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The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) is set to launch a pilot of the Bharat Aayat Niryat Lab Setu on November 4, a digital single-window platform designed to connect testing and inspection agencies across India. This initiative aims to facilitate faster and paperless certification for export and import consignments by digitally linking exporters, importers, and accredited agencies through a unified online interface. Starting November 11, users will be able to submit applications for product testing via the platform, which promises to reduce delays, enhance traceability of test results, and bolster global confidence in India's quality infrastructure. The DGFT emphasized that the system will improve transparency and turnaround times while increasing the visibility of testing agencies. During the pilot, traditional processes will remain in place to ensure a smooth transition and allow for feedback to refine the new system. 
Published: Oct 28 2025, 6 ameznews.inIndia's industrial production saw a notable increase of 4% in September 2025, driven primarily by a robust manufacturing sector, according to data from the National Statistics Office (NSO). This marks an improvement from the 3.2% growth recorded in September 2024. The NSO also revised August 2025's industrial growth to 4.1%, up from an initial estimate of 4%. In September, manufacturing output rose by 4.8%, compared to 4% in the same month last year. However, mining production faced a decline of 0.4%, contrasting with a slight growth of 0.2% a year prior. Power production, on the other hand, increased by 3.1%, up from 0.5% in September 2024. For the first half of FY26, industrial production grew by 3%, a decrease from the 4.1% growth seen in the same period of the previous fiscal year. 
Published: Oct 28 2025, 5 pmeznews.inThe Aluminium Association of India (AAI) has called on the government to impose a 15% import duty on all aluminium products and to align the quality of imports with global standards. In a statement, the AAI urged the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade and the Union Ministry of Finance to prevent India from becoming a dumping ground for low-quality aluminium, as domestic producers face increasing competition from surplus-capacity countries. With aluminium recognized as a strategic metal, the AAI highlighted the need to safeguard against a potential shortage and unlock over ₹20 lakh crore in investments. Despite significant domestic production capacity and job creation, imports have surged, threatening the "Aatmanirbhar Bharat" vision. The AAI also called for rationalizing duty structures and establishing quality standards to combat the influx of contaminated scrap, which poses environmental risks. Implementing these measures could boost India's aluminium capacity and create over one lakh jobs by 2030. 
Published: Oct 28 2025, 5 pmeznews.inFarmers and agriculture officials in Maharashtra are reporting a staggering 40% loss in the tur crop (pigeon pea) due to relentless rains and flooding, raising concerns over potential disruptions in the pulse market. As one of India's leading tur producers, Maharashtra's output is crucial to national supply, with the state contributing 13.25 lakh tonnes of the 35.61 lakh tonnes produced in 2024-25. Despite the damage, imports from African nations like Tanzania and Mozambique, priced at approximately $550 per tonne, may alleviate shortages, although this is significantly lower than the minimum support price of ₹80,000 per tonne. The heavy rainfall has not only caused waterlogging but also led to the spread of Fusarium wilt, affecting 25-30% of the crop. Farmers are now hoping for improved weather conditions to salvage their remaining harvest as pest attacks further threaten yields. 
Published: Oct 28 2025, 5 pmeznews.inIndian Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi emphasized the evolving nature of maritime security during the Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue (IPRD) 2025 in New Delhi. He argued that maritime security should not be limited to threat containment but viewed as a complex challenge shaped by global dynamics. Describing the seas as "humanity’s oldest highway," he highlighted three key issues: the strain on global seaborne trade, which is projected to grow by only 0.5% in 2025; the rise of transnational crimes such as piracy and human smuggling; and the impact of disruptive technologies like AI and autonomous systems on maritime operations. Admiral Tripathi also noted the expanding role of the Information Fusion Centre in Gurugram, aiming to increase its capacity to host 50 international liaison officers by 2028. The three-day dialogue aims to foster cooperation and address regional maritime security challenges. 
Published: Oct 28 2025, 5 pmeznews.inThe Indian Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved a substantial ₹37,952 crore subsidy for phosphorous and potassic fertilizers for the 2025-26 rabi season, marking an increase of approximately ₹14,000 crore from the previous year. Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwani Vaishnaw announced that the subsidy rates have been set at ₹43.02 per kg for Nitrogen, ₹47.96 per kg for Phosphorous, ₹2.38 per kg for Potash, and ₹2.87 per kg for Sulphur. These rates, effective from October 1, are determined under the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme, taking into account factors such as import prices and nutrient requirements. As rabi sowing begins across various regions, key crops such as wheat, mustard seed, and gram are expected to benefit from this financial support. 
