Cumulative growth of 0.2% suggests relative stability despite monthly contraction.
Fertilizers (2.63% weight)
Strong growth of 5.6%, supported by agricultural demand.
Cumulative growth of 1.3% reflects moderate expansion.
Steel (17.92% weight)
Production rose by 6.1%.
Robust cumulative growth of 9.7%, driven by infrastructure and construction activity.
Cement (5.37% weight)
Highest monthly growth at 14.5%.
Cumulative growth of 8.2%, signaling strong construction and real estate demand.
Electricity (19.85% weight)
Generation declined by 2.2%.
Slight cumulative decline of 0.3%, indicating subdued power demand or supply-side issues.
Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI) – DoT
Institutional Initiative & Collaboration
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has introduced the Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI) to combat rising cyber and financial fraud.
The success of FRI is driven by strong inter-agency collaboration, especially with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
This collaboration has enabled large-scale onboarding of stakeholders onto the Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP).
Scale of Adoption
Over 1000 entities, including banks, financial institutions, Third-Party Application Providers (TPAPs), and Payment System Operators (PSOs), are now onboarded on DIP.
These entities are actively using FRI for fraud detection and prevention.
DoT has conducted 16 knowledge-sharing sessions to improve awareness and effective implementation.
Impact & Outcomes
Since its rollout on 22 May 2025, FRI has helped prevent cyber fraud losses of approximately ₹660 crore in just six months.
Banks and payment platforms have used FRI to decline suspicious transactions or issue alerts, preventing large-scale financial damage.
The impact spans public sector banks, private banks, cooperative banks, TPAPs, and other financial institutions.
Evolving Cybercrime Landscape
Cybercrime in India has become more organized and sophisticated, resembling digital cartels.
Fraud methods include digital arrest scams, SIM-box frauds, and misuse of telecom infrastructure.
These threats evolve rapidly, requiring real-time intelligence and coordinated response.
Role of Jan Bhagidari (Citizen Participation)
Citizen participation has emerged as a critical pillar in fraud prevention.
Sanchar Saathi has become a powerful crowdsourced cyber-intelligence platform, enabling citizens to report fraud-related activities.
Inputs from citizens directly contribute to the FRI risk assessment mechanism.
Sanchar Saathi Platform
Available as both a web portal and mobile app (Android & iOS).
Citizens can:
Report suspected fraud calls and SMS (Chakshu).
Check and manage mobile connections registered in their name.
Block, trace, and recover lost or stolen mobile phones.
Verify genuineness of mobile handsets.
Access trusted contact details of banks and institutions.
Increased downloads and usage reflect high public trust and awareness.
Preventive Value of Citizen Reporting
While aware users may ignore fraud calls, reporting them helps protect less-informed citizens.
Citizen reports help authorities and telecom operators:
Detect fraud patterns.
Block offending numbers.
Disable fake or misused connections.
Deter repeat offenders.
Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI)
A risk-based metric classifying mobile numbers as Medium, High, or Very High risk for financial fraud.
Built using inputs from:
National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (I4C).
DoT’s Chakshu platform.
Banks, financial institutions, and telecom service providers.
Enables banks, NBFCs, and UPI providers to take enhanced customer protection measures.
Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP)
A secure information-sharing platform developed by DoT.
Connects over 1050 organizations, including:
Security agencies, State/UT police, I4C.
Banks, TSPs, social media platforms.
Government bodies like UIDAI, CBDT, GSTN, PFMS, etc.
Facilitates real-time intelligence sharing to curb telecom misuse.
Overall Significance
The initiative demonstrates a technology-driven, intelligence-led, and citizen-powered approach to cyber fraud prevention.
Highlights the importance of inter-agency coordination, proactive policy, and public participation.
Strengthens trust and security in India’s rapidly expanding digital payments and telecom ecosystem.
‘Anjadip’ – Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft
Event & Significance
‘Anjadip’, the third of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC), was delivered to the Indian Navy on 22 December 2025 at Chennai.
It marks another key milestone in India’s push for indigenous naval shipbuilding.
Design & Construction
The ship has been indigenously designed and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.
Constructed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between GRSE and L&T Shipyard, Kattupalli, highlighting successful collaborative defence manufacturing.
Built in accordance with the Classification Rules of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS).
Technical Features
Approximately 77 metres in length.
Among the largest Indian naval warships propelled by waterjets, enhancing maneuverability in shallow waters.
Equipped with:
Lightweight Torpedoes
Indigenously developed Anti-Submarine Rockets
Shallow-water SONAR
Designed for effective detection and engagement of underwater threats.
Operational Capabilities
Strengthens the Navy’s:
Anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capability
Coastal surveillance
Mine-laying operations
Particularly suited for operations in littoral and shallow-water environments.
Legacy & Naming
The ship is a reincarnation of the erstwhile INS Anjadip, a Petya-class Corvette decommissioned in 2003.
Named after Anjadip Island, located off the coast of Karwar, Karnataka.
The name symbolizes India’s commitment to protecting its maritime interests and coastal security.
Indigenisation & Aatmanirbhar Bharat
Features over 80% indigenous content, aligning with the Government’s vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.
Demonstrates the maturity and growth of India’s domestic defence manufacturing ecosystem.
Contributes to reducing dependence on defence imports.
Overall Importance
Reinforces India’s strategic focus on self-reliance, maritime security, and coastal defence.
Reflects the Indian Navy’s sustained efforts toward modernization through indigenous platforms.
