The Indian textiles industry is estimated to grow to $350 billion by 2030, generating 4.5-6 crore jobs, the government said on Friday.

Setting a target of 50,000 metric tonne silk production and employment generation of 1 crore by 2030, Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh said cultivation of silk is linked to employment generation of farmers.

The minister further said that the Eri Sericulture Promotional Project launched in Gujarat will be expanded across the country benefitting castor farmers.

World telecom leader, experts and academia from more than 190 countries are set to attend the 10-day World Telecom Standardisation Assembly (WTSA2024) in India next month, as the country becomes a global leader in telecom-related technologies.

The ‘WTSA 2024’ is being held for the first time in the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) history of 150 years in the national capital from October 14-24.

According to DoT, India hosting the ‘WTSA-2024’ is an opportunity to influence the global telecom agenda as we prepare for advancements like 6G and beyond.

Riding on aspirational India as private consumption surges in tier 2, 3 cities and even beyond, Apple has seen its ‘make in India’ iPhone 16 flying off the shelves in the country.

According to trade analysts on Friday, the new iPhone, which has several top-notch features like Camera Control, a powerful 48 MP fusion lens system (two optical-quality cameras in one), new A18 chip and a better battery life, are selling like hot cakes due to attractive financing schemes and trade-in offers at Apple retail stories as well as online.

Counterpoint Research Vice President, Neil Shah, told that the momentum for new iPhone 16 is really great, driven by Apple’s aspirational appeal in the country.

India is on the cusp of revolutionising telecommunications with 6G technology, Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia said on Thursday.

In his remarks at a high-level interaction in Bengaluru, where the Bharat 6G Alliance (B6GA) presented a series of in-depth action plans for 6G technology development. Scindia emphasised the government’s unwavering commitment to fostering the next generation of communication technology in India.

"India is on the cusp of revolutionising telecommunications with 6G technology. We are committed to providing the necessary support through policy frameworks, research funding, and spectrum allocation for testing and innovation," he said.

The Minister said that from being a slow technology adopter, "India has transformed into a leader".

The government on Thursday announced to increase minimum wage rates by revising the Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA), in a bid to help workers cope with the rising cost of living.

The move will support workers, particularly those in the unorganised sector. Workers engaged in various sectors, including building construction, loading and unloading, watch and ward, sweeping, cleaning, housekeeping, mining, and agriculture within central sphere establishments, will benefit from the revised wage rates.

The new wage rates will take effect from October 1. Last revision was done in April this year.

The minimum wage rates are categorized based on skill levels —unskilled, semi-skilled, skilled and highly skilled — as well as by geographical area—A, B, and C.

India’s electronics sector is currently employing about 1.2 million people all over the country, as 325 to 330 million mobile phones are being manufactured every year, the government said on Thursday.

The country has witnessed rapid growth in electronics manufacturing – from Rs 1.9 lakh crore in 2014-15 to Rs 9.52 lakh crore in production in 2023-24 (with an annual compounded growth rate of 17.4 per cent) and 22.7 per cent export growth.

On the 10th anniversary of the ‘Make in India’ initiative, S. Krishnan, Secretary, IT Ministry, emphasised that electronics has emerged as one of the most impactful sectors.

“Exports from India in the electronics manufacturing sector have also risen substantially from about Rs 38,263 crore in 2014-15 to Rs 2.41 lakh crore at the CAGR of 22.7 per cent. This is also significantly faster than the growth of other export sectors,” he said.

The share of engineering goods in India's total merchandise exports increased to 27.20 per cent in August, from 26.60 per cent in July, a report showed on Thursday.

The cumulative share stood at 25.97 per cent during the April-August period.

According to the Engineering Export Promotion Council (EEPC), the growth was due to a decent rise in shipments of product groups such as 'aircraft and spacecraft parts', 'ships, boats and floating structures', 'automobile and auto components/parts', and 'medical and scientific instruments’.

After a decline in April, engineering goods exports from India started showing an increasing trend and registered positive growth in subsequent months.

In August, engineering exports rose to $9.44 billion from $9.05 billion in the same month last fiscal year, securing 4.36 per cent growth. As per EEPC, cumulative engineering exports during April-August 2024-25 were recorded at $46.41 billion as against $44.53 billion during the same period of the last fiscal, registering an increase of 4.21 per cent.

India’s tourism sector is poised to create approximately 39.5 million jobs by the end of year which is likely to rise to 42.3 million employment opportunities by 2025, a report showed on Thursday.

Direct employment will account for 31 per cent of these roles, including positions like tour guides, hotel staff, and tour operators, according to NLB Services, a technology and digital talent solutions provider.

“Meanwhile, indirect employment will make up 69 per cent with jobs in areas such as local artisans, logistics and transport operators, supply chain workers, IT support for online booking, data analysis, and landscape maintenance,” said Sachin Alug, CEO, NLB Services.

GreenLine Mobility Solutions Ltd, a key player in Essar's Green Mobility initiative, has announced its partnership with Sterlite Copper, a unit of Vedanta Ltd, to advance the
deployment of its liquefied natural gas (LNG) powered vehicles and further decarbonise Sterlite Copper's transportation operations.

The partnership was initiated with the flag-off of LNG trucks at Vedanta's Sterlite Copper Plant in Silvassa. These LNG vehicles will be transporting finished goods to the northern region, utilising a reverse logistics model. GreenLine's LNG trucks, capable of carrying a 40-tonne payload and travelling up to 1,200 kilometres on a single tank, will enhance logistics efficiency while significantly reducing carbon emissions.

Commenting on the partnership, Anand Mimani, CEO, GreenLine Mobility Solutions Ltd said, "Our partnership with Sterlite Copper marks an important milestone in our commitment to sustainable logistics. By integrating our LNG technology into their operations, we not only enhance our service offerings but also set a standard for decarbonisation in the transportation sector. Together, we are taking significant steps towards a cleaner, greener future."

This collaboration highlights GreenLine's dedication to leading the charge in decarbonising India's transportation and logistics sector, driving innovation and sustainability across its operations.

Driven by the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme, the overall production of electronics in the country has surged to Rs 9.52 lakh crore, from Rs 1.9 lakh crore 10 years back, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.4 per cent, the government has informed.

India has reached Rs 6.61 lakh crore in total value of production, above the target that has been set by the government. The overall investment has been Rs 9,100 crore, also above the target.

The mobile PLI scheme set a target to achieve cumulative production of Rs 4.39 lakh crore in 2023-24 and Rs 8.12 lakh crore during the five-year scheme period till FY 2026.