National Single Window System

National Single Window System (NSWS) is a one-stop-shop portal, and a medium of convenient and efficient online Government-to-Business (G2B) services to the business community, which reduces the complexity in obtaining information and services related to starting businesses in India and deals with various approvals, registrations and permits.

NSWS is a portal wherein investors/ entrepreneurs can identify, apply and obtain regulatory approvals and compliances as under applicable laws in India, for setting up and starting a business unit anywhere in India. However, the final authority of giving approvals lies with the Ministry/ Department/ State authorities and the internal process followed by the respective Ministries/ Departments/ States remains the same.

The Know Your Approvals (KYA) module supports information across 32 Central Departments and 17 States. However, there may be other approvals required that the investors may like to check at their own discretion. Currently, the portal hosts applications for approvals from 21 Central Departments and 14 State Governments

Objectives of NSW:

  1. To establish a single-window mechanism by integrating the services provided by various Central Ministries, Departments, and State Governments
  2. To provide a one-stop-shop for procuring pre-establishment and pre-operation approvals and permits required to establish a business in India
  3. To provide efficient, convenient, transparent, and integrated electronic service to investors, industries, and businesses
  4. To provide a uniform and seamless experience to the business user

Benefits of NSW Portal:

  • All approvals in one place
  • Transparency
  • Cost saving
  • Secure Document repository
  • Fast query management
  • Real time status tracking
  • Easy renewal
  • Integration with Other systems

NSW contribute to economic growth by reducing trade barriers and improving the overall efficiency of trade processes

Services that can be availed through the NSWS : 

  1. Identification of requisite pre-establishment and pre-operation approval for setting up of a business unit in India 
  2. Application of suggested approvals
  3. Digital repository for storing documents related to approvals
  4. Payment of processing fees to issue any approvals
  5. Post application, tracking and status update on applications submitted
  6. Easy Renewal
  7. Information about approvals such as timelines, fees, documents required etc.

Who can use this Portal?

The users of a National Single Window (NSW) portal typically include a wide range of stakeholders involved in international trade and logistics. The National Single Window System is designed and built for both foreign and domestic investors/ entrepreneurs of any sector, scale and size.

  1. Traders – Importers, exporters, and other businesses engaged in international trade
  2. Government Agencies
  3. Customs Brokers and Agents
  4. Transport and Logistics Providers
  5. Financial Institutions
  6. Certifying Bodies
  7. Trade Associations and Chambers of Commerce
  8. Information providers

How to use the NSWS portal?

An investor/ Business user is required to register on the National Single Window System (NSWS) by clicking on “Sign Up Now” before applying for any service from the portal.  The user requires an email ID and mobile number to register. Once they complete the registration process, they can apply for pre-establishment and pre-operation approvals given by the Ministries/ Departments/ States that are part of the NSWS.

The NSWS does not charge any fee for user registration. However, any fee/ charges required by the Ministry/ Department/ State to process the applications for approvals can be paid through the NSWS portal

For detailed guide on user registration and application submission, please visit https://www.nsws.gov.in/portal/user-guide

On the whole, The National Single Window portal benefits a broad spectrum of stakeholders by promoting efficiency, transparency, compliance, and collaboration in trade processes.

By addressing the diverse needs and interests of traders, government agencies, service providers, consumers, and society at large, an effective NSW system contributes to fostering a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable trade ecosystem.

Source:https://www.nsws.gov.in/

https://www.investindia.gov.in/

Announcement from NABH

NABH has released an important notice on January 4,2024 on Fee Remittance by all applicant / Accredited / Certified Health Care Organisations under all programs of NABH

Many Healthcare Organisations associated with NABH are still making direct payment to accounts of Quality Council of India – NABH. Due to this, NABH is facing difficulty in reconciling the amounts received directly as the details of payment are also not updated by the respective HCOs in their online portal.

To avoid unnecessary wastage of time and manpower in tracking the payments, NABH advises its stakeholders to make payments only through the online portal using the Payment Gateway so that the payments are appropriately tracked for convenience of all the parties

To facilitate the Healthcare Organisations to reconcile the fee payment status, NABH has requested all the
HCOs to follow the below steps with immediate effect:

