Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi holds telephonic conversation with the Prime Minister of Denmark H.E. Ms. Mette Frederiksen The leaders discussed various aspects of bilateral relations as well global developments
The leaders looked forward to their meeting in Norway on the sidelines of the forthcoming India-Nordic Summit
Posted On: 15 APR 2025 6:02PM by PIB Delhi
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Denmark H.E. Ms. Mette Frederiksen had a telephonic conversation today. Both leaders discussed various aspects of bilateral relations as well as global developments.
2. Recalling high-level exchanges between both countries ever since the launch of the Green Strategic Partnership in 2020, the leaders noted the expansion of the Green Strategic Partnership in various fields which have created favorable conditions for Danish investments in India to contribute to green transition. The leaders also discussed regional and global issues of mutual interest.
3. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he was looking forward to the 3rd India- Nordic Summit scheduled to be held later this year in Norway, and his meeting with Prime Minister Frederiksen at that time.
2025 Southwest Monsoon likely to be above normal, says IMD’S Long Range Forecast for the Southwest Monsoon Seasonal Rainfall Seasonal rainfall expected at 105% of LPA with a margin of ±5%
Enso conditions neutral, but la Niña-like atmospheric patterns observed neutral ENSO likely to persist throughout the monsoon season
Indian ocean dipole remains neutral ahead of monsoon 2025 climate models predict continued neutral IOD conditions through the season
Below-normal snow cover in Eurasia for last three months may boost Indian monsoon
Posted On: 15 APR 2025 5:45PM by PIB Delhi
Highlights
a) The southwest monsoon seasonal (June to September) rainfall over the country as a whole during 2025 is most likely to be above normal (>104% of the Long Period Average (LPA)). Quantitatively, the seasonal rainfall over the country as a whole is likely to be 105% of LPA with a model error of ± 5%. The LPA of the season rainfall over the country as a whole for the period 1971-2020 is 87 cm.
b) Currently, Neutral El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) conditions are prevailing over the equatorial Pacific region. However, the atmospheric Circulation features are similar to La Nina conditions. The latest Monsoon Mission Climate Forecast System (MMCFS) as well as other climate model forecasts indicate that the Neutral ENSO condition are likely to continue during the monsoon season.
c)At present, neutral Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) conditions are present over the Indian Ocean and the latest Climate models forecast indicates that the Neutral IOD conditions are likely to continue during the southwest monsoon season.
d)The snow cover areas of northern hemisphere and Eurasia during the last three months (January to March, 2025) were below normal. The winter and spring snow cover extent over Northern Hemisphere as well as Eurasia has in general an inverse relationship with the subsequent Indian summer monsoon rainfall. IMD will issue the updated forecasts for monsoon season rainfall in the last week of May 2025.
1. Background
Since 2003, India Meteorological Department (IMD) has been issuing the operational long-range forecast (LRF) for the southwest monsoon seasonal (June-September) rainfall averaged over the country as a whole in two stages. The first stage forecast is issued in April and the second stage or updated forecast is issued by the end of May. In 2021, IMD has implemented a new strategy for issuing monthly and seasonal operational forecasts for the southwest monsoon rainfall over the country by modifying the existing two stage forecasting strategy. The new strategy uses both dynamical and statistical forecasting system. Multi-Model Ensemble (MME) forecasting system based on coupled global climate models (CGCMs) from different global climate prediction centres, including IMD’s Monsoon Mission Climate Forecast System (MMCFS) are used.
As per the new LRF strategy, the first stage forecast issued in middle of April consists of the quantitative and probabilistic forecasts for the country as a whole, and the spatial distribution of probabilistic forecasts for the tercile categories (above normal, normal, and below normal) of the seasonal (June-September) rainfall over the country.
The second stage forecast issued around end of May consist of update for the seasonal rainfall forecast issued in April along with the probabilistic forecasts for the seasonal rainfall over the four homogenous regions of India (northwest India, central India, south Peninsula and northeast India) and monsoon core zone (MCZ). In addition, quantitative and probabilistic forecasts for the country as a whole, and the spatial distribution of probabilistic forecasts for the tercile categories (above normal, normal, and below normal) of the June rainfall over the country are also issued during the second state forecast.
