Banking & Economy, SSC & National News (Focus: Infrastructure, Schemes, Awards)

🏦 Banking & Economy (Focus: RBI, SBI, Finance)

• SBI Milestone: State Bank of India (SBI) surpassed TCS to become India’s 4th largest company by market capitalization (approx. ₹10.05 lakh crore). Reliance Industries remains #1.

• RBI Acquisition Financing: RBI increased the limit for banks to finance acquisitions to 20% of their eligible capital base (previously proposed at 10%). Banks can now fund up to 75% of an acquisition value.

• GIFT City Leadership: Veteran banker Uday Kotak has been appointed as the Chairman of GIFT City (Gujarat International Finance Tec-City), succeeding Hasmukh Adhia.

• Digital Payment Index (RBI-DPI): The RBI reported the Digital Payment Index reached 516.76 (September 2025 data released in early 2026), showing a steady rise in digital adoption.

• New SBI Initiative: SBI launched "CHAKRA" (Centre of Excellence) to focus on financing "sunrise sectors" with a projected lending opportunity of ₹20–22 trillion.

• OTC Derivatives: RBI mandated the use of a Unique Transaction Identifier (UTI) for all over-the-counter (OTC) derivative trades, effective from January 1, 2027.

📜 SSC & National News (Focus: Infrastructure, Schemes, Awards)

• Namo Bharat Corridor: PM Modi inaugurated the full 82 km Delhi–Meerut RRTS corridor. It is India’s first Regional Rapid Transit System.

• Vibrant Villages Programme-II: Amit Shah launched VVP-II in Cachar, Assam, targeting development in 1,954 border villages.

• AI Impact Summit 2026: Held in New Delhi; introduced the "MANAV" framework for human-centric AI governance.

• Export Promotion Mission: The government allocated ₹25,060 crore to boost exports, featuring interest subventions and credit guarantees for MSMEs.

• UNESCO News: Vasai’s 475-year-old Cathedral in Maharashtra received a UNESCO Heritage Award.

• Indo-French Partnership: India and France elevated ties to a "Special Global Strategic Partnership" and inaugurated the H125 Final Assembly Line for helicopters in India.

🏆 Appointments & Sports (Key for GK Sections)

• ICAI President: Prasanna Kumar D was elected as the 74th President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (2026–27).

• HAL CMD: Kota Ravi took over as the Chairman and Managing Director of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

• T20 World Cup 2026: Currently being co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

• Winter Olympics 2026: Held in Milan-Cortina, Italy; Norway set a record with 17 Gold medals.