Current Affairs Quiz 5th September 2025 Quiz

Exp. South Indian Bank Partners with MoEngage to Boost Digital Innovation and Customer Engagement

South Indian Bank partnered with MoEngage to enhance customer engagement through automation, advanced data analytics, and a unified digital platform, reducing manual efforts.

The partnership will focus on reactivating dormant accounts, boosting engagement of inactive customers, and improving mobile banking experiences with personalised in-app messaging and targeted campaigns.

MoEngage ensures regulatory-grade data privacy and AI-driven personalisation, enabling secure customer data handling while maintaining compliance with industry standards.

Exp. Bank of Baroda Launches ‘Bob Digi Udyam’ to Provide Collateral-Free Digital Loans for MSEs

Bank of Baroda launched “Bob Digi Udyam”, a digital platform to provide collateral-free working capital loans from above ₹10 lakh to ₹50 lakh for Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs).

The platform uses automated, risk-based scorecards leveraging MSEs’ digital footprints, enabling quick provisional sanction within minutes, followed by processing through the TEJAS Loan Origination System.

Customers can apply via DIY digital mode or assisted branch mode, with digital eligibility checks, risk assessments, and transparent loan processing.

The scheme offers Cash Credit and Overdraft facilities for 12 months, backed by CGTMSE cover, ensuring no collateral requirement for borrowers.

Recent Facilities Launched in Banking & Insurance Sector

• Suryoday SFB launched two FD-backed secured credit cards – RuPay Select and RuPay Platinum
• Sundaram Home Finance launches special affordable housing finance under ‘Anugraha’ brand
• South Indian Bank Launches “SIB Gold Xpress” Offering Quick & Digital Gold Loans up to ₹25 Lakh
• Bank of Maharashtra & SBI Card jointly launched a co-branded credit card, available on RuPay and VISA platforms, in three variants – ELITE, PRIME, and SimplySAVE.

Exp. DRDO’s DMRL Transfers Three Advanced Defence Material Technologies to Industry PartnersDRDO’s Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRL), Hyderabad, transferred three advanced materials technologies to industry partners through Licensing Agreements for Transfer of Technology (LAToT).

The technologies include: high-strength Radomes to BHEL (for missile systems), DMR-1700 steel sheets/plates to JSPL (for defence applications), and DMR-249A HSLA steel plates to BSP-SAIL (for naval vessels).

DRDO Chairman Samir V Kamat handed over the agreements and appreciated DMRL’s role in strengthening industry-research collaboration for indigenous defence technologies.

A pact was signed with the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) to leverage DMRL’s expertise and facilities for civil aviation investigations.

Exp. India’s FDI Rises 15% to USD 18.62 Billion in April–June FY25; US Inflows Nearly Triple*

FDI in India rose by 15% to USD 18.62 billion during April–June FY25, compared to USD 16.17 billion in the same period last year.

FDI inflows from the US nearly tripled to USD 5.61 billion in April–June FY25, highlighting strong investor interest.

Total FDI (equity inflows, reinvested earnings, and other capital) increased to USD 25.2 billion, up from USD 22.5 billion in April–June FY24.

Exp. GST Council Slashes Tax on Health & Life Insurance Premiums to Zero from September 22, 2025

GST on individual health and life insurance premiums reduced to zero from September 22, 2025, ending the current 18% levy and directly lowering premium costs for policyholders.

The move, taken unanimously at the 56th GST Council meeting, is aimed at making insurance more affordable and supporting the vision of “Insurance for All by 2047.”

Consumers will now pay only the base premium amount, potentially reducing health insurance costs by about 15%, though the government may face a revenue loss of USD 1.2–1.4 billion annually.

Insurance companies and industry bodies welcomed the decision, calling it a historic step for universal insurance inclusion, especially benefiting families and senior citizens.

Concerns remain regarding the absence of Input Tax Credit (ITC) for insurers, which may increase operational costs and could partly affect base premiums in the long run.

