DailyWorld News - The First International Newspaper From India https://dailyworld.in/ Fri, 02 Jan 2026 17:09:52 +0530 en https://dailyworld.in/business/suv-boom-new-launches-drive-indias-auto-industry-strong-finish-in-2025-656520.html New Delhi Dec 31 Indiaâs automobile industry entered 2026 on a strong and confident note with several leading car manufacturers reporting solid growth and renewed momentum in calendar year 2025 Despite a year shaped by changing market conditions customer demand picked up steadily especially in the second half driven by new launches festiveseason buying and improving consumer confidenceLuxury carmaker Audi India closed 2025 with retail sales of 4510 units supported by steady demand for its SUVs performance cars and topend modelsVehicles such as the Audi Q7 Q8 RS Q8 Performance and S5 Sportback continued to attract buyers while popular models like the Audi Q3 A4 A6 and Q5 maintained consistent tractionThe company highlighted that regulatory support such as GST rationalisation and strong festive demand helped boost customer sentimentLooking ahead Audi India said it is preparing for an actiondriven 2026 with new launches expanded customer engagement and peoplefocused initiativesRenault India also reported a clear turnaround in the second half of 2025 posting an 182 per cent yearonyear growth in H2The momentum strengthened from the third quarter and peaked in the fourth quarter which saw a growth of over 27 per centDecember 2025 emerged as one of Renaultâs best months with sales rising 334 per cent yearonyear to 3845 unitsSkoda Auto India marked 2025 as its most successful year ever coinciding with the brandâs 25th anniversary in the countryThe company recorded sales of 72665 cars more than doubling its volumes compared to 2024 and registering a remarkable 107 per cent growthKia India ended CY2025 with total wholesale sales of 280286 units reflecting a 15 per cent growth over the previous yearThe company recorded its bestever December since inception with sales jumping 105 per cent yearonyear to 18659 unitsThe Kia Sonet crossed the 100000unit sales mark for the second year in a row underlining its strong leadership in the compact SUV segmentKia also continued expanding its presence across India reaching 369 cities with 821 touchpoints by the end of the yearMahindra amp Mahindra capped off December 2025 with its highestever volumes in SUVs and light commercial vehiclesThe company sold 50946 SUVs in the domestic market during the month registering a 23 per cent growth while total vehicle sales including exports stood at 86090 units marking a 25 per cent yearonyear increaseCommercial vehicle sales also grew strongly supported by sustained demand in the LCV segment Mahindra said the strong finish to 2025 reflects growing customer confidence and the success of its SUVled strategy IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/suv-boom-new-launches-drive-indias-auto-industry-strong-finish-in-2025-656520.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 00:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/suv-boom-new-launches-drive-indias-auto-industry-to-strong-finish-in-2025-656523.html New Delhi Jan 1 Indiaâs automobile industry entered 2026 on a strong and confident note with several leading car manufacturers reporting solid growth and renewed momentum in calendar year 2025 Despite a year shaped by changing market conditions customer demand picked up steadily especially in the second half driven by new launches festiveseason buying and improving consumer confidenceLuxury carmaker Audi India closed 2025 with retail sales of 4510 units supported by steady demand for its SUVs performance cars and topend modelsVehicles such as the Audi Q7 Q8 RS Q8 Performance and S5 Sportback continued to attract buyers while popular models like the Audi Q3 A4 A6 and Q5 maintained consistent tractionThe company highlighted that regulatory support such as GST rationalisation and strong festive demand helped boost customer sentimentLooking ahead Audi India said it is preparing for an actiondriven 2026 with new launches expanded customer engagement and peoplefocused initiativesRenault India also reported a clear turnaround in the second half of 2025 posting an 182 per cent yearonyear growth in H2The momentum strengthened from the third quarter and peaked in the fourth quarter which saw a growth of over 27 per centDecember 2025 emerged as one of Renaultâs best months with sales rising 334 per cent yearonyear to 3845 unitsSkoda Auto India marked 2025 as its most successful year ever coinciding with the brandâs 25th anniversary in the countryThe company recorded sales of 72665 cars more than doubling its volumes compared to 2024 and registering a remarkable 107 per cent growthKia India ended CY2025 with total wholesale sales of 280286 units reflecting a 15 per cent growth over the previous yearThe company recorded its bestever December since inception with sales jumping 105 per cent yearonyear to 18659 unitsThe Kia Sonet crossed the 100000unit sales mark for the second year in a row underlining its strong leadership in the compact SUV segmentKia also continued expanding its presence across India reaching 369 cities with 821 touchpoints by the end of the yearMahindra amp Mahindra capped off December 2025 with its highestever volumes in SUVs and light commercial vehiclesThe company sold 50946 SUVs in the domestic market during the month registering a 23 per cent growth while total vehicle sales including exports stood at 86090 units marking a 25 per cent yearonyear increaseCommercial vehicle sales also grew strongly supported by sustained demand in the LCV segment Mahindra said the strong finish to 2025 reflects growing customer confidence and the success of its SUVled strategy IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/suv-boom-new-launches-drive-indias-auto-industry-to-strong-finish-in-2025-656523.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 01:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/pfrda-unveils-policy-reforms-to-promote-sustainable-growth-of-nps-656525.html New Delhi Jan 1 The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authoritys PFRDA board has approved a framework to permit Scheduled Commercial Banks SCBs to independently set up Pension Funds to manage NPS with the objective of strengthening the pension ecosystem it was announced on Thursday This will enhance competition and safeguard subscriberâs interestsThe proposed framework seeks to address existing regulatory constraints that had limited bank participation till now said Ministry of Finance in a statementBy introducing a clearly defined eligibility criteria based on net worth market capitalisation and prudential soundness in line with RBI norms it will ensure that only wellcapitalised and systemically robust banks are permitted to sponsor Pension FundsâThe detailed criteria will be notified separately and will apply to both new and existing Pension Fundsâ the statement saidPFRDA has appointed three new Trustees on the Board of NPS Trust pursuant to the selection process initiated by PFRDAThese are Dinesh Kumar Khara Former Chairman State Bank of India Swati Anil Kulkarni Former Executive Vice President UTI AMCâTrustee and Dr Arvind Gupta CoFounder and Head Digital India Foundation and Member of the National Venture Capital Investment Committee under the Fund of Funds Scheme managed by SIDBIKhara has also been designated as the Chairperson of the NPS Trust BoardIn order to align with evolving realities aspirations of the public international benchmarks and the objective of expanding coverage across corporate retail and gigeconomy segments PFRDA has revised the Investment Management Fee IMF structure for Pension Funds to safeguard subscriber interests with effect from April 1 2026The revised slabbased IMF introduces differentiated rates for government and nongovernment sector subscribers which shall also apply to schemes under the Multiple Scheme Framework MSF with MSF corpus being counted separatelyPFRDA expects these policy reforms to help the subscribers and stakeholders to access a more competitive wellgoverned and resilient NPS ecosystem leading to improved longterm retirement outcomes and enhanced oldage income security IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/pfrda-unveils-policy-reforms-to-promote-sustainable-growth-of-nps-656525.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 01:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/pakistans-textile-industry-plunges-into-deep-crisis-report-656527.html New Delhi Jan 1 Pakistanâs textile industry which was once the driver of economic growth in the country has plunged into a deep crisis with factories shutting down due to high production costs Once celebrated for its export potential and capacity to drive industrial growth Pakistanâs textile sector is now grappling with a convergence of structural economic and logistical shocks that have eroded competitiveness shuttered factories and destabilised livelihoods across the value chain From collapsing cotton production to soaring energy costs from regional competition to policy missteps and now a nationwide transport strike the industry stands at a critical inflection point a report in the UKâs Daily Mirror saidThe Pakistan Textile Exporters Association PTEA has pointed out that textile exports have declined for the fourth month in a row raising concerns about the sectorâs longterm viabilityThe article cites PTEA General Secretary Azizullah Goheer saying that Pakistan has failed to surpass or even maintain the FY2021 export benchmark of 193 billion Instead exports slipped to 18 billion then 17 billion and continue to fall Between July and November 2025 alone exports dropped by 639 per cent from 13721 billion to 12844 billion signalling a persistent downward trajectoryPakistanâs textile sector is losing ground to regional competitors as the high cost of energy tariffs taxes and financing costs has hit the countryâs competitiveness Exporters have pointed out that Bangladesh India China and Vietnam have all gained market share at the cost of Pakistan as they have lower production costs and the governments of these countries have put more stable policies in placeAt the heart of the crisis lies the collapse of Pakistanâs cotton economy Outdated agricultural practices poor seed quality and inadequate research investment have led to a dramatic decline in cotton production and quality the article statedAccording to the Pakistan Cotton Ginners Forum Chairman Ihsanul Haq more than 100 spinning mills and 400 ginning factories have already shut down National cotton output has fallen from 15 million bales to 55 million balesCotton prices have crashed to Rs 8000 per 40 kg pushing farmers into financial distress and accelerating the shift from cotton to sugarcane cultivation This shift threatens to increase Pakistanâs reliance on edible oil imports further straining foreign exchange reserves the report statesThe ginning sector is reported to be struggling under a hefty 86 per cent combined sales tax on cotton cottonseed oil and oilcake Meanwhile textile units are being asked to clear decadeold gas dues compounding liquidity pressures The situation has been worsened by recent amendments to the Export Facilitation Scheme EFS which have resulted in exporters having to pay more taxesEnergy costs are a major burden with electricity tariffs projected to reach 12 cents per kWh by FY26 which is much higher than the 5â9 cents per kWh paid by competitors in the region Exporters claim that this disparity alone makes Pakistani textiles uncompetitive in global markets Frequent power outages voltage fluctuations and grid instability which damage machinery and disrupt production schedules are adding to the problem IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/pakistans-textile-industry-plunges-into-deep-crisis-report-656527.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 01:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/commercial-lpg-price-jumps-by-rs-111-656529.html New Delhi Jan 1 Commercial LPG prices have risen sharply at the start of the month adding to the cost burden of hotels restaurants and other businesses that rely heavily on cooking gas The price of a 19kg commercial LPG cylinder has been increased by Rs 111 across major citiesIn Delhi the price of a 19kg commercial LPG cylinder has gone up to Rs 169150 In Mumbai the rate has increased from Rs 153150 to Rs 164250Kolkata has seen the price rise from Rs 1684 to Rs 1795 Chennai recorded the steepest hike among metro cities with prices jumping from Rs 173950 to Rs 184950 per cylinderThe latest hike is expected to significantly push up operating expenses for businesses such as hotels restaurants catering services and small eateriesHousehold consumers however have been spared as the prices of domestic LPG cylinders remain unchangedThe previous change in commercial LPG prices was on December 1 2025 when rates were cut by Rs 10 per cylinderAt that time the price of a 19kg commercial LPG cylinder in Delhi was reduced to Rs 158050That reduction was the second cut in a row following a Rs 5 reduction in November These cuts had partially reversed a Rs 1550 hike introduced in OctoberSince April 2025 there have been several downward revisions in commercial LPG prices A total of six price cuts during this period had brought down the cost by Rs 223 per cylinder before the latest hike erased a large part of those gainsLPG and aviation turbine fuel prices are revised on the first day of every month by oil marketing companies such as Indian Oil Corporation Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum These revisions are based on global fuel prices and movements in the exchange rate IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/commercial-lpg-price-jumps-by-rs-111-656529.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 01:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/maruti-suzuki-india-exports-highest-ever-395-lakh-vehicles-in-2025-656533.html New Delhi Jan 1 Maruti Suzuki India Ltd on Thursday said it has exported 395 lakh vehicles in 2025 its highest ever in any calendar year This marks a growth of over 21 per cent as compared to 2024 the countryâs largest automaker said in a statementâThis is a proud moment for the company as we record our highestever calendar year exports of 395 lakh units It reflects Indiaâs manufacturing strength and trust of customers worldwideâ said Hisashi Takeuchi Managing Director and CEO Maruti Suzuki India LimitedAt a time when global trade is passing through a turbulent phase we regard this 21 per cent growth as a responsible contribution in supporting the nationâs export momentum Takeuchi addedAccording to the company this achievement is set to put it at the top as Indiaâs No 1 passenger vehicle exporter for the fifth consecutive yearIn 2025 Maruti Suzuki exported 18 models to over 100 countries The year also marked the commencement of export of Suzukiâs first Battery Electric Vehicle BEV the e VITARAFollowing the flagoff of the BEV by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Maruti Suzukiâs Hansalpur facility in August over 13000 units have already been exported to 29 countries predominantly in Europe said the companyEarlier in November the countryâs largest carmaker announced that it crossed a major milestone of 3 crore cumulative car sales in the domestic market The company said it took 28 years and 2 months to reach its first crore of sales while the next one crore cars were sold in just 7 years and 5 monthsAccording to the automaker the third crore milestone came even faster in a record time of 6 years and 4 months highlighting the brandâs growing popularity among Indian buyers Among the three crore cars sold in India the Maruti Alto remains the bestselling model with over 47 lakh units sold IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/maruti-suzuki-india-exports-highest-ever-395-lakh-vehicles-in-2025-656533.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 02:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/from-8th-pay-commission-to-lpg-price-hike-key-rule-changes-effective-from-jan-1-656535.html New Delhi Jan 1 The new year 2026 has begun and several new rules have come into effect from January 1 that are set to directly impact the finances of the common people One of the most significant changes is the implementation of the 8th Pay Commission from January 1 2026The Union government had already approved the move earlier The decision is expected to benefit around 50 lakh central government employees and nearly 69 lakh pensionersWith the new pay commission salaries of government employees may increase by 20 to 35 per centAt the same time the government has increased the price of LPG cylinders by â¹111 from January 1 2026However the hike applies only to 19kg commercial LPG cylinders Domestic LPG cylinders used for household cooking which weigh 142 kg have been kept unchanged providing relief to familiesThere has also been some relief on the fuel front Indraprastha Gas Limited IGL has revised CNG and PNG prices from the new yearCNG prices have been reduced by Rs 3 while PNG has become cheaper by Rs 070 However the revised rates will vary from city to cityAnother major change from January 1 relates to credit scores Until now credit scores were updated once a monthFrom 2026 onwards credit scores will be updated every week or every seven days This means that people who pay their EMIs on time will see the benefits reflected more quickly in their credit profilesThe deadline for linking PAN with Aadhaar ended on December 31 2025 If the PAN was not linked to Aadhaar by this date the PAN card becomes inactive from January 1An inactive PAN can create problems in filing income tax returns and carrying out highvalue banking transactionsThe central government has also introduced a new system for beneficiaries of the PM Kisan scheme in the form of a Farmer IDFrom January 1 2026 this system is being implemented in several states including Uttar Pradesh Bihar and Madhya Pradesh IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/from-8th-pay-commission-to-lpg-price-hike-key-rule-changes-effective-from-jan-1-656535.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 02:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/india-to-receive-its-1st-bullet-train-on-august-15-next-year-ashwini-vaishnaw-656536.html New Delhi Jan 1 Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday indicated that India is likely to receive its first Bullet Train on August 15 2027 The country is going to witness its first Bullet Train running on tracks next year Vaishnaw saidBuy a Bullet Train ticket as on the Independence Day in 2027 the country will get its first Bullet Train he saidVaishnaw also said that the Vande Bharat Express chair car has created a new sense of confidence across the country and people have appreciated it a lotRequests are now coming in from all over India to run Vande Bharat trains and almost every MP wants one With the same comfort safety and standards a new overnight journey will begin with the Vande Bharat Sleeper he mentionedIndiaâs first Bullet Train project spans 508 kms between Mumbai and Ahmedabad Of this 352 km lies in Gujarat and Dadra amp Nagar Haveli and 156 km in MaharashtraAccording to the government the corridor will connect major cities such as Ahmedabad Vadodara Bharuch Surat Vapi Thane and Mumbai and is expected to cut travel time between the two metros to around two hours significantly boosting intercity mobilityAs per the National HighSpeed Rail Corporation Ltd NHSRCL over 85 per cent of the corridor âaround 465 km â is being built on elevated viaducts with 326 km already completedIn November Prime Minister Narendra Modi undertook a detailed review of the MumbaiâAhmedabad HighSpeed Rail MAHSR project during his visit to Gujarat marking a key moment in Indiaâs push towards nextgeneration transport infrastructureDuring the visit the Prime Minister inspected the Surat station â a structure inspired by the cityâs globally renowned diamond industry With a height of 263 metres and a builtup area of 58352 square metres the station includes three levels The ground floor for parking and security checks the concourse level for lounges restrooms kiosks and ticketing and the platform level for passenger boardingWhile structural work is complete finishing touches such as interiors and station amenities are currently underway Track works including RC trackbed construction and temporary track installation have also been completed at the siteProgress on river bridges is also substantial with 17 of 25 bridges constructed The 47km SuratâBilimora section is among the most advanced stretches where civil works and trackbed preparation have been fully completed IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/india-to-receive-its-1st-bullet-train-on-august-15-next-year-ashwini-vaishnaw-656536.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 02:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/itc-falls-to-52-week-low-godfrey-phillips-plunges-as-govt-slaps-fresh-excise-duty-656541.html Mumbai Jan 1 Shares of major cigarette makers fell sharply on Thursday after the government announced a fresh excise duty on cigarettes a move that is expected to push up prices and impact sales Stocks of ITC and Godfrey Phillips dropped by as much as 19 per cent during the intradayâs trade on ThursdayAccording to a government order the new excise duty will come into effect from February 1The duty has been fixed in the range of Rs 2050 to Rs 8500 per thousand cigarette sticks depending on the length of the cigarettesThis additional tax is likely to make cigarettes more expensive which could hurt demand and weigh on the earnings of cigarette companiesFollowing the announcement ITC shares fell up to 10 per cent on the BSE and hit a 52week low of Rs 36270The stock also came under pressure due to a large block deal reported during the session which added to the selling momentumOver the past one year ITC shares have declined 17 per cent and are down 9 per cent in the last six monthsThe company remains one of the heavyweight stocks in the benchmark indices with a market capitalisation of over Rs 475 lakh croreGodfrey Phillips shares saw an even steeper fall The stock tumbled nearly 19 per cent to touch the dayâs low of Rs 223015 on the BSEDespite the sharp fall on Thursday the stock is still up nearly 49 per cent over the past one yearThe new excise duty on cigarettes will be levied over and above the goods and services tax As per the new structure cigarettes tobacco and similar products will attract a GST rate of 40 per cent from next monthThe excise duty will replace the compensation cess that was earlier imposed on these productsThe change follows Parliamentâs approval of an amendment law in December that replaces the temporary levy on cigarettes and tobacco products IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/itc-falls-to-52-week-low-godfrey-phillips-plunges-as-govt-slaps-fresh-excise-duty-656541.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 02:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/itc-falls-to-52-week-low-godfrey-phillips-plunges-on-higher-excise-duty-from-feb-656543.html Mumbai Jan 1 Shares of major cigarette makers fell sharply on Thursday after the government announced to slap a fresh excise duty on cigarettes next month a move that is expected to push up prices and impact sales Stocks of ITC and Godfrey Phillips dropped by as much as 19 per cent during the intradayâs trade on ThursdayAccording to a government order the new excise duty will come into effect from February 1The duty has been fixed in the range of Rs 2050 to Rs 8500 per thousand cigarette sticks depending on the length of the cigarettesThis additional tax is likely to make cigarettes more expensive which could hurt demand and weigh on the earnings of cigarette companiesFollowing the announcement ITC shares fell up to 10 per cent on the BSE and hit a 52week low of Rs 36270The stock also came under pressure due to a large block deal reported during the session which added to the selling momentumOver the past one year ITC shares have declined 17 per cent and are down 9 per cent in the last six monthsThe company remains one of the heavyweight stocks in the benchmark indices with a market capitalisation of over Rs 475 lakh croreGodfrey Phillips shares saw an even steeper fall The stock tumbled nearly 19 per cent to touch the dayâs low of Rs 223015 on the BSEDespite the sharp fall on Thursday the stock is still up nearly 49 per cent over the past one yearThe new excise duty on cigarettes will be levied over and above the goods and services tax As per the new structure cigarettes tobacco and similar products will attract a GST rate of 40 per cent from next monthThe excise duty will replace the compensation cess that was earlier imposed on these productsThe change follows Parliamentâs approval of an amendment law in December that replaces the temporary levy on cigarettes and tobacco products IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/itc-falls-to-52-week-low-godfrey-phillips-plunges-on-higher-excise-duty-from-feb-656543.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 03:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/indian-construction-sector-projected-to-see-8-10-pc-revenue-growth-in-fy27-656546.html New Delhi Jan 1 The Indian construction sector is projected to see 810 per cent revenue growth in FY27 marginally better than the 68 per cent growth anticipated for FY26 a report showed on Thursday ICRA also maintained a âStableâ outlook on the domestic construction sectorâRoadfocused construction entities will continue to see muted performance however construction entities focused on urban infrastructure irrigation and energy segment should register healthy growthâ said Suprio Banerjee Vice President and CoGroup Head ICRAThe credit profile of diversified construction players is expected to benefit while entities focused primarily on the road sector or the JalJeevan mission could face challenges in the near to medium termAccording to the report construction Gross Value Added GVA growth is projected to moderate to 65â75 per cent in FY26 down from the robust 94 per cent recorded in FY25Construction GVA growth had slowed to 72 per cent in Q2 FY26 from 76 per cent in Q1 but remained above 7 per cent for the 12th consecutive quarterAs of September 30 2025 the order booktobilling ratio was approximately 37 times based on FY2025 operating income maintaining satisfactory levels and suggesting healthy revenue growth potential in the medium termWhile competitive intensity in the construction sector remains high operating margins are likely to remain stable at around 103108 per cent in FY2026 and FY2027 supported by operating leverage benefits and stable commodity prices though this is below the 119 per cent seen in FY2022âWhile the competitive intensity in the construction sector continues to remain high the operating margins supported by operating leverage benefits and stable commodity prices are likely to keep margins stable at around 103108 per cent in FY2026 and FY2027â said BanerjeeICRA expects the cash conversion cycle to remain at levels similar to FY2025 during FY2026 IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/indian-construction-sector-projected-to-see-8-10-pc-revenue-growth-in-fy27-656546.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 03:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/indias-gst-collection-jumps-61-per-cent-to-cross-rs-174-lakh-crore-in-december-656547.html New Delhi Jan 1 Indiaâs GST goods and services tax collection recorded a 61 per cent increase to Rs 174550 crore in December 2025 compared to Rs 164556 crore the same month of the previous year reflecting the increase in economic activity during the month official figures released on Thursday showed Central GST collections rose to Rs 34289 crore state GST collections to Rs 41368 crore and integrated GST collections to Rs 98894 croreThe government raised Rs 4551 crore via the GST compensation cess which is continuing only as a transitory arrangement till the entire loan and interest liability are settled The fullyear collection was Rs 88385 crore compared to Rs 11 lakh crore in 2024While there are new higher GST slabs like 40 per cent for luxury items the cess continues on tobacco and pan masalaTotal GST refunds in December amounted to Rs 28980 crore compared with Rs 22138 crore in the same month of the previous yearThe GST collection has registered a growth despite the cut in tax rates that kicked in on September 22 as this has resulted in an increase in the demand for goods and services by consumers leading to an increase in economic activityMeanwhile the Finance Ministry on Thursday also issued a series of notifications that would bring into effect the new tax regime for tobacco products from February 1 2026It was notified that the Central Excise Amendment Act 2025 passed in the recentlyconcluded Winter session of Parliament would come into force from February 1 2026 This Act specifies new rates of excise duty on tobacco products It also notified that the provisions of the Health Security Se National Security Act 2025 which currently levies a cess on the manufacture of pan masala will come into force from February 1 2026The ministry also released an FAQ list to explain that under the Goods and Services Tax regime the excise duty on cigarettes had so far been rendered a nominal amount of a fraction of a paisa per cigarette stick and that the GST compensation cess rate on tobacco products had not been increased since it was implemented in July 2017 IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/indias-gst-collection-jumps-61-per-cent-to-cross-rs-174-lakh-crore-in-december-656547.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 03:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/sensex-nifty-end-flat-on-1st-trading-day-of-2026-656549.html Mumbai Jan 1 Indian equity markets ended the first trading session of the calendar year 2026 on a flat note as investors stayed cautious in the absence of strong domestic or global triggers At the close of trade the Sensex slipped marginally by 32 points or 004 per cent to settle at 851886The Nifty meanwhile edged higher by 1695 points or 006 per cent to close at 2614655âFor the Nifty 26000â26050 continues to act as an immediate support zone as long as this area holds the shortterm bias remains constructiveâ an analyst saidOn the upside 26250â26300 stands out as a crucial supply zone A decisive and sustained breakout above this band could open the path toward 26400â26500 market watchers statedSelling pressure was seen in select heavyweight stocks on the BSE with ITC Bajaj Finance Asian Paints and BEL ending the session among the top losersOn the other hand shares of NTPC Eternal Larsen amp Toubro Power Grid and Mahindra amp Mahindra supported the market and closed higherThe broader markets showed a mixed trend The Nifty Midcap 100 index gained 044 per cent while the NSE Smallcap 100 slipped slightly by 005 per centOn the sectoral front FMCG stocks witnessed sharp selling The Nifty FMCG index fell 317 per cent making it the worstperforming sector of the dayThe decline was mainly driven by a nearly 10 per cent fall in ITC shares as investors reacted to concerns over the governmentâs decision to impose additional taxes on tobacco products from February 1In contrast the auto sector outperformed the broader market The Nifty Auto index rose more than 1 per cent after several automobile manufacturers reported their sales numbers for December 2025Other sectors such as IT metal banking and realty also ended the session in positive territoryAnalysts said that the markets remained rangebound on the first day of the new year with gains in some sectors offset by weakness in FMCG stocks keeping the benchmark indices largely unchanged IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/sensex-nifty-end-flat-on-1st-trading-day-of-2026-656549.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 03:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/gail-gas-cuts-domestic-png-and-cng-costs-across-authorised-areas-656556.html New Delhi Jan 1 GAIL Gas Limited on Thursday announced to reduce the cost of domestic Piped Natural Gas PNG and Compressed Natural Gas CNG by Rs 1 per SCM Standard Cubic Meter and Rs 1 per kg respectively across all its authorised areas in the country The price cut comes into effect from January 1 in GAIL Gas Geographical Areas GAs in Uttar Pradesh Karnataka Madhya Pradesh Haryana Uttarakhand Jharkhand Chhattisgarh Rajasthan and OdishaâThe Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board PNGRB continue to implement progressive policy measures that are fostering a favourable and financially sustainable ecosystem for the growth of the CNG and domestic PNG market in Indiaâ said GAIL Gas Chief Executive OfficerâThe recent revision of the Unified Tariff by PNGRB from January 1 2026 including the applicability of Zone1 tariff to City Gas Distribution CGD entities for CNG and domestic PNG segments is set to significantly reduce the transportation cost of natural gas the GAIL Gas executive addedThe decision to reduce prices is in line with the Government of Indiaâs vision of a gasbased economy and to further encourage the adoption of clean fuelsGAIL Gas Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Maharatna PSU GAIL India Limited and is implementing City Gas Distribution networks in 16 Geographical Areas GAsMeanwhile GAIL India Limited the countryâs largest natural gas company reported a consolidated performance marked by steady revenue growth and improved profitability in the second quarter of FY 202526 According to a recent Crisil report city gas distribution CGD companies in India are projected to clock an operating profit of Rs 72â75 per standard cubic metre scm this fiscal up 812 per cent compared with the second half of last fiscal when margins dropped because of a sudden and steep decline in gas allocation under the administered price mechanism APM for the compressed natural gas CNG segmentConsequently distributors had to take recourse to the spot gas market for supply which exerted upward pressure on cost The companies have thereafter transitioned to contracted supplies which is expected to burnish margins IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/gail-gas-cuts-domestic-png-and-cng-costs-across-authorised-areas-656556.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 04:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/kyv-discontinued-for-cars-on-new-fastag-issued-after-feb-1-nhai-656559.html New Delhi Jan 1 The National Highways Authority of India NHAI on Thursday announced to discontinue the Know Your Vehicle KYV process for cars for all new FASTag issuances with effect from February 1 2026 This is a major step to enhance public convenience and eliminate postactivation harassment faced by highway users of cars jeeps and vansâThis reform will bring significant relief to lakhs of common road users who were facing inconvenience and delays after FASTag activation due to postissuance KYV requirements despite having valid vehicle documentsâ said the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in a statementFor existing FASTags already issued to cars KYV will no longer be mandatory as a routine requirementKYV will be required only in specific cases where complaints are received such as issues related to loose FASTags incorrect issuance or misuse In the absence of any complaint no KYV will be required for existing car FASTagsTo ensure accuracy compliance and system integrity while simplifying the process for users NHAI has simultaneously strengthened preactivation validation norms for Issuer BanksâFASTag activation will be permitted only after validation of vehicle details from the VAHAN database The earlier provision allowing validation after activation has been discontinued Where vehicle details are not available on VAHAN Issuer Banks must validate details using the Registration Certificate RC before activation with full accountabilityâ according to revised normsFASTags sold through online channels will also be activated only after complete validation by banksThese measures ensure that all vehicle verification is completed upfront removing the need for repeated followups with customers after FASTag activationAccording to the ministry these reforms reflect NHAIâs continued commitment to making the FASTag ecosystem citizenfriendly transparent and technologydriven while simultaneously strengthening compliance and reducing grievancesBy shifting the responsibility of validation entirely to Issuer Banks prior to activation NHAI aims to deliver a hasslefree experience for National Highway users IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/kyv-discontinued-for-cars-on-new-fastag-issued-after-feb-1-nhai-656559.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 04:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/vodafone-idea-receives-gst-penalty-order-of-rs-63791-crore-to-take-legal-action-656566.html New Delhi Jan 1 Vodafone Idea on Thursday said it has received a GST penalty order of Rs 63791 crore passed under Section 74 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act CGST 2017 In an exchange filing the telecom company said it received the penalty order from the Office of the Additional Commissioner Central Goods and Services Tax CGST Ahmedabad South on December 31The order has been passed under Section 74 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act 2017 âconfirming a penalty of Rs 6379068254 along with the demand of tax and applicable interestâ the company saidIt further stated that the âCompany does not agree with the Order and will take appropriate legal actions against the sameâThe order alleges short payment of Tax and excess availment of Input Tax Credit The maximum financial impact is to the extent of tax demand interest and penalty leviedHowever the telecom operator said it does not agree with the order and will take appropriate legal action against itEarlier on Wednesday Vodafone Idea issued a clarification after reports claimed that the Union Cabinet had approved a fiveyear moratorium and frozen the companyâs adjusted gross revenue AGR dues at Rs 87695 croreIn a stock exchange filing Vodafone Idea said the reports were speculative in nature and that it had not received any official communication confirming such a decision âWe have not received any communication from the Government in relation to the above reported matterâ the telecom operator stated in its exchange filingâAs and when there is any development which requires disclosure we will do the needfulâ it addedThe clarification came amid heightened market reaction to the reports Following the earlier report Vodafone Idea shares witnessed heavy selling pressureThe companyâs shares closed at Rs 1163 apiece up by 8 per cent on Thursday IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/vodafone-idea-receives-gst-penalty-order-of-rs-63791-crore-to-take-legal-action-656566.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 05:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/indias-economy-to-grow-stronger-in-2026-exports-to-rise-on-ftas-industry-656567.html New Delhi Jan 1 Industry leaders on Thursday said they believe that Indiaâs economic position will strengthen further in 2026 with exports expected to gain momentum due to free trade agreements signed with key countries Speaking to IANS they said policy stability and expanding global trade ties will help drive growth in the coming yearThey also said that free trade agreements signed with countries such as Oman New Zealand and the UK in recent months are expected to give a strong boost to Indiaâs exportsSpeaking to IANS All Gujarat Textile Federation president Ashok Jirawala said India reaching the fourth spot globally is a matter of prideâThis achievement has been possible due to a stable government and supportive policiesâ he saidHe added that the government has taken several positive steps for the textile sector in recent years including better availability of quality yarn which has helped the industry growâThe free trade agreements signed in 2025 have opened new opportunities for exporters He expressed confidence that these agreements will lead to a sharp rise in exports in the coming yearsâ Jirawala saidSouthern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Nikhil Madrasi said the new year has brought renewed hope for the countryâIndia has now moved ahead of Japan in terms of economic size and is aiming to become the worldâs thirdlargest economy by 2028â he saidâTo achieve this goal India must significantly increase exports and build alternative global trade arrangements instead of depending heavily on the USâ he mentionedIndia Bullion and Jewellers Association Gujarat state head Nainesh Pachchigar said the gems and jewellery sector plays a key role in Indiaâs export growthHe said India exports jewellery and gems worth around 78 million every day âThe industry is working to scale this up further and the recently signed free trade agreements are expected to provide additional momentumâ Pachchigar stated IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/indias-economy-to-grow-stronger-in-2026-exports-to-rise-on-ftas-industry-656567.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 05:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/gst-growth-reinforces-structural-strength-of-indias-formal-economy-experts-656572.html New Delhi Jan 1 Despite the steep cut in GST rates a growth of over 6 per cent in gross monthly collection in December is encouraging industry experts said on Thursday Indiaâs GST goods and services tax collection recorded a 61 per cent increase to Rs 174550 crore in December 2025 compared to Rs 164556 crore the same month of the previous year reflecting the increase in economic activity during the monthâIf this momentum continues for the remaining months of this fiscal the YoY growth of around 9 per cent is still possible which seems to be the target government might also be looking atâ said Pratik Jain partner Price Waterhouse amp Co LLPCentral GST collections in December rose to Rs 34289 crore state GST collections to Rs 41368 crore and integrated GST collections to Rs 98894 croreAccording to Manoj Mishra Partner and Tax Controversy Management Leader Grant Thornton Bharat December GST numbers reinforce the structural strength of Indiaâs formal economy an encouraging signal as India consolidates its position as the worldâs 4th largest economy surpassing JapanâThe composition of collections is equally telling with importrelated IGST growth of 197 per cent points to resilient supply chains and manufacturing momentum while steady domestic collections reflect stable consumptionâ he mentionedThe standout metric remains refunds at Rs 28980 crore up 309 per cent YoY underscoring the systemâs growing emphasis on business liquidity even as export refunds saw only a marginal 19 per cent dip amid global trade softnessStrong contributions from Maharashtra Gujarat Karnataka and Haryana continue to anchor revenuesThe government raised Rs 4551 crore via the GST compensation cess which is continuing only as a transitory arrangement till the entire loan and interest liability are settled The fullyear collection was Rs 88385 crore compared to Rs 11 lakh crore in 2024âAs Budget 2026â27 approaches these trends strengthen the case for policy focus on building on the GST 20 reforms focusing on endtoend automation of compliances reduction of unwarranted litigation and calibrated credit framework to sustain growth without compromising revenue certaintyâ said Mishra IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/gst-growth-reinforces-structural-strength-of-indias-formal-economy-experts-656572.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 06:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/commercial-lpg-cylinder-pricing-reflects-international-benchmark-pricing-govt-656588.html New Delhi Jan 1 Amid reports of a Rs 111 increase in the price of commercial LPG cylinders the Government on Thursday said that commercial LPG prices are marketdetermined and directly linked to international benchmarks Any revision in commercial LPG prices reflects changes in global LPG prices and related costs while domestic LPG prices for household consumers remain unchanged Ministry of Petroleum amp Natural Gas saidThe ministry said that India imports around 60 per cent of its total LPG requirementAs a result domestic LPG pricing is linked to international prices with Saudi Contract Price CP acting as the global benchmarkAccordingly revisions in commercial LPG prices reflect movements in global LPG prices and associated costs The prices of domestic LPG remains unchanged the ministry addedWhile the average Saudi CP increased by about 21 per cent from 385 per metric tonne in July 2023 to 466 per metric tonne in November 2025 domestic LPG prices in India were actually reduced by around 22 per cent during the same periodThe price came down from Rs 1103 in August 2023 to Rs 853 in November 2025To protect household consumers the effective price of a 142 kg domestic LPG cylinder which costs around Rs 950 is being provided at Rs 853 for nonPMUY consumers in DelhiFor beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana PMUY the effective price is even lower at Rs 553This marks a reduction of nearly 39 per cent for PMUY consumers compared to Rs 903 in August 2023 highlighting the Governmentâs focus on ensuring continued access to clean cooking fuel for economically weaker sections There has been no change in these pricesFor the financial year 2025â26 the Government has approved the continuation of a targeted subsidy of Rs 300 per domestic LPG cylinder for PMUY beneficiaries covering up to nine refills per yearAn expenditure of Rs 12000 crore has been approved for this purpose reinforcing the commitment to affordable clean energy for householdsDespite a rise in international LPG prices during 2024â25 the increased cost was not passed on to domestic consumersThis resulted in losses of about Rs 40000 crore for Oil Marketing Companies OMCs IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/commercial-lpg-cylinder-pricing-reflects-international-benchmark-pricing-govt-656588.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 07:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/pakistan-surviving-on-imf-reviews-but-economy-remains-vulnerable-as-ever-report-656596.html New Delhi Jan 1 Pakistan is witnessing the institutionalisation of a survivalist economy where every policy choice is dictated by the need to pass the next International Monetary Fund IMF review regardless of whether that policy erodes the tax base for the next decade while the economy remains vulnerable as ever headed nowhere except most likely into another IMF programme as per a news report The report in Business Recorder by Shahid Sattar reveals that Pakistan suffers from a chronic twin deficit a fiscal gap spending more than it collects and a balance of payments crisis consuming more foreign exchange than it earnsFor fifty years our imports have hovered at double the rate of our exports as a percentage of GDP Simply Pakistan is a country that has failed to produce it addedThe report argued that the fundamental flaw in the IMFâs approach is a dogmatic adherence to revenue extraction at the cost of value creationBy forcing the government to meet rigid fiscal targets and through any means necessary at this point the Fund has encouraged policies that stifle the very exportled growth required to break the debt cycle it further statedThe historic economic model of state patronage was flawed and resulted in suboptimal allocation of resourcesBut there is a difference between weaning an addict off drugs and starving a healthy person The IMF programme appears unable to distinguish between withdrawing support and subsidies and actively destroying the ecosystem required for legitimate businesses to function the report further arguedOn paper the IMF deals with the Finance Minister and the Governor of the State Bank Technically all policies within the Letter of Intent are the governmentâs own ideasIn reality the programme reflects the behest of those holding the greatest political and economic leverage When policies fail the IMF claims the government designed them the government claims the IMF demanded them This ambiguity serves everyone but the country and its citizens the report lamentedUnless we reclaim our policymaking from the narrow revenuecentric confines of IMF programmes we are not just managing a crisis but rather our own decline it added IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/pakistan-surviving-on-imf-reviews-but-economy-remains-vulnerable-as-ever-report-656596.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 08:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/sebi-bars-26-traders-for-price-manipulation-in-du-digital-global-shares-656600.html Mumbai Jan 1 The Securities and Exchange Board of India SEBI has taken strict action against alleged price manipulation in the shares of DU Digital Global a company listed on the SME platform The market regulator has barred 26 individuals from trading in the securities market after finding that they were involved in artificially inflating the stock priceIn a detailed 142page order Sebi has directed the individuals to return illegal gains amounting to more than Rs 9878 lakhIn addition it has imposed monetary penalties totalling Rs 185 crore The regulatorâs action follows an investigation into an unusually sharp rise in the share price of DU Digital Global which jumped from around Rs 12 in August 2021 to a peak of Rs 29605 in November 2022According to the market regulator the steep rise in the stock price was not supported by the companyâs business performance or any positive corporate announcementsThe regulator noted that there was no legitimate reason for the share price to surge by about 2467 per cent within a yearThe investigation found that a group of connected traders had used deceptive and coordinated trading strategies to create artificial demand and trading volumes in the stockSEBI observed that such practices including synchronised and circular trades serve no genuine economic purpose and are aimed only at misleading investors by manipulating pricesSEBI also pointed out that some of the individuals involved had faced regulatory action in earlier cases indicating a repeated pattern of market misconductThe regulator said that when connected entities manipulate stock prices in this manner ordinary investors ultimately suffer lossesEmphasising the need to protect investors and maintain trust in the SME segment SEBI said strong regulatory action is necessary to deter such behaviour and preserve the integrity of the securities marketThe trading ban imposed on the 26 individuals will remain in force for periods ranging from one year to 30 monthsDU Digital Global earlier known as DU Digital Technologies was listed on the NSEâs SME platform in August 2021SEBI said the case highlights the risks of price manipulation in smaller and less liquid stocks and the importance of investor caution IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/sebi-bars-26-traders-for-price-manipulation-in-du-digital-global-shares-656600.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 08:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/had-insightful-interaction-with-economists-on-aatmanirbharta-viksit-bharat-pm-modi-656389.html New Delhi Dec 31 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said he had an insightful interaction with economists and sectoral experts ahead of the Union Budget 202627 To sustain longterm growth PM Modi called for missionmode reforms across diverse sectors during the meeting held at NITI Aayog on TuesdayHad an insightful interaction with economists and experts yesterday They shared valuable perspectives relating to the theme of Aatmanirbharta and Structural Transformation Agenda for Viksit Bharat PM Modi posted on the social media platform XDuring the meeting the Prime Minister said the vision of a developed India by 2047 has transcended government policy to become a genuine mass aspirationThis shift is evident in the evolving patterns of education consumption and global mobility necessitating enhanced institutional capacity and proactive infrastructure planning to meet the needs of an increasingly aspirational society PM Modi told economistsHe further emphasised the need for missionmode reforms to build global capabilities and achieve global integrationAccording to an official statement the Prime Minister stressed that Indias policymaking and budgeting must remain anchored with the vision for 2047PM Modi also emphasised the need to ensure that the nation remains a vital hub for the global workforce and international marketsEconomists and experts shared strategic insights on enhancing productivity and competitiveness across the manufacturing and services sectorsThe discussions focused on accelerating structural transformation through increased household savings robust infrastructure development and the adoption of cuttingedge technologyThey also explored the role of Artificial Intelligence AI as an enabler of crosssectoral productivity and also discussed the continued scaling of Indias Digital Public Infrastructure DPIAccording to the official statement the participants noted that the unprecedented flurry of crosssectoral reforms in 2025 and their further consolidation in the coming year will ensure that India continues to chart its path as one of the fastestgrowing global economies by strengthening its foundations and unlocking newer opportunities IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/had-insightful-interaction-with-economists-on-aatmanirbharta-viksit-bharat-pm-modi-656389.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 10:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/indias-mining-sector-surges-ahead-on-the-back-of-radical-reforms-in-2025-656428.html New Delhi Dec 31 The Ministry of Mines implemented comprehensive policy reforms to modernise Indiaâs mining ecosystem and strengthen mineral security in 2025 an official statement said on Wednesday Key measures included the enactment of the MMDR Amendment Act 2025 expansion and renaming of the National Mineral Exploration Trust NMET to National Mineral Exploration and Development Trust NMEDT reflecting its expanded role to not just explore but also facilitate the development and overseas acquisition of strategic minerals funded by increased contributions from mining lessees as part of major 2025 mining reformsNMEDTâs enhanced funding streamlined auction processes with defined timelines removal of restrictions on captive mine sales reclassification of select minerals as major minerals notification of royalty rates for critical minerals promotion of mineral exchanges and implementation of offshore mining reforms were important milestones achieved during the year said the statementTogether these reforms aim to improve transparency ease of doing business accelerate mineral production and support sustainable development positioning the mining sector as a strategic pillar in achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 according to a statement issued by the Ministry of MinesThe year 2025 witnessed a sharp acceleration in the countryâs mineral resource development A total of 141 mineral blocks were successfully auctioned by December 5 2025 This included 79 blocks auctioned for Mining Lease ML and 62 blocks awarded as Composite Licence CLThis is the highest number of blocks auctioned in a single year since the auction regime began in 2015 reflecting faster processes and stronger participation from states and the industry Notably Assam and Uttarakhand have auctioned mineral blocks for the very first time during this period marking their presence into the auction map of IndiaSince the introduction of the auction regime in 2015 585 mineral blocks have been successfully auctioned in the countryDuring the year Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan have auctioned the highest number of blocks with figures of 33 and 22 respectively Among the minerals Limestone accounted for the largest number of auctions 41 followed by Iron Ore 32 and Bauxite 22A Mining Dashboard was also launched on April 4 2025 to enable near realtime tracking of auctioned mineral blocks associated clearances and delays The Dashboard serves as a critical tool to fasttrack the operationalisation of mineral blocks by monitoring key milestones such as issuance of letter of intent LoI execution of lease deeds and grant of statutory clearance With both public and private access modes it enhances transparency and accountability while enabling close oversight by the State and Central GovernmentsIn an important milestone The Union Cabinet approved the setting up of the National Critical Mineral Mission NCMM in January 2025 with a financial outlay of Rs 16300 crore and expected investment of Rs 18000 crore from PSUs and other companies The Mission aims to secure a longterm sustainable supply of critical minerals and strengthen Indiaâs critical mineral value chains encompassing all stages from mineral exploration and mining to beneficiation processing and recovery from endoflife productsIndia has also entered new USled multilateral Minerals Security Partnership for secure supply chains of critical minerals aimed at reducing dependency on China This will help securing minerals for Indian IndustriesOn December 4 2025 India also held discussions with the International Energy Agency on strengthening cooperation in the critical minerals value chain enhancing datadriven collaboration and exploring joint opportunities to support Indiaâs clean energy ecosystem Besides MoUs have been signed with Argentina Mongolia Japan and Bolivia to expedite mineral exploration and productionPublic sector companies under the Ministry of Mines such as National Aluminium Company limited NALCO and Hindustan Copper have also come up with a robust performance in 2025 NALCO recorded net profit of Rs 5325 crore in FY 202425 and posted a revenue of Rs 16788 crore The company continued to retain its position of lowest cost producer in bauxite and alumina production in the world in 2024Hindustan Copper Limited posted a 54 per cent increase in profit before tax at Rs 63351 crore in FY 202425 from Rs 41043 crore in FY 202324 IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/indias-mining-sector-surges-ahead-on-the-back-of-radical-reforms-in-2025-656428.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 14:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/swiggy-zomato-hike-delivery-incentives-amid-nationwide-gig-workers-strike-call-656430.html New Delhi Dec 31 Food delivery platforms Swiggy and Zomato have rolled out higher incentives for its delivery workers during peak hours and yearâend days amid a nationwide strike call by gig and platform workers The incentive push follows calls by delivery worker unions for strikes on December 25 and December 31 to protest pay working conditions and lack of social securityZomato has offered delivery partners payouts of Rs 120â150 per order during peak hours between 6 pm and 12 am as it is set to face higher order volumes around New Yearâs EveThe company also promised earnings of up to Rs 3000 over the course of the day subject to order volumes and availability The platform has also temporarily waived penalties on order denials and cancellations to reduce income risk during uneven order flowSwiggy offered delivery workers earnings of up to Rs 10000 across December 31 2025 and January 1 2026 with peakâhour pay of up to Rs 2000 between 6 pm and 12 am on New Yearâs Eve Quick commerce player Zepto has also increased incentives for delivery partnersEarlier on December 25 2025 strike brief localised disruptions were reported in food delivery though platforms said operations stabilised later in the day Unions have claimed wider participation and urged continued mobilisation on December 31 2025On NSE Swiggy Limited shares were priced at Rs 39055 apiece down Rs 1345 or 333 per cent over the past five days Over the same period Eternal Limited parent company of Zomato dropped by Rs 560 or 196 per cent to Rs 280Gig and platform workers in India benefit from formal legal recognition portable socialâsecurity benefits and a national registration framework through eShram under provisions of the Code on Social Security 2020 of the new labour codesUnder the Social Security code aggregators are required to contribute 1â2 per cent of annual turnover capped at 5 per cent of payments made or payable to gig and platform workers to a Social Security Fund an official statement said IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/swiggy-zomato-hike-delivery-incentives-amid-nationwide-gig-workers-strike-call-656430.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 14:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/swiggy-zomato-hike-delivery-incentives-amid-nationwide-gig-workers-strike-call-656433.html New Delhi Dec 31 IANS Food delivery platforms Swiggy and Zomato have rolled out higher incentives for its delivery workers during peak hours and yearend days amid a nationwide strike call by gig and platform workersnbspThe incentive push follows calls by delivery worker unions for strikes on December 25 and December 31 to protest pay working conditions and lack of social securitynbspZomato has offered delivery partners payouts of Rs 120150 per order during peak hours between 6 pm and 12 am as it is set to face higher order volumes around New Years EveThe company also promised earnings of up to Rs 3000 over the course of the day subject to order volumes and availability The platform has also temporarily waived penalties on order denials and cancellations to reduce income risk during uneven order flownbspSwiggy offered delivery workers earnings of up to Rs 10000 across December 31 2025 and January 1 2026 with peakhour pay of up to Rs 2000 between 6 pm and 12 am on New Years Eve Quick commerce player Zepto has also increased incentives for delivery partnersEarlier on December 25 2025 strike brief localised disruptions were reported in food delivery though platforms said operations stabilised later in the day Unions have claimed wider participation and urged continued mobilisation on December 31 2025On NSE Swiggy Limited shares were priced at Rs 39055 apiece down Rs 1345 or 333 per cent over the past five days Over the same period Eternal Limited parent company of Zomato dropped by Rs 560 or 196 per cent to Rs 280nbspGig and platform workers in India benefit from formal legal recognition portable socialsecurity benefits and a national registration framework through eShram under provisions of the Code on Social Security 2020 of the new labour codesnbspUnder the Social Security code aggregators are required to contribute 12 per cent of annual turnover capped at 5 per cent of payments made or payable to gig and platform workers to a Social Security Fund an official statement said https://dailyworld.in/business/swiggy-zomato-hike-delivery-incentives-amid-nationwide-gig-workers-strike-call-656433.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 14:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/nfap-2025-a-big-boost-for-5g-expansion-coai-656444.html New Delhi Dec 31 Indiaâs telecom industry body Cellular Operators Association of India COAI on Wednesday welcomed the governmentâs move to release the National Frequency Allocation Plan NFAP 2025 calling it a forwardlooking step that aligns Indiaâs spectrum planning with global developments and the fastgrowing needs of digital communications In a statement COAI said it appreciates the approach taken by the Department of Telecommunications noting that the new roadmap reflects the governmentâs understanding of how critical spectrum is for the future of mobile networks and the digital economyâThe identification of the 6425â7125 MHz band for International Mobile Telecommunications IMT under NFAP 2025 is an important decision that significantly enhances the availability of midband spectrum and will play a crucial role in supporting the expansion of 5G 5G Advanced and future 6G networks in Indiaâ COAI saidA key highlight of NFAP 2025 is the identification of the 6425â7125 MHz band for International Mobile Telecommunications IMTâThis gives a clear signal to global OEMs and other countries which will help build an ecosystem of network equipment in this band thereby making the services more affordableâ the telecom industry body addedAccording to COAI this decision will significantly improve the availability of midband spectrum and support the expansion of 5G 5G Advanced and future 6G services in the countryThe association said midband spectrum is essential for delivering fast highcapacity and reliable mobile broadband services to usersCOAI added that the move sends a positive signal to global equipment makers and other countries helping build a strong ecosystem for network equipment in this bandThis in turn is expected to reduce costs and make mobile services more affordable for consumers in IndiaHowever the industry body reiterated its longstanding demand that the remaining 500 MHz spectrum in the 5925â6425 MHz range should also be identified for IMT useCOAI said this is important given Indiaâs unique market conditions including high population density rapidly rising mobile data usage and relatively low fixed broadband penetrationLt Gen Dr SP Kochhar Director General of Cellular Operators Association of India said the industry remains committed to working closely with the government and other stakeholders IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/nfap-2025-a-big-boost-for-5g-expansion-coai-656444.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 15:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/adani-foundation-adani-electricity-enable-1st-ever-air-travel-experience-for-swabhimaan-beneficiaries-656454.html Mumbai Dec 31 IANS The Adani Foundation in collaboration with Adani Electricity provided a firstever air travel experience to over 64 individuals including women beneficiaries of the Swabhimaan project students from the Adani Skill Development Centre ASDC in KosbadDahanu retired army officers senior citizens from local Navi Mumbai villages health workers and winners of drawing competition on the eve of the commercial launch of the Navi Mumbai International Airport NMIA this monthnbspOne of the days most memorable moments was the chance for participants to engage personally with Adani Foundation Chairperson Dr Priti Adani and Adani Group Chairman Gautam AdaninbspMany participants were beneficiaries of Project Swabhimaan and Adani Skill Development which are flagship CSR initiatives jointly supported by Adani Electricity NMIAL Adani Dahanu Thermal Power Station ADTPS and the Adani FoundationnbspTraveling during the commercial launch of the Navi Mumbai International Airport was a moment of immense pride Watching the landscape of Alibaug and Mumbai unfold from 11600 feet was surreal like seeing a cinematic world come to life said Harshada Gadekar a Swabhimaan beneficiaryThe highlight was the incredible honour of meeting Gautam Adani and Dr Priti Adani Their warmth made us feel truly valued Today we dont just feel like beneficiaries we feel special Gadekar addednbspAjit Dhadga a student at Adani Skill Development Center Kosbad near Dahanu shared his excitement Living near the Adani Dahanu Thermal Power Station Ive always been curious about largescale operations Todays visit took my aspirations to new heights Seeing the flight deck and the boarding process firsthand has made the world of aviation feel within my reach This day will be a driving force for my professional futureSince its launch in 2022 Swabhimaan has made significant strides in womens empowerment and livelihood generation by providing Entrepreneurship Development Programs EDP to women from underprivileged communitiesnbspAt Adani Foundation we believe true empowerment goes beyond livelihoods it is about dignity and opening doors to new possibilities This initiative is our way of telling our beneficiaries that their dreams matter said a spokesperson from the Adani FoundationA spokesperson from Adani Electricity said that Powering lives is not just about electricity its about illuminating the path to progressnbspWe are proud to bridge the gap between marginalised communities and the modern infrastructure they help build Seeing the joy of our Swabhimaan partners as they took to the skies reinforces our purpose of being a partner in Indias growth story the spokesperson addednbspNavi Mumbai International Airport NMIA began commercial operations on December 25 marking a major milestone for Mumbais aviation sector and Indias infrastructure growth https://dailyworld.in/business/adani-foundation-adani-electricity-enable-1st-ever-air-travel-experience-for-swabhimaan-beneficiaries-656454.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 18:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/indias-gdp-growth-likely-to-accelerate-to-74-pc-in-fy26-report-656288.html New Delhi Dec 30 Indiaâs economic growth is expected to pick up pace in the current financial year with GDP projected to grow at 74 per cent in FY2026 a new report said on Tuesday This would mark an improvement from the estimated 65 per cent growth in FY2025 according to a report by ICRA LimitedThe report said economic expansion may remain strong in the first half of FY2026 with GDP growth expected to be around 8 per centHowever growth is likely to ease to below 7 per cent in the second half as the impact of a favourable base effect fadesExternal challenges especially weak exports could also weigh on economic activity later in the year unless a trade deal with the United States is finalisedICRA noted that economic activity remained healthy in the third quarter of FY2026 supported by a festiveseason demand boost following GST rate cutsIt added that mining construction and electricity demand are expected to see a seasonal rise in the coming months after being affected by rainfallrelated disruptionsAt the same time the slowdown in exports is expected to deepen in the second half of the fiscal creating a drag on growthCommenting on the outlook Aditi Nayar said growth outcomes in 2025 turned out better than expected due to strong policy supportShe said income tax relief GST rate rationalisation cumulative policy rate cuts of 125 basis points and liquidity measures helped boost demandGrowth outcomes have panned out better than expectations in 2025 This has benefitted from sizeable policy stimulus including income tax relief GST rate rationalisation 125 bps policy rate cuts and liquidity supportâ Nayar explainedâLower inflation eased pressure on household budgets while an abovenormal monsoon supported farm outputâ she addedHowever she cautioned that concerns on the external front remain and could impact growth in the near term if a trade agreement with the US does not materialise soon IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/indias-gdp-growth-likely-to-accelerate-to-74-pc-in-fy26-report-656288.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/as-new-year-dawns-hope-of-snow-in-himachal-brings-cheers-656302.html ShimlaManali Dec 30 After an extremely wet southwest monsoon in Himachal Pradesh that claimed several lives and damaged infrastructures this winter has been bereft of precipitation since October 9 turning mountains brown due to the lack of a âblanket of snowâ and rains As the New Year dawns a hope of widespread snow and rain has cheered both the tourists and local farmers As per the India Meteorological Department IMD Himachal Pradesh may receive rain and snow on December 31 âLight rain or snow likely at isolated places on December 30 and January 2 with light to moderate rain and snow likely at many places on December 31 and at a few places on January 1 over the stateâ said the IMDâDry weather is likely to prevail during the remaining days of the weekâ it addedMembers of the hospitality industry say the long spell of snowless days has so far spoiled the plans of tourists to holiday in the hills âNow with the IMD predicting snow just ahead of the New Year dawn we expect a good footfall of the holidaymakersâ a Shimlabased hotelier told IANSHe said they were getting so many queries from tourists about the possibility of snow in and around Shimla âWe are asking them to visit hill destinations to enjoy a snowy landscapeâ he addedNarkanda the heart of the apple belt some 65 km from the state capital and the popular tourist resorts Manali and Dalhousie are bereft of snow cover However hills overlooking Manali have plenty of snow âWe are really enjoying basking in the sun for the past many days in Shimla We are desperately awaiting the onset of snow the seasonâs first hereâ Jagdeep Ghuman a tourist from Delhi told IANSExperts at the Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry in Nauni in Solan district say traditionally October to December are dry months in the state and longterm observations 19802024 indicate that November receives belownormal rainfall in nearly 682 per cent of the years In subhumid midhill regions nearly 3050 per cent of soil moisture is lost through evaporation a figure likely to increase under the current conditions The recurrence of drought during these months has become common and with nearly 70 per cent of the stateâs area being rainfed the adoption of moistureconservation agronomic practices has become essential they sayInsufficient soil moisture during the dry spell may adversely affect fruit plant saplings by hampering root development restricting nutrient uptake and increasing susceptibility to diseases The experts advised that new plantations of deciduous fruit crops such as apple peach plum apricot persimmon walnut and kiwifruit should be postponed until moisture conditions improveFor a small pea grower Jeet Singh Negi in mountainous Lahaul Valley it has been an almost snowless NovemberDecember âOur fields are totally devoid of snow cover We are worried as winter precipitation ensures water security in these remote villages during summer when we sow the crop of peas and barleyâ he saidIn the state capital around 7000 feet above sea level the minimum temperature on Tuesday was 10 degrees Celsius six degrees above normal Tabo an ancient seat of Buddhist religion and culture in picturesque Spiti Valley was the coldest habitat in the state with bonechilling cold wind of 39 km per hourThe police have been advising the public not to go to high mountains as these places can be risky due to black ice formation early morning where motorists canât see it their tyres canât grip it and their brakes donât work properly on it Keeping in mind to set cash registers ringing several private hoteliers in prominent destinations have hiked room tariffsInformation suggests a room fetching Rs 3000 from October to midDecember is sold off at Rs 8000 a day in most of the hotels in Shimla Kufri Chail Narkanda and Kasauli Also government officials warned to get an advance booking of a hotel or a homestay unit before travelling as most of the hotels in the state capital Shimla Manali Kasauli and Dharamsala have 90 to 98 per cent occupancy till January 4âThe occupancy in most of our properties is close to 80 per cent We are expecting to do good business this weekâ the HPTDC official told IANSHimachal Pradesh has no highend hotels and restaurants in faroff areas The trend of rural homestays that was started in 2008 has been driving tourists to the interiors and they are the best option to stay and enjoy the pristine nature and snowy landscapeThe stateâs economy is highly dependent on tourism besides hydroelectric power and horticultureVishal Gulati can be contacted at vishalgianscom IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/as-new-year-dawns-hope-of-snow-in-himachal-brings-cheers-656302.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/sensex-nifty-end-flat-amid-mixed-sectoral-cues-656303.html Mumbai Dec 30 Indian benchmark indices ended Tuesdayâs session almost flat but with a slight negative tone as gains in PSU banks metal and auto stocks were offset by selling pressure in IT FMCG realty and pharma shares The Sensex closed at 8467508 slipping 2046 points or 002 per cent while the Nifty settled marginally lower at 2593885 down 325 points or 001 per centâThe Nifty has also slipped below the 21 EMA reinforcing the shortterm downtrend Immediate support is placed in the 25850â25870 zoneâ market watchers statedâA decisive break below this level could intensify bearish sentiment while resistance is placed at 26000 analysts mentionedMarkets witnessed a cautious mood as investors balanced sectorspecific buying against profit booking in select heavyweightsOn the Sensex stocks such as Eternal Infosys Asian Paints UltraTech Cement and Bajaj Finance ended among the top losers weighing on the indexOn the other hand MampM Tata Steel Bajaj Finserv and Axis Bank provided support and closed higherThe broader market also saw mild weakness The Nifty Midcap 100 index ended lower by 015 per cent while the Nifty Smallcap 100 declined 028 per centSectorwise real estate IT and pharma stocks remained under pressure The Nifty Realty index fell 084 per cent while the Nifty IT and Pharma indices declined 074 per cent and 017 per cent respectivelyIn contrast strong buying was seen in PSU bank metal and auto stocks The Nifty PSU Bank index jumped 169 per cent the Nifty Metal index rose 203 per cent and the Nifty Auto index gained 108 per centAnalysts said that the market ended the day on a flat note as investors preferred selective buying with sectoral trends driving movement rather than broadbased participationâFresh buying at lower levels along with short covering in banking auto and metal stocks following the expiry of monthly derivative contracts helped the Nifty recoup most of its intraday losses and close the session largely flatâ market watchers mentioned IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/sensex-nifty-end-flat-amid-mixed-sectoral-cues-656303.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/private-equity-investments-in-indian-real-estate-up-59-pc-to-67-billion-in-2025-656308.html New Delhi Dec 30 Private equity capital deployed into Indian real estate reached 67 billion in 2025 a 59 per cent yearâonâyear rise over 2024 a report said on Tuesday Savills India in the report forecasted private equity investment of 65 billionâ75 billion in 2026 with continued institutional interest in offices industrial and logistics and sustained demand for data centres and premium residentialIndustrial and logistics assets are anticipated to remain a key focus area driven by supply chain diversification manufacturingled demand and increasing preference for organised warehousing the report saidThe report noted that the 2025 data reflect equity deals executed through private routes structured debt deals by Alternative Investment Funds and nonâconvertible debenture issuancesThe real estate consultancy said that overseas institutional capital led activity with foreign investors contributing 76 per cent of total inflowsThe firm said that private equity investments have returned to preâpandemic levels due to strengthening of market fundamentals as regulatory transparency under Real Estate Regulatory Authority RERA balance sheet consolidation among developers and a focus on assetâlevel performance bolstered investor confidencePrivate equity institutional investments include equity deals executed through private route exclude plain debt deals executed via fund raises QIPs public market deals and platform formations the report notedâPrivate equity investments in Indian real estate have regained momentum supported by stable economic growth and improving assetlevel fundamentals The growing adoption of REITs in India is reshaping the real estate investment landscape by improving exit visibility and reinforcing institutional participation across asset classes said Sumeet Bhatia Managing Director Capital Market Services Savills IndiaThe consultancy data showed the office segment attracted 24 billion the largest share at 353 per cent of total inflows followed by data centres at 232 per cent and residential at 21 per centInflows into the office segment were supported by stable leasing activity and longterm demand visibility while those in data centres were entirely driven by foreign capital and the residential segment saw equal domestic and foreign participation Land accounted for nearly oneâfourth of equity inflows with over 60 per cent of land investments aligned to office and data centre development IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/private-equity-investments-in-indian-real-estate-up-59-pc-to-67-billion-in-2025-656308.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/sebi-cancels-registration-of-research-analyst-found-running-grocery-store-656312.html Mumbai Dec 30 In a shocking case that surprised even the regulator the Securities and Exchange Board of India SEBI has cancelled the registration of a person who was officially listed as a research analyst but was actually running a small grocery shop in Madurai SEBI revoked the licence of Purooskhan after finding that he had no involvement in the securities marketDuring a hearing it came to light that he operates a tiny 100squarefeet provision store selling daily essentials and snacks and does not provide any market research or investment adviceThe matter was heard by SEBIâs quasijudicial authority Santosh Kumar Shukla who expressed surprise over how such a person was able to get registered as a research analystIn his order Shukla noted that during the virtual hearing Purooskhan appeared unfamiliar with securities market activities and clearly stated that he was running a small business and not carrying out any research analyst workBased on these observations SEBI decided to cancel his research analyst registrationThe case began in June 2022 after SEBI received a complaint on its SCORES platform against a website called optionresearchinThe website promised âsure shotâ trading calls claimed zero risk and assured investors that their money would doubleThe complainant paid Rs 50000 for the services but later suffered losses of around Rs 4 lakhDuring its examination SEBI found that the website offered several paid investment advisory packages and projected itself as a SEBIregistered entityIt was also observed that the website prominently displayed Purooskhanâs SEBI registration numberWhen questioned Purooskhan told SEBI that his registration details were being misused and that he had no connection with the websiteHe submitted copies of police complaints filed with the Tamil Nadu Police and the Cyber Cell alleging online financial fraudHowever SEBI noted that the Option Research Company had allegedly been allowed to use his registration detailsThe regulator also observed that he had shared his email ID and password which raised serious concernsPurooskhan later claimed that one of the partners of the company had approached him by posing as a bank employee and told him about a vacancy for a research analystAccording to him his documents were collected under this pretext and later misusedAfter SEBI started investigating the company reportedly issued him an appointment letter naming him as a compliance officer and authorising him to issue trading calls an offer he said he refused IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/sebi-cancels-registration-of-research-analyst-found-running-grocery-store-656312.