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The Ministry of Labour and Employment recently directed the Employees' Provident Fund Organization (<keyword id="19966712" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="EPFO" source="keywords">EPFO</keyword>) to ensure the activation of UAN (<keyword id="20789489" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="universal-account-number" source="keywords">Universal Account Number</keyword>) via Aadhar-based OTP. The outreach is part of announcements made during the Union Budget 2024-25, which aim to maximize the net of beneficiaries under the Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme. The central government has already directed concerned ministries and departments to ensure that payment of all subsidies and incentives under all welfare schemes occurs via the Aadhar Payment Bridge and that 100% biometric Aadhar authentication is achieved. Notably, Aadhaar-based verification eliminates the need for producing multiple documents to prove one's identity. In the first stage, all employers must complete <keyword id="24089674" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="UAN-activation" source="keywords">UAN activation</keyword> through Aadhar-based OTP for all employees who've joined the company in the current financial year by November 30, 2024. Starting with their latest recruits, employers will have to finish this process for all their employees. As per the budget announcements, the government will implement 3 schemes for 'Employment Linked Incentive' as part of the Prime Minister's package. These will be based on enrollment in the EPFO and focus on recognition of first-time employees and support to employees and employers. The ELI Scheme aims to create over 2 crore jobs in the country in 2 years. This will significantly contribute to increasing employment opportunities and enhancing livelihoods. UAN activation provides employees with seamless access to EPFO's comprehensive online services, enabling them to efficiently manage their Provident Fund (PF) accounts, view and download PF passbooks, submit online claims for withdrawals, advances, or transfers, update personal details, and track claims in real-time. This allows employees 24/7 access to EPFO services from the comfort of their homes, eliminating the need for physical visits to EPFO offices. For the uninitiated, UAN is a 12-digit number allotted to each member of EPFO (Employee Provident Fund Organization). Think of UAN as a single-point number that brings together multiple member IDs that have been allocated to a particular employee. In September this year, EPFO added 18.81 lakh members, registering a 9.33% YoY growth.

EPFO to ensure UAN activation for employees through Aadhaar-based OTP

The department for promotion of industry and internal trade (<keyword id="19952901" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="DPIIT" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="DPIIT" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="DPIIT">DPIIT</keyword>) on Monday asked <keyword id="19957196" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="white-goods" source="keywords">white goods</keyword> manufacturers to participate in large numbers to avail fiscal benefits under the <keyword id="19952889" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="production-linked-incentive" source="keywords">production linked incentive</keyword> scheme for the sector as the response has been muted so far. Additional Secretary in the DPIIT Rajeev Singh Thakur said that the department has again reopened the application window for the PLI (production linked incentive) scheme for white goods (<keyword id="20360726" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ACs" source="keywords">ACs</keyword> and LED lights). The application window is open from July 15 to October 12. "In the PLI in white goods scheme, somehow the response has been muted. ...Probably due to various reasons not sufficient response has come. So I request (the industry) to have a look and probably this time, you can consider (applying)," Thakur said at the CII Consumer Electronics and Durables Summit 2024 here. So far, 66 applicants with committed investment of Rs 6,962 crore have been selected as beneficiaries under the PLI scheme. The Union Cabinet had given approval for the PLI scheme for white goods for <keyword id="19914449" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="manufacturing" source="keywords">manufacturing</keyword> of components and sub-assemblies of Air Conditioners (ACs) and LED lights on April 7, 2021. The scheme is to be implemented over a seven-year period, from 2021-22 to 2028-29, and has an outlay of Rs 6,238 crore. He added that the department can hold talks with the industry separately on issues like quality control orders and logistics. Thakur told the industry that the time is right to increase investments into the country as the government has enhanced its capex and taken steps to promote <keyword id="19996629" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ease-of-doing-business" source="keywords">ease of doing business</keyword>. The public capex in the last 10 years is growing at a fast pace in areas like highways, expressway, ports, airports and railways, but the commensurate response of the private sector "somehow is not up to the expectation", he said. Earlier speaking at the event, DPIIT Secretary Amardeep Singh Bhatia said that a lot of steps have been taken to promote ease of doing business, cutting down compliance burden and decriminalisation of minor offences. The government has also recently approved 12 industrial townships and the industry can look at investing there. He added that capital availability is not an issue now and the government has also provided protection to the industry from predatory imports. Schemes like PLI and semiconductor mission have been rolled out to promote manufacturing and "now we want the industry" to ensure that they have necessary collaborations in place for technology and investments. The industry should do collaborations not only to target the domestic market but also become part of global value chains. "That is an expectation we are having from the entire industry and I think industry will rise to meet these expectations... We have a huge demographic dividend and the industry should take advantage of this otherwise we will miss it," Bhatia added. He also said that there is no paucity of adequate skilled labour in the country and logistics costs too are coming down. On logistics, he cited examples of Amazon and Flipkart selling goods in the remotest part of the country. "I don't think industry should look at the current domestic demand only for collaborations. They should look at the future and export market also in addition to the domestic market," he said, adding expenditure on research and development is "abysmally" low and that needs to be enhanced. 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Govt asks white goods industry to apply for manufacturing sops in large numbers

