the approved projects: ₹41,863 crore.
• Total outlay of ECMS: ₹22,919 crore.

About the ECMS

• Objective: Promote domestic manufacturing of electronic components.
• Incentive structure:
  • Payouts linked to incremental production.
  • Additional incentives tied to employment generation.
• The scheme is time-competitive, rewarding firms that achieve production milestones early.

Beneficiaries

• The scheme supports a mix of:
  • Small and medium Indian firms, and
  • Established industry players such as Tata Electronics Pvt. Ltd..
• According to Ashwini Vaishnaw, incentives will benefit both emerging enterprises and large manufacturing heavyweights.

Key Feature

• First-to-finish incentive model:
  • Companies that complete their production roadmaps earlier will receive payouts faster.
  • Encourages speed, efficiency, and early capacity creation.

3. Export Promotion Mission (EPM)

Context:

To boost exports and ease credit constraints faced by exporters—especially MSMEs—the Government has expanded the Export Promotion Mission (EPM) with additional financial support measures.

Key Developments

• The Government of India has introduced two new credit-linked schemes under the Export Promotion Mission (EPM).
• Total financial outlay: ₹5,181 crore over six years (till 2030–31).
• With this announcement, 3 out of 11 schemes under EPM have been operationalised.
• The schemes fall under the Niryat Protsahan category, aimed at reducing the cost of export credit.

Scheme 1: Interest Subvention for Pre- and Post-Shipment Export Credit

• Objective: Lower the cost of export finance for exporters.
• Coverage:
  • Pre-shipment and post-shipment rupee export credit
  • Extended by scheduled commercial banks
• Beneficiaries:
  • Eligible MSME exporters
• Implemented as per:
  • Reserve Bank of India Master Directions
• Expected Impact:
  • Improves MSME liquidity
  • Enhances export competitiveness
  • Supports India’s integration into global value chains
  • Maintains fiscal prudence

Scheme 2: Collateral Support for Export Credit

• Objective: Enable MSME exporters to access bank credit despite limited collateral or third-party guarantees.
• Implementation Agency:
  • Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE)
• Nature:
  • Implemented on a pilot basis
  • Applicable to export-linked working capital loans
• Eligibility:
  • MSME exporters dealing in notified tariff lines
• Guarantee Coverage:
  • Micro & Small exporters: up to 85%
  • Medium exporters: up to 65%

4. Rah-Veer (Good Samaritan) Scheme

Source: PIB

Context:

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has reiterated the protections and incentives available under the Rah-Veer (Good Samaritan) Scheme to encourage bystanders to assist road accident victims without fear of legal or procedural harassment.

About Rah-Veer

Rah-Veer is a Good Samaritan initiative notified under Section 134A of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019, aimed at protecting citizens who help road accident victims during the Golden Hour—the critical first hour after an accident when timely medical care can save lives.

Key Features

1. Legal Protection

• No civil or criminal liability for helpers acting in good faith.
• Protection from unnecessary police or legal proceedings.

2. Right to Anonymity

• Rah-Veers cannot be compelled to disclose personal details.
• Cannot be forced to become witnesses in court.

3. Limited Police Interaction

• Only one voluntary statement, if the helper chooses.
• Statement to be recorded at a time and place convenient to the Rah-Veer.

4. Hospital Safeguards

• Hospitals must provide immediate emergency treatment.
• No demand for payment or paperwork from the helper.
• Mandatory acknowledgement receipt to the Rah-Veer.

5. Recognition & Incentives

• Incentive available up to five times in a year for repeat acts of assistance.
• ₹25,000 cash reward
• Certificate of Appreciation

5. Olive Ridley Sea Turtles

Context:

With the nesting season underway, wildlife authorities have established sea turtle hatcheries along the Chennai coast to safeguard eggs and enhance hatchling survival, especially from threats like predation, artificial lighting, and human disturbance.

What is it?

The Olive Ridley sea turtle is among the smallest and most abundant sea turtle species, named after its olive-green, heart-shaped carapace (shell). It is globally renowned for its spectacular mass nesting phenomenon known as arribada, during which thousands of females nest simultaneously on selected beaches.

Habitat and Distribution

Global Range

• Tropical waters of the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic Oceans

Indian Context

• Major mass nesting sites along the Odisha coast:
  • Gahirmatha
  • Rushikulya
  • Devi River mouth
• Solitary nesting occurs along:
  • Tamil Nadu (including Chennai coast)
  • Andhra Pradesh
  • Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Marine Habitat

• Primarily pelagic (open ocean) species
• Migrates seasonally to sandy beaches for nesting

Conservation Status

• IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
• India (Legal Protection): Schedule I species under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972

6. Suryastra Rocket System – Indian Army Induction

Context:

The Indian Army has signed a ₹293-crore emergency procurement contract with NIBE Ltd., in collaboration with Elbit Systems, for the induction of the Suryastra rocket system—a long-range universal rocket launcher with strike capabilities of up to 300 km.

