Context: India has improved its Climate Risk Index (CRI) ranking significantly, moving from 7th worst affected in 2019 to 49th in 2022. However, in the long-term assessment (1993-2022), it remains 6th most affected globally. Key Findings from CRI 2025 Report
SEBI Seeks Greater Powers to Curb Unauthorised Financial Advice on Social Media
Context: India’s market regulator, SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India), has again sought broader powers from the government to remove unauthorised financial advice from platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram and to access call records for investigating market violations. The request, pending since 2022, comes amid increasing concerns over unregulated financial tips and market manipulation circulating on social media. Key Highlights:
India’s Economic Strategy
Context: The Economic Survey 2024-25 has been quite frank in recognizing the reality of global drift toward geo economic fragmentation (GEF) and how that overseas has actually brought the curtain down on the globalization boom. With a future of slowing international trade and increasing protectionism, India is moving into a domestic driven growth strategy rather than an export led measure for the development of its economy. Key Highlights: Globalization’s Decline and Protectionism’s Rise India Moving Towards Domestic Led Growth Reducing Dependence on China Industrial Policy & Protectionism Making a Comeback Recasting Structural Reforms Uncertain Global Scenario & The Small Need for Increased Public Investment India is now fast moving toward becoming self sufficient and domestic led growth. As global trade now shrinks and protectionism rises, the government shall employ high tariffs as well as incentive schemes for domestic production and reduce dependency from China.
RBI Expected to Expand OMO Purchases
Context: The bond market anticipates an expansion in the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) Open Market Operation (OMO) purchases due to persistent liquidity shortages. The liquidity deficit has remained around â‚ą2 trillion for the past eight weeks, prompting expectations of increased intervention by the central bank. Key Highlights:
The Income Tax Bill, 2025 introduced in the Lok Sabha
Context: The Income Tax Bill, 2025 was introduced in the Lok Sabha by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who sought the passage to the Speaker to constitute a Select Committee to assess the legislation. The bill seeks to simplify tax laws, regarding reduction of sections, removal of redundancy, and consolidation of key provisions. While opposing members raised doubts about the requirement of a new law, the government stood its ground on its necessity. Key Features: Section Wise Mapping of Old and New Laws Reference to Past Direct Tax Codes
RBI-NBFC Meeting
Context: The heads of select NBFCs have put forward several recommendations to the RBI Governor, and senior officials, to enhance their access to funding due to the decline of bank funding to the sector. Discussions included external commercial borrowings (ECBs), liquidity support, debt market deepening, and regulatory changes. Key Highlights: Enhancement of External Commercial Borrowing (ECB) Limits An External Commercial Borrowing (ECB) is a foreign currency loan availed by an Indian company from a non-resident lender. It may be a bank loan, bond, or supplier or buyer credit. National Liquidity Facility for the NBFCs Multipurpose Reclassification of Gold Loan NBFCs Deepening the Domestic Debt Capital Market Deepening the Domestic Debt Capital Market Background and Regulatory Context Dwindling Bank Funding for NBFCs Unified Lending Interface (ULI) Initiatives by the RBI ULI was designed by RBIH and co-designed with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). ULI is a technological platform designed for easy access to verified data across sources, using standardised APIs to which any lender can attach seamlessly using a ‘plug and play’ s
President’s Rule in India
Context: Four days after Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh resigned, President’s Rule was imposed in the northeastern State that has been affected by ethnic violence for the past two years. President’s Rule This article states that President’s Rule can be invoked in any state in India when the constitutional machinery in that state fails. Like the section 93 of Government of India Act 1935, it refers to state emergency or constitutional emergency. Mechanism of Article 356 Effects of Presidents Rule Reasons for Declaring Presidents Rule Revocation of President Rule Political Misuse Recommendations for Reform Article 356 is a strong provision and quite controversial. It is requisite for constitutional order, but misuse thereof has given rise to judicial and commission reforms against arbitrary usage.
