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Category: Government of India

  • Indian diaspora in London gives PM Modi a grand welcome

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a rousing welcome from the Indian diaspora as he arrived in London on Wednesday evening for a historic two-day visit aimed at strengthening the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and finalising the long-anticipated Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

    As PM Modi reached his hotel in the heart of the city, hundreds of Indian community members gathered outside with chants of “Modi, Modi,” “Bharat Mata Ki Jai,” and “Vande Mataram.” Dressed in traditional Indian attire, artists played dhols while others danced and waved posters welcoming the Prime Minister.

    “Touched by the warm welcome from the Indian community in the UK. Their affection and passion towards India’s progress is truly heartening,” PM Modi shared on X.

    The atmosphere outside the hotel was electric, with many attendees expressing pride and emotion after meeting the Prime Minister. “We are so proud… I am still in tears. The happiness and joy he brought while shaking our hands is unforgettable,” said one member of the diaspora.

    Many in the crowd shared similar sentiments, praising the Prime Minister for his global stature, leadership, and commitment to India’s growth. “The aura I witnessed was simply amazing. He looked like a saint. That is why people like PM Modi a lot,” said another enthusiastic supporter.

    Scheduled for July 23–24, PM Modi’s visit comes at the invitation of newly elected British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and marks his fourth official trip to the United Kingdom. The visit follows recent meetings between the two leaders at the G20 Summit in Brazil and the G7 in June this year.

    “Leaving for the UK, a country with which our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has achieved significant momentum in the last few years. I look forward to my talks with PM Keir Starmer and my meeting with His Majesty King Charles III,” PM Modi posted before departing.

    According to a statement from India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the visit will focus on advancing collaboration across key areas such as trade and economy, technology and innovation, defence and security, climate change, healthcare, education, and people-to-people ties.

    The centrepiece of the discussions will be the signing of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement, expected to significantly boost bilateral trade

    PM Modi is also expected to meet King Charles III during his stay in London, further deepening the diplomatic warmth between the two nations.

    (With agencies inputs)

  • 4th Test: Sudharsan’s 61 takes India to 264/4 against England, Pant suffers foot

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Bad light forced an early end to Day One of the fourth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series at Old Trafford, with India reaching 264/4 in 83 overs, largely due to B Sai Sudharsan’s impressive 61 – his first Test fifty. 

    Brought back into the playing XI in place of Karun Nair, Sudharsan had a nervy start and was even dropped on 20. But the left-handed batter recovered well, striking seven boundaries in his 151-ball knock on a hard pitch under overcast skies.

    Yashasvi Jaiswal scored a gritty 58 while sharing a 94-run opening stand with KL Rahul, who made 46. However, India’s biggest concern will be Rishabh Pant’s foot injury, which forced him to retire hurt on 37. After taking a nasty blow and developing significant swelling, Pant was sent for scans, and the extent of his participation could influence the outcome of the match.

    In the morning, Ben Stokes won the toss for the fourth time and opted to bowl first. Initially, Jaiswal rode his luck as Chris Woakes repeatedly beat his outside edge. However, the veteran all-rounder couldn’t find the breakthrough in his marathon eight-over spell, with Jaiswal taking three boundaries off him, while Rahul hit two.

    When Brydon Carse came on, Rahul cut him twice for fours, and Jaiswal pierced the gap between third slip and gully. Rahul, who surpassed 400 runs in the series, faced more deliveries from Archer than Jaiswal, who had twice fallen to the pacer at Lord’s.

    After cutting Stokes for four, Jaiswal got a lucky edge off Archer for another boundary before upper-cutting the England captain for six. He and Rahul ensured India went to lunch without losing a wicket.

    The second session began with Jaiswal slashing and punching Carse for a pair of boundaries, before Woakes was finally rewarded for his persistence. On the last ball of the 30th over, a back-of-a-length delivery nipped away and took a thick outside edge from Rahul’s attempted punch, and Zak Crawley held on at third slip. Rahul departed for 46, ending the 94-run opening stand.

    Jaiswal went on to record his 12th Test fifty but fell soon after the drinks break. Liam Dawson, making his Test comeback after eight years, claimed his first wicket on just his seventh delivery. Jaiswal, attempting a forward defence, edged to Harry Brook at first slip and was dismissed for 58.

    Dawson, playing in place of the injured Shoaib Bashir, managed to tie Sudharsan down. Sudharsan could have fallen on 20 if Jamie Smith hadn’t missed a leg-side chance off Stokes.

    However, Stokes struck in his next over when Shubman Gill left an in-ducker that rapped him on the pads. After being adjudged out by on-field umpire Rod Tucker, Gill reviewed, but replays showed the ball clipping the top of off-stump. He walked off for 12, giving England a boost after a wicketless first session.

    In the final session, Sudharsan hooked Archer through fine leg for four, then pulled another for a boundary. Pant stunned the crowd with a front-foot sweep off Archer for four, followed by an audacious reverse ramp. He also launched Carse for a six over long-on, as he and Sudharsan brought up a counter-attacking 50-run stand and helped India cross 200.

    However, disaster struck in the 68th over when Pant attempted a reverse sweep off Woakes but under-edged the ball onto his right foot. Though England reviewed for lbw and lost it, Pant was clearly in pain. The swelling on his foot ballooned to the size of a table tennis ball, and he was eventually taken off the field in a buggy, retiring hurt on 37 after a 72-run stand with Sudharsan.

    Sudharsan went on to bring up his maiden Test fifty in 174 balls with a crisp drive through cover off Joe Root. But Stokes’ short-ball tactic worked once again, as Sudharsan, cramped for room, top-edged a pull to long leg – the third time he’s been dismissed by Stokes in this series.

    With bad light forcing England to bowl spin from both ends, Ravindra Jadeja and Shardul Thakur, both unbeaten on 19, added three boundaries between them before play was called off, concluding a see-saw day of Test cricket.

    Brief scores:

    India 264/4 in 83 overs (B Sai Sudharsan 61, Yashasvi Jaiswal 58; Ben Stokes 2-47, Chris Woakes 1-43) vs England

    —IANS

     

  • India’s media sector booms with regional growth and digital expansion: govt

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India’s media and broadcasting sector is undergoing a dynamic transformation, driven by steady growth in traditional platforms and rapid advancement in the digital space.

    In a statement presented in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr. L. Murugan highlighted key developments across print, television, and public broadcasting.

    The number of registered publications has increased from 1.05 lakh in 2014-15 to 1.55 lakh in 2024- 25, reflecting the strong rise of regional and vernacular media. Private satellite television channels have also grown from 821 to 908 over the same period, underscoring the sector’s resilience and adaptability.

    Doordarshan’s Free Dish platform now carries 92 private channels along with 50 DD channels, offering content in multiple regional languages. This multilingual outreach has played a crucial role in bridging the information gap in remote and underserved areas.

    The platform’s expansion is part of a larger strategy to democratize access to news and entertainment. Under the Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development (BIND) Scheme 2021- 26, Prasar Bharati continues to modernize its transmission infrastructure.

    As part of this initiative, three new transmitters have been approved for Himachal Pradesh- including a 5kW unit in Mandi and 1kW FM transmitters in Chamba and Dharampur.

    With a total outlay of ₹2,539 crore, the BIND scheme aims to modernize All India Radio and Doordarshan facilities, expand FM coverage to over 80 percent of the population, and strengthen signal reach in strategically important border areas.

  • India achieves 20% ethanol blending in petrol, five years ahead of schedule

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India has successfully achieved 20% ethanol blending in petrol in 2025, five years ahead of its original target set for 2030, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri announced on Wednesday.

