Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the ‘Bharat Vann’ green initiative at Lodhi Colony Park, New Delhi. The initiative aims to promote urban ecological restoration and increase green cover in Delhi. It was launched in collaboration with the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC). A dense green forest area will be developed using indigenous plants suited to the local environment. The one-acre site is planned to have more than 10,000 plants. The area will also provide facilities for walking, meditation and yoga.

GIFT City (Gujarat International Finance Tec-City) has improved by nine places to rank 37th globally in the latest Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI 40). It was ranked 46th in GFCI 39, showing a significant improvement in its overall ranking. GIFT City has also entered the top 15 financial centres in the Asia-Pacific region. The GFCI evaluates financial centres on factors such as FinTech capabilities, access to finance, skilled talent, regulatory environment and ICT infrastructure. GIFT City is India’s first International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) and serves as a hub for financial and IT services. It supports sectors including banking, financial services, insurance, IT/ITeS and FinTech.

The 3rd FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry) Conference on Digitalization, AI, Automation & Technology Integration in Mining & Metals was held in New Delhi. The conference focused on enhancing competitiveness of India’s mining and metals sector. It brought together policymakers, industry leaders, technology providers, startups, researchers and international partners.

The fourth instalment of ₹3,000 under the Annapurna Yojana was transferred to the bank accounts of around 1.5 crore women beneficiaries in West Bengal. Annapurna Yojana is implemented by the Women and Child Development and Social Welfare Department, Government of West Bengal. The scheme aims to provide assured monthly financial assistance to eligible women residing in West Bengal. It focuses on women’s empowerment and socio-economic upliftment. Eligible women receive ₹3,000 per month through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). The assistance is credited directly to the beneficiary’s Aadhaar-linked bank account.

India made its first direct soil carbon payments in September 2026. More than 2,500 farmers from Punjab and Haryana are set to receive over ₹2.9 crore through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). The payments are linked to the ‘Aadi’ farmer carbon programme, launched by Grow Indigo in 2019 with technical guidance from Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The Aadi programme currently covers over 2 million acres and more than 1 lakh farmers across seven States.