Index of Eight Core Industries growth indicates sectoral expansion led by coal and electricity, with refinery and crude oil contraction.
The Index of Eight Core Industries rose provisionally by 4.0% in June 2024 year on year and by 5.7% cumulatively for April-June 2024-25; coal and electricity were the main positive contributors while crude oil and refinery products declined in June 2024. Data for April-June 2024 are provisional and subject to revision; industry weights are derived from IIP and scaled to an ICI total of 100; renewables are included in electricity data and a new steel product (HRPO) is included from March 2019.

Supply Chain Resilience: India elected Vice Chair of the Supply Chain Council to advance regional cooperation and workforce strengthening.
Fourteen IPEF partners established a Supply Chain Council, Crisis Response Network, and Labor Rights Advisory Board under the IPEF Supply Chain Resilience Agreement to strengthen critical supply chains, coordinate collective emergency responses, and advance labor rights and workforce development. Governance arrangements include two year Chairs and Vice Chairs (Supply Chain Council: Chair USA, Vice Chair India) and adoption of Terms of Reference and initial work priorities, with planned in person meetings to progress action oriented workstreams on resilience, contingency planning, and labour provisions.

Merger approval: competition regulator clears amalgamation of two fertilizer companies and related share acquisition transaction.
The Competition Commission of India approved a corporate combination comprising the amalgamation of Mangalore Chemicals & Fertilizers Limited into Paradeep Phosphates Limited on a going concern basis, together with the acquisition by Zuari Maroc Phosphates Private Limited of a block of equity shares in Mangalore Chemicals & Fertilizers Limited from Zuari Agro Chemicals Ltd; the parties are group-related and ZMPPL is a fifty-fifty joint venture between Zuari Agro Chemicals Ltd and OCP S.A.

Merger approval: acquisition of Viterra by Bunge proceeds; sellers receive stock and retain minority stakes.
Approval of Bunge's acquisition of 100% of Viterra is noted, with consideration delivered as Bunge stock to Viterra's three main shareholders, who will thereby hold minority stakes in Bunge. The summary emphasizes the operative transaction mechanism-share acquisition through stock exchange preserving seller minority ownership-and characterises the parties' commercial activities: Bunge's marketing of refined and crude vegetable oils, oilseed meals and related products, and Viterra's focus on unprocessed grains, oilseeds, milled products and limited origination in domestic commodities.

Production linked incentive schemes expand eligible investment treatment to include R&D, enhancing manufacturing competitiveness and investment attraction.
Production Linked Incentive schemes cover fourteen manufacturing sectors to attract investment, increase scale efficiencies and competitiveness. Beneficiary selection criteria include willingness to invest, production of approved product categories, eligible net worth and domestic value addition as set out in implementing Ministries' Scheme Guidelines. Under the Automobile and ACC Battery PLIs, beneficiary expenditure on Research and Development is treated as eligible investment to support technology adoption.

Intellectual property modernization accelerates patent grants and eases digital filing, boosting access for startups and MSMEs.
The Office implemented end-to-end online prosecution through comprehensive digitization, increased technical capacity to reduce backlog, and applied targeted financial incentives and the SIPP pro bono facilitation scheme to expand patent, trademark and design filings by startups, MSMEs and educational institutions, supported by national awareness and GI registry enhancements.

Outcome review framework mandates measurable indicators and third-party evaluation for scheme continuation and monitoring.
MoSPI requires all Central Sector and Centrally Sponsored Schemes to adopt an output-outcome framework with measurable outcome indicators, submit to yearly reviews, and, for continuation or renewal, undergo third-party evaluation (independent agencies for Central Sector Schemes; DMEO, NITI Aayog for Centrally Sponsored Schemes). The Ministry also mandates monitoring of major Central Sector infrastructure projects through regular reporting to its Online Computer Monitoring System and publishes periodic monitoring reports in the public domain.

Green logistics: national policy and digital platforms promote modal shift to rail and data driven sustainability in freight.
The policy framework advances green logistics by promoting modal shift, digitalization and automation to reduce freight emissions and enhance supply chain efficiency through sectoral plans and rail centric initiatives, while PM GatiShakti, Unified Logistics Interface Platform and Logistics Data Bank provide integrated data access; tools like the Freight GHG Calculator and Rail Green Points quantify emissions and an E Handbook prescribes warehousing standards to optimize infrastructure and sustainability.

Incentives for small tea growers promote mobilisation into SHGs/FPOs and support facilities to boost productivity and value addition.
The Tea Development & Promotion Scheme provides incentives to small tea growers by mobilising them into self help groups and farmer producer organisations and funding common facilities-mechanisation, leaf handling infrastructure, storage, and mini tea factories-alongside soil testing and capacity building. It also supports replantation, nurseries and field management training to improve production, productivity, quality, value addition, market realisation, entrepreneurship and employment in the tea sector.

Integrated multimodal planning under PM GatiShakti to enhance capacity, connectivity and synchronized implementation across key rail and road projects.
The Network Planning Group evaluated five rail and road projects against PM GatiShakti principles of integrated planning, focusing on multimodal integration, last mile and intermodal connectivity, and synchronized implementation. Projects include third and fourth lines on the Varanasi-Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay rail section, a double line Kharsia-Naya Raipur-Parmalkasa rail upgrade to relieve severe capacity constraints, widening NH 202 in Nagaland to improve Indo Myanmar access, two laning NH 715A in Assam to strengthen Indo Bhutan linkage, and upgrading Shangshak-Tengnoupal on NH 102A to create a north-south logistics corridor in Manipur.

