FDI liberalisation expands investor access and streamlines approvals to attract and retain domestic industrial investment.
The Government implements a coordinated set of schemes and regulatory reforms-including Make in India, PLI Schemes, NSWS, India Industrial Land Bank and Project Development Cells-to create an enabling ecosystem for industrial development. The Cabinet approved 12 new National Industrial Corridor projects to advance manufacturing capacity. The Government stresses FDI liberalisation, with most sectors open to 100% investment under the automatic route and recent relaxations such as an announced increase in the insurance sector FDI cap tied to local premium investment, alongside measures to remove regulatory barriers and improve infrastructure.

Project monitoring to resolve regulatory clearances and accelerate infrastructure implementation through strengthened intergovernmental coordination and stakeholder use of PMG.
The Project Monitoring Group of DPIIT identified 25 issues across 15 major projects in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, focusing on ESIC hospital delivery and a telecommunications 5G/4G expansion impeded by forest and wildlife clearance and other regulatory approvals; it urged strengthening institutional project monitoring, proactive resolution of pending matters, greater use of the PMG mechanism and enhanced coordination among Central Ministries, State Governments and Project Proponents to accelerate implementation.

Seizure of Hashish Oil under NDPS Act leads to arrests after mid sea interception and intelligence led maritime operation.
A joint intelligence-led interception by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence and the Indian Coast Guard recovered and seized 29 packets of Hashish Oil from a tug-barge en route to the Maldives; the narcotic was covertly loaded mid-sea with assistance from a crew member, three suspects were arrested, and the consignments were seized under the NDPS Act, 1985 after field testing identified the substance.

Memorandum of Understanding establishes a public private partnership to support startups in advanced manufacturing, road safety, and sustainability.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade and Mercedes Benz India establishes a public private collaboration to enhance India's manufacturing ecosystem, focusing on road safety and environmental sustainability by creating structured programs that provide startups with infrastructure, mentorship, funding, and market linkages, and by leveraging corporate social responsibility funding and incubator engagement to strengthen industry academia linkages and facilitate international knowledge exchange.

Industrial policy and WTO disciplines: reconcile PLI schemes with trade rules to support green transition and supply chain resilience
The conference focused on designing Production Linked Incentive schemes and industrial policy measures that enhance manufacturing competitiveness while remaining compatible with WTO disciplines. It emphasised metrics to assess policy impact, the need to align incentives with rules-based trade obligations, and the importance of green industrial policy, value-chain integration for critical raw materials, domestic value creation, employment generation, and resilient global supply chains.

Competition approval for acquisition of shareholding in pharmaceutical packaging firm enables secondary purchase by newly formed investment vehicle.
The Competition Commission of India approved a proposed combination under which TPG Scion SG Pte. Ltd., a newly incorporated Singapore special purpose investment vehicle affiliated with the TPG Group, will acquire certain shareholding in Schott Poonawalla Private Limited by way of a secondary purchase from Serum Institute of India Private Limited. Schott Poonawalla Private Limited manufactures sterile and non-sterile glass containers and ancillary components for primary pharmaceutical packaging; TPG Scion currently has no operations in India and was incorporated for the Proposed Combination.

Merger control clearance: acquisition approved via promoter sale plus open offer, yielding equal promoter shareholding.
The Competition Commission approved Adani Infra (India) Limited's acquisition of equity shares in PSP Projects Limited through an initial purchase from the promoter and a subsequent open offer to public shareholders, resulting in the Acquirer and the Seller with other promoters holding equal shareholding; the approval provides competition clearance for the transaction and the Commission will issue a detailed order later.

Open offer obligation under takeover rules prompts acquisition-based control consolidation, enabling Ambuja Cements to take over Orient Cement.
The Competition Commission of India approved Ambuja Cements Limited's proposed acquisition of Orient Cement Limited through a two-step transaction: direct acquisition of 46.80% of issued share capital from promoters and certain public shareholders, followed by a mandatory open offer under the SEBI takeover regulations for additional shares of the expanded capital, which upon full acceptance would consolidate majority ownership; the parties' overlapping cement manufacturing activities and geographic footprints were provided as commercial context.

Merger clearance: competition authority approves Shell entities' acquisition of Raj Petro Specialities, noting detailed order to follow.
Competition approval granted for the proposed combination in which Shell Deutschland GmbH and Shell Overseas Investments B.V. seek to acquire the entire equity of Raj Petro Specialities Private Limited, a manufacturer of hydrocarbon chemistry-based high performance petro speciality products. The acquirer group, part of the Shell Group, is active in oil and gas and in manufacture and sale of lubricants in India. The Commission notes a detailed order will follow, conveying regulatory clearance under the merger control framework.

Merger control clearance: Roquette's purchase of IFF's pharma solutions and nourish product lines cleared under merger control.
The Competition Commission approved Roquette's acquisition of IFF's Pharma Solutions business and specified Nourish product lines by purchase of equity interests in entities housing the Target Business, transferring pharmaceutical excipient activities and selected food ingredient product lines to Roquette; the Target Business has a local presence through a single Indian entity and a detailed regulatory order will follow.

