Source: PIB Context: The People’s Plan Campaign (PPC) is an annual initiative launched by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj to strengthen participatory, transparent, and accountable local governance. It seeks to ensure comprehensive planning and effective delivery of development schemes at the Gram Panchayat, Block Panchayat, and District Panchayat levels. The 2025–26 edition was formally launched on 2nd October 2025 across all States and Union Territories under the theme: “Sabki Yojana, Sabka Vikas”. Key Features Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) Multi-Level Planning Objectives of PPC Digital & Monitoring Tools Special Focus Areas
Daily Current Affairs (DCA) 7 October, 2025
Daily Current Affairs Quiz7 October, 2025 National Affairs 1. NCRB Data on Crimes Against Children 2023 Source: TH Context: The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data for 2023 revealed that crimes against children recorded the sharpest increase in Assam, Rajasthan, and Kerala, even as the national average rose by 25%. These trends reflect both policy-driven interventions and improvements in classification and reporting of offences against minors. National Overview State-Wise Highlights State Increase & Key Drivers (2023) Interpretation Assam Cases nearly doubled (~5,100 → 10,000). Surge driven by strict enforcement of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006; child marriage cases rose from ~150/year to 5,267. Reflects state-led crackdown, not necessarily higher incidence. Rajasthan Cases up ~70% (~6,200 → 10,500). Driven by reclassification of offences (Section 376 IPC → POCSO provisions) and rise in child kidnapping/abduction. Rise reflects both better categorisation and a genuine increase in child-related crimes. Kerala Cases up ~106% (~2,800 → 5,900+). Surge linked to POCSO cases and improved reporting. Indicates enhanced law enforcement responsiveness and greater social awareness of child protection laws. 2. Indian Navy Commissions INS Androth Source: News on Air Context: The Indian Navy commissioned INS Androth, the second Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam. The commissioning marks a step forward in strengthening India’s coastal anti-submarine warfare capabilities. Key Highlights: Vessel Details: Capabilities: 3. PM Modi to Inaugurate India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025 Source: PIB Context: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to inaugurate Asia’s Premier Telecom & Tech Event IMC 2025 Theme: “Innovate to Transform”—promoting self-reliance and Atmanirbhar Bharat in telecom and digital technologies. Key Focus Areas: Major Global Summits & Programs: Awards & Recognitions 1. Nobel Prize 2025 Source: TOI Context: The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has been awarded to Mary Brunkow (USA), Fred Ramsdell (USA), and Shimon Sakaguchi (Japan) for their pioneering discoveries on regulatory T cells (Tregs) and the Foxp3 gene, which govern peripheral immune tolerance. Their work has transformed understanding of autoimmune diseases and opened pathways for therapies in cancer, autoimmunity, and transplantation. Key Discoveries Banking/Finance 1. Private Banks Lag Public Banks in Market Capitalisation Source: BS Context: According to S&P Global Market Intelligence, private sector banks in India underperformed their government-owned counterparts in market capitalisation during July–September 2025, primarily due to trade uncertainties and corporate lending exposure. Market Capitalization (MCAP) MCAP stands for Market Capitalization. It is a measure of the total value of a publicly traded company’s outstanding shares in the stock market. Formula: Market Capitalization (MCAP)=Current Share Price × Total Number of Outstanding Share Private Sector Banks Performance: Reason for Underperformance: Public Sector Banks Performance Reason for Outperformance: 2. SEBI Launches Validated UPI Handles to Secure Investor Payments Source: Mint Context: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has introduced @valid UPI handles and the SEBI Check tool to help investors ensure payments are made only to SEBI-registered intermediaries, reducing fraud risk in the securities market. Key Features: Significance: 3. Indian Banks to Overhaul Business Correspondent (BC) Network Source: BS Context: India’s Business Correspondent (BC) network, the world’s largest boots-on-the-ground channel with 2.5 million agents, is set for a significant revamp. The network is critical for delivering banking services to rural and remote areas. Key Developments: Who Are Business Correspondents (BCs)? Business Correspondents (BCs) are retail agents appointed by banks to provide banking and financial services in areas where it is not viable for banks to open a full-fledged branch.They act as representatives of banks and facilitate financial inclusion by delivering basic banking services at the doorstep of customers, especially in rural and remote areas. Functions of Business Correspondents BCs provide a range of services on behalf of banks, including: Regulatory Framework Challenges in the Current BC Model: Potential Reforms: 4. RBI Allows Banks to Fund Corporate Acquisitions Source: BS Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), on 1 October, proposed allowing banks to finance corporate acquisitions. This is a big change, as banks were previously restricted from this area. The move is expected to make capital cheaper and more available for companies and investors. Background Key Provisions in the Proposal Expected Impact on the Market Regulatory Safeguards The RBI is expected to enforce: 5. SEBI Considers Bringing Family Offices Under Regulatory Source: Mint Context: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has started discussions about potentially regulating family offices in India. This comes as family-run conglomerates and billionaires increasingly influence the capital markets through investments in publicly traded securities. What are Family Offices? A family office is a private investment and wealth management entity established by ultra-high-net-worth families to manage their assets, investments, taxation, and philanthropy. Globally, family offices manage trillions of dollars in assets, acting as institutional investors in equity, debt, and alternative asset markets. Proposed Measures Under Discussion: 