Rail infrastructure projects evaluated for alignment with PM GatiShakti to boost multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency.
The Network Planning Group evaluated three Ministry of Railways projects for conformity with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, focusing on integrated multimodal infrastructure, last mile connectivity, and a whole of government approach, and assessed how track augmentations, bridges, RUBs and yard upgrades would reduce congestion, improve freight mobility and operational reliability, and deliver regional socio economic benefits.

Central receipts and expenditures through October 2025 show 51.5% of budgeted receipts and 51.8% of expenditures.
Total receipts through October 2025 are Rs.18,00,475 crore (51.5% of BE), comprising Tax Revenue (Net to Centre) Rs.12,74,301 crore, Non-Tax Revenue Rs.4,89,079 crore and Non-Debt Capital Receipts Rs.37,095 crore, with Rs.8,34,957 crore transferred as Devolution of Share of Taxes (Rs.1,11,981 crore higher than prior year). Total expenditure is Rs.26,25,619 crore (51.8% of BE), of which Revenue Account is Rs.20,07,876 crore and Capital Account Rs.6,17,743 crore; Revenue Expenditure includes Interest Payments Rs.6,73,715 crore and Major Subsidies Rs.2,46,575 crore.

India's trade and innovation strategy advances with FTAs, major investments and a new research fund.
India combines expanded free trade agreements and ongoing negotiations with major trading partners, a committed USD 100 billion EFTA investment in innovation and precision manufacturing, and a USD 12 billion Research, Development and Innovation fund to accelerate deep tech and startups. This strategy links supply chain resilience, technology missions for domestic manufacturing, and legal and policy reforms to improve ease of doing business, strengthen economic sovereignty, and position India for global competitiveness by leveraging demographic and STEM strengths.

India International Trade Fair concluded with awards across states, ministries, private and foreign exhibitors and over 18 lakh visitors.
The 44th India International Trade Fair concluded with an Award Presentation Ceremony awarding Gold, Silver, Bronze and Commendations across categories including Partner State, Focus State, States and Union Territories, Thematic Presentations, Swachh Pavilion, Foreign Pavilions, Ministries and Government Departments, PSUs/PSBs, Commodity Boards, Public Communication & Outreach, Empowering India, Private Sector, Food Stalls and Vending Points; organisers reported over 18 lakh visitors and invited suggestions for future editions.

GST and customs outreach wins award highlighting reforms, simplified compliance, trade facilitation and multilingual public engagement.
The Pavilion emphasised GST reforms and trade facilitation by providing on-site assistance for registration, refunds, return filing, grievances and trade procedures, using multilingual educational materials and interactive digital exhibits to communicate procedural changes and technological upgrades that support more efficient, transparent tax administration.

CEPA joint committee agrees to deepen trade cooperation, allocate Gold TRQ by competitive bidding, and enhance regulatory coordination.
The Joint Committee under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement reviewed implementation and operational issues including market access, data sharing, Gold tariff rate quota allocation (via competitive bidding), anti dumping, services, Rules of Origin, and standards licensing. Parties agreed to strengthen trade facilitation, regulatory cooperation in pharmaceuticals and food safety, resolve Certificates of Origin and BIS coordination issues, convene a Services Subcommittee, and pursue an MoU on Food Safety and Technical Requirements to improve CEPA utilisation and expand non oil trade.

Digital public procurement: GeM's Kreta Samvad promotes accessibility and reforms for MSEs and inclusive participation.
GeM will host Kreta Samvad on 28 November 2025 to strengthen digital public procurement by familiarising buyer organisations with platform features and workflows and to solicit feedback. Reforms such as removal of Caution Money and reduced Vendor Assessment fees are aimed at increasing participation by Micro and Small Enterprises, women entrepreneurs, startups, artisans and SC/ST enterprises, facilitating faster onboarding, greater market access and improved traceability of procurement decisions while enhancing digital governance and compliance readiness.

India-Slovenia trade partnership reviewed; roadmap set for deeper cooperation in trade, investment, and sectoral collaboration.
The 10th India-Slovenia Joint Committee reviewed bilateral economic engagement, noted rising trade, and set an agenda to deepen trade and investment ties. Discussions highlighted Slovenia's strategic connectivity role with India, and explored sectoral cooperation in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, health, transport, energy, tourism, MSMEs, and traditional medicine while supporting an early, balanced India-EU Free Trade Agreement.

Acquisition of Jhajjar Power by Jindal Jhajjar Power approved; both entities operate in thermal power production.
The Competition Commission approved the proposed acquisition of 100% shareholding of Jhajjar Power Limited by Jindal Jhajjar Power Limited; the Acquirer is a wholly owned subsidiary of Jindal Power Limited and both parties are engaged in thermal power production; the Commission's detailed order will follow.

Toyota asset transfer: Toyota Asset Preparatory to acquire Toyota Industries Corporation, impacting material handling and automotive parts operations.
The Competition Commission approved the Proposed Combination whereby Toyota Asset Preparatory Co., Ltd., an investment vehicle established for the transaction and to be largely held by Toyota Fudosan Co., Ltd., will acquire 100% of Toyota Industries Corporation as part of intra-group restructuring; in India, the Target is engaged in sales and servicing of material handling equipment, manufacture and sale of engines and transmission parts, textile machinery production, and automated logistics solutions, and a detailed Commission order will follow.