About Suryastra Rocket System

Suryastra is India’s first indigenous universal multi-calibre long-range rocket launcher system, designed for precision surface-to-surface strikes at 150 km and 300 km. It can integrate multiple rocket and missile types on a single launch platform, offering both saturation and precision firepower.

Origin & Technology

• Manufacturer: NIBE Ltd. (India)
• Technology Partner: Elbit Systems (Israel)
• Technology Base: Israeli PULS (Precise & Universal Launching System)
• Adaptation: Customised for Indian Army requirements under a Technology Collaboration Agreement (July 2025)

Aim of Induction

• Enhance the Army’s deep-strike and stand-off firepower
• Provide a single, flexible rocket artillery platform for diverse combat roles
• Support Make in India and reduce dependence on imported long-range artillery systems

7. Indian Army to Deploy Ramjet-Powered Shells for 155 mm Artillery

Context:

The Indian Army is set to become the first armed force in the world to operationally deploy ramjet-powered artillery shells for its 155 mm artillery guns, marking a major leap in long-range conventional firepower.

What is it?

Ramjet-powered artillery shells are advanced 155 mm projectiles equipped with an air-breathing ramjet propulsion module. After being fired from a conventional artillery gun, the ramjet sustains thrust in flight, significantly extending the shell’s range without altering the gun system itself.

About Ramjet Technology

A ramjet is a type of air-breathing jet engine with no moving parts, designed to operate efficiently at supersonic speeds.

• Does not carry its own oxidiser
• Uses atmospheric oxygen for combustion
• Becomes efficient only after the projectile reaches high speed (provided by the gun launch)

Key advantage: Much higher efficiency and range compared to rocket-based propulsion for artillery shells.

Banking/Finance

1. ‘Insurance Misselling a Significant Concern’, Says Irdai

Source: ET

Context:

India’s insurance regulator has flagged misselling and unfair business practices as a growing concern, calling for corrective action by insurers to protect policyholders and strengthen trust in the sector.

Key Findings

• The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has stated that insurance misselling remains a significant concern.
• Insurers have been advised to conduct a root-cause analysis to identify and address the reasons behind such practices.

What Is Insurance Misselling?

• Selling insurance products without adequate disclosure of:
  • Terms and conditions
  • Costs and benefits
  • Product suitability for the customer
• Often involves pushing unsuitable or complex policies to meet sales targets.

Government’s Stand

• The Ministry of Finance has repeatedly cautioned banks and insurers against misselling.
• Emphasis has been placed on:
  • Corporate governance best practices
  • Ethical sales behaviour
  • Protecting consumer interests

2. RBI Eases Related-Party Lending Norms

Source: FE

Context:

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued final guidelines on lending to related parties, easing several provisions from the draft norms and providing significant regulatory relief to banks and other regulated entities (REs).

What is the decision?

RBI has allowed existing related-party transactions that do not comply with the new norms to continue till their contractual maturity, subject to strict conditions. This move reduces disruption and avoids forced unwinding of legacy exposures.

Key Relief Measures

1. Run-off of Existing Exposures

• Non-compliant related-party loans can continue till maturity
• No enhancement, renewal, repricing, or change in terms allowed
• Replaces the earlier proposal of a one-year run-off, offering greater operational flexibility

2. Scope Rationalisation

• Equity investments in related parties excluded from the framework
• Debt investments in related parties continue to be covered

3. NBFC Exemptions

• Certain NBFCs exempted, including:
  • NBFCs not accessing public funds
  • Core Investment Companies (CICs)

Definition Changes for Clarity

• ‘Senior officer’ replaced with ‘specified employee’
  • Defined as employees placed up to two levels below the board
• Scope of ‘related party’ narrowed
  • Removal of duplicative references to relatives
  • ₹5 crore shareholding threshold eliminated
• RBI rejected calls to raise materiality thresholds
  • Adopted a scale-based framework: larger REs face proportionately tighter limits

Other Important Changes

Cooperative Banks

• Scale-based approach introduced
• Tier-4 Urban Cooperative Banks allowed limited related-party lending with board approval

All India Financial Institutions (AIFIs)

• Existing prohibitions on lending to directors and interested entities continue unchanged

Board Approval Exemptions

• Related-party loans fully secured by:
  • Government securities
  • Fixed deposits
  • Life insurance policies
• Condition: Loan-to-Value ≤ 100% of realisable value
• Such loans do not require board approval

3. RBI Relaxes Risk-Weight Norms for NBFC Infrastructure Financing

Source: FE

Context:

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has eased risk-weight norms for infrastructure lending by Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), compared with its draft framework, while issuing the final guidelines on Thursday. The move provides capital relief to lenders while retaining repayment-based safeguards to ensure prudence.

