UPSC

Gold: Gold is not only an investment avenue but is considered precious in India. The yellow metal symbolizes wealth, prosperity, good health, and wealth. Gold has been and will be the holy grail for the people of India in terms of jewelry and investment. India is considered one of the largest markets for gold, and thus, the Indian gold market plays a significant role in the global economy of gold. Gold Price in India, Significance, and Relation to the Economy: While gold is the first choice for jewelry among Indians, investors consider some other forms of it as a safe haven such as gold coins, bars, gold ETFs, etc. Buying gold during some of the Indian festivals such as Dhanteras, Akshay Tritiya, and Diwali is considered auspicious and placed in high regard. Also, gold tops the list when it comes to shopping for Indian weddings; no wedding shopping list is considered complete without buying gold. The best thing about buying gold is that it can act as a hedge against inflation whe...

The Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, at the  High-Level Roundtable on Connectivity and Economic Growth  in New Delhi, highlighted the  India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)  as a transcontinental initiative poised to redefine global trade dynamics and strengthen international economic cooperation. What is the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor?  About:  The IMEC is a strategic multi-modal connectivity initiative launched through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the  G20 Summit 2023 in New Delhi.  Signatories include  India, US, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, France, Germany, Italy and the European Union.   The initiative is a part of the  Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII) , launched by the G7 in 2021.  IMEC seeks to position itself as a viable alternative to  China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)  by promot...

  NEW DELHI: President Droupadi Murmu has given her assent to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, days after Parliament passed the contentious legislation following marathon debates in both Houses. The Rajya Sabha cleared the Bill in the early hours of Friday with 128 votes in favour and 95 against, following nearly 17 hours of discussion. The Lok Sabha had passed the legislation earlier this week after a 13-hour marathon debate. PM Statement: Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the move as a “watershed moment,” saying that the waqf system had long suffered from a lack of transparency and accountability. “This legislation will boost transparency and safeguard people’s rights,” he posted on X. The Act aims to reform the governance of waqf properties, enhance transparency in dealings, and ensure representation from different Muslim sects in waqf boards. It also includes provisions to safeguard heritage sites, improve social welfare, and support the economic inclusion of marginaliz...