Latest news with #BusinessResponsibilityandSustainability
Mint
10-08-2025
- Business
- Mint
ICICI Bank attrition: Private lender marks its lowest headcount drop in last three years. Here's why
ICICI Bank attrition: India's second-largest private sector bank, ICICI Bank, has reported the lowest employee attrition rate among other large private sector banks in India over the last three financial years, reported the news agency PTI on Sunday, 10 August 2025. The lower attrition rate reflects employees' preference due to competitive remuneration and better working conditions. ICICI Bank's employee attrition rate dropped to 18% in the financial year 2024-25, compared year-on-year (YoY) with 24.5% in the previous financial year, cited the news agency from the bank's Business Responsibility and Sustainability reporting (BRSR) report. According to the agency report, over the last three financial years, India's banking sector witnessed a sustained decline on a year-on-year basis. In the 2022-23 fiscal year, ICICI Bank's attrition rate was at 30.9%, lower than its competitors. Competitors of ICICI Bank, like the largest private sector bank in India, HDFC Bank, recorded an employee attrition rate of 22.6% during the 2024-25, compared to its level of 26.9% in the previous financial year. Other private sector banks, such as Axis Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, and IndusInd Bank, also recorded a drop in their attrition rates for the 2024-25 fiscal year. Axis Bank witnessed an employee attrition rate of 25.5% in the financial year 2024-25, a drop from its previous level of 28.8% in the previous financial year, the news agency cited the bank's BRSR report. Kotak Mahindra Bank's attrition rate also dropped to 33.3% in the 2024-25 fiscal year, compared to 39.6% in the previous financial year. IndusInd Bank's employee attrition rate also dropped to 29%, compared to 37% in the financial year 2023-24, reported the news agency. Over the last three years, the attrition rate among the private banks has seen a downward movement between the financial year 2022-23 and the 2024-25 fiscal year. The drop in the employee attrition rate among private banks can be attributed to factors like 'subdued entry-level' job market in the BFSI and fintech sector and the rise in digital services, reported the news agency, citing a senior HR executive of the ICICI Bank aware of the development. "Now, the market appears to be stabilised, meaning banks are not heavily recruiting and the entry-level employees are not leaving banks to join fintech companies," the executive told the news agency, highlighting that most private sector banks witnessed high attrition rates due to the high level of recruiting after the Covid-19 pandemic of 2020. Mint reported earlier that ICICI Bank's net profit rose 15.5% to ₹ 12,768 crore in the April-June quarter of the 2025-26 fiscal year, compared to ₹ 11,059 crore in the same quarter a year ago, according to company filings. The private sector bank's interest income rose 10.1% to ₹ 42,946.9 crore in the first quarter of the financial year ended 2025-26, from ₹ 38,995.7 crore in the same period a year ago.
Indian Express
08-08-2025
- Climate
- Indian Express
Daily subject-wise quiz : Environment and Geography MCQs on monsoon in India, Project Cheetah and more (Week 122)
UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative of subject-wise quizzes. These quizzes are designed to help you revise some of the most important topics from the static part of the syllabus. Attempt today's subject quiz on Environment and Geography to check your progress. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for July 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at With reference to the monsoon in India, consider the following statements: 1. The southwest monsoon refers to the southwesterly wind that brings rainfall to the subcontinent. 2. The northeast monsoon occurs between June to September. 3. The southwest monsoon is the major period of rainfall in the south peninsula. How many of the statements given above are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None Explanation — The southwest monsoon refers to the southwesterly wind that brings rainfall to the subcontinent, typically from June to September. The onset of the 2025 monsoon on Saturday marks the commencement of the season, which brings about 70% of the country's annual rainfall. Hence, statement 1 is correct. — The northeast monsoon, which typically occurs between October and December, begins after the southwest monsoon has withdrawn from northern and central India, as well as the northern parts of the peninsular region. The wind pattern changes from the southwesterly to the northeasterly, hence its name. Hence, statement 2 is not correct. — According to the IMD, the Northeast Monsoon is the major period of rainfall in the south peninsula, and is the chief rainy season in Tamil Nadu, accounting for nearly 60 % of annual rainfall in the coastal districts. Hence, statement 3 is not correct. Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer. With reference to the Green Credit Programme (GCP), consider the following statements: 1. It was unveiled during the annual United Nations climate conference in Dubai by India and the UAE. 2. The GCP seeks voluntary participation. 