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India is facing severe impacts from climate change, with the World Meteorological Organization declaring 2024 the hottest year on record, as extreme weather events occur on 88% of days. This has resulted in over 3,000 deaths, extensive crop damage, and significant property loss. At COP29, former WHO Deputy Director-General Soumya Swaminathan highlighted the universal vulnerability to climate change in India. Despite lower per capita emissions, India bears a high Social Cost of Carbon (SCC) of $86 per tonne, significantly impacting its economy. The country has committed to ambitious climate goals under the Panchamrut initiative, including a shift to renewable energy and achieving Net-Zero by 2070. The successful E20 ethanol blending program, which has surpassed targets, exemplifies India's commitment to biofuels, while second-generation ethanol offers further potential for emissions reduction. A new global Carbon Market established at COP29 could enhance the viability of India's biofuel sector, supporting its transition to a sustainable energy future. 
Published: Oct 11 2025, 10 ameznews.inIndia's net direct tax collection has seen a 6.33% increase this fiscal year, reaching over ₹11.89 lakh crore, according to the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT). This marks the second consecutive month of growth following a three-month decline, driven by a rise in receipts from non-corporate taxpayers, which include individuals and various entities. For the current fiscal year, the government has set a direct tax collection target of ₹25.20 lakh crore, anticipating a 12.35% growth from revised estimates of ₹22.37 lakh crore for FY25. From April 1 to October 12, net corporate tax collection rose to approximately ₹5.02 lakh crore, while non-corporate tax collection increased to about ₹6.56 lakh crore. Additionally, gross direct tax collection before refunds reached over ₹13.92 lakh crore, reflecting a 2.36% year-on-year growth, with refund issuances dropping by 16% to ₹2.03 lakh crore during the same period.
Published: Oct 13 2025, 9 pmeznews.inIndia's Minister of Civil Aviation, Shri Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu, launched the 'Fare Se Fursat' initiative today, aimed at alleviating the stress of fluctuating airfares for passengers. The event, attended by key figures including Secretary of Civil Aviation Samir Kumar Sinha and Alliance Air executives, introduces a fixed fare system that remains constant regardless of the booking date, even on the day of travel. This pilot program will run from October 13 to December 31 on select routes to assess its feasibility and passenger response. Naidu highlighted that the current dynamic pricing model often frustrates travelers due to unpredictable last-minute fares. The initiative seeks to enhance pricing transparency and stability, while also encouraging first-time flyers from smaller towns, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of making air travel more accessible and affordable across the country.
Published: Oct 13 2025, 9 pmeznews.inAt the India-Japan Intercollegiate Competitions 2025 in Chennai, Takahashi Muneo, the Consul-General of Japan, highlighted the importance of enhancing collaboration between India and Japan across various sectors, including economy, technology, education, and cultural exchange. Speaking at the prize distribution ceremony, Muneo noted that the recently signed India-Japan Human Resource Exchange and Cooperation agreement presents a significant opportunity for Indian youth to gain advanced technical skills and work experience in Japan. He outlined a roadmap for talent mobility, aiming to facilitate the exchange of over 500 individuals, including 50,000 skilled professionals from India to Japan over the next five years. N. Ravi, Director of Kasturi and Sons Ltd., echoed Muneo's sentiments, emphasizing the historical partnership between the two nations and advocating for expanded collaboration in areas such as defence, space research, and clean energy technology.
Published: Oct 13 2025, 9 pmeznews.inIndia's export earnings from fish and fishery products have surged to ₹60,523 crore in 2023-24, doubling from ₹30,213 crore in 2013-14, according to a NITI Aayog report on deep-sea fishing. The report, titled “India’s Blue Economy: Strategy for Harnessing Deep-Sea and Offshore Fisheries,” advocates for a ₹9,000 crore investment over the next 15 years to enhance the sector, proposing a phased approach. The first phase (2025-28) focuses on foundational growth, followed by scaling production and competitiveness (2029-32), and ultimately positioning India as a global leader by 2033-41. Key recommendations include establishing clear regulations for responsible fishing, revising subsidy schemes, and creating a dedicated agency for governance. The report highlights India's limited deep-sea fishing fleet, with only four vessels compared to thousands in neighboring countries, and emphasizes the need for policy reform, infrastructure upgrades, and stakeholder engagement to fully exploit the potential of its vast maritime resources.
