Under the proposed benefits of the agreements, Indian toys are expected to receive zero-duty access in the UK and EU markets. At present, such imports face duties of around 5–6 per cent, which affects the final landed cost of Indian products. Removal of these duties can help Indian exporters offer more competitive pricing while expanding their reach among distributors, retailers and consumers abroad.
The project gained fresh strategic importance during the 16th India–Japan Annual Summit in July 2026. The joint statement recorded that the two Prime Ministers were satisfied that an agreement had been reached in principle on the remaining technical details of the UNICORN project. Both sides also expressed expectation for early conclusion of the project and agreed to explore further defence equipment and technology projects.
Amaravati’s selection reflects Andhra Pradesh’s fast-rising position in India’s deep-tech landscape. The IBM quantum system is expected to support researchers, startups, academic institutions and enterprises working in pharmaceuticals, materials science, finance, logistics, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and advanced industrial research. These are sectors where quantum computing can help solve highly complex problems that remain difficult for conventional computing systems.
For the Indian Army, the approvals include the Anti-UAV Electronic Warfare System AKASH TARANG, Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile systems, Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile weapon systems, Very Short Range Air Defence Systems, Active Protection Systems for tanks and jet-based kamikaze drone systems.
India’s Duty-Free Tariff Preference Scheme has played an important role in strengthening this trade relationship. With Mali’s global exports valued at nearly US$4 billion, the untapped export potential in the Indian market is estimated at around US$3.96 billion, highlighting the large scope for future growth.
Vande Bharatam has been designed as a national platform for Indians with ideas, innovations, prototypes, early-stage ventures or established enterprises. The programme will reach all 36 States and Union Territories, more than 800 districts, and multiple Indian languages, making it one of the broadest entrepreneurial discovery initiatives in the country.
Amendment to Drugs Rules, 1945 expands Central licensing oversight to stem cell therapies, gene therapeutics and xenografts
New quality standards to benefit over 80 crore people; phased implementation to begin from Kharif Marketing Season 2027–28
Ragi is a millet that represents the old Indian idea of “anna as medicine”. It is simple, affordable, local, climate-resilient and deeply supportive when prepared properly.
The research was led by Dibya Kirti Mishra from the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology. The work was carried out with collaborators from the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram, the Southwest Research Institute in Boulder, USA, and the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bengaluru.
