The IEA expects global oil supply to decline by 4.3 million barrels per day this year.
India Prevents Over INR 5,000 Crore in Suspected Cyber Fraud Through FRI
The Department of Telecommunications’ Financial Fraud Risk Indicator helped prevent suspected cyber fraud losses of INR 5,043.73 crore between its launch in May 2025 and August 2026, as banks and other financial institutions increasingly use the system to identify high-risk transactions. By- Anchal Sachdeva The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) helped prevent suspected cyber fraud losses of INR 5,043.73 crore through its Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI) between its launch on May 22, 2025 and August 2026. Cumulative suspected fraud losses prevented through FRI increased from INR 139.16 crore in August 2025 to INR 5,043.73 crore by August 2026. DoT said it prevented more than INR 2,000 crore during the four months from April 2026. DoT launched FRI under its Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP) to provide financial institutions with real-time intelligence on the likelihood that a mobile number is associated with cybercrime or financial fraud. The system had prevented INR 660 crore in suspected losses during its first six months of operation. FRI classifies mobile numbers into three risk categories — medium, high and very high — based on their likelihood of involvement in financial fraud. The assessment draws on inputs including citizen reports through Sanchar Saathi, the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre’s National Cybercrime Reporting Portal, and intelligence shared by telecom operators, banks and financial institutions. The risk intelligence is shared through DIP with banks, payment service providers, insurers, securities intermediaries and pension-sector entities. These institutions can incorporate the signals into customer onboarding, transaction monitoring and fraud detection systems. Banks and UPI service providers are already using FRI intelligence to flag or stop transactions involving mobile numbers categorised as high or very high risk. DoT is also extending the framework to securities market intermediaries, insurance entities and pension-sector stakeholders. The department has conducted more than 25 training sessions covering 1,500 banks, financial institutions and regulators on FRI methodology, DIP integration and the use of risk signals in fraud-prevention workflows. The initiative is part of DoT’s wider efforts to address telecom-enabled cyber fraud through coordination across the telecom, banking, financial services and law-enforcement ecosystems. DIP, launched in 2024, enables intelligence sharing among more than 1,600 stakeholders. Citizen reporting is also a key input into the system. Citizens can report suspicious calls and messages through Chakshu on the Sanchar Saathi portal or mobile application. For financial cyber fraud, citizens can report incidents by calling 1930 or through the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal.
PM-SETU Approves Investment for ITI Clusters in Three States
The 5th National Steering Committee meeting of the Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU) approved Strategic Investment Plans worth INR 735.70 crore for ITI clusters in Rajasthan, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh. The approvals take the total sanctioned investment under the scheme to INR 2,171 crore across nine clusters. By – Anchal Sachdeva The 5th National Steering Committee (NSC) meeting of PM-SETU was held under the chairpersonship of Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE). The meeting was attended by Dilip Kumar, Director General, Directorate General of Training; G. Madhumita Das, Additional Secretary and Financial Adviser; Manasi Sahay Thakur, Joint Secretary, MSDE; senior officials from the Ministry and state governments; representatives of multilateral development banks; and industry partners. The NSC approved Strategic Investment Plans (SIPs) with a combined project outlay of INR 735.70 crore for three ITI clusters. The approvals support PM-SETU’s industry-led Hub-and-Spoke model, which focuses on modernising infrastructure, introducing future-ready courses and aligning training programmes with changing industry requirements. The approved SIPs include INR 241 crore for the Bhiwadi ITI cluster in Rajasthan, INR 254.30 crore for the Medchal ITI cluster in Telangana and INR 240.40 crore for the Meerut ITI cluster in Uttar Pradesh. The Rajasthan SIP, submitted by H.G. Infra Engineering Limited (HGIEL), covers Government ITI Bhiwadi as the Hub, with Government ITI Alwar, Government ITI Neemrana, Government ITI Tijara and Government ITI Kishangarh Bas as Spokes. The Telangana SIP, submitted by ZEN Technologies Limited, covers Government ITI Medchal as the Hub, with Government ITI Alwal, Government ITI Shameerpet, Government ITI Kukunoorpally and Government ITI Siddipet as Spokes. The proposal had been deferred during the 4th NSC meeting pending clarifications on operational and financial aspects. Following detailed responses from the Anchor Industry Partner on course structure, financial calculations, eligibility, documentation and civil works, the Committee approved the SIP. The Uttar Pradesh SIP, submitted by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), covers Government ITI Saket, Meerut, as the Hub, with Government ITI Ghaziabad, Government ITI Hapur, Government ITI Gautam Buddha Nagar and Government ITI Baghpat as Spokes. The respective State Steering Committees evaluated and recommended the SIPs before placing them before the NSC. The plans provide for infrastructure modernisation, upgrading existing trades, introducing new long-term and short-term courses, and improving operational capabilities. The approvals take the total sanctioned investment under PM-SETU to INR 2,171 crore across nine ITI clusters. The investment is expected to strengthen collaboration among the Union Government, state governments and industry partners while expanding access to training aligned with emerging technologies, evolving employment opportunities and industry needs. A Shareholders’ Agreement was also signed during the meeting among H.G. Infra Engineering Limited, the Government of Rajasthan and the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India. Sandeep Verma, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Skill, Employment and Entrepreneurship, Government of Rajasthan, was present for the signing. The agreement formally begins implementation of the Bhiwadi ITI cluster under PM-SETU and makes Rajasthan the first state to execute a Shareholders’ Agreement under the scheme. The Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU) is a flagship Government of India scheme aimed at transforming the ITI ecosystem through industry partnerships, modern infrastructure, upgraded training programmes and improved employability outcomes. Its cluster-based model links a Hub ITI with a network of Spoke ITIs to support coordinated investment, modernisation and delivery of industry-relevant skills.
