Business, Economy & Banking Current Affairs MCQs

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SEBI has introduced the digital platform MITRA (Mutual Fund Investment Tracing and Retrieval Assistant). MITRA helps investors track and reclaim inactive or unclaimed mutual fund folios. It addresses issues like lost investments due to outdated contact details or unawareness. Investors can identify overlooked investments and update KYC details. It is developed by Registrar and Transfer Agents (RTAs), it provides a searchable database at the industry level. SEBI has revised the Unit Holder Protection Committee (UHPC) mandate to review inactive folios, unclaimed dividends, and redemptions.

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Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), in collaboration with AgroStar and Kay Bee Exports, completed India’s first-ever commercial trial shipments of premium Sangola and Bhagwa pomegranates to Australia by sea. APEDA was established in 1985 under the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Act. It replaced the Processed Food Export Promotion Council (PFEPC) and functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. APEDA promotes and develops the export of scheduled products, requiring exporters to register. It provides financial assistance, information, and guidelines to support scheduled product exports.

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India’s Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose for the first time after three quarters. PMI measures business activity in manufacturing and services sectors through surveys. It helps assess whether market conditions are expanding, contracting, or stable. There are two types: Manufacturing PMI and Services PMI. Manufacturing PMI is based on new orders, output, employment, supplier delivery times, and stock purchases. A PMI above 50 indicates expansion, while below 50 shows contraction. PMI is released monthly by S&P Global, a global financial analytics firm.

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The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) launched the 10th Financial Literacy Week (FLW) 2025 with the theme “Financial Literacy: Women’s Prosperity.” The event will be observed from February 24 to 28, 2025. RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra inaugurated the event, emphasizing women’s role in inclusive and sustained economic growth. RBI planned multimedia campaigns to promote financial literacy for women. Banks were encouraged to conduct awareness activities. The initiative aligns with RBI’s goal of financial inclusion and gender equality in economic participation.

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Former RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das has been appointed Principal Secretary-2 to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. His selection was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet. He is a 1980-batch IAS officer from the Tamil Nadu cadre. His tenure will last until the Prime Minister’s term ends or until further orders.

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The RBI released its quarterly House Price Index (HPI) for the December 2024-25 quarter on February 27, 2025. The all-India HPI grew by 3.1% in Q3 2024-25, lower than 4.3% in the previous quarter and 3.8% a year ago. Data is based on transactions from 10 major cities: Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Jaipur, Kanpur, Kochi, Kolkata, Lucknow, and Mumbai. Kolkata saw the highest annual HPI growth (8.1%), while Kanpur had the lowest (0.1%). On a quarterly basis, HPI rose by 0.4%, with most major cities recording a price increase.

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Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) launched a centralized database portal for corporate bonds called Bond Central. It serves as a single, authentic source of information on corporate bonds in India. It is developed by the Online Bond Platform Providers Association (OBPP Association) with collaboration from Market Infrastructure Institutions (MIIs) like stock exchanges and depositories. The portal is free to access and acts as an information repository for the public. It aims to enhance transparency and help investors make informed decisions.

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The Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs announced the Cities Coalition for Circularity (C-3). It is a global alliance promoting city-to-city collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and private sector partnerships. The announcement was made at the 12th Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum in Jaipur. C-3 aims to boost resource efficiency and support a low-carbon economy. It will enhance cooperation among policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers. The initiative focuses on building a sustainable future through circular economy principles.

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India’s first integrated API, Green Hydrogen, and 2G Ethanol manufacturing facility will be set up in Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh, Solan, Himachal Pradesh. The Himachal Pradesh government signed a memorandum with M/s Spray Engineering Devices Limited on 5th March 2025 in Shimla. The project, worth ₹1400 crore, will create 1000 direct jobs. It supports the state’s goal to become India’s first green energy state by March 2026. A 30 MW green hydrogen plant will power the API facility, later expanding to 50 MW. Green hydrogen is produced via electrolysis using renewable energy sources like water, sun, and wind.

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Lohum Company launched India’s first lithium-grade refinery in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. The refinery will produce 1,000 metric tonnes of battery-grade lithium annually, with plans to expand to 20,000 tonnes by 2029. Black mass from e-waste will be recycled to extract lithium. The company refines 90% of India’s lithium and is expanding its Cathode Active Material (CAM) production. The refinery’s technical efficiency competes with China and is more economical than US/European facilities. This expansion reduces India’s dependence on China for lithium supply, especially with growing EV demand.