Government Approves Tex-RAMPS Scheme for Textiles Sector
The Government of India has given its nod to the Textiles Focused Research, Assessment, Monitoring, Planning, and Start-up (Tex-RAMPS) Scheme. This new initiative, with a total outlay of ā¹305 crore (US$ 34.2 million) for the period FY26 to FY31, aims to significantly strengthen research, innovation, and competitiveness within the Indian textiles sector. Implemented as a Central Sector Scheme and fully funded by the Ministry of Textiles, Tex-RAMPS will focus on promoting advanced research in areas like smart textiles and sustainability, developing robust data and analytics systems, establishing an Integrated Textiles Statistical System for real-time monitoring, and fostering capacity development and collaboration between academia and industry. Union Minister of Textiles Mr. Giriraj Singh highlighted that the scheme is designed to future-proof the textiles and apparel ecosystem, enhance India's global competitiveness, improve data-driven governance, and generate employment opportunities.
New Phase of PLI Scheme for Food Processing Sector Underway
In a move to further boost domestic manufacturing and value addition, the government is preparing to roll out a new phase of the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for the food processing sector. Speaking at the 98th Annual General Meeting of FICCI, Food Processing Secretary A.P. Das Joshi stated that this renewed policy initiative aims to encourage greater investments in modernization and innovation. The previous PLI scheme proved successful, attracting ā¹10,900 crore in committed investments and creating over 2,50,000 employment opportunities. The upcoming version will build on this success by widening its scope to include more product segments and smaller manufacturers, with a strong emphasis on promoting value addition, enhancing product shelf life, and aligning with global food safety and certification standards to boost exports.
EPFO and ESIC Launch New Enrolment Scheme for Social Security
The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) and Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) have jointly introduced the 'Employees' Enrolment Scheme 2025'. This nationwide initiative aims to significantly expand social security coverage and encourage voluntary compliance among employers. The scheme provides a special opportunity for establishments to register eligible workers who were not brought under EPF coverage between July 1, 2017, and October 31, 2025. The enrolment window is open from November 1, 2025, to April 30, 2026. To ease compliance, the employee contribution for the past period will be waived if deductions were not made earlier, and employers will only need to pay their share along with interest, administrative charges, and a minimal penal fee of Rs 100. This initiative is expected to bring a larger segment of the workforce into the organized social security net.
India Plans to Open Civil Nuclear Power Sector to Private Firms
The Union Government is reportedly planning a significant policy shift by opening India's tightly regulated civil nuclear power sector to private participation. This move involves a proposed amendment to the Atomic Energy Act 1962, which would allow private companies to 'Build-Own-Operate' civilian nuclear power plants. Additionally, revisions to the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act (CLNDA) 2010 are being considered to address investor concerns regarding unlimited supplier liability and align India's framework with international conventions. The Nuclear Energy Mission for Viksit Bharat, announced in Budget FY 2025, has already allocated ā¹20,000 crore for Research and Development in Small Modular Reactors and advanced nuclear technologies, signaling a strategic push towards enhancing nuclear energy capacity with private sector involvement.
India's Economy Records Strong 8.2% GDP Growth in Q2 FY26
India's economy registered a robust 8.2% Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth in the July-September quarter (Q2) of FY26, exceeding forecasts. This acceleration was primarily driven by strong consumer demand, solid manufacturing sector growth, and statistical factors. Prime Minister Narendra Modi attributed this performance to the government's "pro-growth policies and reforms," which include recent income and consumption tax cuts, along with $5 billion in relief measures for exporters and labor law reforms aimed at attracting foreign investment and reducing red tape. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has revised its overall growth forecast for FY26 to 6.8% from an earlier 6.5%. However, concerns persist regarding the potential impact of US tariffs on Indian exports in the coming quarters.
West Bengal Student Credit Card Scheme Benefits One Lakh Students
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced a significant milestone for the state's student credit card scheme, with 100,000 students having now availed loans under the program. Launched four years ago, the scheme provides education loans of up to Rs 10 lakh at a nominal interest rate of 4% per annum, with a 1% concession for timely interest payments during the study period. The state government acts as a guarantor and covers the interest subsidy. The scheme supports both institutional and non-institutional expenses for studies in India and abroad, from secondary to post-doctoral research, and is open to West Bengal residents up to 40 years of age.
Bihar Government Disburses ā¹1,000 Crore to Women Under Employment Scheme
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar disbursed ā¹1,000 crore to one million women as part of an employment scheme. The initiative encourages beneficiaries to utilize the funds for self-employment, with provisions for additional assistance of Rs 2 lakh for those who demonstrably engage in self-employment ventures. To receive the benefits, recipients must be registered with a Jeevika self-help group in their area.
Protests Erupt Against New Labour Codes
Hundreds of thousands of workers and farmers across India staged protests against the Narendra Modi government's new labor codes, which they term "anti-people policies." Unions argue that these four labor codes systematically weaken fundamental workers' rights, including collective bargaining, limited working hours, and basic social security, which have been secured through generations of struggle.