In continuation to the above forecasts, monthly rainfall forecast is issued around end of June, July and August respectively for the subsequent one month. In addition, quantitative and probabilistic forecasts for the country as a whole, and the spatial distribution of probabilistic forecasts for the tercile categories for the second half of the season rainfall is issued around end of July along with the forecast for August.
2. Forecast for the 2025 Southwest Monsoon Season (June–September) rainfall over the country as a whole during 2025.
The forecast based on both dynamical and statistical models suggests that quantitatively, the monsoon seasonal rainfall is likely to be 105% of the Long Period 3 3
Average (LPA) with a model error of ± 5%. The LPA of the season rainfall over the country as a whole for the period 1971-2020 is 87 cm.
The five category probability forecasts for the Seasonal (June to September) rainfall over the country as a whole are given below, which suggests that there is strong probability (59%) of southwest monsoon seasonal rainfall likely to be in the above normal category or higher (>104% of LPA).
Category
Rainfall Range
(% of LPA)
Forecast Probability (%)
Climatological
Probability (%)
Deficient
< 90
2
16
Below Normal
90 – 95
9
17
Normal
96 -104
30
33
Above Normal
105-110
33
16
Excess
> 110
26
17
The MME forecast for the southwest monsoon season rainfall during 2025 was prepared based on the April initial conditions of a group of coupled climate models which have higher prediction skill over the Indian monsoon region.
The spatial distribution of probabilistic forecasts for tercile categories (above normal, normal and below normal) for the seasonal (June to September) rainfall during 2025 is shown in Fig.1. The spatial distribution suggests above-normal seasonal rainfall is very likely over most parts of the country except some areas over Northwest India, Northeast India and South Peninsular India, where below-normal rainfall is likely. The white-shaded areas within the land area represent no signal from the model with equal probabilities for all the tercile categories of rainfall.
3. Sea Surface Temperature (SST) Conditions in the equatorial Pacific & Indian Oceans
Currently, neutral ENSO conditions are prevailing over the equatorial Pacific region. However, the atmospheric Circulation features are similar to La Nina conditions. The latest MMCFS as well as other climate models forecast indicates that neutral ENSO conditions are likely to continue during the monsoon season.
At present, neutral IOD conditions are present over the Indian Ocean and the latest climate model forecast indicates that the neutral IOD conditions are likely to continue during the southwest monsoon season.
As sea surface temperature (SST) conditions over the Pacific and the Indian Oceans are known to have a strong influence on the Indian monsoon, IMD is carefully monitoring the evolution of sea surface conditions over these Ocean basins.
4. Snow Cover over the Northern Hemisphere
The winter and spring snow cover extent over Northern Hemisphere as well as Eurasia has in general an inverse relationship with the subsequent Indian summer monsoon rainfall. The areas of northern hemisphere snow cover and Eurasian snow cover during January to March, 2025 were observed to be below normal.
Fig.1.Probability forecast of tercile categories* (below normal, normal, and above normal) for the seasonal rainfall over India during southwest monsoon season (June -September), 2025. The figure illustrates the most likely categories as well as their probabilities. The white shaded areas represent no signal from the model with equal probabilities for all the tercile categories.
(*Tercile categories have equal climatological probabilities, of 33.33% each).
India’s Top Young Game Developers Set to Shine at WAVES Summit 2025
Introduction
India’s most innovative game developers have secured their place in the spotlight with the announcement of the Top 10 games from the inaugural Road to Game Jam, a highlight of the Create in India Challenge: Season 1 under the Government of India’s World Audio-Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES). These exceptional titles will be showcased at the WAVES Summit in Mumbai from May 1-4, 2025, celebrating the creativity shaping the future of gaming.
The “Road to Game Jam” is an exciting opportunity for India’s game developers to showcase their creativity and innovation. Organized by Game Developer Association of India (GDAI) in collaboration with KGeN (Kratos Gamer Network), this initiative falls under Pillar 2 of WAVES, which focuses on AVGC-XR (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics, along with Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality and the Metaverse). By providing a national platform for emerging talent, the initiative aims to foster creativity, encourage collaboration, and strengthen India’s growing game development ecosystem.
