Context: Groww Mutual Fund has introduced the Groww Nifty India Internet ETF, India’s first exchange-traded fund (ETF) designed to track the Nifty India Internet Index (TRI). The fund aims to offer investors exposure to India’s fast-growing internet-based companies. What Is the Groww Nifty India Internet ETF? Key Features Government Support
Urban Cooperative Bank in India
Context: In a historic move, Vishweshwar Sahakari Bank, a leading Urban Cooperative Bank (UCB) based in Pune, has been granted Scheduled Bank status by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). This is the first such approval in over two decades, signalling a renewed regulatory thrust to empower well-performing cooperative banks. What Are Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs)? Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs) are financial institutions based on the cooperative model. They emerged from co-operative credit societies where members pooled resources to provide affordable loans within the community. Four-Tier Structure Proposed by RBI (2021) RBI’s Key Recommendations for UCBs What Scheduled Bank Status Enables BS UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ) Prelims Q. With reference to ‘Urban Cooperative Banks’ in India, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only(b) 2 and 3 only(c) 1 and 3 only(d) 1, 2 and 3
India’s Retail Inflation Falls to 75-Month Low of 2.8% in May 2025
Context: Retail inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), dropped to 2.8% in May 2025. This is the lowest inflation rate in 75 months, last seen in February 2019. The decline was primarily led by easing food prices. Consumer Price Index (CPI) The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a key economic indicator that measures changes in the average prices of a fixed basket of goods and services over time. It reflects retail inflation and directly impacts the cost of living for households. Key Features of CPI What’s in the CPI Basket? How CPI Works Significance of CPI in India Types of CPI in India
Kerala Agricultural University Joins NASA’s Axiom Mission 4 with Space-Bound Seeds
Context: Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) joins the prestigious Axiom Mission 4, led by NASA, with support from the European Space Agency, ISRO, and IIST. Six high-yielding crop varieties developed by KAU will be sent to the International Space Station (ISS) for agricultural experiments in microgravity. The research is led by the College of Agriculture, Vellayani, under KAU. Crop Varieties Selected for Space Research Research Objectives Indian Representation in Space BL
Agri-Drone in India
Context: Union Minister of State for Rural Development, Kamlesh Paswan, inaugurated Garuda Aerospace’s Agri-Drone Indigenisation Facility in Chennai. Spread across 35,000 sq ft, the facility is India’s first hub for designing, manufacturing, and testing advanced Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). The facility aims to indigenously produce 7 drone subsystems and 33 components, furthering India’s self-reliance in drone technology. What Is an Agri-Drone? An agri-drone (or farm drone) is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) used in agriculture to enhance productivity, monitor crop health, and optimize farming practices. These drones are equipped with cameras and sensors to collect real-time data from fields. What Agri-Drones Do? Benefits of Agri-Drones How They Work Applications in Agriculture Namo Drone Didi
Swadeshi Jagran Manch Launches ‘Swadeshi Suraksha evam Swavlamban Abhiyan’
Context: Following revelations under Operation Sindoor, which reportedly exposed threats posed by China and Türkiye to India’s sovereignty and trade interests, the Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) has intensified its economic nationalism campaign. Launch of Nationwide Campaign Swadeshi Movement (1905) Key Objectives and Aspects
Swadeshi Movement (1905)
Key Objectives and Aspects Impact and Significance
SpaceX Postpones Axiom Space Ax-4 Mission
Context: The Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), a private crewed mission to the International Space Station (ISS), has been postponed by SpaceX due to a liquid oxygen (LOx) leak detected during post-static fire inspections of the Falcon 9 booster. Key Details: Significance for India
Microfinance Sector in India
Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Deputy Governor has flagged a deepening crisis in the Indian microfinance sector, citing a: About Microfinance in India Challenges Way Forward UPSC Mains PYQ Q. “In the villages itself no form of credit organisation will be suitable except the cooperative society.” – All Indian rural credit survey. Discuss this statement in the background of agriculture finance in India. What constrain and challenges do financial institutions face supplying agricultural finances? How can technology be used to better reach and serve rural clients? (2014)
India and Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement
Context: India is unlikely to ratify the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) agreement, also known as the High Seas Treaty, during the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France (June 2025), despite having signed the agreement in September 2024. About the BBNJ Agreement India’s Position and Activities at the Conference
