Daily Current Affairs Quiz11 July, 2025 National Affairs 1. TALASH Initiative Context: The Ministry of Tribal Affairs, in collaboration with UNICEF India, has launched TALASH (Tribal Aptitude, Life Skills, and Self-Esteem Hub) — a first-of-its-kind national platform designed exclusively for tribal students enrolled in Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs). Key Highlights of TALASH Initiative What is TALASH? Launched By: Objectives of TALASH Core Features of TALASH Significance of TALASH 2. Aadi KARMAYOGI Mission Launched Context: In a historic stride towards Viksit Bharat @2047, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs has launched the first Regional Process Lab (RPL) of the Aadi KARMAYOGI – National Mission for Responsive Governance in Bengaluru, Karnataka. This flagship initiative aims to build a cadre of 20 lakh tribal grassroots functionaries, empowering them as agents of inclusive, last-mile governance in tribal areas across India. What is Aadi KARMAYOGI? Aadi KARMAYOGI stands for “Tribal Responsive Governance”, a bottom-up reform mission aligned with national goals such as PM-JANMAN, DAJGUA, and Mission Karmayogi. The programme is a whole-of-nation initiative rooted in tribal wisdom, empathy, and convergence. Key Objectives: PIB Banking/Finance 1. Finance Ministry Seeks Control Over National Health Claims Exchange (NHCX) Context: To enhance transparency, curb inflated medical bills, and streamline insurance claims, the Department of Financial Services (DFS) under the Finance Ministry has initiated a move to gain control over the National Health Claims Exchange (NHCX)—currently managed by the Health Ministry. Key Highlights: What is NHCX? Why the Finance Ministry Wants Control: Policy & Regulatory Implications: BS 2. Growing Retail Digital Payments: The Value of Interoperability: IMF Context: According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), India now processes faster digital payments than any other country, largely driven by the widespread adoption of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI). Key Highlights: IMF Report Findings: UPI’s Growth Trajectory: Decline in Cash Usage: What Makes UPI Stand Out? Global Significance: BS 3. Financial Markets Need More Clarity on RBI’s Liquidity Management Context: India’s banking system has witnessed a sharp turnaround in liquidity—from a deficit of ₹2 trillion at end-2024 to a surplus exceeding ₹3–4 trillion daily in mid-2025. This shift poses both opportunities and risks, prompting a call for greater transparency and active liquidity management by the RBI. Key Developments From Deficit to Surplus Implications of Excess Liquidity Positive Effects Potential Risks Easier credit transmission Inflationary pressures, particularly in asset prices Lower borrowing costs Depressed savings rates, prompting shift to riskier assets Boost to investment and consumption Misallocation of credit to unqualified borrowers Temporary support to government borrowing Erosion of bank margins due to cheaper corporate bond financing Emerging Trends Monetary Policy Challenges Recommendations for the RBI BS 4. SBI Mutual Fund Enters Specialised Investment Fund (SIF) Space Under Magnum Brand Context: SBI Mutual Fund (SBI MF), India’s largest asset manager, has officially entered the Specialised Investment Fund (SIF) space under its well-recognised Magnum brand. This marks a significant diversification of its offerings to cater to more sophisticated and market-aware investors. Key Highlights What Are SIFs? Specialised Investment Funds (SIFs) are a new category of investment vehicles under the mutual fund regulatory framework that: Permitted SIF Categories (as per SEBI norms): Strategic Significance BS 5. Sanjiv Bhasin Moves SAT Against SEBI Ban in Market Manipulation Case Context: Sanjiv Bhasin, former Director at IIFL Securities and a well-known market commentator, has filed an appeal with the Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) challenging a SEBI order dated 17 June 2025, which barred him from securities trading for alleged market manipulation and front-running. SEBI Allegations What is Front-Running? Front-running refers to trading a stock based on prior knowledge of a large upcoming order likely to influence its price — an illegal practice under securities laws. Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) The Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) is a statutory body in India established to hear appeals against orders passed by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA), and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI). It acts as a specialized quasi-judicial body to ensure fairness and transparency in the securities market.  Mint Agriculture 1. Seven New Products Added to e-NAM Platform Context: Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has announced the inclusion of seven new agricultural commodities on the e-NAM (National Agriculture Market) platform. This move is aimed at enhancing price realization, improving market access, and strengthening farmer welfare. New Commodities Added to e-NAM The following seven region-specific commodities have been added: With these additions, the total number of products listed on the e-NAM portal has risen to 238. About e-NAM Platform TET 2. Google Launches AI Tools to Boost Indian Agriculture and Linguistic Inclusion Context: On July 11, 2025, Google announced a series of open-source AI innovations and research partnerships designed to address India’s key challenges in agriculture and multilingual AI inclusivity. The announcement was made at a roundtable hosted at Google’s Bengaluru office, Ananta. Key Highlights: AMED API for Agriculture Monitoring: Collaboration with IIT-Kharagpur on Cultural Inclusion: Foundational and Applied AI Research: Significance: TET Facts To Remember 1. Centre identifies domestic firm for S-400 air defence system maintenance, repair, overhaul The Ministry of Defence has identified an Indian firm to establish a maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) facility for the S-400 air defence system in the country. 2. Maharashtra Assembly passes public security Bill; law won’t be misused: CM The Maharashtra Assembly on Thursday passed the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, 2024, aimed at preventing “unlawful activities of Left Wing Extremist organisations or similar groups”. The Bill will now be tabled in the Legislative Council. 3. India to host shooting World Cup and junior World Championship India has been given a World Cup to host in 2027 and the World Junior Championship in 2028, by the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF), as announced by the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) 4. EY launches initiative for GenAI upskilling EY has launched AI Academy, an initiative to support enterprises in upskilling their talent in the fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI (GenAI). 5. Ireda gets tax