Exp. Axis Max Life & India Post Payments Bank Join Hands to Expand Affordable Insurance in Rural India

Axis Max Life Insurance Ltd partnered with India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) to expand affordable life insurance solutions into Tier 3, Tier 4, and rural markets, leveraging IPPB’s 650 banking outlets and 1.64 lakh post office access points.

The initiative supports the government’s financial inclusion goals and aligns with IRDAI’s vision of ‘Insurance for All by 2047’.

Axis Max Life will offer a range of tailored products, including the Smart Wealth Advantage Guarantee Plan (SWAG), Smart Vibe Plan, and Term Insurance Plans, catering to diverse financial needs from income generation to protection and savings.

Exp. Citibank Appoints Kaustubh Kulkarni as Co-Head of Asia-Pacific Investment Banking

Citibank has appointed Kaustubh Kulkarni as Co-Head of Investment Banking for Asia-Pacific, covering Japan, North Asia, Australia, and South Asia. He will join in December 2025 and be based in Singapore.

Kulkarni, a veteran with nearly three decades at JP Morgan, has held leadership roles including India Country Officer, Head of Investment Banking in India, and Co-Head of Southeast Asia Investment Banking.

Alongside this, Citi also appointed Deepak Dangayach as MD & Co-Head of Debt Capital Markets for Asia and Australia, and earlier hired Vikram Chavali as MD, Head of Global Asset Managers for Japan, Asia, and Australia.

Recent Appointments in Banking & Insurance Sector

• Non-Executive Chairman of Yes Bank – R. Gandhi
• MD & CEO of Aditya Birla Capital – Vishakha Mulye; for 5 years
• Controller General of Accounts (CGA) – C. A. Kalyani (29th officer)
• Executive Director of International Monetary Fund (IMF) – Urjit Patel (for 3 years
• Vice President & Chief Risk Officer of NDB – Rajiv Ranjan; for 5 years

Exp. IIT Madras tops NIRF 2025 rankings for record seventh time, IISc Bengaluru & IIT Bombay follow

IIT Madras has once again secured the top spot overall in the NIRF 2025 rankings, followed by IISc Bengaluru (2nd) and IIT Bombay (3rd).

Among universities, IISc Bengaluru leads, while JNU and Manipal Academy of Higher Education hold the 2nd and 3rd spots, with Manipal being the first private institution to enter the top 3.

In the colleges category, Hindu College and Miranda House of Delhi University retained their 1st and 2nd positions, followed by Hansraj College and Kirori Mal College.

AIIMS Delhi remains the top medical institute, while IIM Ahmedabad continues to lead in management, followed by IIM Bangalore and IIM Kozhikode.

In law, the National Law School of India University, Bengaluru ranked 1st, followed by NLU Delhi and NALSAR Hyderabad.

In architecture & planning, IIT Roorkee secured the top spot, followed by NIT Calicut and IIT Kharagpur, highlighting the dominance of IITs in technical education.

NIRF 2025 rankings covered 17 categories, including law, medicine, engineering, management, and architecture; institutions were assessed on five parameters—teaching & resources, research, graduation outcomes, inclusivity, and perception.

Exp. Govt to Phase Out “Own Scribes” in Competitive Exams by 2027

Government to phase out “own scribes” system by August 2027 for differently-abled candidates in exams like NEET, IIT-JEE, and UPSC, replacing it with technological solutions and a scribe pool formed by Examining Bodies (EBs).

New DEPwD guidelines encourage candidates to use software-enabled laptops; if refused, EBs will provide scribes. Bringing own scribes will be gradually disallowed within two years.

Move aimed at curbing misuse of scribes, but disability rights activists caution against a one-size-fits-all approach, stressing the need for investment in assistive technology, infrastructure, and reasonable accommodations before implementation.

Exp. India Unveils First Indigenous 32-bit Vikram Processor at Semicon 2025

Vikram-32, India’s first indigenously built 32-bit microprocessor chip, developed by ISRO’s Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL), was presented to PM Narendra Modi at Semicon India 2025 by IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

The chip, designed to withstand extreme space conditions, was successfully validated in space during the PSLV-C60 mission, proving its reliability for future satellite and launch vehicle applications.

