General Economics Articles

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National Pension System (NPS)

Praveen Varghese Thomas
Praveen Varghese Thomas
Updated on 15-Mar-2026 212 Views

The National Pension System (NPS) is a voluntary, long-term retirement savings scheme regulated by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) of India. Launched on January 1, 2004, and extended to all citizens from May 1, 2009, NPS aims to provide financial security during retirement through systematic savings and investments in equity and debt instruments. Key Features NPS operates on a defined contribution model where subscribers contribute regularly during their working years. The minimum annual contribution is ₹6, 000 (or ₹500 per month), with no upper limit. Subscribers receive a unique Permanent Retirement Account Number (PRAN) that ...

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MUDRA Loans

Praveen Varghese Thomas
Praveen Varghese Thomas
Updated on 15-Mar-2026 161 Views

MUDRA loans are a government-initiated credit financing scheme designed to support Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in India. Launched under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana on April 8, 2015, these loans provide financial assistance ranging from Rs 50, 000 to Rs 10 lakhs without requiring collateral security. MUDRA Loan Categories MUDRA loans are classified into three distinct categories based on loan amount: Shishu − Maximum loan amount up to Rs 50, 000 Kishor − Loan amount between Rs 50, 001 to Rs 5, 00, 000 ...

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Mobile Banking

Praveen Varghese Thomas
Praveen Varghese Thomas
Updated on 15-Mar-2026 468 Views

Mobile banking refers to the use of mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets to access banking services and conduct financial transactions remotely. This technology-driven approach enables customers to perform various banking activities through dedicated mobile applications without visiting physical bank branches. It represents a significant shift from traditional banking methods, offering unprecedented convenience and accessibility to users worldwide. Key Features of Mobile Banking Mobile banking operates through secure banking applications that connect customers' accounts to their mobile devices. Users can download their bank's official mobile app and authenticate their identity using login credentials, biometric verification, or multi-factor ...

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Line Item Budget

Praveen Varghese Thomas
Praveen Varghese Thomas
Updated on 15-Mar-2026 331 Views

A line item budget is an accounting system that categorizes and records all organizational expenses by department or function for a specific financial period. This straightforward budgeting method organizes costs into distinct line items such as transportation, salaries, rent, utilities, and advertising, making it easy to track and analyze spending patterns. It serves as a fundamental financial planning tool, particularly suitable for small to medium-sized organizations that require clear expense visibility without complex accounting systems. Key Components A line item budget typically includes the following essential components: Revenue Categories − Income sources organized by type or department Operating ...

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Kisan Vikas Patra

Praveen Varghese Thomas
Praveen Varghese Thomas
Updated on 15-Mar-2026 138 Views

Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP) is a government-backed savings scheme launched by the Indian Post Office in 1998. It is a long-term investment product that doubles your money in 124 months (approximately 10 years and 4 months) with guaranteed returns. This scheme is particularly suitable for conservative investors seeking risk-free investment options with assured returns. Key Features and Returns Under the current rates, KVP offers an interest rate of 6.9% per annum (compounded annually). The investment doubles over the maturity period of 124 months. The formula for calculating maturity amount is: $$\mathrm{Maturity\ Amount = Principal \times 2}$$ Where: ...

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Peace Dividend

Praveen Varghese Thomas
Praveen Varghese Thomas
Updated on 15-Mar-2026 432 Views

Peace dividend refers to the economic and social benefits a country gains by reducing military expenditure and redirecting those resources toward social welfare programs, infrastructure development, and economic growth. This concept gained prominence during the Cold War era as countries sought to rebuild their economies after conflicts by shifting funds from defense spending to productive civilian investments. Key Concepts Peace dividend operates on the principle that resources previously allocated to military purposes can be more effectively used for long-term economic development. When a country reduces its defense budget, these freed resources can be channeled into sectors that directly ...

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Frictional Unemployment

Praveen Varghese Thomas
Praveen Varghese Thomas
Updated on 15-Mar-2026 1K+ Views

Frictional unemployment is a temporary type of unemployment that occurs when workers are voluntarily between jobs, searching for new employment opportunities. This natural phenomenon represents the time gap between leaving one job and finding another suitable position. Unlike other forms of unemployment, frictional unemployment is generally considered a healthy sign of a dynamic economy where workers have the freedom to seek better opportunities. Key Concepts Frictional unemployment is an inevitable part of any functioning labor market. It occurs when individuals voluntarily leave their current positions to search for jobs that better match their skills, preferences, or career goals. ...

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Free Rider Problem

Praveen Varghese Thomas
Praveen Varghese Thomas
Updated on 15-Mar-2026 468 Views

The free rider problem occurs when individuals benefit from a shared resource, public good, or collective effort without contributing their fair share of the costs or labor required. This economic phenomenon can undermine cooperation and lead to the underprovision of public goods, creating inefficiencies in both markets and social groups. Key Concepts The free rider problem arises because of two key characteristics of public goods: Non-excludability − It's difficult or impossible to prevent people from using the good once it's provided Non-rivalry − One person's consumption doesn't reduce the availability for others This creates ...

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Fiscal Consolidation

Praveen Varghese Thomas
Praveen Varghese Thomas
Updated on 15-Mar-2026 954 Views

Fiscal consolidation refers to a strategic government policy designed to reduce fiscal deficits and public debt through increased revenues and/or reduced expenditures. This approach aims to restore fiscal sustainability and strengthen the overall financial health of the economy. Fig 1: Government spending on multiple categories Formula The basic formula for measuring fiscal consolidation progress involves calculating the fiscal deficit: $$\mathrm{Fiscal\ Deficit = Total\ Government\ Expenditure - Total\ Government\ Revenue}$$ Key measures include: $$\mathrm{Fiscal\ Deficit\ to\ GDP\ Ratio = \frac{Fiscal\ Deficit}{Nominal\ GDP} \times 100}$$ $$\mathrm{Debt\ to\ GDP\ Ratio = \frac{Total\ Public\ Debt}{Nominal\ GDP} ...

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Fed Hike

Praveen Varghese Thomas
Praveen Varghese Thomas
Updated on 15-Mar-2026 615 Views

Fed hike refers to the Federal Reserve's decision to increase the federal funds rate, which is the interest rate at which banks lend money to each other overnight. This monetary policy tool significantly affects the economy by influencing borrowing costs, consumer spending, and inflation levels. Understanding Fed Hike The Federal Reserve raises interest rates to control inflation and maintain economic stability. When the economy grows too quickly and inflation rises above the Fed's 2% target, increasing interest rates helps cool down economic activity by making borrowing more expensive and encouraging saving. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), ...

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