    Highlighting the country’s clean energy progress, the minister noted that ethanol blending in petrol has risen from just 1.5% in 2014 to 20% in 2025- a nearly thirteenfold increase over 11 years.

    Puri emphasized that the shift towards ethanol-blended fuel has not only bolstered energy security but also led to significant economic and environmental benefits. Ethanol production has surged from 38 crore litres in 2014 to 661.1 crore litres by June 2025.

    As a result, India has saved approximately ₹1.36 lakh crore in foreign exchange by reducing its dependency on imported crude oil. At the same time, ₹1.96 lakh crore has been paid to distilleries, fueling the growth of the domestic biofuel industry. Additionally, ₹1.18 lakh crore has been disbursed to farmers, thereby enhancing rural incomes and supporting the agricultural economy.

    The environmental impact has been equally significant. The increased use of ethanol-blended petrol has helped reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 698 lakh tonnes, contributing to India’s climate goals.

    “India hits 20% ethanol blending in petrol five years ahead of target. From just 1.5% in 2014 to 20% in 2025, this clean energy leap has: >> Saved ₹1.36 lakh crore in forex >> Paid ₹1.18 lakh crore to farmers >> Cut 698 lakh tonnes of CO₂ emissions. PM @narendramodi ji’s vision is powering energy security, farmer income and climate progress,” Puri said in a post on X.

    The ethanol used in blending is primarily derived from crops such as sugarcane, reinforcing the initiative’s role in supporting Indian agriculture.

    Recently, the Union Cabinet approved a price hike for ethanol produced from molasses for the current marketing season. The revised procurement prices for Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) under the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme will apply for the Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2024-25, which runs from November 1, 2024, to October 31, 2025.

    (ANI)

  • PM Modi arrives in London, begins two-day UK visit

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in London on Wednesday evening for a two-day official visit to the United Kingdom, marking a key diplomatic engagement aimed at strengthening strategic partnerships and advancing regional cooperation.

    The visit, scheduled for July 23- 24, comes at the invitation of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and is Modi’s fourth visit to the UK-highlighting the growing depth of bilateral ties.

    “Leaving for the UK, a country with which our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has achieved significant momentum in the last few years. I look forward to my talks with PM Keir Starmer and my meeting with His Majesty King Charles III,” PM Modi said in a post on X ahead of his arrival.

    According to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs, the visit will focus on reviewing progress under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), with special emphasis on trade and economy, technology and innovation, defence and security, climate cooperation, health, education, and people-to-people exchanges.

    The two sides are also expected to discuss key regional and global developments of shared interest.

    The visit is seen as an opportunity to inject fresh momentum into the India-UK CSP, with both leaders set to explore new areas of collaboration. A major focus will be the ongoing negotiations around the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which aims to enhance bilateral trade and economic integration.

  • Indian medical team arrives in Dhaka to treat plane crash victims: MEA

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    A team of Indian medical specialists arrived in Dhaka on Wednesday night to assist in the treatment of victims injured in the July 21 fighter jet crash in Bangladesh’s capital.

    According to Randhir Jaiswal, the Official Spokesperson of India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the team includes two specialists and a nursing assistant from Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and Safdarjung Hospital-India’s premier burn treatment centres. The team is scheduled to begin its work on Thursday at a designated hospital treating the injured.

    “This evening (July 23), a team of two Indian specialists and a nursing assistant… landed in Dhaka to help with the treatment of the victims of the plane crash tragedy,” Jaiswal said in a post on X, adding that the move follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s assurance of support to Bangladesh.

    The tragic crash occurred when a Bangladesh Air Force F-7 fighter jet crashed into the Milestone School and College campus in the Diabari area of Dhaka. According to the Bangladesh Chief Adviser’s Press Wing, the incident has claimed 29 lives so far, with 69 others injured. Many of the victims were students, teachers, first responders, and civilians.

    Doctors in Dhaka have expressed concern that the death toll may rise, as at least 25 of the injured are in critical condition with severe burn injuries.

    An official from the Indian High Commission in Dhaka confirmed the arrival of the medical team and reiterated that the doctors hail from specialized burn units in New Delhi. The assistance underscores India’s commitment to regional cooperation and humanitarian response in times of crisis.

  • Centre steps up measures to improve health and well-being of women

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Centre has undertaken a series of initiatives aimed at improving women’s health, hygiene, and overall well-being, with a particular focus on reducing hardship, ensuring access to essential services, and promoting safety and dignity for women across the country.

    In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Women and Child Development Savitri Thakur outlined several schemes that have played a crucial role in this regard, including Ujjwala Yojana, Jal Jeevan Mission and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. These programmes, she said, have significantly reduced the drudgery and time poverty faced by women, while also improving health outcomes.

    As part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, over 11.8 crore individual household latrines have been constructed nationwide. The Jal Jeevan Mission, meanwhile, has facilitated the provision of tap water connections to approximately 15.6 crore rural households.

    To enhance access to affordable healthcare products for women, the Department of Pharmaceuticals under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers is implementing the Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP). Over 16,000 Janaushadhi Kendras have been established under this initiative, offering essential medicines and oxo-biodegradable sanitary napkins branded as Suvidha, priced at ₹1 per pad.

    The government has also introduced the ‘Scheme for Promotion of Menstrual Hygiene’ for adolescent girls aged 10-19, under the National Health Mission. The scheme provides subsidised sanitary napkin packs through Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and includes training for field workers as well as awareness drives. National guidelines on Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM), developed under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, further aim to address behavioural change related to sanitation and hygiene, particularly in rural areas.

    Addressing the needs of working women and girl students, the Ministry of Women and Child Development has been implementing the Sakhi Niwas scheme-also known as the Working Women Hostel scheme-under the broader Mission Shakti initiative. The scheme is designed to provide safe and accessible accommodation for working women, as well as those pursuing higher education or training, across urban, semi-urban, and rural areas. It also includes provision for day-care facilities for the children of residents.

    In a push to expand infrastructure for women’s accommodation, the Ministry of Finance has allocated ₹5,000 crore under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme for construction of new working women hostels. So far, approval has been granted for the construction of 254 hostels across 28 States, with a total capacity of 52,991 beds at an estimated cost of ₹4,826.31 crore. Of this, ₹3,147.66 crore has already been disbursed to the States for the financial year 2024-25.

  • New National Cooperative Policy to be unveiled soon: Amit Shah

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Government is set to unveil the New National Cooperative Policy (NCP), aimed at realising the vision of “Sahakar se Samriddhi,” the core mandate of the Ministry of Cooperation. In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah said that the policy seeks to unlock the full potential of the cooperative sector by providing a comprehensive framework for its growth and development.

    To formulate the new policy, a national-level committee was constituted on 2nd September 2022 under the chairmanship of Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu. The committee comprises experts from the cooperative sector, representatives from various levels of cooperative societies, Secretaries and Registrars of Cooperative Societies from States and Union Territories, and officials from central ministries and departments.

    Over the course of its work, the committee held 17 meetings and organised four regional workshops to gather feedback and suggestions from stakeholders across the country. These inputs have been carefully integrated into the draft policy, which is now ready and will be made public shortly.

    Highlighting the Government’s efforts to strengthen the cooperative movement, the Minister informed the House that a comprehensive plan has been approved to expand the reach of cooperatives to the grassroots level. The plan aims to establish two lakh new multipurpose Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (M-PACS), along with dairy and fishery cooperatives, in every panchayat and village across India over the next five years. This will be achieved through convergence of various Government of India schemes such as the Dairy Infrastructure Development Fund (DIDF), National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD), and the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), with active support from NABARD, NDDB, NFDB, and State Governments.