Domestic firms will <keyword id="6356112" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="lease" source="Orion">lease</keyword> an estimated 60-65 million square feet of <keyword id="181150" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="office-space" source="Orion">office space</keyword> between 2024 and 2025, according to <keyword id="20060150" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cbre" source="keywords">CBRE</keyword> South Asia's report, '<keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="india" source="keywords">India</keyword> Inc's Ascension - The Rise of Domestic Firms as an Office Demand Driver'. Domestic companies have been responsible for nearly 47 per cent of office leasing activity from 2022 to H1 2024, marking a departure from the traditional dominance of global corporations, particularly American firms. During 2022-2023, domestic firms experienced a 60 per cent surge in office space absorption compared to the pre-pandemic period of 2018-2019. Key occupier groups have secured significant spaces in prime locations across major cities, with <keyword id="19913115" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="delhi-ncr" source="keywords">Delhi-NCR</keyword> leading, followed by <keyword id="6354321" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="bengaluru" source="Orion">Bengaluru</keyword> and Mumbai. E-commerce and life sciences companies have driven occupancy in Bengaluru and Hyderabad, respectively, while Mumbai has captured a substantial 43 per cent share of domestic <keyword id="19910880" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="bfsi" source="keywords">BFSI</keyword> leasing, with strong contributions from Delhi-NCR and Chennai. The report attributes the robust growth of India's office market to several factors, including government initiatives like Make in India and the <keyword id="19952889" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="production-linked-incentive" source="keywords">Production Linked Incentive</keyword> (PLI) Scheme. These programs, along with increased domestic manufacturing, employment generation, and a well-capitalized banking sector, have created a supportive environment for business expansion. Other contributing factors include low corporate leverage ratios and improved access to capital, which have enhanced the investment capacity of Indian companies. India's talent pool, with approximately 2.5 million STEM graduates and a thriving start-up ecosystem featuring over 100 unicorns, has also been a major driver of growth. With over 38 sector skill councils, the government's focus on bridging the skill gap is preparing domestic firms for future demands, further bolstering the office leasing sector. Flexible space operators, technology, and BFSI sectors have emerged as the primary drivers of office leasing, collectively accounting for two-thirds of all domestic activity. The RCA sector, which includes legal, taxation, HR, and media services, is also playing a significant role in boosting domestic leasing. Additionally, Indian engineering and manufacturing firms, which currently represent 7-8 per cent of domestic office leasing, are expected to expand into <keyword id="20270212" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tier-ii" source="keywords">Tier-II</keyword> and Tier-III cities, which are emerging as manufacturing hubs. Anshuman Magazine, Chairman and CEO, India, Southeast Asia, Middle East &amp; Africa, CBRE, said, "India's rapidly expanding start-up ecosystem and talent abundance are major drivers of this demand. As India's major urban centers continue to grow and diversify, the demand for premium office spaces will shape the future of the commercial real estate market, setting new standards for innovation and excellence. He added, "India's top nine cities are poised to see an impressive addition of ~185 million sq. ft. of premium office space by 2026. This dramatic increase in office space is a testament to several key factors driving the transformation of the commercial real estate landscape". Ram Chandnani, Managing Director, Advisory and Transaction Services, CBRE India, said, "Advances in technology, especially artificial intelligence (AI), are poised to further transform the office sector. While AI may cause job displacement in some areas, it will also create new opportunities and necessitate comprehensive workforce reskilling. The surge in workforce needs, driven by digitalization, evolving workplace strategies, and enhanced business confidence, has substantially boosted leasing activity."

