IMF Ups India's Growth Forecast Amidst Global Shifts
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has delivered an optimistic outlook for India's economy, raising its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth forecast for 2025 to 6.6% from an earlier 6.4%. This upward revision, announced on October 14, 2025, reflects the strong performance in India's first quarter, which has more than compensated for the impact of increased US tariffs on Indian imports. Despite a slight downgrade for 2026 to 6.2%, India is projected to remain a crucial engine of global growth and is expected to become the world's third-largest economy, surpassing Japan and Germany. The IMF noted that India's robust domestic fundamentals are key to its sustained economic resilience, even as the global economy faces moderation and trade friction.
India Resumes All Postal Services to the United States
In a significant development for cross-border commerce, India will resume all categories of international postal services to the United States starting October 15, 2025. This follows a nearly two-month suspension initiated in August due to new US customs regulations. The Department of Posts has implemented a new Delivery Duty Paid (DDP) mechanism, where a flat 50% customs duty on the declared consignment value will be collected in India at the time of booking and remitted to US Customs and Border Protection. This measure aims to maintain affordability for exporters, particularly benefiting Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), artisans, and e-commerce sellers, thereby boosting India's exports through the postal channel.
Google Announces $15 Billion AI Data Centre in Visakhapatnam
Google has unveiled a massive investment plan of $15 billion to establish a state-of-the-art AI Data Centre in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. This initiative marks Google's largest investment in India and one of its most significant AI projects outside the US. Expected to roll out between 2025 and 2030, the project aligns with India's 'Digital India' and 'AI Mission Bharat' visions, and is anticipated to generate approximately 188,000 jobs, solidifying India's position as a global digital innovation hub.
PM Launches 'Green Bharat Mission' and Other Key Initiatives
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched the 'Green Bharat Mission' with the objective of accelerating India's renewable energy goals. This initiative underscores the nation's commitment to sustainable development and combating climate change. In another crucial development, the Supreme Court of India upheld women's right to permanent commission in all branches of the defense forces, a landmark decision promoting gender equality in the armed services.
Advancements in Space and Logistics Sectors
India's private space-tech startup, GalaxEye, is set to launch 'Mission Drishti' in early 2026, which will be the world's first multi-sensor Earth Observation (EO) satellite. This 160-kg satellite will integrate Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and high-resolution optical sensors, providing real-time geospatial analysis crucial for defense, disaster management, agriculture, and infrastructure. Furthermore, the Union Minister for Commerce and Industry launched the Logistics Excellence, Advancement, and Performance Shield (LEAPS) 2025, a national benchmarking initiative to recognize and promote excellence and innovation within India's logistics sector, coinciding with the 4th Anniversary of PM GatiShakti.