Response & Participation
With an overwhelming 5,500 registrations from more than 1,650 colleges across 453 cities and towns in India, the Road to Game Jam marked a significant step in nurturing young game development talent. The initiative included AMA sessions and knowledge-sharing workshops led by industry leaders, offering participants practical insights into game design, storytelling, and the business of gaming.
Following several rounds of elimination, over 175 teams submitted original games, each of which was rigorously evaluated by a jury of seasoned professionals from the gaming industry.
Top 10 Finalists
The final Top 10 games selected through the Road to Game Jam will be showcased at the WAVES Summit in Mumbai from 1 to 4 May 2025. These original titles reflect a range of creative voices from student teams and solo developers to early-stage startups, and represent the best of India’s emerging game development talent.
Rewards and Recognition
The above-mentioned winning teams will receive an all-expense-paid trip to the WAVES Summit in Mumbai, where they will present their games to a global industry jury. The top three entries will also receive a combined prize pool of ₹7 lakh, with ₹3.5 lakh for first place, ₹2 lakh for second, and ₹1.5 lakh for third.
Game Jam Themes
Here are the unique themes for the Game Jam, each designed to motivate participants to blend creativity with technical innovation.
India’s Growing Strength in Game Development
India is rapidly emerging as a global force in game development. According to a recent report by Lumikai, India’s pioneering interactive media and gaming venture capital firm, the country is home to over 550 million gamers, with 175 million of them making in-game purchases. This massive user base is underpinned by key enablers such as affordable data access, a mobile-first gaming culture, and a digitally savvy, youthful population—more than 65 percent of whom are under the age of 35.
India’s true strength lies not just in its consumption but in its creative potential. With a vast pool of engineering and design talent, a thriving indie developer community, and growing government and industry support, the country is well-positioned to become a global hub for game creation and production. Increasing investments in skilling, infrastructure, and funding are laying a strong foundation, while national and state-level game education initiatives continue to gain momentum. Global publishers, studios, and platforms are also showing growing interest in co-developing and investing in Indian talent, further cementing the country’s standing in the global gaming ecosystem.
Conclusion
The Road to Game Jam has not only spotlighted the immense talent and imagination of India’s next generation game developers but has also demonstrated the country’s growing capability to lead on the global gaming stage. By bringing together aspiring creators, industry mentors, and international platforms, the initiative has laid the groundwork for a stronger and more inclusive game development ecosystem. As the Top 10 teams gear up to present their games at the WAVES Summit in Mumbai, their journey reflects a broader national ambition to position India not just as a vibrant gaming market but as a powerhouse of original and world-class game creation.
INSV Tarini was ceremonially flagged off from the Royal Cape Yacht Club for the final leg of her journey to Goa on 15 Apr 25, at 1030 hours local time (1400 hrs IST). The send-off was graced by the presence of the Officiating Consul General of India in Cape Town, the Defence Attaché of India to South Africa, members of the RCYC Governing Council, and representatives of the Indian community in Cape Town.
The circumnavigation is a significant endeavour aimed at promoting ocean sailing in India, showcasing the strength and resilience of Indian women in uniform, and highlighting India’s indigenous shipbuilding capabilities.
As part of the ongoing Navika Sagar Parikrama II, INSV Tarini, proudly crewed by Lieutenant Commander Dilna K and Lieutenant Commander Roopa A, made a scheduled stopover at Cape Town, South Africa.
During her port call at Cape Town, INSV Tarini served as a hub for numerous outreach and diplomatic engagements. The vessel played host to several esteemed guests including:
• Shri Prabhat Kumar, Hon’ble High Commissioner of India to South Africa.
• Mr Reagan Allen, Deputy Speaker of the Western Cape.
• Mr Johnathan Rhodes, former international cricketer and a friend of India.
• Ms Kirsten Neuschäfer, winner of the prestigious Golden Globe Race 2022–23 and a noted solo circumnavigator.
• Smt Ruby Jaspreet, Counsel General of India at Cape Town.
• Members of the Indian diaspora and local dignitaries.
