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. Mission Samriddh Gaon Launched
Source: HT
Context: Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Ministry of Rural Development, launched Mission Samriddh Gaon at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi — to develop a comprehensive model for rural transformation by creating poverty-free, employment-rich villages with assured access to basic amenities.
What It Is
- An integrated rural transformation and livelihood-saturation framework
- It coordinates Central and state welfare programmes to deliver:
- Comprehensive infrastructure
- Assured basic amenities
- Diversified income streams
- Targeted social protection
- Delivered directly to rural households and Gram Panchayats
About
- Nodal Ministry: Rural Development (MoRD)
- Pilot locations: Budni block (Sehore district) and Khategaon block (Dewas district), Madhya Pradesh
- Aim: build self-reliant, poverty-free and economically vibrant villages where every rural family has sustainable livelihood opportunities and access to basic amenities — thereby eliminating distress rural-to-urban migration.
The Five Key Features
- Family-level saturation: Maps eligible households and plans at family, Gram Panchayat and block levels for universal scheme access.
- Inter-departmental convergence: Integrates agriculture, health, education, skilling, rural development and infrastructure.
- Integrated Farming Systems (IFS): Combines horticulture, livestock, fisheries, poultry and beekeeping to diversify farm income.
- Women farmer empowerment: Promotes the Lakhpati Didi model through advisory, credit and enterprise opportunities.
- Rural infrastructure & value addition: Supports warehouses, cold chains and village-level processing to reduce losses and retain value locally.
Practice MCQs
Q1. With reference to Mission Samriddh Gaon, consider the following statements:
a. It was launched by the Ministry of Rural Development.
b. It aims to create poverty-free, employment-rich villages with assured access to basic amenities.
c. It will be piloted in Budni and Khategaon blocks of Madhya Pradesh.
d. It focuses exclusively on agricultural development.
How many of the above statements are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None
Q2. Consider the following statements:
a. An integrated development framework will be prepared at family, gram panchayat and block levels.
b. Households will be linked to central and state government schemes based on eligibility and needs.
c. The mission emphasises convergence across agriculture, employment, health, education and rural infrastructure.
d. Reducing distress migration is among the mission’s stated aims.
How many of the above statements are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None
Answer Key
- (c) — a, b, c correct. Statement d is wrong: the mission emphasises convergence across agriculture, employment, health, education and rural infrastructure — it is deliberately multi-sectoral, not agriculture-only.
- (d) — All four correct. The three-level framework — family, gram panchayat, block — is the most testable structural detail.
2. The e-Shram Portal
Source: PIB
Context: The e-Shram Portal completed five years of operation on 26 August 2026, marking a milestone in building India’s social security architecture for the informal economy.
What It Is
- India’s first comprehensive, Aadhaar-authenticated National Database of Unorganised Workers (NDUW)
- Assigns every registered worker a portable 12-digit Universal Account Number (UAN)
- Serves as a unified digital platform connecting the informal workforce to social security benefits, job portals, skilling opportunities and pension plans
About
- Launch date: 26 August 2021
- Nodal Ministry: Labour and Employment (MoLE)
- Aim: build a centralised, verifiable national registry of the unorganised workforce, enable convergence and portability of welfare schemes across ministries, and ensure seamless delivery of benefits — especially during economic disruptions and emergencies.
Who Can Register
- Workers aged 16 and above
- Who are not income-tax payers
- And not enrolled in EPFO or ESIC
Covered categories: agricultural labourers, domestic help, construction workers, street vendors, and gig and platform workers
Convergence of 15 Schemes
| Area | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Life Insurance – PMJJBY | Provides ₹2 lakh life insurance cover. |
| Accident Insurance – PMSBY | Provides up to ₹2 lakh for accidental death or permanent disability. |
| Pension – PM-SYM | Provides an assured ₹3,000 monthly pension after attaining 60 years. |
| Food Security – ONORC | Enables migrant workers to access their foodgrain entitlement across States. |
| Social Assistance – NSAP | Supports vulnerable sections through various social assistance programmes. |
| Rural Housing – PMAY-G | Supports eligible rural households in getting pucca houses. |
| Employment – NCS | Connects workers with job opportunities and employers. |
| Skills & Apprenticeships – SIDH | Helps workers access skill development and apprenticeship opportunities. |
| Language Access – Bhashini | Uses AI-based language technology to provide access in 22 scheduled Indian languages. |
| Migrant Workers | Captures family migration information, helping workers access welfare benefits even after moving between States. |
| BOCW Integration | Helps workers with onboarding into State Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) Boards. |
3. Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary
Source: Times of India
Context: Assam’s Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary recorded its first-ever sighting of the rare migratory Smew (Mergellus albellus) during the 7th Kaziranga Waterbird Count 2026 — alongside sightings of the critically endangered Bengal Florican.
