India has firmly established itself as a global player in the pharmaceutical sector, ranking 11th globally in terms of export value in 2023, according to a secondary market research analysis by Bain & Company. The country accounted for an impressive 3% of the total pharmaceutical exports globally.

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare have been instrumental in driving these improvements. Since December 2022, CDSCO, in collaboration with state regulators, has carried out risk-based inspections of drug manufacturing and testing facilities. These inspections, which have covered 905 units and led to 694 enforcement actions—including production stoppages, license suspensions, and warnings—have been critical in ensuring adherence to regulatory standards. These efforts are helping to improve manufacturing practices across the country.

Change in Drug Safety Rule

In a move to further strengthen drug safety, the Indian government amended the Drugs Rules, 1945, in late 2023. The revision of Schedule M, which relates to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and requirements for pharmaceutical production facilities, took effect on June 29, 2024, for manufacturers with a turnover exceeding ₹250 crore (approximately US$ 28.68 million). Manufacturers with a turnover of up to ₹250 crore have been given an extension until December 31, 2025, to comply with these updated requirements.

As of August 1, 2023, packaging labels for the top 300 drug brands must now include barcodes or Quick Response (QR) codes to aid in product authentication. Similarly, all active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) are required to carry QR codes for tracking and tracing, with the rule coming into effect on January 18, 2022.

Conclusion

India’s pharmaceutical industry is not only growing in terms of global exports but is also taking substantial steps to ensure that the drugs it manufactures are of the highest quality. With increased regulatory measures, modernised rules, and a focus on accountability, the future of India’s pharmaceutical sector looks both promising and secure, solidifying its position as a key player in the global pharmaceutical landscape.

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

India’s data centre (DC) industry is poised for significant growth over the next few years. According to ICRA, a prominent rating agency, the country’s data centre operational capacity is expected to surge from 1,150 megawatts (MW) in December 2024 to an impressive 2,000-2,100 MW by March 2027. This remarkable growth is being driven by the surge in data consumption, the push for data localisation, and a broader shift in the digital ecosystem.

Massive Investment in Infrastructure

Indian data centre operators are projected to invest a substantial amount — between ₹2,00,000-2,30,000 crore — in expanding their infrastructure over the coming years. A development pipeline of 3-3.5 gigawatts (GW) is set for completion over the next 7-10 years. This is indicative of the increasing demand for data services across industries, as businesses adapt to the new digital landscape.

Key Hubs for Data Centres: Mumbai, Chennai, and Hyderabad

As the demand for data centres rises, the report highlights that 75% of the upcoming facilities will be concentrated in three major cities: Mumbai, Chennai, and Hyderabad. Among these, Mumbai is emerging as the dominant location for data centres. The city’s strategic advantage lies in its large number of landing stations, which play a critical role in connecting global data traffic.

The rapid expansion of hyperscalers, which provide large-scale cloud infrastructure, is a key factor driving the demand for data centres. ICRA notes that global trends have led to multiple deals involving 300 MW or more in artificial intelligence (AI) workloads. Other significant drivers include the ongoing rollout of 5G technology, the growing adoption of cloud computing, machine learning, and the Internet of Things (IoT).

Outlook Supported by Favourable Policies

Despite these challenges, ICRA anticipates that favourable regulatory policies and the sector’s designation as infrastructure status will provide strong support for the continued growth of India’s data centre industry. These factors, coupled with ongoing investments, should help the sector sustain its expansion for the foreseeable future.

Conclusion

India’s data centre market is entering an exciting period of rapid growth. With substantial investments, a concentration of facilities in key cities, and strong demand driven by advancements in AI, 5G, and cloud computing, the future of India’s data centre sector looks incredibly promising. The industry’s growth trajectory will likely be further supported by a favourable regulatory environment, making it an attractive market for both developers and investors alike.

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

The PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSGMBY), which has become the world’s largest domestic rooftop solar initiative, has achieved an impressive milestone with the installation of over 10.09 lakh rooftop solar systems across India as of March 10, 2025. Launched by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on February 13, 2024, this visionary program aims to provide free electricity through rooftop solar panels to 1 crore residential households.

Empowering Households with Subsidies and Incentives

The scheme is being carried out under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), and it has seen an overwhelming response with 47.3 lakh applications received from across the nation. Already, 6.13 lakh beneficiaries have been successfully granted subsidies, totalling ₹4,770 crore.

A standout feature of the program is the provision of collateral-free loans, available through 12 Public Sector Banks (PSBs) at a subsidised interest rate of 6.75%. These loans, with amounts up to ₹2 lakhs, are designed to make rooftop solar installations more affordable for the masses. Thanks to this initiative, households can install a 3 KW rooftop solar system with an investment as low as ₹15,000, with potential returns up to ₹15 lakh over 25 years. The loan application process is fully automated and online. To date, 3.10 lakh loan applications have been received, with 1.58 lakh loans sanctioned and 1.28 lakh disbursed.

Additionally, beneficiaries are eligible for subsidies of up to ₹78,000 for a 3 KW rooftop solar system, further reducing the installation costs and making this clean energy solution accessible to a larger section of the population.

