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Showing posts from May, 2025

UAE Launches First National Agricultural Guidance Forum to Champion Sustainable Farming

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  Historic Launch to Drive Agricultural Transformation The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) has inaugurated the UAE’s first-ever National Agricultural Guidance Forum , a key national initiative aimed at revolutionizing the agricultural sector. Launched alongside the Emirates Agriculture Conference and Exhibition 2025 (held from 28–31 May at ADNEC Centre Al Ain), the forum was convened under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan. This pioneering event is designed to empower farmers, foster innovation, and promote climate-smart agriculture. Key Themes: Farmer Empowerment & Knowledge Exchange The forum focused on critical aspects of agricultural development, including: The strategic role of women in agricultural guidance International best practices and collaborative models Extension advisory services for modern farming techniques Case studies of farmer success and agricultural resilience These discussions emphasize...

India’s Robust GDP Growth in FY25: A Domestic Demand-Driven Success Story

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India’s Economic Growth Surges in Q4 FY25 India’s economy continues to assert its strength on the global stage. The latest GDP numbers indicate that the Indian economy grew by 7.4% in Q4 of FY25 , a sharp increase from the 6.2% growth in Q3 , and higher than the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) projection of 7.2% for the same period. For the full fiscal year 2024-25 (FY25), India’s economy registered a 6.5% growth , in line with estimates and maintaining its position as the world’s fastest-growing major economy . Key Drivers of Growth: Domestic Consumption & Government Investment Economists attribute this robust growth to strong domestic consumption , sustained government capital investment , and a relatively low dependence on exports . According to Manoranjan Sharma , Chief Economist at Infomerics Valuation and Rating, this growth reinforces India’s economic resilience and its consistent lead among global peers. Rural Recovery and Sectoral Expansion Anshuman Magazine , Chairman a...

India's Fintech Sector Enters Next Growth Phase with Focus on Diversification and Risk Management

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Rapid Growth and Emerging Trends India’s fintech sector, particularly digitally driven Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), continues to witness impressive expansion. According to a new report by TransUnion CIBIL , the sector is now entering a transformative phase centered around product diversification, enhanced risk management practices, and deeper financial inclusion. As of December 2024, fintech lenders reported an outstanding loan balance of ₹1.3 trillion—reflecting a 32% year-on-year increase. While fintechs currently contribute only about 1% of the total outstanding industry loan balances, their influence is dominant in specific loan categories, particularly Small Ticket Personal Loans (STPLs) . Dominance in STPL Market Fintech lenders have captured a striking share of the STPL market. Nearly 89% of personal loans under ₹50,000 were originated by fintech lenders, showcasing their dominance in the micro-credit space. This trend aligns with the industry’s push to cater...

Supreme Court Continues Stay on Minister Shah's Arrest Over Remarks Against Col. Sofiya Qureshi

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Apex Court Extends Interim Protection for BJP Minister On May 21, 2025, the Supreme Court of India extended its interim stay on the arrest of BJP Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah , who had made controversial remarks against Colonel Sofiya Qureshi in the context of Operation Sindoor , an Indian Army operation involving Pakistan. A two-judge bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice N. Kotishwar Singh passed the order while also instructing the Madhya Pradesh High Court to close its suo moto proceedings , noting that the Supreme Court is already seized of the matter. “Let there be no parallel proceedings. Let the High Court close the case in view of the ongoing matter here,” the Court observed. SIT Investigation Underway The court perused a status report filed by the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police , which confirmed the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising three senior IPS officers , including one woman officer from outside the Madhya Pr...

IndiGo Set to Be the First Airline to Operate from Navi Mumbai International Airport

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IndiGo to Launch First Commercial Flights from NMIA India's largest airline, IndiGo , will become the first carrier to commence commercial operations from the much-anticipated Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) , a greenfield project developed by the Adani Group . According to a joint announcement made on Wednesday, IndiGo is expected to initiate operations in mid-2025 , marking a significant development in the Indian aviation sector. Initial Flight Plan and Expansion Targets IndiGo will begin operations with 18 daily departures (36 Air Traffic Movements - ATMs) to over 15 domestic destinations . This number is expected to rise steadily: By November 2025 : Operations will increase to 79 daily departures (158 ATMs) , including 14 international flights . By November 2026 : IndiGo aims to double its frequency to 140 daily departures (280 ATMs) , with 30 international departures . This rapid scaling of operations demonstrates IndiGo’s strategic intent to make NMI...

