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India's electronics sector is poised for significant export growth to the US and the European Union, driven by strategic trade agreements and favorable tariff conditions, according to a report by Niti Aayog. The anticipated India-EU Free Trade Agreement and lower tariffs for Indian suppliers—18% compared to 20-25% for competitors like China and Mexico—offer a competitive edge in the $1.6 trillion combined market. Currently, India holds only a 1% share of the global electronics market, valued at $4.6 trillion, with key segments dominated by China and Taiwan. The report emphasizes the need for India to shift from assembly-led production to component manufacturing, supported by policy initiatives like the Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme. It calls for coordinated reforms in fiscal, trade, and logistics to enhance competitiveness and attract investment, aiming to support India's ambitious goal of reaching a $500 billion manufacturing sector by FY2030. 
Published: Feb 13 2026, 9 pmeznews.inFarmer leaders in India are rallying against the impending India-US trade deal, expressing grave concerns for the livelihoods of small and marginal growers of corn, soyabean, cotton, fruits, and nuts. The Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Sangathan, led by V M Singh, has announced a protest in Lucknow on March 22, urging that agriculture and dairy be excluded from the trade agreement. Singh criticized the lack of stakeholder consultations, warning that agreeing to the deal could jeopardize small farmers' survival. Meanwhile, leaders from Punjab, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh met with Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, who emphasized the need for unity against the deal, labeling Prime Minister Narendra Modi as "anti-farmer." Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan defended the government's position, asserting that the interests of farmers are safeguarded and dismissing opposition claims as misinformation. The controversy continues as farmers prepare for a significant protest ahead of the trade agreement's finalization.
Published: Feb 13 2026, 9 pmeznews.inBulk tea producer McLeod Russel has reported a narrowing of its consolidated net loss to ₹36.41 crore for the third quarter of the fiscal year, down from ₹87.33 crore in the same period last year, as revenue from operations increased by 20% to ₹445.45 crore. Despite this improvement, the company continues to face significant financial distress, citing prolonged stress on its financial position and a decline in tea prices affecting operational volumes. The company has outstanding Inter-Corporate Deposits (ICDs) to various promoter groups and has been undergoing a stressed assets resolution process under Reserve Bank of India guidelines. This includes a signed Inter-Creditor Agreement among lenders and a forensic audit of past fund utilization. However, some creditors have initiated legal proceedings against the company under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, with cases pending before the Debt Recovery Tribunal and the National Company Law Tribunal.
Published: Feb 13 2026, 9 pmeznews.inThe Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has imposed a fine of ₹1 crore on Air India for operating an Airbus A320 on eight routes last November without a valid airworthiness review certificate (ARC). The ARC, which is issued annually, confirms the aircraft's compliance with safety standards. The issue was revealed after Air India voluntarily reported the lapse, prompting an investigation by the regulator. In a statement, Air India acknowledged the DGCA's order and confirmed that all identified issues have been resolved, reaffirming its commitment to operational safety. The aircraft in question, previously part of Vistara's fleet, had its ARC expire during a period of engine change, but was subsequently released for service. Following the merger of Vistara with Air India in 2024, the DGCA was responsible for renewing the ARCs of the merged fleet, with 69 aircraft receiving their certificates post-merger.
Published: Feb 13 2026, 9 pmeznews.inIndia is preparing to host the India–AI Impact Summit 2026, welcoming leaders from 20 countries, including French President Emmanuel Macron and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, for a four-day event starting February 16. The summit, initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aims to gather global leaders, policymakers, and experts to discuss the future of artificial intelligence. Attendees will include Presidents from Estonia, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Sri Lanka, and Switzerland, as well as Prime Ministers from Bhutan, Croatia, Finland, Greece, Kazakhstan, Mauritius, and the Netherlands. Additionally, representatives from the UAE, Liechtenstein, and various nations will participate, alongside ministerial delegations from over 45 countries and senior officials from international organizations, including the UN Secretary General. The summit will focus on three key themes: people, planet, and progress, reflecting India's vision for AI cooperation.
