Estimation of informal sector: MoSPI advances administrative data integration and methodological reform for improved GDP measurement.
Estimation of the informal sector in GDP is being revised through methodological enhancements and integration of administrative and alternative data sources-GST, digital payments, PM SVANidhi, Pehchan Cards, sectoral boards and remote sensing-to supplement surveys. MoSPI will expand monthly employment statistics from the Periodic Labour Force Survey and use quarterly ASUSE estimates to better capture unincorporated activity; it plans a Statistical Business Register and invited stakeholders to provide administrative databases and undertake studies to improve coverage of seasonal activities, the digital economy, gig work and productivity measurement in informal enterprises.

Governance reforms drive ISI's transformation, implementing committee recommendations to strengthen autonomy, academic programs, and financial sustainability.
The 4th Review Committee proposed 61 recommendations under the ISI Act, 1959 to strengthen governance through performance-based evaluations and increased autonomy, expand academic programs into fields like data science and machine learning, build research infrastructure and digital administrative systems, and foster industry and government partnerships for revenue generation. The Council for 2024-26 has commenced phased implementation-short-term recruitment and infrastructure upgrades, medium-term program and financial enhancements, and a long-term vision to position ISI as a global leader by its centenary-supported by government facilitation.

Startup ecosystem collaboration expands mentorship, market linkages and access to the national startup platform after a new MoU.
A Memorandum of Understanding between the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade and the Jammu & Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute establishes coordinated branding, outreach, and access to the Startup India ecosystem, focusing on mentorship, knowledge exchange, infrastructure support, market linkages, funding networks, and international expansion to strengthen the regional startup ecosystem.

Integrated multimodal planning ensures highway and railway projects conform to PM GatiShakti principles, improving connectivity and logistics.
Network Planning Group evaluated four transportation infrastructure projects under the PM GatiShakti Principles for integrated multimodal planning and synchronized implementation: two railway capacity augmentation works (Vadodara-Ratlam quadrupling; Murarai-Barharwa third line) to relieve congestion and strengthen freight links, and two road projects (NH 539 upgrade and a greenfield access controlled highway on NH 330 under HAM) to bypass built up areas, improve safety, enhance last mile connectivity and spur regional economic and tourism benefits.

CEPA negotiations to advance India-Oman trade ties during ministerial visit, Joint Commission Meeting with business delegation.
A ministerial visit to Oman on 27-28 January 2025 will host the 11th Joint Commission Meeting to strengthen bilateral trade and investment ties, advance CEPA negotiations, and include a business delegation for Joint Business Council engagement and meetings with Omani ministers and investment and special economic zones officials.

Government procurement digitisation boosts public procurement efficiency as GeM crosses a major GMV milestone and expands services.
Government e Marketplace (GeM) registered a new Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) milestone within the first ten months of fiscal 2024-25, driven mainly by rapid expansion of the services segment and introduction of new service categories. Central government entities were major procurers, placing substantial high value bids, while platform reforms and scaling enabled high daily order volumes and broader supplier participation, consolidating GeM's role in streamlining public procurement.

Public-private collaboration promotes manufacturing startup incubation and international market linkages to strengthen entrepreneurial competitiveness.
A public-private collaboration via an MoU establishes incubation programmes for manufacturing and related startups, linking them with international ecosystems. The private partner will provide market insights, guidance on foreign markets, and operational support throughout the startup lifecycle to strengthen entrepreneurship and global competitiveness.

SDG monitoring frameworks strengthen capacity for evidence-based policymaking through workshops on environment accounts and gender statistics.
A two-day capacity-building workshop seeks to strengthen institutional capacity on SDG monitoring frameworks, compilation of environment accounts, and enhancement of gender statistics to support evidence-based policymaking. It focuses on harmonizing core and sub-national SDG indicators, integrating SDGs into local governance, methods for ecosystem accounts and valuation of ecosystem services, and the production and use of gender-disaggregated data. The event brings central and state statistical and planning bodies together with international technical partners to share methodologies, challenges, best practices, and to release a report on ocean ecosystem accounts.

Narcotics enforcement disrupts organised smuggling with major methamphetamine and cannabis seizures and arrests under the NDPS framework.
Enforcement actions in the North Eastern Region resulted in large seizures of methamphetamine, heroin, ganja and hydroponic cannabis, arrests of suspected traffickers, and seizure of vehicles; operations involved interception of concealed consignments transported via specially built vehicle cavities and dashboard concealments, with investigations and prosecutions pursued under the NDPS Act in competent courts.

Presumptive taxation for non-resident cruise operators applies subject to prescribed vessel capacity, voyage and operational conditions under new rules.
A presumptive taxation regime for non-resident cruise ship operators applies only where the operator runs passenger ships for leisure meeting prescribed size and capacity criteria, conducts scheduled voyages or shore excursions touching at least two Indian seaports (or the same port twice), carries passengers primarily rather than cargo, and complies with procedures or guidelines issued by the Ministry of Tourism or Ministry of Shipping; an exemption covers lease rental income of a foreign company from a related operator of such ships in India.

