Banking Awareness of 26, 27, 28 and 29 April 2025

Topic: Indian Economy/Financial Market

1. India's industrial output rose by 3% in March 2025.

• In February, over 2.7% growth was recorded. 
• For the full fiscal year 2024-25, industrial production grew at an average rate of 4%.
• This was lower than the 5.9% growth seen in 2023-24. 
• Key drivers of March’s industrial growth were the electricity and manufacturing sectors.
• The industrial sector makes up about 28% of India’s GDP. 
• As per Index of Industrial Production (IIP) data, mining grew by 0.4% in March 2025.
• Manufacturing expanded by 3.0%, while electricity output rose by 6.3%. 
• Out of 23 manufacturing groups, 13 recorded higher output in March 2025 as against March 2024. 
• The top performers in manufacturing were basic metals with 6.9% growth.
• Motor vehicles and trailers grew by 10.3%.
• Electrical equipment saw the highest rise, with 15.7% growth. 
• In the use-based classification, primary goods grew by 3.1%. Capital goods rose by 2.4%, and intermediate goods by 2.3%. 
• Infrastructure and construction goods increased by 8.8%.
• Consumer durables rose by 6.6%. Consumer non-durables fell by 4.7%. 
• Infrastructure and construction goods, primary goods, and consumer durables were main drivers of March’s IIP growth by use category.

Topic: RBI

2. The Reserve Bank of India will inject ₹1.25 lakh crore into the banking system in May 2025. 

• This will be done through government securities purchases under open market operations (OMOs). 
• The liquidity will be infused in four parts. 
• Auctions are scheduled for May 6 (₹50,000 crore), and May 9, 15, and 19 (₹25,000 crore each). 
• RBI began conducting OMO purchase auctions in late January 2025. 
• These efforts aim to ease liquidity constraints in the financial system. 
• A liquidity deficit appeared in Q4 of FY25. 
• This was mainly due to a rise in currency in circulation and the RBI’s foreign exchange operations. 
• Liquidity conditions improved from March 29, 2025. 
• This ended a deficit that lasted for over three months. 
• By April 25, the system showed a surplus of about ₹1.02 lakh crore. 
• The improvement was driven by multiple measures. 
• These included OMO purchases, longer-term repo auctions, and forex swap operations. 
• Between January 30 and April 17, 2025, RBI injected ₹3.24 lakh crore via OMO purchases. 
• Another OMO auction is scheduled for April 30 to add ₹20,000 crore in liquidity.

Topic: RBI

3. Reserve Bank of India has issued new instructions to banks and White Label ATM Operators (WLAOs). 

• They must ensure that ₹100 and ₹200 notes are regularly available in ATMs. 
• By September 30, 2025, 75% of all ATMs must dispense either ₹100 or ₹200 notes from at least one cassette. 
• This target will increase to 90% of ATMs by March 31, 2026. 
• The move is aimed at making smaller denomination notes more accessible to the public.

Topic: Indian Economy/Financial Market

4. Foreign investors invested over ₹17,000 crore in Indian equities last week.

• This followed a net inflow of ₹8,500 crore in the week ending April 18.
• Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) made a net investment of ₹17,425 crore from April 21 to April 25.
• However, FPIs have pulled out ₹5,678 crore from Indian equities so far in April.
• At the beginning of the month, there was significant FPI selling.
• This was mainly due to global uncertainties related to developments in US tariff policies.

Topic: Reports and Indices

5. IISc leads India in the Asia Rankings 2025, with 7 Indian universities featured in the list.

• The Times Higher Education (THE) released its Asia University Rankings 2025, recognizing top academic institutions across the continent.
• The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) is the highest-ranked Indian university, securing 38th position with a score of 65.2.
• A total of 7 Indian universities have been featured in the rankings this year.
• Anna University ranked second among Indian entries, securing the 111th position with a score of 52.3.
• IIT Indore is placed at 131st, followed by Mahatma Gandhi University at 140th.
• Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences and Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences were ranked 146 and 149 respectively.
• Jamia Millia Islamia is the seventh Indian university on the list, ranked at 161.
• China continues to dominate the rankings, with Tsinghua and Peking Universities holding the top two spots.
• The National University of Singapore secured 3rd place, while institutions from Japan and Hong Kong also featured in the top 10.

Topic: Miscellaneous

6. Dr. Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan, former chairman of ISRO, passed away in Bengaluru.

• His mortal remains will be kept at the Raman Research Institute.
• He was a key figure behind India’s National Education Policy (NEP).
• He also served as the Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University.
• He was the Chairman of the Karnataka Knowledge Commission.
• Kasturirangan took over as ISRO chairman in 1992, after Dr. UR Rao.
• He led the space agency until August 27, 2003.
• He played a vital role in developing the ASLV and PSLV launch vehicles.
• He mentored many scientists, including current ISRO chief S Somanath.
• The Chandrayaan 1 project report was created during his tenure in 2003.
• It received government approval in 2004.
• He also held the roles of Space Commission Chairman and Secretary of the Department of Space.
• He shaped India's space program over nearly a decade.

Topic: Awards and Prizes

7. Akashvani won six different awards at the India Audio Summit and Awards 2025.

• The event was held in Mumbai. It celebrated excellence in radio and audio content creation.

• Smriti Irani’s show ‘Nai Soch Nai Kahani – A Radio Journey with Smriti Irani’ received the Series of the Year award.
• The 13-part series featured powerful stories of women’s courage and perseverance.
• It concluded with an exclusive interview of President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
• Akashvani’s weekly programme ‘Public Speak’ won Best Produced Audio Streaming Programme in the Health and Fitness category.
• ‘Chhayageet’ was honoured as the Best Late Night Show.
• ‘Ujale Unki Yadon Ke’ was awarded Best Celebrity Show on Air.
• ‘Safarcast’ earned the Best Travel Show award.
• Akashvani also received the Best Interstitial award for its innovative short-form audio content.
• Dr Pragya Paliwal Gaur, Director General of Akashvani, was the guest of honour at the ceremony.
• India Audio Summit and Awards is dedicated to recognizing and honouring audio excellence across India.
• It celebrates the most captivating and ground- breaking audio content, showcased on diverse platforms.

Topic: Summits/Conferences/Meetings

8. The Global India Summit, with the participation of 100 countries, is being hosted by Telangana.

• Telangana is hosting the Global India Summit on April 25 and 26, a Congress-led initiative aimed at projecting the state as a model of progressive governance on the global stage.
• Over 450 delegates from 100 countries are expected to participate in the two-day international event.
• Heads of governments, MPs, political leaders, corporate chiefs, and renowned global think tanks will attend the summit.
• The first day will feature panel discussions on topics such as Gender Justice, Disinformation, Youth in Politics, and Multilateralism.
• The second day will focus on debates around Polarization vs Pluralism, Climate and Economic Justice, and Peace in a Multipolar World.
• AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, along with Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, will address the plenary and valedictory sessions.
• The summit will emphasize core Congress values—non-violence, truth, justice, and democracy—as highlighted by Deputy CM Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka.
• The summit is expected to strengthen Telangana’s image globally and reinforce India’s historic stance on non-alignment and inclusive progress.

Read Banking Awareness PDF - 26, 27, 28 and 29 April 2025