Published: Feb 13 2026, 9 pmeznews.inA recent study has revealed that farmers can cut urea usage by 25-50% without compromising crop yields by applying two sprays of nano urea as top-dressing alongside the recommended basal nitrogen dose. This method not only maintains yields but can enhance them by 3-8% compared to using the full nitrogen dose. Union Minister of State for Agriculture Ramnath Thakur confirmed in the Rajya Sabha that the government has provisionally notified nano urea as a nitrogen fertiliser under the Fertilizer Control Order, based on trials conducted by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and state agriculture universities. The trials, which included various crops across different agro-climatic zones, demonstrated significant benefits. Additionally, the government has invested over ₹4,173 crore in crop residue management schemes, leading to a notable reduction in paddy straw burning. Meanwhile, shrimp exports to the US have declined significantly since the imposition of tariffs, with exports dropping from 138,591 tonnes valued at ₹9,532 crore in 2024 to 94,484 tonnes valued at ₹7,388 crore in late 2025.
Published: Feb 13 2026, 8 pmeznews.inMohini Mishra, head of the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS), has expressed concerns over the potential influx of genetically modified (GM) products into India following an interim trade deal with the US, which has sparked resistance among domestic agricultural groups. Mishra highlighted discomfort with the import of cheaper GM soybean oil and animal feed derived from GM corn, as the deal represents significant reductions in India's agricultural trade barriers. Protests erupted nationwide, led by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha, as small farmers, a crucial political constituency, voiced their anxieties reminiscent of the large-scale protests against Modi's administration in 2020-2021. While Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal reassured that sensitive agricultural products would be protected and no concessions on key GM crops would be made, the BKS remains cautious, awaiting further details on the agreement's implications for Indian agriculture.
Published: Feb 13 2026, 8 pmeznews.inGulmarg is set to host the sixth edition of the Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) from February 23 to 26, featuring four medal events: ski mountaineering, alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, and snowboarding. Following a successful first phase in Ladakh, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya expressed optimism about the event, noting the timing is ideal as it follows the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. This year’s abundant snowfall, with Gulmarg receiving around 3.5 feet and the Apharwat Peak area over 5.5 feet, has created perfect conditions for winter sports, a stark contrast to last year's postponement due to inadequate snow. Over 1,000 athletes are expected to participate, with local businesses anticipating a boost in tourism and sales. Hotel occupancy is already high, reflecting the community's eagerness for the event to revitalize the local economy.
Published: Feb 13 2026, 7 pmeznews.inThe Jammu and Kashmir government's recent Budget aims to revitalize the struggling poultry sector, which has seen a significant decline since the 2019 abolition of the Lakhanpur toll tax. This tax previously provided a protective buffer for local producers by imposing a ₹9 per kilogram levy on imported poultry, but its removal has led to an influx of cheaper poultry from other states, drastically undercutting local production costs. Industry leaders, including Ghulam Mohammad Bhat of the Kashmir Valley Poultry Farmers Association, report that the market share of locally produced poultry has plummeted from 85% to just 15-20%, resulting in many small farms shutting down and a slowdown in new investments. While Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced plans to establish 800 commercial and 50,000 backyard poultry units to boost local production, industry representatives stress that without protective measures, recovery remains uncertain.
Published: Feb 13 2026, 7 pmeznews.inKerala has launched the Nawodhan Scheme, a collaborative farming initiative aimed at revitalizing fallow agricultural land and boosting the state's self-sufficiency in horticultural produce, particularly fruits and vegetables. The scheme addresses the shortage of such crops by promoting modern, high-yield farming practices through a partnership model, where landowners retain ownership while skilled farmers and agri-entrepreneurs manage cultivation. With around 1 lakh hectares of cultivable land currently unused, Nawodhan aims to bring at least 30% of this land into productive use. Participants will operate under a formal Service Level Agreement, ensuring landowners receive a share of the revenue while investors handle all farming operations. The Kerala Agribusiness Company (KABCO) will oversee the scheme, ensuring transparency and supporting stakeholders with market linkages and branding. This initiative is part of the KERA Project, backed by the World Bank, and is expected to create significant commercial farming opportunities in the state.
Published: Feb 13 2026, 6 pm
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