This visit also provided an opportunity for cultural exchange and highlighted the growing maritime cooperation between India and South Africa.
In addition to hosting high-profile guests, the crew of INSV Tarini engaged in a series of interactive events aimed at promoting gender equality, women’s empowerment, and India’s capability in indigenous boat building. These included:
• A special interaction with students from the Indian diaspora.
• Experience sharing with prominent citizens, and members of the diplomatic community at RCYC, Cape Town, where the officers shared insights into their journey, the challenges of ocean sailing, and the vision behind Navika Sagar Parikrama.
• A formal session with faculty and Select students at the University of the Western Cape.
• Engagement with Naval Cadets at the Naval College, inspiring the next generation of naval officers.
• Interaction with young aspiring sailors of the Royal Cape Yacht Club(RCYC) Sailing Academy, promoting maritime spirit and camaraderie.
The crew also utilized the stop to undertake routine and essential maintenance of INSV Tarini, ensuring the vessel remains in peak operational condition for the final stretch of the voyage.
INSV Tarini is expected to reach Goa by end May 2025, marking the successful completion of yet another proud chapter in India’s maritime history. The Navika Sagar Parikrama II continues to be a beacon of women empowerment, maritime excellence, and national pride.
The Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS), under the aegis of Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS), Ministry of Defence, in collaboration with Pentagon Press, successfully hosted the second edition of the Defence Literature Festival ‘Kalam & Kavach 2.0’ at Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi. This year’s theme was ‘Securing India’s Rise through Defence Reforms’.
The event, held on April 15, 2025, focused on Defence Technology and Future Warfare, particularly in the context of defence manufacturing. It was aligned with the Prime Minister’s call for ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-reliant India) and highlighted key aspects of acquisition & procurement reforms.
The event brought together distinguished experts from the Armed Forces, strategic policymakers, industry leaders, and domain specialists to deliberate on critical issues affecting India’s national security. Discussions included several cutting-edge topics including Technology & Future Warfare; the role of AI, cyber technologies, quantum computing, drones, space technology, and semiconductors in modern military operations; Defence Manufacturing & Aatmanirbharta, Acquisition & Procurement Reforms.
The event focused on charting a strategic roadmap for its national security, diplomacy and development. It also covered the progress made on adoption of niche technologies, enhancing multi-domain and cross-domain operational capabilities to include land, air, sea, cyber and space. The agenda also included contemporary maritime security paradigms, future challenges and the way ahead to further the combat capability.
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh declared 2025 as the ‘Year of Reforms,’ marking a transformational year aimed at converting the Armed Forces into a technologically-advanced, combat-ready force. This vision underscores the nation’s commitment to multi-domain, integrated operations and emphasises a mission-mode approach to defence reforms, facilitating technology transfer, and improving public-private partnerships.
The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways reached a significant milestone in cargo movement on National Waterways. For the fiscal year 2024-25, IWAI has successfully achieved record-breaking 145.5 million tonnes of cargo movement, marking an all-time high in the IWT sector. Along with this, the total number of operational waterways has gone up from 24 to 29 during the year.
Exponential Growth in Cargo Traffic in last ten years
Cargo traffic on National Waterways has increased from 18.10 MMT to 145.5 MMT between FY-14 and FY-25, recording a CAGR of 20.86%.
In FY-25, traffic movement registered a growth of 9.34% year-on-year from FY-24. Five commodities i.e. coal, iron ore, iron ore fines, sand and fly ash constituted over 68% of total cargo moved on NWs during the year.
The growth in cargo movement on national waterways is noteworthy. In the last few years, several pro-active policy measures and infrastructure initiatives have been taken to streamline cargo movement on NWs.
Jalvahak – Cargo Promotion Scheme
Launched in December last year, the Jalvahak scheme promotes modal shift of cargo from other modes to IWT by incentivising cargo owners and movers to the extent of 35% of the total actual operating expenditure incurred on waterways journey. To give further push to the scheme, scheduled cargo services were made operational on NW-1, NW-2, and NW-16 via the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol. This scheme is expected to divert 800 million tonne-kilometers of cargo to the IWT mode, accounting for nearly 17% of the current 4,700 million tonne-kilometers of cargo on National Waterways.
