Deccan Region Today

Andhra Pradesh offers up to 50 acres of subsidised land to foreign universities under the new 2026 policy

Under the policy, eligible foreign institutions can receive subsidised land of up to 50 acres, along with a complete exemption from stamp duty and registration charges on land acquisition or lease for educational purposes. The government has also announced that the specified incentives will apply to foreign institutions signing memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with Andhra Pradesh before December 31, 2027. Institutions entering into agreements after this deadline will be considered for incentives on a case-by-case basis.

Andhra Pradesh gains ground over Karnataka in investment race as deregulation reshapes competition between states

Andhra Pradesh has emerged as a stronger investment competitor to Karnataka, with its share of India's fresh project announcements rising from 3.01% in FY24 to 15.36% in FY26, moving from ninth to second nationally. Meanwhile, Karnataka’s share declined from 8.25% to 5.67%, with its ranking falling from fourth to sixth, reflecting shifting investment trends amid deregulation.

Karnataka, IVCA explore co-investment plan for DeepTech

Karnataka and the Indian Venture and Alternate Capital Association are exploring a government-investor co-investment framework for DeepTech companies. The proposal emerged from a roundtable in Bengaluru chaired by Minister Priyank Kharge. The discussion focused on how to move Indian DeepTech ventures from research and demonstration to wider commercial use. Participants from investment firms, startups, government, research institutions and industry identified joint funding, intellectual property, research and development, procurement, manufacturing and market access as the main areas for action.

Emirates SkyCargo Plans Kerala Expansion to Strengthen Export Connectivity

Emirates SkyCargo is exploring plans to expand its operations in Kerala to strengthen international cargo connectivity and boost exports from the state. The development follows a meeting between representatives of the cargo division of Emirates and Kerala Industries Minister P. K. Kunhalikutty to discuss new business opportunities and expand existing cooperation.

Keralam’s experiential tourism draws global interest at ITB Asia in Singapore

Keralam’s experiential tourism offerings have attracted significant international interest at ITB Asia 2026 in Singapore, with visitors and travel trade delegates flocking to the state’s pavilion to explore its diverse tourism attractions and establish business partnerships. Tourism Minister P C Vishnunadh, who is leading the Keralam delegation at the three-day travel trade event, said the state’s distinctive tourism products, enriched by experiential tourism, were gaining considerable traction among international tour planners, particularly through opportunities to explore its cultural heritage and natural beauty.

India-Australia joint military exercise AustraHind underway in Kerala

The India-Australia joint military exercise ‘AUSTRAHIND’ is progressing here with around 240 personnel from the two armies undergoing intensive training in jungle, island and coastal terrains to enhance combat preparedness and operational coordination. The exercise, which commenced on October 19, involves approximately 120 personnel each from the Indian Army and the Australian Army, with a focus on improving tactical proficiency and interoperability through coordinated training and exchange of operational expertise.

India-New Zealand FTA puts Tamil Nadu exporters in fast lane

From Tirupur’s knitwear and Ambur’s leather to Chennai’s auto components, several products and sectors that are key for Tamil Nadu are now free of the tariff burden after the India-New Zealand free trade agreement (FTA) kicked in on October 20. But experts say the real test lies in helping MSMEs meet stringent sourcing and certification standards, and convert duty-free access into firm orders.

Thiagarajar Group, Euro Textiles to Invest Rs 100 Crore in Tamil Nadu Fabric Unit

Madurai-based Thiagarajar Mills, part of the Thiagarajar Group, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Germany-based Euro Textiles GmbH & Co. KG, a textile trading, sourcing and import management company, to set up a specialised fabric manufacturing unit in Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu, with a proposed investment of Rs 100 crore.

Owaisi urges DGCA to facilitate return of 4,000 stranded Indian pilgrims

AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi on Thursday urged the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to take immediate steps to facilitate the return of around 4,000 Indian pilgrims reportedly stranded in Makkah and Madina following flight cancellations. In a post on social media platform X, Owaisi said the pilgrims had travelled to Saudi Arabia on flights operated by IndiGo, Akasa Air and Air India but were unable to return after the airlines cancelled their flights.