Pharma Exports from India Cross US$ 30B in FY25

India's pharmaceutical exports broke all previous records in FY25, surpassing US$ 30 billion for the first time. Demand from the US and numerous other important international markets drove this achievement. Compared to FY24, when it was valued at US$27.85 billion, the sector grew by 9.4% annually to reach US$30.47. At US$ 3.68 billion, the monthly export rate in March showed an annual gain of 30 percent.

The United States continued to be India's top importer of pharmaceuticals, acquiring US$ 8.95 billion worth of medications over the period, representing an annual rise of 14.29 percent. South Africa, France, Brazil, and the United Kingdom were other significant pharmaceutical markets. Industry insiders highlight India's growing worldwide contribution to the production of generic drugs. worldwide management consulting firm McKinsey & Company reports that India is the world's top provider of generic drugs and that its export growth rate of 9 percent annually is roughly double that of the worldwide average.

It is anticipated that the pharmaceutical industry would keep expanding in the years to come. Strong pricing tactics, creative marketplaces, and steady consumer demand are expected to drive the domestic pharmaceutical industry's 8–9% growth in FY26, according to India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra), a reliable source of opinions for India's credit markets. The two primary drivers of growth in FY25 were price increases of 5.5% and the launch of new products, which contributed 2.7%, while sales volume stayed constant.

Pharma revenues in February 2025 increased by 7.5 percent over the previous year because of their strong product pipelines and efficient pricing tactics. Because of its strong exports and 8% compound annual growth rate, India's pharmaceutical industry continues to be a major global supplier, enhancing both the country's economy and access to healthcare worldwide.

Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) created a new record under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) created a new record under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

For the first time in the history of independent India, the turnover of Khadi and Village Industries surpassed Rs. 1 lakh 70 thousand crore.

KVIC Chairman Shri Manoj Kumar released the provisional data for the financial year 2024-25.

In the past 11 years, production increased fourfold with a jump of 347% and sales increased fivefold with a jump of 447%.

Historical increase of 49.23% in the field of total employment generation in 11 years, KVIC is providing employment to 1.94 crore persons.

The turnover of Khadi Gramodyog Bhawan New Delhi reached a record figure of Rs. 110.01 crore for the first time.

Chairman KVIC Shri Manoj Kumar said, 'Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the guidance of the Ministry of MSME, the schemes and achievements of KVIC has established a strong foundation stone of 'Viksit Bharat'

Source: PIB

Electronics exports have increased six times over the past decade.

Electronic manufacturing has grown five times during the past ten years, according to Ashwini Vaishnaw, minister of electronics and information technology. According to Mr. Vaishnaw, who was speaking to media in Manesar, Gurugram, Haryana, the Make in India campaign has significantly increased the electronics manufacturing industry.

He said that over the past ten years, the export of electronics has grown six times and surpassed three lakh 25 thousand crore rupees. Electronics manufacturing now employs about 25 lakh people, Mr. Vaishnaw continued. Additionally, the Minister stated that the government just approved the electronic component manufacturing program, which will create jobs and strengthen the ecosystem of electronics production. Global trust in India's electronics production is growing as a result of improved product quality and more robust intellectual property protections, Mr. Vaishnaw stated. India's integrated approach to design, manufacturing, skilling, and trusted innovation, he said, will help the country become a leader in the global electronics industry.

The Minister reiterated India's dedication to developing a reliable electronics manufacturing sector that is based on various rare earth supply chains, design-led innovation, and the defense of intellectual property rights. The cutting-edge Surface Mount Technology SMT Line and Mechanical Innovation Park at VVDN Technologies in Manesar were also opened by the IT Minister.

India has seen a steady increase in raw silk output and a boom in exports over the past six years.

India's output of raw silk has steadily increased, from 31,906 metric tons (MT) in 2017–18 to 38,913 MT in 2023–24. During this time, exports have increased dramatically.

Mulberry silk output increased from 22,066 MT in 2017–18 to 29,892 MT in 2023–24, thanks to the expansion of mulberry plantings from 223,926 hectares in 2017–18 to 263,352 hectares in 2023–24, according to the most recent government data.

