Deepwater exploration and bamboo biofuel: India’s path to self-reliance
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🚀 In today's Business Bytes: Key policy shifts & market trends shaping India’s trade and industry
🔹 Deepwater Exploration & Bamboo Biofuel India is advancing energy self-reliance through deepwater exploration and bamboo-based biofuel, reducing import dependence while steering toward a sustainable, cleaner energy future.
🔹 A2 Milk Proteins A2 milk, marketed as gentler on digestion since it avoids BCM-7 release, sparks debate on genuine health benefits versus clever marketing strategies.
🔹 India’s Auto Component Growth India’s auto component industry, fueled by cost competitiveness and workforce strength, could reach US$ 200 billion by 2030 amid changing global trade landscapes.
🔹 PLI Scheme for White Goods The government has reopened the PLI scheme for white goods until October 14, enabling new investments under its ₹6,238 crore, seven-year plan.
🔹 Inflation Trends in India India’s retail inflation rose to 2.07% in August 2025, ending a nine-month decline, staying within RBI’s target while highlighting recovery pressures and future policy uncertainties.
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LEAD STORY
Deepwater exploration and bamboo biofuel: India’s path to self-reliance
India has set its sights on energy self-reliance with a two-pronged strategy — launching the National Deepwater Exploration Mission to unlock offshore oil and gas reserves, and inaugurating the country’s first bamboo-based bioethanol plant in Assam. Together, these initiatives underline Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of reducing import dependence while building a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.
The National Deepwater Exploration Mission, described by Modi as Samudra Manthan, is designed to accelerate the search for oil and gas reserves hidden beneath India’s seas. It will focus on deep offshore areas such as the Andaman and Nicobar region, the Bay of Bengal, and the Kerala–Konkan basin. To achieve this, the mission will deploy advanced technologies including the MATSYA-6000 manned submersible, autonomous underwater drones, and state-of-the-art ocean mapping vessels.
A2 Milk in India: Tradition Meets Modern Nutrition or Just Clever Marketing?
Milk proteins include beta-casein, which comes in variants (alleles) such as A1 and A2. Most “regular” cow milk globally is a mix of the two. A2 milk is derived from cows that produce only the A2 variant of the beta-casein protein, typically via the A2A2 genotype. In digestion, the A1 type can release a peptide known as beta-casomorphin-7 (BCM-7), which some studies suggest may contribute to digestive discomfort or inflammation in susceptible people. A2 milk does not release BCM-7 in the same way, so for some, it may be easier on the gut. Importantly, A2 milk is not lactose-free; if someone is lactose intolerant, switching to A2 alone may not resolve the issue.
In India, many indigenous (desi) cow breeds — such as Gir, Sahiwal, Red Sindhi, Tharparkar, Rathi, and others — are found to carry the A2 allele (often in homozygous A2A2 form). Studies suggest that these native breeds are major natural sources of A2 milk.
India’s auto components industry to reach US$ 200 billion by 2030
With rapidly shifting global trade dynamics, India is emerging as a pivotal player in the auto component sector, supported by its cost advantage, skilled workforce, and expanding domestic market. A McKinsey report, “Shaping the Future of India’s Auto Component Industry amid Global Trade Shifts,” projects that the industry could touch the US$ 200 billion mark by 2030.
The report notes that geopolitical and structural shifts are reshaping global trade, with US$ 12–14 trillion worth of trade expected to shift across trade corridors by 2035. Despite the disruptions, total trade is forecast to rise from US$ 33 trillion in 2024 to between US$42 trillion and US$ 45 trillion by 2035.
Government reopens PLI scheme for white goods
The government has reopened the 30-day PLI scheme window for white goods (ACs and LED lights) from September 15 to October 14, allowing new and existing applicants to invest further. The scheme is planned for a seven-year implementation period, spanning FY 2021-22 to FY 2028-29, with a total outlay of ₹6,238 crore.
The ministry stated that the decision to reopen the scheme comes in response to strong industry interest in making further investments under the initiative. The Union Cabinet had originally approved the ₹6,238 crore scheme on April 7, 2021, to be implemented over a seven-year period until 2028-29. To date, 83 applicants, with committed investments totaling ₹10,406 crore, have been selected as beneficiaries.
India’s retail inflation rises to 2.07% as food prices ease
India’s retail inflation ticked up to 2.07% in August 2025, ending a nine-month decline that began in November 2024, signaling a subtle shift in the country’s economic landscape. This modest rise, reported by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, places inflation comfortably within the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) 2-6% target range, reflecting a delicate balance between price stability and emerging pressures. Driven by factors like elevated global commodity prices and base effects, this uptick offers insights into India’s ongoing recovery while raising questions about future monetary policy directions.
Food and beverage inflation stayed nearly flat at 0.05% in August, a significant drop from 5.3% a year earlier, primarily due to sharp deflation in vegetables (-15.9%) and pulses (-14.5%). These trends, supported by robust domestic supply and favorable harvests, have been crucial in keeping overall inflation subdued. However, edible oils recorded a 21.2% inflation rate, driven by higher global commodity prices and a low base effect, highlighting contrasting pressures within the food category.
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