SEBI Revamps SLB Scheme, Launches Setu Portal, Pilots Bond Tokenisation on Blockchain

FM Urges RBI to Advance CBDC & Digital Rupee; India's First Tokenised Corporate Bond Pilot by REC

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman urged RBI to accelerate CBDC and digital Rupee capabilities, highlighting the success of India's first tokenised corporate bond pilot by REC under SEBI's sandbox. This signals a major push towards tokenisation in financial markets, with implications for exam questions on digital currency, fintech regulation, and RBI-SEBI coordination.

RBI & SEBI Tighten Cybersecurity Norms: ITRI, Kill Switch & 6-Hour Reporting Mandated

Indian financial regulators RBI and SEBI are significantly strengthening cybersecurity frameworks in response to rising AI-driven fraud. SEBI introduced an IT Resilience Index (ITRI) for market infrastructure institutions, while RBI mandated board-level ownership and a strict 6-hour cyber incident reporting window, signaling a major shift in regulatory vigilance.

SEBI Introduces IT Resilience Index (ITRI) for MIIs: 9-Parameter Scorecard to Quantify Tech Risk

SEBI has launched the IT Resilience Index (ITRI), a first-of-its-kind quantitative scorecard to measure the robustness of critical IT systems at stock exchanges, clearing corporations, and depositories. This shifts regulation from compliance-checking to risk-monitoring, with 9 weighted parameters — Availability and Security each carrying the highest weight of 20%. For exam aspirants, this is a high-priority topic: it links to regulatory bodies (SEBI), financial market infrastructure, and emerging tech risks (cyber, AI, cloud).

ICAI Reviews CA Curriculum to Integrate AI, ESG, Forensic Auditing; Launches AURA 2.0 and International Programme

ICAI is overhauling the CA curriculum to include AI, data analytics, ESG, and forensic auditing to keep pace with global technological shifts. It is also developing an international CA programme for countries like Mauritius, Nepal, and African nations, and launching advanced AI training for members and students.

RBI Dy Governor: CBDC and ULI Adoption Rising, 12 States Digitise Land Records for Faster Loans

RBI Deputy Governor Rohit Jain announced that CBDC (Digital Rupee) and ULI (Unified Lending Interface) are moving beyond pilot stages into real-world usage, with 12 states already digitising land records. This signals a major push for financial inclusion, faster credit delivery, and digital public infrastructure, making it a high-priority topic for banking and economy sections in exams.

RBI Subsidiary BRBNMPL Issues EOI for Polymer Substrate: 68,000 Reams for Rs 10 & Rs 20 Notes

India moves closer to introducing polymer banknotes in Rs 10 and Rs 20 denominations. Bidders for the polymer substrate must certify no animal tallow and firewall operations from China/Pakistan. The RBI subsidiary BRBNMPL requires 68,000 reams of substrate, with samples tested across climatic zones.

SEBI Plans Bond Tokenisation Pilot, Eases FPI Onboarding via Digital PoA

SEBI is launching a pilot for bond tokenisation using shared ledger technology to improve settlement efficiency and reduce costs. Separately, it has eased FPI onboarding by allowing digitally signed Power of Attorney, eliminating notarisation and apostillisation. These reforms aim to deepen India's bond market and improve ease of doing business.

UPI Completes 10 Years: 66 Cr Daily Transactions, 49% Global Volume, Challenges of Monetisation & Next Frontiers

UPI's 10th anniversary highlights its dominance in global real-time payment volume (49%) but not in value, as low-value retail payments dominate. The key challenges ahead are monetisation of the zero-MDR model, expanding into high-value transactions, and integrating with tax compliance to drive digital economy growth.