Source: BS Context: The Fintech Association for Consumer Empowerment (FACE), recognised by the RBI in July 2024 as India’s first Self-Regulatory Organisation for Fintech (SRO-FT), has emerged as a key industry body within just one year of recognition. Fintech Association for Consumer Empowerment (FACE) The Fintech Association for Consumer Empowerment (FACE) is India’s first Self-Regulatory Organisation for Fintech, recognised by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in July 2024. Role Self-Regulatory Organisation for Fintech (SRO-FT) A Self-Regulatory Organisation for Fintech (SRO-FT) is an industry body empowered to create, monitor, and enforce standards for fintech companies under the supervision of RBI. Key Features: FACE as SRO-FT:
Unclaimed Deposits
Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has directed all banks to launch a 3-month drive (October–December 2025) to settle unclaimed funds such as deposits, dividends, interest warrants, and pensions. What are Unclaimed Deposits? Unclaimed deposits are funds held in bank accounts, fixed deposits, recurring deposits, or other financial instruments that remain unclaimed by the account holder or beneficiary for a specified period, usually due to inactivity, non-withdrawal, or lack of communication with the bank. Key Features Feature Details Types of Unclaimed Deposits – Savings/Current Account Balances: Dormant accounts – Fixed/Recurring Deposits: Maturity proceeds not claimed– Interest Warrants & Dividends: Payments issued but not encashed– Pension/Gratuity Payments: Benefits unclaimed by beneficiaries Time Frame – Savings/Current Accounts: Not operated for 10 years– Term Deposits: Not claimed within 10 years from maturity– Such funds are transferred to Depositor Education and Awareness (DEA) Fund at RBI– Depositors can claim funds later with applicable interest Handling by Banks – Maintain separate ledger for unclaimed deposits– Periodic reporting to RBI is mandatory– May transfer funds to DEA Fund or Unclaimed Deposits Fund per RBI norms
S&P Retains India’s GDP Growth Forecast at 6.5%
Source: TH Context: S&P Global Ratings has maintained India’s GDP growth forecast for FY2025-26 at 6.5%, highlighting strong domestic demand and a supportive monsoon. Key Highlights: Indicator Forecast / Value Notes / Drivers GDP Growth (FY26) 6.5% Growth retained by S&P Global Ratings Recent GDP Growth (Q1 FY26) 7.8% April–June 2025 quarter Inflation (FY26) 3.2% Revised downward due to lower food inflation Monetary Policy Outlook 25 bps rate cut expected RBI expected to adjust policy given low inflation Key Growth Drivers Strong domestic demand, benign monsoon, income tax & GST cuts, accelerating government investment Consumption and investment expected to rise significantly
India’s First AI-Enabled Nature Experience Centre at Betla National Park
Source: IE Context: A first of its kind AI-enabled nature experience centre is set to come up at Betla National Park, a part of the Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Jharkhand. This cutting-edge facility will transport visitors into the heart of the jungle, allowing them to immerse themselves in the sights and sounds of nature. Aim: To recreate realistic jungle life using cutting-edge technology for tourism, education, and research Features of the AI-Enabled Centre Technology & Tools: Functions: About Betla National Park
Nine Bonnet Macaques Found Dead in Kerala
Context: The Forest department has registered a case into the mysterious deaths of nine Bonnet macaques near Palode in Thiruvananthapuram. About Bonnet Macaques Key Characteristics: Habitat & Distribution:
Combined Operational Review and Evaluation (CORE) Programme
Source: PIB Context: The Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) has launched the Combined Operational Review and Evaluation (CORE) Programme in New Delhi a five-day professional engagement initiative aimed at strengthening civil-military synergy and strategic leadership. About CORE Programme: Key Features
NITI Aayog Evaluates Innovation Indicators to Boost India’s GII Ranking
Source: ET Context: NITI Aayog is reviewing certain Global Innovation Index (GII) indicators to identify gaps and help India improve its global innovation ranking. The move follows suggestions from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) to focus on key parameters for targeted interventions. Key Highlights: Indicator Rank in 2023 Rank in 2025 Observation / Trend Overall GII Rank – 38 Improved from 81st in 2015 to 38th in 2025 GDP per Unit of Energy 71 76 Decline in energy productivity Domestic Industry Diversification 10 19 Reduced industrial diversification Females Employed with Advanced Degrees – 101 / 139 Low representation of women in advanced-degree roles Objective:
Viksit Bharat Buildathon 2025
Source: PIB Context: The Union Education Ministry has launched the Viksit Bharat Buildathon 2025, inviting school students across India to participate in a large-scale innovation contest. Key Highlights: Objective of the Buildathon:
Brazil–India Cross-Incubation Programme in Agritech (Maitri 2.0)
Source: PIB Context” The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) launched the second edition of the Brazil–India Cross-Incubation Programme in Agritech (Maitri 2.0) in New Delhi. The programme brings together innovators, startups, and institutions from both countries to foster collaboration in agri-food innovation and sustainable agricultural practices. Strengthening India–Brazil Agricultural Ties Objectives
Daily Current Affairs (DCA) 23 September, 2025
