Make in India Powers Defence Growth

The Ministry of Defence announced that India’s defence production reached ₹1.27 lakh crore in FY 2023-24, a 174% rise since 2014-15, driven by the Make in India initiative. Defence exports hit a record ₹21,083 crore, expanding 30 times in a decade, with a focus on indigenous manufacturing and technological innovation in areas such as AI and cyber warfare. The government aims for ₹3 lakh crore in production and ₹50,000 crore in exports by 2029.

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal joins Global Maritime Leaders at Singapore Maritime Week

The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, participated in the Singapore Maritime Week (SMW) to discuss sustainable maritime practices with global leaders. He emphasized the need for a green maritime future and announced investments worth USD 20 billion to enhance logistics and port connectivity. The Minister discussed India's target of achieving a top-five global shipbuilding rank by 2047 and mentioned the establishment of three Green Hydrogen Hub Ports for low-emission shipping.

Deputy Minister launches e-Waste drive in Limpopo

The Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, Ms. Bernice Swarts, hosted a Service Delivery Imbizo and launched an e-Waste drive initiative in Limpopo on 26 and 27 March 2025. The drive aimed to develop long-term recycling habits within communities. Residents were encouraged to bring old electronic waste for recycling, with vouchers given based on weight. Swarts emphasized the importance of responsible management of electronic waste and planned to engage with traditional leaders regarding recycling systems. The events took place at Makonde Village Stadium and Njhakanjhaka Community Hall.

Moldovan PM Meeting with Ukrainian Ambassador

Prime Minister Dorin Recean of Moldova discussed cooperation and friendly relations with Ukraine's new Ambassador Paun Rohovei. They highlighted collaboration in areas such as energy, infrastructure, and transport, with plans for projects like a bridge across the Dniester River. Recean emphasized the benefits of European integration for both nations, aiming for a more prosperous future together.

International Workshop on Land Governance Hosted by Ministry of Panchayati Raj

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) hosted the first International Workshop on Land Governance at the Haryana Institute of Public Administration in Gurugram, focusing on global land governance challenges. More than 40 senior officials from 22 countries participated, showcasing the SVAMITVA Scheme which mapped over 3.17 lakh villages, demonstrating India's commitment to technological advancement in rural empowerment. The event featured discussions on drone technology integration for land governance and included practical demonstrations.

President of India in Odisha; Makes Darshan at Lord Nilamadhab Temple and Graces Foundation Day Ceremony of Bharatiya Biswabasu Shabar Samaj

The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, visited Bhubaneswar, Odisha on March 24, 2025. During her visit, she engaged in puja at Lord Nilamadhab Temple and attended the foundation day ceremony of Bharatiya Biswabasu Shabar Samaj. She highlighted the region’s potential for tourism and the importance of a nature-friendly lifestyle, emphasizing tribal culture’s connection to forest protection. The government is committed to empowering the tribal community through various welfare schemes, promoting their art and culture, and enhancing self-reliance.

INDIAN NAVY's MAIDEN INITIATIVES OF INDIAN OCEAN SHIP SAGAR (IOS SAGAR) AND AFRICA INDIA KEY MARITIME ENGAGEMENT (AIKEYME)

The Indian Navy has launched its maiden initiatives of IOS Sagar and AIKEYME, aimed at enhancing maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region. The INS Sunayna is being deployed with a combined crew from India and nine Friendly Foreign Countries for joint surveillance and training in regional waters. The AIKEYME exercise is co-hosted by the Indian Navy and Tanzania Peoples’ Defence Force, aiming to enhance cooperation in maritime security.

Environment Agency to Replace Canklow Regulator for Flood Resilience

The Environment Agency has begun essential works to replace the Canklow Regulator on the River Rother as part of a project to enhance flood resilience for communities between Rotherham and Doncaster. Scheduled to start in April 2025, the replacement aims to create a more resilient structure and is expected to take around five to six months to complete. This work is vital for managing water flows and reducing the long-term risk of flooding downstream.

Affordable Rental Housing Complexes Scheme by MoHUA

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) launched the Affordable Rental Housing Complexes (ARHCs) as a sub-scheme of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Urban to provide dignified living to urban migrants/poor. It operates through two models; Model-1 utilizes existing government funded houses while Model-2 involves private entities constructing new units. Currently, a total of 82,273 ARHC units have received approval, with 35,425 units completed. The initial affordable rent is fixed by local authorities and increased periodically. This initiative also includes the revamped PMAY-U 2.0 'Housing for All' Mission, effective from 01.09.2024, targeting additional beneficiaries.

Strategic Supply Chain Management for Critical Minerals

The Union Cabinet of India approved the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) on January 29, 2025. This mission aims to secure a long-term sustainable supply of critical minerals. It focuses on increasing domestic critical mineral production and acquiring critical mineral assets overseas. The Ministry has established Khanij Bidesh India Ltd. (KABIL) for overseas acquisitions. KABIL signed an agreement with CAMYEN in Argentina for lithium exploration. Additionally, KABIL has an MoU with the Australian government for joint investment in mineral assets. The NCMM includes a budget of Rs. 500 Crore for processing parks and Rs. 1500 crore for recycling, along with provisions for skill development and R&D.

