National News
GJSCI Signs MoU with APSSDC in Andhra Pradesh
The Gem & Jewellery Skill Council of India (GJSCI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Andhra Pradesh State Skill Development Corporation (APSSDC) to implement skill training programmes.
The collaboration will encompass Short-Term Training programs, upskilling modules, and Recognition of Prior Learning assessments, designed to enhance talent development in the gems and jewellery sector. Through these structured interventions, the partnership aims to equip youth and existing workers and artisans with industry-relevant competencies, expand employment opportunities, and also focus on women’s empowerment by working with SHG members.
The MoU was formally exchanged in Visakhapatnam on 14 November 2025. G. Ganesh Kumar, IAS, Managing Director & CEO, APSSDC, and Rajeev Garg, Executive Director & CEO, GJSCI, represented their respective organisations during the ceremony. The partnership reinforces a shared commitment to promoting high-quality skill development, enhancing the state’s skill ecosystem, and supporting economic growth through specialised training and skill upgradation initiatives.
Andhra Pradesh has a long tradition of both gold jewellery and imitation jewellery manufacturing and retail. Districts like Mangalagiri have an old gold jewellery cluster, and the present Government is working towards establishing a jewellery park there.
National News
MCX Gold, Silver Surge On Escalating Geopolitical Tensions
The Softer Dollar Provided Limited Support To Bullion, While Traders Largely Focused On The Geopolitical Backdrop and The Prospect Of Fresh Clues On U.S. Monetary Policy.
Gold and silver prices edged higher in India on Monday as renewed geopolitical tensions in the Middle East boosted demand for safe-haven assets, even as investors remained cautious ahead of key U.S. inflation data expected later this week.
On the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), gold futures rose more than Rs 650 to trade above Rs 1.40 lakh per 10 grams, while silver futures gained nearly Rs 700 to move aboveRs Rs 2.18 lakh per kilogram. The advance reflected renewed risk aversion after the United States tightened pressure on Iran, rekindling concerns over the security of global energy supplies and the broader inflation outlook.
In international markets, spot gold rose about 0.4% to around $4,016 an ounce, recovering after briefly slipping below the psychologically important $4,000 level overnight. Spot silver also rebounded modestly but remained under pressure, trading near $58 an ounce.
The gains in precious metals came despite a relatively resilient U.S. dollar, which eased only marginally to around 101.2 against a basket of major currencies. The softer dollar provided limited support to bullion, while traders largely focused on the geopolitical backdrop and the prospect of fresh clues on U.S. monetary policy.
Energy markets reflected the same risk-off sentiment. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude climbed toward $80 a barrel, while Brent crude advanced to around $85, extending gains as fears of supply disruptions returned to the forefront.
The latest catalyst came after President Donald Trump reinstated a blockade on Iranian vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz and called on countries benefiting from U.S. naval protection to contribute toward securing the strategically vital shipping corridor. The move followed renewed hostilities between Washington and Tehran, heightening concerns that disruptions to one of the world’s busiest oil routes could fuel another wave of energy-driven inflation.
Higher oil prices have complicated the outlook for global central banks, particularly the U.S. Federal Reserve, which continues to balance inflation risks against slowing economic growth.
Investors are now turning their attention to the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) data due Tuesday, which is expected to provide fresh direction for interest-rate expectations. Markets will also closely monitor Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh’s testimony before Congress for signals on the central bank’s policy trajectory.
According to market pricing, traders now see roughly a 51% probability of a Federal Reserve rate hike in September, while the likelihood of rates remaining unchanged has fallen to about 23%.
For bullion markets, the interplay between geopolitical uncertainty, energy prices and monetary policy expectations is likely to remain the dominant theme. While safe-haven demand continues to underpin gold, any surprise in inflation data or a shift in the Federal Reserve’s policy outlook could determine whether the metal extends its rally or faces renewed selling pressure.
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