Yes, SIDBI provides both direct and indirect loans to small businesses. Through its direct lending operations, SIDBI offers various schemes such as SMILE (Make in India Soft Loan Fund for MSMEs), SEF, SPEED, and STFS, which support working capital needs, machinery purchase, and other business requirRead more
Yes, SIDBI provides both direct and indirect loans to small businesses. Through its direct lending operations, SIDBI offers various schemes such as SMILE (Make in India Soft Loan Fund for MSMEs), SEF, SPEED, and STFS, which support working capital needs, machinery purchase, and other business requirements. These loans are tailored for different segments, including women entrepreneurs and businesses from marginalized communities. At the same time, SIDBI plays a major role in indirect financing by offering refinance and credit support to banks, NBFCs, small finance banks, and microfinance institutions, which then lend to MSMEs. As of 2023, about 8% of SIDBI’s loan portfolio comprised direct lending to MSMEs, while around 92% was routed indirectly through other financial institutions. SIDBI has plans to gradually increase its share of direct lending in the coming years.
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What is the primary objective of the NHM?
The primary objective of the National Health Mission (NHM) is to provide accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare services to all, especially the vulnerable and marginalized sections of society. Launched by the Government of India in 2013 by subsuming the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) aRead more
The primary objective of the National Health Mission (NHM) is to provide accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare services to all, especially the vulnerable and marginalized sections of society. Launched by the Government of India in 2013 by subsuming the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) and the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM), the NHM aims to strengthen the public health system by improving infrastructure, ensuring adequate human resources, and enhancing the delivery of health services across rural and urban areas. The mission emphasizes reducing maternal and infant mortality, controlling communicable and non-communicable diseases, and promoting universal health coverage through community participation and decentralized planning.
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See lessWhich report is published by the NITI Aayog to measure India’s progress towards SDGs at the state level?
The report published by NITI Aayog to measure India’s progress towards the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the state and union territory level is called the “SDG India Index.” First released in December 2018, it has since evolved through multiple editions, with the fourth ediRead more
The report published by NITI Aayog to measure India’s progress towards the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the state and union territory level is called the “SDG India Index.” First released in December 2018, it has since evolved through multiple editions, with the fourth edition, “SDG India Index 2023–24,” being the most recent. The Index assesses performance across 16 SDGs (excluding “Life Below Water,” which is pertinent only to coastal regions) using 113 indicators aligned with India’s National Indicator Framework. It generates goal-wise and composite scores (on a 0–100 scale) to rank all Indian states and UTs under four categories—Aspirant (0–49), Performer (50–64), Front-runner (65–99), and Achiever (100). By benchmarking these scores, the SDG India Index encourages a spirit of cooperative and competitive federalism, helping policymakers at both national and subnational levels identify gaps, prioritize interventions, and accelerate progress towards achieving the SDGs by 2030. Stay updated with C4S Courses.
See lessWhat is the primary difference between Basel II and Basel III in terms of capital structure?
The primary difference between Basel II and Basel III in terms of capital structure lies in both the quality and quantity of capital banks are required to hold. Under Basel II, banks had to maintain a total capital ratio of at least 8% of their risk-weighted assets, with a minimum Tier 1 capital ofRead more
The primary difference between Basel II and Basel III in terms of capital structure lies in both the quality and quantity of capital banks are required to hold. Under Basel II, banks had to maintain a total capital ratio of at least 8% of their risk-weighted assets, with a minimum Tier 1 capital of 4%, which included around 2% in Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1). However, the global financial crisis of 2008 exposed serious weaknesses in this framework, particularly the over-reliance on lower-quality capital instruments. In response, Basel III significantly strengthened the capital requirements by raising the CET1 minimum to 4.5%, increasing the Tier 1 capital requirement to 6%, and maintaining the total capital ratio at 8%. Additionally, Basel III introduced a capital conservation buffer of 2.5%, effectively raising the total capital requirement to 10.5%, along with a countercyclical buffer of up to 2.5%. Overall, Basel III places a greater emphasis on high-quality capital—particularly common equity—and introduces additional buffers to improve the resilience of banks during periods of economic stress.
