1 S&P maintains growth forecast for 2024-25 at 6.8 percent
Credit rating agency S&P Global Ratings has maintained India’s gross domestic product (GDP) forecast for the current financial year 2024-25 at 6.8 per cent while cutting economic growth forecasts for the next two financial years 2025-26 and 2026-27 . The rating agency on Monday updated its economic forecast for Asia-Pacific economies after the US election results, projecting GDP growth to be 6.7 per cent in the financial year 2025-26 (April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026) and 6.8 per cent in the next financial year 2026-27, which is 20 basis points (100 basis points equals 1 percentage point) lower than the previous estimates of 6.9 per cent and seven per cent respectively. However, the agency has kept the economic growth forecast for the financial year 2027-28 at seven per cent.
2 Union Minister Annapurna Devi launched ‘No more excuses’ campaign
3rd India Global Forum Middle East and Africa: 2024 launches in Dubai
India Global Forum Middle East and Africa 2024-IGF ME&A started in Dubai . The theme of the forum is ‘ Unlimited Horizons ‘. The two-day forum aims to strengthen partnerships in key areas including technology, finance, sustainability and innovation. It will have more than 200 speakers and 1,000 participants. The fourth edition of this forum reflects significant development in India-UAE relations. India and Dubai have recently signed a historic agreement on bilateral investment treaty and civil nuclear cooperation. Dubai is India’s third largest trading partner. Trade between the two countries reached $ 83.65 billion in 2023-24. This reflects the strengthening economic relations between the two countries.
The central government has brought the PAN 2.0 project to enable the use of PAN card as a common identity for all digital systems of government agencies. Rs 1435 crore has been allocated for the project. No fee will be charged from PAN holders for upgrading PAN. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) headed by PM Modi today approved the PAN 2.0 project of the Income Tax Department. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said that the PAN 2.0 project will change the technology associated with taxpayer registration services. This will enable ease of access and quick service delivery with better quality. A single source of truth and data consistency will be created. A more secure basic digital infrastructure will be created along with easier processes and cost optimization.
5 National Natural Farming Mission launched
The Central Government has approved the launch of National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme . The Union Cabinet chaired by PM Modi approved the proposal of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare . The total outlay of this scheme till the 15th Finance Commission (2025-26) is Rs 2481 crore (Government of India’s share – Rs 1584 crore; State share – Rs 897 crore). Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said that the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) has been launched to promote natural farming in mission mode . The objective of NMNF is to promote NF working systems to provide safe and nutritious food for all. The mission aims to help farmers reduce the cost of farming and reduce dependence on resources purchased from outside. Natural farming will create and maintain healthy soil ecosystems, promote biodiversity and encourage diverse cropping systems to increase resilience suitable for beneficial local sustainable farming according to natural farming. In the next two years, NMNF will be implemented in 15 thousand groups of willing Gram Panchayats and will reach to 01 crore farmers and Natural Farming (NF) will be started in 7.5 lakh hectare area.
6 Union Cabinet approves continuation of Atal Innovation Mission till March 31, 2028
The Union Cabinet has approved the continuation of its flagship initiative Atal Innovation Mission-AIM till March 31, 2028. A budget of Rs 2,750 crore has been allocated for this. The second phase of the mission is to expand, strengthen and deepen the innovation and entrepreneurship environment in the country. This mission will provide better jobs, innovative products and high-impact services in all sectors.
7 Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan unveiled the Teacher App in New Delhi
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan unveiled the Teacher App in New Delhi . The aim of this app is to bring a revolution in the field of education in the future by teachers . Speaking on the occasion, Shri Pradhan said that this app will empower teachers by leveraging continuous capacity building, innovative curriculum content, technology and community-building features. Shri Pradhan emphasized that teachers are the real Karmayogis who shape the future generation. He said that the government is focusing on their continuous capacity building in the spirit of National Education Policy 2020.
8 Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Global Cooperative Conference at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) Global Cooperative Conference at Bharat Mandapam , New Delhi . The International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) Global Cooperative Conference and General Assembly is being held in India. Bhutan Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay and Fiji Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica are also participating in the conference. The Global Conference is being hosted by ICA and Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Limited in collaboration with Government of India and Indian cooperatives AMUL and KRIBHCO. The International Cooperative Alliance was founded in 1895. It represents 3 million cooperative enterprises worldwide. It has over one billion cooperative members.
9 13 year old Vaibhav Suryavanshi became the youngest player in IPL
13-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi has become the youngest player in the Indian Premier League – IPL . For IPL-2025, Rajasthan Royals included him in their team at a price of Rs 1 crore 10 lakh . Bihar Cricket Association President Rakesh Tiwari has congratulated Vaibhav Suryavanshi on this achievement. Vaibhav recently became the youngest player to score a century in an international match . He scored 104 runs in 62 balls against Australia in the Youth Test for players under 19 years of age in Chennai. Earlier this year, Vaibhav made it to the Ranji Trophy for Bihar at the age of just 12 and became the youngest player in the Ranji Trophy .
10 Rishabh Pant became the most expensive player in IPL history so far
The mega auction held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia before IPL 2025 is now over. 10 franchises made purchases in this auction which lasted for 2 days . All the teams spent Rs 639.15 crore in 2 days. A total of 182 players were sold in the auction. These include 62 foreign players as well. Rishabh Pant has become the most expensive player in IPL history . Lucknow Super Giants bought him for 27 crores on the first day of the auction. Punjab Kings added Shreyas Iyer to their team by bidding Rs 26 crore 75 lakh . Venkatesh Iyer was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL auction by paying a huge amount of Rs 23.75 crore. Punjab Kings bought Arshdeep Singh for Rs 18 crore. Apart from this, Punjab also spent Rs 18 crore on Yuzvendra Chahal.