Business, Economy & Banking Current Affairs MCQs

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Recently, the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) ruled that companies in India must follow fair pricing policies and avoid gender-based price discrimination. Currently, there are no specific laws in India to directly address the Pink Tax. Pink Tax refers to higher prices charged for products marketed to women compared to similar products for men. It affects items such as toys, haircuts, dry cleaning, razors, shampoos, body lotions, deodorants, skincare, beauty products, clothing, jeans, T-shirts, and salon services. The extra cost benefits companies and is not a government-imposed tax. The term originated in California, USA, in 1994 after observing consistent gender-based price differences.

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Recently, the Prime Minister inaugurated India’s first bamboo-based ethanol plant in Golaghat district, Assam. The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for a modern polypropylene plant in the same district. The bamboo-based bioethanol plant aims to boost industrial growth, green energy, renewable power, and create opportunities for farmers and youth. A steady supply of bamboo will be ensured with government support for local farmers in cultivation and procurement. Bamboo, previously restricted, is now allowed for industrial use, benefiting tribal communities in Northeast India.

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The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has officially launched the Bima Sugam Portal. The launch was announced by the Bima Sugam India Federation (BSIF) at the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) headquarters in Hyderabad. It is a unified digital marketplace for insurance bringing insurers, intermediaries, and customers on one platform. The platform unifies life, health, motor, travel, property, agriculture, and commercial insurance on a single digital space. The portal is backed by the Life Insurance Council and the General Insurance Council (GIC).

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Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) launched SWAGAT-FI on September 16, 2025. SWAGAT-FI stands for Simplified Wrapper Framework for Facilitating Access to GIFT-IFSC for Foreign Investors. The framework targets low-risk foreign investors like sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, and long-term institutional investors. Eligible investors can now register for 10 years, up from the earlier 3-year cycle, reducing administrative hurdles. A digital portal allows onboarding in about a week, using a single demat account to manage all investments. It integrates with Gujarat International Finance Tec-City International Financial Services Centre (GIFT-IFSC) for easier global access.

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On the decade-long celebrations of “Make in India,” the Industrial Park Rating System (IPRS) 3.0 was launched in New Delhi. Industrial Park Rating System (IPRS) 3.0 is developed by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) with support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The initiative aims to strengthen India’s industrial ecosystem and enhance competitiveness of industrial infrastructure. The system assesses and benchmarks facilities, infrastructure, and performance of industrial parks across India. IPRS 3.0 provides stakeholders with reliable data, encourages best practices, and supports world-class infrastructure creation.

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Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, launched Logistics Data Bank (LDB) 2.0 in New Delhi on the decade-long celebrations of Make in India. LDB 2.0 provides critical insights into logistics facilities and infrastructure, enabling real-time tracking and performance assessment. It is developed by National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDC) Logistics Data Services – NLDSL, it supports exporters, Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and government planning. It integrates with Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP) APIs for tracking via container, truck, trailer numbers, and railway Freight Note Receipts (FNRs).

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On 25 September 2025, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal flagged off India’s first fleet of electric heavy trucks with swappable batteries at Nhava Sheva Distribution Terminal, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), Maharashtra. Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) now has the largest electric vehicle (EV) truck fleet at any Indian port. 50 electric heavy trucks were launched, with expansion to 80 by year-end. A heavy-duty battery swapping station was commissioned for operations. Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) ranks in the World Bank’s Top 25 Container Port Performance Index (CPPI). The launch marks a major step towards sustainable and green logistics in India.

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India has proposed a revamp of Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) 3 norms with a new draft released for public consultation. CAFE norms regulate fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions from passenger vehicles under 3,500 kg. They apply to petrol, diesel, LPG, CNG, hybrid, and electric vehicles. In India, CAFE norms were implemented in two phases: Phase 1 (2017–18) and Phase 2 (2022–23). The objective is to improve fuel efficiency, reduce emissions, and promote cleaner vehicles. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), a statutory body under the Ministry of Power, Government of India, introduced the Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) norms in India.

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India has launched an anti-dumping investigation on imports of Ethambutol Hydrochloride from China and Thailand. The probe is conducted by the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The investigation follows an application by Lupin, India’s only domestic producer of the drug. Ethambutol Hydrochloride is used to treat pulmonary tuberculosis as part of combination therapy to prevent drug resistance.

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Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched the nationwide ‘Aapki Punji Aapka Adhikar’ campaign from Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The campaign aims to ensure speedy settlement of unclaimed financial assets across banks, insurance companies, pension funds, stock, and mutual fund companies. It focuses on returning deposits to legitimate claimants and bridging the gap between financial institutions and citizens. Currently, ₹1,82,000 crore of unclaimed assets lie with financial institutions nationwide. Certificates were awarded to claimants confirming the retrieval of their unclaimed assets. The initiative promotes financial empowerment and awareness among citizens.