Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal says technology-enabled bilingual management education can bridge the rural-urban divide and...
Energy statistics harmonization advances with new methodologies for coal, biofuels, captive electricity and electric vehicle data gaps. Strengthening India's energy statistics framework requires harmonized definitions, classifications, conversion factors and estimation methods across line ministries to improve consistency, comparability and international alignment. The committee recommended adoption of standard industrial and energy-product classifications, along with uniform conversion factors, for collection and dissemination of energy statistics, and proposed methodologies to refine sectoral end-use consumption estimates for coal and electricity using the Annual Survey of Industries database. The report further identified significant gaps in biofuel consumption data and in capturing electricity consumption through captive or off-grid modes and by electric vehicles. For these areas, it proposed initial methodological frameworks to be refined for incorporation into the energy-balance database.
Bilingual online management education expands access while preserving academic rigour through structured learning and accountable evaluation. IIM Udaipur virtually inaugurated its BBA Program as a bilingual, online-enabled management education initiative designed to widen access while maintaining academic rigour. The program combines digital delivery with offline examinations, faculty-led structured learning, regular assessment and scholarship support, and was presented as a model for accessible yet high-quality management education.
Provident fund payment integration streamlines digital statutory compliance through EPFO portal transactions and instant challan confirmation. IDFC FIRST Bank has been integrated with the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation platform to facilitate provident fund payments through its retail and corporate internet banking channels. The arrangement enables establishments to create challans on the EPFO portal, select the bank as payment option, complete transactions digitally, and obtain real-time confirmation and instant challan downloads for reconciliation and record-keeping.
Bail in sexual harassment and forced conversion allegations turns on grave accusations, witness tampering risk, and coercion claims. Bail proceedings arose from allegations of sexual harassment, deceitful sexual relations, caste-based abuse, and attempts to coerce religious conversion against employees connected with a TCS unit in Nashik. One accused was granted bail, another was denied bail on the ground that the accusations were grave and that the possibility of tampering with evidence, intimidating witnesses, or fleeing from justice could not be ruled out; a reasoned order on the woman accused's bail was not available in the text, though she had sought bail on the ground of pregnancy.
Landing and parking charges waiver for domestic flights at major airports is reported to have lapsed without extension. Landing and parking charges at major airports were reduced by 25 per cent for domestic flights for a three-month period under the civil aviation ministry's directive, implemented by AERA in response to West Asia turmoil and related airline financial stress. Airport operators have not received any extension order, and the reduced aeronautical tariff is reported to have lapsed.
Forged GST invoices and hawala routing allegedly enabled a border smuggling and money-laundering network for areca nut trade. An alleged organised syndicate smuggled foreign-origin areca nut across the India-Myanmar border and channelled the proceeds through a laundering network using forged GST invoices, bogus supplier and buyer entities, false transport documents and hawala routes. The alleged operation involved suppliers in Mizoram, facilitators in Assam, consignees and financiers in West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh, and an invoicing entity in Kolkata said to have enabled circular trading. The investigation, conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, involved multi-state searches and the seizure or freezing of diaries, title deeds, property documents, cash and bank accounts.
Rupee depreciation against the US dollar reflects dollar strength, rate-hike expectations, and foreign exchange reserve pressures. The rupee depreciated against the US dollar as the strengthening greenback weighed on emerging market currencies, despite firm domestic equities and softer crude oil prices. Market participants cited expectations of a further US rate hike, importer hedging demand, and dollar strength as key influences. The report also noted foreign institutional inflows into equities and observed that fresh inflows may support reserve rebuilding rather than allowing the rupee to appreciate sharply. India's foreign exchange reserves declined in the latest weekly update after a prior increase.
India-EFTA TEPA expands seafood market access through tariff concessions, export facilitation, and new investment opportunities for exporters. India-EFTA TEPA is described as a trade and investment framework that expands market access for Indian seafood exporters through tariff concessions, export facilitation, regulatory alignment and investment collaboration. The agreement is said to support technology transfer, joint ventures and opportunities across the seafood value chain, while discussions focused on compliance requirements, quality standards and strategies for strengthening exports to EFTA markets.
