News on Indian Economy
The project consists of twin tube tunnels in the Ramban–Banihal section, with the northbound tunnels measuring 2.6 km and 0.619 km, and the southbound tunnel measuring 3.08 km. These are being built as part of the broader four-laning of NH-44, the highway that serves as the principal road lifeline linking Jammu with Srinagar and the Kashmir Valley.
The significance of the 1 billion tonne mark lies not only in its scale, but in its timing. India remains one of the world’s largest coal consumers, and coal continues to be the backbone of the country’s electricity generation system.
Nd-Fe-B, or Neodymium-Iron-Boron magnets, are among the most powerful permanent magnets used in modern industry. They are essential in electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, electronics, and advanced manufacturing technologies.
One of the notable tools launched to support this ecosystem is the e-CHARAK mobile application and web portal, which has been designed to make market access easier for medicinal plant growers and traders.
ccording to the India Bioeconomy Report (IBER) 2026, released during the event, India’s bioeconomy reached $195.3 billion in 2025, contributing around 4.8 percent of the national GDP. The sector also recorded a strong annual rise of 17–18 percent, growing from nearly $165 billion to $195 billion in just one year.
Of the 200 auctioned blocks, 123 were Mining Lease (ML) blocks and 77 were Composite Licence (CL) blocks. This mix is significant because it shows progress on two fronts at once: operational mining opportunities through Mining Leases and exploration-led future development through Composite Licences. In other words, the sector is not only supporting current industrial demand but also laying the groundwork for future mineral discovery and extraction.
At the heart of this effort is a major increase in natural gas supply to domestic urea plants. Through the Empowered Pool Management Committee (EPMC) bidding process, the government secured an additional 7.31 MMSCMD of gas on a spot basis. This has raised total gas supply to urea plants from 32 MMSCMD to 39.31 MMSCMD, an increase of about 23 percent.
The announcement was made during his interaction with banana cultivators on March 19, 2026, on the occasion of Gudi Padwa, where he also called on farmers to gradually embrace natural farming in order to protect soil fertility and ensure long-term agricultural sustainability.
According to data shared in the Lok Sabha, coconut cultivation worldwide spans nearly 12,390 thousand hectares, of which India alone accounts for around 2,165.20 thousand hectares. The country produces approximately 21,373.62 million coconuts every year, with an average productivity of about 9,871 nuts per hectare. The figures underline the crop’s major role in India’s agricultural economy and rural livelihoods.
According to the latest figures placed in Parliament, the platform had, as of 28 February 2026, registered 1.80 crore farmers, 2.72 lakh traders, and 4,724 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs).
