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The Indian government's recent decision to eliminate Goods and Services Tax (GST) on health insurance premiums has led to a remarkable 38% increase in demand for higher coverage plans, according to a Policybazaar report. The average health insurance cover has risen from Rs 13 lakh to Rs 18 lakh, reflecting a growing consumer awareness of the need for comprehensive protection against escalating healthcare costs. Nearly 45% of buyers are now opting for policies in the Rs 15-25 lakh range, with a notable decline in preference for lower coverage. This trend is particularly evident in Tier-2 cities, where demand for higher coverage has surged. Additionally, there is a rising interest in add-ons like Day-1 Pre-Existing Disease coverage, especially among older customers. The report underscores a significant shift in consumer behavior, with more individuals prioritizing adequate health coverage, driven by the zero-GST policy that took effect on September 22, 2025. 
Published: Oct 30 2025, 11 ameznews.inThe Statistics Ministry has proposed the inclusion of the rural sector in the housing index for the upcoming Consumer Price Index (CPI) series, set to launch in early 2026 with 2024 as the base year. This new series will replace the current 2012-based CPI, which only accounts for urban housing, despite urban areas representing 21.67% of expenditure share. The revised index will utilize data from the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) 2023-24, which now includes imputed rent for rural dwellings. Rent data will be collected from 12 urban and 6 rural dwellings, excluding government and employer-provided accommodations to better reflect the rental market. The methodology aims to enhance the robustness and representativeness of the housing index, with weights based on Census 2011 data. Stakeholders are invited to submit feedback by November 20, as the CPI basket is expected to expand beyond the current 407 items.
Published: Oct 30 2025, 6 pmeznews.inIndia is unlikely to cease its significant crude oil imports from Russia, which constitute 36-38% of its total imports, according to S&P Global Commodity Insights. Alongside China, which also heavily relies on Russian oil, the two nations account for up to 80% of Russia's crude exports. Despite new US sanctions on Russian oil companies Rosneft and Lukoil, effective November 21, both countries are expected to gradually replace some Russian crude with supplies from the Middle East and the US. S&P warns that this reshuffling, coupled with diesel restocking ahead of the EU's upcoming sanctions, could tighten global diesel supply. Indian Oil Corporation has confirmed it will continue to procure Russian crude through non-sanctioned channels, while India's Oil Minister assured that global crude supply remains secure, emphasizing the availability of alternatives in the market.
Published: Oct 30 2025, 6 pmeznews.inDrydocks World, a subsidiary of DP World, and Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) have signed a Heads of Terms agreement to establish India’s first ship repair cluster at the International Ship Repair Facility (ISRF) in Kochi. The memorandum of understanding was formalized during India Maritime Week 2025 in Mumbai, with Rado Anotolovic, CEO of Drydocks World, and Madhu S Nair, CSL's Chairman and Managing Director, in attendance. The ISRF, strategically located along key shipping routes, boasts advanced docking facilities and aims to enhance India’s maritime capabilities. The collaboration seeks to leverage Drydocks World’s global expertise and CSL’s local knowledge to create a sustainable and innovative ship repair ecosystem, positioning Kochi as a leading maritime hub. This initiative aligns with India's Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, aiming to elevate ship repair standards to international benchmarks and support regional and global fleets.
Published: Oct 30 2025, 6 pmeznews.inIn response to new US sanctions on Russia related to the Ukraine conflict, Indian refiners have indicated a willingness to significantly reduce their imports of Russian oil. This comes as India grapples with a steep 50% tariff on its exports to the United States. A ship carrying approximately 40,000 tons of Russian naphtha has been stranded off the coast of Gujarat since October 26, unable to unload due to the sanctions affecting key suppliers. India, the second-largest buyer of Russian naphtha after Taiwan, received around 170,000 metric tons of the fuel in September, primarily for petrochemical and gasoline production. HPCL-Mittal Energy, which operates a major refinery in Punjab, has ceased purchasing Russian oil and confirmed it will not engage with any sanctioned entities. As of October, naphtha loadings from Russia to India have reached about 185,000 tons, with many shipments still en route.
Published: Oct 30 2025, 5 pmeznews.inThe United States has granted India a six-month waiver from sanctions related to the Chabahar port project, as confirmed by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that discussions between India and the US regarding a trade deal are ongoing. He also highlighted that India is currently assessing the implications of recent US sanctions on Russian oil companies, emphasizing that the country's decisions will reflect the changing dynamics of the global market. Jaiswal reiterated India's commitment to securing affordable energy from diverse sources to meet the needs of its 1.4 billion citizens, underscoring the importance of energy security in India's broader energy sourcing strategy.
