Daily Current Affairs (DCA) 13&14 September, 2026

Daily Current Affairs Quiz | NABARD Grade A & RBI Grade B | Economy, Banking & Agriculture

Daily Current Affairs for NABARD Grade A and RBI Grade B 2026 covering the most important developments in Indian Economy, Banking, RBI, Agriculture, Rural Development, Government Schemes, Financial Markets, Reports & Indices, International Relations, Environment and Science & Technology.

NABARD Current Affairs

Agriculture Current Affairs in News

1. Assisted Reproductive Technologies in Bovine Breeding

Context
India’s dairy sector is increasingly using Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) to raise milk productivity and conserve indigenous bovine genetics — speeding up genetic improvement beyond what conventional breeding allows.

The ART Methods

• Artificial Insemination (AI) — Artificial Insemination is the process of introducing semen from a selected superior bull into the female reproductive tract without natural mating.
• Oestrus Synchronisation — Oestrus synchronisation means using hormones to make a group of females come into heat at approximately the same time.
• MOET — MOET is used to obtain several embryos from a genetically superior female.
• IVF — In Vitro Fertilisation; fertilisation outside the body under laboratory conditions
• OPU — Ovum Pick-Up; collects oocytes from live donor females without surgery
• Sexed semen — influences the sex ratio of calves, improving breeding efficiency
• Cloning — Cloning produces an animal that is genetically almost identical to another animal. The most well-known method is Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT).

India’s Cloning Milestones

• 2009 — the world’s first buffalo calf cloned using the Hand-guided Cloning Technique, at ICAR-NDRI, Karnal
• 2025 — India’s first cloned cattle, a Gir female calf named GANGA, produced at ICAR-NDRI using OPU for oocyte collection and SCNT for embryo reconstruction
• Scientists have also generated cloned Badri embryos, and are exploring cloning of elite high-producing Badri cows

Indigenous Breeds

• India has over 50 officially recognised indigenous cattle breeds
• Valued for adaptability to local climates, disease resistance and suitability for low-input farming
• Many produce A2 beta-casein milk
• Important dairy breeds: Gir, Sahiwal, Tharparkar, Rathi, Red Sindhi, Kankrej, Hariana, Deoni, Ongole
• Badri cattle — indigenous to Uttarakhand and recognised as the state animal; important for Himalayan bovine diversity and mountain agriculture

Government Schemes

• Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) — launched December 2014, for development and conservation of indigenous breeds, genetic upgradation and milk productivity. Interventions include the Nationwide Artificial Insemination Programme, sex-sorted semen and IVF technology
• RGM outlay: realigned for 2021-22 to 2025-26 with ₹2,400 crore, enhanced by ₹1,000 crore in March 2025, taking the total to ₹3,400 crore for the 15th Finance Commission cycle
• NPBBDD — National Programme for Bovine Breeding and Dairy Development, launched February 2014, merging earlier schemes
• NLM — National Livestock Mission, since 2014-15, revised 2021-22; supports entrepreneurship, breed improvement and feed and fodder security

2. ICAR-IVRI Produces Sahiwal Calves Through OPU-IVF-ET

Source: ICAR

Context
ICAR–Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Izatnagar, Bareilly successfully produced indigenous Sahiwal cattle calves using ultrasound-guided ovum pick-up, in vitro fertilisation and embryo transfer (OPU–IVF–ET) — the first success of its kind at the institute.

The Programme

• Began in 2022–23, to strengthen the genetic potential of India’s prized dairy breeds
• Aim: standardise OPU–IVF–ET protocols under both farm and field conditions
• Target breeds: Sahiwal cattle, Tharparkar cattle and Murrah buffalo

OPU–IVF–ET

OPU–IVF–ET is an advanced Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) used to rapidly multiply the genetics of superior cattle and buffaloes.

• OPU (Ovum Pick-Up): Eggs are collected from the ovaries of an elite female.
• IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation): Eggs are fertilised with selected bull semen in the laboratory.
• ET (Embryo Transfer): Developed embryos are transferred into synchronised recipient females.

Simple flow:
Elite female → OPU → IVF → Embryo → ET → Calf

Key benefit: Produces more offspring from genetically superior females in a shorter time.

3. Moth Bean

Source: PIB

Context
Four newly developed moth bean varieties — CAZRI Moth-4, 5, 6 and 7 — by ICAR-Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI) demonstrated remarkable field resilience during an El Niño year in Kharif 2026, surviving a 35-day dry spell.

