News: On February 28, 2022, the National Statistical Office (NSO) released India’s GDP data for Quarter 3 of 2021-22. The NSO also released Second Advance Estimates (SAE) for Fiscal Year 2021-22. Contents1 India’s Growth performance 2 What are the challenges for economic recovery amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainties? 3 Challenges in bearing burden of increased oil prices 4 What… Continue reading Global uncertainties, India’s growth prospects
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Green Bonds, digital currency hold promise
Context: The Budget had two major announcements pertaining to the issuance of sovereign green bonds and a central bank digital currency. These two launches will be a joint effort between the government and the RBI. What are Sovereign Green Bonds? It will be a part of the government’s borrowing program. The government undertakes borrowing to… Continue reading Green Bonds, digital currency hold promise
It may be time to revive Keynes’ idea of a global reserve currency
Context: The US has weaponized its financial power to pressurize Russia to withdraw from Ukraine. The result of sanctions is that Russia cannot access around half of its foreign exchange reserves. This has led to discussion that other countries will try to diversify their reserves away from the US dollar. Why is the US Dollar… Continue reading It may be time to revive Keynes’ idea of a global reserve currency
A blow to equitable access to essential medicines
News: In October 2020, India and South Africa tabled a proposal in the World Trade Organization (WTO) seeking temporary waiver from Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). This was to ensure availability of affordable vaccines, medicines and other medical products. What are the reasons for such demand? This was based on the contention… Continue reading A blow to equitable access to essential medicines
Recycling heat generated by datacentres
News: Microsoft has partnered with Fortum, Finnish energy company to launch the world’s largest scheme to provide heat to homes, services and business in Finland with waste heat. Heat would be sourced from a new data centre region that Microsoft has planned to build in the Helsinki metropolitan area in Finland. Contents1 How will this… Continue reading Recycling heat generated by datacentres
World Water Day: Are we ready for the thirsty future?
News: Notwithstanding, water scarcity and river pollution, we are making things worse for the conservation of the valuable resource. Contents1 What is Water Scarcity? 2 Situation wrt Water Scarcity 3 What are the factors behind increasing water scarcity? 4 Why is it important to tackle the water crisis? 5 What is the way forward? What is Water Scarcity? Water… Continue reading World Water Day: Are we ready for the thirsty future?
Ask the right questions for Ease of Doing Business 2.0
News: In her budget speech, Finance Minister expressed the government’s resolve to launch Ease of Doing Business 2.0 and Ease of Living programmes. She highlighted that in recent years, over 25,000 compliance requirements were reduced and 1,486 Union laws repealed. Has the reduction of compliance requirements impacted Ease of Doing Business in India? It is… Continue reading Ask the right questions for Ease of Doing Business 2.0
India trails other countries in researchers
News: In this article, S Sridhar, the President of the Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI) lists what can help consolidate India’s pharma industry’s advantages and help it touch $130 billion by 2030 from $42 billion in 2020. India is the world’s third-largest drug manufacturer in volumes and ranks 14th in value terms. However,… Continue reading India trails other countries in researchers
Heavy taxes are fine for quasi-assets like crypto
News: The government seems ready to expand the scope of goods and services tax (GST) to cryptocurrency transactions. Reports suggest it may impose crypto-token purchases with GST, just like on any other product. The entire value chain s expected to be included into its tax net. Presently, services provided by crypto exchanges are taxed at… Continue reading Heavy taxes are fine for quasi-assets like crypto
Whither unemployment benefits
News: As per Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy, the average urban unemployment rate remained 9% in 2021. Before COVID the unemployment rate touched its peak in 2017-18 at 6.1%, with urban unemployment as high as 7.8%. This was further exacerbated by the pandemic. As per Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy, the average urban unemployment rate… Continue reading Whither unemployment benefits
