| Retail Inflation |
- July retail inflation rose to a 19-month high of 4.45% (up from 4.38% in June); food inflation reached 5.52%.
- Rural inflation (4.84%) significantly outpaced urban inflation (3.96%), with rural food inflation hitting 5.79%.
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| Broadcasting |
- The I&B Ministry is removing the 12-minute-per-hour TV advertising cap (in force since 2006).
- The move aims to bring parity with digital media, taking effect upon Gazette notification.
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| Semiconductors |
- Three semiconductor fabs are currently operational, with production aimed at exports.
- Plans include 5 to 8 additional plants over the next 7–8 years; shipped wafers remain the key commercial milestone.
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| Bilateral: UK |
- The India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) completed one month in effect (enforced July 15).
- The UK eliminated duties on ~99% of Indian tariff lines from day one, opening with $140M+ in initial shipments.
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| Bilateral: Africa |
- India and SACU signed terms of reference on Aug 12 to resume preferential trade talks after a 16-year hiatus.
- Bilateral trade with the 5-nation bloc reached $16.81 billion in FY26; negotiations begin within a month.
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| Power Sector |
- Solar capacity expanded from ~2 GW to ~160 GW over 12 years.
- Nearly 50 lakh households generate power via PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, supporting transition goals.
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| Gas Distribution |
- Piped natural gas network expanded from 70 cities (pre-2014) to roughly 700 cities today.
- Household PNG connections surged from 20–22 lakh to nearly 1.75 crore through city gas pipeline capex.
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| Railways |
- 100% rail electrification completed over the past decade (compared to just 30% electrified between 1925–2014).
- Shifted fuel expenditure from imported dollar-denominated diesel to the domestic electric grid.
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| Corporate Targets |
- 2047 vision: 50 Indian companies in the Fortune Global 500 and at least 1 Indian bank in the world’s top 5.
- Requires massive balance-sheet scaling, steady profitable growth, and strategic consolidation.
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| Bio-Economy |
- National Biodiversity Authority disbursed ₹15.52 crore to 26 State Boards and 3 UT Councils.
- Funds originated from benefit-sharing proceeds paid by a seed company using Indian mustard genes for 10 commercial hybrids.
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| Agri-Commodities |
- Live storage in 166 monitored reservoirs stands at 44.39% capacity.
- IMD predicts below-normal rainfall for August/late monsoon, impacting ~20% of remaining kharif sowing.
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| Stock Markets |
- Markets closed today for Independence Day.
- Friday’s flat session closed with Sensex at 78,009.25 (-71 pts) and Nifty at 24,366.00 (-29.85 pts).
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