Business, Economy & Banking Current Affairs MCQs

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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 the decade-long celebrations of Make in India, Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, launched Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS) 2025 in New Delhi. LEADS 2025 benchmarks logistics performance across States and Union Territories (UTs), supporting a globally competitive and future-ready logistics ecosystem. India is emerging as a global manufacturing hub under Make in India, with growth in pharmaceuticals and engineering goods. Efficient logistics reduces costs and strengthens manufacturing competitiveness. LEADS 2025 introduces corridor performance assessment and API-enabled evaluation of road speeds.

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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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On October 7, 2025, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched the Foreign Currency Settlement System (FCSS) at Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) IFSC. FCSS allows real-time or near real-time settlement of foreign currency transactions within GIFT IFSC, replacing delays of 36–48 hours via traditional correspondent banking. GIFT City is India’s first special economic zone (SEZ) for global finance, insurance, fintech, and capital markets, spread over 886 acres between Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar. FCSS reduces settlement time, improves liquidity management, lowers settlement risk, and enhances operational efficiency.

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Microfinance loan delinquencies rose sharply in 2024-25 according to Sa-Dhan, the microfinance self-regulatory body. Loans overdue by more than thirty days increased to six point two percent from two point one percent in 2023-24. Loans overdue by more than ninety days rose to four point eight percent from one point six percent in 2023-24. Bihar had the highest outstanding loans of fifty-seven thousand seven hundred twelve crore rupees and the worst delinquency with seven point two percent overdue by more than thirty days and four point six percent overdue by more than ninety days. Rural borrowers faced the highest repayment challenges with six point four percent loans overdue by more than thirty days and three point seven percent overdue by more than ninety days. Semi-urban and urban borrowers had slightly lower delinquency rates.

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Unified Payments Interface (UPI) usage intensity is highest in Telangana, followed by Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, and Maharashtra, as per a Reserve Bank of India (RBI) bulletin. The study used PhonePe transaction data, covering 58% of UPI volume and 53% of total transaction value, as a proxy for UPI intensity. The rise of UPI is reducing cash demand, reflected in declining ATM cash withdrawals as a percentage of GDP. Most peer-to-merchant (P2M) transactions are low-value, under ₹500, and the average ticket size is decreasing. High UPI usage is linked to urban centres, economic hubs, and migration-driven employment.

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In October 2025, Lxme, India’s leading financial platform for women, has launched LxmePay, the country’s first Unified Payments Interface (UPI) exclusively for women. LxmePay aims to turn everyday transactions into smart financial opportunities for women. While UPI is fast and convenient, it often leads to overspending and loss of tracking. LxmePay solves this by offering Digital Gold Rewards, earning gold on every transaction, including money received from other users. Features include Expense Tracker, Bill Payments, and exclusive deals on women’s brands for seamless money management. It empowers women to spend smartly, budget, save, and invest.

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DBS Bank has been named “Safest Bank in Asia 2025”, marking its 17th consecutive year receiving this recognition. The bank also retained 2nd position in the World’s 50 Safest Commercial Banks list. Rankings are based on long-term foreign currency ratings from Fitch, Moody’s, and Standard & Poor’s of the 500 largest global banks. DBS’ recognition reflects solid financial performance, strong risk management, governance, and a robust balance sheet. In turbulent economic conditions—tariffs, interest rate changes, and technological disruptions—DBS provides stability and trust to customers.

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The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will exempt the government-backed SWAMIH Fund from tightened rules for Alternate Investment Funds (AIFs). SWAMIH stands for Special Window for Affordable and Mid-Income Housing and was set up in 2019 to rescue stressed real estate projects. The fund provides debt financing for stalled housing projects and is managed by SBICAP Ventures Ltd, a State Bank of India (SBI) Group company. The fund is sponsored by the Ministry of Finance, Government of India.

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Recently, Japan launched the world’s first yen-pegged stablecoin, named JPYC, marking a major step in digital finance. It is issued by the startup JPYC and is fully backed by Japanese Government Bonds (JGBs) and domestic savings. The coin is fully convertible to the yen and aims for widespread international use. JPYC plans to issue 10 trillion yen ($66 billion) worth of coins in three years. The aim is to promote innovation and reduce transaction costs for startups. Blockchain-based stablecoins enable faster, cheaper, and secure transactions. Dollar-pegged stablecoins currently dominate 99% of global supply, but Japan seeks diversification