Business
Govts New Logistics Plan Aids In Supply Chain Efficiency, Achieving Sustainability Goals
New Delhi: The recently approved Integrated State and City Logistics Plan will help achieve India’s sustainability goals through the adoption of low- and zero-emission vehicles and the establishment of low-emission freight zones, reports have said.
The government launched the plan in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in eight cities across eight states, which will focus on evaluating existing logistics infrastructure, identifying bottlenecks, and preparing a roadmap for improvement.
The Centre has chosen Ludhiana, Shimla, Jaipur, Indore, Patna, Visakhapatnam, Bhubaneswar and Guwahati to develop integrated state and city logistics plans as part of a programme led by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), according to reports.
The logistics planners will prioritise freight demands from local retailers and e-commerce players, focusing on truck terminals, urban roads, and efficient last-mile delivery systems.
According to officials, these plans will later be replicated across the country to ensure seamless goods movement and stronger supply chain resilience.
The Asian Development Bank is offering technical support to align state-level logistics strategies with city freight networks and broader mobility goals.
Officials said that the dual focus on connecting growth hubs to major trunk routes at the state level and upgrading urban freight systems at the city level will enhance supply chain efficiency.
Sustainability measures being considered include the adoption of low- and zero-emission vehicles for last-mile delivery and implementation of noise-reduction measures.
DPIIT highlighted the importance of automation and data-driven decision-making in improving operational efficiency, cutting costs, and ensuring transparency in freight movement.
The planning for the project will take 6 to 8 months, a DPIIT official had informed, adding that if the plans are approved, the government may seek other support from the ADB for implementation.
Business
Post-GST Relief, Indians Opt For Bigger Health Covers And Longer Policies In 2025: Policybazaar Data
Last Updated:
Policybazaar reports GST removal boosted average sum insured in India to Rs 19 lakh, with rising demand for higher health, term, motor, and travel insurance.
Health, Term, Motor Insurance See Strong Uptick in 2025 After GST Relief
The average sum insured in India increased from Rs 14.5 lakh to Rs 19 lakh after GST removal on the insurance premium, according to Policybazaar report ‘Decoding India’s Financial Behavior in 2025’.
Buyers are now opting for higher sum insured health policies post GST removal, with the demand rising 47 per cent for Rs 10-25 lakh covers and 85 per cent for Rs 25 lakh and above covers, the report added.
Buyers increasingly opted for longer protection periods, reflected in the higher selection of 4-year and 5-year health insurance policies. 4-year and 5-year tenures increased by 56 per cent and 62 per cent, respectively.
Similarly, policies with sum insured below Rs 10 lakh declined by 29 per cent year-on-year.
The GST Council, chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and comprising ministers from all states, on Wednesday had decided to exempt health and life insurance premiums from the levy of goods and services tax (GST), from September 22, 2025.
Term Insurance Demand Grows 37%
In term insurance, demand grew 37% in 2025, led by buyers aged 25–40 years. Rs 1 crore emerged as the most popular cover, while higher sums are gradually gaining ground. Salaried individuals dominated purchases, and while men accounted for 80% of buyers, women showed a stronger preference for critical illness riders—pointing to more need-based choices.
Premium On Motor Insurance Jumps 200%
Motor insurance reflected changing mobility trends. Electric vehicle insurance purchases grew nearly 2.5 times year-on-year, with premiums surging about 200%. Add-ons such as roadside assistance and zero depreciation are becoming standard, especially for new vehicles. Pay-as-you-drive policies also saw meaningful adoption among urban users, offering savings for low-mileage drivers.
Travel Insurance Becomes Must-Have
Travel insurance shifted from optional to essential. Policy issuance rose 15%, with travellers opting for higher covers, especially for the US and Canada. Senior citizens emerged as an important growth segment, accounting for 15% of insured travellers.
Millennials Are On Fore Front
On the investment front, millennials led participation, with under-35 investors now forming 25% of retirement product buyers. Longer tenures of 20 years or more are increasingly preferred, reflecting patience and long-term thinking.
Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google.
December 29, 2025, 14:35 IST
Read More
PA MediaThe earliest known coin to be minted in Scotland almost 900 years ago has been acquired for the nation after it was found by a metal detectorist.
The medieval David I silver coin, discovered in a wooded area near Penicuik, Midlothian in 2023, has been dated to the second half of the 1130s.
As required by law it was reported it to Treasure Trove and allocated to National Museums Scotland (NMS) by the Scottish Archaeological Finds Allocation Panel.
The coin was valued at £15,000, which was paid to the finder as a reward by the King’s and Lord Treasurer’s Remembrancer.
PA MediaThe NMS said it would be used for research but it is hoped it will go on display in future.
King David I of Scotland, who reigned from 1124 until 1153, introduced the country’s first coinage.
