Morning Brief: Modi Meets Zelenskyy For The Second Time In A Month; Timeline For Chip Production In The Works; IIM-A Introduces Quotas For PhD Admissions For The First Time

Dear reader, make sense of the day’s news with Swarajya's roundup of what’s making headlines this morning.

Modi Meets Zelenskyy For The Second Time In A Month

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in New York on Monday, marking their second meeting in about a month. Modi had previously visited Ukraine on August 23, expressing India's commitment to facilitating peace in the ongoing conflict. This visit was historic as it was the first by an Indian Prime Minister to Ukraine since diplomatic relations began in 1992. The recent meeting occurs shortly after National Security Advisor Ajit Doval's discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin, where India presented its peace plan for Ukraine. These interactions suggest India's potential role as a mediator in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Speculation surrounds India's ability to engage with both Ukraine and its allies, including the United States and Europe.

Timeline For Commercial Chip Production In The Works

The Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) is finalizing a timeline for the commercial production of semiconductor wafers and chips from approved projects. Micron’s $2.7 billion chip testing and packaging plant in Gujarat is expected to be the first, with production starting by August 2025. This will mark the rollout of the first “made-in-India” chips. Seven projects have been approved so far, including an India-US joint venture for military-use chips. The joint venture facility is likely to be set up in Jewar, though its timeline remains unclear. MeitY is now focusing heavily on execution, with reports suggesting that incentives for testing facilities may no longer be offered.

IIM-A Introduces Quotas For PhD Admissions For The First Time

IIM Ahmedabad has announced the implementation of the government-mandated reservation policy in its PhD admissions, a first for the prestigious B-school. This new quota will benefit SCs, STs, OBCs, and persons with disabilities in its Fellow Programme in Management, which has been running since 1971. The decision follows pressure from SC/ST activists and a Public Interest Litigation filed in 2021, which highlighted that other IIMs had already adopted similar quotas. While IIM-A has committed to implementing quota for the 2025 intake, specific details on its execution have yet to be released.

Other Developments

EPFO Adds Record 20 Lakh Members In July 2024

The Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) recorded a net addition of 19.94 lakh members in July 2024, the highest increase since payroll data tracking began in April 2018. This marks a 6.3 per cent rise from July 2023, when 18.75 lakh members were added. Of the total, 10.52 lakh were first-time joiners. The youth group aged 18-25 saw the largest increase with 8.77 lakh new additions. The surge is linked to the Centre's capex drive and expanded PLI scheme. Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya noted that net payroll additions more than doubled from 2018-19 to 2023-24.

SW Shifts Rs 40,000 Crore EV Project from Odisha To Maharashtra

The JSW Group has decided to relocate its Rs 40,000 crore electric vehicle (EV) and battery project from Odisha to Maharashtra, just seven months after signing an agreement with the Odisha government. The conglomerate is now considering Aurangabad and Nagpur for the project, following a political change in Odisha. The original plan included EV manufacturing and a 50 GWh battery plant in Cuttack and Paradip. Maharashtra recently secured several key projects, including JSW’s Rs 25,000 crore lithium battery plant in Nagpur. An additional investment of Rs 27,200 crore in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar will establish the state's first large-scale EV factory.

Samsung Slashes Prices As Competition With Apple Intensifies

In response to Apple securing the top revenue position in 2023 by shipping over 10 million iPhones, Samsung has announced price cuts of 15-35 per cent on its flagship models. This move comes as the South Korean giant aims to reclaim market share after being surpassed by Apple in smartphone revenue. Apple accounted for 23 per cent of global smartphone revenue in 2023, overtaking Samsung's 21 per cent share. The price reductions are part of Samsung's strategy to remain competitive in the lucrative festival season. The price cuts apply to Samsung’s flagship S24 range of mobile phones, launched in January, as it seeks to undercut Apple's newly launched iPhone 16.

Monsoon Retreat Begins, But Later Than Expected

The southwest monsoon began its retreat from parts of West Rajasthan and Kutch on Monday, signalling its withdrawal from the country later than the normal date of September 17. This marks the 14th consecutive year of delayed retreat, with last year's withdrawal starting on September 25. The IMD predicts that the overall monsoon season will conclude with above-normal rainfall. As of September 23, cumulative rainfall has recorded over 5 per cent more than the normal for the season. The monsoon onset occurred earlier this year, covering the entire country by July 2.

From The States

Maharashtra Govt, Opposition Clash Over Shooting Of Rape Accused 

A war of words has erupted between the Maharashtra government and the opposition following the death of Akshay Shinde, the man accused of raping two four-year-olds in Badlapur, who was killed in police firing during a transfer. Shinde was shot after he allegedly snatched a constable's gun and opened fire while being moved from Taloja jail to Thane police station. The opposition has raised questions about how a handcuffed man could manage to grab a weapon and has suggested that the incident might have been an "encounter." Chief Minister Eknath Shinde condemned the opposition's stance, pointing out that they previously demanded the death penalty for Shinde.

Karnataka HC To Rule On CM Siddaramaiah's MUDA Petition

The Karnataka High Court will deliver its verdict today (24 September) on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's petition challenging the Governor's approval for an investigation into alleged irregularities in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA). The case involves allegations of illegal site allotments to Siddaramaiah's wife in a prime area of Mysuru. Previously, the High Court issued an interim order on August 19, temporarily halting further proceedings by a special court in Bengaluru. The outcome of this ruling could significantly impact the ongoing investigation.

Haryana: Selja Makes A Comeback To Congress Campaign

AICC general secretary and Sirsa MP Kumari Selja is set to rejoin the Congress campaign in Haryana on September 26 after a brief absence. She met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in New Delhi, raising concerns about being sidelined by the Bhupinder Singh Hooda camp, particularly regarding the party's manifesto and candidate selection. Kharge had to cancel his public meetings in Ambala and Gannaur due to "ill health," with Hooda stepping in to address the rallies. Selja stated that she remains an aspirant for the Chief Minister's post if Congress wins.

Stay tuned for more insights throughout the day.