APSEZ Operationalises India’s First Port of Refuge at Dighi and Gopalpur
Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ) has launched India’s first Port of Refuge (PoR) at Dighi on the west coast and Gopalpur on the east coast. The PoR framework, defined by the International Maritime Organization, provides safe harbor for vessels in distress, offering firefighting, salvage, pollution containment and coordinated emergency response. APSEZ, which moves roughly 27% of the nation’s port cargo, secured a tripartite MoU with Boskalis’ SMIT Salvage and the Maritime Emergency Response Centre to deliver global expertise. The initiative aligns India’s maritime safety with international standards and supports ships insured by P&I clubs.
Trump’s Iran War Pushes India to Rekindle Old Friendship with Russia
India is moving to revive its energy partnership with Russia, negotiating a direct LNG supply deal despite the risk of violating Western sanctions. The talks follow a recent surge in Russian crude purchases, which could rise to 40% of India’s...
Air China to Restart Beijing Delhi Service From April 21
Air China will restart direct Beijing‑Delhi flights on April 21, operating a thrice‑weekly Airbus A330 service that includes onward connections to the United States and Canada. The carrier becomes the fourth airline to launch routes after India‑China passenger flights resumed in November. Over...
British Airways Adds Extra Flights to Delhi, Mumbai
British Airways announced additional capacity on its London‑Delhi and London‑Mumbai routes through the end of May. Starting April 7, a third daily flight will operate on the Delhi‑Heathrow sector, and a third daily service to Mumbai begins May 15. The airline will...
Pusa Institute Makes Its Debut in QS World Rankings, Showcasing India’s Agricultural Research Excellence
The Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), known as Pusa Institute, has entered the QS World University Rankings for the first time in the Agriculture & Forestry category, landing in the 151‑200 band alongside BHU, IIT‑Kharagpur and Delhi University. IARI earned...
India's Health Insurance Premiums Cross ₹1.2 Lakh Crore in 2024-25: Finance Ministry
India's health‑insurance premiums surged past ₹1.2 lakh crore (≈ $14.5 billion) in FY 2024‑25, marking a 9% year‑on‑year increase. The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) introduced tighter cashless claim timelines—one hour for pre‑authorisation and three hours for final approval—to speed...
Cochin Shipyard Sign JV to Develop Electric Mobility, Energy Storage Technologies
Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) and HBL Engineering Ltd have signed a joint‑venture to create electric‑propulsion and energy‑storage solutions for the maritime sector. The partnership will develop advanced marine batteries, battery‑management systems, electric motors, power electronics and charging infrastructure for both...
Blue-Collar Salaries Outpace White-Collar Entry-Level Jobs: Report
A WorkIndia report shows India’s blue‑collar minimum wages jumped 8.6% year‑on‑year to roughly $185, outpacing entry‑level white‑collar salaries that rose only 6.75% to about $190. Operational roles such as delivery and driver jobs saw the steepest gains, up 16% (≈$260),...
CBIC Introduces Payment Aggregator for Duty Payout
India's Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs has added a payment‑aggregator option to its ICEGATE e‑payment platform, allowing customs duty payments via credit/debit cards and UPI. The new mode expands internet‑banking access from 23 to 41 banks and initially...
EFT Partners with BSPL to Produce E610P Agriculture Drone
EFT has teamed with Bharat Skytech Pvt Ltd (BSPL) to launch the EFT BHARAT brand, localising production of its E610P agricultural drone in India. The partnership includes the transfer of production moulds for key components, enabling ‘Make in India’ manufacturing, distribution,...
CCPA Warns of Action Against Restaurant, Hotels Levying Additional Fuel-Related Charges
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued a warning that restaurants and hotels charging extra fees such as "LPG charges" or "gas surcharge" constitute an unfair trade practice under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. The advisory mandates that menu...
Maharashtra Plans Multi-Department Panel to Tackle Recurring Onion Crisis
Maharashtra announced a high‑level, multi‑department panel to address the state’s chronic onion price glut and farmer distress. The committee, led by senior officials from Agriculture, Finance and Marketing, will propose immediate relief measures and a two‑to‑three‑month roadmap for long‑term sector...