Domestic firms to lease 60-65 million sq ft office space by 2025: CBRE report

The Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for <keyword id="19899038" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="drones" source="keywords">drones</keyword> and drone components is a kickstarter for the sector to progress and should not be considered as a permanent subsidy scheme by the government, according to Union Minister <keyword id="19895367" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Piyush-Goyal" source="keywords">Piyush Goyal</keyword>. "The <keyword id="19981334" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="PLI-scheme" source="keywords">PLI scheme</keyword> is not an end to itself, infect the purpose of the PLI is to kickstart the industry. This is not a permanent subsidy. The aim is not to make the industry dependent on the subsidy of the government," Goyal said. The Union Minister's remaks came during his address at the International Innovation Conclave organised by the <keyword id="22293565" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="PHD-Chamber-of-Commerce-Industry" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="PHD Chamber of Commerce &amp; Industry" meta.hostid="329" meta.entityid="PHD Chamber of Commerce &amp; Industry">PHD Chamber of Commerce &amp; Industry</keyword> (PHDCCI) in New Delhi on Thursday. Goyal noted that technological progress in the drone industry will help farmers in getting higher quality crops and will also help in increasing the yield of crops, The minister pointed out that drones will help in combating erratic weather patterns. Praising the development of technology and growth in the drone industry on the strength of innovation, he asserted that the development of the drone ecosystem and deploying them in villages across the nation aligns with the PM's 'NAMO Drone Didi' initiative that will help empower the women in the agriculture sector. "In the third term of the PM's administration we will work at triple the speed, ensure three times the result and hope to become the third largest economy in the world", said the Union Minister. He further stated that drones have the ability to contribute to the cooperative sector, Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and to Farmers Producer Organisation (FPOs) as a shared facility with the help of agri-infra funds in delivering fertilisers and reducing wastage and expenses of the farmers. The Union Minister said that for financing and mentoring of the drone ecosystem, (Small Industries Development Bank of India) SIDBI can be roped in to promote the sector. On the startup ecosystem, the Minister said that 18 Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) have already been offered in the first half of 2024 and 17 IPOs were offered in 2023. Goyal added that under the guidance of <keyword id="19899320" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="PM-Modi" source="keywords">PM Modi</keyword>, the country has seen windfall investments from foreign investors and there has been a massive push for infrastructure. He further stated that easing of regulations and compliance burden on startups along with enabling Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) have been the primary focus of PM Modi's government. The minister also added that infrastructure growth has a multiplier effect on the economy that leads to demand for goods and services and increases consumption in the country. He stated that PM's infra push has enabled growth of industry and generation of employment that has put the nation on a virtuous cycle of growth. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/webstories/upcoming-smartphones-launching-in-india-in-july-2024/slidelist/111304902.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/webstories/upcoming-smartphones-launching-in-india-in-july-2024/slidelist/111304902.cms" target="_blank">Upcoming smartphones launching in India in July 2024</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/upcoming-cars-launching-in-india-in-july-2024/slidelist/111341281.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/upcoming-cars-launching-in-india-in-july-2024/slidelist/111341281.cms" target="_blank">Upcoming cars launching in India in July 2024</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/hp-envy-x360-14-review/articleshow/111407165.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/hp-envy-x360-14-review/articleshow/111407165.cms" target="_blank">HP Envy x360 14 review – feature-packed laptop with a sleek design</a>

Production Linked Incentive scheme for drones to kickstart industry, not permanent subsidy: Piyush Goyal

As <keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="India" source="keywords">India</keyword>'s <keyword id="19916774" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="exports" source="keywords">exports</keyword> in the first quarter of 2024-25 (April-June) crossed the $200 billion mark, the government has expressed its optimism about reaching its full-year target of $800 billion. "We are quite optimistic and it gives us optimism that we'd be crossing our <keyword id="19944038" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="USD" source="keywords">USD</keyword> 800 billion of trade this year," Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal said on Monday while releasing India's trade data for June. India's overall exports, merchandise and services combined in the month of June were to the tune of $65.47 billion, a 5.4% rise on a yearly basis, commerce ministry data showed. Same month last year it was at $62.12 billion. In break up, <keyword id="22419320" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="exports-of-merchandise-goods" source="Orion">exports of merchandise goods</keyword> rose from $34.32 billion to $35.20 billion, and exports of services rose from $27.79 to $30.27 billion. In May, merchandise and services exports combined were to the tune of $68.29 billion, a 10.2% rise on a yearly basis. The country's <keyword id="19933566" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="imports" source="keywords">imports</keyword> too increased year-on-year in June, data showed today. The same was the case in May. The overall imports, both merchandise and services combined, increased from $69.12 billion to $73.47 billion, a rise of about 6.3%, in June. In the recently concluded financial year 2023-24, India registered record exports at $778 billion. In 2022-23, the country exported goods and services combined at $776.3 billion. In break up, services exports rose from $325.3 billion to $341.1 billion in 2023-24. Merchandise exports though marginally declined from $451.1 billion to $437.1 billion. Among various steps the government took was to launch a <keyword id="8870884" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Production-Linked-Incentive" source="Orion">Production Linked Incentive</keyword> (PLI) scheme in varied sectors, including electronic goods, to make Indian manufacturers globally competitive, attract investments, enhance exports, integrate India into the global supply chain and reduce dependency on imports. These seemed to have reaped dividends. China, Russia, Iraq, <keyword id="19908927" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="uae" source="keywords">UAE</keyword>, and Singapore were among the countries where India's exports in the just-concluded financial year have risen substantially, though with a low base. The other countries in the Top 10 list are the UK, Australia, Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands, and <keyword id="19899437" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="south-africa" source="keywords">South Africa</keyword>. Overall imports declined from $898.0 billion in 2022-23 to $853.8 billion. Both merchandise and services exports declined during the financial year. Overall trade deficit significantly improved from $121.6 billion in 2022-23 to $75.6 billion in 2023-24.

