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The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) reported a net addition of 21.04 lakh members in July 2025, reflecting a 5.55% increase from the previous year, according to recent payroll data. Of these, approximately 9.79 lakh were new subscribers, largely driven by enhanced employment opportunities and increased awareness of social security benefits. Notably, the 18-25 age group comprised 61.06% of new joiners, with 5.98 lakh individuals entering the workforce, indicating a trend of young, first-time job seekers. Additionally, around 16.43 lakh former members rejoined the EPFO, marking a 12.12% year-on-year rise, as many opted to transfer their provident fund balances for long-term security. Female participation also improved, with 2.80 lakh new women subscribers contributing to a net addition of 4.42 lakh women. Maharashtra led state-wise growth, accounting for 20.47% of total net additions. 
Published: Sep 23 2025, 6 pmeznews.inIndia has received the prestigious ‘ICAO Council President Certificate’ from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for its advancements in aviation safety oversight. The recognition, communicated by ICAO Council President Salvatore Sciacchitano to Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, Director General of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, will be formally presented at the upcoming 42nd ICAO assembly in Montréal. This award acknowledges India's significant progress in enhancing its aviation safety oversight capabilities, particularly in the effective implementation of ICAO’s Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) through the Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme–Continuous Monitoring Approach (USOAP CMA). The ICAO's recognition is part of its ‘No Country Left Behind’ initiative, which aims to ensure that all member states improve their aviation safety standards. This accolade underscores India's commitment to bolstering its aviation safety framework.
Published: Sep 23 2025, 10 pmeznews.inIn a bid to bolster the competitiveness of Indian accounting, auditing, and advisory firms against global giants, the Corporate Affairs Ministry has solicited suggestions for establishing Indian Multi-Disciplinary Partnership (MDP) firms. Following this initiative, the Prime Minister’s Office convened a meeting led by Principal Secretary Shaktikanta Das, involving senior officials from the Finance and Corporate Affairs Ministries, to discuss regulatory reforms. The Ministry has identified six critical issues, including advertising restrictions and fragmented licensing, and posed nine questions aimed at refining regulations to enhance the global competitiveness of Indian firms. Experts, like Devroop Dhar, emphasize the need for clear definitions of "Indian firms" and a supportive business environment that prioritizes skills and quality over revenue in tenders. With the right framework, Indian firms could leverage their expertise in emerging technologies and infrastructure to compete on the global stage.
Published: Sep 23 2025, 9 pmeznews.inIn Chennai, automobile showrooms are experiencing a surge in customer activity following the recent reduction in Goods and Services Tax (GST) and the onset of the Navratri festival. Major manufacturers, including Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, and Tata Motors, reported significant increases in inquiries and bookings, with Maruti delivering over 30,000 vehicles and securing 75,000 bookings on the first day alone. The two-wheeler segment also saw a remarkable uptick, with Hero MotoCorp noting a 50% rise in showroom traffic and a doubling of on-the-spot purchases. Industry leaders expressed optimism about sustained demand, attributing the enthusiastic consumer response to the GST reduction and festive promotions. Shailesh Chandra, President of SIAM, highlighted the extraordinary interest, suggesting that this festive season could be one of the most memorable for both the industry and consumers.
Published: Sep 23 2025, 9 pmeznews.inBy mid-2026, the Air India Group plans to expand its operations to 110 daily flights, including five international services, as part of its strategy to enhance connectivity from the new Navi Mumbai International Airport, set to open on September 30. Air India Express will initially operate 40 daily two-way flights to 15 cities. The airport aims to become a key global transit hub, with Air India’s CEO Campbell Wilson emphasizing its potential for passenger and cargo traffic. Competitors IndiGo and Akasa Air have also announced their intentions to launch services from Navi Mumbai, with IndiGo planning 18 daily departures to 15 cities and Akasa Air targeting over 100 flights weekly. Adani Airport Holdings Ltd's CEO, Arun Bansal, highlighted the partnership's role in redefining Mumbai's connectivity and supporting India's twin-airport strategy. Daily flight movements are expected to rise to 120 by next winter.
