Updates

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar launched the e-Migrate V2.0 web portal and mobile app to enhance immigration services and expand their accessibility. Highlighting it as more than just a digital platform, Jaishankar described it as a beacon of hope and a commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of Indian workers abroad. The portal reflects global shifts in migration dynamics and addresses the increasing demand for skilled workers across various sectors. Jaishankar emphasized the need for a well-trained workforce in different geographies, which is only expected to grow. The revamped e-Migrate platform aligns with India’s evolving mobility ecosystem, enabling smoother travel and work abroad. He noted India’s proactive efforts in negotiating mobility agreements with several countries and emphasized the importance of a seamless framework for citizens working overseas. This initiative symbolizes India’s vision  India’s commitment to transparent labour mobility: Launch of e-Migrate portal In an effort towards safeguarding the welfare and interests of Indian workers abroad, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Union Minister of Labour and Employment Mansukh Mandaviya launched the e-Migrate portal and mobile app in Delhi. This initiative underscores the Indian government’s commitment to creating safer, transparent, and inclusive mobility channels for its labour force. On Monday (Oct 14, 2024) at the launch event, Jaishankar described the e-Migrate portal as a “beacon of hope,” highlighting its role in protecting the rights and dignity of Indian workers in foreign lands. He stated, “The launch of the e-migrate portal, V2.0, is a testament to our continuing efforts to create a safer, more transparent, and inclusive mobility for Indian labour.” This digital platform is designed to enhance the ease of living and reflect the government’s commitment to people-centric governance. Jaishankar recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts to raise awareness about safe and legal migration channels, particularly referencing the commemorative postal stamp with the motto “Surakshit Jaayen, Prashikshit Jaayen,” which translates to “Go safe, go well trained.” He stated that this initiative aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 10, which advocates for orderly and responsible migration. The e-Migrate portal not only aims to improve transparency in the migration process but also addresses the vulnerabilities faced by migrant workers. Jaishankar acknowledged these challenges, stating, “While we recognize the invaluable contributions of our migrant workers to India’s economy and global reputation, we must also acknowledge the vulnerabilities that they face in foreign lands.” To address these concerns, the revamped portal includes 24×7 multilingual helpline numbers to assist workers facing urgent issues, as well as a feedback mechanism for continuous improvement.

Recently, an online application window for PLIWG attracted huge response with 43% of new applicants from MSME sector. The 3rd Round of on-line application window for PLI Scheme for White Goods (Air Conditioners and LED lights) has attracted 38 responses with a  net committed investment of Rs 4121 crore ended on 12th October 2024 after being open for 90 days from 15th July, 2024. 43% of the new applicants are in the MSME sector which shows the confidence among MSMEs to become part of the value chain of manufacturing of components of ACs and LED Lights. The PLI scheme was launched by the Department for  Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade(DPIIT). The applicants include 8 existing beneficiaries of the Production Linked Incentive Scheme for White Goods (PLIWG) committing net incremental investment of Rs 1,285 crore. 30 new applicants have committed investment of Rs 2,836 crore proposing to manufacture varieties of critical components of ACs and LED Lights across India. Investments have been proposed across India spanning in 13 States including Jammu & Kashmir and Odisha and 49 new locations. Altogether, investments will be spread across 54 Districts in 18 States, at 174 locations. Manufacturing clusters are coming up at Noida-Greater Noida in UP, Neemrana and Bhiwari in Rajasthan, Aurangabad-Pune in Maharashtra, Sanad, Gujarat and Sri City in Andhra Pradesh. 6 AC manufacturers and 12 component manufacturers are in Sri City, Andhra Pradesh, also  nicknamed as  the Cooling City. The Scheme has a healthy mix of multinational and domestic Companies. Five additional Foreign Companies are investing Rs 245 Crore apart form 15 existing companies investing Rs 2,287 Crore Altogether, the scheme is expected to bring in investment in the component manufacturing ecosystem of ACs and LED Lights industry to the tune of Rs 11,083 crore. and generate approx. 