India's Apr-Jun quarter exports cross $200 bln, government optimistic of reaching  $800 bln annual target

The <keyword id="19900449" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="government" source="keywords">government</keyword> on Tuesday said it will launch three <keyword id="22514006" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="employment-linked-schemes" source="keywords">employment-linked schemes</keyword>. While presenting the Union Budget for 2024-25, <keyword id="19956758" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Finance-Minister" source="keywords">Finance Minister</keyword> <keyword id="19916618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nirmala-Sitharaman" source="keywords">Nirmala Sitharaman</keyword> said the government will provide incentives to 30 lakh youth entering the <keyword id="19916569" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="job-market" source="keywords">job market</keyword> by providing one month's PF (provident fund) contribution. She announced that working women hostels will be set up in the country to promote women's participation in the workforce. She added that the government will provide funds to the private sector, domain experts and others for developing climate-resilient seeds. An already existing scheme -- MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee) -- aims to provide 100 days of wage employment in a particular fiscal year to at least one member of every household whose adult members seek manual work. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/budget/news/union-budget-2024-live-updates-finance-minister-nirmala-sitharaman-key-announcements-23-july/liveblog/111942008.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/budget/news/union-budget-2024-live-updates-finance-minister-nirmala-sitharaman-key-announcements-23-july/liveblog/111942008.cms" target="_blank">Union Budget 2024 Live Updates: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to present her record seventh consecutive Budget today</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/expectations-from-union-budget-2024-25-how-will-this-budget-impact-you/articleshow/111946291.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/expectations-from-union-budget-2024-25-how-will-this-budget-impact-you/articleshow/111946291.cms" target="_blank">Union Budget 2024-25: How will this budget impact you?</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/budget/news/heres-a-quick-overview-of-pm-modi-3-0-governments-first-budget-to-be-presented-by-fm-nirmala-sitharaman-today/articleshow/111944393.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/budget/news/heres-a-quick-overview-of-pm-modi-3-0-governments-first-budget-to-be-presented-by-fm-nirmala-sitharaman-today/articleshow/111944393.cms" target="_blank">Here's a quick overview of PM Modi 3.0 government's first budget, to be presented by FM Nirmala Sitharaman today</a>

