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India's Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has approved a significant procurement package worth ₹79,000 crore aimed at enhancing the military's operational capabilities. The approved items include long-range rockets, missiles, radar systems, and loitering munition systems for the Army, which will enable precision strikes on tactical targets. Additionally, low-level lightweight radars will enhance detection of small, low-flying drones, while long-range guided rockets will improve the Pinaka rocket system's effectiveness. The Indian Navy will acquire high-frequency software-defined radios and lease high-altitude long-range remotely piloted aircraft for intelligence and surveillance in the Indian Ocean. The Indian Air Force will benefit from new automatic take-off landing recording systems, Astra Mk-II missiles, and SPICE-1000 guidance kits, all designed to bolster aerial combat capabilities and improve pilot training. This comprehensive upgrade reflects India's commitment to strengthening its defence infrastructure. 
Published: Dec 29 2025, 4 pmeznews.inIn 2025, Jammu and Kashmir has recorded 11 internet shutdowns, a significant reduction from the peak of 116 in 2020, following the abrogation of its special status in 2019. This decline in outages has fostered a burgeoning digital economy, enabling local entrepreneurs like Munaza, founder of Zayaan Organics, to thrive online and reach customers both domestically and internationally. Qazi Touseef of the Kashmir Economic Alliance noted that improved connectivity has allowed businesses to access broader markets and streamline operations, creating new job opportunities, particularly for youth and women. The reduction in internet disruptions is attributed to an improved security situation, with fewer incidents of unrest prompting authorities to adopt a more balanced approach to communication restrictions. As connectivity stabilizes, local business groups express optimism about the future of Kashmir's digital landscape.
Published: Dec 29 2025, 5 pmeznews.inIn November 2025, the manufacturing sector in India saw significant growth, with 20 out of 23 industry groups reporting positive year-on-year performance, according to the National Statistics Office (NSO). The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) surged by 6.7%, the highest in 25 months, driven by an 8% increase in manufacturing, particularly in basic metals, pharmaceuticals, and motor vehicles. The mining sector also rebounded with a 5.4% growth, aided by the end of the monsoon season. Notably, capital goods and consumer durables grew by 10.4% and 10.3%, respectively. Economists suggest that factors like GST rationalisation and low inflation have bolstered demand, although caution is advised as past growth surges have sometimes fizzled out. Despite positive domestic conditions, global uncertainties remain a concern for sustained industrial recovery.
Published: Dec 29 2025, 6 pmeznews.inThe Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) Kaundinya set sail on its maiden voyage from Porbandar, Gujarat, to Muscat, Oman, on December 29, 2025, marking a significant revival of India's ancient maritime heritage. Flagged off by Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan and attended by Oman's Ambassador to India, the expedition aims to retrace historic trade routes that once connected India’s western coast with Oman, fostering cultural exchange and cooperation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the vessel, built using traditional stitched shipbuilding techniques, as a symbol of India's rich maritime traditions. The journey, led by Commander Vikas Sheoran, includes a crew of four officers and thirteen sailors, and is expected to strengthen bilateral ties between India and Oman, reinforcing shared maritime heritage and cultural connections. This initiative underscores the Indian Navy's commitment to maritime diplomacy and heritage preservation in the Indian Ocean region.
Published: Dec 29 2025, 6 pmeznews.inThe Indian Poultry Alliance (IPA), part of the Allana Group, has announced a ₹300 crore investment in Bihar aimed at bolstering poultry production to meet the demands of the Northeast Bengal region. The initiative will establish a comprehensive poultry complex featuring breeder farms, hatcheries, feed mills, and processing facilities, targeting both institutional and consumer markets. According to Fauzan Alavi, Director of the Allana Group, the facility will serve various channels, including food service, e-commerce, and quick commerce, enhancing supply chain efficiency and ensuring a consistent supply of safe, traceable poultry products. The project is projected to create around 1,500 jobs across farming, processing, logistics, and related services, while prioritizing best practices in bio-security, animal welfare, food safety, and environmental sustainability.
