Daily Current Affairs Quiz5 & 6 September, 2025 National Affairs 1. Cabinet Clears ₹1,500 Crore Incentive Scheme for E-Waste & Battery Waste Recycling Source: ET Context: The Union Cabinet has approved a ₹1,500 crore incentive scheme (2025–26 to 2030–31) to promote recycling of e-waste and battery waste, aimed at strengthening India’s 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 minerals—vital for high-tech manufacturing, clean energy, and defense. Its roots trace back to the Union Budget of 2024–25, 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 “Strategies and Pathways for Accelerating Growth in Pulses towards the Goal of Atmanirbharta”. 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. India’s First Vulture Conservation Portal Launched in Assam Source: TH Context: On September 2, 2025 (International Vulture Awareness Day), India’s 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 PMAY–Urban 2.0 to accelerate housing delivery and strengthen beneficiary awareness. About Angikaar 2025 Features About PMAY-U 2.0 5. India’s First Port-Based Green Hydrogen Pilot Project Source: ET Context: The Union Minister inaugurated India’s 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 ‘Sparsh Week 2025’ Context: On September 1, 2025, Axis Bank Limited launched the 3rd edition of Sparsh Week (September 1–5, 2025) under the theme “Raise the Bar”. 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 ‘Arudha SIF’ 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 ‘Arudha SIF’. This marks Bandhan AMC’s 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 ₹9 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 ₹9 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 ₹50 crore and ₹500 crore much smaller than traditional REIT thresholds. Asset Size –> Minimum asset value of ₹500 crore (Regular REITs) || Asset value between ₹50 crore and ₹500 crore (SM REITs (Small & Medium REITs)). Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs) Examples in India 5. Bank of Baroda Launches ‘bob Digi Udyam’ 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 SEBI’s 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) Stakeholders’ Relationship Committee (SRC) Risk Management Committee (RMC) Nature of Violation