Government to launch three employment-linked schemes: FM

Union Minister for Communications, Electronics and IT, <keyword id="7796574" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ashwini-Vaishnaw" source="Orion">Ashwini Vaishnaw</keyword>, announced a significant milestone in <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword>'s IT hardware sector, stating that 27 companies have received approval under the <keyword id="8940266" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="production-linked-incentive-scheme" source="Orion">Production Linked Incentive Scheme</keyword> (<keyword id="53367" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="pli" source="Orion">PLI</keyword>) within a short timeframe. Vaishnaw said, "As you're aware, a few months back, PM Modi approved the Production Linked Incentive Scheme (PLI) scheme for IT hardware. And within the very short time frame, I'm very happy to announce that 27 companies have been approved for the PLI." During a press conference, Vaishnaw highlighted that nearly 95 per cent of these approved companies, totalling 23, are ready to commence immediate manufacturing. <keyword id="14377000" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="vaishaw" source="Orion">Vaishaw</keyword> said, "The best part is almost 95 per cent of these, the exact number is 23 out of these are ready to start their manufacturing on day 0. And about 4 companies will start their manufacturing within 90 days". Minister added, "These 27 applications will lead to about investment of Rs 3 thousand crores additional production amount Rs 3 lacs 50 thousand crores and direct employment of about Rs 50 thousand and indirect employment about a lac and 50 thousand. So total employment about 2 lac will be created. The value chain is shifting to India". The remaining four companies are expected to initiate manufacturing within the next 90 days. The approved applications are projected to result in an additional investment of Rs 3,000 crores, with an overall production value of Rs 3.5 lakh crores. The direct employment generated is estimated at around 50,000, while indirect employment opportunities will reach approximately 1.5 lakh, contributing to a total employment boost of 2 lakh. Vaishnaw mentioned 27 companies that have received the PLI approval include Dell, Foxconn, HP, Flextronics, Padget, Lenovo, New Link, Zenus, Mega and <keyword id="545507" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="optimus" source="Orion">Optimus</keyword>, signalling a significant shift in the value chain toward India. The PLI Scheme for IT Hardware, introduced by Prime Minister <keyword id="6354477" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="narendra-modi" source="Orion">Narendra Modi</keyword> and notified on May 29, 2023, with a budgetary outlay of Rs 17,000 crores, aims to enhance the IT hardware manufacturing ecosystem in the country. The scheme is anticipated to stimulate local manufacturing, encouraging the localization of components and sub-assemblies and fostering the development of a robust supply chain within India. Ashwini Vaishnaw previously reported an outstanding response to the PLI scheme for laptops and PCs, with 32 applications received, including major players like HP India, Dell, Acer, Lenovo, and Thomson. The scheme is poised to bring expected incremental production of Rs 3,35,000 crores, an incremental investment of Rs 2,430 crores, and an anticipated direct employment boost of 75,000. The PLI schemes, a part of India's Atmanirbhar and 'Make-in-India' initiatives, aim to enhance global competitiveness, attract investments, boost exports, integrate India into the global supply chain, and reduce dependency on imports across various sectors. (ANI) SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/sports/webstories/ind-vs-aus-icc-world-cup-final-past-battles-head-to-head-record-and-more/slidelist/105309620.cms">India vs Australia ICC World Cup final – Past battles, head-to-head record and more</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/telecom/news/jio-strengthens-market-leadership-with-3-25-mn-new-subscribers-vis-decline-slows/articleshow/105289414.cms">Jio strengthens market leadership with 3.25 mn new subscribers, Vi’s decline slows</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/after-two-months-of-selling-fpis-bet-big-on-india-after-diwali/articleshow/105282517.cms">After two months of selling, FPIs bet big on India after Diwali</a>

"27 companies have been approved for PLI": Ashwini Vaishnaw on India's IT hardware revolution

