Daily Current Affairs Quiz20 September, 2025 International Affairs 1. H-1B Visas Source: TH Context: US President Donald Trump signed a proclamation imposing a $100,000 fee on each H-1B visa sponsorship, significantly raising the cost for US firms hiring foreign skilled workers. Key Highlights: Implications for India About H-1B Visa India & H-1B National Affairs 1. India Re-elected to UPU Councils at 28th Congress Source: News on Air Context: India has been re-elected to the Council of Administration and the Postal Operations Council (POC) of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) during the 28th UPU Congress held in Dubai. About Universal Postal Union (UPU) Aim & Objectives Governance Structure Body Role Congress Supreme authority; meets every 4 years; sets strategy & policies Council of Administration (CA) Policy, regulatory, legal, and administrative issues between Congress sessions Postal Operations Council (POC) Technical & operational body (48 elected members); drives postal service modernization International Bureau Secretariat; provides logistical and technical support Key Functions of UPU 2. Indian Navy Inducts ‘Androth’ Anti-Submarine Warfare Ship Context: Indian Navy inducted ‘Androth’, the second Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC). About Androth ASW Ship Key Features Feature Details Length ~77 metres; among largest Indian naval warships with diesel engine–waterjet propulsion Weapon Systems Indigenous lightweight torpedoes, anti-submarine rockets Indigenous Content >80% of components made in India Maneuverability Optimized for littoral and shallow coastal waters Surveillance Equipped with advanced sonar and sensors for submarine detection 3. INSPIRE Awards 2025 Context: National Innovation Rankings under INSPIRE Award-MANAK (Million Minds Augmenting National Aspiration and Knowledge) 2025. About INSPIRE Award-MANAK National Innovation Rankings 2025: Top Performers Rank District State Ideas Submitted 1 Muzaffarpur Bihar 7,403 2 Bengaluru Urban Karnataka 7,306 3 Bagalkot Karnataka 6,826 6 Jaipur Rajasthan 6,311 6 Vaishali Bihar 6,182 6 Lucknow UP 6,182 7 Hardoi Uttarakhand 5,544 8 Allahabad UP 5,380 9 Pratapgarh UP 5,380 10 Unnao UP 5,051 4. Japan’s R&I Upgrades India’s Sovereign Credit Rating to BBB+ Source: News on Air Context: India’s Sovereign Rating has been upgraded to BBB plus rating by a Japanese credit rating agency namely ‘Rating and Investment Information (R&I)’. BBB plus rating indicates stability. Key Highlights: Banking/Finance 1. SEBI and RBI Push for Corporate Bond Index Derivatives Source: ET Context: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) are in discussions to introduce corporate bond index derivatives, aiming to enhance trading activity in corporate debt securities. Key Highlights: SEBI cleared the way for Cash-Settled Corporate Bond Index Futures (CBIF) in January 2023 for corporate debt securities rated AA+ and above. Talks with RBI aim to reinvigorate this initiative. Cash-Settled Corporate Bond Index Futures (CBIF) Eligibility Criteria: Purpose & Significance: Regulatory Context: 2. PFRDA in Talks with SEBI to Allow Pension Funds in Commodity Derivatives Source: BS Context: The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) is in discussions with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to allow pension funds to participate in select commodity derivatives. Key Highlights: Significance: 3. PFRDA Introduces Multiple Scheme Framework for NPS Source: BS Context: Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) announced a Multiple Scheme Framework (MSF) for non-government NPS subscribers. Key Features of MSF About PFRDA 4. RBI Authorizes DBS Bank India as Agency Bank Context: DBS Bank India became the first wholly owned subsidiary of a foreign bank in India to be authorized by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) as an agency bank. Purpose: Collect Goods and Services Tax (GST) payments on behalf of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) under the Ministry of Finance (MoF). Key Features of Authorization What is an Agency Bank? Key Functions of Agency Banks Why Agency Banks Exist? 5. SEBI Reintroduces B-30 Incentives and Caps Mutual Fund Exit Load Context: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has revised the mutual fund (MF) distribution incentive structure to boost financial inclusion in smaller cities and among women investors. The regulator has also capped the maximum exit load on MF schemes at 3 per cent. Key Highlights: Reintroduction of B-30 Incentives Incentives for Women Investors Background Reduction in Exit Load Agriculture 1. BASAI Seeks Clarity on GST for Biostimulants Source: BL Context: The Biological Agri Solutions Association of India (BASAI) has urged the government to clarify GST applicability on biostimulants, which are vital for sustainable agriculture and climate resilience. What Are Biostimulants? Key Issues Highlighted by BASAI Significance Facts To Remember 1. Zeel downs Shruti in the final Top seed Zeel Desai recovered from being down 2-4 in the decider to beat first-time finalist Shruti Ahlawat 2-6, 6-1, 6-4 in the $15,000 ITF women’s tennis tournament at the Tennis Project, Baliawas. 2. Indian Railways Launches Scheduled Commodity-Specific Cargo Services in North Indian Railways has enhanced in freight logistics by launching scheduled, commodity-specific, time-tabled cargo services, connecting key production and consumption centres across the northern region.  3. Over 2.83 Lakh Health Camps Held Across India Under Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has said over 2.83 lakh health camps have been organized across the country under the Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan till 20th of this month. Launched on September 17th. 4. Union minester Piyush Goyal Unveils Guidebook on HSN Code Mapping in New Delhi Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal today unveiled the Guidebook on Mapping of Harmonised System of Nomenclature (HSN) Codes in New Delhi.  5. PM Modi to Inaugurate Upgraded Mata Tripura Sundari Temple Complex on 22 Sep In Tripura, preparations are complete for the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is scheduled to inaugurate the newly developed infrastructure and beautification works at the Mata Tripura Sundari Temple complex under the PRASHAD scheme tomorrow. 6. BIRC 2025 to Be Held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi Bharat International Rice Conference-BIRC 2025 will be held in New Delhi at Bharat Mandapam on 30th and 31st October. It is the world’s largest rice event with farmers, global buyers and stakeholders.