Rationalisation of Royalty Rates for Critical Minerals
Why in News ? The Union Cabinet approved new royalty rates for critical minerals — graphite, caesium, rubidium, and zirconium — to promote auction and domestic mining of these strategically vital resources essential for EVs, semiconductors, and renewable energy technologies. Relevance : GS 3 – Economy / Science & Tech / Environment Background New Royalty Structure (Approved by Cabinet, Nov 2025) Mineral Previous […]
India Must Safeguard its Baryte Reserves
Why in News ? Relevance:GS 3 – Economy & Energy Security• Strategic minerals in oil drilling and defence industries• Rapid depletion of Mangampet (Andhra Pradesh) baryte reserves• Export-oriented mining vs strategic stockpiling• Critical Minerals Strategy 2023 and national resource security• Long-term energy and defence self-reliance GS 2 – Governance & Policy• Centre–State coordination in mineral resource governance (APMDC role)• Export regulation and strategic mineral […]
Nobel Prize in Economics 2025
Why in News ? Relevance: GS 3 – Economy & Science–Tech Interface• Endogenous growth theory – knowledge as capital (Aghion, Howitt)• Innovation ecosystems and R&D policy in India• Education, skill development, and inclusive technological diffusion• Role of AI, automation, and human capital formation• India’s innovation bottlenecks – inequality, institutional weaknesses GS 2 – Governance• Role of State […]
8th Central Pay Commission (CPC) 2025
Why in News? Relevance: GS 3 – Economy• Public expenditure management and fiscal responsibility (FRBM targets)• Pay–productivity linkage in public administration• Pension reforms – NPS vs. OPS sustainability debate• Inflationary pressures and wage–price spiral concerns• Fiscal federalism – implications for States’ finances GS 2 – Governance• Efficiency and motivation in bureaucracy• Role of pay commissions in administrative reforms […]
Household Income Survey 2026
Why in News? Relevance: • GS-3 (Economy): Enhances precision in income-based poverty estimation, inequality mapping, and welfare targeting through direct household income data. • GS-2 (Governance): Strengthens evidence-based policy formulation and social sector planning under MoSPI and NSO. • GS-3 (Inclusive Growth): Facilitates better DBT targeting, financial inclusion, and income-linked welfare metrics. • GS-3 (Statistics & Data Governance): Modernises India’s statistical architecture by […]
Looming Scarcity of Urea in India
Why in News ? Relevance: Basic Facts Current Situation Key Reasons for Rising Demand Domestic Production Constraints Dependence on Imports Subsidy Burden Economic Implications Policy and Reform Options Broader Context
Decoding India’s projected GDP
Why in News? Relevance : GS-3 (Economy): GS-2 (Polity & Governance): Basic Concepts 1. What is GDP? 2. How GDP is Calculated in USD Terms: India’s Growth Record (Historical Perspective) Period Nominal GDP CAGR Rupee Depreciation CAGR Implied Growth Outcome Past 25 years (2000–2024) 11.9% 2.7% India could reach $55.9 trillion by 2048 Past 11 […]
Debt of States
Why in News? Relevance Conceptual Basics What is State Debt? Key Measures: Legal and Policy Framework Provision / Committee Key Recommendations / Provisions FRBM Act, 2003 (and Amendments) Mandates fiscal discipline and debt targets for Centre & States. N.K. Singh FRBM Review Committee (2017) Recommended overall public debt ≤ 60% of GDP by 2023 (Centre 40%, States […]
Foreign Capital and Indian Banks
Why in News? Relevance Historical Context Why Foreign Investors are Interested ? Broader Economic Impact Risks and Concerns Policy and Regulatory Safeguards Conclusion
India’s Maritime Sector: Historic Transformation
Why in News? Relevance Background: Maritime Significance Key Announcements at the Conclave Major Achievements Highlighted Indicator Progress Achieved Port Capacity Doubled since 2014; JNPT now India’s largest container port. Inland Cargo Movement Increased by 700%, reflecting success of National Waterways policy. Global Recognition India’s ports rated among best in the developing world. Logistics Performance Index (World Bank) Significant improvement […]