Context: India’s large stockpile of Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) is often seen as a reflection of inefficiency in the banking sector. However, it also presents a significant investment opportunity due to the steep discounts offered in bank-led property auctions—often 20–30% below market value. Despite this, real estate investors have largely stayed away from this sector due to multiple structural and regulatory challenges. What are NPAs? NPAs are loans or advances where the borrower has stopped making interest or principal repayments for a specified period, typically 90 days. When a loan turns into an NPA, it is classified into different categories based on its aging and recoverability. Banks are required to maintain provisions for such assets, which can affect their overall profitability and lending capacity. Classification of NPAs Banks classify NPAs into different categories based on the time elapsed since the due date: SARFAESI & IBC Challenges remain Technology-Driven Solutions BS
RBI Issues Draft Guidelines on Novation of OTC Derivative Contracts
Context On July 10, 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released draft guidelines proposing a structured mechanism for novation of over-the-counter (OTC) derivative contracts. This move aims to enhance transparency, fairness, and legal certainty in OTC derivatives markets. What is Novation? Novation is a legal process that replaces an existing contract with a new one by substituting one counterparty while maintaining identical contractual terms (except the party change). Key Features of the RBI Draft Guidelines TET
India’s Gini Index of 25.5
Context: A recent World Bank Poverty and Equity Brief pegged India’s Gini index at 25.5 for 2022–23, making it appear among the most equal countries globally. However, the figure—based on consumption inequality, not income or wealth—has raised eyebrows among economists and policymakers alike. Understanding the Gini Coefficient Data Highlights Why the Debate Matters Wage Inequality Regional & Spatial Inequality Wealth and Intergenerational Inequality BS
Catastrophe Bonds (Cat Bonds)
Context: India faces increasing exposure to climate-induced disasters such as floods, cyclones, forest fires, and earthquakes. Despite this, disaster risk insurance penetration is low, leaving much of India’s population and property uninsured and financially vulnerable. In this context, catastrophe bonds (cat bonds) offer an innovative risk-transfer mechanism that India could adopt. What are Catastrophe Bonds (Cat Bonds)? Cat Bonds are specialized financial instruments that combine insurance and debt features, used to transfer disaster-related risks (like earthquakes, cyclones) from governments or insurers to capital market investors. Key Features How Cat Bonds Work Element Description Sponsor Sovereign nations or insurers who issue cat bonds to transfer risk. Premium Paid by the sponsor; the principal equals the insured amount. Intermediary Institutions like the World Bank, ADB, or reinsurance firms to issue and manage risk. Investors Pension funds, hedge funds, and family offices who take on risk in return for higher coupon rates. Coupon Rates Higher than standard bonds due to risk; varies by hazard (e.g., 1–2% for earthquakes, higher for hurricanes). Loss of Principal Investors may lose part of the principal if a catastrophe occurs. Benefits of Cat Bonds Why India Needs Cat Bonds TH
SEBI Proposes Expanded Role for Credit Rating Agencies
Context: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has released a consultation paper proposing to expand the permitted activities of Credit Rating Agencies (CRAs) beyond securities listed or proposed to be listed on stock exchanges. The draft is open for public comments until 30 July 2025. Credit Rating Agencies (CRAs) Credit Rating Agencies (CRAs) are organizations that assess the creditworthiness of borrowers, like companies or governments, and assign ratings to their debt instruments. These ratings reflect the agency’s opinion on the likelihood that the borrower will repay its debts, including principal and interest, on time. Investors use these ratings to gauge the risk associated with investing in those debt instruments. Current Regulatory Gap Key Proposals in the Consultation Paper Current Norms: SEBI’s Key Proposal: Conditions: TH & Mint
National Population Register (NPR)
Context: The Government of India has initiated preparatory discussions for Census 2027, but no final decision has been taken yet on updating the National Population Register (NPR) during this exercise, according to senior Home Ministry officials. What is NPR? The National Population Register (NPR) is a comprehensive database of “usual residents” of India. A usual resident is defined as someone who has stayed in a local area for at least 6 months or intends to stay for the next 6 months. It includes both Indian citizens and foreign nationals. Background and Legal Framework Features and Process
Starlink Receives IN-SPACe Approval to Operate in India
Context: On July 9, 2025, IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre), under the Department of Space, granted authorisation to Starlink to operate its satellite broadband services in India. This marks a significant regulatory step for Elon Musk’s SpaceX-owned Starlink, which has long awaited full clearance to launch operations in the country. IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre) Importance of IN-SPACe Authorisation What Is Starlink? TH
Daily Current Affairs (DCA) 9 July, 2025
Daily Current Affairs Quiz9 July, 2025 National Affairs 1. Great Hornbill Context: In a rare ecological event, the Great Hornbill (Malamuzhakki Vezhambal)—Kerala’s State Bird and an endangered species—was recently sighted in Kakkampara near Ezhimala, a coastal region of Kannur district, far from its traditional forest habitats. Conservation Status 2. Cabinet Approved Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme Context: The Union Cabinet has cleared the Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme with a corpus of â‚ą1 lakh crore, aiming to transform India’s research and innovation ecosystem, especially in sectors of economic and strategic importance. Key Objectives of the RDI Scheme Institutional Framework Funding Structure: Two-Tier Mechanism Why It’s Needed 3. Nutritional Intake in India Report Context: The National Statistical Office (NSO) has published its latest report on India’s nutritional intake, derived from data collected in the Household Consumption Expenditure Surveys (HCES) for the periods August 2022–July 2023 and August 2023–July 2024. Key Highlights: PIB 4. FATF 2025 Report Flags Digital Tools as Key Enablers in Terror Financing Context: