India-Canada economic partnership deepens through expanded trade, investment and technology collaboration across emerging and strategic sectors.
India-Canada economic engagement was advanced through a high-level commerce and industry visit focused on strengthening bilateral trade, investment, technology collaboration and people-to-people ties. Discussions highlighted the role of the Indo-Canadian community, regional chambers, academia, business councils, institutional investors and innovation bodies, while underscoring the ongoing CEPA negotiations. Engagements also emphasized cooperation in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, cleantech, agritech, deep tech and other sectors including infrastructure, clean energy, critical minerals, logistics, healthcare, financial services and digital infrastructure.

Financial inclusion outreach boosts bank lending, CSR support, and service access through flagship schemes in Tripura.
Credit outreach programme in Agartala, Tripura, facilitated disbursement of loans through participating banks under Government of India flagship schemes, with financial support extended to beneficiaries and project-related sanctions handed over during the event. The programme also included CSR-linked assistance, including ambulances and medical equipment funding, along with the virtual inauguration of a bank branch, an ATM, and customer service points across Tripura. The Secretary, Department of Financial Services, highlighted the implementation of government flagship financial inclusion schemes in Tripura, including PM Jan Dhan Yojana, PM MUDRA Yojana, PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, PM Suraksha Bima Yojana, and Atal Pension Yojana.

Merger approval and share issuance in the absorption of Indovida India into EPL Limited in the packaging sector.
Competition Commission of India approved the proposed merger of Indovida India Private Limited with and into EPL Limited by way of absorption. EPL, as the post-merger resultant entity, is to issue and allot shares on a proportionate basis to the shareholders of Indovida India in consideration of the merger. Indovida India is a wholly owned subsidiary within the Indorama group, while EPL is engaged in the manufacture and sale of packaging products.

Joint venture approval for commodities trading entity reflects CCI clearance of the Mercuria-Tata combination.
Competition Commission of India approved the creation of a joint venture company between Mercuria Energy Netherlands B.V. and Tata International Singapore (Pte) Ltd., including the associated pre-closing restructuring and transfers. The target is to be established in the Dubai International Financial Centre, United Arab Emirates, as a commodities trading and investment entity. The joint venture is proposed to trade commodities through subsidiaries in various jurisdictions, including India.

Strategic disinvestment through competitive bidding led to approval of the highest bidder as strategic buyer for full equity sale.
Strategic disinvestment of Indian Medicines Pharmaceutical Corporation Limited was implemented through a two-stage open competitive bidding process for sale of 100% equity shareholding with transfer of management control. After Expressions of Interest, due diligence, security clearance, and issuance of the Request for Proposal and Share Purchase Agreement, two financial bids were received and evaluated as technically qualified. The highest bidder, M/s. Skymap Pharmaceuticals Private Limited, emerged above the reserve price and was approved as the strategic buyer.

Bilateral trade cooperation deepens as India and Canada reaffirm CEPA talks, investment ties, and trade expansion goals.
Bilateral trade and investment cooperation between India and Canada were advanced through high-level meetings focused on strengthening business ties, technology partnerships, and negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. The two sides reaffirmed their shared objective of expanding bilateral trade to USD 50 billion by 2030 and concluding CEPA talks by the end of the year, while also signalling continued engagement through ministerial dialogue and an upcoming trade mission to India.

Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement CEPA talks advance as India and Canada seek stronger trade, investment, and strategic cooperation.
India and Canada advanced negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) during a high-level ministerial visit and business delegation mission in Ottawa, with both sides describing the proposed agreement as commercially meaningful, balanced, and intended to strengthen bilateral trade, investment, technology, and strategic cooperation. The discussions focused on accelerating the CEPA process and identifying opportunities to expand economic linkages across priority sectors.

Industrial production index revision broadens sectoral coverage, updates weights, and links the new series with geometric mean methodology.
The revised All-India Index of Industrial Production series expands coverage, updates the item basket and weights, aligns the index with NIC-2025, and introduces greater sectoral granularity through new sub-indices. It also adopts the Geometric Mean method for linking the 2011-12 and 2022-23 series, with linking factors computed at the General Index and Sectoral Index levels.

Infrastructure project monitoring through PAIMANA tracks ongoing central sector works, sector-wise progress, and new project additions.
Central Sector infrastructure projects worth Rs.150 crore and above are monitored through the PAIMANA portal, which uses a "one data, one entry" framework and integrates with the DPIIT IPMP portal through APIs to automate data updates from Ministries and Departments. As of April 2026, the portal tracks 1,981 ongoing infrastructure projects across 17 Central Ministries and Departments, with a revised cost of Rs.42.78 lakh crore and cumulative expenditure of Rs.20.36 lakh crore. The press release also records ministry-wise and sector-wise distribution, new project additions, and commissioned projects.

India-Canada CEPA negotiations advance through ministerial engagement aimed at boosting trade, investment, and strategic cooperation.
Advancement of India-Canada CEPA negotiations through a ministerial visit focused on high-level political, official, and business interactions, with the stated aim of reviewing negotiating progress and exploring wider trade and investment opportunities. The engagement is framed as part of sustained bilateral renewal, supported by structured interactions with government leaders, industry representatives, startups, pension funds, and Canadian business interests across sectors including energy, manufacturing, aerospace, agriculture, telecom, pharmaceuticals, and services. The overall emphasis is on using the visit to deepen bilateral cooperation, support ongoing CEPA negotiations, and expand the partnership across priority economic and strategic sectors.