What Moth Bean Is

• Vigna aconitifolia — also called mat bean, Turkish gram or dew bean
• An extremely drought-hardy, herbaceous, short-day annual legume of the family Fabaceae
• Among the most resilient pulse crops of hot arid and semi-arid zones of South Asia

Habitat and Growing Conditions

• Native to South Asia; grown in hot, rainfed, marginal desert tracts
• Most extensively in the Thar Desert region of western Rajasthan, and parts of Gujarat, Haryana and Punjab
• Thrives in low and erratic rainfall, poor sandy soils with low organic carbon and fertility, and temperatures exceeding 40°C

Important Facts for Exams

• Vigna aconitifolia — moth bean, mat bean, Turkish gram, dew bean; family Fabaceae
• A short-day annual legume; among the most drought-tolerant pulses
• Grown mainly in the Thar Desert, western Rajasthan; also Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab
• Cultivated on nearly 10 lakh hectares; yield about 350 kg per hectare
• Regional rainfall 150–250 mm; normal dry spells of 20–30 days
• Varieties: CAZRI Moth-4, 5, 6 and 7, developed by ICAR-CAZRI, Jodhpur
• Survived a 35-day dry spell (3 August – 7 September 2026) in Kharif 2026
• Developmental plasticity — flowering at about 30 days; adjusts maturity to moisture
• “Pala” — the dry fodder from moth bean, valued for desert livestock
• Rhizobium symbiosis fixes atmospheric nitrogen in root nodules
• Other Vigna pulses: moong (Vigna radiata), urad (Vigna mungo), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata)
• ICAR-CAZRI, Jodhpur — the nodal institute for arid zone research
• India is the world’s largest producer and consumer of pulses, and also the largest importer

4. Schizopygopsis waddellii Recorded in India

Source: News on Air

Context
Scientists from ICAR-Central Institute of Coldwater Fisheries Research (CIFRI-Coldwater), with the Arunachal Pradesh Department of Fisheries, recorded the rare Tibetan fish Schizopygopsis waddellii in India for the first time.

What It Is

• A cold-adapted freshwater fish of the Cyprinidae family — specifically the snowtrout / schizothoracine group
• Confirmed as a new Indian record through an integrative taxonomic approach, combining morphological examination with mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis

Habitat and Distribution

• Native to high-altitude cold-water ecosystems of the Tibetan and Chinese plateaus
• Type locality: Yamdok Lake, Tibet
• In India, found in Pangkang Teng Tso Lake, at 12,800 feet, in Tawang district, Arunachal Pradesh
• Extends its known range into the Eastern Himalaya

RBI Current Affairs

Banking and Finance

1. The Bankers’ Books Evidence Act, 2026

Source: Business Standard

Context
The Central Government notified that the Bankers’ Books Evidence Act, 2026 — which received Presidential assent on 13 August 2026 — will come into force from 1 October 2026.

What It Is

• A statutory framework governing the admissibility, certification and legal validity of bank records and accounts as prima facie evidence in court
• Without requiring production of original physical registers
• It replaces a 135-year-old law — the Bankers’ Books Evidence Act, 1891

Aim

• Establish a technology-neutral regime for digital, virtual and cloud-based financial data
• Streamline dispute resolution
• Enhance Ease of Doing Business

Five Key Features

• Technology-neutral recognition — covers physical ledgers, electronic media, digital entries, virtual environments and cloud storage systems
• Simplified certification — accepts verification through manual, digital or electronic signatures
• Integrity conditions for admissibility — digital copies must be true representations or extractions, show no unauthorised data alterations, and show no system tampering affecting data integrity
• Statutory definition of “special cause” — bank officials cannot be routinely summoned, nor original books compelled, where the bank is not a party, unless the court records a special cause in writing
• Scope expansion — retains coverage of commercial banks and Post Office Savings Banks, while empowering the Central Government to extend the Act to NBFCs, fintechs and other financial institutions by notification

2. SEBI Proposes Changes to Closing Auction Session Framework

Source: The Hindu

Context
SEBI issued a consultation paper proposing changes to derivatives settlement methodology, market timings and operational aspects of the Closing Auction Session (CAS) — weeks after the new closing price mechanism took effect. Seven proposals, with comments invited by 3 October 2026.

Key Proposals

1. Expiry-Day Settlement Price
   • Option 1: Use a blended VWAP from the last 30 minutes of continuous trading + 10-minute CAS.
   • Option 2: Continue using CTS VWAP based only on the last 30 minutes before CAS.
   • SEBI suggests retaining CTS VWAP for at least one year before considering a change.
2. Stop Indicative Index Value (IIV)
   • Security-level IEPs will continue, but the indicative index value during CAS may be discontinued.
   • Reason: IIV is based on unexecuted indicative prices, not actual trades.
3. Market Timings
   • Option A: CAS from 3:31–3:40 pm, derivatives until 3:45 pm.
   • Option B: CAS stocks trade until 3:15 pm, CAS from 3:15–3:25 pm, derivatives end at 3:30 pm.
4. Shorter Transition
   • Gap between continuous trading and CAS may be reduced from 5 minutes to about 1 minute.
5. Shorter Derivatives Window
   • Post-CAS derivatives trading may be reduced from 10 minutes to 5 minutes.
6. Order Cancellation Restriction
   • Orders within ±1% of the reference price can be cancelled.
   • Orders beyond 1% and up to 3% cannot be cancelled, but can be modified to improve their price.
7. Iceberg Orders
   • Unexecuted iceberg orders can move into CAS.
   • Their remaining quantity will become a normal limit order and the full quantity will be visible in the CAS order book.

