15-16 February Current Affairs

Statistics, Data Governance & Economic Monitoring

NSSTA – 18th Foundation Day

National Statistical Systems Training Academy (MoSPI) celebrated its foundation day.

Core Role:

• Capacity building in official statistics

• Training for data collection & survey methodologies

Exam Relevance:

• Statistical governance infrastructure

• Importance of human capital in data systems

Trade Watch Quarterly – NITI Aayog

6th edition released for Q2 FY26 (Jul–Sep 2025) .

Significance:

• Monitors export-import dynamics

• Sectoral trade competitiveness

Exam Focus:

• Trade diagnostics tools

• Policy-oriented economic surveillance

New CPI Series (Base Year: 2024 = 100)

MoSPI released first retail inflation data under updated CPI.

Why Important?

• Reflects changing consumption patterns

• Improves inflation measurement accuracy

Exam Angle:

• Base year revision logic

• Inflation indices methodology

Digital Payments Growth – RBI

RBI reported continued expansion in digital transactions.

Implication:

• Strengthening cashless economy

• Improved financial deepening

Exam Relevance:

• Digital financial ecosystem

• Payment system evolution

?? State Economy & Fiscal Developments

UP Economic Survey 2025–26

First-ever Economic Survey presented.

Strategic Objective:

• Data-driven governance

• Vision: $1 Trillion Economy

Exam Linkage:

• State-level macroeconomic planning