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28th-29th September 2026 Current Affairs | Daily Current Affairs | RBI & Banking | TNA By Aditya Sir
Guidely - Bank & Insurance
Overview
This video covers current affairs from September 28th-29th, 2026, focusing on RBI and banking news, government schemes, national and international rankings, and economic outlooks. Key topics include the RBI's Ways and Means Advance (WMA) limit, government market borrowing plans, revised valuation rules for investment trusts, the launch of blue bonds, FD-backed credit cards, and new pension schemes. It also details government initiatives like the PM-SURAJ portal and the DURA scheme in Delhi, the operational guidelines for the GOBAR-Dhan scheme, and export of agricultural products. Additionally, it touches upon India's ranking in the WEF Travel and Tourism Development Index, NIRF rankings, the ban on analog paneer, digital connectivity ratings, India's economic growth forecast, and electrification rate projections.
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Chapters
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has set the Ways and Means Advance (WMA) limit at ₹50,000 crore for the second half of the financial year (October-March).
- WMA is a short-term loan facility provided by the RBI to the central and state governments to manage temporary cash flow mismatches.
- The government plans to borrow ₹7.86 lakh crore from the market in the second half of the financial year, including the WMA limit.
- Overall government borrowing for the full financial year is expected to be around ₹16 lakh crore, lower than the budgeted ₹17.2 lakh crore.
Understanding these borrowing limits and plans is crucial for grasping the government's fiscal health and its reliance on market and central bank funding.
The RBI has set a WMA limit of ₹50,000 crore for the government for the period of October 2026 to March 2027.
- The RBI has revised valuation rules for Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs), ensuring a uniform calculation methodology for banks and NBFCs.
- Sagar Mala Finance Corporation Limited, a non-bank financial company in the maritime sector, is set to issue India's first blue bond to raise funds for marine sector development.
- Blue bonds are a type of green bond specifically focused on financing marine and ocean-related conservation projects and boosting the blue economy.
- The Sagar Mala blue bond aims to raise ₹600 crore initially, with a potential to raise up to ₹1100 crore, and will offer loans up to 12 years.
These updates impact investment opportunities in real estate and infrastructure, and the introduction of blue bonds signifies a growing focus on sustainable financing for marine conservation.
Sagar Mala Finance Corporation Limited is issuing India's first blue bond, with a target to raise ₹600 crore for projects related to the marine sector.
- SBI Card has launched the 'Advantage SBI Card', an FD-backed credit card available digitally via the 'UNO' application, aimed at individuals with lower credit scores.
- Pay Gloal, a fintech company, has received approval to offer remittance facilities in GIFT City, Gujarat, facilitating cross-border transactions.
- The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has issued detailed guidelines for the 'NPS Swast' health-linked pension scheme, which combines NPS investments with health insurance benefits.
These developments offer new avenues for credit access, cross-border financial services, and integrated pension and health insurance solutions.
The NPS Swast scheme allows individuals aged 18-70 to invest in the National Pension Scheme while also receiving health insurance coverage for themselves and their family.
- India has improved its position to 31st in the World Economic Forum's (WEF) Travel and Tourism Development Index 2026, up from 39th last year.
- The WEF Travel and Tourism Development Index assesses economies based on 17 pillars, including safety, digital readiness, and infrastructure.
- The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2025, focusing on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ranked IIT Madras first, followed by the Indian Agriculture Research Institute and Jamia Millia Islamia.
- India ranks ahead of other South Asian economies in the WEF Chief Economists' Outlook report, with 74% of economists expecting strong growth in the next 12 months.
These rankings provide insights into India's progress in tourism, education, and economic development, highlighting areas of improvement and national strengths.
India's rank improved to 31st in the World Economic Forum's Travel and Tourism Development Index 2026, showing significant progress in the sector.
- The Delhi government launched the PM-SURAJ portal to facilitate the implementation of the PM-SURAJ Yojana, which aims to promote rooftop solar systems.
- Delhi also approved the 'DURA' scheme to provide electric auto opportunities for women and transgender individuals, with 1,300 pink electric autos planned in the first phase.
- The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas announced operational guidelines for the GOBAR-Dhan scheme, focusing on compressed biogas production and utilization, with a target blending of 5% CBG with PNG by 2028-29.
- Madhya Pradesh launched a free registration drive for approximately 50 lakh rural properties under the Swamitva scheme to digitize property documentation.
These schemes demonstrate government efforts to promote renewable energy, provide economic opportunities, manage waste, and formalize land ownership.
The GOBAR-Dhan scheme's operational guidelines include an assured offtake mechanism for compressed biogas and a fixed pricing framework.
- The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has banned the manufacturing and sale of 'analog paneer' to ensure product authenticity.
- The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) launched a Digital Connectivity Rating (DCR) platform to assess and certify the quality of internet and mobile network connectivity in properties.
- The International Energy Agency projects India's electrification rate to reach 32% by 2035, indicating significant growth in electric vehicle adoption.
- FSSAI, founded in 2008, operates under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
These actions reflect regulatory efforts to ensure consumer safety, improve digital infrastructure, and support the transition towards electric mobility.
FSSAI has banned the sale of analog paneer, ensuring that only products made from milk can be marketed as paneer.
Key takeaways
- The RBI's WMA limit and government borrowing plans provide insights into fiscal management and liquidity.
- New financial instruments like blue bonds and FD-backed credit cards are emerging, catering to specific investment and credit needs.
- India is showing positive trends in international rankings for tourism and economic growth, indicating development progress.
- Government schemes are actively promoting renewable energy adoption, waste-to-wealth initiatives, and formalization of property rights.
- Regulatory bodies are implementing measures to ensure consumer safety, enhance digital infrastructure, and support the electric vehicle transition.
- The PFRDA's NPS Swast scheme offers a novel combination of pension savings and health insurance, addressing dual financial planning needs.
Key terms
Ways and Means Advance (WMA)Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT)Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT)Blue BondNPS SwastTravel and Tourism Development IndexGOBAR-Dhan SchemeAnalog PaneerDigital Connectivity Rating (DCR)Electrification Rate
Test your understanding
- What is the primary purpose of Ways and Means Advances (WMA) for the government?
- How do blue bonds differ from general green bonds, and what sector do they support?
- What are the key benefits of the NPS Swast scheme for individuals?
- Why has FSSAI banned analog paneer, and what is the significance of this regulation?
- What is the projected electrification rate for India by 2035, and what does this indicate about the country's energy transition?