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/india-in-worlds-top-2-list-as-social-protection-coverage-of-citizens-crosses-64-pc-656314.html New Delhi Dec 30 Indiaâs social protection coverage has risen sharply from 19 per cent in 2015 to 643 per cent in 2025 taking the country to the second rank in the world after China in providing social protection to its citizens After the increase in the number of social welfare schemes for the poor the latest labour reforms announced by the government this year are expected to enhance this security furtherIndia has been conferred with the prestigious International Social Security Association ISSA Award 2025 for Outstanding Achievement in Social Security in Malaysia in October this yearKeeping up the momentum of reforms Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana on August 15 2025 with an outlay of Rs 99446 crore with the aim to incentivise the creation of more than 35 crore jobs in the country over a period of 2 years Out of these 192 crore beneficiaries will be first timers entering the workforceMore than 235 lakh establishments have been registered on the PMVBRY portal so far with the number of first time employee beneficiaries estimated at over 207 lakhIn order to support employment generation enhance employability and social security across all sectors the scheme has been launched with a special focus on the manufacturing sector Under the Scheme while the firsttime employees will get one monthâs wage up to Rs 15000 the employers will be given incentives for a period of up to two years for generating additional employment with extended benefits for another two years for the manufacturing sectorIn a landmark reform the government consolidated 29 existing labour laws into four Labour Codes the Code on Wages 2019 the Industrial Relations Code 2020 the Code on Social Security 2020 and the Occupational Safety Health and Working Conditions Code 2020The new framework enhances ease of doing business while expanding wage security social protection and workplace safety for workers including women migrant gig and platform workersThe code on wages aims to strengthen workersâ rights while promoting simplicity and uniformity in wagerelated compliance for employers Uniform definition of wages and statutory minimum wages across sectors improving income security and reducing disputesThe industrial relations code simplifies laws related to trade unions conditions of employment in industrial establishment or undertaking investigation and settlement of industrial disputesThe social security extends social security to all workers including unorganized gig and platform workerscovering life health maternity and provident fund benefits while introducing digital systems and facilitatorbased compliance for greater efficiencyThe code on occupational safety and health aims to safeguard worker rights and safe working conditions and creating a businessfriendly regulatory environmentIn order to further enhance social security benefits EPFO has undertaken a major digital transformation during the year with the autosettlement of claims up to Rs 5 Lakh a centralised Pension System and a FATenabled UAN activation to make life easier for subscribers of the schemeSimilarly benefits for workers have been increased with the expansion of the Employees State Insurance Corporation ESIC footprint to 713 districts in the country from 688 districts earlier The number of beds in hospitals run under the ESIC scheme have been increased threefold to 87715 in FY 202425ESIC has also launched the scheme to Promote Registration of EmployersEmployees SPREE 2025 providing a onetime opportunity for employers and employees who may have been inadvertently left out from ESI coverage to register without any concern for retrospective coverage or punitive action IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/india-in-worlds-top-2-list-as-social-protection-coverage-of-citizens-crosses-64-pc-656314.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/rbi-likely-to-run-more-omos-in-q1-cy26-pause-rate-cuts-report-656315.html New Delhi Dec 30 Reserve Bank of India RBI may undertake more open market operations in FebruaryâMarch to keep durable liquidity a report said on Tuesday The report from the Axis Mutual Fund said that RBI is likely to maintain liquidity at around 125175 per cent of net demand and time liabilities even as the best of surplus liquidity is over for Indian marketsFollowing the rate cut in December 2025 the RBI is likely to maintain an extended pause keeping interest rates lower for longer amid a favourable macro environment it saidThe fund house said that liquidity was in surplus from April 2025 after the RBI infused Rs 12 trillion via OMOs and cash reserve ratio cuts and December policy measures which are also expected to keep liquidity positive through March 2026A stable rate cycle sustained liquidity normalisation and probable inclusion of Fully Accessible Route government bonds in the Bloomberg Global Aggregate Index will likely flatten the yield curve in 2026 the report addedWith the curveflattening theme gaining traction we expect long bonds at 725740 per cent yields to provide meaningful protection in the current environment it notedThe fund house recommended a barbell strategy combining shortâtenor bonds for liquidity and longâduration government bonds for tactical gains offering both steady accrual and potential upsideTwoyear AA corporate bonds for accrual and long tenure government bonds for duration is the preferred strategy it suggestedAnother recent report from HSBC Mutual Fund said that the 2â3year corporate bonds and 7â12year segment in Indian Government Bonds IGBs are expected to offer attractive yields in 2026The expected open market operations could tilt the demandâsupply equation for central government securities in a favourable manner the fund house said IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/rbi-likely-to-run-more-omos-in-q1-cy26-pause-rate-cuts-report-656315.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/govt-inks-contracts-worth-rs-4-666-crore-for-close-quarter-battle-carbine-heavy-weight-torpedoes-656320.html New Delhi Dec 30 The government on Tuesday announced it has signed contracts worth Rs 4666 crore for the procurement of Close Quarter Battle CQB Carbines and Heavy Weight Torpedoes The contract for over 425 lakh CQB carbines along with accessories worth Rs 2770 crore for the Indian Army and the Indian Navy was signed with Bharat Forge Ltd and PLR Systems Pvt LtdThe CQB carbine provides a critical edge in close combat through its compact design and high rate of fire ensuring rapid decisive lethality in confined spacesThe contract highlights the synergy between the government and the private sector which will further give impetus to the âMake in Indiaâ initiative the Defence Ministry saidThis project will also play a pivotal role in boosting the overall economy increasing employment avenues and will also empower indigenous defence industries by encouraging Indian MSMEs through components manufacturing and raw material supply it addedThe contract for the procurement and integration of 48 Heavy Weight Torpedoes along with associated equipment for Kalvari Class Submarines P75 of the Indian Navy at an approximate cost of Rs 1896 crore was signed with WASS Submarine Systems SRL ItalyThe acquisition will enhance the combat capability of the six Kalvari Class submarines The delivery of torpedoes will commence from April 2028 and will be completed by early 2030 said the ministryThese torpedoes have significant operational capabilities and advanced technological featuresThis achievement marks the culmination of an extraordinary persistent effort to equip Indian soldiers with worldclass lethality replacing legacy systems with cuttingedge indigenous technology under the âAatmanirbhar Bharatâ vision the Defence Ministry statement saidThe contracts were signed in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar SinghThe Ministry of Defence has signed capital contracts amounting to Rs 182492 crore for the modernisation of the Armed Forces in the financial year 202526 IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/govt-inks-contracts-worth-rs-4-666-crore-for-close-quarter-battle-carbine-heavy-weight-torpedoes-656320.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/indias-highway-network-crosses-146-lakh-km-to-become-2nd-largest-in-world-656327.html New Delhi Dec 30 Indiaâs road network has expanded at a rapid pace in the last 11 years to become the worldâs secondlargest with national highways spanning across a length of 146560 km in the country it was announced on Tuesday The Government has strengthened the National Highways network through flagship programmes such as Bharatmala Pariyojana including the subsumed NHDP SARDPNE LWE Road Development Programme including the VijayawadaâRanchi Road and Externally Aided ProjectsThe National Highway network has recorded a growth of about 61 per cent expanding from 91287 km in 2014 to 146560 km in 2025 according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways MoRTHThe length of operational accesscontrolled HighSpeed Corridors and Expressways increased from a mere 93 km in 2014 to 3052 km at the end of this yearThe length of 4lane and above National Highways including accesscontrolled corridors has more than doubled from 18371 km in 2014 to 43512 km at presentMoRTH cumulatively monetised Rs 152028 crore through various modes of asset monetisation till November 2025 and has fixed a Rs 30000 crore target for FY 202526To enhance private participation Model Concession Agreements MCAs have been updated Buildoperatetransfer BOT system has is revamped for the first time since 200708To widen the investment base MoRTH plans to introduce the Public InvIT â Raajmarg InvIT for which SEBI clearance is under process with issuance date scheduled for January 2026 according to the official statementIn line with Union Budget 202526 MoRTH has identified a PPP project pipeline of 13400 km with an estimated cost of Rs 83 lakh crore to be developed over the next three yearsA network of 35 Multimodal Logistics Parks have been planned under Bharatmala Pariyojana with an investment of about Rs 46000 crore capable of handling around 700 million metric tonnes of cargo once it becomes operationalTo improve user comfort and convenience the Ministry plans stateoftheart wayside amenities WSAs at intervals of 40â60 km along National Highways in PPP publicprivate partnership mode modeBesides under Parvatmala Pariyojana the Ministry envisages development of safe economical efficient and worldclass ropeway infrastructure to improve connectivity decongest urban areas and enhance lastmile logistics efficiency in hilly regionsAs part of the other major developments in 2025 the Prime Minister inaugurated the 12kmlong Sonamarg Tunnel in Jammu amp Kashmir constructed at a cost of over Rs 2700 crore and inaugurated and laid foundation stones for multiple road projects at Katra including the RafiabadâKupwara NH widening project worth over Rs 1952 croreLandmark Urban Decongestion Projects including the Dwarka Expressway and UERII were also Inaugurated in DelhiAs part of the clean energy drive the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways flagged off the firstever trials of hydrogenpowered heavyduty trucks launched by Tata Motors in New DelhiThe Cashless Treatment of Road Accident Victims Scheme 2025 was also notified on a panIndia basis providing treatment cover of up to Rs 15 lakh per victim at designated hospitals across the countryThe Ministry strengthened vehicle safety standards through mandatory High Security Registration Plates HSRP and advances provisions related to Advanced Driver Assistance Systems ADAS in new vehiclesMoRTH also operationalized 123 Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facilities across 21 StatesUTs and 160 Automated Testing Stations across 19 StatesUTs cumulatively 358 lakh vehicles are scrapped till November 2025Under the RahVeer Scheme the financial incentive for Good Samaritans was increased from Rs 5000 to Rs 25000 per incident with 10 nationallevel awards of Rs 1 lakh each instituted annuallyThe BhoomiRashi Portal was set up to enable endtoend digitisation of highway land acquisition with PFMSlinked direct compensation strengthening efficiency and transparencyThe Ministry also introduced a FASTagbased Annual Pass for noncommercial vehicles at Rs 3000 for 200 fee plaza crossings 3613 lakh passes are sold generating Rs 1084 crore in user fee collection till November 2025Besides the Government decided to implement barrierfree Electronic Toll Collection using Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras on select national highway stretches enabling seamless tolling alongside FASTag IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/indias-highway-network-crosses-146-lakh-km-to-become-2nd-largest-in-world-656327.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/viksit-bharat-has-turned-into-a-mass-aspiration-pm-modi-656343.html New Delhi Dec 30 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that the vision of a Viksit Bharat Developed India by 2047 has transcended government policy to become a genuine mass aspiration Addressing a group of eminent economists and experts at NITI Aayog PM Modi said that this shift is evident in the evolving patterns of education consumption and global mobility necessitating enhanced institutional capacity and proactive infrastructure planning to meet the needs of an increasingly aspirational societyThe Prime Minister called for missionmode reforms across diverse sectors to sustain longterm growth He stressed that Indiaâs policymaking and budgeting must remain anchored with the vision for 2047 He also spoke about the need to ensure that the nation remains a vital hub for the global workforce and international marketsThe Theme of the interaction was âAatmanirbharta and Structural Transformation Agenda for Viksit BharatâDuring the interaction the economists shared strategic insights on enhancing productivity and competitiveness across the manufacturing and services sectors The discussions focused on accelerating structural transformation through increased household savings robust infrastructure development and the adoption of cuttingedge technology The group explored the role of Artificial Intelligence AI as an enabler of crosssectoral productivity and also discussed the continued scaling of Indiaâs Digital Public Infrastructure DPI according to an official statementThe participants noted that the unprecedented flurry of crosssectoral reforms in 2025 and their further consolidation in the coming year will ensure that India continues to chart its path as one of the fastestgrowing global economies by strengthening its foundations and unlocking newer opportunitiesSeveral renowned economists and experts were part of the discussion including Shankar Acharya Ashok K Bhattacharya N R Bhanumurthy Amita Batra Janmejaya Sinha Amit Chandra Rajani Sinha Dinesh Kanabar Basanta Pradhan Madan Sabnavis Ashima Goyal Dharmakirti Joshi Umakant Dash Pinaki Chakraborty Indranil Sen Gupta Samiran Chakraborty Abhiman Das Rahul Bajoria Monika Halan and Siddhartha Sanyal IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/viksit-bharat-has-turned-into-a-mass-aspiration-pm-modi-656343.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 01:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/economic-reforms-in-2025-set-stage-for-indias-global-rise-economist-656353.html New Delhi Dec 30 Economist and former President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India ICAI Ved Jain on Tuesday said that allowing 100 per cent foreign direct investment FDI in the insurance sector will prove to be a positive step for Indiaâs economy and consumers Speaking to IANS Jain said that in developed countries FDI in insurance has not created problems instead it has increased competition and improved servicesâWith 100 per cent foreign investment competition between local and foreign companies will naturally rise leading to cheaper insurance and services for peopleâ Jain saidâLower insurance costs will directly benefit consumers Additionally when logistic costs in insurance decrease competitiveness increases and the overall efficiency of the sector improves he addedHe also stressed the need to reform outdated colonialera laws Jain explained that many laws were created before 1947 to serve British interests when India was under colonial ruleEven after more than 75 years of independence several of these laws still exist He said there is a strong need to move away from such outdated rules especially those related to minor offences and complex proceduresAs a democratic and welfareoriented country Indiaâs laws should reflect the expectations of todayâs society and support citizens rather than burden themâNow over 75 years after independence there is a need to move away from these colonial rules and reform outdated laws especially those concerning minor offenses and procedural mattersâ Jain told IANSâTodayâs society expects this India is a democracy and we elect the government which functions as a social welfare institution Therefore laws must be aligned with this perspective he addedCommenting on recent economic measures Jain highlighted three key steps that would support the middle class and businessesHe said raising taxfree income to Rs 12 lakh and lowering tax rates for income between Rs 12 lakh and Rs 24 lakh will directly increase disposable income for the middle classâChanges in GST rates especially reductions from 12 per cent and 18 per cent to 5 per cent on certain goods will lower prices and improve purchasing powerâ Jain mentioned IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/economic-reforms-in-2025-set-stage-for-indias-global-rise-economist-656353.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 01:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/2026-will-be-a-turning-point-for-ai-as-focus-shifts-from-hype-to-real-world-use-satya-nadella-656358.html New Delhi Dec 30 Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has said that 2026 will be a crucial year for artificial intelligence marking a shift from experimentation and excitement to wider realworld adoption of the technology In a blog post Nadella said the AI industry is moving beyond flashy demonstrations and beginning to separate âspectacleâ from âsubstanceâ to better understand where AI can deliver meaningful impactThe pace of AI development has been extremely fast but admitted that the ability to use these powerful systems in practical ways has not kept up Nadella acknowledgedHe described the current situation as a phase of âmodel overhangâ where AI models are becoming more capable than our ability to apply them effectively in everyday life businesses and societyâWe are still in the opening miles of a marathonâ Nadella wrote noting that while progress has been remarkable much about AIâs future remains uncertainMany of todayâs AI capabilities are yet to translate into tangible outcomes that improve productivity decisionmaking or human wellbeing at scale he saidReflecting on the early days of personal computing Nadella referred to Steve Jobsâ famous idea of computers being âbicycles for the mindâ tools that help humans think and work betterThis idea needs to evolve in the age of AI he added in the blog postInstead of replacing human thinking AI systems should be designed to support and strengthen it acting as cognitive tools that help people achieve their goals more effectively Nadella mentionedAccording to Nadella the real value of AI does not lie in how powerful a model is but in how people choose to use itHe said the debate should move away from judging AI outputs as either lowquality or highly sophisticated and instead focus on how humans adapt to working with these new tools in everyday interactions and decisionmakingThe Microsoft chief also stressed that for AI to create real impact the industry must move beyond simply building advanced modelsHe said there is a growing need to build complete systems around AI including software workflows and safeguards that allow the technology to be used reliably and responsiblyWhile AI is advancing rapidly he admitted that current systems still have rough edges and limitations that need careful management IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/2026-will-be-a-turning-point-for-ai-as-focus-shifts-from-hype-to-real-world-use-satya-nadella-656358.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 01:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/area-sown-under-rabi-crop-crosses-614-lakh-hectares-656157.html New Delhi Dec 29 The total area sown under rabi crops in the ongoing winter season has increased by 687 lakh hectares to 61430 lakh hectares as on December 26 this year compared with the corresponding figure of 60743 lakh hectares in the same period last year data released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare on Monday showed The increase in sown area is expected to lead to higher production which in turn would increase the incomes of farmers and also help to keep food inflation in checkThe official figures show that the area under wheat has risen to 32268 lakh hectares from 32249 lakh hectares during the same period last yearThe area under pulses such as Urd Lentils Masur gram and Moong has gone up by 365 lakh hectares to 13344 lakh hectares from 12979 lakh hectares during the same period last yearThe area covered under coarse cereals or millets such as jowar bajra and ragi has increased to 49 lakh hectares during the current season so far compared to 4889 lakh hectares in the same period of the previous yearThe area under oilseeds such as rapeseed and mustard has increased by 104 lakh hectares to 9429 lakh hectares from 9325 lakh hectares in the same period last yearThe sown area has gone up in the current season as better monsoon rains have facilitated the sowing in unirrigated areas which account for close to 50 per cent of the countryâs farmlandMeanwhile the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs CCEA on October 1 this year approved an increase in the minimum support prices MSP for all mandated rabi crops for the 202627 marketing season to ensure remunerative prices to the growers for their produceThe minimum support prices are announced well ahead of the sowing season as farmers can accordingly draw up their cropping plans to maximise their earningsThe highest increase in MSP has been announced for Safflower at Rs 600 per quintal followed by Lentil Masur at Rs 300 per quintal For rapeseed and mustard gram barley and wheat there is an increase of Rs 250 per quintal Rs 225 per quintal Rs 170 per quintal and Rs 160 per quintal respectivelyThe increase in MSP for mandated Rabi Crops for Marketing Season 202627 is in line with the Union Budget 201819 announcement of fixing the MSP at a level of at least 15 times the AllIndia weighted average cost of ProductionThe expected margin over the AllIndia weighted average cost of production is 109 per cent for wheat followed by 93 per cent for rapeseed and mustard 89 per cent for lentil 59 per cent for gram 58 per cent for barley and 50 per cent for safflowerThis increased MSP of rabi crops will ensure remunerative prices to the farmers and incentivise crop diversificationThe cost of production for these crops includes all paid out costs such as those incurred on account of hired human labour bullock labourmachine labour rent paid for leased in land expenses incurred on use of material inputs like seeds fertilisers manures irrigation charges depreciation on implements and farm buildings interest on working capital dieselelectricity for operation of pump sets etc miscellaneous expenses and imputed value of family labour the official statement explained IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/area-sown-under-rabi-crop-crosses-614-lakh-hectares-656157.html Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/rvnl-wins-rs-201-crore-east-coast-railway-contract-for-wagon-overhaul-workshop-656158.html New Delhi Dec 29 Stateowned Rail Vikas Nigam Limited RVNL on Monday said it has emerged as the lowest bidder for a project awarded by East Coast Railway The project involves setting up a wagon periodical overhaul workshop at Kantabanji with a capacity to handle 200 wagonsEast Coast Railway is the awarding authority for the contract RVNL said the total cost of the project excluding goods and services tax is Rs 20123 croreThe company was the sole bidder for the project and the work is scheduled to be completed within 18 monthsâIt is hereby informed that Rail Vikas Nigam Limited emerges as the Lowest Bidder L1 from East Coast Railway for âSetting up of Wagon POH Workshop of 200 Nos Capacity at Kantabanjiââ the stateowned company said in its exchange filingâProject Cost excluding GST as Rs 201234755655 awarded to Rail Vikas Nigam Limited as sole bidderâ it addedEarlier this month RVNL had also received another major order from Southern Railway In a stock exchange filing the company said it received a letter of acceptance for a traction power project worth Rs 14535 croreThis project includes the design supply erection testing and commissioning of Scottconnected traction substations power quality equipment switching posts a 2x25 kV feeding system along with SCADA and automatic fault locator systemsThe work will be carried out in the JolarpettaiâSalem section of the Salem divisionRVNL said the traction power project is part of Indian Railwaysâ Mission 3000 MT freightloading targetThe project will be executed over a period of 540 days and falls under the companyâs normal course of businessThe company also clarified that the order was awarded by a domestic entity and that there is no promotergroup interest in Southern Railway making it a nonrelatedparty transactionMeanwhile shares of Rail Vikas Nigam Limited ended lower on Monday The stock closed at Rs 36690 on the Bombay Stock Exchange down by Rs 2105 or 543 per cent IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/rvnl-wins-rs-201-crore-east-coast-railway-contract-for-wagon-overhaul-workshop-656158.html Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/rbi-to-auction-govt-bonds-worth-rs-32-000-crore-on-jan-2-656159.html New Delhi Dec 29 The government of India on Monday announced the sale reissue of â648 per cent Government Security 2035â for a notified amount of Rs 32000 crore through pricebased auction using the multiple price method The auction will be conducted by the Reserve Bank of Indiaâs Mumbai Office on January 2The Government will have the option to retain additional subscription up to Rs 2000 crore against the security according to a Finance Ministry statementUp to 5 per cent of the notified amount of the sale of the security will be allotted to eligible individuals and institutions as per the Scheme for NonCompetitive Bidding Facility in the Auction of Government Securities the statement saidBoth competitive and noncompetitive bids for the auction should be submitted in electronic format on the Reserve Bank of India Core Banking Solution EKuber system on January 2 2026 The noncompetitive bids should be submitted between 1030 am and 1100 am and the competitive bids should be submitted between 1030 am and 1130 am the statement explainedThe result of the auction will be announced on January 2 and payment by successful bidders will be on January 5The Security will be eligible for âWhen Issuedâ trading in accordance with the guidelines on âWhen Issued transactions in Central government Securitiesâ issued by the Reserve Bank of India vide circular dated July 24 2018 as amended from time to timeGovernments sell bonds to borrow money from investors essentially taking loans to fund public spending like infrastructure social programs and to cover budget deficits acting as a lowrisk way for citizens or institutions to lend to the government in exchange for regular interest and principal repayment thus financing national needs without immediately raising taxes These bonds are considered lowrisk investments since they are backed by the government and are considered safe because of their relatively low risk Government bonds typically pay low interest rates IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/rbi-to-auction-govt-bonds-worth-rs-32-000-crore-on-jan-2-656159.html Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/reliance-industries-refutes-report-says-no-claim-of-30-billion-against-the-company-and-bp-656174.html Mumbai Dec 29 Reliance Industries on Monday refuted a media report saying there is no claim of 30 billion from the Indian government against the company and BP In a statement Reliance Industries said the contents of the report titled âIndia claims 30 billion from Reliance Industries BP for underproduction from gas field sources sayâ are factually incorrect adding that the âpublication of a report such as this based on unnamed and unidentified sources is inappropriate and irresponsibleâThe statement further stated that there is âNO claim of 30 Billion against Reliance and BP The claim made by Government of India in relation to KG D6 Block is of the order of 247 Million which has been appropriately and consistently disclosed in the Companyâs annual audited financial statements in accordance with its disclosure requirementsâAccording to the company the matters referred to in the report are âentirely sub judice and would be determined in accordance with the laws of the country by its judicial system in which Reliance has full faithââReliance Industries Limited together with its partner BP has at all times complied with its contractual and legal obligations and take strong exception to mischaracterisation of facts in the reportâ it addedBP and Reliance Industries Limited RIL in 2020 announced the start of their new Indian fuels and mobility joint venture Reliance bp Mobility Limited RBML Following initial agreements in 2019 bp and RIL teams have worked closely over the past few months in a challenging environment to complete the transaction as plannedOperating under the âJiobpâ brand the joint venture aims to become a leading player in Indias fuels and mobility markets BP brings its extensive global experience in highquality differentiated fuels lubricants retail and advanced low carbon mobility solutions according to an earlier BP statement IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/reliance-industries-refutes-report-says-no-claim-of-30-billion-against-the-company-and-bp-656174.html Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/new-framework-to-standardise-innovation-assessment-boost-deeptech-ecosystem-656223.html New Delhi Dec 30 The government has unveiled a new framework to establish a unified objective yardstick to measure the maturity of technology projects from laboratory conception to commercial deployment The framework is open for public consultation until January 31 2026 It aims to serve as the operational backbone for various RampD funds launched under National MissionsBy providing a rigorous methodology to assess projects across the nine Technology Readiness Levels TRL ranging from Proof of Concept TRL 13 to Prototype Development TRL 46 and Operational Deployment TRL 79 the framework will enable funding bodies to allocate resources with greater precision and derisk earlystage technologies for private investmentHighlighting the critical need for a common language between researchers and investors Professor Ajay Kumar Sood Principal Scientific Adviser PSA to the government said that for too long the Indian deeptech ecosystem has faced a precarious situation where academia and industry speak different dialects regarding technology readinessâThis mismatch often creates a Valley of Death between TRL 4 and TRL 7 where funding dries up due to perceived risks The NTRAF moves us from subjective narratives to objective evidence ensuring that we are not just funding science experiments but scalable marketready solutions he stated while unveiling the National Technology Readiness Assessment Framework NTRAFDescribing the document as a definitive guide for the scientific community Dr Parvinder Maini Scientific Secretary Office of the PSA OPSA noted that âBy establishing a common language for technology maturity we aim to bridge the oftensubjective gap between a researcherâs claim of readiness and an investorâs or evaluatorâs requirement for proofâDr Shivkumar Kalyanaraman CEO Anusandhan National Research Foundation ANRF emphasised that technology readiness must run parallel to market validation particularly beyond TRL 4He also suggested a pilot phase where 20 selected technologies may be crossvalidated by the NRDC to calibrate and stresstest the framework before its broader adoptionThe experts emphasised the industryâs role in shaping the tool noting that its stringent standards ensure any startup claiming to be âdeploymentreadyâ meets true industrialgrade validation IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/new-framework-to-standardise-innovation-assessment-boost-deeptech-ecosystem-656223.html Tue, 30 Dec 2025 16:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/coupang-data-leak-affected-33-million-customers-science-minister-656238.html Seoul Dec 30 Science Minister Bae Kyunghoon on Tuesday reaffirmed that a recent data leak at Coupang affected 33 million customers in South Korea voicing concerns over an assessment report released separately by the USlisted ecommerce giant last week The joint governmentâprivate sector investigation including the Personal Information Protection Commission and the police revealed that the names and email addresses of more than 33 million users were leaked Bae said during a parliamentary sessionThe remarks came after Coupang claimed last week that data from only about 3000 accounts had actually been downloaded and later deleted by the suspect reports Yonhap news agencyWe cannot agree with that claim Bae saidThe minister said details such as users addresses and order information were also believed to have been leakedWe express grave concern toward Coupang which issued an announcement that had not been coordinated with the government he saidMeanwhile Coupang has announced a compensation plan worth more than 168 trillion won 117 billion following a massive personal data breachThe compensation plan comes a day after Coupang founder Kim Bomsuk issued his first public apology since the incident which affected nearly twothirds of South Koreas population reports Yonhap news agencyUnder the plan the USlisted company will provide 50000 won worth of discounts and coupons to each of 337 million customers including paid Coupang Wow members regular users and former customers who have closed their accounts the company said in a press releaseCompensation payments will be made gradually starting Jan 15 it addedTaking this incident as a turning point Coupang will wholeheartedly embrace customercentric principles and fulfill its responsibilities to the very end transforming into a company that customers can trust Coupangs interim Chief Executive Officer CEO Harold Rogers said in the releaseThe perperson compensation consists of 5000 won for Coupangs ecommerce platform 5000 won for food delivery service Coupang Eats 20000 won for Coupangs travel products and 20000 won for RLUX luxury beauty and fashion productsLast week Coupang said it had identified a former employee responsible for the data leak through forensic evidence recovered the equipment used in the hacking and received a confession from the suspectThe company claimed that data from only about 3000 accounts was actually saved and later deleted by the suspectThe government however has dismissed Coupangs findings as a unilateral claim noting that a joint publicprivate investigation into the incident has yet to release any conclusions IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/coupang-data-leak-affected-33-million-customers-science-minister-656238.html Tue, 30 Dec 2025 16:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/researchers-harness-cancer-resistance-mutations-to-fight-tumours-656246.html New Delhi Dec 30 An international team of researchers has discovered a new method to fight cancers that no longer respond to treatment The team led by Israels Weizmann Institute of Science used mutations that make tumours drugresistant Xinhua news agency reportedOne of the biggest challenges in cancer care is when a therapy stops workingIn many metastatic cancers drugs that initially work lose their effect over time as cancer cells mutate and continue to growThe new study published in the journal Cancer Discovery proposed a new way to confront cancer resistance harnessing the very mutations that make tumours resistant in order to fight the cancerThe team introduced a computational tool called SpotNeoMetIt identifies therapyresistant mutations common to many patientsThese mutations produce tiny protein fragments called neoantigens which appear only on cancer cellsThese shared neoantigens may provide the basis for new immunotherapy approaches that prompt the immune system to selectively target cancer cellsOur research demonstrates a broad principle that may change the way we think about treatmentresistant cancer said Prof Yardena Samuels at the WeizmannThe same mutations that allow a tumour to evade a drug can through precise immunotherapy become the cancers weak point Unlike boutique immunotherapies that must be tailored to each individual patient these therapies could be suitable for large groups of patients Samuels addedThe researchers tested their approach on metastatic prostate cancer a disease where most patients eventually become resistant to standard treatmentsThey identified three neoantigens that showed promising results in lab experiments and in mouse modelsThe researchers said the approach differs from highly personalised therapies because it targets resistance mutations shared by many patients This allows the same treatment to be applied more broadly to people with treatmentresistant cancers IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/researchers-harness-cancer-resistance-mutations-to-fight-tumours-656246.html Tue, 30 Dec 2025 16:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/govt-push-public-private-partnership-drove-indian-space-sector-growth-in-2025-656256.html New Delhi Dec 30 Policy continuity and institutional clarity by the government and an expanding publicprivate partnership framework led to the growth of Indias private space sector in 2025 said Lt Gen AK Bhatt Retd Director General Indian Space Association ISpA on Tuesday Bhatt noted that 2025 was marked as a decisive year for Indiaâs space sector as policy reforms translated into tangible execution across launch including satellite manufacturing Earth observation space data and satellite communicationsâGrowth during 2025 was driven largely by the private industry The year saw contracts awarded production lines established satellites deployed launch vehicles move closer to operational readiness and datadriven services scale across civilian commercial and strategic domainsâ the expert saidIndiaâs space economy currently valued at approximately 9 billion is now on a clear trajectory towards 44 billion in the coming decadePublicprivate partnerships emerged as a central operating model across the space value chain in 2025 Indiaâs share of the global space economy currently estimated at around 2 per cent is projected to increase to nearly 8 per cent by 2033 driven primarily by private industryâPolicy instruments including the New Space Policy 2023 liberalised FDI Policy 2024 and implementation of the Indian Telecommunications Act 2023 provided predictability for longterm private investmentâ Bhatt saidLiberalised FDI norms and INSPACeâs singlewindow authorisation framework supported increased participation by both domestic and international playersâIndiaâs space ecosystem crossed an important scale milestone in 2025 with over 300 active space startups now operating across launch vehicles satellite platforms Earth observation satellite communications propulsion electronics space situational awareness and downstream analyticsâ Bhatt saidFurther Indiaâs private space companies advanced from demonstration to deployment in 2025 Skyroot Aerospace and Agnikul Cosmos continued to progress private orbital and semicryogenic launch systems contributing to the development of a competitive domestic launch marketPM Modi recently unveiled Skyrootâs VikramI launch vehicle and the Infinity CampusPixxel launched Indias first private satellite constellation the Firefly series using SpaceX Falcon 9 rockets in early and mid2025 deploying a total of six hyperspectral satellites for highresolution Earth imagingDigantara expanded its space situational awareness infrastructure by successfully launching its first commercial space surveillance satellite SCOTâ while companies including Bellatrix Aerospace ThrustWrks OmSpace Xovian and GalaxEye demonstrated operational capabilities across propulsion launch subsystems and imaging platformsMeanwhile policy support was reinforced in the Union Budget 202526 through initiatives such as the National Geospatial Mission a Fund of Funds for startups enhanced credit guarantee mechanisms expansion of Atal Tinkering Labs and a dedicated DeepTech Fund of Funds Bhatt saidPrivate space startups in India raised nearly 150 million during FY 2025 taking the total funding to over 617 million to dateThe operationalisation of the Rs 1000 crore INSPACe Venture Capital Fund and approval of the Rs 1 lakh crore Research Development and Innovation Scheme added longterm depth to the funding ecosystem for space and deeptech innovationINSPACeâs Technology Adoption Fund for Rs 500 crore launched this year will also boost private sector space innovation by funding startupsMSMEs up to 60 per cent cost to develop commercially viable earlystage space technologies Bhatt said IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/govt-push-public-private-partnership-drove-indian-space-sector-growth-in-2025-656256.html Tue, 30 Dec 2025 16:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/indias-domestic-air-traffic-rises-7pc-in-nov-despite-indigo-related-disruptions-656286.html New Delhi Dec 30 Indiaâs domestic passenger traffic rose 7 per cent yearâonâyear YoY to 152 million in November 2025 driven by festive season demand even as momentum moderated towards the monthend a report said on Tuesday Emkay Global Financial Services in the report said that as operations normalised by midDec25 passenger volumes stabilised while weatherrelated disruptions weighed on OnTime Performance OTP and cancellationsHowever daily trends in December 2025 till date indicate flat YoY growth largely owing to airlinewide operational disruptions at IndiGo in the first half of the month it saidIndiGo faced disruptions from weather software problems and the implementation of Flight Duty Time Limitation FDTL norms which pushed its market share down 200 basis points monthâonâmonth to 636 per cent in Novâ25 the report saidSpiceJetâs share rose 110 basis points to 37 per cent supported by additional slots fleet expansion and higher available seat kilometres in the winter schedule The Air India Groupâs share increased 100 basis points to 267 per centPassenger load factor PLF witnessed improvement across key airlines in Nov25 with the Air India Group leading the pack with the highest monthly uptick of 102 per centIndiGo and SpiceJet saw PLFs of 887 per cent and 877 per cent respectively and Akasa recorded 938 per centCancellations showed a mixed trend during the month with Indigo recording the highest cancellation rate at 157 per cent up from 048 per cent MoMOnâtime performance weakened amid weather disruptions as IndiGoâs OTP fell to 69 per cent from 841 per cent the Air India Groupâs to 691 per cent from 793 per cent while SpiceJet logged the lowest OTP at 484 per centGiven currently softening refining cracks and a decline in crude oil prices we expect aviation turbine fuel prices for Jan25 to decline by 56 per cent MoM from current levels of Rs 997 per litre in Delhi the firm forecasted IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/indias-domestic-air-traffic-rises-7pc-in-nov-despite-indigo-related-disruptions-656286.html Tue, 30 Dec 2025 23:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/saurashtrakutch-records-15-lakh-tonnes-of-okra-production-in-202425-horticulture-sector-gets-boost-ahead-of-vgrc-2026-656137.html Gandhinagar Dec 29 Gujarats horticulture sector is emerging as a powerful engine of agricultural growth driven by progressive policies adoption of modern farming practices and active participation of farmers This upward trajectory has set an encouraging backdrop ahead of the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference VGRC KutchâSaurashtra 2026 to be held in Rajkot where the regions achievements in agriculture and horticulture will be prominently showcasedAccording to the State Directorate of Horticulture Gujarat ranked first in the country in terms of area under okra cultivation as well as total production during 2023â24The crop was cultivated across nearly 93955 hectares in the state yielding a production of 1168 lakh tonnesSaurashtraâKutch has made a significant contribution to these figuresThe region accounts for nearly 15 per cent of Gujarats total okra cultivation area and around 13 per cent of total productionDuring 2024â25 okra was cultivated across 14000 hectares in 12 districts of Saurashtra and Kutch resulting in an estimated production of nearly 15 lakh tonnesGujarats share in Indias total vegetable production stood at 766 per cent in 2024â25In the same period the SaurashtraâKutch region cultivated vegetables over 232584 hectares achieving a production of 4791504 metric tonnesThe average productivity of 2060 metric tonnes per hectare reflects improved efficiency among farmers better agronomic practices and a strengthening agricultural support systemHorticultural crops have become an integral component of Gujarats agricultural development due to their higher productivity and better income potential for farmersBacked by sustained policy support and farmerfriendly initiatives horticulture today accounts for nearly 20 per cent of the states total cultivated area underlining its growing importance in the rural economyThe states horticulture department is effectively implementing centrally sponsored schemes such as the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture MIDH and the National Horticulture Mission NHM alongside several statelevel incentive programmesThese initiatives focus on clusterbased development protected cultivation postharvest infrastructure coldchain facilities clean planting material and capacitybuilding programmesUnder MIDH farmers and Farmer Producer Organisations FPOs receive subsidies for hitech horticulture polyhouses packhouses grading and packing lines training programmes market linkages and demonstration projects strengthening the entire value chain from farm to marketThe sectors strong performance comes at a crucial juncture as Gujarat prepares to host the VGRC KutchâSaurashtra in Rajkot in the second week of January 2026Alongside the conference the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Exhibition will also be organised at the same venueVGRC 2026 will reaffirm the state governments commitment to balanced regional development offering a dedicated platform to showcase achievements and unlock new investment opportunities in key sectors of the SaurashtraâKutch regionThe conference is expected to bring together policymakers industry leaders global experts innovators and stakeholders from India and abroadThrough focused sectoral sessions exhibitions and collaborative platforms VGRC 2026 will highlight how Saurashtra and Kutch are poised to lead the next phase of agricultural advancement and sustainable development in Gujarat IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/saurashtrakutch-records-15-lakh-tonnes-of-okra-production-in-202425-horticulture-sector-gets-boost-ahead-of-vgrc-2026-656137.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 23:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/irdai-slaps-rs-1-crore-penalty-on-reliance-general-insurance-for-regulatory-lapses-656141.html New Delhi Dec 29 The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India IRDAI has imposed a penalty of Rs 1 crore on Reliance General Insurance Company for violating several regulatory norms related to insurance intermediaries outsourcing of activities and corporate governance The action comes after a remote inspection carried out by Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India between December 27 and December 31 2021Based on the findings of this inspection the regulator issued a showcause notice to the insurer on November 29 2024 seeking an explanation for the irregularities observedReliance General Insurance submitted its replies in January 2025 and also presented its case during a personal hearing held on March 5 2025After examining the responses the regulator passed its final order on December 26 2025In the order IRDAI said the inspection revealed several instances where payments made by the insurer did not follow regulatory rulesThese included payments made to related parties of insurance brokers an individual insurance agent linked to another insurer an unlicensed entity and some corporate agentsReliance General Insurance was yet to respond to IRDAI penaltyThe regulator also noted that the company had shown certain activities as advertising and consumer awareness programmesHowever IRDAI concluded that these activities actually fell under outsourcing as per existing regulationsIt observed that the insurer failed to carry out mandatory due diligence costbenefit analysis conflictofinterest checks and approvals from the outsourcing committee in multiple casesIRDAI further pointed out that some payments crossed the prescribed limits but were not reported in outsourcing returnsThis according to the regulator helped the company avoid regulatory scrutiny The authority said that some of these payments effectively amounted to unauthorised or overriding commissions that were presented as marketing or awareness expensesThe penalty has been imposed under Section 102 of the Insurance Act 1938 for violations of multiple regulations and guidelines governing brokers commissions outsourcing and corporate governanceIRDAI has directed Reliance General Insurance to pay the penalty within 45 days of receiving the orderThe company has also been asked to place the order before its board and submit an action taken report within 90 daysThe insurer has the option to challenge the order before the Securities Appellate Tribunal under the Insurance Act IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/irdai-slaps-rs-1-crore-penalty-on-reliance-general-insurance-for-regulatory-lapses-656141.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 23:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/trade-pact-with-australia-anchors-indias-economic-engagement-in-indo-pacific-piyush-goyal-656022.html New Delhi Dec 29 Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday said that as the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement CECA negotiations advance with other nations IndiaAustralia trade pact continues to anchor the countryâs economic engagement in the IndoPacific aligned with âMake in Indiaâ and the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047â From January 1 2026 100 per cent Australian tariff lines will be zeroduty for Indian exports unlocking fresh opportunities for labourintensive sectors Goyal informedOn the third anniversary of the IndiaAustralia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement IndAus ECTA the minister said that we are celebrating a partnership that has translated intent into impactâTogether India and Australia are building a future of shared prosperity and trusted tradeâ Goyal posted on X social media platformOver the past three years the agreement has delivered sustained export growth deeper market access and stronger supplychain resilience benefiting Indian exporters MSMEs farmers and workers alike according to GoyalIndias exports to Australia grew by 8 per cent in FY 202425 improving Indias trade balance Strong gains were witnessed across manufacturing chemicals textiles plastics pharmaceuticals petroleum products and gems and jewelleryâAgriexports recorded broadbased growth with sharp increases in fruits and vegetables marine products spices and exceptional growth in coffee Gems amp Jewellery exports rose 16 per cent in AprilâNovember 2025â said the ministerMutual Recognition Arrangement MRA on organic products was signed marking a major milestone enabling seamless trade and lowering compliance costs for exportersMeanwhile India and New Zealand have also concluded a comprehensive and longawaited FTA marking a major economic and strategic milestone The FTA eliminates duty on 100 per cent of Indian exports along with a 20 billion investment commitment over 15 years to strengthen longterm economic and strategic cooperationIndiaâs total exports of goods and services surged to a record high of 41891 billion during AprilâSeptember 2025 of the current financial year to register a 586 per cent annual increase as the strong momentum of the previous financial year that ended on March 31 continued into the new fiscal year IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/trade-pact-with-australia-anchors-indias-economic-engagement-in-indo-pacific-piyush-goyal-656022.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 12:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/indias-petrochemical-demand-to-remain-robust-in-medium-term-report-656037.html New Delhi Dec 29 Indiaâs petrochemical consumption growth is expected to remain robust at 67 per cent per annum in the medium term driven by economic expansion and downstream product demand according to a report released on Monday Against this backdrop reducing reliance on imports is viewed as a key strategic aim Consequently both public and privatesector companies have developed aggressive plans to increase their petrochemical capacity said the CareEdge Ratings reportPolypropylene capacity is expected to rise 18 times between FY25FY30 surpassing the envisaged demand growth of 14 times which could largely eliminate import dependence by FY30 the report statesâHowever improving cost competitiveness leading to a recovery in the trajectory of spreads and thereby earning reasonable returns on their investments would remain the key monitorable for domestic petrochemical playersâ said Rabin Bihani Associate Director CareEdge RatingsPrices and spreads in the domestic petrochemical sector are expected to remain weak in the near term due to global oversupply There has been marginal recovery in spreads in H1FY26 which could support approximately 200 bps improvement in EBITDA margin in FY26However sustained recovery and achievement of optimum operating profitability would hinge more on their cost competitiveness global demandsupply scenario and needbased support from the Government given sizeable global capacity additions especially by China which has impacted the profitability of Indian manufacturers for an extended period of timeâ said Hardik Shah Director CareEdge RatingsThe report states that the consumption of major petrochemicals comprising of polymers including Polypropylene PP High Density Polyethylene HDPE Low Density Polyethylene LDPE Linear Low Density Polyethylene LLDPE Polyvinyl Chloride PVC aromatics and elastomers have witnessed a healthy growth in India over the past few years and the same is expected to sustain going forward However domestic capacity additions during this period remained limited resulting in a high dependence on imports to meet increased domestic consumptionGlobally there was significant capacity addition in the petrochemical sector largely dominated by China over the last few years while global demand did not improve at the same pace which resulted in demandsupply mismatch leading to weak product spreads and pressure on operating profitability of Indian manufacturers for the last three years ended FY25 as they had to encounter competition from cheaper Chinese imports the report added IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/indias-petrochemical-demand-to-remain-robust-in-medium-term-report-656037.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 14:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/ibc-amendments-to-boost-recovery-rates-for-banks-report-656075.html New Delhi Dec 29 The proposed amendments to the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code IBC such as introduction of group insolvency crossborder insolvency and creditorinitiated insolvency are encouraging as they could boost recovery rates which been persistently low due to the lengthy resolution process according to a report released on Monday The strengthening of NCLT and NCLAT manpower along with other legal reforms are expected to reduce the burden on the judiciary according to the ICRA reportIt expects the proposed amendments introduced to IBC code in Parliament along with other reforms and proposals put forth by Ministry of Corporate Affairs MCA and Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India IBBI to reduce recovery timelines and improve recovery rates for lenders albeit only for nonreal estate sector casesThe report also highlights that real estate sectorspecific reforms have not been addressed in the current proposals despite the fact that the real estate and construction RE sector has the second highest share in cases ongoing in corporate insolvency resolution process CIRP as on September 30 2025ICRA believes that structural reforms would be needed for the RE sector as protecting homebuyers and resolution of stuck housing projects has been a focus area for the GovernmentThe IBC which completed nine years in October 2025 has delivered better realisations for creditors over other recovery modes with total recovery of around Rs 4 lakh crore despite its shortcomings Till September 2025 an overall 8658 corporate debtors CD have been admitted of which 63 per cent of the CIRP has been resolved either through a successful resolution plan or withdrawal or liquidation the report statesHowever lenders had to take steep haircuts with limited recovery of 32 per cent recorded through successful resolution plans In the backdrop of higher haircuts for lenders and extended recovery timeframes an extensive overhaul of the IBC has been in the works with the seventh amendment to The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code Amendment Bill 2025 introduced in the Lok Sabha in August 2025 While it was initially expected that the bill would pass in the winter session it is now expected to be taken up in the upcoming Budget sessionManushree Saggar Senior Vice President and Group Head Structured Finance Ratings ICRA said âWhile the recovery rates improved till Q4 FY2025 the trend somewhat reversed in H1 FY2026 with dip in recovery Further based on data till September 30 2025 almost threefourth of the ongoing CIRP cases exceeded 270 days post admission by the National Company Law Tribunal NCLT The recommendations of SCLB if passed are expected to improve recovery rates and reduce timelines for the CIRP process under IBCâWhile all the amendments are positive ICRA notes that there are delays at NCLT which have not been specifically addressed As of March 2025 there are over 30000 IBC cases pending before NCLT and basis the existing capacity of the NCLT it is expected to take more than a decade to conclude these cases While the number of fresh cases being admitted to NCLT has been coming down ICRA notes that there has not been much traction in approval of resolution plans RP with only 105 RPs approved in H1 FY2026 against 124 in H1 FY2025The report notes that while MCA is planning to increase the number of NCLT and NCLAT benches for getting meaningful traction the same would be key to reduce the timelines for the CIRP process which stands at over 700 days over twice the mandated 330days timeline IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/ibc-amendments-to-boost-recovery-rates-for-banks-report-656075.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 16:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/railway-stocks-rally-adds-rs-66-500-crore-ahead-of-union-budget-656076.html Mumbai Dec 29 Indiaâs railway stocks are showing signs of recovery after a long period of weakness with the sector witnessing a sharp rally over the past five trading sessions The recent surge has added more than Rs 66500 crore to the market value of railwaylinked companies as investors reposition ahead of the Union Budget and respond to improving revenue signalsRailway stocks had remained under pressure for most of 2025 after the sector peaked in July 2024Since then many stocks corrected sharply as high valuations cooled and expectations around policy support easedThe latest rebound suggests a cautious return of investor interest driven by a mix of fare hikes budget hopes and companyspecific developmentsThe rally has been led by Jupiter Wagons whose shares jumped nearly 37 per cent in just five days making it the bestperforming railway stock in the recent upswingRail Vikas Nigam Limited rose around 27 per cent while Indian Railway Finance Corporation gained more than 20 per cent during the same periodOther railwayrelated companies such as Ircon International Titagarh Rail Systems RailTel Corporation of India Texmaco Rail amp Engineering RITES and BEML also posted strong doubledigit gainsDespite the sharp bounce most railway stocks are still trading well below their previous highsOne of the key triggers behind the rally has been Indian Railwaysâ decision to revise passenger fares from December 26This marked the second fare hike in FY26 with longdistance travel fares increased by 1 to 2 paise per kilometre across ordinary Mail and Express trainsThe move is expected to bring in nearly Rs 600 crore in additional revenue during the remaining part of the financial year while suburban services have been kept out of the hikePassenger train operations continue to run at a loss with fares estimated to be around 45 per cent below costThese losses are largely subsidised through freight earnings The latest fare rationalisation is expected to improve revenue visibility and help reduce losses in passenger services supporting efforts to improve the railwaysâ operating ratio IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/railway-stocks-rally-adds-rs-66-500-crore-ahead-of-union-budget-656076.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 16:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/timex-group-india-shares-slide-nearly-10-pc-656082.html Mumbai Dec 29 Shares of Timex Group India fell sharply in early trade on Monday after the companyâs promoter launched a twoday offer for sale OFS at a steep discount The stock dropped nearly 10 per cent in the morning session reflecting selling pressure triggered by the OFS announcementThe share price of Timex Group India slipped as much as 96 per cent to an intraday low of Rs 318The decline came after the promoter fixed the OFS floor price at a significant discount to the stockâs previous closing levelOn Friday the company informed exchanges that its promoter Timex Group Luxury Watches B V plans to sell up to 4509250 equity shares with a face value of Rs 1 eachThis represents 447 per cent of the total issued and paidup share capital of the companyThe OFS opened on Monday and will remain open till Tuesday December 30As per the OFS structure only nonretail investors are allowed to place bids on the first dayOn the second day the offer will open for retail investors along with nonretail investors who choose to carry forward their unallotted bids from the first dayThe promoter has also kept the option to sell an additional 4509250 shares in case of oversubscriptionIf this option is exercised the total size of the OFS will increase to 893 per cent of the companyâs paidup share capitalThe floor price for the OFS has been fixed at Rs 275 per share This is at a discount of nearly 22 per cent compared with Timex Group Indiaâs closing price of Rs 35175 on the BSE on Friday which added to the pressure on the stock during Mondayâs tradeSeparately Timex Group India also announced the date for its upcoming board meetingThe company said its board of directors will meet on Tuesday February 3 2026 to consider and approve the unaudited financial results for the quarter and nine months ended December 31 2025Despite the sharp fall seen in the stock today Timex Group India shares have delivered strong returns over longer periodsThe stock is up about 42 per cent over the past six months and has gained nearly 59 per cent on a yeartodate basis Over the last one year it has risen around 60 per cent IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/timex-group-india-shares-slide-nearly-10-pc-656082.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 16:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/indiashospital-sector-revenuetogrowup-to-20-pc-in-fy2027-from-18-pc-in-fy2026-report-656090.html New Delhi Dec 29 The business outlook for the Indian hospital industry remains positive with its revenue expected to grow 1820 per cent in FY2027 a report said on Monday According to the report by credit rating agency ICRA the sectorâs growth based on a sample set of 11 leading listed hospital companies is supported by sustained high occupancy and healthy average revenue per occupied bed ARPOBIn FY2026 the Indian hospital sector grew 1618 per cent reflecting expectations of continued robust operating metrics on the back of strong structural tailwindsThe performance of the Indian hospital industry is expected to remain strong in FY2026 on the back of healthy occupancy and ARPOBâ said Mythri Macherla Vice President and Sector Head Corporate Ratings ICRAâICRA expects occupancy of its sample set companies to remain robust at 6264 per cent in FY2026 635 per cent in FY2025 while the ARPOB is expected to expand by 68 per cent she addedThis follows a strong first half where the sample set witnessed a 16 per cent yearonyear revenue growth in H1 FY2026 supported by occupancy of 633 per cent and a 78 per cent increase in ARPOB the report saidThe operating profit margin OPM in H1 FY2026 remained healthy at 237 per cent aided by improved case mix and cost optimisationCost optimisation efforts along with an improving case and payor mix will support operating profit margin OPM of 2224 per cent for the sample set companies in FY2026 236 per cent in FY2025 Macherla saidICRA noted that despite sizeable greenfield and brownfield expansions planned across metros tierII and tierIII cities the credit profile of its sample set is projected to remain healthy given the strong accrual expectationsFor the pharmaceutical sector ICRA affirmed a stable outlook for FY2026 projecting a 911 per cent revenue expansion for its sample set of companiesRevenues of ICRAs sample set of Indian pharmaceutical companies are expected to grow by 911 per cent in FY2026 said MacherlaThis will be supported by healthy growth of 810 per cent in the domestic market and 1517 per cent in the European markets while pricing pressure on certain key drugs such as Lenalidomide will result in moderation in the growth in the US market to 46 per cent she addedThe operating profit margin OPM for the sample set is expected to remain stable at 2425 per cent in FY2026 supported by healthy performance in key markets and stable raw material costs IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/indiashospital-sector-revenuetogrowup-to-20-pc-in-fy2027-from-18-pc-in-fy2026-report-656090.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 16:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/dixon-technologies-shares-hit-16-month-low-down-34-pc-in-2025-656107.html Mumbai Dec 29 Shares of Dixon Technologies continued to slide for the sixth consecutive session on Monday falling another 4 per cent to Rs 11821 This marked the stockâs lowest level since August 2024 as selling pressure remained strongAt the closing bell the shares were down by Rs 448 or 363 per cent to Rs 11880 on the National Stock Exchange NSEThe stock has been in a sharp downtrend since late September and has lost around 35 per cent of its value from its peak of Rs 18471The decline has largely been driven by concerns that the companyâs earnings per share estimates for FY27 could be cut which has weighed heavily on investor sentimentAlthough the stock showed brief signs of recovery in between a bearish view from global brokerage firm Morgan Stanley further hurt sentimentDixon Technologies has now emerged as one of the worst performers among Nifty 500 stocks this year with yeartodate losses of about 335 per centLast week Morgan Stanley maintained its âUnderweightâ rating on the stock and set a target price of Rs 11563 per shareThe brokerage flagged uncertainty around growth prospects following the extension of IT hardware import norms which it believes could limit opportunities for domestic manufacturersMorgan Stanley also pointed out that Dixon has maintained its cumulative IT hardware revenue guidance of Rs 48000 crore up to FY31 over the past two years while the brokerageâs own estimate stands at Rs 43000 croreIt said achieving the companyâs guidance may prove difficult in the coming years The brokerage expects IT hardware to contribute around 7 per cent of Dixonâs revenue by FY30 and warned that favourable import policies pose a downside risk even to this estimateIn terms of share price performance Dixon Technologies is on track to record its first annual decline in two years with a fall of about 34 per cent so far in 2025This is a sharp reversal from the strong 173 per cent rally seen in 2024 While the nearterm outlook remains weak the stockâs longterm performance continues to be strong with gains of around 204 per cent over the past three years and about 340 per cent over the last five years IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/dixon-technologies-shares-hit-16-month-low-down-34-pc-in-2025-656107.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 17:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/indias-industrial-growth-surges-to-67-per-cent-in-november-656110.html New Delhi Dec 29 The growth rate of Indiaâs industrial production surged to 67 per cent in November this year compared to the same month of the previous year after having slowed to 04 per cent in October due to the long holiday season in the festive month according to figures released by the Ministry of Statistics on Monday The strong industrial growth was driven by an 8 per cent surge in the manufacturing sector led by a robust performance in basic metals and fabricated metal products pharmaceuticals and motor vehiclesGrowth in the mining sector at 54 per cent has also rebounded due to the closure of the monsoon season and strong growth in metallic minerals such as iron ore However the electricity sector remained a laggard with a negative growth of 15 per cent during the monthWithin the manufacturing sector 20 out of 23 industry groups have recorded a positive growth in November The top three positive contributors for the month of November are Manufacture of basic metals 102 per cent Manufacture of pharmaceuticals medicinal chemical and botanical products 105 per cent and Manufacture of motor vehicles trailers and semitrailers 119 per centIn the industry group Manufacture of basic metals which includes steel products have shown a significant contribution in growthThe figures on usebased classification show that the production of capital goods which comprise machines used in factories shot up by a doubledigit 104 per cent over the same month of the previous year This segment reflects the real investment taking place in the economy which has a multiplier effect on the creation of jobs and incomes going ahead The consumer durables sector comprising white goods such as refrigerators TV sets and washing machines also recorded a strong growth of 103 per cent while nondurable goods such as soaps cosmetics and processed foods clocked a 73 per cent growth during the monthThe infrastructure and construction sector clocked a strong 121 per cent growth during the month compared to the same month of the previous year on the back of bigticket government projects being implemented in the highways railways and ports sectors IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/indias-industrial-growth-surges-to-67-per-cent-in-november-656110.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 17:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/retirement-planning-top-priority-in-india-actual-preparedness-lags-656114.html New Delhi Dec 29 Retirement planning has been ranked as Indiansâ first financial priority even as actual preparedness or a plan in place collapsed to 37 per cent from 67 per cent in 2023 a report said on Monday The report from PGIM India Mutual Fund said that retirement took the first spot climbing from eighth place as lifestyle and entrepreneurial goals overshadow familycentric concernsThe shift reflects a broader change in financial planning from fearâdriven security to aspirationâdriven ambition blending protection with progress and lifestyle freedom it saidFamily security and health emergencies once dominant have slipped down the list In their place aspirations such as lifestyle upgrades starting a business and personal fulfilment are rising rapidlyThe fund house found that mutual funds emerged as the dominant retirement vehicle while preference for choosing a product from a distributor rose to 62 per cent from 44 per cent in 2023Mutual fund adoption for retirement climbed to 35 per cent from 24 per cent it said noting growing traction for NPS National Pension System PPF Public Provident Fund and retirementâfocused fundsAbhishek Tiwari CEO PGIM India Asset Management Private Limited said that the decline in readiness is not a setback but a sign of positive evolutionIndians are beginning to distinguish between safeguarding against risks and actively building a future for themselves With a rising sense of surplus and families moving beyond simply providing for children to planning for their own retirement it reflects a maturing mindset focused on selfdriven security and dignityâ said TiwariAlternate income adoption among respondents declined to 25 per cent even as intent to pursue it jumped to 44 per centâRising affluence and impact of pandemic have propelled selfâoriented goals like retirement planning lifestyle upgrades and entrepreneurship to the forefront running parallel to traditional familycentric concernsâ said Ajit Menon Senior Advisor PGIM India Asset Management Private Limited IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/retirement-planning-top-priority-in-india-actual-preparedness-lags-656114.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 17:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/indias-industrial-growth-surges-to-67-per-cent-in-november-656120.html New Delhi Dec 29 IANS The growth rate of Indias industrial production surged to 67 per cent in November this year compared to the same month of the previous year after having slowed to 04 per cent in October due to the long holiday season in the festive month according to figures released by the Ministry of Statistics on MondaynbspThe strong industrial growth was driven by an 8 per cent surge in the manufacturing sector led by a robust performance in basic metals and fabricated metal products pharmaceuticals and motor vehiclesGrowth in the mining sector at 54 per cent has also rebounded due to the closure of the monsoon season and strong growth in metallic minerals such as iron ore However the electricity sector remained a laggard with a negative growth of 15 per cent during the monthWithin the manufacturing sector 20 out of 23 industry groups have recorded a positive growth in November The top three positive contributors for the month of November are Manufacture of basic metals 102 per cent Manufacture of pharmaceuticals medicinal chemical and botanical products 105 per cent and Manufacture of motor vehicles trailers and semitrailers 119 per centIn the industry group Manufacture of basic metals which includes steel products have shown a significant contribution in growthThe figures on usebased classification show that the production of capital goods which comprise machines used in factories shot up by a doubledigit 104 per cent over the same month of the previous year This segment reflects the real investment taking place in the economy which has a multiplier effect on the creation of jobs and incomes going ahead The consumer durables sector comprising white goods such as refrigerators TV sets and washing machines also recorded a strong growth of 103 per cent while nondurable goods such as soaps cosmetics and processed foods clocked a 73 per cent growth during the monthThe infrastructure and construction sector clocked a strong 121 per cent growth during the month compared to the same month of the previous year on the back of bigticket government projects being implemented in the highways railways and ports sectors https://dailyworld.in/business/indias-industrial-growth-surges-to-67-per-cent-in-november-656120.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 18:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/india-delivers6ambulanceswith-modern-medical-equipmentto-afghanistan-656123.html KabulNew Delhi Dec 29 India has delivered a consignment of six ambulances to Afghanistan amid growing healthcare cooperation between the two countries according to a media report The ambulances are equipped with advanced medical equipment and can aid in transporting emergency patients and provide emergency health services Sharafat Zaman Amarkhel the Taliban spokesman for the Health ministry was quoted as saying by Afghan media outlet AMU TVIndiaâs assistance can improve health services especially emergency responses in Afghanistan Amarkhel addedThe consignment is part of a commitment made during highlevel talks between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi in New Delhi in OctoberDuring the meeting Jaishankar described the gift as â20 ambulances a gesture of goodwillIndia will also provide MRI and CT scan machines to Afghan hospitals and deliver vaccines for immunisation and cancer medicines We have also supplied drug rehabilitation materials through UNODC and are open to doing more the foreign minister had saidEarlier this month Afghanistanâs Minister of Public Health Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali held a meeting with Minister of Health and Family Welfare JP Nadda in the national capital and discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in the healthcare sectorThe talks focused on boosting health cooperation sharing expertise between medical professionals building the capacity of Afghan health workers and ensuring the supply of quality medicines to Afghanistan Cancer treatment medical visas for Afghan patients and support for health facilities were also discussed Afghanistans Ministry of Public Health posted on social media platform XJalali thanked India for its recent support in the health sector and outlined additional needs to improve Afghanistanâs healthcare systemDuring the meeting Nadda reaffirmed New Delhis commitment to supporting the Afghan people including through the supply of medicines and vaccinesHe confirmed that a CT scan machine along with medicines and vaccines would soon be sent to a childrenâs hospital in KabulNadda added that India would work to ease access to medical treatment for Afghan patients and stood ready to extend further assistanceThe Health Minister noted that India has supplied 327 tonnes of medicines and vaccines to Afghanistan over the past four years Proposals from the Afghan side for a radiotherapy machine and additional medical supplies are also being processed IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/india-delivers6ambulanceswith-modern-medical-equipmentto-afghanistan-656123.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 18:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/iit-bombay-ntpc-complete-drilling-indias-1st-co2-storage-well-second-underway-656125.html Mumbai Dec 29 Indian Institute of Technology IIT Bombay and NTPC have successfully completed the drilling of Indias first well for testing the viability of geological carbon dioxide CO2 storage in sedimentary formations such as coal and sandstone the institute said on Monday The collaboration launched under the aegis of NITI Aayog in November 2022 brought together NETRA the RampD wing of NTPC and the Department of Earth Sciences IIT Bombay in building Indias first geological storage atlas for coalbed methanerich coalfieldsThe atlas provided layerbylayer simulation results with experimentally validated inputs for quantifying the potential for geological CO2 storage in four major coalfieldsThe country achieved its first dedicated well reaching a depth of 1200m in September for potential CO2 storage The drilling site in Pakri Barwadih in the vicinity of a coal mining area in Jharkhands Hazaribagh was completed on November 15Notably a second well drilling was initiated on December 21 Both CO2 injection and plume monitoring using these wells will be implemented the institute saidâAs India stands at the cusp of honouring netzero commitments in line with the Panchamrit climate goals announced by the Prime Minister accelerating indigenous science and technology outcomes for commercialisation of Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage CCUS technologies will be crucial to the journey towards Atmanirbhar and Viksit Bharat commitmentsâ said Dr VK Saraswat Member NITI AayogâWe should also keep a strict watch on subsurface characterisation conservative injection pressure limits robust well design and sealing and continuous monitoring of pressure and seismicityâ added Saraswat also the Chairman Advisory Committee DSTNational Centre of Excellence NCOE in CCUS at IIT BombayGurdeep Singh CMD NTPC called the feat an important step towards decarbonisationProf Shireesh Kedare Director IIT Bombay emphasised the role of translational RampD in architecting the roadmap for Indias energy transition and decarbonisationThe project which marked a shift in research from laboratories to field deployment will provide feasibility and risk assessments for a fullscale CCS development including a detailed storage complex analysis and a commercial development planPreliminary studies indicate high geological CO2 storage potential in the North Karanpura coalfield with the PakriBarwadih block showing potential to inject up to 155 Mt over a 10year injection periodIt may be recalled that in 2017 IIT Bombay and NTPC collaborated to curate Indias first CO2 capture and utilisation facility in the power sector which led to the establishment of the Vindhyachal CCU plant that captures 20 tonnes of CO2 per day and converts it into fuelmethaneIndias CCUS journey is being advanced through a missionmode approach with the Ministry of Power as the nodal agency supported by interministerial collaboration to scale up CCUS technologies across hardtoabate sectors IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/iit-bombay-ntpc-complete-drilling-indias-1st-co2-storage-well-second-underway-656125.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 19:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/iip-data-fed-minutes-and-fii-moves-likely-to-guide-indian-stock-market-this-week-655894.html Mumbai Dec 28 The Indian stock market ended the week on a weak note and investors are now looking at key domestic and global cues that are likely to drive market direction in the coming days Industrial output data minutes of the US Federal Reserve meeting currency movement and foreign investor activity will remain in focus this weekOn Friday Indian equities closed in the red as investors continued to book profits in the absence of fresh triggersMixed global signals and cautious sentiment also weighed on the markets The Sensex slipped 367 points or 043 per cent to close at 8504145 while the Nifty declined 100 points or 038 per cent to end at 2604230Broader markets also saw pressure with the BSE Midcap index falling 018 per cent and the Smallcap index dropping 034 per centMarket experts believe that the nearterm outlook remains muted According to analysts the market is likely to stay rangebound next week as liquidity conditions remain tight and investors wait for key macroeconomic cues before taking fresh positionsâAs long as Nifty sustains above the 26000â25800 immediate support zone market sentiment is expected to remain constructive with a positive biasâ experts statedâOn the upside immediate resistance is placed near 26200 followed by 26500 On the downside support is seen at 26000 and then 25800 a decisive break below 25800 could invite shortterm selling pressureâ they addedOne of the major triggers for the coming week will be Indiaâs industrial production data Investors will closely track the Index of Industrial Production for November 2025 which is scheduled to be released on December 29Another important global cue will come from the United States where the Federal Reserve is set to release the minutes of its Federal Open Market Committee meeting on December 31In its December policy meeting the Fed cut interest rates by 25 basis points to 375 per cent continuing its easing stanceInvestors will look for clues on the future path of interest rates and the Fedâs outlook on inflation and economic growthThe movement of the Indian rupee will also remain on investorsâ radar On Friday the rupee weakened by 19 paise to close at 8990 against the US dollarWith no major domestic policy announcements expected market participants are likely to remain cautious market watchers mentionedExperts believe that stockspecific action may continue while broader indices could trade in a narrow range as investors assess economic data global signals and foreign fund flows in the week ahead IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/iip-data-fed-minutes-and-fii-moves-likely-to-guide-indian-stock-market-this-week-655894.