Industrial park development framework sets out eligibility, funding, SPV governance, and monitoring for investment-ready infrastructure.
The BHAVYA Scheme sets out a Central Sector framework for developing investment-ready industrial parks through integrated infrastructure, eligibility criteria, project selection, funding, governance, monitoring, and implementation arrangements. It provides for 100 industrial parks over six years, beginning with a challenge-based selection of up to 50 parks, and covers greenfield and eligible brownfield projects. Implementation will use Special Purpose Vehicles, with financial assistance linked to land contribution and milestone achievement, supported by monitoring, reporting, and oversight mechanisms.

APO Vision 2030 drives governance reform, digital transformation and productivity-led growth across member economies.
The Governing Body Meeting focused on APO Vision 2030, governance priorities, institutional performance measures, budgetary planning, compliance, capacity building and productivity-led growth. Member economies also reaffirmed cooperation on digital transformation, sustainable development, innovation and AI-driven productivity enhancement under the GAIA initiative, while the APO Accreditation Body's role in accrediting certification bodies for productivity specialists was highlighted.

World Trade Organization accession protocol advances Ethiopia's integration into the multilateral trading system with India's support.
India and Ethiopia signed a bilateral accession protocol in Geneva in connection with Ethiopia's accession to the World Trade Organization, and the protocol and annexes were deposited with the WTO Secretariat. The release states that the accession process involves aligning domestic economic and trade policies with WTO rules and negotiating market-access commitments with existing members. Ethiopia was described as being at an advanced stage of accession, with its Working Party having met for the seventh time in April 2026.

Smuggled foreign-origin areca nuts seized in intelligence-based operations, with arrests made in the North-East region.
DRI conducted intelligence-based operations in Mizoram and Assam and seized around 60,000 kg of smuggled foreign-origin dried areca nuts alleged to have been brought into India from Myanmar through the Myanmar-Mizoram border. Five persons were arrested in connection with the seizures, and the illegal influx was stated to be causing economic harm to domestic areca nut growers and border-region economic security.

Productivity cooperation in the Asia-Pacific takes centre stage as APO leaders discuss Vision 2030, governance reforms, and sustainable growth.
The 68th Governing Body Meeting of the Asian Productivity Organization opened in New Delhi with a focus on regional productivity cooperation, sustainable socioeconomic development, and the role of productivity in resilience, innovation, and inclusive growth. The proceedings highlighted digital transformation, green productivity, capability building, and the recognition of productivity advocates and technical experts for contributions to productivity enhancement and sustainable development. Plenary deliberations covered agenda approval, leadership election, annual and financial reports, auditors, APO Vision 2030 recommendations, governance reforms, reporting standards, and implementation initiatives.

Accessible financial services for persons with disabilities require inclusive design, training, and barrier-free delivery across banking channels.
Accessible and inclusive financial services for Persons with Disabilities are promoted through Accessibility Standards and Guidelines for the Banking and Financial Services Sector, prescribing equitable access through physical, digital, and phygital modes. Accessibility is treated as an essential part of customer experience, digital inclusion, and equitable financial participation, while financial institutions are encouraged to strengthen accessibility awareness through policy support and periodic training.

Stake acquisition approval in Restaurant Brands Asia combines equity subscriptions, warrant subscriptions, purchases and an open offer.
Approval was granted for the acquisition of a certain stake in Restaurant Brands Asia Limited by Lenexis Foodworks Private Limited, Aayush Agrawal Trust, Inspira Foodworks Private Limited, Aayush Madhusudan Agrawal and Inspira Agro Trading LLC through equity subscriptions, warrant subscriptions, equity purchases and an open offer. The transaction is structured as a proposed combination involving multiple acquisition steps and concerns the target company's stake and franchise business in India.

Atal Pension Yojana expansion highlights growing retirement security, higher enrolments, and wider inclusion across subscriber groups.
Atal Pension Yojana is being expanded nationwide as a social security and retirement preparedness initiative, with PFRDA reporting continued growth in gross enrolments, assets under management, and participation across all States and Union Territories. During FY 2025-26, APY recorded its highest-ever annual enrolment, a large addition of new subscribers, and a marked rise in participation among younger age groups. Women participation also reached a record level, while subscriber persistency, financial literacy, and outreach in the urban informal sector were highlighted as key priorities.

Asian Productivity Organization governance meeting in New Delhi to review Vision 2030, budget proposals and election procedures.
India is hosting the 68th Session of the Asian Productivity Organization Governing Body in New Delhi from 20 to 22 May 2026, with senior delegates, observers and invitees participating in annual governance discussions. The meeting will cover the APO Vision 2030 framework, the preliminary budget for the 2027-28 biennium, Secretary-General election procedures, election of the APO Chair and Vice Chairs, the Annual and Financial Report, budget proposals, institutional reforms and key policy and procedural recommendations.

Entitlement Certificate process under Assam SGST reimbursement scheme covers online application, tracking, approval, and certificate download.
Application and online processing framework for grant of an Entitlement Certificate under the Assam Industries (SGST Reimbursement for Eligible Units) Scheme, 2021, including taxpayer profile creation, login, password management, application submission, document upload, acknowledgement generation, and status tracking through the departmental portal. The portal also provides a tracking facility based on acknowledgement number, year, month, or date of application, with status display against the application until approval. Upon approval, the user may download the Entitlement Certificate from the status page.