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The Indian government has set an ambitious target of 171.14 million tonnes (mt) of foodgrains for the current agricultural year, bolstered by early sowing and favorable weather conditions. As of November 14, the area under all agricultural crops has increased by 10.3% to 208.19 lakh hectares (lh), with significant gains in barley, which has seen a 50% rise. The target includes 119 mt of wheat, 15.86 mt of rice, and 16.57 mt of pulses, among others. The Agriculture Ministry reports that wheat acreage has risen by 17% to 66.23 lh, prompting the Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research to advise farmers on timely sowing and irrigation practices. Additionally, the area under pulses and oilseeds has also expanded, with chana (gram) acreage up by 10% and mustard coverage increasing by 6.1%. 
Published: Nov 17 2025, 7 pmeznews.inThe Indian government has tightened its controls on platinum jewellery imports by reclassifying them from the 'free' to 'restricted' category, effective immediately. This change mandates that importers obtain a government licence, a move aimed at curbing the misuse of free trade agreements (FTAs) by "bad actors" who exploit these agreements to evade full import duties. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) announced that these restrictions will remain in place until April next year. This action follows earlier restrictions on silver jewellery imports, which were also implemented to address a surge in imports from countries like Thailand under the ASEAN FTA. Officials emphasized the need for stricter rules of origin in trade agreements to prevent circumvention and ensure compliance with import regulations.
Published: Nov 17 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIndia's sugar production has seen a significant increase this season, with 10.50 lakh tonnes produced by November 15, up from 7.1 lakh tonnes last year, attributed to more mills commencing operations and improved juice recovery rates. However, the start of the crushing season in Maharashtra was delayed due to rains, and ongoing cane price protests in Karnataka and Maharashtra have hindered operations, according to the National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories (NFCSF). A total of 325 mills are now crushing sugarcane, compared to 144 last year, with an average recovery rate of 8.2%. Looking ahead, the gross sugar production for the 2025-26 season is projected at 350 lakh tonnes, primarily from Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka. The NFCSF has called for a revision of the minimum selling price of sugar and higher ethanol prices to support millers facing financial challenges while emphasizing the need for farmers to adopt AI in sugarcane farming for improved yields.
Published: Nov 17 2025, 9 pmeznews.inIndia's unemployment rate remained stable at 5.2% in October, according to the latest Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI). This figure mirrors September's rate and follows a slight decrease from 5.6% in May and June. The rural unemployment rate fell from 4.6% to 4.4%, while urban unemployment rose from 6.8% to 7%. Notably, female unemployment decreased to 5.4% from 5.5%, driven by a drop in rural female unemployment from 4.3% to 4%. Male unemployment held steady at 5.1%. The labour force participation rate (LFPR) increased to 55.4%, with rural participation rising from 56.1% in June to 57.8% in October. The overall Worker Population Ratio (WPR) also improved to 52.5%, bolstered by a growing female workforce in rural areas, which climbed to 36.9%.
Published: Nov 17 2025, 8 pmeznews.inNew Delhi is pressing for the complete removal of the 50 per cent tariffs imposed by the US in August, which includes 25 per cent reciprocal tariffs and a 25 per cent penalty for purchasing Russian oil, to be addressed in the first tranche of the ongoing bilateral trade agreement (BTA). Officials indicate that the initial phase of the BTA, nearing completion, will focus solely on these tariffs before progressing to other trade aspects. India argues that addressing only part of the tariffs would render its goods uncompetitive. The US has linked the reduction of these penalties to India's oil purchases from Russia, which it claims fund the war in Ukraine. Despite reducing its Russian oil imports, India is reluctant to commit to halting purchases entirely. Meanwhile, recent US tariff withdrawals on certain Indian agricultural exports offer a glimmer of hope for trade relations, with both nations expected to announce the first tranche of the BTA soon.