80,486 direct employment. The Scheme is expected to lead to total production of components of ACs and LEDs in India of about Rs 1,81,975 crore.  As regards to bifurcation between two segments of PLIWG Scheme i.e. ACs and LED Lights, 21 applicants have applied for manufacturing components of ACs with a committed investment of Rs 3,679 crore and 18 applicants for components of LED Lights with a committed investment of Rs 442 crore. In ACs segment, several investments have been proposed to manufacture High value intermediates of ACs i.e. Copper Tubes (Plain / Grooved), Aluminium Stock for Foils or Fins for heat exchangers and Compressors which account for almost 50% of Bill of material (BoM) for room Air conditioners. In addition to that applicants have proposed to manufacture control assemblies for IDU or ODU, Heat Exchangers, motors, and Sheet metal components and plastic moulded goods etc. Similarly, LED Lights, LED Chip packaging, LED Drivers, Heat Sinks, LED Engines, and LED Light Management Systems etc. will be manufactured in India.  Applications have been filed for production of components which are not manufactured in India presently with sufficient capacity. Several applicants are vendors for large manufacturers such as Daikin, Voltas, Blue Star and LG Electronics in the ACs sector. Similarly, several applicants are suppliers of LED components for large LED Lights manufacturers like Surya, Orient, Crompton Greaves, Signify and Halonix etc. The overwhelming response from the Industry to participate under the PLIWG Scheme is also attributed to several factors namely: continuous interactions with the Industry through one-to-one meetings, physical meetings with vendors at Sri City, connect with the selected Ambassadors of India in foreign countries and weekly meeting with PLI beneficiary jointly organised by DPIIT and Project management Agency of the Scheme M/s IFCI Ltd. The application window for the PLI Scheme for White Goods was reopened based on the appetite of the Industry to invest more under the Scheme, which is an outcome of the growing market and confidence generated due to manufacturing of key components of ACs and LED Lights in India under the PLIWG Scheme. The application window was opened on the same terms & conditions stipulated in PLIWG Scheme notified on 16.04.2021 and PLIWG Scheme Guidelines issued on 04.06.2021, as amended from time to time. In order to avoid any discrimination, both new applicants as well as existing beneficiaries of PLIWG who propose to invest more by way of switching over to higher target segment or their group companies applying under different target segment were eligible to apply subject to fulfilling the eligibility conditions as mentioned in the Para 5.6 of the Scheme Guidelines and adhering to investment schedule as mentioned in the Scheme Guidelines. In terms of Para 6.4 of the PLIWG Scheme and Para 9.2 of the Scheme Guidelines, applicants shall only be eligible for incentives for the remainder of the Scheme’s tenure. The applicant approved in the proposed third round would be eligible for PLI for maximum three years only in the case of new applicants and existing beneficiaries opting for investment period upto March 2023 seeking to move to higher investment category. For existing beneficiaries opting for investment period upto March 2022 seeking to move to higher investment category in the proposed third round would be eligible for PLI for maximum two years only. Existing beneficiaries opting for the above, in case they are not able to achieve the threshold investment or sales in a given year will be eligible for submitting the claims as per their original investment plan. However, this flexibility will be provided only once during the Scheme period. The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi had given approval to the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for White Goods (Air Conditioners and LED lights) to be implemented over FY 2021-22 to FY 2028-29 with an outlay of Rs 6238 Crore on 7th April 2021. The Scheme was notified by DPIIT on 16.04.2021. The Scheme Guidelines were published on 4th June 2021.  The PLI Scheme on White Goods is designed to create a complete component ecosystem for Air Conditioners and LED Lights Industry in India and make India an integral part of the global supply chains. Domestic Value Addition is expected to grow from the initial level