  1. The HCOs are advised to login into their HCO account on the NABH portal for making payments through payment gateway via credit card/debit card/net banking.
  2. In no case HCOs shall deposit cash/cheque/DD directly into any of the accounts of Quality Council of
    India.
  3. In case the HCO has no other option but Bank Transfer (NEFT/RTGS), the payment shall be made
    after seeking approval from NABH secretariat. It shall be the responsibility of HCO to update the
    transaction details like Unique Transaction Reference (UTR) Number, Date of Transaction, Transaction
    Amount, etc on the NABH Portal under the Make Payment category and inform NABH that the Payment
    was done and get the receipts generated for the payments made.
  4. The HCOs are also requested to ensure that the payment details with respect to fee payments of
    current and previous accreditation cycles have been updated on the NABH portal account of the HCO,
    if not done earlier.
  5. Non updation of fee payment details on the portal may result into non-credit of the amounts and
    the HCO may be liable for adverse decision and repayment as per rules.
  6. All HCOs are to ensure that no direct offline payments are made to any account of Quality Council
    of India (QCI)

Notice issued by NABH is given below for reference:

Source:https://nabh.co/

Announcement from NABH

NABH announced that QCI and all its boards are introducing an innovative solution for addressing the queries & concerns promptly and transparently through “Quality Setu”, an integrated QCI portal designed to streamline the NABH helpdesk/complaints redressal process.

Quality Setu is a unified platform for all boards & divisions of QCI that will bridge and synergize the flow of information for its users.

It will also assist users to search for information regarding various schemes, certifications, accreditations, assessments, trainings and other projects, administered or run by the Boards & Divisions of QCI.

Quality Setu will also act as a single-window for all queries & concerns where users can track online, the progress of their engagement with the respective Board and Division, in their personalized section through the app or its portal

The system also has an AI-based Chatbot that guides users in their search and also assist them in resolving their queries and concerns in quick time.

From January 1, 2024, onwards, all queries and concerns pertaining to NABH will be exclusively addressed through the “Quality Setu” portal. This transition is aimed at enhancing efficiency, speedy resolution and ensuring a seamless experience for our stakeholders.

Please access the “Quality Setu” portal using the following website link
Website link: https://qualitysetu.qcin.org

Source: https://nabh.co/

Holistic AI E-book

The year 2022 was pivotal for artificial intelligence (AI), culminating in the emergence of ChatGPT and Microsoft’s subsequent discussions to invest $10 billion in OpenAI. With the AI market projected to grow to $500 billion in 2024, regulatory efforts have intensified in tandem with AI’s rapid adoption.

“The State of Global AI Regulations in 2024,”, a comprehensive guide released by Holistic AI ,sheds light on the following:
a. current state of the global AI landscape,
b. Key developments and anticipating trends in businesses
c. AI governance and its implications

Source:https://www.holisticai.com/papers/the-state-of-ai-regulations-in-2024

Sustainability – Mega opportunity

As India passes the reins of the G20, it has signalled an unwavering dedication to combating global environmental and sustainability challenges. The G20 sustainability working group meetings have spotlighted key pillars: harnessing climate finance, embracing the sustainability development goals (SDGs), and nurturing the financial ecosystem’s capacity.

In parallel, India’s nationally determined contribution commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the ambitious 2070 net zero emissions target unveil a grand vision of fortifying climate resilience and nurturing sustainable growth.

The big gap: funding the shift to a greener future

Nevertheless, there is a considerable gap between the financial requisites for these ambitions and the current landscape–making for a significant opportunity for India’s banking sector to tap into.

The G20 Leaders declaration underscores the importance of sustainable finance, highlighting needs like for developing countries, blended finance instruments, and reforming multilateral institutions.

Worldwide, banks are increasingly integrating sustainability into their operations. Many have committed substantial funds for sustainability and are transitioning away from fossil fuel financing. They’re also innovating with sustainable finance products like green bonds and leveraging technology for broader customer outreach and lower carbon footprints

While India’s banking sector has begun its ESG journey, it’s still navigating the challenges of balancing sustainability with developmental needs. Drawing from global trends and G20 insights, Indian banks can harness ESG for value creation. By integrating sustainability considerations and technology-driven decision-making, they can champion environmental and social transformation in India’s financial realm.

Indian banks have a pivotal role in driving social change, achieving national objectives, and expanding their lending portfolios.

Their success hinges on accessing global capital, innovating for new segments, and prioritizing digitalization and ESG integration in decision-making.

Achieving these objectives not only promises financial success but also positions Indian banks as leaders in the sustainability transition.

source: https://www.livemint.com/

Announcement – e-commerce exports handbook

The Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Piyush Goyal released a comprehensive “E-Commerce Exports Handbook for MSMEs” prepared by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) in New Delhi on Thursday.

The handbook, a significant initiative supporting the objectives of Foreign Trade Policy 2023, will serve as a definitive guide for MSMEs seeking to harness e-commerce platforms for expanding their exports.

