Unified Pension Scheme: eligible NPS subscribers must apply by 30.11.2025 online or via nodal office.
The notification implements the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) for eligible Central Government NPS subscribers and prescribes that UPS requests be submitted online through the CRA system or by physical application to the respective Nodal Office, which will process requests per the prescribed procedure; requests must be submitted on or before the stated last date to be considered.

India Israel economic cooperation strengthened as ministers sign Terms of Reference to begin FTA negotiations and expand sectoral partnerships.
The ministerial visit advanced structured economic cooperation by signing the Terms of Reference to commence India Israel Free Trade Agreement negotiations and by identifying priority collaboration areas-agriculture (seed improvement and water reuse), infrastructure and mining investment opportunities, and technology sectors including agritech, water tech, defence, cybersecurity, AI and pharmaceuticals-supported by business forums, over 250 B2B meetings and delegation site visits to deepen trade and innovation partnerships.

Ease of doing business reforms simplify licences and expand labour protections for unorganised and gig workers.
The government emphasised the Jan Vishvas Bill to simplify procedures and reduce compliance burdens and proposed piloting One Nation, One License through a single online portal for state and municipal trade licences. It also outlined that the four newly enacted Labour Codes consolidate rules to simplify compliance and extend facilities, social security and improved working conditions to unorganised and gig workers, and encouraged product origin labelling and promotion of Swadeshi goods.

Smuggling of foreign cigarettes seized under Customs Act in Mizoram with large seizure and three arrests.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, with assistance from security forces, intercepted vehicles and searched godowns in Mizoram, recovering 73,70,000 foreign origin cigarette sticks of various brands that lacked the mandatory pictorial and health warnings. The recovered cigarettes and an implicated vehicle were seized under the Customs Act, 1962, preliminary inquiries indicate smuggling from Myanmar via the Zokhawthar sector, and three persons were arrested.

India and Canada to fast-track a high-ambition trade pact prioritising critical minerals, clean energy and advanced technologies.
India and Canada will fast-track negotiations for a high-ambition Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement to double bilateral trade by 2030, strengthening investor confidence and providing a framework for trade and investment. Priorities include critical minerals, mineral processing, clean and nuclear energy, supply-chain diversification, advanced technologies, and manufacturing. A five-pronged delivery approach-sectoral roadmaps, reinvigorated business engagement, joint innovation leveraging India's intellectual property regime and research funding, focused delegations, and participation in events-is proposed to convert dialogue into measurable outcomes.

Dholera SIR's plug-and-play infrastructure and centralized utilities enable major semiconductor investment and international manufacturing collaboration.
Dholera SIR is developing integrated plug-and-play infrastructure, centralized utilities and digital governance to enable advanced manufacturing. A 163 acre semiconductor fabrication project, structured as an international commercial partnership with specified capacity and technology nodes, exemplifies cross-border investment and supply chain integration under the national industrial corridor programme. Complementary social infrastructure and continued foreign corporate expansion are positioned to support workforce needs and sustain industrial growth.

Gold smuggling uncovered after seizure of 1.246 kg on a flight; airline staff and others arrested.
Seizure of 1,246.48 grams of 24K gold concealed inside a passenger life jacket pouch on a flight from Jeddah led to investigation exposing an organised syndicate that recruited carriers and used airline staff to facilitate smuggling; digital evidence links the group to over ten similar consignments worth about Rs.16 crore, and four individuals were arrested under the provisions of the Customs Act 1962.

AJNIFM launches four digital courses on iGOT Karmayogi to boost public finance and analytical skills.
AJNIFM launched four digital courses on the iGOT Karmayogi platform-FinTech in India; Disposal of Scrap Goods; Cash Flow Statement in Financial Analysis; and Investment Management using Fixed Income Securities-aimed at enhancing analytical, financial and procedural competencies of government officials and promoting continuous professional development in line with Mission Karmayogi.

GeM and UN Women MoU expands procurement access for women entrepreneurs through training, validation and market linkages.
The MoU creates a framework to expand sourcing from women-led businesses via GeM's Womaniya initiative by integrating women entrepreneurs and SHGs into public procurement. UN Women will develop training, global best practices, success-story dissemination and validation criteria, promote outlet stores, mobilise trainers and support MSME registration. GeM will run trainings, sensitise buyers, host onboarding workshops, produce vernacular materials, engage women trainers and connect entrepreneurs with government labs and R&D for product development and market readiness.

Infrastructure projects assessed for multimodal connectivity, capacity upgrades, and last mile links to boost logistics and regional development.
The Network Planning Group evaluated three proposals under the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan-third and fourth rail lines between Punarakh and Kiul (49.57 km), a new BG rail line between Silghat and Dekargaon (27.50 km), and a four lane elevated corridor on NH 65 (Old Pune Naka to Boramani Naka, 9.66 km)-assessing conformity with integrated multimodal infrastructure, last mile connectivity, and a Whole of Government approach to enhance logistics efficiency, capacity augmentation, regional connectivity, and socio economic development.

