Category: National

Rohit Kumar, Secretary General, CMAI , Shripad Yesso Naik, Minister of State for New and Renewable and Manish Dabkara, President, CMAI, & MD & CEO, EKI Energy

New Delhi [India], March 19: The second edition of India Climate Week 2026 (ICW 2026), organised by the Carbon Markets Association of India (CMAI), concluded successfully at Bharat Mandapam, reaffirming India’s growing leadership in carbon markets, climate finance, and clean technology deployment.

Held from March 12–17, 2026, the event brought together senior policymakers, industry leaders, global institutions, financial stakeholders, and innovators, making it one of India’s most comprehensive platforms for advancing the net-zero transition and green economic transformation. 

Rooted in the ethos of ‘प्रकृतिरेव शरणम्’ (Nature is our only refuge) and inspired by the vision of Narendra Modi, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, ICW 2026 successfully positioned India as a global gateway to climate action and sustainable development. The India Climate Week 2026 was supported by  Mission LiFE; Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; Ministry of Power ; Ministry of New and Renewable Energy ; Bureau of Energy Efficiency ; Department of Science & Technology ; Office of Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India.

At the Inaugural session, Mr. Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Environment Minister, Government of NCT of Delhi, stated, “India Climate Week has created a strong platform to align urban sustainability initiatives with national climate goals, including emerging opportunities in carbon markets. Delhi is playing and important role in establishing the carbon markets framework. Delhi would be announcing its green budget this year and focusing on green infrastructure for the city.”

Mr.  Rohit Kumar, Secretary General, CMAI, added, “ICW 2026 has demonstrated the power of convergence—bringing together policy, markets, and industry to drive execution. This is where climate ambition transforms into actionable business strategies and measurable outcomes.”

Speaking on the success of the event Mr. Manish Dabkara, President, CMAI, said, “India Climate Week 2026 marks a defining shift from climate ambition to implementation. The platform has catalysed investments, strengthened carbon market ecosystems, and enabled partnerships that will accelerate India’s net-zero transition.”

Driving Climate Markets and Industry Transition: India Climate Week 2026 played a pivotal role in advancing Carbon market development and implementation frameworks, Climate finance mobilisation for scalable, investment-ready projects, Global collaboration under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, Adoption of low-carbon technologies across industries, Strengthening ESG compliance and climate governance frameworks.

The event enabled stakeholders to explore next-generation solutions, including AI-based MRV systems, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), green hydrogen, circular economy models, and decarbonisation pathways for carbon-intensive sectors. The event was supported by Jindal Steel as Platinum Sponsor,  EKI Energy Services Ltd. as Gold Sponsor, Session Partner was London School of Economics and Sustainability Partner – Bank of Baroda.

A key highlight of the event was the India Climate Samman 2026, recognising “प्रकृति संवर्धक” (Sustainers of Nature) — organisations and individuals demonstrating exceptional leadership in climate action, sustainability, innovation, and environmental stewardship.

While speaking at the Valedictory session Mr. Shripad Yesso Naik, Hon’ble Minister of State, Ministry of Power; Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India, shared,“India is progressing steadily toward a sustainable and low-carbon future through renewable energy expansion, green technologies, and inclusive climate action.

India Climate Samman 2026

Global Participation & Impact

ICW 2026 successfully fostered cross-border collaboration, policy dialogue, and industry engagement, while accelerating carbon market readiness, climate finance flows, and adoption of sustainable technologies.

Representing the international community, H.E. Kenneth Félix Haczynski da Nóbrega, Ambassador of Brazil to India, remarked:
 “India Climate Week provides an important platform for strengthening global cooperation and advancing shared priorities in sustainable development and climate action.”

H.E. Benedikt Höskuldsson, Ambassador of Iceland to India, noted, “Collaboration, innovation, and technology partnerships are critical to achieving global climate goals. Platforms like ICW help accelerate this transition.”

Strong Policy Backing and Institutional Support

India Climate Week 2026 was supported by key Government of India institutions, including the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Ministry of Power, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Bureau of Energy Efficiency, Department of Science and Technology,  and the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, providing strong policy anchoring and enabling high-impact dialogue.

Designed as a five-day strategic programme, ICW 2026 moved from on-ground exposure to policy and market action:

• Industry Site Visits (March 12): Delegates experienced real-world climate solutions across green hydrogen, bioenergy, and waste-to-energy projects
• Workshops & Capacity Building (March 13–14): Focused on carbon markets, ESG frameworks, climate finance, AI in MRV, and climate law
• High-Level Dialogues (March 16–17): Featured discussions on Article 6, global climate cooperation, voluntary and compliance carbon markets, and industrial decarbonisation

As global climate priorities shift toward implementation and impact, India Climate Week 2026 has set a strong foundation for scalable climate solutions, global partnerships, and market-driven action, reinforcing India’s leadership in building a resilient, low-carbon future.

The Carbon Markets Association of India (CMAI) is a leading not-for-profit group of industry stakeholders dedicated to accelerating India’s transition to a sustainable, net-zero future. It aims to develop a robust carbon credit market and drive India’s climate and sustainability goals.

New Delhi [India], March 14: Manufacturing vs agriculture growth in India is suddenly the story nobody in policymaking circles can ignore. Factories are humming at record levels while farm growth has slowed enough to raise eyebrows.

Manufacturing vs Agriculture Growth India

Manufacturing vs agriculture growth India is turning into one of those economic contrasts that makes policymakers pause for a second. Maybe two.

Look at the data. Factories are pushing ahead at impressive speed. Agricultural growth, meanwhile, has slowed enough to raise some uncomfortable questions.

And honestly, this kind of imbalance wasn’t supposed to be this obvious.

Manufacturing sentiment has reached record highs. Production lines are active. Companies are expanding output. Hiring intentions are rising.

