Daily Current Affairs Quiz19 November, 2025 National Affairs 1. Global Methane Status Report 2025 Source: UNEP Context: The report, released by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), serves as a mid-term evaluation of the Global Methane Pledge (GMP), assessing progress, challenges, and pathways to reduce global methane emissions by 30% by 2030. Emissions Overview Sectoral Emissions & Mitigation Potential Sector Share of Emissions Key Sources Mitigation Potential Agriculture 42% (146 Mt) Livestock enteric fermentation (76%), rice cultivation (21%) Improved livestock management, rice paddy aeration Energy 38% (135 Mt) Oil & gas production, coal mining Leak detection & repair, ban non-emergency venting Waste 20% (71 Mt) Landfills (37 Mt), wastewater (30 Mt) Source separation, landfill gas capture Global Impacts Recommendations 2. National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (NAP-AMR 2.0) Source: TH Context: Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is a growing public health concern globally and in India, threatening effective treatment in surgery, cancer care, and other medical interventions. Overuse and misuse of antibiotics accelerate AMR, reducing the effectiveness of life-saving drugs. New Initiative: NAP-AMR 2.0 is India’s updated five-year strategic framework (2025–29) to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) using a One Health approach, covering human health, animal husbandry, agriculture, food safety, environment, and research sectors. Launched by: Union Ministry of Health & Family WelfareContext: WHO’s World AMR Awareness Week Aim: Key Objectives of NAP-AMR 2.0: 3. Sentinel-6B Satellite Source: IE Context: An advanced ocean-altimetry satellite designed for high-precision measurement of global sea-surface height, waves, winds, and climate-driven ocean changes. It continues the legacy of Topex-Poseidon → Jason-1/2/3 → Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich missions since the early 1990s. Launch Details: Aim: Key Features: 4. National Industrial Classification (NIC) 2025 Context: A standardized six-digit classification system for categorizing all economic activities in India, replacing the earlier five-digit NIC-2008. History: Aim: Key Features: National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) Key Features: 5. QS Sustainability Rankings 2026 Source: IE Context: An annual ranking assessing universities globally on environmental and social impact, sustainability research, governance, and alumni impact. It evaluates institutions’ contributions to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through research, education, and societal outcomes. Key Metrics: Global Top 5 Institutions (2026): India’s Performance in QS Sustainability Rankings 2026 Performance Across Sustainability Indicators Lens / Indicator Weight Top Indian Institution Global Rank Social Impact 45% IIT Delhi 382 Equality 12% Manipal Academy of Higher Ed 441 Knowledge Exchange 10% University of Delhi 94 Impact of Education 7% University of Delhi 785 Employability & Outcomes 11% IIT Delhi 93 Health & Wellbeing 5% IIT Roorkee 537 Environmental Impact 45% IIT Bombay 100 Environmental Sustainability 15% IIT Kharagpur 49 Environmental Education 17% IISc Bangalore 42 Environmental Research 13% IIT Kharagpur 291 Governance 10% University of Delhi 187 Key Observations India’s Overall Position 6. India Re-Elected to Codex Executive Committee Source: News on Air Context: India has been unanimously re-elected as the Asian regional representative on the Executive Committee (CCEXEC) of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC). Role & Functions: Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) An international intergovernmental body that develops food standards, guidelines, and codes of practice. Organizational Structure: Aim: Key Features: Banking/Finance 1. SIDBI Launches Antariksh Venture Capital Fund (AVCF) Source: Mint Context: A spacetech-focused venture capital fund set up by SIDBI Venture Capital Ltd. (SVCL), SIDBI’s subsidiary. Designed to invest in early-stage and growth-stage Indian spacetech companies across launch systems, satellites, payloads, earth observation, communications, and downstream applications. Fund Details: Purpose & Objectives What is an AIF? Who can invest? Categories of AIF Category I AIF Category II AIF Category III AIF Venture Capital Fund (VCF) How VCFs Work Key Characteristics of VCFs 2. RBL Bank Launches LUMIERE & NOVA Premium Credit Cards Context: RBL Bank has launched two new premium credit cards—LUMIERE and NOVA—marking its entry into India’s high-end credit card segment. These cards target the rapidly growing HNI (High-Net-Worth Individuals) and affluent customer base. What Was Launched? Target Segment Features of the Cards 1. LUMIERE Credit Card 2. NOVA