SNIPPETS 08 APRIL 2026

Credit Default Swaps: It is a financial derivative instrument that allows an investor to swap or offset their credit risk with that of another investor+ It works like an insurance on bonds, where the buyer pays regular premiums and the seller pays if a default or restructuring occurs+ Used for hedging, speculation, and arbitrage, credit risk management+ Counterparty risk, complexity

Tar-balls Management Rules, 2026: The Centre notified the draft Tar-balls Management Rules, 2026, to combat marine pollution caused by toxic oil leak residue+ Covers Lifecycle: generation, collection, storage, transport, treatment and disposal+ ‘Polluter pays’ principle: Fixes responsibility on oil operators, environmental compensation provision+ States Stakeholder Responsibilities: E.g. CPCB, Coast Guard etc+ Mandates monitoring, reporting and declaration of ‘State disaster’ for severe cases.

ASISSE: First annual survey covering incorporated service enterprises across all States/UTs (FY 2024-25 reference)+ Coverage: Incorporated service sector enterprises registered under the Companies Act, 1956, or Companies Act, 2013, or Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008+ Covers sectors like trade, transport, IT, health, education, hospitality+ Aim: To build a reliable database for policymaking and economic analysis+ Uses Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) database; ~1.21 lakh enterprises surveyed.