Drug smuggling seizure: heroin concealed in soaked thread bales detected, prosecution under NDPS Act underway.
Joint intelligence-led examination at Pipavav port revealed four bags of thread bales testing positive for an opiate derivative; the syndicate soaked threads in a heroin solution, dried and baled them, and mixed them with ordinary consignments to avoid detection. Examination and seizure proceedings under the NDPS Act, 1985 are continuing and will involve extraction and forensic analysis of narcotic residue from the textile material.

Export growth in chemicals boosts India's global market reach and benefits small and medium exporters.
India's chemical exports rose substantially in 2021-22, driven by higher shipments of organic and inorganic chemicals, agrochemicals, dyes and specialty chemicals, expanding exports to over 175 countries and benefiting small and medium exporters. The increase is credited to export-promotion measures including market-access grants, B2B exhibitions, embassy-led marketing, financial aid for overseas product registration, and industry modernization to improve product quality and competitiveness, supporting integration into global supply chains and expanded domestic production capacity for export.

Trade and investment collaboration to be advanced through a facilitated dialogue targeting R&D, manufacturing and critical resource cooperation.
High-level bilateral engagement aimed at enhancing mutual trade and investment and expanding cooperation in agriculture, clean energy, biofuels, fertilizers, education and technology. Parties agreed to pursue a formal dialogue, facilitated by NITI Aayog, to operationalise cooperation in R&D, manufacturing and innovation with thematic focus on critical minerals, carbon capture utilization and storage, food security, water management and grain handling and storage.

Safe drinking water provision in schools via RO treatment and coolers ensures potable supply despite contaminated groundwater.
Project SAJAL provides potable water in 20 government schools in districts affected by industrial groundwater contamination by installing Reverse Osmosis units to reduce dissolved solids and other contaminants and water coolers to maintain acceptable serving temperatures, with site selection justified by Central Ground Water Board findings that chemical parameters and salinity exceed BIS 10500 potable limits.

Geographical indication products promotion drives export-focused pavilion and targeted exporter support at major international food fair.
APEDA is organising a 3,000 sqm pavilion at the 36th AAHAR fair to promote Geographical Indication Products and other agricultural and processed food exports, allocating dedicated stalls for GI proprietors, regional exporters, women entrepreneurs, FPOs, FPCs, start-ups and millet producers, while complementing the fair with B2B exhibitions, marketing campaigns and virtual Buyer-Seller Meets to connect Indian suppliers with international importers.

Export growth in ceramics and glassware driven by market diversification and export-promotion initiatives, boosting SME participation.
India's ceramics and glassware exports achieved record levels in 2021-22 versus 2013-14, driven by surging shipments of ceramic tiles, sanitary wares and diversified glass articles. The growth is linked to product innovation and industry modernization, and to export-promotion and market-access measures (including funded B2B exhibitions and marketing campaigns supported via a Market Access Initiative), which aided market diversification despite logistical challenges and increased SME exporter participation.

MoU for Agri Export Policy implementation advances climate resilient, zero carbon farming and tech commercialization for export value chains.
A Memorandum of Understanding between APEDA and NRDC formalizes cooperation to implement the Agri Export Policy by jointly disseminating and commercializing technologies in agri and food processing, focusing on climate resilient agriculture and zero carbon emission farming for residue free exports. The agreement emphasizes development of low cost, energy efficient farm machinery for smallholders, support for agri start ups via incubation resources, mutual expert exchanges, and stakeholder capacity building to strengthen the export value chain.

Monetary policy stance: repo rate held steady while remaining accommodative and withdrawing accommodation to anchor inflation.
The MPC resolved to keep the policy repo rate unchanged and to remain accommodative while focusing on withdrawal of accommodation to ensure inflation remains within the target while supporting growth. The SDF will serve as the floor of the LAF corridor and corridor normalisation toward its pre-pandemic width will proceed as part of a migration to a symmetrical liquidity management framework. The decision was unanimous and reflects elevated global commodity-driven inflationary pressures, supply-chain disruptions and downside risks to growth, prompting a gradual multi-year withdrawal of surplus liquidity.

Cost management urged: CMAs should reduce costs and ensure quality to boost export competitiveness and trade resilience.
Cost & Management Accountants are urged to prioritise cost control and quality production to boost export competitiveness by employing cost-accounting techniques such as marginal costing to improve cost recovery and profitability; enhanced exports are linked to greater foreign exchange reserves, reduced currency depreciation risk, lower interest rates, and moderated inflationary pressures, while CMAs are characterised as guardians of growth promoting industrial efficiency and cost consciousness.

Export-led growth: duty relief and incentives to boost competitiveness, manufacturing scale and global market access.
Make exports the central strategy for national economic growth by combining fiscal measures, sectoral incentives and regulatory guidance to enhance competitiveness and scale. The announcement foregrounds removal of import duty on cotton and elimination of certain anti dumping duties to reduce input costs for textiles and other labor intensive sectors, with the stated effect of improving export competitiveness, supporting manufacturing and preserving employment. Production Linked Incentive schemes are identified as instruments to create economies of scale and global champions.