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 11:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/bitcoin-slumps-30-pc-from-record-highs-in-2025-655895.html Mumbai Dec 28 Bitcoin has seen a sharp pullback in 2025 sliding nearly 30 per cent from its record high levels as weak trading activity technical breakdowns and continued selling by longterm holders kept prices under pressure Despite the decline improving regulation growing institutional involvement and expanding blockchain adoption are keeping longterm optimism alive with 2026 increasingly being seen as a potential turnaround year for the crypto marketOver the year the crypto ecosystem recorded steady advancements Decentralised finance platforms continued to expand stablecoins gained wider acceptance for payments and settlements and several countries moved ahead with pilot projects for central bank digital currenciesDeveloper activity also remained strong especially across the AsiaPacific region and other global markets with millions of developers building applications on blockchain networksThese trends highlighted growing interest in blockchain technology despite price volatilityThe weakness in Bitcoin prices has been driven by a mix of technical and market factors Prices slipped below the key 365day moving average which triggered further selling pressureDespite the price decline several major developments shaped the crypto market in 2025 Early in the year the United States announced the creation of a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve a move that highlighted Bitcoinâs growing importance at a national and strategic levelThis step was widely seen as a signal of increasing acceptance of digital assets within traditional financial systemsRegulatory clarity also improved during the year The passage of the GENIUS Act by mid2025 provided a clear framework for US dollarbacked stablecoinsThis helped boost market confidence and is expected to support broader adoption of stablecoins by businesses and financial institutionsAnother key milestone came in December when the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission allowed listed spot crypto products to trade on registered futures exchangesThe decision marked an important shift toward stronger regulatory oversight better transparency and deeper institutional participation in the crypto market especially across bordersâWith stronger regulation rising institutional interest and sustained developer activity market participants remain hopeful that these foundations will support longterm growth once investor confidence returnsâ experts stated IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/bitcoin-slumps-30-pc-from-record-highs-in-2025-655895.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 12:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/tata-group-pays-tribute-to-ratan-tata-on-his-88th-birth-anniversary-655901.html New Delhi Dec 28 The Tata Group on Sunday paid tribute to its former chairman Ratan Tata on his 88th birth anniversary remembering his lasting impact on Indian industry philanthropy and society Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran shared an emotional message on LinkedIn writing âHappy birthday Mr Tata You are missed Today and alwaysâHe also posted a photograph of himself with Ratan Tata from an awards ceremony held in July 2024The Tata Group also marked the day with a post on X saying it was remembering Ratan Tata on his birth anniversaryRatan Tata led the Tata Group from 1991 to 2012 and briefly returned as interim chairman in 2016â17He is widely credited with turning the centuryold Indian business house into a global name Under his leadership the group made major international acquisitions such as Jaguar Land Rover Corus and Tetley which significantly expanded Tataâs presence across global marketsApart from business success Ratan Tata was known for his strong focus on ethics nationbuilding and giving back to societyThrough the Tata Trusts he supported education healthcare rural development and scientific researchMedia reports have earlier highlighted that a large share of Tata Sonsâ dividends continued to go towards charitable causes during his tenure reflecting the groupâs unique commitment to social responsibilityEven after stepping away from active management Ratan Tata remained deeply involved in Indiaâs startup ecosystemHe invested in and mentored several young entrepreneurs helping newage companies gain trust and confidence during their early stagesTributes poured in from across the country including from political leaders Union Home Minister Amit Shah said Ratan Tata reshaped Indian enterprise with integrity and compassion adding that his life showed true success comes from serving the nationAndhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu described him as a visionary industrialist and compassionate leader whose humility and values would inspire future generationsUnion Minister Piyush Goyal also paid tribute saying Ratan Tata blended innovation with compassion and helped redefine the role of Indian businesses in national development IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/tata-group-pays-tribute-to-ratan-tata-on-his-88th-birth-anniversary-655901.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 13:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/bajaj-finance-loses-over-rs-5-100-crore-in-market-value-655908.html Mumbai Dec 28 Bajaj Finance was among the major losers last week as the combined market valuation of seven of Indiaâs top10 most valued companies fell by Rs 3543936 crore amid a muted trend in equities during a holidayshortened week The market capitalisation of Bajaj Finance declined by Rs 510243 crore taking its total valuation to Rs 62212401 crore according to official dataThe broader market however showed limited gains with the BSE benchmark index rising marginally by 11209 points or 013 per cent during the weekSeveral heavyweight stocks from the top10 list witnessed a drop in their valuations State Bank of India suffered the biggest loss with its market value tumbling by Rs 126921 crore to Rs 89204688 croreOther firms that faced erosion included Larsen amp Toubro whose market capitalisation declined by Rs 400294 crore to Rs 55643622 crore and ICICI Bank which saw a drop of Rs 257139 crore to Rs 96566915 croreThe valuation of Life Insurance Corporation of India slipped by Rs 180262 crore to Rs 53740343 crore while Tata Consultancy Services lost Rs 101307 crore to stand at Rs 118666034 croreIn contrast some companies managed to end the week with gains HDFC Bank saw its market value rise by Rs 1012681 crore to Rs 152676544 croreInfosys gained Rs 662662 crore taking its valuation to Rs 68781884 crore while Bharti Airtel added Rs 535998 crore to reach Rs 120069232 croreDespite the weekly fluctuations HDFC Bank Bharti Airtel TCS ICICI Bank State Bank of India Infosys Bajaj Finance Larsen amp Toubro and LIC remained in the list of the top10 most valued firmsMeanwhile commenting on Niftyâs technical outlook experts said that âas long as the index sustains above the 26000â25800 immediate support zone market sentiment is expected to remain constructive with a positive biasââOn the upside immediate resistance is placed near 26200 followed by 26500 On the downside support is seen at 26000 and then 25800 a decisive break below 25800 could invite shortterm selling pressureâ they added IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/bajaj-finance-loses-over-rs-5-100-crore-in-market-value-655908.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 13:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/bajaj-finance-loses-over-rs-5-100-crore-in-market-value-this-week-655909.html Mumbai Dec 28 Bajaj Finance was among the major losers last week as the combined market valuation of seven of Indiaâs top10 most valued companies fell by Rs 3543936 crore amid a muted trend in equities during a holidayshortened week The market capitalisation of Bajaj Finance declined by Rs 510243 crore taking its total valuation to Rs 62212401 crore according to official dataThe broader market however showed limited gains with the BSE benchmark index rising marginally by 11209 points or 013 per cent during the weekSeveral heavyweight stocks from the top10 list witnessed a drop in their valuations State Bank of India suffered the biggest loss with its market value tumbling by Rs 126921 crore to Rs 89204688 croreOther firms that faced erosion included Larsen amp Toubro whose market capitalisation declined by Rs 400294 crore to Rs 55643622 crore and ICICI Bank which saw a drop of Rs 257139 crore to Rs 96566915 croreThe valuation of Life Insurance Corporation of India slipped by Rs 180262 crore to Rs 53740343 crore while Tata Consultancy Services lost Rs 101307 crore to stand at Rs 118666034 croreIn contrast some companies managed to end the week with gains HDFC Bank saw its market value rise by Rs 1012681 crore to Rs 152676544 croreInfosys gained Rs 662662 crore taking its valuation to Rs 68781884 crore while Bharti Airtel added Rs 535998 crore to reach Rs 120069232 croreDespite the weekly fluctuations HDFC Bank Bharti Airtel TCS ICICI Bank State Bank of India Infosys Bajaj Finance Larsen amp Toubro and LIC remained in the list of the top10 most valued firmsMeanwhile commenting on Niftyâs technical outlook experts said that âas long as the index sustains above the 26000â25800 immediate support zone market sentiment is expected to remain constructive with a positive biasââOn the upside immediate resistance is placed near 26200 followed by 26500 On the downside support is seen at 26000 and then 25800 a decisive break below 25800 could invite shortterm selling pressureâ they added IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/bajaj-finance-loses-over-rs-5-100-crore-in-market-value-this-week-655909.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 13:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/imf-ignores-its-own-report-to-okay-129-bn-loan-for-pakistan-655910.html New Delhi Dec 28 The International Monetary Fundâs Executive Board has paradoxically approved another 129 billion as financial support for Pakistan despite the multilateral institutions own report highlighting the corruption in the debtridden country which is coming in the way of repaying these loans The IMF has just released a 186page Governance and Corruption Diagnostic Assessment that paints a grim portrait of Pakistanâs institutional decayThe timing is striking the diagnostic was published just before the Board meeting that approved the latest disbursement In effect the IMF has acknowledged that Pakistanâs governance vulnerabilities are systemic yet continues to lend without dismantling the ecosystem of capture that perpetuates the crisis according to an article by Dr Sakariya Kareem in the UKbased Asian Lite newspaperThe report is an institutional autopsy Corruption the IMF concludes is macrocritical embedded in the very structure of the state and economy It determines who prospers why growth remains anaemic and why Pakistan returns to the Fund every few years with its hand outThe evidence is damning In fiscal year 2024â25 alone actual expenditure overshot the approved budget by Pakistani Rs 94 trillion five times the previous yearâs overrun These deviations were not debated in the Parliament beforehand they were regularised after the fact through supplementary grants presented as fait accompli This pattern is not new Ministries spend knowing they will be bailed out the Finance Ministry accommodates them to avoid political backlash and the Parliament rubberstamps overruns that can exceed 10 per cent of the original budget the article points outThe Public Sector Development Programme PSDP meant to channel resources into growthenhancing infrastructure has become a graveyard of unfinished projects The IMF notes a large overhang of ongoing projects with a combined estimated cost of Rs 107 trillion Annual allocations hover around Rs 11 trillion meaning even without new projects it would take nearly a decade to clear the backlog Chronic delays cost escalations and substandard execution are the predictable result of a system without transparent criteria for project selection or prioritisationAnticorruption advocates argue that the IMF must live up to its promises by integrating anticorruption measures into its lending procedures When corruption is deemed macrocritical as in Pakistan the Fund should condition disbursements on verifiable governance reforms Without such accountability IMF support risks perpetuating the very vulnerabilities it diagnoses the article observesUltimately the IMF cannot clean Pakistanâs house These are tasks only Pakistanâs institutions can perform If corruption continues to eat away at public resources the gains from IMF support will not last The money will come reserves will rise but public confidence and economic strength will remain weak Each loan becomes a temporary reprieve not a path to sustainable growth the article statesIt points out that IMF conditionality requires countries to increase fiscal transparency which should have increased the likelihood that corrupt leaders will be called out on their misdealing But that doesnât appear to be happening in Pakistan which receives billions in IMF support even as the Fund itself warns that corruption poses existential risks to its economic futureUnless governance reforms move from paper to practice IMF lending will remain a revolving door for Pakistan stabilising crises without ever resolving them the article adds IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/imf-ignores-its-own-report-to-okay-129-bn-loan-for-pakistan-655910.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 13:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/indias-youth-must-lead-age-of-intelligence-gautam-adani-655914.html Ahmedabad Dec 28 Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani on Sunday said that India is entering a decisive phase where technology talent and national purpose must move together and urged the next generation to rise and lead the age of artificial intelligence Indiaâs enduring strength lies in its ability to align people institutions and longterm vision That same clarity must now guide how young Indians approach artificial intelligence AI not as passive users but as builders and leaders of capability Gautam Adani said in his address at the inauguration of Vidya Pratishthanâs Sharad Pawar Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence CoEAI in Maharashtras BaramatiAcknowledging anxieties around AI he reminded the audience that history offers reassuranceEvery major technological shift from the industrial revolutions to Indiaâs own digital transformation has expanded human potential the Adani Group Chairman saidAI will take this further by placing intelligence and productivity directly in the hands of ordinary citizens opening pathways for youth from every background to participate in growth he addedGautam Adani also cautioned that leadership in AI cannot be outsourced In a world where intelligence increasingly shapes economic power and national influence dependence on foreign algorithms carries risk he notedData decisionmaking and capability must remain anchored in national interest Building indigenous AI models strong compute capacity and resilient intelligence ecosystems is essential to Indiaâs economic security cultural confidence and strategic freedom the billionaire industrialist statedPlacing this vision in context Gautam Adani pointed to the growing role of the Adani Group in the global AI ecosystemThe diversified conglomerate is investing significantly in data centres digital infrastructure and clean energy that powers compute at scale drawing sustained engagement from global technology leaders such as Google and Microsoft as India emerges as a serious hub for AIled growthThe centre of excellence has been established under Baramatibased educational trust Vidya Pratishthan with a Rs 25 crore contribution from Gautam Adani in 2023The initiative is designed to promote advanced research skill development and industryoriented training in emerging technologiesAccording to those associated with the project it will focus on AI applications across agriculture healthcare governance and industry with a strong emphasis on collaboration between academia and the private sector IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/indias-youth-must-lead-age-of-intelligence-gautam-adani-655914.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 14:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/indias-youth-must-lead-age-of-artificial-intelligence-gautam-adani-655918.html Ahmedabad Dec 28 Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani on Sunday said that India is entering a decisive phase where technology talent and national purpose must move together and urged the next generation to rise and lead the age of artificial intelligence Indiaâs enduring strength lies in its ability to align people institutions and longterm vision That same clarity must now guide how young Indians approach artificial intelligence AI not as passive users but as builders and leaders of capability Gautam Adani said in his address at the inauguration of Vidya Pratishthanâs Sharad Pawar Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence CoEAI in Maharashtras BaramatiAcknowledging anxieties around AI he reminded the audience that history offers reassuranceEvery major technological shift from the industrial revolutions to Indiaâs own digital transformation has expanded human potential the Adani Group Chairman saidAI will take this further by placing intelligence and productivity directly in the hands of ordinary citizens opening pathways for youth from every background to participate in growth he addedGautam Adani also cautioned that leadership in AI cannot be outsourced In a world where intelligence increasingly shapes economic power and national influence dependence on foreign algorithms carries risk he notedData decisionmaking and capability must remain anchored in national interest Building indigenous AI models strong compute capacity and resilient intelligence ecosystems is essential to Indiaâs economic security cultural confidence and strategic freedom the billionaire industrialist statedPlacing this vision in context Gautam Adani pointed to the growing role of the Adani Group in the global AI ecosystemThe diversified conglomerate is investing significantly in data centres digital infrastructure and clean energy that powers compute at scale drawing sustained engagement from global technology leaders such as Google and Microsoft as India emerges as a serious hub for AIled growthThe centre of excellence has been established under Baramatibased educational trust Vidya Pratishthan with a Rs 25 crore contribution from Gautam Adani in 2023The initiative is designed to promote advanced research skill development and industryoriented training in emerging technologiesAccording to those associated with the project it will focus on AI applications across agriculture healthcare governance and industry with a strong emphasis on collaboration between academia and the private sector IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/indias-youth-must-lead-age-of-artificial-intelligence-gautam-adani-655918.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 14:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/indian-startup-kproai-to-deploy-performance-analytics-at-kyrgios-sabalenka-battle-of-sexes-match-in-dubai-655922.html Dubai Dec 28 Indian sports technology startup KPro has been named the Artificial Intelligence partner for the upcoming Aryna Sabalenka vs Nick Kyrgios âBattle of the Sexesâ exhibition in Dubai a rare instance of an Indianbuilt sports AI platform being deployed at a global tennis showcase featuring two of the sports most recognisable names The format pits elite male and female athletes in specially designed competitive settings and has gained renewed attention in recent years as sport explores new ways to combine entertainment innovation and fan engagement outside traditional tournament structuresFor KPro the partnership marks a significant validation Indian sportstech startups have historically focused on grassroots and domestic markets while elite international sport has largely relied on technology providers from Europe the United States and AustraliaSuch global collaborations indicate a gradual shift in how Indian firms are being perceived in applied sports intelligence said Aman Dhall an earlystage investor in KProAs part of the partnership KPro will deploy its computer vision and biomechanicsbased systems to analyse player movement reaction time and execution in real time without the use of wearables The insights will add performance context for athletes coaches and fans during the exhibitionExhibition matches once viewed primarily as entertainment are increasingly being used as live testbeds for sports technology With no impact on rankings or titles these formats allow organisers to integrate analytics fan engagement tools and performance intelligence alongside elite competitionâFrom an investorâs point of view such a format allows new technology to be introduced without disrupting competitive integrityâ said Dhall âThey create space for data to enhance how sport is understood rather than interfere with how it is playedâAccording to estimates by global research firms such as PwC and MarketsandMarkets the sports analytics market is expected to grow at over 20 per cent annually driven by adoption across professional sport youth development programmes and digital fan engagement India has emerged as a growing contributor to this ecosystem particularly in mobilefirst and AIled performance solutionsKProâs platform uses smartphonebased visual AI to deliver realtime movement analysis and performance grading enabling deployment across live events as well as grassroots and academy environmentsAI is becoming a key part of modern sport especially in helping female athletes gain deeper insights into their own performance said Aditi Chauhan former India womenâs football team captain and goalkeeper âWith deeper research we have realised that women are six times more prone to ACL than men With tracking of performance via tech we can prepare for better load management prevent injuries and make better onground decisions just like what weâll see with Aryna Sabalenka in her match with Nick KyrgiosâFormer badminton world number one and brand friend of KProai Saina Nehwal said performance analytics are increasingly relevant across disciplines âAt elite levels small improvements make the biggest difference Databacked insights help athletes identify strengths and gaps more clearly When used well AI becomes a support system rather than a distractionââThe Battle of The Sexes offers a unique opportunity to demonstrate how AI can work quietly in the backgroundâ said Nirav Shah CoFounder of KPro âThe focus is on adding insight and context to what fans are already watching without changing the nature of the sport itselfâDubai has emerged as a preferred venue for innovationled sporting showcases drawing over one million spectators annually to major events such as the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens the Dubai Tennis Championships the DP World Tourâs Season Finale and the UAE Tour cycling raceAs sport increasingly blends performance intelligence with live entertainment partnerships such as this highlight how Indian sportstech firms are beginning to contribute analytics and applied AI to the evolving global sports economy IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/indian-startup-kproai-to-deploy-performance-analytics-at-kyrgios-sabalenka-battle-of-sexes-match-in-dubai-655922.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 15:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/total-investment-in-real-estate-at-35-billion-in-2025-report-655927.html Mumbai Dec 28 Private equity investments in Indiaâs real estate sector stood at around 35 billion in 2025 a new report said on Sunday According to a latest report by Knight Frank India investor interest remained steady with capital flowing into segments offering stable income and lower riskAs per the report titled âTrends in Private Equity Investments in India H2 2025â office assets continued to dominate private equity inflows during the yearOffice real estate attracted 58 per cent of the total investments amounting to 2 billion reflecting strong investor confidence in the sectorâs scale rental stability and institutional demandInvestment volumes in office assets remained broadly in line with the threeyear average even as overall capital deployment moderated the report saidResidential real estate emerged as the secondlargest recipient of private equity investments accounting for 17 per cent of total inflows in 2025However the nature of investments changed significantly Investors increasingly preferred structured and creditled deals instead of pure equity investmentsThe focus shifted towards downside protection and assured cash flows with equity participation limited mainly to lowrisk projects with clear execution visibilityPrivate equity investments slowed during 2025 due to a mismatch between capital costs asset valuations and exit visibilityWhile Indiaâs macroeconomic indicators such as GDP growth inflation and interest rates showed improvement these factors did not align quickly enough to support aggressive investment activityAs a result investors remained selective and cautious favouring incomefocused strategies over largescale risk capital deploymentThe warehousing sector ranked third attracting 15 per cent of total private equity investments during the yearDemand for logistics assets stayed strong supported by the growth of ecommerce manufacturing and supply chain formalisationHowever limited availability of stabilised institutional assets and a conservative approach towards new developments restricted investment volumesRetail real estate saw relatively low investment activity in 2025 The sector accounted for 11 per cent of total private equity investments largely driven by a single large transaction after nearly two years of muted interestInvestors showed interest only in highquality retail assets with strong operating performance and clear exit prospects while secondary malls and repositioning opportunities continued to see limited traction the report said IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/total-investment-in-real-estate-at-35-billion-in-2025-report-655927.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 15:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/meta-owned-instagram-hit-by-brief-outage-users-report-login-and-app-issues-655930.html New Delhi Dec 28 Metaowned social media platform Instagram on Sunday faced a brief outage for several users mainly in the United States with complaints peaking in the early hours According to outagetracking website Downdetector data reports of problems peaked at around 410 am EST when over 180 users flagged issues related to accessing the popular photo and videosharing appMany users said they were unable to log in or load content on Instagram during the disruptionSeveral users also took to other social media platforms to share screenshots of the issue they were facingThe images showed a blank screen along with a circular refresh icon without any specific error message displayed on the appDowndetector data showed that 45 per cent of affected users complained about apprelated issues while 41 per cent reported login problemsAnother 14 per cent said they were facing issues with the feed or timeline not loading properlyThe outage however appeared to have a very limited impact in India According to Downdetector only around 10 users in the country reported problems while accessing Instagram suggesting that the issue was largely restricted to certain regionsMeta has not issued any official statement so far regarding the reason behind the outage or the duration of the disruptionSocial media platforms flooded with usersâ reaction One user commented âIs insta downAnother user commented âJimin really got that Insta baddie aesthetic downâThis is not the first time a Metaowned platform has faced technical issues Earlier this year WhatsApp experienced multiple outages that affected users globally including in IndiaIn one such incident in September thousands of users were unable to send messages or upload status updates prompting widespread complaints on social media IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/meta-owned-instagram-hit-by-brief-outage-users-report-login-and-app-issues-655930.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 16:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/ratan-tata-reshaped-indian-enterprise-with-integrity-hm-amit-shah-655932.html New Delhi Dec 28 Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation on Sunday paid tributes to Ratan Tata on his 88th birth anniversary crediting him for reshaping Indian enterprise with integrity and compassion In a post on X HM Shah said âTributes to Ratan Tata Ji on his Jayanti who reshaped Indian enterprise with integrity and compassion From building indigenous industry to selfless philanthropy he showed that true success lies in service to the nation His legacy will inspire a selfreliant BharatâEarlier HM Shahâs Cabinet colleague and Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal remembered Ratan Tata saying that the institutions he nurtured and the values he championed continue to guide generationsBorn December 28 1937 in Mumbai Ratan Tata led the Tata Group from 1991 to 2012 and briefly until 2017 turning it into a global institutionRatan Tata who passed away on October 9 2024 was not just a business leader but a symbol of ethical leadershipâOn his Jayanti I fondly remember Shri Ratan Tata ji with deep admiration and respect His leadership seamlessly blended innovation with compassion redefining the role of Indian enterprise in national developmentâ Goyal said in an X postâThe institutions he nurtured and the values he championed continue to guide generationsâ the minister addedUnion Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said that leadership is not about being in charge it is about taking care of those in your chargeâRemembering Ratan Tata on his birth anniversary His life of integrity humility and compassion along with his extraordinary commitment to philanthropy and nationbuilding set a benchmark for ethical leadershipâ Scindia posted on XDelhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta paid tributes to Ratan Tata âOn the birth anniversary of Shri Ratan Tata ji the pride of the Indian industrial world honoured with the Padma Vibhushan I offer my humble respectsâ she wrote on XâThrough his visionary leadership he brought global recognition to Indian industries and through his philanthropy and ethical values provided new direction to countless lives His dedication to nationbuilding will always remain memorableâ said CM Gupta on X IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/ratan-tata-reshaped-indian-enterprise-with-integrity-hm-amit-shah-655932.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 16:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/be-prompt-in-reporting-vigilance-matters-linked-to-directors-govt-tells-public-sector-banks-655933.html New Delhi Dec 28 The Finance Ministry has directed public sector banks and financial institutions such as insurance companies to promptly report vigilancerelated matters concerning wholetime Directors on their boards The directive from the Finance Ministryâs Department of Financial Services DFS states that omission of any significant information relevant for decisions relating to appointments promotions boardlevel postings and placement of wholetime Directors is a matter of serious concern and strict compliance in such matters is expected from all public sector undertakings PSUsThe order comes in the wake of several instances of information about boardlevel appointees not being reported in time The directive points out that in many cases such critical adverse inputs like private complaints court observations references or inputs from the CBI or other law enforcement agencies are being reported only when vigilance clearance is specifically sought from the Chief Vigilance Officers CVO of PSUs at the time of promotion or appointmentThe advisory issued this month points out that in certain cases even crucial information relating to whiletime Directors is omitted in the vigilance clearance formats on the ground that no specific column exists for such disclosureThe DFS has directed public sector banks and financial institutions to immediately report adverse inputs regarding boardlevel officials even though the alleged lapse pertains to any other capacity other than the boardIt has also asked them for submission of comprehensive disclosures in vigilance clearance which would include observations or directions of courts or tribunals internal committee findings audit observations of a serious nature and communications from any department or agencyCVOs must ensure that the vigilance clearance reflects the most updated and accurate status as on date of issuance and that no material should be suppressed it addedEarlier this year the government had to reverse its decision on the promotion of Union Bank of India Executive Director ED Pankaj Dwivedi to General Manager of Punjab amp Sind Bank as vigilance clearance had not been provided in the caseThe Centres decision was taken due to an ongoing case in the Delhi High Court in which it was alleged that his appointment as Executive Director of Union Bank of India violated norms as there was no vigilance clearance IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/be-prompt-in-reporting-vigilance-matters-linked-to-directors-govt-tells-public-sector-banks-655933.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 16:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/how-pakistan-govt-is-letting-down-its-people-655934.html New Delhi Dec 28 The Pakistan government has been repeatedly betraying public trust with its myopic and ad hoc approach in policy formulation laments an article in the countryâs Friday Times newspaper This chronic pattern of policy formulation in panic is highlighted by the confusion in Pakistanâs CNG and solar policies which have left consumers in the lurch and investors losing massive amounts of money the article statesBesides it states âThe policy on sugar and wheat so frequently looks like a joke where vested interests are favoured at the expense of consumers The fact is that our overall public policymaking desperately needs to become more propeople and intelligent truly incorporating social and environmental risks and collateral lossesâIn 1992 the government adopted a policy whereby it decided to promote the use of CNG in road transport vehicles The policy was shaped by several challenges including a shortage of foreign exchange as ever with the oil import bill consuming as much as 25 per cent of earnings from exports and the Persian Gulf crisis of 199091 which caused disruptions in oil supplies and a steep rise in international oil prices the article statesThe new policy sought to ensure that the adoption of CNG would substitute costly oil imports with local gas reserves thereby saving critical foreign exchange The government introduced all kinds of tax subsidies and duty waivers for CNG plants equipment and CNG conversion kits for vehicles plus the price of CNG for vehicles was kept 4060 per cent lower than petrol The adoption of CNG in the transport sector was massive as people invested billions of rupees to switch their vehicles to CNG So much so that by 2004 Pakistan topped the world in natural gasrun vehiclesâThen around 2010 our policymakers woke up to the harsh reality that the countryâs natural gas reserves were depleting alarmingly fast due to CNG use Leaving aside the ideals of âgreen fuelâ and âfuel sovereigntyâ so eagerly pursued in 1992 the government decided to prioritise the use of natural gas for industrial and residential consumers With taxes and duty waivers retracted and prices hiked CNG for vehicles became expensive Consequently hundreds of thousands of people with CNG plants and vehicles lost billions of rupees of their investmentsâ the article statesAlmost similar is the story of government policy on the adoption of solar energy The real policy thrust for solarisation came in 2015 when the country was going through the worst electricity shortages and a chronic foreign exchange shortfall to run power plants on fossil fuels Taxes and duties were aggressively reduced on solar power equipment Besides the government also offered to buy back electricity from solar users at 27 rupees per unit In 2022 the government further reduced the GST on solar panels by 17 per centLong tormented by high electricity prices from the national grid and frequent power outages hundreds of thousands of households small industrial units and traders rapidly adopted solar power This adoption of solar power was so huge and so fast that by 2024 Pakistan became the top importer of solar panels in the world bringing in around 17 gigawatts of new capacity By 2025 solar power will generate as much as 25 per cent of monthly electricity generationThis scale of solar adoption was perhaps not imagined by the policymakers The thoughtless solar policy suddenly became detrimental to stateowned power generation The independent power plants that the government had encouraged over the last decade on âtakeorpayâ contracts whether plants were running or idle accrued as much as 2 trillion rupees in annual capacity charges Power distribution companies also reported losses worth billions of rupeesConsequently the government is now not only reducing the solar electricity buyback price from 26 rupees to 10 per unit but also removing the oneforone unit offsetting formula between solar and grid electricity There are other disincentives too such as licensing requirements and reduced electricity buyback contract durations being introduced in the name of rationalising a policy that reeked of myopia to begin with the article added IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/how-pakistan-govt-is-letting-down-its-people-655934.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 16:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/indias-youth-must-lead-age-of-artificial-intelligence-gautam-adani-655936.html Ahmedabad Dec 28 IANS Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani on Sunday said that India is entering a decisive phase where technology talent and national purpose must move together and urged the next generation to rise and lead the age of artificial intelligencenbspIndias enduring strength lies in its ability to align people institutions and longterm vision That same clarity must now guide how young Indians approach artificial intelligence AI not as passive users but as builders and leaders of capability Gautam Adani said in his address at the inauguration of Vidya Pratishthans Sharad Pawar Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence CoEAI in Maharashtras BaramatiAcknowledging anxieties around AI he reminded the audience that history offers reassurancenbspEvery major technological shift from the industrial revolutions to Indias own digital transformation has expanded human potential the Adani Group Chairman saidnbspAI will take this further by placing intelligence and productivity directly in the hands of ordinary citizens opening pathways for youth from every background to participate in growth he addedGautam Adani also cautioned that leadership in AI cannot be outsourced In a world where intelligence increasingly shapes economic power and national influence dependence on foreign algorithms carries risk he notednbspData decisionmaking and capability must remain anchored in national interest Building indigenous AI models strong compute capacity and resilient intelligence ecosystems is essential to Indias economic security cultural confidence and strategic freedom the billionaire industrialist statedPlacing this vision in context Gautam Adani pointed to the growing role of the Adani Group in the global AI ecosystemnbspThe diversified conglomerate is investing significantly in data centres digital infrastructure and clean energy that powers compute at scale drawing sustained engagement from global technology leaders such as Google and Microsoft as India emerges as a serious hub for AIled growthThe centre of excellence has been established under Baramatibased educational trust Vidya Pratishthan with a Rs 25nbsp crore contribution from Gautam Adani in 2023nbspThe initiative is designed to promote advanced research skill development and industryoriented training in emerging technologiesnbspAccording to those associated with the project it will focus on AI applications across agriculture healthcare governance and industry with a strong emphasis on collaboration between academia and the private sector https://dailyworld.in/business/indias-youth-must-lead-age-of-artificial-intelligence-gautam-adani-655936.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 16:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/ians-year-ender-2025-indian-equities-recover-in-2025-after-correction-earnings-rate-cuts-key-in-2026-655944.html Mumbai Dec 28 As India steps into 2026 the equity market finds itself at an important turning point After a phase largely driven by strong domestic liquidity the focus is now shifting toward earnings delivery policy stability and the broader health of the economy Market experts believe this transition could define how Indian equities perform in the year aheadThe year 2025 delivered mixed results for investors The Nifty touched a record high of 26326 on December 1 and ended the year with gains of over 10 per centThe Sensex meanwhile rose by around 8 per cent over the past year While these returns were positive they came amid sharp volatility policy uncertainty and global headwinds making it a challenging year for market participantsInflation trends have played a key role in shaping market sentiment After falling to a record low in October inflation edged up slightly in NovemberHowever it continues to remain well below the Reserve Bank of Indiaâs mediumterm target of 4 per centThis has given the central bank room to support growth through lower interest rates The RBI recently cut the repo rate by 25 basis points and signalled that it could continue with an accommodative stance if inflation remains under controlAccording to the central bankâs projections consumer price inflation is expected to average 29 per cent in the three months ending March even as it begins to rise gradually from JanuaryBrokerage firms see signs of a cyclical recovery taking shape Axis Direct in a recent note said corporate earnings appear to be turning upward with growth becoming more visible across financial services consumptionled businesses and capitalintensive sectorsAccording to the firm India stands out among large global markets where a cyclical recovery is aligning with longterm structural growth driversThis combination it believes creates a supportive environment for equities over the medium to long termAxis AMC echoed a similar view describing 2026 as a year of renewed energy for Indian markets It noted that equities have rebounded from last yearâs correction and valuations have moved closer to historical averages Indiaâs valuation premium compared to global peers has narrowed while earnings seem to have bottomed out and are showing early signs of recoveryThe fund house also pointed to strong policy support including rate cuts liquidity infusion faster government capital expenditure and around Rs 15 trillion in GST reductions Improving global conditions easing geopolitical tensions and the possibility of an IndiaâUS trade deal could further boost investor confidenceMarket experts remain more optimistic about 2026 compared to the previous year They believe easing concerns around IndiaâUS trade issues could support exports and attract foreign investors back into Indian equities Corporate earnings are expected to improve driven by higher government spending stable GST collections and the impact of personal income tax relief Easier monetary conditions healthy credit growth ample liquidity in the banking system and improving rural incomes are also likely to support demandSectorwise analysts see opportunities emerging across financial services automobiles select consumerfocused companies industrials pharmaceuticals and telecom Areas such as hotels and healthcare are also expected to benefit from rising consumption and improving economic activity Stronger corporate and bank balance sheets along with a favourable base effect could further support earnings growth in the coming year IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/ians-year-ender-2025-indian-equities-recover-in-2025-after-correction-earnings-rate-cuts-key-in-2026-655944.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 17:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/ians-year-ender-2025-indian-equities-recover-in-2025-after-correction-earnings-rate-cuts-key-in-2026-655954.html Mumbai Dec 28 As India steps into 2026 the equity market finds itself at an important turning point After a phase largely driven by strong domestic liquidity the focus is now shifting toward earnings delivery policy stability and the broader health of the economy Market experts believe this transition could define how Indian equities perform in the year aheadThe year 2025 delivered mixed results for investors The Nifty touched a record high of 26326 on December 1 and ended the year with gains of over 10 per centThe Sensex meanwhile rose by around 8 per cent over the past year While these returns were positive they came amid sharp volatility policy uncertainty and global headwinds making it a challenging year for market participantsInflation trends have played a key role in shaping market sentiment After falling to a record low in October inflation edged up slightly in NovemberHowever it continues to remain well below the Reserve Bank of Indiaâs mediumterm target of 4 per centThis has given the central bank room to support growth through lower interest rates The RBI recently cut the repo rate by 25 basis points and signalled that it could continue with an accommodative stance if inflation remains under controlAccording to the central bankâs projections consumer price inflation is expected to average 29 per cent in the three months ending March even as it begins to rise gradually from JanuaryBrokerage firms see signs of a cyclical recovery taking shape Axis Direct in a recent note said corporate earnings appear to be turning upward with growth becoming more visible across financial services consumptionled businesses and capitalintensive sectorsAccording to the firm India stands out among large global markets where a cyclical recovery is aligning with longterm structural growth driversThis combination it believes creates a supportive environment for equities over the medium to long termAxis AMC echoed a similar view describing 2026 as a year of renewed energy for Indian markets It noted that equities have rebounded from last yearâs correction and valuations have moved closer to historical averages Indiaâs valuation premium compared to global peers has narrowed while earnings seem to have bottomed out and are showing early signs of recoveryThe fund house also pointed to strong policy support including rate cuts liquidity infusion faster government capital expenditure and around Rs 15 trillion in GST reductions Improving global conditions easing geopolitical tensions and the possibility of an IndiaâUS trade deal could further boost investor confidenceMarket experts remain more optimistic about 2026 compared to the previous year They believe easing concerns around IndiaâUS trade issues could support exports and attract foreign investors back into Indian equities Corporate earnings are expected to improve driven by higher government spending stable GST collections and the impact of personal income tax relief Easier monetary conditions healthy credit growth ample liquidity in the banking system and improving rural incomes are also likely to support demandSectorwise analysts see opportunities emerging across financial services automobiles select consumerfocused companies industrials pharmaceuticals and telecom Areas such as hotels and healthcare are also expected to benefit from rising consumption and improving economic activity Stronger corporate and bank balance sheets along with a favourable base effect could further support earnings growth in the coming year IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/ians-year-ender-2025-indian-equities-recover-in-2025-after-correction-earnings-rate-cuts-key-in-2026-655954.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 18:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/india-bets-on-green-ports-to-power-next-phase-of-maritime-growth-655960.html New Delhi Dec 28 Indiaâs ambition to become a strong maritime power is no longer just a longterm goal it is clearly visible along its 7500kilometre coastline Ports that were once modest trade gateways are now busy hubs of economic activity handling growing volumes of cargo and supporting Indiaâs push for manufacturing exports and global competitiveness as per India Narrative reportBut as port activity expands a critical question has come to the forefront how can growth continue without harming fragile coastal ecosystems and worsening climate changeIndiaâs answer is increasingly clear Policymakers now see green growth not as an obstacle to development but as the only way to make that development sustainable in the long runPorts handle almost 95 per cent of Indiaâs external trade by volume making them vital to the economy the report saidOver the past decade cargo at major ports has risen sharply from about 581 million tonnes to nearly 855 million tonnes This growth reflects stronger manufacturing and deeper integration with global supply chainsAt the same time ports are major sources of air pollution water contamination and carbon emissions and many are located close to mangroves wetlands coral reefs and densely populated coastal citiesA major shift is already underway The replacement of the colonialera Ports Act of 1908 with the Indian Ports Act 2025 marks a turning point in maritime governanceEnvironmental safeguards are now built directly into the legal framework making sustainability a core requirement rather than a voluntary addon This change is supported by longterm planning that links port growth with climate responsibilityCentral to this approach is the Maritime India Vision 2030 which places sustainability at the heart of portled development It is backed by the Harit Sagar Green Port Guidelines which set clear and measurable goalsPorts are expected to cut carbon emissions per tonne of cargo by 30 per cent by 2030 electrify a large share of their equipment and source more than 60 per cent of their energy from renewable sourcesThese targets are designed to scale up further toward 2047 showing that green transition is an ongoing process not a onetime effortPorts are also moving toward cleaner daytoday operations Shoretoship power systems allow vessels to switch off their diesel engines while docked reducing air pollution in nearby citiesElectrified cranes vehicles and cargohandling equipment lower noise levels cut fuel costs and improve safety for workersThese changes directly benefit local communities that have long faced the environmental impact of port activityWater management and biodiversity protection are also becoming priorities Ports use large amounts of freshwater and generate wastewater and dredged materialNew practices focus on recycling wastewater reducing discharge and reusing dredged material for construction or coastal protectionEfforts to restore mangroves and increase green cover help absorb carbon and protect shorelines from storms and erosion which are becoming more frequent due to climate change IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/india-bets-on-green-ports-to-power-next-phase-of-maritime-growth-655960.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 18:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/silver-overtakes-apple-alphabet-in-market-value-expected-to-surpass-nvidia-655962.html New Delhi Dec 28 Silver has surged to become one of the most valuable assets in the world overtaking tech giants Apple Inc and Alphabet in market capitalisation and moving closer to surpassing NVIDIA Corporation to claim the second spot after gold According to data from companiesmarketcapcom silverâs market capitalisation has risen to 4220 trillion This places it just 81 per cent behind NVIDIA which currently stands at 4592 trillionGold continues to remain far ahead as the worldâs most valued asset with a market capitalisation of 31598 trillion as of Friday December 26The sharp rise in silverâs valuation comes amid a historic rally in prices Spot silver on Comex crossed the 75 per ounce mark on Friday and extended gains to hit a fresh record highIn India silver futures on the Multi Commodity Exchange of India touched an alltime high of Rs 233115 per kilogram during intraday trade In contrast NVIDIAâs stock price was trading at 18861 in the afternoon session down 032 per cent over the previous 24 hoursMarket experts believe silver could soon climb even higher in global rankings Surendra Mehta national secretary of the India Bullion and Jewellers Association IBJA said that if the current momentum continues silver is likely to overtake NVIDIA and become the secondmost valuable asset in the worldMehta also pointed to unusual price distortions in global silver marketsHe said the price difference between silver on Comex and the Shanghai exchange has widened to nearly 7 far above the normal gap of less than 1The scale of the rally is clearly visible in Indian markets Silver prices on MCX have jumped more than 153 per cent over the past year rising from Rs 91600 on December 26 2024 to Rs 231879 on December 26 2025Gold has also delivered strong returns but has lagged behind silver gaining nearly 80 percent during the same period as prices rose from Rs 77460 to Rs 139233 per 10 grams of 24carat gold IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/silver-overtakes-apple-alphabet-in-market-value-expected-to-surpass-nvidia-655962.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 19:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/explained-how-citadel-campus-signals-indias-defence-manufacturing-shift-655967.html New Delhi Dec 28 A major step in Indiaâs defence manufacturing journey is quietly taking shape on the outskirts of Hyderabad Raghu Vamsi Aerospace Group has launched its new Citadel Campus at Hardware Park near the international airport marking an important moment for the countryâs growing private defence industrySpread over 25000 square feet and built with an investment of more than Rs 100 crore the Citadel Campus is not just another industrial facilityIt brings together design manufacturing integration testing and validation of defence systems under one roof reflecting how far Indiaâs defence ecosystem has evolvedWhat was once limited to licensed production and basic assembly has now moved towards fullscale indigenous capabilityThe new campus strengthens Raghu Vamsi Aerospace Groupâs role in strategic defence programmes The company already operates ten manufacturing facilities across three countries and employs over 1000 skilled professionalsIt supplies critical aeroengine and missile subsystems to global aerospace companies as well as Indian defence public sector units With the Citadel Campus the group aims to improve production speed scale up manufacturing and take on more complex defence projectsAt the launch event the company also unveiled a range of indigenously developed unmanned and autonomous defence systems These include jetpowered loitering munitions longendurance kamikaze drones tethered surveillance platforms and autonomous ground combat systemsDesigned for modern warfare these systems can perform tasks such as surveillance deepstrike missions battlefield logistics and mission support Some platforms have operational ranges of over 300 kilometres and speeds of up to 650 kmph highlighting Indiaâs growing capability in advanced defence technologiesThe new products developed under names such as RV Astra RV Maya RV Lakshya RV Rudra RV Indra RV Yodha and RV Drishti signal a shift away from reliance on imported unmanned systemsThey show that Indian companies are now capable of designing and manufacturing sophisticated platforms that can meet the demands of future battlefieldsAlongside infrastructure and product development Raghu Vamsi Aerospace Group announced several key partnerships to strengthen Indiaâs defence innovation ecosystemOne major agreement was signed with the Indian Armyâs 515 Army Base Workshop to jointly design develop test and validate advanced drone platformsUnder this collaboration the workshop will be supported in becoming a system integrator and in setting up dedicated drone manufacturing facilitiesAnother important agreement was signed with Bharat Dynamics Limited for the codevelopment and supply of fully indigenised engines in the 200 kgf thrust class for future autonomous fighter aircraftThis partnership is seen as a significant step in strengthening Indiaâs capabilities in aeroengine propulsion a critical area for advanced air combat systemsThe company also entered into collaborations with academic and research institutions An agreement with IIIT Hyderabad focuses on developing artificial intelligencebased autonomy intelligent perception and swarm technologies for defence UAVsA separate MoU with the International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials ARCI aims to advance technologies such as additive manufacturing laser cladding and thermal barrier coatings for aeroengines IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/explained-how-citadel-campus-signals-indias-defence-manufacturing-shift-655967.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 19:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/hyderabads-annual-trade-fair-numaish-to-begin-with-new-year-655968.html Hyderabad Dec 28 The 85th All India Industrial Exhibition the popular annual trade fair of Hyderabad will begin on January 1 Numaish as one of the worlds oldest annual consumer exhibitions is popularly known will be inaugurated by Telanganas Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti VikramarkaState Industries Minister D Sridhar Babu told media persons on Sunday that 1050 stalls will be set up on the sprawling Numaish Maidan for the annual 45daylong exhibitionAll India Industrial Exhibition Society AIIES has allotted stalls to traders and various business organisations from different parts of the country to sell their products at the fairThe organisers have hiked the entry fee to Rs 50 from Rs 40 per headAdmission will be free for children below five yearsThe Industries Minister noted that Numaish carries forward a legacy built on enterprise culture and shared public lifeIt remains a space where artisans MSMEs families and communities come together to experience innovation tradition and affordability in one place he saidThis years Numaish reflects a strong focus on safety accessibility and opportunity especially for women entrepreneurs while preserving the spirit that has made it a mustvisit annual tradition for generations Sridhar Babu saidEvery day the exhibition will be open for visitors from 4 to 1030 pmIt will be open till 11 pm on Saturdays and SundaysNumaisheMasnuaateMulki or Numaish in short made a humble beginning in 1938 as an event to promote locally produced goodsThe seventh Nizam of Hyderabad State Mir Osman Ali Khan inaugurated the first NumaishEnthused by the good response it was decided to make it an annual event and use the earnings to promote educationBeginning with just 50 stalls and a capital of Rs 250 it has today evolved into one of the biggest industrial exhibitions in the countryIt was a group of graduates from Osmania University who came up with the idea of an exhibition to conduct an economic survey of the stateNumaish could not be organised in 1947 and 1948 due to the turmoil in the aftermath of Indias IndependenceWith Hyderabad acceding to the Indian Union the event bounced back in 1949The exhibition could not be held in 2020 due to the Covid19 pandemicFrom amusement rides to shopping with good bargains and a variety of lipsmacking food the annual event offers loads of fun and frolicIn its 85th year it is considered the mother of all carnivals and an integral part of Hyderabads rich cultureIt draws people not just from the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad but from other parts of Telangana and even neighbouring statesThe fair begins on January 1 every year and continues for 45 daysTraders from various parts of the country set up their stalls during the exhibition which is visited by 45000 people every dayA unique blend of economy and culture the event is organised on the sprawling grounds and revenues from the fair are spent on a group of educational and charitable institutions run by the Society IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/hyderabads-annual-trade-fair-numaish-to-begin-with-new-year-655968.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 19:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/india-well-positioned-to-lead-ai-driven-tech-future-industry-655833.html New Delhi Dec 27 As we move toward 2026 Indiaâs technology sector is entering a phase where scale accountability and outcomes matter more than momentum alone according to industry leaders According to Sindhu Gangadharan MD SAP Labs India and Chairperson Nasscom the industry has built strong foundations across AI cloud cybersecurity and digital platforms supported by deep talent and a mature ecosystem of startups GCCs and global enterprisesâThe next chapter is about converting capability into sustained business and societal impact AI adoption is becoming sharper and more grounded in real use cases Enterprises are asking clearer questions around productivity resilience and trustâ she mentionedEnterprises expect technology to integrate seamlessly into core processes not sit at the edges as experimentation This shift places responsibility on the industry to design solutions that are secure explainable and aligned with longterm value creationâIndia is well positioned to lead this phase Our strength lies in combining engineering depth with domain understanding and scale execution As an industry success in 2026 will depend on how well we collaborate across ecosystems invest in skills and apply technology with purposeâ Gangadharan mentionedThe opportunity ahead is significant to strengthen enterprises empower people and reinforce Indiaâs role as a trusted global technology partnerBy 2026 the real measure of AI success will be its ability to deliver consistent contextaware outcomes for customersâWe are seeing a clear shift away from generic intelligence toward AI that understands the nuances of an enterprise its data processes policies and customer behaviours Customerspecific AI performs better because relevance drives decisions not raw intelligence aloneâ she notedAs enterprises look ahead the focus is clear AI must move from novelty to reliability The strongest advantage will come from intelligence that genuinely understands how a business operates and how it serves its customers every day IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/india-well-positioned-to-lead-ai-driven-tech-future-industry-655833.html Sat, 27 Dec 2025 11:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/fta-with-india-means-more-jobs-exports-higher-incomes-new-zealand-pm-655840.html New Delhi Dec 27 A Free Trade Agreement FTA with India will add more employment exports and raise incomes said New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Saturday He said this as India and New Zealand concluded a comprehensive and longawaited FTA marking a major economic and strategic milestoneâWe said weâd secure a Free Trade Agreement with India in our first term and weâve deliveredâ Luxon said in a post on social media platform XâThis landmark deal means more jobs higher incomes and more exports by opening the door to 14 billion Indian consumersâ he addedThe negotiations were formally launched on March 16âFixing the Basics Building the Futureâ Luxon said while welcoming the deal that was concluded in nine monthsEarlier Prime Minister Narendra Modi had hailed the IndiaNew Zealand FTA as a historic milestoneAn important moment for IndiaNew Zealand relations with a strong push to bilateral trade and investment My friend PM Christopher Luxon and I had a very good conversation a short while ago following the conclusion of the landmark IndiaNew Zealand Free Trade Agreement he wrote on XThe FTA eliminates duty on 100 per cent of Indian exports along with a 20 billion investment commitment over 15 years to strengthen longterm economic and strategic cooperationIt enhances market access to Indias labourintensive sectors including textiles apparel leather footwear marine products gems and jewellery handicrafts engineering goods and automobiles directly supporting Indian workers artisans women youth and MSMEs and integrating them deeper into global value chains according to the commerce ministryMeanwhile India has secured commitments across a wide range of highvalue sectors including IT and ITenabled services professional services education financial services tourism construction and other business services opening up substantial new opportunities for Indian service suppliers and highskill employment according to the Commerce Ministry IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/fta-with-india-means-more-jobs-exports-higher-incomes-new-zealand-pm-655840.html Sat, 27 Dec 2025 11:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/piyush-goyal-lauds-indias-manufacturing-leap-in-2025-655866.html New Delhi Dec 27 IANS Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday hailed Indias manufacturing leap in 2025 saying that the Prime Minister Narendra Modis government will continue to ensure ease of doing business in the nations manufacturing journeynbspManufacturing today is more integrated technologydriven and aligned with global standardsScale sophistication reliability local value chain global trust and more This thread takes you through how the Modi governments thrust on enhancing EaseOfDoingBusiness has marked a shift in our Manufacturing journey the minister posted on X replying to a thread by MyGovIndia X handle2025 quietly marked a shift in Indias manufacturing journeySupply chains are strengthening domestically while Indian facilities are increasingly serving international markets The result is an ecosystem that combines resilience with ambition and execution with reliability according to the MyGovIndia X handleIndia became the worlds secondlargest mobile phone producer with more than 99 per cent of phones sold domestically now Made in India India moves up the manufacturing value chainThe launch of Indias first temperedglass facility in Noida and the global delivery of WhAP 88 armoured vehicles reflect growing sophistication in Indian manufacturing With 10 semiconductor projects approved across 6 states and Rs 160 lakh crore in investments India laid the foundation for future tech leadership the X post notedFrom batteries to solar modules India is localising the clean energy ecosystem With domestic electrode manufacturing rapidly expanding solar capacity and the launch of the countrys first ingotwafer facility the foundations of a resilient energy supply chain are taking shapeIndia is building for global demand Indias first electric SUV eVITARA has rolled out from Hansalpur for exports to over 100 countries The Airbus H125 main fuselage is now made in Bengaluru while the HALSafran partnership will manufacture turbine parts for LEAP engines it further statedIndia continues to emerge as a trusted global technology hub Foxconn has started iPhone 17 production in Bengaluru Google has announced a 15 billion AI and data centre hub in Visakhapatnam and Pixel manufacturing is expanding with local production ramping up for the Pixel 10 seriesIndia is also strengthening its export ecosystem The Export Promotion Mission backed by a Rs 25060 crore corpus is building a unified digital framework for exporters Defence exports touched a record Rs 23622 crore in FY 202425 while electronics exports rose eightfold over the past decade said MyGovIndia https://dailyworld.in/business/piyush-goyal-lauds-indias-manufacturing-leap-in-2025-655866.html Sat, 27 Dec 2025 16:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/public-comments-show-sharp-divide-over-us-wage-based-h-1b-rule-655727.html Washington Dec 26 Public comments submitted on the US governmentâs new H1B visa rule show a sharp split over how the changes could reshape highskilled immigration and the technology workforce The Department of Homeland Security DHS summarised hundreds of submissions received during the rulemaking process in its final rule published in the Federal Register The comments reflect competing views on whether the H1B programme helps or harms the US economySeveral commenters stated that H1B professionals play a crucial role in driving innovation productivity and entrepreneurship in the United States They argued that foreignborn workers make significant contributions to economic growth particularly in technology and research fieldsSome comments focused on international students These submissions said limiting job opportunities for graduates of US universities would weaken innovation and reduce the countryâs global competitivenessStartups and small businesses featured prominently in many responses Commenters said these firms are major sources of innovation but often lack the resources to compete with large companies on salaries They warned that a wageweighted selection system could shut startups out of the H1B programmeSeveral submissions said many breakthroughs come from earlycareer professionals and research institutions These commenters cautioned that higher wage thresholds could favour established firms and reduce diversity in innovationOne commenter said that startups depend on the H1B programme to recruit workers with âniche expertiseâ The submission warned that the rule would make the programme more expensive and harder to use limiting growth and global leadership in technologyOther commenters took the opposite view They questioned claims of a STEM labour shortage and cited studies suggesting the US has more qualified tech workers than available jobsSome comments pointed to unemployment data among the recent US graduates in computer science and related fields They argued that job prospects for domestic workers have weakened even as employers continue to seek H1B hiresSeveral submissions said the technology industry has overstated skills shortages One comment described the US IT labour market as âawash with supplyâ Others said American students are both interested in and capable of doing highskilled tech workWage trends were another focus Some commenters cited research showing flat or declining real wages in computer and mathematical occupations over several years They argued this suggests an oversupply of labour rather than a shortageOther comments accused tech and outsourcing firms of exploiting the H1B programme These submissions said companies continued hiring H1B workers during periods of mass layoffs of US employeesSeveral commenters said the programme has been used to replace domestic workers or hold down wages They argued that stronger controls were needed to protect US labour standardsSome public submissions supported DHSâs approach These commenters said discouraging the hiring of lowerwage foreign workers would push employers to recruit qualified US workers who are unemployed or underemployedOthers raised concerns about the integrity of the system Comments pointed to possible wage manipulation inconsistent job descriptions and the use of multiple registrations to increase selection chancesDHS said it reviewed the public input and disagreed that the rule would harm innovation or economic growth The department said the changes would help employers attract and retain âhighly skilled and highly paidâ workersThe public comments highlight longstanding tensions around the H1B programme which sits at the centre of US debates on jobs wages and immigrationThe H1B visa capped by Congress each year has drawn intense scrutiny for decades particularly in the technology sector where foreignborn professionals form a significant share of the workforce IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/public-comments-show-sharp-divide-over-us-wage-based-h-1b-rule-655727.html Fri, 26 Dec 2025 13:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/gold-silver-continue-touching-new-highs-amid-rising-geopolitical-tensions-655736.html New Delhi Dec 26 The gold prices surged over 05 per cent to record highs on Friday due to rising geopolitical tensions and expectations for more US rate cuts next year MCX gold February futures rose 072 per cent to a record Rs 139091 per 10 grams while MCX silver March futures jumped 356 per cent to a record Rs 231759 per kg as of 1010 am Earlier in the day silver futures had touched an intraday high of Rs 232741 per kgRising tensions between the US and Venezuela is the major factor driving gold prices higher International markets also saw bullion rise higher as spot gold rose 05 per cent to 450144 per ounce by 0209 Greenwich Mean Time GMT zone after earlier touching 453060Traders are pricing in two quarterâpoint Fed rate cuts in 2026 as inflation cools and labour market conditions soften and when coupled with safe haven demand due to rising geopolitical tensions fuelled defensive buyingGeopolitical tensions have increased due to the US blockade of Venezuelan crude RussiaUkraine hostilities and US military strike against ISIS in Nigeria The US Coast Guard this month seized a super tanker under sanctions carrying Venezuelan oil and tried to intercept two more Venezuelaârelated ships over the weekend heightening tensionsâCentralbank buying and steady ETF inflows remain key support factors Gold has support at Rs 136550135710 while resistance at Rs 138850Rs 139670 Silver has support at Rs 222150Rs 220780 while resistance at Rs 225810 Rs 226970â said Rahul Kalantri VP Commodities Mehta Equities LtdAggressive central bank buying expectations of US Fed rate cuts concerns over impact of US tariffs geopolitical tensions and robust inflows into gold and silver ETFs drove the gold and silver prices this year said analysts IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/gold-silver-continue-touching-new-highs-amid-rising-geopolitical-tensions-655736.html Fri, 26 Dec 2025 13:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/housing-sales-value-in-indian-cities-jump-6-pc-in-2025-report-655749.html New Delhi Dec 26 The overall sales value of housing units in Indiaâs top seven cities rose 6 per cent to over Rs 6 lakh crore from Rs 568 lakh crore in 2025 a report said on Friday The report from real estate services firm ANAROCK showed that sales volumes eased 14 per cent to about 395625 units in 2025 from 459645 units in 2024 as hardening property prices IT sector layoffs geopolitical tensions and other uncertainties dented demandThe Mumbai Metropolitan Region MMR recorded the highest sales at approximately 127875 units down 18 per cent while Pune sold about 65135 units down 20 per centThe two markets together led residential sales in 2025 comprising a 49 per cent overall share Chennai was the only city to post growth in sales volume surging 15 per cent to about 22180 unitsâ2025 has been a year of broadspectrum upheaval including geopolitical turmoil layoffs in the IT sector tariff tensions and other uncertaintiesâ said Anuj Puri Chairman â ANAROCK GroupâSale volumes stabilised at around 4 lakh units across the top 7 cities but growth in overall sales value Over 21 per cent of the new supply was launched in the above Rs 25 crore price bracketâ he saidAverage residential prices across the seven cities rose about 8 per cent to around Rs 9260 per sq ft led by a 23 per cent jump in DelhiâNCR to about Rs 9300 per sq ft largely due to a higher new supply of pricier homes the report saidOut of NCRâs total new supply of 61775 units during the year over 55 per cent were priced over Rs 25 croreInterestingly the average residential price growth rate has tapered down from double digits in previous years to single digits in 2025The report noted that the sectors performance in 2026 hinges on rate cuts by the RBI and price control by developers Repo rate cuts leading to lower home loan interest rates can cause demand to revive significantly it noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/housing-sales-value-in-indian-cities-jump-6-pc-in-2025-report-655749.html Fri, 26 Dec 2025 14:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/revised-rail-fares-to-balance-affordability-ensure-sustainability-come-into-effect-655758.html New Delhi Dec 26 The new passenger fare structure of Indian Railways took effect on Friday with an increase of only 1 paise per kilometre for sleeper and first class ordinary classes for nonâsuburban journeys According to the Ministry of Railways the move aims to balance affordability for passengers with the sustainability of operationsThe Railways rationalised fares in a graded manner for Ordinary NonâAC nonâsuburban services across Second Class Ordinary Sleeper Class Ordinary and First Class OrdinarySecond Class Ordinary fares remain unchanged for journeys up to 215 km ensuring that shortdistance and daily commuters are not impactedFor distances of 216 km750 km fares have been increased by Rs 5 for distances between 751 km1250 km by Rs 10 for distances between 1251 km1750 km by Rs 15 and for distances between 1751 km2250 km by Rs 20Suburban services and season tickets including suburban and nonâsuburban routes are not affected the ministry clarified Mail and Express trains see a rationalised rise of 2 paise per kilometre across nonâAC and AC classes including Sleeper First Class AC Chair Car AC 3âTier AC 2âTier and AC First ClassFor longer trips such as a 500 km nonâAC Mail or Express trip would cost about Rs 10 more the statement saidThe existing basic fares of major train services including Tejas Rajdhani Rajdhani Shatabdi Duronto Vande Bharat Humsafar Amrit Bharat Tejas Mahamana Gatimaan Antyodaya Garib Rath Jan Shatabdi Yuva Express Namo Bharat Rapid Rail and Ordinary nonsuburban services excluding AC MEMUDEMU where applicable have been revised in line with the approved classwise basic fare increasesReservation fees superfast surcharges and ancillary charges remain unchanged while GST applicability remains unaffected and fares will continue to be rounded off as per prevailing norms The revised fares apply only to tickets booked on or after December 26 2025 and tickets booked earlier will not attract additional charges Station fare lists will be updated to reflect the new rates the ministry said IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/revised-rail-fares-to-balance-affordability-ensure-sustainability-come-into-effect-655758.html Fri, 26 Dec 2025 14:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/2025-ayear-of-evidence-based-growth-globalleadershipfor-ayush-sector-655759.html New Delhi Dec 26 2025 has been a year of evidencebased growth global leadership and peoplecentric healthcare for the Ayush sector With an increase in budgetary allocation and a rise in exports the sector also saw a significant market growthThe Maha Kumbh held in Prayagraj widened the access of the Ayush sector benefitting over 9 lakh pilgrims through OPDs mobile health units wellness halls and yoga sessionsWith the World Health Organizationâs 2025 update to ICD11 a historic step was marked for traditional medicine as it officially introduced a dedicated module for Ayurveda Siddha and Unani enabling their systematic global reporting alongside conventional medical conditionsThe new module now live on the WHO Blue Browser enables dual coding enhances data collection improves interoperability and strengthens evidencebased policymakingIndia also achieved five Guinness World Records for the first phase of âDesh Ka Prakriti Parikshan Abhiyaanâ reflecting Indiaâs growing prominence in holistic and personalised healthcareThe campaign aiming to take Ayurveda to every home so that people can understand their individual Prakriti Ayurvedic body type and adopt a healthy lifestyle accordingly recorded over 129 crore prakriti assessments far exceeding its target of 1 crore It set global records for the highest number of pledges and largest online photo and video albums related to a health initiativeThe 11th International Day of Yoga led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the worldâs largestever yoga gathering of 3 lakh participants in Visakhapatnam Celebrated in more than 180 countries it highlighted yogaâs unifying power and global reachThe WHOâs landmark technical brief on âAI in Traditional Medicineâ highlighted Indiaâs pioneering role in integrating artificial intelligence with Ayush systems acknowledging breakthroughs such as the Ayush Grid Ayurgenomics predictive diagnostic tools and digital platforms like SAHI NAMASTE and the Ayush Research PortalIndia became the first country to launch a Traditional Knowledge Digital Library TKDL The brief underscores how AIdriven applications from Prakritibased diagnostics to genomic decoding of herbal formulations are modernising traditional medicine and expanding its global relevanceIn a landmark step toward strengthening consumer protection and regulatory oversight in the field of traditional medicine the government launched the Ayush Suraksha Portal which will serve as a vigilant watchtower against misinformationThe Portal represents a significant advancement in pharmacovigilance and regulatory convergence within the Ayush ecosystemThe 10th National Ayurveda Day celebrated with a universal calendar identity on September 23 was celebrated with major initiatives global participation and renewed focus on the wellbeing of people and planetThe event highlighted Ayurvedaâs growing global footprint and its relevance to modern health and environmental challengesThe government has also unveiled the Ayush Nivesh Saarthi portal to mark a major leap toward transforming Indiaâs ancient wellness systems into a modern investmentready sectorWith Ayush Nivesh Saarthi the government aims to catalyse investment empower entrepreneurs and showcase Indiaâs leadership in traditional medicine and wellnessThe second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine in New Delhi also reinforced Indias global leadership through highlevel engagements and sixteen bilateral meetings with participating nationsThe Union Budget for FY26 allocated the Ministry of Ayush with Rs 39929 crore marking a 142 per cent rise from the previous years revised estimate of Rs 34976 croreExports of Ayush and herbal products from India during the FY25 grew 586 per cent with the quantity growing almost 2146 per cent as compared to FY24Exports of AYUSH and herbal products rose to Rs 5907 crore in FY25 from Rs 5580 crore in FY24 according to data from the Ministry of Commerce and IndustryThe Indian Ayush market is projected to grow from 433 billion in 2024 to US200 billion by 2030 reflecting an exponential growth of eight times over the past decade IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/2025-ayear-of-evidence-based-growth-globalleadershipfor-ayush-sector-655759.html Fri, 26 Dec 2025 14:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/premium-residential-prices-in-indian-cities-jump-up-to-36-pc-in-2025-655768.html New Delhi Dec 26 Indiaâs premium residential prices climbed up to 36 per cent YoY in underconstruction segments in 2025 supported by strong enduser demand improving urban connectivity and constrained supply across key cities a report said on Friday The report from Savills India showed that Noida led the price appreciation with a 9â36 per cent rise in underâconstruction prices followed by Mumbai at 20â30 per cent Gurugram at 2â19 per cent and Bengaluru at 13â15 per centThis momentum was supported by higher launch benchmarks rising construction and land costs and robust demand for amenityrich residences and a growing inclination towards sustainable developments situated along upgraded infrastructure corridorsCompleted projects rose up to 20 per cent in some markets with Bengaluru up 12â14 per cent and Delhi surging 10â20 per cent the report saidNew launches dipped in Gurugram by 25 per cent and Noida down 17 per cent signalling steady growth in 2026 via quality supplyGoing forward an increase in average capital value is expected to remain steady driven by timely project delivery infrastructure execution and alignment with evolving buyer preferences rather than broadbased momentum or speculative activity the report forecastedIndiaâs premium residential segment emerged as the housing marketâs key growth engine in CY25 driven by financially resilient enduser demand limited ready inventory and rising HNI wealth Strong preference for welllocated branded amenityrich homes alongside developersâ focus on quality and sustainability drove strong price appreciation and reinforced buyer confidenceâLooking ahead to 2026 the segment is expected to remain buoyant supported by rising domestic and foreign wealth and improving regulatory transparency with disciplined pricing and calibrated supply key to longterm market stabilityâ said Shveta Jain Managing Director Residential Services Savills IndiaCitywide rents surged by around 18â20 per cent YoY in 2025 driven by tight ready inventory sustained corporate and expatriate demand and limited new completions across premium micro marketsDelhis average rentals rose about 19 per cent supported by strong corporate demand and tight ready inventory IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/premium-residential-prices-in-indian-cities-jump-up-to-36-pc-in-2025-655768.html Fri, 26 Dec 2025 14:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/number-of-poor-getting-subsidised-lpg-under-pmuy-scheme-touches-1035-crore-in-2025-655771.html New Delhi Dec 26 The number of beneficiaries under the governmentâs flagship Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana aimed to ensure universal access to clean cooking fuel touched 1035 crore as on December 1 2025 according to Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on Friday Affordability of LPG was supported through a targeted subsidy of Rs 300 per 142 kg cylinder for up to nine refills per year for PMUY beneficiaries This intervention resulted in a steady rise in LPG consumption Average per capita consumption increased from about three refills in 201920 to 447 refills in FY 202425 and further to a prorated level of about 485 refills per annum during FY 202526 indicating sustained adoption of clean cooking fuelTo clear pending applications and achieve saturation of LPG access the government approved the release of 25 lakh additional LPG connections during FY 202526 Subsidy targeting and transparency was improved with the acceleration of Aadhaar authentication As on December 1 2025 biometric authentication covered 71 per cent of PMUY consumers and 62 per cent of nonPMUY consumers the statement saidConsumer safety was strengthened through the nationwide Basic Safety Check campaign More than 1212 crore free safety inspections were conducted at customer premises and over 465 crore LPG hoses were replaced at discounted rates significantly enhancing awareness and safety standards in domestic LPG usageThe Ministry also focused on strengthening petroleum marketing infrastructure Over 90000 retail outlets were enabled with digital payment facilities supported by more than 271 lakh POS terminalsElectric mobility infrastructure expanded rapidly during the year Under the FAMEII scheme 8932 EV charging stations were installed at retail outlets while Oil Marketing Companies OMCs additionally set up over 18500 charging stations from their own resources The APNA GHAR initiative progressed with more than 500 wayside amenities established for truckers improving road safety and supporting rural employment the statement pointed outPublic Sector OMCs are setting up 4000 energy stations during 202425 to 202829 along major corridors and other feasible locations These stations are being developed as integrated mobility hubs offering conventional fuels such as petrol and diesel along with alternative fuels including biofuels CNG and electric vehicle charging facilities As on November 1 2025 1064 energy stations have been set up across the countrySignificant progress was made in expanding the gasbased economy The length of operational natural gas pipelines in the country has increased from 15340 kms in 2014 to 25429 kms as on June 2025 with another 10459 kms under execution as part of the national gas gridCity Gas Distribution coverage expanded to 307 geographical areas As on September 2025 PNG domestic connections reached about 157 crore and CNG stations increased to over 8400Under the SATAT initiative as on November 1 2025 over 130 compressed bio gas plants have been commissioned with several more under construction Mandatory blending obligations for CBG in CNG and PNG segments commenced from FY 202526 supported by financial assistance for pipeline connectivity and biomass aggregationBiofuels witnessed major gains during the year Ethanol blending in petrol reached an average of 1924 per cent in ESY 202425 with cumulative foreign exchange savings exceeding Rs 155 lakh crore and substantial carbon emission reductionsThe upstream sector also underwent significant reforms Under the Hydrocarbon Exploration Licensing Policy 172 blocks covering more than 378 lakh sq km were awarded attracting committed investments of about 436 billion Exploration activity intensified through seismic surveys drilling programmes and governmentfunded initiatives such as Mission AnveshanThrough sustained policy reforms infrastructure expansion and clean energy initiatives the Ministry of Petroleum amp Natural Gas made significant progress in strengthening energy access affordability sustainability and security during 2025 supporting Indiaâs journey towards a resilient and inclusive energy future the statement added IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/number-of-poor-getting-subsidised-lpg-under-pmuy-scheme-touches-1035-crore-in-2025-655771.html Fri, 26 Dec 2025 14:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/zeptos-losses-widen-177-pc-in-fy25-to-rs-3-3673-crore-655772.html Mumbai Dec 26 Quick commerce company Zepto saw its losses widen significantly in the financial year 2024â25 FY25 even as its sales more than doubled According to the companyâs audited financial statements Zepto reported total sales of Rs 96688 crore in FY25 a sharp jump of 129 per cent from Rs 42239 crore in FY24However its net loss expanded much faster rising 177 per cent yearonyear YoY to Rs 33673 crore compared with a loss of Rs 12147 crore in the previous yearThe widening losses reflect the intense spending required to expand operations add dark stores and attract customers in a market where competition has heated up considerablyIn FY25 Zeptoâs losses amounted to around 35 per cent of its turnover up from about 29 per cent in FY24In the quick commerce business companies typically recognise only about 15â20 per cent of gross merchandise value as revenueBased on this Zeptoâs operational revenue for FY25 is estimated to be between Rs 1495 crore and Rs 1994 crore even though it reported close to Rs 10000 crore in total sales including other incomeCompetitive pressure has intensified further after FY25 and continued into the first and second quarters of FY26Major players have continued aggressive expansion by adding more dark stores increasing delivery capacity and offering high customer incentivesThe competition escalated further after Zepto raised 450 million prompting rivals to speed up their own expansion plans to protect market shareAnalysts tracking the sector have said this phase has kept margins under heavy pressure despite rapid growth in demandThe FY25 performance also comes at a time when Zepto is preparing to enter the public markets The company is set to confidentially file its draft IPO papers on December 26Alongside this Zepto has made changes at the board level Founders Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra along with chief financial officer Ramesh Bafna have been appointed as wholetime directors after shareholder approval at an extraordinary general meeting held on December 23 IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/zeptos-losses-widen-177-pc-in-fy25-to-rs-3-3673-crore-655772.html Fri, 26 Dec 2025 14:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/2026-set-to-break-new-records-with-make-in-india-and-pli-schemes-firmly-in-place-655773.html New Delhi Dec 26 Indiaâs electronics and semiconductor journey has moved from intent to execution â creating several new highs this year and 2026 is set to break new records with âMake in Indiaâ and productionlinked incentive PLI schemes firmly in place establishing India as a competitive and trusted electronics manufacturing destination globally According to government data electronics production has increased sharply from about Rs 19 lakh crore in 201415 to around Rs 113 lakh crore in 2024â25 Electronics exports have also risen from Rs 38000 crore to more than Rs 327 lakh crore during the same periodIndia had only two mobile phone manufacturing units in 201415 which has now increased to around 300 units Mobile phone production has grown from Rs 18000 crore to Rs 545 lakh crore while exports have surged from Rs 1500 crore to nearly Rs 2 lakh croreElectronics exports have risen from Rs 38000 crore to more than Rs 327 lakh crore during the same periodMeanwhile the Modified Electronics Manufacturing Clusters EMC 20 located in 10 states with projected investments of Rs 146846 crore have estimated to generate about 180 lakh jobsOver the past decade Indiaâs manufacturing base particularly in electronics and mobile phones has expanded substantially and the country has emerged as a net exporter in several key sectorsAccording to Pankaj Mohindroo Chairman ICEA this year marked a defining phase for Make in India with the PLI framework firmly establishing India as a competitive and trusted electronics manufacturing destinationâPLI has accelerated scale deepened localisation expanded exports and integrated India into global value chains As we head into the next phase that is 2026 The sustained policy continuity faster approvals and focus on component ecosystems will be critical to moving India from volume led manufacturing to high value innovationdriven productionâ he said in a statementAshok Chandak President of the India Electronics and Semiconductors Association IESA and SEMI India said that Indiaâs electronics growth story is no longer episodic â it is structuralPolicymakers global and Indian industry leaders and ecosystem stakeholders are now aligned on building resilient sustainable and globally competitive value chains he mentionedâAs discussions in 2025 highlighted â spanning policies and incentives electronics value addition skilling academic partnerships and industry collaboration â the next phase must focus on execution joint RampD and technology transfer The increased use of locally made semiconductors and components will be central to deeper value addition and the longterm success of Indiaâs electronics industryâ Chandak notedIndiaâs semiconductor journey has also moved from intent to execution marking a clear structural shiftPolicymakers global and Indian industry leaders and ecosystem stakeholders are aligned on building resilient and competitive semiconductor value chainsKey priorities discussed in 2025 including semiconductor policies and incentives human capital development fabs advanced packaging and OSAT academic partnerships and industry engagement underscore the need for joint RampD technology transfer and welldefined pathways to scaleUnder the Semicon India Programme 10 units have been approved with an investment of Rs 16 lakh crore which include silicon fab silicon carbide fab advanced packaging and memory packagingâOver the next three years disciplined execution and localisation across design manufacturing and advanced packaging will be critical to enable chips for highvolume electronic products consumed locallyâ said ChandakThe government also launched a productionlinked incentive scheme PLI for largescale electronics manufacturing of mobile phones and certain specified components The scheme has attracted investment of Rs 14065 crore up to October 2025To target the manufacturing of IT Hardware the government launched PLI for IT Hardware for promoting the manufacturing of laptops tablets servers and ultra small form factor USFF devices PLI for IT hardware have attracted investment of Rs 846 crore till October 2025 IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/2026-set-to-break-new-records-with-make-in-india-and-pli-schemes-firmly-in-place-655773.html Fri, 26 Dec 2025 14:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/vibrant-gujarat-regional-conference-to-showcase-new-medical-device-parks-investment-potential-655774.html Gandhinagar Dec 26 In a push to the states fastgrowing healthcare manufacturing sector the Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation GIDC has announced an ambitious plan to develop a sectorspecific Medical Device Park at Nagalpar in Rajkot district The project aims to create a fully integrated ecosystem for the medical device industry supporting research manufacturing quality testing and global exports under one roofThe upcoming Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference VGRC in Rajkot is expected to serve as a powerful platform to showcase the investment potential generated by the Nagalpar Medical Device Park to a global audience Known as a hub for orthopaedic and surgical device manufacturing Rajkot will host the conference with a special focus on highlighting opportunities across sectors such as engineering ports and logistics agriculture and food processing in the Kutch and Saurashtra regionsScheduled for January 2026 VGRC Rajkot will bring together global investors industry leaders and senior government officials offering direct engagement opportunities to forge strategic partnerships secure land allocations and establish a strong foothold in Indias growing medical device marketSpread over approximately 336 acres the proposed Nagalpar Medical Device Park is envisioned as an endtoend industrial hub designed to streamline the entire value chain from earlystage research and development to production certification and international market accessThe initiative reflects the state governments commitment to positioning Gujarat as a leading destination in Indias rapidly expanding medical device manufacturing landscapeNagalpars location offers a major logistical advantage The site is situated around 125 km from Pipavav Port 198 km from Kandla Port and 243 km from Mundra Port ensuring efficient access to key maritime trade gatewaysRajkot International Airport further enhances connectivity linking the Saurashtra region directly with major cities such as Mumbai Delhi and Bengaluru The medical device park is also located just 9 km from National Highway27 a crucial arterial road connecting Ahmedabad with Jaipur and Delhi enabling seamless movement of goods and raw materials across key domestic marketsTo meet the needs of modern manufacturing units the park will offer plugandplay infrastructure with stateoftheart facilities These include a reliable water supply system with a capacity of 35 million litres per day MLD solid waste management infrastructure and a sewage treatment plant STPFor an uninterrupted power supply land has been earmarked for a 66 KV substation In addition the project includes plans for a common warehouse and logistics centre aimed at strengthening supply chain efficiency and reducing operational costs for manufacturers operating within the parkThe development of the Nagalpar Medical Device Park underscores Gujarats strategic focus on highvalue manufacturing and its intent to become a national leader in the medical device sector With this initiative Gujarat continues to reinforce its reputation as an investmentfriendly state combining infrastructure readiness with sectorfocused policy support to drive sustainable industrial growth IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/vibrant-gujarat-regional-conference-to-showcase-new-medical-device-parks-investment-potential-655774.html Fri, 26 Dec 2025 14:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/indias-engineering-goods-exports-top-11-billion-in-nov-us-and-eu-shipments-up-sharply-655617.html New Delhi Dec 25 India saw highest engineering exports of this fiscal at 1101 billion in November driven by a favourable base effect and a sharp jump in shipments to the US and EU industry data showed on Thursday Exports to Indias top two major destinations the US and the EU jumped significantly in November this year Exports to the EU witnessed a hefty 39 per cent increase in November after declining in the previous two monthsDuring November this year engineering exports achieved an impressive 2376 per cent growth over November 2024 when shipment was recorded at 890 billion according to EEPC IndiaâEngineering exports crossed the 11 billion mark in November 2025 for the first time in the current fiscal This is a testament to the relentless effort of the exporting community which quickly recovered from the 17 per cent yearonyear decline in engineering exports in October 2025â said Pankaj Chadha Chairman EEPC IndiaThe growth story of engineering exports reflects the positive trend in global trade he notedWhile lauding the approval of the Export Promotion Mission EPM by the Union Cabinet Chadha said the recently concluded trade deals with Oman and New Zealand would provide further impetus to engineering goods exportsWe sincerely hope that the upcoming FTAs with the EU and the BTA with the US will also be instrumental for us Overall both global and domestic trade indicate positive trends which is good for the exporters however they should remain cautious given the rising volatility in global trade he statedOut of 34 product panels as many as 32 registered higher exports in November 2025 on a yearonyear basisExports of product segments like âmotor vehiclescarsâ âships boats and floating structuresâ industrial machinery for agriculture dairy etcâ âelectric machinery and equipmentâ and âcopper and copper productsâ among others were impressive during this periodEngineering goods exports to the US stood at 158 billion in November 2025 as against 142 billion in November 2024 Engineering goods exports to the EU were 202 billion in November as compared to 146 billion in the same month last yearRegionwise North America and the EU remained the top two exporting regions for Indian engineering Also export growth was recorded in all regions in November 2025 the data showedOn a cumulative basis engineering exports were 425 percent higher at 7974 billion during AprilNovember 202526 as against 7649 billion during the same period last fiscal IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/indias-engineering-goods-exports-top-11-billion-in-nov-us-and-eu-shipments-up-sharply-655617.html Thu, 25 Dec 2025 13:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/union-budget-2026-27-cii-outlines-4-point-strategy-for-macroeconomic-stability-655622.html New Delhi Dec 25 Apex business chamber CII on Thursday proposed a fourpronged fiscal strategy ahead of the Union Budget 202627 that includes debt stability fiscal transparency revenue mobilisation and expenditure efficiency According to a CII statement at the core of the roadmap is adherence to the governmentâs debt glide path targeting 50 per cent plus or minus 1 per cent of GDP by FY31 Maintaining Central debt at roughly 545 per cent of GDP and the fiscal deficit at 42 per cent of GDP in FY27 will preserve macro credibility while supporting growth Strengthening public finances however must extend beyond the Centre to States and Urban Local Bodies ULBs whose fiscal positions increasingly shape overall debt dynamics and the durability of macroeconomic stabilitySecond to improve predictability and reinforce institutional credibility CII recommends reviving the MediumTerm Fiscal Framework with a rolling 35 year roadmap for revenue expenditure and debtThird revenue mobilisation remains central to longterm fiscal sustainability Indiaâs taxtoGDP ratio at 175 per cent centre and state combined remains below that of major emerging economiesâTo finance the developmental needs of the country India needs to increase its taxGDP ratio Leveraging the data from Indiaâs worldclass digital infrastructure could help detect tax evasion and expand tax baseâ CII director general Chandrajit Banerjee saidGreater use of digital and AIbased tools should be leveraged to expand the tax base through seamless data exchange between GST income tax and digital payment systems Linking tax returns with highvalue transactions and deploying advanced analytics can enable realtime detection of evasion while lowering compliance costs the statement saidTo unlock value from public assets government should announce a threeyear privatisation pipeline of Public Sector Enterprises PSEs in the nonstrategic sectors as announced in the âStrategic Disinvestment Policy CII further statedFourth expenditure management particularly subsidy reform forms the other pillar of the strategy Public Distribution System PDS covering 813 million people or 57 per cent of the population faces challenges of outdated data and leakages Updating beneficiary lists using the latest Household Consumption Expenditure Survey 2023â24 narrowing coverage to the bottom 15 per cent and shifting towards cash or voucherbased transfers can enhance efficiency while also promoting dietary diversification the statement saidSimilarly fertiliser subsidies which accounts for 39 per cent of total central subsidies should transition to a Direct Benefit Transfer DBT model to curb misuse and promote balanced fertiliser use Issuing the DBT amount or fertiliser coupons before sowing can address farmersâ concerns about upfront expensesCentrally Sponsored Schemes CSS which constitute 11 per cent of Central expenditure also need to be consolidated to reduce fragmentation Prioritising highimpact areas such as education health skilling and climate resilience while leveraging digital tools for monitoring can yield better outcomes and fiscal savings the statement saidCII also suggests encouraging states to obtain ratings from at least two reputed rating agencies for State Development Loans SDLs and linking a portion of central capital expenditure assistance to such ratings and disclosures would incentivise prudenceBesides CII has proposed a Systematic Modernisation and Resource Transformation SMART Cities Enablement Mission anchored in a National Digital Urban Platform to build capacity in municipal finance governance and digital service delivery A Fiscal Health Index for ULBs modelled on NITI Aayogâs index for states would allow benchmarking transparency and reformlinked incentives creating a virtuous cycle of improved finances and better service delivery IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/union-budget-2026-27-cii-outlines-4-point-strategy-for-macroeconomic-stability-655622.html Thu, 25 Dec 2025 14:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/sebi-eases-rules-for-duplicate-securities-raises-simplified-documentation-limit-to-rs-10-lakh-655623.html Mumbai Dec 25 The market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India SEBI has simplified the process for issuing duplicate securities certificates to make it faster and more investorfriendly In a circular the market regulator doubled the monetary threshold for the simplified documentation process to Rs 10 lakh from the earlier Rs 5 lakhWith this change investors whose lost or damaged securities are valued up to Rs 10 lakh will now have to submit fewer documents to get duplicate certificatesSEBI said the move is aimed at reducing compliance hassles and removing inconsistencies that existed due to different practices followed by companies and registrar and transfer agents RTAsAs part of the new framework Sebi has introduced a standard AffidavitcumIndemnity Bond format and rationalised the documentation requirements for securities valued above Rs 10 lakhTo further ease the burden on small investors notarisation of the AffidavitcumIndemnity Bond will no longer be required if the value of the securities is up to Rs 10000Under the revised rules investors holding securities worth up to Rs 10 lakh will only need to submit the standard AffidavitcumIndemnity Bond on appropriate nonjudicial stamp paperThose with securities valued up to Rs 10000 can simply submit an undertaking on plain paperFor holdings exceeding Rs 10 lakh investors will also have to provide documents such as a copy of the FIR police complaint court order or plaint that clearly mentions the details of the lost securitiesIn cases where the value of securities is more than Rs 10 lakh the listed company will also publish a weekly newspaper advertisement about the loss and may charge a minimal feeThe timeline for processing such requests will start from the date the company receives complete documents from the investor or from the date of newspaper publication whichever is laterSEBI said all duplicate securities will now be issued only in demat form a move that will also encourage dematerialisationIt has directed all listed companies and RTAs to strictly follow the revised procedure IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/sebi-eases-rules-for-duplicate-securities-raises-simplified-documentation-limit-to-rs-10-lakh-655623.html Thu, 25 Dec 2025 14:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/imf-urges-pakistan-to-cut-remittance-incentives-experts-warn-of-shift-to-hawala-channels-655629.html New Delhi Dec 25 The International Monetary Fund IMF has asked the Pakistan government to reduce its spending on incentives given for foreign remittances a move that has raised concerns among experts about a possible shift of money flows back to informal channels According to a report by Nikkei Asia analysts fear that cutting these incentives could weaken official banking routes and push more remittances towards backstreet networks such as hawala and hundiThe IMFâs recommendation was mentioned in a stafflevel report released earlier this month after the second review of Pakistanâs 7 billion bailout programmeIn the report the IMF said that lowering the cost of crossborder payments would reduce the need for governmentfunded incentivesIt added that Pakistan plans to assess the barriers and costs involved in remittances and prepare an action plan while significantly reducing fiscal support for these incentivesRemittances play a crucial role in Pakistanâs economy as they are the countryâs largest source of foreign exchangeIn the last financial year ending in June Pakistan received around 38 billion in remittances which was higher than its export earnings of about 32 billionThe government currently offers incentives by giving cash rebates to banks and exchange companies for remittances sent through official channelsThese benefits are often passed on to overseas Pakistanis in the form of better exchange rates or small bonusesPakistanâs balance of payments remains under pressure due to a large trade deficit of nearly 27 billion in the previous financial yearHowever strong remittance inflows helped the country record a small current account surplus of around 2 billionOther sources of foreign inflows have been weak with foreign direct investment standing at roughly 2 billion making remittances vital for supporting the currency and preventing another foreign exchange crisisExperts say remittances have a much bigger impact on Pakistanâs economy than foreign direct investment IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/imf-urges-pakistan-to-cut-remittance-incentives-experts-warn-of-shift-to-hawala-channels-655629.html Thu, 25 Dec 2025 14:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/imf-asks-pakistan-to-cut-remittance-incentives-experts-warn-of-shift-to-hawala-channels-655633.html New Delhi Dec 25 The International Monetary Fund IMF has asked the Pakistan government to reduce its spending on incentives given for foreign remittances a move that has raised concerns among experts about a possible shift of money flows back to informal channels According to a report by Nikkei Asia analysts fear that cutting these incentives could weaken official banking routes and push more remittances towards backstreet networks such as hawala and hundiThe IMFâs recommendation was mentioned in a stafflevel report released earlier this month after the second review of Pakistanâs 7 billion bailout programmeIn the report the IMF said that lowering the cost of crossborder payments would reduce the need for governmentfunded incentivesIt added that Pakistan plans to assess the barriers and costs involved in remittances and prepare an action plan while significantly reducing fiscal support for these incentivesRemittances play a crucial role in Pakistanâs economy as they are the countryâs largest source of foreign exchangeIn the last financial year ending in June Pakistan received around 38 billion in remittances which was higher than its export earnings of about 32 billionThe government currently offers incentives by giving cash rebates to banks and exchange companies for remittances sent through official channelsThese benefits are often passed on to overseas Pakistanis in the form of better exchange rates or small bonusesPakistanâs balance of payments remains under pressure due to a large trade deficit of nearly 27 billion in the previous financial yearHowever strong remittance inflows helped the country record a small current account surplus of around 2 billionOther sources of foreign inflows have been weak with foreign direct investment standing at roughly 2 billion making remittances vital for supporting the currency and preventing another foreign exchange crisisExperts say remittances have a much bigger impact on Pakistanâs economy than foreign direct investment IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/imf-asks-pakistan-to-cut-remittance-incentives-experts-warn-of-shift-to-hawala-channels-655633.html Thu, 25 Dec 2025 15:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/govt-launches-5-digital-reforms-to-boost-transparent-citizen-centric-administration-655634.html New Delhi Dec 25 IANS The Union government on Thursday launched five digital reforms to boost transparent and citizencentric administration in the countrynbspThe reforms ExServicemen Reservation Compendium AI Recruitment Tool eHRMS 20 App iGOT AI Platforms and Karmayogi Digital Learning Lab 20 were unveiled by Dr Jitendra Singh Union Minister of State Independent Charge for the Department of Personnel and Training DoPT at the National Workshop on Good Governance Practices 2025 in the national capitalGood governance is not an abstract ideal but a daily administrative responsibility rooted in transparency accountability and citizencentric delivery said Singh addressing the event for Good Governance Day observed annually on December 25nbspThe Minister noted that Good Governance Day holds special significance as the nation commemorates the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee who institutionalised the concept of probity in public life and laid the foundations of peoplefirst governanceHe said that while the idea of good governance was articulated earlier it was after 2014 that it began to be implemented in letter and spirit under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi guided by the mantra of Minimum Government Maximum GovernancenbspThe five initiatives are aimed at strengthening core governance processes supporting key stakeholder groups and equipping civil servants for the challenges of a fastevolving administrative landscapeThe Compendium of Guidelines on Reservation for ExServicemen in Central Government consolidates all existing instructions into a single updated and userfriendly referencenbspThis step reflects the Governments commitment to honouring the service of ExServicemen by ensuring clarity uniformity and timely delivery of reservationrelated benefits while also reducing ambiguity and errors in implementation across Ministries and Departments Singh saidnbspThe AIpowered Recruitment Rules Generator Tool is integrated with the Recruitment Rules Formulation Amendment and Monitoring System RRFAMS portalThe Recruitment Rules are the backbone of fair recruitment and career progression and the new AIenabled tool will significantly reduce delays and inconsistencies by guiding users through simple questions suggesting appropriate recruitment methods and automatically generating draft rules in the prescribed format fully aligned with DoPT guidelines the Minister explainednbspThe mobile application for eHRMS 20 available on Android and iOS places key human resource services directly in the hands of government employeesDeveloped as a core pillar of Mission Karmayogi eHRMS 20 integrates service records and HR processes such as promotions transfers deputations training and superannuation along with linkages to platforms like SPARROW PFMS and Bhavishya Singh noted that the mobile app will reduce paperwork speed up approvals and enhance transparency in personnel managementnbspThe new AIenabled features on the iGOT Karmayogi platform include iGOT AI Sarthi for intelligent discovery of relevant learning resources iGOT AI Tutor for personalised incourse support the iGOT Specialisation Programme offering structured learning pathways in critical domains and an AIbased Capacity Building Plan Tool to help Ministries and States systematically map roles competencies and training needsThe Karmayogi Digital Learning Lab 20 is a nextgeneration facility designed to produce highquality digital learning content using modern technologies such as ARVR gamification and interactive simulationsnbspThe upgraded lab will enable faster and wider dissemination of best practices reforms and critical skills across the civil services strengthening implementation capacity on the ground the Minister saidnbspTaken together these initiatives reflect a coherent futureoriented approach to governance reform one that leverages technology strengthens institutions and places citizens and civil servants at the centre of change Singh said https://dailyworld.in/business/govt-launches-5-digital-reforms-to-boost-transparent-citizen-centric-administration-655634.html Thu, 25 Dec 2025 15:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/historic-labour-code-reforms-to-accelerate-growth-create-more-jobs-in-2026-655635.html New Delhi Dec 25 IANS The Narendra Modi government rolled out a spate of Big Bang economic reforms in 2025 aimed at accelerating growth and creating more employment in the country as India retained its tag as the worlds fastestgrowing economy amid the global slowdownnbspThe hectic winter session of Parliament saw the approval of proposals to allow 100 per cent foreign direct investment FDI in insurance and opening the nuclear power sector to private players These came close on the heels of the four labour laws that were recently notified integrating 29 complex laws into 4 streamlined Codes to create an environment that promotes industrial efficiency while safeguarding workers interestsFinance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced that after the radical GST reforms the government would undertake a similar exercise to overhaul the Customs regime in the Union Budget for 202526 that is likely to be presented on February 1nbspParliament approved the Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha Amendment of Insurance Laws Bill 2025 raising the Foreign Direct Investment FDI limit in the insurance sector from 74 per cent to 100 per cent to attract capital boost development improve service and achieve Insurance for All by 2047 with measures also reducing requirements for reinsurers and strengthening policyholder protection This major reform aims to bring higher investment innovation so that more people can get insurance cover in the underpenetrated Indian marketThe approval of Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India SHANTI Bill 2025 by Parliament consolidates and modernises Indias nuclear legal framework with the objective to support the countrys cleanenergy transition aimed at achieving the longterm goal of 100 GW nuclear energy capacity by 2047nbspThe Bill permits private companies to participate in Indias nuclear sector enabling them to undertake plant operations power generation equipment manufacturing and selected activities such as the fabrication of nuclear fuel including conversion refining and enrichment of uranium235 up to such threshold value or production use processing or disposal of other prescribed substancesAt the same time at the core of the bill lies a strong emphasis on maintaining Indias strategic control over its nuclear ecosystem Even as the sector opens up to private participation the Bill ensures that critical functions remain firmly under sovereign oversight The government retains exclusive authority over the nuclear fuel cycle waste management and all securityrelated operationsnbspPrime Minister Modi termed the four Labour Codes which have been notified as the most comprehensive and progressive labouroriented reforms since Independence which greatly empower the country workers and significantly simplify compliance and promote Ease of Doing BusinessWith the implementation of the Labour Codes it has now become mandatory for employers to issue appointment letters to all workers which provides written proof to ensure transparency job security and fixed employment Earlier no mandatory appointment letters were requirednbspUnder Code on Social Security 2020 all workers including gig and platform workers will get social security coverage All workers will get PF ESIC insurance and other social security benefits Earlier there was only limited security coverageUnder the Code on Wages 2019 all workers will receive a statutory minimum wage and it ensures timely payment to ensure financial security Earlier minimum wages applied only to scheduled industries or employments large sections of workers remained uncoverednbspThe Labour Codes also ensure that employers must provide all workers above the age of 40 years with a free annual health checkup and promote a timely preventive healthcare culture Earlier there was no legal requirement for employers to provide free annual health checkups to workersThe new law permits women to work at night and in all types of work across all establishments subject to their consent and required safety measures Women will also get equal opportunities to earn higher incomes in high paying job roles Earlier womens employment in night shifts and certain occupations was restrictednbspThe new Labour Codes bring about a series of benefits for Indias export sector including textiles garments leather electronics gems and jewellery pharmaceuticals auto components and ITenabled services especially simplifying compliance for employers and enabling improved workforce managementnbspThe competitiveness of these exportoriented industries depends heavily on the ability to maintain a flexible compliant and skilled workforce while adhering to international labour standards https://dailyworld.in/business/historic-labour-code-reforms-to-accelerate-growth-create-more-jobs-in-2026-655635.html Thu, 25 Dec 2025 15:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/indian-ipo-market-hits-record-highs-as-rs-38-lakh-crore-raised-in-2-years-655636.html Mumbai Dec 25 The Indian primary market has raised around Rs 38 lakh crore through 701 IPOs over the last two years significantly higher than the Rs 32 lakh crore raised between 2019 and 2023 through 629 IPOs a new report said on Thursday The numbers highlight how quickly the IPO market has expanded both in size and breadth driven by growing investor confidence in Indian equities data compiled by Motilal Oswal showedThe report noted that 2025 has been another impressive year for the market So far more than 365 IPOs have raised about Rs 195 lakh crore surpassing the previous record of Rs 190 lakh crore raised in 2024 through 336 IPOsThe mainboard continued to dominate fundraising contributing about 94 per cent of the total amount raised in 2025 almost unchanged from the previous yearOver the last two years mainboard IPOs alone have raised nearly Rs 36 lakh crore from just 198 companies showing that large issuances continue to attract strong demandAt the same time the SME segment has also remained very active in terms of the number of listings the report saidThe report highlighted that sector diversity has improved sharply Unlike earlier years when IPOs were concentrated in a few emerging sectors companies from a wide range of industries have tapped the market over the past 24 monthsIn 2025 NBFCs emerged as the biggest contributors followed by capital goods technology healthcare and consumer durablesThis was a clear shift from 2024 when automobiles telecom retail and ecommerce dominated new listingsInterestingly some sectors that raised large amounts in 2024 such as telecom utilities and private banking saw no IPO fundraising in 2025This shift underlines how sector leadership in the IPO market keeps changing based on market conditions and investor preferences as per the reportCompany age and size trends also stood out The report said younger companies those less than 20 years old accounted for over half of the total IPO funds raised in the last two yearsIn terms of size smallcap companies raised the largest share of funds contributing more than 50 per cent of the total amount even though only a handful of large companies accounted for a significant portion of the remaining capital IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/indian-ipo-market-hits-record-highs-as-rs-38-lakh-crore-raised-in-2-years-655636.html Thu, 25 Dec 2025 15:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/hm-shah-lays-foundation-for-1-655-industrial-units-to-create-nearly-2-lakh-jobs-in-mp-655649.html Gwalior Dec 25 IANS Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah along with Chief Minister Mohan Yadav inaugurated the Abhyudaya Madhya Pradesh Growth Summit on Thursday marking the 101st birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari VajpayeenbspIn a major boost to industrial development HM Shah performed the groundbreaking ceremony for 1655 industrial units involving investments exceeding Rs 2 lakh crore expected to generate approximately 193000 direct employment opportunities across the stateThe summit held at the Mela Ground under the theme Nivesh Se Rojgar Atal Sankalp Ujjawal Madhya Pradesh Employment from Investment Atals Resolve a Bright Madhya Pradesh highlighted the states progress in converting investment proposals into tangible job creation over the past two yearsnbspLand allocation letters were distributed for projects worth over Rs 2 lakh crore while foundation stones were laid and several initiatives worth more than Rs 10000 crore were dedicated to the publicSectorwise highlights included significant investments in energy with three projects totalling Rs 60000 crore poised to create 12600 jobsnbspThe mining sector attracted Rs 7050 crore across 13 projects projected to employ 9505 people Renewable energy drew Rs 35581 crore for 496 projects offering 5535 employment opportunitiesnbspTourism secured Rs 386 crore through two projects expected to generate 2700 jobs while the health sector saw Rs 240 crore in investments yielding 240 positions with an additional Rs 40 crore focused on healthcare advancementsProminent industrialists from leading groups participated in the event underscoring national confidence in Madhya Pradeshs industrial ecosystemnbspThe event also featured incentives disbursement to investors via a singleclick mechanism honouring successful entrepreneurs for employment generation and announcements on divisionallevel land allocations to ensure balanced regional growth Exhibitions showcased Vajpayees life and vision alongside the states recent industrial reforms and achievementsChief Minister Yadav emphasised the summits role in fostering local industries through new clusters and plugandplay units directly linking youth to livelihoodsnbspThe programme aligns with declaring 2026 as the Year of Agriculture while reinforcing Madhya Pradeshs emergence as a hub for sustainable development and selfreliance echoing Vajpayees principles of good governance and national progress https://dailyworld.in/business/hm-shah-lays-foundation-for-1-655-industrial-units-to-create-nearly-2-lakh-jobs-in-mp-655649.html Thu, 25 Dec 2025 16:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/rural-roads-built-under-pm-scheme-to-link-indias-villages-cross-787-lakh-km-mark-655657.html New Delhi Dec 25 Celebrating 25 years in 2025 the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana PMGSY stands out as one of Indiaâs most impactful rural infrastructure initiatives Launched to ensure allweather connectivity to previously unconnected rural habitations the programme has emerged as a key enabler of agricultural growth employment generation improved access to education and health services and poverty alleviation Since its inception PMGSY has sanctioned a total of 825114 km of rural roads of which 787520 km have been completed reflecting nearly 95 per cent physical progress as of December 2025 according to an official statement issued on ThursdayA total road length of 62500 kilometres is proposed to be constructed during the implementation period from FY 2024â25 to 2028â29 with an overall financial outlay of Rs 70125 crore Phase IV of PMGSY aims to provide allweather road connectivity to 25000 unconnected rural habitationsRoad infrastructure constitutes a fundamental pillar of rural development enabling access to economic and social services enhancing agricultural incomes creating productive employment opportunities and making a significant contribution to poverty reductionOver time PMGSY has evolved into a key driver of socioeconomic transformation strengthening market integration facilitating better price realization for farmers and supporting both farm and nonfarm livelihoods Collectively these outcomes underscore the programmeâs central role in advancing inclusive and sustainable rural developmentBudgetary allocations to the PMGSY in recent years reflect the governmentâs sustained emphasis on strengthening rural road connectivity For the financial year 2025â26 the programme has been allocated Rs 19000 crore underscoring the continued support for enhancing rural infrastructure ensuring allweather road connectivity and boosting economic opportunities in rural areasThe governmentâs systematic measures have significantly improved the quality durability and sustainability of rural roads constructed under PMGSY Progress and performance of PMGSY road projects are closely monitored using advanced digital technologies and online platforms ensuring greater efficiency transparency and accountability the statement saidThe Online Management Monitoring and Accounting System OMMAS enables realtime monitoring of all works under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana ensuring that physical and financial progress remains aligned with the targets assigned to states To further strengthen the Project Management Information System PMIS it has been integrated within OMMAS to facilitate more effective management of construction activities for each road sanctioned under PMGSYIIIOMMAS also supports quality assurance by capturing assessments carried out by independent quality monitors Inspections conducted by National Quality Monitors NQMs and State Quality Monitors SQMs are uploaded through the Quality Monitoring System QMS mobile application along with geotagged photographs from the field and are subsequently reflected on the OMMAS portal This framework enables realtime quality monitoring and enhances transparency in the delivery of durable rural infrastructureThe Electronic Maintenance of PMGSY Roads eMARG platform has been implemented across all States to ensure systematic monitoring of PMGSY road maintenance for a period of five years from the date of completion corresponding to the Defect Liability Period DLP With the introduction of eMARG as a dedicated software module for maintenance payments contractor payments during the DLP are now directly linked to road performance and quality outcomes This performancebased contract management system has significantly strengthened accountability improved maintenance standards and enhanced the longterm durability of PMGSY assets the statement added IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/rural-roads-built-under-pm-scheme-to-link-indias-villages-cross-787-lakh-km-mark-655657.html Thu, 25 Dec 2025 16:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/gujarat-cm-launches-integrated-renewable-energy-policy-2025-655665.html Gandhinagar Dec 25 Reinforcing Gujaratâs commitment to clean and sustainable energy Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel launched the Gujarat Integrated Renewable Energy Policy2025 at a statelevel function held in Gandhinagar The launch coincided with the nationwide observance of Good Governance Day on December 25 marking the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee The policy reflects Gujaratâs strong policy vision towards building a clean resilient and futureready energy system with a sharp focus on renewable energy battery storage and emerging technologies to accelerate green growthIt has been framed under the guidance of the Chief Minister with leadership from Energy Minister Rushikesh Patel and Minister of State Kaushik Vekariya to address climate change challenges and ensure a faster transition to sustainable energy systems Aligned with Indiaâs Panchamrit commitments Nationally Determined Contributions NDCs and the vision of Viksit Gujarat 2047 the policy aims to position Gujarat as a globally competitive clean energy hub By promoting investments innovation and grid stability the policy seeks to build on the stateâs leadership in the renewable energy sector and contribute significantly to Indiaâs target of achieving 500 GW of nonfossil fuelbased energy capacity by 2030 Gujarat has set an ambitious goal of surpassing 100 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030A key pillar of the RE Policy2025 is the promotion and integration of Battery Energy Storage Systems BESS to enable largescale renewable energy integration and enhance grid stability Gridconnected and colocated BESS projects with solar wind and hybrid plants have been encouraged Strategic deployment of BESS for transmission support grid ancillary services distribution utilities and end consumers has been envisaged with locations to be identified by GEDA in coordination with GETCO SLDC and DISCOMs The policy introduces significant relaxations in commissioning timelines for renewable energy projects particularly captive and thirdparty sale projects Commissioning timelines for evacuation infrastructure have been rationalised based on voltage levels instead of project capacity with additional time granted for project and evacuation line commissioning to ease implementationIn line with the National Repowering Policy the RE Policyâ2025 establishes a supportive framework for wind repowering and refurbishment Existing wind turbine generators can be repowered or refurbished without mandatory dismantling with timelines extended up to 24 months Incentives include extension of existing PPAs during the repowering period waiver of transmission charges on unutilised capacity during transition priority for enhanced renewable connectivity and relaxation in micrositing norms The policy also enables ondemand renewable energy connectivity through the AkshayUrjaSetu portal and supports new transmission projects in renewablerich regionsProvisions allowing ownership transfer of projects under previous policies and extension of timelines for already approved projects ensure continuity and investor confidence Significantly the policy promotes emerging and innovative renewable energy technologies to diversify Gujaratâs clean energy portfolio These include ocean energy geothermal energy concentrated solar thermal CST buildingintegrated photovoltaics BIPV rail and roadintegrated PV applications agrivoltaics and verticalaxis wind turbines which will be supported through pilot projectsAdditionally the policy strengthens rooftop and distributed renewable energy encourages private sector participation and startups and integrates employment generation and skill development initiatives in the green energy sector Collectively these measures aim to make Gujarat a stable investorfriendly and futureready renewable energy ecosystem IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/gujarat-cm-launches-integrated-renewable-energy-policy-2025-655665.html Thu, 25 Dec 2025 17:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/aws-denies-outage-reports-as-users-flag-disruptions-in-us-india-655666.html New Delhi Dec 25 Amazon Web Services AWS on Thursday denied reports of a service outage saying its systems were working normally and that users should rely only on the companyâs official health dashboard for accurate information Earlier in the day many users in the US and India reported problems accessing AWSlinked services according to outagetracking website DowndetectorThe complaints led to speculation on social media about a possible disruption in AWS servicesResponding to the claims AWS said in a post on X that the reports were incorrect The company stated that its services were operating normally and that an unrelated issue elsewhere on the internet had triggered inaccurate speculation onlineNo thats false AWS services are operating normally today but an event elsewhere on the internet has prompted some inaccurate speculation on social mediaâ it saidAWS added that the only reliable source to check the status of its services is the AWS Health DashboardâThe only resource on the internet that provides accurate data on the availability of our services is the AWS Health Dashboard httpsgoaws4jb7PAh it mentionedData from Downdetector showed that reports of issues peaked around 7 am IST with more than 4300 users in the US flagging problemsIn India the number of complaints was much lower at around 25 to 30 but users in cities such as Bengaluru Mumbai and New Delhi reported disruptionsDue to the reported issues several users in the US said they were unable to access gaming platforms including popular titles from Epic GamesGames such as Fortnite Rocket League and ARC Raiders were among those affected according to user reportsCloud service disruptions often impact multiple platforms at the same time because many digital services rely on shared infrastructureSuch incidents have become more common in recent months leading to frequent concerns among users whenever largescale platforms face technical issues IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/aws-denies-outage-reports-as-users-flag-disruptions-in-us-india-655666.html Thu, 25 Dec 2025 17:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/sun-pharmas-taro-recalls-over-17-000-units-of-antifungal-shampoo-in-us-fda-655668.html New Delhi Dec 25 Sun Pharmaâs US arm Taro Pharmaceutical Industries has recalled more than 17000 units of antifungal over manufacturing issues the US Food and Drug Administration USFDA has said The Ciclopirox Shampoo an antifungal medication that treats seborrheic dermatitis a condition that causes dry flaky and itchy skin is being recalled due to âfailed impuritydegradation specificationsâ the USFDA said in its latest Enforcement ReportThe Class II nationwide recall of 17664 units of the Ciclopirox Shampoo was initiated by the company on December 9The USFDA defines a ClassII recall as a violative product whose use or exposure to may lead to temporary or medically reversible health consequences or when the likelihood of serious adverse health outcomes is minimalTaro is a private company and wholly owned by Sun Pharma The Israelbased company was acquired by Sun Pharma in a deal valued at 34773 million last yearSun Pharma has been the majority shareholder of Taro since 2010Primarily focused on dermatology Taro produces a wide range of prescription and overthecounter productsIndian pharmaceutical companies supply a substantial proportion of drugs to US residents with four out of ten of all prescriptions filled in the US in 2022 being supplied by Indian companiesSun Pharmaceutical Industries is Indiaâs largest formulation player by market share The pharma giant is also a lead exporter to the US market with revenue of Rs 14478 crore in the second quarter of FY26While the drug majors net profit rose 256 per cent yearonyear to Rs 3118 crore formulation sales in the US declined 41 per cent to 496 millionThe weakness in its generics business was offset by growth in innovative medicines according to the company IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/sun-pharmas-taro-recalls-over-17-000-units-of-antifungal-shampoo-in-us-fda-655668.html Thu, 25 Dec 2025 17:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/coupang-says-former-employee-saved-data-from-only-3-000-customers-no-external-leak-655671.html Seoul Dec 25 Ecommerce giant Coupang said on Thursday it has recovered all leaked personal information involving approximately 3000 customers adding that no data has been transferred to anyone outside the company In a press release Coupang said it has identified a former employee responsible for the data leak by using forensic evidence adding that the individual confessed and provided a detailed account of how customer information was accessed reports Yonhap news agencyThe suspect used stolen security keys to access basic customer information from approximately 33 million accounts the company saidHowever data from only about 3000 accounts was actually saved and later deleted by the suspectAn internal investigation found no evidence that any customer data was shared with or transmitted to third parties the company said adding it has also secured all devices used to access and store customer information including a hard driveThe accessed information included customers names email addresses phone numbers home addresses and other details according to the companyCoupang stressed that there was no breach of sensitive information such as payment information login credentials or customs clearance numbersThe announcement by Coupang followed news reports that the presidential office was set to hold an emergency meeting with relevant government officials on the case on the dayBut the government refuted Coupangs announcement as a unilateral claim saying the results of a privategovernment joint teams probe into the data leak have yet to come outThe government strongly protested Coupang over its unilateral announcement about the matter that is currently under investigation by the joint team the Ministry of Science and ICT saidLast month the government set up a privatepublic joint team to investigate the data breach at Coupang that affected 337 million usersThe privatepublic joint team is closely looking into the kinds and extent of the data breach and how the data leaked the science ministry said What Coupang claimed has not been verified by the team IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/coupang-says-former-employee-saved-data-from-only-3-000-customers-no-external-leak-655671.html Thu, 25 Dec 2025 17:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/know-about-revised-rail-fares-kicking-in-from-tomorrow-655687.html New Delhi Dec 25 Indian Railways has rationalised its passenger fare structure with effect from December 26 to balance affordability for passengers and sustainability of its operations the Ministry of Railways said in a statement on Thursday The ministry clarified that under the revised fare structure there is no change in fares for suburban services and season tickets including both suburban and nonsuburban routesFor Ordinary NonAC NonSuburban services fares have been rationalised in a graded manner across Second Class Ordinary Sleeper Class Ordinary and First Class OrdinaryIn Second Class Ordinary there is no increase in fare for journeys up to 215 km ensuring that shortdistance and daily commuters are not impacted For distances from 216 km to 750 km the fare increases by Rs 5 For longer journeys the increase is applied in steps â Rs 10 for distances between 751 km and 1250 km Rs 15 for distances between 1251 km and 1750 km and Rs 20 for distances between 1751 km and 2250 km the statement explainedIn Sleeper Class Ordinary and First Class Ordinary fares have been revised uniformly at the rate of 1 paise per kilometre for nonsuburban journeys ensuring a gradual and limited increase in faresIn Mail and Express trains the fare increase has been rationalised at 2 paise per kilometre across NonAC and AC classes This includes Sleeper Class First Class AC Chair Car AC 3Tier AC 2Tier and AC First Class As an illustration for a 500 km journey in nonAC Mail and Express coaches passengers will pay only about Rs 10 extra the statement further explainsThe existing basic fares of major train services including Tejas Rajdhani Rajdhani Shatabdi Duronto Vande Bharat Humsafar Amrit Bharat Tejas Mahamana Gatimaan Antyodaya Garib Rath Jan Shatabdi Yuva Express Namo Bharat Rapid Rail and Ordinary nonsuburban services excluding AC MEMUDEMU where applicable have been revised in line with the approved classwise basic fare increases The revision has been carried out uniformly and in a calibrated manner across applicable classes the statement saidNotably no changes have been made in reservation fees superfast surcharges or other ancillary charges which will continue to be levied as per existing rules GST applicability remains unchanged and fares will continue to be rounded off according to prevailing norms the statement pointed outThe revised fares are applicable only on tickets booked on or after 26 December 2025 Tickets booked before this date will not attract any additional charges even if the journey is undertaken after the effective date the statement further explainedThe fare list displayed at stations will also be updated to reflect the new fares effective from December 26 the statement added IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/know-about-revised-rail-fares-kicking-in-from-tomorrow-655687.html Thu, 25 Dec 2025 19:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/mumbai-gets-2nd-airport-as-navi-mumbai-international-airport-starts-operations-655700.html Ahmedabad Dec 25 Navi Mumbai International Airport NMIA began commercial operations on Thursday marking a major milestone for Mumbaiâs aviation sector and Indiaâs infrastructure growth Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani personally welcomed the first set of passengers calling the moment a proud day for both Mumbai and the countryâWelcoming NMIAâs first passengers alongside the Param Vir Chakra awardees offered a glimpse of India now taking shapeâ Gautam Adani saidâStanding with workers farmers social workers and colleagues with disabilities captured the spirit of a nation moving forward with confidence and compassionâ Adani Group Chairman statedThe new airport officially named Navi Mumbai International Airport opened to the public on December 25With its launch Mumbai has joined global cities such as London and New York that operate multiple airports to manage growing air trafficThe airport is expected to ease congestion at âChhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airportâ and support the regionâs longterm travel needsThe airport is developed and operated by Adani Airports Holdings Limited a subsidiary of Adani Enterprises LimitedIt is one of Indiaâs largest greenfield airport projects and has been completed in record timeThe first commercial flight IndiGo flight 6E460 from Bengaluru landed at 8 am and was welcomed with a traditional water cannon saluteOn its first day of operations the airport handled 48 flights connecting nine domestic cities and served more than 4000 passengersPeak traffic was seen in the early morning hours indicating strong demand from day oneJeet Adani Director at Adani Airports Holdings Limited said the new airport will help build a strong and resilient multiairport system for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region improve passenger experience and support future aviation growthâNMIA establishes a resilient multiairport system for the MMR boosting capacity enhancing passenger experience and futureproofing the regionâs aviation growthâ Jeet Adani saidOn the eve of the launch the airport hosted a large drone show featuring over 1500 synchronised drones IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/mumbai-gets-2nd-airport-as-navi-mumbai-international-airport-starts-operations-655700.html Thu, 25 Dec 2025 20:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/tns-chandirapadi-fisheries-project-on-fast-track-completion-likely-by-march-2026-655575.html Chennai Dec 25 The construction of river training walls and additional infrastructure at the fish landing centre in Chandirapadi village in Tamil Nadus Tharangambadi has gathered significant momentum and is expected to be completed by March 2026 officials said well ahead of the stipulated deadline of December next year The Rs 32crore project is being implemented under the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development NABARD scheme through the Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare Department The project aims to strengthen coastal protection measures and improve fish landing infrastructure for the local fishing community that depends on the Nandalar estuary for daily fishing operationsChandirapadi is a traditional fishing village with about 2895 fisherfolk engaged in marine fishing using 13 mechanised boats and 212 fibre boatsThe estuary and landing facilities are vital for sustaining livelihoods in the village According to T Gowthaman Assistant Engineer Fisheries Department the ongoing works include the construction of stone pitching river training walls extending 260 metres on the southern side and 220 metres on the northern side of the river a 60metrelong boat berthing jetty and dredging of around 96250 cubic metres to improve navigability and safetyThe project commenced in February 2025 and has achieved nearly 75 per cent physical progress âWork on the jetty is currently underway Dredging is yet to begin and is expected to commence within a month At present about 235 metres of the southern wall and 205 metres of the northern wall have been completedâ the official saidEarlier a fish landing centre was constructed at Chandirapadi for Rs 10 crore and inaugurated on August 20 2024 The facility includes a 75metre boat berthing jetty a fish auction hall a net mending shed 150 metres of road connectivity and dredging of 50000 cubic metres at the river mouthBased on requests from fisherfolk further infrastructure improvement works are now being taken up Fishermen in Chandirapadi have welcomed the pace of work noting that the new facility will significantly reduce their dependence on distant harboursâAt present we berth our boats at Poompuhar and Tirumullaivasal which involves considerable travel Once this facility is fully completed most of our difficulties will be resolvedâ said Martin a fisherman from the villageMeanwhile officials said the longstanding demand of Chandirapadi villagers for the construction of short groynes along the coast to arrest sea erosion is also moving forward The proposal is awaiting a bathymetry survey by a team from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras which is expected to be carried out in January 2026 IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/tns-chandirapadi-fisheries-project-on-fast-track-completion-likely-by-march-2026-655575.html Thu, 25 Dec 2025 09:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/gold-and-silver-bring-cheers-for-investors-2026-outlook-remains-strong-655586.html Mumbai Dec 25 In a year marked by heightened global uncertainty precious metals delivered exceptional returns for investors with silver emerging as a surprise winner Silver prices surged by more than 137 per cent outperforming gold which also posted a strong gain of around 68 per cent this yearWith equity markets facing volatility both metals strengthened their position as preferred safe investment options but silver clearly outshone all traditional choicesGoldâs strong performance was supported by geopolitical tensions inflation concerns and expectations of interest rate cuts by the US Federal ReserveA major driving force behind goldâs rally was steady buying by global central banks For three consecutive years 2022 2023 and 2024 central banks have purchased more than 1000 tonnes of gold each yearAlongside this global investors continued to invest through gold ETFs using them as a safe place to park fundsBig global banks have turned increasingly bullish on goldâs outlook Goldman Sachs has raised its 2026 yearend gold price target to 4900 per ounce citing strong central bank demand and ETF inflowsDeutsche Bank has also upgraded its outlook projecting gold prices at 4450 per ounce in 2026Silverâs rally however has been driven by more than just safehaven demand Strong industrial usage has played a crucial roleGrowing demand from sectors such as solar power electric vehicles and electronics has significantly increased silver consumptionAt the same time supply constraints have tightened the market pushing prices sharply higherThis dual role as a precious metal and an industrial input has helped silver deliver more than double the returns of gold in 2025Looking ahead experts believe the positive momentum in silver could continue into 2026Market specialists say that strong industrial demand limited supply and supportive global trends could help silver rise by another 15 to 20 per cent next yearSome analysts expect that in the first half of 2026 alone silver may generate an additional 20 to 25 per cent return from current levels though they advise investors to invest gradually especially if prices see shortterm correctionsGoldâs outlook also remains positive for 2026 Continued central bank buying possible US rate cuts and ongoing geopolitical risks are expected to support pricesAnalysts suggest that keeping an eye on central bank activity whether they continue buying hold their reserves or start selling will be critical as their actions often signal future price trends well in advanceâWith uncertainty still dominating the global economic landscape precious metals are likely to continue playing an important role in investor portfolios offering a mix of safety and growth potentialâ experts statedMeanwhile both metalâs prices climbed to new record highs on the MCX on Wednesday morning helped by a weak US dollar and expectations that the US Federal Reserve may cut interest rates furtherGold futures for February rose 042 per cent to touch an alltime high of Rs 138469 per 10 grams Silver futures for March jumped nearly 2 per cent to hit a fresh record of Rs 223742 per kgIn the global market gold prices crossed the 4500 per ounce level for the first time The rise was driven by strong demand for safehaven assets as investors expect more interest rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve next year IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/gold-and-silver-bring-cheers-for-investors-2026-outlook-remains-strong-655586.html Thu, 25 Dec 2025 11:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/india-takes-key-steps-in-science-research-and-innovation-amid-govt-push-655593.html New Delhi Dec 25 With largescale funding for research and innovation Indiaâs science and technology SampT sector made a significant leap in 2025 The sector saw improvement in global rankings and advances in frontier technologies semiconductor development and AIbased missionsIn 2025 the country rose to the 38th position among 139 economies in the World Intellectual Property Organizations Global Innovation Index GII 2025 India made a big leap from 81st rank in 2015Four Indian cities also featured among the top 100 innovation clusters Bengaluru 21 Delhi 26 Mumbai 46 and Chennai all of which improved rankings this yearIn a significant push to incentivise private sector participation in RampD the government this year launched the Research Development and Innovation Fund in July The fund was launched with a total outlay of Rs 10 Lakh crore over six years out of which Rs 20000 crore was allocated for FY 202526The National Quantum Mission NQM focussed on building Indias quantum tech ecosystem established operational hubs across 43 institutions by mid2025Under the Mission the government has released Rs 45099 crore in FY 202526 and Rs 5544 crore has been utilised till November 2025Further under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary CyberPhysical Systems NMICPS focused on building CyberPhysical Systems CPS capabilities major initiatives undertaken in 2025 include projects like BharatGen Generative AI for Indian languages and bolstering digital infrastructure for cybersecurity and smart applicationsThe LLMbased platform integrates text speech and image modalities offering seamless AI solutions in 22 Indian languagesThe National Supercomputing Mission NSM saw the installation of 37 supercomputers with a total computing power of 40 Petaflops in 2025These systems are set up in leading institutions like IISc IITs CDAC RampD Labs and also in several academic institutions and research organisation in the TierII and TierIII cities across the countryThese supercomputers have supported over 10000 researchers including more than 1700 PhD scholars from over 200 academic and research institutionsNotably the IndiaAI Mission with a budget of over Rs 10300 crore deployed 38000 GPUs as of 2025 to provide affordable computing power to startups and researchersIn 2025 India also rapidly expanded its AI ecosystem with several key Centres of Excellence CoEs focused on sectors like education healthcare agriculture urban governance and clean Energy spurred by the Union Budget 202526With the DHRUV64 Microprocessor India launched its first fully indigenous 10 GHz 64bit dualcore microprocessor in December 2025 Developed by CDAC the chip is designed for 5G IoT and automotive applicationsVIKRAM3201 became the first MakeinIndia 32bit microprocessor specifically qualified for harsh space environmentsThe governments flagship schemes like INSPIRE INSPIREMANAK and WISEKIRAN benefited lakhs of school students researchers and women scientistsIndia also launched its first RampD roadmap for Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage CCUS in December 2025 to accelerate its netzero mission IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/india-takes-key-steps-in-science-research-and-innovation-amid-govt-push-655593.html Thu, 25 Dec 2025 11:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/india-takes-key-steps-in-science-research-and-innovation-amid-govt-push-in-2025-655594.html New Delhi Dec 25 With largescale funding for research and innovation Indiaâs science and technology SampT sector made a significant leap in 2025 The sector saw improvement in global rankings and advances in frontier technologies semiconductor development and AIbased missionsIn 2025 the country rose to the 38th position among 139 economies in the World Intellectual Property Organizations Global Innovation Index GII 2025 India made a big leap from 81st rank in 2015Four Indian cities also featured among the top 100 innovation clusters Bengaluru 21 Delhi 26 Mumbai 46 and Chennai all of which improved rankings this yearIn a significant push to incentivise private sector participation in RampD the government this year launched the Research Development and Innovation Fund in July The fund was launched with a total outlay of Rs 10 Lakh crore over six years out of which Rs 20000 crore was allocated for FY 202526The National Quantum Mission NQM focussed on building Indias quantum tech ecosystem established operational hubs across 43 institutions by mid2025Under the Mission the government has released Rs 45099 crore in FY 202526 and Rs 5544 crore has been utilised till November 2025Further under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary CyberPhysical Systems NMICPS focused on building CyberPhysical Systems CPS capabilities major initiatives undertaken in 2025 include projects like BharatGen Generative AI for Indian languages and bolstering digital infrastructure for cybersecurity and smart applicationsThe LLMbased platform integrates text speech and image modalities offering seamless AI solutions in 22 Indian languagesThe National Supercomputing Mission NSM saw the installation of 37 supercomputers with a total computing power of 40 Petaflops in 2025These systems are set up in leading institutions like IISc IITs CDAC RampD Labs and also in several academic institutions and research organisation in the TierII and TierIII cities across the countryThese supercomputers have supported over 10000 researchers including more than 1700 PhD scholars from over 200 academic and research institutionsNotably the IndiaAI Mission with a budget of over Rs 10300 crore deployed 38000 GPUs as of 2025 to provide affordable computing power to startups and researchersIn 2025 India also rapidly expanded its AI ecosystem with several key Centres of Excellence CoEs focused on sectors like education healthcare agriculture urban governance and clean Energy spurred by the Union Budget 202526With the DHRUV64 Microprocessor India launched its first fully indigenous 10 GHz 64bit dualcore microprocessor in December 2025 Developed by CDAC the chip is designed for 5G IoT and automotive applicationsVIKRAM3201 became the first MakeinIndia 32bit microprocessor specifically qualified for harsh space environmentsThe governments flagship schemes like INSPIRE INSPIREMANAK and WISEKIRAN benefited lakhs of school students researchers and women scientistsIndia also launched its first RampD roadmap for Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage CCUS in December 2025 to accelerate its netzero mission IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/india-takes-key-steps-in-science-research-and-innovation-amid-govt-push-in-2025-655594.html Thu, 25 Dec 2025 11:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/experts-call-for-ramping-upscienceand-techinvestmentin-india-655362.html New Delhi December 23 While India has enormous talent the overall investment in science and technology is very modest said experts here on Tuesday At an event held in the national capital the experts reflected on how scientific research priorities must evolve in response to global uncertainty rapid technological advances and increasingly complex societal challengesProfessor Jack Szostak Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine 2009 said that increasing investment in science and education can help develop solutions to global problemsâIndia has enormously talented people but overall investment in science and technology remains very modest There are bright spots of worldclass research but they are small compared to what India could achieveâ Szostak said during the event organised by Ashoka UniversitySzostak a Professor of Chemistry at the University of Chicago stated that investment in science is often seen as competing with immediate social needsâOn the contrary the most effective way to address these pressing challenges is to increase investment in science and technology because that will lead to solutions to the pressing problems of todayâ the expert saidFormer Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India Professor K VijayRaghavan reiterated the need to expand both the scale and footprint of scientific research in IndiaâWhile India has made significant investments in select missions and institutions the broader challenge lies in widening access to research funding beyond a small set of elite centres and building mechanisms that allow emerging institutions to absorb and utilise resources effectivelyâ he addedPriyamvada Natarajan Professor of Astronomy and Physics at Yale University highlighted the importance of sustained support for fundamental research and increasing investments in scienceâThis is a unique moment for India to step up its investment in science and focus on a few highimpact interdisciplinary areas Much of todayâs most important research is deeply collaborative and by investing strategically in these emerging fields India has the opportunity not just to follow but to define the next frontiers of scienceâ Natarajan addedProfessor Rajesh Gopakumar Director of the International Centre for Theoretical Sciences ICTSâTIFR and a leading theoretical physicist stressed the need to boost scientific research and strengthen international collaborationâTo move forward we need to open up our horizons That means internationalising Indian science globalising our benchmarks and having the confidence to see science as an openended activity where new doors are opened through conversations across disciplines and across countriesâ the expert added IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/experts-call-for-ramping-upscienceand-techinvestmentin-india-655362.html Wed, 24 Dec 2025 00:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/house-purchase-affordability-significantly-improves-across-indias-top-cities-655363.html New Delhi Dec 23 House purchase affordability improved significantly across major Indian cities in 2025 with Ahmedabad as the most affordable among the top eight cities a report said on Tuesday The report from property consultancy Knight Frank India showed Ahmedabad leading the Affordability Index with an EMIâtoâincome ratio of 18 per cent followed by Pune and Kolkata at 22 per centIn Mumbai the EMIâtoâincome ratio declined to 47 per cent marking the first time the cityâs affordability has fallen below the 50 per cent threshold signalling sustainable level of housing affordabilityThe consultancy attributed the improvement to a 125 basisâpoint cut in the policy repo rate since February 2025 improving affordability resilient economic growth easing inflation and rising incomesA stable business and income growth environment coupled with reasonable price growth and increasingly enabling financing environment were the major causal factors behind improved affordability in MumbaiThe National Capital Region NCR was the only major market to register a deterioration in affordability during the year driven by a sharp rise in weighted average prices due to heightened activity at the premium end of the marketAffordability had strengthened across India during the pandemic as the Reserve Bank of India RBI lowered the policy repo rate to decade lows the report notedThe supportive rate environment has helped residential sales sustain close to the postpandemic peak recorded in 2024 The supportive interest rate environment is likely to continue into 2026 underpinned by the Indian economyâs sustained and stable growth momentum it forecastedâSupportive affordability is essential for sustaining homebuyer demand and sales momentum which in turn acts as a key economic driver for the country said Shishir Baijal International Partner Chairman and Managing Director Knight Frank IndiaOver the past few years both weighted average prices and income levels have risen at a faster pace and in tandem with the reducing interest rates has strengthened overall home affordability he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/house-purchase-affordability-significantly-improves-across-indias-top-cities-655363.html Wed, 24 Dec 2025 00:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/over-4-500-industrial-parks-playing-key-role-in-indias-big-push-for-growth-655366.html New Delhi Dec 23 Over 4500 industrial parks have now come up in India spanning an area of 770 lakh hectares as part of the governmentâs policy to accelerate the countryâs industry and innovation agenda Developed in partnership with state governments and the private sector these parks are promoting investment to strengthen Indiaâs industrial base and employment generation leading to sustainable economic development according to an official statement issued on TuesdayAs the government increasingly adopts the role of facilitator rather than regulator these parks are sculpting a globally competitive industrial economy in IndiaAn outlay of Rs 2500 crores has been allocated for the development of plugandplay industrial parks in the Union Budget 202526 By providing infrastructure that is precisiondesigned to industry needs the plugandplay parks enhance operational efficiency and sustainabilityThere are currently 306 plugandplay industrial parks in India and an additional 20 plugandplay industrial parks and smart cities are being developed under the National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation NICDC Four projects have been completed four are currently under construction while the rest are advancing through different phases of bidding and tendering the statement explainedThe industrial parks operate under liberal and incentivebased rules for labour land use and foreign investment They offer shared hard and soft facilities such as utilities telecom networks waste systems laboratories internal roads onestop clearances training centres security and emergency servicesIndia has strengthened the ease of doing business by supporting domestic and international investors with industrial parks becoming central to attracting investment and meeting largescale employment needs as improved internal infrastructure has raised occupancy rates and stimulated economic growthInvestors can remotely evaluate suitable land parcels using detailed information on infrastructure connectivity business support services and environmental and safety standards thereby enabling wellinformed investment decisionsDevelopment takes place on clearly demarcated masterplanned land with uniform standards for buildings and facilities A single authority oversees firm entry ensures regulatory compliance and drives longterm park developmentMultiple firms operate within the park collaborate share resources and enhance productivity through agglomeration and clustering effectsThese industrial parks integrate scarce factors of production within defined geographic zones generating higher productivity and operational efficiency They create jobs improve wages and strengthen the local talent baseThe parks draw investment and advanced technologies while enabling technology and managerial knowledge transfer The clustered industrial activity stimulates upgrading enhances national competitiveness and deepens global value chain integration They also act as catalysts for economic expansion and sustainable progress in host cities and regionsThere is also