Rajasthan Positions Film Tourism as Global Destination Strategy as ‘Arjun Naga’ Shoot Begins
Anil Sharma’s ‘Arjun Naga’ will be shot across Jaipur and Jaisalmer for around 40 days as Rajasthan seeks to attract more domestic and international productions under its Film Tourism Promotion Policy-2025. Author – Anchal sachdeva Rajasthan is seeking to strengthen its position as a film production and film tourism destination, with filmmaker and producer Anil Sharma’s upcoming film ‘Arjun Naga’ scheduled to be shot in Jaipur and Jaisalmer for around 40 days. Speaking at Rajasthan Tourism Bhawan, Sharma said the state offers filmmakers diverse locations and production support. “Rajasthan has everything a filmmaker needs. I have a special attachment to Rajasthan,” Sharma said, adding that the state’s locations provide varied visual settings for films. Utkarsh Sharma, Gulshan Grover, Arjun Rampal and Nidhhi Agerwal will feature in key roles in ‘Arjun Naga’. The production will add to Sharma’s earlier shooting associations with Rajasthan, including ‘Gadar: Ek Prem Katha’, ‘Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyo’, ‘Veer’ and ‘Elaaan-E-Jung’. Sharma said location diversity is only one factor influencing a filmmaker’s choice of shooting destination. Permissions, administrative support and coordination with tourism authorities are also important, he said, while acknowledging the support provided by the Rajasthan Tourism Department. The state offers locations ranging from Jaipur’s forts, palaces and royal architecture to Jaisalmer’s Golden Fort and Thar dunes. Jodhpur, Udaipur, Pushkar and Shekhawati provide additional settings, including historic forts, lakes, palaces, religious sites and painted havelis. Rajasthan Tourism Commissioner Rukmani Riar said the state government is seeking to build on this location advantage through the Rajasthan Film Tourism Promotion Policy-2025. The policy aims to make the state more accessible for film production while using cinema to promote Rajasthan’s tourism destinations to domestic and international audiences. The state has also introduced a single-window system to simplify permissions for film shoots. Riar said the government’s objective is to strengthen the relationship between filmmaking and tourism by encouraging productions to incorporate Rajasthan’s heritage, culture and landscapes into their narratives. The state has previously hosted productions including ‘Jodhaa Akbar’, ‘Umrao Jaan’, ‘Delhi-6’, ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’, ‘Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani’, ‘Rang De Basanti’ and ‘Bajirao Mastani’. Rajasthan has also featured in international productions such as ‘Octopussy’, ‘The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’, ‘The Darjeeling Limited’, ‘The Fall’, ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ and ‘Viceroy’s House’. The government is now seeking to build on this existing association with cinema by positioning film production as part of its broader tourism strategy.
Samsung India Cuts Up to 100 Jobs
Samsung India Job Cuts: Up to 100 Executives Asked to Leave Amid Rising Memory Chip Costs and Weak Demand
Surat Emerges as Spending Hub
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Maruti Cars Get Costlier Again
Maruti Suzuki Raises Car Prices for Third Time in 2026, Select Models to Cost Up to Rs 20,000 More
Crude Oil Nears $100 Mark
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LPG Refill Booking Rule Changed
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GST Council Meeting Now October 7
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