But agriculture, despite producing massive quantities of food, is seeing weaker growth.

Which is… interesting. Slightly ironic too.

India feeds itself just fine. Yet the farm economy isn’t expanding nearly as fast as the industrial one.

Factories Are Running at Full Speed

Let’s start with the good news. And there’s quite a bit of it.

The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry manufacturing survey shows something pretty striking. The FICCI Manufacturing Index hit an all-time high in the third quarter of FY26, covering October to December 2025.

That doesn’t happen casually.

A massive 91 percent of manufacturers reported either higher or stable production levels. Think about that for a second. Nine out of ten companies are basically saying, yeah, business is good or at least steady.

Capacity utilization across major industries is sitting at around 75 percent.

Which, if you’ve followed industrial cycles before, is a strong number. Factories don’t operate near that level unless demand is solid. And consistent.

In other words, machines are running. Workers are busy. Orders are coming in.

It’s a good place to be.

Industrial Production Confirms the Momentum

Survey sentiment is nice. But hard numbers matter more.

And the numbers line up.

India’s Index of Industrial Production, the IIP, grew 4.8 percent year-on-year in January 2026. Not explosive growth. But healthy. Steady. Reliable.

The interesting part is where the growth is coming from.

Basic metals production jumped 13.2 percent. Motor vehicles expanded 10.9 percent. Infrastructure and construction goods surged 13.7 percent.

That last number is worth lingering on.

Construction goods rising at that pace usually signals one thing. Infrastructure work is moving. Roads, bridges, housing projects, rail expansion. All of it needs steel, cement, heavy materials.

And those industries feed directly into manufacturing activity.

So yes, factories are busy.

Really busy.

Corporate India Is Benefiting

This manufacturing momentum is spilling into corporate earnings as well.

Data from the Reserve Bank of India shows that manufacturing companies led revenue growth across India Inc. during the third quarter of FY26.

Overall corporate revenues grew 10.1 percent, with manufacturing doing a big chunk of the heavy lifting.

Which makes sense.

Manufacturing has this multiplier effect. A factory doesn’t operate in isolation. It pulls in raw materials, logistics, engineering services, suppliers, contractors. Whole ecosystems get activated.

When factories grow, economic activity spreads outwards like ripples in water.

That’s what’s happening now.

Agriculture Growth Slows

Now here’s the other side of the story. The quieter side.

Agriculture growth in the latest quarter came in at 1.42 percent.

Yes, you read that right.

Among all major sectors of the economy, agriculture is currently the slowest growing.

For the full fiscal year FY26, agricultural growth is projected at 2.5 percent. That’s a noticeable drop from 4.3 percent recorded in FY25.

Now look, agriculture is complicated. Weather plays a role. Global commodity prices play a role. Domestic policy, irrigation conditions, input costs. It’s never just one factor.

But still. The slowdown is visible.

And when agriculture slows, rural demand often follows. That’s something economists watch closely.

Because rural consumption drives a lot of everyday economic activity.

Allied Sectors Step In

But here’s where the story gets a little more nuanced.

While traditional crop farming isn’t growing very fast, allied agricultural sectors are actually expanding much faster.

Livestock production is growing 7.1 percent. Fisheries are expanding 8.8 percent.

Those are strong numbers.

What it suggests is something economists have been talking about for years. Rural income is slowly diversifying away from pure crop farming.

Dairy, poultry, and aquaculture. These activities tend to generate steadier income streams. Less vulnerable to weather shocks.

Farm households are adapting. Maybe gradually. Maybe unevenly. But adapting nonetheless.

And that shift is starting to show up in national data.

Record Foodgrain Production

Here’s the twist though.

Despite slower agricultural growth rates, India has actually produced record foodgrain output.

According to the Press Information Bureau, total foodgrain production reached 357.73 lakh tonnes in 2024–25.

Which is enormous.

So yes, agriculture is growing more slowly. But production volumes are still massive.

That’s the strange part of the story.

The country is producing more food than ever before… yet the sector’s growth rate is cooling.

Economic data can be weird like that sometimes.

What This Divergence Means

So what does manufacturing vs agriculture growth India actually tell us?

Maybe it’s simply the natural evolution of a developing economy.

Historically, as countries grow richer, manufacturing and services begin to outpace agriculture. The structure of the economy shifts. Labor moves. Investment flows into industry.

India might be moving along that path.

Factories expand. Infrastructure projects accelerate. Industrial clusters grow. Meanwhile agriculture gradually becomes more specialized.

But here’s the important bit.

Agriculture still supports a massive share of India’s population.

So while manufacturing strength is fantastic news for economic growth, policymakers still need to keep rural incomes stable.

Because factories build GDP.

But farms… farms build social stability.

And both matter.

PNN National

New Delhi [India], March 14: The US-Iran war is being fought miles away in the Middle East, yet its ripples have already reached our kitchens. Ever since the war started, LPG prices have skyrocketed across the country, while many places are witnessing shortages. 

Until now, the government had been actively encouraging the use of LPG, over the years, with LPG coverage nearing 100% saturation under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY).

With Indians now depending on LPG for their daily meals more than ever, the supply disruption from the Middle East has started to bite everyone from students, housewives, canteen owners, restaurateurs and more. But the lack of LPG cylinders does not mean that we go back to traditional, polluting chulhas, there are solutions that have existed earlier and can work as a viable alternative. 

Electric induction cooktops 

The induction cooktop is the primary solution here. These appliances use electromagnetic energy to heat cookware directly, making them significantly more energy-efficient than traditional electric stoves.

Induction cooktops are particularly popular these days as they run on electricity, just like your press iron. They heat food quickly, offer precise temperature control, and eliminate the risk of gas leaks. Already used as a backup during LPG refill delays, these cooktops will now rule the roost, though you will require compatible cookware and a continuous supply of electricity.

