THE HEADLINES:
- Government approves Semicon 2.0 with outlay of over one lakh 27 thousand crore rupees to strengthen semiconductor ecosystem in the country; Also gives nod to Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme to scale up domestic production.
- Centre clears two elevated corridor projects at Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh to improve road connectivity.
- India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement and associated Social Security pact become fully operational; Indian Goods worth 140 million dollars exported to UK on first day.
- Tensions rise in West Asia as US reimposes naval blockade on Iran amid exchange of fresh strikes between the two countries.
- Three Indian women boxers win gold while ten others claim silver at Asian Under-19 and Under-23 Championships in Jakarta.
- In FIFA World Cup, Defending champions Argentina to face England at Atlanta in the US tonight for a place in the final.
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The Union Cabinet today approved the Semicon 2.0 with a budgetary outlay of 1 lakh 27 thousand 500 crore rupees to strengthen India’s semiconductor design and manufacturing ecosystem. Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced about the Cabinet decisions while briefing media in New Delhi today. Mr Vaishnaw said, building on the momentum of Semicon 1.0, the scheme aims to further the government’s commitment to putting India on the global semiconductor map. He informed that investment worth four lakh crore rupees is expected under Semicon 2.0.
The Minister said, the Cabinet also cleared the Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme with a budgetary outlay of 62 thousand 500 crore rupees. He said, the scheme is aimed at scaling up domestic mobile phone production, deepening local value addition and strengthening India’s position as a global electronics manufacturing hub.
The government also approved two elevated corridor projects at Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh to improve road connectivity and reduce congestion and travel time. The projects include a 6-lane Greenfield Elevated Corridor covering over 46 kilometer between National Highway-19 and Varanasi Ring Road in Uttar Pradesh on Hybrid Annuity Model, improving urban mobility. It will be build at a total capital cost of over 14 thousand 4 hundred crore rupees.
Mr Vaishnaw said, the other project is related to the development of around 43 kilometer long, 6 lane and 4-lane Elevated Corridor along Varuna River Bank in Varanasi city in Uttar Pradesh at a total Capital Cost of around 11 thousand crore rupees.
The Cabinet also gave nod to two multitracking projects covering four districts across Odisha and Jharkhand, expanding the Indian Railways network by about 145 kms. It also approved the National Investment Policy for Urea-2026 for Atmanirbhar Bharat. The Policy seeks to encourage new investments in the urea sector for setting up gas-based urea manufacturing units in the country, helping achieve the goal of self-sufficiency.
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The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between India and the United Kingdom became operational today. Simultaneously, the Agreement on Social Security referred to as the Double Contribution Convention also became effective, reinforcing the mobility and competitiveness of Indian professionals in the United Kingdom. The landmark deal grants zero-duty access to 99 per cent of Indian exports in the UK market including those in textiles, leather, engineering, food processing, pharmaceuticals and MSME. The implementation of the India-UK trade agreement marks a major step in India’s journey towards becoming a globally integrated, resilient and competitive economy. On the first day of CETA, Indian ngoods worth 140 million dollars were exported to the United Kingdom. We have a report:
On the first day of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, goods worth 140 million dollars were exported to the United Kingdom from India.
Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal said that this agreement is completely aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for Viksit Bharat by 2047. He said, this is one of the most aspirational and biggest trade agreements, which will open up opportunities in market access on both sides.
Talking to Akashvani News, High Commissioner of UK to India, Lindy Cameron said that this agreement is a great deal for both sides.
Talking to Akashvani News, Chairman of Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) Dr A Sakthivel said that due to this agreement, exports will be doubled in one and a half years.
Talking to Akashvani News, Tarun Bajaj of Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority said this agreement will be beneficial for agricultural and processing sector.
Talking to Akashvani News, Executive Director of Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council Sabyasachi Ray said that the Gems and Jewellery sector will be immensely benefited by this agreement.
This will significantly enhance the competitiveness of Indian exports in the UK market, generate new opportunities for farmers, fishermen, MSMEs and manufacturers, and strengthen India’s integration into global value chains. Under the agreement, India has protected its sensitive sectors including dairy products, cereals, millets, edible oils, oilseeds, apples and several vegetable products. With Dipendra Kumar, Anand Kumar, Akashvani News, Delhi.”
Vice President CP Radhakrishnan emphasized that these agreements will significantly expand market access, strengthen trade and services, and facilitate greater mobility for professionals. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, CETA will give a fresh momentum to India’s farmers, entrepreneurs and MSMEs along with several vibrant sectors gaining stronger access to the UK market.
