Business, Economy & Banking Current Affairs MCQs

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IIT Bombay’s Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE) has launched India’s first incubator-linked deep-tech venture capital fund, named the Y-Point Venture Capital Fund, with a total corpus of ₹250 crore. The fund aims to provide early-stage risk capital to India’s deep-tech startups, especially those emerging from IIT Bombay and other top research institutions across the country. It will invest in pre-seed and seed-stage companies, helping them translate cutting-edge research into commercially viable technologies. The fund plans to support 25–30 startups, offering investments of up to ₹15 crore to each selected company.

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The government has launched a nationwide campaign ‘Your Money, Your Right’ to help citizens reclaim unclaimed financial assets such as bank deposits, insurance proceeds, dividends, shares, mutual funds and pensions. The campaign began on October 4, 2025, and aims to return dormant financial assets to their legitimate owners through simplified, district-level support mechanisms. Between October and November 2025, citizens successfully reclaimed around ₹2,000 crore of unclaimed funds. From October to December 5, 2025, dedicated camps were organised in 477 districts, involving public representatives, district administrations and financial institution officials.

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The International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved emergency funding of 206 million United States Dollars (USD) for Sri Lanka after Cyclone Ditwah. The support is given under the Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI). The Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI) is a fast-acting financial aid program from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). It provides quick financial help to IMF member countries facing urgent balance of payments problems. It operates under the General Resources Account (GRA) of the IMF. The Regular Window supports crises from instability or external shocks, allowing up to 50 percent of quota yearly.

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According to recent 2025 data, the three countries with the largest rare earth oxide (REO) reserves are China, Brazil, and India. India has the world’s third-largest rare earth reserves with about 6.9 million tonnes of Rare Earth Oxide (REO). It ranks after China with 44 million tonnes and Brazil with 21 million tonnes of reserves. Despite this, India produced only 2,900 tonnes of rare earths in 2024, ranking seventh globally. China led production with 270,000 tonnes, followed by the United States with 45,000 tonnes. India holds 6–7% of global reserves but contributes less than 1% of global production.

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Government of India launched the Market Access Support (MAS) Intervention under the Export Promotion Mission (EPM). Market Access Support (MAS) is implemented under the NIRYAT DISHA sub-scheme of EPM, approved by the Union Cabinet on 12 November 2025. It aims to strengthen international market access for Indian exporters, especially MSMEs, first-time exporters, and priority sector firms. Export Promotion Mission (EPM) is jointly run by Department of Commerce, Ministry of MSME, Ministry of Finance, Indian Missions abroad, Export Promotion Councils (EPCs), Commodity Boards, and industry associations.

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Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited (SMFCL), India’s first maritime-focused non-banking financial company (NBFC), has started lending operations. It has sanctioned loans worth around ₹4,300 crore as approved at its 51st board meeting on 30 December 2025. SMFCL’s board-approved strategy targets a total lending of ₹8,000 crore in FY26, with a borrowing limit of ₹25,000 crore. SMFCL was inaugurated on 26 June 2025 by Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal o provide sector-specific financial solutions to ports, MSMEs, startups, and maritime institutions.

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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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Tripura Gramin Bank became the first Gramin Bank in India to introduce a solar-powered ATM van, promoting sustainable and inclusive banking. The initiative earned the bank the prestigious SKOCH Silver Award for innovative governance practices. The bank operates around 150 branches across remote areas of Tripura, supporting financial inclusion. The solar-powered ATM van improves banking access in rural and electricity-scarce regions. The initiative was inaugurated by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on 21 July 2023. The bank currently runs three such eco-friendly ATM vans.

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The Finance Minister announced SHE-Mart to support women entrepreneurs through a new market platform. SHE stands for Self-help Entrepreneur, and these marts will be community-owned retail outlets. They will be set up within cluster-level federations using innovative and enhanced financing tools. The aim is to give women better market access, branding support, and stable income. It will strengthen grassroots institutions like Self-Help Groups (SHGs). The initiative builds on the success of the Lakhpati Didi programme.