eznews.inThe Indian Labour Ministry has announced new draft rules under the Social Security Code 2020, mandating that all eligible gig and platform workers receive an identity card, either digital or physical, containing their personal details. To qualify for social security benefits, workers must meet a 90-day annual work threshold with an aggregator, or 120 days if engaged with multiple aggregators. The Ministry clarified that any day a worker earns income counts towards this threshold. Aggregators are required to electronically update worker details quarterly on a designated government portal, and failure to do so may result in ineligibility for benefits. Additionally, all workers aged 16 and above must register with Aadhaar and other specified documents. Contributions collected will be allocated to a dedicated Social Security Fund for gig workers, with penalties for aggregators who fail to meet payment deadlines. The draft rules are open for stakeholder feedback until January 3, 2026. 
Published: Jan 03 2026, 12 pmeznews.inIndia's power sector is at a pivotal moment as it anticipates a recovery in demand by 2026, following a period of stagnation attributed to weak consumption trends. A report by Jefferies highlights that power demand remained flat year-on-year from April to November 2025, largely due to excessive monsoon rainfall impacting residential cooling needs and agricultural irrigation. The firm has revised its demand growth estimate for the 2026 fiscal year down to 2 percent, from an earlier 4 percent projection, although a medium-term rebound to 5-6 percent is expected as weather patterns normalize and industrial activity increases. Meanwhile, the renewable energy sector has also felt the impact, with a slowdown in Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) signings. Despite these challenges, thermal power remains crucial for meeting base load requirements, prompting the Ministry of Power to raise its thermal capacity addition target to 97 GW by 2035.
Published: Jan 03 2026, 10 ameznews.inAgriculture is increasingly vulnerable to climate change, with erratic rainfall and prolonged droughts threatening the livelihoods of millions of farmers, particularly in rainfed and semi-arid regions of India. Reports indicate that 51% of the country's net sown area relies on rain, accounting for nearly 40% of total food production. In response, watershed development has emerged as a vital strategy to enhance water security and soil health, enabling farmers to adapt to climate variability. By implementing structures like check dams and contour bunds, these initiatives improve local water availability, reduce dependence on unpredictable monsoons, and mitigate flooding and soil erosion. Additionally, they promote crop diversification, allowing farmers to cultivate a variety of crops, thereby increasing productivity and sustainability. Community participation is essential for the success of these programs, ensuring long-term resilience in agricultural systems as climate challenges intensify.
Published: Jan 03 2026, 10 ameznews.inIndia's agricultural sector is poised for a significant evolution in its use of artificial intelligence (AI) by 2026, shifting focus from isolated experiments to broader integration and scalability. Over the past decade, various AI applications have emerged, enhancing crop advisory, pest detection, and yield estimation, yet their impact has been inconsistent. The success of these technologies increasingly hinges on their integration into existing agricultural frameworks, including government programs and supply chains. As digital infrastructure strengthens, AI is expected to support institutional decision-making rather than operate in silos. However, challenges such as data quality, transparency, and the diverse realities of India's agricultural landscape remain. Future advancements will depend on responsible governance, addressing last-mile connectivity issues, and ensuring that AI tools are contextually relevant. Ultimately, the role of AI in enhancing agricultural resilience will be shaped by its careful embedding within the systems that govern production and distribution.
Published: Jan 03 2026, 9 ameznews.inThe Indian automotive sector wrapped up December 2025 with strong performance across key segments, buoyed by improved macroeconomic conditions and positive rural sentiment, according to a report by Asit C. Mehta Investment Intermediates Limited (ACMIIL). Despite a post-festive slowdown, year-on-year growth remained robust, particularly in the passenger vehicle segment, where Maruti Suzuki reported a 22.2% increase in wholesales, driven by pre-buying ahead of expected price hikes. Mahindra & Mahindra also excelled, with a 23% rise in domestic utility vehicle volumes. In contrast, Hyundai lagged with only a 6.6% increase. The two-wheeler market saw TVS Motors leading with a 47.8% growth, while commercial vehicles showed early signs of an upcycle, with M&M reporting a 34.4% increase. The tractor and three-wheeler segments also thrived, with TVS achieving a remarkable 109.8% growth in three-wheelers. Looking ahead, supportive macro conditions are expected to sustain growth, though rising commodity prices may impact margins.
