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Storage 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.inIn a significant advancement for India's maritime sector, the Government has established its first Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), the National Shipbuilding & Heavy Industries Park in Tamil Nadu (NSHIP, TN), through a 50:50 joint venture between VOC Port and SIPCOT. This initiative, part of the ₹19,989 crore Shipbuilding Development Scheme, aims to enhance domestic shipbuilding capacity to 4.5 million Gross Tonnage. Located in Tuticorin, the SPV will foster a mega shipbuilding cluster, promoting industrial growth and creating substantial employment opportunities. It will also develop essential infrastructure, facilitate joint ventures, and mobilize capital, while collaborating with global partners. Notably, major players like HD Hyundai and Cochin Shipyard are set to invest ₹30,000 crore in three greenfield shipyards in Thoothukudi, projected to generate 55,000 jobs. The Shipyard Association of India has expressed optimism about the maritime industry's potential, bolstered by government support and policy initiatives.
Published: Jan 29 2026, 9 pmeznews.inA tragic plane crash near Baramati airport in Maharashtra claimed the lives of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others, with wreckage found just 200 metres from the runway. In response, Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu announced that an investigation is underway, led by teams from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The black box has been recovered, and officials are adopting a timeline-based approach to expedite the investigation process. Naidu emphasized the government's commitment to aviation safety, stating there is zero tolerance for negligence. He reassured the public that India is regarded as one of the safest countries for aviation, highlighting safety and security as fundamental pillars for the sector's growth. The incident has raised concerns, prompting a review of global safety standards to enhance aviation practices in India.
Published: Jan 29 2026, 9 pmeznews.inIndia's Economic Survey 2025-26 highlights the nation's urbanisation as a critical yet unfinished promise, emphasizing that while cities generate the majority of national output, they lag behind global counterparts like New York and London in performance. The survey identifies urbanisation as a dual-edged sword, fostering productivity and innovation but also leading to congestion and governance challenges. To address these issues, it advocates for an integrated approach, including clearer land titles, improved density norms, and enhanced public transport to boost affordability and liveability. Additionally, it calls for a shift from coverage-led to resource-efficient urban services, alongside fostering civic responsibility and better financial management. Ultimately, the survey underscores the need for strategic investment in urban areas, positioning them as vital economic assets essential for aligning public policy with India's developmental goals.
Published: Jan 29 2026, 9 pmeznews.inThe Statistics Ministry is set to release the first data set for headline inflation in January 2026, along with back series data from January 2013, on February 12. This release follows recommendations from an expert group advocating for a reduction in the weight of volatile food and beverages in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), from 45.86% to 36.75%. The new CPI, based on updated weights, is projected to increase marginally by 20-30 basis points, with lower readings during periods of high food inflation. The revised CPI will also incorporate a broader item basket, expanding from 299 to 358 weighted items, including new categories such as rural house rent and online streaming services. Price data will be collected from 1,465 rural and 1,395 urban markets, with additional focus on e-commerce platforms to reflect changing consumer habits.
Published: Jan 29 2026, 9 pmeznews.inIndia is set to enhance its critical mineral value chains to reduce import dependence and address supply vulnerabilities, as outlined in the Economic Survey 2025-26 presented in Parliament. The survey highlights a surge in global demand for minerals like lithium, copper, and rare earth elements, driven by advancements in energy transition technologies, electric mobility, and manufacturing. To tackle supply-side challenges, including declining ore grades and geopolitical competition, India aims to strengthen domestic capabilities across the entire mineral value chain, from exploration to recycling. This strategy includes acquiring overseas mineral assets and forming international partnerships to diversify sourcing. Enhanced geological exploration and regulatory reforms are expected to boost private sector participation, while recycling initiatives are identified as crucial for improving resource efficiency and addressing environmental concerns. The National Critical Mineral Mission is central to operationalizing these strategies, fostering a more resilient critical mineral ecosystem in the long term.
Published: Jan 29 2026, 9 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.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 pm
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