an Industrial Park Rating System IPRS which has been put in place for a sharper focus on sustainability green infrastructure logistics digitalisation skill linkages and tenant feedback IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/over-4-500-industrial-parks-playing-key-role-in-indias-big-push-for-growth-655366.html Wed, 24 Dec 2025 00:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/minister-advises-india-post-to-drive-strategic-biz-growth-boost-regional-outreach-655373.html New Delhi Dec 23 The government on Tuesday advised India Post to adopt a proactive and strategic approach to business growth including reaching out to businesses and entities contributing high GST Dr Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development also advocated establishing dedicated marketing executive teams in every circle to monitor leads conversions and revenue daily and called on circle heads to leverage regional strengths â aligned with local geography industry presence and business potential â to implement customised growth strategiesIn a review meeting part of the quarterly monitoring framework laid down by Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia Dr Pemmasani also directed that all performance metrics â mail and parcel operations savings and insurance â must balance public welfare and financial prudenceThe reviews aim to identify issues early enable quick course corrections and ensure India Post consistently meets its service and performance goalsCovering all 24 postal circles the discussions focused on operational efficiency financial inclusion logistics expansion and techdriven reforms aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modiâs vision of Viksit BharatHighlighting India Postâs unmatched network the Minister of State called for optimal utilisation of resources to strengthen delivery services and expand savings and insurance coverage supporting the nationâs logistics needsThe minister commended Karnataka Circle for strong grassroots performance and successful acquisition of new customers and marketsHe also lauded the Northeastern Circle for opening 154 lakh new savings accounts mobilizing Rs 276 crore under PLIRPLI and implementing structured MSME outreach The Minister of State said that serving over 14 billion citizens through the postal network is both a responsibility and an opportunity emphasising that efficient services digital integrity and financial prudence are central to making India Post a selfreliant futureready institution IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/minister-advises-india-post-to-drive-strategic-biz-growth-boost-regional-outreach-655373.html Wed, 24 Dec 2025 00:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/bank-of-india-raises-rs-10-000-crore-via-infrastructure-bonds-655380.html New Delhi Dec 23 Bank of India on Tuesday raised Rs 10000 crore through the issuance of longterm infrastructure bonds at an interest rate of 723 per cent per annum The fundraising was carried out through the NSE Electronic Bidding Provider PlatformThe base issue size was Rs 5000 crore with an additional green shoe option of Rs 5000 croreThe issue received strong investor interest with the bank getting 83 bids worth Rs 15305 crore Out of these 37 bids amounting to Rs 10000 crore were acceptedThe bank said the funds raised through these longterm bonds will be used to finance longterm projects in infrastructure subsectors and affordable housing in line with Reserve Bank of India RBI guidelines However it clarified that the money is not earmarked for any specific projectMeanwhile stateowned Union Bank of India has announced a significant reduction in interest rates on select retail loan products including home loans vehicle loans and personal loans The revised rates came into effect from December 18Under the revision home loan interest rates have been reduced by 30 basis points and now start at 715 per centVehicle loan rates have been cut by 40 basis points and now begin at 750 per cent Personal loan borrowers have received the biggest relief with interest rates reduced by up to 160 basis points bringing the starting rate down to 875 per centIn addition to the base rate cuts the bank is also offering an extra concession of 010 per cent per annum on eligible green finance home loans and vehicle loansThe rate reduction follows the Reserve Bank of Indiaâs Monetary Policy Committee decision to cut the repo rate by 25 basis points to 525 per cent on December 5This was the fourth repo rate cut in 2025 taking the total reduction in the policy rate to 125 basis points during the yearUnion Bank of India said the move is aimed at supporting homebuyers vehicle buyers and personal loan customers by lowering borrowing costs while continuing to follow prudent lending practicesThe bank added that it is among the first in the sector to respond to the recent monetary easing with the objective of improving affordability for retail borrowers subject to eligibility and credit norms IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/bank-of-india-raises-rs-10-000-crore-via-infrastructure-bonds-655380.html Wed, 24 Dec 2025 00:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/manohar-lal-kicks-off-operation-of-250-mw-unit-of-indias-largest-hydropower-project-655382.html New Delhi Dec 23 Union Minister of Power Manohar Lal on Tuesday inaugurated the commercial operation of Unitâ2 250 MW of the 2000 MW Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project through virtual mode With the commissioning of Unit 2 the Project is moving swiftly towards commissioning of 3 Units of 250 MW each shortly followed by phased commissioning of the remaining four units during 202627Upon full commissioning the 2000 MW Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project will make a significant contribution to Indiaâs renewable energy capacity enhance national grid resilience and usher in a new era in massive clean energy contributionApart from supplying electricity to 16 beneficiary states across India the Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project will provide free power allocations to Arunachal Pradesh and Assam while the NorthEast region will receive 1000 MW from the project significantly strengthening regional energy availabilityThe minister said âThe commissioning of this unit is not just a technical achievement but a testament to years of hard work dedication and teamworkâHe further emphasised that the Subansiri Project stands as a symbol of Indiaâs commitment to clean and sustainable energy supporting NorthEast Indiaâs growth strengthening the national grid and advancing Indiaâs ambitious Net Zero goalsThe event was also attended by Pankaj Agarwal Secretary Power Bhupender Gupta CMD NHPC and other officers of the Ministry of Power and NHPCPankaj Agarwal lauded NHPCâs achievement highlighting that the Subansiri Lower Project will greatly improve energy supply in the NorthEast and serve as a testament to Indiaâs commitment to stateoftheart sustainable power systemsHe emphasised the timely commissioning of the remaining units noting that the Subansiri Project will continue to play a pivotal role in Indiaâs transition to a netzero energy future while generating substantial socioeconomic benefits for local communitiesNHPC chairman and managing director Bhupender Gupta said that the project will strengthen the national grid support sustainable development in the NorthEast and provide reliable renewable energy to meet growing demandAs Indiaâs largest hydropower project the Subansiri Lower Project comprises 8 units of 250 MW each and is designed as a RunoftheRiver scheme with small pondage diverting water through eight Head Race Tunnels HRTs to generate 7422 million units MU of renewable electricity annually contributing significantly to Indiaâs green energy future The project features the largest dam in NorthEast India a 116metrehigh concrete gravity dam which not only strengthens regional infrastructure and grid resilience but also enhances flood moderation and water management in the Subansiri River basinAs the first cascaded dam on the Subansiri River the Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project provides flood moderation with a 442 million cubic metre flood cushionWith a gross reservoir storage of 1365 million cubic metres at FRL about onethird remains empty during floods to absorb excess water and protect downstream communitiesNHPC has implemented extensive riverbank protection and erosion control measures along the Subansiri River completing works up to 30 km downstream and extending them up to 60 km with an investment of about Rs 522 crore This has effectively stabilised the riverbanks for over five yearsIn addition NHPC is supporting downstream community development through livelihood programs in piggery sericulture and handloom developed with IRMA These initiatives now in production benefit around 5000 women farmers and promote sustainable socioeconomic development in the regionThe project has generated strong socioeconomic benefits for the region by engaging around 7000 local people daily during its construction phase and creating numerous direct and indirect jobs through contractors service providers and local marketsWith the commissioning of the project and the availability of continuous power new smallscale industries are expected to emerge further expanding employment and business opportunities while helping reduce outmigrationAdditionally the project is expected to boost tourism and enhance river navigation contributing to longterm regional development and prosperity IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/manohar-lal-kicks-off-operation-of-250-mw-unit-of-indias-largest-hydropower-project-655382.html Wed, 24 Dec 2025 00:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/ktaka-gruha-lakhsmi-scheme-beneficiaries-share-pain-over-stalled-funds-655390.html Bengaluru Dec 23 Gruha Lakshmi scheme is one of the flagship schemes of the Karnataka government aimed at empowering women by providing financial assistance to female heads of households however the default in payment for months has left the beneficiaries high and dry Under the scheme a monthly financial aid of Rs 2000 is given to eligible women helping them manage household expenses and improve their livelihoodAs the state government defaulted on payments it has left the beneficiaries under financial strain and all they hope and wish is that it restarts soonA couple of beneficiaries said that Gruha Lakshmi funds were not deposited in their accounts causing significant problemsA beneficiary of the Gruha Lakshmi scheme told IANS It has been many months but the money for the last three months has not come If it comes it will be good for us as well We have children and have to pay rent We do not have our own house If the money is deposited it will help usIn Belagavi district the constituency of women and child development minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar women failed to get the funds following which they urged her to release the funds for the two monthsAnother beneficiary said Only the money for the past two months has not been received the rest has been credited The madam has done a lot of good for us Although this problem has occurred we have to manageNotably the scheme is part of the five major guarantees of the Congress government under which women of lowincome households were promised Rs 2000 every month The state govt spends about Rs 28600 crore a lionâs share of its budget under this scheme aloneAs complaints of âfreezeâ in fund disbursal surfaced Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy also questioned the Siddaramaiah government seeking answers on nonpayment of two monthsâ Gruha Lakshmi scheme benefits to womenThe Opposition party is putting pressure on the state government to release the Gruha Lakshmi funds for February and March insisting that an investigation be conducted to find out where the funds for these two months went IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/ktaka-gruha-lakhsmi-scheme-beneficiaries-share-pain-over-stalled-funds-655390.html Wed, 24 Dec 2025 00:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/haryana-kisan-diwas-celebrated-in-hisar-dozens-of-farmers-honoured-655391.html Hisar Dec 23 The Kisan Diwas was celebrated at the Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University in the city on Tuesday where dozens of farmers were honoured for leading the transition to natural farming and also encouraging others to adopt the âorganicâ path The event saw Prof BR Kamboj ViceChancellor of the university gracing the ceremony as the chief guestAshish Mehta a farmer from Sukera Kheda village in Sirsa was honoured with the Kisan Ratna Award and was given a memento certificate and cash prize of Rs 31000 Being a progressive and techsavvy farmer he has successfully adopted organic farming along with the cultivation of diverse crops including paddy wheat cotton sugarcane pulses oilseeds vegetables and fruits He has also presented an environmentally friendly solution to the problem of stubble burning thereby improving soil health and the productivity of the fieldsHe is also a trained drone pilot enabling precise spraying crop monitoring and cost reduction By adopting drip and microsprinkler irrigation organic vegetable nurseries and dairy farming he has developed agriculture as a holistic enterpriseBesides him one male and one female farmer from each district of the state were also feted for their remarkable achievementsSpeaking on the occasion ViceChancellor Professor BR Kamboj said that Prime Minister Narendra Modis dream is for our country to enter the list of developed nations by 2047âFor this we will have to conserve our natural resources Under this initiative natural farming and cultivation of coarse grains are being promotedâ he statedHe added that Haryana Agricultural University is a leader in developing new crop varieties and days ago the university developed a new variety of mustard which is proving very popular with farmersThe ViceChancellor said that to ensure that the innovative business ideas of our youth are transformed into successful ventures the university has established an AgriBusiness Incubation CentreAshish Mehta a farmer who received the Kisan Ratna Award said that he has endeavoured to produce the maximum yield with the minimum use of pesticides He said that he has also been working on crop residue management for the past 10 years IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/haryana-kisan-diwas-celebrated-in-hisar-dozens-of-farmers-honoured-655391.html Wed, 24 Dec 2025 00:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/cobrapost-alleges-rs-10-000-crore-related-party-transactions-at-cholamandalam-655396.html New Delhi Dec 23 CobraPost editor Aniruddha Bahal on Tuesday alleged that relatedparty transactions exceeding Rs 10000 crore have taken place involving Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Company Limited and entities linked to the Murugappa Group describing the matter as a clear case of conflict of interest Speaking to IANS Bahal said the investigation found that auditors were charging unusually high feesWhile high fees in themselves may not be an issue he stressed that auditors and credit rating agencies must not have conflicts of interestâIn this case grouplinked companies are engaged in financial transactions with auditors and rating agencies which clearly points to conflicts of interestâ he saidBahal further stated that the relatedparty transactions alone amounted to over Rs 10000 crore and were the primary focus of the investigationHe added that certain cash deposits identified during the probe were âcompletely shockingâ and represented a significant grey area requiring closer scrutinyAccording to allegations published by CobraPost on Tuesday more than Rs 10000 crore in relatedparty transactions were routed over nearly a decade through a network of Murugappa Grouplinked companies family members and key managerial personnel of Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Company Limited raising serious regulatory and corporate governance concernsIn a statement CobraPost further claimed that a portion of these funds was subsequently routed through additional transactions whose nature and purpose warrant detailed regulatory examinationThe portal also alleged that over the past six years Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Company Limited deposited more than Rs 25000 crore in cash across 14 banks eight private sector banks and the remaining public sector lendersIt noted that these figures are indicative and could change if examined by a competent statutory authorityCobraPost said its investigation is based on an analysis of legal filings and public disclosures which it claimed reveal a troubling pattern of large cash transactions questionable relatedparty arrangements surprising legal disclosures and compliance gaps involving one of Indiaâs largest listed nonbanking financial companiesThe portal also alleged that its analysis identified several credit rating agencies auditing firms and nonprofit organisations including Isha Foundation that reportedly received funds from Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Company Limited and other Murugappa Group entitiesHowever the Murugappa Group in a stock exchange filing rejected the allegations as baseless and motivated by malafide intent IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/cobrapost-alleges-rs-10-000-crore-related-party-transactions-at-cholamandalam-655396.html Wed, 24 Dec 2025 00:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/rbi-announces-rs-3-trillion-liquidity-boost-to-through-omos-forex-swap-655406.html Mumbai Dec 23 The Reserve Bank of India RBI on Tuesday announced a fresh set of steps to inject a large amount of money into the banking system to ease tight liquidity conditions Through a mix of open market operations OMOs and a foreign exchange swap the central bank will add nearly Rs 3 trillion to the system over the coming weeksAs part of the plan the RBI will buy government bonds worth Rs 2 trillion through OMOsThese purchases will be done in four equal tranches of Rs 50000 crore each on December 29 January 5 January 12 and January 22In addition the central bank will conduct a threeyear USDINR buysell swap of 10 billion on January 13 which will also help release rupee liquidity into the banking systemMarket participants said such a large injection was widely expected even before the RBI stepped in to sell dollars in the foreign exchange market last weekThe main reason for the liquidity squeeze is the RBIâs recent intervention in the currency market Last week the central bank sold dollars aggressively to prevent a sharp fall in the rupee which had weakened due to uncertainty around a possible trade deal with the US and continued foreign portfolio investor outflows from Indian equity and debt marketsMarket participants believe the RBIâs latest move is timely and sufficient for now They said any further action will depend on how liquidity conditions evolve and whether the central bank needs to intervene again in the foreign exchange market If pressures continue more steps could be taken in the fourth quarterIn the recent monetary policy meeting RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra had reassured markets that the central bank would ensure adequate liquidity in the banking systemHe had said this support would continue even without formally targeting a surplus level of around 1 per cent of net demand and time liabilitiesSo far in December the RBI has already injected about Rs 145 trillion of durable liquidity through a mix of bond purchases and forex swapsBond market participants said that if OMOs are conducted in more liquid government securities it would improve participation and help better price discoveryWhen illiquid bonds are used banks often bid at higher levels to lock in gains which reduces the effectiveness of such operationsEarlier in the year the RBI had carried out even larger liquidity support In the first half of the current calendar year it injected around Rs 95 trillion into the banking systemThis helped move liquidity conditions from a prolonged deficit since midDecember 2024 to a surplus by the end of March 2025 Most of this support came through open market purchases along with longterm repo operations and USDINR buysell swaps IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/rbi-announces-rs-3-trillion-liquidity-boost-to-through-omos-forex-swap-655406.html Wed, 24 Dec 2025 00:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/vishwakarma-shram-samman-yojana-is-transforming-the-lives-of-artisans-655409.html Ghazipur Dec 23 Artisans in Uttar Pradeshâs Ghazipur district are transforming their lives by benefiting from the Vishwakarma Shram Samman Yojana Artisans say that under this scheme they received 10 days of training and an amount of Rs 4000 was also credited directly to their bank accounts by the governmentSanju who makes baskets for a living said that she is a resident of GhazipurâWe make baskets and winnowing trays Earlier we worked using knives and cutters and we had to rent machines to cut bamboo Now under the Vishwakarma Shram Samman Yojana we have received a toolkit that includes machines for making baskets and trays This will benefit us a lotâ she saidShe added that under the scheme they were also given 10 days of training to improve their work during which they learned many new techniquesSpeaking about the toolkit provided under the scheme she said âWe did not have to pay even a single rupee for it The government not only gave us Rs 4000 but also provided equipment which will make our work much easierâDistrict Industries Department official Praveen Kumar Maurya said that the Vishwakarma scheme was launched by the central governmentâIt provides 10 days of training So far toolkits have been distributed to 25 basket weavers Earlier they used to work manually but now by using these toolkits they will be able to work faster and with better quality After the training Rs 4000 has been deposited into their bank accountsâ he saidAnother beneficiary Lakshmi said that the toolkit is very useful for making basketsThe Vishwakarma Shram Samman Yojana was launched to improve the standard of living of artisans and handicrafts workers by upgrading their skills and expanding the range of products and services created by themIts objective is to provide comprehensive support to artisans and craftspeople in their respective professionsThe scheme focuses on promoting livelihoods in both rural and urban areas with special emphasis on womenâs empowerment IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/vishwakarma-shram-samman-yojana-is-transforming-the-lives-of-artisans-655409.html Wed, 24 Dec 2025 00:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/rbi-announces-rs-3-trillion-liquidity-boost-through-omos-forex-swap-655411.html Mumbai Dec 23 The Reserve Bank of India RBI on Tuesday announced a fresh set of steps to inject a large amount of money into the banking system to ease tight liquidity conditions Through a mix of open market operations OMOs and a foreign exchange swap the central bank will add nearly Rs 3 trillion to the system over the coming weeksAs part of the plan the RBI will buy government bonds worth Rs 2 trillion through OMOsThese purchases will be done in four equal tranches of Rs 50000 crore each on December 29 January 5 January 12 and January 22In addition the central bank will conduct a threeyear USDINR buysell swap of 10 billion on January 13 which will also help release rupee liquidity into the banking systemMarket participants said such a large injection was widely expected even before the RBI stepped in to sell dollars in the foreign exchange market last weekThe main reason for the liquidity squeeze is the RBIâs recent intervention in the currency market Last week the central bank sold dollars aggressively to prevent a sharp fall in the rupee which had weakened due to uncertainty around a possible trade deal with the US and continued foreign portfolio investor outflows from Indian equity and debt marketsMarket participants believe the RBIâs latest move is timely and sufficient for now They said any further action will depend on how liquidity conditions evolve and whether the central bank needs to intervene again in the foreign exchange market If pressures continue more steps could be taken in the fourth quarterIn the recent monetary policy meeting RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra had reassured markets that the central bank would ensure adequate liquidity in the banking systemHe had said this support would continue even without formally targeting a surplus level of around 1 per cent of net demand and time liabilitiesSo far in December the RBI has already injected about Rs 145 trillion of durable liquidity through a mix of bond purchases and forex swapsBond market participants said that if OMOs are conducted in more liquid government securities it would improve participation and help better price discoveryWhen illiquid bonds are used banks often bid at higher levels to lock in gains which reduces the effectiveness of such operationsEarlier in the year the RBI had carried out even larger liquidity support In the first half of the current calendar year it injected around Rs 95 trillion into the banking systemThis helped move liquidity conditions from a prolonged deficit since midDecember 2024 to a surplus by the end of March 2025 Most of this support came through open market purchases along with longterm repo operations and USDINR buysell swaps IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/rbi-announces-rs-3-trillion-liquidity-boost-through-omos-forex-swap-655411.html Wed, 24 Dec 2025 00:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/gold-silver-surpass-record-high-amid-usvenezuela-tensions-fed-rate-cut-hopes-655475.html Mumbai Dec 24 The gold prices surged over 05 per cent to hit record highs on Wednesday pushing above 4500 an ounce due to escalating USâVenezuela tensions and expectations for more US rate cuts next year MCX gold February futures rose 044 per cent to Rs 138485 per 10 grams while MCX silver surged 179 per cent to a record high of Rs 223593 per kilogram as of 1005 amThe dollar index had declined 020 per cent during the session making gold cheaper in overseas currenciesSpot gold surged past the psychological 4500 per ounce milestone propelled by safehaven demand and rate cut expectations Silver touched a fresh alltime high and surged beyond 72 said Devarsh Vakil Head of Prime Research at HDFC SecuritiesSilver has gained 24 per cent in December and 135 per cent yearoveryear reflecting tight supplydemand fundamentals and robust safehaven flows Vakil addedDomestic spot gold prices have surged over 76 per cent yearâtoâdate and international gold prices over 70 per cent in 2025 on track for their strongest annual performance since 1979Platinum traded above 2300 an ounce for the first time in several decades while palladium also recorded gainsThe US Coast Guard this month seized a super tanker under sanctions carrying Venezuelan oil and tried to intercept two more Venezuelaârelated ships over the weekend heightening tensionsKilling of a Russian army general in a bomb attack on Monday also contributed to increased geopolitical risk and supported gold and silverGold has support at Rs 135550Rs 134710 zone while silver has support at Rs 211150Rs 210280 zone according to analystsAggressive central bank buying expectations of US Fed rate cuts concerns over impact of US tariffs geopolitical tensions and robust inflows into gold and silver ETFs drove the gold and silver prices this year IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/gold-silver-surpass-record-high-amid-usvenezuela-tensions-fed-rate-cut-hopes-655475.html Wed, 24 Dec 2025 16:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/india-grade-a-office-leasing-surges-6-pc-to-cross-71-mn-sq-ft-in-2025-655492.html New Delhi Dec 24 Indiaâs Grade A office leasing across the top seven cities reached 715 million sq ft in 2025 marking a 6 per cent yearonyear growth a report said on Wednesday The report from Colliers said the robust leasing was driven by strong occupier demand strong economic growth expanding Global Capability Centers and a preference for highâquality assetsBengaluru led the office market with 221 million sq ft of leasing nearly oneâthird of panâIndia demand while Delhi NCR Hyderabad Chennai and Mumbai each recorded close to or over 10 million sq ftIt reflected occupiersâ expanding real estate footprint across multiple markets and adding credence to the strong multicity demand narrativeA strong fourth quarter provided the decisive push with allâtime high quarterly leasing of 206 million sq ft marking a 20 per cent surge from the prior quarter led by Bengaluruâs record 81 million sq ft and Delhi NCRâs 42 million sq ftThese two cities together accounted for nearly 60 per cent of Q4 activity highlighting large deal closures and occupier expansion the report notedâWith continued demand from GCCs technology amp BFSI firms and flex space operators alongside a clear flighttoquality the office market outlook remains positive Going ahead we expect leasing activity to remain robust in 2026 supported by demand scaleup across major cities increasing adoption of flexible and managed workspace solutions and high traction in sustainable buildingsâ said Arpit Mehrotra Managing Director Office Services India ColliersConventional office uptake totalled 585 million sq ft in 2025 up 7 per cent while flex space uptake reached 13 million sq ft about 18 per cent of total leasingOffice space demand continued to remain diversified in 2025 with around 25 million sq ft of conventional space or 40 per cent of uptake across BFSI engineering amp manufacturing and consulting firmsNew supply across the top cities rose 5 per cent to 565 million sq ft with Bengaluru Hyderabad and Pune together accounting for nearly 70 per cent of completions IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/india-grade-a-office-leasing-surges-6-pc-to-cross-71-mn-sq-ft-in-2025-655492.html Wed, 24 Dec 2025 16:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/indias-industrial-and-logistics-sector-clocks-186-pc-absorption-growth-in-2025-655521.html New Delhi Dec 24 Indiaâs industrial and logistics sector continued its strong postpandemic growth trajectory in 2025 recording its highestever annual absorption of 765 million square feet marking an 186 per cent yearonyear increase a report showed on Wednesday Backed by proactive government policies the manufacturing segment has continued to be the strongest demand driver accounting for 22 million sq ft 29 per cent of total absorption in 2025 up from 22 per cent in 2024 according to data released by international real estate advisory firm Savills IndiaThis is followed by sustained demand from thirdparty logistics 3PL segment with a 28 per cent overall contribution FMCG and FMCD with 11 per cent and retail with 6 per cent The ecommerce sector has rebounded after years of reduced activity with its contribution rising from 4 per cent in 2023 to 12 per cent in 2025âIndiaâs manufacturing landscape is experiencing a fundamental transformation propelled by the sustained momentum of the âMake in Indiaâ initiative which has evolved into a globally integrated âMade By Indiaâ manufacturing platform This evolution signals both the strengthening of domestic production capabilities and Indiaâs expanding role within global supply chainsâ said Srinivas N Managing Director Industrial and Logistics Savills IndiaTier 1 cities accounted for 78 per cent of total absorption while tier 2 and 3 cities took the remaining 22 per cent On the supply side tier 1 cities accounted for 82 per cent of the total supply while tier 2 and 3 cities contributed 18 per cent said the reportDelhiNCR remained at the top with the highest contribution of 17 per cent to total absorption followed by Pune and Mumbai with 15 per cent and 14 per cent respectivelyThe industrial and logistics sector is set for a breakout year in 2026 with both supply and absorption expected to comfortably surpass 80 million sq ft underscoring the sectorâs deepening structural demandManufacturing 3PL and FMCGFMCD occupiers will remain the primary growth engines driven by supplychain diversification rising consumption and expansion of organised logistics said the report IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/indias-industrial-and-logistics-sector-clocks-186-pc-absorption-growth-in-2025-655521.html Wed, 24 Dec 2025 18:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/coal-india-shares-jump-to-7-month-high-as-board-clears-listing-of-mcl-and-secl-655523.html Mumbai Dec 24 Coal India shares rose about 3 per cent on Wednesday after the companyâs board gave inprinciple approval to list two of its subsidiaries Mahanadi Coalfields Limited MCL and South Eastern Coalfields Limited SECL The positive development boosted investor sentiment around the PSU stockIn morning trade on Wednesday Coal India shares climbed to Rs 41240 apiece marking their highest level in the last seven monthsWith this move the stock extended its rally for the sixth straight trading sessionThe company informed exchanges late on December 23 that the proposed listings of MCL and SECL are subject to various regulatory approvalsThis announcement followed advice from the Ministry of Coal on December 16 which had asked Coal India to take concrete steps to ensure the listing of its subsidiaries in the financial year 2026â27South Eastern Coalfields Limited is a Mini Ratna public sector enterprise with a strong project pipelineSo far 73 major coal projects have been approved for SECL with a total capacity of 3028 crore tonnes per annum and sanctioned capital expenditure of Rs 44571 croreOut of these 30 projects are currently under implementation 38 have been completed and five underground blocks are operating as existing minesIn the financial year 2024â25 SECL produced 1675 crore tonnes of coal Its coal reserves are spread across Chhattisgarh and Madhya PradeshMahanadi Coalfields Limited was carved out of SECL in 1992 and is headquartered in Sambalpur OdishaThe company received its Miniratna status in 2019 and is one of Coal Indiaâs key subsidiariesCoal India shares had already gained momentum a day earlier rising nearly 4 per cent to close at Rs 40065 on TuesdayThe jump came after media reports suggested that another subsidiary Bharat Coking Coal Limited BCCL is planning to launch an initial public offering soon IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/coal-india-shares-jump-to-7-month-high-as-board-clears-listing-of-mcl-and-secl-655523.html Wed, 24 Dec 2025 18:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/residential-realty-demand-to-soften-in-fy26-commercial-demand-to-grow-5-pc-655526.html New Delhi Dec 24 Residential demand in Indiaâs top seven cities is expected to ease 2â4 per cent this fiscal due to a high base effect but premiumisation will continue a report said on Wednesday The report from Crisil Intelligence said that commercial real estate demand is projected to expand this fiscal with demand rising 5â7 per cent and supply increasing 9â11 per cent fuelled by leasing from global capability centres flexible workspace operators and the ITITeS and BFSI sectorsThe report said that the ease in residential demand follows robust growth over FY22â FY24 and is driven by a high base effect sharp capital value appreciation and cityâspecific factors such as higher stamp duty and registration chargesDespite the slowdown premiumisation continues marked by sharp capital value appreciation and larger average carpet areas in new apartments the report notedThe firm forecasted capital values to rise a moderate 5â7 per cent this fiscal down from 13â14 per cent in the previous two fiscalsCrisil noted that commercial momentum is likely to ease next fiscal because of the high base built over the past four to five fiscalsThe research firm expressed a more optimistic outlook for fiscal 2027 with demand recovery driven by rising incomes lower interest rates and continued infrastructure improvementsOverall the longterm outlook for the Indian real estate market remains positive with growth and stability to return in the medium term said Aniket Dani Director Crisil IntelligenceAnother recent report noted that conventional office uptake totalled 585 million sq ft in 2025 up 7 per cent while flex space uptake reached 13 million sq ft about 18 per cent of total leasingOffice space demand continued to remain diversified in 2025 with around 25 million sq ft of conventional space or 40 per cent of uptake across BFSI engineering amp manufacturing and consulting firmsNew supply across the top cities rose 5 per cent to 565 million sq ft with Bengaluru Hyderabad and Pune together accounting for nearly 70 per cent of completions IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/residential-realty-demand-to-soften-in-fy26-commercial-demand-to-grow-5-pc-655526.html Wed, 24 Dec 2025 19:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/pan-holders-alert-aadhaar-linking-mandatory-by-dec-31-to-avoid-inactivation-655530.html New Delhi Dec 24 The deadline to link Permanent Account Number PAN with Aadhaar is December 31 and failure to do so may result in the PAN becoming inactive after this date Taxpayers who have not completed the linking process are advised to act promptly to avoid financial and compliancerelated difficultiesAccording to a notification issued by the Income Tax Department on April 3 2025 individuals who were allotted a PAN on or after October 1 2024 are required to link their PAN with Aadhaar by December 31 2025For all other PAN holders the original deadline for linking PAN with Aadhaar was May 31 2024If the PANâAadhaar linking is completed on or before December 31 a penalty of Rs 1000 will be applicable as the original deadline has already passedHowever failure to link even after this date could lead to the PAN being deactivatedAn inactive PAN can cause several problems for taxpayers Filing income tax returns may become difficult and those awaiting refunds could see their refunds getting stuckIn such cases taxpayers may have to go through a lengthy process including applying for a new PAN to resolve the issueAdditionally nonlinking of PAN with Aadhaar may result in higher rates of Tax Deducted at Source TDS and Tax Collected at Source TCSTaxpayers may also lose access to Form 26AS and may not receive TDS or TCS certificatesBanking and financial transactions can also be severely affected Individuals with an inactive PAN may not be able to open bank accounts obtain credit or debit cards deposit cash exceeding Rs 50000 or carry out bank transactions above Rs 10000Know Your Customer KYC processes may also remain incomplete leading to denial of various government servicesMoreover investments in mutual funds and equities could be halted adding to the financial inconvenienceGiven the wideranging implications taxpayers are strongly advised to link their PAN with Aadhaar before the December 31 deadline to avoid disruption IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/pan-holders-alert-aadhaar-linking-mandatory-by-dec-31-to-avoid-inactivation-655530.html Wed, 24 Dec 2025 19:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/sensex-nifty-end-lower-ahead-of-christmas-655536.html Mumbai Dec 24 Indian stock market benchmarks Sensex and Nifty ended slightly lower on Wednesday as selling pressure in oil and gas pharmaceutical and IT stocks weighed on the indices Trading activity also remained dull as investors stayed cautious ahead of the Christmas holiday on ThursdayThe Sensex closed at 8540870 slipping 11614 points or 014 per cent Similarly the Nifty ended at 2614210 down 3505 points or 013 per cent from the previous closeâThe index gravitated toward the 26100â26130 support zone where some buying interest emerged but it lacked the strength to trigger a meaningful reboundâ experts saidâUnless the Nifty decisively reclaims the 26200 level the shortterm outlook remains cautious with downside risks extending toward 26100 and lowerâ they addedOn the BSE Trent UltraTech Cement and Maruti Suzuki emerged as the top gainers supported by selective buyingHowever losses in Tata Motorsâ passenger vehicle business Sun Pharma and Asian Paints dragged the index lowerOn the NSE shares of Trent Shriram Finance and Apollo Hospitals performed well and ended higherIn contrast IndiGo and Dr Reddyâs Laboratories were among the major losers and put pressure on the marketThe broader market showed a mixed trend The Nifty SmallCap 100 index gained 028 per centMeanwhile the Nifty MidCap 100 index fell 060 per cent Sectorwise Nifty Oil and Gas was the worst performer falling 076 per centIt was followed by the Nifty Metal and Pharma indices which declined 051 per cent eachOn the positive side Nifty Media rose 044 per cent while Realty and Metal indices also managed to close in the green with modest gainsAnalysts said that the market remained rangebound and subdued as investors preferred to stay on the sidelines ahead of the holiday with stockspecific movements driving the dayâs tradeâLooking ahead market activity is likely to remain muted though investors will be closely tracking developments on the trade front market watchers stated IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/sensex-nifty-end-lower-ahead-of-christmas-655536.html Wed, 24 Dec 2025 19:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/politically-convenient-not-economic-bjp-slams-rahul-gandhis-gst-remarks-655541.html New Delhi Dec 24 The BJP on Wednesday attacked Leader of Opposition LoP Rahul Gandhi over his recent comments on GST and manufacturing calling them contradictory and disconnected from economic realities Reacting to Gandhiâs remarks made during an interaction in Berlin BJP Information Technology Cell Chief Amit Malviya said his statements reflect political convenience rather than a clear understanding of economicsâFor years Rahul Gandhi labelled GST as the âGabbar Singh Taxâ blaming it for hurting consumers Now speaking from Berlin he describes the same GST regime as proconsumer and antiproducerâ Malviya said in a post on social media platform XâThese two claims cannot coexist A tax system cannot simultaneously be accused of crushing consumers and privileging them at the expense of producers This shift in language is driven purely by political convenienceâ he statedThe BJP leader said that when indirect tax rates like GST are reduced both consumers and producers benefit togetherLower taxes reduce prices and make goods more affordable for consumers while producers gain from higher demand increased sales volumes and better use of their factoriesâThis flipflop alone exposes the absence of any economic knowledge his fundamental understanding of economics is deeply flawedâ Malviya mentionedResponding to Gandhiâs allegation that the BJP has âdisincentivised manufacturingâ the BJP leader cited official data to counter the claimâManufacturing has been actively supported through policy measures such as the Production Linked Incentive PLI schemeâ he mentionedThe scheme covers 14 key sectors with an outlay of Rs 197 lakh crore It has already attracted investments of Rs 176 lakh crore led to production and sales of more than Rs 165 lakh crore created over 12 lakh jobs and resulted in incentives worth over Rs 21500 crore being disbursedâThese are direct incentives linked to output and competitiveness making it incorrect to call the policy antiproducerâ Malviya mentionedHe also rejected Gandhiâs claim that big Indian companies are merely trading Chinese goods instead of manufacturing in IndiaHe highlighted the electronics and mobile phone sector where production has grown from Rs 19 lakh crore in 2014â15 to Rs 113 lakh crore in 2024â25âRahul Gandhiâs statement relies on shifting slogans rather than economic reasoningâ Malviya added IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/politically-convenient-not-economic-bjp-slams-rahul-gandhis-gst-remarks-655541.html Wed, 24 Dec 2025 19:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/indias-bfsi-deal-activity-triples-in-2025-report-655544.html New Delhi Dec 24 The number of deals in the banking financial services and insurance BFSI space rose threefold in CY 25 a report said on Wednesday The report from financial services firm Equirus Capital said that the year saw 30 deals compared to 10 deals in 2024 with banks and nonâbank financial companies accounting for mergers acquisitions and strategic deals worth Rs 42939 croreOther BFSI segments recorded deals worth Rs 43014 crore it addedThe firm highlighted that NBFCs outperformed public sector banks large and small private banks in terns of share price movement over the past 12 monthsOn a price index set to 100 among public sector banks Indian Bank Canara Bank and Bank of India were the best performers at 151 144 and 136 on the same indexAmong NBFCs LampT Finance led the rally nearly doubling to 204 Among large private banks the strongest shareâprice performers were IDBI Bank IDFC First Bank and Yes Bank Small private banks that outperformed included RBL Bank South Indian Bank and DCB Bank the report saidLeading fund houses had recently said that they are overweight on banks and nonâbank financial companies NBFCs arguing net interest margins for banks should improve in FY27 Private banksâ asset quality is expected to recover and drive midâteens earnings growth in FY27 after a slow FY26 a recent report saidNBFCs are delivering strong earnings growth driven by strong credit demand and improving margins on the back of decline in interest rates it notedPublic sector banks gained share in personal home and auto loans while private banks strengthened share in consumer durables credit cards and twoâwheelers the report said Personal loan disbursements grew about 23 per cent and 35 per cent YoY in H1FY26 and Q2FY26 respectively with PSBsâ disbursements up 77 per cent and their market share by value rising to 36 per cent in Q2FY26 IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/indias-bfsi-deal-activity-triples-in-2025-report-655544.html Wed, 24 Dec 2025 19:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/basic-home-loan-partners-with-udchalo-to-offer-specialised-home-loans-for-defence-personnel-655552.html New Delhi Dec 24 BASIC Home Loan Read BASIC Indiaâs fastestgrowing mortgagefocused fintech platform has partnered with udChalo Housing to offer tailored home loan solutions for serving and retired defence personnel and their families The partnership aims to simplify home ownership for defence and CAPF families by bringing together BASICâs access to 150 plus lenders and udChaloâs deep understanding of defence housing needs Together the two companies will enable defence buyers to discover verified defencefriendly residential projects and secure competitive home loans through a single streamlined journeyUnder the collaboration BASIC Home Loan will facilitate home financing for RERAregistered readytomove and nearpossession residential projects primarily in the Rs 20 lakh and above price range including 15 2 and compact 3 BHK homes plotted developments and row housesThe focus is on affordable and midincome housing with projects selected to align with defence household income profiles and enduse requirements The partnership will initially roll out in Chandigarh and Pune and will gradually expand to key defence hubs across IndiaOver the next three years BASIC Home Loan expects loan disbursals of up to Rs 1000 crore through this partnership This partnership comes amid strong momentum in the affordable housing segment valued at about 317 billion in 2024 and projected to grow to 946 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of nearly 198 per cent with North India currently the largest marketâDefence personnel represent a strong borrower segment with stable incomes and disciplined credit behaviour yet their housing finance needs are often underserved The partnership with udChalo allows us to deliver customised loan options that account for defencespecific income structures postings and longterm planningâ said Atul Monga CEO amp CoFounder BASIC Home LoanRahul Singh Sirohi Business Head â Builder Business BASIC Home Loan added âThrough this partnership we are enabling access to competitive financing that suits the lifestyle budget and longterm needs of defence families By aligning builders lenders and platforms like udChalo we are creating a more reliable and transparent homebuying ecosystemâudChalo brings to this partnership a large captive base of serving armed forces personnel veterans defence civilians and their families The platform curates projects located near strategic and defencepreferred locations ensuring clear titles bankacceptable documentation and realistic pricing aligned with defence household incomesShivam Arren CEO udChalo said âHousing is one of the most important yet complex decisions for defence families By partnering with BASIC Home Loan we are extending our support beyond property discovery to financing ensuring our users get access to multiple lenders competitive rates and guidance at every stage of their homebuying journeyâOver the next 35 years BASIC Home Loan and udChalo aim to formalise and scale defencefocused housing finance across major cantonments and Tier2 and Tier3 cities creating a structured ecosystem for firsttime buyers serving personnel and retirees alikeBASIC Home Loan operates a phygital home loan model with a proprietary lendermatching technology stack and access to 150 plus lending partners The company has serviced over 350 lakh customers and achieved cumulative approvals of around 45000 crore across 650 plus districts nationwide IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/basic-home-loan-partners-with-udchalo-to-offer-specialised-home-loans-for-defence-personnel-655552.html Wed, 24 Dec 2025 19:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/gujarat-hosts-spacetech-round-table-strengthens-indias-space-economy-vision-655556.html Gandhinagar Dec 24 The state government organised the Gujarat SpaceTech Round Table in Gandhinagar on Wednesday The highlevel event resulted in the signing of six key Memoranda of Understanding MoUs and facilitated direct BusinesstoGovernment B2G engagements with eight leading companies aimed at accelerating innovation investment and collaboration in the space technology sector Held at the boardroom of Pandit Deendayal Energy University PDEU the roundtable brought together senior government officials space technology experts industry leaders and entrepreneurs for strategic discussions and collaborative initiativesThe event marked a milestone in Gujaratâs ambition to emerge as a national and global leader in SpaceTech The round table commenced with an informal networking session followed by an opening address by Neha Kumari IAS Mission Director of the Gujarat State Electronics Mission GSEM who outlined Gujaratâs comprehensive SpaceTech initiatives and its vision to contribute significantly to Indiaâs space sector Key perspectives on national space advancements were shared by DK Patel from SACISRO and Rajiv Jyoti Technical Director at INSPACe Science and Technology Minister Arjun Modhwadia along with P Bharati IAS Secretary Science and Technology Department presented Gujaratâs strategic blueprint for fostering growth and innovation in the space sectorAddressing the gathering Modhwadia reiterated the state governmentâs commitment to building a robust SpaceTech ecosystem backed by strong policy frameworks industry partnerships and infrastructure support Highlighting the broader national context the minister said India is transforming the leadership of the Prime Minister marked by responsive governance and proactive administrative followup âThis is New India where innovation is encouraged and collaboration is actively pursuedâ he said adding that Gujarat is fully committed to providing opportunities for innovators and investors to thrive in the space economy As part of the event the Gujarat government signed MoUs with six prominent SpaceTech companies underscoring the stateâs intent to strengthen its SpaceTech ecosystem These agreements are expected to drive research manufacturing and downstream applications in the sector The round table also featured openhouse discussions and industry interaction sessions enabling direct dialogue between stakeholders and government agenciesA highimpact B2G meeting chaired by the Minister of Science and Technology provided a platform for indepth engagement between industry leaders and the state government to translate Gujaratâs space sector vision into actionable outcomes Concluding the event Neha Kumari summarised the key takeaways and outlined the next steps for future collaboration reaffirming Gujaratâs resolve to play a pivotal role in shaping Indiaâs space economy through innovation investment and inclusive growth IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/gujarat-hosts-spacetech-round-table-strengthens-indias-space-economy-vision-655556.html Wed, 24 Dec 2025 19:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/indias-top-office-markets-net-absorption-hits-record-5516-mn-sq-ft-in-2025-655557.html New Delhi Dec 24 Net office absorption across Indiaâs top seven cities touched a record high of around 5516 million square feet in 2025 despite headwinds including IT layoffs and tariff tensions a report said on Wednesday The report from real estate services firm Anarock showed a 10 per cent yearâonâyear rise from roughly 4995 million sq ft in 2024Bengaluru led office leasing with about 1415 million sq ft but saw a 5 per cent annual decline in net leasing while Pune posted the strongest growth in net absorption at 63 per cent rising to about 78 million sq ft from 48 million sq ftMumbai Metropolitan Region MMR Chennai Hyderabad and DelhiNCR recorded a jump in net of 15 per cent 12 per cent 9 per cent and 7 per cent respectivelyNew office completions across the seven cities rose 8 per cent to about 5183 million sq ft with Bengaluru adding approximately 135 million sq ft Pune recorded a massive 103 per cent yearly jump in new office supply to over 1060 million sq ft while Kolkata saw the highest 317 per cent percentage jump in completionsIndias office real estate market veritably boomed in 2025 with net absorption and new completions both surging thanks to the countrys robust economic growth said Peush Jain MDCommercial Leasing and Advisory Anarock GroupGCCs are leading the charge capturing a record 41 per cent share of gross absorption â up from 36 per cent in 2024 Drawn by Indias economic strength stability and cost advantages major US corporates are snapping up massive office spaces across our key cities he addedITITeS accounted for 27 per cent of leasing followed by coworking at 23 per cent and BFSI at 18 per cent Office space vacancies eased to 1610 per cent from 1650 per cent and average monthly rentals rose about 6 per cent to Rs 92 per sq ft said the report IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/indias-top-office-markets-net-absorption-hits-record-5516-mn-sq-ft-in-2025-655557.html Wed, 24 Dec 2025 19:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/gujarat-vgrc-to-showcase-alang-ship-recycling-yards-achievements-in-past-40-years-655351.html Gandhinagar Dec 23 The second edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference VGRC for the Kutch and Saurashtra region slated to be held in Rajkot next month will spotlight Gujaratâs maritime strength before the world Developed under the guidance of the Gujarat Maritime Board the AlangâSosiya Ship Recycling Yard has emerged as one of the worldâs largest and most trusted ship recycling hubs contributing nearly 32 per cent to the global recycling volumeBacked by progressive state policies transparent governance stringent safety standards and strong environmental commitments Alang today stands as a powerful symbol of Gujaratâs maritime development journeySo far more than 8800 ships have been safely and systematically recycled at Alang and with 9995 per cent of all material being reused the site stands as a benchmark for green economy practices Every category of waste whether hazardous or nonhazardous is managed through scientifically proven disposal methods Of the 128 plots in Alang 115 are fully âHong Kong Convention HKC compliantâ and with the HKC coming into global force in June 2025 Alang has earned recognition as the worldâs most reliable green ship recycling centreThis ship recycling yard is equipped with facilities such as a training institute a multispecialty hospital Level 3 trauma centre for workers and stateoftheart waste management facilities Waste generated from the ship recycling process is treated at the TSDF site which is currently undergoing upgradation To meet the future recycling volume GMB has completed work on the master planning of Alang for Rs 1224 crores This will soon double the current capacity of the 45 million LDT ship recycling yardDuring 2024â25 despite global challenges Alang recorded stable operations and recycled 113 ships With a 13 per cent increase in the arrival of ships at the beginning of 2025â26 the sector is witnessing renewed positive momentum In 2025 the Government of Gujarat presented an ambitious vision for Alang a mission to recycle 15000 ships in the next 10 years with a plan to expand Alangâs capacity from 45 million LDT to 9 million LDT Preparations have also begun to strengthen healthcare worker facilities maritime skill training and environmentfriendly technologiesAt the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference â Kutch and Saurashtra scheduled in Rajkot from 10 to 12 January 2026 Alang is being presented not merely as a recycling yard but as an outstanding example of the stateâs maritime strength green technologies and a simple investorfriendly business environment The conference connects investors and experts with Gujaratâs maritime capabilities and highlights the emerging opportunities in the ship recycling sector IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/gujarat-vgrc-to-showcase-alang-ship-recycling-yards-achievements-in-past-40-years-655351.html Wed, 24 Dec 2025 00:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/tn-registers-continued-gains-in-farm-production-cm-mk-stalin-on-national-farmers-day-655354.html Chennai Dec 23 Chief Minister MK Stalin said on Tuesday that Tamil Nadu continues to record steady gains in agricultural production due to sustained policy initiatives undertaken by the DMK government even as he criticised the BJPled Union government for what he described as âantifarmerâ policies In a statement issued on the occasion of National Farmersâ Day observed on December 23 Stalin extended greetings to farmers describing them as the backbone of society and a global force in the fight against hungerHe said the Dravidian model of governance had placed agriculture at the centre of development planning resulting in tangible improvements in farm output and rural livelihoodsListing key initiatives the Chief Minister said Tamil Nadu was among the few States to present a separate agriculture budget apart from organising agriculture business festivals and exhibitions to link farmers with marketsHe cited the launch of the âUzhavanâ mobile application which provides farmers with realtime information and the Kalaignar AllVillage Integrated Agricultural Development Programme aimed at strengthening rural infrastructureFree electricity connections for farmers were also highlighted as a major support measureâThese consistent efforts of the Dravidian model government have enabled Tamil Nadu to continue achieving growth in agricultural productionâ Stalin said adding that the government remained committed to improving farmersâ incomes and quality of lifeAt the same time he accused the BJPled Union government of neglecting farmer welfare Referring to the alleged weakening of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme he said such actions directly affected agricultural labourers and rural householdsThe Chief Minister announced that protests would be held on Tuesday against what he termed antifarmer decisions of the CentreMeanwhile AIADMK general secretary and leader of the opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami also issued a statement marking National Farmersâ DayExtending greetings to farmers he described them as the âproviders of the worldâ whose tireless labour closely tied to soil and nature forms the foundation of the nationâs economy and peopleâs livesPalaniswami said ensuring the welfare safety and future of farmers was essential for the countryâs progressHe called upon all stakeholders to reaffirm their commitment to improving the lives of farmers and strengthening agriculture which he said remained central to national developmentThe statements from the ruling DMK and the opposition AIADMK underline how farmer welfare continues to remain a key political and policy focus in Tamil Nadu particularly as the state moves closer to the 2026 Assembly elections IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/tn-registers-continued-gains-in-farm-production-cm-mk-stalin-on-national-farmers-day-655354.html Wed, 24 Dec 2025 00:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/gold-jumps-to-record-rs-138-lakh-per-10-grams-in-delhi-655201.html New Delhi Dec 22 Gold prices surged to a fresh lifetime high in the national capital on Monday tracking a sharp rally in global markets and strong safehaven demand from investors According to the All India Sarafa Association gold rose by Rs 1685 to hit a record Rs 138200 per 10 grams in DelhiSilver also witnessed a strong rally climbing to an alltime high of Rs 214500 per kilogram inclusive of all taxesThe white metal jumped by Rs 10400 per kg reflecting strong buying interest and global price momentumMarket experts said bullish sentiment remained strong in the bullion market They said gold and silver extended their upward move and touched fresh record highs amid growing uncertainty in the US economyIn the international market spot gold surged by 8085 or nearly 19 per cent to reach a record level of 442035 per ounceAnalysts noted that investor interest in precious metals has increased sharply as expectations of interest rate cuts in the US strengthen and fiscal concerns continue to riseLower interest rates generally reduce the opportunity cost of holding gold making it more attractive for investorsEarlier in the day spot gold had already climbed to 438373 per ounce on reports that the US Federal Reserve may cut interest rates further in 2026 coupled with strong demand for safehaven assetsGold has seen a sharp rise this year gaining around 67 per cent so far amid geopolitical tensions trade tariffs and global economic uncertaintyAccording to analysts gold and silver prices had already advanced last week and carried the momentum into the new week by touching fresh lifetime highs in both domestic and international marketsThe rally followed the US Federal Reserveâs third interest rate cut of 25 basis points this year IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/gold-jumps-to-record-rs-138-lakh-per-10-grams-in-delhi-655201.html Tue, 23 Dec 2025 00:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/over-13-lakh-indian-students-studied-abroad-in-2024-niti-aayog-655208.html New Delhi Dec 22 India continues to send a large number of students overseas for higher education with more than 1335 lakh Indians studying abroad in 2024 highlighting the countryâs growing dependence on foreign universities despite having the worldâs largest collegeage population according to a report released by NITI Aayog on Monday Canada the United States the United Kingdom Australia and Germany have emerged as the five most preferred international higher education destinations for Indian students the report saidThe report said that Canada was the top destination in 2024 with around 427 lakh Indian students studying in the countryThe US followed with 337 lakh Indian students while the UK hosted about 185 lakh students from IndiaAustralia and Germany ranked fourth and fifth with 122 lakh and nearly 43000 Indian students respectivelyThe report also highlighted that India has the largest higher educationage population in the world with nearly 155 crore people in the 18â23 age groupThe findings point to a sharp imbalance between outgoing and incoming students In 2024 for every one international student who came to India about 28 Indian students went abroad for higher education indicating a significant brain drainThe report titled âInternationalisation of Higher Education in Indiaâ also looked at the inflow of foreign students into India using data from 2021â22It noted that while outward mobility is rising rapidly the number of international students choosing India remains relatively lowAccording to the study Canada the US the UK and Australia together hosted around 85 lakh Indian students who spent nearly Rs 29 lakh crore on higher education during 2023â24The report further pointed out that some smaller European countries have a high share of Indian studentsLatvia had the highest proportion with Indian students making up 174 per cent of its international student population followed by Ireland at 153 per cent and Germany at 101 per cent based on data from 2020 IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/over-13-lakh-indian-students-studied-abroad-in-2024-niti-aayog-655208.html Tue, 23 Dec 2025 00:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/area-sown-under-rabi-crop-crosses-580-lakh-hectares-655211.html New Delhi Dec 22 The total area sown under rabi crops in the ongoing winter season has increased by 811 lakh hectares to 58070 lakh hectares as on December 19 this year compared with the corresponding figure of 57259 lakh hectares in the same period last year data released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare on Monday showed The increase in sown area is expected to lead to higher production which in turn would increase the incomes of farmers and also help to keep food inflation in checkThe official figures show that the area under wheat has risen to 30163 lakh hectares from 30034 lakh hectares during the same period last yearThe area under pulses such as Urd Lentils Masur and Moong has gone up by 372 lakh hectares to 12674 lakh hectares from 12302 lakh hectares during the same period last yearThe area covered under coarse cereals or millets such as jowar bajra and ragi has increased by 061 lakh hectares to 4566 lakh hectares during the current season so far compared to 4505 lakh hectares in the same period of the previous yearThe area under oilseeds such as rapeseed and mustard has increased by 068 lakh hectares to 9333 lakh hectares from 9265 lakh hectares in the same period last yearThe sown area has gone up in the current season as better monsoon rains have facilitated the sowing in unirrigated areas which account for close to 50 per cent of the countryâs farmlandMeanwhile the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs CCEA on October 1 this year approved an increase in the minimum support prices MSP for all mandated rabi crops for the 202627 marketing season to ensure remunerative prices to the growers for their produceThe minimum support prices are announced well ahead of the sowing season as farmers can accordingly draw up their cropping plans to maximise their earningsThe highest increase in MSP has been announced for Safflower at Rs 600 per quintal followed by Lentil Masur at Rs 300 per quintal For rapeseed and mustard gram barley and wheat there is an increase of Rs 250 per quintal Rs 225 per quintal Rs 170 per quintal and Rs 160 per quintal respectivelyThe increase in MSP for mandated Rabi Crops for Marketing Season 202627 is in line with the Union Budget 201819 announcement of fixing the MSP at a level of at least 15 times the AllIndia weighted average cost of Production The expected margin over the AllIndia weighted average cost of production is 109 per cent for wheat followed by 93 per cent for rapeseed and mustard 89 per cent for lentil 59 per cent for gram 58 per cent for barley and 50 per cent for safflower This increased MSP of rabi crops will ensure remunerative prices to the farmers and incentivise crop diversificationThe cost of production for these crops includes all paid out costs such as those incurred on account of hired human labour bullock labourmachine labour rent paid for leased in land expenses incurred on use of material inputs like seeds fertilizers manures irrigation charges depreciation on implements and farm buildings interest on working capital dieselelectricity for operation of pump sets etc miscellaneous expenses and imputed value of family labour the official statement explained IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/area-sown-under-rabi-crop-crosses-580-lakh-hectares-655211.html Tue, 23 Dec 2025 00:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/ambuja-cements-board-okays-amalgamation-of-acc-ltd-and-orient-cement-ltd-655217.html Ahmedabad Dec 22 Ambuja Cements part of the Adani Group on Monday said it has received approval for two separate schemes of amalgamation from its Board of Directors â to merge ACC Limited and Orient Cement Limited â thus establishing a single consolidated âOne Cement Platformâ This consolidation is a major step for Adani Groupâs cement business creating an integrated and stronger entity with greater scale efficiencies and financial strengthâThis consolidation represents a transformational step in building a globally competitive integrated cement and building materials organisation By bringing Ambuja Cements ACC and Orient Cement under a single corporate structure we are strengthening our ability to drive operational excellence accelerate growth and deliver sustainable longterm valueâ said Karan Adani NonExecutive Director â Ambuja Cements Limited Adani GroupâThis merger builds on our already proven track record to further position the business to drive efficiency and productivity A robust and resilient balance sheet positions the unified strong entity to effectively support future growth initiativesâ he notedFor every 100 equity shares of ACC with a face value of Rs 10 each Ambuja will issue 328 equity shares with a face value of Rs 2 each to eligible shareholders of ACCFor every 100 equity shares of Orient Cement with a face value of Re 1 each Ambuja Cements will issue 33 equity shares with a face value of Rs 2 each to eligible shareholders of Orient CementAccording to the company the merger will unlock greater operational efficiencies optimise manufacturing and logistics and enable efficient capital deployment These improvements will boost profitability support capacity expansion and enhance longterm shareholder returnsThe amalgamation eliminates structural duplication reduces administrative costs and enables faster more agile decisionmaking In addition there will be no specific MSA required with ACC Orient Penna amp Sanghi as these subsidiaries will become an integral part of Ambuja CementsThis initiative aligns with Ambuja Cementsâ strategic plan to increase cement production capacity from 107 MTPA to 155 MTPA by FY28 facilitating efficient capital allocation and prompt adaptation to market requirements said the companyIt further stated that this strategic amalgamation is not just a merger of companies it is a powerful step forward for shareholders offering direct participation in a stronger more agile and futureready leader in the cement industryThe âAdani Ambuja Cementsâ amp âAdani ACCâ brands will continue to operate as usual with their leading product brands in respective markets IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/ambuja-cements-board-okays-amalgamation-of-acc-ltd-and-orient-cement-ltd-655217.html Tue, 23 Dec 2025 00:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/tripura-govt-committed-to-last-mile-delivery-of-welfare-schemes-cm-saha-655221.html Agartala Dec 22 Chief Minister Manik Saha on Monday said that the BJP government in the state is working with commitment to ensure lastmile delivery of welfare schemes and is striving to build a new and developed Tripura The Chief Minister was speaking after attending the inauguration and handover programme of the Ramakrishna MissionâRotary Mobile Dental Clinic at Ramakrishna Mission Viveknagar Amtali on the outskirts of the capital city Saha who himself is a dental surgeon said that several meetings of the highlevel task force for the development of tourism in the Northeastern region have been held and that all assigned work has been completed in a timebound manner Referring to his meeting the Chief Minister said that Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region DoNER Jyotiraditya Scindia entrusted him with additional responsibility related to infrastructure development in the region in view of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarmaâs preoccupation with state assembly elections âWhatever responsibility is assigned to me I carry it out with full sincerity and accountability for the development of the North Eastâ the Chief Minister said Saha also stressed the importance of maintaining mental wellbeing saying that laughing and smiling openly help reduce stress and pressure âDespite many challenges the dental college has been established in Tripura within eight months The objective of this mobile dental clinic is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modiâs vision of delivering government facilities to the last mile The clinic equipped with two dental chairs worth Rs 60 lakh can accommodate around 10 staff members and will provide treatment for dental and oral ailmentsâ he said The Chief Minister further said that at the request of the Ramakrishna Mission he had written to its General Secretary Swami Subhrananda Maharaj to introduce foreign language courses apart from English at the Ramakrishna Mission Viveknagar centre âWe are pleased that the governing body of the Ramakrishna Mission has approved the proposal in principle With Godâs blessings all good work becomes possibleâ he added Criticising the opposition Saha who also holds the Health and Family Welfare portfolio said that instead of constructive politics they focus on finding faults and spreading misinformation âThey opposition parties try to malign us but our focus remains on development and progress Doctors belong to a noble profession and must be treated with respect It is unfortunate when they are targeted unfairlyâ he said The Chief Minister also highlighted the governmentâs focus on the welfare of the Janajati tribal community stating that since 2014 sustained efforts have been made for their development which continue under the present state government Secretary of Ramakrishna Mission Viveknagar Swami Shubhakarananda Maharaj Industries and Commerce Secretary Kiran Gitte and other dignitaries were present at the programme IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/tripura-govt-committed-to-last-mile-delivery-of-welfare-schemes-cm-saha-655221.html Tue, 23 Dec 2025 00:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/hanwha-to-work-with-us-navy-for-new-frigates-trump-655249.html Washington Dec 23 US President Donald Trump has said that South Koreas Hanwha will work with the US Navy for the construction of new frigate warships as he announced plans to build a new Trumpclass of battleships The remarks come as South Korea has sought to deepen shipbuilding cooperation with the United States through its key shipbuilders including Hanwha Ocean Co reports Yonhap news agencyLast week the Navy announced a brand new class of frigate and theyre going to be working with South Korean company Hanwha Trump said in a press conference at MaraLagoOn Friday the US Navy announced a plan to introduce the new class of combat ships designed to be smaller and more agile to complement larger multimission warshipsTrump described Hanwha as a good company noting its recent decision to invest in Philadelphia naval shipyard apparently referring to the companys Philly ShipyardIn August Hanwha Group announced it would invest US5 billion into the shipyard as part of South Koreas 150 billion commitment for US shipbuilding cooperation under a broader trade agreement with the Trump administrationDuring the press conference Trump announced the US Navy will build two new powerful battleships as part of an envisioned Golden FleetIn August Hanwha Group South Koreas chemicalstoshipbuilding conglomerate said it will invest 7 trillion won US5 billion in its shipyard in the United States following President Lee Jae Myungs recent summit with US President Donald TrumpThe investment aims to significantly boost production capacity at Hanwha Philly Shipyard in Philadelphia and support bilateral cooperation in shipbuilding under the initiative dubbed Make American Shipbuilding Great Again MASGA the group saidHanwha unveiled the plan Tuesday US time during a ceremony at the shipyard attended by President Lee for the christening of the State of Maine a National Security Multimission Vessel NSMV built for the US Maritime Administration MARAD IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/hanwha-to-work-with-us-navy-for-new-frigates-trump-655249.html Tue, 23 Dec 2025 14:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/india-new-zealand-ink-financial-services-pact-to-boost-economic-ties-655262.html New Delhi Dec 23 IANS India and New Zealand have concluded negotiations on the Financial Services Annex of the Free Trade Agreement FTA marking a significant milestone in strengthening bilateral economic and strategic cooperation according to a Finance Ministry statement issued on TuesdaynbspThe IndiaNew Zealand Financial Services Annex marks a notable advancement over standard GATS General Agreement on Trade in Services commitments involving a total of 18 articles the statement explainedThe forwardlooking balanced agreement strengthens bilateral cooperation in financial services with innovative provisions on digital payments fintech data transfer and backoffice services and potential to establish India as a fintech hub the statement saidCurrently only two Indian banks Bank of Baroda and Bank of India maintain subsidiary operations in New Zealand with a combined total of four branches while New Zealand currently has no banking or insurance presence in India The agreement will serve as an important catalyst for broadening Indias financial services presence in New Zealand and welcoming New Zealand financial institutions to Indias growing and dynamic financial services marketsUnder the Financial Services Annex India and New Zealand have committed to collaborate on developing domestic payments interoperability and supporting realtime crossborder remittances and merchant payments through integrated Fast Payment Systems FPSThis provision directly strengthens Indias digital payments ecosystem and fintech sector enhances remittance flows from the Indian diaspora creates market opportunities for Indian payment service providers and leverages Indias technological expertise in digital payment systems such as UPI and NPCIThe two countries have also committed to strengthen collaborative efforts in financial services innovation The agreement includes specific provisions for learning from each others Regulatory Sandbox and Digital Sandbox frameworks for crossborder applicationsThese provisions position India as a fintech hub within the bilateral partnership Further it facilitates knowledge exchange and regulatory learning with a developed economy and create collaboration opportunities for Indian fintech companies while supporting Indias regulatory sandbox initiativesIndia and New Zealand recognise each partys right to maintain legislative and regulatory requirements concerning the transfer processing and storage of financial information and aims to facilitate financial service suppliers to establish crossborder digital operations while ensuring complete regulatory control over data sovereignty and consumer privacy protectionsThe agreement provides for cushioning Indian financial institutions from arbitrary or discriminatory credit assessment practices in the New Zealand market This provision ensures parity of treatment with New Zealand domestic institutions facilitates market access for Indian banks insurance companies and other financial service suppliers and prevents discriminatory regulatory treatment that could restrict Indian financial institutions operational capabilitiesBoth the nations have also committed to support the provision of backoffice and financial services support functions This will leverage Indias worldleading information technology and business process services capabilities This will enable costefficient delivery of financial services through centralized backoffice operations in India will also support growth in Indias financial services IT and business process outsourcing sectorsThe schedules of specific commitments reflect progressive collaboration among both sides with comprehensive commitments on Market Access and National Treatment in key Banking and Insurance Sectors and Subsectors Indias sectoral offers represent a forwardlooking liberalization approach featuring enhanced Foreign Direct Investment FDI limits in banking and insurance alongside a liberalised bank branch licensing framework allowing up to 15 bank branches to be established over a fouryear periodThis is a significant expansion from the previously offered GATS limits of 12 branches These offers will enable Indian financial service suppliers to expand operations into New Zealand strengthening Indias position in financial services exports and cultivating progressive sectoral growth They also position New Zealands financial institutions competitively in Indias dynamic and rapidly expanding financial services market the statement added https://dailyworld.in/business/india-new-zealand-ink-financial-services-pact-to-boost-economic-ties-655262.html Tue, 23 Dec 2025 14:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/trade-deal-crucial-to-deepen-us-india-economic-ties-keshap-655271.html Washington Dec 23 The United States and India must conclude a longpending trade agreement to unlock deeper economic integration and reinforce business confidence on both sides Atul Keshap President of the USIndia Business Council USIBC said following a recent visit to India Keshap said he travelled to India with USIBC Chair Ed Knight to hear directly from Indian leaders and businesses about their views on America trade negotiations and investment flowsâWe wanted to hear from Indian voices about their perspectives on America and on the trade deal and on businessâ he said describing the visit as âvery inspiringâHe said Indian interlocutors conveyed that negotiations with Washington had been conducted diligently over multiple roundsâWhat we heard is that from the Indian perspective they have offered the United States an excellent proposal and theyâre hoping that the United States will conclude the trade negotiations and that we will have a trade agreementâ he saidWhile declining to comment on the details of the talks Keshap said the business community was united in its expectationsâWe emphatically want a trade deal We want it to happen as soon as possible We want it to be ambitiousâ he said adding that it should serve as âthe foundation for even further integration of the American and Indian economiesâAddressing US tariffs on Indian exports Keshap said India had worked to diversify its export markets to reduce the impactHe noted that Indiaâs merchandise exports to the United States had nevertheless grown in 2025âThis is an element of the ongoing negotiation where both sides are trying to figure out where that final tariff number might end upâ he saidHe said uncertainty around tariffs underscored why businesses wanted an agreementâIt will create a psychological signal thatâs extremely important in both directions of greater confidenceâ he said noting that investment decisions were continuing even amid negotiationsKeshap pointed to major US investment announcements in India in sectors such as data centres and artificial intelligenceâThe US and India as the leading democracies on Earth ought to be working with each other to develop these frontier technologiesâ he saidHe said a deal reducing tariffs would benefit producers and exporters in both countries âLower tariffs among friends is the best possible outcomeâ he said adding that innovative proposals from India could expand market access for American exportersKeshap said agreeing would help accelerate progress toward the shared goal of 500 billion in bilateral trade in goods and services âShared prosperity is what weâre all aboutâ he saidThe USIndia trade talks are taking place against a backdrop of expanding strategic cooperation in defence supply chains and technologyBilateral trade between the two countries has grown steadily over the past decade with US companies increasingly viewing India as a longterm investment destination IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/trade-deal-crucial-to-deepen-us-india-economic-ties-keshap-655271.html Tue, 23 Dec 2025 14:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/indias-retail-leasing-hits-record-9-mn-sq-ft-in-2025-to-touch-11-mn-in-2026-655283.html New Delhi Dec 23 Indiaâs retail real estate