    As part of this initiative, Margdarshika-a guidebook detailing the roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders- was released on 19th September 2024. According to the National Cooperative Database, a total of 21 new PACS have been registered in Haryana as of 30th June 2025.

    However, no new PACS were established in the state during the first quarter of the current financial year, from 1st April to 30th June 2025, as per the latest data available on the National Cooperative Database Portal.

     

  • Bihar’s railway budget grew nine times in 11 years, says Ashwini Vaishnaw

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday said that the budgetary allocation for railway infrastructure and safety works in Bihar has witnessed a nearly nine-fold increase in the last eleven years. From an annual average outlay of ₹1,132 crore during 2009–14, the allocation has surged to ₹10,066 crore in 2025–26.

    Highlighting the transformation, the Minister informed in a written reply to the Lok Sabha that the commissioning of new railway tracks in Bihar has also seen substantial growth. Between 2009 and 2014, 318 km of new tracks were laid, averaging 63.6 km per year. However, from 2014 to 2025, this figure rose to 1,899 km, averaging 172.6 km annually- more than two-and-a-half times the earlier rate.

    Several key infrastructure projects have been completed in Bihar in recent years. These include the construction of major bridges such as the Munger Bridge (₹2,774 crore), Patna Bridge (₹3,555 crore), and Kosi Bridge (₹516 crore). Other completed works include doubling of railway lines like Hajipur-Bachwara and Kiul-Gaya, gauge conversions across multiple routes, new line constructions, and electrification projects. The total expenditure on these projects runs into thousands of crores, reflecting the scale and ambition of ongoing railway expansion in the state.

    The Minister said that although some of these bridges were sanctioned before 2014, significant progress was achieved only after that year. He credited improved planning, efficient execution methods, and consistent fund availability for the timely implementation of these large-scale works.

    As of 1st April 2025, a total of 52 railway projects are sanctioned in Bihar, covering 4,663 km with an estimated cost of ₹86,107 crore. Of these, 1,014 km have been commissioned, and ₹29,353 crore has already been spent. These include 31 new line projects, one gauge conversion, and 20 doubling or multi-tracking projects.

    The Minister underlined that railway projects are sanctioned zonally rather than state-wise, as many span across state boundaries. Projects are approved based on traffic projections, operational requirements, socio-economic impact, and suggestions from state governments and public representatives.

    He added that timely completion of railway projects depends on factors such as land acquisition, environmental clearances, availability of funds, local law and order, and climatic conditions.

    To improve mobility and safety, Indian Railways is eliminating manned level crossings by constructing Road Over Bridges (ROBs) and Road Under Bridges (RUBs). Between 2014 and 2025, 558 such bridges were constructed in Bihar. Additionally, 218 more ROBs/RUBs, worth ₹6,014 crore, are in various stages of implementation.

    Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, 98 railway stations in Bihar have been selected for redevelopment to enhance passenger amenities. Works have already been completed at Pirpainti and Thawe stations under Phase-I. Other stations including Saharsa, Salauna, Luckeesarai, Gaya, and Muzaffarpur are witnessing rapid construction activity. The redevelopment includes upgraded station buildings, foot overbridges, new platforms, improved parking and circulating areas, and enhanced accessibility.

    The Minister informed that Bihar is also being served by 20 Vande Bharat trains and 10 Amrit Bharat Express services. Furthermore, two Namo Bharat Rapid Rail services are operational in the state, providing faster and more modern connectivity to the people.

    Railway infrastructure projects in Bihar are managed by the East Central Railway (ECR), Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), Eastern Railway (ER), and North Eastern Railway (NER) zones. The Ministry continues to monitor progress closely and updates are made available in the public domain through the Indian Railways website.

     

  • Centre launches geo-coded address system under ‘Dhruva’ Policy

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The centre has introduced the ‘Dhruva’ Policy, a pioneering initiative aimed at transforming how addresses are structured and managed across the country. At the heart of this policy is a geo-coded grid system that assigns unique codes called DIGIPINs to every location within a 4×4 metre area, promising enhanced location accuracy and more efficient service delivery.

    The policy introduces a new ‘Digital Address’ layer, allowing individuals and institutions to generate personalized address labels. By combining the DIGIPIN with traditional descriptors like house numbers and street names, users can create precise, easy-to-share digital addresses. This innovation is expected to simplify navigation, streamline logistics, and strengthen digital infrastructure.

    Designed with a federated and interoperable framework, the initiative enables every physical location in India to be digitally mapped and identified. This is expected to bolster service delivery in sectors such as postal services, telecommunications, and broadband-particularly in remote and underserved regions.

    Notably, the Dhruva Policy is built entirely on indigenous technology. Its open-source architecture supports domestic innovation and aligns with the government’s vision of Aatma Nirbhar Bharat. Officials believe that the system will help reduce delivery costs, improve resource planning, and promote digital inclusion by making public services more accessible and responsive.

    The initiative is currently at the proof-of-concept stage. A draft policy document has been circulated for stakeholder consultation to gather feedback and refine the framework.

    Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, shared the information in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.

     

  • Skill development drive under PMKVY sees over 20 lakh youth trained in FY 2024-25

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has reported notable progress under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), with over 20 lakh candidates trained in the financial year 2024-25 alone. The flagship scheme, launched in 2015, aims to equip India’s youth with skill development through Short-Term Training (STT) and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) initiatives.

    Over the last five financial years, a cumulative effort across States and Union Territories has contributed to a significant rise in skilled manpower. Uttar Pradesh led the training numbers in FY 2024-25, with more than 4.63 lakh individuals trained, followed by Rajasthan with 2.79 lakh and Madhya Pradesh with over 2.58 lakh trainees.

    Placement tracking under PMKVY was actively carried out during its first three phases-PMKVY 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0-covering the period from 2015-16 to 2021-22. As per official data, the placement rate of candidates certified under the STT component during these phases stood at 43%. Under the current phase, PMKVY 4.0, the emphasis has shifted towards empowering candidates to make informed choices in their career paths with necessary orientation support.

    Third-party evaluations have reaffirmed the scheme’s impact. A study by Sambodhi Research and Communications found that individuals trained and certified under PMKVY 2.0 earned 15 percent more, on average, than their counterparts who had not participated in the scheme. RPL-certified individuals reported a 19 percent higher monthly income when compared to those without certification.

    Further, a study conducted by NITI Aayog in October 2020 revealed that 94 percent of employers surveyed expressed willingness to hire more PMKVY-trained candidates. Additionally, the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), in its impact evaluation, found that about 70.5 percent of surveyed trainees secured jobs in their desired skill sectors. Over half of the candidates trained under RPL also reported receiving or expecting better salaries than their untrained peers.

    To enhance employment opportunities under PMKVY 4.0, the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) has been launched. This integrated platform provides a unified digital space connecting the skilling, education, employment, and entrepreneurship ecosystems. Job seekers can access career opportunities and apprenticeships, while employers can tap into a database of trained candidates. Rozgar Melas are also being organized across the country to facilitate direct engagement between employers and job aspirants.

    This information was shared in a written reply by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Jayant Chaudhary, in the Rajya Sabha.

  • Mobile phone exports rise 127 times in a decade, says govt

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India’s mobile manufacturing sector has witnessed an extraordinary transformation over the past decade, driven by the government’s Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme and other policy reforms. Mobile phone exports from India surged from ₹1,500 crore in 2014-15 to ₹2 lakh crore in 2024-25, marking a 127-fold increase. Similarly, mobile phone production grew from ₹18,000 crore to ₹5.45 lakh crore in the same period- an unprecedented 28-fold rise.

