Daily Current Affairs Quiz29&30 June, 2025 International Affairs 1. World Bank Moves Pakistan, Afghanistan Out of South Asia Region Context: In a significant restructuring, the World Bank has shifted Pakistan and Afghanistan out of its South Asia administrative region, grouping them under the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This move, while framed as a managerial alignment by the bank, comes at a time when India has raised serious concerns over international lending to Pakistan, citing its role in terrorism financing and misuse of aid. Current Composition of World Bank’s South Asia Region With this change, the South Asia region will now consist of only six countries: Pakistan and Afghanistan will now be grouped with MENA countries such as: India’s Strategic Position India has long opposed multilateral loans to Pakistan, particularly those from: Mint National Affairs 1. Bihar Launches e-Voting Facilities using Mobile Applications Context: In a historic development, Bihar became the first state in India where voters exercised their franchise via mobile phones during municipal bypolls and elections in six Nagar Panchayats, marking a significant leap toward digital democracy. Key Features of Bihar’s E-Voting System Advanced Technological Integration TH 2. Mission Bonnet Macaque Context: In response to increasing human-wildlife conflict and agricultural losses, the Kerala Forest Department is preparing to launch a mass sterilisation programme targeting the bonnet macaque — a primate species endemic to South India. Mission Bonnet Macaque Conservation Status TH 3. NSO Launches GoIStats Mobile App Context: On Statistics Day 2025, the National Sample Survey Office (NSO), under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), launched the GoIStats mobile application. This launch marks a major step in India’s data democratization journey, offering real-time access to official statistics in a mobile-first format and reinforcing NSO’s digital transformation efforts under the broader eSankhyiki initiative. Features of GoIStats App Other Key Announcements on Statistics Day 2025 Publications Released: Highlights from SDG-NIF Report 2025: About Statistics Day BS 4. National Turmeric Board Inaugurated in Nizamabad, Telangana Context: The Union Home Minister inaugurated the headquarters of the National Turmeric Board (NTB) in Nizamabad, Telangana, fulfilling a 40-year-old demand of turmeric farmers from the region. About the National Turmeric Board Type:Specialized statutory body under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry Headquarters:Nizamabad, Telangana – known as the “Turmeric Capital of India” Ministries Involved: Key Objectives Key Functions About Turmeric in India Botanical Name: Curcuma longaCommon Names: Haldi, Golden Spice Uses: Major Producing States: Climatic Requirements: 5. Early Harappan Burial Discovery in Lakhapar, Gujarat Location: Time Period: Key Discoveries Archaeological Context Significance of the Discovery: Banking/Finance 1. Bank Credit Growth Remains Tepid Despite RBI Rate Cuts Context: Despite a 100 basis points (bps) cut in the policy repo rate by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) between February and June 2025, banks have maintained their credit growth guidance at 11–13% and deposit growth at 9–10% for FY26. This mirrors the trend observed in FY25 and indicates continued subdued demand and liquidity pressures. Key Highlights: Current Growth Projections Unchanged CRR Reduction and Festival Demand Awaited Finance Ministry Pushes for Loan Expansion: Microfinance and Liquidity Outlook BS 2. SBI to Launch ‘Only Yono’ Context: The State Bank of India (SBI), India’s largest public sector bank, is set to embark on a major digital transformation in FY26, headlined by the launch of a next-generation version of its flagship mobile banking app — ‘Only Yono’. The transformation strategy encompasses AI integration, multilingual customer engagement, and digitization across banking verticals. Key Features of ‘Only Yono‘ App Rural and Agri-Focused Digital Expansion Branch and Self-Service Tech Upgrades AI-Powered Customer Engagement Advanced Data Infrastructure Trade Finance & MSME Digital Push TOI 3. SEBI Imposes ₹25 Lakh Penalty on BSE for Regulatory Lapses Context: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has penalized BSE Limited ₹25 lakh for multiple regulatory violations identified during a detailed inspection. Key Highlights Major Violations Identified by SEBI About BSE 4. Goa’s Instifi Receives RBI Authorization as Payment Aggregator Context: