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UPI MERCHANT DISCOUNT RATE: SUPREME COURT SCRUTINY AND THE REGULATION OF DIGITAL PAYMENTS Why in the News? The Supreme Court has questioned the legal basis for introducing a 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on specified high-value UPI Person-to-Merchant transactions. The Court has sought an explanation from the Centre on the legal character of the charge …
Read MoreINDIA’S INDUSTRIAL GROWTH: IIP ACCELERATION AND THE STRENGTHENING OF MANUFACTURING Why in the News? India’s Index of Industrial Production (IIP) growth accelerated to 8% in August 2026, up from 7.35% in July, making it the second-highest growth rate since the new IIP series began in April 2024. The expansion was supported by strong performances in …
Read MoreQUALITY CONTROL AND INDIA’S MANUFACTURING GROWTH Syllabus: GS-3: Effects of Liberalization on the Economy Industrial Policy and their Effects on Industrial Growth Why in the News? India is reassessing its expanding Quality Control Orders (QCOs) amid concerns that mandatory certification can raise input costs, restrict supply and weaken manufacturing competitiveness. The issue was also raised …
Read MoreE-SHRAM AND THE CHALLENGE OF DIGITAL SOCIAL SECURITY Syllabus: GS-2: Government Policies & Interventions WHY IN THE NEWS Registration Barriers: A recent experiment by law students found that e-Shram self-registration can be difficult because of OTP, CAPTCHA, occupation and documentation hurdles. Worker Coverage: The portal has crossed 9 crore registrations, but questions remain about whether …
Read MoreUPI: A DECADE OF INDIA’S DIGITAL PAYMENTS REVOLUTION Why in the News? The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) completed 10 years on 25 August 2026, marking a major milestone in India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). From 1.78 crore transactions in 2016-17, annual UPI transaction volume has risen to over 24,162 crore transactions in 2025-26, alongside rapid …
Read MoreFISCAL FEDERALISM: EFFICIENCY VERSUS EQUITY CONCERNS Syllabus: GS-2: Centre State Fiscal relation Governance Devolution of Power Why in the News? The 16th Finance Commission (FC-16), chaired by Arvind Panagariya, has submitted its recommendations for the period 2026–2031. While retaining the 41% vertical devolution of Central taxes to States, it significantly restructures grants-in-aid, triggering debate over …
Read MoreINDIA’S REFUSAL TO UPHOLD A GLOBAL GIG WORK LAW Why in the News? On June 12, 2026, the International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva adopted ILO Convention No. 193: “Decent Work in the Platform Economy”, the first legally binding international treaty protecting the rights of platform (gig) workers. The Convention aims to establish minimum labour …
Read MoreNSE Launches Ahimsa Index Promoting Ethical Investment Choices Nationwide Why in the News ? The National Stock Exchange (NSE) has launched the Nifty 500 Ahimsa Index, India’s first thematic index based on the principle of Ahimsa (non-violence). This sustainable investing initiative enables investors to invest in companies that avoid harm to animals and follow ethical …
Read MoreINDIA NOW HAS THE FUNDS, THE TALENT AND THE OPENING FOR A RESEARCH LEAP Syllabus: GS 3: Research & Innovation. Science & Technology. Why in the News? Amid growing geopolitical uncertainties, technology export controls, and the need for strategic self-reliance, India is accelerating investments in Research and Development (R&D) through the Anusandhan National Research …
Read MoreBeyond the Pump: The Science, Economics, and Geography of India’s Petrol Classification In the Civil Services Examination (GS Paper III – Economic Development, Infrastructure, and Science & Technology), the energy sector and downstream petroleum industry are critical themes. Understanding how petrol is classified in India requires looking beyond commercial branding to grasp the underlying chemical …
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