Industrial production growth signals expansion across mining, manufacturing and electricity with key sectoral contributors identified.
Quick Estimates of the Index of Industrial Production for May 2024 show year-on-year expansion with positive contributions across Mining, Manufacturing and Electricity; Primary goods, Consumer durables and Infrastructure/Construction goods are the leading use-based contributors, while Manufacture of basic metals, pharmaceuticals and electrical equipment are principal manufacturing contributors. The release provides 2-digit NIC and use-based indices, notes that May figures are preliminary and subject to revision, discloses weighted response rates for current compilations, and points users to detailed Statements and the next scheduled release.

Logistics digitization via Unified Logistics Interface Platform expands state dashboard integration for real time supply chain visibility.
The MoU creates a program to digitize Gujarat logistics by deploying the Unified Logistics Interface Platform and a hub spoke ULIP Dashboard that integrates state departments via APIs to provide continuous real time visibility of shipment tracking, vehicle utilization, infrastructure availability and transit times, improving coordination among government and private stakeholders and enabling synthesized data for inter agency decision making.

Trader engagement platform launched enabling regular virtual consultations to connect traders with welfare board for retail trade issues.
An open virtual consultation channel was launched to enable regular weekly interactions between traders and the National Traders' Welfare Board for discussion of retail trade concerns; representations from members and trade associations have been referred to concerned Ministries/Departments, and members were asked for suggestions to improve awareness and reach of welfare schemes, with participation by nominated non official members and ex officio representatives from nine Ministries/Departments.

Transaction charges reduction enhances seller competitiveness on the public procurement platform while expanding trainer support and AI tools.
GeM reduced seller transaction charges and introduced a cap on charges while promoting seller competitiveness, expanded outreach through the GeM SAHAYAK trainer accreditation program to assist sellers and buyers with onboarding and bid creation, and launched the Aabhar Collection to facilitate procurement of handcrafted and GI products; concurrently GeM is deploying a generative AI chatbot and unified monitoring and geo tagging tools to enhance transparency, performance monitoring and participation of small suppliers in public procurement.

Integrated multimodal planning evaluated five transport projects to boost last mile connectivity and urban regional logistics efficiency.
The Network Planning Group reviewed five projects - two greenfield rail lines in Odisha for first mile coal connectivity and logistics efficiency; the Lucknow Metro Phase I B east west extension to expand urban transit, interchange integration and renewable energy use; and two road upgrades (NH 47 upgradation and NH 166 four laning) to relieve congestion, reduce travel time and emissions - assessing each for integrated multimodal planning, last mile and intermodal connectivity, and synchronized implementation to deliver socioeconomic benefits.

Industry collaboration to position India as a global toy hub, promoting artisan support and sustainable manufacturing.
Support for Indian artisans and industry collaboration is promoted to cultivate creativity, education-focused toys, and position the domestic sector for global growth. Government representatives urged integration of artisan participation, quality control, innovation, and sustainability into manufacturing while facilitating private investment and institutional coordination to strengthen domestic manufacturing capacity and make Indian-made toys competitive internationally.

Advisory council constituted to advise on terms of reference and assist research to improve fiscal devolution.
Constitution of an Advisory Council to support the Sixteenth Finance Commission by advising on Terms of Reference, preparing and monitoring research studies, and recommending national and international best practices to enhance fiscal devolution and the quality and enforceability of the Commission's recommendations.

PLI Scheme for White Goods application window reopened; approvals eligible for incentives only for the remaining scheme tenure.
Application window for the PLI Scheme for White Goods (ACs and LED lights) is reopened on the same terms via the existing portal. New and existing applicants may apply to increase investments or switch segments, subject to Scheme Guidelines and investment schedules. Applicants approved in this round will receive incentives only for the remainder of the Scheme's tenure, with maximum incentive periods varying by prior investment period; one-time flexibility allows claims under original plans if thresholds are not met. Claim processing is moved from annual to quarterly; consolidated guidelines and portal details are provided.

Memorandum of Understanding on logistics cost assessment establishes a framework and a one year study to analyse cost differentials and determinants.
A Memorandum of Understanding between DPIIT and NCAER mandates development of a detailed framework for assessing logistics cost and requires NCAER to prepare a comprehensive 2023-24 logistics cost study, analyse cost differentials across routes, modes, products and operations, identify major determinants including intangible costs, and submit the report within one year, while institutionalising systematic periodic data collection for policymaking.

Unincorporated sector growth shows increased establishments, workforce and GVA with rising registration, digitization and credit access.
The surveys report increases in establishments, workforce and GVA alongside higher average fixed assets, larger outstanding loans and rising formal registration; they cover unincorporated non agricultural establishments across Manufacturing, Trade and Other Services using a multi stage stratified sample frame, area based listing and a shift from PAPI to CAPI data collection, with pandemic affected periods separately disaggregated.

Drone ecosystem policy promotes agricultural deployment and regulatory easing to empower women and support shared agri services.
The government is promoting the drone ecosystem for rural agricultural deployment to empower women via the 'NAMO Drone Didi' initiative and to improve yields and reduce farmer expenses through precision and shared-service models for SHGs, FPOs and cooperatives. The Production-Linked Incentive is framed as a kickstarter rather than a permanent subsidy, while policy priorities include easing regulations, reducing startup compliance burdens, enabling Ease of Doing Business, and mobilising finance and mentoring support from institutions such as SIDBI to scale the sector.