    These figures were presented in the Lok Sabha by Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, Jitin Prasada. He highlighted the cumulative impact of targeted policy interventions such as the National Policy on Electronics (NPE) 2019 and various PLI schemes which have established a robust electronics manufacturing ecosystem in the country.

    India is now the second-largest mobile phone manufacturer in the world, a shift made possible by the PLI Scheme for Large Scale Electronics Manufacturing (LSEM), which has successfully transformed India from a net importer to a net exporter of mobile phones. The production of electronics goods in India increased from ₹1.9 lakh crore in 2014-15 to ₹11.3 lakh crore in 2024-25. Electronics exports also rose eightfold, from ₹38,000 crore to ₹3.27 lakh crore.

    The number of mobile manufacturing units in the country expanded from just 2 in 2014-15 to over 300 by 2024-25. Imports of mobile phones, which previously made up 75% of domestic demand, now constitute just 0.02%.

    The PLI Scheme for LSEM has attracted a cumulative investment of ₹12,390 crore, leading to total production worth ₹8,44,752 crore and exports valued at ₹4,65,809 crore as of June 2025. This has generated over 1.3 lakh direct jobs in the sector.

    Similarly, the PLI Scheme 2.0 for IT Hardware has brought in ₹717.13 crore in investments, resulting in production worth ₹12,195.84 crore and the creation of over 5,000 direct jobs.

    In addition to PLI, other initiatives such as the Scheme for Promotion of Manufacturing of Electronic Components and Semiconductors (SPECS), Electronics Manufacturing Clusters (EMC and EMC 2.0), and Public Procurement (Preference to Make in India) Order 2017 have further supported the sector’s growth. Tax reforms, including tariff rationalization and exemptions on basic customs duty for capital goods, along with allowing 100% FDI in electronics manufacturing, have also played a key role.

    According to industry estimates, value addition in electronics manufacturing in India now ranges between 18% and 20% across various products. In the last five years alone, the electronics manufacturing sector has received USD 4,071 million in foreign direct investment, with USD 2,802 million coming from MeitY PLI beneficiaries.

  • Over 2.22 crore SC students benefitted from scholarships in last 5 years: Centre

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Union government on Wednesday informed Parliament that more than 2.22 crore Scheduled Caste students have received scholarships over the past five years under two key central schemes aimed at promoting higher education among disadvantaged communities.

    In a written reply during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament, Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale said that 2,22,31,139 SC students benefitted from the Post Matric Scholarship (PMS) Scheme, while 20,340 others received assistance under the Top-Class Education Scheme.

    Athawale said that the financial assistance has helped reduce the economic burden on SC families, enabling students to access quality education and improve their academic prospects.

    He noted that beneficiaries have enrolled in premier institutions across the country, including Indian Institute of Technology (IITs), Indian Institute of Management (IIMs), Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIITs), All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), National Institute of Technology (NITs), National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), National Institute of Design (NIDs), Institute of Hotel Management (IHMs) and National Law University (NLUs).

    “These schemes have contributed significantly to enhancing the educational standard of SC students and promoting socio-economic mobility by addressing both economic and social disadvantages,” the minister added.

  • ADB projects India’s GDP to grow at 6.5% in 2025, 6.7% in 2026 amid strong domestic demandion

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Wednesday projected that India’s GDP will grow at 6.5% in 2025 and a robust 6.7% in 2026, driven by strong domestic demand, a normal monsoon, and monetary easing.

    Inflation in India is expected to stay well within the Reserve Bank of India’s target range, with headline inflation projected at 3.8% for 2025 and 4.0% for 2026, according to the ADB. A sharp decline in food prices has helped ease overall price pressures, with Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation falling to 2.1% in June — the lowest level in over six years — as food inflation turned negative.

    India’s real GDP growth is projected to range between 6.4% and 6.7% this fiscal year, reaffirming the country’s position as the fastest-growing major economy in the world, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) said earlier this month.

    Meanwhile, ADB has lowered its growth forecasts for developing Asia and the Pacific for both this year and the next. The downward revisions are attributed to weaker exports due to higher US tariffs and global trade uncertainty, as well as subdued domestic demand.

    According to the Asian Development Outlook (ADO) July 2025, the region’s economies are now expected to grow by 4.7% this year, a 0.2 percentage point decrease from April’s projection. The 2026 forecast has also been revised downward to 4.6% from 4.7%.

    The outlook for developing Asia and the Pacific could worsen further if US tariffs and trade tensions escalate. Other risks include geopolitical conflicts that could disrupt global supply chains and drive up energy prices, as well as a deeper-than-expected slump in China’s property market.

    “Asia and the Pacific have weathered an increasingly challenging external environment this year. But the economic outlook has weakened amid intensifying risks and global uncertainty,” said ADB Chief Economist Albert Park.

    “Economies in the region should continue strengthening their fundamentals and promoting open trade and regional integration to support investment, employment, and growth,” Park added.

    Growth projections for the People’s Republic of China (PRC), the region’s largest economy, remain unchanged at 4.7% for this year and 4.3% for next year. Southeast Asian economies are expected to be hit hardest by deteriorating trade conditions and rising uncertainty. ADB now forecasts growth of 4.2% for the subregion this year and 4.3% next year—both figures roughly half a percentage point lower than the April estimates.

    — IANS

  • ECI begins process to elect new Vice-President after Dhankhar’s resignation

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday announced that it had initiated the process to conduct elections for the office of the Vice-President of India, two days after Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned from the post citing health reasons.

    In an official statement, the Commission said, “The Election Commission of India, under Article 324, is mandated to conduct the election to the office of the Vice President of India. The election to the office of the Vice President of India is governed by The Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1952 and the rules made thereunder, namely The Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Rules, 1974,”

    Under Article 66(1) of the Constitution, the Vice-President is elected by an electoral college comprising members of both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, using the system of proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote, with voting conducted by secret ballot.

    The Commission added that it had already started the process of constituting the electoral college and was finalising the appointment of returning officers. The official election schedule would be announced after the completion of these preparatory steps.

    Dhankhar’s tenure was originally set to end on August 10, 2027.

  • Indian stock market surges amid value buying, Sensex jumps 540 points

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Indian stock market settled in positive territory on Wednesday following buying in banking, financial services, automobiles and healthcare sectors amid positive global cues surrounding the US-Japan trade pact.

    Sensex closed at 82,726.64, up 539.83 or 0.66 per cent. The 30-share index opened with a decent gap-up at 82,451.87 against last session’s closing value of 82,186.81. The index soared further to hit an intraday high of 82,786.43, following buying interest in heavyweights like Tata Motors, Bharti Airtel and ICICI Bank.

    Nifty 50 closed at 25,219.90, up 159 points or 0.63 per cent.

    “The day was characterised by robust performance across key sectors such as Banking, Financial Services, Automobiles, Healthcare, and Information Technology. In contrast, pockets of weakness persisted in Realty, Media, Consumer Goods, and Metals, reflecting a sectorally bifurcated landscape,” said Ashika Institutional Equities in its note.

    On the global stage, investor sentiment soared following optimistic developments surrounding the US-Japan trade pact, igniting expectations for further international agreements shortly.

    Tata Motors, Bharti Airtel, Bajaj Finance, Maruti Suzuki, Bajaj FinServ, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Eternal, Asian Paints, and SBI were top gainers from the Sensex’s stocks. Hindustan Unilever, Infosys, and Ultratech Cements ended the session in red.

    Meanwhile, 37 stocks advanced and 13 shares declined from Nifty50.

    Among sectoral indices, Nifty Bank settled 454 points or 0.80 per cent higher, Nifty Auto surged 203 points or 0.85 per cent and Nifty IT closed 92.60 points or 0.25 per cent up. Nifty FMCG declined.