What It Is
- A protected area spanning 70.13 sq km
- Part of the contiguous Laokhowa-Burhachapori ecosystem
- An officially notified buffer zone of Kaziranga Tiger Reserve
- An essential wildlife migration corridor in the central Brahmaputra floodplain
Location
- District: Nagaon, central Assam
- Position: on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra River
Surrounded by
- Kaziranga National Park to the east
- Orang National Park and Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary to the west
- Pakke-Nameri to the north
- Karbi Anglong hills to the south
The Two Birds in the News
- Smew (Mergellus albellus) — a small migratory diving duck that breeds in northern Europe and Asia and winters further south. Its appearance this far south and east is unusual, which is why the sighting was recorded as a first.
- Bengal Florican — Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, a grassland bird found in the Brahmaputra floodplains and the Terai. It is among India’s most threatened birds, and its presence indicates intact tall grassland habitat.
4. Bihar Leads India’s Mushroom Revolution
- India’s mushroom production increased from 51,000 tonnes in 2015 to nearly 3.48 lakh tonnes in 2024.
- Mushroom production recorded a 23.76% CAGR during the period.
- India has become the world’s third-largest mushroom producer, but its global share is only around 0.7%.
- Bihar is emerging as a major hub, although short shelf life, market linkages and production instability remain challenges.
5. Meghalaya Assembly Opposes Uranium Mining
- The Meghalaya Assembly passed a resolution opposing uranium mining and uranium ore-processing facilities in the State.
- The resolution was moved by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma.
- The move follows concerns raised by the Khasi Students’ Union and local communities in uranium-bearing areas.
- The major uranium-bearing region mentioned is West Khasi Hills district.
6. Ministry of Rural Development Highlights Community-led Water Security
- The Ministry of Rural Development participated in World Water Week 2026 in Stockholm, Sweden.
- India showcased community-led water security and rural development initiatives.
- The focus was on technology-enabled governance and sustainable natural-resource management.
- The initiatives aim to strengthen climate-resilient and inclusive water management.
Schemes in News
1. Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana Completes 12 Years
- PMJDY was launched on 28 August 2014 to promote financial inclusion.
- It aims to provide access to bank accounts, credit, insurance, pension and remittance facilities.
- The scheme has played a major role in bringing unbanked sections into the formal financial system.
- Its 12-year milestone highlights India’s progress in financial inclusion and digital banking.
2. PMFME Scheme Showcases Micro Food Enterprises
- The PMFME Conclave 2026 was held on 24–25 August 2026 in New Delhi.
- PMFME Bazaar showcased products from micro food enterprises across 25 States and UTs.
- It supported SHGs, FPOs, cooperatives and entrepreneurs through branding and market access.
- MoFPI signed MoUs with APEDA, ONDC and NABKISAN to strengthen market and institutional linkages.
3. Tamil Nadu Announces ‘Annapurnam Super Six’ Scheme
- Tamil Nadu announced three free LPG cylinders for eligible economically disadvantaged families.
- Beneficiaries include families with annual income up to ₹2.5 lakh, small and marginal farmers and transgender families.
- The scheme is expected to benefit around 1.30 crore families.
- The estimated annual cost is around ₹4,000 crore.
4. Tamil Nadu Expands Free Bus Travel for Women and Transgenders
- The Vetri Payanam scheme will expand fare-free bus travel for women and transgenders.
- Free travel will cover express, Limited Stop Service and Deluxe government buses in metropolitan and urban areas.
- The scheme is scheduled to come into force from 2 October 2026.
- The estimated annual expenditure is around ₹6,000 crore.
5. World Water Week 2026 Focuses on Water Security
- World Water Week 2026 is being held from 23–27 August 2026.
- The 2026 theme is “Water for People and Progress.”
- It is organised annually by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI).
- The forum focuses on sustainable, equitable and climate-resilient water management.
PIB in News
1. India-Seychelles Bilateral Meeting Focuses on Fisheries and Blue Economy
- The Department of Fisheries held a high-level bilateral meeting with Seychelles on 25 August 2026.
- Discussions focused on fisheries, aquaculture and the blue economy.
- The meeting aimed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the fisheries sector.
- It also promotes sustainable use of marine resources and coastal ecosystems.
2. SIDBI-RRB Conclave Focuses on MSME Co-Lending
- SIDBI organised a conclave with the Heads of Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) on 25 August 2026.
- The meeting focused on expanding the SIDBI-RRB MSME Co-Lending arrangement.
- The initiative aims to improve credit availability to MSMEs, particularly through the RRB network.
- It strengthens the role of RRBs in supporting rural enterprises and entrepreneurship.
