Government News Summaries from PIB (June 10, 2025)

India and Switzerland have formalized their economic partnership with the ratification of the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) between India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), which includes Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein.

The TEPA agreement, approved by India's Union Cabinet and ratified by all EFTA members, marks India's first free trade deal with this group of developed European nations. The agreement aims to strengthen trade and economic ties, offering tariff concessions on 92.2% of its tariff lines to India by Switzerland.

According to reports, the agreement includes commitments for approximately $100 billion in investments and the creation of about one million jobs in India over 15 years. Key areas covered include market access, investment promotion, intellectual property rights, and sustainable development.

With the TEPA in place, India stands to gain improved access to Swiss and EFTA markets for goods and services, potentially increasing Indian exports. The agreement also paves the way for investment opportunities, with both sides aiming for $100 billion investment inflow, including from Switzerland into India’s sectors such as manufacturing and services.

Sectoral collaboration is another promising avenue under TEPA. With tariff concessions and a supportive framework, sectors like IT and financial services can see expansion opportunities. Given Switzerland’s strong advanced manufacturing and pharma sectors, partnerships in technology, R&D, and clean energy are promising areas.

Cooperation on sustainability, labor, and environmental standards is embedded in the agreement, aligning with India's commitment to sustainable development. Additionally, the partnership offers opportunities for substantial trade growth, investment inflows, and sectoral collaboration, positioning it as a strategic economic relationship moving forward.

A series of technical workshops and pilot projects are planned to reinforce the Digital India mission and position India as a global leader in language AI for public digital infrastructure. The Legislative Department of the Ministry of Law and Justice organized a Blood Donation Camp at Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi as a part of activities under the World Blood Donor Day 2025.

The Ministry of Minority Affairs celebrated 11 years of service under the Modi Government on 9 June 2025, emphasizing transparency, inclusivity, and effective service delivery. On June 6, 2025, the UMEED Central Portal was launched to streamline welfare schemes and empower minority communities. The Ministry pledged continued dedication to inclusive development with a vision of ViksitBharat@2047.

In a commendable show of service beyond professional duties, a total of 22 officers and employees, including 2 lady officers, donated blood, setting an inspiring example. Rigorous third-party reviews and audits are conducted for all schemes to maintain accountability and improve effectiveness. All ministry schemes are now executed or administered through dedicated portals for complete transparency and accessibility.

As part of its mission to uplift minority communities, the Ministry highlighted these achievements. Multilingual chatbots, voice assistants, and over-the-counter enquiry interfaces will be co-developed to support passengers in their native languages. The Digital India Bhashini Division (DIBD) and the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) signed an MoU to collaborate on the development and deployment of multilingual artificial intelligence solutions for Indian Railways.

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