Economy

News on Indian Economy

National Jute Board Expands ISRO-Backed Crop Monitoring System to Make India’s ‘Golden Fibre’ More Data-Driven

Two key digital tools have been developed under the initiative. The first is BHUVAN JUMP, a mobile application used for on-field jute monitoring. The second is PATSAN, or Prospective Assessment of Jute Using Mobile App-Based Field Observations, a web-based platform that provides near-real-time jute surveillance and analytics for officials and stakeholders. These tools help connect satellite observations with ground-level data, making crop estimates more reliable and actionable.

RBI and European Central Bank Sign MoU to Strengthen Central Banking Cooperation

The new MoU updates the earlier agreement signed between the two central banks in 2015. According to the ECB, the renewed arrangement creates a framework for regular exchange of information, policy dialogue and technical cooperation between the two institutions. Technical cooperation may include joint seminars and workshops in areas of mutual interest, helping both central banks share experience on evolving monetary, regulatory and financial-sector challenges.

India’s Semiconductor Push Gains Speed as Two More Chip Packaging Units Set to Go Live by December

The significance of chip-packaging units lies in their role at the final but crucial stage of semiconductor manufacturing. After chips are fabricated, they must be assembled, tested, marked and packaged before they can be used in products such as smartphones, automobiles, telecom equipment, consumer electronics, defence systems and industrial devices. By building this capability at home, India can reduce supply-chain vulnerability and gradually move up the semiconductor value chain.

Women’s Participation in India’s Maritime Sector Rises 340% Since 2020, Says Sarbananda Sonowal

Speaking at the 10th Indian Ocean Dialogue in New Delhi, Sonowal said initiatives such as “Sagar Mein Samman” are helping create greater dignity, inclusion and leadership opportunities for women across maritime professions. The minister said this transformation is not just about workforce numbers, but about shaping a more resilient and inclusive maritime future for India and the wider Indian Ocean Region.

India Builds 200 LMT Fertilizer Stock Ahead of Kharif 2026, Says No MRP Hike for Farmers

According to the Department of Fertilizers, the present stock level is significantly higher than the usual buffer of around 33 percent, indicating improved advance planning, stocking and logistics management. The government has also assured farmers that there is no change in the Maximum Retail Price of major fertilizers, providing relief at a time when input costs and seasonal farm preparations remain crucial for the agricultural economy.

India’s Labour Market Remains Stable as Rural Wage Jobs Rise and Urban Unemployment Eases in PLFS January–March 2026

According to the survey, the overall Labour Force Participation Rate for persons aged 15 years and above stood at 55.5 percent in January–March 2026, compared with 55.8 percent in the previous quarter. Rural LFPR was recorded at 58.2 percent, while urban LFPR stood at 50.2 percent. The figures suggest that participation in the labour market remained largely steady across both rural and urban India despite minor quarter-on-quarter movements.

Centre Notifies New VB-G RAM G Rural Employment Law, MGNREGA to Be Replaced from July 1, 2026

The new Act enhances the statutory employment guarantee from 100 days to 125 days in every financial year for every rural household whose adult members volunteer to undertake unskilled manual work. The government has positioned the law as a shift from a standalone wage-support programme to a broader rural development framework that combines employment generation, durable asset creation, livelihood security, climate resilience and technology-enabled governance.