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Saturday, March 14, 2026
TopicMinistry of Commerce and Industry

Topic: Ministry of Commerce and Industry

Patent chief’s appointment: Centre defends its decision in SC but admits ‘departure from protocol’

The affidavit defending Pandit’s appointment was signed by Arun Kumar Gupta, the same officer who previously issued multiple show cause notices to him for procedural violations.

India’s patent officers on WFH for over a year as office lies vacant due to red tape & unpaid bills

New comptroller general patent designs & trademark authorised renovation work without approval from ministry. Statutory clearances cannot be given since 20% of repair work still incomplete.

Piyush Goyal sets steel production target to 500 million tonnes

The minister urged the industry leaders to focus on economies of scale through decarbonisation to get green steel.

With Musk set to visit India, here’s a look at which Indian states are favourites for auto FDI & why 

Government data shows MNCs have favourite states when it comes to where to invest. Auto companies especially look for specific advantages that some states have & concentrate on those.

India’s trade deficit with China is so far lower in 2023 than last year. Here’s why

Smaller deficit this year could be down to slowing Chinese economy. In terms of volume, Indian exports to China remain roughly one-tenth of Chinese exports to India.

New import management system still restricts import of laptops. Licence has now become ‘authorisation’

Govt had announced in August that imports of laptops, PCs, tablets etc would require a licence. This has now been tweaked, but these items remain in 'restricted' category.

Industry reacts to import curbs on laptops & PCs — ‘timing not ideal’ but boost to Make in India

China accounted for 58% of inflow of 7 items imports of which are now restricted. Move could've been prompted by 'genuine apprehension of a future security risk’, it is learnt.

India foreign trade crosses $1tn in 2022. Record $100bn imports from China widen deficit

With exports worth $453 billion and imports to the tune of $723 billion, India’s overall international trade reached $1.17 trillion, 21% above previous year’s $969 billion, official data show.

Modi govt just expanded scheme to give exporters tax refunds. Why steel industry isn’t cheering

RoDTEP gives refunds to exporters on embedded taxes & duties. But, Indian Steel Association says govt's move doesn't cover sector, which remains weighed down by 4-12% of levies.

Decriminalisation bill can end Inspector Raj and create jobs, wealth and large enterprises

India’s predatory and rent-seeking policy infrastructure ensures that businesses choose to remain under the regulatory radar.

On Camera

Menstrual leave doesn’t work in ‘real world’. And that real world is designed by, for men

When a woman menstruates, when/if she decides to marry, when/if she decides to have kids, should not be factors when looking at a woman’s potential from a hiring standpoint.

US strike on Iran’s key oil export island Kharg raises fears of wider supply disruption

President Trump said the US had bombed military targets on Kharg Island in the Persian Gulf, but spared oil infrastructure.

Supreme Leader Mojtaba, the man Iran must keep alive & the secret force ‘tasked with it’—all about NOPO

The Nirouyeh Vijeh Pasdaran Velayat, or NOPO, was the only force Ali Khamenei trusted.It was founded in 1991 and is more feared than the Revolutionary Guards.

Peaceful power transfers followed uprisings in India’s neighbourhood. It’s a sign of mature democracies

Rating democracies is a tricky business. I am only using the simple metric of who in the Indian subcontinent has had the most peaceful, stable, normal political transitions and continuity.