Context: Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has launched India’s first ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) bonds on the National Stock Exchange (NSE), setting a precedent under SEBI’s new sustainability-linked bond framework notified in June 2025. Key Highlights: About SEBI’s ESG Bond Framework The framework mandates: Definition
RazorpayX Launches India’s First Founder-Friendly Corporate Credit Card for Startups
Context: RazorpayX, the business banking arm of Razorpay, has introduced a new Corporate Credit Card tailored specifically for startups—an underserved segment in India’s financial ecosystem. Key Highlights Definitions
NACH (National Automated Clearing House) 3.0 Platform
Context: The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) is set to roll out NACH 3.0 in the first week of July 2025, aiming to accelerate and secure recurring bank transactions such as salaries, pensions, EMIs, SIPs, and government subsidies under the National Automated Clearing House (NACH) platform. Key Features of NACH 3.0 What is NACH? About NPCI
RBI Issues Final Framework on IRACP Norms for Project Finance Loans to Banks & NBFCs
Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released the final guidelines on Income Recognition, Asset Classification, and Provisioning (IRACP) norms specifically for project finance loans, applicable to both banks and NBFCs. These directions aim to align provisioning with the actual credit risk during a project’s lifecycle. Key Highlights Provisioning for Projects Under Construction: Provisioning After Project Becomes Operational: Objective of the Framework Applicable Entities
India Post Payments Bank Wins Digital Payments Award 2024–25 for Financial Inclusion Excellence
Context: The India Post Payments Bank (IPPB), a 100% Government of India-owned entity under the Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications, has won the Digital Payments Award 2024–25. The award was conferred by the Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance for IPPB’s outstanding contribution in expanding digital payment access and driving financial inclusion across India. Key Highlights: About India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) Mission: To promote inclusive digital banking and make banking services accessible, simple, and affordable for underserved and unbanked populations.
Centre to Launch Crop- and State-Specific Planning Amid Strong Kharif Outlook
Context: Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday announced that the government will adopt a crop-wise and state-specific planning approach to better align agricultural strategies and address regional challenges. The move is aimed at boosting productivity and ensuring timely policy interventions. Focus on Strategic Crops Chouhan said the initiative will begin with a review of soybean cultivation in Madhya Pradesh on June 26, followed by similar assessments for cotton and sugarcane. The government will take a targeted approach for crops such as: “This crop-specific planning will help tailor interventions to the needs of farmers and regional conditions,” Chouhan stated during a media interaction following a review of the Vikshit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan. Kharif Sowing Off to a Strong Start Rainfall and Input Preparedness MSP Procurement for Pulses In a move to support farmers affected by falling prices, the Ministry of Agriculture has approved procurement of moong and urad dal under the Price Support Scheme (PSS) in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. BS
Scientists Raise Concerns Over India’s First Genome-Edited Rice Varieties
Context: A group of eminent scientists under the banner of the ‘Agricultural Scientists Manch’ has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, raising serious concerns over the recent release of India’s first genetically edited rice varieties developed using the CRISPR-Cas9 technology. Key Concerns Released Varieties The two genome-edited rice varieties, released last month, are: These varieties mark a major technological leap in Indian agriculture, with the government framing them as part of a sustainable future in rice cultivation. BS
Dharti Aaba Janbhagidari Abhiyan (DAJA): India’s Largest Tribal Empowerment Drive
Context: The Government of India has launched Dharti Aaba Janbhagidari Abhiyan (DAJA) — an unprecedented tribal empowerment drive across 1 lakh+ tribal villages in 31 States/UTs. What is DAJA? Key Features PIB
NITI Aayog India’s Data Imperative Report
Context: Government think tank NITI Aayog proposed institutionalising data ownership, incentivising data quality, and interoperability of data across platforms as measures to improve data quality in the country in view of Indians’ growing dependence on digital public infrastructure. NITI Aayog Report What is India’s Data Ecosystem? Key Highlights Why a Robust Data Ecosystem is Essential Key Challenges: Recommended Measures TOI & Mint
Sustainable Development Report (SDR) 2025
Context: India has achieved a significant milestone by entering the top 100 countries in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Index for the first time. In the 2025 edition of the Sustainable Development Report (SDR) released by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, India has been ranked 99th out of 167 nations, with an overall SDG score of 67. India’s Ranking This marks a sharp rise from 109th position in 2024, reflecting sustained progress across key social, economic, and environmental indicators. The SDG Index assesses a country’s performance across the 17 goals adopted by the United Nations in 2015, with a score of 100 representing full achievement. India’s SDG Rankings Over Time Global Performance Country Rank SDG Score Finland 1st — Sweden 2nd — Denmark 3rd — United States 44th 75.2 China 49th 74.4 Maldives 53rd — Bhutan 74th 70.5 Nepal 85th 68.6 Sri Lanka 93rd — India 99th 67.0 Bangladesh 114th 63.9 Pakistan 140th 57.0 Key Highlights from the 2025 Report Dominance of European Countries TH
