The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with YES BANK. This collaboration aims to foster innovation and provide crucial support to product startups, innovators, and entrepreneurs across the country.
The partnership will leverage DPIIT’s Startup India initiative and YES BANK’s financial expertise to facilitate market linkages, funding access, mentorship, and infrastructure support for early-stage ventures. Startups will benefit from YES BANK’s HeadStartup program, which offers tailored banking and financial solutions, including working capital, credit access, and,
cash flow management. Additionally, they will gain access to YES BANK’s extensive network, strategic partnerships, and industry expertise, enabling them to scale operations and attract investments effectively.
This collaboration marks a significant step toward creating a robust and self-sustaining startup ecosystem in India.
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Government of India, and Kyndryl Solutions Pvt Ltd, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to accelerate innovation and scale India’s startup ecosystem. The partnership will focus on supporting startups in the manufacturing and IT sectors by leveraging Kyndryl’s expertise in digital transformation
and Generative AI solutions.
Under this partnership, startups will be empowered through mentorship, infrastructure support, and market access, enabling them to integrate their solutions into enterprise ecosystems across industries such as automotive, pharmaceuticals, BFSI, oil & gas, and government services.
Under the chairmanship of Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), on March 20, 2025, accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoNs) to eight capital acquisition proposals amounting to over Rs 54,000 crore. For the Indian Army, AoN for procurement of 1350 HP Engine was accorded to upgrade the present 1000 HP Engine for the T-90 Tanks.
This will enhance the battlefield mobility of these tanks especially in high-altitude area by increasing the power to weight ratio.
For the Indian Navy, AoN for procurement of Varunastra Torpedoes (Combat) was accorded by DAC. Varunastra Torpedo is an indigenously-developed ship-launched anti-submarine torpedo developed by Naval Science & Technological Laboratory.
Induction of additional quantities of this torpedo would enhance the Navy's capability against adversaries' submarine threats.
For the Indian Air Force, AoN for procurement of Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) Aircraft Systems was accorded by DAC. AEW&C systems are capability enhancers which can change the complete spectrum of warfare and,
exponentially increase the combat potential of every other weapon system.
As a part of celebrating 2025 as ‘Year of Reforms’ in the Ministry of Defence, DAC also approved the guidelines for reducing the timelines at various stages of the Capital Acquisition Process to make it faster, more effective and efficient.
The Armed Forces Medical Services and the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), for collaborative research and training aimed at enhancing mental health support and care for the Armed Forces.
The key objectives of the MoU include collaborative research, faculty exchange and academic activities. NIMHANS, with its expertise in Neuropsychiatry, will provide help in conducting research on advanced Psychiatric care and support to military personnel, addressing common issues such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD), Anxiety, and Depression.
Capital markets regulator Sebi said it has reduced the minimum investment amount for Zero Coupon Zero Principal (ZCZP) instruments on the Social Stock Exchange from Rs 10,000 to Rs 1,000.
ZCZP are instruments for donating money to non-profit organizations (NPOs) listed on the SSE. The move aims to enhance retail participation in social impact investments.
The change also modifies the provisions outlined in a previous circular dated September 19, 2022, which was amended on December 28, 2023.
According to the latest directive, the September 2022 circular will now specify that the minimum investment size for ZCZP instruments will be Rs 1,000.
"Based on recommendations of the Social Stock Exchange Advisory Committee and public comments received in respect of the consultation paper...it is decided to review the existing minimum application size for subscribing to Zero Coupon Zero Principal Instruments from Rs 10,000 to a lower amount i.e. Rs 1,000," Sebi said in a circular.
By lowering the investment threshold, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) expects to encourage more participation from smaller investors, thereby increasing the flow of funds to social enterprises working in sectors such as education and healthcare.
Markets regulator Sebi partnered with DigiLocker, a government-backed digital document storage platform, to reduce unclaimed assets in the Indian securities market and enhance investor protection. The initiative will help investors store and access information on their demat and mutual fund holdings through DigiLocker benefiting investors and their families.
Under this, DigiLocker users can now fetch and store their statement of holdings for shares and mutual fund units from their demat accounts, along with their Consolidated Account Statement (CAS), Sebi said in a circular. This expands the existing DigiLocker services, which already include bank account statements, insurance policy certificates, and NPS account statements.