3. PPPAC Approves Private Operation of 11 Airports
- The Public Private Partnership Appraisal Committee (PPPAC) gave in-principle approval for privatisation of 11 airports.
- The airports will be offered in five bundles under the PPP model.
- Estimated private-sector investment is around ₹8,622 crore.
- The concession period will be 50 years, with concessionaires required to retain 60% of AAI employees for up to three years.
4. PMFME Conclave 2026 Promotes Micro Food Processing Enterprises
- MoFPI partnered with APEDA, ONDC and NABKISAN to strengthen institutional support.
- Union Minister Chirag Paswan inaugurated the PMFME Conclave 2026 in New Delhi.
- The PMFME Bazaar showcased traditional and regional food products from 25 States and UTs.
- The event promoted branding, digital commerce, market access and entrepreneurship.
RBI Current Affairs
Economy in News
1. Foreign Direct Investment
Source: The Hindu
Context: India attracted $30.7 billion in gross foreign direct investment during the April–June 2026 quarter — the highest level in at least 15 years. Net FDI rose to its highest since June 2022.
Key Figures to Remember
| Measure | Amount |
|---|---|
| Gross inflows | $30.7 billion |
| Gross outflows | $22.8 billion |
| Net FDI | $7.8 billion |
What is Foreign Direct Investment?
It means investment made by a company or individual from one country into a business or company located in another country, with a lasting interest or significant control. e.g. If a Japanese company invests in an Indian automobile factory and establishes or acquires a stake in the business, that investment is FDI.
Why is FDI important for India?
- Brings foreign capital into India.
- Creates jobs and employment.
- Brings new technology and skills.
- Improves productivity and competitiveness.
- Helps expand manufacturing and infrastructure.
- Can increase India’s exports.
- Supports overall economic growth.
FDI vs FPI
- FDI: Long-term investment in a business, usually involving significant influence/control.
- FPI: Foreign investors mainly buy financial assets such as shares and bonds without seeking management control.
2. Tamil Nadu Announces Major Welfare Expenditure
- Tamil Nadu announced new welfare measures including free LPG cylinders and expanded free bus travel.
- The free LPG scheme is expected to cost around ₹4,000 crore annually.
- The expanded free bus programme is expected to cost nearly ₹6,000 crore annually.
- These measures have implications for state expenditure and welfare-oriented fiscal policy.
Banking and Finance
1. Incremental Cash Reserve Ratio (iCRR)
Source: Business Standard
Context: The RBI may tighten liquidity by imposing an incremental cash reserve ratio (iCRR) — requiring banks to park a larger share of fresh deposits with the central bank — before resorting to a repo rate hike, to make monetary transmission more effective.
What Is Incremental CRR
- CRR is the share of a bank’s Net Demand and Time Liabilities (NDTL) kept with the RBI, earning no interest
- An incremental CRR applies not to the whole deposit base, but only to the increase in deposits over a specified period
- Why the incremental form is used: a full CRR hike hits every bank’s entire deposit base, which is blunt and costly. An iCRR targets only recent deposit growth, draining the new surplus without penalising the existing book
Simple Example
- Suppose a bank had deposits of ₹1,000 crore earlier and now its deposits increase to ₹1,200 crore.
- The incremental deposit = ₹200 crore.
- If RBI imposes an Incremental CRR of 10%, the bank has to keep:
- 10% of ₹200 crore = ₹20 crore
- with the RBI as additional cash reserve.
Why does RBI use Incremental CRR?
- To absorb excess liquidity from the banking system.
- To reduce the amount of money available for banks to lend.
- To control inflationary pressure.
- It can be used as a temporary liquidity-management measure.
Normal CRR vs Incremental CRR
- CRR: Applies to a bank’s overall Net Demand and Time Liabilities (NDTL).
- Incremental CRR: Applies only to the additional/incremental deposits accumulated during a specified period.
2. SEBI’s IT Resilience Index (ITRI)
Source: The Hindu
Context: SEBI introduced the IT Resilience Index (ITRI) — a quantitative technology health scorecard for Market Infrastructure Institutions (MIIs).
What ITRI Is
- A first-of-its-kind quantitative regulatory barometer to evaluate, score and benchmark the technical robustness of critical capital market infrastructure
- It measures cybersecurity posture, fault tolerance and disaster-recovery capability
- The analogy that matters: just as capital adequacy ratios measure financial health in banking, ITRI measures systemic digital resilience in capital markets
Aim: assess whether the core IT backbones running trading, clearing, settlement and depository systems can withstand, absorb and rapidly recover from:
- Operational shocks
- Cyberattacks
- Software glitches
- Extreme transaction-volume surges
— without destabilising the broader financial system.
