eznews.inPrasanna Kumar D, President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in India (ICAI), announced on Wednesday that Chartered Accountant firms are preparing to participate in the Prime Minister's Internship Scheme (PMIS), anticipating government provisions for financial support through a non-Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) fund. Currently, the government contributes ₹4,500 towards interns' stipends, while companies add ₹500 or more via CSR, which CA firms lack. The PMIS aims to provide internships for 1 crore youth across 500 companies over five years, with a focus on real-world experience. Additionally, ICAI is developing a nine-month Corporate Mitra curriculum to support MSMEs with compliance and advisory services, leveraging its extensive network to reach smaller enterprises. The training will be hybrid, accommodating non-commerce graduates while ensuring commerce students can easily grasp the content. The initiative aims to create a pool of industry-ready professionals to enhance MSME support. 
Published: Feb 18 2026, 7 pmeznews.inITC Ltd is enhancing its ITCMAARS community platform, which promotes knowledge exchange on agricultural best practices among farmers, by integrating AI-driven digital assistants and agentic workflows. This initiative aims to support farmer-producer organisations (FPOs), organic farmers, and rural communities, aligning with ITC Chairman Sanjiv Puri's vision for "Next Gen Agriculture" in India. The platform, which combines digital technologies with on-the-ground support, seeks to reach 10 million farmers, facilitating rural development. The introduction of AI solutions is expected to improve FPO operations and provide real-time responses to community inquiries, complementing expert advice. Launched in 2022, ITCMAARS has already benefited over 2.2 million farmers and 2,100 FPOs, leading to significant reductions in fertiliser use and improvements in crop yields, ultimately boosting farm incomes by around 25%. This initiative was highlighted at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, showcasing its potential to address grassroots challenges.
Published: Feb 18 2026, 7 pmeznews.inMakeMyTrip and ixigo are intensifying their artificial intelligence strategies to enhance customer experiences and boost bookings, as announced on Wednesday. MakeMyTrip has partnered with OpenAI to improve customer interactions, providing structured, transaction-ready options for flights, hotels, and ancillary services. Rajesh Magow, co-founder and CEO, emphasized that this collaboration allows MakeMyTrip to seamlessly integrate into the travel discovery process. The company’s AI travel planning assistant, ‘Myra,’ currently handles over 50,000 conversations daily in multiple languages, broadening its reach in tier II and smaller cities. Meanwhile, ixigo plans to utilize OpenAI to implement advanced AI tools and integrate next-generation coding models throughout its technology infrastructure, aiming to create autonomous workflows and explore new AI-driven applications. This strategic move reflects the growing trend of leveraging AI in the travel industry to enhance user engagement and operational efficiency.
Published: Feb 18 2026, 6 pmeznews.inTamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) has been granted a 20-year patent for its innovative sugarcane single bud sett cutter, developed under the Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative (SSI). This mechanised solution, powered by a 4-HP diesel engine, can cut sugarcane stalks into single-bud setts at a remarkable capacity of 1,700 buds per hour, with an operational cost of just ₹1,000 per hectare—significantly lower than the ₹6,250 cost associated with traditional methods. The machine, designed for efficiency and ease of use, is expected to enhance yields and reduce labour intensity in sugarcane farming, which is vital in India, the second-largest sugarcane producer globally. With germination rates of 95% in nurseries and 90% in fields, the cutter not only promises substantial savings but also alleviates the physical demands of sugarcane cultivation. Priced at ₹34,000, it offers a cost-effective option for farmers embracing SSI practices.
Published: Feb 18 2026, 6 pmeznews.inMaharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the groundbreaking ceremony for a new FedEx air cargo hub at Navi Mumbai International Airport on February 18, 2026. The facility, which represents a ₹2,500 crore investment, will span over 300,000 square feet and feature fully automated operations and dedicated freighter parking bays. Expected to be operational within two years, the hub aims to create 6,000 direct and indirect jobs. FedEx President and CEO Raj Subramaniam highlighted the hub's role in advancing India's trade ambitions by facilitating hub-led transshipment logistics, enhancing trade flows across South East Asia, West Asia, Europe, and the US. This marks FedEx's first air cargo hub in India, complementing its existing operations in Guangzhou and Dubai. Jeet Adani of Adani Airport Holdings emphasized the investment as a testament to India's growth potential, particularly benefiting SMEs and exporters.
Published: Feb 18 2026, 5 pmeznews.inCorteva India, in collaboration with BASF India, has launched the Clearfield Production System for mustard cultivation in Jaipur, aimed at enhancing crop yields and weed management. This innovative, non-GM system is designed to combat parasitic weeds like Orobanche, which can devastate yields by up to 50%. Mustard is crucial to India's edible oil production, with over 8 million hectares cultivated annually. The Clearfield Technology, featuring the Kifix herbicide, offers selective control of challenging weeds and integrates Corteva's high-yielding genetics with BASF's herbicide-tolerant traits. Rajasthan's Agriculture Minister, Kirodi Lal Meena, welcomed the initiative, highlighting its potential to boost productivity and farmer livelihoods. BASF's Director, Giridhar Ranuva, emphasized the commitment to supporting farmers, while Corteva's President, Subroto Geed, noted the system's role in ensuring food security and setting new standards for profitable mustard farming in India.
Published: Feb 18 2026, 4 pmeznews.inThe Cochin Port Joint Trade Union Forum has urged management intervention amid reports that the Shipping Ministry plans to revoke cabotage relaxations allowing foreign-flagged vessels to operate on Indian coastal routes. In a letter to Cochin Port Authority Chairman CD Nandakumar, the forum highlighted that these relaxations, secured through persistent advocacy, significantly boosted connectivity and cargo volumes at the Vallarpadam Container Transhipment Terminal. The Union Government's withdrawal of three General Orders from 2018, which facilitated foreign vessel operations for specific cargo types, is reportedly based on unmet objectives. The Kerala government has also expressed concerns, warning that this rollback could jeopardize Vizhinjam Port's prospects, as Indian EXIM cargo may revert to foreign transhipment hubs due to a lack of sufficient Indian-flagged vessels. The forum cautioned that such policy changes could severely impact Cochin Port's financial stability and future development.
Published: Feb 18 2026, 3 pmeznews.inIndia is easing restrictions on Chinese equipment imports, marking a significant shift in its approach to commercial ties with China following a deadly border clash in 2020. State-run power and coal companies are now permitted to procure certain components from China without prior government approval, a move aimed at addressing shortages and project delays. This decision comes as India grapples with a 40% shortfall in power transmission equipment, hindering its goal to add 500 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030. The easing of restrictions follows requests from various government departments and is seen as necessary for India's manufacturing capabilities. However, imports will be assessed on a case-by-case basis to mitigate concerns that low-cost Chinese bids could undermine domestic firms. This recalibration of policy occurs against the backdrop of strained India-China relations and the impact of US tariffs on Indian goods.
Published: Feb 18 2026, 3 pmeznews.inIndia's sugar production is set to fall short of earlier estimates due to excessive rainfall affecting cane yields across major producing states, according to farmers and trade officials. Internal estimates suggest production will range between 28.5 million and 29 million metric tons for the 2025/26 marketing year, significantly lower than the Indian Sugar & Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association's forecast of 30.95 million tons. The most substantial decline is anticipated in Maharashtra, where output is projected at 9.6 million tons, down from 10.8 million. Farmers report that heavy rainfall has damaged root development, leading to lower yields. With nearly half of the 207 mills in Maharashtra halting operations due to cane shortages, the downward revision in output, combined with rising seasonal demand, is expected to support sugar prices. India has recently approved an additional 500,000 tons for export, but shipments may not exceed 700,000 tons, as mills prioritize domestic sales.
Published: Feb 18 2026, 3 pmeznews.inThe Indian government has allocated ₹15,385 crore for the development of National Highways in Maharashtra for the current financial year, as announced by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari in the Lok Sabha. Currently, 116 highway projects, covering 2,612 km, are underway in the state, with a total estimated cost of ₹57,360 crore. Among these, 39 projects involve widening National Highways to four lanes or more, requiring an investment of ₹42,468 crore. Additionally, two projects spanning 374 km have been sanctioned for development in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Ahilyanagar, and Latur districts, costing ₹19,142 crore. To ensure efficient project execution, the government has implemented monitoring mechanisms and conducts regular review meetings with stakeholders, particularly focusing on projects delayed by over three years. Coordination meetings led by state Chief Secretaries also aim to resolve issues impacting road project execution.
Published: Feb 18 2026, 2 pm
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