Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released a new Master Direction on Electronic Trading Platforms (ETPs) on June 16, 2025, aimed at strengthening the regulatory framework for digital financial market infrastructure. This direction replaces the 2018 guidelines and takes immediate effect. Definition of ETP An Electronic Trading Platform (ETP) is defined as: “Any electronic system (excluding recognised stock exchanges) where transactions in eligible financial instruments are contracted electronically.” Eligible Instruments include: Scope and Applicability Not applicable to: Key Regulatory Provisions Eligibility to Operate an ETP Entities must: Approval Process Operational and Compliance Requirements Data Retention: Reporting Obligations: Monitoring and Enforcement:

Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued a Master Circular on Credit Facilities to Scheduled Castes (SCs) & Scheduled Tribes (STs) aimed at enhancing credit access, promoting financial inclusion, and ensuring effective implementation through structured monitoring and policy measures. Key Highlights of the Master Circular Streamlined Procedures and Special Reservations Centrally Sponsored Schemes Supporting SC/ST Credit Access DAY-NRLM (Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission) Differential Rate of Interest (DRI) Scheme Credit Enhancement Guarantee Scheme for Scheduled Castes (CEGSSC)

Context: The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has notified the Determination of Cost of Production Regulations, 2025, marking a major reform in how predatory pricing is assessed and regulated in India. These reforms aim to reinforce competition safeguards, especially in digital and capital-intensive markets, by introducing clear, consistent benchmarks based on Average Total Cost (ATC). What is Predatory Pricing? Definition:Predatory pricing involves a dominant firm deliberately setting prices below cost to eliminate competitors, eventually gaining monopoly power. Example:NSE vs. MCX case—NSE deployed zero-pricing strategies in currency derivatives, leading to allegations of market exclusion and regulatory scrutiny. Key Features of Predatory Pricing Types: Factors Encouraging Predatory Pricing Challenges in Regulation

Context: Bajaj Allianz General Insurance has introduced a first-of-its-kind ‘State-wise Health Insurance Policy’, offering region-specific health insurance solutions across 25 states and 5 Union Territories. This initiative marks a pioneering step in customising healthcare protection in alignment with the unique medical infrastructure, affordability, and disease profiles of each state in India. Key Features of the State-wise Health Insurance Policy Regionally Customised Coverage Lifetime Renewability About Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Bajaj Allianz is a joint venture between Bajaj Finserv Ltd and Allianz SE, offering a broad portfolio of insurance solutions including health, motor, home, cybersecurity, and even niche segments like pet and film insurance. The company holds an [ICRA]AAA rating, ensuring high trust and timely claims servicing across over 1,500 cities and towns in India. BS

Context: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has released a consultation paper proposing a structured framework to govern the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) technologies in the Indian securities market. The proposals aim to safeguard investor interests, promote fairness, and ensure cybersecurity compliance amid rising adoption of AI/ML tools in trading, advisory, and surveillance. Key Features of SEBI’s Five-Point Plan Background and Next Steps TOI

Context: The yield spread between India’s 3-year and 10-year government bonds has widened to 48 basis points (bps) in FY26, up from 15 bps at the start of the fiscal and just 4 bps in January 2025. This reflects the RBI’s monetary easing, liquidity infusion, and a 100 bps CRR cut. Key Highlights: About Government Bonds Government Securities (G-Secs) are sovereign debt instruments issued by the RBI on behalf of the Government of India.

Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has levied a monetary penalty of ₹29.6 lakh on Fino Payments Bank Ltd for non-compliance with its licensing guidelines applicable to payments banks. Key Highlights: Regulatory Context TET

Context: Amid increasing frequency of extreme weather events, parametric insurance—a product that pays out automatically based on predefined environmental thresholds—is gaining traction in India. While still nascent, insurers expect its growth to accelerate due to climate change’s growing impact on livelihoods and public health. What is Parametric Insurance? Parametric insurance provides automatic payouts when predefined parameters (such as temperature, rainfall, wind speed, or seismic magnitude) are met or exceeded.Unlike traditional insurance, it does not require claim filing or damage assessment, ensuring quick and transparent disbursement. Key Features: BS

Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has revised its Priority Sector Lending (PSL) guidelines for Small Finance Banks (SFBs), reducing their mandatory lending target from 75% to 60% of Adjusted Net Bank Credit (ANBC) or credit equivalent of off-balance sheet exposures, whichever is higher. The new norms will be effective from FY26 (2025–26). What is Priority Sector Lending (PSL)? Priority Sector Lending refers to the mandatory lending by banks to sectors deemed important for the overall development of the economy, particularly in terms of inclusive growth. These sectors include: The RBI mandates specific PSL targets for different types of banks to ensure adequate credit flow to these sectors, which might otherwise be underserved by commercial lending. Key Highlights of the New PSL Norm for SFBs: PSL Targets for Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs) Revised Expanded Definition of ‘Weaker Sections’ Enhanced Loan Limits Implications of the Revision Background BL