6. India Launches Foreign Currency Settlement System at GIFT IFSC Source: Mint Context: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the foreign currency settlement system at GIFT City International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) during the Global Fintech Fest 2025. The system aims to enable real-time settlement of foreign currency transactions, improve liquidity management, and ensure regulatory compliance. Key Features 7. Zoho Payments to Launch Physical POS Devices in India Source: BL Context: Zoho Payments, the fintech subsidiary of Chennai-based SaaS major Zoho, is set to expand its offerings by launching physical Point of Sale (POS) devices and sound boxes to enable credit/debit card and QR code-based payments. This move marks a significant step in Zoho’s strategy to deepen its presence in the payments and fintech ecosystem. Fintech (Financial Technology): Definition, Scope & Importance Fintech, short for Financial Technology, refers to the use of technology and innovation to improve, automate, and simplify financial services. It integrates software, data analytics, and digital platforms to make banking, investing, payments, and insurance more efficient and accessible. Examples – UPI, PhonePe, Google Pay, Paytm. In simple terms, fintech makes financial services faster, cheaper, and more user-friendly through digital solutions. Point of Sale (POS) Devices A Point of Sale (POS) device is a machine or system used by merchants to accept payments from
Bandhan Bank Integrates with Bharat Connect for Digital EMI Repayment
Context: Bandhan Bank has partnered with Bharat Connect, the digital payments platform of NPCI Bharat BillPay Ltd. (NBBL), to streamline EMI repayments for its loan customers. This move aims to strengthen the bank’s digital-first approach and promote financial inclusion across India. Key Highlights:
Private Banks Lag Public Banks in Market Capitalisation
Source: BS Context: According to S&P Global Market Intelligence, private sector banks in India underperformed their government-owned counterparts in market capitalisation during July–September 2025, primarily due to trade uncertainties and corporate lending exposure. Market Capitalization (MCAP) MCAP stands for Market Capitalization. It is a measure of the total value of a publicly traded company’s outstanding shares in the stock market. Formula: Market Capitalization (MCAP)=Current Share Price × Total Number of Outstanding Share Private Sector Banks Performance: Reason for Underperformance: Public Sector Banks Performance Reason for Outperformance:
Mission for Atmanirbharta in Pulses
Context: The Union Cabinet approved a ₹ 11,440 crore Mission for Atmanirbharta in Pulses, aimed at boosting domestic pulse production, reducing import reliance, and strengthening India’s food security, nutrition, and environmental sustainability. Pulses are central to the Indian diet, providing protein and micronutrients, but India remains dependent on imports: Challenges in Pulse Production Mission Interventions (2025–26 to 2030–31) Benefits
RBI Slaps Penalties on American Express and HDB Financial Services
Source: ET Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed monetary penalties on American Express Banking Corp and HDB Financial Services Ltd for violating regulatory guidelines. The action was taken after statutory inspections and supervisory evaluations revealed instances of non-compliance. Key Highlights: RBI Norms Involved
Zoho Payments to Launch Physical POS Devices in India
Source: BL Context: Zoho Payments, the fintech subsidiary of Chennai-based SaaS major Zoho, is set to expand its offerings by launching physical Point of Sale (POS) devices and sound boxes to enable credit/debit card and QR code-based payments. This move marks a significant step in Zoho’s strategy to deepen its presence in the payments and fintech ecosystem. Fintech (Financial Technology): Definition, Scope & Importance Fintech, short for Financial Technology, refers to the use of technology and innovation to improve, automate, and simplify financial services. It integrates software, data analytics, and digital platforms to make banking, investing, payments, and insurance more efficient and accessible. Examples – UPI, PhonePe, Google Pay, Paytm. In simple terms, fintech makes financial services faster, cheaper, and more user-friendly through digital solutions. Point of Sale (POS) Devices A Point of Sale (POS) device is a machine or system used by merchants to accept payments from customers at the time of purchase. It serves as the final touchpoint in a sales transaction, allowing payments through credit cards, debit cards, UPI, or mobile wallets instead of cash. Key Features of POS Devices
India Launches Foreign Currency Settlement System at GIFT IFSC
Source: Mint Context: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the foreign currency settlement system at GIFT City International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) during the Global Fintech Fest 2025. The system aims to enable real-time settlement of foreign currency transactions, improve liquidity management, and ensure regulatory compliance. Key Features
SEBI Considers Bringing Family Offices Under Regulatory
Source: Mint Context: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has started discussions about potentially regulating family offices in India. This comes as family-run conglomerates and billionaires increasingly influence the capital markets through investments in publicly traded securities. What are Family Offices? A family office is a private investment and wealth management entity established by ultra-high-net-worth families to manage their assets, investments, taxation, and philanthropy. Globally, family offices manage trillions of dollars in assets, acting as institutional investors in equity, debt, and alternative asset markets. Proposed Measures Under Discussion:
RBI Allows Banks to Fund Corporate Acquisitions
Source: BS Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), on 1 October, proposed allowing banks to finance corporate acquisitions. This is a big change, as banks were previously restricted from this area. The move is expected to make capital cheaper and more available for companies and investors. Background Key Provisions in the Proposal Expected Impact on the Market Regulatory Safeguards The RBI is expected to enforce:
