ASI
Just 3.6% of factories drive 62% of India's manufacturing output, survey shows
India's manufacturing sector shows a significant concentration of output in large factories generating over Rs 500 crore. While these plants represent only 3.6% of operational units, they account for over 62% of total manufacturing output. Smaller factories with output up to Rs 10 crore, in contrast, represent the majority of operational units but contribute minimally to output.
Big factories dominate India's manufacturing output, Annual Survey of Industries shows
India's manufacturing sector is characterised by a significant concentration in large factories generating substantial output. Factories producing over ₹500 crore contribute to more than three-fifths of total value added. Smaller factories represent a large number but have minimal output and value contribution.
India’s manufacturing output dominated by large factories, while smaller units lag behind
India's manufacturing sector is highly fragmented, with large factories significantly outpacing small units in productivity and output. While large establishments employ most industrial workers and generate high GVA, smaller units remain burdened with debt. The productivity gap is exacerbated by limited access to technology and training for smaller factories. Additionally, women workers constitute a small fraction of the overall workforce in manufacturing.
Govt proposes questions on women entrepreneurs, electricity use in ASUSE 2027-28 as survey moves to financial year
The government is proposing new questions for the Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises beginning in 2027. These questions will focus on women entrepreneurs, electricity sources, and fixed-asset investments. The survey will shift to a financial year format to align with other surveys. Gender-specific constraints faced by female entrepreneurs will also be captured for the first time. This initiative aims to improve data on India's unincorporated economy for policy discussions.
MoSPI to start annual unincorporated sector enterprises survey from April 2027
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation will conduct the Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises from April 2027. New questions will address gender-specific constraints faced by female entrepreneurs for the first time. Additionally, the survey will capture the investment in fixed assets over an extended period. The survey period has shifted to align with the financial year for better data utility.
The past is as glorious as you care for it
The Supreme Court has called out the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and the Archaeological Survey of India for their failure to safeguard historic landmarks. Documents for Lal Mahal are reportedly missing, raising red flags about its preservation. Tombs in Zamrudpur face threats from encroachment, reflecting a troubling neglect of cultural heritage. In contrast, Sunder Nursery stands as a beacon of successful urban renewal that emphasizes preserving history.
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AI startup ASI valued at $3 billion in latest funding round
Artificial intelligence startup ASI said on Tuesday it had raised $325 million in a funding round valuing the company at $3 billion, amid growing investor appetite for AI software used in real-world applications.

Tripura: BSF hands over two detained Bangladeshi policemen to BGB
Two Bangladeshi police personnel inadvertently crossed into Indian territory while conducting an anti-narcotics operation. One officer chased a suspected drug trafficker and crossed the border, followed by his colleague. After being taken into Border Security Force custody, they were questioned overnight at the Ashabari Border Outpost. A flag meeting was arranged between border authorities from both countries for their handover.

What will be the salary after 8th Pay Commission? Viral claim says peons will get Rs 45,000, inspector Rs 1.2 lakh, scientist Rs 1.4 lakh, shares list of 17 posts
A post on X has estimated monthly salaries for 17 government positions under the 8th Pay Commission, putting projected earnings at ₹45,000 for a peon and ₹3 lakh for a Secretary to the Government of India. The figures are not official. The commission's upcoming Mumbai consultations and its mandate to review government pay and benefits form the wider context.

No order issued by ASI to close Jantar Mantar heritage site on October 10: Sources
Jantar Mantar's historic observatory, constructed in 1724, remained open despite heavy police restrictions during a protest. The security measures involved over 30,000 personnel and closure of multiple access points in central Delhi. The Archaeological Survey of India did not issue orders to close the site. Visitors were allowed in small groups, subject to police guidelines. Many individuals experienced difficulties moving freely due to the tight security around the area.

How 5 symbols on an ancient bowl found near Salem may change what we know about India's writing history
An archaeological excavation at Thelunganur near Salem, Tamil Nadu, has uncovered a 3,200-year-old bowl bearing five graffiti symbols, potentially offering clues to early writing systems. The site has also yielded iron weapons, a possible steel sword and skeletal remains, helping researchers study Iron Age life and the origins of Tamil-Brahmi.

Amritsar: Punjab Police ASI injured in firing by motorcycle-borne assailants
On Sunday evening, Sukhchain Singh, an ASI with Punjab Police, was shot at while returning home. The assailants fired from a motorcycle and fled the scene immediately after the attack. Singh sustained a bullet injury to his arm and was taken to a local hospital for treatment. Police officials have initiated an investigation into the shooting incident, which raises concerns over law enforcement safety.

10,000 new police personnel to be recruited in Punjab to root out drug menace: Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced plans for 10,000 new police recruitments to combat drug problems effectively. He emphasized the police's full autonomy to act against drug trafficking in communities. The state government is enhancing police resources and integrating technology-driven approaches in their operations. Discussions with the Centre aim to strengthen the NDPS Act against drug-related offenses further.

Output, wages, GVA... manufacturing sector is on a roll: GVA grows 9.6% to Rs 26.9 lakh crore; sector adds 1.4 mn workers
India’s formal manufacturing sector recorded broad-based growth in 2024-25, with GVA rising 9.6% to ₹26.9 lakh crore and industrial output increasing 7.8% to ₹165.2 lakh crore, according to the Annual Survey of Industries. Invested capital grew 11.1% to ₹75.6 lakh crore, while the number of establishments rose 2.6%.

India’s industrial jobs cross 2 cr mark in 2024-25
India's industrial workforce increased to over 2 crore in 2024-25, driven largely by the manufacturing sector. The registered manufacturing sector saw broad-based growth, with a notable rise in employment and wages. Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana led in manufacturing employment during this period. Gross value added in manufacturing rose significantly, indicating continued expansion in industrial value addition.

