Author: Shradhanjali Mukherjee

India’s manufacturing sector continued to expand in December, closing 2025 on a stable footing despite a moderation in growth momentum. The Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index eased to 55 from 56.6 in the previous month, remaining well above the 50 mark that separates expansion from contraction. The latest data indicates that positive demand conditions continued to support growth in new orders and production. However, the pace of expansion softened due to competitive pressures and slower sales in select product segments. Even so, overall activity levels stayed above the long-term average, reflecting underlying resilience in the sector. New business inflows rose at…

New Delhi, Jan 1 (IANS) — The bilateral trade between India and the Maldives has expanded more than threefold over the last eight years, reflecting deeper economic interdependence and strengthened ties between the two nations. In the financial year 2024-25, India’s exports to the Maldives doubled to about $680 million, while imports from the Maldives surged nearly 20-fold to about $119 million, compared to earlier years. The rise in trade comes alongside a growing flow of Indian tourists to the island nation, which has further reinforced economic links. Relations between India and the Maldives have recently strengthened following Prime Minister…

India’s broadband landscape reached a historic milestone in November 2025 as the subscriber base officially crossed the 1 billion mark, according to the Ministry of Communications. Over the past decade, the broadband sector has expanded more than sixfold, reflecting the country’s rapid digital transformation and growing internet penetration. At the end of November 2015, India had approximately 131.5 million broadband subscribers, a figure that has surged to 1.0037 billion over ten years. The recent data highlights a sustained growth trajectory, underpinned primarily by wireless connectivity and increasing demand for high-speed internet across urban and rural areas. Alongside broadband, India’s overall…

On December 31, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended heartfelt greetings to the nation on the second anniversary of the Pran Pratishtha of Ram Lalla at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir in Ayodhya. The Prime Minister described the occasion as a divine celebration of faith, tradition, and spiritual heritage, emphasizing the historic and religious significance of the festival. In a post on X, PM Modi said the anniversary marks a sacred milestone for devotees across India and abroad, and he offered his salutations to Lord Shri Ram on behalf of the nation. He highlighted that the recently hoisted “dharma dhwaja” bears…

India’s exports to Australia have shown consistent momentum three years after the implementation of the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement, recording an 8% rise in the most recent financial year. This growth highlights the expanding trade relationship between the two countries and reflects the improved market access and logistics pathways created through the agreement. The trade pact has played a meaningful role in improving the overall trade balance by simplifying export procedures and strengthening supply chain connectivity. One of the most significant developments under the agreement is the move toward zero-duty access, with Australia transitioning all tariff lines to…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said he was deeply concerned by reports of the targeting of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s residence and stressed that diplomacy remains the most viable path to ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict. In a post on X, PM Modi stated that ongoing diplomatic efforts offer the best opportunity to end hostilities and achieve peace. He urged all concerned parties to remain focused on dialogue and avoid actions that could undermine peace initiatives. The statement followed claims by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that Ukraine launched unmanned aerial vehicles targeting President Putin’s state residence in the Novgorod…

India has delivered a consignment of six ambulances to Afghanistan, strengthening healthcare cooperation between the two countries, according to media reports. The ambulances are equipped with advanced medical equipment and will support emergency patient transport and healthcare services. Taliban Health Ministry spokesperson Sharafat Zaman Amarkhel said the assistance would significantly improve Afghanistan’s emergency medical response. The delivery is part of a commitment made during high-level talks between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi in New Delhi in October. During the meeting, Jaishankar had announced the supply of 20 ambulances as a goodwill gesture.…

In his latest Mann Ki Baat address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the growing threat posed by the misuse of antibiotics, urging citizens to consult qualified doctors before consuming these life-saving medicines. Modi highlighted that unsupervised use of antibiotics, particularly for conditions like pneumonia and urinary tract infections, is contributing to rising antimicrobial resistance and rendering treatments increasingly ineffective. Citing recent findings from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Modi noted that casual consumption of antibiotics is not only failing to cure infections but is also facilitating the spread of drug-resistant bacteria. He warned against self-medication practices, stressing that…

The Reserve Bank of India has announced a fresh set of policy actions aimed at strengthening liquidity conditions in the banking system after assessing current financial market dynamics. The central bank said the measures are designed to ensure sufficient and lasting liquidity, particularly during periods of elevated cash outflows that often strain short-term funding conditions. As part of the initiative, the RBI will carry out open market operations to purchase government securities valued at approximately $22.30 billion. These purchases will be executed in four equal installments of about $5.57 billion each. The scheduled operations will take place toward the end…

The year 2025 marked a period of evidence-based growth, global leadership and people-centric healthcare for India’s Ayush sector, driven by higher budgetary allocation, expanding exports and increased global recognition. The sector witnessed significant outreach during the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, where over 9 lakh pilgrims benefited from Ayush OPDs, mobile health units, wellness halls and yoga sessions, expanding access to traditional healthcare services. A historic milestone was achieved with the World Health Organization’s 2025 update to ICD-11, which introduced a dedicated module for Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani systems. The new module, now live on the WHO Blue Browser, enables systematic…