Index of Eight Core Industries growth reported, led by coal, electricity, steel and fertilizers; recent data are provisional.
The Index of Eight Core Industries rose in February 2023 year on year, led by increases in coal, electricity, steel, fertilizers, cement, refinery products and natural gas while crude oil fell; a provisional cumulative growth for April-February is reported and November 2022 growth has been revised. The release supplies industry weights, sectoral indices and growth rates, notes provisional status of recent months, inclusion of renewable electricity and a 2019 expansion of steel product coverage, and states that indices are revised as source data are updated.

Resilient global value chains prioritized to diversify critical supply sectors and enhance inclusive MSME participation in trade.
G-20 Trade and Investment Working Group priorities under the Indian Presidency focus on making trade an engine for inclusive growth by strengthening resilient global value chains, diversifying supply chains in critical sectors, reducing cross-border and hinterland transaction and logistics costs, and increasing participation of developing countries and the Global South. The agenda highlights integrating MSMEs into global trade and addressing credit constraints and gender-based barriers facing women-owned MSMEs through cooperative interventions, infrastructure improvements and shared policy measures to enhance trade facilitation and market access.

Repayment of government security at par requires bank mandate or surrender at designated paying offices for payment.
The outstanding principal of the 8.08% PLI GOI SPL SECURITY 2023 is repayable at par on March 31, 2023, with no interest thereafter. Under Government Securities Regulations, 2007, maturity proceeds shall be paid by pay order or electronic credit to the bank account furnished by the registered holder; holders must submit bank particulars in advance. Absent such particulars, holders may tender duly discharged securities at Public Debt Offices, Treasuries, Sub Treasuries or specified State Bank of India branches for repayment.

Commercial quantity under NDPS Act triggers seizure and arrest after CBN operation targeting synthetic drugs.
Operation by the Central Bureau of Narcotics led to searches and seizures under the NDPS Act, 1985, recovering MDMA/Ecstasy, cocaine, suspected psychotropic powder, packing and weighing materials and delivery vehicles; two foreign nationals were arrested and diplomatic channels notified, and the classification of MDMA quantities as a commercial quantity informed enforcement.

GDP growth projection: government and multilateral forecasts align, with deviations limited to exceptional global shocks.
The Economic Survey's real GDP projection for the coming year was affirmed by the Union Minister of State for Finance and corresponds closely with the World Bank's independent forecast. Historically, official growth estimates have generally tracked actual growth, with significant divergence confined to years affected by exceptional global shocks such as the global financial crisis and the COVID 19 pandemic.

Maturity repayment procedure for government securities: holders must provide bank account details for electronic payment.
Payment at par is made on the maturity date with interest ceasing from that date. Holders of securities in Subsidiary General Ledger, Constituent Subsidiary General Ledger, or Stock Certificate form must submit bank account particulars or an electronic mandate in advance so payment can be made by credit or by a pay order incorporating bank particulars. Absent such particulars, holders may tender duly discharged securities at Public Debt Offices, Treasuries/Sub Treasuries, or designated bank branches for repayment. Paying offices will advance payment if the maturity date is a state-declared holiday.

Strengthening multilateral development banks to boost financing capacity and coordination for sustainable development outcomes.
Constitution of an expert group to strengthen Multilateral Development Banks tasked with preparing a roadmap with milestones and timelines to update the MDB ecosystem, reform vision, incentive structures, operational approaches and financial capacity to better finance Sustainable Development Goals and transboundary challenges, evaluate funding needs and complementary capacity sources, and design coordination mechanisms among MDBs, with a report due to the G20 Presidency.

Competition approval for acquisition of NSPIRA share capital, increasing promoter shareholding and management consolidation.
Approval was granted under the Competition Act for the acquisition of share capital of NSPIRA Management Services Private Limited by three individual acquirers who will purchase minority stakes from two selling shareholders, thereby increasing their aggregate holding alongside existing promoter and management positions. The acquirers include the Managing Director and a Director of the Target. NSPIRA provides management services to educational institutions, including administrative, academic support, infrastructure and IT services. A detailed order will follow.

Merger control approval confirms acquisition of JM Baxi Ports and Logistics by a Hapag Lloyd subsidiary, pending detailed order.
The Competition Commission of India approved the proposed combination in which HL Terminal Holding B.V., a newly incorporated wholly owned subsidiary of Hapag-Lloyd Aktiengesellschaft, will acquire certain shareholding in JM Baxi Ports and Logistics Private Limited, a provider of container terminal and inland logistics services; a detailed order of the regulator will follow.

Last-mile procurement access expanded via India Post and CSC assistance for seller onboarding and fulfilment on GeM.
The initiative enables last-mile access to the GeM Portal via Common Service Centres and India Post to assist buyers, sellers and service providers with registration, catalogue upload and management, order acceptance, fulfilment and invoice generation. Targeted support and in field training will connect under-served seller groups directly to government procurement markets. Value added services-product photography, packaging, logistics and shipment-will be provided through CSCs and India Post at charges defined by CSC and Department of Posts; some registrations are exempt from charges while catalogue management and value added services may attract nominal fees. Seller registration requires identity, contact, business constitution, address and bank details.

