Indian Economy Current Affairs for UPSC IAS Prelims 2025 Examination

News: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is planning to launch a “when-listed” platform. About “when-listed” platform This platform will allow trading of a company’s shares between the allotment of shares after an IPO and their official listing on stock exchanges. The platform aims to reduce ‘grey market activity’ in companies’ stocks. Grey… Continue reading Sebi’s ‘when-listed’ platform

News: The Department of Commerce, Government of India, has introduced Diamond Imprest Authorisation (DIA) Scheme for the duty-free import of natural cut and polished diamonds.  About Diamond Imprest Authorisation  It aims to enhance the global competitiveness of India’s diamond sector by providing a streamlined mechanism for duty free import of natural cut and polished diamonds, leading… Continue reading Diamond Imprest Authorisation

News: According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, India has emerged as the world’s seventh-largest coffee producer, with exports reaching $1.29 billion in FY 2023-24, almost double the $719.42 million recorded in 2020-21.  About Coffee production in India  The historical origin of India’s coffee production can be traced to 1600AD when Baba Budan, a… Continue reading Coffee Production in India

News: The Union Minister of Communications has launched the National Broadband Mission (NBM) 2.0 to enhance telecom accessibility, security, and empowerment across India.  About National Broadcast Mission 2.0  It is built on the success of NBM 1.0, which was launched for the period 2019-2024 as a part of the National Digital Communications Policy, 2018.  Under… Continue reading National Broadcast Mission 2.0

News: The Union Government has announced the constitution of the 8th Pay Commission.  About Pay Commission  A Pay Commission decides the salary and compensation of Central government employees and allowances of pensioners.  It is set up by the Department of Expenditure, Union Ministry of Finance.   It is generally set up every 10 years by the central… Continue reading Pay Commission

News: Union Minister of Commerce and Industry has inaugurated the National Turmeric Board.  About National Turmeric Board  The National Turmeric Board has been set up to focus on the overall development and growth of the turmeric sector in the country.  Headquarters: Nizamabad, Telangana.  The board will function under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.  Functions:  Focussing… Continue reading National Turmeric Board

News: Recently, Prime Minister has inaugurated the Z-Morh tunnel.  About Z-Morh Tunnel  It is a 6.5 kms two-lane road tunnel that connects Gagangir and Sonamarg along the NH-1 Srinagar Leh Highway.  The name Z-Moreh is derived from the Z-shaped highway that existed prior to the construction of the tunnel.  The National Highways and Infrastructure Development… Continue reading Z-Morh Tunnel

News: Recently, World Economic Forum (WEF) has released the Future of Jobs Report 2025.  Key findings of the report  The report states that 170 million new jobs will be created by 2030, while 92 million are projected to be displaced. Thus, effectively 78 million new jobs would be created.  The sectors that will witness the… Continue reading Future of Jobs Report 2025

News: The government recently formed an 18-member panel, led by NITI Aayog’s Ramesh Chand, to revise the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) base year and plan a shift to the Producer Price Index (PPI). Ramesh Chand Panel About Ramesh Chand Panel The panel was set up to update the base year of the Wholesale Price Index… Continue reading Ramesh Chand Panel

News: The Tobacco Board of India has claimed that Flue Cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco farmers’ earnings have more than doubled from Rs. 124 per kg (2019-20) to Rs. 279.54 (2023-24).  About Tobacco Board of India  It is a statutory body established by the Tobacco Board Act, 1975 for the overall development of the tobacco industry.  Functions:  Monitors… Continue reading Tobacco Board of India

News: The Financial Stability Report, December 2024 has highlighted that Indian economy, and financial system remains robust amid global vulnerabilities. Financial Stability Report Key findings of the Financial Stability Report  Prospects of Economic Growth: The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is expected to grow at 6.6% in FY25 (2024-25), given the revival in rural consumption, increased… Continue reading Financial Stability Report

News: The second survey of Household Consumption Expenditure Survey, conducted during August 2023 to July 2024, has been released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.  Key Findings of the Survey  Average Monthly Per Capita Consumption Expenditure: The MPCE is estimated to be Rs. 4,122 in rural areas and Rs. 6,996 in urban areas.  … Continue reading Household Consumption Expenditure Survey 2023-24

