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India's IT and IT-enabled services (IT-ITeS) sector demonstrated resilience in FY25, achieving a revenue of $283 billion, marking a 5.1% year-on-year growth despite global tech spending challenges, according to the Economic Survey 2025-26. The sector's expansion is largely attributed to the rise of Global Capability Centres (GCCs), which have evolved from support roles to integral parts of multinational operations, focusing on product development, analytics, and AI functions. With over 1,700 GCCs employing 1.9 million professionals, India has solidified its status as a global hub for these centres. While the US remains the largest market for Indian software exports, its share has declined, with Europe gaining ground. Experts emphasize the need for a supportive policy environment to enhance innovation and scalability, ensuring the IT-ITeS sector continues to drive India's medium-term growth and productivity. 
Published: Jan 29 2026, 7 pmeznews.inBetween FY22 and FY25, the administered price of maize-based ethanol rose at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.7%, significantly outpacing ethanol derived from rice or molasses, according to the Economic Survey. Despite this increase, the government's ethanol blending programme has not succeeded in reducing paddy acreage, which grew by 7.5% to 514.2 lakh hectares, nor has it curbed the decline in pulses production. While maize acreage increased by 6.9% to 120.2 lakh hectares, pulses remained stagnant at 276.2 lakh hectares. The Survey noted that maize yields improved from 2.56 to 3.78 tonnes per hectare, attributed to the ethanol initiative, making maize more appealing to farmers. However, yields for other crops have stagnated or declined. The ethanol-blended petrol programme has emerged as a key component of India's energy security, contributing to reduced foreign exchange outflows and emissions while benefiting farmers.
Published: Jan 29 2026, 8 pmeznews.inStorage levels in India's 166 major reservoirs have fallen below 70% of capacity, currently at 68.83%, due to a 23% deficit in rainfall since the start of the year, according to the Central Water Commission (CWC). This equates to 126.354 billion cubic metres (BCM) of the total 183.565 BCM capacity, although it remains 7.5 percentage points higher than last year and 24 percentage points above the 10-year average. Notably, four reservoirs are full, and 51 others exceed 80% capacity. The western region leads with 80.3% storage across its 53 reservoirs, while the northern region stands at 63%, the eastern at 66.48%, and the central region at 70.65%. In the southern region, the 47 reservoirs hold 34.415 BCM of their 55.288 BCM capacity.
Published: Jan 29 2026, 8 pmeznews.inIndia's medical and wellness tourism market is set to double from $8.7 billion in 2025 to $16.2 billion by 2030, as highlighted in the Economic Survey 2025–26 presented in Parliament. The sector has become a significant, non-seasonal component of the tourism industry, with medical tourist arrivals increasing from approximately 112,000 in 2009 to over 600,000 between 2022 and 2024. The share of medical tourism in total foreign arrivals has also risen from 2.2% to 6.5% during this period, driven by diverse medical treatments and cost-effective healthcare options. The broader tourism sector contributed 5.22% to India's GDP in 2023–24, supporting around 8.46 crore jobs, while foreign exchange earnings from tourism reached $35 billion in 2024. Domestic tourism remains robust, with a 17.5% increase in 2024. The government has launched initiatives like Swadesh Darshan 2.0 to enhance tourism infrastructure across the country.
Published: Jan 29 2026, 8 pmeznews.inThe Economic Survey 2025-26 emphasizes the critical role of increasing female employment in fostering equitable labor market outcomes and enhancing household welfare, as part of the government's Nari Shakti initiative aimed at achieving developed nation status by 2047. While the Female Labour Force Participation Rate has risen from 23.3% in 2017-18 to 41.7% in 2023-24, the survey highlights persistent barriers such as restrictive social norms, limited access to credit, and inflexible work conditions that hinder women's workforce participation. It calls for a multipronged policy approach to address these challenges, including promoting STEM education and flexible employment options. The report also notes positive trends in female entrepreneurship and highlights state-level initiatives, such as Telangana's WE-Hub and Kerala's Kudumbashree, which aim to integrate women into diverse economic roles. The survey underscores the need for continued efforts to create a more inclusive and productive economy.