Digital Portal for getting NOCs to set up IWT structures on NWs
The National Waterways (Construction of Jetties/Terminals) Regulations, 2025 encourage private sector investment in the development of inland terminals on National Waterways, optimizing the use of India’s extensive waterways network. Private, public, and joint venture entities can develop jetties/terminals across the country by obtaining a simplified no-objection certificate (NOC) from IWAI through a digital portal.
Other Initiatives to boost cargo movement
Fairway Development Works: Development of fairways to ensure least available depth and smooth navigation. End-to-end dredging contracts have been issued for various identified stretches on national waterways.
Ro-Ro/Ro-Pax Services: Introduction of Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro-Ro) and Ro-Pax services on various National Waterways.
Digital Solutions: Implementation of digital solutions like CAR-D portal and PANI portal for ease of doing business, Central database for registration of vessel and crew (Jalyaan and Navic) to promote digitisation, Naudarshika (National River Traffic and Navigational System) for safety and smooth operations of inland vessels.
Besides, adequate waterways infrastructure including like IWT terminals, night navigation facility, navigational locks are being developed along NWs. These initiatives are expected to boost the growth of cargo movement through National Waterways, promoting a more efficient and sustainable mode of transportation.
With the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the guidance of Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, IWAI is committed towards developing waterways as a robust engine of growth. The Authority is expanding its footprint throughout the country, working extensively towards capacity augmentation of NW-1, NW-2, NW-3, and NW-16 among other waterways. The growth in cargo movement on national waterways is a clear indicator that the steps taken by IWAI are yielding positive results and will help in making IWT a preferred and reliable mode of transportation in the long run.
Defence Secretary calls on Italian Defence Minister in Rome to further enhance bilateral defence cooperation 11th India-Italy Joint Defence Committee meeting held; Focus on closer defence collaboration especially in technology and armament production
MoU inked between SIDM & AIAD to foster closer cooperation between defence industries of both nations
Posted On: 15 APR 2025 7:32PM by PIB Delhi
Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh visited Rome, Italy from April 14-15, 2025 on an official trip. The visit started with the Defence Secretary calling on the Defence Minister of Italy Mr Guido Crosetto. During the meeting, the two sides held productive discussions aimed at further enhancing defence cooperation as a key pillar of India-Italy strategic partnership.
During his visit, Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh co-chaired the 11th India-Italy annual bilateral Joint Defence Committee meeting with his Italian counterpart, Secretary General of Defence Ms Luisa Riccardi. They discussed a wide range of defence, security and industrial cooperation issues including maritime cooperation and information sharing arrangements between India and Italy with emphasis on Trans Regional Maritime Network. The situation in the Red Sea and Western Indian Ocean Region also came up during the discussions.
The Defence Secretary stressed on closer defence collaboration especially in technology and armament production, which is a priority area for India. He also brought out that the Government of India is proactively building an ecosystem for defence production and innovation within the country through conscious policy initiatives. India has developed a vibrant innovation and industrial ecosystem.
In his keynote address during India-Italy Defence Industry Roundtable, Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh shared his views on how the Indian defence industry has witnessed significant changes, particularly in the past few years through progressive reforms. He said that these reforms have been marked by the creation of a conducive environment for the growth of the Indian Industry through transparency, predictability and Ease of Doing Business.
An MoU between Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) and the Federation of Italian Companies for Aerospace, Defence and Security (AIAD) was also signed, marking a significant step toward fostering closer cooperation between the defence industries of both nations.
The Defence Secretary was accompanied by a high-level Ministry of Defence delegation, comprising senior officials from Service Headquarters, Department of Defence and Department of Defence Production. A substantial industry delegation from SIDM also accompanied the Defence Secretary to foster closer B2B connections between the Indian and Italian defence industries.
Ministry of Labour & Employment signs MoU with Swiggy in Presence of Union Ministers Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya and Sushri Shobha Karandlaje MoU to Enhance Gig and Logistics Employment Opportunities on NCS and Create Over 12 Lakh Job Opportunities in 2–3 years
Posted On: 15 APR 2025 7:08PM by PIB Delhi
Ministry of Labour & Employment and Swiggy signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in New Delhi today, marking a significant step toward strengthening employment linkages in the gig and logistics sector through the National Career Service (NCS) portal. The MoU was signed in the presence of Union Minister of Labour & Employment, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya and Union Minister of State for Labour & Employment, Sushri Shobha Karandlaje.
