Source: PIB Event Details: Key Highlights & Initiatives Denmark-India Collaboration: Mastercard Initiatives: Visa Initiatives: Bank of India (BoI) Initiatives: AI & Digital Integration: Other Notable Launches:
ICAR Approves 28 New Wheat and Barley Varieties Ahead of Sowing Season
Source: BL Context: The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has approved 28 new wheat and barley varieties for consideration by the Central Sub-Committee on Crop Standards, Notification & Release of Varieties (CSN&RV), just before the start of the wheat sowing season. Key Highlights: Significance for Farmers:
India’s Mariculture Ambitions and ICAR-CMFRI Initiatives
Source: BL Context: India aims to significantly expand its marine fish production to meet rising seafood demand and address resource depletion challenges. Key Highlights:
Natural Farming Gains Traction in Himachal Pradesh
Source: TH Context: Himachal Pradesh is witnessing a steady transition from chemical-based to natural, sustainable farming. The State’s flagship Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kisan Yojana (PK3Y) and the introduction of Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) for naturally grown crops have encouraged thousands of farmers to adopt chemical-free agricultural practices. About Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kisan Yojana (PK3Y): What is CETARA–NF? CETARA–NF is an online self-assessment tool that allows farmers to evaluate their adherence to natural farming practices. The system is designed to be: What is Natural Farming? Natural farming is a way of growing crops without using chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or genetically modified seeds. Instead, it relies on nature’s own processes to keep the soil healthy and plants strong. Key Principles
HDFC Bank Launches ‘My Business QR’ at GFF 2025
Event: Global Fintech Fest 2025 (GFF 2025)Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra Key Highlights:
SBI Cards & Payment Services: Impact of RBI’s Revised Credit Card Risk Weights
Context: Proposed Changes: Financial & Operational Considerations: Aspect Details / Observations Stock Performance – Up 40% in 2025.- CAGR since IPO (₹755 in March 2020 → ₹921.75) remains below 5%.– Volatility driven partly by high bad debts. Credit Costs – Gross credit cost: 6.7% (Q2 FY24) → 9.6% (Q1 FY26), except Q4 FY25.– Net credit cost: 5.5% → 8.5% sequentially.– Recoveries from past dues remain weak. Preventive Measures – Capping credit limits for existing customers.– Ensuring high quality of new card applicants.– Goal: Reduce delinquencies amid elevated household debt and leverage. Capital Adequacy – CRAR: 20.6% (Q1 FY25) → 23.2% (Q1 FY26).- Well above RBI’s minimum requirement of 15%, indicating capital is not a growth constraint.
RBI Eases Transaction Compliance for EXIM Trade but Calls for Broader Reform
Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recently introduced measures to simplify foreign exchange management and promote the use of the Indian Rupee (INR) in international trade, targeting exporters, importers, and merchant traders. Key Measures: Merchanting Trade Transactions (MTT) and Special Rupee Vostro Accounts (SRVA) updates by RBI (2025): Aspect MTT (Merchanting Trade Transactions) SRVA (Special Rupee Vostro Accounts) Definition International trade where an Indian merchant buys goods from one foreign country and sells to another, without goods entering India physically. Accounts held by foreign partner banks in India in INR, used to settle trade in Indian Rupees. Earlier Rule – Transaction had to be completed within 9 months.– Foreign exchange outlay restricted to 4 months. – Surplus balances could only be invested in government treasury bills or securities. RBI 2025 Update – Foreign exchange outlay extended to 6 months, giving more operational flexibility for merchant traders. – Surplus balances can now also be invested in: • Non-convertible debentures (NCDs) • Corporate bonds • Commercial papers of Indian companies- Must follow existing investment guidelines and limits.
RBI Eases Expansion Norms for Payment Aggregators
Source: BS Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced new guidelines allowing fully licensed payment aggregators (PAs) to expand into new segments, such as cross-border (CB) payments, with significantly streamlined approval processes. Key Changes:
IRDAI Mandates Fraud Risk Management Framework for Insurers
Source: BS Context: The Insurance Regulatory & Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has directed all insurers, reinsurers, and distributing channels to establish a comprehensive fraud risk management framework. This comes in response to rising instances of insurance and cyber frauds. The guidelines are set to take effect from April 1, 2026. Key Requirements for Insurers:
EPFO to Adopt Separate Investment Benchmarks for Its Social Security Schemes
Source: BS Context: The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), which manages the retirement savings of India’s formal workforce, is considering separate benchmarks for its three social security schemes: This comes after a Reserve Bank of India (RBI) suggestion to the Labour and Employment Ministry to review EPFO’s current approach of pooling all three schemes’ corpus (~₹25 trillion) with a common investment strategy, despite differing actuarial liabilities. Current Investment Pattern: Performance is currently assessed by Crisil, benchmarking debt portfolios to bond yields and equity portfolios to indices like BSE Sensex and Nifty 50. Proposed Changes: Benefits: Additional Initiative – Doorstep Delivery of Digital Life Certificates (DLCs):