Internal Buyers, Blenders Push Tea Sales in Coonoor Auctions
The Coonoor tea auction recorded strong sales, with internal buyers and blenders purchasing 78% of the 964,835 kg leaf offering and 87% of the 286,009 kg dust offering in Sale 12. Prices slipped across categories, typical declines ranging from ₹3‑₹10 (≈$0.04‑$0.12) per kilogram,...
Govt Plans to Redirect 90 Lakh Tonne FCI Broken Rice to Ethanol Industry From Next Year: Food Sec
The Indian government will propose cutting the share of broken rice in the public distribution system from 25% to 10%, freeing about 9 million tonnes of broken rice each year for the ethanol industry. The move follows a 40% surge in...
Nitin Gadkari Launches NHAI-Backed Raajmarg Infra Investment Trust
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari launched the NHAI‑backed Raajmarg Infra Investment Trust (RIIT) on the Bombay Stock Exchange, where the inaugural public issue was oversubscribed about 14 times. The trust aims to monetize roughly 1,500 kilometres of national highways over the...
India, Russia Reaffirm $100 Billion Trade Goal as West Asia Simmers
India and Russia reaffirmed their ambition to lift bilateral trade from $68.7 billion to $100 billion by 2030, emphasizing a balanced and sustainable approach. Both ministers highlighted that 96 percent of current trade is settled in national currencies, bypassing Western payment systems. Ongoing...
Global Economy Faces Major Threat Amid Worsening Energy Crisis: IEA Chief
International Energy Agency chief Fatih Birol warned that the world is heading toward a severe energy crisis as at least 40 oil and gas assets in West Asia have been severely damaged. He described the situation as a combination of two...
Facing a ‘Crisis’, EU Millers Seek Safeguard Duties on Rice
The European Union is weighing safeguard duties on rice imports after the Federation of Rice Millers pressed for a review of existing trade agreements. EU rice imports have reached roughly 1.7 million tonnes, a large share arriving under zero‑tariff arrangements. A...
Law to Align India with Global Pay Norms by Enabling RSUs, SARs Alongside ESOPs
The Indian government has introduced a Companies Act amendment to permit restricted stock units (RSUs) and stock appreciation rights (SARs) alongside existing employee stock option plans (ESOPs) as approved executive compensation. The bill also authorises hybrid annual and extraordinary general...
India to Focus on Core Priorities Amid WTO Reform Push at MC14 This Week
The 14th WTO Ministerial Conference in Yaounde will focus on institutional reforms aimed at reviving a stalled dispute‑settlement system and accelerating negotiations. India is warning that any changes must preserve consensus‑based rule‑making, MFN treatment and Special & Differential Treatment for...
Leveraging Technology to Enable Real-Time Crop Monitoring and Strengthen Farmer Incomes
Real‑time crop monitoring systems powered by AI, digital sensors and farm‑level data platforms are creating verifiable records of cultivation practices. HariBol is integrating these technologies to link farm data with product batches through QR codes and traceability platforms. The resulting...
West Asia Conflict May Trigger Global Inflation Shock if Disruptions Spread; India Relatively Insulated: SBI Research
SBI Research warns that an expanding West Asia conflict could reignite global inflation by disrupting energy markets, trade routes and supply chains. While the immediate price impact may be modest, prolonged hostilities risk broader macro‑economic fallout. India appears relatively insulated...
Exploring Oil Palm’s Untapped Carbon Sequestration Potential
On International Forest Day, India highlighted the carbon‑sequestration potential of sustainably grown oil palm. The National Mission on Edible Oils‑Oil Palm aims to cut reliance on imports—8.9 mt shipped in 2023—by expanding production on degraded land. Studies show oil palm can...
Lower Maize Prices May See Indian Farmers Switch Back to Oilseeds, Pulses This Kharif
Indian maize prices fell to ₹1,781 per quintal, about 30% below the minimum support price, prompting growers to reconsider crop choices for the upcoming kharif season. Despite record‑high projected maize output of 302.47 lakh tonnes, farmers are eyeing oilseeds and pulses...
Chicken Prices Soar in India on Bird Mortality, Reduced Weight
Chicken prices in India have surged to record levels, now ranging between ₹270 and ₹340 per kilogram, driven by soaring bird mortality and reduced broiler weight during the summer heat. The average live bird weight has fallen to 1.5‑1.75 kg, down...