Reserves and Extraction of Critical Minerals in India

The Ministry of Mines of India announced significant developments in the reserves and extraction of critical minerals. The cumulative resources of various critical minerals have been updated since the amendment of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act in 2015. A total of 44 critical mineral blocks were auctioned from 2020-21 until the amendment in 2023. Following the new amendment, the central government has auctioned 24 critical mineral blocks. Additionally, Khanij Bidesh India Limited signed an Exploration and Development Agreement with CAMYEN S A in Argentina for lithium exploration covering an area of 15,703 hectares.

Blue Scorpions Compliance and Enforcement Report

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has released its annual Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Report for the period April 2023 to March 2024. This marks the 10th anniversary of the report. It details compliance and enforcement measures taken to adhere to the National Water Act, with 429 facility inspections conducted and a compliance average performance score of 56%. Notably, the report highlights a total of 583 cases of non-compliance reported, with 467 investigated. Furthermore, the Department issued fines totaling R150 million against municipalities for environmental violations.

60th Anniversary of SAFARI-1 Reactor Celebration

The South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) celebrated the 60th anniversary of the SAFARI-1 reactor on 25 March 2025. Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, delivered a keynote address emphasizing SAFARI-1's significance in nuclear science. The reactor has produced life-saving isotopes for cancer diagnosis and treatment, marking a notable contribution to global healthcare. SAFARI-1, a 20 Megawatt research reactor, has operated safely for six decades, logging over 4.891 million MWh without incidents.

Council adopts financial benchmarks regulation to ease burden on SMEs

The Council adopted a regulation on financial benchmarks aimed at reducing red tape for EU companies, especially SMEs. This new regulation amends a 2016 regulation by narrowing the scope to only critical or significant benchmarks. It allows some administrators outside the current rules to opt-in voluntarily. Moreover, EU Climate Transition Benchmarks and EU Paris-Aligned Benchmarks will require registrations for regulatory oversight.

Initiatives Regarding National Electricity Plan

The Ministry of Power has outlined the National Electricity Plan-Transmission, targeting to enhance transmission capacity across India from 2023 to 2032. It aims to meet a projected peak electricity demand of 388 GW by 2032 and includes plans for High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) lines to optimize energy transfer from renewable-rich regions to load centers. The plan addresses existing disparities in energy resource distribution, proposing an increase in inter-regional transfer capacity and aiming to integrate renewable energy sources and support green hydrogen manufacturing hubs.

Government steps to ensure energy security

The Government of India has taken significant steps to ensure energy security by monitoring global energy markets and diversifying the petroleum import basket. They have implemented a multi-pronged strategy aimed at reducing dependency on crude oil, which includes promoting natural gas usage and alternative fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel. Recently, the prices of petrol and diesel in India have decreased, thanks to cuts in Central Excise duty. As of March 2025, the retail price of a domestic LPG cylinder is Rs. 503 for Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana beneficiaries.

Dints International wins contract for renewable energy in Angola

Dints International secured a £12.5 million contract to supply equipment for infrastructure and renewable energy projects in Angola. This contract was facilitated by a loan guarantee from UK Export Finance, allowing the Portuguese contractor MCA to obtain financing. Dints will provide vehicles and machinery to support these projects, contributing to the growth of UK exports and the local economy. The deal reflects the UK government's Plan for Change, aimed at boosting exports and creating job opportunities in the UK.

Minister reflects on department’s achievements and challenges in housing sector

The South African Department of Human Settlements, led by Minister Thembi Simelane, has made significant progress in addressing housing challenges since her appointment. The department has launched the Special Housing Needs Programme Grant and has approved a White Paper focusing on Integrated and Sustainable Human Settlements. Challenges such as budget cuts and informal settlements persist, and a new Emerging Developer Incubator programme will be launched on March 28, 2025, to support disadvantaged developers. The department aims to prioritize housing for vulnerable groups in its Medium-Term Development Plan.

Storm overflows policy and guidance published by Defra

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published guidance on managing and regulating storm overflows, aimed at supporting water and sewerage companies in their responsibilities. This publication reflects legislative developments related to storm overflows since the Urban Waste Water Treatment (England and Wales) Regulations 1994. It outlines measures in the storm overflows discharge reduction plan and does not impose new legal requirements but emphasizes the need for substantial investments and robust regulatory frameworks.

Bridging Wellness and Heritage: Yoga Takes Over Meghalaya’s Living Root Marvel

The North Eastern Institute of Ayurveda and Homoeopathy (NEIAH) organized a yoga session at the Double Decker Living Root Bridge in Meghalaya, India, as part of the countdown to the International Day of Yoga 2025. This event emphasized the blend of ancient wisdom and modern wellness practices, promoting sustainable living. The bridge, made from the aerial roots of rubber fig trees, represents resilience and harmony with nature. Events such as this one aim to showcase India's natural and cultural heritage while promoting the benefits of yoga.