PolicyDhara

The P.S. Gopinathan Commission, which probed the Puttingal tragedy, had suggested extensive safety measures, including a risk assessment exercise by the District Disaster Management Authority at least a fortnight in advance and necessary arrangements for disaster management

Government of India press release: Ministry of Steel to hold Open House on Steel Import Issues on 27th April

Cabinet directs State Disaster Management Authority to declare blast at Mundathikode as a State-specific disaster; Justice C.N. Ramachandran Nair, a single-member judicial commission, in charge of inquiry

Five bodies handed over to relatives; two injured on ventilator as authorities weigh key decisions amid tragedy

In many ways, this reflects the complete failure of the substance of the Prime Minister's foreign policy and the self-glorifying style of his diplomatic engagement, says Congress leader Jairam Ramesh

As part of the arrangements this year, officials have imposed strict restrictions within the temple premises to maintain order and sanctity.

The two sides stated that they sought to continue engagement with each other for a resolution of this dispute

Fatal accident in Nallajerla mandal of West Godavari district; police launch investigation

The buses remained in the depots in Hyderabad and in districts prompting the management to make alternative arrangements for the convenience of the passengers

West Bengal polls 2026 shaped by violence legacy, welfare politics, Muslim vote consolidation and TMC-BJP battle amid ECI scrutiny

As trade rules fall apart and geopolitical shocks disrupt supply chains, the WTO has been left as a hapless bystander. A resilience alliance could forge a network of trusted interdependence that serves mutual ends but leaves nobody vulnerable.

25 March 2026

12 March 2026

The AIADMK hopes to turn the tables on the DMK front, which won 37 of the 41 seats in the central delta districts in the 2021 Assembly election, through deft cash and caste management. But this is easier said than done.

Police register case after toddler accidentally falls into pool at residential complex

India's seafood exports rose to a record Rs 72,325.82 crore (US$ 8.28 billion) in FY 2025-26, with volumes reaching 19.32 lakh metric tonnes, according to provisional data released by MPEDA.

A bus accident in Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir, killed 21 and injured over 50 when the overloaded vehicle plunged 100 feet down a hillside.

India imported goods worth $21.06 billion from South Korea in 2024-25 and exported $5.82 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of $15.24 billion.

Speaking at Princeton University, he noted that India is responding by diversifying import sources and boosting domestic oil and gas production

The United States and India have been engaged in protracted trade negotiations aimed at reducing tariffs and expanding bilateral trade

Government of India press release: India and Bhutan hold 7th Joint Group of Customs (JGC) meeting in Munnar, Keralam, on...

ORF Expert Speak: The Invisible Transaction: AI, E-commerce, and India’s MSMEs

From The Hindu’s archives, a look at some of major fire accidents across the country since Independence

The Global Trade Research Initiative said that the engagement will be important as the refunded payments go only to US importers, and exporters have no legal right to claim them

The Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said that theIndian exporters will have no direct legal route to claim refunds.

Government of India press release: India’s Seafood Exports Cross ₹72,000 Crore, Reach All-Time High in the history of ma...

Government of India press release: India’s Seafood Exports Hit All-Time High of ₹72,000 Crore

Government of India press release: India and Republic of Korea Sign MoU to Strengthen Cooperation in MSME Sector

Government of India press release: JIPMER Organizes Awareness Programme on Early Recognition and Management of Type 1 Di...

The P.S. Gopinathan Commission, which probed the Puttingal tragedy, had suggested extensive safety measures, including a risk assessment exercise by the District Disaster Management Authority at least a fortnight in advance and necessary arrangements for disaster management

ICE Futures breach 80 cents per pound for July delivery, marking a increase of 30 per cent since early March

Industry stakeholders warn that the sustained price surge is eroding margins, particularly for exporters operating on long-term contracts with limited flexibility to absorb input cost increases

Varna Maitri art show; Time: 11 am; Venue: Salar Jung Museum

District administration has set a 60-day deadline to implement corrective measures to reduce accidents at such places

ORF Expert Speak: Rahman in New Delhi: Cautious Engagement in India–Bangladesh Ties

Congress claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is “simply incapable” of the overhaul of India’s diplomatic engagement strategy that is needed

The accident took place near Kanote village when the bus, travelling from Ramnagar to Udhampur, lost control and plunged into a gorge.