🇫🇷 Indo-French Space Ties Soar: 2nd French Space Days Concludes Successfully Across India

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Successful Completion of French Space Days India 2025 Business France India , in collaboration with CNES (French Space Agency) and the Embassy of France in India , concluded the 2nd Edition of French Space Days from May 19–22, 2025 , held across New Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad . The multi-city event showcased the strength and depth of Indo-French cooperation in the space sector, drawing attention from both public and private players within India’s fast-evolving space ecosystem. Key Delegation and Participating Companies The event featured a delegation of five cutting-edge French space-tech companies , each bringing advanced capabilities aligned with the growing needs of India’s space sector. 1. Axon’ Cable Specializes in advanced wires, harnesses, connectors , and integrated systems for aerospace and space missions. Supports major missions like the International Space Station and satellite projects . Operates in India via Axon' Interconnector...

CII Calls for Centralised Oversight Mechanism for Indian Tribunals

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A Transformational Step in Justice Delivery The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has strongly advocated for the establishment of a centralised oversight mechanism for tribunals in India. According to the industry body, such a reform would significantly enhance the responsiveness, efficiency, and transparency of India's quasi-judicial system. This step, CII suggests, is essential for boosting regulatory credibility, improving the ease of doing business, and strengthening investor confidence. Role and Relevance of Tribunals Tribunals play a crucial role in India's justice delivery framework. They are quasi-judicial bodies that adjudicate on complex and specialised matters in areas such as labour, environment, taxation, company law, and public services . Unlike traditional courts, tribunals are designed to provide speedy and expert resolution of domain-specific disputes. Currently, over 16 central tribunals operate under different ministries, directly impacting cr...

🇮🇳 India Surpasses Japan to Become the World’s 4th Largest Economy: NITI Aayog CEO

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In a remarkable milestone, India has officially overtaken Japan to become the world’s fourth-largest economy , according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) . The announcement was made by BVR Subrahmanyam , CEO of NITI Aayog , during the 10th Governing Council Meeting held in New Delhi , chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi . India Touches the $4 Trillion Mark BVR Subrahmanyam stated that India’s economy has reached the USD 4 trillion level , marking a significant advancement in its global economic standing. Citing the IMF’s April 2025 World Economic Outlook , Subrahmanyam said: "We are a $4 trillion economy as I speak, and this is not my data. This is IMF data. India today is larger than Japan. Only the United States, China, and Germany are ahead." India has now moved up from being the fifth-largest economy in 2024 to its current fourth position, overtaking Japan with marginal differences in nominal GDP projections. IMF Projections Confirm India’s Lead ...

Delhi High Court Denies Bail in Espionage Case, Citing National Security Concerns

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High Court Rejects Bail in Espionage Case Involving Indian Army Secrets On 22 May 2025 , the Delhi High Court denied bail to Mohsin Khan , accused in a major espionage case concerning the transfer of classified information about the Indian Army to Pakistan . The court emphasized the gravity of the offence, stating that it impacted the sovereignty and integrity of India , and could not be treated with leniency. The case was registered under the Official Secrets Act, 1923 by the Delhi Police Crime Branch in 2021, following intelligence alerts about a spy syndicate operating across Delhi, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. Court’s Observations: Security Over Individual Liberty Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma , in her judgment, stated that the case involved national security , and thus could not be treated as a routine matter of bail. She observed: “The offence is not merely one against an individual or group, but an offence against the very integrity, sovereignty, and security of Bhar...

North-East India: The New Investment Powerhouse of Bharat 🇮🇳

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Prime Minister Modi Champions the North-East at Rising Northeast Summit 2025 At the Rising Northeast Investors Summit 2025 held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi , Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the unparalleled diversity and potential of North-East India . Addressing the summit, PM Modi stated, “From trade to tradition, from textiles to tourism – the North-East is the most diverse part of our diverse nation.” He praised the region's rich strengths, saying: It is a hub of bio-economy and bamboo Known for tea production and petroleum resources A source of sports talent and skilled workforce A rising centre for ecotourism and organic products A powerhouse of energy PM Modi referred to the region as "Ashtalakshmi" , invoking the eight forms of the goddess of wealth, highlighting each state's readiness for investment and leadership . He reiterated that the development of Eastern India, particularly the North-East , is crucial for building...