India’s textiles sector is set for significant expansion, with an 11% year-on-year growth in Ready-Made Garments (RMG) of all Textiles exports, as per India’s trade data of August 2024, signaling a bright future. The Textiles sector in the country is expected to grow to USD 350 billion by 2030, driven by India’s inherent strengths and a strong policy framework that encourages investment and exports. With end-to-end value chain capability, a strong raw material base, a large export footprint and a vibrant and rapidly expanding domestic market, India is a traditional leader in the textiles sector. The encouraging reports of a number of investment decisions in the pipeline are healthy portents for the industry. A number of schemes and policy initiatives as part of the government’s roadmap aim to leverage and catalyse these inherent strengths to help the textile sector achieve the USD 350 billion goal by 2030. While over Rs. 90,000 Crore of investment is expected to flow through PM Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM MITRA) Park and Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme in the next 3-5 years, schemes like the National Technical Textiles Mission are expected to help India acquire leadership position in emerging sectors such as technical textiles. Last month, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the PM MITRA Park at Amaravati in Maharashtra. This is one of the 7 Parks sanctioned across the country under the flagship PM MITRA Park scheme. With world class infrastructure including plug and play facilities, PM MITRA Parks shall be a major step in realizing the vision of making India a global hub for textile manufacturing investment and exports. Each PM MITRA Park when complete is expected to attract an investment of Rs 10,000 crores and generate nearly 1 lakh direct employment & 2 lakh indirect employment. PLI Scheme, with a total projected investment of over Rs. 28,000 crore, projected turnover of over Rs. 2,00,000 crore and proposed employment generation of nearly 2.5 lakhs is intended to promote production of MMF Apparel & Fabrics and Technical Textiles products in the country to enable textile industry to achieve size and scale. The National Technical Textiles Mission is specialized mission with a focus on developing usage of technical textiles in various flagship missions and programmes of the country including strategic sectors. The Mission promotes startups and research projects covering specialty fibres and composites, geotextiles, agro textiles, protective textiles, medical textiles, defence textiles, sports textiles, and environment friendly textiles. The supportive policy framework at the central level is supplemented by the policy initiatives of a number of states with a high growth potential in textiles. Additionally, various Indian states with strong textile industries are rolling out their own supportive policies to complement the central government’s efforts, paving the way for accelerated growth in the sector. Together, these initiatives are setting the stage for India to become a global hub for textile manufacturing and exports, while also boosting domestic employment and innovation.

NABARD has published the findings from its second All India Rural Financial Inclusion Survey (NAFIS) for 2021-22, which offers primary data based on a survey of 1 lakh rural households, covering various economic and financial indicators in the post-COVID period. Recognizing the vital role of financial inclusion for economic development, NABARD conducted the inaugural survey for the agricultural year (July-June) 2016-17, with results released in August 2018. Since then, the economy has faced numerous challenges, and policies have been implemented to support agriculture and boost rural socio-economic progress. The NAFIS 2021-22 results could help to shed light on how rural economic and financial development indicators have evolved since 2016-17. The survey included all 28 states and the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. Strengthening Rural Population: Insights from the NAFIS 2021-22 Increase in Average Monthly Income: The average monthly income of households saw a substantial rise of 57.6% over a five-year period, increasing from Rs. 8,059 in 2016-17 to Rs. 12,698 in 2021-22. This indicates a nominal compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.5%.  