Non-basmati rice exports expand significantly, becoming top agricultural forex earner and diversifying markets with policy and logistics support.
Non-basmati rice exports have risen substantially to become the top agricultural foreign-exchange earner, driven by government policies enhancing market access, coordinated promotion, logistics and port infrastructure development, and quality-focused value chains; exports diversified to over 150 countries including several new destinations, supported by record domestic rice and food-grains production which strengthens supply and improves farmer realizations.

Export promotion and quality certification enabling wider market access and higher returns for sugar producers and exporters.
Rapid expansion of sugar exports is attributed to export-promotion policies, trade facilitation, and quality-certification infrastructure. APEDA's recognition of testing laboratories and organisation of trade fairs and delegations are identified as key operational measures enabling market access and demand creation. Continued surplus production permits export-led stock reduction and supports improved realizations for sugarcane farmers, aligning export growth with the policy goal of increasing farmer income while maintaining comfortable domestic stocks.

Production-linked incentive scheme for textiles approves major applicants to boost manufacturing capacity and exports under specified investment and turnover conditions.
Approval under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Textiles supports manufacturers of MMF apparel, MMF fabrics and technical textiles with a designated financial outlay; 61 applicants were selected from 67, with projected aggregate investment, turnover and direct employment figures. The scheme comprises two parts with distinct minimum investment and turnover eligibility thresholds for incentives, operates under notified operational guidelines and a defined application window, and is complemented by removal of import duty on cotton to boost sector growth.

Free trade agreements expand market access with zero duty benefits, backed by stakeholder consultation and export facilitation.
Recent bilateral trade agreements with the UAE and Australia expand market access for Indian goods, including zero duty access for specified products, and were negotiated with stakeholder consultation. Policy priorities emphasise trade facilitation through Ease of Doing Business, reduced compliance burdens, decriminalisation, and labour law reform, supported by a whole of government PM GatiShakti approach. Exporters are urged to maintain uniform, stringent quality standards, and export targets are set consultatively with Export Promotion Councils and stakeholders.

Services exports milestone achieved, boosting overall export levels while March services estimates remain provisional pending RBI revision.
Services exports achieved the targeted milestone for April-March 2021-22, recording significant year on year growth and contributing to an all time high in overall exports. March services estimates show positive growth but are provisional and will be revised based on subsequent RBI releases. Merchandise and non petroleum non gems & jewellery trade also registered strong growth, while the merchandise trade deficit widened year on year.

Trade facilitation: National Time Release Study shows reduced cargo release times and recommends measures for further improvement.
The National Time Release Study 2022 measures average cargo release time across seaports, air cargo complexes, inland container depots and integrated check posts and reports year on year reductions with ICPs meeting NTFAP targets and other categories nearing them. Using automated customs data, the study credits improvements to four measures: advance filing for pre arrival processing, risk based facilitation, the Authorized Economic Operator program, and Direct Port Delivery, while noting export documentary clearance is faster but post clearance logistics constitute most export delay.

Agricultural export promotion expands via product matrix and logistics, enhancing certification, traceability, and market development support.
Creation of a product matrix for 50 agricultural products guides export-promotion and market-development initiatives, supported by promotional activities, registration of export and processing units, promotion of geographical indications, and financial assistance for infrastructure and quality improvement. Complementary measures include recognition and upgradation of laboratories, implementation of digital traceability and certification systems, and collaboration under a national master plan to enhance logistics and timely transport of perishable goods, thereby aligning production, testing and shipment with global food safety and market access requirements.

Work visa opportunities expanded under India Australia trade cooperation enable student and professional mobility to meet host country skill needs.
The release emphasises operative mobility provisions under the India Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement, noting Australia's commitment to extend work visa opportunities for students and to facilitate temporary entry of Indian professionals (including Yoga instructors and chefs) to address Australian skill needs, thereby enabling Indian STEM, IT and service sector contributors to participate in the Australian economy.

Trade Agreement expansion encourages deeper India-Australia market access, investment facilitation, and startup and research collaboration.
The release positions the India Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement as the central framework to expand bilateral market access, investment flows and sectoral cooperation in education, research, technology, manufacturing, space and sustainability. It emphasises complementarity-Australia supplying critical raw materials and research, India providing skilled labour and manufacturing capacity-and promotes education recognition, startup engagement and investment facilitation to deepen value chain partnerships and strengthen supply chain resilience.

Policy repo rate held unchanged; accommodative stance with focus on withdrawal of accommodation to contain inflation.
The Monetary Policy Committee decided to keep the policy repo rate unchanged, with the MSF and Bank Rate unchanged and the standing deposit facility set as the floor of the LAF corridor. The MPC will remain accommodative while focusing on withdrawal of accommodation to ensure inflation stays within the medium term target of 4 per cent ( 2 per cent) while supporting growth. The stance reflects elevated global commodity prices, supply disruptions, domestic inflation breaching the tolerance band, and balanced growth risks.