DPI powering India's economic ambitions: IBT Newsletter May 6-10, 2024

India's Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) has catapulted the nation into a global economic powerhouse, on track to claim the spot as the world’s third-largest economy by 2027. Spearheaded by transformative platforms like Aadhaar and UPI, India’s DPI has not only revolutionized digital governance but also established a standard for inclusivity and efficiency.

During India’s G20 presidency, DPI achieved historic consensus among major economies, defining its features and showcasing India’s digital leadership. The launch of the Global DPI Repository and the Social Impact Fund further highlighted India’s commitment to sharing its DPI success worldwide, promoting financial inclusion and market innovations.

Projected to contribute nearly 4.2% to India’s GDP by 2030, DPI’s comprehensive impact extends beyond economics, fostering financial inclusion, streamlining operations, and unlocking new markets. As India advances, its DPI remains a linchpin of soft power diplomacy, offering adaptable models for emerging economies and shaping global standards. With collaborative efforts, India’s DPI stands ready to unleash its full potential, driving innovation and solidifying India’s role as a global digital leader.

India’s burgeoning vegetable export sector, reveals a fascinating narrative of growth and opportunity. Exports of vegetables from India have reached US$ 2.1 billion in 2023, marking a notable 20.5% year-on-year increase.

The potential is undoubtedly bright, given India’s diverse agro-climatic zones and stature as the world’s second largest producer of vegetables. However, as we dive deeper, vegetable exports at present are far from performing according to their actual potential. This is due to several challenges, ranging from regulatory complexities to infrastructural limitations.

Our research takes a deep dive at India’s export performance in this sector, how it is positioned in the international trade landscape, contributing products/markets, key challenges and way forward. 

In the second edition of our ‘Tech Trailblazers’ series, we engaged with Ms. Addya Rai , co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of PAiGPT. She has a diverse portfolio of accomplishments, including her role as the founder of Sadhya The Absolute Aim and her dedication as a UPSC mentor and educator. Her passion for education shines through, guiding aspirants towards success in competitive exams.

In this discussion, we delved into a thought-provoking dialogue on the future of PAiGPT and its potential to revolutionise education and learning experiences. Join us as we explore Ms. Rai’s vision for PAiGPT and her invaluable perspectives on the evolution of the ed-tech industry in India. 

India has lifted the restrictions on export of onion that were imposed in the fiscal year 2023–24. The decision has been made after considering the supply, crop, and price situation and consultation with stakeholders. However, while lifting the ban, the government has imposed a minimum export price (MEP) of US$ 550 per tonne, along with 40% export duty, which will prevent a sudden surge in exports despite huge overseas demand.

Sodium-ion batteries present a promising alternative to lithium-ion technology due to sodium’s abundance and cost-effectiveness, addressing concerns over resource depletion and price volatility. Despite their lower energy density, sodium-ion batteries offer safety advantages and suitability for specific applications such as stationary energy storage and medium to low-speed electric vehicles.

As the sodium-ion battery industry matures, it is poised to contribute significantly to a more sustainable and resilient energy infrastructure, alongside promising technologies like solid-state batteries, lithium-sulfur batteries, and graphene.

Backed by government initiatives like the Production-linked Incentive (PLI) program, India aims to emerge as a global drone manufacturing hub by 2030. Agriculture drones, a key segment of this industry, promise to transform farming practices, offering real-time insights into soil health, crop conditions, and water management. By optimizing resource allocation and enabling targeted interventions, drones not only enhance yield but also mitigate environmental impact. Early pest and disease detection further reduces reliance on harmful chemicals, fostering sustainable agriculture.

The Indian agriculture drone market is set to skyrocket, with projections indicating a quadruple expansion over the next five years. With applications ranging from soil analysis to livestock monitoring, drones are becoming indispensable tools for modern farmers. Government schemes like ‘Drone Didi’ and subsidies for nano soil nutrient spraying underscore the commitment to harnessing drone technology for agricultural prosperity. As drones take flight, they pave the way for a greener, more bountiful future for Indian agriculture.

The Indian Army has made a notable announcement that it will cease to import ammunition, apart from specific instances where quantities are unviable for the domestic industry. About 150 of the 175 types of ammunition that the army uses, are already being procured domestically.

India's data center industry is poised for significant growth, with its capacity forecasted to double to 2,000 MW by 2026. This expansion is expected to attract investments totaling Rs 50,000 crore over the next three years.

DGTR has recommended anti-dumping duty in the range of US$ 170 to US$ 870 per tonne on the chemical 'Trichloro isocyanuric acid', used for water treatment, to protect the industry from low cost imports.

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