News on Indian Economy
PM SVANidhi is a Central Sector Scheme jointly implemented by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and the Department of Financial Services. The scheme provides collateral-free working capital loans to street vendors, helping them restart, stabilise and expand their small businesses. The government has now approved restructuring and extension of the scheme, with the lending period extended up to March 2030.
This development shows how India’s biological wealth is gradually being integrated into a structured conservation-linked economic model. The ABS mechanism ensures that industries using biological resources and associated traditional knowledge contribute back to the communities, farmers, Biodiversity Management Committees and knowledge holders connected to those resources.
This rise is significant because data centres are no longer back-end technology assets hidden behind the digital economy. They are now the physical backbone of artificial intelligence, cloud platforms, digital payments, online education, telemedicine, streaming, gaming, cybersecurity, government platforms, enterprise software and real-time analytics. Every AI query, video call, payment transaction, hospital record, logistics update and digital document depends on servers, power systems, cooling infrastructure, fibre connectivity and secure facilities working continuously in the background.
This improvement matters because India’s aviation sector is moving through a period of rapid expansion. Domestic passenger traffic, which averaged below 2 lakh passengers per day in 2014, has crossed the 5-lakh daily mark on several occasions in recent years. With annual airport passenger traffic projected to reach nearly 50 crore by 2030 and about 100 crore by 2040, digital systems such as Digi Yatra are becoming essential for managing future airport congestion and passenger flow.
The launch is significant because the North East has long carried strong educational aspirations, high literacy levels and a young population eager for better professional opportunities. Mizoram, in particular, has the advantage of a literate and disciplined youth base. A technology skills centre can help convert that social strength into employability, innovation and entrepreneurship.
In FY26, India exported 344.2 thousand tonnes of sweet biscuits, showing the rising acceptance of Indian processed food products across global markets. This is more than a food export statistic. It reflects the ability of Indian manufacturers to serve mass consumer markets with affordable, shelf-stable and familiar products that travel well across geographies.
The post-Covid recovery of small businesses has moved through three clear stages. The first was survival, when firms tried to manage lockdown damage, weak cash flows and broken supply chains. The second was repair, when demand returned and businesses rebuilt working capital. The third stage, now visible in 2025, is expansion. Many enterprises are investing again, hiring cautiously, adopting digital tools and preparing for higher demand in 2026. The survey’s finding that 87% of Indian small businesses expect to grow in 2026 shows that confidence has moved beyond short-term recovery and entered a forward-looking phase.
The move is significant because seed is the first and most decisive input in agriculture. A farmer may have land, labour, water access, credit and fertiliser, but the agricultural cycle begins only when the right seed reaches the field at the right time. In a country where Kharif sowing depends heavily on monsoon behaviour, regional rainfall patterns and local crop choices, a national reserve gives the government and states a practical buffer against sudden shortages, delayed supply chains or climate-related disruptions.
India’s position is also strengthened by its trade and investment outreach. The country has been expanding economic engagement through new trade discussions, market access initiatives and sector-specific partnerships. Such steps help Indian businesses enter new markets and attract foreign companies into Indian manufacturing and services. A more open and confident trade strategy can support export growth while strengthening domestic capability.
The scale is massive. BSNL placed orders for one lakh indigenously developed 4G sites for pan-India deployment. As of 28 February 2026, the government reported that 97,906 4G sites had been installed and 96,103 sites were on-air. This is a full national rollout, covering urban pockets, rural belts, border regions, hilly terrain and locations where commercial viability has always been difficult for private operators.