The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) released its 2025 comprehensive update on Terrorist Financing Risks, highlighting how emerging digital platforms are increasingly misused to fund terrorism. India features prominently in case studies involving digital tools in the Pulwama and Gorakhnath attacks. Key Highlights from FATF 2025 Report: Challenges in Combating Digital Terror Financing: FATF Recommendations: TH Banking/Finance 1. RBI Issues New Directions on Pre-Payment Charges for Loans Context: To enhance access to affordable credit for Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) and resolve customer grievances, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued the RBI (Pre-payment Charges on Loans) Directions, 2025, effective January 1, 2026. Key Highlights: Applicability What is Pre-payment Charges? Prepayment charges on loans, also known as prepayment penalties, are fees that lenders impose on borrowers who repay their loans before the scheduled end date. These charges compensate the lender for the interest income they would have earned had the loan been repaid according to the original terms. Pre-Payment Charges Provisions No Pre-Payment Charges (Floating Rate Loans) Universal Application Dual/Special Rate Loans Other Key Provisions RBI 2. SEBI Clampdown Leads to 20% Fall in Retail Participation in F&O Market Context: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has reported a sharp 20% decline in individual retail traders in the equity derivatives (Futures & Options) market, following its recent interventions aimed at curbing retail frenzy and mitigating financial risks. Key Findings from SEBI’s Latest F&O Study Retail Participation Drops Sharply SEBI’s Regulatory Measures (Since November 2024) These reforms were introduced in response to concerns about financial losses among retail participants and rising speculative trading. BS 3. No Closure of Inactive PMJDY Accounts Context: The Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance has refuted media reports claiming that banks have been instructed to close inactive PM Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) accounts. Key Highlights: Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) Objective:To promote financial inclusion by providing affordable access to: Eligibility Criteria Account Features TH 4. SEBI May Scrap Weekly Index Options Expiry Context: SEBI may revise the weekly expiry schedule of index options to fortnightly, limiting it to one expiry per fortnight, if its recent reforms fail to reduce the speculative surge in options trading volumes. This comes in the backdrop of the Jane Street order for alleged manipulation and the regulator’s ongoing effort to cool down over-heated index derivatives markets. Why the Move is Being Considered Recent Measures by SEBI SEBI’s Plan Going Forward Mint 5. ADB Launches UHC PEERS Network to Boost Universal Health Coverage Context: At the INSPIRE Health Systems Forum in Manila, the Asian Development Bank (ADB)—led by President Masato Kanda—launched the Universal Health Coverage Practitioners and Experts Knowledge Exchange and Resources (UHC PEERS) network. Health ministers and officials from over 25 countries participated in the event. Why It’s Important Features of UHC PEERS Network Agriculture 1. CRISPR-Edited Rice Enhances Phosphorus Uptake and Yield: NIPGR Context: Researchers at the National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR), New Delhi, have used CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technology to improve phosphorus uptake and yield in japonica rice varieties. This development has the potential to reduce India’s reliance on phosphate fertilizers and enhance crop productivity, especially in phosphorus-deficient soils. Why It Matters Key Scientific Advancement Focus on Phosphate Transport Identification and Editing Strategy Results of the Experiment Japonica Rice Japonica rice, also known as sinica rice, is a variety of Oryza sativa (Asian rice) characterized by its short to medium, round, and sticky grains. It’s a major rice type cultivated and consumed in East Asia, particularly in Japan, Korea, and China, but also grown in other regions like Italy and parts of the United States. Unlike the longer, thinner grains of indica rice, Japonica rice is known for its stickier texture when cooked, making it suitable for dishes like sushi and rice bowls. TH 2. National Workshop on DBT Portal 2.0 & NaMo Drone Didi Yojana Held Context: The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare (Mechanization & Technology Division) organized a one-day national workshop in New Delhi on the implementation of: Key Highlights: Major Launches NaMo Drone Didi Yojana DBT Platform Version 2.0 Significance PIB Facts To Remember 1. Bihar Cabinet makes domicile must for women’s job quota The Bihar Cabinet on Tuesday made domicile mandatory for accessing the 35% reservation for women in State government jobs. 2. Bulgaria becomes 21st member to adopt euro after EU green light EU Ministers gave the final green light for Bulgaria to adopt the euro on January 1, 2026, making it the single currency area’s 21st member. Bulgaria’s switch from the lev to the euro comes nearly 19 years after the country joined the European Union. EU finance ministers officially set the euro at 1.95583 Bulgarian lev. 3. Public Sector Banks Prioritize Local Language Skills to Improve Customer Service Amid growing concerns over language barriers in customer interactions, state-owned banks are stepping up efforts to bridge linguistic gaps by mandating local language proficiency for new hires and training existing employees in regional languages. 4. RBI to conduct two day VRRR auction today to
FATF 2025 Report Flags Digital Tools as Key Enablers in Terror Financing
Context: The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) released its 2025 comprehensive update on Terrorist Financing Risks, highlighting how emerging digital platforms are increasingly misused to fund terrorism. India features prominently in case studies involving digital tools in the Pulwama and Gorakhnath attacks. Key Highlights from FATF 2025 Report: Challenges in Combating Digital Terror Financing: FATF Recommendations: TH
SEBI May Scrap Weekly Index Options Expiry
Context: SEBI may revise the weekly expiry schedule of index options to fortnightly, limiting it to one expiry per fortnight, if its recent reforms fail to reduce the speculative surge in options trading volumes. This comes in the backdrop of the Jane Street order for alleged manipulation and the regulator’s ongoing effort to cool down over-heated index derivatives markets. Why the Move is Being Considered Recent Measures by SEBI SEBI’s Plan Going Forward Mint