Data innovation in official statistics drives modernisation and improved accuracy through digital tools and integrated data systems.
This press release reports a national ceremony marking the NSS anniversary and World Statistics Day that emphasised NSS legacy and digital modernisation. Key operational developments included adoption of CAPI, chatbots and e-SIGMA; integration of survey and administrative data; updated sampling frames for urbanising areas; launch of a Data Innovation Lab Portal for AI/ML use cases; release of an updated National Industrial Classification; and deployment of a new CAPI application for price data with secure login, role-based scrutiny, geo-tagging and improved filtering to enhance data accuracy and timeliness.

NIC 2025 introduces a 6 digit coding structure to classify emerging economic activities including digital and green economy.
The release of NIC 2025 establishes an updated national statistical standard aligned with ISIC Revision 5, adopts a new 6 digit coding structure for greater granularity, expands sections and subclasses to capture emerging and indigenous sectors, and formalises technology agnostic classification principles. It introduces enhanced intermediation services classes, distinct digital economy classifications, and expanded coverage of environmental and green economy activities to support statistical compilation, administrative datasets, national accounts and evidence based policymaking.

Proposed cement sector acquisition: regulator approves IndiaRF's stake in Digvijay and Digvijay's investment in Hi-Bond.
Regulatory action concerns approval of a composite proposed combination in the grey cement sector involving India Resurgence Fund's acquisition of shareholding in Digvijay Cement Company Limited, a proposed long-term business arrangement between Digvijay and Hi-Bond Cement (India) Private Limited, and Digvijay's proposed acquisition of shareholding in Hi-Bond, with a detailed order to follow.

Merger approval: Shelf Drilling to become wholly owned subsidiary of ADES International with cash consideration to shareholders.
The Competition Commission of India approved the merger of ADES International Cayman into Shelf Drilling, under which Shelf Drilling will be the surviving entity, shareholders of Shelf Drilling will receive cash consideration, and Shelf Drilling will become a wholly owned subsidiary of ADES International; ADES International is a holding entity consolidating oil and gas drilling subsidiaries, ADES Cayman is newly incorporated, and both groups provide offshore drilling and related services in India, with the Commission's detailed order to follow.

India's development pillars: manufacturing, skilling, investment and technology, with regulatory reforms and decriminalisation measures to boost investment.
The Government frames four pillars-manufacturing, skilling, investment and technology-to drive development by 2047, urging domestic manufacturing expansion, supply chain resilience, vocational skilling to address underemployment, and an investment friendly ecosystem. It commits to streamlining FDI/FII processes, reducing compliance burdens, decriminalising minor offences via the Jan Vishwas reforms, and eliminating obsolete laws to enhance ease of doing business, attract investment and technology, and support national security and innovation.

India-New Zealand FTA negotiations advancing; ministers to intensify efforts for an early, balanced conclusion and deepen trade and investment.
Negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement between India and New Zealand advanced with substantive progress and closure on several elements; ministers agreed to intensify efforts toward an early, balanced, and mutually acceptable conclusion, framing the FTA as a means to accelerate trade, deepen investment linkages, enhance supply chain resilience, and provide a transparent, stable framework for businesses.

Sixteenth Finance Commission submits recommendations on tax distribution, state allocations, grants and disaster financing for 2026-31.
The Sixteenth Finance Commission, constituted under Article 280, submitted its report for 2026-27 to 2030-31 recommending the distribution of the net proceeds of taxes between the Union and States, allocation of States' shares, grants-in-aid to States, and review of financing arrangements for disaster management; the report follows wide consultations and is in two volumes, with Volume I containing recommendations and Volume II annexures, and will be published when tabled in Parliament under Article 281.

Digital governance and cybersecurity: strengthen protections, adopt post quantum cryptography, and build indigenous digital security capacity.
The address highlighted India's DPI-Aadhaar, UPI, DigiLocker, BharatNet, Co WIN, UMANG, MeghRaj Cloud and GIS platforms-as transforming governance and inclusion. It called for stronger cybersecurity frameworks in light of AI enabled threats, stressed the relevance of the DPDP Act, urged adoption of post quantum cryptography and promoted indigenous solutions for digital sovereignty alongside capacity building in cloud security and future digital skills.

Just in Time fund flow reforms: integrate IFMS and PFMS with AI for timely, accountable Centre-State financial transfers.
Deliberations promoted Just in Time fund flow by integrating the Integrated Financial Management System with the Public Financial Management System to improve timely, synchronized Centre-State transfers and accountability. The session evaluated procedural bottlenecks, shared state practices for real-time reconciliation, and explored Artificial Intelligence applications for decision support. States/UTs also provided inputs on appraisal and approval processes for Centrally Sponsored Schemes requiring continuation beyond the current Finance Commission cycle, focusing on design, implementation and administrative transition issues.

Andhra Pradesh logistics digitisation via ULIP offers real time visibility and KPI analytics through API based platform integration.
Memorandum of Understanding commits the Government of Andhra Pradesh (through INCAP) and NLDSL/NICDC to develop and implement an integrated ULIP based digital platform and logistics dashboard delivering real time visibility, KPI monitoring, analytical insights, and API based data sharing to enhance coordination, efficiency and data driven governance aligned with the National Logistics Policy.