In his address, Dr. Mandaviya stated, “The National Career Service portal is a dynamic platform connecting job seekers and employers across India. With over 1.25 crore active job seekers and 40 lakh registered employers as of January 31, 2025, it is playing a crucial role in workforce mobilization. This partnership with Swiggy will further extend the portal’s reach into the fast-growing gig and platform economy, enabling access to flexible and location-based opportunities for millions of youth.”
Dr. Mandaviya welcomed the collaboration and appreciated Swiggy’s commitment to potentially mobilize over 12 lakh job opportunities in the next 2–3 years through the NCS portal. “This collaboration represents a win-win model, while Swiggy will gain access to a diverse, skilled, and job-ready talent pool, lakhs of job seekers across the country will benefit from enhanced visibility and access to employment opportunities,” Union Minister said.
Highlighting the platform’s accessibility and reach, Union Minister reiterated the government’s vision of making NCS a one-stop solution for employment, skilling, and counselling, and at the same time capable of hyperlocal job matching and supporting both domestic and international placements.
Under this MoU, Swiggy will integrate its gig opportunities—including delivery, logistics, and support roles—onto the NCS portal. This real-time integration will enhance visibility of gig jobs for NCS users, who will benefit from timely and verified work opportunities across urban and semi-urban areas.
Mr. Dinker Vashisht, Chief of Cooperate Affairs, Swiggy, welcomed the collaboration and emphasized the importance of partnerships between Gig platform and government platforms to scale employment. “Swiggy’s journey showcases how digital entrepreneurship can transform livelihoods. This MoU will empower job seekers and align with our commitment to inclusive growth in the new-age economy.”
It is one of the steps, in the series of signing MoUs with the private employers/ portals, other leading employment/ Gig platforms etc. to bridge the gap between jobseekers and private sector employment, enabling a holistic approach to public-private coordination in job facilitation.
Salient Points of the MoU:
Swiggy will regularly post verified gig and delivery job opportunities on the NCS portal and conduct hiring through it.
API-based integration will ensure real-time job postings and seamless application tracking for users.
Focus on inclusive hiring, particularly promoting employment opportunities for youth, women, and those seeking flexible work.
The partnership is expected to support structured onboarding, digital empowerment, and awareness of worker welfare schemes.
The Ministry of Labour & Employment remains committed to improving employment outcomes across sectors through the NCS portal and will continue engaging with the private sector to foster an enabling ecosystem for India’s diverse workforce.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Welfare Services and Subcommittee on Issues Relating to the Support for Persons with Disabilities conducted a joint visit to the Siu Lam Integrated Rehabilitation Services Complex (the Complex) today (April 15) to understand its operation since the opening in late February this year.
Accompanied by the Under Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Ho Kai-ming, Members first visited the facilities of the Complex to understand how the design makes use of smart technology and rehabilitation equipment, while incorporating the surrounding natural environment to provide a safe and comfortable living environment for persons with intellectual disabilities, persons with physical disabilities and persons in mental recovery. Members noted that the Complex is jointly operated by the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, SAHK and the New Life Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association, providing 1 150 residential care places and 560 day training places through the medical-social collaboration model to enable quality medical services for the residents with fewer hospital visits.
Members then exchanged views with the representatives of the Government and the three operators on issues such as daily operations, staff training and service quality.
Members who participated in the visit were the Chairman of Panel, Reverend Canon Peter Douglas Koon and Panel member Mr Kenneth Leung; as well as the Chairman of the Subcommittee, Ms Lam So-wai and Subcommittee member Ms Chan Hoi-yan.