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Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan today called for Corporate Social Responsibility Support to Strengthen Agriculture Through Startups, Skill Development and Agri-Tech. The Minister said this while addressing the ICAR Technology Portfolio for Corporate Social Responsibility Conclave 2026 in New Delhi. He urged the corporate sector to embrace the Indian ethos of trusteeship and dedicate a part of its earnings towards the welfare of farmers, agricultural research and rural communities.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Haryana, Chandigarh and Punjab on Friday. The Prime Minister will flag off India’s first Hydrogen train between Jind and Sonipat at Jind railway station in Haryana. He will launch various development projects worth around 14 thousand 700 crore rupees at Eklavya Stadium in Jind. Mr Modi will travel to Chandigarh in the afternoon where he will lay the foundation stone and inaugurate various development projects worth over six thousand 600 crore rupees.
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The Election Commission today extended the schedule for the ongoing Special Intensive Revision SIR of electoral rolls in Punjab, Karnataka, Telangana and Delhi. In Delhi and Karnataka, House-to-house visits by booth level officers (BLOs) which were scheduled till the 29th of July will now continue till the 8th of August
In Punjab and Telangana, the house-to-house visits will continue till 3rd August. Earlier, the house-to-house visits were to conclude on 24th July. Yesterday, the Commission had extended the SIR schedule for Haryana and Andhra Pradesh.
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External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar today met with European Union Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation Ekaterina Zaharieva at Brussels in Belgium. In a social media post, Dr Jaishankar said, during the meeting, they discussed opportunities for research in clean and green energy technologies.
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Tensions in West Asia have escalated after the United States reimposed a naval blockade on Iran amid fresh exchanges of strikes between the two countries following attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
The US military’s Central Command said the latest strikes were aimed at reducing Iran’s ability to target commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy supplies. Iranian officials said US strikes hit an army barracks, killing at least seven troops. Iranian state media reported that US strikes also hit the southern port city of Bushehr, home to the country’s civilian nuclear power facilities.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps claimed it carried out retaliatory strikes against US military facilities in Bahrain and Jordan, targeting command centres, aircraft shelters and other strategic locations. It said that the strikes were conducted in response to the US deploying its naval forces in the Indian Ocean and blocking maritime routes under the pretext of controlling the Strait of Hormuz. It also threatened to halt all energy exports from West Asia over the blockade.
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Benchmark domestic equity indices ended in the positive zone today. We have a report:-
“The Sensex rose 130 points, almost 0.2 per cent to close at 77 thousand 185. The Nifty added 26 points, or 0.1 per cent to settle at 24 thousand 79. In the broader market on the National Stock Exchange, Midcap 100 gained nearly 0.3 per cent and Smallcap 100 index jumped almost 0.7 per cent. In the forex market today, the rupee depreciated by six paise to close at 96 rupees and 26 paise against the US dollar. With Ayushi’s report Gouran Dhawan Lal for Akashvani News”
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Three Indian women boxers won gold medals while ten others claimed silver medals at the Asian Under-19 and Under-23 Championships in Jakarta today.
In the Under-19 category, Chandrika Pujari won the gold medal in the 51 kilogram weight class, while Prachi claimed gold in the 57 kilogram category. Gunjan in 45-48 kilogram, Joyshree in 54 kilogram, Chahat in 60 kilogram, Anshika in 75 kilogram, Megha Shyokand in 80 kilogram, and Prachi Tokas in Plus 81 kilogram added silver medals to India’s tally.
In the Under-23 division, Nisha won the gold medal in the 54 kilogram weight class. Neetika Chand in 60 kg, Kajal in 65 kg, Muskan in 75 kg, and Priyanka in Plus 80 kg won silver medals.
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In FIFA World Cup Football, defending champions Argentina will take on England in the second semifinal match at Atlanta in the US tonight. The match is scheduled to begin at 12.30 AM, Indian Time. Spain stormed into the final of the tournament last night.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:
- Government approves Semicon 2.0 with outlay of over one lakh 27 thousand crore rupees to strengthen semiconductor ecosystem in the country; Also gives nod to Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme to scale up domestic production.
- Centre clears two elevated corridor projects at Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh to improve road connectivity.
- India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement and associated Social Security pact become fully operational; Indian Goods worth 140 million dollars exported to UK on first day.
- Tensions rise in West Asia as US reimposes naval blockade on Iran amid exchange of fresh strikes between the two countries.
- Three Indian women boxers win gold while ten others claim silver at Asian Under-19 and Under-23 Championships in Jakarta.
- In FIFA World Cup, Defending champions Argentina to face England at Atlanta in the US tonight for a place in the final.
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