Important Facts For Prelims
Important Facts For Prelims (25th March 2019)
- 25 Mar 2019
- 3 min read
Gilt Funds
- Gilt funds are a type of investment fund that invests in gilt securities (fixed-interest generating securities of the central and state governments).
- Gilts originated in Britain where gilt funds are primarily utilized. However, some Commonwealth nations, such as South Africa and India also use this term.
- When the Government of India requires funds (or loans), it approaches the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
- So, the RBI lends money to the government after taking it from other entities like insurance companies and banks.
- In return for the loan, the RBI issues government securities having a specific tenure, which the fund manager of gilt fund subscribers. Upon maturity, this gilt fund returns the government securities and receives money in return.
- Since these are issued by the Governments, they are high-grade securities (government rarely fails financially and there is no risk for losing money), consequently carrying low yields. Because of higher credit ratings (AA), these offer a very low rate, say 4%.
- Similarly, well-known companies with high credit ratings (AA) also issue bonds but pay low rates.
- However, these not completely risk-free and are vulnerable to change in interest rates.
- In fact, for long-term investing, they are the riskiest of all other debt funds available in the market due to their sensitivity to change in interest rates.
Virtual SIM Card
- Investigating agencies have found that virtual SIM cards (Subscriber Identification Module Cards) were used by the Jaish-e-Muhammad’s terrorists for communications during the Pulwama attack.
What is a Virtual SIM?
- In this technology, the computer generates a telephone number and the user downloads an application of the service provider on their smartphone.
- It is a cloud-based number that can be used from any device via an app.
- All voice calls and SMS text messages directed from/to this virtual phone number are transferred to the Virtual SIM service provider’s network over available data/Wi-Fi connection.
