Indian Economy Current Affairs for UPSC IAS Prelims 2025 Examination

News: The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has provided guidelines to enhance the efficient allocation, sharing, and utilization of optical fibers, improving resource management in the power sector. About Central Electricity Authority (CEA) It is a statutory body established under Section 3(1) of the Electricity Supply Act, 1948, which was later repealed by Section 70(1) of… Continue reading Central Electricity Authority (CEA)

News: The Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs recently introduced the Cities Coalition for Circularity (C-3). About Cities Coalition for Circularity (C-3)  It is a newly launched multi-nation alliance aimed at fostering city-to-city collaboration, knowledge exchange, and partnerships with the private sector to advance sustainable urban development. It was Launched on March 3, 2025,… Continue reading Cities Coalition for Circularity (C-3) 

News: India’s successful electrification journey, which saw the country achieve 100% electricity access by 2021, is now being analyzed as a model for accelerating energy access in Africa under Mission 300. About Mission 300 Mission 300 is a large-scale initiative led by the World Bank and the African Development Bank to provide electricity access to… Continue reading Mission 300

News: India’s agriculture trade surplus is shrinking due to rising imports of pulses and edible oils, despite steady growth in farm exports. While exports of basmati rice, spices, coffee, and tobacco are poised to reach new highs in 2024-25, imports of key agricultural commodities have surged. About India’s Agriculture Exports Agricultural exports grew by 6.5%,… Continue reading India’s Agriculture Exports

News: Recently, SEBI introduced ‘Bond Central’. About Bond Central ‘Bond Central’ is a centralized database portal for corporate bonds in India. Developed by: The Online Bond Platform Providers Association (OBPP Association), in partnership with stock exchanges and depositories (MIIs). Operated by: It will be operated by the OBPP Association, which is a not-for-profit entity with… Continue reading Bond Central

News: Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDAI) has set up a high-powered committee led by Dinesh Khara, former Chairman of the State Bank of India (SBI). About the Dinesh Khara Committee The Dinesh Khara Committee is a high-powered committee formed by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) to review the Insurance Act,… Continue reading Dinesh Khara Committee

News: The Supreme Court directed a supervisory committee, chaired by the head of the National Dam Safety Authority, to examine concerns raised by Tamil Nadu against Kerala regarding the maintenance of the 125-year-old Mullaperiyar Dam. About National Dam Safety Authority The National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) is a statutory body in India established under the Dam… Continue reading National Dam Safety Authority

News: The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) launched the Digital Brand Identity Manual (DBIM) to harmonize the government’s digital presence. About DBIM DBIM aims to revolutionize India’s digital governance by establishing a consistent, secure, and inclusive digital identity across government platforms. Objectives of DBIM Aligns with the Prime Minister’s vision of “Reform, Perform,… Continue reading Digital Brand Identity Manual (DBIM)

News: Sovereign Green Bonds (SGrBs) are in the news because India has struggled to generate strong investor demand for them despite their potential to fund the country’s green transition. About Green Bonds Green bonds are debt instruments issued by governments, corporations, or multilateral banks to raise capital for projects that reduce emissions or enhance climate… Continue reading Sovereign Green Bonds in India

News: The Supreme Court has delivered a significant setback to major telecom operators, including Vodafone Idea (Vi) and Bharti Airtel, by rejecting their review petitions seeking corrections in the Department of Telecommunications’ (DoT) calculations of Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) dues. About Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) refers to the total revenue earned… Continue reading Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR)

News: The concept of tax year is in the news because it is a key feature introduced in the new Income-Tax Bill, 2025 during the presentation of the Union Budget on February 1, 2025. About the Concept of Tax Year The ‘tax year’ is defined as a 12-month period starting from April 1 and ending… Continue reading Concept of Tax Year

News: Recently, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) launched MITRA (Mutual Fund Investment Tracing and Retrieval Assistant). About Mutual Fund Investment Tracing and Retrieval Assistant (MITRA) It is a new digital platform designed to help investors trace and reclaim their inactive or unclaimed mutual fund folios.  Aim: This initiative aims to address the growing… Continue reading Mutual Fund Investment Tracing and Retrieval Assistant (MITRA)

