General Studies Paper-3 Context: India-European Free Trade Association(EFTA) Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) came into effect . The India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) TEPA is a modern and ambitious agreement that incorporates, for the first time in any Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed by India, a commitment linked to investment and job creation. The agreement was signed in March 2024 at New Delhi. It comprises of 14 chapters with main focus on market access related to goods, rules of origin, trade facilitation, trade remedies, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, technical barriers to trade, investment promotion, market access on....Read More

General Studies Paper-3 Context Women-led development has been recognised as a structural game-changer for advancing India’s economic ambitions, yet its full potential remains under-leveraged. Current Scenario Agriculture: It is a backbone of India’s economy & largest employer of women. Workforce shift: Rural men are moving to non-farm jobs leading to women replacing them in agriculture. Rise in women’s participation: Employment in agriculture surged by 135% in a decade. Women now account for 42% of the agricultural workforce. 2 in 3 working women are engaged in agriculture. Economic Impact: Women’s greater participation has not translated into higher income for the economy,....Read More

General Studies Paper 3 Context The ongoing crisis like financial irregularities, weak oversight, and structural misalignment in the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) has revealed deep flaws in India’s approach to public-private partnerships (PPPs) in skill development. About the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) Origins and Purpose of NSDC: It was established in 2008 under the Ministry of Finance, and now operates under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) as a not-for-profit public-private partnership (PPP). The Government of India holds 49% of its equity through the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), while the private sector holds....Read More

General Studies Paper-3 Context The World Trade Organization’s (WTO) World Trade Report 2025 found that Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to boost global trade by up to nearly 40 per cent over the next 15 years, provided critical policy and infrastructure gaps are plugged. AI as a Driver of Trade-Led Growth Trade facilitation: AI in logistics and customs can reduce trade costs by up to 15%, according to WTO simulations. Productivity boost: AI-driven automation enhances efficiency across manufacturing and services, expanding competitiveness. Digitally deliverable services: Legal-tech, AI-driven coding, telemedicine, and e-learning are projected to grow by over 40% by....Read More

General Studies Paper-3 Context PM Modi has urged Indians to buy made in India products, to build a developed India by 2047. The Prime Minister laid the foundation for the country’s first PM Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM MITRA) park in Madhya Pradesh’s Dhar district. About The PM MITRA Park in Dhar is one of seven such establishments approved by the Union Ministry of Textiles. The other sites are Tamil Nadu’s Virudhnagar, Telangana’s Warangal, Gujarat’s Navasari, Karnataka’s Kalaburagi, Uttar Pradesh’s Lucknow, and Maharashtra’s Amravati. Based on the 5F theme: Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign....Read More

General Studies Paper-3 Context The GST Council has simplified the existing four-tier system (5%, 12%, 18%, and 28%) into a two-slab structure: 5% – for essential goods 18% – for most standard goods and services Additionally, a new 40% slab is introduced to tax sin and luxury items. More About the News 0% GST on vital goods/services: Basic food items, health and life insurance, educational materials, select medical devices. 33 life-saving drugs + 3 key cancer medicines have zero GST. Benefits of Key Changes For Consumers: Lower living costs and improved access to healthcare and education due to reduced or....Read More

General Studies Paper-2 Context Recently, the 56th GST Council, chaired by Union Finance Minister, has approved Next-Gen GST reforms, i.e. GST 2.0 that focuses on improving the lives of the common man and ensuring ease of doing business for all with a broader vision of a Viksit Bharat 2047. About the GST 2.0 (Next-Generation GST Reforms) These are designed to reduce tax rates, and create a virtuous cycle of growth. These include lower prices, higher demand, support for MSMEs, ease of living, wider tax net, support for manufacturing, revenue growth, economic momentum, and social protection. Key Features Simplification of Tax....Read More

General Studies Paper-3 Context Recently, the President of India underscored the transformative role of India’s banking sector in shaping the nation’s economic trajectory. About the Banking Industry in India India’s banking sector is a financial intermediary, primary conduit for credit delivery, liquidity modulation, financial inclusion, and serves as the operational backbone of macroeconomic management. Cooperative and Local Area Banks: Serve niche markets and rural populations. Development Financial Institutions: Such as NABARD, SIDBI, and IDBI, cater to agriculture, small industries, and infrastructure. Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs): Over 9,000 registered entities support credit delivery to underserved segments. Role of the Banking Industry....Read More

General Studies Paper-3 Context PM Modi launched the Bihar Rajya Jeevika Nidhi Saakh Sahkari Sangh Limited, highlighting that “empowered women are the foundation of Viksit Bharat.” About Jeevika Nidhi Saakh Sahkari Sangh Limited Jeevika Nidhi is a state-level cooperative financial institution established to support women entrepreneurs in Bihar. Objective: To provide timely credit at lower interest rates, reducing dependence on microfinance institutions (MFIs) that charge 18%–24%. Membership: All registered cluster-level federations of Jeevika SHGs will be part of the Society. Financing: Both the Government of Bihar and the Central government will contribute funds. Technology: The system is entirely digital, enabling....Read More

General Studies Paper-3 Context Recently, the Prime Minister of India, at the SEMICON India 2025 (4th Edition), unveiled an ambitious roadmap to position India as a global leader in semiconductor manufacturing. Why Semiconductors Matter? Semiconductors are the backbone of modern electronics — powering everything from smartphones and electric vehicles to defense systems and space technologies. These have become central to economic security and strategic independence, as the world moves toward greater digitalization and automation. India’s Semiconductor Sector The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is the nodal agency responsible for implementing India’s semiconductor and display ecosystem strategy. Its goals....Read More