Category: Economy

The Union Cabinet has approved an equity support of ₹5,000 crore for the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) to strengthen its capital base and support expanding credit to the MSME sector. Mode of Capital Infusion The equity capital of ₹5,000 crore will be infused into SIDBI by the Department of Financial Services (DFS) in three tranches. The move is aimed at reinforcing SIDBI’s balance sheet amid expected growth Read More …

The Union Minister of Power inaugurated the Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Regulatory Affairs in the Power Sector at IIT Delhi, marking a significant milestone in strengthening India’s power sector governance. Collaborative InitiativeThe Centre has been jointly established by IIT Delhi, the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) and the Grid Controller of India Ltd. (Grid India). The collaboration brings together academic expertise, regulatory oversight, and system operation experience. Responding to Read More …

In a major development for India’s energy sector, **power distribution utilities (DISCOMs and power departments) collectively posted a positive Profit After Tax (PAT) of ₹2,701 crore for the financial year 2024-25, marking a significant turnaround after years of losses. According to an official press release from the Ministry of Power, these utilities had recorded cumulative losses in previous years — ₹25,553 crore in FY 2023-24 and ₹67,962 crore in FY Read More …

Tunnels have transitioned from niche engineering feats to a central pillar of India’s infrastructure strategy across highways, railways and urban transport. Strategic Shift in Infrastructure PlanningProjects such as the Atal Tunnel under the Pir Panjal range demonstrated India’s ability to construct complex, high-altitude tunnels capable of year-round operation. By bypassing the Rohtang Pass, the tunnel sharply reduced distance and travel time, ensured uninterrupted access to Lahaul–Spiti, and strengthened defence logistics. Read More …

The European Union (EU) and the South American trade bloc Mercosur formally signed a free trade agreement on 17 January 2026 in Asunción, Paraguay, concluding more than 25 years of negotiations and creating one of the world’s largest free trade zones. Agreement Aims and Market SizeThe pact is designed to lower tariffs and boost trade between the EU and Mercosur, covering a market of over 700 million people and a Read More …

India has launched its first open-sea marine fish farming project in the Andaman Sea, marking a major step in the country’s Blue Economy initiatives. Launch and InaugurationThe pilot project was inaugurated by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Earth Sciences, Dr Jitendra Singh, at North Bay near Sri Vijaya Puram during a field visit to open waters. Significance of the ProjectThe Minister described the initiative as a milestone in Read More …

Phytoplasma-induced root wilt disease has devastated large tracts of traditional coconut-growing regions in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala, posing a serious threat to coconut farmers and production in peninsular India. About Root Wilt DiseaseRoot wilt disease is a debilitating but non-fatal disease of coconut palms. It was first identified over 150 years ago in Erattupetta, Kerala. Despite more than a century of sustained research, a definitive cure remains elusive. Causal Read More …

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued a revised Reserve Bank-Integrated Ombudsman Scheme (RB-IOS) 2026, marking a significant step toward streamlining the grievance redressal framework for financial consumers. Officially announced on January 16, 2026, the updated scheme is set to come into effect from July 1, 2026. The revamped mechanism is designed to provide a more efficient, cost-effective, and non-adversarial platform for customers to resolve disputes with Regulated Entities Read More …

National Startup Day, observed on 16 January 2026, marks a landmark decade of the Startup India Initiative, a flagship programme that has transformed India’s entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem. Anchored by Startup India, the movement has emerged as a key driver of economic transformation, innovation, and inclusive development. About the Startup India Initiative Startup India has become the cornerstone of India’s startup ecosystem, providing policy support, funding access, and an enabling Read More …

The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) has marked seven years of the Womaniya initiative, its flagship programme aimed at enhancing the participation of women-led Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) in public procurement. The commemorative event was held at the Jeevan Bharti Building, New Delhi. About the Womaniya Initiative Womaniya was conceived to address long-standing challenges such as limited market access, intermediaries, and high entry barriers faced by women entrepreneurs. Key Achievements (as Read More …

The Department of Financial Services (DFS) under the Ministry of Finance has launched Paripoorna Mediclaim Ayush Bima, an optional health insurance scheme exclusively for Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) beneficiaries. The scheme aims to enhance healthcare access by offering cashless treatment facilities, coverage for modern medical treatments, and access to a wide network of empanelled hospitals across India. Key features of Paripoorna Mediclaim Ayush Bima include:

NITI Aayog on 14 January 2026 released the Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2024, a comprehensive assessment of export readiness across India’s States and Union Territories (UTs). The Index evaluates how effectively subnational regions are positioned to contribute to India’s expanding global trade footprint. Top Performers Large States Small States, North Eastern States and UTs About the Export Preparedness Index The Index is aligned with: Objectives of EPI Framework and Methodology Read More …

Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCL) and the exploration arm of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (BPCL) have discovered oil resources at Abu Dhabi’s Onshore Block 1 through their joint venture Urja Bharat Pte Limited (UBPL). About the Joint Venture Agreement with ADNOC In 2019, the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) entered into an agreement with UBPL to: First Oil Discovery The joint venture achieved its first oil discovery in early Read More …

The World Economic Forum (WEF) has released its Global Risks Report 2026, based on the Global Risks Perception Survey involving responses from over 1,300 global leaders and risk experts. The report highlights a clear shift towards an “age of competition”, marked by rising geopolitical, economic and societal tensions. Overall Global Outlook Both the short-term and long-term outlooks of global leaders and experts point to “turbulent” to “stormy” times ahead. Top Read More …