Key Terms

• CAS: Closing Auction Session used to discover the closing price through an auction.
• IEP: Indicative Equilibrium Price; the price at which maximum executable quantity can potentially be matched during an auction.
• VWAP: Volume Weighted Average Price, where prices are weighted according to trading volume.
• CTS VWAP: Closing Trading Session VWAP based on trades during the specified pre-CAS period.
• IIV: Indicative Index Value calculated during CAS using indicative prices of index constituents.
• Iceberg Order: An order where only part of the total quantity is normally visible to the market.
• Price Discovery: The process through which buying and selling interests determine a market price.

RBI & NABARD Current Affairs

1. 18th BRICS Summit 2026

• The 18th BRICS Summit was held in New Delhi, India, on 12–13 September 2026, under India’s chairship.
• India’s theme for the year was: “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”
• The theme reflects India’s focus on development, sustainability, innovation and the interests of the Global South.

What is BRICS?

BRICS is a grouping of major emerging economies that cooperate on issues such as:

• Economy and trade
• Finance
• Energy
• Food security
• Climate change
• Technology
• Health
• Global governance

The original grouping was BRIC — Brazil, Russia, India and China.
South Africa joined in 2010, making it BRICS.

The grouping has now expanded significantly.

BRICS Members in 2026

There are 11 full members:

Country	Country
Brazil	Russia
India	China
South Africa	Egypt
Ethiopia	Iran
United Arab Emirates	Indonesia
Saudi Arabia

According to the Government of India, these 11 countries together account for about 49.5% of the world’s population, 40% of global GDP and 26% of global trade.

2026 BRICS Summit — Key Highlights

• New Delhi Declaration: Focused on political-security, economic-financial, and cultural cooperation and a fairer global order.
• Global Governance Reform: BRICS called for greater representation of emerging economies in the UN, IMF and World Bank.
• Local Currencies & Payments: Members discussed easier cross-border payments, greater use of local currencies and CBDC cooperation.
• Artificial Intelligence: China proposed a BRICS AI Open Source Zone to promote AI cooperation.
• Food & Energy Security: Cooperation discussed on food, energy, critical minerals, supply chains and climate change.
• Health: India announced an early warning system for infectious diseases.
• Global Conflicts: BRICS discussed West Asia, Iran, Ukraine and Sudan, stressing dialogue and diplomacy.

Why is BRICS Important for India?

• Global South Cooperation: Helps India work with developing and emerging economies on common issues.
• UN Reforms: Supports India’s demand for a more representative global governance system.
• Payment Diversification: Encourages local currencies and alternative payment systems, reducing dependence on a single system.
• Economic Cooperation: Promotes trade, investment, infrastructure and technology.
• Diplomatic Influence: Gives India a platform to engage with major countries such as China, Russia, Iran, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Brazil.

India as BRICS Chair in 2026

• Fourth BRICS Chairship for India.
• Previous chairships: 2012, 2016 and 2021.
• 2026 marks 20 years of BRICS since its establishment.

2. China Southern Airlines Resumes Guangzhou–Delhi Flights

• China Southern Airlines will resume regular passenger flights between Guangzhou and New Delhi from 21 September 2026.
• It marks the return of the airline’s India operations after a suspension.
• The resumption is significant for India–China connectivity, tourism and business travel.
• Guangzhou is a major commercial and industrial centre in southern China.

3. Rishikesh–Karnaprayag Rail Project Completes 41st Tunnel Breakthrough

• The project achieved its 41st tunnel breakthrough on 11 September 2026 with the completion of Escape Tunnel-1.
• The railway line is 125 km long and is being developed by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL).
• The project will improve rail connectivity in the Himalayan region of Uttarakhand.
• Tunnel construction is a major component because of the difficult mountainous terrain.

Misc GA in News

1. Colombo Security Conclave Table Top Exercise

• The three-day Table Top Exercise of the Colombo Security Conclave concluded on 12 September 2026 at the Eastern Naval Command, Visakhapatnam.
• The exercise was conducted from 9–12 September 2026.
• It focuses on improving coordination and information-sharing among member countries on maritime security issues.
• Visakhapatnam hosted the exercise as part of India’s role in strengthening regional maritime cooperation.

2. INS Sudarshini Port Call in Italy

• INS Sudarshini, an Indian Navy sailing training ship, completed a successful port call at Livorno, Italy.
• The visit strengthens India–Italy maritime relations and naval cooperation.
• Such port calls also support training, cultural exchange and maritime diplomacy.
• The ship subsequently departed from Livorno.

3. BRICS BioDesign Programme

• The BRICS BioDesign Programme was launched to promote cross-border healthcare innovation and medical technology.
• The Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone (AMTZ) is spearheading the initiative.
• It aims to connect researchers, healthcare professionals and academic institutions across BRICS countries.
• The programme seeks to move healthcare ideas from research and design to deployable and affordable medical solutions.