Business, Economy & Banking Current Affairs MCQs

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According to SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India), India ranks first globally in the number of IPOs and is among the top three countries by value of IPOs. In the first nine months of the current financial year, 311 IPOs raised ₹1.7 trillion, while total equity mobilisation exceeded ₹3.8 trillion. Market capitalisation-to-GDP ratio increased from 69% in FY16 to over 130%, reflecting deeper investor participation. The number of investors grew from 43 million in FY20 to 137 million, with unique mutual fund investors exceeding 59 million.

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The Engineering Export Promotion Council of India (EEPC India) demanded lower income tax for non-corporate manufacturing Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and faster Goods and Services Tax (GST) refunds in the Union Budget. EEPC India is the premier trade and investment promotion body for India’s engineering sector. It is sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and advises the Government of India. It acts as an interface between the engineering industry and the government.

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The World Economic Forum (WEF) is establishing five new Centres for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, including one in Andhra Pradesh, India. India already has two such centres: in Mumbai and Telangana. The Fourth Industrial Revolution Network, launched in 2017, connects national and thematic centres worldwide to advance responsible development of emerging technologies. Other new centres will be in France, the U.K., and the UAE.

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The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has constituted the Strategic Asset Allocation and Risk Governance (SAARG) Committee to modernise the investment framework of the National Pension System (NPS). It is a high-level committee of investment experts tasked with reviewing and recommending reforms for both government and non-government NPS sectors. The objective is to strengthen the long-term investment architecture of NPS through better diversification, improved risk management, and expanded investment choices for subscribers.

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State Bank of India launched CHAKRA, meaning Centre of Excellence, to finance sunrise sectors vital for India’s economic growth. It will act as a knowledge-based platform supporting technology-driven and sustainable industries. CHAKRA focuses on renewables, data centres, electric mobility, batteries, semiconductors, green hydrogen, decarbonization, and smart infrastructure. The centre aims to boost investments, global value chain integration, and Net Zero targets. It will promote technology and Artificial Intelligence innovation and provide advisory support. CHAKRA will collaborate with policymakers, banks, industry, startups, and global institutions.

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Union Budget 2026–27 announced the Mahatma Gandhi Gram Swaraj Initiative to strengthen traditional rural industries. It focuses on khadi, handloom, and handicrafts sectors across India. The initiative aims to improve global market access, branding, and strong market linkages. It seeks to make traditional industries more competitive and economically sustainable. The programme ensures stable livelihoods for artisans and weavers. It targets weavers, village industries, rural youth, and beneficiaries of One District One Product (ODOP).

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Reserve Bank of India issued draft revised guidelines for the Lead Bank Scheme for public comments. Lead Bank Scheme was introduced in December 1969 on the recommendation of the Nariman Committee. The objective of scheme is to coordinate banks and development agencies to increase bank finance to priority and other sectors. It also promotes the role of banks in overall rural development. Under the scheme, one bank is assigned as the Lead Bank for each district. The Lead Bank coordinates credit institutions and Government efforts at district level.

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Union Minister Piyush Goyal launched seven new interventions under the Export Promotion Mission to support Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises for global markets. The Export Promotion Mission (EPM) is a flagship initiative of the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, announced in the Union Budget 2025–26. The Mission aims at inclusive export growth, social justice and empowerment of small exporters. It leverages nine Free Trade Agreements covering about 70 percent of global Gross Domestic Product and two-thirds of global trade. It follows two pillars: Niryat Protsahan for financial support and Niryat Disha for trade ecosystem support.

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L&T Finance Ltd has launched a specialised programme called “Spoorthi” for women entrepreneurs to provide targeted financial support. The programme offers extended loan tenors up to 25 years for house property loans or Loan Against Property (LAP) for business expansion and working capital. Industrial LAP tenors of up to 12 years are also available, with enhanced eligibility norms, including higher debt-to-income ratios for greater financial flexibility. L&T Finance aims to leverage women borrowers’ strong repayment discipline to scale businesses and secure personal assets, promoting an inclusive financial ecosystem.

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National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), with Gates Foundation and Dalberg Advisors, launched the National Climate Stack Innovation Challenge to strengthen India’s rural climate resilience. The initiative aims to build a National Climate Stack, integrating fragmented climate datasets into a unified digital platform. It will develop 10–15 year climate hazard forecasting frameworks for risks like heatwaves, floods, droughts, and cyclones affecting agriculture. The project will also create practical dashboards for agriculture, rural finance, and public planning decisions.