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
Reports / Articles in News
1. WMO State of Global Water Resources 2025
Source: WMO
Context
The World Meteorological Organization’s State of Global Water Resources 2025 report warned of persistent groundwater depletion in India, particularly in north-western regions.
What the Report Is
- An annual global assessment by the WMO tracking the state, availability and variability of freshwater resources
- Expanded over five years from 3 to 15 hydrological variables — covering groundwater, river discharge, terrestrial water storage, glaciers, soil moisture and other water cycle components
Key Findings
- Groundwater stress — in 2025, 34 per cent of monitored groundwater stations recorded below to much-below-normal levels, up from 25 per cent in 2024
- India’s persistent depletion — parts of India saw persistent groundwater deficits during 2022–2025, with over-abstraction an important driver
- Declining freshwater storage — global terrestrial water storage has declined persistently since 2014–16; in 2025, below-normal storage persisted in several regions including northern India
- Drying rivers — about 36 per cent of global catchment area was drier than normal, making 2025 one of the driest years for global river discharge in 35 years
- Accelerating glacier loss — glaciers lost 408 ±132 Gt of mass in 2025, equivalent to about 1.1 ±0.4 mm of sea-level rise; the fourth consecutive year in which every major glaciated region recorded net ice loss
Important Facts for Exams
- WMO — World Meteorological Organization, a UN specialised agency, headquartered at Geneva, founded 1950
- 34 per cent of groundwater stations below normal in 2025, up from 25 per cent
- Terrestrial water storage declining since 2014–16
- 36 per cent of global catchment drier than normal; one of the driest years in 35 years
- Terrestrial water storage — all water on and below the land surface; measured by satellite gravimetry such as GRACE
- India is the world’s largest user of groundwater — more than the US and China combined
- Groundwater supports about 60 per cent of irrigation and 85 per cent of rural drinking water in India
- The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) assesses groundwater; categories are Safe, Semi-critical, Critical and Over-exploited
- Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Delhi have the most over-exploited blocks
Agriculture Current Affairs in News
1. APEDA Signs MoU with InD Events Dubai to Strengthen Global Food Trade
- APEDA signed an MoU with InD Events Dubai, organiser of Gulfood, to expand global market opportunities for Indian agricultural and processed food exporters.
- India will be the Official Partner Country at Gulfood 2027 for the second consecutive year.
- The partnership will support MSMEs, FPOs, startups, and women- and SC/ST-led exporters through better buyer linkages and market access.
- APEDA was established in 1986 under the APEDA Act, 1985, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
2. MP Launches Swamitva Adhikar Abhilekh Nispadan Evam Panjiyan Yojana 2026
- Madhya Pradesh launched the scheme to provide free registration of around 50 lakh rural properties across all 55 districts.
- It aims to provide rural households with legal ownership documents and strengthen land-record formalisation.
- Registration will be carried out through door-to-door visits, village camps and panchayat-level camps.
- The scheme provides registration without stamp duty or registration charges
RBI Current Affairs
Banking and Finance
1. FCRA and the 2026 Amendment Bill
Source: PIB
Context
The proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 has raised concerns over tighter regulation of NGOs and provisions on assets created from foreign contributions when FCRA registration ceases.
What FCRA Is
- Regulates acceptance and utilisation of foreign contributions and foreign hospitality by individuals, associations and organisations, including NGOs
- Administered by the Ministry of Home Affairs
- Objective: ensure foreign funds do not adversely affect India’s sovereignty, security, public interest or democratic processes
Core Provisions of the 2026 Bill
- Asset vesting — if an NGO’s registration is cancelled, surrendered or lapses, all unutilised foreign contributions and assets created from foreign funds provisionally vest in a government-appointed Designated Authority
- Permanent confiscation — if registration is not restored within a prescribed window, assets permanently vest with the Authority, which may transfer them to public departments or auction them, crediting proceeds to the Consolidated Fund of India
- Judicial recourse — provision for revision, and appeal before a District Judge within 90 days
- Deemed cessation — automatic cessation of registration if renewal is denied, not submitted or unresolved before expiry
- Rationalised penalties — maximum prison term for specific compliance violations reduced from five years to one year
Important Timeline
| Year | Development |
|---|---|
| 1976 | First FCRA enacted |
| 2010 | FCRA 2010 replaced the 1976 Act |
| 2011 | FCRA Rules notified |
| 2020 | Major amendments; 20% administrative-expense ceiling and designated SBI account |
| 2022 | Foreign contribution from relatives abroad limit increased from ₹1 lakh to ₹10 lakh per year |
| 2026 | FCRA Amendment Bill introduced; new FCRA Rules notified |
2. novio and Indian Overseas Bank Launch Co-Branded RuPay Credit Card
- novio, operated by Credilio Financial Technologies, partnered with Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) to launch a co-branded RuPay credit card.
