Daily Current Affairs Quiz | NABARD Grade A & RBI Grade B | Economy, Banking & Agriculture
Daily Current Affairs for NABARD Grade A and RBI Grade B 2026 covering the most important developments in Indian Economy, Banking, RBI, Agriculture, Rural Development, Government Schemes, Financial Markets, Reports & Indices, International Relations, Environment and Science & Technology.
NABARD Current Affairs
Agriculture Current Affairs in News
1. India’s First Non-GMO High-Expansion Popcorn Maize Hybrid Seed
Source: TH
Context: Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan launched India’s first non-GMO, high-expansion popcorn maize hybrid seed at Musunuru in Eluru district, Andhra Pradesh.
What It Is
- An indigenously developed hybrid maize seed designed specifically for producing high-expansion popcorn, launched in association with Gourmet Popcornica.
- Developed with: ICAR-IIMR — the Indian Institute of Maize Research
The Two Terms Explained
- Non-GMO — the desired characteristics have been developed without genetic modification. The traits come from conventional breeding — crossing selected parent lines over successive generations — rather than from inserting foreign genes.
- High expansion — the ability of kernels to produce a larger volume of popped corn. It is measured as expansion ratio — the volume of popped corn produced per unit of unpopped kernel.
Aim
- Develop a domestic, high-quality popcorn maize seed ecosystem
- Reduce dependence on imported hybrid technology
- Improve farmer-market linkages
- Make India’s popcorn industry globally competitive
Key Features
- Indigenous hybrid technology — an Indian alternative to imported high-quality popcorn maize hybrids, strengthening domestic seed capability
- Non-GMO variety — improved commercial characteristics without genetically modified technology
- High-expansion capability — kernels with high popping expansion, suitable for premium popcorn processing and markets
2. Periyar Kullan: Kerala’s Second Registered Indigenous Cattle Breed
Source: New Indian Express
Context: The ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR) officially registered the Periyar cow, popularly known as Periyar Kullan, as an indigenous cattle breed — making it only the second indigenous cattle breed from Kerala to receive national recognition, after the Vechur cow.
What It Is
- A small-to-medium-sized indigenous dwarf cattle breed native to the Western Ghats forest fringes and plantation tracts of central Kerala.
- Also known locally as: Kuttampuzha cattle and Andukanni
Habitat and Distribution
- Geographical range: riverine and plantation belts of Ernakulam and Thrissur districts, Kerala — particularly around Koovappady, Angamaly, Kothamangalam and Chalakudy
- Rearing environment: thrives under semi-feral and silvopastoral systems — grazing within mixed vegetation of trees, shrubs and natural grasses in rubber and spice plantations and forest fringes — with minimal human management
Important Facts for Exams
- NBAGR — ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, located at Karnal, Haryana; it registers India’s animal genetic resources
- Periyar Kullan is Kerala’s second registered indigenous cattle breed, after Vechur
- Vechur is the world’s smallest cattle breed, at about 130 kg
- Periyar Kullan weighs 150–200 kg; yields 2.5–4 litres daily; A2 beta-casein
- Also called Kuttampuzha cattle and Andukanni
- Other famous Indian dwarf breed: Punganur (Andhra Pradesh)
- Silvopastoral — trees, forage and livestock on the same land
- Related programme: Rashtriya Gokul Mission, for indigenous breed conservation and development
3. Government Proposes Ban on Insecticide Carbosulfan
Source: TNIE
Context: The central government has proposed banning the widely used plant protection chemical carbosulfan, over its alleged toxic effects on human and animal health and the lack of any known antidote in the event of an accident.
Important Facts for Exams
- Carbosulfan → Carbamate insecticide → Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor.
- Proposed ban under the Insecticides Act, 1968
- Expert panel constituted 14 January; report submitted 12 June
- The ban covers manufacture, import, transport, distribution, sale and use
- Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIB&RC) registers pesticides in India
- India has previously banned or phased out several pesticides on the Anupam Verma Committee recommendations
- Monocrotophos, phorate, dichlorvos and others have faced similar review
- The Insecticides Act, 1968 is administered by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
4. RBI August Bulletin: Monsoon Revival Eases Agriculture Risks
- July’s southwest monsoon recovery helped kharif sowing move closer to normal levels.
- Rainfall deficit improved from −35.4% at June-end to −13% at July-end.
- Kharif sowing deficit narrowed from −22% to −2.9%.
- By August 24, rainfall deficit was only −1%.
Schemes in News
1. The Garbhini Mitra Course
Source: PIB
Context: The All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi, launched the “Garbhini Mitra” course for the 2026–2027 academic session.
What It Is
- A structured, six-month offline healthcare skill-development training programme that blends traditional Ayurvedic maternal care principles with fundamental modern healthcare-support practices.
- Its purpose: develop non-clinical support personnel who provide lifestyle guidance, dietary advice and wellness assistance to women through pregnancy and the postpartum period.
- Implementing body: All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi — an autonomous premier institution under the Ministry of Ayush.
