Business and Economics
Great Nicobar Project - Strategic Importance, Sustainable Development
Summary Key TakeawaysThe Great Nicobar Project seeks to transform Great Nicobar into a strategic maritime and economic hub by leveraging its proximity (about 40 nautical miles) to the East–West shipping route and reducing dependence on foreign transshipment ports, keeping in view the defense and National Security purposesIt includes major infrastructure components: a 14.2 million twenty-foot equivalent unit( MTEU) International Container Transshipment Terminal, a Greenfield International Airport
India–New Zealand FTA: Zero-Duty Trade and a New Economic Horizon
A landmark agreement signed on April 27, 2026, is set to reshape trade, investment, and people-to-people ties between two nations separated by oceans but united by ambition. Historic MilestoneA Historic Milestone in Bilateral TradeIn a defining moment for both nations, India and New Zealand officially signed a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on April 27, 2026 — a deal that has been widely described as a "once in a generation" breakthrough. Negotiated over a remarkably compressed timelin
Goldilocks Economy: Achieving the Perfect Economic Balance
In the realm of economics, few metaphors are as perfectly illustrative as the "Goldilocks economy" - a term borrowed from the beloved children's tale of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Just as Goldilocks sought porridge that was neither too hot nor too cold, but just right, economists and policymakers dream of an economy that maintains the ideal balance: not too hot to trigger runaway inflation, not too cold to slide into recession, but perfectly temperate to sustain healthy, stable growth. This
India UK Free Trade Agreement 2025
IntroductionOn July 24, 2025, India and the United Kingdom signed the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), marking a historic milestone in bilateral relations. This free trade agreement (FTA) is one of India’s most ambitious and wide-ranging deals with a developed economy, covering goods, services, investment, digital trade, and labor mobility. It reflects a strategic pivot in India’s global trade posture and the UK’s post-Brexit economic outreach. Key Features of the AgreementAspe
India Switzerland EFTA Mega Deal
The India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) is a landmark free trade agreement signed between India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), comprising Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. After nearly 16 years of negotiations, the agreement is set to take effect on October 1, 2025, following Switzerland’s final ratification. What Is EFTA?EFTA is a regional trade organization of four European countries that are not part of the European Union.Members: Switzer
The 51st G7 Summit 2025
Venue and Context The 51st G7 Summit held from June 15 to 17, 2025, in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada, marked a pivotal moment in global diplomacy. Hosted by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, the summit brought together leaders from the G7 nations—Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the US - alongside the European Union and invited outreach countries including India, Brazil, Australia, South Africa, South Korea, Mexico, and Ukraine. Summit Themes and ObjectivesThe summi
IATA 81st Annual General Meeting (2025)
OverviewThe 81st IATA AGM and World Air Transport Summit (WATS) took place from June 1 to 3, 2025, at the Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, India. This marked the third time India hosted the AGM, with previous events held in 1958 and 1983. The summit brought together over 1,700 global aviation leaders, including airline CEOs, government officials, and industry experts. India’s Role and VisionPM Narendra Modi’s AddressPrime Minister Modi inaugurated the event and emphasized: India’s emergence as the th
Gig Workforce in India and Gig Economy
Gig Workforce in India: Trends, Challenges & Future OutlookFrom 7.7 million workers today to a projected 90 million in the long term — India's gig economy is rewriting the rules of work. A comprehensive analysis of where it stands, where it's headed, and what it must fix. 7.7M Gig Workers (2020–21)23.5M Projected by 2029–3062M Projected by 204717% CAGR (Freelance, 2021–25)4.1% Share of Total Workforce by 2030Table of ContentsWhat Is the Gig Economy?Current Size and Scale of India's Gig Workf
17th BRICS Summit 2025
The 17th BRICS Summit 2025, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 6 to 7 July 2025, marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of global governance. With 11 full member nations and a growing list of partner countries, BRICS has emerged as a formidable bloc advocating for a multipolar world order, inclusive development, and reform of international institutions. 17th BRICS Summit 2025 OverviewHost Country: BrazilChairperson: President Luiz Inácio Lula da SilvaTheme: “Strengthening Global South C
eRUPI the new digital payment instrument
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on August 2nd launched the digital payment solution e-RUPI, a cashless and contactless instrument for digital payment. Prime Minister said that the eRUPI voucher is going to play a huge role in making Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) more effective in digital transactions in the country and will give a new dimension to digital governance. He said e-RUPI is a symbol of how India is progressing by connecting people’s lives with technology. What is e-RUPI and how it
G20 Summit
What is the G20 Summit?The participants are leaders from 19 countries and the Europian Union (EU). The 19 countries are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Republic of Korea, Republic of South Africa, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States of America. In addition, leaders of invited guest countries and representatives of invited guest international organizations participate in the summit along with leaders fro
Benefits of Goods and Services Tax (GST)
The benefits of GST can be summarized as under: For Business and Industry Easy compliance: A robust and comprehensive IT system would be the foundation of the GST regime in India. Therefore, all tax payer services such as registrations, returns, payments, etc. would be available to the taxpayers online, which would make compliance easy and transparent. Uniformity of tax rates and structures: GST will ensure that indirect tax rates and structures are common across the country, thereby increasin
Maharatna Navratna and Miniratna Scheme
Maharatna Scheme The Government introduced the Maharatna scheme in December 2009 with the objective to delegate enhanced powers to the Boards of identified large sizes of Navratna CPSEs to facilitate further expansion of their operations, both in domestic as well as global markets. The Maharatna CPSEs in addition to having Navratna powers have been delegated additional powers in the area of joint ventures/ subsidiaries and human resources development. The Maharatna CPSEs (accordingly can invest
Capital Market
Capital market is one of the most important segments of the Indian financial system. It is the market available to the companies for meeting their requirements of the long-term funds. It refers to all the facilities and the institutional arrangements for borrowing and lending funds. In other words, it is concerned with the raising of money capital for purposes of making long-term investments. The market consists of a number of individuals and institutions (including the Government) that canalise
National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development
At the instance of Government of India Reserve Bank of India (RBI), constituted a committee to review the arrangements for institutional credit for agriculture and rural development (CRAFICARD) on 30 March 1979, under the Chairmanship of Shri B.Sivaraman, former member of Planning Commission, Government of India to review the arrangements for institutional credit for agriculture and rural development. The Committee, in its interim report, submitted on 28 November 1979, felt the need for a new or
Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) was established under the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 on 1 April 1935 and nationalised on 1 January 1949. The Bank is the sole authority for issue of currency in India other than one-rupee coins and subsidiary coins. As the agent of the Central Government, the Reserve Bank undertakes distribution of one-rupee coin as well as small coins issued by the Government of India. It acts as banker to the Central Government, and State Governments by virtue of agreements
History of Indian Banking
The first bank of limited liability managed by Indians was Oudh Commercial Bank founded in 1881. Subsequently, Punjab National Bank was established in 1894. Rao Bahadur T.M. (Thalakodi Madathil) Appu Nedungadi, who was famous as the first Malayalam novelist, established Nedungadi Bank in 1899 at Calicut in Kerala. It was the first private sector commercial bank set up in South India. Swadeshi movement, which began in 1906, encouraged the formation of a number of commercial banks. The banking cri
