Business, Economy & Banking Current Affairs MCQs

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The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the CoalSETU window, a new policy mechanism for long-term coal linkages. CoalSETU is added to the Non-Regulated Sector (NRS) Linkage Auction Policy of 2016. Unlike existing NRS linkages reserved for specific sectors (cement, sponge iron, aluminium, steel, captive power), any domestic industrial consumer can now participate. Coking coal is excluded and traders cannot bid under this window. Linkage holders can use coal for own consumption, washing, or export, but resale within India is prohibited. Export is allowed for up to 50% of allocated coal, and distribution among group entities is permitted.

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Oman introduced its first polymer one-rial banknote, to start circulation on 11 January 2026. It is issued by the Central Bank of Oman, replacing traditional cotton-based notes with durable polymer for longer life and better security. The note size is 145 × 76 mm and showcases Oman’s cultural and economic identity. Front side features the Oman Botanic Garden, symbolising commitment to natural heritage. Rear side shows Sayyid Tariq bin Taimur Cultural Complex, Duqm Port and Refinery, highlighting cultural and economic progress. The polymer notes will circulate alongside existing one-rial notes and remain legal tender.

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The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) said the Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI) stopped possible losses of ₹660 crore in six months. Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI) was launched in May 2025 by the Department of Telecommunications (DOT’S) Digital Intelligence Unit (DIU). It is a risk-based system that marks mobile numbers as Medium, High, or Very High fraud risk. The classification uses data from the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP), Chakshu platform, banks, and financial institutions. It helps banks, Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), and Unified Payments Interface (UPI) providers protect customers.

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Recently, Andhra Pradesh emerged as India’s top investment destination, capturing 25.3% of all proposed investments in the first nine months of FY26. It leads other states like Odisha (13.1%) and Maharashtra (12.8%), showing a shift of industrial momentum to eastern and southern corridors. Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Maharashtra together account for 51.2% of India’s total proposed capital investment. Nationwide, investment announcements reached Rs 26.6 lakh crore, up 11.5% year-on-year. Andhra Pradesh’s performance is credited to investor-friendly policies, fast-track approvals, infrastructure development, and sector-focused strategies.

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The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) launched an initiative to support agri-food and agri-tech startups. APEDA is a statutory body under the Government of India, established by the APEDA Act in December 1985. It replaced the Processed Food Export Promotion Council (PFEPC) and works under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The objective is to develop and promote the export of scheduled products like fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, dairy, confectionery, biscuits, bakery products, honey, and jaggery.

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The Special Secretary of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) inaugurated the Indian Customs Electronic Gateway–Land Port Management System (ICEGATE–LPMS) at the Integrated Check Post (ICP), Agartala, Tripura. Indian Customs Electronic Gateway (ICEGATE) was established in 2007 as the national portal of Indian Customs under Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC). It provides electronic filing (e-filing) services to traders, cargo carriers, and other trading partners. It acts as a centralized platform for electronic interaction between Indian Customs and the trading community.

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Data under the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Liberalised Remittances Scheme (LRS) shows outward remittances by Indians fell to a two-year low of 1.94 billion US dollars in November 2025 due to reduced spending on foreign studies. Liberalised Remittances Scheme (LRS) operates under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) 1999 to regulate outward remittances. It allows resident individuals, including minors, to remit up to 250,000 US dollars per financial year without prior approval. The scheme was introduced in 2004 and applies only to individuals, not companies or Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs).

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The World Economic Forum (WEF) is establishing five new Centres for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, including one in Andhra Pradesh, India. India already has two such centres: in Mumbai and Telangana. The Fourth Industrial Revolution Network, launched in 2017, connects national and thematic centres worldwide to advance responsible development of emerging technologies. Other new centres will be in France, the U.K., and the UAE.

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The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has constituted the Strategic Asset Allocation and Risk Governance (SAARG) Committee to modernise the investment framework of the National Pension System (NPS). It is a high-level committee of investment experts tasked with reviewing and recommending reforms for both government and non-government NPS sectors. The objective is to strengthen the long-term investment architecture of NPS through better diversification, improved risk management, and expanded investment choices for subscribers.

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The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) launched the PAIMANA portal for monitoring major infrastructure projects. PAIMANA stands for Project Assessment, Infrastructure Monitoring and Analytics for Nation-building. It is a flagship digital initiative to track Central Sector Infrastructure Projects costing ₹150 crore and above. The portal acts as a centralized national repository for infrastructure project data. It improves data accuracy, transparency, and operational efficiency through web-based reporting.