Business, Economy & Banking Current Affairs MCQs

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PRARAMBH 2026 (Policy Reform and Responsible Action for Mission Viksit Bharat) was launched by the Ministry of Finance as a nationwide awareness campaign on the Income Tax Act, 2025. The initiative aims to familiarise citizens with provisions of the new tax law, which will come into effect from 1 April 2026, through a multi-channel outreach including print, TV, radio, digital and social media. It offers taxpayer-centric resources such as guidance notes, brochures, tutorial videos, FAQs, and public engagement activities like the MyGov Quiz. The campaign adopts a multilingual approach, with materials released in 10 regional languages along with English and Hindi for wider accessibility.

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The National Productivity Council (NPC) has signed an agreement with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) to act as the Environment Audit Designated Agency (EADA). National Productivity Council (NPC) was established as an autonomous, non-profit and multipartite organization under the Department for Promotion of Industry & Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, with headquarters in New Delhi. It aims to promote productivity awareness, strengthen economic development, act as a government think tank, and provide consultancy and training services.

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Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE) 2025 results released for January–December 2025 period. It is conducted by National Statistical Office (NSO) under Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI). The purpose is to provide inputs for Gross Domestic Product (GDP) estimation and National Accounts. It covers unincorporated non-agricultural sector, including manufacturing, trade, and services. Tracks key indicators like employment, Gross Value Added (GVA), wages, and digital usage. It helps in understanding the informal economy and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector.

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The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India has recently introduced Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS) for the insurance sector to modernise financial reporting practices. Ind AS were originally notified in 2015 by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and are largely converged with the International Financial Reporting Standards, thereby aligning India’s accounting system with global norms. These standards follow a principle-based approach, focusing on fair value measurement, improved transparency, and enhanced financial disclosures, which helps in better decision-making and comparability.

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Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education Shri Jayant Chaudhary has launched a ₹530 crore ‘Skills Outcomes Fund’ campaign, anchored by the National Skill Development Corporation under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. The fund aims to mobilise public and private capital to scale outcomes-based financing (OBF), linking investments directly to verified employment outcomes such as job placement, retention, and career progression. It promotes a blended finance model combining government funding with private sector investments and focuses on demand-driven, employer-led skilling.

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India has limited the requirement of certification from the Export Inspection Council (EIC) for rice exports only to select countries—European Union (EU), United Kingdom (UK), Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. The Export Inspection Council was established under the Export (Quality Control and Inspection) Act, 1963. It ensures quality and safety of Indian export products to meet importing country standards. It functions as India’s official export certification authority. The Council operates under the administrative control of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, which is its nodal ministry.

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Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL) has received environmental clearance from the Government of Argentina for deep exploration of five brine-based lithium blocks. This marks a significant step in securing critical minerals, especially lithium, which is essential for batteries and clean energy technologies. Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL) is a joint venture of three Central Public Sector Enterprises—National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL), and Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Limited (MECL)—with a shareholding ratio of 40:30:30.

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Life Insurance Corporation of India launched MyLIC App (for customers) and Super Sales Saathi App (for intermediaries) to enhance digital insurance services. LIC manages over 260 million policies, highlighting its vast insurance footprint in India. MyLIC App offers a 360° digital platform with services like premium payment, policy tracking, e-KYC (electronic Know Your Customer), claims support, and paperless loans. It enables users to revive lapsed policies and purchase insurance online seamlessly. Super Sales Saathi App provides digital tools for agents, including performance dashboards, AI-based insights, and real-time tracking.

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India’s Wholesale Price Index (WPI)-based inflation stood at 1.64% in March 2026, as per provisional government data. The data was released by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade. On a month-on-month basis, WPI declined by 0.06%, indicating easing price pressures. Primary articles index stood at 197.3, showing mixed trends with a monthly decline but positive year-on-year growth. WPI reflects producer-level price changes, indicating supply-side inflation in the economy. The index is compiled using data from institutional sources and manufacturing units across India. WPI data is released monthly (around 14th), with April 2026 data scheduled for May 14, 2026.

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China has become India’s largest trading partner in 2025–26, surpassing the United States after four years. India–China bilateral trade reached 151.1 billion, with a record trade deficit of about 112 billion in China’s favour. India’s exports to China rose by 36.66% to 19.47 billion, while imports increased to 131.63 billion, widening the deficit. With the United States, India’s exports grew marginally to 87.3 billion, while imports rose to 52.9 billion, reducing the trade surplus. India recorded negative export growth with partners like Netherlands, UK, Singapore, Bangladesh, and Saudi Arabia. Positive export growth was seen with UAE, Germany, Italy, Brazil, Spain, and Vietnam.