Annual average nominal GDP growth during the same period (on financial year basis) was 9%. When considering all households together, the average monthly income stood at Rs. 12,698, with agricultural households earning slightly more at Rs.13,661, compared to Rs. 11,438 for non-agricultural households. Salaried employment in the government or private sector was the largest income source for all households, accounting for approximately 37% of their total income. For agricultural households, cultivation was the main income source, making up about one-third of their monthly earnings, followed by government or private services contributing one-fourth share, wage labor (16%), and other enterprises (15%). Among the non-agricultural ones, it was the Government/ private service which contributed 57% of the total household income, followed by wage labour which made up for roughly 26% of the total income. Rise in Average Monthly Expenditure: The average monthly expenditure of rural households rose significantly from Rs. 6,646 in 2016-17 to Rs. 11,262 in 2021-22. The agricultural households reported a relatively higher consumption expenditure of Rs. 11,710 than Rs. 10,675 for non-agricultural households. In states like Goa and Jammu & Kashmir, the monthly household expenditure exceeded Rs. 17,000. Overall, agricultural households demonstrated both higher income and expenditure levels than non-agricultural households. Increase in Financial Savings: The annual average financial savings of households increased to Rs. 13,209 in 2021-22 from Rs. 9,104 in 2016-17. Overall, 66% of households reported saving money in 2021-22, compared to 50.6% in 2016-17. Agricultural households outperformed non-agricultural ones in terms of savings, with 71% of agricultural households reporting savings during the reference period, compared to 58% of non-agricultural households. In 11 states, 70% or more households saved money, with Uttarakhand (93%), Uttar Pradesh (84%), and Jharkhand (83%) leading. In contrast, states like Goa (29%), Kerala (35%), Mizoram (35%), Gujarat (37%), Maharashtra (40%), and Tripura (46%) saw less than half of households reporting savings. Kisan Credit Card (KCC): The Kisan Credit Card (KCC) has emerged as a key tool for promoting financial inclusion in the rural agricultural sector, showing substantial growth in coverage over the past five years. In total, 44% of agricultural households were found to possess a valid Kisan Credit Card (KCC). Among those with land holdings greater than 0.4 hectares or those who had taken any agricultural loans from banks in the past year, 77% reported having a valid KCC. Insurance Coverage: The percentage of households with at least one member covered by any form of insurance increased significantly from 25.5% in 2016-17 to 80.3% in 2021-22. This means that four out of every five households had at least one insured member. Agricultural households outperformed their non-agricultural counterparts by a margin of roughly 13 percentage points. Among different types of insurance, vehicle insurance was the most prevalent, with 55% of households covered. Life insurance coverage extended to 24% of households, with agricultural households showing slightly higher penetration (26%) compared to non-agricultural ones (20%). Pension Coverage: Pensions significantly enhance recipients’ quality of life by offering financial support and reducing dependency on others, thereby boosting their self-worth and confidence. The percentage of households with at least one member receiving any form of pension (such as old age, family, retirement, or disability) increased from 18.9% in 2016-17 to 23.5% in 2021-22. Overall, 54% of households with at least one member over 60 years old reported receiving it, highlighting the importance of pensions in supporting elderly members of society. Financial Literacy: The percentage of respondents demonstrating good financial literacy increased by 17 percentage points, rising from 33.9% in 2016-17 to 51.3% in 2021-22. The proportion of individuals exhibiting sound financial behavior- such as managing money effectively, making informed financial decisions, tracking expenses, and paying bills on time—also increased from 56.4% to 72.8% during the same period. When assessed on financial knowledge, 58% of respondents from rural areas and 66% from semi-urban areas answered all questions correctly. The NAFIS 2021-22 results highlight the remarkable strides made in rural financial inclusion since the last survey in 2016-17. Rural households have experienced notable improvements in income, savings, insurance coverage, and financial literacy. The Government welfare schemes like Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, Pradhan Mantri Kisan MaanDhan Yojana, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G), Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana- National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY NRLM), Deendayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) have significantly contributed to improving the lives of the rural population. As access to financial services continues to expand, there is a bright outlook for the economic empowerment of these households. The survey underscores the importance of ongoing support and investment in rural development, paving the way for a more prosperous and financially secure future for India’s rural population.

