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The document outlines various initiatives and schemes in India, including a structured Category-II AIF registered with SEBI aimed at supporting MSMEs and the SPICED Scheme to boost spice exports. It also discusses the revised guidelines for Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) and highlights India's potential to become the largest potato producer by 2050. Key focus areas include enhancing access to funding, improving export quality, and promoting agricultural productivity.

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5 views1 page

l3

The document outlines various initiatives and schemes in India, including a structured Category-II AIF registered with SEBI aimed at supporting MSMEs and the SPICED Scheme to boost spice exports. It also discusses the revised guidelines for Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) and highlights India's potential to become the largest potato producer by 2050. Key focus areas include enhancing access to funding, improving export quality, and promoting agricultural productivity.

Uploaded by

savita137sharna
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Atomic Notes By Civilsdaily IAS- MAY 2025 Pg.

• S tructured as a Category-II AIF registered with SEBI, it operates via a Moth-


er Fund (NSIC Venture Capital Fund Ltd) and 60 Daughter Funds.
• T he fund is part of the ₹20 lakh crore Atmanirbhar Bharat package, roughly 10% of India’s GDP.
• Provides equity/quasi-equity capital to reduce MSME debt dependence and boost long-term resilience.
• Focus sectors: manufacturing, services, R&D, innovation, and export-oriented enterprises.
• It helps address India’s estimated ₹30 lakh crore MSME credit gap by complementing credit guarantee schemes.
• Eligibility revised to include firms with up to ₹500 crore turnover, widening access to SRI Fund support.
Make in India: Challenges & Prospects

8. SPICED Scheme:
• S
 pices Board of India will disburse ₹130 crore to 45,000 beneficiaries in 2025–26 under SPICED Scheme.
• Spices Board of India was formed on 26 Feb 1987 by merging the Cardamom Board
and Spices Export Promotion Council under the Spices Board Act, 1986.
• The Board functions under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, is headquartered in Ko-
chi, and acts as a bridge between Indian exporters and global buyers.
• SPICED Scheme (2021–2026) has a total outlay of ₹422.30 crore, aligned with the 15th Fi-
nance Commission, aiming to boost exports and improve quality.
• Focus areas: Mission Value Addition, Clean and Safe Spices, GI promo-
tion, Spice Incubation Centres, and post-harvest enhancement.
• Special support for FPOs, SHGs, SC/ST groups, SMEs, and North-East ex-
porters; all activities are geo-tagged for transparency.
• India cultivates 75 of 109 ISO-listed spices and is a global leader in production and export of spices.
• Key spices: Chili, cumin, turmeric, ginger, and coriander form 76% of total production; chili alone earns $1.1 billion yearly.
• In 2023–24, India exported $4.25 billion worth of spices to 159 countries, with ma-
jor markets including China, USA, UAE, Bangladesh, and Thailand.
Trade Sector Updates – Falling Exports, TIES, MEIS, Foreign Trade Policy, etc.

9. Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs):


• R BI has released revised draft guidelines for Regulated Entities (REs) investing in Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs).
• AIFs are privately pooled investment vehicles that target alternative asset classes like ven-
ture capital, private equity, hedge funds, real estate, and commodities.
• G overned by SEBI (AIF) Regulations, 2012, AIFs can be structured as trusts, com-
panies, LLPs, or other legally allowed entities.
• M eant for High Net-Worth Individuals (HNIs) and institutional investors, not for re-
tail investors; NRIs and foreign nationals can also invest.
• M inimum investment is ₹1 crore (as of SEBI May 2024); for AIF employees/direc-
tors it’s ₹25 lakh; minimum corpus: ₹20 crore (₹10 crore for Angel Funds).
• C ategory I AIFs invest in early-stage startups, infrastructure, or social ventures (e.g., venture capital).
• C ategory II AIFs target mid/late-stage unlisted firms—typically private equity or pre-IPO investments.
• C ategory III AIFs invest in listed securities using long-only, short-sell-
ing, or mixed strategies, with greater return potential but higher risk.
• R BI’s revised guidelines aim to prevent misuse of funds by REs, promote transparen-
cy, and harmonize AIF regulations with SEBI’s investor protection framework.
Capital Markets: Challenges and Developments

10. Potato Cultivation in India:


• I ndia is projected to surpass China as the world’s largest potato produc-
er by 2050, per the International Potato Center (CIP), Peru.
• P otato (Solanum tuberosum) is India’s 4th most important food crop after rice,
wheat, and maize, introduced by Portuguese traders in the 17th century.
• G rown in 23 states, with 85% production from Indo-Gangetic plains; top produc-
ers: Uttar Pradesh (30%), West Bengal (23.5%), and Bihar (17%).
• I t is a cool-season crop: ideal growth temp 24°C, tuber formation at 20°C;
thrives in moisture-retentive, fertile, well-drained soils.
• P lanting seasons vary: Spring/Summer in hills (HP, Uttarakhand); main Octo-
ber crop in north plains; kharif & rabi in MP, Maharashtra, Karnataka.
• P opular varieties: Kufri Jyoti, Kufri Bahar, Kufri Pukhraj, Kufri Chandra-
mukhi; disease-free, sprouted seeds (30–50g) are essential.
• H arvested in 90–120 days; requires balanced NPK fertilization and benefits from drip irrigation.

Civilsdaily IAS, 1 LGF, Apsara Arcade, Pusa Road, Rajinder Nagar, New Delhi - 110060 (INDIA)
Tel: +91 73033 16700 Mail: [email protected]

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