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CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING, FINANCE & BUSINESS

Securities and Exchange Board of India plans relaxation of minimum shareholding rules to support growing market   

• The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has proposed increasing the flexibility of Minimum Public Shareholding (MPS) and Minimum Public Offer (MPO) for listed companies.
• The aim of these proposals is to simplify fund-raising by issuers in India.
• SEBI proposes to raise the MPO for companies at listing and adjust the MPS post-listing, while also extending the timelines to achieve the MPS.
• New post-issue market capitalization (m-cap) threshold buckets have been proposed: ₹4,000 crore to ₹50,000 crore, ₹50,000 crore to ₹1 lakh crore, ₹1 lakh crore to ₹5 lakh crore, and above ₹5 lakh crore.
• For issuers with a post-issue market cap between ₹50,000 crore and ₹1 lakh crore, the timeline for achieving 25% MPS may be extended from 3 years to 5 years from the date of listing.
• For other categories (implicitly, those with higher market caps or specific conditions), it's proposed to allow five years to achieve 15% shareholding and 10 years to achieve 25% post-listing MPS.

About MPS :

• The Minimum Public Shareholding (MPS) rule is a regulatory requirement established by SEBI under the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Rules, 1957, and the Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements (LODR) Regulations.
• It applies to all listed companies in India.

Recent News :

• In Aug 2025, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) proposed to officially include the definitions of "algorithm" and "proprietary trading" in its stock brokers' regulations.

About SEBI :

• Established : 12 April 1988 as an executive body and was given statutory powers on 30 January 1992 through the SEBI Act, 1992
• Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Chairman : Tuhin Kanta Pandey
• SEBI is the regulatory body for securities and commodity markets in India under the ownership of the Ministry of Finance (MoF), GoI.

Bank of Maharashtra and SBI Card launch co-branded credit cards on RuPay and Visa platforms

• Bank of Maharashtra (BoM) has partnered with SBI Card to launch a co-branded credit card called the "Bank of Maharashtra SBI Card."
• The card will be available on both the RuPay and VISA payment platforms.
• It has been launched in three variants: ELITE, PRIME, and SimplySAVE.
• The partnership aims to provide customers with enhanced value and convenience, catering to their diverse needs.
• Key benefits of the card include accelerated reward points, a fuel surcharge waiver, discounts on travel, dining, and shopping, and contactless payment capabilities.
• MD & CEO, SBI Card : Salila Pande

About BoM :

• Headquarters: Pune, Maharashtra
• Founded: September 16, 1935
• MD & CEO: Nidhu Saxena
• Tagline: "One Family One Bank"

Reserve Bank of India reports UAE emerges as largest foreign investor in Indian mutual funds                           

• According to a survey by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), The UAE has become the largest foreign investor in Indian mutual funds.
• The survey covered 45 mutual funds and their asset management companies (AMCs).

Key Highlights :

• Foreign liabilities of Indian mutual funds increased by 19.9% to reach $30.5 billion by March 2025.
• The UAE holds the highest share of non-resident mutual fund units in both face value and market value
• The face value of holdings from the UAE surged by 32.8% to ₹13,386 crore.
• In market value terms, UAE holdings jumped 28% to ₹52,549 crore, accounting for a 20% market share of foreign liabilities.

The top five foreign investing nations by market value are:

1. UAE: ₹52,549 crore
2. US: ₹31,903 crore
3. UK: ₹24,649 crore
4. Singapore: ₹19,523 crore
5. Qatar: ₹5,728 crore

• The demand is being driven by India's "growing economic momentum" and interest from NRIs in the UAE.
• Kotak International, a subsidiary of Kotak Mahindra, has received a license from the UAE's Securities and Commodities Authority to conduct investment activities there.

Reserve Bank of India Act, Motor Vehicles Act among 10 laws set for amendment

• The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2025, was introduced in Lok Sabha, August 18, 2025, by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal.
• The Bill aims to amend 355 provisions across 16 central Acts to enhance ease of doing business and ease of living.
• Of these, 288 provisions relate to ease of doing business, and 67 relate to ease of living.

Key Highlights :

• The Bill proposes to replace imprisonment clauses for minor, technical, or procedural defaults with monetary penalties or warnings.
• For first-time contraventions, an advisory or warning will be issued for 76 offences under 10 Acts.
• Penalties are to be made proportionate, with graduated penalties for repeated offenses.
• Designated officers will be empowered to impose penalties through administrative processes, thereby reducing the judicial burden.
• Penalties will see an automatic 10% increase every three years to maintain deterrence without further legislative amendments.
• The Bill has been referred to a Select Committee, which is expected to submit its report by the first day of the Winter session of Parliament.
• Key Acts being amended include the Reserve Bank of India Act, Drugs and Cosmetics Act, Motor Vehicles Act, Apprentices Act, Electricity Act, and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act.

