Youth Jobs & Skills Push: India’s PM Narendra Modi used Independence Day to announce free online coaching for competitive exams and AI training for 1 crore youth, aiming to cut the cost burden that has fueled protests over exam leaks and recruitment scandals. Talent Pipeline Risk: A PwC India-FICCI study warns India’s GCC boom is threatened by talent gaps—delays in launches, higher attrition, and wage inflation—while many GCCs plan to expand mandates by 2030. GCC Workforce Demand: The same GCC sector is also being pulled toward higher-value tech and strategic roles, raising the stakes for hiring and reskilling. Exam Protest Fallout: In Jharkhand, job aspirants held a “Tiranga Yatra” on day 22 of their recruitment-exam agitation, demanding transparency and an independent probe. Public Sector Pay: Kerala approved an Onam bonus and festival allowances for eligible state employees and other categories. Energy & Skills: GAIL said it’s strengthening LNG diversification to support energy resilience—an indirect jobs signal for the gas value chain. Regional Skills Funding: Fiji’s Pacific Polytech faces a funding drop that could force staff leave without pay, threatening training capacity for local trades. Industry Growth Targets: India’s chemicals sector targets up to $81bn exports by 2030, projecting 700,000–1m jobs by decade end.