Further, users can add nominees to their DigiLocker accounts, allowing them access to the user's documents after their demise. This helps family members or legal heirs manage the deceased's financial assets more easily.
Also, the DigiLocker system can update the status of a user's account upon their demise using information from death certificates or,
details provided by KYC Registration Agencies (KRAs).
After the user's death, DigiLocker automatically notifies the nominated individuals (DigiLocker Nominees) via SMS and email, helping them manage the deceased's assets. This access is expected to facilitate the initiation of the transmission process with the relevant financial institutions.
Sebi has directed asset management companies (AMCs), RTAs, and depositories to register with DigiLocker to allow investors to fetch their mutual fund and demat account details. KRAs will also share information on investor deaths with DigiLocker.
Through this, Sebi aims to reduce unclaimed assets in the securities market by addressing issues such as dormant accounts,
lack of contact or bank details, and simplifying transmission norms.
Sebi has encouraged to use DigiLocker and specify nominees to help manage their financial assets upon death and avoid unclaimed assets.
The circular would come into effect from April 1, 2025, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) said.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced the appointment of Indranil Bhattacharyya as its new Executive Director (ED), effective March 19, 2025. Before assuming this role, Indranil served as an Advisor in the Monetary Policy Department of the central bank.
In his new position, he will be responsible for leading the Department of Economic and Policy Research (DEPR). With nearly three decades of experience, he has contributed extensively to various domains, including monetary and fiscal policy, banking, and international economic relations.
His tenure at RBI has spanned multiple departments, such as the Monetary Policy Department, DEPR, and the International Department. Additionally, he has international experience, having served as an Economic Expert in the Technical Office of the Governor at Qatar Central Bank from 2009 to 2014.
Earlier this month, the RBI also appointed Ajit Ratnakar Joshi as an ED.
Edelweiss Asset Reconstruction Company (EARC) has received approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to appoint Mythili Balasubramanian as its Interim Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately until September 30, 2025.
With nearly five years at EARC and a career spanning over four decades, Mythili brings extensive expertise in banking,
NPA resolution, and insolvency processes under the IBC framework. Her leadership is expected to drive stability and strategic growth as the company navigates the evolving distressed asset landscape.
To ensure a smooth succession, EARC’s Board of Directors has formed a Search Committee to oversee the process of appointing the next permanent MD & CEO.
India and Australia agreed to further deepen cooperation and interoperability across maritime, land and air domains, including working with multilateral partners. Besides, the two countries also decided to focus on cooperation in maritime domain awareness, reciprocal information sharing, industry and science and technology collaboration aside from,
“exchanges including deployments from each other’s territories”.
This was agreed in the 9th India-Australia defence policy talks held in New Delhi. The Indian delegation was headed by Joint Secretary Amitabh Prasad, while the Australian side was led by First Assistant Secretary International Policy Division, Department of Defence, Australia, Bernard Philip.
The previous edition of the talks was held in 2023.
Finland has secured its position as the world's happiest nation for the eighth consecutive year, as revealed in the World Happiness Report 2025 released. The Nordic countries continue to dominate the top positions, with Denmark, Iceland and Sweden maintaining their respective rankings in the top four spots.
Fair trade regulator CCI cleared Tata Sons' proposed acquisition of an additional 10 per cent stake in DTH operator Tata Play from Singapore's sovereign wealth fund Temasek Holdings.
Currently, Tata Sons -- the promoter of Tata Group -- owns a 60 percent stake in Tata Play.
Tata Sons is an investment holding company, which is registered as a core investment company with the Reserve Bank of India and classified as a "Systemically Important Non-Deposit Taking Core Investment Company".
"Commission approves the acquisition of certain additional shareholding in Tata Play Ltd by Tata Sons Pvt Ltd from Baytree Investments (Mauritius) Pte Ltd,".
Fino Payments Bank’s (FPB) Board of Directors have approved the re-appointment of Deena Mehta as an Additional Director in the capacity of Independent Director.
Mehta has over four decades of experience in capital markets, contributing to key reforms such as the BOLT system at BSE, the Central Depository Service, and the streamlining of Clearing Corporation BOISL.
She served on the BSE Board for nine years, including as Vice President and President. She has been part of various SEBI committees for 21 years, contributing to multiple market reforms. She is a founding member of SAFE, the Association of Stock Exchanges of SAARC countries.