Specific Amendments Highlighted:

• RBI Act: For Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) failing to produce documents or answer questions, a penalty not exceeding ₹1 lakh per offense, with a further penalty of ₹5,000 per day for continued default. (Current penalty is ₹10 lakh with ₹1 lakh/day fines).
• Apprentices Act: 11 offences (e.g., forcing overtime, refusing information, unrelated work) are proposed to be converted to an advisory for the first contravention, followed by censure, warning, or penalty for subsequent contraventions. (Currently, punishable with a fine of ₹1,000).
• Motor Vehicles Act:
  • Allows for state-wide vehicle registration instead of jurisdiction-specific.
  • The reporting period for vehicle registration cancellation extended from 14 to 30 days.
  • Driving license renewal will be effective from the date of renewal if applied after expiry.
  • A grace period of 30 days after license expiry will be provided.
• This Bill builds upon the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023, which decriminalized 183 provisions in 42 Central Acts.

Foreign Portfolio Investors pull out ₹21,000 crore from Indian equities in first half of August

• The Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) offloaded Indian equities worth nearly ₹21,000 crore in the first half of August 2025 (until August 14).
• This outflow brings the total FPI equity withdrawal to ₹1.16 trillion for the year 2025 so far.
• The primary reasons for the outflow were:
• US-India trade tensions, including the threat of a 25% secondary tariff on India.
• Lacklustre first-quarter corporate earnings.
• A weakening rupee.
• This sell-off followed a net withdrawal of ₹17,741 crore in July. Prior to that, FPIs had been net investors for three months (March to June), with an investment of ₹38,673 crore.
• The IT sector saw sustained selling, which pulled down its index.
• The banking and financial sectors showed resilience due to fair valuations and institutional buying.
• FPIs, however, showed confidence in India's debt market, investing ₹4,469 crore in the debt general limit and ₹232 crore in the debt voluntary retention route.
• A potential positive factor for the market is the recent upgrade of India's credit rating by S&P from BBB- to BBB, which could boost FPI sentiment.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL AND STATE NEWS

India’s Unemployment Rate Drops to 5.2% in July 2025: Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation Periodic Labour Force Survey Report

• India’s unemployment rate fell to 5.2% in July 2025, as per the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) by the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
• Rural India drove job growth, with agriculture as the largest employer, while urban areas were dominated by services sector jobs.

Key Highlights:

• Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR), Apr–Jun 2025: Overall 55%, Rural 57.1%, Urban 50.6%.
• Worker Population Ratio (WPR), Apr–Jun 2025: Overall 52%, Rural 54.4%, Urban 47.1%.
• Unemployment Rate (UR), Apr–Jun 2025: Overall 5.4%, Rural 4.8%, Urban 6.8%.
• Monthly (July 2025): LFPR 54.9% (up from 54.2% in June); UR 5.2% (down from 5.6% in June).
• Rural employment: Dominated by self-employment (55.3% men, 71.6% women); agriculture continues as the key sector.
• Urban employment: Regular wage/salaried jobs dominate (47.5% men, 55.1% women); services sector (finance, IT, trade, hospitality) leads.
• Gender gap: Female WPR 31.6% vs Male WPR 73.1%, reflecting persistent structural barriers.
• Revamped PLFS methodology (Jan 2025): Provides monthly, quarterly, and annual estimates; Apr–Jun 2025 survey covered 1.34 lakh households and 5.7 lakh individuals.
• Policy relevance: Indicates rural resilience, urban dependence on services, urge.

Rajya Sabha Passes Indian Ports Bill, 2025 to Replace 1908 Colonial-Era Act

• The Rajya Sabha passed the Indian Ports Bill, 2025, replacing the Indian Ports Act, 1908, ending over a century-old colonial regulation.
• The Bill was introduced by Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal and has already been cleared by the Lok Sabha; it now awaits Presidential assent.