An evergreen loan is a loan that does not require the repayment of principal during the life of the loan, or during a specified period of time. In an evergreen loan, the borrower is required to make only interest payments during the life of the loan. Evergreen loans are usually in the form of a line of credit that is continuously paid down, leaving the borrower with available funds for credit purchases. Evergreen loans may also be known as “standing” or “revolving” loans. What does evergreening of loans mean? The evergreening of loans is a term in which banks try to revive a loan that is on the verge of default by granting further loans to the same borrower. It is a form of zombie lending in which banks provide more loans to the borrowers to stop them from turning into huge non-performing assets (NPAs). The process of evergreening of loans is typically a temporary fix for a bank covering up the real status of stressed loans. How an Evergreen Loan Works Evergreen loans can take many forms and are offered through varying types of banking products. Credit cards and checking account overdraft lines of credit are two of the most common evergreen loan products offered by credit issuers. Evergreen loans are a handy type of credit because they revolve, meaning users do not need to reapply for a new loan every time they need money. They can be used by both consumers and businesses. Non-revolving credit differs in that it issues a principal amount to a borrower when a loan is approved. It then requires that a borrower pay a scheduled amount over the duration of the loan until the loan is paid off. Once the loan is repaid, the borrower’s account is closed, and the lending relationship ends. What are the evergreening methods? Bringing two lenders together to evergreen each other’s loans by sale and buyback of loans or debt instruments. Good borrowers being persuaded to enter into structured deals with a stressed borrower to conceal the stress. Use of internal or office accounts to adjust borrower’s repayment obligations. Renewal of loans or disbursement of new/additional loans to the stressed borrower or related entities closer to the repayment date of the earlier loans. Why do banks follow evergreening of loans? If an account turns into a non-performing asset (NPA), banks are required to make higher provisions which will impact their profitability. To avoid classifying a loan as an NPA, banks adopt the evergreening of loans. Banks offer fresh loans to borrowers on the verge of default to ensure they repay an old loan. Banks delay the recognition of losses through evergreening process. Banks also avoid provisioning to cover loan losses and increase their liquidity. FAQs What is the “evergreening of loans”? Evergreening of loans refers to the practice where banks or financial institutions extend new loans to borrowers to help them repay their existing debt. This gives the appearance that the borrower is meeting their obligations, while in reality, the debt is just being rolled over without any real repayment. Is evergreening of loans legal? Evergreening of loans is not illegal per se, but it is considered a risky and unhealthy banking practice. Regulatory authorities such as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) discourage evergreening as it distorts the financial health of banks and can lead to larger financial instability over time.

Report analyzes PPP regulatory landscapes across 140 economies and suggests a significant correlation between regulatory reforms relatingto PPPs and PPP infrastructure investments.PPP is an approach under which public services are delivered by private sector (both non‐profit and for‐profit organizations) whileresponsibility for providing resources rests with the government Key Highlights of the report Public Fiscal Management System (PFMS): Only 19 economies have adopted specific provisions for budgeting, reporting, and accounting, and only 18 economies publicly disclose PPP liabilities. Robust PFMS helps mitigate potential financial sustainability challenges that a distressed or cancelled PPP could create. Monitoring and Evaluation: Only 37% of the economies require payments linked to performance. Renegotiation of PPP contracts: Expressly regulated by ~90% surveyed economies with the issue of changes in risk allocation explicitly addressed inonly 19% of the economies. Existing PPP Regulatory Framework in India Private Investment Unit under Department of Economic Affairs (Union Ministry of Finance): Responsible for policy-level matters concerning PPPs. PPP Vertical under NITI Aayog: Makes policy-level recommendations towards the standardisation of PPP documents. It is also steering recycling and monetisation of core infrastructure assets to unleash ‘creative destruction’. Kelkar Committee (2015) Recommendations on PPPEstablish Independent Sectoral Regulators: To ensure harmonized performance in sectors going in for PPP.Discourage unsolicited proposals (Swiss Challenge): To address information asymmetry and lack of transparency. Establish National Facilitation Committee to ensure time-bound resolution of issues including getting timely clearances. What Are Public-Private Partnerships? Public-private partnerships involve collaboration between a government agency and a private-sector company that can be used to finance, build, and operate projects, such as public transportation networks, parks, and convention centers. Financing a project through a public-private partnership can allow a project to be completed sooner or make it a possibility in the first place. Public-private partnerships often involve concessions of tax or other operating revenue, protection from liability, or partial ownership rights over nominally public services and property to private sector, for-profit entities. Challenges to PPP in India Financial: Aggressive bidding and project underpricing, inadequate ‘creative destruction’, project delays resulting in cost overruns, etc.Capacity and procedural challenges: Inadequate management capacity of public sector, delays in obtaining requisite clearances such as EnvironmentalImpact Assessments, etc.Regulatory and Institutional gaps: Absence of comprehensive National PPP policy, inadequate information availability and reliability about private sectorservice providers, etc