The Nine-Parameter Architecture with Weights
The parameters are weighted by systemic criticality:
- Availability — 20 per cent
- Cybersecurity — 20 per cent
- Business Continuity — 10 per cent
- Reliability — 10 per cent
- Scalability — 5 per cent
Along with integrity, governance, monitoring, modularity and flexibility.
3. SIDBI-RRB Co-Lending Arrangement to Expand MSME Credit
- SIDBI held a conclave with Regional Rural Banks to expand MSME co-lending.
- The arrangement aims to combine the strengths of SIDBI and RRBs.
- It can improve formal credit access for micro and small enterprises in rural areas.
- The initiative is important for rural entrepreneurship and employment generation.
4. Tata Capital and Resona Bank Partner to Support Japanese Companies
- Tata Capital Limited signed an MoU with Japan’s Resona Bank.
- The partnership will help Japanese companies enter or expand their operations in India.
- Resona Bank will leverage Tata Capital’s Indian network and market expertise.
- The agreement follows Resona Bank’s USD 20 million investment commitment in Tata Capital Growth Fund III.
RBI and NABARD Current Affairs
Social Issue in News
1. UNDP-HUL Partnership to Support 50,000 Safai Mitras
- UNDP India and Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) announced the next phase of their partnership.
- The initiative aims to support 50,000 Safai Mitras by 2028.
- Waste-management systems will be strengthened across 50 cities and Urban Local Bodies.
- The partnership focuses on social inclusion, recycling efficiency and better urban waste management
Misc GA in News
1. India-Vietnam Coast Guard Exercise ‘Sahyog HOP TAC’ Held in Chennai
- The 2nd India-Vietnam Joint Exercise Sahyog HOP TAC was hosted in Chennai.
- The exercise involved the Indian Coast Guard and Vietnam Coast Guard.
- It focused on maritime law enforcement and marine pollution response.
- The first edition of the exercise was held in 2018 in the Bay of Bengal.
2. DRDO Transfers Conventional Missile Technologies to Indian Industry
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approved the transfer of technology for DRDO-developed conventional missile systems.
- Eligible Indian industries can manufacture these systems subject to required qualifications, certifications and approvals.
- The move increases participation of Indian private companies and MSMEs in defence production.
- It supports Aatmanirbhar Bharat and indigenous defence manufacturing.
3. India Strengthens Water Sustainability Partnership with UN GCNI
- WAE Limited partnered with UN Global Compact Network India (UN GCNI).
- The partnership promotes technology-driven water sustainability solutions.
- Focus areas include water scarcity, resource efficiency and sustainable industrial practices.
- It supports SDGs including SDG 9, SDG 12, SDG 13 and SDG 17.
4. India-Seychelles Cooperation Strengthens Blue Economy
- India and Seychelles held bilateral discussions on fisheries, aquaculture and the blue economy.
- The cooperation focuses on sustainable use of marine resources.
- Fisheries is important for livelihoods, food security and coastal economic development.
- The partnership strengthens India’s engagement with Indian Ocean island nations.
Miscellaneous GA
1. Diving Support Vessel ‘Nipun’ to Join Indian Navy
- Nipun is the second indigenously designed and constructed Nistar-class Diving Support Vessel.
- It was indigenously designed and built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Visakhapatnam.
- It supports deep-sea saturation diving, underwater salvage and submarine rescue operations.
- It enhances the Indian Navy’s capability for deep-sea underwater operations.
2. Rare Waterspout Spotted Over Brahmaputra River
- A rare rotating water column resembling a waterspout was observed over the Brahmaputra.
- The phenomenon was reported near Paharpur in Baghbar, Barpeta district, Assam.
- A waterspout is a rotating column of air and condensed water vapour over a water body.
- It generally forms beneath cumulus or cumulonimbus clouds.
3. India to Host 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi
- India will host the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi.
- The summit is scheduled for 12–13 September.
- It will bring together leaders of BRICS member and partner countries.
- Outreach invitees are also expected to participate.
4. GSL Hands Over ICGS Ajit to Indian Coast Guard
- Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) handed over ICGS Ajit to the Indian Coast Guard.
- It is the 7th vessel in a series of eight Fast Patrol Vessels.
- The vessels are being built under the Buy-Indian Designed, Developed and Manufactured (Buy-IDDM) framework.
- The project is part of a ₹473-crore contract awarded to GSL in 2022.
5. CSIR-NAL Develops Indigenous Gas Turbine Engines for UAVs
- CSIR-NAL unveiled three indigenous micro and small gas turbine engines: NJ-05, NJ-50 and NJ-100.
- They have thrust capacities of 5 kg, 50 kg and 100 kg, respectively.
- The engines are designed for defence UAVs and missile systems.
- They use high-RPM turbomachinery and advanced combustion technologies, strengthening India’s indigenous aerospace capability.
