A Brief on India

Dear Readers, The upcoming important exams are NABARD Grade-A and Grade-B, in which there is a section of Economic and Social Issues. So, for the same, it becomes really important to have an in-depth knowledge of the various important topics given in the syllabus. To help you with this our experts today are providing you with all the necessary information related to the mentioned field which will help you to fetch some good marks. 

The topics we are covering in this post are Chapter - A Brief on India. These notes would be very useful, so we request you to read it before you appear for the exam. 

A Brief on India

Introduction- 

India, a South Asian nation, is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country with over 1.33 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world. India boasts of an immensely rich cultural heritage including numerous languages, traditions, and people. The country holds its uniqueness in its diversity and hence has adapted itself to international changes with poise and comfort. While the economy has welcomed international companies to invest in it with open arms since liberalization in the 1990s, Indians have been prudent and pro-active in adopting global approach and skills. Indian villagers proudly take up farming, advanced agriculture, and unique handicrafts as their profession on one hand while modern industries and professional services sectors are coming up in a big way on the other.

Thus, the country is attracting many global majors for strategic investments owing to the presence of vast range of industries, investment avenues, and a supportive government. Huge population, mostly comprising the youth, is a strong driver for demand and an ample source of manpower.

Location: India lies to the north of the equator in Southern Asia

Neighbouring Countries: Pakistan and Afghanistan share political borders with India on the West while Bangladesh and Myanmar stand adjacent on the Eastern borders. The northern boundary comprises the Sinkiang province of China, Tibet, Nepal, and Bhutan. Sri Lanka is another neighbouring country which is separated by a narrow channel of sea formed by the Palk Strait and the Gulf of Mannar.

Capital: New Delhi

Coastline: 7,517 km, including the mainland, the coastlines of Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal and Lakshadweep Islands in the Arabian Sea.

Climate: Southern India majorly enjoys tropical climate but northern India experiences temperatures from sub-zero degrees to 50 degrees Celsius. Winters embrace northern India during December to February while springs blossom in March and April. Monsoons arrive in June and stay till September, followed by autumn in October and November.

Area: India measures 3,214 km from north to south and 2,933 km from east to west with a total area of 3,287,263 sq km.

Natural Resources: Coal (fourth-largest reserves in the world), iron ore, manganese, mica, bauxite, rare earth elements, titanium ore, chromite, natural gas, diamonds, petroleum, limestone, arable land.

Land: 2,973,190 sq km

Water: 314,070 sq km

Political Profile- 

Political System and Government: The world's largest democracy implemented its Constitution in 1950 that provided for a parliamentary system of Government with a bicameral parliament and three independent branches: the executive, the legislature and the judiciary. The country has a federal structure with elected governments in States.

• Administrative Divisions: 29 States and 7 Union Territories
• Constitution: The Constitution of India came into force on 26th January 1950
• Executive Branch: The President of India is the Head of State, while the Prime Minister is the Head of the government and runs the office with the support of the Council of Ministers who forms the  Cabinet.
• Legislative Branch: The Federal Legislature comprises of the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and the Rajya Sabha (Council of States) forming both the Houses of the Parliament.
• Judicial Branch: The Supreme Court of India is the apex body of the Indian legal system, followed by other High Courts and subordinate Courts.
• Chief of State: President, Mr. Ram Nath Kovind (since 25th  July 2017)
• Head of Government: Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi (since 26th May 2014)

Demographic profile- 

• Population: 1,326,801,000
• Population Growth Rate: 1.2 percent (2015)
• Religions: Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism
• Languages: Hindi, English and at least 16 other official languages
• Literacy: Total population: 74.04 per cent (provisional data-2011 census)
• Male: 82.14 percent
• Female: 65.46 percent
• Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
• Life expectancy: 66.9 years (men), 69.9 years (women) (2015 – WHO 2016 Report)

Economic Profile

Indian Economy- 

• India’s GDP is estimated to have increased by 7.2 percent in 2017-18 and 7 percent in 2018-19. Gross Value Added (GVA) Composition by Sector (2017-18 2nd Advance Estimate)
• Services: 53.9 percent
• Industry: 29.1 percent
• Agriculture: 17.1 percent
• Forex Reserves: US$ 405.64 billion in the week up to March 15, 2019.
• Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF) at current prices: Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF) at current prices is estimated to be Rs 40.61 trillion (US$ 587.09 billion) between Apr-Dec 2019.
• Value of Exports: India's exports stood at US$ 483.92 billion in 2018-19 (up to February 2019.
• Export Partners: US, Germany, UAE, China, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, and the European Union. India is also tapping newer markets in Africa and Latin America.
• Currency (code): Indian rupee (INR)
• Exchange Rates: Indian rupees per US dollar - 1 USD = 69.1713 INR (March 29, 2019)
• Fiscal Year: 01st April to 31st March

Cumulative FDI Equity Inflows: US$ 409.15 billion (April 2000 to December 2018) 

Share of Top Investing Countries FDI Equity Inflows: Mauritius (32 per cent), Singapore (19 per cent), Japan (7 per cent), UK (6 per cent), Netherlands (6 per cent), USA (6 per cent), Germany (3 per cent), Cyprus (2 per cent), France (2 per cent), UAE (1 per cent)

Major Sectors Attracting Highest FDI Equity Inflows: Services Sector (17 per cent), Computer Software and Hardware (9 per cent), Telecommunications (8 per cent), Construction Development (6 per cent), Trading (5 per cent), Automobiles (5 per cent), Drugs and Pharmaceuticals (4 per cent), Chemicals (4 per cent), Construction Activities (4 per cent), Power (3 per cent)

Transportation in India

• Airports: Airports Authority of India (AAI) manages 129 airports in the country, which includes 23 international airports and 20 civil enclaves at defence airfields.
• International Airports: Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bengaluru, Chennai, Goa, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi, Thiruvananthapuram, Port Blair, Srinagar, Jaipur, Nagpur, Calicut.
• Railways: The Indian Railways network is spread over 108,706 km, with 12,617 passenger and 7,421 freight trains each day from 7,172 stations plying 23 million travellers and 3 million tonnes (MT) of freight daily.
• Roadways: India’s road network of 4.87 million km is the second largest in the world. With the number of vehicles growing at an average annual pace of 10.16 percent, Indian roads carry about 65 percent of freight and 85 percent of passenger traffic.
• Waterways: 14,500 km
• Major Ports of Entry: Chennai, Ennore, Haldia, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), Kolkata, Deen Dayal, Kochi, Mormugao, Mumbai, New Mangalore, Paradip, Tuticorin, and Vishakhapatnam.