What is the change?

RBI has lowered the repayment thresholds required for NBFC exposures to qualify for reduced risk weights for high-quality infrastructure projects, though it has retained repayment-linked criteria, underscoring that repayments remain a key indicator of reduced project risk.

Major Capital Relief: Key Changes

Risk Weight	Draft Norm	Final Norm
75%	After 5% repayment of original project debt	After 2% repayment
50%	After 10% repayment	After 5% repayment

• Applies to original sanctioned project debt
• Any additional borrowing will be clubbed to assess eligibility

Expanded Scope: High-Quality Infrastructure Projects

RBI has partially widened the definition of high-quality infrastructure projects to include those where revenues depend on rights granted under concession or contract by:

• Central or State Governments
• Public sector entities
• Statutory or regulatory bodies

However, termination protection clauses have been retained, as RBI considers them essential to safeguard lenders’ interests.

Agriculture

1. A Lesson from Beed in Raising Farmers’ Incomes

Source: IE

Context:

At a time when India’s goal of substantially raising farmers’ incomes remains elusive, an experiment from Beed district in Maharashtra offers a practical, scalable pathway to transform rural livelihoods—especially in drought-prone regions.

The Beed Breakthrough

• Beed district, traditionally marked by low rainfall and agrarian distress, witnessed a dramatic turnaround in farm incomes.
• The initiative was led by Global Vikas Trust (GVT) under the leadership of Mayank Gandhi.
• An independent assessment by Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) found that per-acre incomes rose more than 10 times—from about ₹38,700 to nearly ₹3.9 lakh.

What Changed on the Ground?

1. Crop Diversification

• Farmers shifted from low-return crops like cotton and soybean to high-value horticulture, including:
  • Papaya
  • Pomegranate
  • Sweet lime
  • Custard apple
  • Guava
  • Banana
• These crops offered better price realisation and year-round income potential.

2. Scientific Farming Practices

• Adoption of high-density plantations and modern agronomic techniques.
• Continuous hand-holding and training, rather than one-time advisories.

3. Affordable Quality Inputs

• Saplings procured in bulk and supplied to farmers at nearly half the market price.
• Cost support came through CSR funds and philanthropic contributions, lowering entry barriers.

4. Water Security as the Foundation

• Construction of:
  • Farm ponds
  • Deep recharge shafts
• Result:
  • Groundwater levels improved sharply—from around 400 feet to nearly 50 feet in many villages.
• Reliable water made diversification sustainable, not risky.

5. Credit & Risk Mitigation

• Banks were brought in with credit guarantees, reducing farmers’ fear of debt.
• Risk was shared across institutions, not borne by farmers alone.

Lessons for National Policy

• Crop diversification + water security is a powerful income multiplier.
• Doubling farmers’ income may be too modest a target—with the right support, incomes can grow manifold.
• Government schemes can amplify impact by aligning:
  • Horticulture missions
  • Watershed development
  • Rural credit and insurance
• Replicable in other semi-arid and rain-fed regions of India.

2. ICAR Releases 184 New Crop Varieties

Source: TOI

Context:

The Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, today released 184 new varieties of 25 crops developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) at New Delhi. These varieties have been bred with improved yield, climate resilience, and nutritional traits.

Key Highlights of the Release

Crop-wise Break-up

• Rice: 60 varieties
• Maize: 50 varieties
• Oilseeds: 13 varieties
• Others: Pulses, millets, fodder and horticultural crops (part of total 25 crops)

Policy & Governance Announcements

• The government aims to ensure that all agriculture-related schemes reach farmers within three years of launch.
• Six regional zones have been created for pre-Rabi and pre-Kharif regional conferences, feeding into national conferences and helping states prepare a Krishi Roadmap tailored to regional needs.
• The government is considering introducing the Seed Bill in the upcoming Parliament session, signalling reforms in seed regulation, quality assurance, and farmer protection.

Facts To Remember

1. CM inaugurates ‘Shabdotsav’, 3-day literary, cultural festival

Staying connected to one’s roots is essential in the present times, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta as she inaugurated ‘Delhi Shabdotsav’, a three-day literature and cultural festival.

2. Telangana adopts resolution for restoration of MGNREGA

The Telangana Legislative Assembly on Friday adopted a unanimous resolution demanding that the Centre restore the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) as it is.