Daily Current Affairs Quiz23 September, 2025 National Affairs 1. Supreme Court Reaffirms Secularism as a Basic Structure of Indian Constitution Source: TH Context: The Supreme Court of India recently reaffirmed that secularism is a fundamental principle and an inseparable part of the basic structure of the Constitution of India. This reiteration came during a case involving the participation of Kannada writer and International Booker Prize-winner Banu Mushtaq, a Muslim, in the inauguration of the Mysuru Dasara festival at the Chamundeshwari Temple. Secularism in India Secularism is the principle that the state treats all religions equally, neither favoring nor discriminating against any religion. It ensures freedom of religion for individuals while maintaining a separation between religion and government. Key Features of Indian Secularism: Basic Structure of the Constitution The basic structure doctrine, established by the Supreme Court in the Kesavananda Bharati case (1973), states that certain fundamental features of the Constitution cannot be amended or destroyed by Parliament. Key Features Included in the Basic Structure: Basic Structure and the Constitution 2. World Food India (WFI) 2025 Source: PIB Context: Union Minister for Food Processing Industries reflects on World Food India (WFI) 2025, highlighting its evolution into a strategic platform aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of positioning India as a global food basket. WFI serves as a convergence point for government, industry, farmers, FPOs, SHGs, and global investors, enabling innovation to translate into investment and growth. Strategic Objectives The agenda rests on five core pillars: Each pillar is mapped to curated sessions, B2B meetings, and adoption pathways, ensuring actionable outcomes from discussions. Key Highlights: 3. CPCB Report 2023 Context: The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) released its 2023 assessment of river water quality, focusing on Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) as a key indicator. Rivers with BOD > 3 mg/litre are deemed unfit for bathing. Key Highlights: Overall Status State-wise PRS (2023) ‘Priority 1’ Stretches (Most Polluted, BOD > 30 mg/litre) CPCB Monitoring Network 4. National Awards for e-Governance (NAeG) 2025 Source: PIB Context: In a historic initiative recognizing grassroots-level digital governance, Gram Panchayats were conferred with the National Awards for e-Governance (NAeG) 2025 under a newly instituted category dedicated to digital service delivery at the Panchayat level. Award Winners Award Gram Panchayat District/State Sarpanch Incentive Gold Rohini Dhule, Maharashtra Dr. Anandrao Pawara ₹10 lakh Silver West Majlishpur West Tripura, Tripura Smt. Anita Deb Das ₹5 lakh Jury Award Palsana Surat, Gujarat Shri Pravinbhai Parshottambhai Ahir — Jury Award Suakati Kendujhar, Odisha Smt. Kautuka Naik — Financial incentives are to be reinvested in enhancing citizen-centric digital initiatives. Notable Achievements of Award-Winning Panchayats Rohini Gram Panchayat, Maharashtra (Gold) West Majlishpur Gram Panchayat, Tripura (Silver) Palsana Gram Panchayat, Gujarat (Jury Award) Suakati Gram Panchayat, Odisha (Jury Award) Banking/Finance 1. SEBI Proposes Changes to Technical Glitch Framework for Stockbrokers Source: ET Context: Currently, any malfunction in a stockbroker’s electronic trading system is classified as a “technical glitch.” This framework applies to all brokers, regardless of size or client base. Key Proposed Changes 2. RBI Clarifies Regulations on NBFC-Peer to Peer (P2P) Lending Platforms Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued clarifications on the regulatory framework for Non-Banking Financial Company – Peer to Peer (NBFC-P2P) lending platforms, aiming to enhance transparency, protect customer funds, and ensure operational stability. Key Highlights: Significance: 3. Baroda BNP Paribas Mutual Fund Announces Debt Fund Merger Source: ET Context: Baroda BNP Paribas Mutual Fund has announced the merger of its Banking & PSU Bond Fund (merging scheme) into its Short Duration Fund (surviving scheme), effective 17th October 2025. Key Highlights: Significance: Agriculture 1. NABARD Rural Sentiment Survey September 2025 Source: BS Context: The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has released the findings of its 7th bi-monthly rural economic conditions and sentiment survey (September 2025). The report shows weakening confidence among rural households, largely due to the impact of steep US tariffs on Indian exports imposed by President Donald Trump. Rural Income Sentiment Weakens Key Factor: US Tariffs Borrowing Behaviour and Credit Trends Income and Inflation Perceptions Rural Development Priorities 2. Brazil–India Cross-Incubation Programme in Agritech (Maitri 2.0) Source: PIB Context” The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) launched the second edition of the Brazil–India Cross-Incubation Programme in Agritech (Maitri 2.0) in New Delhi. The programme brings together innovators, startups, and institutions from both countries to foster collaboration in agri-food innovation and sustainable agricultural practices. Strengthening India–Brazil Agricultural Ties Objectives Facts To Remember 1. India beats Pakistan in SAFF under-17 The India under-17 men’s team beat Pakistan 3-2 at the Racecourse International Stadium in Colombo on Monday to go to the top of Group-B in the SAFF under-17 Championship 2025. 2. India’s first overseas defence manufacturing facility inaugurated in Berrechid, Morocco Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Moroccan counterpart Abdelatif Loudyi today jointly inaugurated Tata Advanced Systems Limited’s (TASL) defence manufacturing facility in Berrechid, Morocco. 3. Ministry of Culture Hosts Three-Day Nadi Utsav Highlighting Rivers Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts, under the Ministry of Culture, will hold the sixth edition of Nadi Utsav from the 25th of this month in New Delhi. Union Minister of Jal Shakti C R Patil will inaugurate the three-day event, which will highlight rivers as vital lifelines and cultural reservoirs. 4. World Food India 2025 Scheduled in New Delhi from September 25–28 World Food India 2025 will be organised from 25th to 28th of September at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The 4th edition of World Food India aims to promote investments in the diverse food processing sector, as well as introduce India’s rich food culture to the World. 5. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan launches Viksit Bharat Buildathon 2025 Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan today launched Viksit Bharat Buildathon 2025 in New Delhi. The initiative aims to nurture creativity, problem-solving, and self-reliance among youth. 6. Ayushman Bharat, the world’s largest govt-funded health assurance scheme, completes 7 years today Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana completes seven years today. Launched in September 2018 from Ranchi, it is the
