US Gold Card, Clean Energy, Cancer Care

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It’s February 27. Today, we’re covering the impact of the US gold card citizenship on Indian immigrants, India’s 2030 clean energy goals, cancer care funding, and more.

Policy & Governance

> Strict Penalties to Curb Proxy Leadership in Panchayats
A government panel has recommended strict penalties to curb proxy leadership by male relatives in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). Despite 46.6% women representation, many serve as figureheads. The panel suggests policy reforms, tech-based monitoring, gender-exclusive quotas, public swearing-in, and watchdog committees. (The Hindu)

> Government Sets Lowest Highway Construction Target Since 2019
The government has set a target of constructing 10,000 km of national highways in 2025-26, the lowest in seven years. The previous low was 10,237 km in 2019-20, while the highest was 13,327 km in 2020-21 despite the pandemic. Sources suggest the target may be revised, but the pace is expected to slow as fewer projects are under implementation. (Times of India)

> Employment, Housing Schemes Make Up 75% of Rural Development Budget
The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G) account for 75% of the ₹1.87 lakh crore allocated to the Department of Rural Development in the 2025-26 Union Budget. MGNREGS, which guarantees 100 days of wage employment, received 46% of the budget, while PMAY-G, the rural housing scheme, got 29%. The department’s budget saw an 8% increase from the previous year. (Business Standard)

Environment

> India Lags on 2030 Clean Energy Goals
India must double its solar and wind capacity growth over the next five years to hit its 2030 target, despite a record 28 GW added in 2024. The country aims for 500 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030, up from 165 GW today, but is still short of its 175 GW target for 2022. Green energy investment also lags—India raised $13 billion last year, far below the $68 billion needed annually to hit the 500 GW goal. (Reuters, Financial Times)

> Mumbai Faces Rare February Heatwave
Mumbai is experiencing an unusual February heatwave, with temperatures exceeding 37°C. The IMD issued a heatwave warning for Tuesday and Wednesday, attributing the rise to delayed sea breezes caused by easterly winds. Typically, Mumbai's February weather remains mild due to coastal cooling, but this year’s pattern has led to higher daytime heat. (Hindustan Times)

> Government to Announce Emission Targets for Key Industries
The government will set emissions intensity targets for nine industrial sectors by month-end to operationalize India’s carbon trading scheme. Industries will have a year to implement compliance measures, with carbon credit trading expected by October 2026, according to the Bureau of Energy Efficiency. (The Hindu)

Business

> US Gold Card Could Deter Indian Migration – US President Donald Trump has introduced a $5 million gold card visa, offering permanent residency and a path to citizenship. However, immigration experts say it may not attract many Indians due to its high cost. The soon-to-be-phased-out EB-5 visa program allowed residency through investments of $800,000–$1.05 million and had a cap of about 700 Indian applicants per year. The Gold Card’s steep financial barrier makes it viable only for ultra-high-net-worth individuals. (The Hindu Business Line)

> Pharmaceutical Sector Improves US FDA Compliance
The share of Indian pharmaceutical firms receiving the Official Action Indicated (OAI) tag dropped from 23% in 2014 to 11% in 2024, below the global average of 14%. OAI means regulatory and/or administrative actions are recommended by the US FDA. Meanwhile, India’s share of US FDA inspections has risen from 6% to 18%, reflecting its growing role in the global pharmaceutical supply chain. (Business Standard)

> MOC Cancer Care Raises $18M to Expand Cancer Treatment Network
Mumbai-based MOC Cancer Care & Research Centre has secured $18 million in funding led by Elevation Capital to expand its cancer treatment network. This follows a fundraise of $10 million from Tata Capital Healthcare Fund in 2023. MOC operates 24 centers across Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, and has 47 oncologists. (The Hindu Business Line)

Tech, Media & Telecom

> Delhi HC Fines Amazon $39M for Trademark Infringement
The Delhi High Court has ordered Amazon to pay $39 million (₹340 crore) in damages to Lifestyle Equities for infringing its ‘Beverly Hills Polo Club’ trademark. The ruling stems from a 2020 lawsuit in which Lifestyle Equities alleged that Amazon used a deceptively similar mark on apparel and other products sold on its platforms. (Bar and Bench)

> Nothing’s Co-Founder Takes Over India Operations – Akis Evangelidis, co-founder of the London-based consumer electronics company Nothing, has taken over as the company’s India President. Nothing aims to expand its retail presence to over 12,000 stores by the end of 2025 across the country. India has become a key market, with Nothing registering 577% year-on-year growth in 2024, driven by demand for the Phone 2a series and its sub-brand, CMF. (Digit)

> Government Partners with Paytm to Support Fintech & Manufacturing Startups
The government signed a memorandum of understanding with Paytm to support fintech and manufacturing startups through mentorship, market access, and funding. The initiative aims to foster innovation and regulatory compliance. (Economic Times)

> India’s Tablet Market Grows 42.8% in 2024
India shipped 5.73 million tablets in 2024, marking a 42.8% year-on-year (YoY) growth. Rising notebook prices and improved Android features boosted demand. The consumer segment grew 19.2% YoY while the commercial segment saw 69.7% YoY growth. (source report, The Hindu)

Etcetera

> Tunnel Evacuation – Rescue efforts intensified for 8 men trapped in Telangana’s SLBC tunnel, with elite forces and agencies working on a final plan for safe evacuation. (Indian Express)

> Train Overcrowding – Indian Railways cites social duty, complex logistics, and the need to maintain affordable travel access for low-income passengers as reasons for continuing ticket sales despite overcrowding. (India Today)

> Kumbh Finale – With the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj concluding yesterday, the total turnout crossed 65 crore. Locals assisted attendees in spite of added traffic and other woes for the last 45 days. (Money Control)

Worth a Look

Deepika Sehrawat’s stunning comeback goal against world champions Netherlands, with the Indian women’s hockey team trailing 2-0, is absolutely worth 41 seconds of your time.

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