Daily Current Affairs Quiz19 September, 2025 National Affairs 1. India’s SDG Progress: Health Gaps Remain Despite Improved Ranking Source: TH Context: In June 2025, India ranked 99th out of 167 countries in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Index, its best-ever performance, improving from 109 in 2024. While progress is evident in basic services and infrastructure, SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) remains a major challenge, with India off-track on several health targets. Key Highlights: Challenges Identified Recommendations for Accelerated Progress Policy Significance 2. Equalising Primary Food Consumption in India Source: TH Context: The publication, in February 2024, of a household consumption survey by the National Sample Survey (NSS) Office, after a gap of over a decade, has made it possible to estimate the poverty rate in India. What is Primary Food Consumption? Features of Primary Food Consumption Current Reality (NSS 2024 Survey) Public Distribution System (PDS) Challenges in Equalising Food Consumption Restructuring PDS for Nutrition Security 3. State of Global Water Resources Report 2024 – WMO Context: Just around a third of rivers across the globe had water within the normal range in 2024 and almost 60 per cent of them either showed too much or too little water for the sixth year running, according to the ‘The Status of Global Water Resources in 2024 Report’ from the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) released.  Key Global Findings: Regional Trends Key Messages from WMO Banking/Finance 1. RBI’s New Master Direction on Payment Aggregators (2025) Context: On September 2025, RBI issued a revised Master Direction for PAs. Major fintechs like PhonePe, Paytm, and Cred have stopped offering rent payment via credit cards as a result. What Changed? Why RBI Did This? Impact On Fintechs On Users Exam Relevance 2. SEBI Gives Clean Chit to Adani Group in Hindenburg Case Context: On September 18, 2025, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) concluded its investigation into allegations by U.S.-based shortseller Hindenburg Research against the Adani Group. The case mainly involved Adani Ports & SEZ Ltd. and Adani Power Ltd. Background: Role of SEBI in the Case Important SEBI Acts and Regulations (For Exams) Act/Regulation Year Purpose/Key Provisions Exam Relevance SEBI Act 1992 Establishes SEBI as market regulator; protects investors, promotes fair trading, regulates intermediaries. Foundation of SEBI’s powers, must know sections like Section 11 (functions of SEBI). Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act – SCRA 1956 Governs listing, recognition of stock exchanges, and trading of securities. SEBI empowered to regulate stock exchanges. Important for listing rules, delisting, recognition of stock exchanges. Depositories Act 1996 Provides framework for dematerialisation and working of depositories like NSDL, CDSL. Related to demat accounts, electronic shareholding. Companies Act (SEBI-linked provisions) 2013 Covers corporate disclosures, corporate governance, issue of securities, shareholder protection. SEBI coordinates with MCA, exam focus on disclosure & governance norms. Prevention of Fraudulent and Unfair Trade Practices (PFUTP) Regulations 2003 Prevents price rigging, insider trading, circular trading, misleading disclosures. Invoked in Adani–Hindenburg type probes. Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements (LODR) Regulations 2015 Prescribes disclosure norms for listed companies (quarterly results, shareholding patterns, related-party transactions, corporate governance). Core for corporate governance & transparency. Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPI) Regulations 2019 Regulates investment by foreign institutional investors (FIIs/FPIs). Defines categories of FPIs. Key for exam after Adani–Hindenburg controversy. 3. EPFO Launches ‘Passbook Lite’ and Online Access to Annexure K Source: Mint Context: On September 18, 2025, the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) introduced two major digital reforms to improve transparency and member convenience.Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced the launch of “Passbook Lite” on the EPFO members’ portal and direct online access to Annexure K. Key Highlights: About EPFO 4. PhonePe Gets RBI Authorisation as Online Payment Aggregator Source: BL Context: PhonePe received final authorisation from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to function as an online payment aggregator (PA). Enables PhonePe to directly onboard merchants, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and expand its digital financial services. What is a Payment Aggregator (PA)? Significance of RBI Approval for PhonePe RBI’s Role and Regulatory Relevance 5. RBI Conducts VRR Auctions to Infuse Liquidity Source: BL Context: The Reserve Bank of India conducted two variable rate repo (VRR) auctions on Friday to infuse liquidity in the banking system. RBI’s Liquidity Management Strategy Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) Reduction Key Concepts for Exams Facts To Remember 1. CM launches new curricula for govt. schools replacing initiatives introduced by AAP Chief Minister Rekha Gupta launched three new curricula – Rashtraneeti, Science of Living, and New Era of Entrepreneurial Ecosystem & Vision (NEEEV) – for the Delhi government schools. 2. Antim wins bronze, opens India’s tally Antim Panghal (53kg) redeemed some pride after her ignominious Paris Olympics performance as she claimed a bronze medal at the World wrestling championships in Zagreb and joined Vinesh Phogat in winning two Worlds bronze medals. 3. Sachin finishes fourth; Neeraj disappoints Defending champion Neeraj Chopra endured a nightmarish outing at the World Championships’ men’s javelin throw final to end a disappointing eighth even as debutant compatriot Sachin Yadav logged in a personal best to finish a creditable fourth. 4. Neysa Empanelled as Cloud Service Provider under IndiaAI Mission The empanelment is expected to accelerate Neysa’s growth, both in India and in international markets. Neysa, an AI Cloud services startup founded by Sharad Sanghi, has been officially empanelled under the IndiaAI Mission as one of its approved Cloud service providers.