Getepay Secures Final RBI Approval to Operate as Online Payment Aggregator

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Introduction: A Landmark Moment in Indian Fintech In a significant regulatory milestone, Jaipur-based fintech company Getepay has received final authorization from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate as an online Payment Aggregator (PA) under the RBI’s payment regulatory framework. This development positions Getepay as the first company from Rajasthan to obtain this prestigious license, reinforcing its role as a critical player in India’s digital commerce and financial inclusion narrative. Merchant-Centric Model from Inception Since its establishment in 2016 by fintech entrepreneur Pravin Sharma , Getepay has been focused on providing integrated payment and commerce solutions to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and micro-merchants across India. The platform currently serves over 1.5 million merchants , including: Kirana shops Micro-retailers E-commerce stores Educational institutions Service providers Small-scale manufacturers Its missio...

Waqf Is Not an Essential Religious Practice, Argues Centre in Supreme Court

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Centre Argues Waqf Is Charitable, Not an Essential Part of Islam During the ongoing constitutional challenge to the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 , the Central Government on Wednesday submitted to the Supreme Court of India that the concept of Waqf —though rooted in Islamic tradition— does not constitute an essential religious practice under Islam . Appearing for the Union of India, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta addressed a bench comprising Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih , stating: “Waqf is an Islamic concept. But it is not an essential part of Islam. Waqf is nothing but charity in Islam, and charity exists in every religion.” Waqf Boards Discharge Secular, Not Religious, Functions The Solicitor General emphasized that Waqf Boards perform only secular functions such as: Property management Register maintenance Auditing of accounts He argued that the administration of religious property falls under secular regulatory power...

Supreme Court Hears Pleas Against Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025: Petitioners Allege Property Takeover Without Judicial Oversight

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Background: Challenges to the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 A batch of petitions was heard by the Supreme Court of India on Tuesday challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 . Petitioners, including prominent senior advocates, alleged that the amendments are designed not to protect but to capture Waqf properties via a non-judicial mechanism , violating fundamental rights of the Muslim community. Key Argument: "Non-Judicial Process to Capture Waqf Properties" Appearing for the petitioners, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal contended that the amended Act empowers government officers, rather than courts, to decide property disputes related to Waqf land. He specifically criticized the provision allowing officers above the rank of Collector to adjudicate whether Waqf properties encroach on government land. According to Sibal, this bypasses judicial safeguards and allows properties to be confiscated before any adjudication, effectively stripping...

India's Air Defence Triumph: 100% Success Rate with Early Warning Radar and Akashteer Systems

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Introduction India’s air defence capabilities have reached a new pinnacle of efficiency and precision, as recently demonstrated during heightened hostilities with Pakistan. The Indian Army showcased the exceptional performance of its early warning radar systems , indigenously developed Akashteer command system , and upgraded L-70 Air Defence Guns , claiming a 100% success rate in intercepting and neutralising enemy drones, UAVs, and aircraft. Early Warning Radar System: The First Line of Defence An Indian Army soldier, while speaking to ANI, emphasized the critical role played by the early warning radar of the air defence system . This radar is regarded as the most modern of its kind , equipped with long-range detection capabilities. “It has the ability to search and detect enemy targets—drones, UAVs, or aircraft—from a long distance,” the soldier said. The radar system detected incoming aerial threats and relayed the target data to the fire controller , which then guided th...

India’s Trade Restrictions on Bangladesh: A Geopolitical and Economic Response

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Strategic Trade Response to Political Developments in Bangladesh India’s recent move to restrict land port imports from Bangladesh marks a significant shift in regional trade dynamics. This decision follows emerging political and ideological concerns emanating from Bangladesh—particularly the rise of secessionist narratives such as 'Greater Bangla' and 'Sultanate Bangla' that allegedly incorporate parts of Bihar, Jharkhand, and Northeast India. Foreign affairs expert Robinder Sachdev labelled the move a “strict response” to these ideological provocations and called it a necessary action in light of India’s current geopolitical tensions with both Pakistan and Bangladesh. “It is high time for India to be strict,” Sachdev remarked, highlighting that such movements inside Bangladesh cannot be ignored as mere fringe ideas. Key Trade Restriction Measures Enforced by India On May 17, 2025, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, under a directive from the Directorate Gen...