Since 1990, on an average, India has had an overall trade deficit. Even so, for the period April–September 2020, India witnessed a trade surplus and is likely to post a current account surplus of 2% of GDP for 2020-21. However, this might not be a reason to rejoice. Mint explains:
Goods and services tax (GST) collections grew 7% on year to ₹1.13 trillion in February, helped by improved compliance and stabilization of commercial activity. This also marked a fifth straight month of GST mop-up topping the ₹1-trillion mark. Mint explains:
The governor of Haryana has given assent to the State Employment of Local Candidates Bill, 2020. Its provisions require private companies in the state to offer 75% of new employment to local candidates. Mint decodes the development.
Management graduates from top B-schools including the Indian Institutes of Management have bagged over 5,000 jobs as placement season gets going. However, the success of top schools may not get replicated across all campuses especially in small cities. Mint explores.
The incessant fuel hike that has led to petrol and diesel prices crossing ₹100 per litre mark in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh is expected to impact the fuel consumption expenditure of the common man and his budget due to cost escalation in essential commodities. Mint explores.
The Indian government has taken its first big step towards regulating big tech platforms. The government’s new Intermediary Guidelines for the Information Technology Act (IT Act) place certain restrictions on platforms and how they function in India. Mint explains.
On 19 February, the UK Supreme Court made a landmark ruling that Uber must classify its drivers as ‘workers’ rather than self-employed. While India has already taken steps towards formalization of the labour market, Mint looks at the possible impact of this ruling.
India’s National Hydrogen Energy Mission, which is in the works, may mandate fertilizer, steel and petrochemicals industries to shift to green hydrogen use. The proposal may be taken up by cabinet for approval soon. Mint explains the importance of hydrogen in India’s energy mix.
The production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme is a central government scheme that seeks to make India an efficient, equitable and resilient manufacturing hub, on the lines of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for a self-reliant India. Mint explains:
The Australian government may have opened the floodgates with a new law dubbed the News Media Bargaining Code. The law aims to tackle long-standing clashes between publishers and Big Tech platforms. Mint explains.
The internet is changing. The outcome of the recent spat between the Centre and Twitter is one among many instances which may alter the future of the world wide web. The open web, now a mere shadow of its former self, is often dubbed as the splinternet. Mint decodes.
India’s internet ecosystem has been abuzz with the anticipation of finally witnessing IPOs of many celebrated tech startups. It seems 2021 may see a few listings either in India or overseas. Mint explores the ways for firms to list on foreign exchanges with or without an IPO
The country’s new policy on cartography comes with an atmanirbhar twist. Colonial-era provisions on who can make, modify or disseminate maps are finally set to change, although Indian entities will be granted greater leeway than foreign firms. Mint explains.
Global food prices rose for the eighth straight month in January, as per the FAO’s food price index. According to the UN body, international food prices have reached their highest level since July 2014. Mint explores how it will translate for India.
The central government, in consultation with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), is set to review the inflation target under the monetary policy framework next month. The target will be in place for the coming five years, starting April. Mint explains.
Recently, mutual fund investors faced delays in receiving units allotment despite timely payments due to a glitch in the National Automated Clearing House (NACH) system. Mint explains how you can mitigate the risks for such technical failures.
Silicon Valley’s hottest and latest social platform Clubhouse is being promoted by celebrities and users alike. The app has a sense of exclusivity to it and billions of dollars secured in funding to turn some important heads. Mint explores the reasons for its growing popularity
On 1 February, the FM announced a national asset monetization pipeline to fund projects. There are discussions underway for railways to tap its dedicated freight corridor, AAIs airports in tier 2 and tier 3 cities etc, to be monetized. Mint decodes.
On Tuesday, a Lancet study touted 91.6% efficacy rate for Sputnik V, the highest so far. A day later, another analysis of AstraZeneca’s trial yielded an 82.4% efficacy rate. These results add to a plethora of interim efficacy data that range between 50%-95%. Mint decodes:
Disinvestment is a strategy through which the government gives up either a part of or full equity holding of PSUs. Privatization opens up business opportunities to the private sector, while disinvestment aims to strengthen the management by adding private talent. Mint decodes