    Broader indices followed the gaining momentum as well. Nifty Net 50 surged 159 points, Nifty 100 rallied 0.55 per cent or 142 points, and Nifty Midcap 100 ended the session up 203 points or 0.34 per cent. Nifty Smallcap 100 settled flat.

    Rupee traded flat in a narrow range near 86.40, with marginal movement of 0.01 per cent against the dollar. The dollar index also remained steady around 97.40 as markets awaited further cues.

    “Domestic capital markets gained 0.65 per cent, while Fed Chair Powell’s recent speech kept the dollar range-bound. Attention now shifts to next week’s U.S. interest rate decision, which will be a key directional trigger. Rupee is expected to trade within a range of 85.80–86.70,” said Jateen Trivedi of LKP Securities.

    (IANS)

  • Govt clears six semiconductor projects worth ₹1.55 lakh crore, over 27,000 jobs on cards

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Centre has so far approved six semiconductor manufacturing projects, entailing a cumulative investment of around ₹1.55 lakh crore. These are expected to generate over 27,000 direct jobs, the Parliament was informed on Wednesday.

    Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada said the approvals are part of the government’s ₹76,000-crore ‘Semicon India Programme’, aimed at building a semiconductor and display manufacturing ecosystem in the country.

    “Semiconductor manufacturing is a highly specialised industry involving complex processes. Most of the jobs created are skilled roles,” Prasada said in a written reply. He added that the sector, being foundational, is likely to have a cascading impact on employment across other industries and supply chains.

    As part of the Design Linked Incentive (DLI) scheme, fiscal support has been extended to 22 approved startups and MSMEs. Of these, three design companies are based in Telangana, where 11 others have received design infrastructure support. Additionally, 22 institutes in the state are being supported under the Chips to Startup (C2S) programme, with six receiving financial assistance.

    Tamil Nadu also has three approved companies under the DLI scheme, while six firms have received design infrastructure support.

    The C2S programme targets the development of 85,000 skilled professionals in the semiconductor sector. So far, over 45,000 students from 100 institutions have enrolled. The government is providing engineering colleges with design tools and software to support chip design training.

    In 2022, the Skilled Manpower Advanced Research and Training (SMART) Lab was set up at NIELIT Calicut, with the goal of training one lakh engineers. Over 42,000 engineers have been trained so far, the minister said.

    The government is also working with global industry and academic partners including Lam Research, IBM, and Purdue University to build capacity in chip design and manufacturing.

    IANS

  • India has 8.52 million tonnes reserves of rare earth elements: Jitendra Singh

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India has approximately 7.23 million tonnes of rare earth elements oxide (REO) contained in 13.15 MT monazite (a mineral of Thorium and Rare Earths) occurring in the coastal beach, teri and red sand and inland alluvium in parts of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Gujarat and Maharashtra, while another 1.29 MT rare earths are situated in hard rocks in parts of Gujarat and Rajasthan, the Parliament was informed on Wednesday.

    The Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD), a constituent unit of Department of Atomic Energy, is carrying out exploration and augmentation of minerals of rare earth group elements along the coastal, inland and riverine placer sands as well as in hard rock terrains in several potential geological domains of the country, said Minister of State Dr Jitendra Singh in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

    Additionally, Geological Survey of India (GSI) has augmented 482.6 MT resources of rare earth elements (REE) ore at various cut-off grades in 34 exploration projects, the minister informed. The quantum of rare earth minerals exported during the last 10 years is 18 tonnes, while there have been no imports of rare earth minerals, he further stated.

    The minister also said that the Ministry of External Affairs is actively engaging with relevant stakeholders to alleviate the challenges arising from export restrictions on rare earth magnets imposed by certain countries.

    “There have been continued engagements at bilateral and multilateral level to increase cooperation in peaceful uses of nuclear energy, including in rare earth minerals and related technologies. These efforts aim to mitigate disruptions in the supply chain and safeguard the interests of Indian importers,” said the minister.

    The Ministry of Mines has entered into bilateral agreements with the governments of a number of countries such as Australia, Argentina, Zambia, Peru, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Cote D’Ivoire and International organisations such as International Energy Agency (IEA), Dr Singh said.

    The Ministry is also engaging on various multilateral and bilateral platforms such as Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), and initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) for strengthening the critical minerals value chain, he explained.

    He further stated that the Ministry of Mines has set up Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL), a joint Venture company with the objective to identify and acquire overseas mineral assets that hold critical and strategic significance, specifically targeting minerals like Lithium, Cobalt, and others.

    KABIL has already signed an Exploration and Development Agreement with CAMYEN, a state-owned enterprise of Catamarca province of Argentina for Exploration and mining of Five Lithium Blocks in Argentina. KABIL is also having regular interactions with Critical Mineral Office in Australia with the primary objective of acquiring critical and strategic mineral assets.

    Further, the Ministry has initiated the process of entering into government-to-government (G2G) MoUs with Brazil and Dominican Republic for developing cooperation in the field of rare earth minerals and critical minerals. The broad objectives of these MoUs are to provide an overarching framework for cooperation in research, development and innovation in mining, with a particular focus on REE and critical minerals, the minister pointed out.

    (IANS)

  • India to be third-largest economy by 2028: Morgan Stanley

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India is expected to become the world’s third-largest economy by 2028 and more than double its GDP to $10.6 trillion by 2035, according to a Morgan Stanley report released on Wednesday.

    The report estimates that three to five Indian states — including Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka — could each approach the $1 trillion mark, placing them among the top 20 global economies by 2035.

    “Based on the latest data, the top three states are Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Telangana,” the report said. It also highlighted Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh as the states that have shown the most improvement in rankings over the last five years.

    According to the report, India is likely to contribute 20% of global growth over the next decade and emerge as a key driver of earnings for multinational companies.

    Morgan Stanley’s economists underlined the crucial role played by India’s 28 states and eight Union Territories in achieving this growth trajectory. “States not only manage their own finances but also compete for investments by designing policies and easing business conditions. Ultimately, every factory or business is set up in a specific state,” the report said.

    The success of India’s “competitive federalism,” it added, will determine whether the country can become a global manufacturing hub, double per capita income within seven years, and sustain the momentum in capital markets.

    States are expected to play an increasingly important role as India moves toward becoming a $10.6 trillion economy. Their legislative and political autonomy enables them to shape industrial policy and attract investment.

    Over the past decade, the report said, infrastructure spending has seen a major push. The Centre’s capital expenditure has doubled to 3.2% of GDP in FY25 from 1.6% in FY15. As a result, highway networks have expanded by 60%, airports have doubled, and metro rail systems have quadrupled.

    Key central schemes — including PM Gati Shakti, the National Infrastructure Pipeline, Bharatmala, Sagarmala, and UDAN — have been implemented in tandem with state-level initiatives. States also lead investments in sectors such as power, water, and urban development.

    “The Centre and states must continue to collaborate closely to meet India’s economic ambitions,” the report said.

    —IANS

  • PM Modi embarks on two-nation visit to UK and Maldives

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday embarked on a two-nation visit to the United Kingdom and the Maldives, with a focus on deepening strategic partnerships and regional cooperation.

    In his departure statement, the Prime Minister said: “India and the UK share a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership that has witnessed significant progress in recent years. Our collaboration spans a wide range of sectors, including trade, investment, technology, innovation, defence, education, research, sustainability, health, and people-to-people ties.”

    The PM added that he will hold bilateral meetings with PM Keir Starmer to discuss further enhancement of the economic partnership, with the aim of fostering prosperity, growth, and job creation in both countries.

    “I also look forward to calling on His Majesty King Charles III during the visit,” PM Modi said.