Published: Oct 28 2025, 3 pmeznews.inIndian Oil Corporation (IoCL) confirmed on Tuesday that it will continue purchasing Russian crude oil, as the commodity itself is not sanctioned, despite certain entities and shipping lines facing restrictions. During a results call, IoCL Director (Finance) Anuj Jain stated that the company will comply with international sanctions while sourcing oil from non-sanctioned entities, ensuring adherence to price caps and maintaining a database of sanctioned entities. Russian crude accounted for 24% of IoCL's purchases in Q1 FY26, dropping to 20% in Q2, with a total of 21% for the first half of the fiscal year. Jain's remarks followed comments from IoCL Chairman AS A S Sahney, who emphasized the company's commitment to abide by sanctions. However, with US sanctions set to take effect on November 21, 2025, refiners are seeking clarity on the implications, as traders anticipate selective enforcement aimed at reducing Russia's oil revenues without disrupting global supply. 
Published: Oct 28 2025, 4 pmeznews.inA recent study by SmyttenPulse AI reveals that GST reductions on cars have significantly boosted sales during the festive season, with around 80% of buyers opting to upgrade to higher models or premium features instead of saving the tax relief. Conducted in October 2025 among over 5,000 respondents across various city tiers, the study highlights a strong preference for SUVs, while interest in electric vehicles (EVs) is also rising, driven by environmental concerns despite existing infrastructure challenges. Notably, 60% of participants plan to upgrade within the same brand, and 46% have already transitioned to larger vehicle categories. Financial confidence is on the rise, with 53% of buyers willing to make larger down payments or extend loan tenures. "GST cuts have reignited aspiration," said Swagat Sarangi, cofounder of SmyttenPulse AI, emphasizing a shift in consumer behavior towards more premium automotive options. 
Published: Oct 28 2025, 4 pmeznews.inThe Indian government is set to implement reforms in road construction contracts aimed at reducing project delays, according to V. Umashankar, Secretary of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). Speaking at the CII’s Future of Smart Roads in India event, Umashankar revealed that the ministry is revising contract documents for projects under the Build Operate and Transfer (BOT-Toll) model. The reforms will focus on streamlining contract conditions to eliminate uncertainties for contractors, emphasizing the importance of predictability in infrastructure planning and execution. Key elements include ensuring land availability, obtaining necessary clearances, and establishing risk-sharing provisions in Public Private Partnerships (PPP). Additionally, Umashankar highlighted the need for transparent contract implementation and user predictability, ensuring that the public is informed about infrastructure usage timelines. These changes are part of a broader strategy to enhance smart planning in India's infrastructure development. 
Published: Oct 28 2025, 4 pmeznews.inArya.ag, an integrated grain commerce platform, has partnered with South Indian Bank to enhance credit access for smallholder farmers and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) through warehouse receipt financing. This collaboration aims to bridge the significant financing gap in post-harvest agriculture, providing low-cost, collateral-backed loans in remote districts. Co-founder Anand Chandra highlighted that the initiative redefines post-harvest finance by transforming stored commodities into digital assets, enabling farmers to secure immediate credit and sell their produce at optimal times. With over 11,000 digitised warehouses across 425 districts, Arya.ag's platform offers comprehensive post-harvest services. South Indian Bank's Senthil Kumar emphasized the partnership's potential to introduce formal credit to underserved agricultural communities, addressing the estimated ₹1.4 lakh crore demand for post-harvest finance. Arya.ag has facilitated over $1.54 billion in credit in the past year, reaching 800,000 farmers and 1,600 FPOs, while maintaining zero non-performing assets. 
Published: Oct 28 2025, 3 pmeznews.inIn a significant milestone for renewable energy, the International Solar Alliance (ISA) announced that, for the first time, global energy generation from renewables surpassed that from coal in the first half of 2023. ISA Director General Ashish Khanna made this announcement during the 8th ISA Assembly in New Delhi, highlighting the rapid expansion of solar energy, which has seen its capacity double from 1000 gigawatts to 2000 gigawatts in just two years. Khanna noted that 71% of new solar installations are occurring in the Asia Pacific, with Latin America poised for growth and Africa's solar potential largely untapped. To bolster investment, the ISA is launching the Africa Solar Facility next year and focusing on capacity building and harmonizing standards across its 125 member countries. Additionally, Khanna revealed plans for an ISA Academy to provide digital learning resources and several flagship reports on solar trends and practices. 
Published: Oct 28 2025, 3 pm
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