National Green Hydrogen Mission Expands with New Hubs
In a significant push towards its clean energy goals, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has designated three major Indian ports as Green Hydrogen Hubs. Deendayal Port (Gujarat), V.O. Chidambaranar Port (Tamil Nadu), and Paradip Port (Odisha) have been recognized under the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) to accelerate India's clean energy transition. These hubs are envisioned as integrated zones for the production, storage, transportation, and utilization of green hydrogen and its derivatives. This strategic move aims to position India as a global leader in green hydrogen production and export, contributing to the country's ambition to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070.
Draft 'Shram Shakti Niti 2025' Released for Public Consultation
The Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoLE) has unveiled the draft National Labour & Employment Policy, titled 'Shram Shakti Niti 2025', inviting public feedback. Rooted in the concept of 'Εrama Dharma' (the dignity and moral value of work), the policy aims to ensure protection, productivity, and participation for every worker. Key focus areas include universal social security, occupational safety and health, women and youth empowerment, and the promotion of green and technology-enabled jobs. The policy seeks to integrate various welfare and employment platforms into a unified "Labour Stack" and aims to increase women's labour-force participation rate to 35% by 2030.
Supreme Court Rules Against Retrospective Application of Surrogacy Age Limits
In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court of India has clarified that the age limits stipulated in the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021, cannot be applied retrospectively. This ruling provides relief to couples who had initiated the surrogacy process, such as freezing embryos, before the law came into effect on January 25, 2022. The Court affirmed that the right to make reproductive choices, including pursuing surrogacy, is an integral part of personal liberty and privacy protected under Article 21 of the Constitution. The bench questioned the rationale behind imposing age restrictions on surrogacy when no such limits exist for natural procreation.
India-EFTA Trade Pact Comes into Effect, Targeting $100 Billion Investment
The India-European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), signed on March 10, 2024, officially came into effect on October 1, 2025. This historic agreement marks India's first Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the four developed European nations of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. The TEPA includes a binding commitment from EFTA nations to channel $100 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) into India over the next 15 years, aiming to create one million direct jobs. The pact covers critical areas such as market access for goods, services, investment promotion, and intellectual property rights, aligning with India's 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' vision.
PM Modi Discusses AI Expansion with Anthropic CEO; US Ambassador-designate Visits India
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Dario Amodei, CEO of artificial intelligence (AI) research and development company Anthropic, to discuss the company's expansion in India. Anthropic, whose AI tool Claude Code has seen a fivefold increase in usage in India since June, plans to open an office in Bengaluru. PM Modi highlighted India's vibrant tech ecosystem and talented youth as drivers of human-centric and responsible AI innovation.
Concurrently, US Ambassador-designate Sergio Gor arrived in New Delhi for a six-day visit, holding discussions with Prime Minister Modi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and National Security Advisor Doval. The meetings focused on strengthening the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, covering bilateral issues including defense, trade, technology, and critical minerals, amidst existing trade tensions.
India Mobile Congress 2025 Concludes
The 9th edition of the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025 concluded in New Delhi, themed "Innovate to Transform". The event, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, showcased India's commitment to leveraging innovation for digital transformation and societal progress. It brought together global leaders and experts to discuss advancements in 6G, quantum communications, AI, and other emerging technologies, reinforcing India's growing role in the global telecom and technology ecosystem.