Banking Awareness of 16, 17 and 18 October 2025

Topic: Indian Economy/Financial Matket

1. Unemployment increased slightly to 5.2% in September after two months of decline, according to data from the Statistics Ministry.

• In August, the unemployment rate stood at 5.1%.
• The recent increase is due to modest increases in both rural and urban unemployment.
• Rural unemployment increased from 4.5% to 4.6%. Urban unemployment increased from 6.7% to 6.8% among individuals aged 15 and older.
• Unemployment among urban women increased to 9.3% in September. This increased from 8.9% in August.
• An increase in rural female unemployment also contributed to the overall rise in the female unemployment rate. It increased from 5.2% to 5.5%.
• Male unemployment increased modestly in both rural and urban areas.
• In rural areas, it increased from 4.5% to 4.7%. In urban areas, it rose from 5.9% to 6%.
• The Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) for those aged 15 and above increased to 55.3% in September.
• Rural LFPR increased to 57.4% in September. It was 56.1% in June.
• Female LFPR reached 34.1% in September. This is its highest point since May 2025.
• Rural female LFPR has increased for three consecutive months. It reached 37.9% in September, up from 35.2% in June.
• The Worker Population Ratio (WPR) reached 52.4% in September. This is the highest level since May 2025.
• Female WPR among those aged 15 and above increased from 30.2% in June to 32.3% in September.
• In rural areas, female WPR increased from 33.6% in June to 36.3% in September.

Topic: Indian Economy/Financial Market

2. India's merchandise trade deficit increased to $32.15 billion in September.

• This marked its highest level in 11 months. The rise was because of a faster rise in imports as against exports.
• The increase in the trade deficit followed the U.S. decision in August to raise tariffs to 50% on different Indian exports.
• Inspite of higher U.S. tariffs, India's exports increased slightly in September to $36.38 billion from $35.10 billion in August.
• Imports increased significantly to $68.53 billion in September from $61.59 billion the month before.
• During the first half of the fiscal year starting in April, India's exports to the U.S. increased over 13% year-on-year and reached $45.82 billion.
• Imports from the U.S. also increased and reached to $25.59 billion during the same period.
• India’s estimated services exports for September stood at $30.82 billion. Services imports stood at $15.29 billion.
• The combined goods and services trade in September led to a net surplus of $15.53 billion.

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

3. NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL) and NTT DATA Japan signed MoU for UPI payment services in Japan.

• NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL) is the global branch of NPCI and NTT DATA Japan is a major player in Japan’s payment ecosystem.
• NTT DATA Japan operates CAFIS, the country's top card transaction network.
• The aim of collaboration is to explore the integration of UPI at merchant outlets managed by NTT DATA across Japan.
• Once implemented, Indian travelers in Japan will be able to pay at NTT DATA-affiliated merchants.
• They can use their existing UPI apps by scanning QR codes.

Topic: Appointments

4. The appointment of Dan Katz as First Deputy Managing Director has been approved by the IMF Executive Board.

• His appointment is effective from October 6, 2025.
• His appointment was proposed by IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva on September 19, 2025.
• Kristalina Georgieva, the IMF's Managing Director, praised Katz’s economic policy expertise.
• Before joining the IMF, Katz served as Chief of Staff at the U.S. Treasury Department.
• He played a key role in shaping the U.S. economic strategy toward Ukraine.
• He also held an investment banking role at Goldman Sachs.

Topic: Appointments

5. Anant Goenka has been named as the president-elect of FICCI.

• Anant Goenka, Vice Chairman of RPG Group, has been named as president-elect for the 2025–26 term.
• He currently serves as the senior vice president of the chamber.
• Goenka will take over from Harsha Vardhan Agarwal after FICCI’s annual general meeting at the end of November.
• RPG Group, the company Goenka represents, is a diversified enterprise with a valuation of $5 billion.
• Its operations span across tyres, infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, IT, and niche sectors.

Topic: Awards and Prizes

6. TCIL awarded the HR Excellence Award at the Fortune Leadership Awards 2025.

• Telecommunications Consultants India Limited (TCIL) was presented the HR Excellence Award at the Fortune Leadership Awards 2025 held in Delhi on October 11.
• Telecommunications Consultants India Limited (TCIL) is a Miniratna Schedule ‘A’ PSU under the Department of Telecommunications.
• The recognition was given for TCIL’s outstanding HR practices, employee development, innovation, and inclusivity.
• The award was presented by Dr. Dinesh Upadhyay, Former Member, Ministry of AYUSH, and Shri M. S. Nethrapal, IRS, and was received by Shri P. Suresh Babu, CGM (HR).
• Between 2021 and 2025, TCIL implemented comprehensive HR reforms to develop a future-ready and accountable workforce under Mission Karmayogi.
• Initiatives included merit-based promotions, digitization through E-Office and ERP, and a performance-linked management system.
• TCIL emphasized on skill building, under which 58 officers acquired global certifications in cyber security, networking and auditing, thereby improving work performance on high value projects.
• These reforms have enhanced organizational performance, supporting major national programmes such as Digital India and Smart Cities.
• Established in 1978, TCIL is a leading global telecom consultancy and engineering firm.
• TCIL provides end-to-end solutions in telecom, IT and infrastructure, executing over 500 projects in over 100 countries, and playing a key role in India's digital development and international telecom cooperation.

Topic: Reports and Indices

7. The IMF raised India's GDP forecast despite US tariffs.

• India’s GDP growth rate was projected by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to increase faster than previously estimated, despite the impact of US tariffs.
• According to the IMF’s World Economic Outlook report, India’s growth for 2025–26 has been revised upward to 6.6% from 6.4%.
• The IMF, however, slightly lowered its estimates by 20 basis points to 6.2% for 2026-27.
• The upward revision was driven by strong momentum in the first quarter, which outweighed the tariff effects on imports from India.
• The IMF noted that global economic conditions have proven more stable than expected amid recent tariff shocks.
• However, it warned that President Donald Trump's threat of a renewed US-China trade war could significantly reduce output.
• The IMF now projects global real GDP growth at 3.2% for 2025, an increase from its July forecast of 3.0%.
• This revision follows an earlier April forecast of 2.8%, made after Trump imposed global reciprocal tariffs that triggered a tit-for-tat escalation with China.
• The IMF maintained its 2026 global growth estimate at 3.1%, indicating continued but cautious optimism.

Topic: Indian Economy/Financial Market

8. India has experienced a significant rise in women’s workforce participation.

• The rate increased to around 42% in 2023–24. It was 23% in 2017–18.
• World Bank data shows India led BRICS nations. Over the past decade, India saw the highest increase in female labour participation among BRICS countries.
• Government policies played a key role in this progress. These policies expanded women’s access to skills, credit, and formal employment.
• The government introduced several initiatives to support women in the workplace.
• Women are now exempted from fees for competitive exams. They are also entitled to 730 days of Child Care Leave.
• Women in government service receive 180 days of maternity leave.
• Efforts are made to post spouses at the same location.
• Various ministries launched employment and training programs for women.
• These programs aim to give women relevant skills for today’s job market.
• Women’s participation in the workforce is seen as crucial for national growth.
• It is central to achieving the goal of a developed India by 2047.