This decrease was primarily driven by a significant drop in food and beverage prices, with vegetable prices entering negative territory for the first time in 20 months.
Since 2014, India has improved electricity access, strengthened energy security, and set a foundation for clean energy transition. However, meeting the 2030 goal requires adding 56 GW of non-fossil capacity annually.
At the heart of the government's strategy is the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), an attached office of the Ministry of Home Affairs, tasked with coordinating efforts to combat all forms of cybercrime, including digital arrest scams.
Choudhary said that to assist states in regulating groundwater resources, the ministry of Jal Shakti drafted a Model ‘Groundwater (Regulation and Control of Development and Management) Bill.’ This bill provides a regulatory framework to curb indiscriminate groundwater extraction while promoting rainwater harvesting and artificial recharge.
A gene bank serves as a biorepository for preserving genetic material, such as seeds, pollen, and tissue samples, collected from various plant species. The primary objective is to protect these valuable resources from extinction and support research, conservation, and breeding efforts.
A central concern of the report is India's underutilized demographic dividend. Despite having a large working-age population, the country's labor force participation rate stands at a mere 56.4 percent, significantly lower than its peers.
Accurate hurricane forecasts are not just scientific achievements; they have tangible benefits for society. Yale Climate Connections highlighted a 2024 study by the National Bureau of Economic Research, which estimated that improved hurricane forecasts could lead to over $10 billion in combined benefits for major hurricanes like Helene and Milton.
Minister of state for agriculture Ashish Jaiswal, who also attended the Nagpur event, emphasised the critical role of these assured funds in providing relief to farmers facing persistent financial challenges.
The centre has sounded an alarm over the likely impact of El Niño on India's 2026 southwest monsoon, warning that 315 districts across 12 states could face significant rainfall deficits during the crucial kharif cropping season.
As South Asia grapples with climate vulnerabilities, economic disparities, and historical animosities, initiatives like COVA’s video competition offer a beacon of hope.