A
Adhyaksha

Definition: High-ranking superintendents responsible for specific administrative departments such as agriculture, mining, or metallurgy.

Anekantavada

Definition: A core Jain philosophical doctrine meaning 'many-sidedness of reality,' asserting that truth is complex...

Angel Tax

Definition: A provision under income tax law that taxes capital raised by unlisted companies when...

Anuloma

Definition: A form of marriage discussed in texts like the Chandogya Upanishad, where a man...

Anuvrata

Definition: The 'small vows' prescribed for Jain householders, promoting ethical conduct without complete renunciation.• UPSC...

Article 324

Article 324 deals with the Election Commission. It vests the power of superintendence, direction, and...

Aryan

Definition: In the historical context of the Vedic age, this term denotes a linguistic or...

Ayas

Definition: The general Vedic term for metal. The Rigvedic Aryans knew gold and copper/bronze (often...

B
Bali

Definition: A religious or voluntary tax paid by subjects to the state or king; Ashoka...

Balisadhaka

Special officers appointed by the King to collect compulsory taxes (formerly voluntary Bali) from peasants,...

Banawali

A site located on the Saraswati river in Haryana. Prelims Pointer: While Kalibangan has the field,...

Bank Rate

Definition: The rate at which the RBI re-discounts bills of exchange and extends long-term credit...

Base Effect

Definition: Base effect refers to the influence of last year’s price level on the current...

Basel III Norms

Definition: International banking regulations designed to strengthen bank capital and liquidity buffers.Key Points for Prelims:•...

Bhaga

Definition: The king’s share of agricultural produce, generally fixed at one-sixth of the total yield;...

Bharatmala Pariyojana

Definition: A highway development programme focusing on economic corridors and border roads.Key Prelims Traps:Focus on...

BharatNet

Definition: A flagship programme to provide broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats.Key Prelims Traps:Implemented by...

BHASKAR

Definition: (Bharat Startup Knowledge Access Registry) - A centralized digital registry connecting startups, investors, mentors,...

Bhumisparsha Mudra

Definition: A symbolic hand gesture depicting the Buddha touching the earth to bear witness to...

BioE3 Policy

Definition: Biotechnology policy for economy, environment and employment.Key Pointers:• Emphasises biofoundries.• Linked to net-zero goals.•...

Biofortification

Definition: Biofortification is the process of enhancing the nutritional content of crops during their growth...

Bodhisattva

Definition: In Mahayana Buddhism, a being who postpones personal liberation (Nirvana) in order to help...

BOT Model

Definition: Build-Operate-Transfer model where private entity builds and operates asset for concession period.Key Prelims Traps:Ownership...

Brahmavadini

Definition: Learned women in the Vedic period who had access to education and composed hymns...

Bronze Dancing Girl

- A masterpiece of Harappan art found at Mohenjodaro. Prelims Pointer: It was made using the...

C
Capital Formation

Definition: Capital formation refers to the creation of physical assets such as machinery, tools, and...

Cash Reserve Ratio

Definition: The percentage of Net Demand and Time Liabilities (NDTL) that banks must maintain as...

Central Bank Digital Currency

Definition: A digital form of sovereign currency issued by the RBI and recognized as legal...

Chaitya

Definition: A Buddhist prayer hall or shrine, typically housing a stupa and used for congregational...

Chanhudaro

An industrial center located on the Indus River in Pakistan. Prelims Pointer: This is the only...

Circular Flow of Income

Definition: The circular flow of income model shows how income and expenditure move between households...

Closed Economy

Definition: A closed economy is one that does not engage in international trade or financial...

Composition Scheme

Definition: A simplified GST scheme for small taxpayers allowing tax payment at a lower fixed...

Consolidated Fund of India

Definition: The primary fund of the Government of India under Article 266 into which all...

Cooperative Federalism

Definition: A governance approach where Centre and States work as equal partners in development.Key Points...

Coral Reefs

Coral reefs are underwater ecosystems formed by the secretion of calcium carbonate skeletons by tiny...

Core Inflation

Definition: Core inflation measures inflation after excluding volatile components like food and fuel, to capture...

Critical Mineral Recycling Incentive Scheme

A Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the Ministry of Mines to promote recycling of critical minerals...

Cropping Intensity

Definition: Cropping Intensity measures how efficiently agricultural land is used during a year. It is...

D
Dedicated Freight Corridor

Definition: A high-capacity railway corridor exclusively for freight trains to reduce logistics cost and decongest...

Depreciation

Definition: The decline in value of fixed capital assets due to wear and tear or...

Dhamma Mahamattas

Definition: Special officers appointed by Ashoka in his 14th regnal year to propagate Dhamma and...

Dharma

Definition: In the Vedic context, this denoted the obligation and discharge of one’s duties toward...

Dholavira

A major IVC city located in the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat. Prelims Pointer: Unlike most...

DigiLocker

A flagship initiative of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) providing a secure...

Digital Arrest

A sophisticated cyber scam where fraudsters impersonate law enforcement or government officials via fake video...

Digital India

Definition: An umbrella programme to transform India into a digitally empowered society.Key Prelims Traps:Launched in...

