Daily Current Affairs Quiz9 December, 2025 National Affairs 1. BNHS Scientist Parveen Shaikh Wins Sanctuary Wildlife Service Award 2025 Context: Parveen Shaikh, a scientist at the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), has been awarded the Sanctuary Wildlife Service Award 2025 for her innovative, community-led conservation efforts for the endangered Indian Skimmer in the National Chambal Sanctuary. About the Sanctuary Wildlife Service Award Parveen Shaikh’s Key Contributions 2. Defence Minister Inaugurates 125 BRO Projects Worth ₹5,000 Crore Source: TH Context: About Border Roads Organisation (BRO) Objectives 3. Vande Mataram Source: PIB Context: Special discussion in Lok Sabha commemorating 150 years of the National Song, Vande Mataram. PM Modi highlighted its role in inspiring India’s freedom struggle, uniting citizens, and promoting national pride. Overview History Cultural & Legal Status 4. India Plans Unified National Customs Platform Source: BS Context: Existing Systems Proposed Integration 4. National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) Source: TH Context: NATGRID is receiving around 45,000 data requests per month, reflecting increased reliance by Central agencies and State police for real-time intelligence. About NATGRID Aim Functions 5. Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary to Launch Safari Services in Telangana Source: TNIE Context: Telangana’s Mulugu forest officials are set to introduce safari services inside Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary, creating new eco-tourism and livelihood opportunities for local communities. About Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary Biodiversity 6. Corporate Average Fuel-Efficiency (CAFE) Source: Mint Two global transport and road-safety organisations—the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) and the International Road Federation (IRF)—have separately asked the Indian government to reassess further concessions under the upcoming Corporate Average Fuel-Efficiency (CAFE-III) norms.The auto industry has argued that the revised norms remain too stringent and may affect sectoral viability. What Are CAFE Norms? Purpose Banking/Finance 1. RBI Directs Weekly Updates of Credit Information Reports Source: ET Context: Key Directives Rationale 2. RBI Monetary Policy Outlook: December 2025 Policy Action Purpose of Policy Action: Explanation of Key RBI Rates Rate Current Level Function Repo Rate 5.25% Rate at which RBI lends to commercial banks; cuts stimulate growth SDF Rate 5.00% Rate at which banks deposit surplus funds with RBI without collateral MSF Rate 5.50% Overnight borrowing rate for banks in urgent need; last-resort facility Bank Rate 5.50% Long-term lending rate of RBI; benchmark for other interest rates Fixed Reverse Repo Rate 3.35% Rate at which RBI borrows from banks; helps manage liquidity 3. IDFC FIRST Bank Launches Upgraded “FIRST WOW! Credit Card” Source: BL Overview Key Features 4. SEBI Launches PaRRVA to Strengthen Investor Protection Source: Mint Context: On 8 December 2025, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) launched the Past Risk and Return Verification Agency (PaRRVA) to curb mis-selling of financial products and enhance supervision of intermediaries, including social media “finfluencers.” About PaRRVA: Key Features: Significance: Background: 5. SEBI Introduces Framework for AI-Only Funds and Large Value Funds (LVFs) Source: Mint Context: On 8 December 2025, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) issued a circular formalising the process for existing Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) to convert into Accredited Investor-only funds (AI-only funds) or Large Value Funds (LVFs). The move follows amendments to the SEBI (AIF) Regulations, 2012, notified on 19 November 2025. Key Highlights of the Circular: About LVFs and AI-only Funds: Significance: Agriculture 1. Food Inflation Dips Source: IE Context: The sowing of rabi crops—including wheat, mustard, chana, masoor, and maize—has been around 10% higher than last year. This reflects positive developments in rainfall, government support, and crop price incentives. Key Drivers of Increased Rabi Sowing Implications for Food Inflation and Economy Challenges: Farm Income and Price Volatility Significance 2. Agri Business Summit 2025 Context: At the Agri Business Summit 2025, NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Agriculture shared projections and policy priorities for India’s agricultural sector. The focus was on farm growth, soil health, and sustainable farming practices essential for achieving Viksit Bharat targets. Farm Growth Outlook for 2025-26 1. NITI Aayog Projects 4% Agricultural Growth 2. Growth Needed for Viksit Bharat Goal NITI Aayog Member Ramesh Chand highlighted: Soil Health & Fertiliser Use 1. Balanced Fertiliser Use to Prevent Soil Degradation Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan stressed: 2. Implications of Soil Degradation Sustainable Farming Practices 1. Integrated Farming Systems (IFS) Chouhan emphasised promoting integrated farming, especially for small farmers: 2. Long-Term Vision Facts To Remember 1 Renowned socialist leader Baba Adhav, 95, passes away Renowned socialist leader Baba Adhav, 95, passed away at a hospital in Pune night. 2. Bangladesh downs Austria, wins Challenger Trophy Bangladesh secured the Challenger Trophy at the FIH Junior Men’s World Cup 2025 after a 5-4 win over Austria. 3. Zoravar finishes seventh in India’s best-ever campaign Zorawar Singh Sandhu finished seventh in the men’s trap final with seven hits in first 10 targets as India concluded an impressive campaign at the ISSF World Cup Final with six medals, including two gold. 4. Declining MGNREGA Dependence Signals Improving Rural Economy Demand for work under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) has shown a sharp and sustained decline, suggesting improving economic conditions in rural India. In October 2025, households seeking MGNREGA work fell 35.3% year-on-year, marking one of the steepest mid-year drops in recent years. 5. Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0 delegates engage students at Bangali Tola Inter College As part of this year’s theme, Tamil Karkalam, the delegates of Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0 yesterday taught Tamil and engaged with the students at Bangali Tola Inter College in Varanasi – strengthening the bridge of language and culture between Tamil Nadu and Kashi. 6. President Droupadi Murmu confers National Handicrafts Awards in New Delhi President Droupadi Murmu has conferred the National Handicrafts Awards for 2023 and 2024 in New Delhi. These prestigious national accolades celebrate exceptional artistic mastery and underscore the Government’s commitment to preserving and promoting India’s rich and diverse handicraft heritage.   7. MoS Kirti Vardhan Singh to attend UNEA in Kenya Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Kirti Vardhan Singh, will attend the 7th session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) in Nairobi, Kenya. 8. 8th