Published: Jan 03 2026, 9 ameznews.inThe Andhra Pradesh Government has approved the establishment of a greenfield port and shipbuilding cluster at Dugarajapatnam in Tirupati district, as part of the Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways' Shipbuilding Development Scheme. The AP Maritime Board will acquire 2,000 acres for this initiative and create a 50:50 special purpose vehicle (SPV) in collaboration with the Vizag Port Trust, ensuring equal representation from both the State Government and the Trust. The board will transfer the land to the SPV to facilitate the cluster's development and will also seek a partner for the shipyard project. Additionally, the State Government has authorized the Andhra Pradesh Airports Development Corporation Limited (APADCL) to acquire 418.14 acres in Damavaram village for the Dagadarthi Greenfield Airport, with an investment of ₹54.36 crore.
Published: Jan 02 2026, 8 pmeznews.inIndia's natural gas demand is projected to rebound in FY27, with a growth rate of 3-4% year-on-year, following a period of decline in FY26 due to reduced consumption in key sectors like fertilizer and power. The expansion of the city gas distribution (CGD) network and a recovery in industrial consumption are expected to drive this resurgence. Electricity demand is also anticipated to rise by 5-5.5% in FY27, recovering from a low growth of 1.5-2% in FY26, influenced by weather patterns and previous monsoon impacts. Additionally, easing global LNG prices and moderating domestic gas prices, projected at $6.1 per million British thermal units, will benefit CGD entities. The energy sector is increasingly adopting digital tools and AI to enhance efficiency and decarbonisation efforts, while renewable capacity saw a significant increase of 31.2 gigawatts in the first eight months of FY26, indicating a robust project pipeline.
Published: Jan 02 2026, 8 pmeznews.inIndia's major reservoirs have seen water levels fall below 80% this week, according to the Central Water Commission (CWC), which reported a storage of 142.177 billion cubic metres (BCM), or 77.45% of their total capacity. This marks a 5.5 percentage point increase from the previous year and is 22.5 percentage points above the 10-year average. However, rainfall has been limited, primarily affecting only parts of the peninsular south and north-west, as noted by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). While the western and central regions maintain storage above 80%, the northern and eastern regions are struggling, with levels at 71.95% and 69.52%, respectively. Currently, eight reservoirs are full, and 42 exceed 90% capacity, but 13 are below 40%. The IMD forecasts further declines in water levels due to expected lower rainfall from January to March.
Published: Jan 02 2026, 8 pmeznews.inThe Indian government launched two key components of its ₹25,060 crore export promotion mission (EPM) on Friday, introducing a long-awaited interest subvention scheme with a budget of ₹5,181 crore and ₹2,114 crore in collateral support for export credit. The scheme offers a base interest subsidy of 2.75% on pre- and post-shipment rupee export credit for eligible MSME exporters, covering 75% of total tariff lines, with additional incentives for exports to emerging markets. The subvention is capped at ₹50 lakh per firm annually and will be reviewed bi-annually. Additionally, a collateral guarantee support scheme will provide up to 85% coverage for micro and small exporters. While these measures aim to alleviate high credit costs and collateral challenges for MSMEs, some exporters expressed disappointment over the subvention rate and the exclusion of certain products. The EPM, approved by the Union Cabinet, aims to enhance the global competitiveness of Indian MSMEs.
Published: Jan 02 2026, 8 pmeznews.inThe conclusion of the PM E-DRIVE scheme is expected to narrow the price gap between electric three-wheelers (e-3W) and internal-combustion vehicles, which currently stands at around ₹1 lakh due to the subsidy. The Heavy Industry Ministry confirmed that the scheme has met its objectives, supporting nearly 2.86 lakh e-3Ws by December 22, and will not entertain claims beyond December 26. Deependra Sharma, CEO of Montra Electric, noted that while the end of the subsidy may lead to a slight increase in upfront costs, e-3Ws still offer significant savings in operating and maintenance expenses. Analysts predict that the initial dip in demand among price-sensitive buyers will be temporary, as the total cost of ownership remains favorable for electric models. The industry, now more mature, is poised for continued growth, with e-3W penetration rates reaching 65%, the highest among all vehicle categories in India.
Published: Jan 02 2026, 8 pm
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