- Aim: create a cadre of skilled community health workers and maternal wellness guides delivering pre-conceptional, antenatal and postnatal support, while facilitating timely clinical referrals to qualified medical professionals.
2. Odisha Launches ‘Bidesh Sikhyabruti’ Scholarship Scheme
- Odisha launched the scheme for meritorious SC/ST students pursuing higher education abroad.
- Selected students can receive up to ₹25 lakh per year.
- 50 students will be selected annually for universities ranked among the Top 200 in QS World University Rankings.
- The scheme operates under the Mukhyamantri Medhabi Chhatra Protsahan Yojana (MMCPY).
3. MeitY Launches GENESIS EIR Cohort 3.0
- MeitY Startup Hub launched the third cohort of GENESIS Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR).
- It supports aspiring entrepreneurs, innovators, researchers, students and early-stage startup founders.
- Focus areas include AI/ML, IoT, semiconductors, VLSI and cybersecurity.
- Selected innovators can receive financial assistance of up to ₹10 lakh.
4. NITI Aayog Report: 8.7 Crore Youth Not Studying, Working or in Training
- NITI Aayog released “Reimagining Skilling for Viksit Bharat@2047.”
- Around 87 million (8.7 crore) youth aged 15–29 years were identified as not in education, employment or training.
- Only 8.25% of graduates are employed in jobs matching their qualifications.
- Fewer than 1 in 12 secondary schools offer vocational subjects.
PIB in News
1. PNGRB Approves 1,800-km LPG Pipeline Network
- PNGRB approved around 1,800 km of LPG pipelines across six states.
- The projects involve an estimated investment of around ₹7,000 crore.
- Three major projects are Cherlapally–Nagpur, Jhansi–Sitarganj and Shikrapur–Goa–Hubli.
- The common-carrier LPG pipeline network will increase from about 7,700 km to nearly 9,500 km.
2. Dak Sewa and Dak MITRA Apps Revamped
- Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia launched revamped Dak Sewa and Dak MITRA apps.
- Dak MITRA is designed for operations across more than 1.4 lakh Branch Post Offices.
- Dak Sewa provides services such as tracking, booking, complaints and Post Office/PIN-code locators.
- The app supports 23 Indian languages through BHASHINI.
3. CBN and PHARMEXCIL Sign MoU to Boost Pharma Exports
- Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN) and PHARMEXCIL signed an MoU.
- It aims to promote legitimate pharmaceutical exports and prevent diversion of controlled substances.
- Both organisations will develop a Voluntary Code of Conduct (VCC).
- The partnership will include workshops, awareness programmes and regulatory information sharing.
RBI Current Affairs
Banking and Finance
1. UPI Completes 10 Years of Digital Payment Revolution
- UPI completed 10 years on August 25, 2026.
- It accounted for around 84% of India’s digital payments in FY26, according to the uploaded source.
- Annual transaction volume increased from 1.78 crore in FY17 to over 24,162 crore in FY26.
- Transaction value increased from ₹0.07 lakh crore to around ₹314 lakh crore.
2. Citigroup and Axis Bank Partner for NRI FCNR Investments
- Citigroup and Axis Bank partnered to provide financing support to NRIs investing in FCNR deposits.
- Citigroup will provide financing through its offshore operations.
- Axis Bank will issue Standby Letters of Credit (SBLCs) to support the arrangement.
- The partnership is expected to support forex inflows and India’s foreign exchange reserves.
3. PSBs Use ‘Banking for Youth’ as Entry-Level Hiring Pipeline
- Public sector banks plan to use the Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) portal for internships and training.
- The initiative aims to create a pipeline for entry-level recruitment.
- It follows Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s call for banks to become more youth-friendly.
- The initiative will provide young people with practical exposure to the banking sector.
RBI and NABARD Current Affairs
Economy in News
1. RBI August Bulletin: Monsoon Revival Eases Agriculture Risks
- Improvement in the southwest monsoon during July helped kharif sowing move closer to normal.
- Rainfall deficit improved from −35.4% at June-end to −13% at July-end.
- Kharif sowing deficit narrowed from −22% to −2.9%.
- By August 24, rainfall deficit had narrowed to just −1%.
2. TCS Acquires Porsche’s IT Arm MHP for €320 Million
- Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) announced the acquisition of MHP Management- und IT-Beratung GmbH.
- MHP is the management and IT consulting subsidiary of Porsche AG.
- The acquisition has an enterprise value of €320 million, around ₹3,575 crore.
- The deal is part of a five-year, €1.25-billion strategic partnership focused on AI, digital transformation and software-defined mobility.
3. UP and Japan’s Yamanashi Prefecture Sign Five MoUs
- Uttar Pradesh and Japan’s Yamanashi Prefecture signed five MoUs.
- Cooperation covers skills, energy, tourism, industry and institutional ties.
- Yamanashi announced a ₹600-crore fund for MSMEs from the prefecture to invest in Uttar Pradesh.
- The partnership also aims to establish Japanese Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in Noida and Greater Noida.
