Business, Economy & Banking Current Affairs MCQs

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Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) launched Past Risk and Return Verification Agency (PaRRVA) to improve transparency in financial markets. PaRRVA is a new system to verify and authenticate past performance claims made by regulated market intermediaries. It was launched on a pilot basis by Care Ratings in collaboration with National Stock Exchange (NSE). It applies to SEBI-registered Investment Advisers, Research Analysts, and Algorithmic (Algo) Stock Brokers.

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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 Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the CoalSETU window, a new policy mechanism for long-term coal linkages. CoalSETU is added to the Non-Regulated Sector (NRS) Linkage Auction Policy of 2016. Unlike existing NRS linkages reserved for specific sectors (cement, sponge iron, aluminium, steel, captive power), any domestic industrial consumer can now participate. Coking coal is excluded and traders cannot bid under this window. Linkage holders can use coal for own consumption, washing, or export, but resale within India is prohibited. Export is allowed for up to 50% of allocated coal, and distribution among group entities is permitted.

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Union Minister for Rural Development and Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Shri Shivraj Singh Chauhan, introduced the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) or VB–G RAM G Bill, 2025, in the Lok Sabha. The Bill provides a statutory guarantee of 125 days of wage employment every year for rural households. It aims to ensure welfare of the poor and promote comprehensive village development in line with Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of self-reliant and developed villages. The central government has committed over ₹95,000 crore for this initiative. Panchayats will be graded, with additional work assigned to underdeveloped or underperforming panchayats to ensure balanced development.

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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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As per recent report by Indian government, India surpassed Japan to become the world’s fourth-largest economy with Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of USD 4.18 trillion. India is expected to overtake Germany to become the third-largest economy by 2030 with projected GDP of USD 7.3 trillion. India remains the world’s fastest-growing major economy despite global trade uncertainties. Real GDP grew 8.2% in Quarter 2 of 2025–26, rising steadily from previous quarters. Growth is driven mainly by strong private consumption and domestic demand. The United States (US) ranks first and China second in global economy size.

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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.