Daily Current Affairs Quiz17 & 18 August, 2025 National Affairs 1. Discovery of New Palm Species: Phoenix roxburghii Context: A palm described in the 17th-century botanical treatise Hortus Malabaricus has led to the discovery of a new species and the reclassification of existing ones after recent botanical studies. New Species Identified: About Palm Tree Family & Classification Growth Forms TH 2. Sakura Science Programme 2025 Context: A group of 34 Indian students has been flagged off to Japan to participate in the Sakura Science Programme 2025, a flagship youth exchange initiative aimed at promoting scientific curiosity and cross-cultural learning. About the Programme: Participating Nations: Key Features: Objectives: PIB Banking/Finance 1. S&P Global Upgrades India’s Sovereign Credit Rating to ‘BBB’ Context: S&P Global Ratings has upgraded India’s long-term unsolicited sovereign credit rating to ‘BBB’ from ‘BBB-’ after a gap of 18 years. The decision reflects India’s strong economic resilience, sustained fiscal consolidation, and a stable policy framework. About S&P Global Ratings What does a sovereign credit rating mean? A sovereign credit rating is like a report card for a country’s ability to repay its debts. Rating Scale India was at BBB- (just one step above junk).Now at BBB, India is seen as more stable and creditworthy. Why is this important? Mint 2. NSIC Signs MoUs with Private Banks to Boost MSME Credit Facilitation Context: To enhance the availability, accessibility, and affordability of credit for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), the National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with five private sector banks on 11th August 2025 under its MSME Credit Facilitation Program. Key Highlights: Some MSME-Related Schemes in India PIB 3. RBI Floating Rate Savings Bond (FRSB) Context: With bank fixed deposit (FD) rates softening after the RBI’s recent rate cuts, investors are exploring safer alternatives for higher returns. One such instrument is the RBI’s Floating Rate Savings Bond (FRSB), which currently offers 8.05% per annum and is backed by the Government of India. RBI Floating Rate Savings Bond (FRSB): Key Features: 1. Interest Rate (Floating) 2. Tenure 3. Investment Details 4. Payment of Interest 5. Taxation 6. Security Why is it important? ET 4. B2B Fintechs Eye Retail Market Through TPAP Context: Business-to-business (B2B) fintechs in India are increasingly shifting towards the consumer payments market, using third-party UPI applications (TPAPs) as their entry points. The move is aimed at reducing customer acquisition costs (CAC) and monetising their already large user base. Business-to-Business (B2B) Fintechs in India Third-Party UPI Applications (TPAPs) BS Agriculture 1. Discovery of Chalk9 Gene in Rice to Reduce Grain Chalkiness Context: Rice, the staple food for over half of the world’s population, often faces the problem of chalkiness in grains, which leads to higher breakage during milling. Recently, researchers from the Agricultural College of Yangzhou University, China, identified a key gene, Chalk9, that controls rice chalkiness. What’s the Discovery? Scientists have identified a gene that helps rice grains resist breakage during milling, particularly addressing grains with the trait known as chalkiness, a characteristic that makes them brittle and more prone to cracking when polished What is Chalkiness? Why Chalkiness Important? Why This Matters? TH Facts To Remember 1. China’s Wang to arrive for talks as India tries to boost ties with Beijing India will host Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi next week, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Saturday, as New Delhi continues efforts to energise its relationship with Beijing amid uncertainties in its trade ties with Washington, another major trading partner. 2. India, China Hold 24th Round of Boundary Talks in New Delhi; Chinese FM Wang Yi to Meet PM Modi The 24th round of Special Representatives dialogue led by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the boundary question between India and China has begun in New Delhi.  3. Press Registrar General Launches ‘Press Sewa’ Portal to Simplify Newspaper, Periodical Registration Press Registrar General of India (PRGI) Yogesh Baweja has said the Press Sewa portal has been introduced as a single-window solution to simplify the registration process for newspapers and periodicals.  4. One-time online registration  for PMVBRY opens The Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PMVBRY) portal under the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana has gone live. The scheme will provide incentive of up to 15 thousand rupees in two instalments to newly employed youth and upto three thousand rupees per month per new employee to employers for creation of new job opportunities.