Context: Banks in partnership with fintechs are introducing secured credit cards backed by customer deposits, targeting first-time borrowers and financially underserved sections. What are Deposit-Backed Credit Cards (Secured Credit Cards)? A Deposit-Backed Credit Card, also known as a Secured Credit Card, is a type of credit card where the cardholder provides a fixed deposit (FD) as collateral with the issuing bank. The credit limit of the card is usually equal to or slightly less than the deposited amount. These cards are primarily designed for: Example: RBI / Regulatory Perspective
Indiaās Central Bank Digital Currency (e-Rupee)
Source: Mint Context: With UPI crossing 700 million daily transactions, questions arise on the need for a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). Experts argue that the e-rupee can achieve financial inclusion, compliance, and efficiency in ways that UPI cannot. e-Rupee (Digital Rupee) e-Rupee is the digital version of Indiaās fiat currency (INR), issued and guaranteed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). It is legal tender and functions like physical cash but exists in electronic form. Key Features: Cryptocurrency vs e-Rupee Feature Cryptocurrency e-Rupee (Digital Rupee) Issuer Decentralized, created by private entities Centralized, issued by RBI Legal Status in India Not legal tender; investment allowed Legal tender, backed by RBI Value Stability Highly volatile; depends on market demand Stable; 1 e-Rupee = 1 INR Underlying Technology Blockchain, decentralized ledger Digital ledger, controlled by RBI (CBDC) Purpose Investment, trading, peer-to-peer transfer Digital payments, financial inclusion, faster settlements Regulation Partially regulated; no government guarantee Fully regulated; government-backed Interest / Incentives None inherently FD or bank account may earn interest (depends on storage method) Risk High (market risk, fraud, scams) Low (regulated, government-backed)
Bima Sugam
Source: BS Context: The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has announced the launch of Bima Sugam, a digital one-stop insurance marketplace, scheduled to debut in December 2025. The initiative is part of IRDAIās broader āBima Trinityā strategy to boost financial inclusion and achieve āInsurance for All by 2047.ā Key Highlights: Significance: If implemented effectively, Bima Sugam can:
Sample Registration System (SRS) Statistical Report 2023
Source: BS Context: The Sample Registration System (SRS) Bulletin 2023 (Vol. 58 No.1) by the Office of the Registrar General of India highlights sharp declines in birth rate, death rate, infant mortality, and fertility compared to 1971 levels. While overall trends show progress in maternal-child health, family planning, and healthcare access, disparities persist across rural-urban regions and states. Key Findings from SRS 2023: Birth Rate (per 1,000 population) Top 5 States ā Highest Birth Rates Bottom 5 States ā Lowest Birth Rates Death Rate (per 1,000 population) Top 5 States ā Highest Death Rates Bottom 5 States ā Lowest Death Rates Infant Mortality Rate (IMR ā per 1,000 live births) Top 5 States ā Highest IMR Bottom 5 States ā Lowest IMR Fertility Rate (TFR ā children per woman) Top 5 States ā Highest TFR Bottom 5 States ā Lowest TFR 18 states/UTs now below replacement fertility. Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB ā girls per 1,000 boys, 2021ā23) Life Expectancy at Birth (2019ā23)
National Industrial Classification (NIC-2025)
Source: BS Context: The government is preparing an update to the National Industrial Classification (NIC-2025), a standardised system maintained by the National Statistics Office (NSO). The revision aims to better capture new-age sectors like digital services, gig economy, and green industries, ensuring Indiaās economic data remains accurate and internationally comparable. Background: Key Highlights of NIC-2025 Draft:
Daily Current Affairs (DCA) 5 & 6 September, 2025