    The Prime Minister’s visit to the UK from July 23–24 comes at the invitation of Starmer, marking his fourth trip to the country.

    In the second leg of his tour, PM Modi will undertake a state visit to the Maldives from July 25–26 at the invitation of Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu. This will be his third visit to the island nation and the first by any head of state or government during President Muizzu’s tenure.

    Notably, PM Modi will be the Guest of Honour at the Maldives’ 60th Independence Day celebrations on July 26. This year also marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

    The Prime Minister said he looked forward to meeting President Muizzu and other political leaders of the Indian Ocean archipelago to advance the joint vision of a Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership and to deepen cooperation for peace, prosperity, and stability in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

    “I am confident that the visit will yield tangible outcomes, benefiting our people and advancing our Neighbourhood First Policy,” the PM said.

    IANS

  • Heavy rain lashes Telangana, disrupts normal life

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Heavy rain lashed several parts of Telangana, inundating low-lying areas, cutting off villages and disrupting normal life.

    North Telangana districts have been receiving copious rain since Tuesday night.

    Rivulets, lakes and ponds were overflowing in agency areas of Mulugu district, which recorded the highest rainfall of 25.5 cm during the last 24 hours.

    Villages in Venkatapuram mandal of Mulugu district were marooned. With their houses completely inundated, villagers spent a sleepless night. Venkatapuram-Bhadrachalam main road was submerged, bringing the vehicular traffic to a complete halt.

    Eturanagam mandal in Mulugu district recorded 18.4 cm rainfall while Mangapet received 15.8 cm.

    United Karimnagar district has been receiving heavy rain since early Wednesday morning. Some colonies in Karimnagar town were inundated. Flood water entered houses and shops in parts of the town.

    Heavy rain affected coal production in the mines of state-owned Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL).

    Coal production was disrupted in four open-cast mines in Peddapalli district. About 40,000 tonnes of coal are produced in these mines every day.

    Flood water entered the open-cast mine at Yellandu in Bhadradri Kothagudem district. The employees deployed motors to pump out water.

    Production of 3,500 tonnes of coal came to a halt due to flooding.

    Heavy rain was also lashing Warangal, Jangaon, Mahabubabad and Khammam districts.

    The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy to very heavy rain in north and Central Telangana districts on Wednesday.

    Heavy to very heavy rain is likely in Adilabad, Komaram Bheem Asifabad, Mancherial, Jayashankar Bhupalapally, Mulugu and Bhadradri Kothagudem districts. The IMD has issued an orange alert for these districts.

    Heavy rain has been forecast for Nirmal, Nizamabad, Jagtial, Rajanna Sircilla, Karimnagar, Peddapalli, Hanamkonda, Warangal, Jangaon, Mahabubabad, Khammam, Vikarabad and Mahabubnagar districts. These districts have been issued a yellow alert.

    The IMD has forecast light to moderate rain in Hyderabad and remaining districts.

    Cyberabad Police have advised IT companies to consider following Work from Home mode on Wednesday in view of rain alert.

    “An alert has been issued for heavy rain in the Cyberabad area, considering the safety, productivity, traffic congestion and to ensure uninterrupted emergency services. Companies may consider following Work from Home (WFH) mode on 23- 07- 2025 – Wednesday,” read an advisory issued by the Cyberabad Police.

    (IANS)

  • Heavy rain lashes Telangana, disrupts normal life

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Heavy rain lashed several parts of Telangana, inundating low-lying areas, cutting off villages and disrupting normal life.

    North Telangana districts have been receiving copious rain since Tuesday night.

    Rivulets, lakes and ponds were overflowing in agency areas of Mulugu district, which recorded the highest rainfall of 25.5 cm during the last 24 hours.

    Villages in Venkatapuram mandal of Mulugu district were marooned. With their houses completely inundated, villagers spent a sleepless night. Venkatapuram-Bhadrachalam main road was submerged, bringing the vehicular traffic to a complete halt.

    Eturanagam mandal in Mulugu district recorded 18.4 cm rainfall while Mangapet received 15.8 cm.

    United Karimnagar district has been receiving heavy rain since early Wednesday morning. Some colonies in Karimnagar town were inundated. Flood water entered houses and shops in parts of the town.

    Heavy rain affected coal production in the mines of state-owned Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL).

    Coal production was disrupted in four open-cast mines in Peddapalli district. About 40,000 tonnes of coal are produced in these mines every day.

    Flood water entered the open-cast mine at Yellandu in Bhadradri Kothagudem district. The employees deployed motors to pump out water.

    Production of 3,500 tonnes of coal came to a halt due to flooding.

    Heavy rain was also lashing Warangal, Jangaon, Mahabubabad and Khammam districts.

    The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy to very heavy rain in north and Central Telangana districts on Wednesday.

    Heavy to very heavy rain is likely in Adilabad, Komaram Bheem Asifabad, Mancherial, Jayashankar Bhupalapally, Mulugu and Bhadradri Kothagudem districts. The IMD has issued an orange alert for these districts.

    Heavy rain has been forecast for Nirmal, Nizamabad, Jagtial, Rajanna Sircilla, Karimnagar, Peddapalli, Hanamkonda, Warangal, Jangaon, Mahabubabad, Khammam, Vikarabad and Mahabubnagar districts. These districts have been issued a yellow alert.

    The IMD has forecast light to moderate rain in Hyderabad and remaining districts.

    Cyberabad Police have advised IT companies to consider following Work from Home mode on Wednesday in view of rain alert.

    “An alert has been issued for heavy rain in the Cyberabad area, considering the safety, productivity, traffic congestion and to ensure uninterrupted emergency services. Companies may consider following Work from Home (WFH) mode on 23- 07- 2025 – Wednesday,” read an advisory issued by the Cyberabad Police.

    (IANS)

  • Ganga swells across Bihar: Flood threat rises as embankments strain under pressure

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Ganga river has once again turned ferocious across Bihar, putting millions of people at risk as water levels continue to rise from Buxar to Kahalgaon in Bhagalpur district.

    All 108 gates of the Farakka Barrage have been opened after the river crossed the danger mark.

    By Tuesday evening, water levels of the river in Patna was recorded at 43 cm above the Farakka level and 20 cm above the danger mark, placing extreme pressure on embankments.

    The Water Resources Department has deployed 600 personnel for round-the-clock monitoring of vulnerable embankments. Over 45 engineers are conducting night patrolling to prevent breaches.

    Ten districts – Buxar, Bhojpur, Patna, Vaishali, Samastipur, Munger, Begusarai, Katihar, Bhagalpur, and Khagaria – are under imminent flood threat.

    Heavy rainfall in Nepal has swelled the Kosi and Budhi Gandak rivers in North Bihar. Budhi Gandak is 41 cm above the danger mark in Khagaria. Kosi has crossed the red mark in Supaul and Saharsa.

    Heavy rainfall in Nepal has raised water levels, with 1,10,845 cusecs of water released from the Kosi Barrage.

    The Mahananda River is rising steadily, impacting eastern Bihar and the Seemanchal area.

    In Bhagalpur’s Sabour, Kahalgaon, and Pirpainti, Ganga’s erosion is devouring agricultural land, while floodwaters have entered villages in Bariyarpur, Munger.

    At Kahalgaon, Ganga is 26 cm above the danger mark.

    Apart from the Ganga, Kosi, Burhi Gandak, and Mahananda, Gandak, Punpun, Son, Falgu, and Dardha rivers have also crossed danger marks at several places.

    (IANS)

  • World Court is poised to mark the future course of climate litigation

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The United Nations’ highest court will deliver an opinion on Wednesday that is likely to determine the course of future climate action across the world.