Social Issue in News
1. India Remains Canada’s Top Source of Permanent Residents
Source: Times of India
Context: Canada admitted 1.8 lakh new permanent residents (PRs) in the first half of 2026, with Indians accounting for 44,335 — nearly one in four admissions — according to data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Key Figures to Remember
First half of 2026 — top source countries:
| Rank | Country | PRs admitted |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | India | 44,335 |
| 2 | Philippines | 13,475 |
| 3 | China | 9,630 |
| 4 | Cameroon | 8,810 |
China overtook Cameroon to move into third place.
Full year 2025 — top source countries:
| Rank | Country | PRs admitted |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | India | 98,830 (nearly a lakh) |
| 2 | Philippines | 25,230 |
| 3 | Cameroon | 22,925 |
| 4 | China | 21,115 |
Combined 2025 and first half of 2026: 1.4 lakh Indian citizens became Canadian PRs.
Important Facts for Exams
- IRCC — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
- India is Canada’s top source of permanent residents — 44,335 in H1 2026, 98,830 in 2025
- India’s share fell from about 30 per cent (2023) to 25 per cent (2025)
- India is the world’s largest recipient of remittances, and has the largest overseas migrant population at about 18.5 million (NITI Aayog)
2. 8.7 Crore Indian Youth Outside Education, Employment and Training
- NITI Aayog identified 8.7 crore youth aged 15–29 years who are not studying, working or receiving training.
- The report highlights a major education-to-employment gap.
- Only 8.25% of graduates are employed in roles aligned with their qualifications.
- The report stresses the need for stronger vocational education and industry-linked skills.
3. Odisha’s Bidesh Sikhyabruti Scholarship for SC/ST Students
- The Odisha Government launched the scholarship for SC/ST students pursuing higher education abroad.
- Students can receive up to ₹25 lakh annually.
- 50 students will be selected every year.
- The scheme aims to improve access to quality international higher education.
Misc GA in News
1. India Condemns Attack on UNMISS Peacekeepers in South Sudan
- India condemned a deadly ambush on UNMISS peacekeepers near Pajut in Jonglei State.
- An Ethiopian Blue Helmet was killed and several personnel were injured.
- UNMISS is a multidimensional UN peacekeeping mission operating in South Sudan.
- It operates under Chapter VII of the UN Charter and works to protect civilians and maintain stability.
2. Kaziah Liz Mejo Wins Miss Universe India 2026
- Kaziah Liz Mejo from Kerala won the Miss Universe India 2026 title.
- She became the first woman from Kerala to win the title.
- She will represent India at the 75th Miss Universe pageant in November 2026 in Puerto Rico.
- The finale was organised by the Glamanand Group in Jaipur.
3. India Test-Fires First 100% Indigenous AK-203 ‘Sher’ Rifle
- Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) produced and test-fired the first fully indigenised AK-203 ‘Sher’ assault rifle.
- The rifle was manufactured using Indian components and materials.
- The project supports Aatmanirbhar Bharat and localisation of defence production.
- A ₹5,200-crore contract covers 6,01,427 AK-203 rifles.
4. US Navy Unveils AIM-424 Malice Missile
- The US Navy unveiled the AIM-424 Malice, a next-generation long-range air-to-air missile.
- Its reported range exceeds 250 nautical miles or 463 km.
- The missile uses a two-stage solid-propellant rocket motor.
- It is designed to target high-value airborne assets such as AWACS, refuelling tankers and bombers.
5. Guwahati to Host 2028 India Open Badminton Tournament
- The 2028 India Open will be held at the National Centre of Excellence for Badminton in Guwahati, Assam.
- The tournament is part of the BWF World Tour Super 750 category.
- The shift from New Delhi is linked to Republic Day security arrangements.
- The tournament is scheduled to return to New Delhi in 2029.
6. Karn Sharma Announces Retirement From All Formats
- Indian leg-spinner Karn Sharma announced retirement from all formats of competitive cricket at the age of 38.
- He represented India in 1 Test, 2 ODIs and 1 T20I.
- He recorded 270 First-Class, 153 List-A and 168 T20 wickets.
- He won four IPL titles with Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings.
7. Arindam Chaudhuri Launches ‘Africa Before America’
- Dr. Arindam Chaudhuri launched his book “Africa Before America.”
- The book explores African history, civilisations and global economic development.
- It focuses on reducing global income inequality and promoting human development in Africa.
- It also presents the 1.25:1 egalitarian concept related to income inequality.
8. International Day for Remembrance of Slave Trade and Its Abolition – August 23
- The International Day is observed every year on 23 August.
- It commemorates the 1791 uprising in Saint-Domingue, present-day Haiti.
- UNESCO’s 29th General Conference in 1997 adopted the resolution declaring the day.
- The day highlights the history and lasting impact of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade.
9. UP–Japan Cooperation to Promote Skills, Tourism and Industry
- Uttar Pradesh and Yamanashi Prefecture of Japan signed five MoUs.
- The agreements cover skilling, Japanese-language training, tourism, GCCs and legislative cooperation.
- Japanese-language training will support employment opportunities in Japan’s hospitality, healthcare and engineering sectors.
- The partnership aims to strengthen India–Japan economic and institutional relations.