India’s electric vehicle (EV) sector, often seen as a key player in the country’s clean energy transition, has been called “irrelevant” without government <keyword id="20231384" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="incentives" source="keywords">incentives</keyword> by a recent Bernstein research report. The report highlights the serious challenges automakers face in achieving profitability and scaling operations in the EV segment, which remains heavily reliant on financial support from the government. <h2>Struggling to achieve profitability</h2>The Bernstein report reveals that generating profitable margins in the Indian EV sector is proving to be an uphill battle for automakers. “It is tough to generate sufficient margins and get scale in EVs. Even with hefty incentives, incumbent OEMs are still unprofitable,” the report stated. This underscores the fact that even with <keyword id="20022183" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="government-subsidies" source="keywords">government subsidies</keyword> aimed at promoting <keyword id="20138204" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="electric-mobility" source="keywords">electric mobility</keyword>, automakers are struggling to make EVs financially viable. High production costs, limited infrastructure, and relatively low consumer demand all contribute to this issue. Traditional automakers, particularly in India’s two-wheeler market, are facing significant financial losses. According to Bernstein, while some niche startups may survive, their long-term market share will likely remain limited, and competition will primarily be between established original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). The key challenge for these OEMs is achieving the scale and cost reductions required to compete with the well-entrenched internal combustion engine (ICE) sector. <h2>Reliance on incentives</h2>One of the most striking conclusions from Bernstein’s analysis is the deep reliance of the EV sector on government subsidies. Without these incentives, the <keyword id="19952060" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="EV-Industry" source="keywords">EV industry</keyword> would be unable to compete with traditional ICE vehicles. “The EV Industry is not relevant without incentives currently, and to break the ICE sector, it needs intense focus, scale, and continued cost downs,” the report emphasised. This indicates that while government schemes like GST benefits have helped reduce the cost difference between EVs and ICE vehicles, they are not enough to ensure the long-term sustainability of the EV sector. Bernstein estimates that the overall EV two-wheeler industry in India generates around USD 1.3 billion in annual revenues, but without government support, the sector incurs an EBIT loss of approximately USD 300-400 million. The high cost structure of EVs, combined with the relatively low sales volumes, makes it difficult for companies to operate without subsidies. <h2>Established players face mixed fortunes</h2>Among India’s leading two-wheeler manufacturers, Bernstein noted that <keyword id="19897354" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bajaj-Auto" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Bajaj Auto" meta.hostid="265" meta.entityid="Bajaj Auto">Bajaj Auto</keyword> and <keyword id="20326963" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="TVS-Motors" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="TVS Motors" meta.hostid="265" meta.entityid="TVS Motors">TVS Motors</keyword> are on a similar footing in terms of their performance in the EV space. Bajaj Auto received an "Outperform" rating from Bernstein due to its lower valuations, while TVS Motors was rated "Market Perform" after it was found to be losing approximately 7.5% in EBITDA, or Rs 11,000 per vehicle, despite generating a gross profit margin of 7% without subsidies. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="113631992" title="Tata Nexon EV with a bigger battery launched starting at ₹13.99 lakh" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>Hero MotoCorp, a major player in India’s automotive market, lags behind both Bajaj and TVS in terms of its EV offerings. Bernstein also pointed out that Eicher Motors, which is expected to launch its own <keyword id="19895203" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="electric-vehicles" source="keywords">electric vehicles</keyword> soon, is likely to remain “sub-scale and less relevant” in the competitive EV landscape. Interestingly, <keyword id="19897349" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ola-Electric" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Ola Electric" meta.hostid="265" meta.entityid="Ola Electric">Ola Electric</keyword> (Ola-E) stands out as a startup that has been able to generate positive operating earnings (EBITDA) from its premium models like the S1 Pro and S1 Air, even as it incurs losses on its mass-market model, the S1X. “Our analysis indicates that Ola-E is generating positive operating EBITDA from its premium models, such as the S1 Pro and S1 Air while incurring a loss on its mass-market model, the S1X,” the report said. While Ola has shown some promise, it too remains heavily dependent on subsidies to maintain its financial health. <h2>Long-term outlook</h2>Bernstein’s report paints a challenging picture for the future of India’s EV sector, suggesting that while dominant startups may survive, the majority of the competition will come from traditional automakers. However, without significant scale and continued cost reductions, the EV industry will struggle to become self-sustaining. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="113315022" title="Waiting for the festive season to buy an EV? Cabinet approves PM E-Drive subsidising most EVs, sans electric cars" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>Bernstein emphasised that to truly compete with ICE vehicles, the EV sector needs to focus on scaling up operations, reducing costs, and maintaining long-term commitment. Until these conditions are met, India’s EV industry will remain highly dependent on government support and may continue to face an uphill battle for relevance. In conclusion, while India’s EV sector is seen as a vital part of the country’s clean energy future, Bernstein’s analysis highlights that it is far from being self-reliant. The industry’s heavy dependence on government incentives raises questions about its long-term sustainability and relevance, particularly in the face of ongoing challenges with profitability and scale. (With inputs from ANI)

Why has Bernstein called India’s EV sector 'irrelevant'?