NITI Aayog launches Report on ‘Unlocking $25+ Billion Export Potential – India’s Hand & Power Tools Sector’ Global trade market for power and hand tools worth ~$ 100 billion is projected to reach ~$ 190 billion by 2035
Aims to achieve ~$ 25 billion exports in the next 10 years; generate ~35 lakh jobs
Interventions include building world-class hand tool clusters with advanced infrastructure and addressing structural cost disadvantages through market reforms
Posted On: 15 APR 2025 6:02PM by PIB Delhi
NITI Aayog launched a report on Hand and Power tools sectors – ‘Unlocking $25+ Billion Export Potential – India’s Hand & Power Tools Sector’.The report underscores the transformative potential of hand and power tools industry for India’s economic growth, delving into the challenges, policy headwinds, and necessary interventions vital for strengthening the Indian hand and power tool ecosystem. It outlines a strategic path for the sector to enhance its global competitiveness and capture a significantly larger share of the international market. The report was launched by Shri Suman Bery, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog in the presence of Dr. V.K. Saraswat, Member, Dr. Arvind Virmani, Member, and Shri BVR Subrahmanyam, CEO, NITI Aayog.
The report suggests that the global trade market for power and hand tools, currently valued at approximately $ 100 billion, is projected to grow significantly, reaching around $ 190 billion by 2035. Within this market, hand tools account for $ 34 billion and are expected to expand to $ 60 billion by 2035, while power tools, including tool accessories, represent $ 63 billion and are anticipated to surge to $ 134 billion, with electrical tools comprising the majority. China dominates global exports, holding about 50% of the hand tools market with $ 13 billion and 40% of the power tools market with $ 22 billion, whereas India has a smaller presence, exporting $ 600 million in hand tools (1.8% market share) and $ 470 million in power tools (0.7% market share).
One important finding of the report is that India has the potential to capture a larger share of the global market, targeting $ 25 billion in exports over the next decade, which could create approximately 35 lakh jobs by achieving a 10% market share in power tools and 25% in hand tools. Through fostering innovation, empowering our MSMEs, strengthening India’s industrial ecosystem, we can solidify the nation’s position as a reliable, high-quality global manufacturing hub. The potential rewards for Indian economy and its people are immense.
The report also analyses the challenges which India may face, including a 14-17% cost disadvantage compared to China, driven by higher structural costs and smaller operational scale. This disadvantage stems from elevated raw material costs, such as steel, plastic, and motors, as well as lower labour productivity due to higher overtime wages and restrictions on overtime hours. Furthermore, higher interest rates and logistics costs for transporting goods from inland states to ports further hinder India’s competitiveness in the global market.
To achieve India’s potential of $ 25 billion in power and hand tool exports over the next decade, the report delves into the issues impacting hand and power tools sectors and recommends three key categories of interventions which are essential. These include:
Developing world-class hand tool clusters with advanced infrastructure is critical, requiring 3-4 clusters aggregating around 4,000 acres. These clusters operating under a public-private partnership (PPP) model would feature plug-and-play infrastructure, worker housing, and facilities like connectivity and convention centers to streamline operations.
Addressing structural cost disadvantages through market reforms is necessary, including rationalizing Quality Control Order (QCO) restrictions and import duties on essential raw materials like steel and machinery, simplifying the Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) scheme by easing Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) requirements, and reducing penal provisions like interest on defaults. Additionally, reforms to building regulations and labour laws are needed to enhance competitiveness.
Providing bridge cost support to offset cost disadvantages is crucial, though no additional support beyond existing schemes like Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) and duty drawbacks is required if factor market interventions are effectively implemented. However, the report estimates that in the absence of these reforms, an additional RS. 8,000 crores in bridge support will be necessary, which should be viewed as an investment rather than a subsidy, as it is expected to generate 2-3 times its value in tax revenue over the next five years.
The report observes that the tools industry serves as a foundational pillar of the global manufacturing ecosystem. The Hand and Power Tools sector represents a significant opportunity to realise India’s ambition of becoming a ‘global manufacturing hub’. The report underlines that India stands at the cusp of becoming a developed nation i.e Viksit Bharat @ 2047, where the industrial eco-system will play a pivotal role. The Hand and Power Tools sector will help enhance our domestic manufacturing and expand our global footprint by $ 25 billion in the next 10 years, with the growth in the construction and DIY markets, augmenting the “Make in India” initiative and accelerating nation’s economic growth.