Fabricated at SCL’s 180nm CMOS facility in Mohali, Punjab, the Vikram-32 demonstrates India’s rapid progress in semiconductor self-reliance since the launch of the India Semiconductor Mission in 2021.

Beyond space missions, the Vikram-32 chip holds potential for defence, aerospace, automotive, and energy sectors, symbolizing India’s rise as a global player in the semiconductor value chain with investments of over ₹1.60 lakh crore and 23+ supported design startups.

Exp. Royal Bhutan Buddhist Temple Inaugurated in Rajgir, Bihar to Strengthen India-Bhutan Ties

Inauguration of Royal Bhutan Buddhist Temple in Rajgir, Bihar, conducted with traditional Bhutanese and Buddhist rituals, highlighting the cultural and religious significance of the region where Lord Buddha performed penance.

Ceremony attended by key dignitaries, including Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, India’s Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju, and representatives from both countries.

Strengthening India-Bhutan ties, with the Bhutanese Prime Minister noting that the temple will further enhance the friendship and cultural bonds between the two nations.

Exp. DPIIT Partners with Pfizer to Support MedTech Startups Through INDovation Program

DPIIT signs MoU with Pfizer Limited to accelerate the lab-to-market journey of innovative healthcare products by providing financial and non-financial support to startups.

Pfizer INDovation program to support startups with grants up to ₹60 lakh each for an 18-month tailored incubation program, offering mentorship, infrastructure, global networks, and access to Pfizer’s R&D facilities in Chennai.

Focus on 14 MedTech startups working in screening, diagnostics, health monitoring, and treatment enablers, targeting areas such as non-communicable diseases, oncology, brain health, maternal and child health, and immunisation.

Recent MoU

• Department of Posts Partners with ESRI India to Strengthen DIGIPIN Initiative with Advanced GIS Solution
• Department of Posts Signs MoU with MapmyIndia to Boost Digital Addressing System ‘DIGIPIN’
• ICC partners with Google to boost global reach of women’s cricket
• India, UN World Food Programme Sign Pact to Supply 200,000 MT Fortified Rice for Global Humanitarian Aid
• Indian Oil, Air India sign agreement for sustainable aviation fuel supply
• Assam Rifles sign MoU with IIT Manipur to promote drone technology

Exp. Sundeep Sikka Elected as AMFI Chairman, Vishal Kapoor as Vice-Chairman

Sundeep Sikka, CEO of Nippon Life India AMC, has been elected as the new chairman of Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) with immediate effect.

Vishal Kapoor, CEO of Bandhan AMC, has been elected as vice-chairman; he has been on the AMFI Board since 2018 and chaired the ARN Committee since 2020.

Sundeep Sikka returns for his second term as AMFI chairman (first term: 2013–2015); the previous chairman and vice-chairman were Navneet Munot and Anthony Heredia.

Exp. 5 September -Teachers’ Day

Teachers’ Day in India is celebrated annually on 5th September, the birthday of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the second President of India and a renowned teacher and philosopher.

The day honors the contribution of teachers in shaping students’ lives and emphasizes the importance of education in society.

Schools and educational institutions organize cultural programs, tribute events, and felicitation ceremonies for teachers.

Who is Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan?

• Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was a renowned scholar in philosophy.
• Born in 1888, Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan became the first Vice President of the country in 1952 and served the role till 1962.
• In 1962, he became the second president of the country and served till 1967. He stressed on the importance of education and national development and honoured the role of teachers.

Exp. 5 September – International Day of Charity

International Day of Charity is observed globally on 5th September to promote charitable efforts and raise awareness about the importance of helping those in need.

The day commemorates the death anniversary of Mother Teresa, a Nobel laureate and iconic humanitarian known for her selfless service to the poor.

Activities on this day include fundraising, awareness campaigns, volunteering, and community service programs to support underprivileged communities.