Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has put in place well-defined mechanisms to ensure timely collection and publication of official s...
Quantum finance innovation will advance secure digital banking through cybersecurity, fraud detection, collaborative research, workforce development and digital literacy. A Quantum Finance Innovation Hub is proposed to apply quantum technologies to banking through stronger cybersecurity, proactive financial-fraud detection and secure digital financial ecosystems. The initiative will bring together industry, academia, startups, research organisations and government agencies to promote innovation in quantum computing, artificial intelligence and related technologies. It also focuses on workforce development, digital literacy, public confidence in digital financial services, and technology-enabled responses to cybercrime and digital-arrest scams.
Chief executive succession plan appoints a CEO designate, subject to shareholder approval, for an AI-led corporate leadership transition. Corporate leadership succession at Infosys is proposed through the appointment of Ashiss Kumar Dash as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer designate from 1 April 2027. The five-year appointment is subject to shareholder approval and follows a recommendation of the Board's Nomination and Remuneration Committee. The incumbent will remain in office until the transition date and support an orderly transfer of responsibilities. The succession plan identifies the CEO designate's business, technology-delivery, client and global operations experience as relevant to AI-led transformation.
Bullion market pressure intensified as rising oil prices, inflation concerns and restrictive monetary policy expectations weakened gold and silver sentiment. Gold and silver prices declined amid weaker global bullion trends, profit-booking, and higher crude oil prices linked to Middle East tensions. Market commentary associated the decline with inflation concerns and expectations that major central banks may sustain restrictive monetary policy for longer. Gold was described as facing near-term pressure from higher interest-rate expectations, inflation risks, and geopolitical uncertainty.
Quantum finance innovation will develop secure, AI-enabled banking solutions through collaborative research, startup incubation, cybersecurity enhancement and workforce development. Quantum finance innovation is to be advanced through a memorandum of understanding for establishing the PNB Quantum Finance Hub at Amaravati Quantum Valley. The hub will develop, test and support adoption of secure, intelligent and future-ready banking solutions using Quantum Computing and Artificial Intelligence. It will bring together industry, academia, startups and government agencies for research, innovation, incubation and acceleration of financial technologies, focusing on cybersecurity, fraud detection, operational efficiency, risk management and customer experience.
Foreign investment in inventory-based e-commerce is allowed only for exports of Indian-made goods, while domestic retail remains prohibited. Foreign direct investment in inventory-based e-commerce is permitted exclusively for exports of goods or products manufactured or produced in India. Restrictions on business-to-consumer and inventory-based e-commerce do not apply to these exports, subject to the Foreign Trade Policy 2023 and export regulations. Foreign direct investment in inventory-based e-commerce retailing for domestic sales remains prohibited, with the revised position taking effect upon the relevant foreign exchange notification.
Joint Home Loan Eligibility and Shared Repayment Liability Shape Borrowing Capacity, Tax Claims, Documentation, and Exit Planning. Joint home loans allow eligible applicants to combine income for a single housing loan, while making every co-applicant fully responsible for repayment. Eligibility depends on each applicant's income, financial obligations, credit history, age, repayment capacity and property criteria. Applicants should agree on EMI sharing, ownership proportions and exit arrangements before applying, as removal of a co-applicant requires lender approval and reassessment. Co-owner borrowers may claim applicable interest and principal repayment deductions subject to ownership, contribution and income-tax requirements. Each applicant must provide separate identity, income and banking documentation.
Export competitiveness increasingly depends on regulatory compliance, preferential trade access and diversification into smartphones, medicines, petroleum products and semiconductors. India's export potential to 2031 is centred on smartphones, polished diamonds, petroleum products and medicines, with the United States, Hong Kong, Japan, China, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates as important markets. New product opportunities include iron ore concentrates, gasoline vehicles and light petroleum oils. Although selected destinations offer duty-free or preferential access, market entry in mature markets increasingly depends on compliance with non-tariff measures, including registration, quality certification, safety documentation and product standards. Semiconductor-related manufacturing is identified as a long-term opportunity supported by expanding electronics capacity, supply-chain diversification and domestic incentives.
Foreign investment in inventory-based e-commerce is permitted exclusively for exports of Indian-manufactured or produced goods under export compliance rules. Foreign direct investment in inventory-based e-commerce is permitted exclusively for exports of goods or products manufactured or produced in India. Foreign direct investment remains permitted in business-to-business e-commerce and the marketplace model, while business-to-consumer and inventory-based direct sales to consumers remain prohibited except for the specified export activity. Export-oriented inventory-based operations must comply with the applicable Foreign Trade Policy and foreign exchange regulations governing exports.
