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Daily Current Affairs
17 & 18 August, 2025
1. Recently discovered palm species Phoenix roxburghii has been named after which personality?
a) Joseph Hooker
b) William Roxburgh
c) Birbal Sahni
d) J.C. Bose
e) Janaki Ammal
Answer: b) William Roxburgh
Explanation: The newly discovered palm species Phoenix roxburghii is named after William Roxburgh, known as the “Father of Indian Botany.”
2. Which family does the newly identified palm Phoenix roxburghii belong to?
a) Fabaceae
b) Arecaceae
c) Moraceae
d) Poaceae
e) Rutaceae
Answer: b) Arecaceae
Explanation: The palm belongs to the Arecaceae (Palmae) family under the order Arecales, which includes monocotyledonous flowering plants.
3. The Sakura Science Programme 2025, involving 34 Indian students, is implemented by which agency?
a) Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
b) Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)
c) Asian Development Bank (ADB)
d) Ministry of Education, Japan
e) UNESCO
Answer: b) Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)
Explanation: The Sakura Science Programme is implemented by JST to promote youth exchange, scientific learning, and India-Japan cultural cooperation.
4. S&P Global recently upgraded India’s sovereign credit rating from BBB- to BBB after how many years?
a) 10 years
b) 12 years
c) 15 years
d) 18 years
e) 20 years
Answer: d) 18 years
Explanation: India’s sovereign credit rating was upgraded by S&P Global to BBB from BBB- after 18 years, highlighting economic resilience and fiscal consolidation.
5. What does a sovereign credit rating indicate?
a) Country’s GDP growth rate
b) Country’s inflation rate
c) Country’s ability to repay debt
d) Country’s forex reserves
e) Country’s banking strength
Answer: c) Country’s ability to repay debt
Explanation: A sovereign credit rating assesses a nation’s creditworthiness and ability to meet its debt obligations. Higher ratings mean safer investment.
6. Which of the following banks did NOT sign MoU with NSIC under the MSME Credit Facilitation Program in August 2025?
a) Axis Bank
b) IndusInd Bank
c) Dhanlaxmi Bank
d) Karnataka Bank
e) State Bank of India
Answer: e) State Bank of India
Explanation: NSIC signed MoUs with Axis Bank, IndusInd Bank, Dhanlaxmi Bank, Karnataka Bank, and AU Small Finance Bank. SBI was not part of this round.
7. RBI’s Floating Rate Savings Bond (FRSB) was launched in which year?
a) 2016
b) 2018
c) 2020
d) 2022
e) 2025
Answer: c) 2020
Explanation: The FRSB scheme was launched on 1st July 2020, replacing the 7.75% Savings (Taxable) Bonds, 2018.
8. The current interest rate of RBI’s Floating Rate Savings Bond (as of July 2025) is?
a) 7.35%
b) 7.50%
c) 7.70%
d) 8.05%
e) 8.25%
Answer: d) 8.05%
Explanation: The FRSB rate is linked to the National Savings Certificate (NSC) rate + 0.35%. With NSC at 7.70%, the FRSB stands at 8.05% (July 2025).
9. B2B Fintechs are entering the retail market mainly through which route?
a) Microfinance Institutions
b) Insurance Aggregators
c) Third-Party UPI Applications (TPAPs)
d) Bank-led mobile apps
e) Government e-Marketplace
Answer: c) Third-Party UPI Applications (TPAPs)
Explanation: B2B fintechs are shifting to consumer payments via TPAPs like Google Pay, PhonePe, and Paytm to reduce acquisition costs and monetize user bases.
10. What is the minimum investment required in RBI’s Floating Rate Savings Bonds (FRSB)?
a) ₹500
b) ₹1,000
c) ₹5,000
d) ₹10,000
e) ₹50,000
Answer: b) ₹1,000
Explanation: The minimum investment amount is ₹1,000 and in multiples of ₹1,000, with no maximum limit.