Published: Sep 23 2025, 7 pmeznews.inA historic milestone was achieved at VOC Port in Thoothukudi, India, as it received a consignment of 45 windmill blades measuring 89.50 meters, the longest ever handled at the facility. The blades, shipped from Qingzhou Port, China, are intended for Shanghai-based Envision Energy and will initially be used in India before being manufactured locally at Envision's upcoming plant in Gujarat. The successful unloading of the blades was facilitated by a collaboration among Parekh Marine Services, Pearl Shipping & Chartering, and NTC Logistics. An Envision official expressed excitement on social media, highlighting the arrival of the first consignment for their EN-182, 5.0 MW wind turbine. Meanwhile, the Adani Group is also producing 78.6-meter blades at its facility in Khavada, Gujarat, further contributing to India's growing wind energy sector.
Published: Sep 23 2025, 7 pmeznews.inAISATS, a joint venture between Tata Group and SATS, is expanding its operations beyond ground handling into the food business, while clarifying that it will not compete with food delivery platforms. Currently active at eight airports, including Bengaluru and Delhi, AISATS plans to extend its reach to secondary airports under the UDAN scheme and larger metro airports like Chennai and Kolkata once existing restrictions are lifted. The company is investing in logistics infrastructure, including an eight-acre logistics park in Bengaluru and a 30-acre cargo terminal at Noida International Airport. Chief Executive Ramanathan Rajamani emphasized the firm’s commitment to long-term growth in India's aviation sector, highlighting the anticipated surge in the freighter aircraft fleet driven by demand for exports. AISATS aims to evolve into a diversified services and logistics company, focusing on B2B operations rather than consumer-facing markets.
Published: Sep 23 2025, 7 pmeznews.inThe Drug Marketing and Manufacturing Association (DMMA) has issued a stark warning that without immediate government intervention, thousands of small and medium-sized pharmaceutical units in Gujarat could collapse, resulting in nationwide medicine shortages. Over 30 pharmaceutical associations, including the DMMA, have urged Union Health Minister JP Nadda to address the burdensome regulatory changes, particularly the recent directive mandating costly bio-equivalence studies. Each study can cost between ₹20-40 lakh, making compliance financially unfeasible for many MSMEs. The DMMA also criticized the upcoming Revised Schedule M requirements, which could force 4,000-5,000 units to shut down, and called for an extension of compliance deadlines. The association highlighted that these regulatory pressures threaten not only the viability of MSMEs but also India's status as the "Pharmacy of the World," potentially leading to job losses and diminished export competitiveness.
Published: Sep 23 2025, 7 pmeznews.inFrance has expressed strong support for an ambitious trade agreement between the European Union and India, as highlighted by Anne-Marie Descôtes, Secretary General of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, during her meeting with Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri in Delhi. The discussions encompassed various facets of the Indo-French strategic partnership, including civil nuclear energy and defence cooperation. Descôtes also acknowledged Prime Minister Narendra Modi's invitation to President Emmanuel Macron for the AI Impact Summit in February 2026, which will mark the India-France Year of Innovation. The two officials addressed pressing global issues, such as the Ukraine conflict, the Gaza crisis, and counter-terrorism efforts. With negotiations on a bilateral free trade agreement underway, both nations aim to meet a year-end deadline, particularly in light of high tariffs imposed by the US. Descôtes concluded her visit by promoting educational ties, aiming to host 30,000 Indian students in France by 2030.
Published: Sep 23 2025, 7 pmeznews.inThe monsoon has largely retreated from West and North-West India, marked by golden yellow and red shades on meteorological maps, although its withdrawal was temporarily halted on Tuesday due to ongoing and emerging rain spells in East and Central India. A low-pressure area over the north-west Bay of Bengal has resulted in record rainfall in coastal West Bengal, including Kolkata, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting a gradual decrease in its intensity. Heavy rainfall is expected to persist in West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh over the coming days. Meanwhile, a depression linked to Super Typhoon Ragasa is anticipated to bring isolated heavy rains to Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and other southern regions. Fishermen have been warned against venturing into certain areas of the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea due to rough seas. Conditions are expected to become favorable for further monsoon withdrawal across several northern states by Wednesday.
Published: Sep 23 2025, 6 pm
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