Economy
Centre withdraws 20% onion export duty as prices slump
India has exported around 1.71 million tonnes of onions in FY24 while in FY25 (till March 18) around 1.16 million tonnes has already been exported
 "Centre withdraws 20% onion export duty as prices slump")
Many nations want to adopt India's development model, says Piyush Goyal
Addressing the valedictory function of Vejalpur Startup Festival 2.0, Goyal also said India aims to take the number of unicorns from the existing 118 to 1,000 and 5,000
 "Many nations want to adopt India's development model, says Piyush Goyal")
Backlog baggage: Staff shortage delays advance pricing agreement process
Presently, there are five APA teams in the country with two teams in Delhi and one team each in Mumbai, Bengaluru and Gurgaon
 "Backlog baggage: Staff shortage delays advance pricing agreement process")
Expand PLI scheme to labour sectors: Parliamentary committee to govt
The committee also recommended that the commerce department should 'proactively' take measures to conclude the FTAs
 "Expand PLI scheme to labour sectors: Parliamentary committee to govt")
Datanomics: Challenges galore as Bihar celebrates foundation day
Bihar's per capita income was one-tenth of Sikkim, which was the top state in 2023-24
 "Datanomics: Challenges galore as Bihar celebrates foundation day")
Exports from SEZs and EOUs till Feb 5 eligible for Rodtep scheme benefits
Earlier, the exporters were allowed to seek benefits under the scheme till December 31, 2024
 "Exports from SEZs and EOUs till Feb 5 eligible for Rodtep scheme benefits")
Advanced economies overtake Gulf nations in share of remittances to India
Advanced economies such as the US, the UK, Singapore, Canada, and Australia together accounted for more than half of India's remittances in FY24, reflecting a shift in migration patterns
 "Advanced economies overtake Gulf nations in share of remittances to India")
India's ambitious $23 bn PLI scheme to counter China factories set to lapse
As of October 2024, participating firms had produced $151.93 billion worth of goods under the scheme, or 37 per cent of the target that Delhi had set
 "India's ambitious $23 bn PLI scheme to counter China factories set to lapse")
Govt replaces 'certificate' with 'proof' in Rules of Origin regulations
The amendment, effective from March 18, modifies key rules governing the determination of the country of origin of imported goods - a crucial factor in availing duty benefits under FTAs)
 "Govt replaces 'certificate' with 'proof' in Rules of Origin regulations")
GST Council meet: Uniform 5% rate on drones for business use on agenda
This could be a major relief to India's burgeoning drone industry, which consists of around 488 drone companies that have collectively secured $518 million in funding so far
 "GST Council meet: Uniform 5% rate on drones for business use on agenda")
Key India-US trade negotiations next week to finalise BTA contours
Both sides are aiming to finalise the first tranche of a "mutually beneficial" deal by the fall of 2025
 "Key India-US trade negotiations next week to finalise BTA contours")
Five Centres of Excellence for skilling likely to be set up in NSTIs
The CoEs will also be empowered to operationalise higher national skill qualification framework (NSQF) level (level 5-level 8) courses which are not well represented in the skilling ecosystem
 "Five Centres of Excellence for skilling likely to be set up in NSTIs")
US Fed's wait-and-see approach gives respite to tariff-struck investors
Fed policymakers signaled a cautious stance of their own on Wednesday at a policy meeting that left interest rates unchanged but acknowledged rising risks to both growth and inflation
 "US Fed's wait-and-see approach gives respite to tariff-struck investors")
Net ECB inflows surge over 2x to $18.4 billion in 10MFY25: RBI data
ECB outflows due to principal repayments stood at $23.9 billion during the April 2024-January 2025 period, resulting in robust net inflows of $18.4 billion
 "Net ECB inflows surge over 2x to $18.4 billion in 10MFY25: RBI data")
Balancing data integration and privacy big task: Mospi secy Saurabh Garg
MoSPI has defined national metadata standards to lay down clear definitions for data collection and set out a quality assessment framework for various ministries that collect the information
 "Balancing data integration and privacy big task: Mospi secy Saurabh Garg")
Sitharaman, Citi CEO discuss bank's staff growth in India, digitalisation
During their discussion, Jane Fraser highlighted Citi's expansion in India and expressed interest in strengthening the company's presence in the country
 "Sitharaman, Citi CEO discuss bank's staff growth in India, digitalisation")
Chhattisgarh govt expands mineral exploration with 13 new projects
Initial surveys estimate reserves of 283 million tonnes (mt) of limestone, 67 mt of iron ore, and 300,000 tonnes of bauxite, a senior official of state mineral resources department said
 "Chhattisgarh govt expands mineral exploration with 13 new projects")
Parl's Standing Committee on Finance calls for GST relief on MPLAD fund
A GST of up to 18 per cent is charged on the work done under the MPLAD scheme
 "Parl's Standing Committee on Finance calls for GST relief on MPLAD fund")
National interest key in India's international oil purchases, says Centre
The Ministry of External Affairs was asked in Rajya Sabha whether 'it is a fact that the USA had asked India to stop unloading Russian oil tankers and has set a deadline for it'
 "National interest key in India's international oil purchases, says Centre")
Govt's divestment plan to push fundraising activities in FY26: Emkay Global
The steep correction in the equity market has started showing its impact on fundraising activities
 "Govt's divestment plan to push fundraising activities in FY26: Emkay Global")