News: The Government of India has announced several key developments to enhance broadband connectivity in rural areas, focusing on improving telecom infrastructure and ensuring faster internet access.  About National Broadband Mission (NBM) 2.0  NBM 2.0 will commence on April 1, 2025. Objective: Improve broadband connectivity, especially in rural, remote, and difficult-to-access areas. Ensure high-speed, affordable,… Continue reading National Broadband Mission (NBM) 2.0

News: India will host the inaugural World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES) from May 1-4, 2025, in Mumbai. About the WAVES Summit (World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit) The event is positioned as India’s global summit for the entertainment sector, similar to Davos for the economic sector.  The government aims to establish WAVES as a prestigious… Continue reading WAVES Summit

News: The Government of India has revised the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) guidelines, increasing the procurement limit of crops under MIS from 20% to 25% and introducing new provisions to encourage more States to implement the scheme.  About Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) MIS is a component of the Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA).… Continue reading Market Intervention Scheme (MIS)

News: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has introduced a new regulatory framework to enhance the safety of retail investors participating in algorithmic (algo) trading through brokers. About Algorithmic Trading Algorithmic trading, also known as algo trading, refers to the use of computer programs and automation to execute financial market transactions based on… Continue reading Algorithmic Trading

News: The total outlay for urban development in FY 2025 stands at ₹96,777 crore, an increase from last year’s ₹82,576.57 crore. About the Budgetary allocation The budget primarily focuses on large-scale infrastructure projects, particularly metro rail expansions, while employment generation and sustainable development receive less attention. Key urban infrastructure programs have not received adequate funding,… Continue reading Union Budget Allocation for Urban Development

News: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has reduced the repo rate by 25 basis points (bps) to 6.25% on February 7, 2025. This is the first repo rate cut in nearly five years and follows a two-year period of maintaining the rate at 6.50%. Rationale Behind the Repo Rate Cut Stimulating Economic Growth: The… Continue reading Repo Rate Cut

News: The Department of Commerce, through APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority), has been actively promoting the export of fruits and vegetables under the Agriculture and Processed Foods Export Promotion Scheme for the 15th Finance Commission Cycle (2021-22 to 2025-26). About Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) APEDA stands… Continue reading Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)

News: The Finance Minister recently introduced a five-year Cotton Mission aimed at improving productivity, sustainability, and the promotion of premium ELS cotton varieties in India. About Extra-Long Staple (ELS) cotton Extra-Long Staple (ELS) cotton is a premium type of cotton known for its extra-long fiber length (30 mm or more), making it softer, stronger, and… Continue reading Extra-Long Staple (ELS) cotton

News: The Union Budget 2025-26 has introduced significant initiatives to strengthen India’s manufacturing sector under the “National Manufacturing Mission”. About National Manufacturing Mission The National Manufacturing Mission has been introduced in the Union Budget 2025-26 to boost the manufacturing sector across small, medium, and large industries, further advancing the Make in India initiative.  Aim: This… Continue reading National Manufacturing Mission

News: The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) has temporarily suspended penalties totaling Rs 141 crore imposed on telecom companies for spam violations. About Telecom Disputes Settlement & Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT)  TDSAT was established in 2000 by the Government of India under the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997 (TRAI Act) Objective: To… Continue reading Telecom Disputes Settlement & Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT)

News: The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has taken a significant step to control the steep rise in health insurance premiums for senior citizens. It has issued a directive capping annual premium hikes at 10% for health insurance policies covering individuals aged 60 years and above. About IRDAI The Insurance Regulatory and… Continue reading Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI)

News: The Union Cabinet has approved the launch of the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) with an expenditure of Rs. 16,300 crores.  About National Critical Mineral Mission  It aims to intensify the exploration of critical minerals both within the country as well as in its offshore areas, creating a fast-track regulatory approval process for critical… Continue reading National Critical Mineral Mission

News: The Trade Enablement and Marketing (TEAM) initiative has been launched under the Raising and Accelerating MSME Productivity (RAMP) Programme of the Ministry of MSMEs to boost digital commerce for MSMEs.  About TEAM Initiative  The initiative aims to empower MSMEs with digital tools and guidance by integrating them with the ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce). … Continue reading TEAM Initiative