In 2015, Colin started Stencil Stop as an online stencil business; by 2026, the company was bringing in around $100,000 a month by selling custom stencils
Stencil Stop started when Clemson University alumnus Colin Mitchell and his roommate could not find a stencil featuring the school’s logo. Founded in 2015, Stencil Stop expanded into custom stencils for businesses, artists and events, working with brands such as Adobe, the NFL, Netflix, Nike, Spotify, Lululemon and Lyft.

"Links with Pakistan-based handler": Amritsar Police arrest 5 accused in ASI firing case
Amritsar Rural Police apprehended five individuals tied to the shooting incident involving Assistant Sub-Inspector Jaswant Singh. Two identified shooters, Karanveer Nandi and Gurpreet Gopi, were allegedly financed by overseas handlers. Nandi sustained serious injuries during the confrontation and later died at the hospital.

Pandharpur Vitthal-Rukmini idols get protective coating: Why is it being done and what's the Vajralepan process
Conservation work on the ancient Vitthal and Rukmini idols commenced this week under ASI supervision. The idols are undergoing scientific cleaning and protective coating to preserve their integrity for future generations. Digital documentation of the idols has been completed to aid future preservation efforts. The temple will reopen for devotees on September 26 after the conservation is finished.

Alibaba plans AI model with 5 trillion to 10 trillion parameters, unveils new chip
Speaking at Alibaba Cloud's annual Apsara Conference in Hangzhou, Wu said the company's Qwen team was continuing research into model architecture and data optimisation, with the goal of completing "more complex, longer-horizon tasks" and advancing toward artificial superintelligence, or ASI.

ASI shot dead at Amritsar grain market; man gunned down in Islamabad
Two unidentified men fatally shot an assistant sub-inspector of Punjab Police in Amritsar. ASI Harjit Singh was shot near the neck by a single bullet fired from a pistol. This incident occurred around 12:30 am on Friday while the ASI was on duty. Hours earlier, another man was gunned down outside his house in the Islamabad area.

Dividends and stock splits: Hindustan Copper, Cochin Shipyard among 200+ stocks with record dates this week. Check full list
Over 90 companies have fixed September 18 as the record date for dividends and other corporate actions. Victoria Mills leads with a Rs 50 per share dividend, followed by Sharda Motor Industries at Rs 20. The list also includes several companies announcing dividends, while Oriana Power and Kairosoft Ai Solutions have set record dates for stock splits.

Hauz Khas, Jantar Mantar restrict entry as 10 monuments undergo repair
Due to necessary renovation and conservation work, entry to several monuments in Delhi is temporarily restricted. Hauz Khas, Jantar Mantar, and Agrasen ki Baoli are experiencing visitor access limitations. Emergency structural work is taking place at Hauz Khas and Kotla Firoz Shah, while refurbishments are underway at Tughlaqabad Fort and Safdarjung Tomb, led by the Archaeological Survey of India.

No shortcut, no fast food. Nimisha Sajayan gained 14 kg in two months for her role in Babita Singh Reporting. What did actress eat for her transformation?
In preparation for the role in Babita Singh Reporting, Nimisha Sajayan underwent a remarkable transformation, gaining 14 kgs in two months. This required an intensive diet of up to 8000 calories each day. The actress recently shared what all she ate throughout this journey to gain 14 kgs weight. Read on!

Murshidabad murder: Bengal CM orders CID probe into Sujit Mondal killing, suspends 2 cops
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has ordered a CID probe into the gruesome killing of Sujit Mondal in Murshidabad's Dhuliyan. Mondal went missing on August 28 before his dismembered body was recovered. Three people have been arrested, while two police officers were suspended and action initiated against other personnel.

The Pompeii of Madhya Pradesh: Unlocking the secrets of Ujjain's 42 skeletons
Forty-two skeletons discovered at Kumhar Tekri in Ujjain remain an archaeological mystery. These ancient remains were found in diverse positions, with some buried and others cremated. Shell jewelry and urns were unearthed alongside the human remains from the 3rd century BC. Excavating the nearby Vaishya Tekri stupa could provide vital clues about these ancient people.

Elon Musk clashes with Chess.com online over whether AI will 'solve' chess
On Thursday, Musk wrote that the number of chess moves that aren't "utterly stupid" is small and that "chess will be fully solved one day."

MP HC grants 8-week extension to ASI for Bhojshala survey
The bench fixed the next date of hearing on July 4 and directed ASI to submit its final report. It also turned down a plea of a group of Muslims seeking a stay on the survey work. Maulana Kamaluddin Welfare Society on behalf of Muslims objected to ASI's request for more time. It had also claimed the ASI was carrying out excavations contrary to the order of the Supreme Court in the matter.

Gyanvapi moque complex: Court asks ASI to explain reason for seeking more time to file survey report
Taking up the plea of the ASI seeking three additional weeks to submit the report, District Judge A K Vishvesh asked a senior ASI official from Delhi to explain the need for more time, to which the ASI counsel said that officials in Varanasi have been handling the task and will apprise the court about it. The Muslim side represented by lawyer Mohammad Ikhlaq objected to the ASI repeatedly seeking more time.

Gyanvapi Mosque Survey: ASI seeks 21-day extension to submit report as Nov 28 deadline approaches
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has requested an additional 21 days to submit its report on the Gyanvapi Mosque Survey. The extension request comes after the Varanasi District Judge initially granted the ASI a 10-day period to file the comprehensive report.
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