Daily Current Affairs - 18th September 2025
- TPP
- Sep 18
- 17 min read
Preparing for UPSC 2026 or State PCS? This 18 September 2025 edition curates exam-ready current affairs with GS linkages, Prelims facts, and MCQ triggers. Coverage spans Economy & Trade, Labour & Society, International Relations, Environment & Disaster Management, Polity & Governance, Health & Welfare, and Law & Treaties—designed to sharpen both Prelims recall and Mains analysis.
In today’s edition, decode the World Trade Report 2025—AI as a catalyst for inclusive growth, trade cost reduction, skill-premium decline, and patent spillovers. Link it to WTO, digital trade, and India’s AI roadmap. Track the UN Gender Snapshot 2025—poverty feminization, maternal mortality, anaemia projections, digital divide, Beijing+30, and SDG 5 targets.
On the IR front, unpack the New EU–India Strategic Agenda—FTA by 2025, TTC, Semiconductor Pact, Global Gateway–MAHASAGAR synergy, and defence-security in the Indo-Pacific. Note India–EAEU early-harvest FTA talks and EU concerns on Russia ties.
In environment, assess Himalayan vulnerability to extreme climate—glacial retreat, GLOFs, NDMA–NDRF–CWC coordination, AI-based hydro-met forecasting, Gorakhpur model, and Sachet App. On economy, review RBI’s revised guidelines for Payment Aggregators—PSA Act 2007, consumer protection, and fraud prevention.
Society & polity watch: Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan for tribal leadership—grassroots empowerment, Adi Vaani AI tool, convergence with PM JANMAN; ECI’s revision of Rule 49B—colour photos on EVMs; and the Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyan.
Also note global law update: Genocide Convention and ICJ jurisdiction in Gaza context. Economy & governance highlights: NHAI HAM contractor norms, MCA’s call for Multidisciplinary Partnership Firms, and convergence with ESG advisory.
Use this edition to enrich essays, value-add GS notes, and secure MCQs. Revise with The PRESS Pad—your compact, structured, scoring-focused companion.
Click Here to read the Monthly Current Affairs Pointers (CAP).
AI as a Catalyst for Trade and Inclusive Growth – Insights from World Trade Report 2025 |
The World Trade Report 2025 by the World Trade Organization (WTO) highlights the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on global trade and inclusive growth.
AI is recognized as a general-purpose technology — meaning it has broad applications across sectors and the potential to reshape economies fundamentally.
AI can significantly reduce trade costs by optimizing logistics and transport systems.
It can streamline regulatory compliance, making cross-border transactions smoother and faster.
AI helps in overcoming language barriers using real-time translation and natural language processing tools.
It can also improve contract enforcement through automation and better monitoring systems.
These combined effects could lead to a 34–37% increase in global trade by 2040, according to the WTO.
AI also contributes to productivity improvement, enabling more efficient resource use in production and services.
Impact on Labor and Skill Distribution
AI is expected to substitute tasks performed by medium- and high-skilled workers more than those of low-skilled workers.
This shift reduces the relative demand for higher-skilled labor in certain sectors.
Consequently, the “skill premium” — defined as the wage ratio of high-skilled to low-skilled workers — is projected to decline by 3–4% globally.
This decline in skill premium could contribute to reduced income inequality between different skill groups.
AI and Knowledge Diffusion
AI enhances knowledge diffusion across economies, particularly when trade openness is high.
Trade openness allows economies to access foreign technologies, ideas, and innovation more easily.
A 10% increase in trade of digitally deliverable services is associated with a 2.6% rise in cross-border AI patent citations, indicating stronger innovation spillovers.
Digitally deliverable services include software, cloud services, data analytics, and AI-driven solutions that can be exported online.
Cross-border AI patent citations reflect how innovations in one country influence and are adopted by others.
New Development Pathways for Emerging Economies
AI offers new development pathways for countries rich in critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and rare earths.
These countries can position themselves as hubs for upstream inputs, including hardware manufacturing and data hosting infrastructure.
Economies with abundant labor can engage in data collection and annotation, essential for training AI systems.