<ul><li><keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword> has manufactured 2 billion smartphones between 2014 and 2022.</li><li>The country is now the second largest manufacturer of smartphones after China.</li><li>98% of the smartphones sold in India in 2022 were manufactured locally.</li></ul> The push to make India a hub for smartphone manufacturing as part of the Make in India initiative is yielding results. India has emerged as the second largest smartphone manufacturer after China. According to a<a href="https://www.counterpointresearch.com/india-mobile-phone-production/"> report</a> by Counterpoint Research, mobile phone production in India has crossed the 2 billion cumulative mark under the Make in India initiative during 2014-2022. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Increase in shipments" comment="subhead" text="Increase in shipments">Increase in shipments</cmsannotation> According to the report domestic production of smartphones is expected to hit 270 million this year, up from last year’s 250 million. Most smartphones sold in India presently are manufactured locally. Out of the 250 million smartphones produced last year, the country exported 20% of the devices. “In 2022, more than 98% of shipments in the overall Indian market were ‘Made in India’, compared to just 19% in 2014,” said Tarun Pathak, research director, Counterpoint Research. It’s not just production that has been on the rise, local value addition has also reached an all-time high. “Local value addition in India currently stands at an average of more than 15%, compared to the low single digits eight years ago,” Pathak added. “The government now intends to capitalise on its various schemes to make India a ‘semiconductor manufacturing and export hub’. Going forward, we may see increasing production, especially for <a href="https://www.counterpointresearch.com/global-smartphone-market-q1-2023-infographic/">smartphones</a>, as India gears to bridge the urban-rural digital divide and also become a mobile phone exporting powerhouse,” Pathak said. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Apple accounts for a huge chunk" comment="subhead" text="Apple accounts for a huge chunk">Apple accounts for a huge chunk</cmsannotation> According to a report by ET, Apple accounted for 25% of the total value of domestically manufactured smartphones in 2022, more than double the 12% in 2021. While Apple’s production has increased by 65% year-on-year in 2022, its value has increased by 162%. One of the reasons for this could be the increased sales of premium <keyword id="57315" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="iphones" source="Orion">iPhones</keyword>. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="India records 23% CAGR" comment="subhead" text="India records 23% CAGR">India records 23% CAGR</cmsannotation> India has reportedly recorded a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 23%. Huge internal demand, increasing digital literacy and government’s push are reported to be the top reasons for this growth. The Indian government has introduced schemes such as Phased Manufacturing Program (PMP), Make in India, <keyword id="8870884" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="production-linked-incentive" source="Orion">Production Linked Incentive</keyword> (PLI) and Atmanirbhar Bharat to increase local manufacturing. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/gadgets/news/with-smartwatches-leading-the-pack-indian-wearables-market-grows-over-50-in-the-first-half-of-2023/articleshow/102638102.cms">With smartwatches leading the pack, Indian wearables market grows over 50% in the first half of 2023</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/news/cash-card-or-talk-rbi-bats-for-conversational-upi-increased-offline-payments/articleshow/102599474.cms">UPI joins the AI bandwagon, offline payments get a push</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/auto-sales-slip-5-percent-in-july-companies-build-up-inventory-ahead-of-the-festive-season/articleshow/102494498.cms">As auto sales slip in July, dealers pin hopes on upcoming festive fervour</a>

India crosses the 2 billion mark in its journey to become a smartphone manufacturing powerhouse