A 12-member Indian delegation led by chief negotiator Darpan Jain will engage with US counterparts as both countries look to finalise the trade deal.

The review of India-South Korea Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) is expected to gather pace after both sides appointed chief negotiators.

Government of India press release: NITI Aayog launches seventh edition of “Trade Watch Quarterly”

Larsen & Toubro, Bharat Electronics, HCL Tech and Kotak Mahindra Bank were among the laggards

Globally, gold futures declined by 0.87% to $4,788.31 per ounce in New York

Silver was trading 1.54% lower at $79.64 per ounce in New York

The accident took place near Kanote village when the bus, travelling from Ramnagar to Udhampur, lost control and plunged into a gorge.

Allana holds 51% stake in the JV platform Indian Retail Alliance Pvt Ltd that will seek to organise fresh protein retail ecosystem

As per the findings, the SME Business Activity Index stood at 56.5 in Q4 FY26, indicating continued expansion, though it moderated from 58.9 recorded in the previous quarter

Opens up India's Exclusive Economic Zone for commercial mining of offshore minerals. Establishes a framework for granting licences and leases for offshore mineral exploration and production.

Amended the MMDR Act to allow private sector participation in exploration of critical and strategic minerals including lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements. Introduced auction of exploration licences for deep-seated minerals.

Aims to reduce logistics cost from 13-14% of GDP to global best of 8% through efficiency improvements. Establishes Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP), Ease of Logistics (ELOG), and System Improvement Group.

Rs 76,000 crore programme to establish a semiconductor and display manufacturing ecosystem in India. Provides fiscal support of up to 50% of project cost for setting up semiconductor fabs, OSAT, and design centres.

Incentive scheme across 14 key sectors including electronics, pharmaceuticals, automobiles, and textiles with total outlay of Rs 1.97 lakh crore. Aims to boost domestic manufacturing, create jobs, and reduce import dependence.

Three laws enacted to deregulate agricultural markets: Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce Act, Farmers' Agreement on Price Assurance Act, and Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act. Triggered prolonged farmer protests.

Rs 20 lakh crore (approximately 10% of GDP) comprehensive economic stimulus package announced during COVID-19 pandemic. Covered MSMEs, farmers, migrant workers, and structural reforms across agriculture, coal, defence, and space sectors.

India's biggest indirect tax reform unifying over a dozen central and state taxes into a single nationwide tax. The 101st Constitutional Amendment and four GST Acts created a unified national market for goods and services.

India's most significant indirect tax reform, replacing 17 central and state taxes with a unified GST. Required constitutional amendment. Implemented through Central GST, State GST, and Integrated GST with a GST Council for cooperative federalism.

Port-led development programme to modernise India's ports, enhance port connectivity, develop coastal economic zones, and promote coastal shipping. Envisaged investment of over Rs 8 lakh crore.

Flagship initiative to transform India into a global manufacturing hub across 25 sectors. Simplified regulatory environment, dedicated investor facilitation, and robust intellectual property regime to boost domestic and foreign investment.

Allowed 51% FDI in multi-brand retail and 100% in single-brand retail, subject to conditions including 30% local sourcing. Aimed to attract global retail chains and modernise India's retail infrastructure.

Aimed to increase manufacturing sector's share of GDP from 16% to 25% by 2022 and create 100 million additional jobs. Proposed National Investment and Manufacturing Zones (NIMZs) with simplified regulations.

India's early policy framework to attract semiconductor fabrication investments with incentives of up to 25% of capital expenditure. Aimed to position India in the global electronics manufacturing ecosystem.

Established a framework for creation of Special Economic Zones to promote exports, attract FDI, and generate employment. Provided tax holidays and single-window clearance for SEZ developers and units.

TRAI introduced unified access licensing and later mobile number portability, transforming India's telecom sector. Combined with NTP 1999, these reforms enabled the mobile revolution that connected over a billion Indians.

Established the Competition Commission of India (CCI) to prevent anti-competitive practices, regulate mergers and acquisitions, and promote competition in Indian markets. Replaced the MRTP Act.

Finance Minister Manmohan Singh introduced sweeping economic reforms dismantling the License Raj, opening India to foreign investment, reducing import tariffs, and initiating privatisation of state-owned enterprises. This fundamentally transformed India's economy from a closed, state-controlled model to a market-oriented one.