3. Billionaires’ Wealth Loses Share as India’s GDP Expands

After a phase of rapid accumulation between 2014 and 2021, the wealth of India’s billionaire promoters is now growing slower than the economy, leading to a decline in their share of national output.

Key Findings

• In CY2025, the combined net worth of India’s billionaire promoters (in US dollar terms) fell by 5%.
• Over the same period, India’s nominal GDP (in dollar terms) grew by 7.5% in FY25.
• Consequently, billionaires’ wealth as a share of GDP declined to 25.2% in CY25 from 28.5% a year earlier—the lowest in three years.

3. US tariff high, India’s seafood exports to other nations up 16%

India’s marine products exports increased by 16% in terms of value and 12% in volume during the first seven months (April-October) of FY 2025-26 as compared to the corresponding period last fiscal, shows official data. According to the data, India’s seafood exports increased to $4.87 billion in April-October 2025 from $4.19 billion during the same period of 2024.

4. Goa to Get Third District ‘Kushavati’

• Announcement: By CM Pramod Sawant
• Headquarters: Quepem
• Talukas included: Dharbandora, Quepem, Sanguem, Canacona
• Special feature: ~27% tribal population
• Status: Aspirational district; eligible for ₹15 crore additional central funding
• Importance: Balanced regional development and focused tribal welfare

5. India’s First Vande Bharat Sleeper Train

• Route: Guwahati (Assam) – Howrah (West Bengal)
• Designed by: Integral Coach Factory (ICF)
• Manufactured by: BEML Ltd
• Plan:
  • 10 rakes by March 2026
  • 50 additional rakes by ICF later

6. 50th PRAGATI Meeting Chaired by PM

• Projects reviewed: Infrastructure projects worth ₹40,000+ crore
• Impact:
  • Projects worth ₹85 lakh crore accelerated since 2014
  • ~94% issues resolved across 377 projects
• Governance significance: Outcome-oriented, tech-enabled project monitoring

7. President Launches ‘Skill The Nation’ AI Challenge

• Under Skilling for AI Readiness (SOAR) initiative
• Also inaugurated: IGNOU Regional & Skill Centre at Rairangpur, Odisha
• Focus: Inclusive, people-centric AI skilling for youth and marginalised groups
• Importance: Preparing India’s workforce for an AI-driven economy

8. MoSPI Unveils New Logo & Mascot ‘सांख्यिकी’

• Theme: Data for Development
• Logo elements: Ashoka Chakra, Rupee symbol, growth bar
• Mascot: ‘सांख्यिकी’ to simplify statistics and build public trust
• Significance: Citizen-centric, data-driven governance

9. Kaamya Karthikeyan Skis to South Pole

• Achievement: Youngest Indian (18 years) to ski to the South Pole
• Distance: 115 km in Antarctica
• Background: Completed Seven Summits Challenge before 18
• Significance: Symbol of youth achievement, adventure sports, and gender inspiration

10. ‘Samudra Pratap’ in Goa

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh commissioned the Indian Coast Guard’s (ICG) first indigenously designed and built pollution control vessel, Samudra Pratap, in Goa. The vessel will serve as a critical platform for enforcing marine pollution control regulations, maritime law enforcement, search and rescue operations, and safeguarding the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone.

11. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid marks 20 years as UAE prime minister

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, marked the 20th anniversary of his assumption of the office of Prime Minister on this day in 2006, in a gathering with current and former ministers who have served with him over the past two decades.

12. 2nd Khelo India Beach Games set to begin at Ghoghla Beach in Diu

The 2nd Khelo India Beach Games is set to begin today at the Ghoghla Beach in Diu. More than 2,100 athletes will participate in eight different sports of the Beach Games, which is being organised by the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. 

13. India’s AYUSH System Recognised in Bilateral Agreements with Oman, New Zealand

The Commerce Ministry has said that India’s traditional medicine system – AYUSH – has received formal recognition in bilateral trade agreements with Oman and New Zealand. 

14. Rajasthan to host Regional AI Impact Conference 2026 in Jaipur on January 6

Rajasthan will host a Regional AI Impact Conference 2026 on the 6th of this month in Jaipur. Minister of Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw and Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Jitin Prasada will attend the conference. 

15. Govt announces relaxation for deep-tech startups, removing three-year existence condition to avail DSIR recognition

The government has removed the condition of three-year existence for deep-tech startups to avail recognition under DSIR’s Industrial Research and Development Promotion Program.

16. World Braille Day

The world is celebrating World Braille Day today to mark the celebration of its creator, Louis Braille. Braille is a code that enables the visually impaired to read with their fingertips using a system of six raised dots. 

17. Sports: Deepti Sharma becomes highest wicket-taker in Women’s T20Is (152 wickets)

First player globally with 1,000 runs + 150 wickets in T20Is