Daily Current Affairs Quiz5 & 6 September, 2025 National Affairs 1. Cabinet Clears ā¹1,500 Crore Incentive Scheme for E-Waste & Battery Waste Recycling Source: ET Context: The Union Cabinet has approved a ā¹1,500 crore incentive scheme (2025ā26 to 2030ā31) to promote recycling of e-waste and battery waste, aimed at strengthening Indiaās critical mineral supply chain under the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM). The initiative will serve as a bridge solution until domestic mining and exploration projects yield results, given the long gestation of mining operations. Key Features of the Scheme About National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) Approved by the Union Cabinet in January 2025, the NCMM is a flagship initiative under Atmanirbhar Bharat aimed at making India self-reliant in critical mineralsāvital for high-tech manufacturing, clean energy, and defense. Its roots trace back to the Union Budget of 2024ā25, when the mission was first announced. Scope & Value-Chain Coverage NCMM covers all critical mineral lifecycle stages, including: Objective: 2. NITI Aayog Report on Path to Atmanirbharta in Millets Source: PIB Context: NITI Aayog released its report āStrategies and Pathways for Accelerating Growth in Pulses towards the Goal of Atmanirbhartaā. While focused on pulses, the report provides key insights applicable to millets, highlighting strategies for productivity, sustainability, and self-reliance. Current Status & Trends of Millets in India Importance of Millets Read more>> 3. India Rankings 2025 by NIRF Source: TOI Context: The Ministry of Education announced the India Rankings 2025 based on the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF). The annual exercise benchmarks higher education institutions across categories and disciplines. About India Rankings (NIRF) Criteria & Weightage (5 Parameters) Key Highlights of India Rankings 2025 4. Indiaās First Vulture Conservation Portal Launched in Assam Source: TH Context: On September 2, 2025 (International Vulture Awareness Day), Indiaās first vulture conservation knowledge portal was launched in Assam to boost awareness, data-sharing, and stakeholder collaboration in saving endangered vulture species. Key Highlights: 5. Angikaar 2025 Campaign Source: News on Air Context: The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) launched Angikaar 2025, a nationwide outreach campaign under PMAYāUrban 2.0 to accelerate housing delivery and strengthen beneficiary awareness. About Angikaar 2025 Features About PMAY-U 2.0 5. Indiaās First Port-Based Green Hydrogen Pilot Project Source: ET Context: The Union Minister inaugurated Indiaās first port-based Green Hydrogen Pilot Project at V.O. Chidambaranar (VOC) Port, Tamil Nadu, making it the first port in the country to produce green hydrogen. About the Project Aim Key Features About V.O. Chidambaranar (VOC) Port 6. India Joins Health AI Global Regulatory Network (Health AI GRN) Source: TH Context: On 4 September 2025, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) announced that India joined the Health AI Global Regulatory Network (Health AI GRN) to strengthen oversight of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare. The signing took place in New Delhi. About Health AI GRN Read more>> Banking/Finance 1. Axis Bank Launches āSparsh Week 2025ā Context: On September 1, 2025, Axis Bank Limited launched the 3rd edition of Sparsh Week (September 1ā5, 2025) under the theme āRaise the Barā. The initiative brought together over 1 lakh employees across 5,868 branches in 40 cities to strengthen customer experience, employee engagement, and leadership visibility. Sparsh Week 2025 Segment-Specific Initiatives About Axis Bank 2. PhonePe Introduces Loans Against Mutual Funds (LAMF) with DSP Finance Source: BS Context: PhonePe, a leading Indian fintech platform, has partnered with DSP Finance, an NBFC backed by DSP Group, to launch Loans Against Mutual Funds (LAMF). The product allows individuals to unlock liquidity from their mutual fund investments without redeeming them. Key Highlights: About PhonePe 3. Bandhan AMC Gets SEBI Nod to Launch āArudha SIFā Platform Source: ET Context: In September 2025, Bandhan Asset Management Company (Bandhan AMC) received approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to launch Specialised Investment Funds (SIFs) under a new platform named āArudha SIFā. This marks Bandhan AMCās expansion beyond traditional Mutual Funds (MFs) into more flexible and regulated investment products. Key Highlights: About Specialised Investment Funds (SIFs) About Arudha SIF 4. REITs and InvITs Cross ā¹9 Lakh Crore AUM in India Context: Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs) have gained traction in India. According to industry bodies Indian REITs Association (IRA) and Bharat InvITs Association (BIA), their combined Assets Under Management (AUM) have crossed ā¹9 lakh crore in just nine years. Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs) in India To provide alternative investment avenues and deepen capital markets, SEBI introduced Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs) in India in 2014. These are collective investment vehicles that pool investor money to invest in income-generating real estate or infrastructure assets. Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) Examples in India What Are SM REITs? Introduced by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) in March 2024 as a sub-category under the broader REIT framework, SM REITs enable investors to pool funds to co-own real estate assets valued between ā¹50 crore and ā¹500 crore much smaller than traditional REIT thresholds. Asset Size –> Minimum asset value of ā¹500 crore (Regular REITs) || Asset value between ā¹50 crore and ā¹500 crore (SM REITs (Small & Medium REITs)). Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs) Examples in India 5. Bank of Baroda Launches ābob Digi Udyamā Source: BL Context: Bank of Baroda (BoB) has launched bob Digi Udyam, a fully digital collateral-free lending platform designed exclusively for Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs). The platform aims to provide faster, seamless, and paperless loans to support MSME growth. Key Highlights: About Bank of Baroda (BoB) 6. NSE and BSE Penalise MTNL for Non-Compliance with SEBI Board Norms Source: BS Context: The National Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) have imposed penalties on Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) for violating SEBIās board composition norms. Reason for Non-Compliance: Improper constitution of the following committees: SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015 (SEBI LODR Regulations, 2015). Nomination & Remuneration Committee (NRC) Stakeholdersā Relationship Committee (SRC) Risk Management Committee (RMC) Nature of Violation
NSE and BSE Penalise MTNL for Non-Compliance with SEBI Board Norms
Source: BS Context: The National Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) have imposed penalties on Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) for violating SEBIās board composition norms. Reason for Non-Compliance: Improper constitution of the following committees: SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015 (SEBI LODR Regulations, 2015). Nomination & Remuneration Committee (NRC) Stakeholdersā Relationship Committee (SRC) Risk Management Committee (RMC) Nature of Violation About MTNL
Bank of Baroda Launches ābob Digi Udyamā
Source: BL Context: Bank of Baroda (BoB) has launched bob Digi Udyam, a fully digital collateral-free lending platform designed exclusively for Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs). The platform aims to provide faster, seamless, and paperless loans to support MSME growth. Key Highlights: About Bank of Baroda (BoB)
SLCM Partners with IDBI Bank and Punjab & Sind Bank
Source: BL Context: In September 2025, Sohan Lal Commodity Management Limited (SLCM), Indiaās largest post-harvest logistics and agri-solutions company, entered into a partnership with IDBI Bank Limited and Punjab & Sind Bank to provide unified collateral management services across India. This marks Punjab & Sind Bankās first venture into collateral management services. About the Partnership Expansion of SLCMās Network About SLCM
REITs and InvITs Cross ā¹9 Lakh Crore AUM in India
Context: Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs) have gained traction in India. According to industry bodies Indian REITs Association (IRA) and Bharat InvITs Association (BIA), their combined Assets Under Management (AUM) have crossed ā¹9 lakh crore in just nine years. Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs) in India To provide alternative investment avenues and deepen capital markets, SEBI introduced Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs) in India in 2014. These are collective investment vehicles that pool investor money to invest in income-generating real estate or infrastructure assets. Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) Examples in India What Are SM REITs? Introduced by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) in March 2024 as a sub-category under the broader REIT framework, SM REITs enable investors to pool funds to co-own real estate assets valued between ā¹50 crore and ā¹500 crore much smaller than traditional REIT thresholds. Asset Size –> Minimum asset value of ā¹500 crore (Regular REITs) || Asset value between ā¹50 crore and ā¹500 crore (SM REITs (Small & Medium REITs)). Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs) Examples in India
