Source: IE Context: Carbon dioxide emissions from India’s electricity sector dropped by 1% in the first half of 2025 compared to H1 2024. First sectoral decline outside Covid years, electricity accounts for ~40% of India’s annual greenhouse gas emissions. Analysis Source: Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), for Carbon Brief. Contributing Factors Government Initiatives for Reducing Electricity Sector Emissions
Daily Current Affairs (DCA) 17 September, 2025
Daily Current Affairs Quiz17 September, 2025 National Affairs 1. Sentient Launches Open-Source AGI Network Source: BS Context: Artificial intelligence (AI) startup Sentient has launched the world’s first open-source artificial general intelligence (AGI) network, opening access to over 2 million waitlisted users. The platform enables 40+ AI agents, models, and 50+ data sources to collaborate in real time, offering India and allied nations an alternative to closed AI ecosystems. Key Highlights: What it is? Relevance: 2. NITI Aayog Launches ‘AI for Viksit Bharat Roadmap’ & Frontier Tech Repository Source: PIB Context: NITI Aayog launched two transformative initiatives, AI for Viksit Bharat Roadmap: Opportunity for Accelerated Economic Growth and NITI Frontier Tech Repository under its Frontier Tech Hub. Key Highlights of the AI for Viksit Bharat Roadmap Read more>> 3. Yudh Abhyas 2025 Source: IE Context: The 21st edition of Yudh Abhyas, the annual India–US joint military exercise, concluded successfully on September 14, 2025, after two weeks of intensive engagement. The exercise highlights deepening India–US defence cooperation despite ongoing trade frictions. Key Highlights: Banking/Finance 1. RBI Issues Final Guidelines for Payment Aggregators (PAs) Source: ET & Mint Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released its comprehensive final guidelines for Payment Aggregators (PAs), aimed at enhancing transparency, security, and governance in the digital payments ecosystem. These norms cover authorization, capital requirements, fund management, data security, and consumer protection. Key Highlights: Payment Aggregators (PAs) A Payment Aggregator (PA) is a financial entity that facilitates online payments by collecting money from customers on behalf of merchants and transferring it to the merchant after settlement. PAs do not hold a banking license but act as intermediaries between customers, merchants, and banks. Regulatory Framework: 2. SEBI Launches Swagat-FI Source: Mint Context: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) unveiled the Single Window Automatic & Generalised Access for Trusted Foreign Investors (Swagat-FI) on 12 September 2025 the most comprehensive reform of foreign investment rules to date. The framework is designed to simplify onboarding, unify investment routes, and attract long-term global capital into India. Key Features of SWAGAT-FI Objectives and Implications Challenges & Considerations 3. PFRDA Allows Bespoke Pension Plans Source: ET Context: The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has announced that individual pension fund houses can now launch tailor-made investment plans, marking a potential overhaul for India’s $175 billion pension industry. Previously, subscribers under the National Pension System (NPS) could operate only one pension program with a predefined asset allocation set by PFRDA. This limited flexibility restricted pensioners’ ability to align investments with personal goals and risk preferences. Key Changes: 4. RBI, NPCI Set to Launch Netbanking 2.0 Context: At least four major banks HDFC Bank, Axis Bank, SBI, and AU Small Finance Bank along with several online payment aggregators are preparing to go live on Netbanking 2.0, a new interoperable netbanking switch developed by NPCI Bharat BillPay Ltd. (NBBL). The official launch is expected by RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra at the Global Fintech Fest 2025 (Oct 7–9). Netbanking 2.0 Features: Benefits: 5. Viyona Fintech Approved as Third-Party Application Provider (TPAP) by NPCI Context: Hyderabad-based Viyona Fintech, a digital payments platform, has been granted approval by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) to operate as a Third-Party Application Provider (TPAP), enabling support for UPI-based transactions. Key Details: Third-Party Application Provider (TPAP) A Third-Party Application Provider (TPAP) is a regulated intermediary that facilitates digital payments (like UPI) between customers and banks through mobile apps or web platforms, without holding the customers’ funds. Key Features: 6. RBI Approves Amendments to Yes Bank’s Articles of Association for Nominee Directors Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved changes to Yes Bank’s Articles of Association (AoA) regarding the appointment of nominee directors following a stake acquisition by Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC), Japan. Articles of Association (AoA) The Articles of Association (AoA) is a legal document that defines the internal rules, regulations, and management structure of a company. It governs the relationship between the company, its shareholders, and its directors. Key Features: Examples of AoA Provisions: Agriculture 1. Agriculture Must Adapt to Changing Weather Patterns Context: The 2025 southwest monsoon has started withdrawing a little earlier than usual, after recording about 7% excess rainfall. Forecasts indicate La Niña conditions by October and a colder-than-normal winter ahead. These shifting weather patterns bring both opportunities and risks for Indian agriculture. Opportunities for Agriculture Risks & Challenges Policy & Farmer-Centric Solutions Facts To Remember 1. Kipyegon claims a record fourth title in 1,500m Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon produced a trademark devastating last lap to win an unprecedented fourth World women’s 1,500 metres title in Tokyo. 2. ICMR licences multi-stage malaria vaccine ‘AdFalciVax’ to five companies The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has granted non-exclusive rights for its multi-stage malaria vaccine, AdFalciVax, to five pharmaceutical companies. 3. PM Modi Launches ‘Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar’ Abhiyan and Rashtriya Poshan Maah from Dhar in Madhya Pradesh Prime Minister Narendra Modi today launched the nationwide Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan and the 8th Rashtriya Poshan Maah camping from Dhar in Madhya Pradesh. 4. Swachhata Hi Seva Campaign 2025 Launched by Minority Affairs Ministry The Ministry of Minority Affairs has organised the Swachhata Hi Seva Campaign 2025 from today, which will continue till the 2nd of October on Gandhi Jayanti. 5. ISRO to Invite Private Companies Specialising in On-Orbit Servicing and Refuelling The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman, Dr. V. Narayanan, has said that companies specialising in on-orbit servicing and refuelling tech will be invited to work with it. Speaking at the inauguration of the new R&D facility of OrbitAID Aerospace, India’s first space-tech startup in Bengaluru today.
