Banking Awareness of 16, 17, 18 and 19 June 2025

Topic: Reports and Indices

1. RBI noted an improvement in the Supervisory Data Quality Index (sDQI) for Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs).

• The score rose to 89.3 in March 2025, up from 88.6 in March 2024.
• The sDQI evaluates the reliability of data banks submit.
• It focuses on accuracy, timeliness, completeness, and consistency.
• A score above 90 is rated “good.” Scores between 80 and 90 are “acceptable.”
• A range of 70 to 80 means “needs improvement.” Scores below 70 signal “major concerns.”
• Small finance banks had the highest score among SCBs, reaching 90.6 in March 2025.
• However, this was a slight drop from 91.0 in March 2024.
• Public sector banks recorded a lower score of 88.8. This is down from 89.2 a year earlier.
• Private sector banks improved their score to 89.6. This was up from 88.9 in March 2024.
• Foreign banks also showed progress. Their sDQI rose to 89.1 from 87.6 the previous year.
• The index includes data from 87 Scheduled Commercial Banks.
• It assesses the quality of key regulatory returns submitted to the RBI.
• These returns include data on asset-liability management, asset quality, and operating results.
• They also cover risk-based supervision, liquidity, capital adequacy, and large credit exposures.
• Supervisory Returns include all regular or one-time data submissions banks make to the RBI.
• This applies regardless of the format, platform, or frequency used.

Topic: RBI

2. RBI has increased the agency commission paid to banks for handling government transactions.

• This includes services like revenue collections, payments, and pension disbursements.
• Banks will now earn ₹12 per transaction for electronic revenue receipt and payment services.
• This is an increase from the earlier rate of ₹9 per transaction.
• For revenue transactions done in physical form, the commission remains unchanged at ₹40 per transaction.
• Pension payments for Central and State Governments will now attract a commission of ₹80 per transaction.
• This is up from the previous rate of ₹75 per transaction.
• For non-pension government payments, the commission has been revised to 7 paise per ₹100.
• Earlier, it was 6.5 paise per ₹100 in transaction value.
• The new commission rates will take effect from April 1, 2025.
• RBI noted that this move is likely aimed at boosting efficiency in the processing of government business by banks.
• Commission will be applicable on most payment transactions handled by agency banks.
• However, it will not apply to transactions that are pre-funded or already compensated separately by the government.

Topic: Banking System

3. Country's first cyber-security operation centre (C-SOC) has been established by Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank.

• This centre has been established to provide protection against increasing cyber threats.

• The facility, Sahakar Suraksha, has been established in Vashi, Navi Mumbai. It has been set up at a cost of ₹50 crore.
• Bank Chairman Vidyadhar Anaskar said the C-SOC's services will be provided free of cost to member banks.
• The C-SOC is designed to serve 31 district central cooperative banks in Maharashtra.
• Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank also plans to offer cyber hygiene training to officials and staff of member banks.

Topic: Miscellaneous

4. A loan of USD 109.97 million approved by ADB for Gujarat to support skill development programs.

• On 13 June, a loan worth USD 109.97 million has been approved by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to support the Gujarat Skills Development Program.
• This program is aligned with the Government of Gujarat’s plan to become a global industrial hub by strengthening workforce capabilities in high-growth sectors.
• This loan will be used for the Gujarat Skill Development Programme.
• The program is being run by the state's Labour, Skill Development, and Employment Department in collaboration with Kaushalya: The Skills University (KSU).
• It aims to equip the state's workforce with industry-aligned, advanced skills to promote job readiness in high-growth sectors.
• Seven key industries—including logistics, automotive, IT, renewable energy, manufacturing, healthcare, and agri-tech—will be the primary focus of this initiative.
• The program aims to integrate advanced technologies like artificial intelligence to modernize the technical and vocational education and training (TVET) ecosystem.
• By 2030, at least 60,000 students are expected to graduate with industry-relevant skills from this initiative.
• Increased participation of women and socioeconomically weaker sections in engineering and frontier technology trades is a key goal of the program.
• The initiative is in alignment with the National Education Policy 2020 and Gujarat’s Skill Development Plan (2025–2030).

Topic: Agriculture

5. An allocation of ₹6,000 crore has been made by the government to bolster the Agri Stack and empower farmers.

• A financial allocation of ₹6,000 crore has been announced by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare to strengthen the Agri Stack under the Digital Agriculture Mission.
• Out of the total allocation, ₹4,000 crore will be used to develop State Farmer Registries, including legal heir systems, while ₹2,000 crore will support Digital Crop Surveys.
• Funds will be released on a first-come-first-served basis, incentivizing states to rapidly adopt digital systems for governance.
• One of the major highlights of the conference was the signing of MoUs with Maharashtra, Kerala, Bihar, and Odisha, as well as the signing of an MoU between PSB Alliance and the National Farmers Welfare Programme Implementation Society (NFWPIS).
• These agreements aim to enhance financial inclusion by linking digital credit access with authenticated Farmer Registries.
• Also, Special Central Assistance Guidelines were unveiled jointly by Secretaries of Agriculture and Land Resources during the event.
• Technical sessions considered challenges such as outdated tribal land records and errors in crop survey data, and proposed solutions such as remote sensing, AI/ML tools, and automated data validation to improve efficiency.
• The importance of aligning State Farmer Registries with updated Records of Rights was emphasized for seamless delivery of government schemes.
• Farmers will be empowered with secure tools like Digitally Verifiable Certificates (DVCs) and land information sharing systems.
• The initiative marks a major shift toward transparent, tech-driven, farmer-focused governance in India’s agriculture sector.