PNG pipelines emerging as a stable option

Piped Natural Gas (PNG) is another cheaper alternative in cities where gas pipeline infrastructure is available. The biggest advantage here is convenience, as you get a continuous supply through pipelines, like water or electricity, though its availability is limited to certain cities for now.

Electric pressure cookers and multi-cookers

Electric pressure cookers have been around for quite some time now, and can be used to make rice, dal, curries or streamed dishes without using LPG. Ideal for household use, many of these models come with programmable settings, allowing you to prepare quick meals using standard electricity connections. 

Solar cookers offer eco-friendly option

Solar cookers are another alternative that has long been promoted in India but remains underutilized. These devices use sunlight to generate heat for cooking, making them completely fuel-free and environmentally friendly.

They work well in regions with strong sunlight and are ideal for slow cooking dishes such as rice, lentils, and vegetables, though they aren’t that popular as weather conditions and daylight availability of sunlight varies widely. 

The road ahead

The LPG shortage highlights the importance of diversifying India’s cooking energy ecosystem. While LPG continues to remain the primary cooking fuel for millions of households, alternatives using electric appliances and piped gas systems will be highly encouraged as a hedge to remove the dependency on LPG cylinders. 

Though you may not be able to replace LPG entirely, these backup options offer a viable alternative that doesn’t require you to stand in line for hours for a gas cylinder. Given the rising costs of these cylinders, you could even use LPG as a backup if necessary!

New Delhi [India], March 14: Crude oil still runs the world. Not quietly either. It’s loud, messy, political, expensive, and weirdly unavoidable.

Oil is still right at the heart of the global economy even in 2026, when the climate conferences, electric car advertisements, and governments use such phrases as energy transitions have taken place. Ships run on it. Planes absolutely need it. Plastics come from it. A supermarket shelf has half of its items that have their source in a barrel of crude in the Middle East, the United States, or offshore Brazil. Individuals like to fantasize that we are already relinquishing oil, but the truth is that we are not. Not yet.

Look at the numbers for a second.

The global community is presently using about 100 million barrels of oil daily. That’s not a typo.. One hundred million. Daily. And weirdly enough, demand hasn’t collapsed the way some forecasts predicted a decade ago. If anything, global consumption has stayed stubbornly high. The International Energy Agency has repeatedly pointed out that oil demand keeps growing in developing economies, such as India, Southeast Asia, and parts of Africa, because industrialization simply requires enormous amounts of energy.

And induction changes… it takes time. A lot of time.

Consider it as infrastructure inertia. When many millions of gasoline cars are built, and thousands of refineries, and cross-continental pipelines, and petrochemical plants to supply whole manufacturing sectors, you do not just turn the switch and put thousands of refineries in place. It is as though attempting to change the direction of a cargo ship in the sea. Possible, yes. Fast? Not even close.

Take transportation, for example.

Electric vehicles get all the headlines, and sure, EV adoption is rising quickly in countries like China, Norway, and the United States. But the global car fleet today still includes more than 1.4 billion vehicles, and the overwhelming majority run on petrol or diesel. Even if every new car sold tomorrow were electric—which obviously isn’t happening—it would still take maybe 15 to 20 years for the existing fleet to gradually disappear.

And that’s just cars.

Aviation is a completely different beast. Jet fuel has an energy density that batteries simply can’t match right now. A fully electric long-haul aircraft? Engineers are working on it, but commercially viable versions are probably decades away. Airlines burn around 7–8 million barrels of oil per day, and that demand isn’t vanishing anytime soon.

Shipping too. Cargo ships carry about 90% of global trade, most of it powered by heavy fuel oil or marine diesel. Alternative fuels like ammonia or green methanol are being tested, but scaling those technologies across tens of thousands of vessels will take—honestly—years and years.

Then there’s petrochemicals. And this is where things get interesting.

People often think of oil mainly as fuel. Gasoline, diesel, jet fuel. But roughly 12–15% of global crude oil demand goes into petrochemicals, which means plastics, fertilizers, synthetic fibers, detergents, medical equipment, packaging… the list goes on forever. Your phone casing? Oil. Polyester clothing? Oil. Many pharmaceuticals? Also oil.

This part of the demand is actually expected to keep growing, even in aggressive clean-energy scenarios. Because as incomes rise globally, people consume more manufactured goods. More packaging. More electronics. More everything.

So… how long will people depend on crude oil?

Most serious energy forecasts, IEA, OPEC, BP, the big consulting firms, tend to land on a similar uncomfortable answer: oil will remain a major energy source until at least 2040 or 2050. Maybe longer.

But here’s the subtle thing many headlines miss. Dependence doesn’t disappear suddenly. It fades slowly.

Coal, for instance, peaked in many Western countries decades ago but still hasn’t vanished entirely. Oil will likely follow a similar pattern. Demand will eventually plateau. Then decline. But it’ll be a long slope downward, not a cliff.

India is a good example of why.

The energy needs of the country are increasing at an unbelievable rate with the growth of the cities, the development of industries and the entrance of several millions of people into middle classes. India has been consuming oil at an almost annual rate. Sure, electric mobility is increasing, but trucks, buses, and construction machines are too much dependent on diesel. And with the continuing growth of the economy, fuel demand tends to trail.

So while Europe may gradually reduce oil use, other regions are still ramping it up. Global demand ends up balancing out.

There’s also geopolitics. And honestly… this part always complicates things.

Wars, sanctions, OPEC actions, shipping shocks and financial speculation play with oil markets. An outbreak of war in the Middle East, embargo on Russian exports or a Saudi shutdown can push prices overnight. Governments understand this and that is the reason why most nations do not want to give up oil too fast. Energy security matters. A lot.

Right, so here’s the uncomfortable reality.

