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Since its inception in 1969 with the monitoring of coconut plantations in Kerala, India's journey into GeoAI has evolved into a powerful tool for public good, merging geospatial data with artificial intelligence to enhance service delivery and resilience. Sanjay Srivastava, a professor at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, highlights how this technology translates satellite imagery into actionable insights for farmers, engineers, and planners. GeoAI not only maps disasters but predicts their impacts, enabling proactive responses to climate challenges. The liberalisation of policies and the rise of start-ups have fostered a vibrant geospatial economy, with applications ranging from groundwater identification to urban planning. Initiatives like PM Gati Shakti integrate spatial data across ministries, optimizing infrastructure development and reducing future risks. This integration of geospatial intelligence into economic planning marks a significant governance reform, ensuring accountability and resilience in vulnerable regions across India. 
Published: Feb 10 2026, 4 pmeznews.inIndia is set to enhance its domestic manufacturing of sintered rare earth permanent magnets, crucial for electric vehicles and other high-tech applications, as part of a strategic initiative to bolster its electric mobility and clean manufacturing sectors while reducing import reliance. Union Heavy Industries Minister HD Kumaraswamy announced the approval of the ₹7,280 crore Rare Earth Permanent Magnets (REPM) scheme during the 5th Global Electric Mobility Summit, emphasizing its role in strengthening domestic capabilities. The government is also implementing budget measures, including customs duty exemptions for critical minerals manufacturing and the establishment of industrial corridors in several states. With electric vehicle registrations nearing 2 million in 2024-25, India’s electric mobility market has seen over 60% annual growth. Kumaraswamy highlighted the importance of battery manufacturing for energy security and the potential economic benefits of electric mobility, aiming for India to transition from adoption to global leadership in this sector.
Published: Feb 10 2026, 4 pmeznews.inIndia's External Commercial Borrowings (ECB) reached $44.36 billion in December 2025, according to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), highlighting a robust trend in overseas funding for corporate expansion and modernization. The funds were primarily allocated for importing capital goods, executing new projects, and on-lending by financial institutions, with significant contributions from the manufacturing, financial services, infrastructure, and transportation sectors. Notably, Air India emerged as a major borrower, securing $2.75 billion through multiple ECB tranches to support its fleet modernization and expansion efforts. Similarly, InterGlobe Aviation, which operates IndiGo, raised approximately $4.56 billion across four borrowings, also aimed at aircraft imports. These developments underscore the aviation sector's pivotal role in driving foreign currency borrowings in India, as airlines prepare for increasing passenger demand and international traffic growth.
Published: Feb 10 2026, 5 pmeznews.inForeign direct investment (FDI) equity inflow in India's banking sector has plummeted from $898 million in FY23 to just $115 million in FY25, as reported by Minister of State for Finance, Pankaj Chaudhary, in the Rajya Sabha. He emphasized that FDI is a crucial non-debt financial resource for economic growth, contributing to technology transfer and job creation. The Reserve Bank of India mandates prior approval for any entity acquiring 5% or more of a bank's paid-up capital. As of March 2025, foreign shareholding in State Bank of India (SBI) was the highest among public sector banks at 11.07%, followed by Canara Bank at 10.55%. Additionally, over 56.31 crore Mudra loan accounts have been disbursed under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, totaling ₹37.31 lakh crore. Chaudhary also noted that the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has taken action against unregistered investment advisory services, recovering ₹665.26 crore for investors since 2024.
Published: Feb 10 2026, 5 pmeznews.inPest resistance in Bt-cotton is rising in India, as revealed by Union Minister of State for Agriculture Ramnath Thakur in a Lok Sabha response. Currently, 95% of cotton cultivation is Bt cotton, which effectively controls the American bollworm but faces challenges from the resistant pink bollworm and increasing populations of sucking pests. Farmers are now spending more on pesticides than they did when Bt cotton was first introduced. Thakur noted that while Bt cotton adoption initially reduced pesticide use, it has not significantly improved yield trends. The government is also working to conserve native cotton varieties through the ICAR-Central Institute for Cotton Research. Additionally, cotton imports surged to 41.39 lakh bales in the 2024-25 crop year, up from 15.19 lakh bales the previous year. In related agricultural developments, 73 biofortified wheat and 15 rice varieties have been created over the last decade to enhance nutritional value.
