News: Recently, the Russia-Ukraine clash and the resultant sanctions have pushed India to face a strong headwind to growth and Indian exports. This is due to surge in energy costs, elevated geopolitical uncertainty. However, the clash has come up with a number of opportunities which require deep analysis. What are the opportunities? India gets an… Continue reading Don’t rush into export ‘opportunity’ presented by Russia-Ukraine conflict
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Towards a peaceful, stable Northeast
News: Recently, the Chief Ministers of Assam and Meghalaya signed an agreement to resolve the five-decade-old border dispute. Simultaneously, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) decided to reduce the disturbed areas in Assam, Nagaland and Manipur after decades declared under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA). What is the strategic plan for the… Continue reading Towards a peaceful, stable Northeast
Too Many Dollars In Reserve?
News: Recently, the sanctions imposed by the west following the Russia-Ukraine conflict have triggered discussions on how other countries would manage their foreign currency (FX) reserves, which are used as an insurance against economic shocks. Contents1 How countries accumulate Forex? 2 History of forex reserves3 What are the issues with Foreign Currency Reserves? 4 What are other… Continue reading Too Many Dollars In Reserve?
Time to set price distortions right
Context: Since 1991, India has undergone economic liberalisation, openness to international trade and investment, resulting into an open free market economy in India. The government’s major priority since then has always been to improve the ease of doing business. However, it has failed to improve the cost of doing business, which been very high due… Continue reading Time to set price distortions right
The rooftop eclipse on India’s solar ambitions
Context: In 2015, the Govt set a target of 100 GW (gigawatt) of solar energy capacity by 2022. Of the 100 GW, 60 GW was to come from utility-scale solar plants, which stood at 41.7 GW, or 70% of the target, by 2021. The rest was to come from solar rooftop, which has managed only… Continue reading The rooftop eclipse on India’s solar ambitions
Why wheat prices have shot up despite India’s huge reserves
Context: One side effect of Russia attacking Ukraine has been a rise in global wheat prices. Wheat importers are struggling. Contents1 Significance of wheat2 Is there a shortage of wheat in India?3 So, why have the wheat prices gone up?4 What is the way forward? Significance of wheat The consumer price index (CPI), which measures… Continue reading Why wheat prices have shot up despite India’s huge reserves
PLI scheme with a return for the government
News: The government’s ambitious PLI scheme aims to overcome the disadvantage of high costs in the country and to encourage production on a very large scale in some selected industries. The scheme aims to reduce costs per unit of output, and help not just the economy but the country more generally. However, there are concerns.… Continue reading PLI scheme with a return for the government
Upholding the right to repair
News: Recently, the US Federal Trade Commission directed manufacturers to remedy unfair anti-competitive practice. The manufacturers have to ensure that consumers can make repairs, either themselves or by a third-party agency. As a result, Apple announced that consumers will have the right to purchase spare components of their products. However, this momentum is not so… Continue reading Upholding the right to repair
The right price: on TRAI’s latest recommendations
News: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s latest recommendations on the auction of airwaves identified for 5G services, particularly the pricing of spectrum, have triggered disappointment within the industry. Contents1 What are the concerns expressed by the telcos?2 What are the major challenges faced by telcos in India?3 What is TRAI’s rationale for the recommendations?4… Continue reading The right price: on TRAI’s latest recommendations
Cryptos and a CBDC are not the same thing
Context: Despite arguing against legitimising cryptos and calling them as Ponzi schemes, the RBI has announced that it will float a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). RBI is clearly worried over the increasing popularity of Cryptos among Indian masses. But, a CBDC will not solve the RBI’s concerns regarding Crypto since it can function as… Continue reading Cryptos and a CBDC are not the same thing
