LPPI FY24–25 and DGS e-platform modules launched

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

• Maritime governance and digital reforms: Launched the Logistics Port Performance Index (LPPI) for FY 2024–25 under the Sagar Aankalan framework, and rolled out four Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) e-platform modules (24×7 grievance redressal, ship registration, medical practitioner registration, and unified ship recycling credit note) to improve port benchmarking, seafarer welfare, and compliance.
• Air quality management in NCR: CAQM revoked all actions under Stage-I of GRAP across the entire NCR with immediate effect after Delhi’s AQI improved to the “Moderate” range and forecasts indicated continued improvement.
• Kharif 2026 preparedness package (seeds, credit, insurance, quality control): Centre finalized directions for Kharif 2026 with 192 lakh quintals of quality seeds available vs 173 lakh required, a national seed reserve of 1.74 lakh quintals, accelerated 9.76 crore Farmer IDs, and time-bound focus on crop insurance accuracy, premium/claim delays, pesticide quality controls, and PM-AASHA procurement timelines.
• BHAVYA industrial parks implementation push (policy + funding outlay): DPIIT/NICDC workshop to operationalize BHAVYA; scheme is notified (10 Apr 2026) with operational guidelines (23 May 2026) and targets ₹33,660 crore outlay to develop 100 investment-ready, plug-and-play industrial parks, with investor-centric, implementation-ready DPRs via a BHAVYA portal.
• CSR compliance route via Social Stock Exchange instruments: MCA amended CSR Policy Rules, 2014 by expanding Schedule VII with a new item allowing subscription to zero coupon zero principal instruments on the Social Stock Exchange, defining relevant terms and setting that CSR expenditure through such instruments must be ≤10% of total CSR spend for the year.
• Unclaimed financial assets: unified citizen search portal: DFS launched the Common Landing Portal for Unclaimed Financial Assets (https://www.unclaimedassetsportal.in) to let citizens search and trace unclaimed bank deposits, insurance claims, shares/dividends, and mutual funds in one place, supporting the “आपकी पूँजी, आपका अधिकार” campaign.
• Energy security and fuel management amid West Asia situation: Government issued/updated measures to maintain fuel availability—prioritizing domestic LPG/PNG/CNG, enforcing anti-hoarding actions via states/UTs (raids, seizures, FIRs/arrests), and supporting the transition to PNG through CGD approvals and PNG drive continuation; also announced excise duty reduction of ₹10/litre on petrol and diesel to absorb part of crude-price impact.
• Natural gas infrastructure regulatory signal (pipelines): Gazette notification (24.03.2026) notified the Natural Gas and Petroleum Products Distribution (Through Laying, Building, Operation and Expansion of Pipelines and Other Facilities) Order, 2026 under the Essential Commodities Act to create a streamlined, time-bound framework for pipeline approvals and expansion.
• Semiconductor industrial strategy roadmap to 2035: NITI Aayog released a 10-year roadmap “Future of India’s Semiconductor Industry” aiming to build a USD 120–150 billion semiconductor value chain by 2035, anchored on advanced packaging/OSAT, compound semiconductors, wide-bandgap semiconductors, design IP, talent, and trusted partnerships.
• New SEZ notifications in Puducherry: Government notified two new SEZs approved by the Board of Approval—(1) an IT/ITES SEZ by Oulgaret Municipality (8.6230 ha; proposed investment ₹725 crore; employment 3500) and (2) a multi-sector SEZ by PIPDIC (86.2457 ha; proposed investment ₹1250 crore; employment 5000).
• NCR air + maritime + energy coordination signals (operational monitoring): DG Shipping control room and repatriation efforts reported for seafarers in the Gulf, alongside continued normal port operations in India—indicating ongoing operational readiness rather than a one-off response.

DETAILED NOTES:

Maritime governance and digital reforms

• What happened:
• Launched Logistics Port Performance Index (LPPI) for FY 2024–25 under Sagar Aankalan, benchmarking port operational performance across dry bulk, liquid bulk, and containers.
• Rolled out four DGS digital initiatives: 24×7 grievance redressal (e-Navik), ship registration (e-Samudra), medical practitioner module, and unified ship recycling credit note module.
• Introduced/linked the Unified Ship Recycling Credit scheme via a Unified Ship Recycling Portal, with credit notes equivalent to 40% of scrap value redeemable against new shipbuilding projects in India.
• Why it matters:
• Establishes measurable port performance targets and adds compliance and welfare-focused digital workflows across shipping administration.

Air quality management in NCR

• What happened:
• CAQM’s GRAP sub-committee revoked Stage-I GRAP actions across NCR immediately after Delhi AQI improved.
• Delhi’s daily average AQI moved from 207 (28.05.2026) to 123 (29.05.2026), with forecasts indicating continued “Moderate” conditions.
• Why it matters:
• Signals a shift from restrictive air-quality measures to monitoring mode while conditions remain improved.

