Indian Shares Open Lower as Financials Drag, Oil Climbs
Indian markets opened lower on Friday, dragged by financials and higher oil prices amid Strait of Hormuz concerns.
Business
Copper Holds Near Six-Month High as Congo Export Ban Stirs Supply Worries
Copper prices hover near six-month highs after the DRC banned copper and cobalt concentrate exports, adding to an already tight market.
Centre–State Synergy Ushers in a New Era of Agriculture; Reform Agenda to Resonate from Jaipur
Under the guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the leadership of Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the Government of India is set to roll out a comprehensive nationwide series of region-wise Regional Conferences during April–May 2026.
MOU WITH PRIVATE COMPANIES
The Directorate General of Training (DGT), under the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE), signed a Flexi-MoU with Bajaj Auto Limited on 06thMarch 2026 to deliver industry-aligned training at its manufacturing facilities, providing trainees with hands-on experience and exposure to industry technologies.
Domestic value addition in electronics manufacturing has improved significantly over the years; currently at 18%-20%
India’s electronics manufacturing strategy is guided by the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of AtmaNirbhar Bharat and making India a global manufacturing hub. The Government has adopted a targeted approach to develop the entire value chain- from finished products to components, sub-modules, base materials and capital equipment used in its manufacturing As a result of this approach, electronics manufacturing in India has expanded significantly in the last 11 years (Table 1
India to scale up critical mineral exploration and build strong domestic value chains to reduce import dependence and meet strategic needs: Dr. Jitendra Singh
“India is in the process of scaling up exploration of critical minerals, creating a startup-driven mining ecosystem and building strong domestic value chains to reduce import dependence,” said Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh.
DPIIT signs MoU with a digital entertainment company to support startups and strengthen innovation ecosystem
In a significant step towards strengthening India’s startup and innovation ecosystem, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a digital entertainment company to support startups, innovators, and entrepreneurs across the country.
The Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) VB – G RAM G Bill, 2025
The Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025, introduced in Lok Sabha on December 16, 2025, aims to replace MGNREGA. Key changes include increasing guaranteed employment days from 100 to 125, retaining unemployment allowance provisions, and altering the fund-sharing pattern to a centrally sponsored scheme with a 60:40 ratio (90:10 for NE and Himalayan states). States will bear expenses exceeding normative allocation. A 60-day pause during peak agricultural seasons is mandated. Gram panchayats will continue project identification focusing on water security, rural infrastructure, livelihood-related infrastructure, and disaster mitigation, integrated with PM Gati Shakti.
The Manipur Goods and Services Tax (Second Amendment) Bill, 2025
The Manipur Goods and Services Tax (Second Amendment) Bill, 2025, passed by both houses of parliament, amends the Manipur Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 to align it with central GST amendments. Key provisions include mandating unique identification markings for certain goods, allowing the government to establish a system for affixing these markings and tracking related data. The bill also addresses the issuance of credit notes, preventing tax liability reduction if input tax credit has been availed and not reversed. It exempts the supply of goods warehoused in SEZs or FTWZs before export or to the DTA, and concerns the pre-deposit amount required for filing appeals.