Health Inflation Discrepancy: Economic Survey Shows 3% in Dec 2025, Market Reports Indicate 11-13% for 2026

PMJDY: 15.36 Crore Accounts Inoperative, 5.72 Crore Have Zero Balance as per RTI

RTI data reveals that despite 59 crore PMJDY accounts, every fourth is inoperative and 5.72 crore have zero balance, signaling gaps in financial inclusion beyond account opening. UP leads in both zero-balance and inoperative accounts, highlighting regional disparities.

RBI Flags Consumption Loan Risk: Gen Z Unsecured Debt Hits 58.4% of Household Borrowings

Gen Z’s buy-now-pay-later lifestyle is driving a surge in unsecured consumption loans. Non-housing retail loans now constitute 58.4% of household debt, with delinquencies rising and fintechs holding 56.8% of small-ticket personal loans. The RBI has flagged these risks for close monitoring.

Parliamentary Panel Report: Health Spend at 1.4% vs 2.5% GDP Target; Article 21 Right to Health

The Standing Committee's 176th report has yet again flagged India's stagnant public health spend—1.4% of GDP against the 2.5% target in the National Health Policy, 2017. Its proposed hospital-vs-hotel benchmarking overlooks the constitutional right to health under Article 21. With private equity flowing into healthcare and the Supreme Court examining regulation under the Clinical Establishments Act, this is an important multi-dimensional issue for aspirants.

VB-G RAM G Reports 49.94% YoY Decline in Rural Employment Generation in July 2026

The government replaced the two-decade-old MGNREGS with the new VB-G RAM G scheme from July 1, 2026. First-month data shows a sharp 49.94% year-on-year drop in person-days (7.67 crore) and a 51.45% fall in households availing work (68.94 lakh). This decline, the lowest in five years, raises concerns about rural demand and the fallback for agricultural labourers during an erratic monsoon.

Govt Cuts BCD on Crude Edible Oils (Palm, Soy) to Curb Inflation Ahead of Festivals

The Union Government has reduced Basic Customs Duty (BCD) on major crude edible oils (including palm oil) to moderate prices during the festive season. This move, announced on Sept 24, 2026, aims to counter rising international edible oil prices and domestic inflationary pressures, but has sparked protests from edible oilseed farmers who see it as a threat to their livelihoods.

MCA Data Reveals Only 9 Women CEOs, 25 MDs in India's Top 500 Listed Companies

Ministry of Corporate Affairs data tabled in Lok Sabha reveals severe underrepresentation of women in top corporate leadership: only 9 CEOs and 25 MDs among India's 500 largest listed companies. This directly impacts the UPSC/state PSC themes of women empowerment, corporate governance, and the effectiveness of legal mandates under the Companies Act, 2013.

16th FC Report: UCT Schemes Exceed 50% of Education Budget in 3 States, Fiscal Space Shrinks

The 16th Finance Commission and Economic Survey have raised concerns over the rising fiscal burden of Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT) schemes for women. In states like Jharkhand, UCT spending exceeds 10% of total state expenditure and over 50% of education spending, threatening other public services. With 44% of state expenditure locked in interest, pensions, and salaries, fiscal space is shrinking.

VB-G RAM G Scheme: Karnataka Person-Days Fall 70% in July, 805 GPs with Nil Expenditure

The new VB-G RAM G scheme, which replaced MGNREGA from July 1, 2026, has seen a drastic drop in employment generation in Karnataka - only 17.98 lakh person-days in July 2026 vs 61.48 lakh in July 2025 under MGNREGA. Implementation delays, lack of clarity, and procedural hurdles are blamed. This is critical for understanding rural employment policy shifts.