Key Highlights:

• Objective: To modernize governance of Indian ports, strengthen Centre–State coordination, and boost investor confidence in India’s maritime sector.
• Maritime sector achievements in last decade:
  • Cargo handling at major ports rose to 855 million tonnes in FY 2024–25, up from 581 million tonnes in FY 2014–15.
  • Port capacity increased by 87% in the same period.
  • Ship turnaround time reduced to 48 hours, matching global benchmarks.
  • Coastal shipping volumes grew by 118%, while inland waterways cargo movement grew nearly sevenfold.
  • Nine Indian ports featured in the World Bank’s Container Port Performance Index.
• Key provisions of the Bill:
  • Establishes the Maritime State Development Council (MSDC) as a statutory consultative body for Centre–State coordination.
  • National Perspective Plan to be prepared for integrated port development.
  • Coastal States empowered to form State Maritime Boards for uniform governance across 12 major and 200+ non-major ports.
  • Creation of Dispute Resolution Committees for sector-specific redressal.
  • Mandates compliance with international environmental conventions (MARPOL, Ballast Water Management) and requires emergency preparedness systems at ports.
  • Focus on digitalisation through a Maritime Single Window and advanced vessel traffic systems to reduce bottlenecks and costs.
• The reforms align India with global maritime leaders like Singapore, South Africa, EU nations, and the USA.
• The Bill is projected to enhance trade competitiveness, attract private investment, create jobs, and embed sustainability in port operations.
• Officials describe it as one of the most significant structural reforms in independent India’s maritime history, supporting the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Dubai unveils artificial intelligence-driven passenger corridor for instant immigration clearance 

• Dubai International Airport (DXB) has launched the world's first artificial intelligence (AI)-powered passenger corridor for immigration clearance.
• The initiative is part of Dubai's broader "Travel Without Borders" or "Unlimited Smart Travel"
• The system allows up to 10 passengers to clear immigration simultaneously by simply walking through a designated path.
• It uses facial recognition and pre-registered biometric data to verify identities in as little as 14 seconds.
• This technology eliminates the need for passports, smart gates, or any other physical documents at the checkpoint.
• The system initially launched in Terminal 3's First and Business Class lounges.
• It is an advancement of Dubai's previous "smart tunnel" technology, which was introduced in 2020.
• The AI verifies passenger data before they reach the checkpoint, while any suspicious cases are automatically flagged for expert review.
• DXB has been the world's busiest international airport for 11 consecutive years.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Indranil Bhattacharyya to join Reserve Bank of India's Monetary Policy Committee as Rajiv Ranjan exits

• Indranil Bhattacharyya, the Executive Director of the RBI’s Monetary Policy Department, is set to join the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC).
• He will replace Rajiv Ranjan, who has been a member of the committee since 2022.
• Rajiv Ranjan will reportedly move to lead the Department of Economic & Policy Research at the RBI.
• Indranil Bhattacharyya was appointed as an Executive Director on March 19, 2025.
• The central bank's board is expected to approve his nomination in an upcoming meeting.
• The MPC is a six-member panel responsible for setting India's benchmark interest rate.
• It comprises the RBI Governor, a Deputy Governor, an Executive Director, and three external members.
• This change will affect the composition of the six-member panel, which currently includes Sanjay Malhotra (Governor), Poonam Gupta (Deputy Governor), Rajiv Ranjan, and the external members Nagesh Kumar, Ram Singh, and Saugata Bhattacharya.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : APPS & PORTALS

Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana registration portal launched following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 12th Independence Day announcement 

• The Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana is an Employment Linked Incentive Scheme approved by the Union Cabinet on July 1, 2025.
• The scheme was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his 12th Independence Day
• It has an outlay of ₹99,446 crore and aims to create more than 5 crore jobs over a period of two years.
• The scheme provides incentives for jobs created between August 1, 2025, and July 31, 2027.
• The scheme is designed to support employment, enhance employability, and provide social security, with a special focus on the manufacturing sector

Key Highlights :

Incentives are provided to:

• Newly employed youth: Up to ₹15,000 in two installments.
• Employers: Up to ₹3,000 per month for each new employee.
• All payments to employees will be made through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) using the Aadhaar Bridge Payment System (ABPS).
• Payments to employers will be made directly into their PAN-linked accounts.
• The scheme will be implemented by the Ministry of Labour & Employment through the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).
• The official portals for registration are epfindia.gov.in and pmvbry.labour.gov.in.
• First-time employees need to generate a Universal Account Number (UAN) using Face Authentication Technology (FAT) on the UMANG App.
• The Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana will be implemented by the Ministry of Labour & Employment through Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), a statutory body under the Employees' Provident Funds & Miscellaneous Provisions Act of 1952.
• Cabinet Minister of Ministry of Labour & Employment : Mansukh Mandaviya

