Economy and Financial Policies
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is likely to keep the repo rate unchanged at 5.50% in its upcoming December monetary policy announcement, according to a report by Bank of Baroda. This decision comes as India's economic performance remains robust, with a GDP growth of 8.2% in the second quarter of FY26, exceeding market expectations. Inflation has also eased considerably, with CPI inflation dropping to 0.25% in October 2025. Analysts suggest that while strong economic activity typically doesn't lead to rate cuts, the low inflation environment could provide some leeway for future adjustments.
The government has continued its focus on Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with several support initiatives. An additional corpus fund of Rs. 9,000 crore has been infused into the Credit Guarantee Scheme (CGS) for MSEs, aiming to enable an additional credit of Rs. 2.00 lakh crore. Furthermore, the guarantee ceiling for MSEs under CGS has been increased from Rs. 5 crore to Rs. 10 crore, effective April 1, 2025. The Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) Portal, launched on June 27, 2025, is also facilitating end-to-end digitized resolution of delayed payment cases for MSMEs. The PM Vishwakarma scheme, launched in September 2023, continues to provide holistic support to artisans, including loans up to Rs. 3 lakh with interest subvention.
New rules and changes affecting monthly budgets, savings, and essential services came into effect on December 1, 2025. These include the approaching deadline for enrollment in the Unified Pension Scheme for Central Government employees and the mandatory submission of annual life certificates for pensioners by November 30.
Social Welfare and Digital Inclusion
In a significant push for pensioner welfare, the Department of Pensions and Pensioners' Welfare (DoPPW) successfully concluded its DLC Campaign 4.0, which ran from November 1 to November 30, 2025. The campaign generated a record-breaking 1.54 crore Digital Life Certificates (DLCs), with over 91 lakh submissions utilizing Face Authentication Technology, marking a 230-fold increase compared to previous efforts. This initiative aimed to provide accessible methods for senior citizens, including those with faded fingerprints and in remote areas, to submit their certificates efficiently.
India reaffirmed its commitment to disability rights by launching the revamped Sugamya Bharat App at the International Purple Fest 2025. This upgraded app functions as a digital accessibility hub, offering persons with disabilities easier access to information, government schemes, and essential services through features like screen-reader support, voice navigation, and a multilingual interface. Educational initiatives were also unveiled, including an IELTS Training Handbook for Persons with Disabilities and specialized basic training programs in American Sign Language (ASL) and British Sign Language (BSL) at the Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC). The ISLRTC also expanded the world's largest ISL digital repository to over 3,189 e-content videos and an Indian Sign Language Dictionary with over 10,000 terms.
The government's "Sweet Revolution" initiative, carried out through the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM), has significantly boosted India's honey production and exports. The NBHM, a Central Sector Scheme under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, has been extended to FY 2025-26 and focuses on enhancing honey production, increasing crop yields through scientific beekeeping, and raising beekeepers' incomes.
The Government of NCT of Delhi has invited applications for various pre and post-matric scholarship schemes for SC/ST/OBC students for the academic year 2025-26.
Science & Technology and Digital Governance
India has strengthened its cybersecurity framework with amendments to the Telecommunication Cyber Security (TCS) Rules, 2025. These new rules mandate messaging applications to implement continuous SIM-based authentication and six-hour auto-logouts to combat cross-border fraud. Additionally, a Mobile Number Validation (MNV) platform has been formalized to prevent identity fraud and "mule accounts" in financial and digital services.
In a move to streamline international travel, the Ministry of Home Affairs introduced an e-Arrival Card, effective October 1, 2025. This digital protocol replaces previous paper forms, requiring all foreign nationals to complete it within 72 hours prior to boarding as a pre-travel declaration of health and itinerary.
Energy and Environment
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $650 million policy-based loan to support India's Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSGMBY). This program aims to accelerate rooftop solar adoption, providing clean and affordable energy to 10 million households by 2027. The scheme offers financial assistance to residential consumers, including a 60% subsidy for systems up to 2 kW and a 40% subsidy for additional capacity between 2 kW and 3 kW, along with collateral-free, low-interest loans. The initiative also includes skill development for 5,000 personnel, with a focus on empowering women.
Legislative Agenda
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration is preparing for an active winter session of Parliament, commencing December 1. The government plans to introduce more than a dozen key bills to accelerate economic reforms and boost investor confidence. These legislative efforts will span crucial sectors such as insurance, atomic energy, insolvency, and financial markets, aligning with India's long-term goal of becoming a "developed country" by 2047.