International Development Association
Full Form of IDA
What is IDA?
The International Development Association (IDA) is a specialized agency within the World Bank Group that provides concessional loans and grants to the world’s poorest countries. Established in 1960, its mission is to reduce poverty by funding projects in areas such as infrastructure, education, healthcare, and agriculture. For India, IDA has been a crucial source of development finance, supporting large-scale initiatives like rural road construction, school education programs, and disease control campaigns. India was one of the largest recipients of IDA credits for decades, but with its rising per capita income, the country transitioned to borrowing primarily from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and has not accessed new IDA funds since 2014. The term 'IDA' is commonly used in economics, development studies, and by Indian policymakers when discussing soft loans. In competitive exams like UPSC, RBI, and banking, IDA is a recurring topic under international financial institutions. Understanding its role helps students grasp how global aid flows and India's graduation from concessional lending reflect its economic progress.
IDA का फुल फॉर्म
अंतर्राष्ट्रीय विकास संघ
Example
The World Bank announced new IDA credits for improving rural water supply in several Indian states before India's graduation from the concessional lending program.