Offer for sale drives NSE's planned public issue, with major shareholders set to divest equity. The National Stock Exchange is targeting a large initial public offering in September through an offer for sale of 14.89 crore equity shares, with existing shareholders proposed to divest nearly 6 per cent of the exchange's equity. The issue is expected to value the exchange at over Rs 5 lakh crore, and the exchange is preparing for the public issue by beginning roadshows and appointing merchant bankers, legal advisers and other intermediaries. Major selling shareholders include several institutional investors and public sector entities, while Life Insurance Corporation of India is not participating in the share sale.
Bilingual management education expands access through digital learning, hybrid teaching and practical industry exposure for students. Technology-enabled bilingual management education was presented as a means of widening access to quality education and reducing the rural-urban divide through an online bilingual BBA programme in Hindi and English. The programme was said to extend management education through digital platforms while maintaining accountability through offline examinations. Strengthening measures included regular physical interaction, soft-skill development, experiential learning through factory, port and industrial-cluster visits, and adoption of global best practices, including digital tools, credit transfers, joint programmes and research internships.
Rupee depreciation against the US dollar reflects a stronger greenback, rate-hike expectations, and range-bound trading. The rupee depreciated against the US dollar amid a firmer greenback and broader pressure on emerging market currencies, closing at 95.38 after trading within a narrow intraday range. Market commentary attributed the movement to expectations of a further US rate hike, while domestic equity strength and lower crude prices provided some support. Foreign exchange conditions were also influenced by developments in India's external buffers, with forex reserves declining in the latest reporting week after a prior increase.
Forged identity documents racket allegedly used websites, digital wallets, and fake QR codes to produce counterfeit government records online. An inter-state racket allegedly used websites to prepare and sell forged government identity documents after online payment, including Aadhaar cards, voter identity cards, PAN-related documents, residence certificates, caste certificates, birth and death certificates, and similar records. The portal allegedly let users recharge a digital wallet, enter fictitious details, and upload photographs to generate documents resembling genuine government-issued identity papers, with QR codes that were not linked to the official database.
Bullion prices ease as a stronger dollar and Fed rate expectations weigh on gold and silver demand. Gold and silver prices declined in domestic and overseas markets as a firmer US dollar, weak bullion demand and broader global cues prompted traders to trim positions in precious metals. The outlook remained cautiously positive on easing inflation and weak US jobs data, but expectations of elevated interest rates were noted as a constraint on any sharp upside in bullion prices.
AI and FinTech partnership accelerates enterprise banking solutions through a direct startup pathway into regional financial services. Strategic partnership between Emirates NBD and Techstars to accelerate enterprise-grade AI and FinTech solutions across the MENAT region through an Acceleration-to-Enterprise model. The collaboration integrates selected startups into the bank's regional ecosystem and uses its analytics and cloud-native infrastructure to support deployment in enterprise banking, with focus on compliance, wealth management, SME banking and capital markets.
Digital savings account offerings expand customer choice with paperless onboarding, Video KYC, monthly interest payouts and flexible banking access. AU Small Finance Bank has introduced a full range of savings account products for different customer segments, with options such as AU Digital, AU Royale, AU Platinum, AU Value, AU Vikaas, AU Swadesh, AU Kids and AU Kisan. The offering centres on digital convenience, paperless account opening, Video KYC, mobile and net banking access, debit card choices, competitive interest rates and monthly interest payouts. The accounts remain subject to eligibility, internal policies and applicable terms and conditions, and deposits are covered under DICGC up to the prescribed limit.
Rupee weakness against the US dollar reflects dollar strength, reserve rebuilding by the central bank, and persistent market caution. The rupee weakened in early trade against the US dollar, opening lower and trading at 95.28 after a decline of 10 paise, as broad dollar strength in overseas markets weighed on the currency. Market participants said the central bank is likely to use fresh foreign inflows to rebuild reserves rather than allow excessive appreciation. India's foreign exchange reserves also declined in the latest weekly reporting period after earlier pressure on the rupee had led to intervention through dollar sales.
