economy

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...

ASER Report 2024: Key Findings and Highlighted Challenges

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...

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...

Nutraceuticals Sector in India, Government Initiatives and Challenges

Context: The Indian government is keen to provide necessary help to the nutraceuticals sector to reach its full potential. The global nutraceutical market is currently estimated at approximately $400 billion, integrating aspects of food, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology. Despite this significant...

Case for Easing Banking Regulations

Context The Union Budget 2025-26 sets the stage for India’s economic expansion, projecting GDP growth from $3.7 trillion (2023-24) to $7 trillion (2030-31). Achieving this goal requires strong fiscal and monetary policies, infrastructure development, and efficient capital allocation. Challenges for...

India’s Maritime Sector, Challenges and Government Reforms

Context The Indian government has demonstrated a strong commitment to developing the maritime sector, which had been largely neglected by previous administrations. However, despite substantial investments, the shipping industry continues to stagnate, losing market share to foreign-flagged vessels and other...