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SPARDHA 3.0

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   CBS LINE Volume 4(10) Beyond the Classroom, Beyond Boundaries: SPARDHA 3.0 Makes Its Mark! Six events, 100+ participants, one united student community—and a celebration of what collective effort can achieve. On September 29 and 30, 2026, the Centre for Budget Studies (CBS), Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), became a meeting ground for ideas, ambition and spirited competition as it hosted SPARDHA 3.0, its national-level intercollegiate fest. Welcoming more than 100 participants from educational institutions across India, the third edition brought together students for two days of intellectual challenges, strategic thinking, creativity and collaboration. For a young academic centre with a student community of approximately 100, hosting a fest that drew more than 100 participants from outside its own community was a significant milestone. Beyond the competitions and celebrations, SPARDHA 3.0 reflected the ambition of a growing academic community and th...

EVENTS

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CBS ThinkX Series; Economics through Models and Methods October 2026 The Centre for Budget Studies, CUSAT, had the pleasure of hosting an insightful session under the CBS ThinkX Series on “Economics through Models and Methods” on 29 October 2026. We were delighted to welcome Dr. Hari Kurup K K, Advisor, 7th State Finance Commission, Government of Kerala, who shared valuable insights into the role of economic models and methods in understanding complex economic issues and informing public policy. The session offered students an opportunity to explore the practical applications of economic theories and analytical methods, bridging the gap between academic concepts and real-world economic decision-making. CBS Career Talk: Exploring Career Opportunities in Securities Markets October 2026 The Centre for Budget Studies, CUSAT and Cochin University of Science and Technology had the pleasure of host...

THE EDUCATORS' PEN

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   CBS LINE Volume 4(10) The Rise of Narcissistic Traits in Modern Society Ms Diya Dileep Assistant Professor Kristu Jyoti College of Management and Technology (Autonomous), Changanassery Introduction We live in a world where the self has become more visible than ever before. Every day, people share photographs, achievements, opinions, experiences, relationships and even small moments of their lives with audiences that may extend far beyond their immediate social circles. Social media has made self-expression a continuous part of everyday life. We not only present ourselves to others, but also constantly observe, compare and evaluate ourselves. Narcissism, however, is not something new. The desire to be recognised, admired and valued has existed throughout human history. What has changed is the environment in which these desires are expressed. Social media, celebrity culture, consumerism, competition and the growing importance of personal branding have created a socie...

SCHOLARS' CORNER

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   CBS LINE Volume 4(10) Sharing the Pie: Who Gets What in India's Fiscal Federalism?    Jisha Judson PhD Scholar  Centre for Budget Studies , CUSAT "States seek a greater share of central taxes." "States demand more funds from the Centre." "Cesses and surcharges become a point of contention." These are the kinds of headlines we often come across, especially around the Union Budget, state budgets and the Finance Commission. We see states asking for a greater share of tax revenues, more transfers from the Centre, or greater freedom over how they use the money they receive. But what do all these headlines actually mean? Why do states need money from the Centre in the first place? Why doesn't every state get the same amount? Who decides how much each state gets? And why do terms like tax devolution, cesses, surcharges, grants and the Finance Commission keep coming up in these discussions?  These questions become particularly interesting in a diverse ...

STUDENTS' CORNER

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   CBS LINE Volume 4(10) The Hidden Price of Waiting: When Time Becomes an Economic Burden Fathima Nourin P Centre for Budget Studies , CUSAT Time influences every aspect of our daily existence, yet its true monetary value is frequently overlooked. Waiting in a long line for public transport, sitting in a doctor's clinic, or awaiting official document approval may seem cost-free since no physical money leaves your pocket. However, those lost hours represent valuable time that could have been dedicated to working, studying, or earning income. Economists identify this trade -off as "opportunity cost"—the value of the next best alternative given up. Even without upfront expenses, unmanaged waiting period carries a significant economic toll. The impact of waiting is far from uniform across society. High-income individuals frequently bypass delays by utilizing private transportation or premium fast-track services. In contrast, lower-income communities depend heavily on crowd...

DECODE THE MONTH

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   CBS LINE Volume 4(10) 🏛️ ECONOMIC POLICY 🏦 RBI cuts rates by 25 bps – the MPC reduced the repo rate to 5.00% while maintaining a neutral stance, balancing easing inflation against the need to support growth. 💧 Liquidity management shifts gears – after months of absorbing excess cash, the RBI injected liquidity via variable-rate repo (VRR) auctions as festival-driven cash demand tightened the money market. 💰 Fiscal glide path intact – the government reaffirmed its commitment to fiscal consolidation, targeting a lower deficit despite higher subsidy outlays due to elevated oil prices. 👉 Do this: If you have floating-rate loans, check if your bank has passed on the recent rate cuts; don't assume automatic transmission. 💳 FINTECH AND BANKING 💧 Liquidity flips to deficit – the banking system's surplus has largely evaporated due to strong credit growth and festive cash withdrawals, pushing the RBI to conduct liquidity injections. 🏦 Deposit...

QUIZ CORNER

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   CBS LINE Volume 4(10) Economy & World Affairs Quiz News of 1–27 October 2026 | 20 Questions Register & Start Quiz Previous Next Submit Quiz Quiz Completed! Prepared by Manjima E R Thank you for participating.

UPCOMING EXAMS

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   CBS LINE Volume 4(10) 🗓️ Comprehensive List of All Major Exams & Key Dates November 1 – November 30, 2026 | Management, Civil Services, SSC, Railways, Banking, Medical & Law Coverage: India   |   Month: November 2026 Important: This schedule is formatted from the exam information supplied. Please confirm dates, stages and application deadlines through the relevant official notification before making plans. Some dates and remarks in the supplied text were not clearly aligned with individual exam names, so those entries should be checked carefully. 1. Management & Entrance Examinations Exam Name Conducting Authority Date(s) Remarks / Stage CAT 2026 (Common Admission Test) IIMs November 29, 2026 National MBA entrance (3 slots) SAT India (November Session) College Board November 7, 2026 Standardized test for UG admissions 2. Civil Services & State Public Commissions Exam Name Conducting Authority Date(s) Remarks / Stage UPSC Indian Forest Service (...