Export promotion of premium Kashmir cherries and plums opens new overseas market access for growers. APEDA facilitated the first export shipment of premium Areko cherries and Scentrose plums from Jammu & Kashmir to the United Arab Emirates, highlighting the export potential of the region's horticultural produce. The shipment from Shopian and Pulwama was presented as a market-access initiative for premium Indian fruits, supported by export promotion, quality enhancement, buyer outreach and export facilitation measures. The initiative was linked to better price realisation, wider adoption of export-oriented production practices and stronger global presence for fresh fruit exports.
Toy manufacturing quality upgrade gains momentum through modern testing, technology adoption and export market expansion. Modern testing facilities are to be established across toy manufacturing clusters through BIS, the National Test House and other laboratories, with industry expected to identify the equipment needed for quality certification. Toy manufacturers are urged to upgrade production through CAD-CAM, CNC machining, modern machinery and continuous process improvement, alongside skill development centres, partnerships with ITIs and public-private Centres of Excellence. Export expansion is linked to Free Trade Agreement market access, overseas delegations, exhibitions, branding initiatives and warehousing support abroad under the Export Promotion Mission.
Investment protection framework deepens India-Israel economic ties while preserving sovereign policy space for public objectives. The India-Israel Bilateral Investment Agreement has entered into force, establishing an investment protection framework between India and Israel. It is presented as strengthening bilateral economic relations and providing a secure and predictable investment climate for cross-border investment. The agreement is described as protecting investors and their investments while preserving sovereign policy space for legitimate public policy objectives, reflecting modern international investment law.
Codeine-based cough syrup seizures expose concealment methods used in narcotics trafficking networks under the NDPS Act. Large quantities of codeine-based cough syrup were intercepted and seized in coordinated anti-smuggling operations in Tripura and West Bengal under the NDPS Act, 1985. The consignments were concealed inside metallic and iron drums beneath cover cargo, including powdery substance and china clay powder, to evade detection during transport and storage. The operations involved recovery from a train parcel van and a warehouse, with one person arrested after arriving to take delivery of the consignment.
The ECB policy is regularly reviewed and modified by the Government in consultation with Reserve Bank of India, keeping in view the evolving macroeconomic condition, sectoral requirements and investment demand. The policy was reviewed in June, 2009. As per the extant ECB guidelines, units in the SEZ are permitted to access ECBs for their own requirements. However, based on review effective from June 30, 2009, SEZ developers have been permitted to avail of ECB under the Approval route for providing infrastructure facilities also, as defined in ECB policy, within the SEZ. However, ECB shall not be permissible for development of integrated township and commercial real estate within the SEZ. The infrastructure facilities as defined in the extant ECB policy include (i) power, (ii) telecommunication, (iii) railways, (iv) road including bridges, (v) sea port and airport (vi) industrial parks (vii) urban infrastructure (water supply, sanitation and sewage projects) and (viii) mining, refining and exploration.
ECB can be accessed under two routes. Viz. (i) Automatic Route as outlined in Section I(A) and (ii) Approval Route as outlined in Section I (B) of Master Circular dated July 1, 2009 on ECB issued by RBI under FEMA. Under the Automatic Route, the eligible borrowers may enter into loan agreement with recognized lender for raising ECB complying with the amount, maturity, all-in-cost, and end use etc. conditions in the ECB guidelines without prior approval of the Reserve Bank. However, the borrowers are required to obtain a Loan Registration Number (LRN) from the Reserve Bank before drawing down the ECB. The procedure for obtaining LRN has been outlined in Section II(i)(b) of Master Circular on ECB and Trade Credits issued by RBI under FEMA,
This information was given by Minister of State for Finance, Shri Namo Narain Meena in written reply to a question raised in Lok Sabha today.
External commercial borrowings: SEZ developers may use the Approval route for permitted infrastructure financing, not real estate.
SEZ units may access ECBs for their own needs, and SEZ developers may obtain ECBs under the Approval route to provide defined infrastructure within SEZs; ECBs remain impermissible for integrated township and commercial real estate. ECBs are available under the Automatic Route or the Approval Route per the Master Circular: the Automatic Route permits eligible borrowers to contract with recognized lenders without prior RBI approval subject to amount, maturity, all-in-cost and end-use conditions and requires obtaining a Loan Registration Number before drawdown.
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