Subject: GS-2: International Relations & Trade – WTO Compliance, India-U.S. Trade Ties GS-3: Economy & Global Commerce – Bilateral Trade Deals, Most Favored Nation (MFN) Clause Key Points India-U.S. Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) India and the U.S. plan to negotiate a multi-sector BTA by late 2025. Though not termed a …
Read More »ECONOMY
ENHANCING CAPABILITIES: INDIA’S TRADE DIPLOMACY IN EUROPE
Subjects: GS-2: International Relations: India-UK, India-EU Partnerships GS-3: Economy & Trade: Trade Deals, Bilateral Economic Ties Key Points India-UK & India-EU Trade Efforts External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s trip to the UK and Ireland aimed to bolster trade links amid security tensions. Talks with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy focused …
Read More »EMPOWERING INDIAN WOMEN THROUGH PROGRESSIVE POLICIES
Subjects: GS-1: Society: Women’s Advancement, Social Challenges GS-2: Governance & Welfare: Gender Initiatives, Economic Inclusion GS-3: Economy & Technology: Startups, Digital Empowerment Key Points Sanitation & Water Access Programs Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (SBM) enhanced cleanliness, dignity, and well-being for 116 million households. Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) boosted tap water coverage …
Read More »SC RULING ON DHARAVI REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT
SUBJECT: GS-2: Governance (Urban Development, Public-Private Partnerships) GS-3: Economy (Infrastructure Projects, Legal and Financial Implications) Key Highlights Overview of the Dharavi Redevelopment Project Aims to transform Dharavi, one of Asia’s largest slums, into a modern urban area. Maharashtra government awarded the project to Adani Properties in 2022 after cancelling Seclink …
Read More »GST COUNCIL’S GOM FOR REVENUE MOBILISATION
SUBJECT: GS-3: Economy (Taxation, Disaster Management) GS-2: Governance (Federalism, Fiscal Policy) Key Highlights Formation of the GoM The GST Council constituted a Group of Ministers (GoM) to devise revenue mobilisation strategies for natural calamities. The decision was made in a meeting on December 21, 2024, to ensure a structured fiscal …
Read More »MODIFIED ETHANOL INTEREST SUBVENTION SCHEME
SUBJECT: GS-3: Economy (Biofuels, Agricultural Productivity) GS-2: Government Policies (Energy Security, Cooperative Sector Reforms) Key Highlights Overview of the Scheme The Government of India introduced the Modified Ethanol Interest Subvention Scheme to improve the financial viability of Cooperative Sugar Mills (CSMs). Allows CSMs to upgrade their ethanol plants to use …
Read More »SURAT FOOD SECURITY SATURATION CAMPAIGN
SUBJECT: GS-2: Governance (Food Security, Welfare Schemes) GS-3: Economy (Financial Inclusion, Infrastructure Development) Key Highlights Launch of the Campaign Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Surat Food Security Saturation Campaign in Limbayat, Surat. Aims to distribute benefits under the National Food Security Act to 2.3 lakh beneficiaries. Represents Surat’s collective …
Read More »Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF)
GS 3 – ECONOMY Context: Punjab has successfully utilized its allocation under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) scheme. Overview of the AIF Scheme Launch & Duration: Approved in 2020 as a Central Sector Scheme, running until FY2032. Objective: Provides medium to long-term financing for post-harvest management and community farming assets. …
Read More »SECOND MEETING OF INDIA-EU (EUROPEAN UNION) TRADE AND TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL (TTC) TOOK PLACE IN INDIA
GS3 ECONOMICS: EU-India TTC establishment was announced in 2022 as a key bilateral platform to address challenges at the confluence of trade, trusted technology and security. It has 3 working groups, one each on: Strategic Technologies, Digital Governance, and Digital Connectivity Clean and Green Technologies Trade, Investment and Resilient Value …
Read More »‘BECOMING A HIGH-INCOME ECONOMY IN A GENERATION’ REPORT RELEASED BY WORLD BANK
GS3 ECONOMICS: The report recognizes that India needs to grow by 7.8% on average over the next 22 years to become High-Income Country (HIC) by 2047. India became a Low Middle-Income Country (LMIC) in 2007-08 and is currently on track to become an Upper Middle-Income Country (UMIC) by 2032. Key …
Read More »CENTRE PROPOSES REDUCTION IN STATES’ TAX SHARE
GS3 ECONOMICS: Key Proposal The central government plans to lower states’ share of federal tax revenue from 41% to 40%, potentially increasing central funds by ₹35,000 crore ($4.03 billion). The Finance Commission will review the proposal, with binding recommendations expected by October 31, 2025. Fiscal Impact & Revenue Constraints India’s …
Read More »NAKSHA Initiative
GS 3 ECONOMY Context: The Union Ministry of Rural Development has introduced the National Geospatial Knowledge-based Land Survey of Urban Habitations (NAKSHA) initiative. What is NAKSHA? NAKSHA is a pilot city survey initiative under the Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP). It combines aerial and field surveys with GIS …
Read More »TARIFFS AND INDIA: GTRI REPORT
GS3 ECONOMICS: The Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) has published a report titled Tariffs and India, which evaluates the potential effects of the U.S. Reciprocal Tariff Plan and suggests strategies for the Indian government and industry to minimize losses. The U.S. Reciprocal Tariff Plan seeks to address trade imbalances by …
Read More »Dollar-Rupee Buy-Sell Swap Arrangement
GS 3 – ECONOMY Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is set to inject rupee liquidity for an extended period through another $10 billion dollar-rupee buy-sell swap. It’s a tool used by the RBI to manage liquidity and support the rupee’s value. How does it work? The RBI buys …
Read More »Rupee & Dollar Swap Auctions
GS 3 – ECONOMY Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced a USD/INR buy/sell swap auction worth $10 billion, aiming to inject ₹86,000 crore into the banking system. Understanding Rupee & Dollar Swap Auctions Rupee-Dollar swap auctions are monetary tools employed by the RBI to manage liquidity in …
Read More »Rupee Depreciation and the Risk of a Currency Crisis
GS 3 – ECONOMY Context: India’s economic framework exposes the rupee to long-term depreciation and the possibility of currency crises. Rupee Depreciation Rupee depreciation refers to the decline in the rupee’s value relative to the US dollar, meaning the rupee weakens and holds less purchasing power against the dollar. …
Read More »RBI BULLETIN: QUALITY OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE IN INDIA
GS3 ECONOMY: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) analyzed public spending quality using a Quality of Public Expenditure (QPE) index, factoring in capital outlay, revenue spending, and development expenditure: Six Phases Since 1991: 1991–95 (Post-Liberalization): Fiscal consolidation cut capital and developmental spending. 1996–2003 (Pre-FRBM): Rising debt and stagnant public investment. …
Read More »Laws of Demand and Supply
GS-3-ECONOMY The fundamental principles of market economics, the Laws of Demand and Supply, provide the core framework for price determination within an economy. These laws clarify the interactions between consumers and producers, influencing the availability of goods and services. This article by NEXT IAS aims to elucidate these laws and …
Read More »NEW INDIA CO-OPERATIVE BANK CRISIS AND DICGC’S ROLE
GS3 ECONOMICS: The New India Co-operative Bank in Mumbai is facing a crisis following allegations of a Rs 122 crore fraud. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed severe restrictions, including barring the bank from granting new loans, renewing advances, and accepting new deposits. Depositors are also restricted from …
Read More »Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC)
GS 3 – ECONOMY Context: The Finance Ministry is considering raising the deposit insurance limit, which is currently ₹5 lakh, under the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC) Act, 1961. About DICGC: What is it? DICGC is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) that …
Read More »