News: Recently, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has permitted the Prepaid Payment Instrument holders to make and receive UPI payments through the third-party mobile application.  About Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPIs)  They are financial tools that help facilitate the purchase of goods and services, including financial services, remittances and fund transfer, among others, against the value stored… Continue reading Prepaid Payment Instruments

News: The Reserve Bank of India has set up a committee to develop a Framework for Responsible and Ethical enactment of Artificial Intelligence (FREE-AI) in the financial sector.  About the Committee   Members: The committee comprises of 8 members and is headed by Dr Pushpak Bhattacharyya.  Objectives:  To assess the current level of adoption of… Continue reading RBI’s Committee for ethical use of AI in financial sector

News: National Statistics Office, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has released the Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises for 2023-24 for the reference period October 2023- September 2024.  About ASUSE 2023-24  Primary Objective: To evaluate various economic and operational characteristics of unincorporated non-agricultural establishments.  Geographical Coverage: Covers the rural and urban areas of… Continue reading Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises 2023-24

News: India and Asian Development Bank (ADB) have signed a $350 million policy-based loan under the second subprogramme of the Strengthening Multimodal and Integrated Logistics Ecosystem (SMILE) Programme.  About SMILE Programme  It is a programmatic policy-based loan (PBL) to support the Indian government to undertake wide ranging reforms in the logistics sector.  Aim: To strengthen… Continue reading SMILE Programme

News:The Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution, launched the Credit Guarantee Scheme for e-NWR based Pledge Financing (CGS-NPF). About Credit Guarantee Scheme for e-NWR (Negotiable warehouse receipt) It aims to provide credit facilities to small farmers to prevent them from distress selling. Nodal Ministry– Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution.… Continue reading Credit Guarantee Scheme for e-NWR based Pledge Financing

News: The Centre has announced the appointment of Revenue Secretary Sanjay Malhotra as the 26th Governor of the Reserve Bank of India. About RBI Governor Appointment The RBI governor is appointed under the RBI Act of 1934, which stipulates that the chief is appointed by the central government. Process: The Financial Sector Regulatory Appointment Search… Continue reading RBI Governor Appointment

News: Yesterday, Prime Minister launched the Bima Sakhi Yojana of Life Insurance Corporation (LIC). About Bima Sakhi Yojana It is an initiative of LIC to appoint over two lakh woman insurance agents over the next three years. The aim is to empower women aged 18-70 years who are Class X pass. To promote financial literacy… Continue reading Bima Sakhi Yojana

News: The Reserve Bank of India has decided to increase the interest rate ceilings on Foreign Currency Non-Resident (Banks) Account deposits to support foreign inflows into the country. Foreign Currency Non-Resident (Banks) Deposits About Foreign Currency Non-Resident (Banks) Deposits It is a deposit scheme that enables the Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs)… Continue reading Foreign Currency Non-Resident (Banks) Deposits

News: Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) urged banks to adopt its AI/ML-based tool, MuleHunter.AI, to address the growing problem of mule accounts involved in digital frauds. About MuleHunter.AI It is a cutting-edge AI tool designed to detect and flag mule accounts, with the aim of tackling financial fraud and money laundering. Developed by–… Continue reading MuleHunter.AI: RBI’s AI-Powered Tool to Combat Financial Fraud

News: NITI Aayog’s Trade Watch Quarterly Report highlights the challenges being faced by the Indian economy. Key Highlights of the Report India achieved limited success in harnessing the China Plus One strategy. While countries like Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, and Malaysia have emerged as major beneficiaries These countries have simplified tax laws, cheap labour, lower tariffs… Continue reading Trade Watch Report

News: The Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution recently launched two initiatives: ‘Anna Chakra’ and the SCAN (Subsidy Claim Application for NFSA) portal. About Anna Chakra It is a Public Distribution System (PDS) Supply chain optimization tool. The Department of Food and Public Distribution leads the initiative to improve the efficiency of… Continue reading Anna Chakra & SCAN Portal

News: The Rajya Sabha recently passed the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill, 2024. It enables major changes in India’s oil and gas exploration laws. About Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill, 2024 The bill seeks to amend the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Act of 1948, with the goal of increasing investment in oil and… Continue reading Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill, 2024

News: RTI data reveals that PLI schemes have generated 5.84 lakh direct jobs by June 2024, which is about 36% of the 16.2 lakh direct jobs planned for the next five years across 14 sectors. Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme About Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme The PLI scheme was launched in March 2020 to… Continue reading Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme