What is the News? The Reserve Bank of India(RBI) is taking a hard look at the neobank business model where fintechs plug into a conventional bank’s network and become customer-facing banking service providers. What are Neo Banks? Neo-banks are online-only financial technology (fintech) companies that operate solely digitally or via mobile apps. Simply put, neo-banks… Continue reading RBI lens on neobanks amid rapid growth in customers
Tag: times of india
Agnipath will lead to a leaner military, savings in pensions. But there are challenges beyond the bold step forward,
News: Recently, the Government of India has announced the Agnipath Scheme for recruitment of soldiers, the majority of whom will serve for four years. What is the Agnipath scheme It will lead to recruitment of non-officer personnel to the armed forces, who will be called as the Agniveer. They will be hired on contract in the age… Continue reading Agnipath will lead to a leaner military, savings in pensions. But there are challenges beyond the bold step forward,
Patently false: WTO debate on waiving vax IPR misses the point. Equitable access needs quick tech transfer
News: The ongoing WTO ministerial conference in Geneva is discussing, among other things, a temporary waiver of intellectual property rights (IPR) on Covid vaccines. The genesis was an earlier India-South Africa proposal in October 2020. Since then, many other countries have backed the idea. Of course, as the draft says, India won’t benefit on account… Continue reading Patently false: WTO debate on waiving vax IPR misses the point. Equitable access needs quick tech transfer
Air Quality Life Index: Indians losing 5 years of life due to air pollution: Study
What is the News? The Air Quality Life Index has been released. What is the Air Quality Life Index? Produced by: Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago(EPIC) Purpose: The index converts air pollution concentrations into their impact on life expectancy. From this, the public and policymakers alike can determine the benefits of air… Continue reading Air Quality Life Index: Indians losing 5 years of life due to air pollution: Study
Swap the Battery And Get Going In Your EVs
News: NITI Aayog has recently released the draft battery swapping policy. What was the need of draft battery swapping policy? First, major auto manufacturers are agreed on the view that electric vehicles shall be the mainstay of future mobility in India. Second, as per the reports by India Energy Storage Alliance projects Indian EV and EV battery markets… Continue reading Swap the Battery And Get Going In Your EVs
Abridged Life Tables report: India’s life expectancy inches up 2 years to 69.7
What is the News? The Abridged Life Tables report for the period of 2015-19 has been released by the Sample Registration System(SRS). What are the key findings from the report? India’s Life Expectancy: India’s life expectancy at birth has increased to 69.7 in the 2015-19 period. However, this is well below the estimated global average… Continue reading Abridged Life Tables report: India’s life expectancy inches up 2 years to 69.7
English-Vinglish, Hindi-Shindi: India doesn’t need a national language. Plus, Hindi is growing & English is no longer elitist
Context: Should India have a national language? And if not, then why not. The article discusses the reasons as to why India is better off without any national language and why it must not try and impose Hindi on non-hindi speakers. Global examples In theory, a national language is a nice idea, but imposing it… Continue reading English-Vinglish, Hindi-Shindi: India doesn’t need a national language. Plus, Hindi is growing & English is no longer elitist
Finger in every pie: Regular theft of biometric data shows how lax information storage is and why we need a strong law
News: Hyderabad police recently caught a man with around 2,000 fingerprints of separate individuals that were being used to purchase SIM cards, create bank accounts, and then engineer more frauds. Widespread use of biometrics Smaller public and private entities have now taken to biometrics with passion. Bengaluru Metro is mulling a facial recognition-based pass and… Continue reading Finger in every pie: Regular theft of biometric data shows how lax information storage is and why we need a strong law
Lakeside View: Neeli Jheel in Asola to be developed as ecotourism hub
What is the News? The government of Delhi has given permission to develop the area near Neeli Jheel in Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary as an ecotourism hub. The Delhi Government’s plan around Neeli Jheel Source: TOI Neeli Jheel is a large lake hidden in the thick scrub forests of the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary. The… Continue reading Lakeside View: Neeli Jheel in Asola to be developed as ecotourism hub
How India Got Her Top Guns
Context: In 1940/50s Indian Air Force (IAF) undertook air combat tactics and training through the Royal Air Force. Evolution of IAF Training In the post-independent India, The Indian Air Force (IAF) has sent pilots abroad (like the UK) to undergo the Pilot Attack Instructors (PAI) course. These pilots were required to pass on their knowledge… Continue reading How India Got Her Top Guns