The world is establishing itself without crude oil. Renewable energy grows at an accelerated pace solar, wind, battery storage, all the hydrogen experiments, etc. There is an increasing number of electric vehicles. Carbon targets are being established by governments.

The transformation is not a straight line. It’s messy. Delayed here and fast here. And of a huge industrial ecosystem centuries old, crude oil is the heart.

As most observers can decipher, the global oil demand may reach its peak in the late 2030s or early 2040s. Then it is possible that it will gradually decrease as clean energy becomes larger. However, the world is also likely to continue consuming tens of millions of barrels per day even in 2050.

Not because people love oil.

Because replacing it everywhere, all at once, is just… really, really hard.

And honestly? Anyone promising a quick, painless exit from crude oil is probably oversimplifying things. The global energy system is massive. Complex. Sticky. You pull one thread, and suddenly, airlines, plastics, fertilizers, shipping, and power grids are all tangled together.

So yeah. Oil’s era isn’t ending tomorrow.

But it is slowly, awkwardly, maybe inevitably… beginning to fade. Just not as fast as people sometimes hope. Or fear.

PNN national

New Delhi [India], March 13: As India continues to expand its public infrastructure, digital governance initiatives, and welfare programs, effective workforce management has become increasingly important for government institutions. Large public projects and administrative programs often require significant manpower, including contractual staff, project-based employees, and support personnel.

Indian Outsourcing Employment Management Services (IOEMS) is contributing to this evolving landscape by offering structured workforce management solutions tailored specifically for government departments, public sector undertakings (PSUs), municipal bodies, and semi-government organizations. The company focuses on delivering transparent, compliant, and efficient employment management services that align with government regulations and public accountability standards.

Addressing Workforce Management Challenges

In many government-supported initiatives, workforce recruitment and management have traditionally involved multiple intermediaries such as local contractors, agents, or informal service providers. While these intermediaries sometimes facilitated employment connections, they could also create challenges such as limited transparency, unclear wage structures, administrative delays, and communication gaps between employees and government authorities.

Indian Outsourcing Employment Management Services (IOEMS) aims to address these challenges by implementing a more structured workforce management model. By acting as a professional employment management partner, the company helps establish a direct and transparent framework connecting employees and government departments through organized HR and administrative systems.

This approach improves accountability and ensures that employment processes are managed in a professional and compliant manner.

Comprehensive Workforce Solutions for Government Projects

IOEMS offers a wide range of workforce management services designed to support public sector operations. These services include manpower outsourcing, payroll processing, HR administration, statutory compliance management, and project-based staffing solutions.

Through its workforce outsourcing services, Indian Outsourcing Employment Management Services (IOEMS) assists government institutions in deploying skilled and unskilled manpower for various projects. These may include infrastructure development initiatives, healthcare programs, educational support services, public welfare projects, and digital governance initiatives.

By providing structured manpower deployment and proper employment documentation, the company helps ensure that workforce operations run smoothly and in accordance with regulatory requirements.

Payroll and Compliance Management

Managing payroll and labour law compliance is a critical aspect of workforce administration in the public sector.Indian Outsourcing Employment Management Services (IOEMS) provides comprehensive payroll management services that include salary processing, wage disbursement, and statutory compliance.

The company also supports compliance with regulatory requirements related to Provident Fund (PF), Employees’ State Insurance (ESI), tax deductions, and other labour regulations. Maintaining proper records and documentation helps government departments remain compliant with statutory guidelines while ensuring employees receive their wages in a timely and transparent manner.

Employer of Record Services for Public Projects

Indian Outsourcing Employment Management Services (IOEMS) also provides Employer of Record (EOR) services for government projects. Under this model, the company manages key employment responsibilities such as employment contracts, employee onboarding, documentation management, compliance processes, and exit procedures.

This allows government departments to focus on operational responsibilities and project implementation whileIndian Outsourcing Employment Management Services (IOEMS) handles the employment administration aspects of workforce management.

Use of Technology in Workforce Administration

Digital technology plays an important role in modern workforce management. Indian Outsourcing Employment Management Services (IOEMS) incorporates digital tools and centralized systems to manage employee records, attendance tracking, payroll operations, and reporting processes.

These digital platforms help improve efficiency and transparency while allowing employees to access important information about their employment, such as salary details, documentation, and attendance records.

For government institutions, centralized workforce management systems provide improved monitoring capabilities, streamlined reporting, and better compliance management.

Advantages for Government Institutions and Employees

Outsourcing workforce administration to professional organizations like Indian Outsourcing Employment Management Services (IOEMS) can significantly reduce administrative workload for government departments. With specialized workforce management support, departments can focus more on policy implementation, project delivery, and public service operations.

Employees working under government-supported initiatives also benefit from structured employment systems. Transparent employment contracts, reliable payroll processes, proper documentation, and access to HR support create a more stable and professional working environment.

Commitment to Ethical and Compliant Operations

Indian Outsourcing Employment Management Services (IOEMS) emphasizes transparency, accountability, and strict adherence to labour regulations. The company maintains statutory registers, supports audit requirements, and ensures all workforce documentation is maintained according to government guidelines.

These compliance practices are essential in maintaining trust between government institutions, employees, and regulatory authorities.

Supporting the Future of Public Sector Workforce Management

As India continues to implement large-scale development initiatives and digital governance programs, the demand for efficient workforce management solutions will continue to grow. Professional employment management services such as those provided by IOEMS are helping modernize workforce administration across government departments.

By combining structured HR practices, regulatory compliance frameworks, and digital workforce systems, IOEMS is contributing to a more transparent and efficient employment ecosystem in the public sector.

Through its commitment to professionalism, compliance, and service quality, Indian Outsourcing Employment Management Services (IOEMS) aims to become a trusted workforce management partner for government institutions across India.

