Rupee Depreciation
Why in News? Rupee breached ₹85/$ — sharpest depreciation in 2 years.
Meaning: Fall in INR value in floating exchange rate system.
Reasons:
- Low central bank balance sheet confidence
- Illiquidity; short-term forex debt > assets
- Inflation, FPI outflows, trade deficit
- Global factors: Fed hikes, crude prices
Positive Impacts: Export boost, higher remittances.
Negative Impacts: Import inflation, widening CAD, capital flight.
Way Forward: RBI intervention, export boost, INR settlement.
Internationalisation of Rupee
Why in News? RBI liberalised FEMA rules for INR use globally.
Key FEMA Changes: NRI INR accounts abroad, wider SNRR/SVRA use.
Benefits: Lower dollar dependence, FX stability, global INR debt.
Challenges: INR volatility, partial convertibility, low global use.
Steps Taken: UPI global, SVRAs with 22 nations, Masala bonds.
WPI Base Year Revision
Why in News? Working Group set up to revise base year 2011–12 → 2022–23.
WPI: Measures wholesale price changes of 697 items.
Shift to PPI: Includes services, avoids multiple counting.
Significance: More accurate inflation measurement.
Fiscal Health Index 2025
Why in News? NITI Aayog released first FHI for states.
Top Performers: Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Goa.
Findings: Debt risks for WB & Punjab; strong capex in MP & Goa.
Significance: Competitive federalism, transparency.
Household Consumption Expenditure Survey
Why in News? NSSO released HCES after 11 years.
Key Findings:
- Rural MPCE ₹4,122; Urban ₹6,996
- Rural–urban gap reduced
- Inequality decreased
Significance: Key for CPI weights, GDP revision.
Central Bank Digital Currency
Why in News? US halted Digital Dollar; India continues pilots.
Benefits: Inclusion, low cost, cross-border speed.
Challenges: Cyber risks, privacy, interoperability.
India’s Digital Rupee: Retail + wholesale; pilot with 15 banks.
India’s Digital Economy
Why in News? MeitY released OECD-based digital economy study.
Drivers: UPI, BharatNet, Aadhaar, DBT, India Stack.
Challenges: Cybercrime, data gaps, low digital literacy.
Way Forward: Clear AI & data laws, universal broadband.
Cashless Treatment for Road Accident Victims
Why in News? Govt launched nationwide scheme.
Key Features: ₹1.5 lakh for 7 days, eDAR, MVAF reimbursement.
Need: India = 11% of global road deaths.
India Secures 14.3% of Global Remittances
Why in News? India received $129 bn — highest globally.
Reasons: Large diaspora; skilled migration.
Significance: FX buffer; stabilises CAD.
India: Fastest Growing Economy
Why in News? World Bank projected 6.7% growth.
Drivers: Services exports, infra reforms, capex.
Government T-Bill Borrowing Plan
Why in News? Govt to borrow ₹3.94 lakh crore via T-bills.
T-Bills: 91d, 182d, 364d — zero coupon.
NBFC Upper Layer List 2024–25
Why in News? RBI released updated NBFC-UL list.
Examples: LIC HFL, PNB Housing, Shriram Finance.
BAANKNET Portal
Why in News? Finance Ministry launched e-auction portal.
Use: Aggregates all PSB property auctions.
PPI & UPI Interoperability
Why in News? RBI allowed PPI users to make/receive UPI payments.
Role of Trade in Reducing Food Insecurity
Why in News? UNCTAD report on trade & food security.
Positives: Steady supply & price stability.
Revised OMSS Policy
Why in News? Rice reserve price cut to ₹2,250/quintal.
Use: Stabilises food prices.
Project VISTAAR
Why in News? IIT Madras + Agri Ministry launched AI-enabled platform.
LEADS Report 2024
Achievers: Gujarat, Haryana, Assam, Chandigarh.
Fast Movers: AP, Bihar, HP.
Entity Locker
Why in News? MeitY launched cloud storage for enterprises.
Z-Morh Tunnel
Specs: 6.4 km; all-weather access to Sonamarg–Leh.
Banihal Bypass (NH-44)
Reduces travel time to 7 minutes; key for security & logistics.
Anji Khad Bridge
India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge — 331 m high, 725 m long.