Statistical effects pull inflation to 59-month low

Inflation in India's consumer prices cooled dramatically from 5.1% in June to an almost five-year low of 3.54% in July, with food price rise moderating to a 13-month low of 5.4% from a six-month high of 9.4% a month earlier.

However, this was driven by the base effect from last July when retail inflation stood at 7.4% and the food index was up 11.5%, rather than a tangible relief for consumer wallets with overall prices rising 1.4% over June and food prices ticking up by 2.8%. 

The decline in headline inflation was accompanied by a rise in core inflation (excluding food and energy prices), which is estimated at 3.4%- 3.5%, from 3.1% in June, economists noted.

IIT Madras retains top spot in NIRF ranking for sixth consecutive year

The Indian Institute of Technology, Madras is the best educational institution in the country for the sixth time since 2019, shows the overall ranking based on parameters identified and defined in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF).

In the 2024 rankings, released by Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, IIT Madras also retained the first position in engineering for the ninth year since 2016. 

The Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru is the top institution under both the universities and research categories, retaining both positions since 2016 and 2021, respectively.

The ranks were given in 16 categories this year, three more than last year. Open universities, skill universities, and State public universities are the three new categories.

Tungabhadra repairs on, water diverted to canals

After a crest gate of Tungabhadra dam was washed away, the Karnataka government decided to constitute a dam safety committee to study the safety aspects of all the reservoirs in the State.

Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar, who also holds the Major Irrigation portfolio, said the proposed committee would submit its report within a month.

Mr. Shivakumar, who inspected the Tungabhadra dam site, said the repairs started in the early hours of Monday.

Explaining the processes involved, he said the Tungabhadra Irrigation Board comprises members from the Centre and the three riparian States. Information related to the snapping of the chain link of the gates had been passed on to all the members soon after the incident came to light, besides discussing the issue with experts who had worked on dam safety. 

Disinformation, Al and 'cyber chakravyuh

The year 2024 had dawned with forebodings of a new wave of security threats, and security specialists the world over, had braced for a wave of attacks along a wide spectrum. 

Their concerns essentially stemmed from fears arising out of new threats posed by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its different manifestations, including Generative AI and Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). Together with the expanding horizons of disinformation and cyber threats, the outlook seemed distinctly gloomy.

The 33rd Summer Olympic Games in France, during July-August 2024, were seen as a real and tempting target for digital, including cyber and other criminals. Experts across the world were, hence, bracing themselves for digital attacks of a kind they had not encountered hitherto, quite apart from those launched by known terror groups.

Indian Coast Guard beefs up maritime surveillance

Considering the recent political events in Bangladesh and the emerging situation there, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has positioned operational units for robust surveillance in the region and to thwart any attempts of illegal migration through sea routes.

"Surface surveillance has been enhanced along the Indo-Bangladesh International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) by Offshore Patrol Vessels and Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs). Layered surface surveillance has been instituted by additional FPVs. 

All units at sea have been advised to monitor/board all fishing boats and undertake positive identification of Indian fishermen," the ICG said in a statement.

I&B Ministry to release fresh draft Broadcasting Bill after detailed dialogue

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry on Monday extended the time for receiving feedback on the draft Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill till October 15, stating that a fresh draft would be published after detailed consultations with the stakeholders. 

The draft Bill was placed in the public domain on November 10, 2023, along with the explanatory notes seeking comments from the stakeholders and the general public. "In response, multiple recommendations/comments/ suggestions were received, including from various Associations," said the Ministry. 

The Ministry said it was holding a series of consultations with the stakeholders on the draft Bill. 

June industrial output growth slumps to 5-month low of 4.2%

India's industrial output growth slumped to a five- month low of 4.2% in June, with manufacturing output growth dipping to a seven- month low of 2.6%, almost half the previous month's growth, and power generation easing 2.8% from a record high in May as the heat wave receded.

On end-use basis, production growth fell in all six segments compared with May, with consumer non-durables' output shrinking 1.4% from last June - the second such con- traction in three months.

The National Statistical Office also upgraded May's Index of Industrial Production (IIP) to 6.2%, the highest in seven months, from its initial estimate of 5.9%.

Mining was the only segment with accelerated growth in June with output rising 10.3% year-on-year (YoY). However, actual production levels were 1.2% lower sequentially.