The U.S. has imposed 10% tariffs on goods imported from India and 16 other countries, citing the use of forced labor in their production. This action was taken by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, at the direction of President Donald Trump. India, which was previously subject to 12.5% tariffs, has contested these investigations and amended its foreign trade policy to prohibit the import of goods produced using forced labor. The U.S. is India's second-largest trade partner and the largest destination for its exports, with bilateral goods trade reaching nearly $141 billion in 2025.
The article details government initiatives to strengthen cooperative societies in India, with a focus on Odisha. Key measures include the Central Sector project for Computerization of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), which aims to bring all functional PACS onto a common ERP-based national software and link them with NABARD. The National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) has also disbursed significant funds for cooperative sector development. The Ministry of Cooperation, established in 2021, is driving initiatives like converting PACS, Dairy, and Fisheries Cooperatives into Multipurpose cooperative societies for business diversification and financial sustainability. It has also set up a Co-operative Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Development Fund under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Act, 2023, for the revival of sick multi-State cooperative societies.
The article provides an update on the Computerisation of Primary Agricultural Credit Society (PACS) Project, specifically focusing on Rajasthan. It details the number of PACS approved for computerization, those already onboarded with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), and the financial assistance released to Rajasthan for this project across multiple fiscal years. The Union Minister for Home and Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, provided this information in Rajya Sabha, stating the project's completion timeline is March 31, 2027.
INS Malvan, the second of the indigenously designed and built Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), was commissioned at Karwar. Built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi, with over 80% indigenous content, it reinforces the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision. The vessel is equipped for Underwater Surveillance, ASW operations, Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO), and Mine Warfare, bolstering coastal defence and maritime domain awareness. It carries historical significance from Malvan, Maharashtra, linked to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and its crest features the 'Bagh Nakha'. The commissioning also highlighted the importance of safeguarding sea lines of communication and tri-service integration.
The article details the status of cooperative societies in Maharashtra, highlighting the significant number of societies across various sectors. It outlines key initiatives undertaken by the Ministry of Cooperation since its inception to strengthen the cooperative sector nationwide, with a focus on Maharashtra. These initiatives include the computerization of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) to integrate them with a national software and link them to NABARD, financial support through NCDC, and policy reforms. Specific policy measures mentioned are Model Bye-laws for PACS enabling diverse business activities (like PM-Kisan Samridhi Kendras, Jan Aushadhi Kendras, CSCs), the 'Cooperative-led White Revolution 2.0' for dairy cooperatives, income tax relief for cooperative sugar mills, reduction in GST on molasses, and efforts to revive closed sugar mills. The data also shows NCDC's cumulative disbursements for cooperative development in Maharashtra.
The article highlights a NITI Aayog working paper on strengthening India's international mobility for skilled workers, noting India's 18.5 million overseas migrant population. It details measures by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to align Indian skills with global labor demand. These include signing MoUs with 8 countries for technical exchanges, implementing collaborative training programs like TITP with Japan and IGGSP with Germany, and establishing 7 Skill India International Centres (SIICs) for pre-departure orientation and language training.
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has implemented robust mechanisms to enhance the timely collection and publication of official statistics. These include digital platforms like Computer Assisted Personal Interview (CAPI) and e-SIGMA for National Sample Surveys (NSS), incorporating real-time validation, AI-enabled chatbots, and multilingual interfaces. Similar digital improvements, geo-tagging, and time-stamping are applied to Consumer Price Index (CPI) data collection (under a new series with Base Year 2024). National Accounts Statistics (NAS) are compiled using SNA 2008, and the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) also benefits from improved data collection and validation. MoSPI ensures transparency and accessibility through an Advance Release Calendar (ARC), a revamped Microdata Portal for anonymized unit-level data, and digital platforms like the GoIStats mobile application and e-Sankhyiki Portal.
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) regularly undertakes methodological reviews of its statistical framework to ensure official statistics accurately reflect the economy and meet evolving data requirements. This includes comprehensive base year revisions for key macroeconomic indicators such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Index of Industrial Production (IIP), and Consumer Price Index (CPI) to 2022-23, 2022-23, and 2024=100 respectively. These revisions incorporate updated data sources, improved estimation methodologies, and enhanced use of administrative data. MoSPI also continuously reviews and modernizes National Sample Surveys (NSS) through digital platforms like CAPI and e-SIGMA, which has significantly improved data quality and reduced release time lags for socio-economic indicators.
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the 33rd edition of "Energy Statistics India 2026," highlighting India's Total Primary Energy Supply (TPES) and a significant increase in Total Renewable Energy Potential. The publication is crucial for policy and infrastructure planning by various ministries, states/UTs, and for public research.
The article details government initiatives, primarily under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and its sub-scheme Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PMMKSSY), to promote and strengthen women-led fisheries cooperative societies across India, with a specific focus on Andhra Pradesh. It highlights financial incentives like performance grants, priority in issuing Access Passes for fishing in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and Letters of Authorization (LoA) for High Seas fishing, and reduced LoA fees. The initiatives aim to boost the Blue Economy and empower women in the fisheries, seaweed cultivation, and marine processing sectors, with targets for forming and strengthening thousands of cooperatives.
India has achieved 99.6% electrification of its Broad Gauge (BG) railway network, becoming the second-most electrified large railway system globally after Switzerland. This rapid electrification, largely accomplished since 2014, is part of a mission to enhance efficiency, reduce dependency on fossil fuels, and significantly lower CO2 emissions. Indian Railways aims to integrate renewable energy sources like solar and wind to meet its traction power requirements, contributing to carbon footprint reduction and saving foreign exchange by decreasing diesel consumption.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has increased toll charges on the Bengaluru-Mysuru access-controlled highway (NH-275) for the second time in three months, effective July 21, 2026. The revised rates apply to various vehicle categories at the Kaniminike and Sheshagirihalli toll plazas. NHAI officials stated the hike is in accordance with a Toll Gazette Notification and applies to the Bengaluru-Nidaghatta section, which operates under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM). Commuters have expressed concern over the frequent increases.
