Source: News on Air Why in news? India has joined the BRICS Centre for Industrial Competencies (BCIC) to strengthen cooperation in manufacturing, MSME development, and Industry 4.0 adoption across BRICS and BRICS Plus countries.The National Productivity Council (NPC) has been designated as Indiaās nodal agency for engagement with BCIC. What is the BRICS Centre for Industrial Competencies (BCIC)? Established: 2024ā25Launched at: Headquarters of United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)Institutional framework: Supported under the BRICS Partnership on New Industrial Revolution (PartNIR) Objectives of BCIC
What is Bharat Taxi?
Source: News on Air Why in news? Bharat Taxi, a government-backed, cooperative-run ride-hailing platform, was formally launched on February 5, 2026 by Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah, positioning itself as a driver-owned alternative to private aggregators like Uber and Rapido. What is Bharat Taxi?
SEBI Moots Easing of Commodity Derivatives Rules
Why in news? The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has proposed easing certain risk-management norms in the commodity derivatives market, citing feedback that existing safeguards may be overly conservative and capital-intensive. What has SEBI proposed? Key Change Suggested Revision of Stress-Testing Norms What is a Z-score? What is the Settlement Guarantee Fund (SGF)? The Settlement Guarantee Fund (SGF) is a financial safety net maintained by clearing corporations in Indian financial markets to ensure timely settlement of trades, even if one or more market participants default. In simple terms, SGF guarantees completion of trades and protects the market from cascading failures due to defaults. Who Regulates SGF?
SEBI Moves to Ease Some Rules for InvITs and REITs
Why in news? The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has proposed targeted regulatory relaxations for Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs) and Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) to improve cash management, borrowing flexibility, and post-concession asset handling, while retaining investor protection norms. Key Proposals in SEBIās Consultation Paper 1) Holding SPVs Beyond Concession Period (InvITs) 2) Greater Flexibility in Parking Surplus Cash (InvITs & REITs) 3) Greenfield Projects: Level Playing Field
SEBI Plans to Revamp āFit and Properā Framework
Source: Mint Why in news? The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has proposed a review and revamp of its āfit and properā framework for market intermediaries, citing concerns that some existing provisions may be overly rigid and punitive at a preliminary stage of legal proceedings. What is the āFit and Properā Framework? Why is SEBI Reviewing It Now?
RBI Imposes Compounding Fee on One 97 Communications for FEMA Violations
Source: BS Why in news? In February 2026, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed a compounding fee of ā¹18.76 lakh on One 97 Communications Limited (OCL) for violations of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999, relating to foreign investment transactions in its subsidiary. What is the case about? Transaction involved Nature of violation Compounding Order Explained Disclosure & Compliance
Centre Defines Eligibility Criteria for āDeep Techā Start-ups
Source: The Hindu Why in News? The Union Government has officially defined what constitutes a ādeep techā start-up through a gazette notification issued by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), bringing regulatory clarity to a term widely used but previously undefined. What is a Deep Tech Start-up? According to the notification, a deep tech start-up is an enterprise that: Key Eligibility Criteria Relaxed Start-up Norms for Deep Tech Firms Parameter Normal Start-up Deep Tech Start-up Maximum age 10 years 20 years Turnover limit ā¹200 crore ā¹300 crore
NBA Launches Digital Portal for Certificate of Origin of Cultivated Medicinal Plants
Source: PIB Why in News? On 5 February 2026, the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) launched a digital portal for the electronic issuance of Certificates of Origin (CoO) for cultivated medicinal plants, to support Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) exemption applications. Key Features of the Digital CoO Portal About Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) About National Biodiversity Authority (NBA)
RBI Keeps Repo Rate Unchanged at 5.25%
Source: TH Why in News? The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), in its February monetary policy, decided to keep the policy repo rate unchanged at 5.25% and retained a neutral policy stance, signalling a likely pause in rate action. Key Decisions What Does āNeutral Stanceā Indicate? What is Repo Rate? The repo rate is the interest rate at which the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) lends short-term funds to commercial banks against government securities. What is Reverse Repo Rate? The reverse repo rate is the interest rate at which RBI borrows money from commercial banks. Repo vs Reverse Repo Aspect Repo Rate Reverse Repo Rate RBIās role Lender Borrower Banksā role Borrowers Lenders Objective Inject liquidity Absorb liquidity Effect on money supply Increases Decreases
RBI Raises Loan Limits for Small Businesses; Allows Bank Lending to REITs
Source: BS Why in News? The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced measures to enhance credit flow to small businesses and support the real estate sector, as part of its monetary policy initiatives to strengthen formal and last-mile lending. Key Announcements 1. Enhanced Collateral-Free Loans for Small Businesses 2. Bank Lending to REITs Permitted What are REITs? Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) are regulated investment vehicles that own, operate, or finance income-generating real estate such as office parks, malls, warehouses, and hotels. They allow investors to earn returns from real estate without directly owning property.
