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CPSEs report drop in regular and female employees

The latest Public Enterprises Survey for FY25 reveals a decline in regular employees within Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) over the past five years, despite a slight overall increase in employment due to a rise in casual and contract workers. As of March 31, 2025, CPSEs employed over 15.42 lakh individuals, marking a modest growth of 1.61% from the previous year, primarily driven by an increase of over 54,000 non-regular workers. The report indicates that the petroleum sector has the highest proportion of casual and contract workers at 82%, while the power transmission sector boasts the most regular employees at 91%. Additionally, the share of women in CPSEs has decreased to nearly 10%, with a notable presence in managerial roles. The trend towards non-regular employment appears aimed at reducing wage bills and statutory payments, although officials declined to comment on the issue. sources

Published:
Dec 25 2025, 5 pm

Odisha Farmers Export 1,000 kg Fresh Produce to Dubai

Farmers from Odisha's Kalahandi and Nabarangpur districts have successfully exported 1,000 kg of fresh produce, including garlic and French beans, to Dubai for the first time, alongside baby potatoes, ivy gourd, pointed gourd, and papaya. This milestone was facilitated by the Directorate of Horticulture and the Promotion and Stabilisation of Farmer-Producer Organisations (PSFPO) project, implemented by Palladium with support from APEDA and the Gates Foundation. Agri-business startup Villa Mart Pvt Ltd played a crucial role in connecting local farmers with international markets, benefiting from comprehensive incubation support from Palladium, which included assistance with regulatory compliance and documentation. Soumya Ranjan Sahoo, an Agri Business Expert at Palladium, emphasized the initiative's aim to enhance farmer livelihoods through innovative market strategies. Villa Mart's CEO, Ramesh Chandra Biswal, noted that this export marks a significant shift towards global markets, opening new opportunities for Odisha's farmers. sources

Published:
Dec 25 2025, 5 pm

Seven of Maharashtra's 14 national waterways approved for development

The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is enhancing cargo and passenger transport through the development of 14 national waterways in Maharashtra, with seven deemed feasible for improvement by the Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways. These include key routes such as the Godavari River and the Kalyan-Thane-Mumbai Waterway. In the fiscal year 2024-25, certain waterways in Maharashtra accounted for 45.35% of the nation's inland water transport cargo. Concurrently, the Maharashtra Logistics Policy-2024 aims to bolster coastal connectivity and port infrastructure, particularly in the Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg districts. This policy outlines initiatives for integrated logistics hubs and improved coastal logistics to facilitate efficient cargo movement and stimulate regional economic growth. IWAI is actively supporting cargo operators to promote the use of these inland waterways, while state governments oversee economic activities along riverbanks. sources

Published:
Dec 25 2025, 4 pm

India's engineering exports rebound to $11.01 billion in November

In November 2025, India's engineering exports surged by 23.76% year-on-year, reaching $11.01 billion, a significant rebound following a sharp decline in October. The Engineering Export Promotion Council of India (EEPC) attributed this growth to increased shipments to the US and the European Union (EU), alongside a favourable base effect. Notably, exports to the US rose by 11.4% compared to November 2024, while those to the EU jumped by 39%. Pankaj Chadha, Chairman of EEPC, highlighted the achievement as a reflection of the exporting community's resilience, despite a 17% decline in October. Cumulatively, engineering exports from April to November 2025 increased by 4.25% to $79.74 billion, with engineering goods now comprising 28.9% of total merchandise exports. The EEPC also noted that 30 out of 34 product panels experienced growth, although some sectors, including aluminium and aircraft, faced declines. sources

Published:
Dec 25 2025, 3 pm

Magicpin enters metro ticket booking market

Hyperlocal e-commerce platform magicpin has launched a metro ticket booking service in Delhi and Mumbai, providing users with significant discounts through the government-supported Open Network for Digital Commerce. This new offering joins similar services from competitors like Paytm, Amazon, PhonePe, and Rapido. Anshoo Sharma, CEO and co-founder of magicpin, emphasized the company's commitment to enhancing daily consumer experiences, noting that over 10 million users already rely on the platform for shopping, dining, and food delivery. The introduction of metro ticketing is seen as a natural progression in their service portfolio, aimed at improving last-mile connectivity. First-time users will receive a complimentary ticket and cashback, while subsequent purchases will enjoy a 20% discount compared to standard metro ticket prices. The company plans to expand this service to additional cities in the future. sources