These labor-intensive tasks can provide employment opportunities and stimulate inclusive growth.
Concerns Requiring Urgent Policy Action
AI development is highly concentrated in a few large firms and advanced economies.
This concentration poses a risk of unequal access to AI technologies and widening global digital divides.
AI-driven automation may cause labor market disruptions, displacing workers from existing jobs.
Addressing this requires investment in education, reskilling, and active labor market policies.
Active labor market policies refer to government interventions like training programs, job search assistance, and employment subsidies to help workers transition.
Conclusion and Policy Recommendations
To realize AI's inclusive potential, proactive and coordinated policy actions are essential.
Governments must invest in digital infrastructure to support AI adoption across sectors.
There is a need to build digital skills across all levels of the workforce to ensure broad participation.
Promoting regulatory coherence — harmonizing laws and standards across borders — is crucial to ease trade in AI-related services.
Ensuring healthy market competition will prevent monopolization and encourage innovation.
Strengthening international cooperation through platforms like the WTO will help manage AI's global impact and ensure its benefits are shared equitably.
Progress on the Sustainable Development Goals: The Gender Snapshot 2025 |
Jointly released by UN Women and the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA)
Overview and Scope
The Gender Snapshot 2025 provides a comprehensive global overview of gender equality progress across all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The report highlights persistent inequalities and emerging risks facing women and girls worldwide.
Poverty and Food Security
In 2025, 376 million women are living in extreme poverty, accounting for 9.2% of the global female population.
Extreme poverty is defined as living on less than $2.15 per day, according to the World Bank.
The rate of anaemia among women is projected to increase to 33% by 2030, posing serious health risks.
Health and Well-being
Between 2000 and 2023, maternal mortality declined by 39% globally.
Despite progress, women still spend three more years in poor health than men, on average.
Maternal mortality refers to deaths due to complications from pregnancy or childbirth.
Education Access and Gaps
Girls now surpass boys in school enrolment at many levels globally.
However, secondary school completion still lags for girls, especially in Africa and Asia.
Women rarely occupy school leadership roles, limiting representation in educational governance.
Leadership and Workforce Participation
Women hold only 27% of parliamentary seats worldwide, showing underrepresentation in politics.
In the workforce, women account for just 30% of management positions, reflecting a leadership gap.
Gender-Based Violence and Early Marriage
12.5% of women report experiencing intimate partner violence, a form of domestic abuse.
Additionally, 19% of young women were married before the age of 18, constituting child marriage.
Child marriage hinders girls’ education, autonomy, and health outcomes.
Digital Divide and Technological Risks
In 2025, 65% of women are online, compared to 70% of men, reflecting a persistent gender digital divide.
Digital divide refers to unequal access to the Internet and digital tools.
Women’s jobs are more exposed to automation by Artificial Intelligence (AI), increasing job insecurity.
Climate Change and Resource Access
Climate change is projected to push 158 million more women into poverty, due to displacement, resource loss, and livelihood risks.
Globally, 896 million women lack access to clean cooking fuels, leading to health and environmental hazards.
Clean cooking fuels are crucial to prevent indoor air pollution and improve health outcomes.
Peace, Security, and Conflict Zones
In 2024, 676 million women lived in proximity to deadly conflict, exposing them to violence and instability.
Women in conflict zones face heightened risks of displacement, exploitation, and loss of services.
Intersectionality and Marginalized Groups
Intersectionality recognizes that overlapping identities—such as gender, disability, and class—compound discrimination.
Women with disabilities face limited access to reproductive rights, Internet connectivity, and political participation.
These intersecting barriers deepen their exclusion from development opportunities.
Priority Actions: Beijing+30 Action Agenda
Under the Beijing+30 Action Agenda, urgent actions are outlined to close gender gaps by 2030.
The Digital Revolution must be made inclusive by closing the gender digital divide.
Ensuring freedom from poverty requires investment in social protection, healthcare, education, and the care economy.
The care economy includes paid and unpaid caregiving work, primarily performed by women.
Achieving zero violence means enacting strong gender-based violence laws and providing essential support services.
Equal decision-making power must be ensured by promoting women’s leadership in politics and governance.
In peace processes, the Women, Peace & Security agenda must be fully funded and women’s participation guaranteed.
Climate justice demands gender integration into climate policy and securing resource rights for women.
EU's Proposed 'New Strategic EU-India Agenda' for Enhanced Bilateral Relations |
The European Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy have adopted a Joint Communication proposing a new strategy for EU-India relations.
This strategy outlines a ‘New Strategic EU-India Agenda’, aiming to deepen cooperation between the European Union (EU) and India.
The agenda is structured around five strategic pillars, each representing a core area of partnership.
Pillar 1: Prosperity and Sustainability
The Prosperity and Sustainability pillar aims to drive economic growth, job creation, industrial development, and decarbonization.
Under this pillar, both parties aim to boost trade and investment by finalizing the EU-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by 2025.
They also plan to conclude an Investment Protection Agreement (IPA) to ensure stable and transparent investment conditions.
To improve economic security and supply chain resilience, the strategy proposes leveraging the EU-India Trade and Technology Council (TTC).
A key focus is implementing the EU-India Semiconductor Agreement, aimed at enhancing collaboration in chip manufacturing and technology.
Both sides also seek to advance clean transition and climate resilience, including efforts to decarbonize heavy industries such as steel and cement.
Decarbonization refers to reducing carbon dioxide emissions by transitioning to cleaner energy sources and technologies.
Pillar 2: Technology and Innovation
The Technology and Innovation pillar promotes open, secure, and human-centric development of emerging technologies.
This includes supporting critical emerging technologies through initiatives like the creation of EU-India Innovation Hubs.
The goal is also to advance a conducive digital environment, focusing on Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for efficient and inclusive service delivery.
Digital Public Infrastructure includes open-source digital systems that support services such as payments, identity, and data exchange.
The strategy emphasizes promoting research cooperation, including joint efforts in nuclear energy and participation in projects like ITER.
ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) is a multinational nuclear fusion research project focused on clean energy solutions.
Pillar 3: Security and Defence
The Security and Defence pillar addresses rising geopolitical tensions, technological disruptions, and global security threats.
The EU and India aim to coordinate efforts in the Indo-Pacific region, promoting peace and stability.
Both partners support a rules-based maritime order, emphasizing the importance of international law and freedom of navigation.
Pillar 4: Connectivity and Global Issues
This pillar strengthens regional connectivity, international cooperation, and global governance.
The EU and India will work together in third countries, particularly in regions like Africa, for development and strategic alignment.
Collaboration will occur through frameworks such as the EU’s Global Gateway and India’s MAHASAGAR initiative.
Global Gateway is the EU’s infrastructure investment strategy to connect Europe with the world through sustainable projects.
MAHASAGAR is India’s initiative aimed at enhancing connectivity and cooperation in the Indian Ocean region.
Pillar 5: Enablers Across Pillars
The Enablers Across Pillars component focuses on improving the mobility of skilled professionals and exchange of knowledge.
It promotes business engagement, facilitating greater private sector cooperation between the EU and India.
It also emphasizes institutional cooperation, helping align standards, policies, and regulatory frameworks.
Challenges in the Bilateral Relationship
Despite these ambitions, the EU has flagged concerns over India’s military exercises with Russia, which may affect trust and strategic alignment.
Additionally, India’s continued purchase of Russian oil has been identified as a potential obstacle to deepening EU-India relations.
These issues highlight the importance of geopolitical alignment for successful strategic cooperation.
Extreme Climate Events and Disaster Vulnerability in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) |
Monsoon 2025 and Its Impact
The Monsoon of 2025 has severely affected Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Uttarakhand.
These events have once again highlighted the urgent need for effective disaster management in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR).
Reasons for Higher Vulnerability of the IHR
The Himalayas are young fold mountains formed by the collision of tectonic plates, making them geologically unstable.
The region lies in Seismic Zones IV and V, which are highly prone to earthquakes and landslides.
Climatic impacts like increasing temperature and erratic rainfall contribute to intense rainfall events, cloudbursts, and avalanches.
Examples include the Uttarakhand flood disasters of 2013 and 2025, both triggered by extreme rainfall.
Anthropogenic activities such as road construction, tunneling, and hydroelectric projects increase environmental stress.
Encroachment on riverbanks and floodplains further raises flood risk and erosion.
Rapid land-use changes accelerate soil erosion and slope instability, particularly near large infrastructure like the Tehri Dam.
The IHR also suffers from low adaptive capacity, limiting its ability to absorb and recover from disasters.
There is accelerated glacial retreat and permafrost melting due to warming temperatures.
These changes increase the risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), which occur when a glacial lake suddenly breaches its dam.
Existing Disaster Response Mechanism
Multi-agency coordination has become the backbone of disaster response in the IHR.
Agencies like the NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority), NDRF, State Disaster Authorities, Central Water Commission (CWC), and India Meteorological Department (IMD) coordinate efforts on the ground.
In the 2025 Punjab floods, this coordination proved critical for timely response.
Armed forces, including the Army, Indian Air Force (IAF), and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), have played key roles in relief and evacuation in difficult terrains.
Technology integration is increasingly central to disaster management.
Tools such as drones, satellite communication, OneWeb satellite links, and Doppler weather radars aid in prevention, real-time detection, and response.
Community preparedness is being promoted through NDMA’s 'Aapda Mitra' (Friends in Disaster) programme.
This initiative trains local volunteers to assist in emergency situations and build grassroots resilience.
The CWC has finalized criteria for Risk Indexing of Glacial Lakes, helping to prioritize monitoring and preventive measures.
Way Forward for Better Preparedness
The National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) must monitor glacial lakes and debris flows on a 24×7 basis for early warning.
The Geological Survey of India (GSI) should expand landslide mapping, especially focusing on soil soaking levels and slope gradients.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) can enable more accurate flash flood forecasting using localized hydro-meteorological (hydro-met) data.
The Gorakhpur Model serves as an example of using such data for urban flood control.
The Sachet App can be promoted for early warning dissemination to local communities.
Slope stabilization measures are essential for securing roads and river embankments to prevent erosion and collapse.
Payment Aggregators (PAs) – Revised Guidelines by RBI |
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued revised guidelines for Payment Aggregators (PAs).
These guidelines aim to strengthen consumer protection and prevent digital payment frauds.
What are Payment Aggregators (PAs)?
A Payment Aggregator is an entity that facilitates digital payments from customers to merchants.
It does this by aggregating payment channels like cards, UPI, net banking, wallets, etc., through the merchant’s physical or virtual interface.
The role of a PA is crucial in processing online transactions for the purchase of goods, services, or investment products.
Common examples of Payment Aggregators include Paytm, Google Pay, and PayPal.
Legal and Structural Framework
A Payment Aggregator must be incorporated as a company under the Companies Act, 2013.
As per the new RBI framework, all non-bank Payment Aggregators must obtain authorisation from RBI.
This authorisation is issued under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007.
The Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007 governs the regulation and supervision of payment systems in India.
Prime Minister Launches 'Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan' from Madhya Pradesh |
Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan is a national movement launched to build a decentralized tribal leadership and governance ecosystem.
It is a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
The programme is focused on empowering tribal citizens by building leadership capacities at the grassroots level.
Aim and Objectives
The mission aims to empower 11 crore tribal citizens living across 1 lakh villages in India.
It seeks to create the world’s largest tribal grassroots leadership movement.
It will equip 20 lakh personnel, including District, Block, and Village-level officials, Self Help Group (SHG) women, and tribal youth.
These trained individuals will serve as Adi Karmayogis, responsible for ensuring responsive governance and last-mile service delivery.
Last-mile service saturation means ensuring that government schemes reach even the most remote and underserved tribal communities.
Three Pillars of Leadership under the Abhiyan
The programme is built on three core leadership categories: Adi Karmayogi, Adi Sahyogi, and Adi Saathi.
A. Adi Karmayogi (Government Officers)
These are state, district, block, and panchayat-level officers who act as the main drivers of local governance.
Their role is to ensure convergence of welfare schemes, provide institutional support, and enable responsive delivery mechanisms.
B. Adi Sahyogi (Youth, Teachers, Doctors)
These are educated tribal youth and service providers such as teachers and healthcare workers.
They help bridge gaps in access to education, health, awareness, and innovation within tribal areas.
C. Adi Saathi (SHG Members, Villagers, Tribal Elders)
These are community-level influencers such as SHG members, tribal elders, and active villagers.
They work as grassroots change-makers, mobilizing communities, preserving tribal traditions, and strengthening local knowledge systems.
Village-Level Planning and Development
The mission includes a participatory component called the Tribal Village Action Plan.
Under this, villagers and officials will co-create a 'Tribal Village Vision 2030'.
This vision plan will align with both national and global development goals, particularly the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The approach ensures that inclusive and sustainable development is led by the tribal communities themselves.
Convergence with Other Schemes
The Abhiyan brings convergence with key tribal development schemes such as PM JANMAN.
It is also integrated with the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA 2.0).
Convergence means the integration and coordination of different government schemes for more effective implementation.
Key Digital Initiatives Launched
A. Adi Vaani App
The Adi Vaani App is an AI-based language translation tool.
It helps government officers communicate with tribal communities in their native languages.
B. Adi Karmayogi Portal
The Adi Karmayogi Portal is designed for real-time registration and role-wise tracking of all participants in the mission.
It provides a dashboard for monitoring Adi Karmayogis, Adi Sahyogis, and Adi Saathis region-wise.
The portal supports the functioning of Adi Sewa Kendras, which act as single-window grievance redressal centers for tribal citizens.
Recent Revision by Election Commission of India (ECI) |
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has revised Rule 49B of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961.
This revision aims to enhance the readability of the ballot paper on Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
The updated rule mandates the inclusion of colour photographs of candidates on EVM ballot units.
This change will be implemented starting with the Bihar State Elections.
About Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961
The Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961 is a legal framework notified under the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
It governs the entire process of conducting elections in India.
These rules outline the procedures for polling, including voting and counting of votes.
They also define the roles and responsibilities of election officers, candidates, and other stakeholders.
Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Genocide Convention) |
A UN-mandated Independent International Commission of Inquiry has submitted a report analyzing Israel’s conduct in Gaza.
The report provides a legal assessment under the Genocide Convention, raising questions about compliance with international law.
About the Genocide Convention
The Genocide Convention is a core international treaty adopted to prevent and punish the crime of genocide.
It was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948 and entered into force in 1951.
The Convention defines genocide as specific acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group.
Acts of genocide include killing members of the group, causing serious bodily or mental harm, inflicting destructive conditions of life, and more.
Genocide can occur during both times of war and peace, making it a non-derogable crime under international law.
Membership and India’s Status
The Convention currently has 41 signatory states and 153 state parties.
India signed the Genocide Convention in 1949 and ratified it in 1959, becoming legally bound by its provisions.
Dispute Resolution Mechanism
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is the principal judicial body that adjudicates disputes related to the interpretation and application of the Genocide Convention.
States can bring cases before the ICJ alleging violations of the Convention by other states.
Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyan – Women’s Health Initiative |
The Prime Minister recently launched the ‘Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar’ Abhiyan.
The initiative focuses on improving women’s health as a means to ensure stronger families and healthier communities.
About the Abhiyan
The Abhiyan will organize over one lakh health camps across the country.
These camps will screen women for anaemia, hypertension, diabetes, and cancer.
The campaign also supports immunization and nutrition services.
These efforts aim to reduce maternal and child mortality, which remain key public health concerns in India.
Administrative and Ministerial Coordination
The Abhiyan is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and the Ministry of Women & Child Development.
This inter-ministerial approach ensures a comprehensive and convergent effort towards women’s health.
Use of Technology
The mission will be supported by a real-time digital platform called the SASHAKT portal.
The SASHAKT portal will track the progress of the campaign and ensure transparency and accountability.
Community Participation
Anganwadi centres, which are part of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), will play a key role in outreach and service delivery.
Nikshay Mitras, community supporters of TB patients under the Nikshay Mitra programme, will also participate.
Private hospitals and healthcare providers are encouraged to join the campaign to widen its impact.
India and EAEU to Fast-Track Early-Harvest Free Trade Agreement Talks |
India's Union Minister for Commerce and Industry and his counterpart from the European Economic Commission have agreed to begin discussions on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) from November.
Both sides also decided to fast-track efforts for an Early-Harvest FTA with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).
An Early-Harvest FTA is a preliminary trade agreement that liberalizes tariffs (reduces or removes import duties) on selected goods before a comprehensive FTA is finalized.
The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) is an international organization for regional economic integration.
The EAEU was established by the Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union.
The member states of the EAEU are Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, and Russia.
The primary objective of the EAEU is to upgrade and increase the competitiveness of the national economies of its member states.
The EAEU also aims to enhance cooperation among member nations across economic sectors.
Another key goal of the EAEU is to promote stable development within the region.
The union ultimately seeks to improve the living standards of the populations in its member states.
NHAI Tightens Contractor Norms for Hybrid Annuity Model Projects to Curb Unauthorized Engagements |
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has tightened contractor qualification norms under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM).
This move aims to address the issue of unauthorized engagement of contractors in HAM projects.
The Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) is a type of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
It was introduced in 2016 to support infrastructure development, primarily in road construction projects.
Under HAM, the funding structure is split between the government and the private sector.
The government provides 40% of the project cost during the construction phase.
This 40% funding is released in five milestone-linked installments, based on the progress of the project.
The remaining 60% of the funding is arranged by the private developer.
This 60% is financed through a mix of debt (borrowed funds) and equity (investment by the developer).
HAM ensures risk sharing between the government and the private developer.
In this model, the government bears the revenue risk, which refers to the uncertainty of income from the project after completion.
The private developer takes on the financing risk, which involves the risk of arranging and managing the funds required for the project.
Supreme Court: Loan Defaulters Must Meet All Bank Conditions to Avail One-Time Settlement Benefits |
The Supreme Court has ruled that a loan defaulter can avail benefits under the One-Time Settlement (OTS) Scheme only after fulfilling all conditions set by the bank.
The One-Time Settlement (OTS) Scheme was launched following the issuance of guidelines by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in 2005.
The implementation of the OTS Scheme is left to the discretion of individual banks, allowing them flexibility in execution.
The primary objective of the OTS Scheme is to provide standardized guidelines for settling chronic Non-Performing Assets (NPAs).
It specifically targets NPAs in the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector across all public sector banks.
Under the OTS mechanism, the borrower is allowed to repay the outstanding dues in a lump sum.
The scheme mandates a minimum 25% of the settlement amount to be paid upfront.
The remaining amount must be paid in instalments within one year from the date of agreement.
The OTS Scheme is significant for banks as it helps them recover dues quickly.
It also enables banks to clean up their balance sheets, improving financial health and transparency.
For borrowers, the scheme offers relief from prolonged legal proceedings associated with debt recovery.
Corporate Affairs Ministry Seeks Public Feedback on Proposal to Allow Multidisciplinary Partnership Firms in India |
The Union Ministry of Corporate Affairs has invited public comments on the proposal to establish Indian Multidisciplinary Partnership (MDP) firms.
A Multidisciplinary Partnership (MDP) is a type of professional partnership firm that offers multiple professional services under one umbrella.
These services include cost records maintenance, accounting, auditing, assurance, and management consulting.
Currently, Indian regulations restrict professionals from different fields (e.g., accountants, engineers, lawyers) from forming a single firm.
This restriction prevents cross-disciplinary collaboration within a unified legal entity.
If approved, MDP firms could participate in the $240 billion global market for professional and advisory services.
The move aims to help Indian firms become globally competitive by enabling collaborative service delivery across domains.
Establishing MDPs could also boost self-reliance (Atmanirbharta) in emerging areas such as Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) advisory services.
MDPs could further strengthen India's capabilities in technology-driven professional services.
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