Context: Gold and silver Exchangetraded funds (ETFs) saw an extraordinary rise in demand during the calendar year (CY) 2024, driven by higher prices and favourable tax adjustments. Gold and Silver Exchange-Traded Funds
Housing Industrial Workers
Context: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her July Budget had announced plans to establish rental housing with dormitory-type accommodation for industrial workers in public-private partnership (PPP) mode with viability gap funding (VGF). Key Highlights: Public-Private Partnership (PPP) A public-private partnership (PPP) is a long-term arrangement between a government and a private sector entity to provide public services or infrastructure. In a PPP, the private sector entity provides the services or infrastructure, while the government provides the resources. Viability Gap Funding (VGF) Viability Gap Funding (VGF) is a scheme by the Government of India that provides financial support to infrastructure projects that are economically desirable but not commercially viable.
India Australia CECA talks may get delayed
Context: India-Australia Comprehensive Trade Agreement Talks Might Get Prolonged Key Highlights: Indian-Australian Cooperation and Trade Economic Agreement (CECA)
Insurance Regulatory Authority Report on Health Insurance in India
Context: Health insurers paid out only 71.3% of the Rs 1.2 lakh crore claims that were registered and outstanding during FY24, according to Irdai data. Key Highlights: Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India is a statutory body under the Ministry of Finance, responsible for regulation and licensing of insurance and re-insurance business in India. It is established by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority Act, 1999.
Attrition in Private Banks
Context: The RBI has noted a three-year attrition rate sharply rising in the private sector banks (PVBs) and small finance banks (SFBs). Key Highlights: Attrition Attrition in banking refers to the loss of employees or customers over a period of time. The term used to describe the reduction in the number of staff or customer accounts due to voluntary or involuntary departures. Attrition is a critical factor for banks, because it directly impacts operational efficiency, customer retention, and overall growth. Types of Attrition:
RBI Tests Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) with Officials
Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is introducing a credit for allowances reimbursed to CBDC wallets of RBI officers. Key Highlights: Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) is a form of digital currency issued and regulated by a country’s central bank. Unlike cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin or Ethereum, which are decentralized and not controlled by any central authority, CBDCs are issued by the country and are a digital version of a country’s fiat currency.
CCI Conducting Study on RE Sector in BRICS
Context: The Competition Commission of India (CCI) is undertaking a market study to better gauge antitrust issues in the renewable energy sector across the so called BRICS member nations. Competition Commission of India (CCI) BRICS
Ozone Levels Breaching Limits in Delhi
Context: The National Green Tribunal has sought a response from the Centre on the “feasibility and mechanism” for implementation of the CPCB´s recommendations for controlling ozone levels, which were found beyond the permissible limits in some areas of the national capital. Ozone (O3)
Visakhapatnam’s Adani Data Park
Context: The Adani Data Park, envisaged at an investment of about â‚ą70,000 crore over a 20-year-period here, remains a non-starter after the foundation stone for the project was laid twice. Adani Data Park Adani Data Park is a joint project between Adani Group and EdgeConneX that includes a data center, technology business park, and skills development center.
Ken-Betwa River Linking Project
Context: On December 25, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in Madhya Pradesh’s Khajuraho to lay the foundation stone for various development projects. Among them was the ambitious Ken-Betwa river linking project that plans to transfer excess water from the Ken river basin to the Betwa river basin. Ken-Betwa River Linking Project