Published: Jan 29 2026, 8 pmeznews.inInnovative agricultural governance initiatives across various Indian states are yielding positive results, according to the latest Economic Survey. Notable reforms include Uttar Pradesh's groundwater management and Madhya Pradesh's Souda Patrak, which facilitates direct purchases from farmers via a digital platform, enhancing payment transparency. Andhra Pradesh's Resurvey Project has utilized advanced technology to issue secure digital land titles, resolving numerous boundary disputes. Bihar's Mukhyamantri Samekit Chaur Vikas Yojana aims to boost aquaculture, while Assam's irrigation plan seeks to expand coverage significantly. Karnataka's FRUITS platform supports a comprehensive farmer database, and Jharkhand's Climate Smart Agriculture scheme focuses on climate-informed planning. These targeted reforms in land governance, market access, water management, and technology adoption are collectively improving agricultural outcomes, as highlighted in the survey published on January 29, 2026.
Published: Jan 29 2026, 8 pmeznews.inThe Economic Survey has recommended reducing the government's stake in certain listed Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) to 26% to facilitate disinvestment, a shift termed "equity monetisation." Currently, around 30% of listed CPSEs have government shareholding below 60%, which restricts further disinvestment through Offer for Sale (OFS) due to legal stipulations requiring at least 51% government ownership. The survey suggests amending the definition of a 'Government Company' under the Companies Act for listed entities, allowing them to maintain government status with a minimum 26% stake. Alternatively, it proposes phased OFS without changing the legal definition, enabling CPSEs to operate as professionally managed entities with improved governance. The survey also emphasizes that proceeds from disinvestment could be reinvested in emerging technologies through platforms like the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund, promoting future growth while ensuring a steady stream of capital receipts.
Published: Jan 29 2026, 7 pmeznews.inIndia's seaweed production has surged nearly threefold in the past decade, increasing from 18,890 tonnes in 2015 to 74,083 tonnes in 2024, according to Union Minister of State for Fisheries George Kurian. Speaking at the 7th India International Seaweed Expo and Summit at the ICAR–Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kurian highlighted the government's commitment to expanding seaweed cultivation and related industries, which are seen as vital for sustainable livelihoods and coastal development. The PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana has included seaweed as a key output, targeting 100 aspirational districts, including areas in Kerala. The two-day expo, co-organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce and other institutions, showcased a variety of seaweed products, from food items to bio-fertilisers, and served as a networking platform for international participants, including representatives from over ten countries.
Published: Jan 29 2026, 6 pmeznews.inKerala Finance Minister KN Balagopal unveiled the State Budget for 2026-27 in Thiruvananthapuram, projecting a cumulative deficit of ₹1,773.46 crore, primarily due to welfare pension payouts and salary revisions that will burden the next government. The budget includes an additional expenditure of ₹1,350 crore, with revenue expenditure expected to rise to ₹2,17,558.76 crore. A significant allocation of ₹14,500 crore is earmarked for welfare pensions, alongside wage increases for various workers. The budget also proposes a new pay revision commission and an assured pension scheme, which has drawn criticism from the Opposition, who label it as a politically motivated "irrelevant budget." Additionally, a general amnesty scheme for tax arrears related to pre-GST laws was announced, aiming to waive certain tax dues. This budget follows a recent "mini budget" that included various welfare initiatives ahead of local elections.
Published: Jan 29 2026, 6 pmeznews.inIndia's Economic Survey advocates for a disciplined approach to its _swadeshi_ strategy, emphasizing the need to enhance export capabilities rather than solely focusing on import substitution amid shifting geopolitical dynamics. The report critiques permanent protection in competitive sectors and highlights the importance of learning from international examples, particularly East Asia and Vietnam, which have thrived through cost reduction and regulatory efficiency rather than heavy protectionism. It argues that India's growing economy will naturally lead to increased imports, a trend historically observed globally, and should not be viewed as a failure. The Survey calls for a national _swadeshi_ strategy that encourages competition among states, rewards successful outcomes, and promotes best practices, while the government should focus on setting direction and minimizing barriers to foster a robust logistics and transportation sector, crucial for integrating into global supply chains.
Published: Jan 29 2026, 6 pm
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