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