Labour market statistics modernization expands monthly and quarterly reporting and redesigns PLFS sampling to improve representativeness.
The PLFS sampling design and dissemination have been revamped from January 2025 to deliver monthly all India CWS estimates of Labour Force Participation Rate, Worker Population Ratio and Unemployment Rate, extend quarterly CWS estimates to both rural and urban areas, and shift annual reporting to calendar year coverage. The redesign implements a larger multistage stratified sample with districts as primary strata where possible, increased households per FSU, and a four month rotational panel; users must consider these methodological changes when comparing pre 2025 and post 2025 PLFS results.

Record infrastructure lending growth drives IIFCL's strongest financial position and improved asset quality in the latest year.
IIFCL recorded a fifth consecutive year of record performance with materially higher annual sanctions and disbursements, strengthened net worth that expands lending capacity, and its highest-ever profitability. The loan portfolio and investments in infrastructure bonds and InvITs increased to support longer tenor debt for projects. Asset quality improved substantially with lower gross and net NPA ratios, a higher proportion of externally rated assets at investment grade, robust provision coverage, and a Capital to Risk weighted Assets Ratio well above regulatory requirements.

Misuse of funds risk raised; concern that lending could enable state sponsored cross border terrorism, prompting abstention.
India challenged IMF lending to Pakistan on grounds of repeated program failures, weak implementation and monitoring, and Pakistan's heavy indebtedness undermining program effectiveness. India also warned that entrenched military control of economic affairs raises the risk that fungible inflows could be misused for state sponsored cross border terrorism, creating reputational risks for donors and pointing to a need for stronger procedural safeguards; the IMF noted India's statements and abstention.

GST Input Tax Credit fraud uncovered, revealing circular trading and credential misuse prompting arrest and ongoing statutory investigation.
Investigations revealed a network of over eighty GSTINs, including a core group of thirty-one engaging in circular trading with no real supplies, linked to a Chartered Accountant who centralised login credentials and filings; searches seized electronic devices, uncovered non-existent firms, and led to arrest under the CGST Act, 2017 while inquiries continue to identify beneficiaries of ineligible Input Tax Credit.

Memorandum of Understanding strengthens local manufacturing and startup support, enabling mentorship, sourcing and market access.
A Memorandum of Understanding between DPIIT and Hafele India creates a two year strategic collaboration to bolster manufacturing and innovation by supporting startups and MSMEs. Hafele will provide investments, supplier development, infrastructure access, technical collaboration and market integration while DPIIT will enable ecosystem access via Startup India and co branding. The MoU contemplates commercial engagement with Indian suppliers and allows extension by mutual agreement, effecting a time bound public private partnership to build resilient local supply chains and integrate domestic manufacturers into global value chains.

Common But Differentiated Responsibilities: call for developed nations to fulfil climate finance and technology transfer commitments.
Obligations under international climate frameworks and the principle of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities are emphasised, urging developed countries to deliver climate finance, concessional funding, and technology transfer. India stresses timely international reporting, early achievement of renewable energy targets, and regulatory measures including a unified interconnected national grid and a framework for resilient data centres to enable greater clean energy integration.

Repayment at par of government security: holders must provide bank details or tender discharged security for payment.
Security is repayable at par on maturity with no interest thereafter; if a State declares a holiday under negotiable instruments law, payment will be made on the previous working day. Maturity proceeds to holders in SGL/CSGL or stock certificate form will be paid by pay order incorporating bank account particulars or by electronic credit; holders must submit bank particulars in advance. Absent such particulars, holders may tender duly discharged securities at designated paying offices or specified bank branches twenty days before the due date to facilitate repayment.

Fair and Remunerative Price approved for upcoming sugar season with recovery linked premium and penalty plus low recovery protection.
Fair and Remunerative Price fixed at Rs.355 per quintal for sugar season 2025-26 for a basic recovery of 10.25%, with a recovery linked adjustment of Rs.3.46 per quintal for each 0.1% change in recovery; applicability from 1 October 2025. A protective rule prevents deduction where mill recovery is below 9.5%, ensuring a protected payable rate to farmers. The FRP exceeds the stated cost of production (A2+FL) and was set following statutory commission recommendations and stakeholder consultations.

Hybrid Annuity Mode greenfield corridor approval enables four lane access controlled NH 6 development to boost regional connectivity.
Approval is granted for development, maintenance and management of a 166.80 km access controlled Greenfield High Speed Corridor on National Highway No. 6 from Mawlyngkhung (near Shillong) to Panchgram (near Silchar) under the Hybrid Annuity Mode, covering four lane construction, civil and land acquisition costs, integration with major highways and airports, and expected traffic and employment generation to enhance regional connectivity and economic development in the North East.

Public sector appointments expanded through a nationwide recruitment drive to bolster government services and promote inclusive hiring.
The document reports a central government-led large-scale recruitment initiative under the Rozgar Mela that distributed over fifty-one thousand appointment letters across forty-seven locations linked by video conferencing, placing recruits in administrative, technical and field roles across multiple ministries. The event is aligned with national employment and development programmes and highlights diversity metrics among recruits, presented as evidence of the government's commitment to equitable recruitment practices and to strengthening public service delivery.

