Key Highlights

• The Union Cabinet approved the Integrated Transport & Logistics Authority to coordinate multi-modal transport planning and establish a National Transport Master Plan and centralised transport data repository.
• A ₹10,000 crore commitment was approved for the SME Growth Fund to provide patient equity capital to high-growth small and medium enterprises.
• The RBI raised the policy repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.50% and shifted its stance to calibrated tightening to anchor medium-term inflation expectations.
• The government notified Bharat Stage VII emission standards for heavy-duty and motor vehicles, establishing a new regulatory baseline for cleaner transport.
• A ₹53,428 crore outlay was approved for the continuation and restructuring of the National Social Assistance Programme, including revised disability eligibility criteria and higher central monthly assistance.
• The government approved a 30% trade margin cap on non-scheduled anti-cancer medicines to address excessive supply-chain markups and reduce out-of-pocket treatment expenses.

Key Takeaways

1. Growth and infrastructure: The SME Growth Fund and ITLA aim to improve access to capital, investment conditions and transport coordination.
2. Financial regulation: The RBI’s repo rate hike reinforces the focus on inflation management, alongside efforts to strengthen financial market oversight.
3. Sustainability: BS VII emission standards and wind power tariff adoption support cleaner transport and renewable energy development.
4. Welfare and agriculture: NSAP restructuring, anti-cancer medicine price controls and new crop varieties highlight priorities around social protection, affordability and agricultural productivity.