Contact Information

Indian Outsourcing Employment Management Services (IOEMS)
Email: info@ioems.in
Website: www.ioems.in

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New Delhi [India], March 13: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday used the platform of the NXT Conclave at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, to address the ripple effects of the ongoing Iran war and the resulting global energy crisis, saying the conflict has disrupted supply chains worldwide and affected every country to varying degrees.

Speaking at the summit, the Prime Minister outlined how India is navigating the turbulence in global energy markets while simultaneously pushing a long-term strategy of expanding domestic energy infrastructure and reducing dependence on foreign fuel supplies.

He said the government is in constant touch with world leaders and is working at multiple levels to manage disruptions caused by the war-driven energy shock.

“No country is untouched by the impact of this global crisis caused by war. To a greater or lesser extent, everyone is affected by this crisis,” the Prime Minister said, adding that India is making continuous efforts to overcome supply-chain disruptions and safeguard domestic energy availability.

PM Modi Unveils India’s Energy Strategy At NXT Conclave

Addressing the iTV Network’s NXT Conclave at Bharat Mandapam, the Prime Minister said India is pursuing a two-pronged strategy, expanding domestic energy infrastructure while pushing for self-reliance to reduce dependence on foreign sources.

PM Modi explained that the government’s energy policy is built around two key pillars: expanding infrastructure to improve energy access and strengthening domestic capabilities to reduce reliance on imports.

“First, to increase energy access in the country, we build infrastructure. Second, we do not have to rely solely on foreign sources for energy. For this, we emphasised self-reliance in the energy sector,” he said.

His remarks came against the backdrop of rising concerns around LPG supply, global war-driven energy disruptions, and economic uncertainty.

NXT Conclave 2026: PM Modi’s First Remarks On Global Energy Crisis Amid Iran War, Unveils India’s Energy Strategy – What PM Said About Resilient Economy, LPG Panic & Black Marketing

PM Modi On People Creating Panic Over LPG Availability

The Prime Minister addressed the ongoing debate around liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) availability, urging responsible public discourse during a period of global uncertainty. PM Modi also took aim at the Opposition, accusing political rivals of attempting to create unnecessary panic over LPG supply concerns at a time when global conflicts have already strained energy markets. He assured that the government is actively addressing supply-chain challenges.

“There’s a lot of discussion these days about LPG. Some people are trying to create panic and pursue their own agenda,” he said, without naming political parties.

PM Modi said he did not want to comment politically but warned that attempts to spread panic could harm the country during a sensitive period marked by global instability.

How India Has Strengthened Its Strategic Reserves, PM Modi Reveals At NXT Summit 2026

Highlighting capacity expansion in the petroleum sector, the Prime Minister said India has significantly strengthened its strategic reserves.

“Prior to 2014, India’s strategic petroleum reserves, crude oil stored for use during times of crisis, were minimal. Today, we have established over 50 lakh tonnes of strategic petroleum reserves,” he said.

He also noted a sharp rise in household LPG access and natural gas infrastructure.

LPG connections have increased from 14 crore in 2014 to over 33 crore today.

LNG terminals in the country have doubled during the same period.

Expansion Of Gas Infrastructure, Massive Investments By Modi Government

The Prime Minister said the government has made major investments in expanding the gas ecosystem across India.

He highlighted that the gas pipeline network has expanded from around 3,500 kilometres to 10,000 kilometres, significantly strengthening the supply chain. Import terminal capacity at major ports has also been increased to manage the 60% of LPG that India imports.

The expansion has been accompanied by wider urban gas coverage.

According to the Prime Minister:

Piped Natural Gas (PNG) connections have increased from 25–26 lakh households before 2014 to more than 1.25 crore today.

The number of CNG-powered vehicles has grown from under 10 lakh to more than 70 lakh.

He credited this progress to the City Gas Distribution network, which has been expanded across more than 600 districts over the past decade.

How Ethanol Blending Has Reduced India’s Oil Imports

PM Modi said India’s push for ethanol blending and biofuels is a key strategy to reduce petroleum dependence.

He noted that blending levels have increased from around 1–1.5% before 2014 to nearly 20% today.

According to the Prime Minister, the initiative has significantly reduced oil imports.

India has avoided purchasing 18 crore barrels of oil over the past 11 years.

The country currently reduces oil imports by about 4.5 crore barrels annually.

“The country has saved about ₹1.5 lakh crore from ethanol blending alone,” he said.

How India’s Renewable Energy Has Seen Rapid Growth, PM Modi Shares The Progress At NXT Summit 2026

The Prime Minister also highlighted progress in renewable energy and railway electrification, calling them key drivers of fuel savings and sustainability.

He noted that while only 20% of the railway network was electrified by 2014, nearly the entire broad-gauge network is now electrified.

This transition helped Indian Railways save around 180 crore litres of diesel in 2024–25, reducing the need for crude oil imports.

India’s renewable energy capacity has also seen rapid growth.

Total renewable capacity has crossed 250 gigawatts.

Solar power capacity has surged from 2 GW in 2014 to about 130 GW today.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, which has enabled 30 lakh families to install rooftop solar systems.

“Our total renewable capacity today has crossed the historic figure of 250 gigawatts and half of our installed power generation capacity now comes from renewable sources,” he said.

PM Modi On Bio-Gas And Strategic Petroleum Reserves

PM Modi said India is also expanding its waste-to-energy ecosystem through the GOBARdhan scheme.

More than 100 Compressed Bio-Gas plants are currently operational, with 600 more under development.

He added that India has also strengthened its refining and storage capabilities.

Strategic petroleum reserves now exceed 50 lakh tonnes.

Refining capacity has increased by more than 40 million tonnes over the past decade.

The Prime Minister said these structural changes will help India withstand the impact of global energy shocks.

“We will certainly be able to face the crisis created by this war and continue our work to make India self-reliant on a massive scale,” he said.