The Union Cabinet recently approved the PM E-Drive (Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement) scheme, replacing the previous FAME II subsidy. With the FAME II subsidy ending on March 31, 2024, and the temporary EMPS scheme having been in place until September 2024 with an outlay of ₹778 crore, the new PM E-Drive scheme aims to accelerate EV adoption in India. Objective: To accelerate Electric Vehicles (EV) adoption and establish essential charging infrastructure across the country, promoting cleaner and more sustainable transportation.Major Component: Subsidies/Demand Incentives for e-2Ws, e-3Ws, e-ambulances, e-trucks and other emerging EVs. E-Voucher for EV buyers to avail demand incentives. Promote Deployment of E-Ambulances, E-Buses and E-Trucks. EV Public Charging Stations in selected cities with high EV penetration. Test Agency Modernization.Financial Outlay: ₹10,900 crore over a period of two years PM E-Drive Scheme Outline The PM E-Drive scheme is set for a 2-year period with a substantial allocation of ₹10,900 crore. It offers subsidies for electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers, trucks, buses, and ambulances. However, unlike the FAME schemes, the new scheme does not provide subsidies for electric and hydrogen cars or SUVs. A significant portion of the scheme’s funding—₹4,391 crore—is dedicated to procuring 14,028 electric buses for state and public transport units. Additionally, ₹2,000 crore is allocated for installing 22,100 fast chargers for four-wheelers, 1,800 fast chargers for electric buses, and 48,000 chargers for electric two and three-wheelers. E-Voucher System Under PM E-Drive A key feature of the scheme is the introduction of an e-voucher system designed to streamline the subsidy and incentive process. Buyers will receive an Aadhaar-authenticated e-voucher sent to their registered mobile number after purchasing an EV. This voucher enables them to claim the scheme’s incentives. The digital voucher system aims to make the subsidy process more transparent and accessible across India. EV Adoption in India Despite growing interest in electric vehicles (EVs), many in India still experience range anxiety, causing hesitation among potential buyers. The PM E-Drive scheme addresses this by reducing the cost of ownership and developing charging infrastructure for various vehicle categories nationwide.

It makes an assessment of 50 economies (excluding India) and aims to cover 180 economies by 2026. It is a successor to Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) rankings of WB. EoDB (flagship report of WB) ranked countries based on ease of opening and operating a company.It was discontinued in 2021 owing to ethical irregularities. About Business- Ready Index The B-READY index is a successor to the Ease of Doing Business rankings, which were discontinued in 2021 due to irregularities. It is a ground-breaking initiative that aims to focus on quantitatively assessing the business environment across world economies. It envisages taking into consideration more diverse factors while arriving at the rating. Global financial institutions and multi-national companies will use the B-Ready framework as a benchmark to understand the regulatory and policy environment of a country. It will be published annually, taking into consideration three main pillars: regulatory framework, public services, and efficiency. The index incorporates digitalization, environmental sustainability, and gender equality into each indicator, ensuring a holistic and forward-thinking approach to business evaluation.  It tracks ten parameters covering a firm’s lifecycle from starting, operating, closing, and reorganising.  The index will expand in three stages, covering 54 economies initially and reaching up to 180 countries by 2026. Features of B-Ready vis-a-vis EoDB Comprehensive: Evaluates business environment from perspective of an individual firm and from point of private sectordevelopment as a whole. EoDB evaluates same for individual small/medium firms. Qualitative: Examines regulatory burden on firms and quality of regulation. EoBD examined only burden of regulation on firms. Balanced: Collects both de jure (statutory laws) and de facto (practical) information on firms. In EoDB, certain indicators covered only de-facto regulations while certain covered only de jure.Diverse: Covers all major topics unlike EoDB that excluded some important topics like employing labor What is the World Bank Group? It is an international financial institution that provides loans and grants to the governments of low and middle-income/developing countries for the purpose of pursuing capital projects. It was established along with the IMF at the 1944 Bretton Woods Conference. The WB is the collective name for the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and International Development Association (IDA), two of five international organizations owned by the WB Group.