Credit Card About RBL Bank 4. Master Capital Services Receives SEBI’s In-Principle Approval for Mutual Fund Business Source: ET Context: Master Capital Services Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Master Trust, has received SEBI’s in-principle approval to enter the mutual fund business. What “In-Principle Approval” Means Why This Is Significant Regulatory Requirements to Start a Mutual Fund Under SEBI MF Regulations, an applicant must: 5. South Indian Bank Launches SIB HER Account for Women Context: South Indian Bank (SIB) has launched the SIB HER Account, a premium savings account designed exclusively for women—including NRIs—at an event in Kochi, Kerala (Nov 2025). Target Group Minimum Monthly Balance Agriculture 1. Planned Amendments to PPV&FRA Act and Farmers’ Concerns Source: TH Context: The Union Agriculture Minister, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, announced plans to amend the PPV&FRA Act, incorporating suggestions from stakeholders to address current challenges and bolster farmers’ interests. The Act has been in force for 20 years; the agricultural sector has seen technological, scientific, and trade changes during this period. Consultations: Key Areas of Proposed Amendments: Farmers’ Concerns: 2. Centre Introduces New Crop Loss Coverage Norms under PMFBY Source: BL Context: Wild Animal Attacks – Add-on Cover: Expected Impact: Facts To Remember 1. India’s Raghu Prasad named FIH Male Umpire of the Year India’s Raghu Prasad was on Tuesday named the FIH Male Umpire of the Year 2025 by the International Hockey Federation for “professionalism, dedication, and excellence” in officiating matches.  2. India’s air rifle mixed teams win gold, bronze at Deaflympics Indian shooters continued their domination at the 25th Deaflympics in Tokyo on Tuesday, securing a double-podium finish by winning both the gold and bronze in the 10m air rifle mixed team event. 3. Payas and Swastika clinch UTT National-ranking titles Payas Jain of Delhi and PSPB’s Swastika Ghosh claimed the men’s and women’s singles titles in the UTT National-ranking table tennis tournament in Panchkula. In the youth (u-19) categories, Priyanuj Bhattacharyya (Assam) defeated M. Balamurugan 4-1 in the boys’ final while Syndrela Das of West Bengal won 4-0 win over Shriya Anand of Tamil Nadu. 4. SECL Launches Coal India’s First Paste Filling Project South Eastern

Daily Current Affairs Quiz18 November, 2025 National Affairs 1. National Gopal Ratna Awards 2025 Source: PIB Context: The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has announced the winners of the National Gopal Ratna Awards (NGRA) 2025, one of India’s highest honours in the livestock and dairy sector. The awards will be presented on 26th November 2025 during National Milk Day celebrations by Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh Lalan Singh, along with other dignitaries. About the Awards Award Categories & Prizes Cash Prizes: 2. Subordinate Judiciary Source: TH Context: A Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court recently linked stagnation in the subordinate judiciary to procedural inefficiencies and massive pendency, with 4.69 crore cases pending in district courts. The bench stressed that overburdened judges and archaic procedures reduce the effective delivery of justice. Overview of Indian Lower Judiciary Governance Structure: Recruitment Pathways: Initiatives to Improve Judiciary Problems in Subordinate Courts 3. India-Africa Relations Context: India’s strategic engagement with Africa has intensified ahead of the India–Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-IV). Experts emphasize the need to “connect, build, and revive” ties to strengthen economic, security, and development partnerships. Historical Evolution of India–Africa Relations Key Areas of Cooperation Key Area Highlights Trade & Investment $100B trade (2024–25); India 3rd-largest partner$75B FDI in telecom, hydrocarbons, pharma, infrastructure, digital servicesDFTP: 98.2% tariff-free access for 38 African LDCs Development Partnership $10B LoCs for 189 projects in 42 countries (power, irrigation, water, rail, rural electrification)e-VBAB platform for digital education & tele-medicine Capacity Building 40,000+ Africans trained under ITEC, ICCR, Pan-African e-NetworkIIT-M Zanzibar (2023) – AI & data science programs Maritime & Security AI-KEYME Naval Exercise (2025) – anti-piracy, humanitarian aid, maritime security with 9 African naviesMajor contributor to UN peacekeeping missions Digital & FinTech UPI, Aadhaar-like ID, and digital public infrastructure adoption in African countries Energy & Climate Solar & green energy via International Solar AllianceCollaboration in green hydrogen, EVs, and blue economy corridors 4. Major Military Exercises in News Context: India is actively