Business, Economy & Banking Current Affairs MCQs

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The World Bank has projected India’s economic growth at 6.3% for the Financial Year (FY) 2025-26 in its latest Global Economic Prospects report. India is expected to maintain the fastest growth rate among the world’s largest economies. Growth in FY 2024-25 slowed due to a drop in industrial output, but construction and services sectors remained steady. Agricultural output recovered from severe drought conditions, supported by strong rural demand. Growth is expected to rise to an average of 6.6% in FY 2026-27 and FY 2027-28, helped by strong services and export growth.

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India has become the world’s third-fastest growing country in power generation capacity over the last five years, after China and the United States, as per the International Energy Agency (IEA). Power generation in India has expanded across all sources, especially in renewable energy. A key reason is India’s strong clean energy agenda, with solar photovoltaic (PV) making up over half of its non-fossil energy investments in the past five years.

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Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) involved major public and private sector banks to develop the Digital Payment Intelligence Platform (DPIP) as a Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). The Digital Payment Intelligence Platform (DPIP) is an initiative of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). It aims to improve fraud risk management by allowing real-time sharing and collection of intelligence to stop fraudulent digital transactions. The Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH) is building a prototype with 5–10 banks. DPIP will use advanced technologies to control payment-related frauds.

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Recently, Gujarat became the third Indian state to cross 1 crore registered investors, as per National Stock Exchange (NSE) data. Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh had already crossed this mark. These three states together form 36 per cent of India’s total investor base, showing their big role in equity markets. As of May 2025, India has nearly 11.5 crore registered investors. North and East India saw growth of 24 per cent and 23 per cent in the past year, while South grew 22 per cent and West 17 per cent.

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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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Recently, CTBC Bank, the largest private bank in Taiwan, applied to set up an IFSC Banking Unit (IBU) in GIFT City, India. This move strengthens GIFT City’s global appeal as a financial hub. The International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) is the regulator for IFSC operations in India. IFSCA was established under the IFSCA Act, 2019 as a statutory authority. It regulates financial products, services, and institutions within India’s IFSC. IFSCA is headquartered at GIFT City, Gandhinagar, Gujarat. GIFT IFSC is currently India’s only International Financial Services Centre.

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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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Recently, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) launched the VCF Settlement Scheme 2025. The scheme offers a one-time window to resolve compliance issues related to the winding-up of old funds. It is meant for Venture Capital Funds (VCFs) that shifted to the Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) regime but haven’t liquidated their investments. The scheme will remain open from July 21, 2025, to January 19, 2026. Its main goal is to protect investor interests by settling long-pending fund closure cases.