India’s maritime sector is central to its trade, economy, and global influence, handling nearly 95% of trade by volume. The Maritime India Vision 2030 and Amrit Kaal 2047 aim to modernize ports, expand shipping and inland waterways, promote green and smart technologies, and boost skill development. Initiatives like the Sagarmala Programme, shipbuilding schemes, and inland waterway projects are driving economic growth, employment, and regional connectivity. With sustainability, innovation, and global partnerships at its core, India is charting a course to become a leading maritime power by 2047.
Click to View MoreShort-term exposure to PM2.5, especially from landscape fires and urban pollution, significantly increases hospital admissions among children and adolescents for respiratory, infectious, cardiovascular, neurological, digestive, and other illnesses. Children aged 5–9 years and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are particularly vulnerable.
India has implemented measures like the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), air quality monitoring, and crop residue management to reduce PM2.5 exposure. However, challenges persist due to high ambient pollution, indoor smoke, socioeconomic disparities, and gaps in awareness.
A multi-pronged approach involving regulation, clean energy adoption, indoor air quality improvement, public awareness, and child-specific protective measures is essential to safeguard children’s health and reduce the long-term impacts of air pollution.
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Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the banking sector by enabling faster decision-making, improved customer experiences, and operational efficiency. However, it also introduces risks such as bias, model errors, data privacy issues, and regulatory challenges. AI auditing ensures these systems are ethical, transparent, and accountable throughout their lifecycle. Frameworks like RBI’s FREE-AI, along with global standards such as NIST AI RMF and CSA AICM, guide banks in implementing responsible AI. The way forward involves pragmatic guardrails, continuous monitoring, human oversight, and multi-stakeholder collaboration to balance innovation with risk, ensuring trustworthy and inclusive AI-driven banking.
Click to View MoreIndia’s eight core sectors—coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilizers, steel, cement, and electricity—are vital for industrial growth and contribute significantly to the Index of Industrial Production (IIP). While Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows reached a high of US$ 81.04 billion in FY 2024–25, the distribution remains uneven across sectors and regions. Government initiatives like the PLI scheme, PM GatiShakti, and FDI liberalization aim to improve infrastructure, attract diversified investment, and promote balanced growth. Challenges such as regulatory bottlenecks, infrastructure gaps, and regional disparities still persist, highlighting the need for continued policy support and structural reforms.
Click to View MoreForeign Direct Investment (FDI) plays a crucial role in economic growth by bringing in capital, technology, and job opportunities. To improve FDI flows, countries must focus on creating a stable and investor-friendly environment through regulatory reforms, infrastructure development, skilled workforce, and transparent governance. Targeted sectoral strategies, digitalization of approvals, and strong investment promotion agencies can enhance investor confidence. Additionally, international trade agreements, performance-based incentives, and sustainability-focused policies are key to attracting high-quality, long-term investment.
Click to View MoreIndia’s air and noise pollution monitoring systems face challenges like poorly placed sensors, data inaccuracies, and limited real-time noise data. While air quality monitoring has improved with real-time stations and the National Clean Air Programme, noise pollution lacks a strong national policy and effective enforcement. To protect public health and meet global standards, India must expand monitoring coverage, ensure data transparency through independent audits, align regulations with WHO guidelines, and integrate advanced technologies for better forecasting and action.
Click to View MoreIndia, the world’s largest milk producer, faces a green fodder deficit of 11–32%, threatening livestock productivity and rural livelihoods. Challenges include shrinking pastures, climate variability, poor seed quality, and rising input costs. Government initiatives like the National Livestock Mission, Rashtriya Gokul Mission, and National Dairy Plan, along with climate-resilient crops, silage, hydroponics, and AI-based planning, aim to ensure year-round fodder availability. A Green Fodder Revolution is vital for nutritional security, dairy productivity, and national food security.
Click to View MoreThe Supreme Court of India in October 2025 allowed the limited sale and use of NEERI- and PESO-approved green crackers in Delhi-NCR during Deepavali as a “test case” to balance festivities with pollution control. Green crackers, developed by CSIR–NEERI, emit 30–40% fewer pollutants than conventional ones but are not entirely pollution-free. The court directed strict time limits, licensing, QR code verification, and air quality monitoring to ensure compliance. While this move aims to promote eco-friendly celebrations, experts caution that weak enforcement and public unawareness remain key challenges to effective implementation.
Click to View MoreClimate models are computer-based tools that simulate Earth’s climate systems to study past, present, and future climate patterns. Over time, they have evolved from simple energy balance models to advanced global and regional models. While these models help predict trends like temperature rise and monsoon changes, they face issues such as data gaps and limited regional accuracy. The Indian government is improving model precision through projects like the National Monsoon Mission and supercomputers such as Pratyush and Mihir.
Click to View MoreDongar cultivation is a traditional upland farming system practiced by the Kondh tribes of Odisha, where millets, pulses, and oilseeds are grown together on hill slopes. This eco-friendly method supports food security and biodiversity but is now threatened by the spread of eucalyptus monoculture. Government initiatives like the Odisha Millets Mission and NGO efforts aim to revive and protect this sustainable farming tradition for future generations.
Click to View MoreRetail inflation in India fell to a 99-month low of 1.54% in September 2025, mainly due to falling food and fuel prices. This marks the lowest level since 2017 and is below the RBI’s 2–6% comfort range. While consumers benefit from lower prices and improved purchasing power, persistently low inflation may signal weak demand and affect farmers’ income.
Click to View MoreIndia’s fintech sector has rapidly evolved through digital innovation, government support, and growing internet access—transforming payments, lending, and financial inclusion—while facing challenges like regulation, data privacy, and cybersecurity.
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