    Known as an advisory opinion, the deliberation of the 15 judges of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague is legally non-binding. It nevertheless carries legal and political weight and future climate cases would be unable to ignore it, legal experts say.

    “The advisory opinion is probably the most consequential in the history of the court because it clarifies international law obligations to avoid catastrophic harm that would imperil the survival of humankind,” said Payam Akhavan, an international law professor.

    In two weeks of hearings last December at the ICJ, also known as the World Court, Akhavan represented low-lying, small island states that face an existential threat from rising sea levels.

    In all, over a hundred states and international organisations gave their views on the two questions the U.N. General Assembly had asked the judges to consider.

    They were: what are countries’ obligations under international law to protect the climate from greenhouse gas emissions; and what are the legal consequences for countries that harm the climate system?

    Wealthy countries of the Global North told the judges that existing climate treaties, including the 2015 Paris Agreement, which are largely non-binding, should be the basis for deciding their responsibilities.

    Developing nations and small island states argued for stronger measures, in some cases legally binding, to curb emissions and for the biggest emitters of climate-warming greenhouse gases to provide financial aid.

    PARIS AGREEMENT AND AN UPSURGE IN LITIGATION

    In 2015, at the conclusion of U.N. talks in Paris, more than 190 countries committed to pursue efforts to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit).

    The agreement has failed to curb the growth of global greenhouse gas emissions.

    Late last year, in the most recent “Emissions Gap Report,” which takes stock of countries’ promises to tackle climate change compared with what is needed, the U.N said that current climate policies will result in global warming of more than 3 C (5.4 F) above pre-industrial levels by 2100.

    As campaigners seek to hold companies and governments to account, climate‑related litigation has intensified, with nearly 3,000 cases filed across almost 60 countries, according to June figures from London’s Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment.

    So far, the results have been mixed.

    A German court in May threw out a case between a Peruvian farmer and German energy giant RWE RWEG.DE, but his lawyers and environmentalists said the case, which dragged on for a decade, was a still victory for climate cases that could spur similar lawsuits.

    Earlier this month, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, which holds jurisdiction over 20 Latin American and Caribbean countries, said in another advisory opinion its members must cooperate to tackle climate change.

    Campaigners say Wednesday’s court opinion should be a turning point and that, even if the ruling itself is advisory, it should provide for the determination that U.N. member states have broken the international law they have signed up to uphold.

    “The court can affirm that climate inaction, especially by major emitters, is not merely a policy failure but a breach of international law,” said Fijian Vishal Prasad, one of the law students that lobbied the government of Vanuatu in the South Pacific Ocean to bring the case to the ICJ.

    Although it is theoretically possible to ignore an ICJ ruling, lawyers say countries are typically reluctant to do so.

    “This opinion is applying binding international law, which countries have already committed to. National and regional courts will be looking to this opinion as a persuasive authority and this will inform judgments with binding consequences under their own legal systems,” Joie Chowdhury, senior attorney at the Center for International Environmental Law, said.

    The court will start reading out its opinion at 3 p.m. (1300 GMT).

    (Reuters)

  • Mother-to-child HIV transmission declined in India by 84% from 2010-2024: Anupriya Patel

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The number of vertical (mother-to-child) transmission of HIV has declined by around 84 per cent, said Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel in the Parliament during the ongoing Monsoon Session.

    In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Patel shared several steps taken by the government to enhance HIV/AIDS awareness.

    “Vertical transmission rate has also declined by around 74.5 per cent between 2010 and 2024 compared to around 56.5 per cent globally in the same reference period,” Patel said.

    Patel noted that National Aids Control Organisation (NACO), a division of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, undertakes the responsibility to strengthen the awareness campaign against HIV/AIDs, through comprehensive multimedia campaigns, such as with information kiosks, and folk performances, among others.

    Digital platforms and social media are also actively leveraged to ensure broader engagement and awareness generation, especially among younger and tech-savvy audiences.

    Further, NACO rolled out 1,619 projects nationwide to support high-risk HIV populations.

    “High-risk groups, including female sex workers (FSW), men having sex with Men (MSM), people who inject drugs (PWID), transgender (TG) individuals, truck drivers, and migrants are specifically addressed through 1,619 targeted intervention projects across the country,” Patel said.

    Self-help groups, anganwadi workers, ASHAs, and members of Panchayati Raj institutions provide training and sensitisation programmes at the grassroots level, fostering community-level awareness and behavioural change.

    “To prevent discrimination against people living with HIV (PLHIV), NACO uses thematic campaigns,” Patel said.

    These campaigns aim to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and foster inclusivity in diverse settings, including workplaces, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and communities at large.

    In addition, “Ombudsmen have been appointed in 34 States and Union Territories to address complaints related to discrimination against PLHIV,” the MoS said, noting that the efforts underscore the government’s commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of PLHIV.

    (IANS)

  • Microsoft knew of SharePoint security flaw but failed to effectively patch it, timeline shows

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    A security patch Microsoft released this month failed to fully fix a critical flaw in the U.S. tech giant’s SharePoint server software, opening the door to a sweeping global cyber espionage effort, a timeline reviewed by Reuters shows.

    On Tuesday, a Microsoft spokesperson confirmed that its initial solution to the flaw, identified at a hacker competition in May, did not work, but added that it released further patches that resolved the issue.

    It remains unclear who is behind the spy effort, which targeted about 100 organisations over the weekend, and is expected to spread as other hackers join the fray.

    In a blog post Microsoft said two allegedly Chinese hacking groups, dubbed “Linen Typhoon” and “Violet Typhoon,” were exploiting the weaknesses, along with a third, also based in China.

    Microsoft and Alphabet’s Google have said China-linked hackers were probably behind the first wave of hacks.

    Chinese government-linked operatives are regularly implicated in cyberattacks, but Beijing routinely denies such hacking operations.

    In an emailed statement, its embassy in Washington said China opposed all forms of cyberattacks, and “smearing others without solid evidence.”

    The vulnerability opening the way for the attack was first identified in May at a Berlin hacking competition organised by cybersecurity firm Trend Micro that offered cash bounties for finding computer bugs in popular software.

    It offered a $100,000 prize for so-called “zero-day” exploits that leverage previously undisclosed digital weaknesses that could be used against SharePoint, Microsoft’s flagship document management and collaboration platform.

    The U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration, charged with maintaining and designing the nation’s cache of nuclear weapons, was among the agencies breached, Bloomberg News said on Tuesday, citing a person with knowledge of the matter.

    No sensitive or classified information is known to have been compromised, it added.

    The U.S. Energy Department, the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and Microsoft did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment on the report.

    A researcher for the cybersecurity arm of Viettel, a telecoms firm run by Vietnam’s military, identified a SharePoint bug at the May event, dubbed it “ToolShell” and demonstrated a way to exploit it.

    The discovery won the researcher an award of $100,000, an X posting by Trend Micro’s “Zero Day Initiative” showed.

    Participating vendors were responsible for patching and disclosing security flaws in “an effective and timely manner,” Trend Micro said in a statement.

    “Patches will occasionally fail,” it added. “This has happened with SharePoint in the past.”

    In a July 8 security update Microsoft said it had identified the bug, listed it as a critical vulnerability, and released patches to fix it.

    About 10 days later, however, cybersecurity firms started to notice an influx of malicious online activity targeting the same software the bug sought to exploit: SharePoint servers.

    “Threat actors subsequently developed exploits that appear to bypass these patches,” British cybersecurity firm Sophos said in a blog post on Monday.

    The pool of potential ToolShell targets remains vast.

    Hackers could theoretically have already compromised more than 8,000 servers online, data from search engine Shodan, which helps identify internet-linked equipment, shows.

