economy

Sovereign Green Bonds, Purpose, Advantages and Challenges

Context: India’s SGrB issues have faced challenges in gaining investor interest, making it hard for the government to secure a greenium. What is Sovereign Green Bonds? Sovereign Green Bonds (SGrBs) are debt instruments issued by governments to raise funds for...

Surge in Soyabean Oil Imports from Nepal to India

Context: Imports from Nepal surged by 14 times during the April-November 2024 period compared to the same period in the previous year. About India's Soyabean Oil Imports India’s total soyabean oil imports increased by 19% during the April-November 2024 period,...

New India Co-operative Bank Crisis: RBI Freezes Withdrawals and Loan Issuance

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed severe restrictions on New India Co-operative Bank, barring it from issuing new loans, accepting fresh deposits, or allowing withdrawals for six months. The central bank cited governance issues and financial instability as...

Annual Status of Education Report 2024 Key Findings

Context: The Annual Status of Education Report 2024 was recently released. The report highlights significant improvements in learning outcomes, particularly in government schools, and attributes much of this progress to the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The recently released Annual...

Gender Budget in India 2025 and Women’s Economic Participation by 2047

Context: The Finance Minister in the recent Union Budget laid out a vision for Viksit Bharat (Developed India) with the goal of achieving 70% women in economic activities. The inclusion of women as a priority within this framework reinforces the...

Cocoa Shortage Will Squeeze Chocolate Makers in 2025

Context: Insufficient rainfall in most cocoa-growing regions of Ivory Coast may delay the start of the mid-crop season from April to September, potentially causing a cocoa bean shortage. About Cocoa Cocoa (Theobroma cacao) is a tropical tree whose seeds (cocoa...

नया आयकर विधेयक 2025 की मुख्य विशेषताएं

भारत की वित्त मंत्री निर्मला सीतारमण ने 13 फरवरी 2025 को, लोकसभा में नया आयकर विधेयक 2025 पेश किया। इस विधेयक का उद्देश्य 1961 के आयकर अधिनियम को प्रतिस्थापित करना है तथा कर संहिता (कोड) को सरल बनाना, मुकदमेबाजी को...

New Income Tax Bill 2025 in Lok Sabha, Key Highlights

India's Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced the New Income Tax Bill 2025 in the Lok Sabha on 13th February 2025. This bill aims to replace the Income Tax Act of 1961 and seeks to simplify the tax code, reduce litigation,...

Budgetary Allocation for Indian Railways (FY 25-26)

Context: The Union Budget 2025-26 allocated ₹2.52 lakh crore for Indian Railways (IRs), the same as the revised allocation for the previous fiscal year. Facts The Railway Budget was introduced in 1924, following the recommendations of the Acworth Committee (1921)....

Budgetary Allocation For Scientific Research and Development (FY 25-26)

Context: The Union Budget 2025-26 includes significant allocations for scientific research and development. Reasons for Allocations for Scientific Research and Development Nuclear Energy Mission The government has allocated ₹20,000 crore for a Nuclear Energy Mission to support research and development...