Driving India’s Rooftop Solar Sector

With a total outlay of ₹75,021 crore, the PM Surya Ghar scheme is set to transform India’s energy landscape. In a recent meeting, Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy Shri Pralhad Joshi engaged with top bankers at the National Workshop on Mobilising Finance for Renewable Energy in Mumbai. The government is extending the rooftop solar initiative to public infrastructure, installing solar systems on government buildings.

Conclusion

The PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana is a groundbreaking initiative that not only brings solar power to millions of Indian households but also fosters the development of a sustainable and self-reliant clean energy sector.

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

On March 11, 2025, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) published the subscriber statistics as of December 31, 2024. The data reveals a slight growth in India’s total telephone subscriber base, reaching 1,189.92 million by the end of December 2024 as compared to 1,187.15 million in November 2024. During the period, Jio marked its dominance and led in both mobile and fixed-line subscriber additions.

Reliance Jio Infocomm continued to lead with 476.58 million subscribers, followed by Bharti Airtel with 289.31 million and Vodafone Idea with 126.38 million.

Urban telephone subscriptions grew from 659.87 million in November to 663.37 million in December, while rural subscriptions decreased from 527.27 million to 526.56 million over the same period.

Increase in Wireless Subscription

The wireless subscriber count increased from 1,148.65 million in November 2024 to 1,150.66 million in December 2024, marking a growth rate of 0.17% month-over-month. Wireless teledensity rose to 81.67% by the end of December, up from 81.59% in November.

Reliance Jio gained 3.91 million wireless subscribers, while Bharti Airtel added 1.03 million. In contrast, Vodafone Idea lost 1.72 million wireless subscribers. BSNL and MTNL also experienced losses, with BSNL shedding 316,599 subscribers and MTNL losing 896,988.

Private service providers held 91.92% of the wireless market share, leaving BSNL and MTNL with just 8.08%.

Reliance Jio Topped Wireline Subscribers

Wireline subscribers grew from 38.50 million in November to 39.27 million in December, pushing the overall wireline teledensity from 2.73% to 2.79%.

Reliance Jio led the wireline segment with 656,823 new subscribers, followed by Bharti Airtel (162,945) and Tata Teleservices (9,278). BSNL saw the largest decline, losing 33,306 subscribers, while MTNL lost 14,054.

Reliance Jio Maintained Highest Market Share

Total broadband subscribers increased slightly from 944.76 million in November to 944.96 million in December.

As of December 31, 2024, the top five broadband providers, who collectively accounted for over 98% of the market share, were Reliance Jio Infocomm (476.58 million), Bharti Airtel (289.31 million), Vodafone Idea (126.38 million), Bharat Sanchar Nigam (35.33 million), and Atria Convergence Technologies (2.27 million).

At the end of December, Reliance Jio had a 50.43% market share, while Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea held 30.62% and 13.37%, respectively.

Conclusion

The subscriber data from TRAI highlights steady growth in India’s telecommunications sector, with a slight increase in both the overall telephone subscriber base and wireless subscribers. Reliance Jio continues to dominate the market across mobile, wireline, and broadband segments, maintaining its lead in subscriber additions.

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

In a transformative move to support unorganised workers across India, the Ministry of Labour and Employment launched the e-Shram portal on August 26, 2021. This platform aimed to create a comprehensive National Database of Unorganised Workers (NDUW), seamlessly linked with Aadhaar, to facilitate easy registration for the country’s vast unorganised workforce.

As of March 3, 2025, over 30.68 crore unorganised workers had successfully registered on the platform, with 53.68% of them being women. This reflects the portal’s broad reach, ensuring that a significant number of women workers can avail themselves of the services.

A One-Stop Solution for Welfare Schemes

In alignment with the vision outlined in the 2024 Budget Announcement, the Ministry of Labour and Employment took a step further in enhancing the e-Shram portal. On October 21, 2024, the e-Shram One-Stop-Solution was launched, integrating multiple welfare schemes into a single platform. Currently, 13 schemes from various ministries are accessible through e-Shram, including notable initiatives like:

• PM-SVANidhi (Pradhan Mantri Street Vendors Atmanirbhar Nidhi)
• PMSBY (Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana)
• PMJJBY (Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana)
• MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act)
• PMAY-G (Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin)
• AB-PMJAY (Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana)

Introducing the e-Shram Mobile App

To further bridge the digital divide and improve accessibility, the e-Shram mobile app was launched on February 24, 2025. The app offers workers real-time access to welfare schemes, ensuring that they can easily track their benefits, apply for new schemes, and receive updates in a mobile-first world.

Raising Awareness through Outreach Campaigns

The government has actively worked to raise awareness about the e-Shram portal and its benefits. This includes regular reviews with states and Union Territories, SMS campaigns, and outreach through social media. Additionally, the portal has been integrated with platforms like the National Career Service (NCS), Skill India Digital Portal, myScheme, and UMANG to further increase visibility and access.

Conclusion

The e-Shram portal stands as a shining example of the government’s commitment to ensuring that unorganised workers are not left behind in the country’s digital transformation. By creating a centralized platform that integrates various welfare schemes and provides multilingual support, the government has made it easier for workers to access crucial services and benefits.

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.