market is set to end 2025 with 9 million square feet of leasing up from 78 million square feet in 2024 the highest annual absorption since the pandemic a report said on Tuesday The report from Cushman amp Wakefield said that retail leasing momentum will further strengthen in 2026 with total demand expected at about 10â11 million square feet driven by improved availability of quality mall space and release of pentâup demand constrained by limited supplyThe mall pipeline for 2026 stands at around 59 million square feet with roughly 76 per cent expected to be Grade A assets which should expand choice for retailers in Bengaluru Chennai Mumbai and HyderabadThis fresh supply is expected to ease extreme tightness in vacancies and enable a healthier phase of growth led by expansion rather than space constraints the firm saidHighâstreet leasing which gained share during mall scarcity is expected to remain steady in 2026 even as mall absorption improvesâThe sharp uptick in 2025 underscores the catalytic role of fresh completions in unlocking pentup demand and pushing absorption to record levels With a robust pipeline lined up for 2026 the market is now entering a phase of meaningful capacity addition focused on higherquality retail formatsâ said Gautam Saraf Executive Managing Director Mumbai amp New Business Cushman amp WakefieldThe report said that new deliveries in 2025 are projected to close at around 43 million square feet up from 09 million square feet of Grade A mall completions in 2024 driven by completions in the last quarter easing scarcity though not fully bridging the gap created over the past two yearsFashion food and beverage and entertainment remained the primary demand drivers in 2025The report also highlighted that premiumisation is expected to strengthen in 2026 supported by a broader pipeline of global brand rollouts platform partnerships and supply of highquality malls IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/indias-retail-leasing-hits-record-9-mn-sq-ft-in-2025-to-touch-11-mn-in-2026-655283.html Tue, 23 Dec 2025 14:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/net-fdi-nearly-doubles-to-62-bn-in-apriloctober-period-655296.html New Delhi Dec 23 Net foreign direct investment FDI in India nearly doubled to 62 billion during AprilâOctober from 33 billion a year earlier primarily due to fall in repatriation of foreign capital despite a rise in outward FDI an official statement has said The RBIâs December Monthly Bulletin said gross inward FDI rose marginally to 583 billion in AprilâOctober from 505 billion a year ago and remained steady in October with Singapore Mauritius and the United States accounting for over 70 per cent of total inflowsRepatriation or the amount of foreign capital leaving India fell to 3165 billion from 332 billion during the same period while outward FDI rose to 205 billion from 1406 billion the statement saidThe bulletin noted that the financial sector received the highest share of FDI at 60 per cent followed by manufacturing electricity and communication servicesâThe key destinations for outward FDI were Singapore followed by the US and United Arab Emirates together accounting for over half of total outward FDI Sectorspecific breakdown suggests that around 90 per cent of outward FDI was in financial insurance and business services followed by wholesale retail trade and manufacturingâ the report saidNet FDI was however negative in October 15 billion mainly on account of high repatriation and outward FDI Repatriation in October was nearly 5 billion versus 54 billion a year earlier while outward FDI rose to 390 billion from 189 billion the report saidThe rupee depreciated against the US dollar in November weighed down by gains of US dollar muted foreign portfolio flows and uncertainty surrounding the IndiaUS trade dealThe RBIs note further said that highâfrequency indicators for November showed economic activity has held up with services continuing strong expansion while manufacturing showed signs of decelerationPrivate consumption growth was sustained by robust rural demand and easing inflationary pressures though net exports remained a drag on growth it said IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/net-fdi-nearly-doubles-to-62-bn-in-apriloctober-period-655296.html Tue, 23 Dec 2025 15:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/net-fdi-nearly-doubles-to-62-bn-in-india-in-apriloctober-period-655299.html New Delhi Dec 23 Net foreign direct investment FDI in India nearly doubled to 62 billion during AprilâOctober from 33 billion a year earlier primarily due to fall in repatriation of foreign capital despite a rise in outward FDI an official statement has said The RBIâs December Monthly Bulletin said gross inward FDI rose marginally to 583 billion in AprilâOctober from 505 billion a year ago and remained steady in October with Singapore Mauritius and the United States accounting for over 70 per cent of total inflowsRepatriation or the amount of foreign capital leaving India fell to 3165 billion from 332 billion during the same period while outward FDI rose to 205 billion from 1406 billion the statement saidThe bulletin noted that the financial sector received the highest share of FDI at 60 per cent followed by manufacturing electricity and communication servicesâThe key destinations for outward FDI were Singapore followed by the US and United Arab Emirates together accounting for over half of total outward FDI Sectorspecific breakdown suggests that around 90 per cent of outward FDI was in financial insurance and business services followed by wholesale retail trade and manufacturingâ the report saidNet FDI was however negative in October 15 billion mainly on account of high repatriation and outward FDI Repatriation in October was nearly 5 billion versus 54 billion a year earlier while outward FDI rose to 390 billion from 189 billion the report saidThe rupee depreciated against the US dollar in November weighed down by gains of US dollar muted foreign portfolio flows and uncertainty surrounding the IndiaUS trade dealThe RBIs note further said that highâfrequency indicators for November showed economic activity has held up with services continuing strong expansion while manufacturing showed signs of decelerationPrivate consumption growth was sustained by robust rural demand and easing inflationary pressures though net exports remained a drag on growth it said IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/net-fdi-nearly-doubles-to-62-bn-in-india-in-apriloctober-period-655299.html Tue, 23 Dec 2025 15:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/meesho-shares-down-almost-24-pc-in-3-trading-sessions-655302.html Mumbai Dec 23 Shares of Meesho Limited continued to slide for the third straight day on Tuesday as selling pressure remained strong in the newly listed stock The shares fell as much as 875 per cent during the day extending the losses seen over the past two sessionsOn Monday the stock had ended at the 10 per cent lower circuit after falling 5 per cent last FridayWith the latest decline Meeshoâs shares are now down nearly 24 per cent from their postlisting high of Rs 254Heavy trading activity was also seen in the stock By around noon Meesho had already traded almost the same number of shares as on MondayNearly 7 crore shares worth over Rs 1300 crore had changed hands indicating strong investor participation despite the fallMarket experts believe the recent drop may be due to profit booking by investors after the sharp rally seen soon after listingMeeshoâs shares had more than doubled from their IPO price of Rs 111 within just over a week prompting some investors to lock in gainsThe fall in the share price has also impacted the companyâs valuation Meeshoâs market capitalisation which had crossed Rs 1 lakh crore during the postlisting surge has now declined to around Rs 84000 croreMeeshoâs IPO had received a strong response from investors The threeday issue worth over Rs 5000 crore was subscribed 79 times overallThe retail portion was subscribed more than 19 times while qualified institutional buyers subscribed 120 times of their allotted quotaAs of the latest trade on Tuesday Meeshoâs shares were down 875 per cent or Rs 1764 at Rs 18404Despite the recent correction the stock is still trading about 68 per cent higher than its issue price keeping early investors in solid gains IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/meesho-shares-down-almost-24-pc-in-3-trading-sessions-655302.html Tue, 23 Dec 2025 15:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/national-consumer-day-nch-e-jagriti-platforms-ensure-timely-grievance-redressal-655310.html New Delhi Dec 23 The number of calls received by the National Consumer Helpline NCH has grown nearly tenfold from 12553 calls in December 2015 to 155138 calls in December 2024 the official data showed on Tuesday on the occasion of âNational Consumer Day 2025â Similarly the average number of complaints registered per month has surged from 37062 in 2017 to 111951 in 2024 It now resolves over 12 lakh complaints annually with many being addressed within 21 days supported by 1169 companies onboarded as partners and AIbased systems that ensure faster grievance resolutionDigital channels account for nearly 65 per cent of grievance registrations with a notable increase in WhatsAppbased submissions rising from 3 per cent in March 2023 to 20 per cent in March 2025The NCH has successfully facilitated a refund of Rs 2761 crore to consumers between April 25 2025 and October 31 2025 This significant redressal was achieved across 30 sectors effectively addressing 49333 consumer grievances related to refund claimsThe National Consumer Helpline is available in 17 languages and enables consumers to submit grievances through the Integrated Grievance Redressal Mechanism via multiple channels including WhatsApp SMS email the NCH app the web portal and the Umang appThe Department encourages consumers to utilize the tollfree number 1915 or the online portal to ensure that their concerns regarding goods or services are addressed promptly and effectively according to the official documentMoreover eJagriti launched on January 1 2025 has rapidly emerged as a significant digital platform for consumer grievance redressal in IndiaAs of mid November 2025 the platform has facilitated the filing of over 135 lakh case filings and enabled the disposal of over 131 lakh cases supported by a user base of over 281 lakh registered individuals including 1400 nonresident Indians NRIsA total of 466 complaints were filed by NonResident Indians from countries including the United States 146 the United Kingdom 52 the UAE 47 Canada 39 Australia 26 and Germany 18In 2025 eJagriti demonstrated a marked enhancement in case of disposal efficiency Between July and August 27545 cases were resolved compared with 27080 newly filed During September and October 24504 cases were disposed of against 21592 newly filed IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/national-consumer-day-nch-e-jagriti-platforms-ensure-timely-grievance-redressal-655310.html Tue, 23 Dec 2025 15:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/festive-rush-leaves-air-passengers-stranded-in-tamil-nadu-655311.html Chennai Dec 23 Passengers travelling from Chennai to the southern districts of Tamil Nadu are facing severe difficulties due to the nonavailability of direct flights during the peak ChristmasâNew Year holiday season With demand far exceeding the available capacity airfares have risen sharply and travel times have increased substantially causing widespread inconvenience to holiday travellers With schools and colleges closed for extended vacations a large number of people residing in Chennai and its suburban areas have begun travelling to their hometowns to spend the festive season with their familiesThis has resulted in a sharp surge in passenger traffic at Chennai International Airport particularly on routes connecting the city with southern districts airline officials saidTickets on direct flights from Chennai to Thoothukudi have been completely sold out for both Wednesday and ThursdayAs a result passengers bound for Thoothukudi are being forced to search for indirect routes Many attempted to book flights via Thiruvananthapuram but those flights too are fully booked due to increased festive demandWith very few alternatives available several passengers are now compelled to take connecting flights via Bengaluru before proceeding onwards to destinations such as Thiruvananthapuram or Thoothukudi This has resulted in significantly higher ticket prices and much longer travel durationsJourneys that would normally take just over an hour have stretched into daylong transits involving long layovers and multiple flight segmentsA similar situation prevails on sectors connecting Chennai with Madurai Tiruchi and Salem With all direct tickets sold out passengers are being forced to route their journeys through Bengaluru substantially increasing both costs and travel fatigue Some travellers reported paying nearly double the usual fares to secure lastminute seats on indirect flightsPassengers have expressed concern over the lack of adequate capacity planning during peak holiday periods pointing out that festive travel demand is largely predictableMany have urged airlines to operate additional flights or deploy larger aircraft from Chennai to key southern destinations such as Thoothukudi Madurai Tiruchi Salem and Coimbatore to ease congestion control fare escalation and ensure smoother travel during the festive season IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/festive-rush-leaves-air-passengers-stranded-in-tamil-nadu-655311.html Tue, 23 Dec 2025 15:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/indias-creator-economy-to-drive-over-1-trillion-in-annual-consumer-spending-by-2030-655312.html New Delhi Dec 23 At least 225 million monetised digital creators in India now influence more than 30 per cent of consumer purchase decisions a report showed on Tuesday This fastscaling creator economy is already shaping an estimated 350â400 billion worth annual consumer spending and is projected to drive over 1 trillion in creatorâinfluenced consumption by 2030 according to the report by Boston Consulting Group BCGThe creatorâled commerce has moved from the margins of âinfluencer campaignsâ to the centre of how Indians discover evaluate and buy products across categories from fashion and beauty to electronics and everyday essentialsMore than 60 per cent of consumers surveyed report regular exposure to creator content and over 30 per cent explicitly attribute their purchase decisions to creators they follow underscoring the shift from traditional topâdown advertising to trustâbased communityâdriven discovery said the reportâIndiaâs creator economy has crossed the tipping point â 2â25 million creators now shape more than 30 per cent of purchase decisions and influence 350â400 billion dollars of annual spending For Indian marketers this is not a side bet anymore it is a structural shift in how brands are built and how growth will be unlocked over the next decadeâ said Parul Bajaj India LeaderâMarketing Sales and Pricing Practice BCGThe winners will be those who treat creators as longâterm partners build measurement and pricing models that reward outcomes and design for discovery rather than as an afterthought she addedAccording to the report companies which will integrate creators and commerce platforms into the core of their marketing sales and pricing strategies will be best placed to capture Indiaâs next wave of digitalâled growthThis involves moving beyond oneâoff campaigns to longâterm creator partnerships agile content production and testâandâlearn experimentation the report noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/indias-creator-economy-to-drive-over-1-trillion-in-annual-consumer-spending-by-2030-655312.html Tue, 23 Dec 2025 15:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/indias-it-job-demand-touches-18-million-in-2025-driven-by-gccs-product-led-firms-655317.html New Delhi Dec 23 Indiaâs IT job demand reached 18 million roles in 2025 up 16 per cent over the previous year with a larger share of hiring coming from GCCs and productled organisations a report has said The report from talent solutions provider Quess Corp said Global Capability Centres accounted for about 27 per cent of total IT hiring demand in 2025 up from 15 per cent in 2024 while product and SaaS firms expanded selective hiring while IT services and consulting recorded modest growthStartup hiring declined to low singledigit levels amid funding moderation the report notedMidâcareer professionals with four to ten years of experience made up 65 per cent of hiring compared with 50 per cent in 2024 and entryâlevel hiring accounted for 15 per cent as employers sought productivityâready talentDemand shifted strongly toward emerging digital skills with AIML cloud engineering DevOps and cybersecurity outpacing traditional software roles significantly with over half of hiring centred on former capabilities the report saidSelect nextâgeneration roles attracted salary premiums of 10â40 per cent for Generative AI specialists MLOps and LLMOps engineers AI ethics and governance leads FinOps professionals cyber threat intelligence analysts and platform engineering architectsAI cloud and cybersecurity skills saw particularly strong interest pointing to the increasing complexity of roles being built in India Overall this suggests a technology hiring market that is moving steadily up the value curve with this momentum offering a positive base for 2026â said Kapil Joshi CEO of IT Staffing Quess CorpHiring remained concentrated in Tierâ1 cities which accounted for 88â90 per cent of demand led by Bengaluru Hyderabad Pune Chennai Mumbai and Delhi NCR while Tierâ2 and Tierâ3 cities contributed 10â12 per centAverage timeâtoâhire extended to 45â60 days in 2025 stretching to 75â90 days for niche skills such as AIML and cybersecurity Contract roles rose to about 10â11 per cent of demand from around 8 per cent in 2024 IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/indias-it-job-demand-touches-18-million-in-2025-driven-by-gccs-product-led-firms-655317.html Tue, 23 Dec 2025 15:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/silver-delivers-over-2-600-pc-returns-in-25-years-turning-rs-7-900-into-rs-216-lakh-per-kg-655320.html Mumbai Dec 23 Back in 2000 silver was priced at around Rs 7900 per kg in India Today the white metal is trading close to Rs 216 lakh per kg delivering returns of over 2600 per cent to investors who stayed invested for the long termThis remarkable journey highlights how silver often overshadowed by gold has quietly emerged as a strong wealthpreservation asset over the past two and a half decadesAn investment of just Rs 1000 in silver in the year 2000 would now be worth about Rs 26455This means the money would have grown more than 26 times in 25 yearsSilverâs steady rise over the years has helped investors protect and grow their wealth especially during periods of high inflation and market uncertaintySilver touched record levels in 2025 marking a strong comeback for the precious metalIn the international market spot silver crossed the 70 per ounce mark for the first time reaching an intraday high of 700055 on TuesdayThe rally was supported by global uncertainty rising geopolitical tensions between the US and Venezuela and weakness in the dollarIn India silver prices also hit fresh highs MCX silver surged 17 per cent to a record Rs 216596 per kg during early tradeGold moved in the same direction with MCX gold February futures rising 11 per cent to an alltime high of Rs 138300 per 10 gramsNotably silver has outperformed gold in 2025 While silver prices have jumped 140 per cent so far this year gold has gained around 76 per cent in the spot market during the same periodThis sharp outperformance has renewed investor interest in the white metalSeveral factors have driven silverâs strong rally this year Geopolitical tensions expectations of interest rate cuts in the US and a weaker dollar have all increased demand for safehaven assets like silver and gold IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/silver-delivers-over-2-600-pc-returns-in-25-years-turning-rs-7-900-into-rs-216-lakh-per-kg-655320.html Tue, 23 Dec 2025 15:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/google-activates-android-emergency-location-service-in-india-655326.html New Delhi Dec 23 Google on Tuesday activated its Emergency Location Service ELS on Android devices in India Uttar Pradesh has become the first state in the country to fully integrate this advanced caller location technology with its 112 emergency servicesâGoogle has announced the activation of Emergency Location Service ELS in Android in India with Uttar Pradesh becoming the first state to fully integrate enhanced caller location into its 112 emergency servicesâ the company said in a statementELS is a builtin feature on Android phones that automatically shares a callerâs precise location with emergency responders when a 112 call or SMS is madeThe service uses a combination of GPS WiFi and mobile network signals to pinpoint the callerâs location with accuracy of up to 50 metresThis is especially helpful in critical situations where calls may drop shortly after connecting allowing responders to still find the person in need quicklyGoogle said the service is designed with strong privacy protections ELS activates only during emergency calls is free to use and does not require any additional apps or hardwareImportantly location information is sent directly from the userâs phone to emergency services and is not collected or stored by GoogleBefore its full rollout in Uttar Pradesh the feature was pilot tested for a few months with encouraging resultsDuring this period ELS supported more than 20 million emergency calls and SMS messages successfully identifying caller locations even when calls disconnected within secondsThe system is powered by Androidâs machine learningâbased Fused Location Provider which helps deliver accurate locations whether callers are indoors outdoors or on the moveThe service works on all compatible Android devices running version 60 and above Once an emergency call is placed the callerâs location is instantly visible to responders through the UP112 command system along with routing intelligence provided by PertsolThis enables authorities to quickly decide whether police medical or fire services are needed and dispatch help without delay IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/google-activates-android-emergency-location-service-in-india-655326.html Tue, 23 Dec 2025 15:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/cobrapost-alleges-related-party-transactions-in-cholamandalam-finance-murugappa-group-refutes-charges-655332.html New Delhi Dec 23 Cobrapost news website on Tuesday alleged that for close to a decade more than Rs 10000 crore has moved through a web of related parties involving the Cholamandalam Investment amp Finance Company Ltd and a network of related Murugappa Group entities family members and key management personnel raising raising regulatory and governance concerns âOur investigation further indicates that portions of these funds were routed onward through additional transactions the nature and purpose of which merit closer regulatory scrutiny The investigation has also found CIFCL Cholamandalam Investment amp Finance Company Ltd to have made cash deposits of more than Rs 25000 crore across 14 banks over the past six years Of these eight are private entities and the rest are public sector banks These figures are approximations and may vary if examined by a competent statutory authorityâ Cobrapost alleged in a statementCobrapost claimed its investigation is based on the examination of statutory filings and public disclosures which show âa worrying pattern of largevalue cash transactions questionable related party arrangements shocking statutory disclosure and compliance gaps involving Cholamandalam Investment amp Finance Company Ltd one of Indiaâs largest listed nonbanking financial companiesâCobrapost further alleged that the principal recipient entities identified in the analysis include Cholamandalam MS General Insurance Co Ltd CMGICL Chola Business Services Ltd CBSL and Murugappa Management Services apart from CIFCL A nonbanking finance company NBFC CIFCL has diverted sums worth around Rs 6419 crore This amount includes Rs 4103 crore that CBSL a privately held Murugappa Group entity has received from CIFCL since 2015 Similarly CMGICL has made payments amounting to around Rs 3040 crore to nine Murugappa Group entities including CBSL since 2017Cobrapost also alleged that its analysis has identified some credit rating agencies auditing firms nonprofit organisations such as Isha Foundation which have also received funds from CIFCL and other Murugappa Group companies Based on filings and related records reviewed by Cobrapost these entities together received approximately Rs 120 crore during the period under examination the news website statement allegedHowever the Murugappa Group in a stock exchange filing dismissed the allegations as baseless and attributed them to ulterior motivesThe entire allegations in the report are malicious and baseless stated with ulterior motives said Cholamandalam Investment and Finance in the filing The company reassured investors that performance asset quality and liquidity position remain robustThe Company wishes to reassure its investors that the performance of the Company its asset quality and its liquidity position continues to be robust as disclosed in the audited financial statements of the Company for the half year ended September 2025 There is no revision in its guidance provided in the past and the Company will continue to deliver as per its Board approved business plan The liquidity position of the Company continues to be strong with its cash and bank balances of Rs 14900 crore as of November 30 2025 Cholamandalam saidAs far as large cash deposits are concerned the company stated that it predominantly caters to the needs of small road transport operators and selfemployed nonprofessionals numbering over 50 lakhs spread over 1700 branches across cities and towns in India This collection process and amount has been subject to internal and external scrutiny This is also covered by our robust internal systems and subject to statutory audit All KYC and income tax compliance for such collection is done in compliance with applicable legal requirementsIn compliance with legal and accounting requirements all related party transactions are disclosed in full and complete detail in our financial statements Cholamandalam further stated IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/cobrapost-alleges-related-party-transactions-in-cholamandalam-finance-murugappa-group-refutes-charges-655332.html Tue, 23 Dec 2025 16:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/sensex-ends-flat-nifty-inches-higher-655338.html Mumbai Dec 23 Indian equity benchmark indices ended on a mixed note on Tuesday as weakness in information technology stocks weighed on the market even as buying in financial FMCG and metal shares provided some support Investor sentiment also remained cautious due to the weekly expiry of Nifty derivativesThe Sensex snapped its twoday winning streak and closed marginally lower slipping 005 per cent to settle at 8552484In contrast the Nifty managed to extend its gains for a third consecutive session inching up 002 per cent or 475 points to end at 2617715âFrom a technical perspective the Nifty remains well placed above the key support zone of 26000â26100 which continues to act as a strong base for the indexâ experts statedâSustaining above this zone could keep the shortterm bias positiveâ market watchers mentionedOn the BSE shares of ITC UltraTech Cement and Tata Steel closed as the top gainers supported by buying interest in FMCG and metal stocksOn the other hand IT majors such as Infosys and Tech Mahindra along with Bharti Airtel put pressure on the index and emerged as the top losersA similar trend was seen on the NSE where Coal India Shriram Finance and ITC finished among the top gainersMeanwhile selling in Infosys and Bharti Airtel dragged on market sentiment and capped gainsBroader markets showed a mixed trend The Nifty SmallCap 100 index rose 037 per cent reflecting selective buying in smaller stocks while the Nifty MidCap 100 index ended almost unchangedOn the sectoral front the IT index was the biggest laggard of the day falling 080 per cent due to continued weakness in technology stocksIn contrast the media index led the gains with a rise of 084 per cent Metal media and FMCG stocks also closed higher helping limit the downside in the broader marketThe Indian rupee ended flat for the second straight session on Tuesday as yearend rebalancing neutralised the lossesâThe USDINR pair is slated for consolidation between 8910 and 9030 with a trend reversal only likely on a move below 89â experts stated IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/sensex-ends-flat-nifty-inches-higher-655338.html Tue, 23 Dec 2025 16:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/andhra-pradesh-to-lead-quantum-technology-revolution-in-india-says-cm-naidu-655340.html Amaravati Dec 23 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday exuded confidence that Andhra Pradesh will lead the quantum technology revolution in India He said the state government has prepared an action plan to produce experts in quantum and related fields He was addressing over 50000 students of quantum technology professionals and industry partners on a digital platform under an initiative aimed at building a futureready quantum workforce and strengthening the Amaravati Quantum Valley ecosystemThe Chief Minister announced that the state would train one million experts in areas such as quantum mechanics and algorithms 300000 people in the quantum software and hardware sectors and 100000 experts in advanced researchStating that Amaravati will be developed as Indiaâs Quantum Valley on the lines of Silicon Valley in the US he exuded confidence that quantum computing devices will be produced here in the next two yearsHe claimed that the announcement of the quantum programme received an overwhelming response Through a single announcement to train quantum experts 54000 people registeredThe programme is being implemented through a strategic partnership led by WISER The Washington Institute for STEM Entrepreneurship and Research and Qubitech as the India partnerâTwentyfive years ago I presented a vision for IT Today I am presenting a vision for Quantum Just like Silicon Valley anchored the digital age Amaravatiâs Quantum Valley will anchor the knowledge economy of the futureâ he saidHe stated that by embracing the IT revolution IT professionals were produced in undivided Andhra Pradesh and provided to the world He recalled that through the development of Cyberabad Hyderabad was turned into a global IT hubHighlighting the global success of Telugu professionals he noted that Indianorigin households in the United States report a median income nearly double the national average driven largely by STEM and professional employmentHe cited that Telugu entrepreneurs have founded over 1200 technology startups in Silicon Valley over 25 lakh Telugu professionals hold key positions in top tech firms and Teluguorigin leaders are at the helm of several Fortune 500 companiesRecalling his earlier call of âone IT professional per familyâ the Chief Minister issued a similar call for quantum urging students to understand the vision and plan their future accordingly He also announced a Rs 100 crore award for the first Nobel laureate in Quantum Science from Andhra PradeshâThe Amaravati Quantum Computing Centre will help ensure that our research reaches that level That is why we have planned for a quantum ecosystem in Amaravati Personalised medicine preventive and curative healthcare can be provided through quantum applications Capabilities speed and accuracy can be achieved through quantum technology Revolutionary changes can be brought about in various fields through quantum technology I hope that Indians will seize the firstmover advantageâ he saidHe noted that through the National Quantum Mission the central government is making efforts to attract largescale investments and skill development in this sector He believes that just like the IT revolution this will have a global impactIndians must also embrace the quantum revolution Quantum computing research will benefit humanity in areas such as medicine electricity sustainable agriculture financial modelling materials discovery and weather forecasting With technologies like AI quantum computing satellites and drones it will be possible to achieve sustainability in various sectors Services can be provided to the public at a very low cost With quantum technology the sky is the limit for research the Chief Minister remarked IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/andhra-pradesh-to-lead-quantum-technology-revolution-in-india-says-cm-naidu-655340.html Tue, 23 Dec 2025 16:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/revised-data-series-wont-have-big-impact-on-gdp-growth-estimates-govt-655345.html New Delhi Dec 23 The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation MoSPI does not expect a significant change in Indiaâs GDP growth estimates after the release of the revised national accounts series in February next year MoSPI Secretary Saurabh Garg said on Tuesday âToo early to say on its impact on GDP numbers In general we donât expect much change from our previous expectationsâ Garg told journalists hereThe government is set to release the new GDP series along with a new inflation series The revised national accounts framework will also include backseries data for 202223 202324 and 202425 enabling continuity and comparisonIndiaâs growth outlook has already improved after the economy recorded a higherthanexpected 82 per cent growth in in the second quarter This has led to an increase in the growth projections for 202526 The Reserve Bank of India RBI has raised its GDP growth forecast for the economy to 73 per centA key aspect of the revised methodology is the expanded use of realtime data sources particularly Goods and Services Tax Network GSTN filingsâWe now have a lot of realtime data available with GSTN and we will be able to use that to help estimate state domestic product We will have better triangulation mechanisms availableâ Garg saidThe ministry will also roll out capacitybuilding workshops for states to strengthen Gross State Domestic Product GSDP estimatesGarg highlighted the ministryâs efforts to better measure the informal economy traditionally one of the most challenging aspects of national accounting âThe Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises ASUSE will inform the base revision in GDP with more granular and more frequent information now availableâ he explainedSpeaking at the same event Chief Economic Adviser to the government V Anantha Nageswaran however cautioned that informality is inherently difficult to measureâMeasuring informality is not an easy exercise because there are no uniform measures across the worldâ Nageswaran said âWe are often overestimating informality because small businesses do not always make a clear distinction between personal and business accountsâHe noted that small businesses often blur the line between personal and business finances leading to possible overestimationGarg also said that the ministry is working with states to develop satellite accounts for emerging and undermeasured areas such as the digital economy tourism and culture in line with the upcoming System of National Accounts 2025 revision expected to be adopted globally from 2029 Inflation coverage will be expanded across urban and rural markets with the inclusion of ecommerce and other digital price data to better reflect changing consumption patterns IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/revised-data-series-wont-have-big-impact-on-gdp-growth-estimates-govt-655345.html Tue, 23 Dec 2025 17:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/pe-and-vc-investments-in-india-reach-88-pc-of-2024-levels-up-4-pc-in-nov-655346.html Mumbai Dec 23 Private equity and venture capital PE and VC investments in India increased by 4 per cent in November compared to October in value terms a report said on Tuesday adding that in 2025 so far PE and VC investments have reached 88 per cent of last yearâs levels Investments in the real estate and infrastructure asset class increased nearly fivefold 460 per cent to 42 billion in November 2025 from 747 million in November 2024In terms of the number of deals pureplay investments increased by 1 per cent yearonyear whereas real estate and infrastructure deals were up by 73 per cent yearonyear according to the EYIVCA monthly PEVC roundupâNovember 2025 recorded 56 billion in PEVC investments a 31 per cent yearonyear increase 43 billion in November 2024 and a 4 per cent monthonmonth increase 54 billion in October 2025â said Vivek Soni Partner and National Leader Private Equity Services EYThe number of deals increased to 113 in November 2025 a 12 per cent yearonyear increase 101 deals in November 2024 and a 4 per cent monthonmonth increase 109 deals in October 2025In November buyout deals were the highest at 21 billion followed by startup investments at 17 billion From a sector point of view real estate was the top sector in November 2025 recording 37 billion in investments followed by infrastructure 531 million the report showedPEVC exits stood at 32 billion across 23 deals in November 2025 11 per cent lower than in November 2024 37 billion Exits through IPO accounted for 46 per cent of the total exit value 15 billionGiven the global and domestic headwinds such as geopolitical tensions tariff uncertainties under the Trump administration and the Rupeeâs depreciation investment activity has been pretty robust said the reportThe recent repo rate cut by the RBI and the resilient GDP growth point towards attractive growth opportunities positioning PEVC investors to capitalize on the next phase of Indiaâs growth cycle it addedNovember recorded total fundraises of 24 billion compared to 11 billion in November 2024 and 18 billion in October 2025 IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/pe-and-vc-investments-in-india-reach-88-pc-of-2024-levels-up-4-pc-in-nov-655346.html Tue, 23 Dec 2025 17:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/60-pc-gcc-bases-operate-from-green-certified-grade-a-flex-centres-in-india-report-655109.html New Delhi Dec 22 About 62 per cent of global capability centre GCC bases operating within flex spaces in India are located in greencertified centres while an even higher 85 per cent function from gradeA buildings a new report showed on Monday Across the top seven cities 42 per cent of flex centres are greencertified and 69 per cent are located in premium gradeA buildings said the report by VestianAccording to Vestian Research India currently hosts over 1750 GCC companies with nearly 3800 bases resulting in a demand for more than 40 per cent of the total office space over the past two yearsAs per the report more than 475 out of the 1400 flex centres across major tier 1 cities currently host GCC basesâAs Indiaâs GCC landscape continues to evolve flex operators will remain indispensable partners â offering flexibility faster speed to market and enterprisegrade infrastructure that global companies require to scale efficiently in a highly competitive marketâ said Shrinivas Rao FRICS CEO VestianPeripheral Business Districts PBD have emerged as preferred locations for GCC expansion compared to central city areasThese zones offer strong connectivity competitive pricing better scalability and larger office campuses â factors that appeal to rapidly growing global enterprisesReflecting this shift 77 per cent of the flex area occupied by GCC bases is located in peripheral regions compared with 61 per cent of the overall flex stock the report notedDriven by strong demand from GCCs Indiaâs flex ecosystem has expanded to 823 million square feet spread across nearly 1400 centres in the top seven citiesHowever the market continues to remain consolidated with the top 10 operators controlling 67 per cent of the total stock Bengaluru leads with 332 per cent share of the countryâs flex stock followed by DelhiNCR at 204 per cent and Pune at 147 per centIndiaâs flex stock is projected to exceed 100 mn sq ft across tier 1 cities by 2026 as flex operators expand and upgrade their portfolios to effectively accommodate the growing demand from Global Capability Centres said Rao IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/60-pc-gcc-bases-operate-from-green-certified-grade-a-flex-centres-in-india-report-655109.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 14:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/electronics-sector-creating-large-scale-blue-collar-jobs-forindianwomen-ashwinivaishnaw-655110.html New Delhi Dec 22 The electronics sector is creating largescale bluecollar jobs for women in India said Ashwini Vaishnaw the Minister for Electronics and Information Technology on Monday He said this referring to reports on Taiwanbased company Foxconn onboarding nearly 30000 employees nearly 80 per cent women at its new iPhone assembly facility in Bengaluru within just eight to nine monthsIn a post on social media platform X Vaishnaw noted that âa womenled mega factory would have been unimaginable just 10 years agoââElectronics sector continues to create largescale skilled bluecollar jobs especially for women Technology transfer women empowerment and Ease of Living in full displayâ he addedFor its new iPhone assembly facility in Devanahalli Foxconn has reportedly hired women most of whom are firsttime entrants to the formal workforce largely in the 1924 age group By next year employment in the factory is expected to rise to nearly 50000 workersThe trial production at the facility began in AprilMay this year with the iPhone 16 Currently the plant is assembling the latest iPhone 17 Pro Max models Over 80 per cent of the output is destined for export marketsThe Taiwanese contract manufacturing giant is investing approximately Rs 20000 crore in the projectWith a production floor spanning nearly 250000 square feet the facility will also become the companyâs largest manufacturing facility in India in terms of both production capacity and employmentThe new facility is also expected to overtake Foxconnâs first iPhone manufacturing plant in Tamil Nadu which currently employs around 41000 workersIn October Foxconn announced it would invest Rs 15000 crore in Tamil Nadu creating 14000 highvalue jobsFoxconn currently has operations in Tamil Nadu Karnataka and Telangana and these new plans signal a major expansion of its footprint in India IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/electronics-sector-creating-large-scale-blue-collar-jobs-forindianwomen-ashwinivaishnaw-655110.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 14:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/electronics-sector-creating-large-scale-blue-collar-jobs-forindianwomen-ashwinivaishnaw-655112.html New Delhi Dec 22 The electronics sector is creating large scale bluecollar jobs for women in India said Ashwini Vaishnaw the Minister for Electronics and Information Technology on Monday He said this referring to reports on Taiwanbased company Foxconn onboarding nearly 30000 employees nearly 80 per cent women at its new iPhone assembly facility in Bengaluru within just eight to nine monthsIn a post on social media platform X Vaishnaw noted that âa womenled mega factory would have been unimaginable just 10 years agoââElectronics sector continues to create largescale skilled bluecollar jobs especially for women Technology transfer women empowerment and Ease of Living in full displayâ he addedFor its new iPhone assembly facility in Devanahalli Foxconn has reportedly hired women most of whom are firsttime entrants to the formal workforce largely in the 1924 age group By next year employment in the factory is expected to rise to nearly 50000 workersThe trial production at the facility began in AprilMay this year with the iPhone 16 Currently the plant is assembling the latest iPhone 17 Pro Max models Over 80 per cent of the output is destined for export marketsThe Taiwanese contract manufacturing giant is investing approximately Rs 20000 crore in the projectWith a production floor spanning nearly 250000 square feet the facility will also become the companyâs largest manufacturing facility in India in terms of both production capacity and employmentThe new facility is also expected to overtake Foxconnâs first iPhone manufacturing plant in Tamil Nadu which currently employs around 41000 workersIn October Foxconn announced it would invest Rs 15000 crore in Tamil Nadu creating 14000 highvalue jobsFoxconn currently has operations in Tamil Nadu Karnataka and Telangana and these new plans signal a major expansion of its footprint in India IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/electronics-sector-creating-large-scale-blue-collar-jobs-forindianwomen-ashwinivaishnaw-655112.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 14:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/neptune-logitek-shares-list-at-26-pc-discount-ipo-investors-suffer-nearly-rs-30k-losses-655116.html Mumbai Dec 22 Shares of Neptune Logitek made a weak debut on the BSE SME platform on Monday listing at a steep discount to the IPO price and causing losses to investors The stock opened at Rs 100 per share which was 26 per cent lower than the IPO issue price of Rs 126Soon after listing selling pressure continued and Neptune Logitek share price slipped further by over 5 per cent to Rs 9580 apiece during the intraday sessionThis meant that investors who received allotment in the IPO saw their investment value fall sharply on the very first day of tradingThe companyâs IPO had a lot size of 1000 shares Based on the opening price of Rs 100 against the issue price of Rs 126 investors lost about Rs 26000 per lot at listingWith the stock falling further to Rs 9580 the loss increased to nearly Rs 30200 per lot The weak debut created a negative sentiment around the stock in the marketAhead of listing the grey market premium GMP of the Neptune Logitek IPO was around zero which had already signalled a muted debut for the sharesNeptune Logitekâs IPO was priced at Rs 126 per share valuing the company at around Rs 173 crore after the issueThe public issue closed on December 17 and received an overall subscription of 161 times driven mainly by interest from retail investorsThe IPO was a fixedprice issue worth Rs 4662 crore and consisted entirely of a fresh issue of about 037 crore sharesThe company plans to use the IPO proceeds mainly for capital expenditure including the purchase of additional trucks and related equipmentA part of the funds will also be used for partial repayment of debt and for general corporate purposesNeptune Logitek is an integrated logistics solutions provider offering services such as freight forwarding customs clearance air cargo handling road and rail transportation and multimodal coastal forwardingThe company follows an assetheavy business model with ownership of its fleet supported by inhouse maintenance facilities and a captive fuel setup IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/neptune-logitek-shares-list-at-26-pc-discount-ipo-investors-suffer-nearly-rs-30k-losses-655116.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 14:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/india-new-zealand-fta-to-ensure-zero-duty-on-100-pc-of-indias-exports-piyush-goyal-655127.html New Delhi Dec 22 IANS Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Monday that the India and New Zealand free trade agreement FTA will ensure zero duty on 100 per cent of Indias exports benefitting farmers MSMEs workers artisans womenled enterprises and youth while providing immense opportunities for labourintensive sectors such as textiles apparel leather and footwearnbspSectors like engineering and manufacturing automobiles electronics machinery plastics pharmaceuticals and chemicals will also stand to benefitnbspHe said that agreement also provides a significant boost to investments with New Zealand committing to facilitating 20 billion in FDI into India over 15 years targeting manufacturing infrastructure services innovation and job creationUnder the guidance and leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon and with the close and collaborative engagement of my friend and counterpart Minister Todd McClay India and New Zealand have successfully concluded a landmark Free Trade Agreement in a record nine months This marks a significant milestone in our bilateral ties Goyal said in a post on XnbspThe minister further stated that with a focus on empowering farmers the FTA opens new opportunities for Indian agricultural products in New Zealands markets including fruits vegetables coffee spices cereals and processed foodsThrough the Agricultural Productivity Partnership Centres of Excellence and access to New Zealands advanced agritechnologies farmers will significantly benefit from higher productivity improved quality and higher incomes Targeted initiatives for horticultural products such as honey kiwifruit and apples further strengthen the sector and support sustainable growthnbspIn view of domestic sensitivities India has safeguarded agriculture and allied products including dairy sugar coffee spices edible oils precious metals gold and silver preciousmetal scrap copper cathodes and rubberbased products thereby ensuring the protection of farmers MSMEs and domestic industries the minister explainedThe FTA creates new opportunities for Indias services sector spanning IT and ITeS finance education tourism construction and other areas New Zealands firstever annexes on health traditional medicine student mobility and poststudy work open up unprecedented avenues for Indian professionals and students In addition enhanced mobility provisions including working holiday visas poststudy work pathways and a dedicated quota of 5000 temporary employment visas for skilled Indian professionals will enable Indian talent to access better global opportunities Goyal further statedThis mutually beneficial Agreement will further strengthen the IndiaNew Zealand economic partnership and advance Indias journey towards the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 Goyal addednbspThe agreement also includes the bestever market access and services offer by New Zealand to India covering 118 services sectors including computer Related Services Professional Services Audio Visual Services Telecommunication Services Construction Services Tourism and Travel related Service MostFavoured Nation Commitment in about 139 subsectors according to a Commerce Ministry statementThe FTA opens skilled employment pathways through a new Temporary Employment Entry Visa pathway for Indian professionals in skilled occupations with a quota of 5000 visas at any given time and a stay of up to three years This pathway covers Indian professions such as Ayush practitioners yoga instructors Indian chefs and music teachers as well as highdemand sectors including IT engineering healthcare education and construction strengthening workforce mobility and services tradenbspApart from tariff liberalisation the FTA includes provisions to address nontariff barriers through enhanced regulatory cooperation transparency and streamlined customs Sanitary and Phytosanitary SPS measures and Technical Barriers to Trade disciplines All systemic facilitations and fasttrack mechanisms for imports that serve as inputs for our manufactured exports ensure that tariff concessions translate into effective and meaningful market access the statement addedCommenting on the FTA New Zealand Prime Minister Luxon said Weve concluded a Free Trade Agreement with India This will open doors for New Zealand farmers growers and businesses boosting exports creating jobs and lifting incomes to help all Kiwis get ahead https://dailyworld.in/business/india-new-zealand-fta-to-ensure-zero-duty-on-100-pc-of-indias-exports-piyush-goyal-655127.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 15:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/india-among-highest-ai-adopters-globally-86-pc-employees-believe-ai-boosts-productivity-655128.html New Delhi Dec 22 Around 62 per cent Indians are using GenAI at work regularly whereas 90 per cent employers and 86 per cent employees believe that AI impacts productivity positively a report showed on Tuesday Also 75 per cent employees and 72 per cent employers believe that GenAI enhances decision making 82 per cent employees and 92 per cent employers believe it positively impacts quality of work said the âEY 2025 Work Reimagined SurveyâThe report shows that India is among the highest AI adopters globally and leads with 53 points on the âAI Advantageâ score developed to quantify the real impact of AI at work by measuring how much time employees save while the global average score sits at 34 pointsThe survey now in its sixth edition draws insights from 15000 employees and 1500 employers across 29 markets globally In India where 800 employees and 50 employers were surveyed a strong environment supports employee engagement and resilience in the changing AI landscape according to the reportIndia also holds a Talent Health score of 82 the highest among all geographies assessed This score measures employee sentiment regarding culture rewards and development areas that collectively form the foundation of Talent HealthThe global average Talent Health score stands at 65 out of 100 with culture accounting for 44 per cent rewards 32 per cent and development 24 per cent the report mentionedâIndia has made strong strides in AI adoption and organizations are taking a more intentional approach to balancing productivity skills and employee experience Technology including AI is increasingly shaping how work gets done but the real impact comes from how employers are using it to strengthen talent health capability and workforce resilienceâ said Anurag Malik Partner and National Leader â People Consulting EY IndiaThe findings also reveal how employers and employees view AI governance Around 94 per cent employers and 89 per cent employees consistently report higher levels of confidence across ethical and responsible AIWhile both 87 per cent employees and 90 per cent employers in India say learning new skills is essential â actual learning hours remain limitedMost employees globally report spending fewer than 40 hours a year on AI learningThe data makes a compelling case for structured skilling employees who invest more time in AI learning show markedly lower intent to leave Higher learning hours also translate directly into more hours saved per week reinforcing the productivity impact of continuous skill development said the report IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/india-among-highest-ai-adopters-globally-86-pc-employees-believe-ai-boosts-productivity-655128.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 15:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/indianew-zealand-fta-is-a-game-changer-for-indian-exporters-fieo-655135.html New Delhi Dec 22 The Federation of Indian Export Organisations FIEO on Monday welcomed the signing of the IndiaâNew Zealand free trade agreement as a gamechanger for Indian exporters which will significantly enhance the countrys integration with global value chains FIEO President SC Ralhan said that the conclusion of the IndiaâNew Zealand FTA in such a short span reflects the strong political will and shared economic vision of both countriesThe zeroduty access for Indian exports across all tariff lines is a historic achievement he said adding that it will enhance the competitiveness of Indian products in the New Zealand market and provide a major boost to employmentgenerating sectorsRalhan also said that New Zealandâs investment commitment of 20 billion under the FTA sends a powerful signal of confidence in Indiaâs growth story and will contribute meaningfully to manufacturing expansion innovation and job creation thereby giving a further boost to Indias export sectorHe observed that the progressive provisions on services mobility student opportunities and traditional medicine are forwardlooking and will greatly benefit Indiaâs skilled professionals and youthWith a strong focus on farmersâ welfare the agreement opens new opportunities for Indian agricultural exports to New Zealand including fruits vegetables coffee spices cereals and processed foods Initiatives such as the Agricultural Productivity Partnership the establishment of Centres of Excellence and access to New Zealandâs advanced agritechnologies will help improve productivity quality and farmersâ incomes Targeted support for horticultural products like honey kiwifruit and apples will further strengthen sustainable agricultural growth he further statedFIEO views the IndiaâNew Zealand FTA as a mutually beneficial and futureoriented agreement that will deepen economic cooperation strengthen peopletopeople ties and support Indiaâs longterm vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 Ralhan addedBusiness chamber PHDCCI also welcomed the IndiaNew Zealand free trade agreement as a partnership aligned with Indiaâs vision of Viksit Bharat 2047Commitments on investment regulatory cooperation and dutyfree inputs will enhance competitiveness integrate Indian industry into global value chains across all sectors PHDCCI President Rajeev Juneja saidThe agreement represents a nextgeneration deal combining trade liberalisation with talent mobility investment and productivityled cooperation This comes with wellstandardised agricultural safeguards and technologyfocused partnerships protecting farmer interests while raising productivity The agreement provides policy certainty and lowers input costs for manufacturing creating a vision for longterm economic resilience PHDCCI CEO and Secretary General Ranjeet Mehta said IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/indianew-zealand-fta-is-a-game-changer-for-indian-exporters-fieo-655135.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 15:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/sensex-nifty-extend-gains-climb-075-pc-each-655143.html Mumbai Dec 22 Indian stock markets ended on a strong note on Monday extending the gains seen in the previous session even as global cues remained mixed Buying interest in information technology and metal stocks helped push the benchmark indices higherPositive sentiment was also supported by optimism around the signing of the IndiaâNew Zealand free trade agreement which boosted investor confidenceThe Sensex closed at 8556748 rising by 63812 points or 075 per cent Similarly the Nifty settled at 2616160 up 19520 points marking a gain of 075 per centâNifty closed the session on a strong note after confirming a breakout above the 26050â26100 zone validating a doublebottom pattern and reinforcing the ongoing daily uptrendâ experts saidâAs long as the index holds above the 25950â26000 support band the broader structure remains bullish with a decisive close above 26200 opening the path toward 26300â26500â they addedOn the BSE shares of Trent Infosys and Bharti Airtel were among the top gainers reflecting strong buying interest in these stocksOn the other hand State Bank of India Kotak Mahindra Bank and Larsen amp Toubro weighed on the index and ended as the top laggardsOn the NSE Trent Shriram Finance and Wipro emerged as the top performers Meanwhile HDFC Life Insurance Tata Consumer Products and State Bank of India were the major stocks that dragged the index lowerThe broader market also participated in the rally The Nifty SmallCap 100 index jumped 117 per cent while the Nifty MidCap 100 index gained 084 per centSectorwise the IT sector was the biggest outperformer with the Nifty IT index rising 206 per centMetal stocks also saw strong gains with the Nifty Metal index climbing 141 per centIn contrast Nifty Consumer Durables was the only sector to end in the red slipping marginally by 016 per centAnalysts said that the market closed firmly in positive territory supported by sectoral strength and improving investor sentimentâHowever caution persists amid limited progress on trade negotiations geopolitical uncertainties and crude price volatility market watchers stated IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/sensex-nifty-extend-gains-climb-075-pc-each-655143.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 16:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/indias-aadhaar-linked-payments-cut-welfare-leakage-by-127-pc-655149.html New Delhi Dec 22 Indias states that adopted Aadhaarâlinked digital payments and biometric authentication reduced welfare leakage by approximately 127 per cent setting a benchmark globally in public welfare integrity a report said on Monday The report from Boston Consulting Group BCG said that governments worldwide distribute over 21 trillion in public payments to citizens annually but 3 trillion is lost due to fraud error or inefficiencyIn India biometric authentication and direct digital transfers have strengthened lastâmile delivery of food rations social pensions LPG subsidies fertiliser support and rural employment wages reducing reliance on intermediaries and lowering administrative costs the report saidWorld Bank estimates suggest India could save up to 10 billion annually by eliminating fraudulent claims duplicate identities and intermediaries through Aadhaarâenabled systems it notedAadhaar has lowered administrative costs and reduced leakages across some of the worldâs largest social subsidy programmes Evidence from Andhra Pradesh Jharkhand and Rajasthan showed improved delivery without excluding genuine beneficiaries it saidIndiaâs rapid adoption of digital infrastructure especially in public service delivery and payments allows it to embed integrity by design AIenabled integrity solutions can significantly reduce leakage in welfare programs strengthen trust in institutions and ensure that public spending delivers maximum impact for citizensâ said Mario Gonsalves India Leader Public Sector Practice BCGThe Centre has disbursed more than Rs 37 lakh crore directly into the bank accounts of over 11 crore farmer families in the country under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi PMKISAN YojanaThe integration of PFMS with the Digital Payments and Direct Benefit Transfer DBT has ensured that subsidies and welfare benefits reach directly to the population thereby minimising leakages and duplicationThese combined with the digital tools for revenue generation such as einvoicing eway bills and faceless assessments have widened the tax base and reduced evasion These measures combined have strengthened revenue flows and helped improve fiscal balance without increasing tax rates IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/indias-aadhaar-linked-payments-cut-welfare-leakage-by-127-pc-655149.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 17:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/indias-aadhaar-linked-payments-cut-welfare-leakage-by-127-pc-report-655150.html New Delhi Dec 22 States that adopted Aadhaarâlinked digital payments and biometric authentication reduced welfare leakage by approximately 127 per cent setting a benchmark globally in public welfare integrity a report said on Monday The report from Boston Consulting Group BCG said that governments worldwide distribute over 21 trillion in public payments to citizens annually but 3 trillion is lost due to fraud error or inefficiencyIn India biometric authentication and direct digital transfers have strengthened lastâmile delivery of food rations social pensions LPG subsidies fertiliser support and rural employment wages reducing reliance on intermediaries and lowering administrative costs the report saidWorld Bank estimates suggest India could save up to 10 billion annually by eliminating fraudulent claims duplicate identities and intermediaries through Aadhaarâenabled systems it notedAadhaar has lowered administrative costs and reduced leakages across some of the worldâs largest social subsidy programmes Evidence from Andhra Pradesh Jharkhand and Rajasthan showed improved delivery without excluding genuine beneficiaries it saidIndiaâs rapid adoption of digital infrastructure especially in public service delivery and payments allows it to embed integrity by design AIenabled integrity solutions can significantly reduce leakage in welfare programs strengthen trust in institutions and ensure that public spending delivers maximum impact for citizensâ said Mario Gonsalves India Leader Public Sector Practice BCGThe Centre has disbursed more than Rs 37 lakh crore directly into the bank accounts of over 11 crore farmer families in the country under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi PMKISAN YojanaThe integration of PFMS with the Digital Payments and Direct Benefit Transfer DBT has ensured that subsidies and welfare benefits reach directly to the population thereby minimising leakages and duplicationThese combined with the digital tools for revenue generation such as einvoicing eway bills and faceless assessments have widened the tax base and reduced evasion These measures combined have strengthened revenue flows and helped improve fiscal balance without increasing tax rates IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/indias-aadhaar-linked-payments-cut-welfare-leakage-by-127-pc-report-655150.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 17:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/office-occupancy-levels-in-delhi-ncr-projected-to-cross-80-pc-by-march-2027-655154.html New Delhi Dec 22 The office occupancy levels are on a steady upward trajectory in DelhiNCR and are projected to rise to 80581 per cent by March 2027 a report showed on Monday The GradeA office market in Delhi National Capital Region NCR continues to demonstrate strong fundamentals driven by sustained leasing demand that is outpacing new supply according to an ICRA reportThe market has witnessed a significant turnaround since March 2023 with occupancy increasing by 600 basis points to reach 786 per cent by September 2025âIn FY25 while fresh supply stood at 74 million square feet msf net absorption was a robust 114 msf This trend persisted into the first half of FY2026 with 73 msf of new supply against a net absorption of 80 msf The demand is primarily fuelled by healthy leasing activity from the consulting and ITBPM sectorsâ the report mentionedLooking ahead despite an expected new supply of approximately 14 msf in FY2026 and around 11 msf in FY2027 the continued healthy leasing momentum is expected to further tighten the marketâOccupancy is forecast to reach 785790 per cent by March 2026 before climbing to the 805810 per cent range by March 2027 Notably a significant portion of the upcoming supply is already committed with nearly 31 per cent of the approximately 175 msf expected during H2 FY2026âFY2027 period being preleasedâ said the reportDelhiNCR remains a critical office hub accounting for 20 per cent approximately 204 msf of the total GradeA office space across Indiaâs top six citiesGurugram is the undisputed leader within NCR commanding a 60 per cent market share followed by Noida and DelhiKey micromarkets such as Sector 24 Cyber City Sector 62 Noida and Sector 48 Gurugram collectively account for 17 per cent of the cityâs total office supplyWhile the market exhibits overall strength vacancies in Delhi NCR are the highest among Indiaâs top six cities This is largely attributed to lower occupancy rates of 5055 per cent in the peripheral business districts PBD of Gurugram where some older assets have moderate occupancy levelsIn terms of growth the Delhi NCR office stock recorded a Compound Annual Growth Rate CAGR of nearly 6 per cent between FY2018 and FY2025 slightly lower than the 7 per cent CAGR observed across the top six cities IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/office-occupancy-levels-in-delhi-ncr-projected-to-cross-80-pc-by-march-2027-655154.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 17:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/coupang-daily-user-count-slips-to-14-million-range-after-data-breach-655158.html Seoul Dec 22 Coupangâs daily active user DAU count has fallen to the 14 million range following the ecommerce giants disclosure of a massive data breach late last month industry data showed on Monday Coupangs estimated DAU had stood at 1488 million as of Friday according to MobileIndex a data platform operated by industry tracker IGAWorks reports Yonhap news agencyThe figure marked the first time Coupangs daily user count dropped into the 14 million range since Oct 25 when it recorded 1491 million usersOver the roughly threemonth period from early October through Friday Coupangs daily user count fell below 15 million on only three occasions Oct 46 during the Chuseok holiday period Oct 25 and Dec 19On Nov 29 Coupang confirmed that the personal information of 337 million customer accounts had been exposed far exceeding the 4500 accounts initially reported to authorities on Nov 20The number of affected accounts is equivalent to nearly twothirds of South Koreas populationGiven that active users of Coupangs Product Commerce division including its delivery service reached 247 million in the third quarter the scale of the breach suggests that nearly the entire user base may have been affectedThe company said the compromised data included users names phone numbers email addresses and delivery addressesCoupangs DAU temporarily surged following the disclosure rising into the 17 million range from Nov 30 through Dec 3 and reaching an alltime high of 1798 million on Dec 1 as users accessed the platform to check their accounts and review security settingsSince Dec 10 however the figure has slipped back to the mid15 million range showing a gradual downward trendMeanwhile the ruling Democratic Party said it plans to hold a joint parliamentary hearing involving five standing committees on Dec 30 and 31 to address the data breach incident IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/coupang-daily-user-count-slips-to-14-million-range-after-data-breach-655158.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 17:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/non-it-sectors-emerge-as-primary-drivers-of-hiring-in-india-in-2025-655160.html New Delhi Dec 22 NonIT sectors emerged as the primary drivers of hiring in India through most of the year while IT hiring remained largely stable after a subdued start a report showed on Monday NonIT sectors recorded stronger momentum Hospitality emerged as a standout posting 23 per cent growth in the latter part of the year Education hiring rose sharply closing the year with 28 per cent growth while real estate registered a 17 per cent increaseInsurance also delivered doubledigit growth in the second half following a sharp rebound earlier in the year according to the report by NaukriAfter a cautious start the Indian whitecollar job market gathered momentum through the year averaging midsingledigit growth and closing 2025 on a healthy footing supported largely by nonIT sectors and a continued surge in AI and machine learning rolesHiring activity in 2025 started with a steady growth of 2 per cent during the JanuaryâMarch period before accelerating through the rest of the yearOverall hiring averaged approximately 6â7 per cent yearonyear growth with notable spikes in November 23 per cent June 11 per cent and September 10 per centâAs the year draws to a close the hiring trends of 2025 point to optimism Demand for AIML and other specialised roles is expected to remain strong while nonIT sectors and emerging cities are likely to continue playing a larger role in job creationâ the report mentionedITsoftware hiring declined by 2 per cent in Q1 calendar year 2025 but showed signs of stabilisation from Q2 onwards with marginal improvements in select monthsAI and machine learning stood out as the strongest growth engine of 2025 AIML hiring grew 41 per cent yearonyear between January to November and recorded uninterrupted growth for six consecutive quarters Growth accelerated through the year crossing the 50 per cent mark in the second half of 2025Fresher hiring gained momentum through the year particularly in the second half A notable shift was the increasing prominence of nonmetro cities in fresher hiringCities such as Kolhapur Guwahati Patna Mangalore and Udaipur featured among the top locations for fresher hiring across different quarters highlighting the gradual decentralisation of entrylevel opportunities beyond traditional metros said the Naukri reportGlobal Capability Centre GCC hiring remained broadly stable in 2025 recording around 3 per cent yearonyear growth in the latter part of the year it added IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/non-it-sectors-emerge-as-primary-drivers-of-hiring-in-india-in-2025-655160.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 17:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/meesho-shares-hit-10-pc-lower-circuit-fall-for-2nd-day-655163.html Mumbai Dec 22 Shares of Meesho Limited came under sharp selling pressure on Monday as the stock hit a 10 per cent lower circuit This was the second straight session of decline for the newly listed ecommerce companyOver the last two trading days Meesho shares have fallen nearly 17 per cent after dropping around 7 per cent on FridayThe recent fall indicates that some investors may be booking profits after the stockâs strong rally following its market debutMeesho shares had more than doubled from the IPO price within just over a week of listing attracting heavy trading interestAfter Mondayâs decline the stock is now down about 21 per cent from its postlisting high of Rs 25440Despite the correction Meesho shares are still up 82 per cent from the issue price of Rs 111 highlighting the strong gains made by early investorsThe companyâs market capitalisation has now slipped to around Rs 91188 croreMeeshoâs IPO which was open for three days and sized at over Rs 5000 crore had received an overwhelming response from investorsThe overall issue was subscribed 79 times Retail investors showed strong interest subscribing nearly 19 times while the qualified institutional buyersâ portion was subscribed 120 timesOn Monday Meesho shares were locked at the lower circuit price of Rs 20168 after touching an intraday high of Rs 22365 earlier in the sessionThe stock had made a strong debut on the exchanges listing at Rs 162 a premium of 46 per cent over the IPO price On the first day of trading the shares had closed near Rs 170In the seven trading sessions after listing Meesho shares surged nearly 110 per cent from the issue priceThis sharp rise led to a short squeeze as traders who had sold the stock short were unable to deliver shares on timeAs a result more than one crore shares were pushed into the exchange auction mechanism Such sharp price movements are often seen in stocks where the number of freely available shares is limited IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/meesho-shares-hit-10-pc-lower-circuit-fall-for-2nd-day-655163.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 18:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/indias-core-sector-growth-up-by-18-pc-in-nov-cement-steel-and-coal-rise-655166.html New Delhi Dec 22 The combined Index of Eight Core Industries ICI increased by 18 per cent in November yearonyear as cement steel fertiliser and coal recorded positive growth last month the government data showed on Monday Coal production increased by 21 per cent in November 2025 over November 2024Its cumulative index however declined by 14 per cent during April to November 202526 over corresponding period of the previous year according to the Commerce Ministry dataâSteel production increased by 61 per cent in November 2025 over November 2024 Its cumulative index increased by 97 per cent during April to November 202526 over corresponding period of the previous yearâ the data showedCement production was up by 145 per cent in November Its cumulative index increased by 82 per cent during April to November 202526 over corresponding period of the previous yearFertiliser production also increased by 56 per cent in November and its cumulative index increased by 13 per cent during April to November 202526 over corresponding period of the previous year according to the dataThe Eight Core Industries comprise 4027 per cent of the weight of items included in the Index of Industrial Production IIPOn the other hand natural Gas production declined by 25 per cent in November 2025 over November 2024 Its cumulative index declined by 30 per cent during April to November 202526 over corresponding period of the previous yearMeanwhile the growth rate of Indiaâs industrial production slowed to 04 per cent in October this year which could be attributed to the fewer working days because of a number of festivals in the month including Dussehra Dipawali and Chhath according to a statement issued by the Ministry of StatisticsThe countryâs industrial growth rate based on the Index of Industrial Production IIP had accelerated to 4 per cent in September and August from a fourmonth high of 35 per cent in July which in turn had surged from 15 per cent in June IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/indias-core-sector-growth-up-by-18-pc-in-nov-cement-steel-and-coal-rise-655166.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 18:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/66-pc-employees-ready-to-take-pay-cut-for-better-workplace-report-655176.html New Delhi Dec 22 Twoâthirds or 66 per cent of employees contemplating leaving their workplace would accept a pay cut in exchange for improved workplace conditions and greater flexibility a report showed on Monday The report from Great Place To Work India found that 62 per cent of employees in typical workplaces are actively looking for new rolesAmong those considering to change workplace 70 per cent expect to leave their current organisation within the next yearFindings from our study show that workplace culture can directly influence retention leadership trust and employeesâ readiness to exchange compensation for better workplace experiences Balbir Singh CEO Great Place To WorkSingh said that six in 10 employees who do not have a great workplace experience plan to leave but the figure halved when employees experience a positive environmentSo investing in culture and leadership capability is critical to business resilience and longterm performance Singh addedBreakdowns of specific workforce segment showed particularly high intent to switch in healthcare biotech and pharmaceuticals where 81 per cent of employees considering leaving expect to move within 12 monthsAmong younger professionals 76 per cent of Generation Z and 68 per cent of millennials plan a job change within the year while 73 per cent of supervisors and frontline managers contemplating a switch expect to exit their roles in near termAround 87 per cent of employees thinking about leaving cited workplace culture as a key factor when evaluating potential employers the report saidEmployees preparing to leave reported 20 per cent to 27 per cent lower satisfaction compared to those intending to stay The dissatisfaction centred around fair pay worklife balance recognition and management communicationThe report said that employees intention to leave falls by 16 per cent with strong confidence in leadership and the intention falls by 12 per cent when employees see meaningful opportunities for innovation at work IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/66-pc-employees-ready-to-take-pay-cut-for-better-workplace-report-655176.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 18:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/india-in-advanced-stages-of-trade-talks-with-us-piyush-goyal-655182.html New Delhi Dec 22 Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Monday that India and the United States are in the advanced stages of negotiating a bilateral trade agreement Goyal told journalists that India has already finalised free trade agreements with three members of the Five Eyes FVEY intelligence alliance â Australia the UK and New Zealand The US and Canada comprise the other two members of the groupingThe minister said that they are also preparing to reengage Canada on a bilateral trade pact We are soon going to launch discussions for the ToR terms of reference with Canada also Goyal said adding that this reflects the growing strategic importance of India in world geopoliticsGoyals optimistic note comes against the backdrop of the talks held by Indian officials with the US delegation led by Deputy Trade Representative Rick Switzer in Delhi earlier this monthCommerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal had also said earlier that India is very close to finalising an initial framework deal with the US aimed at lowering reciprocal tariffsWe are very close to closing the initial framework deal but I dont want to put a timeline to it Agrawal had said in a December 15 presser He added that India and the US have completed six rounds of talks covering both a Bilateral Trade Agreement BTA and an interim arrangement to reduce reciprocal tariffsThere is a reasonable expectation that the two countries will reach an interim agreement to lower steep tariffs on most Indian exports Agrawal saidGoyal earlier said that the ongoing trade talks between Indian and US officials are progressing well but at the same time ruled out any deadline for signing a dealCommenting on US Deputy Trade Representative Rick Switzers twoday visit to Delhi he said We had very good substantive discussions But I have said on record that a deal is only done when both sides stand to benefit We should never negotiate with deadlines because you tend to make mistakes thenAgrawal had said that the two sides exchanged views on matters related to IndiaUS trade and economic ties including on the ongoing negotiations for a mutually beneficial Bilateral Trade AgreementUS President Donald Trump recently told reporters at the White House that his talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi were going great and that a visit to Delhi could take place next yearTrump said that he plans to lower tariffs imposed on India at some point indicating that a breakthrough in the trade talks could come soonHowever India has made it clear that it would not compromise on the interests of farmers the dairy sector and workers in trade deals that it signs with other countriesIndia has already started buying more oil and gas from the US The move is aimed at reducing Indiaâs trade surplus with the US an issue that had figured in the earlier rounds of trade talksIn this context Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri had announced that Indiaâs public sector oil companies have successfully concluded a oneyear structured contract to import around 22 million tonnes per annum of LPG from the US Gulf Coast during 2026 This represents close to 10 per cent of Indiaâs annual LPG imports and marks the first such structured LPG contract with the US for the Indian market The minister described the decision âas a historic developmentâ noting that one of the worldâs largest and fastest growing LPG markets has now opened up to the United States IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/india-in-advanced-stages-of-trade-talks-with-us-piyush-goyal-655182.