Published: Feb 10 2026, 3 pmeznews.inGoldman Sachs has revised its growth forecast for India, raising its real GDP growth estimate for 2026 to 6.9% year-on-year, an increase of 20 basis points, following the recent India-US trade deal that includes reduced tariffs on Indian exports. The firm also lowered its estimate of India's current account deficit (CAD) to 0.8% of GDP, down by 0.25%, citing the positive impact of US tariff reductions announced by President Trump. The Indian Rupee has emerged as the best-performing emerging market currency in the past week, although Goldman Sachs anticipates limited further appreciation due to potential offsetting factors. The brokerage maintains that the Reserve Bank of India will keep the policy repo rate steady at 5.25% in 2026, as external conditions have improved. The trade agreement is viewed as a significant boost to India's economic stability and growth prospects.
Published: Feb 10 2026, 4 pmeznews.inSurging prices of solar cells from China are causing significant concern among Indian module manufacturers, who heavily rely on these components. Avinash Hiranandani, managing director of RenewSys India Pvt., noted that volatile silver prices, a crucial conductor for electricity, have rendered solar cells unaffordable for some businesses. With the Chinese New Year approaching, suppliers are hesitant to provide quotations, often increasing prices by 10-15%. This uncertainty could disrupt the supply chain, as manufacturers may have to keep their plants idle. While India is working to expand its module production capacity to reduce dependence on China, it still relies on the country for essential upstream products. Some solar developers may delay projects until prices stabilize, but this poses challenges for manufacturers. Sameer Gupta, Chairman of Jakson Ltd., emphasized that the current crisis is more about price volatility than supply shortages, affecting companies differently based on their customer base.
Published: Feb 10 2026, 4 pmeznews.inCrystal Crop Protection Ltd, a research-driven agrochemical firm, has announced the acquisition of 1,25,714 square meters of land and assets from Kurl-On Ltd in Jhagadia, Gujarat, to establish a new fully automated greenfield manufacturing plant. The ₹100 crore investment, spread over three years, aims to produce 50,000 tonnes per annum of agrochemical formulations, with potential expansion to 1,20,000 tonnes to meet rising demand. The facility will manufacture a variety of products, including herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides, targeting both the Indian market and export opportunities in Asia and Africa. Executive Chairman Ankur Aggarwal emphasized the company's commitment to delivering high-quality products, while Whole-time Director Kavishwar Kalambe highlighted the plant's role in boosting local employment and economic growth. The facility is set to incorporate advanced Industry 4.0 technologies, positioning Crystal Crop Protection as a competitive player in the global market.
Published: Feb 10 2026, 3 pmeznews.inThe Indian civil aviation ministry is seeking a new director general for the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) as GVG Yugandhar prepares to retire in June. Applications are also being invited for 23 safety investigation officer and director-level positions, all to be filled by deputation, as part of efforts to enhance aviation safety. Proposed initiatives include establishing a National Aviation Safety Centre at Jewar and launching safety audit courses at the Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University. However, the Safety Matters Foundation, led by Captain Amit Singh, has criticized the temporary nature of these appointments, arguing that it undermines institutional memory and independence in accident investigations. The foundation advocates for a permanent AAIB cadre to bolster safety. Additionally, parliamentarians have called for increased budgetary support, noting that the current allocations of ₹15 crore and ₹20 crore for the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security and AAIB, respectively, are insufficient given the expanding aviation infrastructure and security challenges.
Published: Feb 10 2026, 1 pmeznews.inBertelsmann, the German media and services conglomerate, has acquired an 80% stake in Indian logistics platform Lets Transport, marking its first strategic acquisition in India. The move aims to strengthen Bertelsmann's foothold in a market deemed crucial for growth, according to Carsten Coesfeld, CEO of Bertelsmann Investments. Lets Transport, founded in 2015, connects truck drivers with corporate clients and operates in a logistics market valued at $14 billion, with an annual growth rate of approximately 11%, though 90% remains unorganised. Coesfeld expressed confidence in India's potential, highlighting the attractiveness of the market. While he did not disclose specific investment details, sources indicate that Bertelsmann's investment is in the high double-digit million-dollar range, with Lets Transport potentially valued in the hundreds of millions in a future sale. Coesfeld also hinted at the possibility of further acquisitions within the logistics supply chain.
Published: Feb 10 2026, 11 am
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