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The Indian Government has reported significant advancements in weather forecasting accuracy over the past decade, with improvements of 30-40% for severe weather predictions made one to five days in advance. In a Lok Sabha statement, Union Minister Jitendra Singh highlighted that the accuracy of forecasts in Karnataka has notably increased, with one-day predictions for north interior Karnataka rising from 52% in 2021 to 88% in 2025. Similar enhancements were observed in south interior and coastal Karnataka, with one-day accuracy reaching 70% and 92%, respectively. Additionally, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has adopted a Multi-Model Ensemble (MME) strategy since 2021, leading to improved monsoon predictions, with the average absolute error dropping from 7.5% in 2017-2020 to 2.28% during 2021-2024. This progress underscores the government's commitment to enhancing meteorological services across the country. 
Published: Feb 04 2026, 5 pmeznews.inTruAlt Bioenergy Ltd's shares fell by 4.38% to ₹385 on the National Stock Exchange on Wednesday, following the company's financial report for the quarter ending December 2025. The firm recorded an 8% decline in profit after tax (PAT) at ₹69.19 crore, down from ₹75.19 crore a year earlier, despite a significant 70% increase in income to ₹730.86 crore. For the nine-month period, net profit decreased by 9% to ₹3.03 crore, while income rose by 13% to ₹1,189 crore. Managing Director Vijay Nirani highlighted the company's progress in operational stability and earnings quality, noting the commissioning of Unit 5, which positions TruAlt for year-round operations. The ethanol segment achieved over 95% capacity utilization, and the company plans to expand its CBG units and advance its Sustainable Aviation Fuel initiatives, including a licensing agreement with Honeywell UOP.
Published: Feb 04 2026, 7 pmeznews.inA study by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) highlights the potential of targeted investment in direct seeded rice (DSR) research to transform climate-resilient farming in India. Collaborating with Indian research organizations and backed by the Department of Biotechnology, the study addresses challenges such as water scarcity and rising labor costs in rice cultivation. Traditional methods are resource-intensive, while DSR offers a sustainable alternative, yet adoption has been limited due to a lack of suitable rice varieties. The research focuses on enhancing popular rice strains for DSR, yielding up to 15% more than conventional methods. Experts assert that reliable DSR varieties can help farmers achieve higher yields with reduced water and labor demands, aligning with India's climate commitments. As new rice lines progress through testing, the study suggests that investing in DSR is crucial for ensuring food security and sustainability in the face of climate change.
Published: Feb 04 2026, 7 pmeznews.inAir India Express, the budget airline promoted by the Tata Group, has seen significant growth, nearly doubling its available seat kilometres and tripling its market share over the past year. Positioned as a "value carrier" between low-cost and full-service models, the airline is set to report an operating profit in the latter half of FY26, driven by improved unit economics and disciplined cost management. The airline's Chairman, Nipun Aggarwal, highlighted ongoing investments in fleet and systems aimed at building a sustainable operation. With plans to expand its fleet to 300 aircraft and capture a 25% market share by FY31, Air India Express currently operates 110 domestic routes and 75 international routes, making it the second-largest airline in India. The broader Air India Group also reported a market share increase to 29.6% in December, reflecting strong performance across its operations.
Published: Feb 04 2026, 7 pmeznews.inIn a bid to transform Indian agriculture, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's recent budget proposal includes a significant allocation of ₹450 crore to the National Cooperative Exports Ltd (NCEL) and ₹364 crore for the computerisation of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS). Despite a previous allocation of ₹560 crore last year, only ₹150 crore was utilised, highlighting slow project progress. Experts emphasize that the computerisation of PACS, which supports over 67,000 societies, aims to enhance efficiency and transparency, enabling informed policy decisions. The NCEL, which has been pivotal in exporting food grains, is set to expand its role in agriculture exports, with allocations exceeding those for other export bodies. This strategy is expected to strengthen the cooperative sector, improve supply chains, and bolster the rural economy, positioning NCEL as a key player in the evolving landscape of free trade agreements.