Dearness allowance increase announced, extending higher payments to central government employees and pensioners effective from January.
Approval was granted for an additional instalment of Dearness Allowance for Central Government employees and Dearness Relief for pensioners, effective 01.01.2023, increasing the existing rate by 4 percentage points over 38% of basic pay/pension under the accepted Seventh Central Pay Commission formula.

Quality initiative drives statewide adoption of accreditation and standards to improve services in education, health and MSMEs.
The Uttar Pradesh Gunvatta Sankalp is a state partnership with the Quality Council of India to advance quality standards across sectors by leveraging QCI accreditation and national quality promotion mechanisms. Focusing on education, healthcare, MSMEs and skilling, the initiative emphasises technology, transparency, resource optimisation and capacity building, positioning QCI as a long term implementation partner to mainstream accreditation, sectoral governance and digital interventions for improved service and product quality.

Indo Pacific economic engagement advances as India pursues supply chain, clean economy and fair economy talks to deepen ties.
India participated in the second IPEF negotiating round in Bali (13-19 March 2023), engaging in in depth, text based discussions on Supply Chains (Pillar II), Clean Economy (Pillar III) and Fair Economy (taxation and anti corruption, Pillar IV). The Indian Chief Negotiator emphasized IPEF's role in deepening economic engagement and inclusive development. Indian negotiators held bilateral meetings with partners; industry stakeholders joined engagement sessions and a Business Forum where NPCI presented the Unified Payments Interface as Digital Public Infrastructure. Partners committed to an aggressive 2023 negotiating timetable, with further round dates to be announced.

Appointment as Managing Director & CEO: additional charge assigned until a full-time regular appointment is made.
Ms. Manmeet K Nanda, IAS, has been appointed as Managing Director & CEO (additional charge) of Invest India by the Board to serve until a full-time regular appointment is made, following the resignation of the previous head; the Board recorded appreciation for his leadership and contributions.

NPS beneficiaries above age 60: continued contributions and annuity receipt recognized under NPS framework in government data
National Pension System beneficiaries above age 60 total 5,67,116, comprising individuals who continue to contribute after age 60 and those who have exited after 60 and are receiving annuity payments. The total aggregates active post 60 contributors and former subscribers drawing annuity, with State and Union Territory level details provided in an annexure.

Global startup policy coordination to harmonize definitions, capital access, and inclusive sustainable support across borders.
The Startup20 Engagement Group will advance coordinated international startup policy through three taskforces: Foundation and Alliances to develop consensus-based definitions, a global knowledge repository, cross-border market and talent access mechanisms, and collaborative policy recommendations; Finance to expand access to diverse and patient capital, harmonize tax and legal regulations to encourage investment, and produce best-practice investor engagement guidance; and Inclusion and Sustainability to support underrepresented founders and promote startups aligned with SDGs through targeted market, finance, training and regulatory measures.

Merger approval: Competition regulator clears Reliance Retail's acquisition of Metro Cash and Carry India, subject to detailed order.
CCI approved Reliance Retail Ventures Limited's acquisition of 100% of the issued and paid-up equity share capital of METRO Cash and Carry India Private Limited. The Acquirer, a subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited, operates wholesale and retail businesses across multiple product categories, while the Target conducts cash and carry wholesale trading in India. The CCI's detailed order will follow.

Merger control approval: Cummins to acquire sole control of Meritor following regulator clearance, detailed order to follow.
The Competition Commission of India granted clearance for the acquisition of sole control of Meritor, Inc. by Cummins Inc., confirming merger control approval of the proposed transaction; a detailed CCI order providing the reasons and conditions will be issued separately.

Business Twenty engagement spotlights Sikkim organic farming and advances startup ecosystem, green investment and skills development.
The press note announces the B20 Conference in Gangtok to showcase Sikkim's organic farming and regional business opportunities, describes DPIIT's role in organising four B20 events in the North East, and summarises B20 deliverables such as workforce reskilling, green energy investment, climate finance enhancement, inclusive innovation and private sector participation to build regional value chains. It also outlines Startup20 as a new engagement group under India's G20 presidency aimed at representing startup stakeholders, strengthening the global startup ecosystem, and positioning startups as job creators, and notes DPIIT's nodal role and the scheduled meetings and summits.

PMMY loans prioritize women and disadvantaged borrowers, boosting entrepreneurship and reported net additional job creation.
Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana reported over 38.58 crore loans disbursed since April 2015, with about two thirds of loans to women entrepreneurs and roughly half to SC/ST/OBC borrowers, based on Member Lending Institutions' data. A national large sample survey by the Ministry of Labour and Employment associated the Scheme with approximately 1.12 crore net additional employments over the survey period; district and State/UT disbursement details are provided in an annexure.