Business, Economy & Banking Current Affairs MCQs

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Recently, India became the world’s fourth largest biofuel consumer, overtaking China for the second year in a row in 2024. The data comes from the Statistical Review of World Energy 2025 by The Energy Institute (EI). India’s biofuel consumption increased by 40% year-on-year (Y-o-Y) to 77 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2024. Despite higher consumption, India still lags behind China in biofuel production. From 2014 to 2024, India’s biofuel consumption grew at an average annual rate of 31.8%.

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Recently, European Union ministers approved Bulgaria to adopt the Euro from January 1, 2026, making it the 21st member of the eurozone. Bulgaria is located in southeastern Europe, occupying the eastern part of the Balkan Peninsula. It shares borders with Romania to the north, Turkey and Greece to the south, North Macedonia to the southwest, and Serbia to the west. It is bounded by the Black Sea on the east. The Balkan Mountains cross the central part of the country.

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In July 2025, India is exploring the use of Catastrophe Bonds (Cat Bonds) to improve disaster risk financing and climate resilience. Cat Bonds are hybrid financial instruments combining features of insurance and debt. They help governments transfer risks from natural disasters like cyclones, floods, and earthquakes to global investors. If a defined disaster occurs, investors lose part or all of their principal, which is used for relief and reconstruction. If no disaster occurs during the bond term, investors get back their full principal with high interest.

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Recently, the Ambassador of Japan to India led a high-level business delegation to the Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR). The visit aimed to explore strategic cooperation in semiconductors and smart city development. Dholera SIR, India’s first greenfield smart industrial city, is located in Gujarat. The city focuses on advanced manufacturing, digital governance, and sustainable urban living. It is a key part of India’s vision to boost high-tech investments, particularly in the semiconductor sector

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Gujarat recorded 48.59 lakh tonnes of potato production in the 2024–25 season, including varieties for French fries and wafers. Gujarat is now the top producer of processed potatoes in India, followed by Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. Processed potato production in India grew from less than 1 lakh tonnes in 2004–05 to 11.50 lakh tonnes in 2024–25. Banaskantha, Sabarkantha, and Aravalli are Gujarat’s leading potato-growing districts, producing 38 lakh tonnes on 1.19 lakh hectares.

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The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, recently promoted the Trade Connect ePlatform at two major Business-to-Business (B2B) trade exhibitions. Trade Connect ePlatform is a digital initiative of Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry. It aims to transform international trade for Indian exporters, especially Medium, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). It acts as a one-stop hub for international trade-related services and information. It connects exporters, MSMEs, and entrepreneurs with Indian Missions Abroad, Export Promotion Councils, and other government agencies.

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Recently, the Government launched the Revised SHAKTI Policy 2025 for transparent coal allocation. SHAKTI stands for Scheme for Harnessing and Allocating Koyala (Coal) Transparently in India. It ensures transparent coal linkages for all power producers, including Central Generating Companies (GENCOs), State GENCOs, and Independent Power Producers (IPPs). It replaces the SHAKTI Policy, 2017 by simplifying coal linkage into only two windows. The policy promotes competition, efficiency, pit-head thermal capacity, and affordable power. It boosts coal availability, mining, and revenue for coal-bearing states.

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Recently, the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) launched the “Saksham Niveshak” campaign. It is a 100-day national drive running from 28th July to 6th November 2025. IEPFA works under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. The campaign aims to help shareholders reclaim unclaimed dividends held by companies. It guides investors to update their Know Your Customer (KYC) and nomination details. Companies are encouraged to proactively contact shareholders to recover pending dividends.

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As reported by the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), Gujarat remained India’s top exporting state in 2024–25 with outbound shipments totaling ₹9.83 lakh crore, representing 26.6% of the nation’s total exports. Gujarat’s exports were ₹4.3 lakh crore higher than Maharashtra at ₹5.57 lakh crore, followed by Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. Gujarat’s top exports were Petroleum Products, Gems & Jewellery, Organic Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals, and Engineering Goods. Uttar Pradesh exported ₹1.86 lakh crore (5% of total), with the United States as its top destination, showing diverse market reach.

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The Geological Survey of India (GSI) discovered huge gold deposits in Mahgawan Keolari area of Sihora tehsil, Jabalpur district, Madhya Pradesh. Samples confirmed the presence of gold along with valuable metals like iron, manganese, and copper. The deposits span about 100 hectares and are estimated to be in lakhs of tonnes. This is the first gold discovery in Jabalpur, which is already known for iron, manganese, and limestone exports. Earlier, gold was found in Katni, Madhya Pradesh.