CBS LINE

  CBS LINE Volume 3(11) Innovation and Creative Destruction: Nobel Laureates Illuminate Paths to Sustained Economic Growth This year, the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences was conferred upon three extraordinary individuals – Joel Mokyr, Philippe Aghion, and Peter Howitt – for their seminal research linking innovation, disruption, and enduring prosperity. Their reflections demonstrate that improvement is far from a simple line but a quest enriched with creative concepts and the courage to initiate change. Joel Mokyr’s work illustrates that the real engine of economic growth is not simply innovation, but a society’s receptiveness to novel paradigms of thought. Prior to the Industrial Revolution, the majority of innovations remained dormant, unused by the masses, due to the cultural and institutional environment being unproductive. It was only when individuals began to nurture knowledge and encourage practical experimentation that innovations could thrive and transform lives. Meanwhile...

CBS LINE Volume 3(11) From farm gate to global plate: analyzing the potential for a sustainable fruit-based value chain in Kerala The agricultural sector in Kerala is undergoing a major shift, marked by the rapid growth in exotic fruit cultivation, which is steadily replacing traditional crops like rubber for many farmers. Crops like Rambutan and are thriving due to the state's favourable agro-climatic conditions and the promise of higher income compared to existing crops. Rambutan, the most cultivated exotic fruit, alongside Mangosteen and others, is seen as highly profitable, with Rambutan fetching retail prices of Rs 200–300 per kg. This profitability is fueling a significant expansion in the cultivated area and to more farmers and geographic regions, a trend that is strongly supported by the optimistic attitude of both farmers and nursery owners. The high-value nature of these crops is driving discussions for their inclusion in the plantation sector through an amendment to th...

CBS LINE Volume 3(11) CBSLine Quiz Current Affairs Challenge 📚 5 Questions ⚡ Instant Results 🎯 Accuracy Based 🏆 Scoreboard Start Quiz No Limit Back Next Finish 🏆 Quiz Result Play Again Home Merin Thomas , Msc in Econometrics and Financial Technology

CBS LINE Volume 3(11) A New Labour Corridor: Opportunity or Risk for India? Russia’s plan to bring in over 70,000 Indian workers by 2025 marks a significant shift in global labour mobility patterns. On the surface, it looks like a bilateral political gesture, but economically, it reflects deeper structural forces shaping the international labour market. Russia is confronting a structural workforce collapse: declining birth rates, shrinking migration from Central Asia, and labour diversion toward the Ukraine conflict. This has created a labour deficit severe enough to threaten industrial output, forcing Russia to tap new labour-surplus economies like India. From an international economics standpoint, this is a classic case of factor reallocation, where labour moves internationally to equilibrate shortages where Russia is   labour-scarce and capital-abundant, while India remains labour-abundant. Moving workers from a surplus region to a shortage region increases overall efficie...

CBS LINE Volume 3(11) Mastering Excel hacks means mastering your workflow — small skills that create big efficiency! Merin George MSc in Econometrics and Financial Technology

CBS LINE Volume 3(11) The Income Cycle: Sharing a Little, Gaining a Lot Income in any community moves like a steady stream, supporting households, driving businesses, and enabling everyday life. From this flow, a small and transparent portion is contributed back as direct tax — a share taken directly from earnings. While it may appear as a reduction in personal income, it is actually part of a larger cycle that strengthens the very system we all depend on. What is collected does not disappear; it returns in another form, emerging as public infrastructure, healthcare,education, transport networks, digital services and other essential functions that keep a society running smoothly.  This contribution is not a loss but a transformation, where individual income becomes collective support. The cycle is simple: income flows, a portion is shared, and it returns as improvements that benefit everyone. It is this continuous exchange that keeps communities strong, ensures progress and allows ...

CBS LINE Volume 3(11) India’s net direct tax collection up 7% in FY26 so far to Rs 12.92 lakh crore India has recorded a notable rise in its direct tax collections for the current financial year. According to the latest data, the government has collected ₹ 12.92 lakh crore in net direct taxes during the April to November period, reflecting a 7% increase compared to the same duration last year. Direct taxes mainly include Income Tax paid by individuals and Corporate Tax paid by companies. This growth suggests that businesses are earning profits and individuals are reporting more taxable income. Another factor influencing this rise is that refunds issued to taxpayers have been lower this time, which increases the net tax amount retained by the government. Direct taxes are an important source of revenue for the government. When these collections increase, the government gains more financial flexibility to spend on public services, infrastructure, welfare schemes, and developmen...

  CBS LINE Volume 3(11) The Unseen Tollbooths of the Sky: Inside India’s Airport Operator Industry Warren Buffett famously said that in an inflationary world, the best business is a toll bridge : - a one-time, capital-intensive asset that earns more as time passes. By that definition, India’s airport operators may be the closest thing to modern toll bridges we have. They sit atop essential infrastructure, face almost no competition within their catchment areas, and control a captive audience that grows every year. But what makes their business model so compelling is the quiet sophistication behind their three revenue engines. The first is aeronautical revenue , the regulated stream generated from airlines and passengers for services such as landing fees, parking, and usage charges. This offers stability but limited upside, as regulators cap returns. The second, and far more exciting, is non-aeronautical revenue , the unregulated zone where airports resemble thriving malls mor...

  CBS LINE Volume 3(11) The Silent Struggle of BLOs: Challenges Faced by Grassroots Election Workers in Kerala In the world’s largest democracy, the credibility of elections depends not only on technology and administration but also on the countless individuals working at the grassroots. Among them, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) are the most critical link between the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the voters. Yet, their pain and hard work often go unnoticed. Instead of appreciation, they face harsh words and disrespect. This is the harsh reality that BLOs in Kerala are currently facing. They are treated like ants—not only by the public but also sometimes by higher officials. Recently, a BLO from Kannur, Aneesh George, tragically took his own life, reportedly due to overwhelming pressure. The situation BLOs face is far worse than what many realize. The core of the problem lies in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, a rigorous exercise aimed at updati...

CBS LINE Volume 3(11) A Cross-Border Shift: How DBS and Ant International are quietly rewriting the future of Payments Earlier this month, DBS Bank and Ant International announced a partnership that, while easy to overlook amidst constant fintech headlines, could quietly change how people across Asia move money. Cross-border payments are often messy due to slow transfers, surprise fees, and platforms that don’t talk to each other. This collaboration aims to smooth out many of those long-standing problems. One of the most noticeable outcomes for everyday users is the integration of DBS PayLah! with Alipay+, Ant International’s global digital payments network. With this change, DBS customers will soon be able to make QR-code payments at more than 150 million merchants in over 100 countries. For travellers, international students, and anyone who shops across borders, this brings consistency and comfort. Instead of juggling unfamiliar payment apps or worrying about exchange rates, users ...