Public procurement digitalisation expands market access and supplier inclusivity through platform-based transparency and onboarding reforms.
GeM functions as a digital public procurement platform that aggregates a broad base of buyers and sellers, expands market access for small and marginalized suppliers through targeted inclusion mechanisms and local access points, and increases procurement transparency and efficiency. Rapid growth has been driven by a surge in services procurement, extensive onboarding of sellers and last-mile buyers, active state and central buyer participation, and a concurrent technology modernisation effort to enhance configurability and ease of onboarding diverse procurement entities.

Core industries growth signals expansion as multiple sectors record positive production increases while fertilizers decline.
The combined Index of Eight Core Industries rose 6.7% year on year in February 2024, with Coal, Natural Gas, Cement, Steel, Crude Oil, Electricity and Refinery Products recording positive growth while Fertilizers declined. The ICI, covering eight sectors and representing 40.27% of the IIP basket, shows a provisional cumulative April-February growth of 7.7% and a revised final growth for November 2023 of 7.9%. Recent monthly data are provisional and methodological notes address inclusion of renewable electricity and a new steel product.

Women workforce participation in logistics urged through stakeholder consultation to develop a roadmap and policy actions enabling inclusion.
Stakeholder consultation convened by DPIIT targets promotion of gender inclusivity in logistics by assembling industry, MSMEs, training institutes, academia and international partners to identify measures addressing infrastructural and policy barriers, workplace safety, training, and professional development. A follow up study will gather stakeholder feedback to prepare a roadmap for an enabling environment to increase women's participation across the logistics value chain through collaborative policy design, skills development and institutional reforms.

Seizure under NDPS Act prompts arrests and probes into international drug smuggling syndicate across Indo Nepal routes.
Officers intercepted and recovered multiple ingestible capsules and concealed luggage containing cocaine after targeted intelligence; field testing confirmed the controlled substance. The consignment was traced to an international syndicate transporting narcotics via air to Kathmandu and across the Indo Nepal border for onward movement into India. The recovered capsules and luggage were seized and the carrier and recipient were arrested and processed under the NDPS Act, with further investigation ongoing.

Special Working Group for Startups and Innovation to institutionalize SCO startup cooperation and India's permanent chairmanship advancing collaborative programs.
The fourth SCO Startup Forum in New Delhi advanced multilateral cooperation to promote innovation and entrepreneurship through plenary participation, a startup showcase, and a workshop on establishing seed funds. The forum reaffirmed the institutional framework of the Special Working Group for Startups and Innovation (SWG), whose regulations were adopted and which is permanently chaired by India. DPIIT-led initiatives-virtual forums, a startup hub, mentorship programs and SWG meetings-are intended to coordinate capacity building, investor engagement and thematic collaboration across SCO Member States, with future SWG and Forum meetings scheduled.

Acquisition approval for consolidation of shareholding in a core investment company, enabling group ownership realignment.
Approval of a proposed change in shareholding in Shriram Investment Holdings Private Limited by the Competition Commission of India for acquisition by Shriram Ownership Trust of minority stakes held by two shareholders, consolidating ownership within the Shriram group; SIHL is an unregistered core investment company holding mainly wholly owned subsidiaries, and a detailed CCI order will follow.

Gold smuggling enforcement leads to seizures and arrests after coordinated intelligence led interdictions across multiple states.
DRI's multi state operation 'Rising Sun' targeted a syndicate smuggling foreign origin gold via the Indo Myanmar land border, leading to seizure of smuggled gold, vehicles, cash and electronic items, identification of cars with concealed compartments, interception of transit vehicles, and apprehension of multiple suspects; the action applied customs enforcement and seizure measures supported by coordinated intelligence and inter regional interception.

Integrated network planning under PM GatiShakti advances multimodal projects to boost connectivity and freight efficiency nationwide.
Evaluation under PM GatiShakti considered three highway projects and two railway projects focusing on integrated network planning, multimodal connectivity, and logistics efficiency. Key measures include a Multi Modal Logistics Park at Pune on DBFOT to aggregate freight and shift traffic to efficient modes; widening NH 334D to four lanes to improve airport and expressway connectivity; an elevated 4 lane corridor on NH 139 to ease urban congestion; a Greenfield broad gauge rail line linking Assam and Arunachal Pradesh to boost regional development; and doubling a Bihar rail section to increase capacity and offer an alternative route.

Joint Economic and Trade Committee establishes bilateral trade cooperation framework enabling technical assistance, training and market engagement.
The protocol establishes a Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) as a bilateral institutional mechanism between India and the Dominican Republic, signed on March 12, 2024 after Union Cabinet approval, to formalise a standing forum for trade and commercial policy coordination. JETCO's functions include strengthening cooperation in trade, services and industrial technologies through technical assistance, training programmes and capacity building, facilitating knowledge sharing and best practices to address trade and industry challenges, and operationalising early meetings to expand existing bilateral commerce.