With just 2 days to go before finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman presents the union budget 2024, various sectors are abuzz with their expectations from the first full fledged budget to be presented under PM Modi's third consecutive term. Most experts anticipate the budget to focus heavily on boosting consumer demand and accelerating infrastructure development. In fact, president Murmu has already hinted that the budget will be historic, both in its scope and announcements. As such, what is it that the Indian insurance industry, driven by IRDA's vision of "Insurance for all by 2047" want from this budget? Lets find out <h2>Capture the <keyword id="21409017" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="annuity-market" source="keywords">annuity market</keyword> </h2>Subhrajit Mukhopadhyay, Executive Director, Edelweiss <keyword id="19936531" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="life-insurance" source="keywords">Life Insurance</keyword> anticipates that the upcoming budget should tackle the issue of how annuities are taxed. Currently, they are completely taxable in the hands of customers, which reduce its attractiveness, vis a vis other retirement planning options like NPS (National Pension System). According to a recent report by UNFPA, the population of number of individuals in the country who are aged 60 or more is set to double to around 346 million in the next 30 years. As such, it becomes all the more important to create awareness regarding retirement planning, and ensuring the aged have a secure, stable source of income in their twilight years, which is where annuities come in. "India’s vast ageing population underlines its burgeoning pension and annuity market. Annuity caters to the key dilemma of a pensioner, for a life-long pension at a steady, guaranteed rate and exposes the investors to a reinvestment rate risk especially in a volatile interest rate scenario. Annuities are the only solution, which provide complete protection from the perspective of living longer (i.e. outliving one’s corpus), by providing a regular flow of income throughout one’s lifetime, purchased in lieu of a single lump-sum amount. Currently, tax incentive is offered for people to accumulate corpus in NPS under Section 80CCD (1b ). A similar incentive may also be extended to annuities", noted Mukhopadhyay <h2>Separate sops for <keyword id="19894985" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="health-insurance" source="keywords">health insurance</keyword> premiums </h2>One of the most vocal demands of the insurance industry at the moment is to increase the tax deduction limit for premiums paid towards life and health insurance. At present, individuals aged below 60 can claim an annual deduction of up to Rs 25,000 towards health insurance premiums paid for self, spouse or children. The limit goes up to Rs 50,000 in case of senior citizens. Mr. Rakesh Goyal, Managing Director, Probusinsurance.com hopes that the budget will raise this limit to Rs 50,000 for self, spouse, and children, and Rs 1 lakh for senior citizens. Anup Rau Managing Director &amp; Chief Executive Officer of Future Generali India Insurance Company Limited, agrees to this. “Making insurance products affordable and accessible to masses will be crucial to ensure India achieves “Insurance for All by 2047” – a goal set by IRDAI - and this calls for certain <keyword id="20071222" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tax-incentives" source="keywords">tax incentives</keyword>. The deduction limit on health insurance premium under Section 80D has remained unchanged for the past nine years despite the fact that there has been a significant rise in healthcare costs across the country. Interestingly, India, which surpasses South Asian peers with a medical inflation rate of 14%, last witnessed an enhancement in the deduction limit in 2015-16. Also, these benefits need to be extended to the new tax regime as well since increasing health <keyword id="20998941" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="insurance-penetration" source="keywords">insurance penetration</keyword> is critical", he adds. Goyal goes a step ahead, and advocates for creating a separate exemption limit for insurance premiums, in addition to the existing threshold of Rs 1,50,000. "Right now, Indians get a tax exemption of Rs 1.5 lakh every year, but it's crowded with various financial products. We would expect the limit to increase or to establish a separate exemption limit specifically for life insurance premiums. This move would help increase countrywide insurance penetration", says Goyal. Krishnan Ramachandran, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD&amp;CEO) of Niva Bupa Health Insurance also advocates for the 80D tax exemption to be linked to inflation and revised periodically. Also, per him, tax exemptions should also extend to dependent family members like siblings. Syed Meraj Naqvi,CEO &amp; Principal Officer, Riskbirbal Insurance Brokers also thinks on similar lines. "Adding a portion of medical insurance premiums for tax relief alongside the current 1,50,000 deduction limit would not only ease financial burdens but also encourage the younger generation to embrace saving habits. It’s about nurturing a mindset of financial responsibility while ensuring adequate healthcare coverage for all", he notes. Parimal Heda, Chief Investment Officer, Go Digit General Insurance believes that a good way to increase insurance coverage amongst young individuals is by offering a significant tax discount. "This could also be considered particularly for first-time health insurance buyers, especially youngsters. A tax exemption of 200% of the premium amount can be considered under chapter VIA. This can later be reduced in a phased manner of four years to make the same at par with the existing tax benefit provided under Section 80D", Heda observes. <h2>Don't overlook home, vehicle insurance </h2>Even though motor insurance, which makes up for around 50% of the non-life insurance industry (sans health) grew at around 12.9% in FY24, touching Rs 91,781.3 crore, over 50% of vehicles don’t even have a third-party (TP) motor insurance. To counter this, Heda suggests a one-time tax exemption can be offered to people to renew their lapsed TP policy. Additionally, given the increasing frequency of natural calamities adversely impacting human property, it is necessary to increase home insurance penetration to protect homeowners. Per Heda, the government, with the help of RERA can make home insurance mandatory for new homeowners, for which a tax deduction of up to Rs 25,000 can also be considered on home insurance premiums. However, a word of advice. Do not wait for tax breaks, or budget announcements to buy a life, or health insurance in case you already don't have one. Get one right away!

Budget 2024: Three things the insurance sector want from FM Sitharaman this budget.

Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme, government <keyword id="135966" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="financial-support" source="Orion">financial support</keyword>, <keyword id="16061814" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="exemption-from-Goods-and-Services-Tax" source="Orion">exemption from Goods and Services Tax</keyword> (GST) are some of the Budget 2023 wishlist of the Indian Space Association (ISpA). According to ISpA's Director General, Lt. Gen. AK Bhatt (Retd.), the suggestions/wishlist were received from the space industry on tax policies and incentives to promote investment, research and development, and employment in the space sector. The space sector lobby body said PLI for the sector will promote research and development in India and provide incentives to entities engaged in the space sector. The ISpA also wants the government to provide financial support through loans, grants and tax incentives for companies and organisations in the space sector. "Since the new space policy is in its final stages of development, the provision of tax exemption for startups should be continued till the time the incumbent Policy is released/implemented," Bhatt said. Considering that most space-tech companies in India are startups and access to capital is an issue, it would be beneficial to create parity in terms of the short-term capital gains tax rate and treatment with respect to listed and unlisted entities and also provide exemption from Angel tax, the industry body said. The industry also wants the setting up of Space Technology Parks and creating a group of experts for the space ecosystem usage. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/hdfc-bank-q3-net-at-12259-cr/articleshow/96988087.cms" style="">HDFC Bank Q3 net at ₹12,259 cr</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/wipro-results-q3-fy23-wipro-sees-fy23-revenue-guidance-between-11-5-12/articleshow/96969117.cms" style="">Wipro sees FY23 revenue growth at 11.5-12%, Q3 profit growth beats analyst expectations</a>

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