It provides detailed insights into strategies for promoting exports via e-commerce,  facilitating MSMEs to venture into global markets effectively. This is part of the DGFT’s collaboration with different e-Commerce platforms/ enablers to hold training sessions in districts across the country with focus on promoting e-Commerce exports. The e-Commerce exports handbook for MSME will be a key resource for creating awareness e-Commerce exports through these outreach events in the districts.

The handbook, initially released in four languages namely English, Hindi, Gujarati and Kannada, will be translated into all official languages across India, ensuring accessibility and benefitting consumers, entrepreneurs, farmers, and women entrepreneurs looking to contribute significantly to trade and commerce

Source:https://www.dgft.gov.in/

Announcement

Advertising industry’s self-regulatory body ASCI has proposed various guidelines to avoid ‘greenwashing’ by companies.

The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) has come out with a 9-point draft in this regard.

ASCI said the guidelines are aimed to check greenwashing, which it defined as the deceptive practice of making misleading environmental claims.

Proposed guidelines aim to foster a culture of transparency and authenticity in advertising in consumer interest and help them make informed decisions.

Environmental claims can appear in advertisements, marketing material, branding (including business and trading names), on packaging or in other information provided to consumers

The proposed guidelines say any absolute claims like a product has no impact or only a positive impact needs to be supported by a high-level of substantiation.

Comparative claims such as “greener” or “friendlier” can be justified, for example, if the advertised product or service provides a total environmental benefit over that of the advertiser’s previous product or service or competitor products, it has been recommended.

The public consultation on the draft is open till December 31, 2023

Source: https://www.ascionline.in/

Global Bio-India 2023

Global Bio-India 2023 would be the largest congregation of biotech startups

Biotechnology sector is recognized as the key driver for contributing to India’s USD 5 Tn economy target. Global Bio-India 2023 would showcase India’s Biotech growth and opportunities to the world.

Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India and it’s Public Sector Undertaking, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) are organizing Global Bio-India 2023, a mega international congregation of biotechnology stakeholders, including international bodies, regulatory bodies, Central and State Ministries, SMEs, large industries, bioclusters, research institutes, investors, and the startup ecosystem

The event will take place from 4th-6th December’ 2023 at the Bharat Mandapam International Exhibition-Convention Centre (IECC), Hall No. 14, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. 

Key Objectives of the program

  • Bio – Partnering, Policy Discussions, CEO’s plans for India & asks from India
  • Showcase and identify key biotechnological innovations, products, services, technologies from national and international companies, start-ups and research institutes
  • Identify funding and collaboration opportunities for biomanufacturing and biotech innovations
  • Explore licensing options for existing products
  • Attract major contract projects from international companies as well as major global venture funding into India
  • Create platforms for new idea evaluation and investments
  • Opportunity for Indian State Governments to attract foreign investment into their respective States
  • Discuss key trends and policy interventions across all sub-sectors including bio-pharma, bio-agriculture, bio-industrial, bio-energy, bio-manufacturing, bio-services etc. and establish takeaways
  • Connect Indian Biotech ecosystem with international ecosystem
  • Learning platform to share experiences of successful companies and geographies.
  • Facilitate interactions of research institutions with the industry

Why Attend this program

Who Should attend :

For registration and Fee details: please refer to the link https://www.globalbioindia.org/registration 

An email confirmation will be sent immediately following the completion of online registration. If you have not received a confirmation, please check your spam or junk mail folder.

Source: https://globalbioindia.org/

Notification by UGC

The University Grants Commission (UGC) on Wednesday notified the regulations for foreign universities to set up and operate their campuses in India.

The Regulations aim to facilitate the entry of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions (FHEIs) into India, in line with the recommendations of the National Education Policy 2020, and to provide an international dimension to higher education in India.

These Regulations outline the conditions and requirements for Foreign Higher Educational Institutions to set up their campuses in India. These Regulations aim to ensure that the education imparted in the campus is at par with that of the main campus in the country of origin and that its operations comply with the applicable laws and Regulations.

Foreign Higher Educational Institutions can offer study programmes leading to the award of certificates, diplomas, degrees, research and other programmes at the undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral and post-doctoral levels

Eligibility criteria :

The Foreign Higher Educational Institution intending to establish campuses in India shall fulfil any of the following criteria at the time of application, that-

(a) it should have secured a position within the top five hundred in the overall category of global rankings at the time of application, as decided by the Commission from time to time; or
(b) it should have secured a position within the top five hundred in the subject-wise category of global rankings at the time of application or should possess outstanding expertise in a particular area, as decided by the Commission from time to time.