- The card is available in RuPay Select and RuPay Platinum variants.
- An FD-backed credit facility helps people with limited or no formal credit history access credit and build their credit profile.
- The card can be linked with UPI for credit-based payments.
RBI and NABARD Current Affairs
1. SLINEX-26
Source: PIB
Context
The 13th edition of the annual bilateral maritime exercise between the Indian Navy and the Sri Lanka Navy, SLINEX-26, is under way at Visakhapatnam.
What It Is
- The 13th edition of the flagship annual bilateral naval exercise between India and Sri Lanka
- Tests coordinated naval manoeuvres, tactical communications and maritime interdiction
Host
- Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
- Under the operational command of the Eastern Naval Command (ENC)
Important Facts for Exams
- SLINEX-26 — 13th edition; India–Sri Lanka bilateral naval exercise
- Held at Visakhapatnam, under the Eastern Naval Command
- First held in 2005
- SAGAR — Security and Growth for All in the Region, announced 2015 in Mauritius
- MAHASAGAR — Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions, announced 2025 in Mauritius, extending SAGAR
- Other India–Sri Lanka exercises: Mitra Shakti (army), and the trilateral Dosti (coast guards, with the Maldives)
2. The Houthis
Source: Indian Express
Context
The Yemeni armed group Houthis (Ansar Allah) made aggressive advances along Yemen’s Red Sea coast, capturing Mayun (Perim) Island in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the port of Mokha.
Who They Are
- An armed political and military movement from the Zaidi Shia minority of northern Yemen
- Officially titled Ansar Allah — “Supporters of God”
- A de facto governing authority over Sanaa and much of north-western Yemen
- A pivotal non-state combatant within Iran’s regional “Axis of Resistance”
Aim
- Challenge Western, American and Israeli influence in West Asia
- Secure control over Yemen and counter Saudi influence
Important Facts for Exams
- Bab el-Mandeb — “Gate of Tears”; connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, between Yemen and Djibouti/Eritrea
- Perim Island sits in the middle of the strait, dividing it into two channels
- About 12 per cent of global trade passes through the Red Sea–Suez route
- Detour via the Cape of Good Hope adds roughly 10–14 days to Asia–Europe voyages
- India’s exposure: most India–Europe trade and the planned IMEC corridor depend on this route; the Indian Navy has deployed ships under Operation Sankalp in the region
- Mokha — the historic port that gave its name to mocha coffee
3. Ukraine
Source: Times of India
Context
Ukraine launched its largest-ever overnight drone offensive against Russia, deploying over 1,000 long-range UAVs and domestic cruise missiles.
What It Is
- A sovereign country in Eastern Europe, a unitary multiparty republic
- The second-largest country by land area in Europe entirely on the continent, after Russia
- Capital: Kyiv, in north-central Ukraine, on the Dnieper River
Bordering Nations
- Belarus, Russia, Moldova, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia and Poland
Important Facts for Exams
- Capital Kyiv, on the Dnieper
- Borders seven countries: Belarus, Russia, Moldova, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland
- Coastlines on the Black Sea and Sea of Azov
- Highest peak: Mount Hoverla (2,061 m), in the Carpathians
- Chernozem — the famously fertile black soil, making Ukraine the “breadbasket of Europe”
- A major exporter of wheat, maize and sunflower oil — India has been a large importer of Ukrainian sunflower oil
- The Russia-Ukraine war began in February 2022
- Chernobyl — the 1986 nuclear disaster site, in northern Ukraine near the Belarus border
Economy in News
1. Indo-Russia Innopraktika Technology Hub Signs Four Strategic Agreements
- The Indo-Russia Innopraktika Technology Hub (IRITH) signed four agreements at INNOPROM India 2026 in New Delhi.
- The agreements cover AI, cybersecurity, healthcare technology, electronics and investment.
- An India–Russia Centre of Excellence in AI and Cybersecurity will be established with the Government of Nizhny Novgorod Region and RUSSOFT.
- The agreements also promote cross-border investment, joint ventures and technology cooperation between India and Russia.
2. IIIT-Bangalore and Taipei Computer Association Sign LOI
- IIIT-Bangalore and Taipei Computer Association (TCA) signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) at Electronica India 2026.
