The Central government today announced the implementation of four new labour codes aimed to simplify and streamline the existing, decades-old labour laws in the country. In a social media post, Labour and Employment Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya said that the new labour codes will ensure better wages, safety, social security and welfare for the country’s workforce. The Code on Wages, 2019, the Industrial Relations Code, 2020, the Code on Social Security, 2020 and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 has come into effect from today. Mr. Mandaviya said, these reforms are not just ordinary changes but Government’s Guarantee of Dignity for Every Worker in the country. More from our correspondent:

Labour and Employment ministry said that over the past decade, India has expanded social-security coverage, rising from 19 percent of the workforce in year 2015 to more than 64 percent in 2025. It stated that the implementation of the four Labour Codes marks the next major step in this trajectory, further widening the social-security net and embedding portability of benefits across states and sectors.

The two-day National One Health Mission Assembly 2025 concluded today in New Delhi. The second day featured focused technical deliberations that strengthened the collective national effort to build an integrated and resilient One Health ecosystem. Addressing the event, Member (Health), NITI Aayo,g Dr V K Paul said that the country’s progress in One Health relies on a strong whole-of-government approach that advances a healthier and more resilient future. Dr Paul underscored that community engagement is the foundation of early disease detection, surveillance and rapid response.

He added that community-led mobilisation was one of nation’s greatest strengths during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr Paul also emphasised that One Health preparedness must extend to the grassroots, where frontline workers, local governments and communities form the first line of defence.

India has recorded its highest-ever defence production of one lakh 54 thousand crore rupees in 2024 25. The defence exports have also reached a record 23 thousand 622 crore in 2024- 25 from less than one thousand crore rupees in 2014.

The upward trajectory in defence production is the result of continued government support over the past decade in the form of huge allocations and policy-level support extended to the country’s military industrial base. The Defence Ministry stated that the defence budget has increased from two lakh 53 thousand crore rupees in 2013-14 to six lakh 81 thousand crore rupees in 2025-26, underlining the government’s commitment to strengthening the nation’s military infrastructure.

The government aims to achieve defence manufacturing worth three lakh crore rupees and 50 thousand crore rupees in defence exports by 2029, reinforcing India’s role as a global defence manufacturing hub while boosting economic growth.

Growth in industrial activity in the eight core sectors of the economy remained flat in October 2025, the worst performance in 14 months, according to official data.

Growth in the Index of Eight Core Industries stood at 0% in October 2025, down from 3.8% in October of the previous year and 3% in September this year. October’s performance is the worst since August last year, when the index had contracted 1.5%.

The eight core industries — coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilisers, steel, cement and electricity — together account for 40.27% of the Index for Industrial Production (IIP).

The fourth edition of the Indian Navy’s Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation Seminar Swavlamban 2025 will commence from 26th of this month in New Delhi.

Addressing a curtain raiser event in New Delhi today, Vice Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan said that the Swavlamban 2025 will focus on the Indian Navy’s innovations and indigenisation efforts. He said that the event will be centered around the emerging and disruptive technologies to keep pace with the country’s changing security needs.

Ministry of Defence said that this year’s seminar will include dedicated exhibit zones highlighting niche equipments. The two-day seminar will also host in-depth brainstorming sessions on policy frameworks and procedures to accelerate the adoption of indigenous technologies. The Ministry said that the event aims to bring together innovators, industry partners, academia, MSMEs and Start-ups to strengthen the naval capabilities. The theme for Swavlamban 2025 is Strength and Power through Innovation and Indigenisation.

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) of France today inked technical agreement to deepen collaboration in defence research and development. Defence Ministry said, this strategic partnership aims to leverage the combined expertise and resources of both nations to develop innovative solutions for future defence challenges.

DRDO Chairman Dr Samir V Kamat and Directorate General of Armaments Lieutenant General Gael Diaz de Tuesta signed the agreement in New Delhi. Under the agreement, the transfer of equipment, technologies will be available to both the countries. Key areas of cooperation outlined in this agreement include Aeronautical platforms, Unmanned vehicles, Advanced Materials for defence applications, Cyber Security, Artificial Intelligence, Space, Navigation, Advanced Propulsion, Advanced Sensors, Quantum Technologies, Underwater Technologies and other areas of mutual interest.

Government e-Marketplace (GeM), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance the empowerment and integration of women entrepreneurs from the informal sector into the country’s public procurement ecosystem.

The MoU focuses on promoting gender-responsive procurement by encouraging increased sourcing from women-led businesses, thereby expanding market access for women entrepreneurs under GeM’s Womaniya initiative.

The MoU was signed by Country Representative, UN Women India, Smt. Kanta Singh, and Additional CEO, GeM, Shri Ajit B. Chavan. CEO, GeM, Shri Mihir Kumar presided over the ceremony. In his presidential remarks, he said that the partnership reinforces GeM’s commitment to empowering women entrepreneurs by expanding their access to public procurement and creating forward market linkages through GeM.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Johannesburg, South Africa, from November 21st to 23rd to attend the 20th G20 Leaders’ Summit. This will be the fourth consecutive G20 Summit held in the Global South.

The External Affairs Ministry said in a statement that at the Summit, the Prime Minister will put forth India’s perspectives on the G20 agenda. Prime Minister is expected to speak in all three sessions of the Summit. On the margins of the G20 Leaders’ Summit, Mr Modi is expected to hold bilateral meetings with some of the leaders present in Johannesburg. He will also be participating in the India-Brazil-South Africa Leaders’ Meeting being hosted by South Africa.

Financial services giant HDFC Bank, carrying a brand value of $44.9 billion, has surged past IT consulting behemoth Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) to reclaim its crown as the country’s most valued brand, according to the 2025 Kantar BrandZ Most Valuable Indian Brands report.

As the country’s largest private bank, HDFC Bank has seen its brand value rise 377 per cent since the first BrandZ India Report was released in 2014. Kantar BrandZ calculates brand value by a combination of financial matrices: The share of the parent company’s worth attributed to the brand; and brand contribution, which captures how much the brand drives demand and supports premium pricing.

India’s first Tesla Centre will open on November 26 at Orchid Business Park in Gurugram, adding a new physical location for the company after recent experience centres in Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex and Delhi’s Aerocity.

Unlike the earlier experience centres, which mainly serve as display and brand-familiarisation spaces, the Gurugram Tesla Centre is a fuller retail hub meant for wider customer interaction. It is expected to handle consultations, bookings and test-drive support as Tesla expands its India presence.