New Delhi, India – India is on the verge of sealing a major trade agreement with the European Union, marking one of the most significant shifts in global economic diplomacy in years. India’s Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said negotiators were “very close” to finalising the pact ahead of key summits in New Delhi this month….
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has announced its largest-ever annual budget, committing a record $9 billion in spending for 2026, even as it prepares to reduce its workforce by up to 500 positions over the next five years. The move marks a significant strategic recalibration for one of the world’s most influential philanthropic institutions,…
In a significant ruling delivered in January 2026, the Supreme Court of India directed Coal India Limited to create a supernumerary post for a visually disabled woman candidate who had been denied employment despite qualifying in a recruitment process. The Court held that the rights of persons with disabilities must be viewed as an integral…
Spending on corporate social responsibility (CSR) by Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) increased significantly in FY25, hitting a record high of ₹6,437 crore. The Public Enterprises Survey for FY25 shows that 183 CPSEs spent 31.1% more on CSR than they had the year before. Additionally, spending became more concentrated. The top 10 public sector businesses…
On 10 July, in Chennai, the 4th India Japan Business Conference brought together policymakers, industryleaders, and development experts under the Indo-Japan Business Council. At the center of the discussion was Takuro Takeuchi, Chief Representative of JICA India, who outlined a five-point agenda to strengthen economic cooperation between the two nations. JICA’s approach is both pragmatic…
India’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) mandate under Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013, has significantly influenced the role of private corporations in national development. However, CSR performance has traditionally been assessed in terms of total spending, which fails to capture the strategic distribution of investments across sectors and geographies. This analysis develops a data-driven…
Sharp rise in CSR spending has been seen in eastern India’s main industrial districts of Odisha and Chhattisgarh. According to recent data, CSR inflows have increased manifold in the last couple of years. This was driven by the expansion of mining, metal and power industries in these states – sectors which are legally bound to…
India has started a mammoth exercise to map global trade rules so that exporters can get a better understanding of international standards and avoid costly compliance failures. The work is being spearheaded by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, and it forms part of the government’s new Export Promotion Mission. According to the report in…
The Indian Institute of Management Visakhapatnam (IIMV) is cementing its place as an elite institution leading thought leadership into urgent current issues through its long-running conclave CRISP 2025 “Conference on Responsible Innovation & Sustainability Practices” this year in the company of an inspiring representation of academics, industry leaders, policymakers, researchers, and students. An event with…
In New York on September 27, 2025, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stepped into the assembly hall of the United Nations for the 80th session of its General Debate, under the theme “Better Together: 80 Years and More for Peace, Development and Human Rights” (The New Indian Express).His address was marked by candour, ambition…