Sentient Launches Open-Source AGI Network
Source: BS Context: Artificial intelligence (AI) startup Sentient has launched the world’s first open-source artificial general intelligence (AGI) network, opening access to over 2 million waitlisted users. The platform enables 40+ AI agents, models, and 50+ data sources to collaborate in real time, offering India and allied nations an alternative to closed AI ecosystems. Key Highlights: What it is? Relevance:
PFRDA Allows Bespoke Pension Plans
Source: ET Context: The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has announced that individual pension fund houses can now launch tailor-made investment plans, marking a potential overhaul for India’s $175 billion pension industry. Previously, subscribers under the National Pension System (NPS) could operate only one pension program with a predefined asset allocation set by PFRDA. This limited flexibility restricted pensioners’ ability to align investments with personal goals and risk preferences. Key Changes:
Agriculture Must Adapt to Changing Weather Patterns
Context: The 2025 southwest monsoon has started withdrawing a little earlier than usual, after recording about 7% excess rainfall. Forecasts indicate La Niña conditions by October and a colder-than-normal winter ahead. These shifting weather patterns bring both opportunities and risks for Indian agriculture. Opportunities for Agriculture Risks & Challenges Policy & Farmer-Centric Solutions
RBI Approves Amendments to Yes Bank’s Articles of Association for Nominee Directors
Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved changes to Yes Bank’s Articles of Association (AoA) regarding the appointment of nominee directors following a stake acquisition by Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC), Japan. Articles of Association (AoA) The Articles of Association (AoA) is a legal document that defines the internal rules, regulations, and management structure of a company. It governs the relationship between the company, its shareholders, and its directors. Key Features: Examples of AoA Provisions:
Viyona Fintech Approved as Third-Party Application Provider (TPAP) by NPCI
Context: Hyderabad-based Viyona Fintech, a digital payments platform, has been granted approval by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) to operate as a Third-Party Application Provider (TPAP), enabling support for UPI-based transactions. Key Details: Third-Party Application Provider (TPAP) A Third-Party Application Provider (TPAP) is a regulated intermediary that facilitates digital payments (like UPI) between customers and banks through mobile apps or web platforms, without holding the customers’ funds. Key Features:
RBI, NPCI Set to Launch Netbanking 2.0
Context: At least four major banks HDFC Bank, Axis Bank, SBI, and AU Small Finance Bank along with several online payment aggregators are preparing to go live on Netbanking 2.0, a new interoperable netbanking switch developed by NPCI Bharat BillPay Ltd. (NBBL). The official launch is expected by RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra at the Global Fintech Fest 2025 (Oct 7–9). Netbanking 2.0 Features: Benefits:
SEBI Launches Swagat-FI
Source: Mint Context: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) unveiled the Single Window Automatic & Generalised Access for Trusted Foreign Investors (Swagat-FI) on 12 September 2025 the most comprehensive reform of foreign investment rules to date. The framework is designed to simplify onboarding, unify investment routes, and attract long-term global capital into India. Key Features of SWAGAT-FI Objectives and Implications Challenges & Considerations
RBI Issues Final Guidelines for Payment Aggregators (PAs)
Source: ET & Mint Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released its comprehensive final guidelines for Payment Aggregators (PAs), aimed at enhancing transparency, security, and governance in the digital payments ecosystem. These norms cover authorization, capital requirements, fund management, data security, and consumer protection. Key Highlights: Payment Aggregators (PAs) A Payment Aggregator (PA) is a financial entity that facilitates online payments by collecting money from customers on behalf of merchants and transferring it to the merchant after settlement. PAs do not hold a banking license but act as intermediaries between customers, merchants, and banks. Regulatory Framework:
