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
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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. What is a Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR)? SPR initiative was launched in 1998 as India to bolster energy security… 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. How the trends of capital markets in India are changing post-liberalisation? Firstly, the share of the private corporate sector in Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF) has increased sharply. Secondly, the share of the public sector in GFCF has fallen. Further, the public sector,… Continue reading The capital market: Then and now
Why online gaming in India needs regulation
News: Online gaming has flourished during the pandemic. The average time spent on online gaming has gone up almost 65% from pre-Covid levels. More than 43 crore people have spent time on virtual gaming. In light of this, this industry needs to be regulated in India. Moreover, regulation of online gaming will not only open… Continue reading Why online gaming in India needs regulation
Trade defence: On anti-dumping duty on Chinese goods
News: The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) recently notified the imposition of anti-dumping duty on five products manufactured in China, including certain aluminium goods and some chemicals, for five years. What is the rationale behind this move? The step was taken in order to safeguard domestic producers from certain lower-priced imports. The… Continue reading Trade defence: On anti-dumping duty on Chinese goods