Published: Oct 13 2025, 9 pmeznews.inIndia has reiterated its dedication to implementing voluntary high-level principles for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) through innovation, inclusive financing, and international cooperation. Speaking at the G20 Ministerial Meeting on DRR, P K Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, highlighted the importance of early warning systems as essential investments in resilience, not mere technological luxuries. He detailed India's integrated approach, which combines various meteorological and geological institutions under a Common Alert Protocol-compliant system that has issued over 109 billion alerts. Mishra called for enhanced regional platforms and data-sharing initiatives within the global 'Early Warnings for All' framework, emphasizing that early warnings should be viewed as a global public good. He also outlined India's shift from a relief-focused to a risk-informed strategy, showcasing decentralized funding and community-based preparedness initiatives, ultimately aiming to embed resilience into public finance and governance.
Published: Oct 13 2025, 9 pmeznews.inIndia's Food Ministry has projected the country's gross sugar production for the current season, starting October 1, at 34 million tonnes (mt), slightly below the industry estimate of nearly 35 mt. The government is adopting a cautious stance on exports due to lower-than-expected output, increased ethanol diversion, and concerns over the upcoming sugarcane crop. Despite the festive season of Dussehra and Diwali, sugar prices remain stable. The USDA anticipates a significant rise in India's sugar output to 35.3 mt in 2025-26, driven by favourable weather and expanded cultivation, contrasting with the government's more conservative estimates. Heavy rainfall has impacted sugarcane yields in Maharashtra, prompting a downward revision in expected yields. With most mills delaying crushing operations until November, experts suggest that the government may only allow 1.8 to 2 mt of sugar for export, potentially creating a global surplus within India.
Published: Oct 13 2025, 8 pmeznews.inBilateral trade agreement (BTA) talks between India and the US are set to resume this week, following a period of stalled negotiations due to the US imposing tariffs of up to 50% on Indian goods amid allegations of India's financial support for Russia's war in Ukraine. Despite these tensions, both nations remain optimistic about finalising the first phase of the BTA by November. An Indian delegation is expected in Washington, with officials indicating a positive atmosphere for discussions, despite some disagreements. India aims to enhance its energy imports from the US and increase defence procurement as gestures of goodwill. This renewed momentum coincides with the visit of US Ambassador-Designate Sergio Gor to India, where he has engaged with key Indian leaders to discuss defence cooperation and trade priorities. Gor, recently confirmed by the Senate, views India as a strategic partner crucial for regional stability and security.
Published: Oct 13 2025, 8 pmeznews.inThe second meeting of the Operations Working Group (OWG) of the Indian Metro Rail Organisation Society (I-Metro) was inaugurated by Loknath Behera, Managing Director of KMRL, in Kochi, focusing on enhancing India's urban rail network. In his keynote address, Behera stressed the importance of a unified national strategy to protect communication and signalling systems from cyber threats, while also aiming to improve operational efficiency and promote sustainable urban mobility. The workshop gathered representatives from 12 major metro corporations, including Delhi, Bengaluru, and Mumbai, to share best practices and tackle common operational challenges. The meeting serves as a vital platform for developing cohesive strategies to ensure the security and reliability of metro operations, which cater to millions of commuters across the country. The session also featured contributions from key KMRL officials and was led by Raman Goyal, General Manager (Operations) at DMRC.
Published: Oct 13 2025, 7 pmeznews.inIIMA Ventures has announced a partnership with Jaivel Aerospace to establish an Aerospace & Defence Acceleration Fund, aimed at supporting early-stage startups in sectors such as autonomy, advanced materials, advanced manufacturing, and secure communications. The fund plans to invest in 8 to 10 startups, offering pre-seed and seed funding of up to $400,000 each, alongside structured mentorship and access to advanced development facilities. Vipul Patel, Partner at IIMA Ventures, emphasized that this collaboration represents a significant step in their mission to empower innovative founders by addressing challenges related to capital, connections, coaching, and community. IIMA Ventures has a history of backing aerospace and defence startups, including Sagar Defense, ePlane, and Ideaforge, and boasts a robust space-tech portfolio featuring 14 ventures like Agnikul and Bellatrix. The initiative reflects a growing commitment to fostering innovation in the aerospace sector.
Published: Oct 13 2025, 7 pmeznews.inA farmer in Kulgam district, south Kashmir, has reported an additional income of ₹46,000 after transitioning from poppy cultivation to vegetable farming under the district administration's _Rehnuma_ programme, part of the _Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir Abhiyan_ (Drug-Free J&K Campaign). Launched in 2023, the initiative has successfully reduced poppy cultivation from 738 kanals to just 49 kanals within a year, with a goal of achieving 100% cessation by 2025. Local governance bodies, including Gram Panchayats, are now tasked with monitoring and reporting illegal cultivation to ensure compliance. The region faces a significant drug problem, with over 1.35 million users, including 168,000 minors. The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act of 1985 prohibits opium poppy cultivation without a license, with severe penalties for violations. Officials believe Kulgam's success can serve as a model for the rest of the Kashmir Valley in combating narcotics cultivation.
Published: Oct 13 2025, 7 pm
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