1. Banking & Financial Sector Bank holiday alert: Banks in select Indian states are closed on 06.11.2025 due to two major events – the first phase of the Bihar State Legislative Assembly Elections 2025 and the Nongkrem Dance Festival in Meghalaya. The Reserve Bank of India issues state‐wise bank holiday lists to inform customers about…
National Affairs The Banking Laws (Amendment) Act, 2025 provisions relating to nominations in bank deposit accounts and safe custody items came into effect from 1 November 2025. Depositors can now nominate up to four individuals for their bank accounts and safety-lockers. New financial rule-changes effective November 2025 include : changes in bank website domain names,…
1. National — India On 31.10.2025, Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day) is observed in India, commemorating the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and emphasising the theme of national integration and solidarity. The government has announced that several states have declared school holidays on 31.10.2025 due to adverse weather conditions associated with Cyclone Montha…
National Affairs The Cyclone Montha, now a severe cyclonic storm, has strengthened over the west-central Bay of Bengal and is approaching the coast of Andhra Pradesh (between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam) with heavy rains and high winds expected across Andhra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. Evacuations and transport disruptions are in progress. The Election Commission…
1. National News – India Neeraj Chopra (Olympic gold-medallist) has been bestowed the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army in recognition of his sporting achievements and national pride. Schools in several northern states — including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh — are reopening on 24.10.2025 after extended holidays tied…
National & Domestic Affairs India re-elected to UN Human Rights Council India secures another term on the UN Human Rights Council, reinforcing its global role in human rights discourse. This gives India a platform to argue on issues of human rights, minority safeguards, and global governance. Exam angle: Questions on UN organs, membership, India’s foreign…
1. National News & Developments Rashtriya Military School (RMS) Chail Centenary Celebrations Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi visited RMS Chail and praised its legacy of shaping defence leaders. A Centenary Gate was inaugurated, a special postal cover released, and a commemorative chronicle “The Centennial Chronicle” unveiled. The event also saw a plantation drive “Ek Ped…
1. Banking & Financial Reforms From 4 October 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) introduces a real-time cheque clearing mechanism. Cheques will now be cleared within hours (10:00 AM to 4:00 PM) via continuous settlement, replacing the batch-based system which used to take 1–2 business days. Banks will need to confirm cheque authenticity by…
1. National News & Developments (India) Himachal Pradesh’s Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve gets UNESCO tag In the 37th session of UNESCO’s Man & Biosphere (MAB) Programme, India’s Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve in Himachal Pradesh was included in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves. This addition raises India’s total count of biosphere reserves under UNESCO designation….
1. National News & Government / Policy Updates RBI cancels Registration Certificate of Datta Finance and Trading (NBFC) The Reserve Bank of India has revoked the Certificate of Registration (CoR) of Datta Finance and Trading Private Limited, a non-banking financial company, citing irregularities in its lending practices. The company is now prohibited from carrying on…