The total amount of raw silk produced in 2023–2024 was 38,913 MT, up from 31,906 MT in 2017–18. From Rs 1,649.48 crore in 2017–18 to Rs 2,027.56 crore in 2023–24, the value of silk and silk-related exports increased.

The country exported 3348 MT of silk waste in 2023–2024, according to data from the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCIS).

The output of raw silk is projected to reach 34,042 metric tonnes over the April–January period of 2024–25, an increase of nearly 10,000 tons over the corresponding figure of 24,299 metric tonnes during the same time in 2014–2015.

India is the world's largest consumer of silk and its second-largest producer. The states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Jammu & Kashmir, and West Bengal are the primary producers of mulberry silk in India, whereas Jharkhand, Chattisgarh, Orissa, and the northeastern states are the primary producers of non-mulberry silk.

Silkworms that solely consume mulberry leaves produce mulberry silk. It is ideal for high-end fabrics and luxury sarees because it is smooth, lustrous, and brightly glowing. Mulberries account for over 92% of the nation's entire production of raw silk.

Wild silkworms that consume leaves from trees including oak, castor, and arjun produce non-mulberry silk, also referred to as Vanya silk. This silk is robust, long-lasting, and environmentally sustainable, but it feels more organic and earthy and has less sheen.

The expansion of India's silk industry is greatly aided by government initiatives. These programs offer resources and financial assistance for a range of sericulture-related endeavors.

The government's 'Silk Samagra' project is a significant effort to boost India's sericulture sector. Through a variety of sericulture-related initiatives across the nation, it seeks to empower marginalized, impoverished, and backward families while increasing production by enhancing quality and productivity.

This initiative is being expanded with the "Silk Samagra-2," which has a budget of Rs 4,679.85 crore for the years 2021–2022–2025–2026.

Over 78,000 people have benefited from central assistance totaling Rs. 1,075.58 crore thus far. According to official records, Andhra Pradesh has received financial support for "Silk Samagra-2" components totaling Rs. 72.50 crore and Telangana has received Rs. 40.66 crore over the past three years.

DRDO tests a laser-based weapon system that within seconds eliminates drones.

India joined China, Russia, and the United States in testing a 30kW laser weapon system. The DEW trial at Kurnool was successfully led by DRDO.

India has successfully tested a 30-kilowatt laser-directed energy weapon (DEW) that can destroy and disable drone swarms, unmanned aerial vehicles, surveillance equipment, and missile threats, putting it in a select group of nations.

The trial was conducted at a specified range in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, by the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO). Joining the United States, China, and Russia in the use of high-energy laser weapons, India is now the fourth country with this capability.

The weapon, known as the Mk-II(A) DEW system, was created in cooperation with Indian academic and industrial partners and DRDO's Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences (CHESS), Hyderabad. It effectively intercepted numerous aerial threats at once, neutralized surveillance sensors, and targeted fixed-wing drones, demonstrating operational capabilities across its whole spectrum.

DRDO sources claim that the system damages targeted aircraft platforms by directing a concentrated laser beam using a radar-guided mechanism. It's an extremely effective counter-drone measure because of its accuracy and quick target neutralization.

"The DEW system provides an affordable air defense solution by providing a 'beam kill' in lieu of conventional ammunition," stated Dr. B.K. Das, DRDO's Director General (Electronics and Communication Systems). "This advancement significantly lowers per-engagement costs and enhances sustainability during prolonged operations."

With only a few resources needed per engagement, this laser weapon is far less expensive than traditional missile defense. It is economically feasible for long-term military operations because, according to experts, a few seconds of fire is equivalent to the price of a few liters of gasoline.

The milestone's strategic significance was underscored by DRDO Chairman Dr. Samir V. Kamat, who said, "This achievement is part of a broader initiative to build future-ready technologies, including directed energy weapons like high-power microwaves and electromagnetic pulse systems."

The creation of anti-drone technologies has become strategically necessary due to the growing number of unmanned aerial platforms in the world. India's own advancements in this field improve its defense capabilities while lowering its dependency on foreign defense equipment.

As part of a longer-term technology roadmap, the new laser weapon system is currently being prepared for broader manufacturing and deployment across military installations. Additionally, research is being conducted to develop more sophisticated variants.

