Daily Current Affairs Quiz11 December, 2025 International Affairs 1. UNESCO Safeguards Pakistan’s Boreendo Source: HT Context: A clay flute tradition from Pakistan’s Sindh region – with echoes stretching back to the Indus Valley and faint parallels in Gujarat – became the early focal point of the 20th session of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage. Boreendo at a Glance National Affairs 1. India and Brunei Launch First Defence Joint Working Group Source: TH Context: India and Brunei Darussalam held the inaugural meeting of the Joint Working Group (JWG) on Defence Cooperation in New Delhi on 9 December 2025. This marks a milestone in bilateral defence relations, providing a structured platform to coordinate and deepen security and defence ties. Areas of Cooperation Strategic Importance 2. Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE) 2026 Source: PIB Context: The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has released the draft questionnaire for the Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE) 2026. The survey aims to capture critical data on the health and dynamics of unincorporated, non-agricultural enterprises across India. Key Features of ASUSE Objectives of ASUSE 2026 3. India Launches First Indigenous Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vessel in Varanasi Source: TH Context: On 11 December 2025, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated India’s first fully indigenous hydrogen fuel-cell vessel at Namo Ghat, Varanasi. The vessel is a pilot project by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) aimed at promoting clean energy in inland water transport and advancing India’s net-zero emission goals. Key Features: 4. CITES Marks 50 Years at CoP20 in Samarkand About CITES CoP20(Samarkand, Uzbekistan, 2025) Major Outcomes 5. ISRO to Launch US Commercial Satellite BlueBird-6 Source: TOI Context: In a major boost to Indo-US space collaboration, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to launch its heaviest American commercial satellite, BlueBird-6, on December 15, 2025, from the Sriharikota spaceport. The launch vehicle LVM3 (Bahubali) will place the 6.5-tonne satellite into low-Earth orbit (LEO). Key Highlights About BlueBird-6 Banking/Finance 1. ADB Raises India’s FY26 Growth Forecast to 7.2% Source: TOI Context: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) raised India’s GDP growth forecast for FY26 to 7.2%, up 70 basis points from its earlier estimate of 6.5%, citing strong domestic consumption supported by recent tax cuts. The growth projection for FY27 remains unchanged at 6.5%. Key Highlights: FY26 Growth Forecast Comparisons Institution Earlier Forecast (%) Revised Forecast (%) ADB 6.5 7.2 Fitch 6.9 7.4 Crisil 6.5 7.0 SBI Research 6.3 7.6 CareEdge 6.9 7.5 IDFC Bank 6.8 7.6 Kotak Mahindra 6.5 7.8 2. RBI Talks to Banks on Uniform Fee Disclosure and Removal of Overlaps Source: ET Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has initiated discussions with authorised banks to ensure uniform disclosure of fees and to address overlaps in retail foreign exchange (forex) services. This move aims to enhance transparency for retail users in transactions involving forex cash, tom (next-day settlement) and spot contracts. Key Highlights: Previous Norms Proposed Measures 3. PFRDA Expands Investment Universe for Pension Funds Source: BS Context: The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has revised investment norms for private pension funds, allowing broader diversification to optimize returns. The changes came into effect immediately with the circular issued on December 10, 2025. Previous Norms Key Changes Implications 4. RBI Likely to Maintain Repo Rate at 5.25% Through FY27: Fitch Source: ET Context: The Reserve Bank of India is expected to keep its policy repo rate unchanged at 5.25% through the next fiscal year after a 25-basis-point cut earlier this month, according to BMI, part of Fitch Solutions. Key Highlights: Economic Rationale Risks and Considerations 5. SEBI Plans Consolidated Financial Asset Statement Source: Mint Context: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is exploring the creation of a consolidated statement of all financial assets of an individual, in collaboration with other financial sector regulators. The move is aimed at simplifying access to investment information and empowering households with a holistic view of their financial holdings. Key Highlights: 6. SEBI Eases Re-KYC Process for NRIs Source: Mint Context: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has relaxed the re-KYC process for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), making it easier for them to update their KYC details without being physically present in India. Key Highlights: 7. RBI Urges MFIs to Diversify Asset Classes for Stability Source: ET Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has called on microfinance institutions (MFIs) to expand their lending beyond the traditional joint liability group (JLG) model, in order to strengthen financial stability and enhance contribution to the economy. This was highlighted at a seminar in Kolkata organized by the Association of Microfinance Institutions (AMFI)-West Bengal, where senior RBI officials and industry experts discussed the future of MFI lending. Key Recommendations 8. RBI Proposes Full Disclosure of Forex Transaction Costs for Retail Users Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued a draft circular requiring banks and authorised dealers to provide complete disclosure of all fees and charges for retail foreign exchange (forex) transactions. The objective is to improve transparency and enable informed decision-making by individual customers. Scope Current Scenario Proposed Change 9. Banks Increase Borrowing via Certificates of Deposit Source: BS Context: Indian banks have stepped up borrowing through certificates of deposit (CDs) as deposit growth lags behind rising credit demand. In the fortnight ended November 28, 2025, banks raised nearly ₹ 78,000 crore via CDs, reflecting tight liquidity conditions in the banking system. This trend is expected to continue as credit growth accelerates while deposit accretion remains slow. Certificates of Deposit (CDs) Drivers of CD Borrowing Agriculture 1. Green Revolution 2.0: Climate Action in India’s Food Sector Source: Mint Context: India’s food sector is a major economic contributor, employing millions and encompassing food processing, agriculture, cold chains, and retail. Globally, food systems contribute about one-third of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, driven by land use, fertilizers, livestock, and transport. As India scales its food sector, integrating climate action into supply chains is increasingly critical for both economic resilience and environmental sustainability. Key Challenges