Daily Current Affairs Quiz11 & 12 October, 2025 National Affairs 1. India Upgrades Kabul Mission to Embassy Status Source: TH Context: India has announced the upgradation of its “technical mission” in Kabul to a full-fledged Embassy of India, signaling a significant step in diplomatic engagement with Afghanistan under the Taliban regime. Key Highlights: Background: 2. India–U.K. Bilateral Maritime Exercise KONKAN 2025 Source: PIB Context: The Indian Navy and the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom commenced the bilateral maritime Exercise KONKAN 25 on 5 October 2025 off the western coast of India. Over the past two decades, this exercise has evolved in scale and complexity, enhancing interoperability and mutual understanding between the two navies. Key Highlights: 3. Demographic Mission 2025 Source: TH Context: In his Independence Day 2025 address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the launch of a high-powered Demographic Mission, aimed at countering illegal infiltration and addressing India’s emerging demographic challenges. About the Demographic Mission The Demographic Mission is a proposed national initiative to monitor, manage, and analyse India’s demographic transformations — including fertility, mortality, migration, and population distribution — to ensure balanced growth, national security, and sustainable development. Objectives Key Features 4. CCRAS Launches SPARK–4.0 Context: The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), under the Ministry of Ayush, has launched SPARK–4.0 (2025–26), the fourth edition of its flagship program aimed at encouraging research orientation among BAMS undergraduates. About SPARK–4.0 Key Features Significance Banking/Finance 1. Microfinance Loan Defaults Surge in FY 2024-25: Sa-Dhan Report Source: TH Context: According to the 2025 Bharat Microfinance Report by Sa-Dhan, a self-regulatory organization for microfinance institutions (MFIs), loan delinquencies in the microfinance sector rose sharply in FY 2024-25, indicating growing financial stress among small borrowers. Key Findings: Significance: 2. RBI Suggests Overhaul of EPFO’s Investment and Accounting Framework Source: BS Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has advised the Central Government to introduce reforms in the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) to strengthen its investment management, accounting systems, and governance structure. The recommendations come as the EPFO continues to declare annual interest rates significantly higher than prevailing government bond yields, creating long-term sustainability risks. Background: RBI’s Recommendations: 3. RBI Consolidates 9,000 Regulatory Circulars into 238 Master Circulars Source: BS Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced a major consolidation of its regulatory framework, streamlining thousands of circulars into a simplified structure to enhance clarity, accessibility, and compliance ease for regulated entities. Key Highlights: 4. IRDAI Issues New Guidelines Mandating Board-Approved Anti-Fraud Policy for Insurers Source: BL Context: The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has introduced the Insurance Fraud Monitoring Framework Guidelines, 2025, requiring all insurers to adopt a board-approved Anti-Fraud Policy to strengthen fraud prevention and risk management practices across the insurance sector. Key Highlights: 5. NPCI and PayPal Partner to Integrate UPI with Global PayPal World Platform Source: BS Context: The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and PayPal announced a major global partnership to integrate India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) with PayPal World, a new interoperable platform connecting payment systems and digital wallets across countries. The announcement was made at the Global Fintech Fest 2025 in Mumbai. Key Highlights: 6. RBI Advisories and Public Communication (“RBI Kehta Hai”) Source: BL Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) often issues advisories to citizens, banks, and financial institutions to promote financial awareness, safety, and compliance. Recently, it emphasized the importance of following only verified communication channels, such as WhatsApp and official websites, to prevent misinformation and fraud. Key Points from RBI’s Communication Agriculture 1. Prime Minister Launches PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana & Dalhan Atmanirbharata Mission Source: PIB Date: 11 October 2025Location: Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New DelhiTotal Outlay: ₹35,440 crore Schemes Launched a) PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (₹24,000 crore) b) Dalhan Atmanirbharata Mission / Pulse Self-Reliance Mission (₹11,440 crore) Key Highlights from PM’s Address 2. Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY) 2025 Context: On October 12, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY), a landmark scheme targeting 100 low-performing districts to modernize farming, enhance productivity, and double farmers’ income by 2030. About PMDDKY A comprehensive agricultural mission under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, aimed at technology integration, irrigation expansion, credit facilitation, and market reforms to make Indian agriculture climate-resilient, technology-driven, and sustainable. Objectives Eligibility Key Features Facts To Remember 1. Ceasefire takes effect as Israel forces pull back to agreed area A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into effect in Gaza, the Israeli military said, hours after Israel’s Cabinet approved a deal to pause the fighting and exchange the remaining hostages for Palestinian prisoners. 2. ‘Kitchen Mogul’ Jagannathan of TTK Prestige passes away at 77 T. T. Jagannathan, chairman emeritus, T. T. K. Prestige, passed away in Bengaluru. He was 77. 3. Venezuela’s María Machado wins Nobel Peace Prize Venezuelan Opposition leader María Corina Machado won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for her struggle to achieve a democratic transition in the South American nation, winning recognition as a woman “who keeps the flame of democracy burning amid a growing darkness”. 4. RBI appoints Sonali Sen Gupta as Executive Director The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has appointed Sonali Sen Gupta as Executive Director (ED) with effect from October 09, 2025.