BharatGen, a pioneering initiative in generative AI, was launched in India on September 30, 2024, in Delhi. The initiative is designed to revolutionize public service delivery and boost citizen engagement by developing a suite of foundational models in language, speech, and computer vision.  The event convened in the virtual presence of Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space and MoS Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions. “BharatGen is a proud example of India’s commitment to advancing homegrown technologies. It positions India as a global leader in the field of Generative AI, much like our achievements with UPI and other innovations that have transformed various sectors,” said Dr Jitendra Singh during the inauguration. He added that this initiative marks the world’s first government-funded Multimodal Large Language Model project focused on creating efficient and inclusive AI in Indian languages. About BharatGen Aim: To revolutionize public service delivery and enhance citizen engagement by developing foundational models in language, speech, and computer vision.  Implementation: By IIT Bombay under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) Key Features of BharatGen: Multilingual and multimodal foundation models. Building and training based on India-centric datasets. Open-source platform for fostering AI research and innovation. The project is expected to be completed by 2026, with ongoing research, development, and scaling of AI applications. Significance BharatGen will address both text and speech, ensuring representation across India’s diverse linguistic landscape. By using multilingual datasets, it will capture the nuances of Indian languages, which are often underrepresented in global AI models. This emphasis on data sovereignty gives India greater control over its digital resources and narrative. BharatGen will democratize AI access across government, education, and private sectors, ensuring AI benefits all segments of society, particularly underserved Indian languages.  BharatGen aligns with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat by developing AI models specifically for India. By building these technologies domestically What are Large Language Models? Large language models, also known as LLMs, are very large deep learning models that are pre-trained on vast amounts of data.  Large Language Models (LLMs) use machine learning techniques to recognize, interpret, and generate human languages or other complex data.  Their capabilities also extend to handling structured and unstructured data, including speech, images, and other multimodal inputs, which enhances their utility in fields like customer service, healthcare, and education.  About MLLM and Generative AI MLLM are Large Language Models (LLM) trained on large datasets including both text and non-textual data (image,audio, video, etc.) LLM uses machine learning and is capable of recognizing and interpreting human languages or othercomplex data. Generative AI is the most well-known application of LLM. Generative AI (GenAI) It is an Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology that automatically generates content in response to prompts written in natural language conversational interfaces.– Rather than simply curating existing web pages, by drawing on existing content, GenAI actually produces new content.– The content can appear in formats that comprise all symbolic representations of human thinking: texts written in natural language, images (including photographs to digital paintings and cartoons), videos, music and software code.– GenAI is trained using data collected from web pages, social media conversations and other online media. It generates its content by statistically analysing the distributions of words, pixels or other elements in the data that it has ingested and identifying and repeating common patterns.– In November 2022, OpenAI released ChatGPT (Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer) to the public. 

Policy Brief identifies regulatory and other issues and makes policy recommendations to help develop a sustainable food system and take the country from food security to nutrition security, and help enhance quality production, exports and earnings of farmers. What is Sustainable Food System (SFS)? It is a system that delivers food security, safety, and nutrition for all which is economically, socially and environmentally sustainable. (refer infographic).  Issues in India’s SFS Gaps in coordination across multiple government agencies:  e.g., divided responsibilities among APEDA, Spices Board and the Export Inspection Council in case of spices. Lack of data and information on policies/schemes: e.g., Lack of impact assessment. Difficulties in supply chain traceability and gaps in use of technology: e.g., fragmented supply chain, lack of robust public-private partnerships on farm for technology transfer, etc. Trade-related issues: e.g., sporadic bans or export duties, rejection of exports due to non-adherence of SPS standards, etc. Comprehensive vision document with specific goals of reducing foodwaste, use of harmful pesticides etc.Streamline coordination across multiple regulators. e.g., single nodalagency for exports.Implement farm-to-fork product traceability. e.g., ‘GrapeNet’ monitoringfresh grapes exported from India to EUReduce trade barriers by strengthening quality testing and certification.Implementation of good agricultural practices. e.g., International Yearof Millets 2023. FAQs What is the purpose of the ICRIER policy brief on Sustainable Food Systems and India’s Trade Agreement? he policy brief aims to examine the role of trade agreements in promoting sustainable food systems in India. It highlights how India’s trade policies can be aligned with sustainability goals, improving food security, economic growth, and environmental protection. What are sustainable food systems? Sustainable food systems are processes that ensure food security and nutrition in a way that is economically viable, socially equitable, and environmentally sound. These systems focus on minimizing food waste, conserving resources