Published: Oct 30 2025, 5 pmeznews.inAdani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL) has partnered with AIONOS, a subsidiary of InterGlobe Enterprises, to enhance passenger services across its airports through the deployment of the “IntelliMate” AI platform. This innovative system will provide 24/7 multilingual assistance via chat, voice, web, and mobile channels, enabling passengers to access real-time flight updates, gate and baggage information, and details about airport services in multiple languages, including English and Hindi. AAHL's CEO, Arun Bansal, emphasized that this initiative is part of a broader strategy to leverage technology for improved airport efficiency and passenger experience. He highlighted the integration of various in-house solutions, such as aviio and Adani OneApp, to create a connected ecosystem aimed at setting new standards for smart and sustainable airports in India. AIONOS Co-founder C.P. Gurnani echoed this sentiment, underscoring the partnership's commitment to enhancing customer experiences through advanced technology.
Published: Oct 30 2025, 4 pmeznews.inMaersk has announced a partnership with Larsen & Toubro (L&T) to explore shipbuilding opportunities in India, reinforcing its long-term commitment to the country's maritime sector. The memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed in the presence of Union Minister of Shipping and Ports Sarbananda Sonowal, marking Maersk's second such agreement this year, following a similar deal with Cochin Shipyard. The Danish shipping giant, which operates over 700 vessels and is the world's second-largest container shipping line, has also flagged two new ships, Maersk Vigo and Maersk Vilnius, under the Indian flag. This initiative aligns with the Indian government's policy reforms aimed at boosting the national merchant fleet. Ahmed Hassan, head of asset strategy at A.P. Moller - Maersk, emphasized the company's intent to leverage India's infrastructure capabilities while investing in the local maritime ecosystem through manufacturing and maintenance activities.
Published: Oct 30 2025, 4 pmeznews.inAustralian researchers have developed a groundbreaking technology aimed at enhancing photosynthesis in crops, particularly wheat and rice, which could lead to increased yields while reducing water and nitrogen fertilizer usage. The team, led by Associate Professor Yu Heng Lau from the University of Sydney and Professor Spencer Whitney from the Australian National University, has engineered nanoscale structures called encapsulins to house the crucial enzyme Rubisco, which is essential for carbon dioxide fixation. This innovative approach allows for a more efficient assembly of Rubisco, overcoming the limitations of traditional carbon-concentrating systems found in nature. While the research is still in its early stages, with preliminary plant experiments underway, the potential benefits are significant, especially in the context of climate change and rising global food demands. If successful, this technology could revolutionize agricultural practices by enabling crops to thrive with fewer resources.
Published: Oct 30 2025, 4 pmeznews.inIndian seafarers, numbering nearly 300,000, are set to benefit from the Sagar Mein Yog (SMY) initiative, launched by the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) to enhance their overall well-being through yoga and mindfulness practices. Director General Shyam Jagannathan emphasized that the program, which aligns with the Maritime India Vision 2030, encompasses ten wellness components, including physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and financial health. The initiative aims to integrate yoga into the daily routines of seafarers and their families, with a Learning Management System (LMS) to facilitate training in Maritime Training Institutes. As the maritime industry evolves with automation and digitalization, there is a pressing need for skilled seafarers, with a projected shortfall of 90,000 officers by 2030. India currently supplies 12% of the global seafarer workforce, with ambitions to increase this to 20% by the end of the decade.
Published: Oct 30 2025, 3 pmeznews.inDP World, the Dubai-based logistics giant, has announced a significant investment of $5 billion in India, aimed at enhancing its integrated supply chain network to bolster both exports and domestic trade. This new commitment comes on top of the $3 billion already invested in the country over the past 30 years. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, the Group Chairman and CEO, emphasized that this investment reflects DP World's long-standing partnership with India and its dedication to advancing the nation’s maritime and logistics sectors. The initiatives are designed to reduce logistics costs, support local manufacturing, and improve market access, ultimately reinforcing India's position in global trade and enhancing its innovative and sustainable maritime capabilities. This announcement was made on October 30, 2025.
Published: Oct 30 2025, 3 pm
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