CURRENT AFFAIRS : ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS

SMBC Asia Rising Fund picks up 4.99% stake in Shivalik Small Finance Bank

• SMBC Asia Rising Fund, a corporate venture capital fund co-founded by Japan’s Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, has acquired a 4.99% stake in Shivalik Small Finance Bank.
• This investment amounts to $7 million (approximately ₹60 crore) and values the bank at about ₹1,200 crore.
• Shivalik Small Finance Bank is unique as it is the only small finance bank in India to have transitioned from a cooperative entity.
• This is the third equity raise for Shivalik since it became a bank.
• In June,2024 Shivalik secured ₹100 crore from investors including Lightspeed and Sorin Investments, with contributions from existing investors Accel India VII (Mauritius) and Quona Accion Inclusion Fund III.
• Currently, institutional investors collectively hold 29.31% interest, while the promoters hold around 40%.
• Shivalik operated as an urban cooperative bank since 1997 and converted into a small finance bank in 2021.
• Managing Director and CEO of Shivalik Small Finance Bank : Anshul Swami

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Tata’s Nelco partners with Eutelsat to provide OneWeb low Earth orbit satellite services 

• Nelco Limited, a Tata Group company and satellite communication service provider, has partnered with Eutelsat to offer OneWeb low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite connectivity services in India.
• The partnership involves Nelco working with OneWeb India Communications, which is Eutelsat's local operating entity.
• This collaboration aims to provide secure, low-latency connectivity for customers in various sectors, including land, sea, and air.
• The new services are intended to strengthen India's digital infrastructure and national security, while also providing reliable connectivity to underserved areas.
• Nelco is a subsidiary of Tata Power, which is part of the broader Tata Group.
• Eutelsat Communications S.A. is a major French satellite operator headquartered in Paris.
• It provides global satellite communication services.

Trump administration seeks termination of Orbiting Carbon Observatories program tracking atmospheric carbon dioxide

• The Trump administration has requested to shut down the Orbiting Carbon Observatories (OCO) program, which consists of a series of satellites designed to monitor atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2​).
• The OCO satellites are dedicated Earth remote sensing satellites that collect data to help understand climate change.
• The first satellite in the program, OCO, failed shortly after its launch in February 2009.
• A replacement satellite, OCO-2, was launched in July 2014.
• A third mission, OCO-3, was sent to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2019 to enhance CO2​ observation.
• The data collected by these satellites is used by NASA and other agencies to create high-resolution maps of plant growth, which is valuable for agriculture, drought monitoring, and forest mapping in addition to climate science.
• The administration's proposed fiscal year 2026 budget includes no funding for the OCO-2 and OCO-3 missions, though they are still fully operational.
• The future of the missions is now pending with Congress, as the House version of the budget aligns with the president's request, while the Senate's version aims to preserve funding.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: MOUS AND AGREEMENT

Assam Rifles Signs MoU with IIIT Manipur to Promote Drone Technology for Defence

• Assam Rifles and IIIT Manipur signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at Mantripukhri to promote drone technology for defence and security.
• The MoU was signed in the presence of Maj Gen Ravroop Singh, IG Assam Rifles (South), and the Director of IIIT Manipur, emphasizing defence– academia collaboration.

Key Highlights:

• An Advanced Drone Training and Refresher Course was launched for Assam Rifles personnel.
• The course covers drone flight operations, maintenance, and DGCA-certified training.
• Aim: To enhance surveillance, reconnaissance, and logistics support capabilities of Assam Rifles.
• Around 80 participants, including defence personnel and IIIT faculty, took part in the programme.
• The initiative reflects a shared commitment to innovation and capacity building in defence technology.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SPORTS NEWS

Carlos Alcaraz Wins First Cincinnati Open Title After Jannik Sinner’s Retirement

• Carlos Alcaraz won his maiden Cincinnati Open title 2025 after Jannik Sinner retired just 23 minutes into the final.
• This is Alcaraz’s sixth title of 2025, 22nd career tour-level trophy, and eighth ATP Masters 1000 crown — second only to Novak Djokovic (40) among active players.

