Banking and RBI
RBI sets up Q-SAFE expert committee on quantum-secure financial ecosystem
25 May 2026 | Reserve Bank of India
The RBI constituted on 25 May 2026 an Expert Committee for a Quantum Secure and Adaptive Financial Ecosystem (Q-SAFE). Convened by Dr Anil Prabhakar of IIT Madras, it includes members from DST, SBI, NPCI, MeitY, DSCI and the RBI's FinTech Department, whose CGM Suvendu Pati is Member-Secretary.
Its terms of reference include evaluating benefits and risks of quantum technology in finance, assessing the sector's cryptographic inventory through a Cryptography Bill of Materials (CBOM) and crypto agility, a cross-country review of regulation, and industry readiness for quantum-safe cryptography.
Key facts- Committee: Q-SAFE (Quantum Secure and Adaptive Financial Ecosystem)
- Convener: Dr Anil Prabhakar, IIT Madras
- Member-Secretary: Suvendu Pati, CGM, RBI FinTech Department
- Tool named: Cryptography Bill of Materials (CBOM)
Exam takeaway: Quantum computers could weaken some existing cryptographic standards, so finance seeks quantum-safe cryptography.
Quick revision: RBI Q-SAFE expert committee on quantum-secure finance, 25 May 2026 (RBI).
Reserve Bank of India original sourceBanking and RBI
RBI 4-day VRR auction: Rs 88,745 crore of bids against Rs 1,50,000 crore notified
25 May 2026 | Reserve Bank of India
The RBI said that in the 4-day Variable Rate Repo auction on 25 May 2026, against a notified amount of Rs 1,50,000 crore, bids of Rs 88,745 crore were received and all were allotted. The cut-off rate and weighted average rate were both 5.26 per cent.
Separately, the RBI announced the sale of two dated government securities for Rs 28,000 crore: 6.68% GS 2040 (Rs 17,000 crore) and 7.43% GS 2076 (Rs 11,000 crore), with auction on 29 May and settlement on 1 June 2026. The Government can retain up to Rs 2,000 crore additional subscription against each.
Key facts- VRR (4-day), 25 May: bids Rs 88,745 crore; allotted Rs 88,745 crore
- Cut-off and weighted average rate: 5.26 per cent
- G-sec auction 29 May: 6.68% GS 2040 and 7.43% GS 2076; total Rs 28,000 crore
- Greenshoe: up to Rs 2,000 crore per security
Exam takeaway: When bids fall short of the notified amount, the RBI allots the full bid amount.
Quick revision: VRR 25 May 2026: bids Rs 88,745 cr, rate 5.26%; G-sec auction Rs 28,000 cr on 29 May (RBI).
Reserve Bank of India original sourceEconomy and Finance
SIDBI 37th Foundation Day: FM says SIDBI must become a market maker and risk-sharing partner
25 May 2026 | Press Information Bureau
PIB said Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, at SIDBI's 37th Foundation Day in Mumbai on 25 May 2026, launched portals and initiatives for MSME credit delivery and modernisation of rural industries, and said SIDBI's role must expand beyond lending to being a market maker and risk-sharing partner.
She said MSMEs contribute nearly 35 per cent of manufacturing output, 48 per cent of exports and about 31 per cent of GDP, and that the Cabinet's January 2026 additional equity support of Rs 5,000 crore will let SIDBI add 25 lakh new MSME beneficiaries by 2028.
Key facts- Event: SIDBI 37th Foundation Day, Mumbai, 25 May 2026
- Cabinet equity support (January 2026): Rs 5,000 crore to SIDBI
- Target: 25 lakh new MSME beneficiaries by 2028
- MSMEs: about 35% of manufacturing output, 48% of exports, 31% of GDP (as quoted)
Exam takeaway: SIDBI is the apex financial institution for the MSME sector.
Quick revision: SIDBI 37th Foundation Day: Rs 5,000 cr equity; 25 lakh new MSME beneficiaries by 2028 (PIB, 25 May).
Press Information Bureau original sourceGovernment Schemes
BHAVYA scheme: guidelines released for 100 industrial parks with Rs 33,660 crore outlay
23 May 2026 | Press Information Bureau
Carried forward from 23 May 2026. PIB said DPIIT released operational guidelines for the BHAVYA scheme, a Central Sector Scheme to develop 100 investment-ready industrial parks over six years, 2026-27 to 2031-32, with an outlay of about Rs 33,660 crore. In the first phase up to 50 parks will be taken up through a challenge-based competitive selection.
Minimum land is 100 acres for non-hilly States and 25 acres for hilly States, northeastern States, UTs and smaller States, with parks up to 1,000 acres allowed. Both greenfield and eligible brownfield parks are covered.
Key facts- Scheme: BHAVYA (Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojna), Central Sector Scheme
- Parks: 100; period 2026-27 to 2031-32; outlay about Rs 33,660 crore
- First phase: up to 50 parks by challenge-based selection
- Minimum land: 100 acres (25 acres for hilly, NE States, UTs, smaller States)
Exam takeaway: Challenge-based selection ranks State proposals on objective parameters such as connectivity and infrastructure quality.
Quick revision: BHAVYA: 100 industrial parks, Rs 33,660 cr, 2026-27 to 2031-32 (PIB, 23 May guidelines).
Press Information Bureau original source