Editorial
India’s employment narrative in early 2026 reflects a deliberate shift from headline growth to opportunity-led development. Rajasthan’s target of four lakh jobs, backed by a youth-focused Budget, large-scale job fairs, and investment approvals worth nearly Rs 50,000 crore, signals an intent to align public policy with labour-market realities.
Similar momentum is visible across states, where roadmaps, MoUs, sectoral policies and job calendars are being positioned as instruments of accountability. Together, these measures suggest that employment generation is no longer incidental to growth, but a stated metric of governance.
The policy and investment climate further reinforces this direction. Rajasthan’s push to emerge as an aerospace and defence hub, alongside national moves such as the India-EU free trade agreement and the opening of civil nuclear energy to private participation, point to confidence in manufacturing, technology and strategic sectors as engines of jobs.
Economic Survey findings underline the potential of creativity-led services, tourism and urban clusters, while reforms in states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha show how infrastructure, regulatory certainty and sectoral focus can translate into employment at scale. Importantly, the recognition of women entrepreneurship as a growth lever reflects a broader understanding that inclusive participation strengthens economic resilience.
Yet, sustaining ROJGAR -employment- as a durable outcome will depend on addressing structural constraints. Land acquisition bottlenecks, grid and storage gaps in renewable energy, and the need for faster skill alignment with emerging sectors remain critical challenges. Expectations are centred on easing compliance, strengthening tourism and accelerating technology adoption, particularly artificial intelligence.
With growth projections remaining robust despite global uncertainty, the opportunity before policymakers is clear: convert investment, reforms and aspirations into steady, decentralised employment that anchors both economic growth and social stability.
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 Sharma announces State Budget to be youth-focused to accelerate development, aiming to create employment opportunities in the government and private sectors..  India and EU finalise major trade pact, safeguarding economic interests amid complex geopolitical challenges, reflecting strong leadership positions.
 India’s new SHANTI Bill promotes clean energy, allowing private and international investment in the civil nuclear sector. |
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Policy & Investment Climate
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राजस्थान बनेगा एयरोस्पेस-डिफेंस निवेश हब
 नीति शीर्ष क्षेत्रों में निर्माण, नवाचार और रोजगार को बढ़ावा देती है, संपत्ति, पूंजी और कारोबार-आधारित प्रोत्साहनों के साथ।
Governor unveils Rajasthan development roadmap
 Rajasthan Governor outlined growth plans covering investments, infrastructure, employment, and youth; MoUs signed, jobs calendar released, and refinery project worth Rs 63,500 crore.
Economic Survey 2026: Squeeze India’s concert ‘orange’
 Creativity-led sectors drive urban services, tourism, and jobs; growth requires resolving venue shortages and regulatory challenges.
Reforms, roads, rules: UP’s investor dream
 Reform, Perform, Transform framework lifts confidence, with policy certainty, better policing, infrastructure upgrades and transparent administration, says Chief Minister.
बजट से पहले उद्यमियों का मंथन
 फेडरेशन ऑफ राजस्थान ट्रेड एंड इंडस्ट्री: प्रदेश उद्यमियों ने विभिन्न क्षेत्रों की चुनौतियों पर विमर्श किया, अध्यक्ष ने अफ्रीका व्यापार हेतु केंद्र से विशेष प्रोत्साहन मांगा।
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Kerala’s industrial growth steady: Minister Balagopal
 State leader emphasised industry growth via tech-driven companies, improved infrastructure, simplified approvals, and administrative reforms.
MP focuses textile sector for employment growth
 Industry receives top focus for job creation; Union minister Giriraj Singh lauds rapid progress of PM MITRA Park, Dhar.
Cab clears rules for implementation of Global Capability Centres Policy
 Invest UP assigned execution responsibility to boost jobs through captive strategic units under Uttar Pradesh framework 2024..
महिला उद्यमिता से आत्मनिर्भर राजस्थान की दिशा में बड़ा कदम
 दीया कुमारी मुख्य अतिथि रहीं, उत्कृष्ट उद्यमियों का सम्मान किया गया दीया कुमारी ने सशक्तिकरण, गुणवत्ता, रोजगार और वैश्विक पहचान पर जोर दिया।.
Odisha CM inaugurates India's first FRP unit
 Flat-rolled and battery foil facility opened at Sambalpur, creating jobs and strengthening regional industrial development.
Saurashtra to become India’s top manufacturing-export hub
 Master plan targets major initiatives to increase output, enhancing Gujarat’s economy via ceramics, food, engineering, and tourism sectors.
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Infrastructure & Energy Development
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Petrotech, OPEC, India Energy Week: Engagement
 India Energy Week (IEW) took place from 27-30 January in Goa. IEW highlighted India’s dual priorities of energy security and transition. It deliberates on all forms of energy, unlike other international conferences.
CM: Renewable energy crucial for MP development
 At global forum, Madhya Pradesh highlighted affordable clean power as a core growth strategy; Union minister praised the risk-reduction approach.
Trump withdraws US from 66 organisations
 White House announced exit or funding cuts across sixty-six international bodies and accords, citing conflicts with interests under domestic law.
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Budget 2026: Renewable energy sector demands infrastructure
 Focus should move from capacity tallies to grid integration, storage and transmission, addressing operational bottlenecks rather than publicity-led targets.
35% big project issues due to land: Cabinet Secretary Somanathan
 The top administrator said over one-third of infrastructure works are stalled by property procurement, highlighted during PRAGATI, with statutes remaining unchanged..
Budget 2026: Parliament session, FM speech
 Anticipated priorities include strengthening tourism, accelerating artificial intelligence uptake, and easing labour compliance and statutory reporting burdens for start-ups.
Economic Survey Highlights Satnavari Village, Maharashtra Fund
 India’s digitally enabled rural cluster delivers AI soil, crop, and weather alerts; state-backed aerospace venture financing supports MSMEs building military technology.
Economic Survey signals India’s strong growth
 FY2026-27 expansion projected at 6.8-7.2%, amid geopolitical fragmentation, prioritising manufacturing scale-up, workforce skills, and productivity-enhancing reforms.
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Fairs targeted local labour demand; 3.2% unemployment was addressed via National Career Service portal, aiding employment expansion.
राज्य समिति ने विभिन्न औद्योगिक परियोजनाओं को मंजूरी दी, RIPS से अतिरिक्त लाभ, युवाओं के लिए हजारों रोजगार सृजित होंगे।