In the case of two or more than two Foreign Higher Educational Institutions intending to collaborate to establish campuses in India, each Foreign Higher Educational Institution should meet the eligibility criteria

Procedure for approval

(1) In case the Foreign Higher Educational Institution intends to set up more than one campus, it shall make a separate application to the Commission under the procedure laid down in these regulations.

(2) Upon fulfilment of the eligibility criteria, the Foreign Higher Educational Institution shall apply online to the Commission along with the non-refundable processing fee, as decided by the Commission from time to time.

(3) The Foreign Higher Educational Institution shall upload the following documents along with the application on the University Grants Commission portal, namely:-

(a) permission by the Governing Body or Board, by whatever name called, for establishing campuses in India;

(b) information on the proposed location, infrastructural facilities, fee structure, academic programmes, courses, curricula, availability of faculty and financial resources for setting up and operations of campuses in India, and any other details that may be sought;

(c) an undertaking to the effect that-

i. the quality of education imparted by it in its Indian campus is similar to that of the main campus in the country of origin; and

ii. the qualifications awarded to the students in the Indian campus shall enjoy the same recognition and status as if they were conducted in its home jurisdiction, that is, they shall be recognized in the country of origin of the Foreign Higher Educational Institution and shall be equivalent to the corresponding qualifications awarded by the Foreign Higher Educational Institution in the main campus located in the country of origin.

(d) the latest Accreditation or Quality Assurance report from a recognized Body; and

(e) any other document as specified in the application portal.

(4)The Commission shall constitute a Standing Committee to examine matters related to the setting up and operation of campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India.

(5) The Standing Committee shall assess each application on merit, including the credibility of the educational institutions, the programmes to be offered, their potential to strengthen educational opportunities in India, and the proposed academic infrastructure, and make recommendations thereof.

(6) In case the applicant is a Foreign Higher Educational Institution possessing outstanding expertise in a particular area, the Standing Committee shall consider its strengths, outstanding contribution, research capacities, institutional history, institutional prestige and influence, and professional recognition within the areas, among others.

(7) The recommendations of the Standing Committee shall be placed before the Commission within a period of sixty days from the date of receipt of the application, complete in all respects.

(8) Based on the recommendations of the Standing Committee, the Commission may within a period of sixty days, initially grant in-principle approval and issue a Letter of Intent to the Foreign Higher Educational Institution to set up campuses in India within two years from the date of approval.

(9) The Commission may reserve the right to give an extension, if required, on a case-to- case basis.

(10) The applicant Foreign Higher Educational Institution shall convey its readiness for the commencement of its academic operations to the Commission and the Standing Committee shall examine the readiness of the campus and give its recommendations.

(11) The Commission shall consider the recommendations of the Standing Committee and issue approval to the Foreign Higher Educational Institution, within a period of sixty days, for commencing the operation of a campus in India with or without conditions.

Application Portal to set up Campuses in India by Foreign Higher Educational Institutes (FHEIs) is live now.

Registration link for Eligible FHEIs to Register and apply : http://fhei.ugc.ac.in

Awareness and Implementation Webinar

BIS, the National Standards Body of India was established for harmonious development of the activities of standardization, marking and quality certification of goods and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. BIS has been providing traceability and tangibility benefits to the national economy in a number of ways, i.e., providing safe reliable quality goods; minimizing health hazards to consumers; promoting exports and imports substitute; control over proliferation of varieties, etc.

The Textiles Department, Bureau of Indian Standards is organizing an “Awareness and Implementation Webinar on QCOs on Identified Indian Standards under Medical Textiles” on Monday, 20 November, 2023  at 1430 hrs onwards. 

The main objective of the webinar is to spread awareness on product standards on Medical Textiles e.g.  Sanitary Pad (Disposable and reusable), Baby Diaper, Bedsheet and Pillow Cover, Shoe Covers, Dental Bib, Coveralls, Facemask etc.

Webinar will not only talk about the salient features and importance of these standards but also disseminate valuable information on BIS conformity assessment/certification process for implementation of standards. 

Through this webinar, it is envisaged to bring the manufacturers/stakeholders of Medical Textiles and BIS to a common platform for discussion on standards which are brought under Quality Control Order(QCO’s)  by Ministry of Textiles (MoT) as well as its implementation related issues. 

Considering the importance of the event we hope that you would make it convenient to participate in the above webinar. It is requested to confirm your participation by return e-mail.

Please note that there is NO REGISTRATION FEE for this webinar.  You can join directly from the following link :-

Webinar Link: https://bismanak.webex.com/bismanak/j.php?MTID=m50648bf361e4ac4891d7924144944c69

Webinar ID: 2516 299 4441
Webinar Password: Txd36@123

Program schedule is given below for your kind reference