economy

Minimum Wage Crisis in India: Causes, Impact and Policy Challenges

Context Thousands of factory workers in Noida staged protests demanding: Minimum wage hikes Better working conditions Overtime pay The protests turned violent in several instances, indicating rising frustration among workers. Immediate Trigger: A 35% minimum wage hike in Haryana (after...

Indian Middle Class Remains Economically Vulnerable: Causes and Challenges

Context: Recent economic debates and policy discussions suggest that although India’s economic expansion has significantly reduced extreme poverty, it has also produced a large section of households that can be described as a “vulnerable middle class.” Indian Middle Class Remains...

Food Wastage in India: Issues, Challenges and Government Initiatives

Context: The International Day of Zero Waste (March 30) highlights the growing concern of food wastage. It reflects a paradox like large-scale food loss coexisting with hunger and malnutrition. Key Facts The UNEP Food Waste Index Report 2024 highlights that...

Fallout of West Asia Crisis on India’s Economy: Impact and Risks

Context The ongoing geopolitical tensions, particularly the Russia-Ukraine war and the crisis in West Asia, have destabilized the global economy. Disruptions in energy markets have led to supply chain disruptions, rising commodity prices, and macroeconomic uncertainty. For India, with nearly...

Windfall Tax: Meaning, Purpose and Impact on Economy

Context: Oil marketing company stocks such as IOC, BPCL, HPCL and Reliance came under pressure after the Centre sharply increased the windfall tax on diesel and ATF exports amid crude prices crossing $100 per barrel due to West Asia tensions....

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...