- Cooperation will cover AI, electronics, smart manufacturing, smart cities and cybersecurity.
- The partnership combines Taiwan’s semiconductor and hardware expertise with Karnataka’s strengths in software, research and innovation.
- The LOI may form the basis for a future MoU covering ICT, digital economy, science, technology and innovation.
3. India–Bhutan Strengthen Bilateral Cooperation During Jaishankar’s Visit
- External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visited Bhutan from 16–18 September 2026 to review bilateral cooperation.
- India and Bhutan reviewed cooperation in energy, connectivity, healthcare, agriculture, education and clean mobility.
- Progress was reviewed on the Punatsangchhu-II (1,020 MW) and Punatsangchhu-I (1,200 MW) hydropower projects.
- India extended a ₹4,000 crore concessional Line of Credit to Bhutan for energy-sector projects.
Social Issue in News
1. India–Russia Healthcare Technology Cooperation
- SberMedAI and the Indo-Russia technology hub will collaborate on AI and IT applications in healthcare.
- Areas include medical diagnostics and clinical decision-support systems.
- The agreement is aimed at promoting technology cooperation in the healthcare sector.
Misc GA in News
1. Marathi Film ‘Gondhal’ Selected as India’s Official Entry for Oscars 2027
- Marathi film ‘Gondhal’, directed by Santosh Davakhar, was selected from 33 entries as India’s official submission for the Best International Feature Film category.
- It is a psychological and cultural thriller set in rural Maharashtra.
- Davakhar won the Silver Peacock for Best Director at IFFI 2025.
- ‘Gondhal’ is the fourth Marathi film selected as India’s official Oscar entry, after Shwaas, Harishchandrachi Factory and Court.
2. HAL Hands Over Tejas Trainers, HTT-40 Aircraft and Dhruv NG Helicopters
- HAL handed over 2 LCA Tejas FOC twin-seater trainers and 3 HTT-40 basic trainer aircraft to the IAF.
- It also handed over 4 Dhruv NG helicopters to Pawan Hans Limited.
- The HTT-40 delivery marks the beginning of deliveries under the contract for 70 aircraft.
- Dhruv NG is an indigenously produced civil helicopter designed to meet AS-4 airworthiness requirements.
3. India Tests Indigenous Long-Range OWA Drone ‘KAL’
- IG Defence successfully tested the indigenous KAL One-Way Attack (OWA) drone at the Pokhran Field Firing Range in Rajasthan.
- It has a reported range of up to 1,000 km, endurance of 7–8 hours and payload capacity of 50 kg.
- It uses GNSS and INS-based navigation for autonomous and long-endurance operations.
- The system is part of IG Defence’s GRID STRIKE portfolio.
4. New Tiger Cat Species ‘Leopardus tilcayo’ Identified in Bolivia
- Scientists identified Leopardus tilcayo, a new tiger cat species from Bolivia’s Yungas cloud forest.
- The discovery was based mainly on genetic research.
- The species is about 46 cm in body length and weighs around 1.4 kg.
- Genetic evidence suggests that its lineage separated from related tiger cats around 1.4 million years ago.
5. India to Host Asian Senior Wushu Championships for First Time in 2028
- India will host the 11th Asian Senior Wushu Championships in 2028.
- The decision was approved at the Wushu Federation of Asia Congress in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
- Around 500 athletes from 42 Asian countries are expected to participate.
- Bhupender Singh Bajwa was nominated to the Executive Committee of the Wushu Federation of Asia.
6. World Bamboo Day 2026 – 18 September
- World Bamboo Day is observed every year on 18 September to highlight bamboo’s environmental, cultural and economic importance.
- It was established in 2009 during the 8th World Bamboo Congress in Bangkok.
- The initiative was associated with Kamesh Salam of Assam, former President of the World Bamboo Organisation.
- 2026 marks the 18th observance.
7. World Water Monitoring Day 2026 – 18 September
- World Water Monitoring Day promotes awareness of water quality and public participation in monitoring water resources.
- It was established in 2003 by the American Clean Water Foundation.
- It was initially observed on 18 October and shifted to 18 September in 2007.
- The programme later evolved into the EarthEcho Water Challenge.
PIB in News
1. India–Russia Centre of Excellence in AI and Cybersecurity
- The proposed India–Russia CoE will be hosted by Gorky Tech.
- It will focus on AI governance, risk assessment, validation and an AI sandbox.
- The initiative involves the Government of Nizhny Novgorod Region and RUSSOFT.
- It is aimed at strengthening technology collaboration and supporting MSMEs.