Instifi, a fintech startup based in Goa, has received final authorization from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate as a licensed payment aggregator (PA) under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007. This makes Instifi the first and only RBI-authorized payment aggregator headquartered in Goa. About Instifi RBI’s Regulatory Framework Agriculture 1. Ease of Doing Business in Agroforestry Context: The Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change has issued model rules for felling trees in agricultural land, aiming to boost exports of wood-based products. The objective is to promote ease of doing business in agroforestry, boost domestic timber production, and support wood-based exports by simplifying rules for tree felling on farmland. Key Highlights of the Model Rules Purpose and Vision: Simplified Regulatory Framework: Use of Digital Portal: Tree Felling Application & Verification: Monitoring Mechanism: Implementation & Appeal to States Mint Science & Tech 1. Ammonium Sulphate Identified as Major Contributor to PM2.5 Pollution in India: CREA Report Context: A recent study by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) has revealed that secondary pollutants, especially ammonium sulphate, are responsible for nearly one-third of India’s PM2.5 pollution. These findings come amid concerns about rising air pollution and limited implementation of emission control systems in the country. What Are Secondary Pollutants? Ammonium Sulphate’s Contribution Key Sources: Recommendations from CREA TH 2. Green Chemistry Context: As global concerns about environmental degradation intensify, green chemistry has emerged as a key scientific and industrial response. It aims to reduce or eliminate hazardous substances from chemical processes while promoting sustainability, safety, and efficiency. What is Green Chemistry? Origin Key Examples and Applications Biodiesel Production – A Green Fuel Mission Pharmaceutical Green Chemistry Tamoxifen Synthesis by BITS-Pilani (Hyderabad) Atom Economy TH Facts To Remember 1. 225% increase in GVA in agriculture in 12 years: Centre Country’s agriculture and allied sectors have witnessed a remarkable 225 percent rise in Gross Value Added at current prices, growing from 1,502 thousand crore rupees in 2011-12 to 4,878 thousand crore rupees in 2023-24, according to the National Statistics

Daily Current Affairs Quiz28 June, 2025 National Affairs 1. India–U.S. Mini Trade Deal Context: Indian negotiators are in the U.S. to finalize a mini trade deal ahead of the July 8 deadline. The urgency stems from the expiration of a 90-day pause on U.S. tariffs—dubbed “Liberation Day” tariffs—set to resume on July 9 if no deal is reached. Key Issues in Negotiation TH 2. Global Sustainable Development Rankings Context: For the first time since the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) began publishing the Sustainable Development Report in 2016, India has ranked among the top 100 countries, securing the 99th position out of 167 nations. This marks a significant milestone in India’s development journey, up from the 110th position in 2016. About SDSN and the Report Key Highlights of India’s Performance TOI 3. Uniform Renewable Energy Tariffs (URETs) Context: The central government is preparing to consult stakeholders on implementing Uniform Renewable Energy Tariffs (URETs) to streamline power procurement and tackle delays in Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). The URET mechanism, proposed in October 2023, is yet to be implemented due to state-level resistance, as electricity is a concurrent subject under the Constitution. Understanding Uniform Renewable Energy Tariff (URET) The Uniform Renewable Energy Tariff (URET) refers to a standardized pricing mechanism for renewable energy within a region or jurisdiction. It is designed to bring uniformity, transparency, and efficiency to renewable energy procurement, especially in countries like India where tariff variability often leads to delays in Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and hesitancy among distribution companies (discoms). Key Features of URET 1. Standardized Pricing Mechanism 2. Consistency and Predictability 3. Boost to Renewable Energy Adoption Mint 4. Sugamya Bharat App Context: The Sugamya Bharat App, launched by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, has been revamped to provide an improved user experience and more robust accessibility services for persons with disabilities (Divyangjan) and elderly citizens in India. Key Features of the