Daily Current Affairs Quiz10 October, 2025 National Affairs 1. India Launches National Red List Assessment for Flora and Fauna Source: BS Context: India has initiated a landmark National Red List Assessment of Indian Flora and Fauna, aimed at evaluating the extinction risk of nearly 11,000 species of plants and animals by 2030. This first-of-its-kind national exercise will provide a comprehensive picture of species vulnerability and guide evidence-based conservation planning. Key Highlights 2. India to Host 8th International Solar Alliance (ISA) Assembly Source: News on Air Context: India will host the 8th ISA Assembly from October 27–30, 2025, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The event will bring together governments, industry players, and financial institutions to accelerate global solar energy deployment. About International Solar Alliance (ISA) Membership Key Aims Functions and Initiatives 3. AMRAAM Missile Source: ET Context: The United States has included Pakistan in a modified arms contract with Raytheon Technologies to supply AIM-120 AMRAAM (Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles). About AIM-120 AMRAAM 4. Gharial Classified as “Critically Depleted” in IUCN’s First Green Status Report Source: TOI Context: The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), in its first-ever “Green Status” assessment, has classified the gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) as “Critically Depleted”, highlighting that the species’ survival depends on restoring free-flowing river habitats and supporting wild breeding in South Asia, particularly India. Key Highlights: Awards & Recognitions 1. Hungarian Writer László Krasznahorkai Wins 2025 Nobel Prize in Literature Source: IE Context: The 2025 Nobel Prize in Literature has been awarded to Hungarian novelist László Krasznahorkai, recognised for his “compelling and visionary oeuvre that, in the midst of apocalyptic terror, reaffirms the power of art.” The Nobel Committee praised his philosophical depth, artistic courage, and unique narrative style, which often unfolds in long, uninterrupted sentences. About the Laureate About the Nobel Prize Banking/Finance 1. Razorpay, NPCI, and OpenAI Partner to Launch Agentic Payments on ChatGPT Source: BS Context: In a pioneering move blending AI and digital payments, Razorpay, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), and OpenAI have jointly launched Agentic Payments — a feature that enables UPI-powered shopping and payments directly within ChatGPT. The initiative marks a first-of-its-kind integration of conversational AI and India’s UPI ecosystem, bringing AI-driven commerce into mainstream digital payments. Key Highlights: 2. RBI Governor Urges Fintechs to Drive Inclusive Growth Using India’s Digital Public Infrastructure Source: TOI Context: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Sanjay Malhotra urged India’s fintech ecosystem to leverage the country’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) to deliver responsible innovation, promote inclusion, and strengthen India’s journey toward becoming a developed nation by 2047. Key Highlights: Theme Key Points (Simplified) Responsible & Inclusive Innovation – Fintechs should make easy-to-use services, especially for seniors and people not familiar with digital tech.– Earn profits by reaching new users, not just richer or already-served people.– India has around 10,000 fintech companies innovating in payments, loans, and financial inclusion. Extending Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Success – Use the success of UPI (Unified Payments Interface) and AePS (Aadhaar Enabled Payment System) to provide loans to small businesses and individuals.– DPI has three layers: Identity (Aadhaar), Payments (UPI, AePS), Data (Account Aggregators). RBI-Led Digital Infrastructure – UMI (Unified Market Interface): Helps trade financial assets digitally and settle with CBDC (Central Bank Digital Currency).– ULI (Unified Lending Interface): Helps lenders use data to give loans to underserved people. Account Aggregator (AA) Framework – Lets users share financial data safely with permission.– 160 million accounts connected, 3.66 billion data requests processed.– Helps create credit history for people without formal loans.– RBI encourages all AA players to integrate more data and work together. Synergy of UMI, ULI, AA – Using these together, 3.2 million loans worth ₹1.7 trillion were given by 58 lenders.– Improves loans, money transfers, and trust in digital finance. NPCI Digital Payment Innovations – AI-based UPI HELP: Chatbot-like help for payments and complaints.– IoT Payments: Pay using smart devices (cars, TVs, watches).– Banking Connect: Easy onboarding and payment settlement for merchants.– UPI Reserve Pay: Block part of credit for recurring payments across apps. 3. SEBI Reviewing Stock Lending and Borrowing Mechanism (SLBM) Source: FE Context: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is reviewing the Stock Lending and Borrowing Mechanism (SLBM) to make it more functional and increase market participation. Despite being allowed, short-selling through SLBM remains minimal in India. Stock Lending and Borrowing Mechanism (SLBM) The Stock Lending and Borrowing Mechanism (SLBM) is a framework in the Indian stock market that allows investors to temporarily lend or borrow securities. It is mainly used to facilitate short selling, hedging, or market-making. How It Works Purpose & Benefits 4. RBI Lifts Ceiling on Loans Against Corporate Debt Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has removed restrictions on lending against listed corporate debt securities to deepen the corporate bond market, improve liquidity, and facilitate credit access for investors without forcing them to sell holdings. Key Highlights: 5. HSBC India Launches ‘HSBC Innovation Banking’ Platform Source: BL Context: On October 9, 2025, HSBC India launched the “HSBC Innovation Banking” platform in Mumbai to support startups and the growing technology and venture ecosystem in India. Objective: Provide non-dilutive debt funding to startups across all stages, from seed funding to IPO preparation. HSBC in India Full Name: The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation LimitedEstablished in India: 1853, as Mercantile Bank of India, London and ChinaAcquired by HSBC: 1959Headquarters: Mumbai, MaharashtraCEO (as of 2021): Hitendra Dave Significance Agriculture 1. e-NAM Platform Expanded with 09 New Commodities Source: PIB Context: The Government of India has expanded the National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) by adding 9 new commodities, increasing the total tradable items to 247. About e-NAM Functions Recent Addition 9 new commodities added: Impact: Facts To Remember 1. PM pitches India’s fintech start-ups to Global South Prime Minister Narendra Modi pitched India as a fintech hub for the Global South to “enhance digital cooperation and partnership across the world,” at an event where he shared the stage with Prime Minister of U.K. Keir Starmer, at Mumbai. 2. Champion jockey