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 19:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/govt-e-marketplace-helps-to-rake-in-rs-2-200-crore-via-e-waste-scrap-sale-654987.html New Delhi Dec 21 The Governmentâs eMarketplace GeM forward auction module has facilitated the realisation of over Rs 2200 crore by disposing of ewaste and other scraps of various ministries and departments through the competitive bidding process between December 2021 and November 2025 according to a statement issued by the Commerce and Industry Ministry on Sunday GeMâs forward auction module conducted over 13000 auctions onboarded more than 23000 registered bidders and enabled participation from over 17000 auctioneers during this fouryear period These figures underscore that forward auctions are no longer a pilot initiative but have evolved into a nationwide digital mechanism for government asset disposal the statement saidThe impact of this shift is evident from multiple instances across the country One such case is the auction of 100 EWS flats at Lucknows Aliganj conducted by the State Bank of India which realised Rs 3453 crore through the GeM platform The auction outcome led the SBI to formally acknowledge the conduct of the process by the GeM forward auction team reflecting the role of transparent digital mechanisms in enabling value discoveryAnother example is the National Zoological Park New Delhi which had faced challenges in disposing of unusable and obsolete articles over an extended period Through the forward auction process the Zoo achieved a highest bid above the reserve value and placed on record its appreciation for the support received during the auction Efficient disposal of scrap through such mechanisms contributes to improved operational processes and optimal utilisation of public resourcesThe range of assets being auctioned through GeM highlights the breadth of applications of the forward auction module Recent auctions include the sale of screened gypsum worth Rs 335 crore by FCI Aravali Gypsum and Minerals India Ltd the disposal of 261 condemned vehicles in the Jammu Division the auction of salvage items by the Border Roads Organisation the lease of a dormitory in Gulmarg for a period of five years and the auction of boating activity rights at a lake in Spurtar These examples indicate a move towards competitive disposal mechanisms for a wide variety of government assets the statement saidGeM operates as a digital platform through which ministries departments and public sector entities procure goods and services In addition to this function the platform facilitates disposal of government assets through its forward auction module introducing online competitive bidding and improving transparency efficiency and value discovery in a process that was traditionally fragmented and paperworkintensiveA forward auction is a digital bidding process through which government departments sell assets such as scrap ewaste old vehicles machinery and leasehold properties including buildings and land to the highest bidder In this process the government lists an item on the platform registered bidders place competing bids and the highest offer is declared successful Through GeMâs secure digital interface departments are able to set reserve prices define participation conditions and monitor bidding in real time ensuring efficiency and transparency throughout the auction lifecycleParticipation in GeM forward auctions has been structured to facilitate ease of access for bidders Interested participants are required to visit the GeM homepage register through the forward auction bidder registration link submit PAN and other required details and complete email verification and onboarding Upon payment of the earnest money deposit where applicable bidders may participate in live auctions that are conducted online are timebound and follow defined security protocols All auctions are publicly listed except for a limited number where participation is restricted to prequalified bidders owing to the nature of the assets IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/govt-e-marketplace-helps-to-rake-in-rs-2-200-crore-via-e-waste-scrap-sale-654987.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 01:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/nhpc-to-start-commercial-operations-of-subansiri-projects-2nd-unit-on-dec-23-654990.html New Delhi Dec 21 Stateowned power producer NHPC on Sunday announced that it will begin commercial operations of the second unit of the 2000 megawatt Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project from Tuesday The company announced that Unit2 with a capacity of 250 MW will start commercial generation from midnight on December 23 2025In an exchange filing NHPC said it has declared the commercial operation of the second unit of the Subansiri Lower project which is being developed at an estimated cost of around Rs 27000 croreThe project is being executed under the Ministry of Power The Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project is located at Gerukamukh near North Lakhimpur along the border of Arunachal Pradesh and AssamâIt is to inform that after successful completion of trial run NHPC Limited declares Commercial Operation CoD of Unit 2 250 MW of Subansiri Lower HE Project 2000 MW 8 x 250 MW AssamArunachal Pradesh from 0000 hours on 23122025â NHPC said in its exchange filingâThe COD of balance units of Subansiri Lower HE Project will be intimated in due courseâ it addedOnce fully commissioned it will be the largest hydroelectric power station in the country with an installed capacity of 2000 MW through eight units of 250 MW eachThe project is a runoftheriver scheme with water storage on the Subansiri riverNHPC has said that this design helps harness the riverâs natural flow while keeping environmental impact lower compared to large reservoirbased projectsNHPC Director Projects Sanjay Kumar Singh visited the project site to oversee the start of commercial operations of Unit2During his visit he reviewed key structures such as the main dam diversion tunnel and spillway and held discussions with contractors and other stakeholders to assess pending workEarlier this month the first 250 MW unit of the project was successfully testsynchronised with Indiaâs national power grid on December 3 indicating that the project is steadily moving towards fullscale operationsAccording to NHPC the project is expected to generate around 742159 million units of electricity in a year with 90 per cent dependability IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/nhpc-to-start-commercial-operations-of-subansiri-projects-2nd-unit-on-dec-23-654990.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 01:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/no-changes-in-existing-rules-for-short-selling-sebi-655010.html Mumbai Dec 21 The Securities and Exchange Board of India SEBI on Sunday clarified that there is no change in the existing regulatory framework for short selling The market regulator said that a media article has incorrectly reported about changes in short selling framework which would become applicable from December 22 2025The SEBI on Wednesday approved a comprehensive overhaul of mutual fund regulations to improve cost transparency and reduce the expense burden on investorsThe changes were cleared by the SEBI board and will be implemented through the new SEBI Mutual Funds Regulations 2026 replacing the existing 1996 framework after a detailed review At the core of the reform is a revamp of the Total Expense Ratio TER frameworkThe SEBI has approved the exclusion of statutory and regulatory levies â including securities and commodities transaction tax STTCTT GST stamp duty SEBI fees and exchange charges â from TER calculations These levies will now be charged on actuals over and above the Base Expense Ratio BER giving investors a clearer picture of fund management costsUnder the revised structure TER will comprise three components base expense ratio brokerage costs and statutory or regulatory levies The SEBI has also removed the additional 5 basis points bps expense allowance that was earlier linked to exit loadsThe regulator has tightened brokeragerelated norms while revising earlier proposals For equity cash market transactions mutual funds will be allowed to pay brokerage of up to 6 bps higher than the previously proposed 2 bps but significantly lower than the current levels of up to 12 bps For derivative transactions undertaken by mutual funds brokerage caps have been revised to 2 bps excluding statutory leviesThe SEBI has also approved tighter caps on distribution commissions and allowed performancelinked expense structures for certain mutual fund schemes subject to regulatory conditionsIn addition the board approved reductions in base expense ratio limits for several categories The BER cap for index funds and exchangetraded funds ETFs has been lowered to 09 per cent from 10 per cent A similar reduction applies to liquidschemebased fund of funds For closeended equity schemes the base expense ratio limit has been cut to 1 per cent from 125 per centThe SEBI said the revised regulations aim to align mutual fund expenses more closely with actual costs while strengthening transparency and investor protection across the industry IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/no-changes-in-existing-rules-for-short-selling-sebi-655010.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 02:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/indian-rupee-rises-for-2nd-session-amid-rbi-interventions-655059.html New Delhi Dec 22 The Indian rupee rose for the second consecutive session on Monday from new lows amid continuous intervention by the Reserve Bank of India RBI The currency opened 24 paise higher at 8941 against the US dollar after closing at 8965 on December 19Analysts noted that volatility remains the main focus amidst rupees comeback and followâthrough in RBI actions and global dollar moves remains crucial in near futureCurrency market watchers said 8920 has emerged as a crucial level and a sustained break below this could open the door toward the 8850â8830 zone in the near termThe rupeeâs rise could have gained support from the lower trade deficit in November and foreign portfolio investors turning buyers of Indian equity and sellers of dollarsOn Friday the rupee had appreciated 067 per cent in a single day rose past the psychologically important 90mark against the US dollar before closing lower but emerged as the bestâperforming currency among Asian peersConsistent foreign institutional investor FII selling weighed on the Indian rupee in November while domestic flows supported equity markets and bond yields hardenedIndiaâs external balance improved as the merchandise trade deficit normalised to 245 billion in November from a steep 42 billion deficit in OctoberServices surplus continued to cushion Indiaâs external balance the report notedIn December FPIs were net sellers in nine of 11 trading days Bank of Baroda in a recent report suggested that the rupee may remain volatile until a deal with the US is reached possibly by March 2026The report from Bank of Baroda said that FPIs spot interventions of RBI and changes in the forwards segment are significant when explaining currency shiftsDaily currentâaccount flows including IT receipts or remittance payments and capital flows such as foreign direct investment and external commercial borrowings also affect the market but are not captured daily limiting direct linkage to rupee moves the bank said IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/indian-rupee-rises-for-2nd-session-amid-rbi-interventions-655059.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 12:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/indias-capital-market-infra-generates-over-rs-700-billion-revenue-in-fy25-report-655067.html New Delhi Dec 22 Indiaâs capital market infrastructure sector comprising brokers stock exchanges depositories and registry and transfer agents RTAs generated revenues of over Rs 700 billion in FY25 a report has said The report from global brokerage Jefferies said the growth in revenues was due to rise in market volumes and increasing investor participation The sectorâs outlook will be shaped by faster growth in select segments diversification into adjacent businesses and resilience to regulatory change it addedThe brokerage projects mutual fund assets under management to grow at a 16 per cent compound annual rate over FY26âFY28 with mutual fund AUM projected to rise from Rs 67 trillion in FY25 to Rs 103 trillion by FY28Cash market average daily turnover ADTO is projected to grow 15 per cent and FampO premium ADTO will rise 12 per cent reflecting moderation in derivatives activity after recent regulatory changes the report forecastedThe brokerage expects the number of demat accounts to increase from 192 million in FY25 to 304 million by FY28 and mutual fund folios to climb from 235 million to 377 millionBrokers accounted for nearly Rs 500 billion of FY25 revenues and exchanges about Rs 200 billion with depositories and registry and transfer agents contributing to the restBrokers and exchanges are expected to grow faster than other capital market infrastructure segments it addedThe stock exchanges growth will come from rising traction in index options estimated to grow to around 35 per cent share of options market by FY28Brokers growth will come from expansion across products including margin trading facilities commodities bonds and wealth management the report notedYounger investors are driving incremental participation with those below 30 years constituting about 40 per cent of the base in FY25Analysts noted that the market is likely heading for a yearend rally The rupees sharp reversal and FIIs cash market purchases can accelerate this rally as they lead to short covering pushing benchmark indices higher IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/indias-capital-market-infra-generates-over-rs-700-billion-revenue-in-fy25-report-655067.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 12:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/india-new-zealand-seal-historic-fta-tariffs-on-95-pc-kiwi-goods-reduced-655071.html New Delhi Dec 22 New Zealand andâIndia haveâconcludedâaâFree TradeâAgreement FTAâofferingâNew Zealandersâunprecedented access to 14 billionâIndianâconsumers Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay announced on Monday This historic FTA eliminates and reduces tariffs on 95 per cent of New Zealandâs exports among the highest of any Indian FTA with almost 57 per cent being dutyfree from day one increasing to 82 per cent when fully implemented with the remaining 13 per cent subject to sharp tariff cutsItâputsâNew Zealand exporters onâanâequal or better footingâto ourâcompetitorsâacross a range of sectorsâand opensâthe door to Indiaâs rapidly expanding middle class according to an official statementNegotiations began on March 21 and concluded after nine months of intensive effortâThis onceinagenerationâAgreement creates opportunities New Zealand exporters have never had in IndiaâThis deal is in New Zealandâs best interest and will deliver thousands of jobs and billions inâadditionalâexportsââMcClayâsaid in a statementâThe Indian economy is forecast to grow toâNZ12 trillion by 2030âThe IndiaNZâFreeâTrade Agreementâunleashesâhuge potentialâfor our worldclassâexporters toâthe worldâs largest countryâand willâsignificantlyâaccelerate progressâtowardsâNew Zealandâsâambitiousâgoalâof doubling the value of exportsâoverâ10 yearsâKey outcomesâfor New Zealandâinclude tariff elimination or reduction on 95 per cent of exports dutyfree accessâonâalmost 57 per centâof New Zealandâs exports from day oneâincreasingâto 82âper cent when fully implemented with the remaining 13 per cent being subject to sharp tariff cuts immediate tariff elimination on sheep meat wool coal and over 95 per cent of forestryâand woodâexports dutyfree accessâon most seafood exports including mussels and salmon over seven years and dutyfree accessâon most ironâsteelâandâscrap aluminium over 10 yearsâor less among othersâIn a worldfirst New Zealand will have dutyfree access for a large kiwifruit quota nearly four times our current exports with a 50 per cent tariff applying outside quota For the first time in an FTA India has agreed preferential market access for apples and manuka honey McClay saidThe FTA has broad services coverage and builds significantly on Indiaâs WTO commitments with a focus on financial services epayments and FinTech and includes an MFN clause to futureproof our services tradeâNew Zealand exporters will enjoy dutyfree access for dairy and other food ingredients for reexport through the FTAâopeningâthe doorâtoâgreater collaborationâand processingâandâofferâaccess to Indiaâsâgrowing number of FTA partnersâthrough aâdedicated fasttrack mechanismâ McClay notedâWeve also agreed to review the FTA one year after entry into force which provides a mechanism to pursue further improvements in the futureâ McClay added IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/india-new-zealand-seal-historic-fta-tariffs-on-95-pc-kiwi-goods-reduced-655071.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 12:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/institutional-investments-in-indian-real-estate-to-surpass-10-billion-in-2025-report-655073.html Mumbai Dec 22 Institutional investments in the Indian retail sector are projected to soar to an estimated 104 billion across 77 transactions in 2025 marking the second consecutive year of recordbreaking performance a report showed on Monday The figure stands as the highest on record and represents a 17 per cent increase from the previous years exceptional performance of 89 billion according to the JLL reportBeyond immediate transactions 2025 witnessed significant platform commitments totalling 1143 billion designed for gradual deployment over the next 37 yearsâFor the first time since 2014 domestic institutional investors have captured a commanding 52 per cent market share Also the twofold increase in core asset acquisitions in 2025 demonstrates that investors are not just betting on Indias growth story but are actively building longterm wealth through our stabilised incomegenerating propertiesâ said Lata Pillai Senior Managing Director and Head of Capital Markets India JLLIndian REITs and Infrastructure Investment Trusts InvITs have emerged as the primary catalysts behind this transformation deploying 25 billion representing 56 per cent of core asset acquisitionsIndian private equity players have contributed additional momentum accounting for 30 per cent of total domestic capital deploymentWhile foreign institutional investment declined as a percentage of total activity absolute foreign capital deployment increased 18 per cent yearoveryear demonstrating continued confidence in Indian real estate fundamentalsAmericasbased investors showed particularly robust commitment increasing their investment from 16 billion in 2024 to 26 billion in 2025 a substantial 63 per cent yearoveryear growthThe office sector has reasserted its dominance in institutional investments capturing a commanding 58 per cent market share in 2025This represents a significant recovery from 2024 when the residential sector led with 45 per cent share followed by office at 28 per centBengaluru emerges as a dominant investment destination The institutional investment landscape demonstrates clear geographic preferences with Bengaluru capturing 29 per cent of total institutional deployment in 2025 said the reportNotably Tier 2 cities received 175 million in deployment representing 2 per cent of total investments2025 marked a pivotal transformation in Indias real estate investment landscape with office properties reclaiming their position as the institutional capital magnet attracting 6 billion through strategic investments that more than doubled from the previous yearâ said Dr Samantak Das Chief Economist and Head of Research and REIS India JLL IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/institutional-investments-in-indian-real-estate-to-surpass-10-billion-in-2025-report-655073.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 12:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/dgca-to-probe-1-engine-shutdown-incident-on-air-indias-delhi-mumbai-flight-655092.html New Delhi Dec 22 Following an engine shutdown on Air Indiaâs DelhiMumbai flight the Directorate General of Civil Aviation DGCA on Monday said it will probe the incident Earlier in the day the Mumbaibound Air India B777300ER aircraft returned to Delhi shortly after takeoff due to a technical issue The aircraft landed safely at DelhiâThe AIC 887 DelhiMumbai was involved in Airturnback as during flap retraction after takeoff the flight crew observed low engine oil pressure on Engine No 2 RightHand engineâ the regulator saidSoon after the takeoff the engine oil pressure dropped to zero Following the procedure the crew shutdown the No 2 engine and the aircraft landed safely at Delhi it addedThe DGCA noted that âthe inspectionrectification is in progressââThe incident would be investigated by the Permanent Investigation Board of the Airline under the supervision of Director Air SafetyNR DGCAâ it addedAir India said that the airline is providing immediate assistance to the affected passengers and âalternative arrangements have been made to fly them to their destination shortlyâAmid flight disruptions Air India said earlier that it has stepped up preparations to minimise passenger inconvenience during the ensuing fog season announcing measures including CAT III B crew rostering deployment of CAT III Bâcertified aircraft networkwide airport readiness techenabled passenger assistance and proactive communicationsCAT III B crew roster and certified aircraft mean assigning specially trained and certified flight crews along with deploying aircraft that can land in low visibility conditionsAir India has also activated its âFog Careâ initiative to help passengers in scenarios where there are delays or schedule changes due to situations beyond our control a release saidUnder the initiative flights that are likely to be affected by fog based on the met forecast are proactively identified and passengers are alerted about any delay or a change in schedule the company saidThe DGCA has designated December 10 2025 to February 10 2026 as the official fog window this season IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/dgca-to-probe-1-engine-shutdown-incident-on-air-indias-delhi-mumbai-flight-655092.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 13:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/rbi-may-cut-repo-rate-to-5-pc-in-upcoming-mpc-meet-report-655100.html New Delhi Dec 22 The Reserve Bank of India RBI may cut the policy repo rate by 25 basis points to 5 per cent in its February monetary policy meeting given the RBIâs dovish guidance a new report has said The Union Bank of India UBI said in the report that there is scope for a final 25 bps cut either in February or April 2026 also due to central banks repeated references to benign inflation and subdued underlying price pressuresIf adjusted for around 50 bps inflation contribution from gold underlying price pressures appear even more moderate the report addedWe see scope for a final 25bps rate cut in February or April 2026 Given the dovish policy guidance we cannot rule out the possibility of a final 25bps rate cut in Feb26 meeting to 5 per cent repo rate even as the timing of final rate cut is usually difficult to call the report saidThe bank noted that timing remains uncertain also due to the Consumer Price Index CPI and Gross Domestic Product GDP baseâyear revisions due in February 2026 These factors could prompt the Monetary Policy Committee to adopt a waitâandâwatch stance and reassess inflation and growth trends once the revised data are publishedRBIs Monetary Policy Committee MPC reduced the repo rate by 25 bps in December bringing it to 525 per cent and the next MPC meeting is scheduled for February 4â6 2026The RBI revised FY26 growth estimate to 73 per cent as domestic factors including income tax rationalisation alongside easing monetary policy and a GSTled rationalization push from the fiscal side will enable sustained growth in the second halfA recent report from Yes Bank said that a new consumer price index CPI with lower food weightage could limit the comfort derived from falling food prices and reduce scope for further rate cuts unless growth weakens materiallyThe RBIs moves to keep liquidity comfortable and anchor the operative rate to the repo rate is expected to continue it added IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/rbi-may-cut-repo-rate-to-5-pc-in-upcoming-mpc-meet-report-655100.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 13:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/jobless-turns-entrepreneur-how-cms-yuva-udyami-vikas-abhiyan-is-transforming-lives-of-youth-654868.html Lucknow Dec The Chief Minister Yuva Udyami Vikas Abhiyan which aims to create selfemployment opportunities for 1 lakh youth every year in Uttar Pradesh is yielding encouraging results promising enough to nudge others to take note The jobless and unemployed youth are taking advantage of the scheme and setting themselves on an entrepreneurial journey with financial help from the state governmentMujahid Sheikh a native of Lakhimpur Kheri is one such example of a selfmade entrepreneur who once battled depression financial hardship and social neglect but today is running a fledgling yet active enterprise with help from UP govtâs âCM Yuva Udyami Vikas AbhiyanâMujahid coming from an agricultural background whose family was entirely dependent on farming worried about raising and educating his children The constant stress pushed him into a state of depression however with timely counselling and government assistance he not only won that mental battle but also went on to create his own enterpriseThe Chief Ministers Yuva Udyami Vikas Abhiyan proved to be a turning point in his lifeHe got a collateralfree and interestfree loan and opened a digital marketing agency and helped those who were only conducting business offlineGradually small shopkeepers and service providers started joining online platforms A new hub of digital services was created in the village This marked a tangible manifestation of Prime Minister Narendra Modis Digital India visionHe then took a franchise of Thyrocare and completed a phlebotomy course Through this course he learned the entire process of blood sample collectionHe then started collecting blood samples from his village and sending them to Lucknow for testing This provided villagers with access to testing facilities close to homeToday Mujahids business is thriving By providing more than 400 services he has become a trusted name in the villageHe has also started giving franchises through his firm MSO Enterprises which has increased his income He has also started a YouTube channel through which he educates people about digital services and government schemesMujahid gives full credit for his success to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath He believes that if the government had not trusted his abilities he would still be strugglingHe also expresses his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi whose Digital India initiative has brought new opportunities to the villagesToday he is also working to raise awareness about the Chief Ministers Yuva Udyami Vikas Abhiyan so that needy young people can benefit from it IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/jobless-turns-entrepreneur-how-cms-yuva-udyami-vikas-abhiyan-is-transforming-lives-of-youth-654868.html Sun, 21 Dec 2025 00:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/tn-tiruchy-to-tap-local-influencers-to-boost-offbeat-tourism-improve-visitor-amenities-654873.html Tiruchy Dec 20 In a bid to spotlight lesserknown tourist destinations across the district the Tiruchy tourism department is set to collaborate with local influencers and use social media campaigns to promote spots such as Puliyancholai Pachamalai Hills Birds Park and Mangalam Falls The plan aims to draw more visitors particularly young travellers and boost the local economy by creating additional livelihood opportunities for people living near these sites District Tourism Officer S M Sribalamurugan said the move reflects how tourism trends today are driven by digital platforms According to him partnering with local influencers can help widen the outreach and create stronger public awareness about scenic yet undervisited destinations He added that the department hopes to turn these locations into attractive weekend getaways while ensuring environmental responsibility and community participation A major focus area in the districtâs tourism strategy is the proposed theme park at Mukkombu The officer said the project is awaiting a noobjection certificate NOC from the water resources department WRD Once clearances are secured and infrastructure works begin targeted promotional campaigns will be launched to highlight improved facilities at the site The planned digital content will showcase newly laid access roads upgraded basic amenities and enhanced safety measures The department believes that providing reliable information about these features will encourage more visitors and promote responsible tourism However residents and travel enthusiasts stress that marketing must go hand in hand with infrastructure upgrades A Tiruchy resident said many of these tourist locations have strong potential but suffer from limited visibility and lack of proper signage amenities and travel information Pointing to other districts such as Namakkal Dindigul Salem and Tirupattur travel enthusiast N Saravanan observed that those regions have already established essential facilities including better road connectivity clear route maps and dedicated viewpoints He argued that Tiruchy must prioritise basic infrastructure before launching influencerdriven promotions He remarked that unless amenities are in place such as rest areas parking spaces drinking water and cleaner surroundings tourists may not be enticed to visit repeatedly regardless of how well the destinations are marketed online The Tourism Department maintains that its strategy includes both infrastructure development and promotion If implemented effectively officials believe the initiative could help transform Tiruchy into a regional hub for naturebased and offbeat tourism positioning the district more competitively alongside neighbouring destinations IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/tn-tiruchy-to-tap-local-influencers-to-boost-offbeat-tourism-improve-visitor-amenities-654873.html Sun, 21 Dec 2025 00:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/anant-raj-shares-crash-35-pc-in-2025-mark-worst-year-in-6-years-654947.html Mumbai Dec 21 Shares of Anant Raj have had a rough run in 2025 with the stock witnessing a sharp reversal after years of strong gains After delivering extraordinary returns over the last two years the real estate and data centre player has seen its share price fall nearly 355 per cent so far this year making 2025 its worst annual performance in the last six yearsThe sharp decline comes after Anant Raj delivered massive gains of 190 per cent in 2024 and 163 per cent in 2023In contrast the stock has struggled in 2025 and is now on track for its steepest annual fall since 2018 when it had plunged more than 49 per centThe weakness was visible right at the start of the year Anant Raj shares slid nearly 46 per cent cumulatively in the first two months of 2025Although the stock managed to recover some ground in the following months the rebound did not last and selling pressure soon returnedThe fall marks a sharp turnaround from the strong rally seen between June 2022 and December 2024 when the stock surged by an astonishing 1757 per cent in a largely oneway moveThat rally had positioned Anant Raj as one of the standout performers in the real estate and infrastructure spaceFounded in the 1970s Anant Raj has been a wellknown name in the NCR real estate market with projects spanning residential housing affordable homes hotels IT parks and commercial developmentsIn 2021 the company entered the data centre segment which later became a key growth driver and a major reason behind the stockâs sharp riseThe recent crash in the share price began after concerns emerged in the global artificial intelligence spacePanic was triggered after Chinaâs lowcost AI model DeepSeek raised questions about the heavy capital spending on dataintensive AI modelsSince data centres are closely linked to the AI ecosystem these concerns weighed heavily on companies exposed to the sector including Anant RajAnant Raj aims to expand its data centre capacity from the current 28 megawatts to 63 megawatts by FY27 and further to 307 megawatts by FY32 IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/anant-raj-shares-crash-35-pc-in-2025-mark-worst-year-in-6-years-654947.html Sun, 21 Dec 2025 14:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/railway-fares-to-go-up-from-dec-26-to-yield-rs-600-crore-extra-revenue-654949.html New Delhi Dec 21 Indian Railways on Sunday announced a revision in fares with effect from December 26 this year aimed at a Rs 600 crore increase in revenue Under the new ticket pricing structure passengers will pay an extra 1 paisa per km on journeys beyond 215 km in Ordinary Class and 2 paise per km for Mail and Express nonAC and AC classes Passengers on a 500 km nonAC journey will pay an additional Rs 10 for their journey There is no increase in ticket prices for passengers travelling on routes shorter than 215 kmFares have also not been raised for suburban and monthly season tickets to ensure travel remains affordable for low and middleincome familiesOver the past decade the Indian Railways has significantly expanded its network and operations reaching even the remotest corners of the country To support this higher level of operations and further enhance safety the railways its increasing its manpower Consequently manpower cost has increased to Rs 115000 crore Pension cost has increased to Rs 60000 crore Total cost of operations has increased to Rs 263000 crore in 2024â25 the Ministry of Railways said in a statementTo meet the higher manpower costs the railways said it is focusing on increasing cargo loading along with a small amount of rationalisation of passenger faresDue to these efforts on safety and improved operations railways have been able to improve safety substantially India has become the secondlargest cargocarrying railway in the world the statement addedThe freight rates have not been revised since 2018 despite an increase in input costs over the years with the railways relying on an increase in cargo movement to raise earningsThe recent successful mobilisation of more than 12000 trains during the festival season is also an example of improved operational efficiency the statement addedMeanwhile the ministry also noted that construction works on the flagship highspeed bullet train project have gathered momentum in Maharashtra with 100 per cent land acquisition already completed IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/railway-fares-to-go-up-from-dec-26-to-yield-rs-600-crore-extra-revenue-654949.html Sun, 21 Dec 2025 14:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/indias-biogas-sector-likely-to-attract-rs-5-000-crore-investment-in-2026-27-654952.html New Delhi Dec 21 Indias biogas sector is expected to attract an investment exceeding Rs 5000 crore during the financial year 202627 on the back of rising market demand for gas according to the Indian Biogas Association IBA According to government data 94 compressed biogas CBG plants sold more than 31400 tonnes of CBG during FY 202425 which reflects the growth in the sector and strong market uptake the IBA said in a statementThe IBA expects significant commissioning of new CBG facilities effective and organised supply chains for feedstock and unified and integrated policy frameworks to support the rapid adoption of biogasThere is also ample scope for efficiency improvement and capacity utilisation in the several million smallscale traditional biogas digesters and the country programmes are scaling up support for the various mediumsized plants which offer the benefits of cleaner cooking fuel rural employment and organic manure the statement addedThe relaxed GST regime is going to augur ease of doing business in the CBG ecosystem We anticipate that a reduction of 7 per cent in the applicable GST rate for the CBG sector shall significantly improve project viability and the direct impact would translate into a 45 per cent increase in new investments in the industry over the short to medium term IBA Chairman Gaurav Kedia saidIndirectly across the industry value chain the multiplier effect would be much largerâ he addedCBG a renewable green fuel made by purifying and compressing biogas from organic waste like farm waste dung sewage to be identical to Compressed Natural Gas CNG Its a key part of Indias strategy to reduce oil imports manage waste responsibly cut emissions and boost rural economies with government schemes like SATAT promoting its production and use as a clean alternative fuel for vehicles industries and cookingThe Ministry of New and Renewable Energy MNRE currently provides central financial assistance covering 15â20 per cent of a projectâs capital cost Additionally marketing development assistance of Rs 150 per kilogram is offered to promote the offtake of organic fertilisers a key byproduct of biogas plants There are also incentives for pipeline laying to connect plants to the gas grid IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/indias-biogas-sector-likely-to-attract-rs-5-000-crore-investment-in-2026-27-654952.html Sun, 21 Dec 2025 14:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/gem-records-over-1125-lakh-mse-sellers-securing-rs-744-lakh-crore-in-govt-orders-654954.html New Delhi Dec 21 The Government eMarketplace has emerged as a major platform for small businesses in India with more than 1125 lakh micro and small enterprises securing government orders worth Rs 744 lakh crore so far Ministry of Commerce and Industry said on Sunday According to official data the Government eMarketplace has enabled MSEs women entrepreneurs SCSTowned businesses and startups to compete directly for government contracts across sectorsAs of November 30 MSEs accounted for 448 per cent of the total order value on GeM comfortably exceeding the mandated annual procurement target of 25 per cent the ministry saidThe platform has helped remove traditional barriers linked to size and scale allowing small firms from across the country to participate in government purchasingFrom clean energy suppliers to technology service providers MSEs are increasingly winning highvalue contracts through the digital marketplaceWomenled enterprises have seen a notable rise in participation on GeM More than two lakh womenowned MSEs are currently active on the platform and have together secured government orders worth over Rs 78000 croreTheir participation is supported through initiatives such as Womaniya which focus on onboarding training and improving access to procurement opportunities for women entrepreneursGeMâs design aligns closely with national procurement policies to encourage wider inclusion the ministry saidBuyers can easily identify products and services offered by MSEs including womenled and SCSTowned businesses using dedicated filters on the platformEligible MSEs also receive benefits such as purchase preference and relaxations in earnest money deposits turnover requirements and prior experience norms while ensuring transparency and accountabilityBeyond facilitating transactions GeM has helped improve transparency speed and traceability in government procurement The platform allows enterprises from different regions and communities to access opportunities that were earlier difficult to reach supporting broader participation in public spending IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/gem-records-over-1125-lakh-mse-sellers-securing-rs-744-lakh-crore-in-govt-orders-654954.html Sun, 21 Dec 2025 14:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/ultratech-cement-faces-rs-390-crore-gst-demand-654956.html Mumbai Dec 21 UltraTech Cement Limited has received a tax demand order from the Joint Commissioner of Central Goods and Services Tax and Central Excise Patna asking the company to pay alleged dues of about Rs 390 crore Along with this the company has also been asked to pay a penalty of a similar amount and interest of around Rs 28 lakhIn a regulatory filing UltraTech Cement Ltd said the demand relates to alleged short payment of Goods and Services Tax improper use of input tax credit and other related issuesâThe Company has received an Order from the Joint Commissioner Central Goods and Services Tax amp Central Excise Patnaâ it said in its filingThe case covers the period from the financial year 201819 to 202223The total penalty and interest together account for nearly twothirds of the companyâs profit of Rs 1232 crore reported for the second quarter ended September 2025During the same quarter the countryâs largest cement maker reported a strong performance with revenue rising 203 per cent yearonyear to Rs 19607 croreâOrder in Original passed upholding tax liability of Rs 3909558194 plus applicable interest on tax demand additional interest Rs 2768289 and penalty of Rs 3909558194â the company addedHowever the company said it is considering all legal options and plans to challenge the orderUltraTech added that it does not expect the tax demand to have any impact on its operations or financial positionThe company is scheduled to announce its earnings for the ongoing third quarter on January 24 2026âThe Company is reviewing the Order considering all legal options and accordingly would be contesting the demand and does not expect the said Order to have any operationalfinancial impact on the Companyâ it addedMeanwhile UltraTech Cement shares have remained largely flat so far this year On the latest trading day the stock closed at Rs 11497 up Rs 36 or 031 per cent IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/ultratech-cement-faces-rs-390-crore-gst-demand-654956.html Sun, 21 Dec 2025 15:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/top-6-firms-add-rs-75-257-crore-in-market-value-654959.html Mumbai Dec 21 The combined market value of six of the top10 mostvalued companies rose by Rs 7525697 crore last week even as the broader stock market remained under pressure Tata Consultancy Services and Infosys emerged as the biggest gainers during the weekThe benchmark Sensex fell 3383 points or 039 per cent during the week reflecting cautious sentiment among investorsAmong the major gainers Tata Consultancy Services saw its market valuation rise by Rs 2259496 crore to Rs 118767341 croreInfosys also posted strong gains with its valuation increasing by Rs 1697164 crore to Rs 68119222 croreThe market capitalisation of State Bank of India climbed by Rs 1592281 crore to Rs 90473898 croreBharti Airtel added Rs 738423 crore to its valuation which stood at Rs 119533234 crore at the end of the weekLarsen amp Toubro also ended higher though marginally with its market value rising by Rs 6878 crore to Rs 56043916 croreOn the other hand several financial stocks faced losses in their market valueHDFC Bank saw the biggest erosion with its market capitalisation falling by Rs 2192008 crore to Rs 151663863 croreThe valuation of Life Insurance Corporation of India declined by Rs 9614 crore to Rs 53920605 croreICICI Bank also witnessed a drop in its market value which fell by Rs 842761 crore to Rs 96824054 croreSimilarly Bajaj Finance saw its valuation dip by Rs 588025 crore to Rs 62722644 croreAt the end of the week HDFC Bank remained among the mostvalued company among the group mentioned followed by Bharti Airtel Tata Consultancy Services ICICI Bank State Bank of India Infosys Bajaj Finance Larsen amp Toubro and LICCommenting on Nifty technical outlook experts said that âon the upside immediate resistance is placed at 26000 followed by 26200 and 26400ââOn the downside support is seen at 25900 and then 25800 with a break below 25700 likely to attract additional selling pressureâ market watchers mentioned IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/top-6-firms-add-rs-75-257-crore-in-market-value-654959.html Sun, 21 Dec 2025 15:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/new-bird-flu-case-reported-at-duck-farm-in-south-korea-654966.html Seoul Dec 21 South Korea on Sunday reported another highly pathogenic avian influenza infection at a duck farm in South Jeolla Province marking the 16th such case at a poultry farm this season The latest case was detected at a farm in Naju 285 kilometers south of Seoul which raises 23000 ducks according to the central disaster management headquarters reports Yonhap news agencyAuthorities said they are implementing special quarantine measures at the affected farm and strengthening monitoring of related facilities and vehicles to prevent further spread of the diseaseThey also plan to conduct intensive inspections at more than 200 duck farms in the region starting MondayMeanwhile the prices of major imported agricultural goods in South Korea have risen sharply in recent years outpacing global price increases due to the weakening of the South Korean won against the US dollar data showed SundayAccording to the Bank of Korea the import price index for coffee came to 30712 in November in US dollar terms and 37971 in Korean won terms with 2020 set as the base year at 100The figures indicate that global coffee prices have risen about threefold over the past five years but increased nearly fourfold when converted into the Korean wonThe data showed that the price of imported beef increased 30 per cent over the period in US dollar terms but surged 606 per cent in Korean won termsOver the same period the price of imported pork rose 55 per cent in US dollar terms but jumped 305 per cent in Korean won termsThe Korean won traded at around the 1100won level in 2021 before weakening into the upper 1200won range in 2022 In the fourth quarter of 2025 the average exchange rate stood at 1450 won per dollarThe price of imported fresh seafood fell 11 per cent in terms of US dollars but rose 10 per cent in Korean won reflecting the impact of currency depreciation the data also showed IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/new-bird-flu-case-reported-at-duck-farm-in-south-korea-654966.html Sun, 21 Dec 2025 16:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/fii-selling-in-dec-crosses-rs-21-100-crore-trend-set-to-reverse-analysts-654851.html Mumbai Dec 20 Foreign institutional investors FIIs have net sold shares worth Rs 21104 crore in December but there are signs of a reversal of foreign institutional investor outflows due to macro strength and earnings visibility analysts said on Saturday Strengthening of the currency in the last two days has helped to stem the tide of FII selling they said During the last three trading days FIIs were buyers in the cash market with a total buy figure of Rs 3596 croreAs the year 2025 draws to a close there are signs of a reversal of FII outflows witnessed this year and indications of capital inflows in 2026 said Dr VK Vijayakumar Chief Investment Strategist Geojit Investments LtdWith Indiaâs GDP growth improving steadily and corporate earnings growth indicating an uptrend in the coming quarters FIIs are likely to turn net buyers in 2026â he addedThe longterm trend of FII buying or investing through the primary market continues with an investment of Rs 11454 crores in November so farTotal FII sell figure through exchanges stood at Rs 230964 crores yeartodate in CY25 The total FII buy figure for the primary market stood at Rs 73106 croresAnalysts said that sustained FII selling along with the high trade deficit contributed significantly to the depreciation of the rupee in 2025The rupees annual depreciation crossed above 5 per cent but the last two days witnessed a reversal of the currency depreciation Rupee bounced back from the low of 9114 to the dollar on 16th December to 8929 on December 19Though selling pressure dominated most sessions of the Indian market this week a recovery was seen in the final trading day driven by value buying and renewed interest from foreign portfolio investors FPIs which helped limit the downsideThe FY26 September quarter earnings season delivered broadbased strength with several sectorsâincluding hospitals capital goods cement electronics manufacturing services ports NBFCs and telecomâreporting doubledigit growth in EBITDA and profits IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/fii-selling-in-dec-crosses-rs-21-100-crore-trend-set-to-reverse-analysts-654851.html Sat, 20 Dec 2025 23:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/railways-revenue-via-flexi-fare-tatkal-premium-tatkal-6-pc-of-total-passenger-services-revenue-654854.html New Delhi Dec 20 The revenue earned by Indian Railways on account of flexi fare Tatkal and Premium Tatkal during 202021 to 202425 is approximately 6 per cent of total revenue earned from passenger services according to the government Total amount of revenue accounted under âMiscellaneous Coaching Receiptsâ during 202021 to 202425 is Rs 955019 crore Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said in the Rajya SabhaMoreover amount credited on account of cancellation of tickets by passengers is not maintained separately he saidThe minister further stated that Indian Railways strives to provide affordable services to all strata of society and gave a subsidy of Rs 60466 crore on passenger tickets in 202324This amounts to a concession of 45 per cent on an average to every person travelling on Railways In other words if the cost of providing a service is Rs 100 then the price of the ticket is Rs 55 only This subsidy is continuing for all passengers Vaishnaw notedMoreover revenue earned by Railways on account of flexi fare during 202425 is only about 180 per cent of total revenue earned from passenger servicesRailways are running different types of services with different fare structures The concept of flexi fare has been introduced only in a limited number of trains Rajdhani Shatabdi and Duronto trains for better demand management Moreover alternative train services on a normal fare structure are available over Indian Railways on the routes of Rajdhani Shatabdi and Duronto trainsAnswering a separate question the minister said that in 202425 the total Sundry Nonfare revenue Sundry Earnings of Indian Railways was Rs 11586 crore which was about 436 per cent of Railwaysâ total receiptsSome Divisions have also taken up wagoncleaning contracts by allowing the sale of leftover coal or cement About 1308 hectares of vacant land not immediately required by Railways for operational needs have been entrusted to the Rail Land Development Authority RLDA for commercial development to generate nonfare revenue the minister said IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/railways-revenue-via-flexi-fare-tatkal-premium-tatkal-6-pc-of-total-passenger-services-revenue-654854.html Sat, 20 Dec 2025 23:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/indian-railways-slapped-rs-28-crore-fine-over-food-complaints-in-last-4-years-minister-654858.html New Delhi Dec 20 Indian Railways serves about 58 crore meals every year on average and receives only 00008 per cent complaints on average according to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Based on inquiry on these complaints a fine of Rs 28 crore was imposed over the last four years the minister informed the Rajya SabhaIt is the continuous endeavour of Indian Railways IR to provide good quality and hygienic food to travelling passengers Necessary steps are accordingly taken by Indian Railways from time to time to improve the quality of food and services to passengers he saidIn order to take passenger feedback the complaint management system over Indian Railways has been strengthened simplified and made more accessible over the last few years through the introduction of the RailMadad PortalWith the launch of the RailMadad Portal Indian Railways provided passengers a single window system to register complaints and suggestions In case any passenger complaint related to food quality in trains is reported prompt and appropriate punitive action is taken against the service providers for deficiency in service Vaishnaw saidAmong measures to improve quality hygiene and food safety are the supply of meals from designated base kitchens commissioning of modern base kitchens at identified locations installation of CCTV cameras in base kitchens for better monitoring of food preparation and shortlisting and use of popular and branded raw materials like cooking oil atta rice pulses masala items paneer dairy products etc for food productionAmong other measures are the deployment of food safety supervisors at base kitchens to monitor food safety and hygienic practices deployment of onboard IRCTC supervisors on trains introduction of QR codes on food packets enabling display of details like name of kitchen date of packaging etcRegular deep cleaning and periodical pest control in base kitchens and pantry cars is also carried outIn order to ensure compliance with food safety norms Food Safety and Standards Authority of India FSSAI certification for designated food safety officers of each catering unit has been made mandatory said the minister IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/indian-railways-slapped-rs-28-crore-fine-over-food-complaints-in-last-4-years-minister-654858.html Sat, 20 Dec 2025 23:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/indiaoman-cepa-to-boost-exports-energy-security-654860.html New Delhi Dec 20 The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement CEPA with Oman is expected to enhance Indiaâs export competitiveness secure energy supplies at favourable prices and strengthen IndiaâOman economic ties a report said on Saturday The report from Bank of Baroda said that CEPA aims to expand trade and investment increase export opportunities for labourâintensive micro small and medium enterprise MSME sectors such as textiles leather footwear gems and jewellery and engineering productsFurther it aims to increase service commitments in education health computer business professional and RampD servicesThis marks a significant move towards increasing access towards global markets and building on export competitiveness the bank saidZero duty access on 9808 per cent of Omanâs tariff lines for Indian goods is allowed while India is offering 7779 per cent of its total tariff linesIndiaâs exports to Oman stood at 41 billion in FY25 about 09 per cent of overall exports and have risen at a fiveâyear compound annual growth rate of 124 per cent versus 69 per cent for overall exportsThe agreement would help reduce Indiaâs oil import bill and exploration of more options in the future it said adding the major sectors in focus outlined in the agreement constitute around 39 per cent of Indiaâs exports to OmanâIt is positive for Indiaâs overall export basket at a time when some rerouting of exports is happening to reap cost advantage against the backdrop of higher tariff rate by the USâ the report saidThe bank noted the zeroduty agreement covers 9938 per cent of Indiaâs exports to Oman by value and would cover 9481 per cent of Indiaâs imports from Oman by value For exportâsensitive products liberalisation is largely via tariffârate quotas allowing a set quantity of specific products to be imported mainly affecting agriculture IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/indiaoman-cepa-to-boost-exports-energy-security-654860.html Sat, 20 Dec 2025 23:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/wont-allow-unrestricted-deployment-of-high-risk-ai-systems-minister-654760.html New Delhi Dec 20 The India AI governance guidelines do not allow unrestricted deployment of highrisk AI systems but adopts a riskbased evidenceled and proportional governance approach according to the government The guidelines recognise that AI is a major driver of economic growth and social change At the same time it can also pose risks to individuals and society Some of these include bias discrimination unfair outcomes exclusion and lack of transparency according to Union Minister of State for Electronics and IT Jitin PrasadaIn line with Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision the government is democratising the development and usage of technology The focus is using Artificial Intelligence AI for solving realworld problems and ultimately improving lives across various sectorsThe government has taken a balanced and pragmatic technolegal approach towards its regulation Indiaâs AI strategy has been formed after studying legal frameworks around the world and extensive consultation with stakeholdersâIndia combines legal safeguards with technological solutions rather than relying only on laws or market forces The Government is funding RampD projects at premier institutions such as IITs to develop AI tools for deepfake detection privacy protection and cybersecurityâ said the ministryIt further stated that this approach reflects Indiaâs belief that effective AI governance must be supported by practical technical interventions This will ensure that innovation continues without compromising the safety trust and rights of citizensThe India AI Governance Guidelines were released on November 5 2025 It provides a comprehensive national framework to ensure the safe responsible and inclusive development of Artificial Intelligence in the countryâSafeguards are outlined to address risks to individuals and society The Guidelines state that sectoral regulators will remain responsible for enforcement and oversight within their legal mandateâ according to the ministryThe guidelines are designed to be agile and flexible They are principlebased and not prescriptive Their purpose is to support responsible AI adoption without stifling innovation They do not introduce new statutory mechanisms such as independent audits appeals or new oversight bodies Instead the Guidelines rely on existing laws These include the Information Technology Act the Digital Personal Data Protection Act and sectorspecific regulations IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/wont-allow-unrestricted-deployment-of-high-risk-ai-systems-minister-654760.html Sat, 20 Dec 2025 14:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/indian-indices-end-week-in-bullish-tone-over-positive-global-cues-654765.html Mumbai Dec 20 Indian equity benchmarks closed on a strong note this week snapping a fourday losing streak amid positive global cues stemming from US inflation data The market ended the week in a bullish tone with Nifty surging 018 per cent during the week and 058 per cent on the last trading day to 25966 after a softer US CPI print boosted expectations of a milder Fed stanceAt close the Sensex was up 44755 points or 053 per cent at 84929Indian equities were traded in a cautious tone for most of the week weighed down by persistent FII outflows rupee depreciation and heightened global uncertaintiesFurther early sessions also saw pressure from rising Japanese bond yields and expectations of Bank of Japan BoJ tightening which amplified riskoff sentiment across emerging marketsBargain hunting and lower crude prices helped large caps drive a late rebound trimming most of the weekâs losses market watchers saidBroader indices also rose marginally during the week with the Nifty Midcap100 up 004 per cent while Nifty Smallcap100 was unchanged during the week It gained 134 per cent at the closeOn the sectoral front all sectors traded with a positive bias Major contributions came from Nifty Realty Auto Healthcare and Chemicals while other sectors also posted modest gainsNifty has 2620026300 as stiff resistance levels while 25700â25800 levels will act as support zone they addedAnalysts said markets will likely maintain a cautiously positive bias in near future but remain highly sensitive to global cuesKey drivers going forward include comments from the global central banks for the 2026 policy trajectory While sentiment remains constructive nearterm volatility may persist amid uncertainty over trade deal timelines and the Indian rupee stability they added IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/indian-indices-end-week-in-bullish-tone-over-positive-global-cues-654765.html Sat, 20 Dec 2025 14:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/us-court-restores-musks-2018-tesla-pay-package-boosting-his-control-stake-654782.html New Delhi Dec 20 The Delaware Supreme Court in the US has restored Elon Muskâs 2018 pay package from Tesla overturning a lowerâcourt decision that had struck it down as âunfathomableâ The ruling reverses a 2024 decision that rescinded the package and found that total rescission âleaves Musk uncompensated for his time and efforts over a period of six yearsâ the 49âpage ruling said according to multiple media reportsThe erstwhile ruling had reportedly damaged Delawares businessfriendly reputation and the new ruling assured Musk greater control over the company alleviating his main concern even after shareholders recently approved a new pay package that could be worth 878 billion if Tesla meets certain âtargetsThe 2018 package is now worth about 139 billion based on Teslaâs closing stock price on Friday and if Musk exercises all stock options from the pay package his stake would rise from about 124 per cent to 181 per cent of an expanded share baseMusk posted on social media platform X that he was âvindicatedâ while lawyers who challenged the pay package were cited as saying they were considering next steps and were proud calling to account the Tesla board and its largest stockholder for their breaches of fiduciary dutyâThe 2018 pay deal provided Musk options to buy about 304 million shares at a discounted price if Tesla met specific milestones Teslas board had warned that Musk the worlds ârichest person leading the SpaceX rocket venture could leave the electric car company if his pay was disruptedHe had recently defended the H1B visa programme saying that the US economy has benefited immensely from Indian immigrantsMusk said that America needs highskill workers from India now more than ever while also calling out the misuse of the visa system by some outsourcing firms Musk said America has been an immense beneficiary of talent from India adding that his companies constantly struggle to fill specialised roles because there is always a scarcity of talented people IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/us-court-restores-musks-2018-tesla-pay-package-boosting-his-control-stake-654782.html Sat, 20 Dec 2025 14:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/tickermapping-error-likely-behind-sudden-spike-in-infosys-adrs-report-654793.html New Delhi Dec 20 A suspected dataâfeed anomaly and algorithmâdriven buying â rather than companyâspecific news seems to have triggered the sudden surge of around 50 per cent in Infosys Ltdâs American Depository Receipts ADRs a report has said The report from The Chronicle Journal said the spike in Infosys ADRs on December 19 2025 was likely caused by a tickerâmapping error across multiple financial data platforms that confused automated trading systems and set off a selfâreinforcing buying loop in a thinly traded counterThe sharp move prompted multiple Limit UpâLimit Down volatility halts on the New York Stock Exchange the report saidSeveral data providers had erroneously mapped the âINFYâ ticker to an unrelated entity while continuing to attach it with Infosysâspecific metrics and headlinesThis mismatch led algorithmic models to interpret as a pricing anomaly and triggered aggressive buy orders and the impact was magnified by low liquidity and thin trading volumesThe ADRs which had closed the previous session near 1918 spiked to as high as 27 within minutes of the market opening before volatility controls kicked in to bring prices down Corresponding reaction was absent in the companyâs Indiaâlisted shares the report notedThe market anomaly underlined the vulnerabilities of ADRs which trade when home markets are closed exposing the system to more data errors liquidity gaps and automated trading feedback loopsUS exchanges and regulators are expected to review the anomaly to assess whether data inconsistencies played a material role and whether volatility safeguards functioned as intendedMeanwhile US tech giant Microsoft recently announced strategic partnerships with IT companies including Infosys to deploy over 50000 Microsoft Copilot licenses collectively surpassing 200000 licenses and accelerating the adoption of agentic AIThis partnership underscores the transformative potential of agentic AI â intelligent systems capable of taking initiative driving decisions and generating insights autonomously â aims to create new avenues for growth and competitiveness IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/tickermapping-error-likely-behind-sudden-spike-in-infosys-adrs-report-654793.html Sat, 20 Dec 2025 14:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/several-key-bridges-exemplify-scale-and-vision-of-indias-infrastructure-654802.html New Delhi Dec 20 As India continues to grow its bridges â from Atal Setu to Chenab Bridge will remain among the clearest expressions of a country in motion always reaching forward and building its own path an official statement said on Saturday Indiaâs bridges are more than infrastructure they are statements of intent connecting a nation defined by scale and contrast They rise from mountainsides pierce through monsoon clouds and skim the surface of some of the subcontinentâs most volatile watersâThrough every corner of this vast terrain various bridges continue to reflect Indiaâs drive and determination The Bogibeel Bridge and the New Saraighat Bridge in Assam across the mighty Brahmaputra carry both road and rail to strengthen connectivity Similarly the DighaâSonpur Bridge in Bihar enhances movement across the river Ganga with its robust railcumroad designâ the statement saidStretching across the Arabian Sea like a bold stroke on the cityâs canvas the Atal Setu also known as the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link MTHL marks Mumbaiâs biggest step towards a horizon unrestrained by traffic and timeSpanning 165 kilometres over the sea and extending another 55 kilometres on land the project was approved at a cost of Rs 17843 crore and stands as Indiaâs longest sea bridge Even amid the unprecedented challenges posed by the Covid19 pandemic the project managed to stay on trackIndiaâs engineering prowess has reached a new pinnacle with the completion of the Chenab Bridge the worldâs highest railway arch bridgePerched 359 metres above the Chenab River the bridge forms a crucial segment of the UdhampurâSrinagarâBaramulla Railway Link USBRL With Vande Bharat trains set to operate on the route travel time between Katra and Srinagar will reduce to just about three hoursThe 1315metrelong steel arch structure has been designed to withstand wind speeds up to 260 kmph and built with a projected lifespan of 120 years Constructed at a cost of Rs 1486 crore the Chenab Rail Bridge stands as a symbol of Indiaâs ambition technical excellence and advancing infrastructure capabilities according to the statementThe newly constructed Pamban Bridge connecting Rameswaram with the mainland is Indiaâs first vertical lift railway sea bridge Built at a cost exceeding Rs 700 crore the 207 km structure includes a 725metre vertical lift section that can rise 17 metres allowing ships to pass safely without halting train movementThrough innovative engineering and advanced technology over 1400 tons of fabrication liftspan launches 99 girders and extensive track and electrification work at sea were completed with zero injuriesCrafted with stainless reinforcement highperformance protective coatings and fully welded joints the bridge promises greater longevity and lower upkeep It has also been prepared for future growth with space for a second railway line IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/several-key-bridges-exemplify-scale-and-vision-of-indias-infrastructure-654802.html Sat, 20 Dec 2025 14:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/google-warns-employees-against-travel-outside-us-due-to-stamping-delays-of-up-to-12-months-654803.html New Delhi Dec 20 US tech giant Google has warned some employees not to travel abroad after learning that US visa reâentry processing at American embassies and consulates is facing âsignificantâ delays that can stretch up to 12 months The report from Business Insider said that Googleâs external counsel BAL Immigration Law cautioned employees needing visa stamping to return to the US saying overseas travel could leave them stranded due to visa stamping appointment delays up to 12 monthsBAL Immigration Laws email urged affected staff to avoid international trips because of unusually long appointment backlogs at diplomatic missions and warned travellers they could ârisk an extended stay outside the USâThe delays are being reported across several countries as US missions implement enhanced socialâmedia screening requirements that apply to Hâ1B workers their dependents and to students and exchange visitors on F J and M visasThe US Department of State acknowledged the delays the report said adding that it is conducting âonline presence reviews for applicantsâ and that applicants can request expedited processing on a casebycase basisThe White House in November had clarified its position on the visa policy telling IANS that the 1 lakh application fee is a âsignificant first step to stop abuses of the systemâThe administrationâs H1B visa policy has faced broad opposition from lawmakers and legal challenges with two major lawsuits filed in courts including the one by the US Chamber of Commerce the countryâs biggest business organisationIndiaborn workers received over 70 per cent of the total approved H1B visas in 2024 primarily due to a huge backlog in approvals and a high number of skilled immigrants from IndiaElon Musk had recently defended the H1B visa programme saying that the US economy has benefited immensely from Indian immigrantsMusk said that America needs highskill workers from India now more than ever while also calling out the misuse of the visa system by some outsourcing firms IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/google-warns-employees-against-travel-outside-us-due-to-stamping-delays-of-up-to-12-months-654803.html Sat, 20 Dec 2025 14:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/bse-proposes-cap-on-free-order-messages-plans-charges-beyond-10-crore-daily-limit-654811.html New Delhi Dec 20 The Bombay Stock Exchange BSE has proposed to introduce a daily brokerwise cap on free order messages in the Equity Cash Segment a move aimed at improving order flow discipline and operational efficiency across the market According to the report under the proposed framework brokers will be allowed to send up to 10 crore order messages per day without any charge Any order flow exceeding this threshold will incur a fee the exchange stated in a circularAccording to the BSE it will track each brokerâs total daily order messages and levy charges if the count exceeds the prescribed limitThe charge has been set at Rs 00025 per additional order message which effectively works out to Rs 250 for every extra 10 lakh messages generated beyond the free thresholdFor monitoring purposes BSE will count all types of order messages placed by a broker in the Equity Cash Segment including order additions modifications and deletions Oddlot orders will also be included in the calculation However settlement auction orders will be excluded from the order message countTo provide operational flexibility the exchange stated that the first instance of a broker breaching the daily threshold in a calendar month will be exempt from charges Charges will apply only if the broker exceeds the limit again within the same monthAs part of the rollout the stock exchange will start sharing daily order message data files with brokers from January 1 2026 These files will show the total number of order messages generated by each broker From January 15 2026 the daily files will also indicate applicable charges in cases where the threshold is breachedAny fees arising from excess order messages will be accumulated daily and recovered through the exchangeâs regular monthly billing processThe proposed framework is scheduled to come into effect from January 1 2026 However to ensure a smooth transition BSE clarified that no charges will be levied during the first month of implementation covering the period from January 1 to January 31 2026Actual billing for excess order messages will begin from February 2026 in line with the proposed charging mechanism The exchange said the initiative is intended to encourage balanced order flow management at the broker level and support a more efficient market ecosystem IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/bse-proposes-cap-on-free-order-messages-plans-charges-beyond-10-crore-daily-limit-654811.html Sat, 20 Dec 2025 15:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/38-railways-projects-worth-rs-89-780-crore-sanctioned-in-maharashtra-centre-654819.html New Delhi Dec 20 A total of 38 railway projects 11 new lines 2 gauge conversion and 25 doubling of a total length of 5098 kms and costing Rs 89780 crore have been sanctioned in Maharashtra as on April 1 2025 the government said on Saturday During the last three fiscals 202223 202324 202425 and the current financial year 202526 98 surveys 29 New Line 2 Gauge Conversion and 67 Doubling of total length 8603 km falling fullypartly in the state of Maharashtra have been sanctioned it saidFurther construction works on the flagship HighSpeed Bullet Train project have gathered momentum in Maharashtra Now 100 per cent of land acquisition has been completed Works on bridges aqueducts etc have been taken up the Railways Ministry said in a statementIn addition platform extension work at 34 stations to accommodate 15car EMUs has been taken upTo improve the capacity of the rail network in the Mumbai suburban area the Mumbai Urban Transport Project MUTPII costing Rs 8087 crore MUTPIII costing Rs 10947 crore and MUTPIIIA costing Rs 33690 crore have been sanctionedTo enhance passenger carrying capacity 238 rakes of 12 cars each with doors have been sanctioned under MUTPIII and IIIA at a cost of Rs 19293 crore The process for the procurement of these rakes has been taken upWith Western DFC also passing through Maharashtra as about 178 route km of it or about 12 per cent of the overall route length falling in the state the ministry said that about 76 km of this project from New Gholvad to New Vaitarna in Maharashtra has already been commissioned Balance works have been taken up Connectivity of WDFC to JNPT will boost the capacity to handle cargo and container traffic from the port to Delhi NCRPresently about 120 originating MailExpress trains and about 3200 suburban trains are handled daily in the Mumbai area IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/38-railways-projects-worth-rs-89-780-crore-sanctioned-in-maharashtra-centre-654819.html Sat, 20 Dec 2025 15:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/south-korean-startup-again-delays-1st-commercial-orbit-launch-654823.html Seoul Dec 20 South Korean space startup Innospace said on Saturday that its first commercial orbit launch has been delayed again due to technical problems The HanbitNano rocket was scheduled to lift off from the Alcantara Space Center in Brazil earlier in the day but the launch was delayed Innospace had originally aimed to launch the vehicle on WednesdayThe space startup said it will reschedule the liftoff in cooperation with the Brazilian Air Force reports Yonhap news agencyThe HanbitNano vehicle will carry eight payloads including five satellites and deploy them into a 300kilometer low orbitThe twostage vehicle employs a 25ton thrust hybrid engine that powers the first stage and the second stage is backed by a liquid methane and oxygen engineIf successful Innospace will become the first private South Korean company to place a customer satellite into orbitMeanwhile South Korea aims to launch a lunar communication orbiter in 2029 and a lunar lander in 2032 as part of its longterm space exploration road map the head of the Korea AeroSpace Administration KASA said last weekKASA Administrator Yoon Youngbin unveiled the goals during his agencys policy briefing to President Lee Jae Myung held in the central administrative city of Sejong while highlighting the agencys plan to bolster the countrys space capabilitiesYoon said the agency will attempt the 2029 orbiter mission using the countrys homegrown Nuri rocket Last month the country successfully completed the fourth launch of the homegrown space launch vehicle placing 13 satellites into orbitHe explained that securing deepspace communications technology through the lunar communication orbiter will serve as groundwork for the goal of sending an unmanned lunar lander in 2032A lunar communications orbiter is essential for moon missions as communication with Earth from the far side of the moon is not possibleAccording to Yoon KASA plans to conduct at least one Nuri launch per year through 2032 to raise its success rate to over 90 percent and develop a reusable nextgeneration launch vehicle by 2035 IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/south-korean-startup-again-delays-1st-commercial-orbit-launch-654823.html Sat, 20 Dec 2025 16:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/indigo-to-issue-rs-10-000-travel-vouchers-to-stranded-passengers-from-dec-26-654841.html New Delhi Dec 20 Indian carrier IndiGo will start compensating passengers affected by widespread flight cancellations earlier this month from next week The airline will begin issuing travel vouchers worth Rs 10000 from December 26 to passengers who were severely impacted and stranded at airports for several hours on December 3 4 and 5 according to multiple reportsThese vouchers are over and above the compensation of Rs 5000 to Rs 10000 mandated under government norms The decision was taken at a highâlevel review chaired by Aviation Secretary Samir Sinha and the government has asked IndiGo to ensure payments reach all eligible passengers without further delayA decision was made at the meeting that payments should begin within a week for passengers who booked directly through IndiGoâs website since their data is already with the airlineIndiGo was directed to collect passenger details from travel agents and online travel agencies and ensure direct payments to affected customers The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has been tasked with monitoring the successful dispersion of compensation and the civil aviation ministry will monitor the process through its Air Seva grievance portalWhile IndiGo has initiated refunds for cancelled flights many passengers who booked through Online Travel Agencies OTAs remain unpaid indicating coordination gaps between airlines and booking platforms the reports saidMakeMyTrip had processed refunds worth nearly Rs 10 crore so far after direction from DCGA even before receiving payments from IndiGo the report saidIndiGo Chairman Vikram Singh Mehta had earlier said that the airlineâs Board will bring in external technical experts to work with the management and identify the root causes behind last weekâs massive flight disruptionsHe said the experts will help ensure that such largescale operational failures never happen againMeanwhile the company stated that all destinations in the airlineâs network have been fully connected since December 8 and operations have stabilised since December 9 IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/indigo-to-issue-rs-10-000-travel-vouchers-to-stranded-passengers-from-dec-26-654841.html Sat, 20 Dec 2025 23:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/sensex-nifty-end-higher-as-strong-rupee-lift-market-sentiment-654602.html Mumbai Dec 19 Indian stock markets ended Fridayâs session on a strong note supported by steady buying in heavyweight stocks Positive investor sentiment was also driven by the upbeat stock market debut of ICICI Prudential AMC and a recovery in the Indian rupeeAt the closing bell the Sensex started the day with a positive gap of around 275 points and continued to gain strength through the sessionIt touched an intraday high of 8506750 before closing 44755 points higher or 05 per cent up at 84929The Nifty also saw a firm trend The index climbed to a high of 25993 during the day and finally settled at 25966 ending 151 points higherGiven the recent rebound and a breakout above the falling trend line a Santa rally in the coming week looks possible which may propel Nifty towards the 26200 mark On the downside key support is positioned around 25700 experts statedAmong Sensex stocks Bharat Electronics Power Grid Corporation and Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles were the top gainers rising more than 2 per cent eachShares of Asian Paints Larsen amp Toubro Bajaj Finance Bajaj Finserv and Infosys also performed well gaining around 1 per cent eachOn the downside HCL Technologies slipped about 1 per cent Kotak Mahindra Bank ICICI Bank and TCS were the only other Sensex stocks to close in negative territoryThe broader market outperformed the benchmark indices with the BSE MidCap and SmallCap indices jumping around 13 per cent eachMarket breadth remained positive as nearly two stocks advanced for every one stock that declined on the BSEThe Indian rupee also ended the day on a strong footing It closed at 8925 against the US dollar helped by a latesession surge adding to the overall positive mood in the marketsWhile sentiment remains constructive nearterm volatility may persist amid uncertainty over trade deal timelines and upcoming macro data releases market watchers mentioned IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/sensex-nifty-end-higher-as-strong-rupee-lift-market-sentiment-654602.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 16:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/indian-markets-remain-resilient-raising-rs-97-lakh-crore-in-h1-fy26-report-654605.html New Delhi Dec 19 Indiaâs capital markets demonstrated strong resilience against global volatility mobilising Rs 97 lakh crore through equity and debt in the H1FY26 up 13 per cent yearâonâyear a report said on Friday The report from National Stock Exchange of India Limited said that equity fundraising reached Rs 2 lakh crore including Rs 64363 crore from initial public offeringsAs many as 122 new listings including 54 on the mainboard and 68 on the SME platform added about Rs 41 lakh crore in market capitalisation the exchange said rounding up the market activity in 2025The report said that strong consumption supported by incomeâtax rationalisation and rural demand along with frontâloaded exports and sustained public capex lifted GDP growth to 8 per cent yearâonâyear in H1 FY26Highâfrequency indicators were mixed but constructive with robust GST collections PMIs services exports and foreignâexchange reserves of 686 billion contrasted with intermittent softness in industry and creditThe exchange said that its registered investor base crossed 12 crore on September 22 2025 rising by 1 crore in just eight months even as women accounted for nearly 25 per cent of investors and 556 per cent of new investors are aged 30 or belowUttar Pradesh led new registrations for the 32nd consecutive month as total client accounts reached approximately 237 croreAfter rebounding in October markets traded largely sideways into December even as persistent FPI selling was offset by domestic institutional support and steady SIP inflowsThe Nifty 50 rose 102 per cent YTD reflecting relative underperformance but improved internal stability it notedAnother recent report said that FY26 September quarter earnings season showed hospitals capital goods cement electronics manufacturing services ports NBFCs and telecom reporting doubledigit growth in EBITDA and profitsNifty earnings per share estimates for FY26âFY28 indicates an earnings CAGR of nearly 14 per cent IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/indian-markets-remain-resilient-raising-rs-97-lakh-crore-in-h1-fy26-report-654605.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 16:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/ntpc-crosses-855-gw-commercial-capacity-with-addition-of-35958-mw-solar-power-654607.html New Delhi Dec 19 Governmentowned power giant NTPC has announced a commercial capacity addition of 35958 MW through various solar projects of its subsidiaries in Gujarat amp Rajasthan taking the groups total commercial capacity past the 855 GW mark According to an NTPC statement the additional power capacity comprises 24366 MW out of the 1255 MW Khavda 1 Solar PV project in Gujarat of NTPC Renewable Energy Ltd 78 MW out of 245 MW capacity of NTPCâs Nokh Sokar PV project in Rajasthan and another 37925 MW out of 300 MW at Khavda Solar Energy Project under 450 MW Hybrid Tranche V project in GujaratWith this the total installed commercial capacity ofthe NTPC group has reached 85541 MW 85541GWNTPC Ltd is contributing onefourth of Indiaâs power requirements and has an installed capacity of 85 GW with an additional capacity of 3090 GW under construction including 133 GW of renewable energy capacity The company has set a target of 60 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2032 strengthening Indiaâs Net Zero goalsWith a diverse portfolio of thermal hydro solar and wind power plants the NTPC is focusing on delivering reliable affordable and sustainable electricity to the nation The company is committed to adopting best practices fostering innovation and embracing clean energy technologies for a greener future the statement saidAlong with power generation NTPC has also ventured into various new business areas including emobility battery storage pumped hydro storage wastetoenergy nuclear power and green hydrogen solutionsMeanwhile the NTPC organised its 18th lendersâ meet here highlighting the companyâs operational and financial performance green initiatives growth and diversification plans future capital expenditure and funding requirements The event witnessed participation from representatives of leading banks financial institutions and credit rating agencies from India and abroadNTPC Chairman and Managing Director Gurdeep Singh spoke about the evolving energy transition scenarios and the opportunities available for NTPC in this changing landscape Director Finance Jaikumar Srinivasan made a presentation highlighting NTPCâs transformation into an integrated energy conglomerate according to a company statementThe meet also featured an interactive questionandanswer session during which the NTPCâs management addressed queries and observations raised by participants The event was attended by the NTPCâs senior leadership team along with CEOs and CFOs of major group companies IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/ntpc-crosses-855-gw-commercial-capacity-with-addition-of-35958-mw-solar-power-654607.