Key Highlights:

• Final match: Sinner retired at 0–5 down in the first set due to illness caused by extreme heat.
• Head-to-Head record: Alcaraz now leads 9–5 against Sinner.
• This was their fourth straight final in 2025 (Rome, Roland Garros, Wimbledon, Cincinnati).
• Sinner’s 26-match hard-court winning streak ended with this retirement.
• Alcaraz has won three Masters 1000 titles in 2025 — Monte-Carlo, Rome, Cincinnati — extending his Masters winning streak to 17 matches.
• ATP Rankings Impact:
  • Alcaraz leads Sinner by 1,890 points in the PIF ATP Live Race to Turin.
  • Once 2024 points drop off, Alcaraz will begin the US Open with a 50-point lead in live rankings.
  • The US Open 2025 will decide the No. 1 ranking between Alcaraz and Sinner.
• Historic records at age 22:
  • 22 career titles.
  • 8 ATP Masters 1000 trophies.
  • 54 wins in 2025, most on the ATP Tour (Infosys ATP Index).
• Looking Ahead: Alcaraz aims to reclaim Year-End World No. 1 crown (previously in 2022). Sinner faces a fitness race to defend his US Open 2024 title and may miss mixed doubles with Katerina Siniakova.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

World Humanitarian Day: August 19

• World Humanitarian Day is observed every year on August 19 to honour the courage, sacrifice, and efforts of humanitarian workers worldwide.

Key Highlights:

• Theme 2025: “Strengthening Global Solidarity and Empowering Local Communities” — highlighting collective compassion and the role of local communities in humanitarian response.
• The Day commemorates the 2003 bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad, which killed 22 aid workers.
• It serves as a platform to promote the safety, dignity, and well-being of aid workers and affected communities.
• Focus: Reminds the world that during global crises such as conflicts and climate change, unity and empathy are key tools for resilience.

World mosquito Day 2025: August 20

• World Mosquito Day is observed annually on 20 August.
• World Mosquito Day was first established in 1897 by Sir Ronald Ross who discovered that female mosquitoes transmit malaria to humans.

History

• World Mosquito Day is dedicated to the memory of Sir Ronald Ross. As per one World Health Organisation (WHO) report, mosquitoes kill nearly 7-10 lakh people annually by transmitting diseases.
• A mosquito can make you sick, disable and cause death. Elephantiasis is one of the biggest causes of disability caused by mosquitoes.
• Mosquitoes can detect carbon dioxide that you keep breathing out from as far as 75 feet. Sir Ronald Ross was first observed on 20 August 1897.
• On World Mosquito Day many seminars and exhibitions are organized to raise awareness about saluting scientists and many other people who have contributed to fighting malaria.

Daily CA on August 20 :

• The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has proposed increasing the flexibility of Minimum Public Shareholding (MPS) and Minimum Public Offer (MPO) for listed companies.
• Bank of Maharashtra (BoM) has partnered with SBI Card to launch a co-branded credit card called the "Bank of Maharashtra SBI Card."
• According to a survey by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), The UAE has become the largest foreign investor in Indian mutual funds.
• The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2025, was introduced in Lok Sabha, August 18, 2025, by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal.
• The Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) offloaded Indian equities worth nearly ₹21,000 crore in the first half of August 2025 (until August 14).
• Dubai International Airport (DXB) has launched the world's first artificial intelligence (AI)-powered passenger corridor for immigration clearance.
• Indranil Bhattacharyya, the Executive Director of the RBI’s Monetary Policy Department, is set to join the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC).
• The Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana is an Employment Linked Incentive Scheme approved by the Union Cabinet on July 1, 2025.
• SMBC Asia Rising Fund, a corporate venture capital fund co-founded by Japan’s Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, has acquired a 4.99% stake in Shivalik Small Finance Bank.
• Nelco Limited, a Tata Group company and satellite communication service provider, has partnered with Eutelsat to offer OneWeb low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite connectivity services in India.
• The Trump administration has requested to shut down the Orbiting Carbon Observatories (OCO) program, which consists of a series of satellites designed to monitor atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2​).
• India’s unemployment rate fell to 5.2% in July 2025, as per the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) by the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
• The Rajya Sabha passed the Indian Ports Bill, 2025, replacing the Indian Ports Act, 1908, ending over a century-old colonial regulation.
• Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PMVBRY) was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his 12th Independence Day address
• Assam Rifles and IIIT Manipur signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at Mantripukhri to promote drone technology for defence and security
• Carlos Alcaraz won his maiden Cincinnati Open title 2025 after Jannik Sinner retired just 23 minutes into the final
• World Humanitarian Day is observed every year on August 19 to honour the courage, sacrifice, and efforts of humanitarian workers
• World Mosquito Day is observed annually on 20 August.