Published: Feb 04 2026, 7 pmeznews.inIn a recent statement to Parliament, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal underscored the Indian government's commitment to ensuring energy security for its 1.4 billion citizens, describing it as a "supreme priority." This declaration comes amid ongoing negotiations for a trade deal with the United States, which includes a stipulation for India to cease purchasing Russian oil. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt noted that the US will reduce tariffs on Indian goods from 50% to 18%, while American exports to India will enjoy a 0% tariff, framing the agreement as a significant win for US workers and businesses. However, the final terms regarding India's oil purchases remain uncertain, with sources indicating that the US's stance may evolve during technical negotiations. Goyal also reaffirmed India's intent to protect its agricultural and dairy sectors, a sentiment echoed by USTR Jamieson Greer. The deal is expected to be finalized once the negotiating teams complete the joint statement.
Published: Feb 04 2026, 8 pmeznews.inSkyHop Aviation, led by industrialist Avani Singh, is set to revolutionize regional connectivity in India by launching seaplane services aimed at linking the mainland with islands and remote areas, thereby boosting tourism. The company has signed its first aircraft lease agreement with Japanese lessor AERL for a Twin Otter DHC-6-400 series aircraft, allowing it to apply for an Air Operator Permit (AOP) from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). SkyHop has also constructed dedicated jetty infrastructure at five islands in Lakshadweep, positioning itself for operational readiness. Singh emphasized the potential of seaplanes to connect regions that traditional aviation cannot reach, enhancing tourism and regional travel. With no current operational seaplane services in India, SkyHop's initiative comes as the government encourages the development of seaplane routes under the UDAN scheme, with plans for 20-25 water aerodromes and over 50 routes in the next five years.
Published: Feb 04 2026, 6 pmeznews.inIndia is set to diversify its energy sources to enhance energy security, according to Trade Minister Piyush Goyal, following a recent U.S. announcement urging New Delhi to cease Russian oil purchases. This development comes after U.S. President Donald Trump revealed a trade agreement that reduces tariffs on Indian goods from 50% to 18% in exchange for India's commitment to halt Russian oil imports and lower trade barriers. Trump suggested that India would instead source oil from the U.S. and potentially Venezuela. However, the Kremlin has stated it has not received any official communication from India regarding a halt in Russian oil purchases. Goyal's parliamentary address did not mention any specific shifts in energy sourcing, and Indian refiners have not been instructed to stop buying Russian oil, indicating a need for a transition period. Meanwhile, opposition lawmakers have raised concerns over the lack of clarity in the trade deal, particularly regarding agricultural access for the U.S.
Published: Feb 04 2026, 5 pmeznews.inIn a significant address during the launch of a pan-India outreach programme for corporate bonds in Mumbai, Ashish Kumar Chauhan, Managing Director and CEO of the National Stock Exchange (NSE), underscored the urgent need to enhance India's corporate bond market to support the nation's growth ambitions. He highlighted that while India's equity markets have achieved global respect, with a market capitalisation surpassing USD 5 trillion, the corporate bond market remains underdeveloped, accounting for only 15-16% of GDP. Chauhan stressed that bonds are crucial for financing long-term national priorities such as infrastructure and energy transition, stating that deepening the debt market is now a national necessity. He noted that since FY22, the NSE has facilitated approximately Rs 76 lakh crore in fund mobilisation, predominantly through private placements. Chauhan reaffirmed NSE's commitment to fostering transparent and liquid debt markets, emphasizing the importance of trust and governance in attracting investment.
Published: Feb 04 2026, 5 pmeznews.inExpenditure Secretary V Vualnam assured stakeholders at the Global Procurement Summit that the FY 27 budget has ensured ample liquidity for government procurement, alleviating concerns over payment delays. He emphasized the transition to an almost entirely online public finance management system, which enhances transaction speed, transparency, and traceability. Vualnam committed to simplifying procurement documentation to aid bidders and evaluators, inviting suggestions to improve contract management and reduce disputes. The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) announced a partnership with the All India Management Association to enhance management capacity and promote innovation in procurement, with plans for an AI-enabled platform next year. Additionally, the World Bank's Country Procurement Lead, Shankar Lal, revealed plans to mobilize $10 billion annually for Indian projects, focusing on sustainability and local development. Meanwhile, the Asian Development Bank's Arti Mehra highlighted its involvement in 16 projects in India, emphasizing sustainable procurement and local labor requirements.
Published: Feb 04 2026, 3 pm
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