Laghu Udyog Bharati

Weekly Insights for Entrepreneurs

Business Loan: New MSME Credit Card to Provide Cheap Loans, Govt Guarantee Included

The central government is soon working on a plan to bring a special low-interest credit card for MSMEs. The purpose of this step is to provide timely capital to small businessmen, so that there is no hindrance in their work.
This will be only for those microenterprises that are registered on the Udyam portal. The maximum limit of this card will be up to ₹ 5 lakh, and its interest rate will be much lower than that of a normal credit card.
The most important thing about this scheme is that Government credit guarantee schemes will protect banks from the risk of loans. This will ensure that the banks know their money is safe, and they will be able to give loans to MSME businessmen at low rates without hesitation.

Udyam Sakhi Portal Empowers Women Entrepreneurs with MSME Schemes & Support

The Udyam Sakhi Portal (https://udyamsakhi.com), an initiative of the Ministry of MSME, has emerged as a dedicated platform to support women entrepreneurs across India.
By providing vital information on schemes, policies, programmes, and institutional support, the portal plays a crucial role in helping women start, sustain, and expand their entrepreneurial ventures, contributing to their journey of becoming self-reliant and financially empowered.
The Udyam Sakhi Portal acts as a single-window information hub. It connects aspiring and existing women entrepreneurs with the financial schemes, business opportunities, and institutional support systems available under the MSME framework and beyond.
Key Features of the Udyam Sakhi Portal....

US tariff impact: MSME NPA classification period likely to be doubled

The Union government is mulling extending non-performing asset (NPA) classification period on loans to the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) from the current 90 days to 180 days, a senior government official said requesting anonymity.
“The proposal to extend the loan default period for MSMEs from 90 days to 180 days is likely to be taken up by the Cabinet soon,” the official said.
The move is expected to provide relief to cash-strapped MSMEs, especially against the backdrop of steep US tariffs, giving them more time to regularise.

From germ-killing fabric to paper-thin solar panels: IIT Delhi unveils tomorrow’s indigenous innovations

Start-ups and researchers unveiled technologies spanning wind turbines for vehicles, wireless charging, indigenous solar cells, EV infrastructure, advanced textiles, and aerospace-grade materials. The showcase gathered innovators, venture capitalists, and industry leaders, underlining India’s growing push towards self-reliance and future-ready solutions.
The two-day event offered a glimpse into tomorrow’s world.
For investors, policymakers, and tech enthusiasts, it provided a live demonstration of how deep-tech start-ups are reshaping the way we live, work, and move.
Kiran Sable of IIT Delhi’s FITT, noted that FITT’s portfolio already includes more than 450 start-ups with a combined valuation of over $500 million. “Our ambition is to at least double this value every six months by nurturing and supporting start-ups, while onboarding a fresh wave of deep-tech ventures,” he said.

IIT Madras-incubated Kochadai Technologies launches MakeGPT to build IoT systems with prompts

MakeGPT, a tool that can help people build prototypes simply by using natural language prompts. The toolkit is accessible to non-technical users who can just describe the idea behind their Internet of Things (IoT) system.
The platform comprises of Natural Language-to-Hardware Interface for conversational project creation.
“Imagine telling an AI to ‘create a soil moisture monitoring system that sends alerts to my phone when plants need water’ and receiving a complete prototype with component lists, firmware code, and assembly instructions,” said Naveena Swamy, Founder of Kochadai Technology Solutions. “That’s the reality MakeGPT delivers today. We’re democratizing hardware innovation for everyone.”

Indian bonds see historic tightening of credit spreads amidst rating upgrade

Overseas interest in Indian bonds is strong. Credit spreads are at record lows after S&P's rating upgrade, indicating lower cost of borrowings for Indian companies through the overseas bond market.
"A 10-year dollar loan for an investment-grade company out of India comes to about 5.40% currently, which is a good 30 to 40 basis points below the 5.7% 10-year bond rate for Indian companies currently,"
Exim Bank bond, that was priced at 100 basis points above the 10-year US benchmark in January, is now trading at 71 basis points above the 10-year US bond now.
Reliance Industries' bond due in 2032 is currently trading at 63 basis points above the 10 year US treasury, as compared to 120 basis points above the 10 year US treasury in 2022.

Govt introduces Jan Vishwas Bill 2.0 in LS, proposes to decriminalise 288 provisions

The legislation is part of the government's efforts to enhance the country's business climate. As per the bill, first time offenders under 10 laws will be given advisory or warning for 76 offences.
It also proposes to replace imprisonment for minor, technical or procedural defaults with monetary penalties or warnings. Penalties are also proposed to be made proportionate, with graduated penalties for repeated offences.
A total of 355 provisions are proposed to be amended through this Bill. It includes 288 provisions to be decriminalised to foster ease of doing business, and 67 others to facilitate ease of living.

