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Sops offered to promote indigenous electronics industry
NEW DELHI: In a move to give incentive to the electronics sector, the Government has taken steps to expedite investments into the Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) sector in India to achieve the goal of ‘Net Zero imports’ in electronics by 2020.
The Modified Special Incentive Package Scheme (M-SIPS) is expected to create employment opportunities and reduce dependence on imports. The projects already received under the scheme have the potential to generate employment to the extent of up to one million persons (direct and indirect).
Under the amendments, applications will be received under the scheme upto 31 December 2018 or till such time that an incentive commitment of Rs 100,000 million is reached, whichever is earlier. In case the incentive commitment of Rs 100,000 million is reached, a review will be held to decide further financial commitments.
A separate Committee headed by Cabinet Secretary and comprising of Niti Aayog CEO, Expenditure Secretary, and Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) will be set up in respect of mega projects, envisaging more than Rs 68,500 million (approximately US$ 1 billion) investments.
The Policy covers all States and Districts and provides them an opportunity to attract investments in electronics manufacturing.
So far, 243 applications have been received under the scheme, out of which 75 applications have been approved involving investment proposals of Rs 179,970 million.
In the cabinet meeting held under the chairmanship of the prime minister Narendra Modi, the amendments that were approved say that for new approvals, the incentive under the scheme will be available from the date of approval of a project and not from the date of receipt of application.
The incentives will be available for investments made within five years from the date of approval of the project.
Approvals will normally be accorded to eligible applications within 120 days of submission of the complete application.
A unit receiving incentives under the scheme, will provide an undertaking to remain in commercial production for a period of at least three years.
The Appraisal Committee recommending approval of project will be chaired by Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and IT.
The Cabinet had in July 2012 approved the M-SIPS to provide a special incentive package to promote large scale manufacturing in the Electronic System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) sector. The scheme provides subsidy for capital expenditure – 20% for investments in Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and 25% in non-SEZs.
The Scheme was amended in August, 2015 for scope enhancement and simplification of procedure. The Scheme has attracted investments in the ESDM sector to the tune of Rs 1,268,380 million, of which investments of around Rs 179,970 million have been approved by the MeitY. The M-SIPS has been able to create positive impact on investment in electronics sector.
eNews
Swiggy sees record orders during India vs New Zealand T20 final
Chicken biryani tops match-day menu as fans order 7,500 times per minute at peak.
MUMBAI: India’s T20 final didn’t just break stumps, it broke Swiggy’s delivery records, proving cricket fans celebrate victories with plates, not just flags. Swiggy, India’s leading on-demand convenience platform, reported a sharp spike in food orders during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final between India and New Zealand. On 8 March 2026, overall orders rose 23.2 per cent year-on-year compared with the same date in 2025, driven by fans turning living rooms into mini stadiums complete with match-day feasts.
Key highlights from the evening:
- Orders during peak match hours (7–10 pm) were 2.1 times higher than pre-match levels.
- The highest order rate hit 7,500 orders per minute at 19:45.
- Chicken biryani reigned supreme as the most-ordered dish, followed by masala dosa, chicken fried rice, garlic breadsticks and paneer butter masala.
While metros such as Bengaluru, Mumbai and Hyderabad led volumes, the cricketing fever spread nationwide. Among emerging cities, Thiruvananthapuram, Surat and Rajkot recorded the strongest order growth. Smaller markets including Shillong, Agartala and Port Blair also showed significant appetite, underlining the expanding footprint of quick-commerce food delivery across India.
The surge reflects a growing trend of pairing major sporting events with doorstep delivery, turning big matches into shared, convenient celebrations. In a night where every boundary mattered, Swiggy proved the real MVP might just be the delivery partner who kept the snacks and the vibes flowing without missing a single wicket.