  

The Global City project will create 5 lakh jobs and benefit 16 lakh people

"Global City will mark a significant milestone in Haryana's development journey and will propel us significantly beyond our current investment level," Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini stated on Friday.

Saini had a special meeting with investors today and went over the Global City idea. Around 16 lakh people are anticipated to benefit from the project, which has cost more than Rs 1 lakh crore, according to Saini. After it is finished, it would create almost five lakh job possibilities. The project, which covered 1,000 acres, featured areas set out for residential, business, hospitality, and educational purposes. By the end of the next year, the project's initial phase—which is being created in accordance with international standards—will be finished. According to him, 587 acres were being developed for Rs 940 crore in the project's initial phase.

"A 350 million-liter Mass Balancing Reservoir will be built on 18 acres to guarantee a consistent water supply for the city. It will give the Global City a backup water supply for seven days. He stated that the Global City would include a 10.7-kilometer utility tunnel with provisions for electric cable, water pipelines, fire services, lighting systems, ventilation systems, fire detection systems, earthing systems, and more.

 

The capacity of renewable energy in India achieves a record high in FY 2024–2025.

India's renewable energy sector has made great strides in the fiscal year 2024–2025, according to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). According to the Ministry, the country's installed renewable energy capacity reached 220.10 GW as of March 31, 2025, after adding a record 29.52 GW of renewable energy capacity throughout the year.

This represents a significant rise over the 198.75 GW recorded at the end of the previous fiscal year. As part of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's "Panchamrit" ambitions, India committed to building 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based energy capacity by 2030, and this accomplishment shows that it is making steady progress in that direction.

The main source of the capacity increase in 2024–2025 was solar energy. In comparison to the 15.03 GW added in 2023–2024, a total of 23.83 GW of new solar capacity was installed during the year. The nation's installed solar energy capacity now stands at 105.65 GW with this development.

The installed capacity is split among several categories, with ground-mounted solar projects accounting for 81.01 GW, rooftop solar installations for 17.02 GW, hybrid project solar components for 2.87 GW, and off-grid solar systems for 4.74 GW. The broad use of solar technology in both large-scale utility projects and decentralized applications like rooftop and off-grid installations is demonstrated by this trend.

Additionally, wind energy made steady growth. More wind energy capacity was added during the fiscal year—4.15 GW—than the 3.25 GW that was added the year before. Currently, there are 50.04 GW of installed wind energy capacity. Wind energy is still a major component of India's renewable energy industry, helping the nation's green energy transition and enhancing the expansion of solar power.

The growth of renewable energy was further aided by the bioenergy industry. Off-grid and waste-to-energy projects account for 0.53 GW of the 11.58 GW of installed capacity from bioenergy sources. Additional contributions came from Small Hydro Power (SHP) projects, bringing the installed capacity to 5.10 GW. Furthermore, a small hydro capacity of 0.44 GW is presently being implemented.

These industries continue to be crucial in expanding India's renewable energy mix and guaranteeing a more balanced approach to clean energy growth, although being smaller than solar and wind. India's dedication to a sustainable energy future and its proactive efforts to accomplish its international climate targets are demonstrated by the country's impressive performance across a number of renewable energy segments in 2024–2025.

Stand-Up India Scheme marks 7 years of empowering marginalized entrepreneurs, sanctions over Rs. 61,000 crore in loans

Marking a significant milestone, the Stand-Up India Scheme has completed seven years since its launch on April 5, 2016. Initiated by the Ministry of Finance under the banner of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the scheme was designed to empower Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and women entrepreneurs by facilitating bank loans for setting up new enterprises.

Over the years, the Stand-Up India Scheme has evolved from a funding initiative into a transformative movement that has nurtured entrepreneurial dreams, generated employment, and contributed to inclusive economic growth. Since its inception, the scheme has seen a steady increase in sanctioned loan amounts—from Rs. 16,085.07 crore as of March 31, 2019, to a remarkable Rs. 61,020.41 crore by March 17, 2025. This growth underscores the expanding outreach and impact of the scheme across the nation.