Published: Nov 17 2025, 8 pmeznews.inPresident Droupadi Murmu received the 16th Finance Commission's report for the fiscal period 2026-31 from Chairperson Arvind Panagariya in New Delhi on Monday. This report outlines recommendations for the distribution of tax revenues between the Centre and the States, which will be revealed during the Union Budget presentation in February 2026. Established under Article 280(1) of the Constitution, the Commission is tasked with advising on financial relations between the Centre and States, including tax distribution and grants-in-aid. The Commission's Terms of Reference include reviewing financing for disaster management and suggesting measures to enhance state resources, particularly for local governance. The previous Finance Commission, led by N K Singh, had recommended a 41% share of central taxes for states for the 2021-26 period, a decrease from the 42% recommended by the 14th Commission.
Published: Nov 17 2025, 7 pmeznews.inIndia's draft Seeds Bill, released for public comment last week, has sparked concern among breeders at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) due to its provisions allowing foreign entities to conduct trials and certification. While Agriculture Ministry officials assert that ICAR's role will be enhanced and that the changes aim to expedite seed availability for farmers, critics argue it undermines public sector dominance. Key sections of the bill permit the recognition of foreign organizations for trials and seed certification, a move seen as necessary to align with international practices. However, the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) has condemned the bill as a political maneuver by the RSS-BJP to benefit monopolies at the expense of small farmers, warning it could lead to predatory pricing and conflict with existing agricultural laws and international commitments. The debate continues as stakeholders assess the implications for India's agricultural landscape.
Published: Nov 17 2025, 7 pmeznews.inSarla Aviation has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Andhra Pradesh government to establish a pioneering Urban Air Mobility (UAM) giga facility in Thimmasamudram, Anantapur District. This state-of-the-art facility, covering 500 acres and backed by an initial investment of ₹1,300 crore, aims to manufacture electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Once operational, it will be India's first fully integrated ecosystem for eVTOL production, capable of manufacturing up to 1,000 aircraft annually. The facility will feature advanced manufacturing lines, a dedicated two-kilometre runway, and modern research and development labs, positioning India as a leader in sustainable aerial mobility. Rakesh Gaonkar, Co-Founder and CTO of Sarla Aviation, emphasized the project's potential to create thousands of high-skill jobs and establish a comprehensive framework for aircraft design, testing, and operation within the country.
Published: Nov 17 2025, 7 pmeznews.inParas Defence and Space Technologies Ltd. has announced a significant ₹71.68-crore order from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the supply of two Optronic Periscopes intended for submarine applications, with completion expected by September 2026. These advanced electro-optical systems enhance the surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting capabilities of submarines, thereby bolstering the operational readiness of the Indian Navy. The contract highlights Paras Defence's expanding role in providing high-precision indigenous technologies for India's strategic defence platforms. Munjal Shah, Managing Director of Paras Defence, expressed pride in partnering with DRDO, emphasizing that the order reflects the company's technical expertise and supports the Government of India’s 'Make in India' initiative aimed at promoting self-reliance in defence manufacturing. With over four decades of experience, Paras Defence has been instrumental in developing technologies for various military applications, including rockets, missiles, and naval systems.
Published: Nov 17 2025, 7 pmeznews.inThe Indian Income Tax Department is set to unveil redesigned Income Tax Return (ITR) forms and rules by January, ahead of the implementation of the simplified Income Tax Act, 2025, which will take effect on April 1, 2026. Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) chief Ravi Agrawal emphasized the aim of making tax compliance easier for citizens by simplifying the forms, which are being developed in collaboration with the Directorate of Systems and the policy division. The new Act, passed by Parliament on August 12, replaces the outdated Income Tax Act of 1961, reducing the number of sections from 819 to 536 and chapters from 47 to 23. Additionally, the word count has been cut from 512,000 to 260,000, introducing 39 new tables and 40 new formulas to enhance clarity without altering tax rates. The initiative is part of a broader effort to modernize and streamline tax legislation in India.
Published: Nov 17 2025, 6 pm
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