Unified Pension Scheme: eligible NPS subscribers must apply by 30.11.2025 online or via nodal office.
The notification implements the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) for eligible Central Government NPS subscribers and prescribes that UPS requests be submitted online through the CRA system or by physical application to the respective Nodal Office, which will process requests per the prescribed procedure; requests must be submitted on or before the stated last date to be considered.

India Israel economic cooperation strengthened as ministers sign Terms of Reference to begin FTA negotiations and expand sectoral partnerships.
The ministerial visit advanced structured economic cooperation by signing the Terms of Reference to commence India Israel Free Trade Agreement negotiations and by identifying priority collaboration areas-agriculture (seed improvement and water reuse), infrastructure and mining investment opportunities, and technology sectors including agritech, water tech, defence, cybersecurity, AI and pharmaceuticals-supported by business forums, over 250 B2B meetings and delegation site visits to deepen trade and innovation partnerships.

Ease of doing business reforms simplify licences and expand labour protections for unorganised and gig workers.
The government emphasised the Jan Vishvas Bill to simplify procedures and reduce compliance burdens and proposed piloting One Nation, One License through a single online portal for state and municipal trade licences. It also outlined that the four newly enacted Labour Codes consolidate rules to simplify compliance and extend facilities, social security and improved working conditions to unorganised and gig workers, and encouraged product origin labelling and promotion of Swadeshi goods.

Smuggling of foreign cigarettes seized under Customs Act in Mizoram with large seizure and three arrests.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, with assistance from security forces, intercepted vehicles and searched godowns in Mizoram, recovering 73,70,000 foreign origin cigarette sticks of various brands that lacked the mandatory pictorial and health warnings. The recovered cigarettes and an implicated vehicle were seized under the Customs Act, 1962, preliminary inquiries indicate smuggling from Myanmar via the Zokhawthar sector, and three persons were arrested.

India and Canada to fast-track a high-ambition trade pact prioritising critical minerals, clean energy and advanced technologies.
India and Canada will fast-track negotiations for a high-ambition Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement to double bilateral trade by 2030, strengthening investor confidence and providing a framework for trade and investment. Priorities include critical minerals, mineral processing, clean and nuclear energy, supply-chain diversification, advanced technologies, and manufacturing. A five-pronged delivery approach-sectoral roadmaps, reinvigorated business engagement, joint innovation leveraging India's intellectual property regime and research funding, focused delegations, and participation in events-is proposed to convert dialogue into measurable outcomes.

Dholera SIR's plug-and-play infrastructure and centralized utilities enable major semiconductor investment and international manufacturing collaboration.
Dholera SIR is developing integrated plug-and-play infrastructure, centralized utilities and digital governance to enable advanced manufacturing. A 163 acre semiconductor fabrication project, structured as an international commercial partnership with specified capacity and technology nodes, exemplifies cross-border investment and supply chain integration under the national industrial corridor programme. Complementary social infrastructure and continued foreign corporate expansion are positioned to support workforce needs and sustain industrial growth.

Gold smuggling uncovered after seizure of 1.246 kg on a flight; airline staff and others arrested.
Seizure of 1,246.48 grams of 24K gold concealed inside a passenger life jacket pouch on a flight from Jeddah led to investigation exposing an organised syndicate that recruited carriers and used airline staff to facilitate smuggling; digital evidence links the group to over ten similar consignments worth about Rs.16 crore, and four individuals were arrested under the provisions of the Customs Act 1962.

AJNIFM launches four digital courses on iGOT Karmayogi to boost public finance and analytical skills.
AJNIFM launched four digital courses on the iGOT Karmayogi platform-FinTech in India; Disposal of Scrap Goods; Cash Flow Statement in Financial Analysis; and Investment Management using Fixed Income Securities-aimed at enhancing analytical, financial and procedural competencies of government officials and promoting continuous professional development in line with Mission Karmayogi.

GeM and UN Women MoU expands procurement access for women entrepreneurs through training, validation and market linkages.
The MoU creates a framework to expand sourcing from women-led businesses via GeM's Womaniya initiative by integrating women entrepreneurs and SHGs into public procurement. UN Women will develop training, global best practices, success-story dissemination and validation criteria, promote outlet stores, mobilise trainers and support MSME registration. GeM will run trainings, sensitise buyers, host onboarding workshops, produce vernacular materials, engage women trainers and connect entrepreneurs with government labs and R&D for product development and market readiness.

Infrastructure projects assessed for multimodal connectivity, capacity upgrades, and last mile links to boost logistics and regional development.
The Network Planning Group evaluated three proposals under the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan-third and fourth rail lines between Punarakh and Kiul (49.57 km), a new BG rail line between Silghat and Dekargaon (27.50 km), and a four lane elevated corridor on NH 65 (Old Pune Naka to Boramani Naka, 9.66 km)-assessing conformity with integrated multimodal infrastructure, last mile connectivity, and a Whole of Government approach to enhance logistics efficiency, capacity augmentation, regional connectivity, and socio economic development.