Competition approval: acquisition of healthcare provider stake cleared via staged investment and subsequent majority acquisition.
The Competition Commission of India approved a proposed combination in which TPG Growth V SF Markets Pte. Ltd. and Waverly Pte. Ltd., via Asia Healthcare Holdings Pte. Ltd., will subscribe for fresh redeemable preference shares in AHH and AHH will thereafter acquire a majority shareholding in Asian Institute of Nephrology and Urology Private Limited, a single-specialty provider of urology, nephrology, dialysis and transplant services in South India. The parties include a TPG-managed investment fund, a GIC-related special purpose vehicle, and a Singapore-based healthcare holding company; detailed CCI order will follow.

Industry-led collaboration expands the Bharat Mobility Global Expo to multiple venues, boosting stakeholder engagement and investment promotion.
Decision to scale up the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 as a multi-venue, multi-day Industry-led event organised simultaneously at three major exhibition centres, featuring vehicles, EV components, software, batteries, tyres and construction equipment, with sectoral sessions, buyer-seller meetings, product launches and start-up showcases, and with active contributions from Central Ministries and invited State Governments to present investment and policy initiatives.

Investment incentives for North East industrialisation: zone-based capital, interest subvention and GST-linked production support.
The UNNATI scheme provides zone-differentiated incentives for new and expanding industrial units in the North East, comprising a Capital Investment Incentive based on eligible plant, machinery and building investment with zone-specific caps and GST considerations; a Central Capital Interest Subvention at prescribed zone rates for a fixed period; and a Manufacturing & Services Linked Incentive for new units linked to net GST payments where GST applies, subject to an overall per-unit benefit cap. Implementation is by DPIIT with national and state committees overseeing registration, monitoring and disbursement.

Increased financial assistance under Tea Development & Promotion Scheme expands support for small tea growers and value chain upgrading.
Financial assistance under the Tea Development & Promotion Scheme has been increased to scale up mobilization of small tea growers into SHGs and FPOs, fund common facilities and mini tea units for value addition, and provide soil testing and capacity building to raise productivity and quality. The scheme adds promotion, blending and packaging incentives, research on value added products, a dedicated Quality Assurance component for laboratory set up and sampling, and a technological intervention component for precision farming, traceability and Tea Board digitization, alongside replantation of old bushes and continued welfare and training programs.

Dearness Allowance increase for central employees and pensioners effective January 2024 under the Seventh Pay Commission formula.
An additional instalment increasing Dearness Allowance (DA) for Central Government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) for pensioners by 4 percentage points is approved effective 1 January 2024, raising the rate above the prior 46% of Basic Pay/Pension. The measure follows the formula based on the Seventh Central Pay Commission, covers about 49.18 lakh employees and 67.95 lakh pensioners, and has an annual fiscal impact of Rs.12,868.72 crore.

Fintech-enabled NPS access expands digital onboarding and subscriber reach, enhancing portability and inclusion in the pension system.
Inauguration of fintech-enabled access to the National Pension System (NPS) through a brokerage web application as a Point of Presence (PoP) expands digital onboarding and subscriber reach, facilitating early enrollment, account continuity and portability across employment, and confirming NPS availability to non-resident Indians.

Wildlife Protection Act enforcement: DRI intercepts illicit elephant tusk trade, seizes tusks and arrests suspects.
DRI officers intercepted an illicit elephant tusk consignment near Bengaluru, arrested seven suspects and seized two tusks (about 6.8 kg) under Section 50 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Recent amendments effective April 1, 2023, granted DRI enhanced enforcement powers, which have been used to conduct multiple seizures across India in the fiscal year 2023-2024 targeting domestic ivory trafficking.

Appointment of Economic Adviser on deputation/contract invited, with eligibility and application details available online for central post.
Invitation for applications to the post of Economic Adviser at the Senior Pay Matrix (Joint Secretary level) on deputation/contract basis, with detailed eligibility criteria, job responsibilities, emoluments and the application proforma uploaded online in an accompanying circular and annexure.

Logistics recognition highlights innovation and best practices after transparent multi stage evaluation by expert committees.
DPIIT conducted the LEAPS Valedictory Session to recognise twelve awardees across core logistics, warehouses, MSMEs, startups, institutions and special categories for ESG, safety and inclusivity. Aligned with the National Logistics Policy, LEAPS highlights leadership, innovation and best practices across transport modes and logistics subsectors. The selection process involved transparent evaluation of 171 entries by a 14-member Expert Screening Committee and a 13-member National Jury representing ministries, industry associations and private stakeholders, aiming to benchmark performance and acknowledge MSMEs, startups and ecosystem enablers advancing sustainability, safety and skills development.

Repayment of government security at par requires bank mandate for electronic credit or surrender of discharged certificate for payment.
Outstanding balance of the bond is repayable at par on the maturity date with no interest accruing thereafter; if a State-declared holiday falls on repayment day, payment will be made on the previous working day. Under Government Securities Regulations, 2007 sub-regulations 24(2) and 24(3), maturity proceeds will be paid by pay order with bank particulars or by electronic credit; holders must submit bank particulars in advance or, lacking them, tender duly discharged securities at designated paying offices twenty days before the due date.

Economics of Competition Law conference to address artificial intelligence challenges and enforcement implications for policy and research.
The Competition Commission of India is convening a national conference on the Economics of Competition Law featuring a keynote address, a plenary on Artificial Intelligence and two technical sessions, aimed to stimulate research, deepen understanding of domestic competition issues and draw inferences for enforcement of competition law.