PM Modi to Inaugurate Noida International Airport on March 28
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Noida International Airport in Jewar on March 28, 2026. The airport has secured final security clearance from BCAS and an aerodrome licence from the DGCA, clearing the last regulatory hurdles before commercial service....
El Niño to Emerge with Temperatures Rising and Uneven Rainfall Ahead: APEC Climate Centre
The APEC Climate Centre issued an El Niño watch, forecasting a warming phase through mid‑2026 with above‑normal temperatures across most regions. Rainfall will become uneven, bringing wetter conditions in parts of the Pacific and drier, below‑normal precipitation over the Maritime Continent,...
Centre Nudges Airlines on Free Seat Allocation, Transparency Norms
India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation, via the DGCA, has issued new directions mandating airlines to allocate at least 60% of seats free of charge and to seat passengers on the same PNR together where feasible. The guidelines also require clear...
Lulu Group Moves More than 8,000 Tonnes of Food Products From India to Gulf Nations, Ensures Steady Supply
Lulu Group has moved more than 8,000 tonnes of essential food items from India to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations over the past two weeks, using 17 chartered cargo flights and sea shipments. Over 5,000 tonnes of fresh perishables reached...
Hormuz Disruption: CBIC Allows BTT Clearance for Cargo Loaded at One Port, Offloaded at Another
India’s Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has issued new guidance allowing back‑to‑town (BTT) clearance for containers that are loaded at one Indian port but off‑loaded at another after a vessel returns due to disruptions in the Strait...
India’s Scrappage Network Runs at 25% Capacity: Gadkari in Rajya Sabha; Experts Flag Weak Economics
India’s authorised vehicle‑scrapping network, built for 1.3‑1.6 million units a year, is operating at roughly 25 % capacity, with only 279,792 vehicles processed in FY 26. A backlog of 4.5‑5 million old vehicles and a low scrappage rate of under 3 % stem from weak...
India’s Tea Imports Doubled in 2024-25
India’s tea imports surged to 50.14 million kg in fiscal 2024‑25, exactly twice the 25.21 million kg recorded in 2023‑24. The first ten months of 2025‑26 already show 33.55 million kg imported, underscoring a sustained upward trend. In response, the Tea Board issued strict labeling and...
Indian Carriers Cancelled 4,335 Flights Till Now, Says Rammohan Naidu Amid West Asia Conflict
Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu told Parliament that Indian airlines have cancelled 4,335 flights, while foreign carriers have dropped about 1,187 flights amid the West Asia crisis. He emphasized that safety and closed airspace leave airlines no choice...
NHAI to Raise FASTag Annual Pass Fee by 2.5% for FY27
India’s National Highways Authority (NHAI) announced a 2.5% increase in the FASTag Annual Pass fee, moving from ₹3,000 to ₹3,075 effective April 1, 2026 for FY27. The pass, launched in August 2025, lets private‑car, jeep and van owners make a single payment for...
Airbus Sees Demand Boost for Helicopters in India, Projects Demand for 1,000 Civil Choppers in Two Decades
Airbus Helicopters projects demand for more than 1,000 civil helicopters in India over the next two decades, driven by low current helicopter density and supportive government policies. Deliveries accelerated in 2025 with over 30 units, and the company inaugurated a...
Govt Asked to Explore Better Substitute for Pulses Farmers Amid Complains over Lower Prices
The Supreme Court has ordered the Indian government to review its yellow‑pea import policy and explore a better substitute for pulses, urging a stakeholder meeting to revise the framework. A 30 percent import duty on yellow peas, effective from October 2025, aims...
SAF Association Calls for Using Used Cooking Oil to Produce Sustainable Aviation Fuel
The Sustainable Aviation Fuel Association (SAFA) is urging India’s government to tap used cooking oil (UCO) as a feedstock for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). It recommends extending producer‑responsibility schemes and building robust collection networks across restaurants, hotels and food processors....
Kochi Metro Submits Nationwide Water Metro Feasibility Report
Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) has submitted a nationwide feasibility report for water‑metro systems in 18 locations across 11 states and two union territories. The study follows the success of Kochi Water Metro, which has attracted strong public acceptance and...