Trump-Putin Talks
Context: Former U.S. President Donald Trump has broached further discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin about ending what they would term the Ukraine war in peace making it yet again the source of hope for peace as well as concern regarding further Russian manipulation. Key Highlights: Is Trump talking to Putin? On the opposite of Biden policy Chances and Concerns over Ukraine Geopolitical Effects
The Yarlung Zangbo Dam in China
Context: Construction of a hydroelectric dam on the Yarlung Zangbo River in Tibet by China has once again put India and the rest of the world on guard. This river, which flows as the Brahmaputra in India before finally emptying into Bangladesh, is a lifeline for millions. Different views are in play, with the Chinese considering the establishment of this dam as another step towards carbon neutrality by 2060, versus other countries’ considerations such as water security, regional stability, and environmental ones. What are Hydroelectric Dams? A hydroelectric dam is a structure that uses water to generate electricity. The turbines in the dam convert the kinetic energy of water into mechanical energy, which is then converted into electricity by generators. About the Dam The Yarlung Zangbo Dam is a planned hydroelectric dam on the Yarlung Zangbo River in Tibet. It’s intended to be the world’s largest hydropower project, capable of producing three times as much electricity as the Three Gorges Dam. Location India’s Strategic Implications Environmental and Seismic Costs Big Challenges on Regional Diplomacy Way Forward China To Build World’s Largest Dam on the Brahmaputra
Current Affairs 13 February, 2025
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The Park is managed by forest department, Government of Telangana, and is named in memory of India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. 2. TRAI Strengthens Consumer Protection Context: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has come up with fresh regulations aimed to tightrope walk between curbing spam calls and messages. These regulations to the Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations, 2018, come with strict timelines for compliance imposed along with enhanced penalties and consumer facilitation measures. Important Provisions of The New Rules More Stringent Complaint Handling and Faster Remedial Action Specific Identification of Commercial messages Harsh penalties on Repeats AI Enabled Spam Detection & Monitoring The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is a regulatory body set up by the Government of India under section 3 of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997. It is the regulator of the telecommunications sector in India. It consists of a chairperson and not more than two full-time members and not more than two part-time members. The TRAI Act was amended by an ordinance, effective from 24 January 2000, establishing a Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal to take over the adjudicatory and disputes functions from TRAI. Banking/Finance 1. RBI Removes Business Restrictions on Kotak Mahindra Bank Context: Ten months since the Reserve Bank of India imposed business restrictions on Kotak Mahindra Bank, the RBI has finally removed the restrictions after complete determination of remedial measures and compliance verification. Key Highlights: Why Was The Restriction Imposed? The RBI had placed curbs on Kotak Mahindra Bank for reasons related to its IT management. The RBI said that the bank had persistently failed to rectify “serious deficiencies and non-compliances” and it resulted in severe outages in 2022 and 2023, which resulted in inconvenience to customers. RBI’s Decision to Remove Restrictions Compliance and Remedial Measures Taken Bank’s Response With the restrictions removed, Kotak Mahindra Bank is now set to increase stakes on digital expansions and credit card products. Source: The Hindu 2. RBI Consumer Confidence Survey Context: Post 2025 the early urban consumers in India find themselves with the option of some relief due to diminishing inflation and growing discomfort at stagnant incomes and job fears. Consumer spending is gaining some stability, but people’s predominant concerns over money security seem to project the economy into an uncertain one. Highlights of the RBI Consumer Confidence Survey Inflation Falls, But Is That Enough? Spending Patterns: Non Essentials and Essentials Larger Problems: Income Stagnation and Employment Concerns Economic Outlook: Clouded Horizon Although a welcome change is decline in inflation, urban India is in a state of an awful lot of confusion about what the future holds with many other economic problems over its head. The stagnation of incomes and job issues take a heavy toll on poor consumer confidence. 3. New Income Tax Bill, 2025 Context: Going forth with the New Income Tax Bill, 2025, it is slated to be presented at the Lok Sabha soon to desimplify and modernize tax laws by reducing complexity, redundant provisions, and improving clarity therein. If passed, this will effectively replace the Income Tax Act, 1961, taking force as from April 1, 2026. Significant Changes in Income Tax Bill 2025 Introduced the Concept of a ‘Tax Year’ Simpler and Less Complex Clear Profits Definition and Taxation Rules Digital Taxation Adjustments Source: The Hindu Economy 1. India’s Retail Inflation Context: India’s retail inflation dipped to 4.31% in January 2025 from 5.22% in December 2024 and 5.1% in January 2024. Food inflation declined for the third straight time, though fruits and edible oils saw an increase in price. Key Highlights: 2. NCAER Report Calls for Independent Fiscal Councils in States Context: In their research paper, the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) has suggested that Indian States set up independent fiscal councils to enhance institutional capacity in order to improve financial governance. Key Highlights: Role of State Level Fiscal Councils An Example from Abroad: EU Model Earlier Recommendations for a Central Fiscal Council Need for Forensic Analysis of Fiscal Deficits If set up, these councils will encourage fiscal discipline and reduce fiscal misgovernance at the state level. 3. NITI Aayog’s Fiscal Health Index (FHI) Context: Fiscal performance in India is assessed largely through tax policy and Union government deficits/debt, and fiscal health at the state level has not received much attention. The NITI Aayog’s Fiscal Health Index (FHI) is aimed at assessing the financial position of states, but is now in need of refinement for better policy applications. Key Observations and Issues Nothing about Public Service Provision Conceptual Issues in Fiscal Health Measurement The index is derived from the five sub indices on an equal weighting basis: Data Accuracy and Comparability Issues The FHI serves as a great point of reference, however, it must underlie some major improvements if it wants to be recognized in representing what states really look like in terms of financial health and their capacity to deliver services. Facts To Remember 1. Niki Poonacha, Courtney Lock advance to men’s doubles semifinals of Delhi Open India’s Niki Poonacha and Zimbabwe’s Courtney Lock advanced to the men’s doubles