Alice Blackwell, senior curator of medieval archaeology and history, said it was thought all his earliest coins were created in a mint in Carlisle, Cumbria, which he took control of in the 1130s.
But she added: “This coin is really significant because it’s the first of that earliest type, the earliest coins to actually have been minted outside of Carlisle.
“It was minted in Edinburgh, so it’s the first time that we have Scottish coinage being minted in what was a core part of the Scottish kingdom.”
She said any coins found before the king’s reign could be Roman Age, Viking Age or medieval coinage.
David I later lost control of Carlisle.
PA MediaThe coin found in Midlothian has a portrait of the monarch’s head on one side and a cross-based design on the other.
It also bears an inscription which indicates it was minted in Edinburgh.
The discovery will help experts expand their understanding of how and where coins were minted in medieval times.
Dr Blackwell said there was virtually no documentary sources that explained how coinage was produced in Scotland.
She added: “The coins themselves are the primary source.
“This is the first time that we can see this very early minting of coinage in Edinburgh.”
The expert added the first Scottish coins were quite rare.
She also said the discovery of another had the potential to increase understanding about how the first coinage was produced and how it began to be used in Scotland.
Later in the reign of King David I, coins were minted in places including Perth, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Aberdeen, St Andrews, and Roxburgh in the Scottish Borders.
As well as introducing Scotland’s first coinage his reign included the foundation of royal burghs such as Perth, Dunfermline and Stirling, and the reorganisation of civil institutions.
Many in the UK who unwrapped a new drone this Christmas may face a rude awakening next week, when they will have to take a theory test before being allowed to fly outdoors.
From 1 January, those intending to fly drones or model aircraft weighing 100g or more outside must complete a Civil Aviation Authority (CCA) online theory test to get a Flyer ID – something previously only needed for heavier drones.
The regulator believes up to half a million people in the UK may be impacted by its new requirements.
CAA spokesperson Jonathan Nicholson said with drones becoming a “common Christmas present” it was important people knew how to comply with the law.
“With the new drone rules coming into force this week, all drone users must register, get a Flyer ID and follow the regulations,” he said.
“We want people to enjoy their drones but it’s vital that they have checked the new rules and know how and where to operate their drone safely before they fly.”
The CAA’s requirements are based on the weight or class of drones and model aircraft.
Where previously a Flyer ID was only required for devices weighing 250g or more, it will soon be required to fly a drone weighing 100g or more outdoors.
In addition to completing a theory test to obtain a five year Flyer ID license, those who own a drone weighing 100g or more with a camera must also register with the CAA to get an Operator ID.
According to the CAA, the new rules are designed to be easier to understand, as well as allow for “safe expansion” of drones across the UK.
Its requirements also apply to children, but vary for different age groups.
Children under the age of 13 must obtain a Flyer ID and have a parent or guardian present when completing the free flyer theory test to get one.
Meanwhile those aged 12 or younger must be supervised by someone over 16 to fly drones, with parents also required to obtain an Operator ID.
The CAA also wants existing drone owners and ID holders to acquaint themselves with the rules, which sets out where drones should not be flown and how to protect peoples’ privacy when piloting those equipped with cameras.
It says flying a drone or model aircraft without necessary IDs is against the law, and punishable by fines or, in severe cases, with prison sentences.
But Dr Alan McKenna, a law lecturer at the University of Kent, said effective enforcement would likely be “a case of resources”.
He told the BBC while he believed most people would seek to abide by new UK requirements for flying drones outdoors, some may look to “fly under the radar”.
“You’re always going to get people who make mistakes or can’t be bothered,” Dr McKenna said – adding concerns about the impact of rising drone use on the environment, privacy and safety were “wider issues” at play.
China GDP growth seen at 4.3% in 2026 amid moderating export momentum
Google withdraws portrait settings for Pixel Phone app ahead of rollout
Transfer rumors, news: Real Madrid rebuff Napoli’s Mastantuono move
-
Sports1 week ago
Alabama turned Oklahoma’s College Football Playoff dream into a nightmare
-
Entertainment1 week agoRare look inside the secret LEGO Museum reveals the system behind a toy giant’s remarkable longevity
-
Entertainment1 week agoIndia drops Shubman Gill from T20 World Cup squad
-
Tech1 week agoWe Tried and Tested the Best Gifts for Plant Lovers With Our Own Green Thumbs
-
Sports2 days agoBrooks Koepka should face penalty if he rejoins PGA Tour, golf pundit says
-
Politics1 week agoUS intercepts oil tanker off Venezuelan coast, Reports
-
Sports1 week agoPatriots vs. Ravens (Dec 21, 2025) Live Score – ESPN
-
Business1 week agoNeptune Logitek Shares List At 26% Discount, IPO Investors Suffer Nearly Rs 30,000 Losses