PM Unveils Connectivity Projects Worth ₹18,680 Crore in West Bengal
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a ₹18,680 crore connectivity package for West Bengal ahead of the state elections. The flagship 231‑km four‑lane Kharagpur‑Moregram economic corridor will shave roughly 120 km off travel, cutting journey times by seven to eight hours. Additional projects...
Kerala Govt to Acquire 230 Acres of Land for Vizhinjam Port-Related Development
The Kerala government approved the acquisition of 230 acres of land for the Vizhinjam International Seaport at an estimated cost of ₹810 crore. Funding will come from ₹283.68 crore in the PSTSB account of Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd and the balance from...
Air India Evaluates East Asia Routes Amid West Asia Airspace Disruptions
Air India is assessing new long‑haul services to East Asian hubs such as Osaka, Jakarta and Phnom Penh, with a Boeing 787 earmarked for the Japanese capital. The move comes as the carrier activates contingency routes to bypass closed Gulf airspace caused...
As Urea Imports Are Poised to Hit Record High, Indian Parliamentary Panel Moots Adopting Green Ammonia for Fertilisers
A parliamentary standing committee urged India to draft a comprehensive roadmap for phased adoption of green ammonia in urea, DAP and NPK production. The call comes as urea imports are set to hit a record 17 lt by May 2026, surpassing...
Passenger Transport: Maharashtra Pauses New Rickshaw, Taxi Permits; E-Rickshaws and E-Bikes to Require Licences
Maharashtra has temporarily halted issuance of new auto‑rickshaw and taxi permits while requiring e‑rickshaws and e‑bikes to obtain licences. The move seeks a uniform regulatory framework for all passenger‑transport vehicles, including electric models. Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik announced a forthcoming...
Maharashtra to Use AI to Boost Freshwater Fisheries Output; ₹1,024-Crore Scheme Launched
Maharashtra has launched a ₹1,024‑crore Chief Minister Matsyasampada Yojana to modernise freshwater fisheries using artificial intelligence. The AI platform, built with tech firm Marvel, will map thousands of ponds, collect precise production data and guide desilting efforts. By addressing structural...
As Global Cotton Firms up and Rupee Weakens, CAI Pares 2025-26 Cotton Import Projections
The Cotton Association of India (CAI) trimmed its 2025‑26 cotton import forecast to 47 lakh bales, down three lakh from the earlier 50‑lakh estimate, citing higher international prices, a weaker rupee and rising freight costs. Despite the cut, imports remain above...
Centre Proposes Life Term for Forced Transgender Conversion; Moves to Amend 2019 Act
The Union government introduced a Bill to amend the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, imposing life imprisonment for forced conversion of children to a transgender identity and up to ten years for adults, with hefty fines. The amendment...
Lila Global’s VLCC Becomes 1st Indian-Flagged Vessel Structured via GIFT City
Lila Global has acquired the VLCC Lila Jamnagar, marking the first Indian‑flagged vessel structured through the International Financial Services Centre at GIFT City. The tanker is registered under RFK Shipping IFSC Private Limited, allowing the group to tap tax incentives...
Avio Smart Market Stack Inks Pact with Climate, Agri-Tech Firms
Avio Smart Market Stack Ltd (formerly Bartronics India) signed multiple MoUs with climate‑tech and agri‑tech firms to launch Project AVIO Agritech, leveraging its rural banking network that reaches roughly 40 million citizens. The initiative aims to bring sustainable farming practices, carbon‑credit...
Indian Potash Ltd. Set to Revive Cooperative Sugar Mill in Odisha; to Invest ₹360 Crore
Indian Potash Ltd (IPL) announced a ₹360 crore plan to revive the Badamba Cooperative Sugar Mill in Odisha, dormant since 2010. The MoU with the state government outlines a 3,500 TCD capacity, a 16 MW co‑generation plant, a 10‑tonne‑per‑day bio‑CNG unit and cold‑storage...
India Fast-Tracks Chinese Investment Approvals in Key Sectors
India announced a fast‑track approval process for Chinese investments in selected sectors, reducing clearance time to 60 days. The new rules apply to electronics, capital goods, solar cells and battery components, but require Indian residents to hold majority stakes. The...