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See lessIf RBI continuously increases the repo rate, what is the likely impact on the economy?
If the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) continuously increases the repo rate, the overall cost of borrowing for banks also rises, leading them to pass on this higher cost to consumers and businesses in the form of increased interest rates on loans. As a result, loans for homes, vehicles, education, and bRead more
If the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) continuously increases the repo rate, the overall cost of borrowing for banks also rises, leading them to pass on this higher cost to consumers and businesses in the form of increased interest rates on loans. As a result, loans for homes, vehicles, education, and businesses become more expensive, which reduces borrowing and dampens consumer spending and corporate investment. This slowdown in demand helps to control inflation, which is often the primary objective of such rate hikes. However, while inflation may be brought under control, the economy may also experience slower growth due to reduced consumption and investment. In the long run, continuous repo rate hikes can lead to lower economic activity, reduced job creation, and slower industrial and services sector growth, although they may encourage savings due to higher returns on deposits.
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See lessWhich bank recently launched the ‘Project Arogya’ to strengthen its healthcare lending portfolio?
The bank that recently launched “Project Arogya” to bolster its healthcare lending portfolio is none other than the State Bank of India (SBI). In June 2021, SBI introduced its specialized loan offering—the Aarogyam Healthcare Business Loan—aimed at supporting healthcare service providers across theRead more
The bank that recently launched “Project Arogya” to bolster its healthcare lending portfolio is none other than the State Bank of India (SBI). In June 2021, SBI introduced its specialized loan offering—the Aarogyam Healthcare Business Loan—aimed at supporting healthcare service providers across the country, including hospitals, diagnostic centers, nursing homes, medical suppliers, logistics firms, and more. This initiative allows healthcare entities to access financing ranging from ₹10 lakh to ₹100 crore, depending on their location, with repayment tenures of up to 10 years. Notably, loans up to ₹2 crore are collateral-free thanks to coverage under the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE), underscoring SBI’s commitment to strengthening healthcare infrastructure through accessible credit.
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See lessWhere is the headquarters of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) located?
The headquarters of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) is located in Hyderabad, Telangana. Initially, IRDAI was headquartered in New Delhi, but it was later shifted to Hyderabad in 2001 to decentralize regulatory institutions across India. As the apex regulatory bodyRead more
The headquarters of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) is located in Hyderabad, Telangana. Initially, IRDAI was headquartered in New Delhi, but it was later shifted to Hyderabad in 2001 to decentralize regulatory institutions across India. As the apex regulatory body for the insurance sector, IRDAI is responsible for overseeing, regulating, and promoting the orderly growth of the insurance industry in India. From its Hyderabad headquarters, IRDAI formulates policies, grants licenses to insurance companies, protects policyholders’ interests, and ensures financial stability in the insurance market.
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See lessWhich of the following schemes is primarily implemented by the Agriculture Insurance Company of India (AIC)?
The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) is the scheme that is primarily implemented by the Agriculture Insurance Company of India (AIC). Launched in 2016, PMFBY aims to provide comprehensive crop insurance coverage to farmers against losses arising from natural calamities, pests, and diseases.Read more
The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) is the scheme that is primarily implemented by the Agriculture Insurance Company of India (AIC). Launched in 2016, PMFBY aims to provide comprehensive crop insurance coverage to farmers against losses arising from natural calamities, pests, and diseases. AIC plays a pivotal role in the implementation and management of this scheme across various states in India. The objective of PMFBY is to stabilize farmers’ income, ensure their creditworthiness, and encourage them to adopt innovative and modern agricultural practices. Through this scheme, AIC helps mitigate the financial risks associated with farming and supports the long-term sustainability of India’s agricultural sector.
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