Topic: Corporates/Companies

6. DFCC Bank PLC has become the first overseas corporate to list a bond on India’s NSE International Exchange (NSE IX) at GIFT City.

• The listing concludes a multi-phase journey for DFCC Bank’s Green Bond.
• The bond was first issued in Sri Lanka. It was then dual-listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange.
• Now, its listing on NSE IX enhances DFCC’s access to global capital markets.
• It also demonstrates the bank’s commitment to sustainable, cross-border financing.
• This is the first foreign corporate listing on NSE IX.
• The LKR 2.5 billion bond proceeds will fund renewable energy initiatives.
• These will include rooftop and ground-mounted solar PV projects in Sri Lanka.
• DFCC Bank was founded in 1955. The bank is celebrating 70 years of service in 2025. It is regulated by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
• DFCC is recognized for its leadership in sustainable finance.
• NSE IX was launched in 2017 at GIFT City. It is an international multi-asset exchange regulated by the IFSCA.
• It currently holds over 99% market share in its category.

Topic: Indian Economy/Financial Market

7. India's exports grew 5.75% in April-May 2025, driven by electronics and services.

• India's total cumulative exports, including both merchandise and services, were estimated at US$ 142.43 billion during April-May 2025, reflecting a 5.75% increase over the US$ 134.69 billion recorded in the same period of 2024.
• Merchandise exports during April-May 2025 were valued at US$ 77.19 billion, showing a positive growth of 3.07% compared to US$ 74.89 billion during April-May 2024.
• Services exports were estimated at US$ 65.24 billion in April-May 2025, registering a healthy rise of 9.11% over the US$ 59.79 billion exported during the same period last year.
• The cumulative non-petroleum exports reached US$ 64.25 billion in April-May 2025, a growth of 7.53% from the US$ 59.75 billion recorded in April-May 2024.
• Key contributors to merchandise export growth in May 2025 included electronic goods, which surged by 54.10% (US$ 4.57 billion from US$ 2.97 billion), and organic & inorganic chemicals, which rose by 16% (US$ 2.68 billion from US$ 2.31 billion).
• Marine product exports rose by 26.79%, reaching US$ 0.73 billion in May 2025, while drugs & pharmaceuticals exports increased by 7.38% to US$ 2.48 billion.
• India’s total exports (merchandise and services combined) in May 2025 stood at US$ 71.12 billion, growing by 2.77% compared to US$ 69.20 billion in May 2024.
• Imports in May 2025 were estimated at US$ 77.75 billion, down by 1.02% from US$ 78.55 billion in May 2024, resulting in a trade deficit of US$ 6.62 billion, an improvement from the US$ 9.35 billion deficit in May 2024.
• Non-petroleum and non-gems & jewellery exports in May 2025 rose to US$ 30.71 billion compared to US$ 28.73 billion in May 2024, while similar category imports increased to US$ 41.19 billion from US$ 36.79 billion.
• The top five export destinations showing strong growth in May 2025 compared to May 2024 were the USA (16.93%), China (25.04%), Australia (35.36%), Russia (48.11%), and Germany (17.05%).

Topic: Infrastructure and Energy

8. India's largest automobile cargo terminal inaugurated at Manesar by the Railway Minister.

• On 17 June, the country’s largest automobile Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal was inaugurated at Maruti Suzuki India Limited, Manesar by Union Railway Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw.
• The Gati Shakti Cargo Terminal at Maruti Suzuki's Manesar plant is a major infrastructure development, significantly enhancing the logistics efficiency of automobile transportation.
• The terminal is connected to Patli railway station via a 10 km rail link, which is part of the larger 121.7 km Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor.
• It is being developed by Haryana Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation (HRIDC).
• ₹800 crore was invested in the construction of the terminal, with ₹684 crore funded by HRIDC and the remaining by Maruti Suzuki.
• It holds an annual loading capacity of 4.5 lakh automobiles, making it one of the highest in the country.
• The railway minister highlighted that Indian Railways’ budget has grown tenfold, from ₹24,000 crore pre-2014 to ₹2.5 lakh crore currently.
• To improve commuter experience, over 1,200 General Coaches have been added in the last year alone.
• Now more than 100 MEMU trains will be added - their number will increase from 8 to 12 coaches to 16 to 20 coaches - this will greatly benefit short distance travellers.
• A new factory has been set up in Kazipet, Andhra Pradesh to manufacture more than 100 MEMU trains.
• Production of 50 more Namo Bharat trains is underway to meet increasing passenger demand.
• In Haryana, over ₹11,800 crore worth of railway projects are currently underway, including the redevelopment of 34 stations.
• A modernized Railway Coach Factory at Sonipat is nearing completion and is expected to boost coach production significantly.

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