Context: Ministry’s circular requests states and ministries to identify and share agriculture investment schemes for inclusion. Emphasis on regular updates to maintain portal’s effectiveness. Objective To consolidate all Central and State government schemes related to agricultural investment into a single digital platform for easy access and streamlined investment. Background Key Features Significance
IRRI Scientists Discover Rice Varieties with Antioxidant and Anti-Cancer Properties
Context: Scientists at the Philippines-based International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) have identified a few rice varieties with anti-oxidant and anti-cancer properties. Key Research Highlights Testing and Supplement Development Notable Rice Varieties Identified Significance BL
Crystal Crop Launches RICEACT Herbicide and JIVORA Insecticide for Rice and Cotton Farmers
Context: Crystal Crop Protection Limited (CCPL), India’s leading agrochemicals solutions company, today announced the launch of a herbicide and insecticide, both major research-driven products. CCPL has launched RICEACT, a solution tailored specifically for rice cultivation, and JIVORA, a next-generation insecticide, designed to address the rising challenges of sucking pests in cotton, said a statement from the company. About RICEACT (Herbicide for Rice) About JIVORA (Insecticide for Cotton) Strategic Impact Business Line
Agricultural Households in India Increasingly Rely on Non-Farm Income: PRICE Report
Context: 52% of agricultural households now earn additional income from non-agricultural activities, reflecting a growing trend toward income diversification. Top States by Share of Agricultural Households with Non-Farm Income (2024–25) States With Highest Dependence on Farming Alone Income Inequality Among Agricultural Households States With Highest Average Annual Income for Agricultural Households States With Lowest Agricultural Household Income BS
India’s Economic Performance in 2025
Headline Growth vs. Ground Reality GDP vs. GDP Per Capita Employment Structure Education Outcomes Health Indicators Human Development Index (Chart 6) TH
Daily Current Affairs (DCA) 1 & 2 June, 2025
Daily Current Affairs Quiz1 & 2 June, 2025 International Affairs 1. Indus Waters Treaty at UN Glacier Conference Context: At the first UN Conference on Glaciers in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, India strongly rebutted Pakistan’s claims over the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), asserting that cross-border terrorism from Pakistan is the real impediment to the treaty’s implementation. India’s Arguments at the UN Forum Background: India’s Suspension of the IWT About the Indus Waters Treaty Significance of the UN Glacier Conference TH National Affairs 1. Osaka World Expo 2025 Context: At the ongoing World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, India has taken a unique approach by emphasizing its soft power and civilisational heritage rather than solely technological advancements. The Expo runs from April 13 to October 13 under the central theme: “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.” About the Osaka World Expo 2025 India Pavilion: A Civilisational Experience Key Themes and Symbolism Highlights of India’s Soft Power Projection TH 2. Union Education Ministry Urges Jharkhand and Bihar to Address Unrecognised Schools Context: The Ministry highlighted the large number of unrecognised private schools in Jharkhand and Bihar during the Project Approval Board (PAB) meetings in March and April 2025. These meetings discussed the Annual Work Plan and Budget for the Samagra Shiksha scheme (2025-26) under the chairmanship of Sanjay Kumar, Secretary (School Education and Literacy). Data from UDISE+ (Unified District Information System for Education Plus) What is an Unrecognised School? Legal Framework: Right to Education (RTE) Act Provisions What does Article 21A say? Right to Education Act (RTE) of 2009 The Right to Education Act (RTE) of 2009 guarantees free and compulsory education for children between the ages of 6 and 14. Penalties for Non-Compliance TH 3. “NITI Aayog to Release National Brain Health Blueprint to Combat Rising Cognitive Disorders” Context: NITI Aayog is in the final stages of drafting a National Brain Health Blueprint to address the rising burden of neurological and cognitive disorders in India. The blueprint will focus on early identification, prevention, and management of conditions like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, epilepsy, and stroke. Key Objectives Stakeholders Involved Proposed Model 4. NAKSHA (National Geospatial Knowledge-Based Land Survey of Urban Habitations) Programme Why in News? The Department of Land Resources (DoLR) under the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, launched the second phase of capacity-building under the NAKSHA (National Geospatial Knowledge-Based Land Survey of Urban Habitations) programme. This training phase begins 2nd June 2025 and will be conducted across five national Centres of Excellence (CoEs). NAKSHA: Urban Land Records Digitization Initiative NAKSHA (National Urban Digital Mission for Land Records) is a pioneering initiative launched in 2024 under the Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP). It aims to digitally create and update land records in urban areas, ensuring reliable ownership documentation and enabling transparent, dispute-free