Government policies

Govt hikes small savings interest rates

31 Dec 2023

The central government on Saturday notified revised interest rates on small savings schemes, including a 20 basis point hike in the interest rates

34 companies bid for India’s green hydrogen subsidies

29 Dec 2023

A total of 34 companies have submitted bids for projects to be developed under the Government of India’s Green Hydrogen Mission.

LIC gets a 10-year exemption from the 25% public shareholding rule

21 Dec 2023

In a significant development, the state-owned Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) announced on Thursday, 21 December 2023, that it has secured a one-time exemption from the Finance Ministry regarding the 25% public shareholding rule.

UPI transactions grow at a CAGR of 168% in 5 years to Rs139 lakh crore

19 Dec 2023

The value of financial transactions using the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has grown from Rs1 lakh crore to Rs139 lakh crore in the last five years

India’s vehicle safety testing programme `Bharat NCAP’ is now operational

19 Dec 2023

Government of India's vehicle safety assessment programme, Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (BNCAP) has completed its first round of crash testing and results are expected this week or by the end of this month.

PM inaugurates Surat Diamond Bourse

18 Dec 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated the Surat Diamond Bourse, which he claimed to be the world’s largest and the most modern centre for international diamond and jewelry business.

The government contemplates the termination of the FAME subsidy for electric two-wheelers

18 Dec 2023

In a recent report by the Times of India (ToI), it has been indicated that the government is unlikely to continue subsidies for electric two-wheelers as the provisions for the same are set to expire in a few weeks.

Govt to provide financial incentives to local shipbuilders

17 Dec 2023

The government has introduced a scheme to offer financial assistance for Indian shipyards for securing orders from domestic as well as overseas markets and to remain competitive in the market, union minister for ports, shipping and waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal informed the Lok Sabha in a written reply on Friday.

Centre allows ethanol production from sugarcane juice, B-heavy molasses

16 Dec 2023

A week after prohibiting the use of sugarcane juice and sugar syrup for making ethanol, following industry pressure, the government on Friday reversed its decision and allowed the use of the juice as well as B-heavy molasses for producing the bio-fuel.

Agriculture ministry organises 2-day Asean-India Millet Festival

15 Dec 2023

India on Thursday opened an Asean-India Millet Festival, a two-day event aimed at increasing awareness and establishing a larger market for millet and millet-based products.

Oil marketing companies to set up 7,432 EV charging stations

14 Dec 2023

The ministry of heavy industries has sanctioned Rs800 crore as capital subsidy to the three public sector oil marketing companies (OMCs) for setting up 7,432 electric vehicle charging stations under Phase II of the FAME scheme.

Centre halves wheat stock limits for traders, processors

12 Dec 2023

The centre on Friday announced fresh stock limits on wheat held by traders – both wholesale and retail – as also retail networks and processors

Supreme Court upholds abrogation of Article 370 in J&K

12 Dec 2023

The Supreme Court has upheld the Indian Union government’s decision to revoke the special status enjoyed by Jammu and Kashmir; it has revoked Article 370, which was promulgated in 1949, after the first war with Pakistan over the control of this territory.

Govt notifies `HaritSagar’ guidelines to improve ecosystem at major ports

10 Dec 2023

The ministry of ports, shipping and waterways has notified `HaritSagar’ green port guidelines to reduce carbon intensity and to develop an environment-friendly ecosystem

Free e-commerce network ONDC onboards 2.3 lakh sellers

10 Dec 2023

The government-supported Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) claims to have more than 2.3 lakh sellers, including over 3,000 farmer producer organisations (FPOs)

India joins global alliance of river cities

09 Dec 2023

India has cemented its position in the Global River Cities Alliance with the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) signing a memorandum of common purpose (MoCP

Non-fossil fuel sources account for nearly 44% of India’s installed electricity generation capacity

09 Dec 2023

The total installed capacity for generation of electricity using non-fossil fuel energy resources in India stood at 186.46 Giga Watts as of 31 October 2023

Govt to auction 30 critical minerals for strategic mining

09 Dec 2023

The central government on Wednesday initiated the process of auction of critical minerals, perhaps for the first time in the country, and has identified 30 minerals for strategic mining.

Govt extends date for fresh applications under PLI scheme for textiles till 31 December

09 Dec 2023

The central government has extended the last date for submitting fresh applications under the PLI scheme for textiles through an online portal to 31 December 2023.

The government allocates an additional Rs. 1,500 crore to the FAME-II program

04 Dec 2023

In a decisive move to bolster the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles in India (FAME-II) program, the Centre has sanctioned an additional Rs. 1,500 crore for its second phase.

Hero Electric aims to resolve Rs 140 crore penalty imposed by MHI

24 Nov 2023

Hero Electric has urged the government to resolve the ongoing dispute concerning the Rs 140 crore penalty imposed by the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI).

Google pledges its support to the Indian government in advancing ethical AI development

24 Nov 2023

Google has reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with the Indian government and industry stakeholders to promote the ethical development of artificial intelligence (AI).

Dell, HP, Foxconn, Lenovo among 27 firms approved under PLI scheme for IT hardware

18 Nov 2023

The union cabinet on Friday approved PLI Scheme 2-0 for IT hardware under which 27 firms, including Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo, etc

WHO, Ayush ministry collaborate to promote traditional medicine

18 Nov 2023

India's ministry of Ayush and the World Health Organisation (WHO) have entered into a `Traditional and Complementary Medicine 'Project Collaboration Agreement'

Government plans overhaul of SEZ Act, proposes reduction in tax incentives, and increased integration

09 Nov 2023

The government seems poised to refrain from introducing fresh direct tax incentives for businesses in special economic zones (SEZs).