Between March 2018 and March 2024, the scheme registered substantial growth in financial empowerment across its target groups. The number of SC loan accounts surged from 9,399 to 46,248, with the loan amount increasing from Rs. 1,826.21 crore to Rs. 9,747.11 crore. For ST beneficiaries, the number of accounts rose from 2,841 to 15,228, with sanctioned loans jumping from Rs. 574.65 crore to Rs. 3,244.07 crore. Women entrepreneurs witnessed the most significant growth during this period. Their accounts increased from 55,644 to 1,90,844, while the sanctioned amount grew from Rs. 12,452.37 crore to Rs. 43,984.10 crore.

Source: DD News

India Achieved a New Achievement with Defense Exports: 12% more in FY25

The government says that during the Financial Year (FY) 2024–2025, India's defense exports reached a record high of Rs 23,622 crore. A 12.04 percent increase, or Rs 2,539 crore, was recorded over that time. Defense exports totaled Rs 21,083 crore in FY 2023–2024.

The growing acceptance of Indian products in the global market and the capacity of the Indian defense sector to participate in the global supply chain are reflected in the notable 42.85% growth in exports by the Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) in FY 2024–2025.

DPSUs and the private sector contributed Rs 8,389 crore and Rs 15,233 crore, respectively, to defense exports in FY 2024–2025, whereas the comparable amounts for FY 2023–2024 were Rs 5,874 crore and Rs 15,209 crore.

Rajnath Singh, the minister of defense, thanked everyone involved on the accomplishment. He claimed that India was making progress toward reaching the goal of raising defense exports to Rs 50,000 crore by 2029 under the direction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

India's military has changed from being heavily reliant on imports to being more independent and producing its own goods. In a significant increase in defense exports, a variety of goods, including weapons, ammunition, subsystems and systems, and parts and components, were shipped to almost 80 countries in the just ended fiscal year.

Requests for export authorization can be submitted and processed using a dedicated portal maintained by the Department of Defense Production. In FY 2024-25, a total of 1,762 export authorizations were granted, representing a 16.92% increase over the 1,507 that were granted the year before. In the same time frame, the overall number of exporters increased by 17.4%.

In order to support the Indian defense sector, the central government has implemented a number of policy changes in recent years. These include extending the license period, simplifying the industrial licencing process, and removing parts and components from the license regime.

In order to increase exports from the nation, additional rules were included in the most recent fiscal year, and the standard operating process for granting export authorization was significantly simplified.

Indian Railways has experienced substantial changes under the Modi administration.

Indian Railways has undergone significant transformations under the Modi government, with notable achievements in modernization, expansion, and efficiency. Here are some key developments that highlight the progress made:

Modernization Efforts

Investment in Modernization: Over ₹1.92 trillion has been invested in modernizing Indian Railways, indicating a substantial commitment to upgrading infrastructure.

Railway Electrification: A significant 97% of broad-gauge routes have been electrified, reducing dependence on imported petroleum-based energy and promoting a greener environment.

Expansion and Efficiency

Expansion of Rail Network: The Modi government has expanded the rail network by laying new tracks, with 31,000 kilometers added in the past decade, comparable to Germany's entire rail network.

Doubling of Railway Tracks: The government has focused on doubling tracks to minimize train traffic and improve operational efficiency, with ₹30,749 crore allocated for this purpose in 2023-24.

Automatic Signaling Systems: Indian Railways has implemented automatic electronic block signaling systems to enhance safety and line capacity.

Passenger Experience and Amenities

Renovation of Railway Stations: Over 300 railway stations are being modernized, with 120 stations renovated in Maharashtra alone, showcasing the government's commitment to enhancing passenger experience.

Introduction of Modern Trains: The Vande Bharat Express and Gatimaan Express have upgraded the way of life for inter-state travelers, offering improved comfort and speed.

Future Plans and Initiatives

100% Electrification: The government aims to achieve 100% electrification of rail networks, promoting a cleaner and more efficient transportation system.

Bullet Trains and Vande Metro: Plans for bullet trains connecting major cities and the introduction of Vande Metro, Vande Chair Car, and Vande Sleeper are underway, promising enhanced comfort and speed.