PM Modi Calls For Unity Amid Global Conflicts

The Prime Minister noted that the current global conflict near India’s region has triggered an energy crisis affecting countries worldwide.

He described the situation as a test of national resilience and called for collective responsibility from political parties, the media and industry.

Recalling the unified national response during the COVID-19 pandemic, PM Modi said similar cooperation is needed to tackle current challenges.

“We must make collective efforts and perform our duties by keeping the national interest supreme,” he said.

The Prime Minister cited the Russia-Ukraine conflict as an example of how the government has previously shielded citizens from global price shocks.

During the crisis, international fertiliser prices surged dramatically. Despite this, the government ensured farmers continued receiving a bag of urea at ₹300, even though the global price reached ₹3,000 per bag.

“This time too, our every possible effort will be to ensure that the war has the minimum possible impact on the lives of the country’s farmers and citizens,” he said.

PM Modi Calls States To Prevent Black Marketing Of LPG 

The Prime Minister also urged state governments to maintain strict vigilance against black marketing and misinformation around round LPG availability

Prime Minister said some people are spreading fear regarding LPG for their own agenda and that such behaviour exposes them before the public while damaging national interests.

He said authorities must closely monitor markets to prevent artificial shortages and price manipulation.

“It is essential that serious monitoring of the situation is conducted and strict action is taken against those engaging in black marketing,” he said.

‘Viksit Bharat’ Vision And India’s Global Role 

During his address at the NXT event, PM Modi also drew parallels between the historic Dandi March of 1930 and India’s modern-day development journey.

Marking the anniversary of the march, he said the freedom movement once united the country and the same spirit now drives the mission of building a “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India).

“Nearly 100 years after that historic journey, we Indians have set out on a new journey once again for a Viksit Bharat,” he said.

The Prime Minister also pointed to growing global confidence in India’s economic future.

He said leaders and experts across the world increasingly see India as a major driver of the emerging global order.

Citing international voices, PM Modi said Finland President Alexander Stubb recently noted that the direction of the world will increasingly be shaped by the Global South, while Canada’s Mark Carney has described India as the centre toward which global economic gravity will shift over the coming decades.

He also said French President Emmanuel Macron sees India as a crucial partner in solving global challenges.

“If you want to be part of the future, you must be associated with India and you must be in India,” the Prime Minister said.

‘Next Level’ India: Reforms And Digital Transformation

The Prime Minister said India has moved beyond incremental progress and is now entering what he described as a “next level” phase of development.

He highlighted the rapid expansion of digital payments through UPI, which has made India the global leader in real-time digital transactions.

“Today, India has become the country with the fastest real-time digital payments in the world,” he said.

PM Modi also pointed to several structural reforms and initiatives, including:

The abrogation of Article 370

Opening bank accounts for over 50 crore citizens through Jan Dhan

The law providing 33% reservation for women in legislatures

India has also launched major technology missions, including those focused on space exploration, semiconductors and quantum computing.

“Moon Mission, Semiconductor Mission and Quantum Mission are taking India toward the next frontier of technology,” he said.

Governance And Internal Security Gains 

The Prime Minister said the last decade has focused on inclusive governance, particularly targeting previously neglected regions.

Through initiatives such as the Aspirational District Programme and PM JANMAN, the government has expanded access to housing, healthcare and education in remote areas.

He also pointed to improvements in internal security.

According to PM Modi:

Districts affected by Maoist violence have fallen from more than 180 in 2013 to single digits today.

Over 2,100 Naxals have surrendered in the past year.

More than 300 hardcore militants have been neutralised

He said development has begun returning to previously conflict-affected regions.

PM Makes Cricket Analogy To Explain India’s Growth Momentum

Drawing a parallel with India’s passion for cricket, the Prime Minister said public interest in the country’s development has reached unprecedented levels. He remarked that just as citizens closely follow a T-20 World Cup score, people now seek a “running commentary” on India’s economic progress. According to him, this growing curiosity reflects the rising aspirations and confidence of Indians, which is strengthening global trust in the country’s future.

“When so many expectations are attached and the world is looking at our country, our responsibility increases significantly,” the Prime Minister said.

PM Modi On Confidence In India’s Future

Concluding his address, PM Modi expressed confidence that the collective strength of 140 crore Indians would help the country navigate global uncertainties.

Drawing comparisons to India’s response during the pandemic, he said the same unity and resilience will guide the country through the current crisis.

“In our every decision, the interest of the public will be paramount,” he said.

Reaffirming his commitment to the country’s long-term goals, the Prime Minister added, “India will become self-reliant in every sector and India will become developed in every circumstance.”

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A National Gathering of India’s Leading Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders

Surat (Gujarat) [India], March 11:  CorporateConnections India will host its flagship national event, the Big Hairy Audacious Forum (BHAF), in Surat on 13th and 14th March 2026 at Surat Marriott Hotel, bringing together accomplished entrepreneurs, founders, and business leaders from across the country for two days of high-level conversations, strategic networking, and leadership exchange.

The Big Hairy Audacious Forum serves as the national gathering of the CorporateConnections community, where members from across India come together under one roof to engage in meaningful dialogue on business growth, leadership, and the future of enterprise. Designed as a focused business conclave, the forum encourages leaders to step away from the day-to-day demands of running organisations and reflect on larger ideas that shape industries, economies, and the next generation of entrepreneurship

CorporateConnections is widely recognised as an elite, invitation-only business networking platform for serious entrepreneurs and decision-makers. The organisation brings together accomplished business owners who value trusted relationships, strategic collaboration, and the exchange of insights with peers who operate at similar levels of responsibility and scale.

Over the years, CorporateConnections India has grown into the largest region within the global network, with a thriving community of nearly 1,000 influential business leaders across 24 cities. The platform takes pride in its carefully curated membership model, ensuring that every member contributes meaningfully to the quality of conversations, relationships, and opportunities within the community.

