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.

Logistics Performance Index methodology shifts to data-driven KPIs, prompting coordinated action plans to improve trade speed and connectivity.
The workshop emphasized a shift to a data-driven Logistics Performance Index with new KPIs measuring actual trade speed, and endorsed the corridor approach-exemplified by Bharatmala and Sagarmala-to reduce logistics costs and enhance connectivity. State reforms and digital initiatives were shared, leading to consensus on developing focused action plans to tackle infrastructure and digital bottlenecks and coordinate implementation with DPIIT and stakeholders.

Integrated infrastructure planning under PM GatiShakti evaluates road and rail projects to improve multi modal connectivity and regional development.
Network Planning Group evaluated five transport projects under PM GatiShakti to strengthen regional connectivity and socio economic development: upgrade of NH 216H in Andhra Pradesh for port and station linkages; a greenfield Indore bypass to decongest the city; a Guwahati ring road with elevated works and a new Brahmaputra bridge; a greenfield broad gauge line connecting Manmad and Dr. Ambedkar Nagar to enable a direct Mumbai-Indore route; and doubling of the Phaphamau-Unchahar line to improve efficiency. Reviews used PM GatiShakti mapping emphasizing multi modal and first/last mile connectivity.

Tax devolution boosts state financing for social welfare and infrastructure after additional instalments were released.
Union Government authorised an additional release of tax devolution to State Governments to strengthen their capacity to finance social welfare measures and infrastructure development schemes, making two instalments in February 2024 in addition to an earlier instalment, with a state-wise break-up of amounts and an aggregate federal disbursement provided to inform allocations for recipient States.

Restoration of the Appellate Body urged to secure a credible, inclusive and formalized dispute settlement reform process.
Restoration of the Appellate Body is the principal objective, with India urging transition of reform talks into WTO formal bodies under Dispute Settlement Body guidance, and demanding a genuinely multilateral, member-driven, open, transparent and inclusive process that permits new proposals, yields consensus-based texts, accommodates hybrid participation, and prioritises the Appellate Body's reinstatement.

Manufacturing promotion as national strategy to expand production, integrate into global value chains and boost exports and jobs.
Policy statement emphasising a tripartite strategy of macroeconomic strength, infrastructure expansion and social welfare to drive growth and advance a manufacturing promotion agenda. It seeks to expand domestic production footprints, integrate India into global value chains, and position the country as a preferred investment and sourcing destination, while targeting sectoral development in renewable energy, automobile and auto components, electrical and electronic goods, construction manufacturing, shipbuilding and semiconductors to boost exports, capacity and job creation.

Fisheries subsidies discipline urged to protect small-scale fishers and include CBDR RC and special treatment provisions.
WTO fisheries-subsidy disciplines should balance sustainability with fisher livelihoods by applying Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities and Special and Differential Treatment, assessing subsidy intensity relative to EEZ size and small-fisher populations rather than aggregate values, and extending disciplines to non-specific fuel subsidies, transfer-of-rights payments including G2G arrangements, and subsidies by distant-water fishing nations while protecting sovereign rights under UNCLOS.

Public Stockholding must be permanently resolved to safeguard food security and protect Special and Differential Treatment.
India urged finalization of a permanent solution to Public Stockholding at MC13, recalling mandates from Bali, the General Council and Nairobi, and emphasised prioritising food security and livelihoods over exporters' trade interests. It noted broad co sponsorship by G33, ACP and African Groups, highlighted large notified disparities in domestic support and called for a level playing field for low income farmers. India proposed a sequential approach: first deliver the PSH solution; then protect treaty embedded Special and Differential Treatment in the Agreement on Agriculture; and subsequently address domestic support reductions beginning with elimination of massive per capita subsidies.