Women's leadership in credit expands through a Chennai community platform supporting mentorship, inclusive lending practices, and financial ecosystem collaboration. The Chennai chapter of the 'Credit Goes to HER' initiative provides a platform for women professionals in banking, NBFCs, fintech, housing finance, academia and policy to share knowledge, obtain mentorship and collaborate on inclusive credit practices. It seeks to strengthen women's leadership and participation in the credit ecosystem while supporting responsible lending, financial inclusion, transparency and data-driven decision-making.
Digital personal-loan campaign combines online collateral-free borrowing, eligibility-based assessment, flexible repayment options and conditional lifestyle rewards for successful disbursals. Digital personal-loan campaign permits eligible customers to apply online for collateral-free borrowing and receive specified lifestyle rewards upon successful disbursal, subject to campaign terms. Applicants may check an offer, provide personal, financial and employment information, review loan terms, complete know-your-customer and bank-account verification, and undergo assessment. Interest rates, loan amounts and repayment tenures depend on eligibility, credit profile, income and internal assessment. An EMI calculator supports comparison of repayment options and estimation of monthly instalments before application.
Foreign-exchange market pressure weakened the rupee as elevated crude prices and risk sentiment drove trading conditions. Foreign-exchange market movement saw the rupee depreciate against the US dollar amid elevated crude oil prices linked to heightened West Asia hostilities. Weak domestic equity markets and foreign investor equity outflows contributed to negative sentiment. Market commentary indicated that prospective Reserve Bank of India intervention supported the rupee and could limit sharper depreciation, while shipping-security concerns contributed to elevated oil prices.
Homebuyer refund claims in developer insolvency proceed through pro-rata distribution of funds deposited for eligible buyers. Homebuyer refund claims connected with demolished residential towers are being considered within the developer's insolvency proceedings. Buyers who have not opted for alternative allotment seek repayment. Eligible refunds are contemplated on a pro-rata basis from funds deposited by the Interim Resolution Professional, subject to the claims process and the availability of deposited funds.
Free trade agreement tariff reductions create investment opportunities for Asia-Pacific manufacturers seeking UK and European market access. The UK-India Free Trade Agreement is presented as reducing tariffs on advanced machinery and manufacturing-related goods and creating trade and investment opportunities for Asia-Pacific manufacturers seeking UK and European market access. Manchester is promoted as an investment location through its advanced manufacturing cluster, skilled workforce, innovation infrastructure, international links, and available manufacturing and research space. Invest Manchester provides investor support and undertakes international engagement to develop trade, investment and innovation partnerships.
Practical legal training and structured internships strengthen judicial examination preparation, professional skills, and career exposure for law students. Legal education employability initiatives combine curriculum alignment for judicial and competitive examinations with mentoring, legal drafting practice, research training, and professional interaction. Internships provide practical exposure to courts, judicial institutions, government bodies, law firms, advocates' chambers, corporate legal departments, and non-governmental organisations. Students in integrated and three-year law programmes complete prescribed minimum internship periods, with summer and winter placements commencing after the first year. Specialisation-based internships cover civil, criminal, corporate, cyber, intellectual property, arbitration, taxation, and government or non-governmental legal work.
Student fashion showcase celebrates identity, personal storytelling, craft preservation and conscious creation through nine contemporary design collections. Student fashion showcase 'Astitva' presented nine contemporary collections exploring identity, belonging, transformation, memory, resilience, grief and cultural heritage through personal design narratives. The collections included a contemporary reinterpretation of Bhujodi weaving, Ajrakh block printing and Kumaoni hand-knitting, emphasising preservation of Indian craft traditions. Recognition included a designer award for the craft-revival collection and a sustainability award for a collection focused on craftsmanship, conscious creation, heirloom design and mindful luxury.
Rupee exchange-rate movements face pressure from elevated crude prices and equity outflows, moderated by possible central-bank intervention. Rupee exchange-rate movement in early foreign-exchange trading reflected a modest appreciation against the US dollar after depreciation in the preceding session. Possible dollar sales by state-owned banks, widely viewed as central-bank intervention, and a weaker US dollar supported the currency. Elevated crude-oil prices, foreign institutional equity outflows, and negative domestic equity-market sentiment continued to create downside pressure, although expected central-bank support was considered likely to limit losses.