Members represent a diverse spectrum of industries, from established multi-million-dollar enterprises to rapidly scaling ventures, united by a shared commitment to excellence, integrity, and long-term value creation.

The Big Hairy Audacious Forum (BHAF) is where this powerful network converges. Over the course of two days, members will participate in curated sessions, leadership conversations, and networking experiences designed to foster collaboration and unlock new avenues for growth and business opportunities. With some of India’s most accomplished entrepreneurs gathering in one place, BHAF offers a rare environment where leaders can exchange perspectives, build strategic alliances, and explore bold ideas that will shape the future of business.

CorporateConnections Surat, one of the most vibrant regions in the country, is home to a thriving community of more than 120 highly successful entrepreneurs and business leaders. The region has become a powerful platform where members actively support one another in growing their businesses, sharing knowledge, and learning from each other’s experiences.

The forum will also feature an impressive line-up of distinguished chief guests and renowned business leaders as speakers, including:

Chief Guests

Shri Harsh Sanghavi, Hon’ble Minister of State (Home), Government of Gujarat

Shri C.R. Patil, Hon’ble Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Government of India

Key Speakers

Mr. Hitesh Doshi, Chairman & Managing Director, Waaree Group

Mr. Amit Jain, Co-Founder & CEO, CarDekho Group

Mr. Ravikant, Former Managing Director, Tata Motors

Mr. Ramesh Agarwal, Founder & Chairman, Agarwal Movers & Packers

Mr. Dipak Sanghavi, Managing Director, Nilons Enterprises

Mr. Rishikesh SR, Co-Founder, Rapido

Mr. Vikas Nahar, Founder, Happilo

Ms. Vaishali Wagle, Founder & CEO, Zenesse

Mr. Arjun Kapoor, Actor

Speaking about the forum, Gaurav VK Singhvi, National Director-CorporateConnections India | Sri Lanka Nepal, said:

“The Big Hairy Audacious Forum represents the spirit of ambitious entrepreneurship that defines the CorporateConnections community. It is a space where accomplished business leaders come together not

just to network, but to engage in meaningful conversations about growth, leadership, and the future of enterprise. As our community continues to expand across India, forums like BHAF strengthen the relationships, trust, and collaboration that help entrepreneurs scale their businesses and create lasting impact.”

Yash Vasant, National Director-CorporateConnections India | Sri Lanka | Nepal, added:

“CorporateConnections has always been about building trusted relationships among serious entrepreneurs. The Big Hairy Audacious Forum brings together some of the most accomplished business leaders in the country, creating an environment where ideas are exchanged, collaborations are formed, and leaders learn from one another’s journeys. Communities like CorporateConnections Surat, with over 120 successful entrepreneurs supporting each other’s growth, perfectly reflect the power and purpose of this platform.”

As CorporateConnections india continues to expand its national footprint, the Big Hairy Audacious Forum stands as a celebration of ambition, collaboration, and the collective power of India’s entrepreneurial leadership.

 NXT 2026, a global platform bringing together leaders, innovators and policy-makers from across the world, to convene at the Bharat Mandapam

New Delhi [India], March 10: Conceived as a premier international platform, NXT brings together global change-makers to shape pioneering initiatives for the future of humankind while connecting the best of Bharat with the best of the world.

The event will be graced by Shri Narendra Modi, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, as the Chief Guest, underscoring India’s commitment to fostering global dialogue, innovation, and collaboration for a sustainable and inclusive future.

NXT 2026 will also welcome an esteemed group of international statesmen as Guests of Honour, including Hon. Scott Morrison, Former Prime Minister of Australia; Hon. Fredrik Reinfeldt, Former Prime Minister of Sweden; and Hon. Shri Baburam Bhattarai, the 36th Prime Minister of Nepal. The summit will further feature a special video message by Hon. Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Former Prime Minister of Denmark.

The summit will see the participation of Hon’ble Mr. Justice Surya Kant, Chief Justice of India, bringing the perspective of India’s highest judiciary to conversations around governance, law and the future of institutions.

Several senior members of India’s Union Cabinet will join the high-level discussions, including Shri Piyush Goyal Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister for Railways, I&B, Electronics & IT, Shri Jitendra Singh, Union Minister for PMO, Department of Space & Atomic Energy, Shri Manohar Lal Khattar, Union Minister of Power, Housing & Urban Affairs and Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, Union Minister of Law.

The event will also feature the participation of Shri Nayab Singh Saini, Chief Minister of Haryana; and Shri Bhajan Lal Sharma, Chief Minister of Rajasthan.

Adding a unique dimension to the gathering will be former NASA astronaut Capt. Scott Kelly. He will be joined by India’s four Gaganauts, the trailblazers preparing to carry India’s human spaceflight ambitions into orbit.

In what is expected to be the largest gathering of global parliamentarians in India, over 100 Members of Parliament from more than 40 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Israel, Australia, Sweden and Nepal, will participate in dialogue with Indian leaders from government and industry.

A special highlight of the summit is the NXT Fellowship, which brings together professors, researchers and students from some of the world’s leading universities, including Harvard University, University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Columbia University, Tsinghua University and the University of Tokyo.

Founded by Mr. Kartikeya Sharma, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, NXT has been designed as a world-class calendar event in India in coordination with central and state governments.

Over three days, the summit will host keynote addresses, panel discussions and strategic meetings across themes including AI, quantum computing, health, green energy, governance, space, law, mobility, sports, media and finance.

Beyond discussions, NXT facilitates meaningful engagement with international delegates, including curated meetings and tours showcasing India’s infrastructure growth, digital transformation and societal innovation.

NXT 2026 shall catalyse ideas, partnerships and policies that will define the future of humanity.

New Delhi [India], March 07: India’s fiscal framework is approaching another important reset. The 16th Finance Commission fiscal discipline framework, which will guide revenue sharing between the Centre and states from 2026 to 2031, could quietly push state governments toward stronger financial management and lower debt pressures over time.