engaging in international defence collaborations, highlighted by two key exercises: Garuda-2025 and Ajeya Warrior-25. Exercise Garuda-2025 Exercise Ajeya Warrior-2025 5. Ajeya Warrior 2025 – India–UK Joint Military Exercise Source: News on Air What it is: When & Where: Participants: Banking/Finance 1. PayU Receives RBI Approval to Operate as Payment Aggregator Source: TH Context: PayU, a leading diversified fintech platform, has received integrated authorisation from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate as a payment aggregator. The approval allows PayU to facilitate payments across online, offline (physical), and cross-border transactions, covering both inward and outward flows. Payment Aggregator A Payment Aggregator collects funds on behalf of a merchant from customers through online or offline digital payment methods (cards, UPI, wallets, net banking, etc.) and then transfers the money to the merchant after deducting applicable fees. Key Functions RBI’s “Guidelines on Regulation of Payment Aggregators and Payment Gateways” (July 2021): S. No. Requirement Details 1 Incorporation Must be a company incorporated in India under the Companies Act, 2013. Foreign entities cannot operate directly as a PA. 2 Net Worth Minimum initial net worth: ₹15 crore for new PAs. RBI may require net worth to increase as operations scale, ensuring financial stability. 3 Regulatory Approvals Must obtain authorisation from RBI before commencing operations. Only authorised PAs can handle customer payment instruments and collect funds on behalf of merchants. 4 Fit & Proper Criteria Promoters, directors, and key management personnel must meet RBI’s fit and proper requirements: integrity, reputation, competence, no prior convictions/defaults, adequate experience in financial services/technology. 5 Governance & Risk Management Must have Board-approved policies for operational risk, fraud management, IT security, cyber risk, data protection, and customer grievance redressal mechanism. 6 Segregation of Funds Customer funds cannot be used for PA’s own business. Funds collected on behalf of merchants must be in a separate “trust account” and remitted as per RBI timelines. 7 Operational Requirements Compliance with RBI’s KYC, AML/CFT norms; maintenance of transaction records; conduct risk assessments; ensure secure transaction processing. 8 Capital & Insurance Maintain sufficient capital buffers; may require insurance coverage for operational or cyber risks. 9 Technology & Security Standards Implement end-to-end encryption, tokenisation, PCI DSS standards for card payments; regular system audits and penetration testing. 2. Darwinian Adaptation Beats Lazy Banking Source: ET Context: Uday Kotak highlights the urgent need for Indian banks to adapt amid rising financialization, shifting household savings behavior, and increasing competition from non-banking financial services and digital investment platforms. Key Highlights: Key Terms: Darwinian Adaptation Lazy Banking 3. Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements (LODR) Source: Mint Context: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has initiated a comprehensive review of the Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements (LODR), aiming to simplify and streamline corporate compliance norms for listed companies. What is LODR? The Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements (LODR) are a set of regulations framed by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) under the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015.They govern all companies whose securities are listed on stock exchanges in India and aim to ensure transparency, accountability, and investor protection. Objectives Key Provisions LODR regulations cover various aspects of listing compliance, broadly classified as: A. Continuous Disclosure Requirements B. Corporate Governance Requirements C. Other Compliance Obligations Penalties for Non-Compliance 4. RBI’s Floating Rate Bonds Source: ET Context: With bank deposits and small-savings schemes offering modest returns, risk-averse investors are increasingly turning to RBI Floating Rate Bonds, a government-backed debt instrument with a seven-year lock-in period. These bonds are gaining traction among individuals seeking safer and higher-yielding alternatives. What are Floating Rate Bonds? Floating Rate Bonds (FRBs) are debt securities issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) or other entities in which the interest rate is not fixed, but periodically reset based on a benchmark rate.Unlike fixed-rate bonds, FRBs protect investors from interest rate risk by adjusting the coupon payments according to market conditions. Key Features Feature Description Issuer RBI (on behalf of Government of India) or financial institutions. Interest Rate