Kharif 2026 preparedness package (seeds, credit, insurance, quality control)

• What happened:
• Centre reported 192 lakh quintals seeds available for Kharif 2026 vs 173 lakh quintals required (about 11% surplus) and completed state-wise allocation with emphasis on timely lifting.
• Set up a national seed reserve of 1.74 lakh quintals for weather-related uncertainties and resowing needs.
• Announced operational focus areas: 9.76 crore Farmer IDs, crop insurance improvements (accuracy of assessments, handling premium/claim delays with a 12% interest provision for compensation delays), pesticide quality controls (sampling + NABL labs), and PM-AASHA procurement within fixed timelines.
• Why it matters:
• Converts Kharif readiness into time-bound execution levers across inputs, beneficiary identification, insurance reliability, and procurement discipline.

BHAVYA industrial parks implementation push (policy + funding outlay)

• What happened:
• DPIIT/NICDC held a workshop to strengthen the BHAVYA scheme implementation framework and DPR preparation with states/UTs and stakeholders.
• BHAVYA is notified (10 Apr 2026) with operational guidelines (23 May 2026) and targets ₹33,660 crore to develop 100 investment-ready, plug-and-play industrial parks.
• Emphasis placed on investor-centric, implementation-ready proposals and evaluation based on long-term viability and investment potential.
• Why it matters:
• Moves BHAVYA from design to execution by standardizing how states/UTs package projects for faster investor grounding.

CSR compliance route via Social Stock Exchange instruments

• What happened:
• MCA expanded Schedule VII by adding item (xiii): subscription to zero coupon zero principal instruments on the Social Stock Exchange.
• Amended CSR Policy Rules, 2014 to define Not for Profit Organization and Zero Coupon Zero Principal Instrument, and set the criteria under Rule 4A for CSR implementation via these instruments.
• Set a cap: CSR expenditure through such instruments must be ≤10% of total CSR spend for the financial year.
• Why it matters:
• Creates a regulated CSR funding channel that can be used by companies and NPOs through SSE instruments.

Unclaimed financial assets: unified citizen search portal

• What happened:
• DFS launched the Common Landing Portal for Unclaimed Financial Assets at https://www.unclaimedassetsportal.in.
• Portal provides unified access to search facilities for unclaimed bank deposits, insurance claims, shares/dividends, and mutual funds.
• DFS linked the portal to the “आपकी पूँजी, आपका अधिकार” campaign to improve citizen access and restitution.
• Why it matters:
• Centralizes discovery of unclaimed assets, reducing friction across multiple financial ecosystems.

Energy security and fuel management amid West Asia situation

• What happened:
• Government reiterated fuel availability measures: 100% supply to Domestic LPG, Domestic PNG, and CNG (Transport), with priority for commercial LPG to sectors like hospitals, education, pharma, steel, automobile, seed, and agriculture.
• Reported enforcement and monitoring by states/UTs: raids, seizures, FIRs, and arrests for hoarding/black marketing of LPG and petrol/diesel.
• Announced excise duty reduction of ₹10/litre on petrol and diesel to absorb part of crude-price impact.
• Why it matters:
• Combines supply prioritization with enforcement and price-burden mitigation to stabilize consumer availability during geopolitical disruption.

Natural gas infrastructure regulatory signal (pipelines)

• What happened:
• Gazette notification (24.03.2026) notified the Natural Gas and Petroleum Products Distribution (Through Laying, Building, Operation and Expansion of Pipelines and Other Facilities) Order, 2026 under the Essential Commodities Act.
• The order provides a streamlined, time-bound framework for pipeline approvals and expansion, addressing delays in approvals and access to land.
• Why it matters:
• Targets faster build-out of PNG networks by reducing regulatory and land-access friction.

Semiconductor industrial strategy roadmap to 2035

• What happened:
• NITI Aayog released the 10-year roadmap “Future of India’s Semiconductor Industry,” aiming for a USD 120–150 billion semiconductor value chain by 2035.
• Roadmap pillars include frontier R&D/design IP, policy and investment, advanced packaging & compound semiconductors production, talent development, and trusted partnerships.
• Set goals including leadership in advanced packaging/OSAT, supplier positioning in wide-bandgap semiconductors, and creation of 100+ advanced semiconductor design IPs.
• Why it matters:
• Establishes a long-horizon, capability-specific strategy aligned with India’s semiconductor mission priorities.

New SEZ notifications in Puducherry

• What happened:
• Government notified two new SEZs in Puducherry approved by the Board of Approval (meeting held 27.02.2026).
• SEZ 1: IT/ITES SEZ by Oulgaret Municipality at Thattanchavady (8.6230 ha; proposed investment ₹725 crore; employment 3500).
• SEZ 2: Multi-sector SEZ by PIPDIC at Karasur (86.2457 ha; proposed investment ₹1250 crore; employment 5000).
• Why it matters:
• Expands SEZ-led industrial and export capacity in Puducherry, including a first-of-its-kind SEZ development by an urban local body.

NCR air + maritime + energy coordination signals (operational monitoring)

• What happened:
• Government reported ongoing maritime safety coordination in the Gulf, including DG Shipping control room handling calls/emails and facilitation of repatriation of Indian seafarers.
• Reported that port operations across India remain normal with no congestion.
• Why it matters:
• Indicates sustained operational readiness across shipping and energy supply chains during the West Asia situation.