Published: Dec 29 2025, 6 pmeznews.inGlobal steel demand is projected to grow modestly by 1.3% in 2026, following a stagnant 2025, driven by public infrastructure spending and economic resilience outside China. In India, domestic steel demand is expected to rise by 8-9% in FY26, bolstered by strong activity in infrastructure, construction, and automotive sectors. However, the industry faces challenges from low-priced imports, particularly from China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam, despite the government's recent imposition of a five-year anti-dumping duty on certain steel products from China. The Directorate General of Trade Remedies has recommended a tapering safeguard duty of 12% over three years, but its implementation is pending. While imports fell by 13% to 6.54 million tonnes between April and November, exports surged by 31% to 5.77 million tonnes. Analysts warn that weak global pricing and rapid capacity additions may pressure domestic margins and realisations in the near term.
Published: Dec 29 2025, 4 pmeznews.inIn November 2025, the manufacturing sector in India demonstrated robust growth, with 20 out of 23 industry groups at the NIC 2-digit level reporting positive performance compared to the previous year. The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) revealed a significant factory output increase of 6.7% from October's 0.4%. Notably, the manufacturing sector grew by 8.0%, while mining and electricity recorded growth rates of 5.4% and a decline of 1.5%, respectively. Key contributors to manufacturing growth included the production of basic metals (10.2%), pharmaceuticals (10.5%), and motor vehicles (11.9%). Specific items such as mild steel slabs and anti-psychotic drugs were highlighted for their substantial contributions. Additionally, IIP growth rates varied across sectors, with infrastructure/construction goods leading at 12.1%, followed by intermediate goods and consumer non-durables, indicating a diverse and strengthening industrial landscape.
Published: Dec 29 2025, 4 pmeznews.inIndia possesses the world's third-largest reserves of rare earth elements, estimated at 6.9 million tonnes, trailing only China and Brazil. However, its production remains significantly low, with only 2,900 tonnes produced in 2024, ranking seventh globally. In stark contrast, China produced 270,000 tonnes, dominating the market with 90% of global refining capacity. Regulatory challenges and a lack of processing infrastructure have historically hindered India's rare earth mining efforts, which have been largely managed by Indian Rare Earths Limited (IREL) and treated as by-products. While a joint venture in Visakhapatnam signals a potential revival, India's contribution to the global rare earth trade remains minimal, accounting for less than 1% of production. The report emphasizes that India's challenges lie not in resource availability but in execution and processing capabilities, which must be addressed to leverage its substantial reserves effectively.
Published: Dec 29 2025, 3 pmeznews.inAt the centenary celebrations of the Central Coffee Research Institute, Wayanad-based startup NeuBiom Labs launched its innovative "Coffee Crop Intelligence" platform, Canopy. This technology aims to provide coffee growers and industry stakeholders with detailed insights into crop health and productivity through satellite imagery, artificial intelligence, and hyperlocal data. By creating a "Digital Twin" of each plantation, Canopy allows farmers to monitor crop conditions remotely, predict risks, and optimize resource use, thereby enhancing climate resilience. Priced at ₹2,999 per year, the platform is designed to be affordable for smallholder farmers, ensuring they can maintain yields amid climate challenges. Additionally, Canopy offers real-time visibility for cooperatives, addressing traceability concerns as global sustainability norms tighten. NeuBiom Labs, supported by various organizations including Google for Startups India, aims to empower smallholder farmers with accessible technology to produce high-quality, traceable coffee.
Published: Dec 29 2025, 3 pmeznews.inFrost conditions in the Nilgiris region are significantly impacting tea production, leading to a decline in offerings at Coonoor auctions, which remained the only auction site open during the holiday weekend. Traders reported a drop in tea arrivals due to winter weather, affecting the livelihoods of local labourers. Despite selective buying from upcountry markets, prices for various tea grades fell, with high-priced and better liquoring teas decreasing by ₹2 to ₹3, while medium sorts saw reductions of ₹1 to ₹2. In the CTC dust category, high-priced teas dropped by ₹6 to ₹8, and better medium sorts fell by ₹2 to ₹3. Overall, the auction saw an offered quantity of 14,92,492 kg of leaf tea, with an 82% sales rate, while 3,76,264 kg of dust tea also achieved an 82% sales rate, reflecting the ongoing challenges faced by the industry.
Published: Dec 29 2025, 3 pm
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