3. The credits can also be used by listed companies as part of their environmental, social and governance disclosures under SEBI's Business Responsibility and Sustainability framework. How many of the statements given above are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None Explanation — Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE, officially unveiled the GCP on December 1, 2023, during the annual United Nations climate conference in Dubai. It was dubbed as a mechanism to incentivise 'pro-planet' actions in response to climate change, and one which would promote the Centre's Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Sustainable Environment). Hence, statement 1 is correct. — The Union Environment Ministry notified the Green Credit Rules, which spelt out the programme's objectives and implementation, in October 2023. — At its core, the GCP seeks voluntary participation (read investments) of individuals, companies, industries, and other entities across seven different activities — such as tree plantation, waste management, and water conservation — that will lead to improvements in the environment. This participation will be incentivised by generating 'green credits', which can then be traded on a domestic market platform to potential buyers looking to meet sustainability targets, or existing legal obligations. Hence, statement 2 is correct. — The credits can also be used by listed companies as part of their environmental, social and governance disclosures under SEBI's Business Responsibility and Sustainability framework, indicating efforts taken by these companies on environmental sustainability. Hence, statement 3 is correct. Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer. A GLOF occurs when (a) a large mass of water dammed by a glacier or a moraine is released suddenly. (b) a tectonic activity causes water from glacial lakes to evaporate rapidly. (c) snowfall exceeds accumulation rate on a glacier causing avalanches. (d) a glacier melts uniformly due to global warming leading to river overflow. Explanation — The breaking of a glacial lake accompanied by heavy rain is suspected by some experts to have caused the flash flood in Dharali village in Uttarkashi in Uttarakhand. — According to the NDMA, the retreat of glaciers as a result of climate change that is occurring in most parts of the Hindu Kush Himalayas has given rise to numerous new glacial lakes, breaches in which can cause Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs). — A GLOF occurs when a large mass of water dammed by a glacier or a moraine is released suddenly. — When glaciers melt, the water in these glacial lakes accumulates behind loose naturally-formed 'glacial/ moraine dams' made of ice, sand, pebbles, and ice residue. Unlike earthen dams, the weak structure of the moraine dam leads to its abrupt failure, which can release millions of cubic metres of water in a short time, causing catastrophic flooding downstream. Peak flows as high as 15,000 cubic metres per second have been recorded during such events. — Since glaciers in the Himalayas are in a retreating phase, glacial lakes are growing, and pose a potentially large risk to downstream infrastructure and life. Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer. Perito Moreno, Upsala, and Spegazzini glaciers are located in: (a) Rocky Mountains (b) Andes (c) Himalayas (d) Alaska range Explanation — Argentina's most famous glacier, the Perito Moreno glacier, is crumbling. Such incidents — known as ice calving events — are not new for the glacier. In fact, as these events are a visual spectacle, they are the primary reason for the fame of the Perito Moreno glacier, making it a major tourist destination. — The Perito Moreno glacier, also called the 'White Giant', is located near the city of El Calafate in the Argentine province of Santa Cruz, and comes under the Los Glaciares National Park — a UNESCO World Heritage Site. — Besides the Perito Moreno glacier, other notable glaciers in the Andes include Upsala, Spegazzini, Viedma, and Grey glaciers. Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer. Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki was recently in the news due to an eruption. It is located in: (a) Indonesia (b) New Zealand (c) Iceland (d) Philippines Explanation — Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki, one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes, erupted for a second straight day, sending a column of volcanic materials and ash up to 18 kilometers (11 miles) into the sky. No casualties were immediately reported. — Lewotobi Laki Laki, a 1,584-meter (5,197-foot) volcano on the remote island of Flores, has been at the highest alert level since it erupted on June 18, and an exclusion zone has been doubled to a 7-kilometer (4.3-mile) radius as eruptions became more frequent. The Indonesian government has permanently relocated thousands of residents after a series of eruptions there killed nine people and destroyed thousands of homes in November. Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer. Consider the following: 1. Population reduction 2. Restricted Geographical Range 3. Small Population size and decline 4. Very small or restricted population 5. Extinction probability analysis 6. The relational position of a species within an ecosystem Which of the above given conditions are the criteria used by the IUCN Red List categories to indicate how close a species is to becoming extinct? (a) 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 only (b) 4, 5 and 6 only (c) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 only (d) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 Explanation According to — The IUCN Red List Categories indicate how close a species is to becoming extinct. Species are assessed against five criteria (see below) based on population reduction, geographic range, population size, population structure, and probability of extinction. These criteria determine which category is most appropriate for the species. Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer. Which of the following statements about Project Cheetah and associated conservation efforts is/are correct? 1. Blackbuck is considered a suitable prey species to help sustain reintroduced cheetahs. 2. Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary was discussed as an alternative site for cheetah relocation, moving older cheetahs for purposes such as training and habitat building. 3. All cheetahs in Kuno were born in India as part of a captive breeding program. Select the correct answer using the code below: (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Explanation — The Cheetah Project Steering Committee highlighted serious concerns about the insufficient prey base—especially low densities of spotted deer and chinkara—at Kuno National Park, the primary site for reintroduced cheetahs. — This shortfall threatens the sustainability of the cheetah population. — To strengthen the prey base, officials discussed relocating blackbucks from the Sikandara Monument area in Agra, where they number around 100 and often damage crops, to Kuno. — The idea involved capturing groups of 10–15 blackbucks as part of a wider prey augmentation plan. — One proposal suggested moving older cheetahs—those past breeding age—to Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary for purposes such as training and habitat building. — The cheetahs at Kuno were translocated from Namibia and South Africa, not born in India via breeding programs. While cubs have since been born in Kuno, the initial population was imported African cheetahs, not domestically bred . — Kuno National Park is grappling with prey scarcity critical for sustaining cheetahs. Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer. What is the aim of the ongoing negotiations on the Global Plastics Treaty in Geneva? (a) To promote voluntary guidelines for plastic packaging industries. (b) To finalize a global trade agreement on plastic and petrochemical exports. (c) To create the world's first legally binding global treaty to combat plastic pollution. (d) To create a UN agency focused solely on marine plastic waste. Explanation — International negotiations to establish a global plastics treaty resumed on August 5, 2025, in Geneva, Switzerland. — These talks are part of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) under the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). — The meeting is a continuation of INC-5, which began in Busan, South Korea in December 2024 but ended without final consensus. — The aim is to create the world's first legally binding global treaty to combat plastic pollution, including its effects on marine environments. — The treaty is expected to cover the entire life cycle of plastic, from production to disposal. — The draft treaty under negotiation currently contains 370 bracketed sections—these represent areas of disagreement between countries. — Countries remain divided on key issues: (i) Caps on plastic production (ii) Phase-out of single-use plastics (iii) Elimination of hazardous chemicals (iv) Extended producer responsibility (EPR) — The Indian delegation is attending the Geneva meeting and is expected to: (i) Support steps to reduce plastic pollution (ii) Emphasize the importance of national circumstances (iii) Push for flexibility in implementation for developing countries Therefore, option ( c) is the correct answer. Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 120) Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 122) Daily subject-wise quiz — Science and Technology (Week 122) Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 122) Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment and Geography (Week 121) Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 121) Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. Manas Srivastava leads the UPSC Essentials section of The Indian Express (digital). He majorly writes on UPSC, other competitive exams and education-related projects. In the past, Manas has represented India at the G-20 Youth Summit in Mexico. He is a former member of the Youth Council, GOI. A two-time topper/gold medallist in History (both in graduation and post-graduation) from Delhi University, he has mentored and taught UPSC aspirants for more than five years. His diverse role in The Indian Express consists of writing, editing, anchoring/ hosting, interviewing experts, and curating and simplifying news for the benefit of students. He hosts the YouTube talk show called 'Art and Culture with Devdutt Pattanaik' and a LIVE series on Instagram and YouTube called 'LIVE with Manas'.His talks on 'How to read a newspaper' focus on newspaper reading as an essential habit for students. His articles and videos aim at finding solutions to the general queries of students and hence he believes in being students' editor, preparing them not just for any exam but helping them to become informed citizens. This is where he makes his teaching profession meet journalism. He is also the editor of UPSC Essentials' monthly magazine for the aspirants. He is a recipient of the Dip Chand Memorial Award, the Lala Ram Mohan Prize and Prof. Papiya Ghosh Memorial Prize for academic excellence. He was also awarded the University's Post-Graduate Scholarship for pursuing M.A. in History where he chose to specialise in Ancient India due to his keen interest in Archaeology. He has also successfully completed a Certificate course on Women's Studies by the Women's Studies Development Centre, DU. As a part of N.S.S in the past, Manas has worked with national and international organisations and has shown keen interest and active participation in Social Service. He has led and been a part of projects involving areas such as gender sensitisation, persons with disability, helping slum dwellers, environment, adopting our heritage programme. He has also presented a case study on 'Psychological stress among students' at ICSQCC- Sri Lanka. As a compere for seminars and other events he likes to keep his orating hobby alive. His interests also lie in International Relations, Governance, Social issues, Essays and poetry. ... Read More
