The Union Cabinet approved continuation of the National Social Assistance Programme from FY2026-27 to FY2030-31, with the scheme renamed Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana and changes to pension sub-schemes. It also approved a 78-day productivity-linked bonus for about 11.4 lakh non-gazetted railway employees.
Source ↗The proposed disinvestment covers the Government of India’s 30.48% stake and LIC’s 30.24% stake in IDBI Bank. After completion, the government is to retain 15% and LIC 19%; the transaction is described as the largest foreign direct investment in India’s financial sector to date.
Source ↗SEBI’s new advertising code requires prior approval for advertisements featuring celebrities by regulated entities, while celebrity-endorsement costs cannot be passed to clients or mutual-fund schemes. The deadline for IPO issue-size revision has been extended to 31 March 2027.
Source ↗The approval enables Astranova Mobility’s lending platform to finance commercial electric vehicles and other climate-positive assets. The company has an initial ₹200 crore deployment and targets ₹5,000 crore in assets under management over five years.
Source ↗The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways launched export and domestic shipbuilding credit-risk insurance products under the Shipbuilding Development Scheme. ECGC’s product covers export projects and NIACL’s product covers domestic projects, with government premium and claims support.
Source ↗Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu were announced as permanent members of a 12-state committee. The Centre also urged states to use data analytics and technology to expand the taxpayer base and improve GST compliance and invoice matching.
Source ↗The WebGIS platform provides location-specific cyclone and severe-weather information, including tracks, intensity forecasts, wind distribution, rainfall warnings, storm-surge information and river-catchment forecasts, to improve disaster preparedness.
Source ↗The platform was tested at Chandipur, Odisha, for secure military communications. Quantum key distribution uses quantum properties to distribute cryptographic keys and detect interception, complementing quantum-resistant algorithms for future cyber threats.
Source ↗India, Brazil and South Africa are conducting the ninth biennial IBSAMAR exercise from 12–22 October 2026. India deployed INS Tarkash with a Chetak helicopter under the trilateral IBSA maritime-cooperation framework.
Source ↗The partnership will help startups working in enterprise AI, hybrid cloud and quantum computing develop and commercialise solutions through proof-of-concept projects. It will also provide technical expertise, skilling and global-network access, including for innovators in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
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