Government policies
PM Modi calls on the world to invest in India’s energy sector
07 Feb 2024
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called upon global investors to actively participate in India’s march towards a sustainable and prosperous future by increasingly investing in its renewable and new energy sector.
Number of star-ups in India rises to 1,17,254 by December 2023
04 Feb 2024
The number of start-ups recognised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has gone up to 1,17,254 as of 31 December 2023
Govt orders traders to declare rice stocks; starts retail sale at Rs29/kg to check price rise
03 Feb 2024
In a move that will deter traders from steadily pushing up rice prices, the government on Friday directed all traders to declare rice stocks with them
Women SHGs will help create 30 million `Lakhpati Didis, says finance minister
02 Feb 2024
Buoyed by the success of the Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) across the country, the government has decided to set the goal higher and enhance the target for `Lakhpati Didis’ from 20 million to 30 million, finance minister Nirmala Sitaraman said while presenting the Interim Union Budget 2024-25 in Parliament.
Government reduces import duty on mobile phone components from 15% to 10%
31 Jan 2024
In a recent move to boost the export sector of India, the Ministry of Finance announced on Tuesday, 30th January, 2024, a reduction in the import duty on components used for mobile phone manufacturing.
New building to house Central Registrar of Cooperative Societies
17 Jan 2024
The centre has set up a new building in the capital to house the office of the Central Registrar of Cooperative Societies, giving a big boost to the cooperative movement in the country
India to invest over Rs45,000 cr to develop inland cruise tourism
09 Jan 2024
The Inland Waterways Development Council, which held its first meeting in Kolkata, on Monday, committed Rs45,000 crore for the development of River Cruise Tourism in India over the next 23 years ending 2047.
Govt revises incentives scheme for auto sector, extends it by 5 years
04 Jan 2024
The government has extended the tenure of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for automobile and auto components by five years beginning the current financial year, ie, 2023-24.
India hikes windfall tax on crude, eliminates tax on diesel and ATF
03 Jan 2024
Government of India on Monday announced an increase in the windfall tax levied on locally-produced crude petroleum while doing away with the tax on diesel and aviation turbine fuel (ATF).
Finance Ministry boosts the FAME-II scheme with an additional Rs 1,500 crore
03 Jan 2024
In a strategic move to further propel the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in India, the Union Finance Ministry has greenlit an additional allocation of Rs. 1,500 crore for the second phase of the Faster Adoption and Manufacture of Electric Vehicles (FAME-II) program.
The government allows female employees to nominate children for family pensions
02 Jan 2024
In a significant move, the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions announced on Tuesday, 2 January 2024, that female government servants or pensioners can now nominate their children for family pensions.
Govt hikes small savings interest rates
31 Dec 2023
The central government on Saturday notified revised interest rates on small savings schemes, including a 20 basis point hike in the interest rates
34 companies bid for India’s green hydrogen subsidies
29 Dec 2023
A total of 34 companies have submitted bids for projects to be developed under the Government of India’s Green Hydrogen Mission.
LIC gets a 10-year exemption from the 25% public shareholding rule
21 Dec 2023
In a significant development, the state-owned Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) announced on Thursday, 21 December 2023, that it has secured a one-time exemption from the Finance Ministry regarding the 25% public shareholding rule.
UPI transactions grow at a CAGR of 168% in 5 years to Rs139 lakh crore
19 Dec 2023
The value of financial transactions using the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has grown from Rs1 lakh crore to Rs139 lakh crore in the last five years
India’s vehicle safety testing programme `Bharat NCAP’ is now operational
19 Dec 2023
Government of India's vehicle safety assessment programme, Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (BNCAP) has completed its first round of crash testing and results are expected this week or by the end of this month.
PM inaugurates Surat Diamond Bourse
18 Dec 2023
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated the Surat Diamond Bourse, which he claimed to be the world’s largest and the most modern centre for international diamond and jewelry business.
The government contemplates the termination of the FAME subsidy for electric two-wheelers
18 Dec 2023
In a recent report by the Times of India (ToI), it has been indicated that the government is unlikely to continue subsidies for electric two-wheelers as the provisions for the same are set to expire in a few weeks.
Govt to provide financial incentives to local shipbuilders
17 Dec 2023
The government has introduced a scheme to offer financial assistance for Indian shipyards for securing orders from domestic as well as overseas markets and to remain competitive in the market, union minister for ports, shipping and waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal informed the Lok Sabha in a written reply on Friday.
Centre allows ethanol production from sugarcane juice, B-heavy molasses
16 Dec 2023
A week after prohibiting the use of sugarcane juice and sugar syrup for making ethanol, following industry pressure, the government on Friday reversed its decision and allowed the use of the juice as well as B-heavy molasses for producing the bio-fuel.
Agriculture ministry organises 2-day Asean-India Millet Festival
15 Dec 2023
India on Thursday opened an Asean-India Millet Festival, a two-day event aimed at increasing awareness and establishing a larger market for millet and millet-based products.
Oil marketing companies to set up 7,432 EV charging stations
14 Dec 2023
The ministry of heavy industries has sanctioned Rs800 crore as capital subsidy to the three public sector oil marketing companies (OMCs) for setting up 7,432 electric vehicle charging stations under Phase II of the FAME scheme.
Centre halves wheat stock limits for traders, processors
12 Dec 2023
The centre on Friday announced fresh stock limits on wheat held by traders – both wholesale and retail – as also retail networks and processors
Supreme Court upholds abrogation of Article 370 in J&K
12 Dec 2023
The Supreme Court has upheld the Indian Union government’s decision to revoke the special status enjoyed by Jammu and Kashmir; it has revoked Article 370, which was promulgated in 1949, after the first war with Pakistan over the control of this territory.
Govt notifies `HaritSagar’ guidelines to improve ecosystem at major ports
10 Dec 2023
The ministry of ports, shipping and waterways has notified `HaritSagar’ green port guidelines to reduce carbon intensity and to develop an environment-friendly ecosystem
Featured articles
Lighter than air, yet very, very powerful
By Kiron Kasbekar | 03 Jan 2024
In March 2013 Chinese scientists pulled off a remarkable feat. They created the world’s lightest aerogel. Tipping the scales at a mere 0.16 milligrams per cubic centimeter – that’s a sixth of the weight of air!
COP28 explained: A closer look at COP28's climate change solutions
By Aniket Gupta | 27 Dec 2023
The 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP28, took place from 30th November 2023, to 13th December 2023, at Expo City in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
What is a Ponzi scheme?
By Aniket Gupta | 06 Dec 2023
Ponzi schemes have long captivated the public imagination, drawing unsuspecting investors into a web of illusion and deception.
The Rise and Rise of HDFC Bank
03 Jul 2023
HDFC, which surged ahead of global majors like HSBC Holdings Plc and Citigroup Inc and left Indian peers like State Bank of India and ICICI Bank in market capitalisation, now ranks fourth largest among the world’s most valuable banks, after JPMorgan Chase & Co, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Ltd and Bank of America Corp
India’s Millet Revolution To Enrich Global Food Basket
02 Apr 2023
Millets, a healthier and cheaper substitute to wheat and rice, are indigenous to many parts of the world, especially in the semiarid tropics of Asia and Africa, and offers a big scope for expanding production and consumption in the foodgrain deficient African continent
Market predator Hindenburg preys on Adani stock
06 Mar 2023
Almost a month after the damning report of short-seller Hindenburg Research on the Adani Group that claimed that the seven stocks within the group were about 85 per cent overvalued, one of the group's stocks, Adani Total Gas, closed at Rs835 on the BSE, down nearly 79 per cent from its 24 January level, almost close to reaching that valuation