Merger control approval: acquisition of KSK Mahanadi by JSW Energy via new subsidiary cleared despite insolvency proceedings.
Merger control approval was granted for JSW Energy Limited's proposed acquisition of 100% shareholding in KSK Mahanadi Power Company Limited through its newly formed wholly owned subsidiary, JSW Thermal Energy One Limited; KSK Mahanadi operates a thermal power plant and is currently subject to the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016.

CEO appointment strengthens GeM leadership as platform transitions to next generation digital marketplace under TCS partnership while retaining commerce department responsibilities.
Shri Ajay Bhadoo has been appointed CEO of Government e Marketplace effective March 3, 2025, while continuing as Additional Secretary in the Department of Commerce; the appointment coincides with GeM's transition to a next generation digital marketplace implemented with Tata Consultancy Services and places departmental leadership in concurrent charge of the platform's oversight.

Integrated infrastructure planning improves multimodal connectivity and last mile efficiency through coordinated digital project execution.
PM Gati Shakti is a digital integrated infrastructure planning platform that aligns central and state schemes (including Bharatmala, Sagarmala, inland waterways, dry/land ports and UDAN) to ensure coordinated execution, improve multimodal connectivity, enhance last mile access, reduce travel time and promote sustainable transportation practices. The PM Gati Shakti Experiential Centre showcases these logistics and transport initiatives and presents the One District One Product scheme as a value chain connector that can attract international investment and benefit producers, consumers and suppliers.

Mutual fund industry duties: protect small investors and reduce market volatility through education and prudent stewardship.
Mutual funds industry responsibilities focus on Investor Protection and minimising market volatility by improving investor education, cautioning against excessive risk, and isolating misguided investor behaviour. The industry must temper short term speculation, promote financial inclusion, and act as steward of a fair, organised market as domestic investors and collective investment mechanisms shape market resilience.

Public procurement transparency: GeM expands inclusive access for startups, women entrepreneurs and MSMEs to government contracts.
Government e Marketplace (GeM) establishes an operational framework for public procurement centered on open marketplace access, transparency, and fairness, requiring disclosure of seller, goods, and service information and providing databased price reasonability tools. It operationalizes inclusiveness through initiatives-SWAYATT, Startup Runway 2.0, and Womaniya-that onboard startups, women entrepreneurs, and MSMEs and align supplier readiness with government demand. GeM also supports statutory procurement goals by facilitating compliance with targets for MSMEs and sub targets for SC/ST and women entrepreneurs.

Integrated multimodal infrastructure review advances project alignment and logistics efficiency under PM GatiShakti principles.
The Network Planning Group evaluated eleven road, rail, IT and metro projects for conformity with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, assessing alignment, access control, interchanges and supporting works to secure integrated multimodal connectivity, last mile links to economic and social nodes and intermodal coordination; the review highlighted expected gains in logistical efficiency, freight evacuation, reduced travel time and socio economic benefits subject to integrated implementation.

Design policy highlighted as a national development driver, urging graduates to advance 'Make in India' and global innovation.
Design is framed as a strategic national asset and innovation driver across sectors, tied to the 'Make in India' and 'Design in India' initiatives, with graduates positioned to translate those initiatives into global impact; the 44th Convocation of the National Institute of Design conferred degrees on 430 students and emphasized design education's contribution to inclusive growth and national capacity in design-driven industries.

Digital payment adoption via UPI drives widespread low value retail use and enables international payment interoperability.
UPI operates as India's dominant real time retail payment system, driven by user centric design, low transaction costs, and continuous innovation. Recent briefings reported record monthly and fiscal volumes, widespread participation by banks and third party apps, and a majority share of P2M transactions-largely low value payments-demonstrating UPI's centrality to everyday retail payments. The platform's international expansion positions UPI as a model for cross border interoperability and an object of study for other jurisdictions seeking to adopt similar real time payment architectures.

Quality Management as key enabler for investment and growth, urging industry to adopt modern standards and handhold small businesses.
The statement prioritizes quality management and handholding of small businesses, urging adoption of modern quality standards, enforcement under existing quality control orders, and leadership by business chambers and larger firms to upgrade manufacturing practices; it further stresses sustainability and energy efficiency, inclusive growth supported by targeted interventions and CSR, expansion of skill development centers, and strengthening competitiveness through innovation and capacity building to reduce dependency on subsidies.

Quality-driven growth: initiative to embed sectoral quality standards through state-industry collaboration and capacity building programs.
Gunvatta Sankalp Nagaland, organised by the Quality Council of India with the Government of Nagaland, is a one-day platform to strengthen quality across Healthcare, Education & Skilling, Industry & MSMEs, and Tourism by convening officials, industry, and experts to embed quality standards, foster partnerships, and support capacity building aligned with the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.