News: The demand for legal guarantee for the MSP has become the subject of much debate since the start of the farmer agitation. Many arguments have been given centred around its economic and legal feasibility. But, most are not supported by data or sound economic logic. Must Read: Legalising MSP: Challenges and way forward –… Continue reading Legal MSP: A right and a necessity
Tag: gs paper 3
Disinvestment needs a different approach
News: The overall performance on the disinvestment front in 2021 is particularly disappointing. The government has raised only about Rs 9,300 crore compared to the target of Rs 1.75 trillion. This needs to be changed because, India’s post-pandemic medium-term growth, to a large extent, will depend on how government finances are managed, and the disinvestment… Continue reading Disinvestment needs a different approach
On James Webb Space Telescope (JWST): A new universe
News: The 25-year saga of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) illustrates the difficulties in doing pure science, and the way international cooperation can overcome such difficulties. The JWST was conceptualised in 1996 when development began with an initial R&D budget of $500 million. It took a combined effort from America’s National Aeronautics and Space… Continue reading On James Webb Space Telescope (JWST): A new universe
Debt-for-climate swaps an effective means for relief
News: A global transition to a net-zero economy requires huge amounts of annual financing by vulnerable and low income countries. Moreover, the pandemic has induced a debt distress around the world. This debt pressure and the climate crisis can be addressed jointly via Debt-for-climate swaps. International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said that “it… Continue reading Debt-for-climate swaps an effective means for relief
Banks have fared better than expected in pandemic, but there are also signs of stress building up
News: According to the RBI’s Report on Trends and Progress of Banking in India, 2020-21, Indian banking system has performed better than the expectation during the pandemic. But, it is still far from full recovery and there are still impending threats. How has banking sector performed during the pandemic? The asset quality of banks has… Continue reading Banks have fared better than expected in pandemic, but there are also signs of stress building up
On India’s Employment Situation – India’s most abundant resource remains tragically underutilized
News: In a world of ageing affluent societies, with big mismatches of labour demand and supply across the developed and developing world, India can convert its largest and youngest labour force into an advantage. The American economy is actually overheating despite Omicron. Its labour market is not only hot, but it is also going through… Continue reading On India’s Employment Situation – India’s most abundant resource remains tragically underutilized
Maximising the boost-on mixing the COVID vaccines
News: India currently has three available vaccines and recently two more along with a drug have been approved for emergency use authorization. Despite this wide range of vaccine availability, India has been extremely dependent on just one vaccine COVISHEID. This may become a cause of concern specially with the directives that focus on precaution doses(/booster… Continue reading Maximising the boost-on mixing the COVID vaccines
Trading on a buffer-Can India afford to commercialize its fuel reserves
News: Govt earlier this year allowed the Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserve (ISPRL), which runs the SPRs, to lease 30% of capacity and trade another 20%. The decision to commercialise half of India’s paltry SPRs is ill-conceived. Contents1 What is a Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR)? 2 Why is government deciding to commercialize SPR? 3 What are the associated… Continue reading Trading on a buffer-Can India afford to commercialize its fuel reserves
The value and vulnerability of centralized data storage
News: Data-sharing infrastructure projects in India are accelerating. The most visible developments in Data-sharing infrastructure projects are seen in the financial sector. For instance, the recently-launched account aggregator framework made it possible for over 300 million users to share their data with different financial entities across the credit ecosystem. Similar activity is also underway in… Continue reading The value and vulnerability of centralized data storage
The capital market: Then and now
News: Public issues in capital markets are the route for corporate finance. Contents1 How the trends of capital markets in India are changing post-liberalisation?2 The easing of the issue of shares by private companies.3 Liberalization of rules for foreign direct and portfolio investment.4 What is the reason for low dependence on the public issue? How… Continue reading The capital market: Then and now