Published:
Dec 25 2025, 2 pm

CII's 4-point plan for India's 2026-27 budget stability

Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General of the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), has outlined a four-pronged fiscal strategy for India's Union Budget 2026-27, emphasizing the need for disciplined fiscal management and institutional reforms to sustain the country's current economic momentum. The CII's recommendations include maintaining central debt at approximately 54.5% of GDP and a fiscal deficit of 4.2% to ensure macroeconomic stability. The strategy also calls for reviving the Medium-Term Fiscal Framework to enhance fiscal transparency and linking fiscal performance to transfers for states. To boost revenue, CII advocates for the use of digital tools to expand the tax base and a three-year privatisation pipeline for non-strategic Public Sector Enterprises. Lastly, it suggests improving the efficiency of the Public Distribution System and transitioning fertilizer subsidies to a Direct Benefit Transfer model to reduce misuse and support farmers. sources

Published:
Dec 25 2025, 2 pm

India must prioritize export gains amid tough trade outlook

India's trade strategy must shift focus from negotiating new free trade agreements (FTAs) to maximizing the benefits of the 18 already signed, according to a report by the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI). With total exports projected to rise only marginally from $825 billion in FY25 to $850 billion in FY26, the report highlights a challenging global trade landscape marked by weak demand and rising protectionism. Exports to the US have plummeted by 21% due to high tariffs, while the EU's upcoming Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism threatens to further impact Indian goods. Despite these challenges, exports to other markets have increased by 5.5%, suggesting a diversification of trade. GTRI emphasizes that India's export growth will hinge on improving product quality and efficiency, stating that success in 2026 will depend more on domestic execution than external opportunities. sources

Published:
Dec 25 2025, 2 pm

Gujarat unveils clean energy policies, targets ₹5 lakh crore investments

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has launched three significant policies aimed at enhancing the state's clean energy landscape and attracting substantial investments. The Integrated Renewable Energy Policy 2025 sets a target of 100 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, integrating solar, wind, and energy storage projects while promoting geothermal and tidal energy. Currently, Gujarat boasts a renewable capacity of 41.66 GW. The Pumped Storage Project Policy 2025 aims to establish 75 GWh of pumped storage capacity by 2035 to ensure grid stability amid fluctuating renewable generation. Additionally, the Green Hydrogen Policy seeks to position Gujarat as a leading hub for green hydrogen production, targeting investments exceeding ₹5 lakh crore and creating around six lakh jobs. The state plans to achieve a production capacity of 3 million tonnes per annum of green hydrogen, with demand expected to rise from 1.3 MTPA to 2 MTPA by 2030, driven by key industries. sources

Published:
Dec 25 2025, 2 pm

Nihar Info launches Amazon Inter-State Xpress Delivery Service

Nihar Info Global Limited has launched the Amazon Inter-State Xpress Delivery (IXD) Programme, aimed at streamlining operations with a unified weight-handling fee structure. This initiative will enhance inventory distribution through automated algorithms that align with regional sales demands. To comply with eligibility criteria, the company established Virtual Principal Places of Business (VPPOB) and secured GST registrations in five states: Telangana, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh. Divyesh Nihar Boda, Managing Director, announced these developments to the Bombay Stock Exchange on Wednesday. The company has significantly expanded its infrastructure, increasing from two warehouses to over 20 fulfilment centres for Amazon and Flipkart across the five states. These operations are now fully operational, enabling the company to efficiently dispatch inventory to various centres, thereby positioning products closer to customers. sources

Published:
Dec 25 2025, 12 pm

India to Lead Kimberly Process for Conflict-Free Diamonds in 2026

India is set to chair the Kimberley Process, a global initiative aimed at preventing the trade in conflict diamonds, starting January 1, 2026. The Kimberley Process, which includes 60 members representing over 99% of the global rough diamond trade, seeks to ensure that diamond shipments are free from conflict financing. India, a major hub for diamond manufacturing, will focus on enhancing governance, compliance, and transparency during its tenure, as well as advancing digital certification and traceability. The country will assume the role of Vice Chair on December 25, 2025, before taking over the chairmanship. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal emphasized that India's selection reflects global confidence in the Modi government's commitment to integrity in international trade. Established in 2003 under a UN resolution, the Kimberley Process has evolved into a key mechanism for curbing the trade in conflict diamonds, and India aims to strengthen its credibility and inclusivity during its leadership. sources

Published:
Dec 25 2025, 12 pm

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