Tea Board Announces Start Dates for 2025 Tea Plucking and Manufacturing
The Tea Board of India has announced dates for the commencement of tea plucking and manufacturing for the 2025 season across several key tea-producing regions. This decision follows consultations with industry stakeholders and scientific institutions to ensure alignment with the natural cropping patterns of tea bushes.
NMC to Form Specialty Expert Committees for PG Medical Education
The PGMEB is calling on faculty and specialists from across the country to participate in these committees. Eligible individuals include those working in private and government medical colleges, as well as Institutes of National Importance and NBEMS-recognized medical institutions.
Air Cooler and Air Filters (Quality Control) Order, 2025
The Indian government has issued the “Air Cooler and Air Filters (Quality Control) Order, 2025,” mandating compliance with specific Indian Standards and the use of the Standard Mark for these products. This order aims to ensure the quality and performance of air coolers and air filters sold in the country. It was published on January 30, 2025 and has come into immediate effect.
Draft Amendments Proposed to Inland Vessel Navigation Rules
The draft clarifies how gross tonnage is calculated. The rules also propose to include a new “Chapter V – Conduct of Inland Vessels of Restricted Visibility”. It is also proposed that the rules be amended to specify the vertical separation (approximately 1 meter) between the two all-round red lights and the two balls or similar shapes used as signals.
Promoting Ease of living: Aadhaar Authentication for Good Governance Rules
The amendment enables both government and non-government entities to avail Aadhaar authentication service for providing various services in the public interest for related specific purposes like enablement of innovation, spread of knowledge, promoting ease of living of residents and enabling better access to services for them. This will help both the service providers as well as the service seekers to have trusted transactions.
New foreign policy: No more track & trace for medicine export
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has decided to streamline export regulations by aligning with the evolving regulatory framework of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoH&FW). Accordingly, the provisions related to the Track and Trace System for pharmaceutical exports under the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) are being withdrawn.
Insuring Healthcare for old age: new initiatives
The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has introduced several measures to protect senior citizens from exorbitant health insurance premium hikes. One of the most significant changes is the cap on premium increases, ensuring that health insurance premiums for senior citizens cannot be raised by more than 10% in a year. Additionally, if insurers wish to increase premiums beyond this limit, they must first seek approval from IRDAI.