Licensing concessions and streamlined safety regulation to ease PESO compliance while maintaining public safety and digital processes.
PESO licensing and regulatory procedures will be reformed to balance industry compliance with public safety by granting fee concessions to targeted entrepreneurs, directing PESO to draft safety templates with pollution and petroleum authorities to permit retail petrol outlets near habitation, and forming a committee to examine extending licence validity for explosives, transport and manufacturing to align with the ten year term for other licences. Operational simplifications include harmonising petrol and CNG licence amendments via module changes, expanding Third Party Inspection Agency involvement, developing online permission modules, issuing FAQs, integrating District Authority NOCs into LSDA, and constituting interagency industry committees to recommend rule amendments and drive digitalisation and risk based regulation.

Impersonation fraud alerts: fake emails alleging sexual offences impersonate agencies - do not respond, report to police.
Impersonation via email alleges serious sexual offences against recipients using forged letters with official names, signatures, stamps and logos. These fraudulent emails, sent from varied sender addresses, accuse recipients of offences including child pornography and grooming. Recipients are warned not to respond to such emails or attachments and are advised to report instances to the nearest police station or cyber police station; police authorities have been alerted to investigate.

Repayment of government security: maturity paid at par with electronic credit required; alternative in-person tender permitted.
Repayment of the 8.40% government security is at par on the maturity date and interest stops thereafter; if the repayment day is a weekend or a State-declared holiday under the Negotiable Instruments Act, payment is made on the preceding working day. Maturity proceeds for holders in Subsidiary General Ledger, Constituent Subsidiary General Ledger or Stock Certificate form must be paid by electronic credit or pay order per sub-regulations 24(2) and 24(3) of the Government Securities Regulations, 2007, and holders must submit bank account particulars in advance; absent those particulars, holders may tender discharged securities at designated paying offices twenty days before the due date.

National Indicator Framework for SDGs enhances national monitoring through annual progress reports and public data releases for policymaking.
The Ministry released annual SDG publications centred on the National Indicator Framework (NIF), comprising an SDG Progress Report with time series data, a derived Data Snapshot, and a handbook listing national indicators with sources and periodicity. The reports provide metadata, downloadable data tables, and rely primarily on administrative records, surveys and censuses from line Ministries to support national monitoring and policymaking.

Open data portal improves access to official statistics enabling searchable datasets, time series visualization, custom downloads and APIs.
Launch of the eSankhyiki portal creates a centralised platform for dissemination and reuse of official statistics through two modules: a Data Catalogue that aggregates major Ministry datasets with metadata, search, visualization and download capabilities (over 2,291 datasets), and a Macro Indicators Module offering filtered time series, visualizations, custom downloads and API access across core data products, improving accessibility, discoverability and programmatic reusability of statistical records.

Index of Eight Core Industries rises in May; electricity, coal, steel and natural gas drove production growth.
The combined Index of Eight Core Industries rose provisionally by 6.3% in May 2024 with a provisional cumulative growth of 6.5% for April-May 2024 25. Electricity, coal, steel, natural gas and refinery products led positive year on year growth, while cement, crude oil and fertilizers declined. Data for March-May 2024 are provisional and subject to revision; the index uses base year 2011 12=100 and includes methodological notes on renewable electricity and a new steel product category.

Transitional approach on equalisation levy extended, preserving bilateral terms and suspending trade measures pending Pillar One finalization.
India and the United States have agreed to extend the bilateral understanding that aligns with the October 21 political compromise and preserves all terms of the transitional approach regarding India's 2% equalisation levy on e commerce supply of services, continuing the suspension of trade measures until June 30, 2024, while Parties coordinate with Inclusive Framework efforts to finalize the Pillar One multilateral convention and pursue resolution of outstanding issues through constructive dialogue.

Data-driven decision-making promoted through national Statistics Day, highlighting a new official data portal and SDG indicator releases.
June 29 is designated Statistics Day with the 2024 theme Use of data for decision making to advance public awareness and evidence based policy. The national event features senior speakers, stakeholder participation, live webcasting and a technical session. Operational outcomes include felicitating essay competition winners, releasing the SDG National Indicator Framework Progress Report and related data products, and launching the eSankhyiki data portal and Central Data Repository for dissemination of official time series macro indicators and the Ministry's data catalogue.

PM GatiShakti principles guide integrated infrastructure planning to evaluate major rail and industrial cluster projects for connectivity.
Under PM GatiShakti principles, the Network Planning Group evaluated two Energy Mineral Cement Corridor railway expansions to increase section capacity and six NICDC projects comprising Integrated Manufacturing Clusters and industrial areas designed with Industry 4.0 features, strategic transport connectivity, and supporting social and logistics infrastructure. Appraisal focused on integrated planning, reduced transit costs, socio economic benefits, employment generation, and alignment with national infrastructure priorities to bolster regional industrial development and logistics efficiency.