Industrial Smart City development accelerates with land assembly, clearances, consultant appointments and integrated logistics digitalisation.
NICDC is advancing the Palakkad Industrial Smart City as a 1,710-acre Integrated Manufacturing Cluster with multi-modal connectivity to attract investment and jobs. Project milestones reported include substantial land possession, completed environmental clearances, issuance of a letter of award for project management and construction consultancy, and ongoing finalisation of EPC tender documents. NICDC Logistics Data Services Ltd. has implemented the Logistics Data Bank and the Unified Logistics Interface Platform to integrate government systems and APIs, supporting large-scale logistics data exchanges and private-sector engagement.

Combination approval with voluntary modifications enables acquisition of a target company by buyer pending compliance with conditions.
The Competition Commission of India approved Bharat Forge Limited's acquisition of 100% equity of AAM India Manufacturing Corporation Private Limited subject to compliance with voluntary modifications. Prior to acquisition, AAM India will hive off its Pune Business Office and a components business division to affiliates of its parent, and the target will acquire e-axle assembly lines currently housed in another group subsidiary, consolidating specified operations into the target.

Competition approval for acquisition and share subscription enabling private equity and promoter investment in a life insurer.
Competition Commission approved a two-part transaction: 360 ONE Private Equity Fund will acquire certain equity shares of Bharti Axa Life Insurance Company Limited from Bharti Life Ventures Private Limited, followed by a subscription of certain equity shares in the Target by BLVPL and 360 Fund.

Merger approval for acquisition of regional non alcoholic beverage business enables consolidation of bottling and distribution operations.
Clearance was granted for the proposed acquisition by Kandhari Global Beverages Private Limited of Hindustan Coca Cola Beverages Private Limited's business of preparing, packaging, supplying and distributing non alcoholic beverage products in North Gujarat and the Union Territory of Diu, constituting a proposed combination and consolidating bottling and distribution activities; a detailed Commission order will follow.

Project monitoring to fast track infrastructure delivery through enhanced inter ministerial coordination and stakeholder engagement.
Project monitoring under the PMG reviewed 19 issues across 17 mega infrastructure projects to fast track implementation through enhanced inter ministerial and inter state coordination. The meeting emphasized clearing operational bottlenecks, accelerating approvals, and proactive stakeholder engagement, with priority projects including a multi lane road upgrade, new ESI hospitals to expand healthcare access, and a permanent technical institute campus to strengthen regional education. The DPIIT Secretary urged use of the PMG platform and reinforced the institutional monitoring framework to expedite project execution.

Local governance empowerment through Sarpanch Samvaad promotes water security and sanitation sustainability at the village level.
Quality Council of India, with the Ministry of Jal Shakti, held a Sarpanch Samvaad edition titled Leadership for Swachh & Sujal Grams to empower sarpanchs in advancing water security and sanitation sustainability. The programme gathered village leaders, experts, and officials to showcase grassroots initiatives, promote peer learning, and channel village-level concerns to central authorities for resolution, with practical emphasis on measures such as rainwater harvesting and aligning panchayat planning with the Viksit Bharat development vision.

National Pension System enrolment surge with large private subscriber increase and expanded assets under management.
Significant expansion in the National Pension System's private-sector enrolment occurred during 2024-25, with new private subscribers exceeding twelve lakh and total subscribers surpassing 165 lakh by March 2025; the minor-focused NPS Vatsalya, introduced in September 2024, registered over one lakh subscribers; combined Assets Under Management for NPS and Atal Pension Yojana grew by twenty three percent by end March 2025.

Registration validity for Virginia tobacco growers extended to three years, reducing annual renewal requirements under Tobacco Board Rules.
The Tobacco Board Rules, 1976 have been amended to extend the validity of Certificates of Registration for Virginia tobacco growers and licences for barn operation from annual renewals to a three year validity by modifying sub rules of rule 33 and rule 34N, effective from the 2025-26 crop season in Andhra Pradesh, facilitating less frequent renewal and reduced compliance burden.

Startup funding commitment pledged, subject to due diligence, with mentorship and network support to scale recycling operations nationally.
DPIIT, with Startup India and Stride Ventures, selected Buoyancy Plastics for Change as the Bharat Startup Grand Challenge 2025 winner and announced Stride's commitment to provide venture-debt funding subject to due diligence, plus mentorship, market access and network support under an existing memorandum of understanding to scale the startup's recycled plastics supply-chain initiatives.

Abuse of dominance settlement: Google to unbundle Play Store and permit Android forks on smart TVs, altering OEM obligations.
The Commission found that Google's TADA and ACC collectively imposed bundling and pre-installation obligations and restricted OEMs from creating or using forked Android versions, reinforcing dominance in licensable Smart TV OS and App Store markets; refusal-to-deal claims were not substantiated. Google's settlement under Section 48A provides standalone licences for Play Store and Play Services on smart TVs, waives ACC requirements for devices without Google apps shipped into India, removes default bundling and placement mandates, and the Commission accepted the proposal with a settlement discount applied.