FPIs invest over Rs 50,000 crore in equity, debt in March
| Syllabus: GS-III, Subject: Economy, Topic: Trade and External sector, Issue: FPI Investments. |
Context: Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) have invested over Rs 50,000 crore in Indian stock and debt markets in March.
Synopsis:
- Despite high volatility, FPI activity continues with a rising trend in investment.
- SEBI has exempted certain FPIs from additional disclosure requirements.
| Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI):
● It involves investing in assets such as stocks, bonds, ETFs, and mutual funds in another country. ● FPI is regulated by SEBI in India, under the Foreign Portfolio Investors Regulations, 2019. ● FPI includes foreign institutional investors (FIIs) and qualified foreign investors (QFIs). |
Source: The Hindu
As some parties did not disclose poll bond donors, SC sought their ‘detailed particulars’ in April 2019 order.
| Syllabus: GS-II, Subject: Polity Topic: Rights issues, Issue: Electoral Bonds |
Context: The Supreme Court had ordered political parties benefiting from the electoral bonds scheme to disclose detailed donor particulars to the Election Commission in April 2019.
Key Issues:
- A recent data release showed many parties did not reveal donor identities despite the court’s directive.
- Bench demands SBI to explain omission of alphanumeric serial numbers of electoral bonds.
- Court seeks full disclosure, including donor details, denomination, and redemption dates.
Source: The Hindu
Analysing datasets: How predictive AI models are gaining traction
| Syllabus: GS-III; Subject: Science and Technology; Topic: Emerging Technologies, Issue: AI Models |
Context: Generative AI, including platforms like ChatGPT and Gemini, is gaining traction among companies and researchers for various applications.
Synopsis:
- Yandex has developed a real-time monitoring service for volcanic ash movement using advanced mathematical models and neural networks.
- Companies are increasingly using generative AI for purposes such as oil exploration and drug discovery.
- AI algorithms analyse historical data to make predictions, like locating new oil wells based on past successes.
Prelims Connect (Terms in news)
| Generative AI:
● Generative AI creates various content types like text, images, and audio rapidly. ● Its user-friendly interfaces simplify content creation. |
Source: Indian Express
Elections in India and EU holding up FTA talks, hope to start later this year: Irish Minister
| Syllabus: GS-II, Subject: Economy, Topic: Trade and External sector, Issue: India-EU FTA |
Context: Talks for the India-EU Bilateral Trade and Investment Agreement are delayed due to elections in India and the European Parliament.
Synopsis:
- Negotiations face challenges due to defensive interests, especially in agriculture, and upcoming elections.
- Progress is expected after the elections, with talks possibly accelerating in the autumn.
- Despite India’s recent FTA with EFTA countries, negotiations with the EU are pending.
| European Free Trade Association (EFTA) (1960):
● Promotes free trade and economic integration among member states. ● Member countries include Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. ● Unlike the EU, EFTA is not a customs union, allowing member states to set their own customs tariffs and trade policies. |
Source: The Hindu
Centre to procure tur, masur dals directly from farmers
| Syllabus: GS-III Subject: Economy Topic: Agriculture and allied, Issue: Procurement of Dals |
Context: The government plans to procure tur and masur dal directly from farmers
- Procurement will be based on minimum assured procurement price (MAPP) or dynamic buffer procurement price (DBPP), whichever is higher.
Important Insights:
- The National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED) and the National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India Limited (NCCF) will carry out the procurement directly from pre-registered farmers.
- The Department of Consumer Affairs will procure 80% of the buffer requirement for tur and Masur directly from farmers at MSP or prevailing market price.
- Central stock is below the buffer norm of 3.1 million tonnes.
Prelims Connect(Schemes/Policies)
| Minimum Average Procurement Price:(MAPP)
It is determined as the weighted average price of the previous three trading days in a district. District Base Procurement Price:(DBPP) It is calculated based on the weighted average price on the day of procurement, along with the prices of the three preceding and subsequent trading days. While MAPP serves as a benchmark for determining support prices, DBPP is used specifically for procurement purposes, providing a reference for government procurement agencies. |
Source: Mint
Arunachal Pradesh ‘inherent part of China’s territory’, claims Chinese military.
| Syllabus: GS-II; Subject: International Relations ; Topic: India and its neighbourhood, Issue: Chinese claim over Arunachal Pradesh. |
Context: Chinese military reiterates its claim over Arunachal Pradesh.
- China objects to Indian Prime Minister Modi’s recent visit to Arunachal Pradesh.
- The Prime Minister inaugurated the Sela Tunnel, enhancing connectivity and troop movement in Arunachal Pradesh.
Prelims Connect (Places in news)
| Sela Tunnel:
● World’s longest bi-lane road tunnel is at an altitude of over 13,000 feet in Arunachal Pradesh. ● Constructed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) under Project Vartak ● Connects Tezpur (Assam) to Tawang, addressing closures due to snow and landslides. |
Source: Indian Express