Official statistics dissemination uses digital validation, release calendars, anonymised microdata and accessible platforms to strengthen timeliness and transparency. Official statistics collection and dissemination are supported through digital survey platforms with built-in validation, real-time monitoring and supervisory quality controls. Consumer Price Index, National Accounts Statistics and Index of Industrial Production data are collected, compiled or validated through specified quality and timeliness mechanisms. An Advance Release Calendar supports accountable publication, while anonymised survey microdata, stakeholder engagement and digital portals improve transparency, accessibility and use of official statistics.
Official statistical modernization strengthens macroeconomic measurement through revised bases, digital surveys, validated data collection and district-level estimates. Official statistical methodology and National Sample Surveys are periodically reviewed to reflect changing economic conditions, emerging data needs and international standards. Base revisions for key macroeconomic indicators incorporate updated data, expanded coverage, revised weights, administrative sources and improved estimation of the unincorporated sector. Survey methods are updated through expert consultation, pilot studies and field testing. Digital collection platforms, validation checks, real-time monitoring, AI-enabled tools and multilingual interfaces support improved data quality, quicker releases, high-frequency surveys and district-level estimates.
Energy statistics reporting expands with internationally aligned consumption data, energy-sector credit flows, and improved coal and electricity coverage. Energy Statistics India 2026 reports Total Primary Energy Supply and renewable energy potential, supporting energy policy and infrastructure planning. Its 33rd edition adds data on credit flow to the energy sector, the international energy scenario, and international marine and aviation bunker use. It aligns end-use consuming sectors for energy commodities with international standards and addresses data gaps in industry-wise coal and electricity consumption.
Competition approval for full acquisition integrates cash replenishment, ATM hardware, software, managed services and maintenance operations. Competition approval has been granted for The Brink's Company's acquisition of the entire equity share capital of NCR Atleos Corporation, which will become wholly owned and controlled by the acquirer. The acquirer provides cash replenishment and ancillary first-line maintenance in India. The target's Indian activities include ATM hardware manufacture and supply, ATM software development and licensing, ATM managed services, and first-line and second-line ATM maintenance.
Indian workers emigrate every year for Overseas employment in different sectors including manufacturing industry. During 2009 about 6.10 Lakh Indian workers emigrated under the Emigration Act, 1983. Out of this, about 90% of the emigration takes place to the Gulf Countries. However, no Government of any foreign country has specifically made a request for calling labourers from India for working in their manufacturing goods industry.
The Government has taken several initiatives for protection and welfare of Overseas Indian Workers which include:
(i) Attestation of employment documents by the Indian Mission concerned is mandatory in the case of recruitment of "unskilled workers" and "housemaids" for all 17 ECR countries. Attestation is required for all categories of workers in Yemen, Lebanon, Libya, Jordan, Sudan and Kuwait.
(ii) Government has established an Indian Workers Resource Centre (IWRC) at UAE.
(iii) A recalcitrant foreign employer is blacklisted (by placing him in the Prior approval category list) from future recruitment in consultation with the Indian Mission.
(iv) A Nation wide Awareness-cum-Publicity Campaign through media has been launched to educate intending emigrants about legal emigration procedures, risk of illegal migration and precautions to be taken during emigration.
(v) The Ministry has set up the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) in 42 Countries for providing onsite support and financial assistance to Indian workers in distress.
(vi) The Government has established an Overseas Workers Resource Centre (OWRC) which is a 24x7 hour telephone helpline which provides information to intending emigrants as well as emigrants on all aspects of emigration. Complaints can also be lodged through this helpline.
(vii) India had signed Labour Agreements with Jordan and Qatar in 1980s to protect the interest of the Indian Workers. Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) were signed with United Arab Emirates (UAE) in December, 2006, with Kuwait in April, 2007, with Oman in November 2008, with Malaysia in January 2009, and with Bahrain in June 2009. An Additional Protocol to the existing Labour Agreement between India and Qatar was signed in November, 2007.
Under these MOUs, Joint Working Group (JWG) have been constituted that meet regularly in order to resolve bilateral labour issues. These MOUs enhance bilateral co-operation in management of migration and protection of labour welfare.
This information was given by the Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs, Shri Vayalar Ravi in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Labour emigration safeguards: mandatory document attestation and bilateral MOUs to protect Indian workers abroad via helplines.
The Government enforces emigration safeguards including attestation of employment documents for designated worker categories and countries, blacklisting of non compliant foreign employers via a prior approval regime, and provision of resource centres, helplines, welfare funds and public awareness campaigns; bilateral labour agreements and MOUs establish Joint Working Groups to manage migration and protect labour welfare.
Note: It is a system-generated summary and is for quick reference only.