Daily Current Affairs Quiz4 November, 2025 National Affairs 1. Sagarmala 2.0 Source: Mint Context: The Indian government is revamping the Sagarmala initiative into a 10-year, ₹75,000-crore programme— Sagarmala 2.0 to position India as a global maritime hub. The move aligns with the government’s broader maritime development strategy and complements the recently announced ₹70,000-crore maritime package. Objectives of Sagarmala 2.0: Financial Details: About Sagarmala Initiative: Launch & Objective Key Goals Implementation Pillars 2. Cauvery River Heavy Metal Contamination Study Context: High levels of heavy metals, particularly cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb), were detected in fish from the Cauvery River. Regular or excessive consumption of contaminated fish may pose carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks to humans, affecting neurological and renal health. About the Cauvery River About Heavy Metals Key Findings of the Study 3. Pampadum Shola National Park Context: Pampadum Shola in Kerala has become a model of ecological restoration, successfully removing invasive Australian wattle trees (Acacia mearnsii) and reviving native grasslands and biodiversity. About Pampadum Shola National Park About Australian Wattle (Acacia mearnsii) Banking/Finance 1. RBI’s Short Dollar Forward Position Rises Source: BS Context: The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) short dollar forward position rose for the first time in seven months, signalling active intervention to stabilise the rupee amid sustained depreciation pressure in October 2025. What is a Short Dollar Forward Position? A short dollar forward position refers to a situation where the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) (or any central bank) has sold U.S. dollars for future delivery through forward contracts in the foreign exchange market. In simple terms, it means the RBI has committed to sell dollars later — usually to support the rupee and stabilise the exchange rate — while possibly buying rupees in the present. Mechanism: So, a rise in the RBI’s short dollar forward position indicates: Impact on Economy: 2. SEBI Amends Mutual Fund Rules to Classify REITs as Equity Context: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has revised mutual fund regulations to explicitly classify units of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) as equity instruments. This change allows fund houses to include REIT units in their equity portfolios under specified limits. Key Highlights: About Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) A Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) is a collective investment vehicle that pools money from investors to own, operate, or finance income-generating real estate assets such as office buildings, malls, hotels, and warehouses.REITs function similar to mutual funds — but instead of investing in stocks or bonds, they invest in real estate properties. Regulatory Framework: Implications: 3. Statutory Liquidity ratio (SLR) Source: Mint Context: Banks are selling government securities to fund credit growth as deposit growth lags behind lending demand. RBI data shows the statutory liquidity ratio (SLR)—the share of deposits invested in government and approved securities—fell to 26.5% on 17 October 2025, down from 27.3% a year ago, allowing banks access to nearly ₹26,000 crore in funds. About Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR) The Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR) is the minimum percentage of a bank’s Net Demand and Time Liabilities (NDTL) that must be maintained in the form of liquid assets — such as cash, gold, or approved government securities — before providing credit to customers. Regulatory Basis: Current Requirement (as of 2025): Objectives of SLR: Components of SLR Assets: Reasons Behind SLR Decline: 4. The Case for Publishing RBI’s Inflation-Failure Report Context: The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) monetary policy framework—anchored in a flexible inflation-targeting regime—is up for review by March 2026. While consensus exists on retaining the 4% inflation target with a ±2% tolerance band, a crucial aspect of transparency in the framework has come under renewed scrutiny: the non-publication of the RBI’s report to the government following its failure to meet the inflation target in 2022. Background: Under Section 45ZN of the RBI Act, 1934, when inflation remains outside the prescribed tolerance band (2–6%) for three consecutive quarters, the central bank must submit a report to the Central Government explaining: In 2022, when inflation breached the upper tolerance limit for three consecutive quarters, the RBI submitted such a report—but it was not made public. Arguments for Transparency: 5. Micro-Insurance Source: Mint Context: Insurance penetration in India remains critically low, hovering around 4% of GDP, leaving a vast majority of the population exposed to financial shocks. To address this, experts propose Standalone Micro-Insurance Companies (SAMIs)—dedicated insurers focusing exclusively on micro-insurance, targeting rural households, informal sector workers, and underserved communities. The Case for SAMIs: Proposed Regulatory Framework: Product Strategy: Lessons from Small Finance Banks (SFBs): Why Micro-Insurance Matters: 6. Fintech Dhan Launches Stock Lending & Borrowing Feature Source: BS Context: Indian fintech platform Dhan has introduced a Stock Lending & Borrowing Mechanism (SLBM) on its platform, enabling investors to earn passive income from their idle stock and ETF holdings. Key Highlights: About Stock Lending & Borrowing Mechanism (SLBM) The Stock Lending and Borrowing Mechanism (SLBM) is a framework introduced by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) that allows investors to lend or borrow securities (stocks, ETFs, etc.) for a specified period through a recognised stock exchange platform. It enables long-term investors to earn passive income from their idle shares, while allowing borrowers (like traders) to use these shares for short selling, arbitrage, or hedging purposes. Key Features 7. Government to Review Digital Banking Units (DBUs) of State-Run Banks Source: ET Context: The government is set to review the performance of Digital Banking Units (DBUs) established by state-run banks to strengthen financial inclusion, enhance customer convenience, and support government schemes like periodic re-KYC and unclaimed financial asset campaigns. About Digital Banking Units (DBUs) DBUs are specialised brick-and-mortar outlets established by banks to provide digital banking products and services to customers using self-service and assisted digital channels. Objective: To ensure universal access to digital banking, especially in semi-urban and rural areas, as part of India’s broader Digital Financial Inclusion mission. Background: Current DBU Landscape: Services Offered by DBUs: 8. IBBI Plans Special Bankruptcy Lane for Real Estate Projects Source: Mint Context: The