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 16:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/india-monitoring-dumping-security-concerns-as-china-increases-footprint-in-volatile-bangladesh-654611.html New Delhi Dec 19 The current volatility in Bangladesh is a matter for great concern among patients in need of urgent expert medical attention While the country features among Indias major visa operations overseas applications under medical category constitutes a huge chunkA Parliamentary Committee report on Future of IndiaBangladesh Relationship has noted that among visas currently being issued medical visas have been prioritised accounting for about 80 per cent of the total volume Further easing of the number of visas will be undertaken in consultation with concerned External Affairs Ministry after taking various factors into consideration it addedBangladeshs ongoing political crisis has significantly disrupted overall travel and trade with many reports indicating around 90 per cent drop in travel to IndiaMedical tourism was notably affected but is still allowed under visa exceptionsBusinesses such as guesthouses and hospitals near border cities have seen a steep decline in patients and visitors from Bangladesh reflecting this disruptionWhile expressing concern over the increasing Chinese footprint in Bangladesh particularly in infrastructure development port expansion and defence cooperation the Committee flagged the growing influence of countries like China in the medical sector in BangladeshHowever as the report also noted the Indian government will need to develop strategies to counter this influence without compromising our security concernsThe Indian government has said that it is monitoring such developments closely and while medical visas continue to be issued it will be also be considered in the context of the security situation if so requiredSince the recent political upheaval and resignation of Bangladeshs Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina trade between the two countries has faced multiple disruptionsDhaka imposed curbs on Indian imports including staple goods like yarn and rice resulting in New Delhi responding by restricting imports from Bangladesh through all Northeastern land portsKey Bangladeshi exports especially readymade garments worth hundreds of millions of dollars annually are now limited to sea ports such as Kolkata and Navi Mumbai increasing costs and transit timeThese reciprocal measures have strained bilateral trade but have not stopped it entirely with Bangladeshs exports to India even showing some growth despite challengesBut the geopolitical shifts following the regime change in Bangladesh have led to warming ties between Dhaka and China causing India to take a cautious stance reflected in trade restrictions and ending certain transit agreementsThe Parliamentary Committee has flagged the reported issue of dumping of Chinese goods particularly fabrics into India through Bangladesh under the cover of preferential market access provisions available to Bangladesh under the South Asian Free Trade Area SAFTAIncidentally as the report noted Bangladesh is Indias biggest trade partner in South Asia while New Delhi is the second largest trade partner for Dhaka in AsiaIndiaBangladesh bilateral trade has registered a substantial increase in the last 10 years it added where export from India in 20242025 accounted for about 11456 million and import was around 2005 million against 6451 million and 621 million in 20142015 respectivelyIn 20232024 the figures stood at 11066 million and 1845 million respectivelyAt present Bangladeshs forex shortages and rising inflation have complicated its trade capacityDespite rising nationalist rhetoric and the overhaul of some policies the deep economic interdependence means trade volumes remain substantial and resilient highlighting the need for diplomatic and economic collaboration to maintain stability in bilateral relationsDespite the critical statements against India from Bangladeshs interim leadership in international forums New Delhi continues to monitor the situation closely balancing geopolitical sensitivities with economic prioritiesThe regional economic stability of South Asia depends on resilient mechanisms that can endure political changes preserving vital trade and travel links between Bangladesh and India IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/india-monitoring-dumping-security-concerns-as-china-increases-footprint-in-volatile-bangladesh-654611.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 17:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/hanwha-ocean-wins-175-billion-order-for-7-lng-carriers-from-europe-654616.html Seoul Dec 19 Hanwha Ocean said on Friday it has secured an order worth 259 trillion won 175 billion to supply seven liquefied natural gas LNG carriers for a European shipowner With the latest deal Hanwha Ocean has secured orders for 51 vessels worth a combined 983 billion so far this year exceeding its annual order of 898 billion recorded last year reports Yonhap news agencyThis years deals include 20 very large crude carriers VLCCs 17 container ships 13 LNG carriers and one icebreaking research vesselHanwha Ocean said the contract reflects strong confidence among European shipowners in the companys highpressure LNG engine technology and its ability to reduce carbon emissionsAlso Hanwha Engine said it will acquire Seam AS a Norwegian shipboard electric propulsion systems maker becoming the first South Korean company to enter the maritime technology market in Northern EuropeThe marine engine producer under Hanwha Group has agreed to acquire the entire stake in the Norwegian firm for around 290 billion won 1966 million the company saidBased in Avaldsnes Seam is a leading developer of zeroemission maritime solutions such as control software and energy storage systems ESS for shipsNorway is considered one of the most active adopters of electric propulsion ships and Seam holds around a 40 percent share in Norways maritime marketHanwha Engine said it plans to expand the scope of maritime propulsion solutions provided by the company through the acquisition and prepare for growing demand for ecofriendly vesselsMeanwhile HD Korea Shipbuilding and Offshore Engineering Co HD KSOE the shipbuilding subholding company of HD Hyundai Co said on Friday it has won an order worth 6896 billion won US4662 million to supply four container ships for an Oceaniabased shipping company according to Yonhap news agencyThe vessels will be built at the shipyard of HD Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries Co with deliveries to be made sequentially by the second half of 2028 the company saidWith the latest order HD KSOE has won contracts worth a combined 1733 billion for 122 vessels so far this year reaching 96 percent of its annual order target IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/hanwha-ocean-wins-175-billion-order-for-7-lng-carriers-from-europe-654616.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 17:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/indian-railways-run-niryat-cargo-express-from-gurugram-to-mundra-port-654623.html New Delhi Dec 19 Indian Railways have achieved another milestone in freight transportation by operating the Niryat Cargo Express an exportfocused assured transit service it was announced on Friday The doublestack container train was operated from Ichhapuri Container Terminal in Gurugram to Mundra Port in Gujarat Earlier 20 trips of assured transit service have been operated from Garhi Gurugram according to a Railways Ministry statementâSuch a time tabled train is being operated for the first time from Ichhapuri Gurugram This assured timebound weekly service will help exporters by providing faster reliable and predictable movement of goods to Mundra Port reducing delays and logistics costsâ the ministry said in a statementIt further stated that Delhi Division Northern Railway has strengthened assured freight movement for exportersThe train was operated as a crack train means minimal halts and uninterrupted movement allowing faster transit and timely delivery â particularly useful for highvalue export cargoMeanwhile the government recently approved an Export Promotion Mission with a total outlay of Rs 25060 crore for FY 2025â26 to FY 2030â31 to consolidate export support and strengthen competitiveness especially for the MSMEs and labourintensive sectorsBy merging fiscal incentives financial facilitation digital governance and regulatory flexibility into a single missionmode framework the government has created a powerful platform to enhance Indiaâs global trade competitivenessTwo integrated subâschemes namely Niryat Protsahan and Niryat Disha will operate under the missionNiryat Protsahan focuses on improving access to affordable trade finance for MSME exporters through interest subvention exportâfactoring deepâtier financing and credit cards for eâcommerce exportersFurther Niryat Disha aims to raise market readiness and competitiveness through support for export quality and compliance international branding and packaging assistance participation in trade fairs and buyerseller meets export warehousing and logistics etcThe government also expanded the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Exporters CGSE providing up to Rs 20000 crore in additional support with 100 per cent government guarantee to member lending institutions Further RBI announced several measures such as moratorium on repayments and extension of export credit tenure to 450 days IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/indian-railways-run-niryat-cargo-express-from-gurugram-to-mundra-port-654623.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 17:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/vijayawadavisakhapatnam-flight-cancelled-over-safety-concerns-air-india-express-654624.html New Delhi Dec 19 An Air India Express flight operating between Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam was cancelled after the pilot detected a technical issue before departure the airline said on Friday In a statement Air India Express said that the aircraft returned to the ramp in the interest of safety after the issue was identified during predeparture checksFollowing this the flight was cancelled as a precautionary measureâIn the interest of safety our VijayawadaâVisakhapatnam flight returned to the ramp after the pilot identified a technical issue prior to departure The flight was subsequently cancelledâ an Air India Express spokesperson saidâGuests were promptly provided with hotel accommodation and refreshments Guests were also offered options including a full refund or complimentary reschedulingâ the spokesperson addedThe airline expressed regret for the inconvenience caused and reiterated that passenger safety remains paramount in all aspects of its operationsIn a separate recent incident reported earlier this week an Air India Express flight from Jeddah to Kozhikode was diverted to Kochi after suspected damage to the aircraftâs tyre likely caused by a foreign object on the runway at Jeddah AirportThe aircraft made a safe landing in Kochi with emergency procedures activated as a precautionâOur JeddahKozhikode flight was diverted to Kochi and made a precautionary landing due to suspected damage to the aircraftâs tyre likely caused by a foreign object on the runway at Jeddah airportâ the airline statedAll passengers were safely escorted to the terminal and later connected to Kozhikode by roadMeanwhile the airline has in recent weeks issued advisories to passengers regarding possible disruptions due to weather conditionsEarlier this month the airline warned that fog at select airports in North India could impact flight schedules affecting services on several domestic and international routesPassengers impacted by such disruptions were offered a onetime flight change without additional charges or a full refund IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/vijayawadavisakhapatnam-flight-cancelled-over-safety-concerns-air-india-express-654624.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 17:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/indias-forex-reserves-rise-1689-billion-to-68894-billion-654630.html New Delhi Dec 19 Indiaâs foreign exchange reserves went up by 1689 billion to 68894 billion for the week ending on December 12 the Reserve Bank of India RBI said on Friday Gold reserves increased by 758 million to 107741 billion during the week the central bank said The Special Drawing Rights SDRs were up by 14 million to 18735 billionLast week foreign exchange reserves went up by nearly 103 billion to 68726 billion for the week ending December 5 Gold reserves increased by 1188 billion to 106984 billion during the week the RBI said The Special Drawing Rights SDRs were up by 93 million to 18721 billionThe RBI routinely monitors developments in the foreign exchange market and undertakes interventions when necessary to preserve orderly trading conditionsMeanwhile India witnessed an unprecedented surge in foreign direct investment FDI commitments this year Total FDI inflow reported during the first half of FY 202526 5036 billion increased by 16 per cent compared to the yearago period 4337 billion the highest ever for the first half of a financial year the Parliament was informed earlier this monthGross FDI inflows have increased from over 34 billion in 201213 to over 80 billion in 202425 As per official data India recorded a strong rebound in FDI in the second quarter of the current financial year with total inflows rising over 18 per cent yearonyear to 3518 billion during AprilâSeptember 2025The increasing trend of repatriation indicates that India is not only attracting foreign capital but also delivering strong returns which enhances its reputation as a reliable investment destination The government has leveraged the free trade agreements for the promotion of export diversification and attract investment IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/indias-forex-reserves-rise-1689-billion-to-68894-billion-654630.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 18:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/wholesale-volumes-of-2wheelers-in-india-jump-19-pc-at-18-million-in-nov-654650.html New Delhi Dec 19 Wholesale volumes of domestic twoâwheelers grew by 19 per cent yearâoverâyear in the month of November reaching 18 million units a report said on Friday The report from ICRA attributed the rise to Goods and Services Tax GST cuts and original equipment manufacturerâdealer offers that sustained showroom footfalls after the festive season prompting dealers to replenish inventory and support wholesale dispatchesThe ratings firm forecasted twoâwheeler volume growth of 6â9 per cent for FY26 supported by improved replacement demand following GST rate cuts an expected recovery in urban consumption and healthy rural incomes driven by a normal monsoonRetail sales in November however eased by 31 per cent yearâonâyear largely due to an early festive season that shifted demand into Octoberâs recordâbreaking sales periodDealers continue to report steady customer footfall buoyed by positive GST sentiment and strong demand from the ongoing wedding season it addedElectric twoâwheeler retail volumes dipped marginally by 14 per cent YoY with electric twowheeler retail volumes reaching 117335 units in November Monthly electric twowheeler penetration within the overall twoâwheeler segment remained stable at 6â7 per cent through the first eight months of FY26 reflecting gradual adoption it saidExport volumes continued to grow in double digits rising 279 per cent yearâonâyear while industry volumes were up 236 per cent during the AprilNovember period supported by a relatively low base in the corresponding period of FY25Inventory levels improved to 44â46 days by November 2025 from 60 days at the end of September according to the Federation of Automobile Dealers Association FADA data aided by stronger retail offtake according to another recent reportUtility vehicles held a 67 per cent share of passenger vehicle volumes in November down from 69 per cent in October while mini compact and superâcompact segments revived after GST cuts Continued supportive policy reforms and improved market sentiments would drive this growth trajectory well into 2026 it noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/wholesale-volumes-of-2wheelers-in-india-jump-19-pc-at-18-million-in-nov-654650.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 18:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/india-oman-free-trade-pact-likely-to-become-operational-within-3-months-piyush-goyal-654662.html New Delhi Dec 19 IANS Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said on Friday that the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement CEPA between India and Oman offering zero duty access to a range of Indian labourintensive exports is likely to become operational within the next three monthsnbspThe OmanUnited States trade agreement signed in 2006 took nearly three years to be implemented Learning from that experience India and Oman have decided to operationalise this agreement much faster the minister said at a briefingThe agreement provides for automatic approvals within 90 days for Indian pharmaceutical products and manufacturing units that are recognised by multiple countriesIndia and Oman signed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement CEPA on Thursday during the second day of Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to MuscatThe CEPA secures unprecedented tariff concessions for India from Oman Oman has offered zeroduty access on 9808 per cent of its tariff lines covering 9938 per cent of Indias exports to Oman All major labourintensive sectors including gems ampamp jewellery textiles leather footwear sports goods plastics furniture agricultural products engineering products pharmaceuticals medical devices and automobiles receive full tariff eliminationIndia is offering tariff liberalisation on 7779 per cent of its total tariff lines which covers 9481 per cent of Indias imports from Oman by value For the products of export interest to Oman and which are sensitive to India the offer is mostly a tariffrate quota TRQ based tariff liberalisationTo safeguard its interest sensitive products have been kept in the exclusion category by India without offering any concessions especially agricultural products including dairy tea coffee rubber and tobacco products gold and silver bullion jewellery other labourintensive products such as footwear sports goods and scrap of many base metalsThe services sector a strong driver of Indias economy will also see wideranging benefits Omans substantial global services imports amount to 1252 billion with the share of Indias exports in Omans global imports basket as 531 per cent indicating significant untapped potential for Indian service providersnbspThe agreement features a comprehensive and forwardlooking services package with Oman extending substantial commitments across a broad spectrum of sectors including computerrelated services business and professional services audiovisual services research and development education and health services These commitments are expected to unlock significant new opportunities for Indian service providers promote highvalue job creation and support expanding commercial engagement between the two countriesA major highlight of the CEPA is the enhanced mobility framework for Indian professionals For the first time Oman has offered wideranging commitments under Mode 4 including a notable increase in the quota for intracorporate transferees from 20 per cent to 50 per cent together with a longer permitted duration of stay for contractual service suppliersextended from the existing 90 days to two years with the possibility of a further twoyear extensionThe agreement also provides for more liberal entry and stay conditions for skilled professionals in key sectors such as accountancy taxation architecture medical and allied services supporting deeper and more seamless professional engagementIANSspsvd https://dailyworld.in/business/india-oman-free-trade-pact-likely-to-become-operational-within-3-months-piyush-goyal-654662.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 19:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/rbi-imposes-rs-6195-lakh-penalty-on-kotak-mahindra-bank-654672.html New Delhi Dec 19 The Reserve Bank of India RBI on Friday imposed a penalty of Rs 6195 lakh on Kotak Mahindra Bank for noncompliance with certain directions issued by it on access to banking services on basic savings bank deposit accounts the scope of activities to be undertaken of business correspondents BCs and for contravention of provisions of the Credit Information Companies Rules 2006 ClC Rules This penalty has been imposed in exercise of powers conferred on the RBI under the provisions of section 47A1c read with section 464i of the BR Act and section 251iii read with section 234 of the Credit Information Companies Regulation Act 2005 the central bank said in a releaseThe statutory inspection for supervisory evaluation ISE 2024 of the bank was conducted by the RBI with reference to its financial position as on March 31 2024Based on supervisory findings of noncompliance with the provisions of RBI directions CIC rules and related correspondence in that regard a notice was issued to the bank advising it to show cause as to why a penalty should not be imposed on it for its failure to comply with the said provisions of RBI directions and CIC rules the RBI statedAfter considering the bankâs reply to the notice and additional submissions made by it the RBI said that it found the bank had opened another BSBD account of certain customers who were already holding a basic savings bank deposit account BSBD account in the bankAdditionally the bank entered into an arrangement with BCs for undertaking activities which are not covered within the scope of activities that can be undertaken by BCsFurthermore according to the RBI the bank furnished inaccurate information in respect of certain borrowers to Credit Information Companies CICsThis action is based on deficiencies in statutory and regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the bank with its customers the RBI clarifiedFurther imposition of monetary penalty is without prejudice to any other action that may be initiated by the RBI against the bank the RBI said IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/rbi-imposes-rs-6195-lakh-penalty-on-kotak-mahindra-bank-654672.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 20:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/govt-releases-over-rs-127-crore-for-rural-local-bodies-in-tamil-nadu-654673.html New Delhi Dec 19 The Central government on Friday released Rs 127586 crore to rural local bodies and Panchayati Raj institutions in Tamil Nadu during the Financial Year 202526 officials said According to the Ministry of Panchayati Raj the amount represents the second instalment of United Grants under the 15th Finance Commission for 202526These grants have been released for nine District Panchayats 74 Block Panchayats and 2901 Gram Panchayats that have duly elected bodies and fulfil the prescribed eligibility conditions the official statement saidThe Union government through the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the Ministry of Jal Shakti Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation recommends release of 15th Finance Commission grants to states for rural local bodiesPanchayati Raj Institutions which are then released by the Ministry of FinanceThe allocated grants are recommended and released in two installments in a financial yearEarlier on Friday the Union government released Rs 94236 crore to strengthen rural local bodies in Uttarakhand during the financial year 202526The release includes the second instalment of Untied Grants for the Financial Year 202425 amounting Rs 9410 crore for all eligible 13 district panchayats 95 block panchayats and 7784 gram panchayats in the southern stateIn addition Rs 1360 lakh towards the withheld portion of the first instalment of Untied Grants for Financial Year 202425 has been released to 15 additionally eligible gram panchayatsIn September this year the Union government released more than Rs 342 crore for rural local bodies in Tamil Nadu and Assam as part of the 15th Finance Commissions United Grants for Financial Year 202526The Union government disbursed the first installment of United Grants amounting to Rs 127586 crore for Tamil Nadu in the Financial Year 202526 covering 2901 eligible Gram Panchayats 74 eligible Block Panchayats and nine eligible District PanchayatsThe United Grants will be utilised for locationspecific felt needs except for salaries and other establishment costsThe United Grants can be used for the basic services of sanitation and maintenance of open defecation free status and this should include management and treatment of household waste and human excreta and faecal sludge management in particular and supply of drinking water rainwater harvesting and water recycling IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/govt-releases-over-rs-127-crore-for-rural-local-bodies-in-tamil-nadu-654673.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 20:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/rajasthan-first-consignment-of-arab-mix-crude-oil-arrives-at-mundra-port-654674.html Jaipur Dec 19 The 7th meeting of the StateLevel Task Force of HPCL Rajasthan Refinery Limited HRRL was held on Friday at the Secretariatâs Chintan Kaksh under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary V Srinivas Addressing the meeting the Chief Secretary said that the Rajasthan Refinery is not only a dream project of the state government but also the countryâs first integrated project combining a refinery and a petrochemical complex He directed refinery officials and all concerned departments to work in close coordination to ensure the timely completion of the project and reviewed its progress in detail HRRL CEO Kamlakar R Vikhar and CFO Indrajit Dasgupta informed the task force that 903 per cent of the overall refinery work has been completed while refinery unit construction stands at 964 per cent They also reported that the first consignment of Arab Mix crude oil has reached Mundra Port and has been transferred to Crude Oil Tanks COTThe crude will be transported to the refinery through a pipeline from six storage tanks at the port The Outside Battery Limits OBE work has reached 998 per cent completion CMD of HPCL Vikas Kaushal stated that the refinery work is progressing smoothly with the cooperation and support of the Rajasthan Government With the commencement of gas supply from the MehsanaâBhatinda Gas Pipeline MBPL the refineryâs flare system has been successfully commissioned and testing activities have begun He also informed that water has started flowing through the pipeline from the refineryâs Nachna reservoir Petroleum Department Secretary T Ravikant said that the department is continuously coordinating efforts to fasttrack the refinery project He highlighted that a key feature of the Rajasthan Refinery is its zero liquid effluent discharge system ensuring that no wastewater is released during processing He further informed that the Railways will construct a 12km railway line from Balotra to Pachpadra while HRRL will develop the rail connectivity from Pachpadra to the refinery siteThe project is expected to generate significant opportunities for investment employment and revenue growth in the state The meeting deliberated on several important issues including the railway line connectivity the establishment of a power substation and the reduction of VAT on crude oil sourced from within the state IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/rajasthan-first-consignment-of-arab-mix-crude-oil-arrives-at-mundra-port-654674.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 20:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/rbi-issued-compounding-order-for-fema-violations-by-nearbuy-india-pvt-ltd-ed-654675.html New Delhi Dec 19 The Reserve Bank of India RBI has issued a compounding order under Section 15 of the Foreign Exchange Management Act 1999 FEMA in the case of Nearbuy India Private Limited which has resulted in the termination of proceedings against the company for alleged contraventions of the act the Directorate of Enforcement ED said on Friday The order was passed by the RBI on October 17 after the issuance of No Objection by the ED an agency statement saidIn this case based on credible information received an investigation was taken up by the ED under the provisions of the act After completion of investigation the agency filed a complaint under FEMA before the Adjudicating Authority on Decemb er 3 2024 pointing out the contraventions under the FEMA which include late reporting of foreign inward payments under Para 91A of Schedule 1 to FEMA 202000RB covering Rs 3582 crore late filing of Form FCGPR after issuing shares under Para 91B of the same schedule covering Rs 7301 croreThe RBI has now done the compounding for these contraventions the statement saidAs per the provisions of FEMA the adjudication proceedings were initiated by the Adjudicating Authority by issuance of a show cause notice dated February 27 under Section 16 of FEMA to the company and its directors and officers who were in charge and responsible for the conduct of the business of the company during the relevant period during which the contravention of norms took placeThe company later on filed an application before the RBI for compounding of these contraventions under FEMA as per the provisions of Section 15On reference from the RBI the ED issued a âno objectionâ for such compounding in line with the spirit of the Act Accordingly the RBI on the basis of no objection issued by the ED has compounded the said contraventions vide compounding order with a onetime payment of Rs 428297This has resulted in the termination of adjudication proceedings under the provisions of FEMA as well as further litigation against the company and its office bearers the statement added IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/rbi-issued-compounding-order-for-fema-violations-by-nearbuy-india-pvt-ltd-ed-654675.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 20:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/dot-undp-hold-national-workshop-to-push-circular-economy-in-telecom-sector-654687.html New Delhi Dec 19 The Department of Telecommunications DoT in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme UNDP on Friday organised a national workshop aimed at accelerating the adoption of circular economy practices in Indiaâs telecom industry The workshop titled Advancing Circular Economy in the Telecom Sector Enabling Policy and Practice brought together policymakers industry executives technology providers academics international organisations and other valuechain stakeholders to discuss ways to make the telecom sector more sustainable resourceefficient and environmentally responsible a Communications Ministry statement saidDiscussions focused on rethinking the telecom supply chain to improve circularity including design for sustainability component reuse and harvesting sustainable procurement and policy interventions required to overcome existing challenges Participants also deliberated on government initiatives supporting circular practices and the role of industry in adopting scalable solutionsA key session examined the use of digital tools to support the transition towards a circular economy Speakers highlighted how digital platforms data tools and emerging technologies such as blockchain artificial intelligence AI and the Internet of Things IoT can enhance traceability improve material recovery and bring greater transparency to extended producer responsibility EPR implementationOfficials and experts also discussed the Central Pollution Control Boardâs perspective on leveraging digital systems for effective monitoring as well as the integration of data analytics to support better decisionmaking across the telecom value chainIn the concluding session participants stressed that Indiaâs telecom sector must move beyond discussions and focus on implementation The need for coordinated ecosystemlevel action was underlined along with the importance of creating an enabling policy framework and strengthening multistakeholder collaborationThe workshop concluded with a call for shared ownership of the transitionâwhere the government provides strategic direction and enabling conditions industry leads innovation and adoption and partners support implementation capacity building and financingâto ensure that circular economy principles are effectively embedded in Indiaâs rapidly expanding telecom sector IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/dot-undp-hold-national-workshop-to-push-circular-economy-in-telecom-sector-654687.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 21:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/sbi-declares-results-for-po-recruitment-2025-fills-541-vacancies-654695.html New Delhi Dec 19 Indias largest stateowned lender State Bank of India on Friday declared the results of the Probationary Officer Recruitment 2025 filling 541 vacancies across the country The bank said the list of selected candidates is available on its official website and that the newly inducted Probationary Officers will be deployed nationwide across business verticals with select international postings and a structured pathway for progression to senior and top management rolesThe recruitments form part of SBIâs broader plan to hire 18000 people in FY26 in one of its biggest drives the bank said in a press releaseâOur total recruitment across categories is about 18000 people out of which around 13500 will be clerical recruitment 3000 will be probationary officers and locally based officers As we onboard this new talent pool we further aim to strengthen our human resource capabilities by implementing structured skill development programmes aligned with evolving customer service and technological requirementsâ said CS Setty Chairman State Bank of IndiaThe recruitment drive aimed to induct young talent into SBIâs junior management cadre building the bankâs leadership pipeline the bank said adding the drive follows the hiring of 505 Probationary Officers in June 2025The selection process included online preliminary examinations in August 2025 Mains in September 2025 and Phase III assessments including psychometric tests group exercises and personal interviewsMeanwhile the home loan portfolio of the bank has crossed Rs 88 lakh crore As of September 2025 the bank has a deposit base of over Rs 5591 lakh crore with a CASA ratio of 3963 per cent and advances of more than Rs 4419 lakh croreThe bank witnessed 64 per cent of new savings accounts being opened through the integrated digital and lifestyle platform YONO in Q2 FY26SBI in November announced plans to divest 32060000 equity shares or 63007 per cent of the total equity capital of SBI Funds Management Limited SBIFML through an initial public offering IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/sbi-declares-results-for-po-recruitment-2025-fills-541-vacancies-654695.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 22:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/rbis-central-board-deliberates-on-domestic-and-global-economic-situations-654699.html Mumbai Dec 19 The Reserve Bank of Indias RBI central board on Friday deliberated on the state of the local and international economies and related issues with Governor Sanjay Malhotra presiding over the 620th meeting of the Central banks central board of directors According to a statement from the RBI the Board also approved the riskbased deposit insurance framework for banksThe 620th meeting of the Central Board of Directors of the Reserve Bank of India was held today in Hyderabad under the Chairmanship of Governor Sanjay Malhotra RBI said in an official statementThe Board discussed the global and domestic economic situation and associated challengesAdditionally it examined the Trend and Progress of Banking in India 2024â2025 draft report and the operations of a few Central office departmentsIt approved the riskbased deposit insurance framework for banks The Board also reviewed the activities of select Central Office Departments and the draft report on Trend and Progress of Banking in India 202425 the statement addedThe meeting was attended by Deputy Governors T Rabi Sankar Swaminathan J Poonam Gupta and Shirish Chandra MurmuOther directors of the Central board Nagaraju Maddirala Department of Financial Services Secretary Satish K Marathe Revathy Iyer Pankaj Ramanbhai Patel and Ravindra H Dholakia too attended the meetingEarlier the RBI had issued a compounding order under Section 15 of the Foreign Exchange Management Act FEMA 1999 in the case of Nearbuy India Private Limited which has resulted in the termination of proceedings against the company for alleged contraventions of the Act the Enforcement Directorate ED saidThe order was passed by the RBI on October 17 after the issuance of No Objection by the ED an agency statement saidIn this case based on credible information received an investigation was taken up by the ED under the provisions of the ActAfter completion of investigation the agency filed a complaint under FEMA before the Adjudicating Authority on December 3 2024 pointing out the contraventions under the FEMA which include late reporting of foreign inward payments under Para 91A of Schedule 1 to FEMA 202000RB covering Rs 3582 crore late filing of Form FCGPR after issuing shares under Para 91B of the same schedule covering Rs 7301 croreThe RBI has now done the compounding for these contraventions the statement said IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/rbis-central-board-deliberates-on-domestic-and-global-economic-situations-654699.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 22:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/s-korea-to-mandate-facial-recognition-for-opening-new-mobile-numbers-654506.html Seoul Dec 19 South Korea will make it mandatory for people to undergo facial recognition when opening a new mobile phone number as part of efforts to root out illegally registered handsets used for scams the science ministry said on Friday Under the plan South Korea will require the countrys three mobile carriers SK Telecom Co KT Corp and LG Uplus Inc along with mobile virtual network operators to carry out the additional verification step to prevent the activation of new numbers through identity theft reports Yonhap news agencyThe announcement came after South Korea unveiled a set of comprehensive measures to fight voice phishing scams in August including tougher punishment for mobile carriers that fail to carry out sufficient preventive effortsBy comparing the photo on an identification card with the holders actual face on a realtime basis we can fully prevent the activation of phones registered under a false name using stolen or fabricated IDs the ministry said in a releaseThe ministry noted scammers will face more hurdles in activating new phones using information obtained from hacking attacksThe new policy will be officially implemented in March 2026 with a trial run set to begin next weekThe number of voice phishing scams reported came to 21588 as of November this year with the combined amount of damage reaching 113 trillion won US760 million surpassing the 1 trillionwon mark for the first time the ministry added citing a report from the police agencyMeanwhile the government said Thursday it will form an interagency task force to handle the recent largescale data breach at ecommerce giant Coupang CorpThe decision was made at a meeting of science and technologyârelated ministers chaired by Science Minister Bae Kyunghoon the government saidLed by Ryu Jemyung second vice minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT the task force will consist of officials from the science ministry and other organizations including the Personal Information Protection Committee the Korea Media Communications Commission and the Financial Services Commission IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/s-korea-to-mandate-facial-recognition-for-opening-new-mobile-numbers-654506.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 13:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/indian-stock-markets-open-higher-amid-positive-global-cues-654512.html Mumbai Dec 19 Indian stock markets opened on a positive note on Friday taking cues from supportive global markets even as benchmark indices remained on track to close the week in the red for the third consecutive session In early trade the Sensex was trading at 8486606 up 38425 points or 045 per cent at around 920 AMThe Nifty index was also higher quoting at 2592690 up 104 points or 04 per centBuying interest was seen in several heavyweight stocks Shares of TMPV Eternal Infosys Power Grid BEL Sun Pharma and Bajaj Finserv gained up to 15 per cent and emerged as the top performers on the SensexOn the other hand ICICI Bank and Bharti Airtel were the only stocks trading in the red during early dealsSectorally all indices were trading higher The Nifty Healthcare index led the gains rising 114 per cent followed closely by the Nifty Pharma index which was up 11 per centThe Nifty Auto index also gained around 05 to 057 per centThe broader markets mirrored the positive sentiment with the Nifty Midcap index gaining 045 per cent while the Nifty Smallcap index was up 047 per centMeanwhile investors remain cautious ahead of several key global and domestic triggersGlobally market participants are keeping an eye on retail sales data from the UK wage tracker data from the euro area and the US Federal Reserveâs balance sheet numbers On the domestic front investors are awaiting the Reserve Bank of Indiaâs Monetary Policy Committee meeting minutes and the latest foreign exchange reserve data IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/indian-stock-markets-open-higher-amid-positive-global-cues-654512.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 13:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/gold-slips-on-mcx-after-boj-rate-hike-654521.html Mumbai Dec 19 Gold prices slipped in the domestic futures market on Friday morning as investors booked profits after the Bank of Japanâs latest policy decision Softer inflation data from the United States also weighed on prices even though gold is usually seen as a hedge against rising inflationOn the Multi Commodity Exchange MCX gold futures for February delivery were trading 056 per cent lower at Rs 133772 per 10 grams during early tradeâGold has support at 42754245 while resistance is at 43554385 Silver has support at 64406375 while resistance is at 65606615â experts saidâIn INR terms gold has support at Rs133850133110 while resistance is at Rs135350135970â they addedSilver futures for March were also under pressure and were down 026 per cent at Rs 203034 per kg at the same timeâSilver has support at Rs202450200280 and resistance at Rs205810 207270â analysts statedThe decline came after the Bank of Japan raised its key policy rate to 075 the highest level since September 1995While the rate hike was largely expected by the market it triggered some profit booking and is likely to impact yencarry trades which in turn influenced global commodity pricesInternational gold prices also moved lower after US inflation data came in below expectationsConsumer prices in the US rose 27 per cent yearonyear in November which was lower than the 31 per cent increase predicted by economistsLower inflation reduces the appeal of gold as a hedge putting pressure on pricesAdding to the weakness the dollar index edged up by 010 per cent and hovered near oneweek highsA stronger dollar usually makes gold more expensive for buyers using other currencies which further dampens demand for the yellow metalAnalysts said that the mix of global cues including central bank actions softer US inflation data and a stronger dollar led to a fall in gold and silver prices in early trade on Friday IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/gold-slips-on-mcx-after-boj-rate-hike-654521.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 13:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/ibm-to-skill-5-million-indian-youths-in-ai-cybersecurity-and-quantum-by-2030-654536.html New Delhi Dec 19 IBM on Friday announced a major skill development push in India saying it will train 5 million learners in advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence cybersecurity and quantum computing by 2030 The initiative will be delivered through IBM SkillsBuild and is aimed at creating a futureready workforce by improving access to digital and joboriented skills for students and adult learners across the countryIBM said the programme will focus on making advanced technology education more inclusive and accessibleAs part of this commitment IBM will expand AI and emerging technology education across schools universities and vocational training ecosystemsThe company will also work closely with institutions such as the All India Council for Technical Education to promote handson learning through AIfocused courses faculty training programmes curriculum integration hackathons and internship opportunitiesIBM Chairman President and Chief Executive Officer Arvind Krishna said India has the talent and ambition to become a global leader in AI and quantum technologiesâIndia possesses the talent and ambition to lead the world in AI amp Quantum Fluency in frontier technologies will define economic competitiveness scientific progress and societal transformationâ Krishna saidâBy democratising access to advanced skills we are enabling the youth and students to build innovate and accelerate Indiaâs growthâ he mentionedIBM is also strengthening AI education at the school level The company is codeveloping an AI curriculum for senior secondary students and providing teaching resources such as an AI Project Cookbook a teacher handbook and explainer modulesThese efforts aim to introduce computational thinking and responsible AI concepts at an early stage and help teachers deliver AI education effectivelyAt the centre of this effort is IBM SkillsBuild one of the worldâs largest and most accessible digital learning platformsIt offers more than 1000 courses covering AI cybersecurity quantum computing cloud data sustainability and workplace skills IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/ibm-to-skill-5-million-indian-youths-in-ai-cybersecurity-and-quantum-by-2030-654536.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 13:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/openai-google-perplexity-go-free-in-india-to-grow-ai-user-base-654541.html New Delhi Dec 19 OpenAI Google and Perplexity have launched free access to their premium artificial intelligence tools in India stepping up competition in one of the worldâs fastestgrowing digital markets The move is aimed at rapidly expanding their user base in the country where low data costs and a massive smartphone population are driving strong demand for AIpowered servicesIndia has become a key battleground for AI firms due to its large smartphone user base of around 730 million and some of the cheapest mobile data rates in the worldUsers in the country consume about 21 gigabytes of data every month paying just 92 cents per gigabyte making heavy usage of AI tools far more affordable than in many other countriesOpenAI has taken a similar route by making its ChatGPT Go plan free for one year in India The plan which allows higher usage than standard versions of ChatGPT is usually paid in over 100 countries and was earlier priced at 54 in India The free offer launched nationwide in November is available only to Indian usersThese moves have led to a sharp jump in usage Data from market intelligence firm Sensor Tower shows daily active users of ChatGPT in India surged 607 per cent yearonyear to 73 million as of last weekThis figure is more than double the number of daily users in the United States India has now become the largest market by daily users for both chatbotsPerplexity has also stepped up its India push by offering its Pro plan which costs 200 a year globally free for one year to customers of AirtelThe company said the plan gives users unlimited access to its most advanced research tools Following the offer India now accounts for more than onethird of Perplexityâs global daily active users up from just 7 per cent last yearUser engagement data suggests ChatGPT currently leads in India In November about 46 per cent of its monthly users opened the app daily compared with 20 per cent for Perplexity and 14 per cent for Gemini IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/openai-google-perplexity-go-free-in-india-to-grow-ai-user-base-654541.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 13:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/indias-digital-economy-to-reach-12-tn-by-2030-led-by-ai-depth-654544.html New Delhi Dec 19 Indiaâs digital economy is projected to reach 12 trillion by 2029â30 as depth of AI capabilities will shape the next phase of growth a report said on Friday The report from Team Lease Digital said that Indiaâs AI market could touch 17 billion by 2027 with AI talent expected to double to nearly 125 million professionals accounting for about 16 per cent of global AI talentThis growth is being driven by enterprise AI spending national digital rails and a strong STEM pipeline it said adding that highâvalue AI roles are expanding fast while demand for legacy roles plateausThe firm identified six enterpriseâgrade AI skills emerging as foundational skills in 2026 such as Simulation Governance that can fetch up to Rs 26â35 LPA Agent Design with Rs 25â32 LPA salary expectation AI Orchestration Rs 24â30 LPA Prompt Engineering Rs 22â28 LPA LLM Safety and Tuning Rs 20â26 LPA and AI Compliance and Risk Operations Rs 18â24 LPAGlobally up to 40 per cent of roles are expected to be impacted by AI especially sectors such as IT services healthcare BFSI and customer experienceThe report emphasised that organisations are reframing AI capability building as an enterpriseâwide priority extending beyond data science to leadership operations risk and compliance and prioritising broadâbased upskilling and hybrid humanâAI workflowsThe strongest demand is for enterprisegrade AI skills that enable governance trust orchestration and scalability rather than for generic AI roles it saidDemand for these skills is concentrated in hubs including Bengaluru Hyderabad and Pune driven by global capability centres AIâfirst startups and large enterprises across BFSI healthcare and manufacturingThe importance of midlevel professionals is growing as they can bridge applied AI with governance orchestration and realworld business needs the report noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/indias-digital-economy-to-reach-12-tn-by-2030-led-by-ai-depth-654544.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 13:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/domestic-investors-pour-rs-45-lakh-crore-into-equities-this-year-nse-654555.html Mumbai Dec 19 Domestic investors have pumped around Rs 45 lakh crore into the equity markets this year through mutual funds and other indirect investment routes showing a clear shift in household savings towards marketlinked assets according to a report by the National Stock Exchange The report said Indiaâs retail investor base has expanded rapidly after the pandemic The number of individual investors has jumped from nearly three crore in 2019 to more than 12 crore in 2025This growth has been supported by rising participation not only through direct equity investments but also through mutual funds and other marketlinked productsSince 2020 total household investments in marketlinked instruments have reached about Rs 17 lakh crore pointing to a longterm change in how Indian households save and investThe exchange noted that the sharp rise in investor numbers has gone hand in hand with stronger inflows into equities with nearly Rs 45 lakh crore invested by households this year aloneWhile domestic investors remained strong foreign portfolio investors showed limited interest in Indian equities during the yearOverseas investors continued to reduce their exposure but the report said rising domestic participation helped offset the impact of volatile foreign flows and allowed markets to absorb external shocks more smoothlyThe strength of domestic investors was also visible in the primary market After a record year in 2024 capital raised in 2025 has already crossed earlier highsThe report pointed out that global trade uncertainty remained a major challenge during the yearIndia faced a sharp increase in tariffs on exports to the United States with duties rising by an additional 50 per cent even as talks on a bilateral trade agreement continuedThese developments affected corporate earnings and capital flows in the early part of the yearHowever the report added that market volatility also created space for adjustmentDomestic investors absorbed price swings corporate earnings improved by the September quarter and better financial literacy led to more stable and longterm investment behaviour IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/domestic-investors-pour-rs-45-lakh-crore-into-equities-this-year-nse-654555.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 14:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/nifty-to-touch-29-094-in-12-months-supported-by-durable-earnings-strong-macro-backdrop-654557.html New Delhi Dec 19 Indias benchmark index Nifty is expected to touch 29094 in one year based on longâterm valuation averages and earnings durability a report said on Friday Wealth management firm PL Wealth said in the report that India enters the end of 2025 from a position of relative macro strength with recordâlow inflation a dovish monetary stance resilient domestic demand and improved corporate earnings visibilityIn the near term largecap stocks remain preferred due to their earnings stability and strong balance sheets while selective exposure to highquality midcap names is being added as visibility improves the wealth management firm cited its strategyOver the next 6 to 24 months the earnings cycle is expected to broaden across consumption financials capexlinked sectors and select industrials supported by benign inflation lower interest rates and sustained domestic liquidityâIndiaâs current macro configuration is among the most constructive we have seen in over a decadeâ said Inderbir Singh Jolly CEO PL Wealth ManagementWhile global uncertainties will continue to create shortterm volatility Indiaâs structural strengthsâpolicy reform financialisaton of savings and improving corporate balance sheetsâposition it well for sustained longterm growth Inderbir addedRBIâs 25 basisâpoint cut to a 525 per cent policy repo rate lowered its CPI inflation projections and upgraded GDP growth estimates signalling confidence in the sustainability of domestic demand the report saidThe firm also noted FY26 GDP growth projection of 73 per cent underpinned by robust infrastructure spending resilient consumption and key policy measures such as GST rationalisation and incometax cutsThe FY26 September quarter earnings season delivered broadbased strength with several sectorsâincluding hospitals capital goods cement electronics manufacturing services ports NBFCs and telecomâreporting doubledigit growth in EBITDA and profitsThe firm noted that Nifty earnings per share estimates for FY26âFY28 imply an earnings CAGR of nearly 14 per cent Domestic institutional investors have anchored markets with record net inflows of over Rs 68 trillion yearâtoâdate IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/nifty-to-touch-29-094-in-12-months-supported-by-durable-earnings-strong-macro-backdrop-654557.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 14:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/indias-direct-tax-collection-clocks-8-pc-growth-at-rs-1705-lakh-crore-in-april-dec-654562.html New Delhi Dec 19 Indiaâs net direct tax collections recorded an 8 per cent growth to Rs 1705 lakh crore so far in the current financial year 202526 on the back of a steady growth in corporate tax receipts according to figures released by the Income Tax Department on Friday Net direct tax collections between April 1 and December 17 2025 touched Rs 1704725 crore compared with Rs 1578433 crore in the same period of the previous year Gross direct tax collections grew 416 per cent yearonyear to Rs 2001794 croreCorporate tax collections were the biggest contributor with net corporate tax rising to Rs 817310 crore from Rs 739353 crore a year ago Net noncorporate tax collections which include taxes paid by individuals and other entities such as Hindu undivided families increased to Rs 846905 crore from Rs 796181 croreTax refunds issued during the AprilDecember by the Income Tax Department declined by 1352 per cent to Rs 297069 crore from Rs 343499 crore in the same period of the previous yearSecurities transaction tax collections posted a flat growth at around Rs 40195 crore while the share of âother taxes in the total collection fell during this periodAdvance tax collections have also clocked a robust growth with Corporate advance tax increased nearly 8 per cent to Rs 607300 crore Total advance tax paid has gone up by 427 per cent to Rs 788388 crore so far in the current financial year However advance tax contributions by noncorporate taxpayers declined by 649 per cent to Rs 181088 crore during this periodThe government has set a target of Rs 2520 lakh crore in direct tax collections representing a 127 per cent increase over the previous yearFinance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had announced significant income tax relief measures to put more money in the hands of the middleclass to increase the demand for goods and services in the economy to spur growth For individuals in the new tax regime salaried taxpayers can have an income of up to Rs 1275 lakh with zero tax liability due to an increased standard deduction of Rs 75000The limits for Tax Deducted at Source TDS have also been raised for various sections such as on interest for senior citizens to Rs 1 lakh from Rs 50000 and on rent to Rs 6 lakh annually from Rs 240 lakh IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/indias-direct-tax-collection-clocks-8-pc-growth-at-rs-1705-lakh-crore-in-april-dec-654562.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 14:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/pune-records-14-234-property-registrations-in-nov-stamp-duty-collections-reach-rs-565-crore-654569.html New Delhi Dec 19 Puneâs real estate market recorded 14234 property registrations in November 2025 up 6 per cent yearâonâyear with stamp duty collections touching Rs 565 crore a report said on Friday The report from real estate services firm Knight Frank found that revenue collections increased 19 per cent in the same period On a monthâonâmonth basis registrations were up 12 per cent in November while stamp duty collections grew 7 per cent it saidOn a yearâtoâdate basis JanuaryâNovember Pune achieved its highest registrations and stamp duty collections in the past four years with 173578 registrations and revenue of Rs 6675 croreOn a yeartoyear basis the registrations and stamp collection for the first eleven months of the year were up 05 per cent and 3 per cent respectively versus the same period last yearThe distribution of ticket sizes remained largely unchanged with homes priced up to Rs 1 crore accounting for 85 per cent of transactions and segments above Rs 1 crore accounting for 15 per cent of transactionsIn November the share of ticket size for residential property transactions was 27 per cent for properties under Rs 25 lakh Properties ranging from Rs 25 lakhâRs 50 lakh accounted for 29 per cent of transactions while the Rs 50 lakhâRs 1 crore segment also stood at 29 per centProperties ranging from Rs 1 croreâRs 25 crore accounted for 13 per cent of transactionsâWhile activity moderated after the festive peak earlier in the year the market has remained resilient and wellbalanced With yearâtoâdate registrations and revenues now at a new high in four years Pune residential remains stable with sustainable volumesâ said Shishir Baijal Chairman amp Managing Director Knight Frank IndiaCentral Pune including Haveli Taluka Pune Municipal Corporation PMC and Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation PCMC accounted for 66 per cent of transactions during the month IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/pune-records-14-234-property-registrations-in-nov-stamp-duty-collections-reach-rs-565-crore-654569.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 15:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/shanti-bill-2025-how-can-it-help-india-achieve-self-reliance-in-nuclear-energy-654573.html New Delhi Dec 19 The Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India SHANTI Bill 2025 passed by both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha aims to achieve selfreliance in the nuclear sector and meet Indiaâs 2047 clean energy goals The proposed law aims to create an enabling ecosystem for clean reliable energy while also upholding the longstanding commitment to the peaceful use of atomic energyIt is also a reflection of Indiaâs commitment to global best practices in nuclear governanceThe Bill enables responsible private and joint venture participation to bridge resource constraints shorten gestation periods and support the national goal of 100 GW nuclear capacity by 2047 without compromising national security or public interestWhat are the provisions under the BillThe Bill consolidates and rationalises provisions from the Atomic Energy Act 1962 the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage CLND Act and now accords statutory status to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board making it part of the parent legislationThe Bill opens up the nuclear sector to privatisation a move aimed at achieving selfreliance and meeting Indiaâs 2047 clean energy goals It comes after the privatisation of the space sector which saw significant growthHowever the new Bill will involve private partners under defined conditions for the exploration activities The uranium mining beyond specified thresholds will continue to remain exclusively with the governmentSimilarly spent fuel management will always remain under government custody following a clearly defined longterm storage and handling protocol Strategic materials such as source material fissile material and heavy water will continue to be under strict government controlThe Bill also explicitly recognises environmental and economic damage within the definition of nuclear harm With dedicated investments announced for small modular reactors and research and innovation the proposed law aims to create an enabling ecosystem for clean reliable energyNuclear energy has applications beyond power generation including cancer care agriculture and industry The Bill will help scale up the industry to meet rising demand from sectors such as data processing healthcare and industry alongside renewablesHow the Bill addresses safety concernsUnion Minister of Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh in the Lok Sabha said that nuclear safety standards remain unchanged and uncompromised governed by the same stringent principles enshrined in the Atomic Energy Act of 1962 âsafety first production nextâThe safety standards include a rigorous inspection regime including quarterly inspections during construction biannual inspections during operation fiveyearly licence renewals enhanced powers to the nowstatutory Atomic Energy Regulatory Board and oversight aligned with International Atomic Energy Agency parametersNotably as Indiaâs nuclear plants are geographically located far from seismic fault zones the radiation levels at Indian reactors are many times below prescribed global safety limitsHow the Bill will workThe proposed law is closely linked to Indiaâs longterm energy and climate goals and outlines the countryâs roadmap for decarbonisation by 2070At the operational level the Bill lays down provisions for licensing and safety authorisation for specified persons involved in the production or use of nuclear energy along with clear grounds for suspension or cancellationIt seeks to bring under regulation the use of nuclear and radiation technologies in areas such as healthcare food and agriculture industry and research while exempting research development and innovation activities from licensing requirementsThe Bill also proposes a revised and pragmatic civil liability framework for nuclear damage confers statutory status on the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board and strengthens mechanisms related to safety security safeguards quality assurance and emergency preparednessIt provides for the creation of new institutional arrangements including an Atomic Energy Redressal Advisory Council designation of Claims Commissioners and a Nuclear Damage Claims Commission for cases involving severe nuclear damage with the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity acting as the appellate authorityThe proposed legislation seeks to balance the expansion of nuclear energy with safety accountability and public interest placing nuclear power within the broader national effort towards energy security and a lowercarbon future IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/shanti-bill-2025-how-can-it-help-india-achieve-self-reliance-in-nuclear-energy-654573.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 15:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/mufg-acquires-20-pc-stake-in-shriram-finance-for-rs-39-600-crore-654574.html Mumbai Dec 19 Japanâs banking major Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group on Friday announced that it has acquired a 20 per cent stake in Shriram Finance through a preferential allotment of shares in a deal valued at 44 billion or about Rs 39600 crore The transaction is set to become the largest foreign direct investment ever in Indiaâs financial services sectorUnder the deal MUFG will have the right to appoint two nominee directors to the board of Shriram FinanceThe investment highlights growing global confidence in Indiaâs lending and financial ecosystemAt nearly Rs 39618 crore the Shriram Finance transaction is the biggest investment in Indiaâs financial sector so farâThe Board has approved raising of funds of Rs 39617982878115 from MUFG Bank Limited a company incorporated under the laws of Japan by way of issuance of 471121055 fully paidup equity shares of face value Rs 2 each of the Company at a price of Rs 84093 per subscription share through preferential issue on a private placement basisâ Shriram Finance said in its filingIt surpasses earlier major deals such as Emirates NBDâs investment in RBL Bank Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporationâs stake purchase in Yes Bank International Holding Companyâs investment in Sammaan Capital and the capital infusion by Warburg Pincus and ADIA into IDFC First BankThe company added that the fresh capital will support longterm growth and business expansion across its lending segmentsThe transaction involves a primary issuance of equity shares and is subject to shareholder approval regulatory clearances and other standard closing conditionsThe lender currently has assets under management of over Rs 281 trillion and operates through a nationwide network of 3225 branches across IndiaâThe Floor Price of the equity shares determined in accordance with Chapter V of SEBI ICDR Regulations is Rs 84093 per Subscription Shareâ it addedFollowing the announcement shares of Shriram Finance rose 415 per cent to Rs 9055 on Friday at around 224 pm IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/mufg-acquires-20-pc-stake-in-shriram-finance-for-rs-39-600-crore-654574.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 15:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/mufg-acquires-20-pc-stake-in-shriram-finance-for-nearly-rs-39-600-crore-654575.html Mumbai Dec 19 Japanâs banking major Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group on Friday announced that it has acquired a 20 per cent stake in Shriram Finance through a preferential allotment of shares in a deal valued at 44 billion or about Rs 39600 crore The transaction is set to become the largest foreign direct investment ever in Indiaâs financial services sectorUnder the deal MUFG will have the right to appoint two nominee directors to the board of Shriram FinanceThe investment highlights growing global confidence in Indiaâs lending and financial ecosystemAt nearly Rs 39618 crore the Shriram Finance transaction is the biggest investment in Indiaâs financial sector so farâThe Board has approved raising of funds of Rs 39617982878115 from MUFG Bank Limited a company incorporated under the laws of Japan by way of issuance of 471121055 fully paidup equity shares of face value Rs 2 each of the Company at a price of Rs 84093 per subscription share through preferential issue on a private placement basisâ Shriram Finance said in its filingIt surpasses earlier major deals such as Emirates NBDâs investment in RBL Bank Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporationâs stake purchase in Yes Bank International Holding Companyâs investment in Sammaan Capital and the capital infusion by Warburg Pincus and ADIA into IDFC First BankThe company added that the fresh capital will support longterm growth and business expansion across its lending segmentsThe transaction involves a primary issuance of equity shares and is subject to shareholder approval regulatory clearances and other standard closing conditionsThe lender currently has assets under management of over Rs 281 trillion and operates through a nationwide network of 3225 branches across IndiaâThe Floor Price of the equity shares determined in accordance with Chapter V of SEBI ICDR Regulations is Rs 84093 per Subscription Shareâ it addedFollowing the announcement shares of Shriram Finance rose 415 per cent to Rs 9055 on Friday at around 224 pm IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/mufg-acquires-20-pc-stake-in-shriram-finance-for-nearly-rs-39-600-crore-654575.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 15:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/fii-selling-puts-pressure-on-rupee-as-domestic-flows-support-equities-report-654584.html New Delhi Dec 19 Consistent foreign institutional investor FII selling weighed on the Indian rupee in November while domestic flows supported equity markets and bond yields hardened a report said on Friday The report from JM Financial noted that the rupee depreciated about 6 per cent in 2025 compared to the historical average annual depreciation of roughly 35 per cent citing FII outflows and tradeâdeal overhang with the USIt also highlighted robust growth in Banking Financial Services and Insurance BFSI and the automobile sectorBFSI indicators reflected stable system credit growth improving deposit growth and rising insurance premiums while asset management flows were largely stable the report saidOutside BFSI auto wholesales showed broadbased onyear growth infrastructure ordering moderated metal prices and steel volume softened sequentially and port cargo volume grew at a slower pace compared to the previous monthIndiaâs external balance improved as the merchandise trade deficit normalised to 245 billion in November from a steep 42 billion deficit in OctoberServices surplus continued to cushion Indiaâs external balance the report notedBond markets appeared to have called an end to the rateâcut cycle as yields hardened despite open market operations by the RBI and a 25 basisâpoint policy cut in DecemberSteady system credit growth in banks was steady at 115 per cent yearâonâyear and deposits grew to 102 per cent YoY Private banksâ Marginal Cost of Fundsbased Lending Rate MCLR eased to 94 per cent while PSU banksâ MCLR was flat at 88 per centThe report also noted that auto wholesales accelerated to 222 per cent growth onyear and commercial vehicles CV sales were up 266 per cent in NovemberIn December FPIs were net sellers in nine of 11 trading days Bank of Baroda in a recent report suggested that the rupee may remain volatile until a deal with the US is reached possibly by March 2026 IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/fii-selling-puts-pressure-on-rupee-as-domestic-flows-support-equities-report-654584.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 15:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/telecom-pli-clocks-rs-96-240-crore-sales-in-2025-5g-now-covers-999-pc-of-districts-654588.html New Delhi Dec 19 Indiaâs telecom sector saw major gains in 2025 as 5G services were rolled out across all States and Union Territories and became available in 999 per cent of the countryâs districts Ministry of Communications said on Friday The governmentâs productionlinked incentive PLI scheme helped generate Rs 96240 crore in sales Rs 19240 crore in exports and around 30000 jobs the ministry saidThe Department of Telecommunications said 2025 marked a year of deep transformation for the Indian telecom ecosystem driven by rapid 5G expansion stronger digital infrastructure and a clear push towards selfreliance under the Atmanirbhar Bharat visionWith population coverage of about 85 per cent 5G services are now widely accessible supported by the installation of over 508 lakh 5G base transceiver stations across the countryThe DoT noted that telecom growth has gone hand in hand with rising connectivity Overall teledensity rose to 8665 per cent by September 2025 up from 7523 per cent in 2014 while rural telephone connections grew by nearly 43 per cent outpacing urban growthInternet usage also surged with connections crossing the 100crore mark compared to just over 25 crore a decade agoBroadband adoption expanded sharply rising from 61 crore connections in 2014 to nearly 100 crore in 2025At the same time average monthly data consumption per wireless user jumped to 2401 GB making India one of the highest dataconsuming nations globallyMobile broadband speeds also improved significantly reflecting the impact of fibre expansion and 5G rolloutA major highlight of the year was the success of the telecom PLI scheme Under Atmanirbhar Bharat domestic manufacturing recorded sales of Rs 96240 crore exports worth Rs 19240 crore and employment generation of around 30000 jobsIndia also became only the fifth country in the world to develop its own indigenous 4G stack which is upgradable to 5GThe DoT said security and citizen protection were key priorities during the yearInitiatives such as Sanchar Saathi and the Financial Fraud Risk Indicator helped prevent telecomenabled fraud and protected citizens from financial lossesBanks and payment platforms flagged over 70 lakh suspicious transactions preventing losses of about Rs 450 crore IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/telecom-pli-clocks-rs-96-240-crore-sales-in-2025-5g-now-covers-999-pc-of-districts-654588.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 15:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/govt-empowering-sc-and-st-entrepreneurs-in-mses-minister-654590.html New Delhi Dec 19 In a bid to promote entrepreneurship among Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Triberun Micro and Small Enterprises MSEs the Ministry of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises MSME is implementing National Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Hub NSSH Scheme to fulfill the mandated 4 per cent of procurement from SCST MSEs under the Public Procurement Policy the government said on Friday The scheme has undertaken several initiatives to provide support which include capacity building programmes market linkage programmes organisation of Special Vendor Development programmes workshopsawareness programmes subsidy on purchase of plant and machineryequipment financial assistance for registration under Single Point Registration Scheme and enrollment on governmentpromoted ecommerce portals etcUnder the âSpecial Marketing Assistance Scheme SMASâ component of the NSSH Scheme SCST entrepreneurs are facilitated to participate in domestic and international exhibitions to strengthen and develop their capacities to participate in public procurement 3929 SCST entrepreneurs at a cost of Rs 3641 crore were facilitated for participation in domestic exhibitions in the country during the last five years said Minister of State for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Shobha Karandlaje in a written reply in Lok SabhaTo spread awareness about various benefits available under NSSH Scheme Conclaves Special Vendor Development Programmes SVDPs and awareness workshops are being organized at various locations in the countryThe scheme also actively uses social media platforms for wider dissemination particularly focusing on the intended audience said the ministerMeanwhile MSMEs exported goods worth Rs 95202335 crore in the current financial year up to SeptemberKarandlaje said the export data is based on MSMErelated products identified from the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics portal The government noted that Indiaâs export performance during this period showed strong momentum especially in highvalue and technologydriven sectors such as electronic goods pharmaceuticals and engineering products where MSMEs play a significant role IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/govt-empowering-sc-and-st-entrepreneurs-in-mses-minister-654590.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 15:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/india-to-be-global-ai-leader-by-prioritising-value-realisation-innovation-report-654336.html New Delhi Dec 18 India has the potential to be a global AI leader but faces a gap in value realisation and innovation with 44 per cent of executives still investing less than 10 per cent of tech costs in AI and only 25 per cent realising real value a report said on Thursday The report from Boston Consulting Group BCGX and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry FICCI said that Indian corporates often limit AI to micro problem solvingâuse cases instead of pivoting to functional transformationAIfirst businesses will redefine how Indian enterprises operate where AI will have the first right to perform a task Over 7080 per cent of routine tasks and 3050 per cent of reasoningbased tasks can be performed by AI the report notedIt further urged joined effort from corporates startups MSMEs and policymakers to enable significant economic value from AIThe report identified strategic priorities including investing in deep innovation and democratising access to the last mileFirms classified as âAI future builtâ can achieve up to 27 times return on invested capital and 17 times revenue growth the report saidâIndiaâs AI momentum is formidable driven by ambitious enterprises national institutions and a vibrant startup ecosystem The gap between AI adoption and AI impact persists and true value will come from building AIfirst businesses driving deep innovation and ensuring inclusive accessâ said Nipun Kalra Managing Director and Senior Partner at BCG and Head of BCGX IndiaIndia ranks in the top quartile globally for AI readiness but contributes less than 1 per cent of global AI patents the report noted adding that startup ecosystem is applicationrich but needs to significantly improve its innovation depthWith subsidised access to over 38000 GPUs for less than Rs 100 per GPU hour India has provided one of the lowest costs of compute There are plans to develop indigenous highend GPUs in the next 34 years it added IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/india-to-be-global-ai-leader-by-prioritising-value-realisation-innovation-report-654336.html Thu, 18 Dec 2025 14:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/ethanol-blending-in-petrol-reaches-1997-pc-minister-654354.html EthanoNew Delhi Dec 18 More than 1000 crore litres of ethanol have been blended during the Ethanol Supply Year ESY 202425 thereby achieving an average blending of 1924 per cent ethanol in petrol while in October ethanol blending of 1997 per cent has been achieved the Parliament was informed on Thursday The National Policy on Biofuelsâ2018 as amended in 2022 advanced the target of 20 per cent blending of ethanol in petrol from 2030 to Ethanol Supply Year 202526 November 1 2025 to October 31 2026Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies OMCs achieved the target of 10 per cent ethanol blending in petrol in June 2022 five months ahead of the target during ESY 202122 1206 per cent in ESY 202223 and 1460 per cent in ESY 202324 Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply to a questionIn order to ensure consistent availability of feedstock and infrastructure for ethanol production in the country the government has taken several steps which includes expansion of feedstock for ethanol production administered price mechanism for Ethanol procurement under the Ethanol Blended Petrol EBP programme lowered GST rate to 5 per cent for ethanol for EBP programme and introduction of various ethanol Interest Subvention Schemes EISS among othersThe government also allocated 52 Lakh Metric Tonne LMT of surplus Food Corporation of India FCI rice for ethanol production each for the ESY 202425 from November 1 2024 to October 31 2025 and ESY 202526 along with diverting 40 LMT of sugar for ethanol production for the ESY 202425 and unrestricted production of ethanol from sugarcane juicesugar syrup BHeavy Molasses as well as CHeavy Molasses for ESY 202526The government had notified the Pradhan Mantri JIVAN Jaiv Indhan Vatavaran Anukool fasal awashesh Nivaran Yojana 2019 amended in 2024 with the objectives to establish advanced biofuels including Sustainable Aviation Fuel projects in the country using lignocellulosic biomass and other renewable feedstocksUnder this scheme the maximum financial assistance of Rs 150 crore per project for commercial scale projects and Rs 15 crore per project for demonstration scale projects have been prescribed the minister said IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/ethanol-blending-in-petrol-reaches-1997-pc-minister-654354.html Thu, 18 Dec 2025 15:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/business/msme-exports-cross-rs-952-lakh-crore-during-april-sep-govt-654358.html New Delhi Dec 18 Indiaâs micro small and medium enterprises MSMEs exported goods worth Rs 95202335 crore in the current financial year up to September 202526 the parliament was informed on Thursday In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha the minister of state for micro small and medium enterprises Sushri Shobha Karandlaje said the export data is based on MSMErelated products identified from the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics DGCIampS portalThe government noted that Indiaâs export performance during this period showed strong momentum especially in highvalue and technologydriven sectors such as electronic goods pharmaceuticals and engineering products where MSMEs play a significant roleâThe total value of exports related to MSME products during the FY 202526 up to September is Rs 95202335 crore as per the data of MSME related products culled out from DGCIampS portalâ the minister saidâIndiaâs export performance during the period reflects strong momentum in key high value and technology driven sectors led by electronic goods pharmaceuticals and engineering goodsâ she addedTo further strengthen MSME exports the government has rolled out the Export Promotion Mission EPM a comprehensive framework aimed at improving the overall export ecosystemUnder this mission financial support is being extended through the Niryat Protsahan initiative which focuses on easing access to trade finance for MSME exportersAt the same time nonfinancial support is being provided through Niryat Disha which helps MSMEs with export quality standards regulatory compliance market access logistics facilitation and building a stronger export ecosystemâLower GST rates have made raw materials and services more affordable motivating small and medium enterprises and startups to scale up operations invest in innovation and compete both domestically and globallyâ she statedThis has strengthened local supply chains in key sectors such as automobiles textiles food processing logistics and handicrafts encouraging small businesses and startups to expand operations invest in innovation and compete more effectively in global markets IANS https://dailyworld.in/business/msme-exports-cross-rs-952-lakh-crore-during-april-sep-govt-654358.html Thu, 18 Dec 2025 15:30:00 +0530