Disinflation

Definition: Disinflation is a slowdown in the rate of inflation, meaning prices rise but at...

Domestic Systemically Important Banks

Definition: Banks classified as ‘Too Big To Fail’ whose failure could severely impact the financial...

E
e-NAM

Definition: e-NAM (National Agriculture Market) is a pan-India electronic trading platform integrating APMC mandis to...

E-Way Bill

Definition: An electronic document required for movement of goods under GST.Key Points for Prelims:• Mandatory...

Effective Revenue Deficit

Definition: Introduced in Budget 2011–12, ERD excludes grants given for creation of capital assets from...

EPC Model

Definition: Engineering, Procurement, and Construction model where government bears full project risk.Key Prelims Traps:No private...

Equalisation Levy

Definition: A direct tax on specified digital services provided by non-resident companies.Key Points for Prelims:•...

F
Fair and Remunerative Price

Definition: Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) is the minimum statutory price that sugar mills must...

Fertigation

Definition: Fertigation is the application of fertilizers through an irrigation system, most commonly drip irrigation.Key...

Financial Inclusion Index

Definition: RBI composite index measuring financial inclusion. Key Pointers: • No base year. • Usage has highest weight. •...

Fiscal Deficit

Definition: The gap between the government’s total expenditure and its total receipts excluding borrowings. It...

Fiscal Drag

Definition: A situation where inflation and income growth push taxpayers into higher tax brackets, increasing...

G
Gahapati

A wealthy householder or landowner who controlled land and resources. They often employed slaves (dasa)...

GDP

Definition: Gross Domestic Production - The total market value of all final goods and services...

GDP Deflator

Definition: An index measuring the average price level of all goods and services included in...

General Anti-Avoidance Rules

Definition: Rules empowering tax authorities to deny tax benefits from arrangements made solely for tax...

Gini Coefficient vs Palma Ratio

Definition: Measures of income inequality.Key Pointers:• India uses consumption-based Gini.• Palma focuses on extremes.• Wealth...

Global Capability Centers

Definition: Offshore units established by MNCs to manage critical business functions such as IT, R&D,...

Goldilocks Economy

Definition: An economic condition where growth is steady and optimal, inflation is low, and monetary...

Gramabhojaka

The village headman in the northern part of the subcontinent. The post was often hereditary;...

Greedflation

Definition: Greedflation occurs when firms raise prices beyond cost increases to expand profit margins during...

Green GDP

Definition: GDP adjusted for environmental degradation and depletion of natural resources.Key Pointers:• Accounts for environmental...

Gross National Product

Definition: The total market value of final goods and services produced by a country’s residents,...

Gross Value Added

Definition: The value of output minus intermediate consumption, representing contribution of factors of production. Key Pointers: •...

GSAT-7R

A next-generation military communication satellite developed by ISRO, intended to replace the aging GSAT-7A. Also referred...

GST Compensation Cess

Definition: A cess levied on luxury and demerit goods to compensate states for GST revenue...

H
Harrod-Domar Model

Definition: An economic growth model that links growth to savings rate and capital-output ratio. It...

Headline Inflation

Definition: Headline inflation measures the total inflation within an economy, including all commodities such as...

Hindu Rate of Growth

Definition: A term describing India’s low growth rate (~3.5%) before economic reforms.Key Points for Prelims:•...

Homo sapiens

- The species of anatomically modern humans that evolved in Africa around 300,000 years ago.-...

Human Capital

Definition: Human capital refers to the stock of skills, knowledge, health, and abilities embodied in...

Hybrid Annuity Model

Definition: A PPP model combining EPC and BOT, where government shares construction cost and traffic...

I
Inclusive Growth

Definition: Growth strategy ensuring benefits reach all sections of society.Key Points for Prelims:• Theme of...

Incremental Capital Output Ratio

Definition: Incremental Capital Output Ratio (ICOR) measures the additional capital required to produce an additional...

Indicative Planning

Definition: A form of planning where the state sets broad targets and acts as a...

Inflation Premium

Definition: Inflation premium is the extra return demanded by investors to compensate for the erosion...

Inflation Tax

Definition: Inflation tax refers to the loss of purchasing power faced by people holding cash...

Input Tax Credit

Definition: A GST provision allowing businesses to claim credit for tax paid on inputs used...

Integrated Farming System

Definition: Integrated Farming System (IFS) combines crop farming with allied activities like livestock, fisheries, and...

International Civil Aviation Organization

A specialized UN agency established in 1944 that facilitates global cooperation in civil aviation. India was...

International Solar Alliance

Definition: A treaty-based intergovernmental organization promoting solar energy.Key Prelims Traps:Headquarters in Gurugram.India and France are...

Inverted Duty Structure

Definition: A situation where tax rate on inputs is higher than tax rate on finished...

InvITs

Definition: Infrastructure Investment Trusts are pooled investment vehicles for infrastructure assets.Key Prelims Traps:Regulated by SEBI.Used...

J
Jobless Growth

Definition: Economic growth without proportional employment generation.Key Pointers:• Common in capital-intensive growth phases.• Productivity growth...

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