Minimum Support Price for raw jute approved, ensuring support above production cost and continuation of price support operations.
Minimum Support Price for raw jute for marketing season 2025-26 is fixed for TD-3 grade at Rs.5,650 per quintal, ensuring a return above the all India weighted average cost of production and applied in line with the government principle of setting MSP at not less than 1.5 times that cost. The Jute Corporation of India will remain the Central Government nodal agency to undertake price support operations, with any losses fully reimbursed by the Central Government.

Hiring credits for registered startups expand access to tailored talent pools and AI driven recruitment, enhancing hiring efficiency.
A government-platform alliance provides each DPIIT registered startup standardized hiring credits on a private jobs platform, enabling job postings, AI assisted candidate matching, access to tailored talent pools, and coordination between the registry program and the platform to align talent with industry needs.

Legal education reform: integrate clinical training in international economic law to build capacity for social and economic justice.
Law education should prepare lawyers to address complex social and economic justice issues within international economic law by integrating practical, pro bono clinical training. TradeLab's hub-and-spoke clinic model, supported by a government centre, provides supervised student projects, negotiation skill development, and research opportunities to build capacity in trade and investment law, while pedagogic priorities include expanding clinical practicums and using technological tools to enhance teaching.

Amalgamation approval confirms consolidation of multiple pharmaceutical entities into a single surviving animal health company after regulatory review.
The Competition Commission approved the proposed amalgamation of Sequent Research Limited, Viyash Life Sciences and its group companies, Geninn Life Sciences and Vindhya Organics with Sequent Scientific Limited as the ultimate surviving entity. The parties' principal activities are identified (SSL in animal healthcare with APIs, FDFs and analytical services; SRL as a contract research/analytical subsidiary; Viyash group in APIs and FDFs for human healthcare; Geninn as a holding company). The combination is effected through a series of interconnected amalgamation steps and a detailed Commission order will follow.

Proposed combination: ATFL to acquire DMFPL with consideration via preferential equity issuance to sellers.
The Competition Commission of India approved a proposed combination in which Agro Tech Foods Limited will acquire 100% of Del Monte Foods Private Limited, making DMFPL a wholly owned subsidiary, and ATFL will discharge consideration by a preferential allotment of equity shares to Bharti and DMPL India.

Startup funding mobilisation driving private investment and procurement-linked challenges to scale and support startups nationwide.
The PRABHAAV Factbook and Bharat Startup Challenge were launched to document ecosystem growth and to present sectoral challenges that link startups to procurement, funding, mentorship, networking and capacity building. The Fund of Funds for Startups is identified as a catalytic government instrument that mobilised private investment for Tier II and Tier III enterprises, while private equity and venture capital partnerships supply capital, expertise and global networks. Complementary measures target women entrepreneurs and large-scale convenings to connect startups with market opportunities.

Startup ecosystem policy strengthens inclusive entrepreneurship and expands access to funding, capacity building, and international linkages.
The Startup India initiative establishes a policy framework combining startup recognition, streamlined compliance, targeted tax benefits, and dedicated funding mechanisms including a Fund of Funds and seed financing to reduce regulatory friction and expand access to capital. Complementary capacity building, regional outreach, sectoral policies, and digital platforms are deployed to strengthen state and non metro ecosystems, improve stakeholder connectivity and promote international collaboration to support formation, scaling and employment generation.

Disaster relief claims should be settled faster through factual assessments and streamlined administrative mechanisms to ensure timely aid.
Advocate expedited administrative settlement of disaster relief claims through factual, correct assessment and analysis to avoid judicial recourse, coupled with public awareness against exaggerated claims. Maintain and augment relief financing via the State Disaster Relief Fund and National Disaster Relief Fund; recent budget increases strengthen response capacity. Implement the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024 to establish national and state disaster databases. Adopt a whole-of-government approach integrating armed forces, meteorological services and civil agencies, and pursue a ten-point agenda-including risk mapping technology, capacity building and international cooperation-to develop climate resilient infrastructure and early-age disaster management education.

Governance principles guide policy design and delivery, shaping accountability, transparency and service access across core sectors.
Ten foundational principles of governance-including decisive leadership; root cause analysis; outcome-oriented action; rule of law & transparency; time-bound execution; prioritization; accountability and monitoring; technology adoption; innovative financing; and stakeholder partnership-are described as operative mechanisms directing policy design, resource allocation, and delivery across six domains: global engagement, economic growth, innovation, infrastructure, soft power, and women-led development, and as enabling universal access to essential public services while addressing implementation challenges and resilience needs.

Competition approval for strategic acquisitions of equity and convertible instruments in road infrastructure projects enabling consolidation of concession interests.
The Competition approval covers a proposed combination in which an infrastructure group entity will acquire a minority equity stake in its concessionaire and, together with a second purchaser, acquire certain convertible instruments in that concessionaire; separately, the second purchaser will acquire a minority stake in a BOT toll-road company. The acquirers operate in EPC and O&M of roads across EPC, BOT and Hybrid Annuity delivery models, while the targets operate BOT-based road assets and a state highway BOT concession. A detailed order will follow.