Southwest Monsoon 2025: Rainfall Likely to be Above Normal

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the 2025 southwest monsoon season (June–September) is expected to record above-normal rainfall, likely to be 105% of the Long Period Average (LPA), with a margin of ±5%.

Understanding Long Period Average (LPA) of Rainfall

1. LPA refers to the average rainfall received over a specific region during a defined period, usually calculated over a 30-year time frame.
2. It is a standard climatological benchmark used by IMD to assess whether rainfall in a particular season is deficient, normal, or excess.
3. The current LPA for the southwest monsoon season over India as a whole is based on the 30-year period from 1971 to 2020.
4. This LPA value is 87 cm, representing the mean seasonal rainfall across the country during this reference period.
5. Forecasts issued by IMD are generally expressed as a percentage of this LPA, making it a critical reference point in monsoon prediction.

Why LPA Matters?

1. It helps in quantitatively categorizing rainfall patterns such as below normal, normal, or above normal.
2. It serves as the foundation for agricultural planning, water resource management, and disaster preparedness.
3. Accurate LPA-based predictions assist in mitigating monsoon-related risks like floods, droughts, and crop failures.

BSE Celebrates 150 Years in 2025

1. The year 2025 marks the 150th anniversary of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).
2. It was originally established in 1875 as 'The Native Share & Stock Brokers' Association' in Mumbai.
3. BSE holds the distinction of being Asia’s first stock exchange and among the oldest globally.

Key Milestones and Achievements

1. In 2017, BSE created history by becoming the first stock exchange in India to be publicly listed.
2. It is recognized as the world’s fastest stock exchange, with a median trade speed of 6 microseconds.

Core Functions of BSE

1. BSE offers a transparent and efficient platform for trading in multiple financial instruments.
2. These include equities, derivatives, currencies, debt securities, and mutual funds.
3. It plays a pivotal role in capital formation and supports the growth of Indian financial markets.

Regulatory Oversight

1. The functioning of BSE is regulated by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
2. SEBI is a statutory regulatory body, established under the SEBI Act, 1992, to protect investor interests and maintain market integrity.