Business, Economy & Banking Current Affairs MCQs

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Microsoft has launched a new AI assistant called Dragon Copilot for healthcare. It is part of Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare and helps doctors with clinical documentation. It transcribes clinical notes, drafts paperwork, and searches medical sources. It integrates with Dragon Medical One (DMO) and DAX for speech recognition. It allows voice-to-text transcription, AI-generated notes, and medical searches. It automates tasks like referral letters, visit summaries, and clinical evidence documentation.

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Tata Motors launched India’s first hydrogen-powered heavy-duty truck trials to support the net-zero emissions goal by 2070. 16 hydrogen-powered trucks will be tested for up to 24 months on key freight routes across Mumbai, Pune, Delhi-NCR, Surat, Vadodara, Jamshedpur, and Kalinganagar. The trucks use Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine (H2-ICE) and Fuel Cell (H2-FCEV) technologies. Funded by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy under the National Green Hydrogen Mission. Aims to assess commercial viability and develop infrastructure for hydrogen-powered freight transport.

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Gum Arabic, used in products like Coca-Cola and M&M’s, is increasingly trafficked from rebel-held regions in Sudan, disrupting supply chains. It is a water-soluble exudate from Acacia senegal and A. seyal species. It is native to North Africa, also grows in Australia, India, and South America. Major producers include Cameroon, Chad, Mali, Nigeria, and Sudan. Sudan is the world’s largest producer of gum arabic, accounting for 70% of the market. Gum Arabic is non-toxic, odourless, and dissolves in water, forming a clear solution. It is used as a stabilizer and emulsifier in food products.

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India’s first Exploration Licence (EL) auction and AI-powered exploration hackathon were launched in Goa to boost mineral discovery. Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy and Goa CM Pramod Sawant presided over the event, which also included a roadshow for the fifth tranche of critical mineral block auctions. The AI Hackathon 2025 focused on using AI for mineral targeting and sustainable mining innovation. 13 exploration license blocks were auctioned for minerals like Rare Earth Elements, zinc, diamonds, copper, and Platinum Group Elements. The initiative aims to accelerate mineral exploration, attract private investments, and strengthen India’s mineral self-reliance.

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In March 2025, scientists in France discovered a massive, naturally occurring white hydrogen deposit in the Moselle region, estimated to be worth $92 trillion and containing 46 million tons of hydrogen, potentially revolutionizing the clean energy sector. White hydrogen is naturally occurring, formed by geochemical reactions in hard rock, similar to oil and gas. It is small, light, and escapes cap rocks easily, making extraction a challenge. The industry is nascent, with only a few innovators exploring its potential. This discovery could have a significant impact on the global energy transition, potentially helping countries reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and transition to cleaner energy sources.

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The Asian Development Bank (ADB) launched the Frontier Seed (Pacific) program to support local businesses and strengthen capital markets in the Pacific region. The program promotes sustainable economic growth with an initial $4 million commitment. It has signed $200,000 technical assistance agreements with SeaPAC Pte Ltd (prawn production) and Kahuto Pacific (aerial mapping). The initiative is backed by international partners like the Ocean Resilience and Coastal Adaptation (ORCA) Trust Fund, Nordic Development Fund, and UK FCDO. It aims to attract investors, create jobs, and enhance economic resilience in the Pacific region.

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Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) agents are protesting against new insurance rules affecting their work. LIC, the largest public sector life insurance company in India, is headquartered in Mumbai. It plays a key role in India’s financial market and is also the biggest institutional investor. It was established in 1956 through the Life Insurance of India Act. LIC nationalized the insurance sector by merging 245 private insurers. Its motto, “Yogakshemam Vahamyaham,” means “Your welfare is our responsibility.” LIC operates through 8 zonal offices in Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kanpur, Kolkata, Bhopal, and Patna.

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RBI’s ‘State of the Economy’ report projects 6.7% growth in 2025-26, driven by strong domestic demand despite global trade tensions. Agriculture, rising consumption, steady investments, infrastructure development, and government spending are key growth factors. Sound fiscal policies, a balanced monetary framework, and digital transformation strengthen long-term growth. Headline Consumer Price Index inflation dropped to 3.6% in February 2025 due to lower food prices. Resilient services exports support India’s external sector despite global challenges. Food inflation risks persist due to commodity price fluctuations and weather anomalies. RBI regulates India’s banking system and currency management.

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Indian banks must strengthen credit risk management by adopting International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS 9) and improving loan supervision, collateral valuation, and borrower group assessments. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) highlighted this in its Financial System Stability Assessment (FSSA) report. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released the report’s findings on 24 March. The Financial Sector Assessment Program (FSAP) is a joint initiative of the IMF and World Bank for financial sector analysis. The last FSAP for India was in 2017, with the FSSA report published on December 21, 2017. India’s financial system has become more resilient and diverse since 2017, driven by rapid economic growth. India remains committed to adopting global financial standards while considering domestic needs and economic conditions.

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Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) exported the first consignment of GI-tagged Dalle Chilly from Sikkim to the Solomon Islands. Dalle Chilli, also known as Dalle Khursani, is primarily cultivated in the Himalayan regions, specifically in Sikkim, the Darjeeling hills. It is known for its intense pungency and bright red color. It is highly nutritious, rich in vitamins A, C, and E, and contains potassium. Its Scoville Heat Units (SHU) range from 100,000 to 350,000, making it one of the hottest chillies.