Revamped Sugamya Bharat App PIB 5. Adi Karmyogi Programme Context: Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, Shri Jual Oram, launched the Adi Karmyogi Beta version at the closing session of a two-day conference organized by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, aimed at advancing community-led, empathetic, and inclusive tribal development. Key Highlights Launch of ‘Adi Karmyogi’ Programme Vision Key Initiatives TH Banking/Finance 1. SEBI Regulatory Changes Context: Indian listed companies have significantly reduced share buybacks in 2025 due to a combination of taxation reforms and SEBI regulatory changes. As of June 26, 2025, only four buyback offers worth ₹186 crore have been recorded, compared to 38 buybacks totalling over ₹8,000 crore in the previous calendar year. Key Factors Behind the Decline: New Taxation Rule (Effective October 1, 2024): What is a Buyback Tax? Buyback tax is a type of tax imposed on companies that repurchase their own shares from shareholders. Governments typically levy this tax to discourage companies from distributing profits to shareholders through share buybacks instead of paying dividends. SEBI Regulatory Reforms TH 2. DBS Bank India Waives Prepayment and Foreclosure Charges for UDYAM-Registered MSMEs Context: In a move aimed at easing credit access and enhancing cash flow flexibility for small businesses, DBS Bank India Ltd. (DBIL) has announced a complete waiver of prepayment and foreclosure charges for all MSME borrowers registered under UDYAM. Key Highlights: Significance for MSMEs About UDYAM TET 3. Pump and Dump Schemes Context: In a significant regulatory action to curb market manipulation, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) announced on June 27, 2025, that it had conducted search and seizure operations across multiple locations earlier in the month related to pump and dump schemes in select scrips. About Pump and Dump Schemes A “pump and dump” scheme is a market manipulation tactic where fraudsters artificially inflate the price of a stock through misleading or false statements and then sell off their holdings at the inflated prices. This practice is illegal under SEBI’s Prohibition of Fraudulent and Unfair Trade Practices (PFUTP) Regulations in India and similar laws globally. A pump and dump scheme involves artificially boosting (pumping) the price of a stock through misleading recommendations or information, then selling (dumping) the overvalued shares to retail investors, who suffer losses when prices collapse. How a Pump and Dump Scheme Works Pump Phase (Artificial Hype) Dump Phase (Sudden Sell-Off) Regulatory Perspective and Action (SEBI/Global) 4. RBI Issues Final Guidelines for KYC and Due Diligence of AePS Operators Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on June 28, 2025, released final guidelines for due diligence and onboarding of Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS) Touchpoint Operators (ATOs). The move is aimed at strengthening fraud risk management, improving accountability, and ensuring compliance with KYC norms. The guidelines will come into force from January 1, 2026. Key Provisions of the RBI Guidelines: Mandatory Due Diligence by Acquiring Banks Inactivity Rule Existing KYC Validity Ongoing KYC Compliance Significance of the Move: What is AePS? BS 5. Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) Context: The Union Finance Ministry is working on a proposal to revamp the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) by doubling the life insurance coverage and revising the annual premium structure, in a bid to boost insurance penetration and long-term scheme sustainability. The Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) The Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) is a crucial initiative by the Government of India that aims to provide affordable life insurance coverage to the masses, particularly the economically weaker sections. Launched in 2015, PMJJBY is one of the key pillars under the umbrella of Jan Suraksha Yojana, ensuring that every citizen, irrespective of income, has access to life insurance coverage. Features of PMJJBY The scheme offers several attractive features that make it simple, efficient, and accessible: 6. SEBI Revises Related Party Transactions (RPTs) Disclosure Norms Context: SEBI has updated its minimum disclosure requirements for the approval of related party transactions by audit committees and shareholders. The revised norms are a result of consultations with industry bodies including Assocham, FICCI, and CII. Related party