Category: Economy

India’s external debt surged by around 11% at the end of December 2024 compared to the same period in the previous fiscal year. The debt increased from approximately $648 billion at the end of December 2023 to about $718 billion at the end of December 2024 – an increase of over $69 billion (10.7%). Composition of the Debt Currency Denomination Debt Components of the Debt (Source: BL)

The Union cabinet on March 28, 2025 approved a ₹22,919 crore Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS) for a period of six years to make India Atmanirbhar in electronics supply chain. Objective: 🔹 Key Features: Passive vs Active Components: (Source: PIB)

Union Home & Cooperation Minister Amit Shah has announced the launch of ‘Sahkar’, a new app-based taxi service operating under the cooperative model—giving drivers a stake in the business instead of just being service providers. Why Now? How will ‘Sahkar Taxi’ be different?

To support MSMEs in adoption of future technologies, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), in collaboration with NITI-FTH has launched Dx-EDGE—a national initiative to create an ecosystem connecting MSMEs, technology providers, and academic institutions. (Source: PIB)

National Highways Infra Trust (NHIT) has successfully concluded fourth round of fund-raising at an Enterprise Value of about Rs.18,380 crore, making it the largest monetization transaction in the history of Indian roads sector. About National Highways Infra Trust (NHIT) About Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvITs)

The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-Madras) is planning to develop a cutting-edge Sustainability Campus on a 100-acre site in Auroville, Puducherry, with 20 acres out of this dedicated to the Centre of Excellence for Zero Emission Trucking (CoEZET). (Source: BL)

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma inaugurated Meghalaya’s first ‘scientific coal mining’ project at Byndihati in the East Jaintia Hills district on March 17.

The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has introduced the Digital Crop Survey (DCS) System, which aims to gather real-time crop-sown details directly from the field through a mobile interface. What is Digital Crop Survey? Agri Stack – A Secure Digital Framework Farmers’ Registry – Inclusive & Secure (Source: PIB)

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has finalized a staff-level agreement with Pakistan for a $1.3 billion loan package over 28 months to support the country’s climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts.

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has notified amendments to the Income-Tax Rules, 1962, expanding the scope of safe harbour rules to support electric vehicle (EV) and EV battery makers in India. Key Amendments: What is Safe Harbour in Taxation? (Source: Mint)

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the Union Ministry of Commerce & Industry, has successfully exported the first consignment of GI-Tagged Dalle Chilly from Sikkim to the Solomon Islands. About Dalle Chilly: Geographical Indication (GI) Tag: Significance of Export: (Source: PIB)

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued revised guidelines on Priority Sector Lending (PSL) to improve the targeting of bank credit to key economic sectors. Key Changes in PSL Guidelines: Sectors Covered Under PSL: (Source: Moneycontrol)

In a significant boost to India’s agricultural exports, a consignment of 30 metric tons (MT) of GI-tagged jaggery from Muzaffarnagar, a region renowned for its high-quality sugarcane, was flagged off for export to Bangladesh. (Source: PIB)

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) successfully facilitated the flagging off of the first consignment of Anthurium flowers from Aizawl, Mizoram, to Singapore. Key Highlights (Source: PIB)

Recently, the Standing Committee on Finance’s report on the MCA’s demands for grants for 2025-26 was tabled in the Lok Sabha. The report comprises many recommendations on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) issue. Overview of Recommendations Implications for Corporate Governance India’s ESG Steps (Sources: BL and PIB)