Analysts say the shift may not dominate headlines today, but its long-term economic implications could be significant.

The Significance of the 16th Finance Commission

India reviews the formula for distributing tax revenue between the Union government and the states every five years. This process is carried out by the Finance Commission, a constitutional body that sits at the center of the country’s fiscal federalism framework.

The 16th Finance Commission, chaired by economist Arvind Panagariya, will propose a revenue-sharing structure for the period FY2026 to FY2031.

The 15th Finance Commission had recommended that 41 percent of the divisible tax pool be transferred to the states. Since FY2021, that formula has played a central role in shaping state finances.

However, the financial environment has evolved since that formula was introduced.

The pandemic forced states to increase borrowing, which led to higher debt levels. Fiscal assessments suggest that state debt could stabilise around 29–30 percent of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) in the coming years.

With fiscal space tightening, policy choices are becoming more complex.

This context highlights the growing importance of maintaining fiscal discipline.

The Fiscal Discipline Debate Returns

Fiscal discipline may sound technical, but it sits at the foundation of economic stability.

State governments fund infrastructure, welfare programs, public health systems, and administrative spending. A large portion of this financing is supported through borrowing. When borrowing rises faster than revenues, interest costs increase and fiscal flexibility declines.

India’s fiscal framework already includes certain guardrails.

Under current rules, states are generally allowed to maintain a fiscal deficit of up to 3 percent of GSDP. In some years, an additional 0.5 percent borrowing flexibility is permitted if states undertake specific reforms.

These limits exist for a reason.

Without them, financial pressures could build quickly.

A recent analysis by CRISIL suggests that the evolving framework under the 16th Finance Commission may strengthen these guardrails by creating stronger incentives for sound fiscal management.

The logic is relatively straightforward.

States that maintain disciplined fiscal policies typically face lower financial stress. Those that overspend often encounter higher borrowing costs and tighter fiscal constraints.

Over time, such mechanisms encourage more sustainable fiscal behaviour.

CRISIL Insight: Why Discipline Can Strengthen State Finances

CRISIL’s assessment highlights an important economic principle. Fiscal discipline tends to generate long-term benefits, even if short-term adjustments can be challenging.

Lower fiscal deficits reduce the pace of debt accumulation. Reduced debt improves credit quality. Stronger credit profiles typically translate into more stable borrowing costs.

For state governments, that stability is critical.

Many development projects in India rely heavily on state funding. Roads, logistics parks, urban infrastructure, power distribution upgrades, and industrial corridors are largely driven at the state level.

In fact, states account for nearly 60 percent of India’s public capital expenditure.

Their financial health, therefore, has direct implications for the country’s growth trajectory.

When fiscal balances remain stable, governments retain the ability to fund long-term investments without crowding out other spending priorities.

Fiscal stability also influences investor sentiment in bond markets.

States raise funds through State Development Loans (SDLs). These bonds usually trade at a 40–80 basis point premium over central government securities, reflecting perceived credit risk.

Improved fiscal discipline could gradually narrow this spread by strengthening investor confidence.

While these mechanisms may appear technical, their economic impact is tangible.

Lower borrowing costs ultimately free up more resources for development spending.

Growth and Fiscal Prudence Must Coexist

Economic expansion and fiscal discipline must operate together.

Indian states face significant development demands. Urbanisation continues to accelerate. Infrastructure gaps remain wide. Social welfare programmes are expanding.

Strict borrowing limits could potentially constrain important investments if applied without flexibility.

The objective of the 16th Finance Commission is therefore unlikely to be simply tightening rules.

Instead, the broader aim appears to be balancing fiscal prudence with developmental needs.

According to CRISIL’s assessment, the commission may attempt to strike this balance by encouraging responsible fiscal behaviour rather than imposing rigid restrictions.

In practical terms, this could push states to strengthen revenue mobilisation, improve expenditure efficiency, and manage debt more prudently.

Such reforms would not necessarily reduce spending. Instead, they could make public finances more sustainable over time.

Implications for State Finances

If the new framework evolves along these lines, state governments may face stronger incentives to improve financial management.

Several policy areas could receive greater attention.

Revenue mobilisation may become a priority as states look to broaden their tax base and strengthen collections.

Expenditure management could also come under scrutiny, particularly in areas where subsidies or administrative costs have expanded rapidly.

States may also refine their borrowing strategies and adopt more structured debt management practices.

These adjustments will not happen overnight. Fiscal behaviour rarely changes instantly.

However, over time, even modest improvements in budget discipline can produce significant outcomes.

Stronger balance sheets make it easier for states to finance infrastructure projects, attract investment, and support stable economic growth.

That stability is especially important in a country where regional economic performance plays a decisive role in national development.

A Structural Shift in India’s Fiscal Architecture

India’s fiscal framework has gradually evolved over the past two decades.

Earlier Finance Commissions focused heavily on reducing disparities between richer and poorer states. Redistribution remains an important objective.

However, the policy conversation has expanded.

Today, fiscal sustainability, transparency, and long-term debt management occupy a larger role in fiscal policy discussions.

The evolving framework under the 16th Finance Commission reflects this shift.

Prudent financial management is increasingly viewed not as a temporary policy choice, but as a structural expectation.

This transition comes at a critical moment.

India’s economy continues to expand rapidly, and the effectiveness of government spending is becoming increasingly important to sustain growth.

If the new framework succeeds in encouraging stronger fiscal discipline across states, the benefits may not appear immediately.

But over time, it could quietly strengthen the foundations of India’s economic stability.

Sometimes the most consequential policy changes operate quietly.

The work of the 16th Finance Commission may prove to be one of those moments, shaping a more balanced and sustainable fiscal trajectory for India.

PNN National