Non-trade issues making FTAs more complex: Commerce Secy Sunil Barthwal

The recently signed India-UK FTA is a complex deal and includes several regulatory and sectoral areas such as IPR, non-tariff barriers, trade remedies, innovation, good regulatory practices, government procurement and dispute settlement. There are also sectoral chapters, such as digital trade and e-commerce, among other areas.
The secretary further said that the India-UK FTA is a gold standard for future trade deals, considering that India is negotiating pacts with a bunch of countries right now.
An agreement with Oman has been finalised and will be signed soon. Talks with the EU are also being fast-tracked. The government is also looking to complete FTA negotiations with Chile and Peru by the end of this year.

Online Gaming Bill 2025: President Droupadi Murmu gives assent; framework to promote e-sports, regulate sector, curb money games

The legislation has been brought in with a dual purpose — encouraging e-sports and online social games while completely prohibiting online money gaming, advertisements, and related financial transactions. The Bill is aimed at preventing addiction, financial losses, and extreme consequences such as suicides linked to money gaming. Reports of money laundering and terror financing have also driven the need for tighter regulation. At the same time, the law seeks to give e-sports legal backing for the first time in India. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports will set up a dedicated framework for its promotion, while online social games will also be encouraged.

Uday Kotak says Donald Trump’s tariffs have ‘woken Indians up’! Banking billionaire urges support from government; ‘great opportunity to pivot..’

He urged policymakers and industry leaders to harness the trade disruption as an opportunity to boost efficiency, quality and establish globally recognised brands.
"The uncertainty of Trump's tariff regime has created a sense of urgency for transforming India," he said. "It is a great opportunity to pivot."
Kotak emphasised that the Indian government needs to provide "direct fiscal support" to enhance small businesses in manufacturing, research, and technology sectors. "Once you give that capital support, private equity, entrepreneurs' equity [and] risk capital will come additionally," he explained.
"India's macroeconomic situation is very comfortable. Our fiscal deficit is under control, our current account is under control, you've got macroeconomic stability." according to his assessment.

IIT Madras licenses India's first silicon photonics quantum random generator

The landmark technology was created at the Centre for Programmable Photonic Integrated Circuits and Systems (CPPICS), IIT Madras, and marks the beginning of indigenous field-deployable quantum solutions for national and global applications.
A prototype of the QRNG was earlier delivered to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and a refined version deployed at the Society for Electronic Transactions and Security (SETS Chennai) for quantum security applications.
The quantum random generator has wide-ranging uses, including IT security for military and defence, cryptographic algorithms, quantum key distribution, scientific modelling, blockchain systems, financial transactions, OTP generation, and even gaming.
By generating truly random numbers, it addresses one of the most critical needs in encryption and secure communication.

CSIR-SERC successfully transferred High Velocity Multi-Hit Resistant Movable Protective Booth/Shack for Security Personnel Technology to a member of Laghu Udyog Bharati

CSIR-SERC has developed a modular security booth/shack for military and security personnel, constructed using steel fiber-reinforced cementitious composite panels mounted within a steel frame. The booth is designed to provide NIJ level-III protection, capable of withstanding multiple hits from 7.62 AP projectiles in accordance with NIJ standards.

Key Features of the Booth/Shack:
• Multi-impact resistance (NIJ level-3) with enhanced ricochet resistance
• Pre-engineered, precast, and fully indigenous modular design, ensuring easy assembly and disassembly within an hour without the need for heavy machinery
• Simple to repair, reuse, and replace, offering cost-effectiveness and long-term durability
• High mobility and easy repositioning, combined with an attractive aesthetic appearance.

IIT (BHU), Integral University team develops cost-effective method to grow microalgae for higher biofuel yield, boosting clean energy efforts

The team used a two-stage system. First, algae is grown in a closed tank called a photobioreactor, and then it is shifted to an open pond where it produces more oil. This method helped increase the oil content in the algae using a special strain called Scenedesmus sp. GTAF_01 IU.
“This method gives better results at a lower cost and can be used on a large scale. It will help in making clean fuel, protect the environment, and reduce dependence on fossil fuels,”
The research supports the global goal of providing affordable, clean energy and protecting the planet from climate change. If used widely, this method can help India move towards a greener, low-carbon future.

‘Multi-layered shield': DRDO successfully conducts maiden flight tests of Integrated Air Defence Weapon System

The DRDO has successfully conducted the maiden flight Tests of Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS), on 23 Aug 2025 at around 1230 Hrs off the coast of Odisha.
IADWS is a multi-layered air defence system comprising of all indigenous Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile (QRSAM), Advanced Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) missiles and a high power laser based Directed Energy Weapon(DEW).
“This unique flight test has established the multi-layered air-defence capability of our country and is going to strengthen area defence for important facilities against enemy aerial threats,” says Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh.

IISc unlocks glucose transporter pathway for better diabetes treatment

“Most studies have looked at what happens after glucose enters the -cell. We focused on the step before that, the actual entry of glucose, and how this is disrupted in diabetes,” said Anuma Pallavi, a PhD student in DBG and first author of the study. “By understanding the dynamics of these transporters, we can identify new points to intervene and improve -cell function.”
“If we can restore proper glucose transporter trafficking, we may be able to slow down disease progression and personalise therapies based on a patient’s metabolic state,”
The findings, researchers say, open the door to new therapeutic strategies that go beyond existing treatments and could significantly improve diabetes management in the future.

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