Business, Economy & Banking Current Affairs MCQs

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Tata Power Solar Systems launched the ‘Ghar Ghar Solar’ project in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, to promote clean energy. About 10 lakh homes can install rooftop solar systems, benefiting from up to Rs. 1,08,000 in subsidies under PM Surya Ghar Yojana. Using advanced bifacial panels, installations take just 7 days. A typical 3 kW system can save households up to INR 27,000 annually and allows net metering for extra savings.

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The Bihar government has recently demanded a Minimum Support Price for makhana, the popped kernel of the foxnut. Makhana is cultivated in tropical and subtropical aquatic environments, thriving in stagnant water bodies. India is the largest global producer, with Bihar as the leading state. Optimal conditions include temperatures of 20-35°C and annual rainfall of 100-250 cm. Nutritionally, makhana is low in fat and high in carbohydrates, protein (15-20%), and minerals.

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The MV Sea Change, the world’s first commercial passenger ferry powered by 100% hydrogen fuel, launched at the San Francisco Ferry Building. Built by All American Marine Shipyard for SWITCH Maritime and designed by Incat Crowther, it carries 75 passengers and operates for 16 hours, covering 300 nautical miles per refueling. Emitting only heat and water vapor, it reaches speeds up to 20 knots and features drinkable water emissions.

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India’s first Integrated Agri-Export Facility will be established at Jawaharlal Nehru Port in Mumbai, enhancing agricultural export and import capabilities. Ports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal approved the project, worth over 284 crore rupees, to be developed in a public-private partnership. The facility aims to streamline logistics, reduce wastage, and provide better prices for agricultural products. It will support the export of key items such as non-basmati rice, maize, spices, onion, and wheat. Sonowal emphasized that this initiative is a significant step toward empowering farmers and boosting India’s agricultural sector.

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The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) launched the Women Entrepreneurship Programme to empower 25 lakh women in India. The program, in two phases, offers free online entrepreneurship courses through Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH), supported by NIESBUD. In the second phase, NSDC will provide incubation support to 10,000 selected contestants across 100 business models.

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The Indian government, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved a Rs 5,792 crore investment in Nepal’s 669 MW Lower Arun Hydroelectric Project. Located in Sankhuwasabha district, this project, awarded to SJVN Ltd., will generate 2,900 million units of energy annually. This initiative highlights India’s commitment to enhancing renewable energy collaboration with neighboring countries.

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Coal India Ltd and GAIL (India) Ltd have partnered to set up a coal-to-synthetic natural gas plant in Raniganj, West Bengal, using surface coal gasification technology. The plant will produce 633.6 million Nm³/hour of gas from 1.9 million tonnes of coal. This joint venture under the National Coal Gasification Mission aims to reduce import dependency on natural gas and secure raw materials for chemical and fertilizer production.

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India has exported its first GI-tagged fig juice to Poland, marking a major achievement for Indian agriculture. This follows the export of GI-tagged Purandar figs to Hong Kong. The Purandar Highlands Farmers Producer Company Ltd, with government support, facilitated these exports. This milestone highlights the quality of Indian figs and opens up new opportunities for expanding Indian agricultural products in global markets.

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The Ministry of Textiles has empowered cotton ginners to produce Kasturi Cotton Bharat using QR code certification technology. Kasturi Cotton Bharat is a premium brand initiative for Indian cotton, focusing on traceability, certification, and branding. It was formalized through an MoU between the Cotton Corporation of India and the Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council on December 15, 2022. QR-based certification and Blockchain technology ensure full traceability across the supply chain. The program is promoted both nationally and internationally, with no state-level fund allocation.

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Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inaugurated the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce’s (IACC) first Centre of Excellence for MSMEs in India. The Centre aims to enhance and support Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to better serve export markets. The Chief Minister highlighted MSMEs as the backbone of the economy. He emphasized that the MSME sector will be key in making India the third-largest economy during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s third term.