governance. Key Features of NAKSHA Purpose: Highlights of the Second Phase Training Modules Include About Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP) Key Components Achievements (as of FY25) Significance of Digitizing Urban Land Records PIB 5. India Emerges as Major Hub for Illegal Online Gambling, Says CUTS Report Context: Over 5.4 billion visits were recorded in FY25 to the top 15 unauthorised gambling platforms, including 1xBet, Parimatch, Stake, Fairplay, and BateryBet, according to a report by CUTS International. Major Policy and Enforcement Gaps National Security & Consumer Harm Alarming Online Visibility Aggressive User Acquisition & Engagement Strategies Recommendations from CUTS International Banking/Finance 1. RBI’s Draft Directions on Gold Loans (April 2025) Context: On April 9, 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released draft guidelines on loans against gold collateral. Why RBI Intervened Key Provisions in the Draft Impact on Regulated Entities Critical Assessment TH 2. India’s Crypto Landscape and Regulatory Challenges Strong Crypto Adoption Amid Regulatory Uncertainty Regulatory Environment and Judicial Remarks Challenges with Regulatory and Monetary Controls Continued Offshore Trading and Tax Leakage Importance of Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) 3. FD-Backed Credit Card Launched by ZET in Partnership with SBM Bank Context: ZET, a fintech platform focused on credit score building, has partnered with SBM Bank (India) to launch a fixed deposit-backed credit card — the SBM ZET Credit Card. The product is aimed at new-to-credit users, individuals without income proof, and those looking to build or repair their credit score. Key Features Credit Score Benefits Security & Regulation User Engagement Benefits Target Audience 4. UPI’s Share in India’s Digital Transactions Context: Unified Payments Interface (UPI) continued to dominate India’s digital payments landscape in FY25, recording a 41.7% annual growth in volume and expanding its share of total digital transactions to 83.4%, up from 79.4% in FY24. Regulatory and Policy Developments UPI Internationalization Significance UPSC PYQ Consider the following countries: I. United Arab Emirates II. France III. Germany IV. Singapore V. Bangladesh How many countries amongst the above there other than India where international merchant payments are accepted under UPI? (a) Only two) (b) Only three (c) Only four (d) All the five 5. RBI to Strengthen Liquidity Stress Tests and Assess Climate Risk for Financial Stability Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is set to bolster the financial system’s resilience by enhancing stress testing frameworks for Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs), NBFCs, and cooperative banks, alongside integrating climate transition risks into regulatory oversight. Key Initiatives: Significance: 6. Razorpay Relocates Parent Entity to India Context: Fintech unicorn Razorpay has completed the relocation of its parent company from the United States to India, positioning itself for a domestic Initial Public Offering (IPO) planned by the end of calendar year 2026. The move marks a key milestone in India’s growing trend of fintech companies shifting their base back to India. Key Highlights Significance 7. SBI Research Projects Net Financial Savings to Hit â‚ą22 Lakh Crore in FY25 Context: According to the SBI Research Report, India’s household sector net financial savings are projected to reach â‚ą22 lakh crore in FY 2024-25, reflecting growing economic resilience and macroeconomic stability. Key Highlights 8. Fintechs Seek Easier Provisioning Norms for DLG-Backed Loan Pools Context: Fintech companies and digital lenders are urging
Fintechs Seek Easier Provisioning Norms for DLG-Backed Loan Pools
Context: Fintech companies and digital lenders are urging the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to relax provisioning requirements for loan pools backed by Default Loss Guarantees (DLGs). They argue that current norms may result in double provisioning, reducing lending efficiency and capital deployment. Key Issues Raised by Fintechs Accounting Interpretation Differences Double Provisioning Concern Industry Representation RBI’s Stand Regulatory Perspective Mint
SBI Research Projects Net Financial Savings to Hit â‚ą22 Lakh Crore in FY25
Context: According to the SBI Research Report, India’s household sector net financial savings are projected to reach ₹22 lakh crore in FY 2024-25, reflecting growing economic resilience and macroeconomic stability. Key Highlights
Razorpay Relocates Parent Entity to India
Context: Fintech unicorn Razorpay has completed the relocation of its parent company from the United States to India, positioning itself for a domestic Initial Public Offering (IPO) planned by the end of calendar year 2026. The move marks a key milestone in India’s growing trend of fintech companies shifting their base back to India. Key Highlights Significance
RBI to Strengthen Liquidity Stress Tests and Assess Climate Risk for Financial Stability
Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is set to bolster the financial system’s resilience by enhancing stress testing frameworks for Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs), NBFCs, and cooperative banks, alongside integrating climate transition risks into regulatory oversight. Key Initiatives: Significance:
