DGFT Hosts Strategic Trade Controls Conference 2026

19 Jan 2026 CW Team

The conference served as a national platform to deliberate on India’s Strategic Trade Control (STC) framework, particularly policies and procedures governing exports of dual-use and sensitive goods, technologies, software, materials and equipment regulated under the SCOMET regime. The event focused on strengthening awareness, compliance and coordination among government agencies, industry, academia, research institutions and international partners, while enabling legitimate high-technology trade and mitigating proliferation risks.

During the inaugural session, DGFT released the third edition of the Handbook on India’s Strategic Trade Control System. Prepared jointly with MEA’s Disarmament and International Security Affairs Division, the handbook offers comprehensive guidance on India’s export control policies, procedures and regulatory compliance requirements under SCOMET.

The session was attended by senior officials including Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal, CBIC Chairman Vivek Chaturvedi, DGFT Director General Lav Agarwal, MEA Joint Secretary Muanpuii Saiawi, Defence Production Joint Secretary Amit Satija and Additional DGFT Rakesh Kumar.

NCSTC 2026 featured seven thematic sessions addressing India’s STC ecosystem and SCOMET policies, including licensing processes, enforcement mechanisms, compliance frameworks and supply chain security. Discussions covered the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme and Intangible Technology Transfers (ITT), alongside sector-specific deliberations on electronics, semiconductors, chemicals, biotechnology, aerospace, space technologies and defence exports.

Special focus was placed on emerging and frontier technologies such as quantum-related items, advanced computing, semiconductor technologies, additive manufacturing, aerospace systems and cyber security, aligned with recent updates to India’s SCOMET List.

Industry-led technology display booths showcased secure supply chain practices, compliance solutions and advanced innovations, encouraging engagement between regulators, exporters, policymakers and technology developers.

The conference witnessed participation from more than 500 stakeholders from India and overseas, including government representatives, exporters, compliance professionals, research institutions and industry leaders.

NCSTC 2026 reinforced the importance of maintaining a robust and transparent strategic trade control framework that balances national security and non-proliferation priorities with the facilitation of legitimate trade in advanced technologies.

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) and other government and industry stakeholders, organised the National Conference on Strategic Trade Controls (NCSTC) 2026 in New Delhi. The conference served as a national platform to deliberate on India’s Strategic Trade Control (STC) framework, particularly policies and procedures governing exports of dual-use and sensitive goods, technologies, software, materials and equipment regulated under the SCOMET regime. The event focused on strengthening awareness, compliance and coordination among government agencies, industry, academia, research institutions and international partners, while enabling legitimate high-technology trade and mitigating proliferation risks. During the inaugural session, DGFT released the third edition of the Handbook on India’s Strategic Trade Control System. Prepared jointly with MEA’s Disarmament and International Security Affairs Division, the handbook offers comprehensive guidance on India’s export control policies, procedures and regulatory compliance requirements under SCOMET. The session was attended by senior officials including Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal, CBIC Chairman Vivek Chaturvedi, DGFT Director General Lav Agarwal, MEA Joint Secretary Muanpuii Saiawi, Defence Production Joint Secretary Amit Satija and Additional DGFT Rakesh Kumar. NCSTC 2026 featured seven thematic sessions addressing India’s STC ecosystem and SCOMET policies, including licensing processes, enforcement mechanisms, compliance frameworks and supply chain security. Discussions covered the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme and Intangible Technology Transfers (ITT), alongside sector-specific deliberations on electronics, semiconductors, chemicals, biotechnology, aerospace, space technologies and defence exports. Special focus was placed on emerging and frontier technologies such as quantum-related items, advanced computing, semiconductor technologies, additive manufacturing, aerospace systems and cyber security, aligned with recent updates to India’s SCOMET List. Industry-led technology display booths showcased secure supply chain practices, compliance solutions and advanced innovations, encouraging engagement between regulators, exporters, policymakers and technology developers. The conference witnessed participation from more than 500 stakeholders from India and overseas, including government representatives, exporters, compliance professionals, research institutions and industry leaders. NCSTC 2026 reinforced the importance of maintaining a robust and transparent strategic trade control framework that balances national security and non-proliferation priorities with the facilitation of legitimate trade in advanced technologies.

Infrastructure Urban

30 Jul 2026

Centre Clears Power Distribution Upgrade for Uttar Pradesh

The Central Government has approved power distribution projects worth Rs 407.39 billion for Uttar Pradesh under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS). The investment will be used to modernise the state's electricity distribution infrastructure and strengthen network capacity across urban and rural areas. The package targets one of the country's largest distribution networks as the state experiences rapid urbanisation and rising electricity consumption. Planned interventions include the strengthening of distribution lines, modernisation of substations, replacement of ageing electrical ..

Infrastructure Energy

30 Jul 2026

India Data Centres To Consume 191 TWh By 2040 Driving Renewables

A Wood Mackenzie report says India's operational data centre capacity is projected to increase more than fivefold to 12 gigawatt (GW) by 2030 from 2.2 GW in 2025 as artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing drive demand. It projects electricity consumption to rise from 10 terawatt-hour (TWh) in 2025 to 191 TWh by 2040. The study forecasts a compound annual growth rate of around 40 per cent and notes AI-dedicated capacity will surge nearly 24-fold from 275 megawatt (MW) in 2025 to 6,546 MW by 2030. The report places India's digital economy at Rs 32 trillion (tn) in 2025 and says it contr..

Infrastructure Transport

30 Jul 2026

Hydrogen Train Completes 1,200 Kilometres Of Trials

India's first hydrogen train was flagged off between Jind and Sonipat on July 17 and has travelled over 1,200 kilometres in trials, saving diesel consumption of more than 3,200 litres, a Railway Ministry press release said. The deployment marks the introduction of a zero-emission fuel cell train into route testing and represents a milestone in domestic rail innovation. The train generates electricity onboard through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, producing electricity to propel the vehicle while emitting only water vapour as a by-product. There is no smoke and no tailpipe car..