The week in charts: Inflation heat, export shift, tracking services production
Distilled Policy Brief
- Retail inflation in India rose to 4.4% in June, exceeding the Reserve Bank of India's medium-term target of 4% for the first time since January 2025, driven by higher food and fuel prices.
- Food inflation surged to 5.3% in June, with ginger recording a 50.4% rise and garlic experiencing a 17.9% increase in price, after facing deflation at the beginning of the year.
- India's inflation is expected to remain elevated due to weather-related risks and renewed tensions in West Asia, with the statistics ministry to continue monitoring the situation.
🎯 UPSC Prelims Practice Drill
With reference to the bilateral research and industrial cooperation engagements between India and Germany, consider the following statements: 1. Roundtables held with German research organizations, such as the Fraunhofer Institutes, prioritized key fields including microelectronics, power electronics, and smart manufacturing. 2. Expanding industry-academia innovation networks and collaboration in battery technologies form key components of the enhanced strategic cooperation. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- [A] 1 only
- [B] 2 only
- [C] Both 1 and 2
- [D] Neither 1 nor 2
▶ Reveal Official Answer & Analytical Explanation
Both statements are correct. High-level roundtables with German research institutes, including Fraunhofer Institutes, focused on microelectronics, power electronics, smart manufacturing, battery technologies, and logistics. Furthermore, the engagement emphasized strengthening industry-academia innovation networks, science and technology cooperation, and advanced manufacturing capabilities between India and Germany.
🏛️ Historical Twin PYQ Anchor (2021)
Consider the following statements regarding the "National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)": 1. It is implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. 2. Central Pollution Control Board acts as the sole regulatory executive body.