economy

India’s Payment Revolution: Rise of UPI, Digital Wallets and Cashless Economy

Context: India’s digital payment ecosystem is in the news following the release of January 2026 data, which shows a record-breaking 21.70 billion transactions worth ₹28.33 lakh crore. About India’s Payment Revolution India’s Payment Revolution is the rapid transition from a...

Term Money Market: Meaning, Features and Importance in India

The Term Money Market is a segment of the money market where funds are borrowed and lent for a fixed period beyond overnight, typically ranging from 2 days to 1 year. It is distinct from the overnight market (like the...

Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS): Meaning, Working and Benefits

Context: Recently, the Reserve Bank of India proposed to drop the due diligence requirement for MSMEs to onboard TReDS platforms to promote ease of doing business for micro, small and medium enterprises. Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS) Trade Receivables Discounting...

NITI Aayog Launched Report on From Borrowers to Builders

Context: NITI Aayog released the second edition of the joint report From Borrowers to Builders, highlighting that women now hold a ₹76 lakh crore credit portfolio, accounting for 26% of India’s total system credit. Factsheet of Report on From Borrowers...

Fisheries Sector in India: Current Status, Challenges and Government Initiatives

Context: The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying highlighted the sector’s transformation, supported by a record budgetary allocation of ₹2,761.80 crore in the Union Budget 2026-27. This funding aims to consolidate gains from the PMMSY and Blue Revolution, focusing...

16th Finance Commission: Key Facts, Functions and Challenges 

Context: The recommendations of the 16th Finance Commission, accepted by the Union government, have raised concerns about the direction of fiscal federalism in India. Although the States’ share in central taxes remains at 41%, underlying changes suggest a move towards...

Stagflation: Causes, Impacts, Challenges and Policy Responses

Context: The ongoing conflict between the US-Israel and Iran in April 2026 has triggered a pernicious energy supply and price shock, leading to fears of a return to 1970s-style stagflation. What is Stagflation? Stagflation is an economic situation characterised by high...

New GST Reforms in India: Need for GST 2.0, Tax Slabs, Reclassification of Items

Context: The Justice Kurian Joseph Committee on Union-State Relations released a landmark report advocating for GST 2.0. The report warns that the current GST framework has eroded the fiscal autonomy of States and needs a second generation of reforms to...

Non-Deliverable Derivatives (NDDs): Meaning, Types and Market Impact

Context The RBI has barred banks from non-deliverable derivative (NDD) contracts in the rupee, a segment often linked to speculative trading by large currency players. This move signals a push for greater control and transparency in the forex market, aiming...

FCRA Amendment Bill 2026: Key Provisions, Concerns and Criticism

Context: The Union government has deferred discussion on the FCRA Amendment Bill, 2026, which aims to tighten regulation of foreign funding under the 2010 Act to protect national interest and security, but has sparked political controversy over concerns of its impact...