    Such servers were in networks ranging from auditors, banks, healthcare companies and major industrial firms to U.S. state-level and international government bodies.

    The Shadowserver Foundation, which scans the internet for potential digital vulnerabilities, put the number at a little more than 9,000, cautioning that the figure is a minimum.

    It said most of those affected were in the United States and Germany.

    Germany’s federal office for information security, BSI, said on Tuesday it had found no compromised SharePoint servers in government networks, despite some being vulnerable to the ToolShell attack.

    (Reuters)

  • Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2 pm following continued uproar

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned till 2 pm on Wednesday after repeated disruptions by Opposition members, who raised slogans and protested the dismissal of adjournment motions.

    The day’s proceedings began at 11 am but were adjourned shortly afterward due to continued uproar in both Houses. Proceedings resumed at 12 PM, only to be disrupted again.

    In the Rajya Sabha, Opposition MPs protested after their adjournment notices — seeking discussions on various pressing matters, including the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar — were rejected. Amid the commotion, the Upper House was adjourned till 2 pm.

    The Lok Sabha also faced repeated interruptions. Speaker Om Birla urged members not to carry placards into the House and warned that strict action would be taken against those disrupting the Question Hour. Despite this, protests persisted, leading to another adjournment till 2 pm.

    Before the adjournment, Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya introduced two key bills in the Lok Sabha — the National Sports Governance Bill, 2025, and the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, 2025.

    The Monsoon Session will comprise 21 sittings spread over 32 days and will conclude on August 21. Both Houses will be adjourned on August 12 and reassembled on Monday, August 18, to facilitate Independence Day celebrations.

  • Gujarat records 54% seasonal rainfall amid stark regional disparities

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The southwest monsoon arrived in Gujarat a week ahead of schedule this year, yet rainfall distribution across the state over the past month and a half has been highly uneven.

    In the last 24 hours alone, 90 talukas recorded rainfall, with Jalalpore in Navsari district receiving the highest at 5.24 inches. Navsari city saw 4.25 inches, while Mahuva in Surat and Gandevi in Navsari recorded 2.20 and 2.13 inches, respectively. In total, 11 talukas received over 1 inch of rainfall, while 79 talukas reported less than an inch.

    As of now, Gujarat has received 54% of its seasonal average rainfall—roughly 19 inches. However, stark regional disparities remain.

    Kutch has performed slightly better with 64% of its seasonal average, while central and eastern Gujarat have received just 51%. Saurashtra’s 11 districts have together received about 16 inches of rain, accounting for 53.48% of their seasonal norm.

    At the district level, variations are even more pronounced. Bhavnagar has received 80% of its seasonal quota, while Patan has seen only 34%, underscoring the inconsistency of rainfall across the state. While some areas report satisfactory rain, others continue to await a more uniform monsoon.

    The monsoon officially entered Gujarat on June 17 this year.

    From 2020 to 2023, Gujarat experienced significant fluctuations in monsoon rainfall. In 2020, the state recorded 1,091.7 mm—58% above normal—with Kutch and Saurashtra witnessing particularly heavy rainfall. Devbhumi Dwarka recorded an unprecedented 2,132 mm, which was 325% above the seasonal average.

    In 2021, parts of Saurashtra faced severe flooding in September, leading to extensive damage, highlighting the hazards of intense, localized rainfall.

    The following years, including 2022, brought average to slightly below-average rainfall, though detailed figures are limited. By 2023, rainfall trends shifted sharply: 12 of Gujarat’s 33 districts recorded more than a 50% increase in seasonal rainfall compared to the 2014–2023 average. Devbhumi Dwarka saw rainfall more than double (up 135%), while other regions like Porbandar, Vadodara, Bharuch, and Tapi also experienced substantial increases. Only Sabarkantha saw a marginal decline of 5%.

    These shifting patterns reflect Gujarat’s increasing susceptibility to uneven and intense monsoon seasons—excessive rainfall in some districts countered by deficits in others—posing heightened flood risks and agricultural challenges statewide.

    (IANS)

  • Nifty, Sensex open with gains on US-Japan trade deal optimism

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Indian stock markets continued their upward momentum on Wednesday, with both key indices, the Nifty 50 and the BSE Sensex, posting early gains.

    This positive movement came as investor confidence received a major boost following the recent trade agreement between the United States and Japan.

    The Nifty 50 index opened at 25,138.50, registering a gain of 77.60 points or 0.31 per cent. Similarly, the BSE Sensex began the day on a stronger note at 82,429.66, rising by 242.85 points or 0.30 per cent.

    Experts attributed the bullish sentiment to the recent US-Japan deal, which settled tariffs at 15 per cent on Japanese goods, instead of the previously feared 25 per cent. This has lifted investor morale across Asian markets.

    Ajay Bagga, Banking and Market Expert, told ANI, “Indian markets have held key support levels despite the twin headwinds of tariff uncertainty and weak earnings. The Japan deal raises hopes for a US-India deal in the ballpark 15 per cent range. That could be a huge catalyst for short covering and could lead to a regaining of the September 2024 all-time highs in the Indian markets. Today is promising to be a positive day, with massive inflows from DIIs countering the continued FPI outflows.”

    The US-Japan deal is expected to lead to a short squeeze in Japan, with Japanese automaker stocks reportedly rising as much as 15 per cent in early Tokyo trade.

    The market now anticipates that similar deals may be announced with other major economies such as the EU and India, providing further support to global equity markets.

    Despite the positive open, technical analysts remained cautious. Akshay Chinchalkar, Head of Research at Axis Securities, noted, “The Nifty ended down 30 points to close at 25,061. Technically speaking, the market did break above the first hurdle at 25,144 yesterday but wasn’t able to close above it, and that’s not a good sign. To reiterate, unless we break 25,340 on a closing basis, bulls have very little going for them from these levels. Asian cues are positive due to Japan securing a trade deal with the US.”

    In the broader market, indices on the NSE showed mixed trends. The Nifty 100 was up by 0.15 per cent, while the Nifty 200 gained 0.10 per cent. However, the Nifty Midcap index fell by 0.14 per cent, and the Nifty Smallcap 100 declined by 0.33 per cent.

    Sector wise performance was also mixed. The Nifty Auto index surged by 1 per cent, supported by gains in Japanese automobile stocks. Nifty Metal gained 0.36 per cent, while Nifty PSU Bank posted a 0.16 per cent increase. On the downside, the Nifty FMCG, IT, and Media indices registered losses.

    Commenting on the technical outlook, Vikram Kasat, Head, Advisory, PL Capital said, “The tug of war between the bulls and the bears continues. Nifty is failing to cross and sustain above the 40HEMA, which has now moved lower to 25,104. Sustaining above the 40HEMA and closing above the high hourly high of 25,182 can hint towards a trend reversal as it would reinforce a higher top, higher bottom formation. The low of 24,882 will be an important support level.”

    As the markets digest the implications of the US-Japan deal, all eyes are now on potential trade developments involving India, which could serve as a further trigger for the next leg of the market rally.

    (ANI)

  • India extends medical support to burn victims in Bangladesh air crash

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India has dispatched a team of burn-specialist doctors and nurses to Dhaka to treat those injured in the military jet crash in Bangladesh, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Tuesday.

    The medical team will assess the condition of the injured and provide critical care to burn victims. Based on their evaluation, recommendations will be made for further treatment, including the possibility of transferring patients to India for specialised care, according to the MEA.

    The foreign ministry added that additional medical experts may also be deployed depending on the team’s preliminary assessment and treatment requirements.

    Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had expressed condolences over the loss of lives in the tragic air crash and conveyed India’s support and assistance to the Bangladeshi government.