Competition clearance granted for a foreign investor's minority acquisition in an insurer holding company.
The Competition Commission of India granted competition clearance for Sanlam Emerging Markets (Mauritius) Limited to acquire a 16.12% shareholding in Shriram GI Holdings Private Limited, the promoter and holding company that holds 66.64% in Shriram General Insurance Company Limited; Sanlam Emerging Markets (Mauritius) Limited is a Mauritius-incorporated wholly-owned subsidiary within the Sanlam Group and a detailed CCI order will follow.

Merger control clearance for acquisition of a minority stake in a life-insurance holding prompts detailed regulatory order to follow.
The proposed combination involves Sanlam Emerging Markets (Mauritius) Limited acquiring a minority shareholding in Shriram LI Holdings Private Limited, the promoter and holding company of Shriram Life Insurance Company Limited, which itself holds a majority interest in the insurer; the transaction was cleared under the competition review process and a detailed order will follow.

Data privacy obligations require suppression of identifying details before any statistical data disclosure under applicable protection frameworks.
The framework requires that information collected in official surveys remain confidential and be used only for statistical purposes; publication or disclosure is permitted only after suppression of identifying particulars, with data compromising security or revealing informant identity classified as non-shareable, and processing for research or statistical purposes subject to prescribed conditions under the digital personal data protection framework.

Zero Penalty on sale of excess FCV tobacco; waiver of extra auction service charges to aid growers after crop damage.
Approval allows registered growers to sell excess Flue Cured Virginia tobacco on Tobacco Board auction platforms for the 2023-24 season by waiving additional service charges while maintaining normal service charges; relief addresses losses and extra replantation costs from cyclonic rains and applies as a zero-penalty measure for excess sales by registered growers in the affected State.

Increase in MPLAD funds subject to Cabinet approval when proposed rise exceeds approved threshold, with pre extension review.
Third party evaluation of MPLADS works (01 04 2014 to 31 03 2019) was completed with a final report submitted on 31 08 2021; suggestions to increase annual MPLADS funding were received from MPs. The scheme is approved through FY 2025 26; proposed increases beyond the established funding threshold require Cabinet approval after competent authority clearance, and the Ministry will examine proposals before extension, following third party audit and stakeholder consultation.

Multilingual procurement training expands access to GeM e Learning, enabling stakeholders to attain buyer certification and navigate procurement processes.
Implementation of a multilingual GeM Learning Management System offering SCORM-compliant interactive courses, a user-friendly interface with libraries and progress tracking, and a structured four-level Buyer Certification program that lets government buyers, sellers, and service providers choose learning pathways by topic or certification level to improve procurement comprehension and portal navigation.

Merger control approval permits majority stake acquisition in an EMS provider while assessing potential market overlaps and supply chain effects.
The Competition Commission of India has approved Dixon Technologies (India) Limited acquiring up to 56% of Ismartu India Private Limited. The Acquirer is an EMS provider across communication devices, lighting, televisions, appliances, security systems, wearables and hearables, operating through subsidiaries and joint ventures. The Target provides EMS for mobile phones including printed circuit board assembly, LCD module displays, production, assembly, testing, procurement and failure analysis. A detailed CCI order will follow.

Competition approval: acquisition of indirect non voting economic interest in a listed pharmaceutical company via share and debt transfer.
The Competition Commission of India approved a combination in which Platinum Poppy will acquire ordinary shares in, and extend shareholder debt to, Berhyanda and Berhyanda MidCo, thereby obtaining an indirect non voting economic interest in Suven Pharmaceuticals through Berhyanda's majority shareholding. Platinum Poppy is a restricted scope vehicle for investment established in the Abu Dhabi Global Market with ADIA as ultimate beneficiary; Berhyanda entities are Advent-managed investment holding companies and Suven is a listed pharmaceutical manufacturer and contract development supplier.

Merger control: Competition authority approves indirect acquisition of steel manufacturer by mining and holding entities.
The Competition Commission of India approved an indirect acquisition whereby The Sandur Manganese & Iron Ores Limited and BAG Holdings Private Limited acquire control of Arjas Steel Private Limited and indirect control of its wholly owned subsidiary Arjas Modern Steel Private Limited; SMIORE is a listed mining, ferroalloy and coke producer, BHPL is a non operating affiliate, and the Targets manufacture and sell steel products, heavy ingots and billets, with a detailed CCI order to follow.

International business education launches flagship MBA programmes to strengthen analytics skills and global trade readiness for students.
Inauguration of two flagship programmes - MBA (International Business) and MBA (Business Analytics) - at IIFT emphasized combining international trade expertise with data-driven managerial skills, promoting peer-to-peer learning, industry and alumni engagement, and continuous skill renewal. Speakers urged students to leverage technology, entrepreneurship and the demographic dividend to lead in services and trade sectors and support Vision 2047, while institutional leadership committed to enhancing IIFT's global reputation through contemporary research, training and education.