Page 132 - BS Premium
Rabi sowing over in 91% normal area, acreage 1.43% higher, shows data
Rabi sowing has covered 91% of the normal area so far, with total acreage 1.4% higher than last year, led by gains in wheat, mustard and pulses, official data shows
 "Rabi sowing over in 91% normal area, acreage 1.43% higher, shows data")
Practo eyes $1 billion GMV as US push adds $250-300 mn ahead of IPO
Digital healthcare platform Practo is targeting a $1 billion annualised GMV run-rate by June 2026, with US operations expected to add $250-300 million as it gears up for an IPO by end-2026
 "Practo eyes $1 billion GMV as US push adds $250-300 mn ahead of IPO")
US-focused funds' outlook in 2026: Expect consolidation, moderate returns
US-focused mutual funds surged in 2025 on an AI-led rally. In 2026, expect consolidation and moderate returns; rebalance mega-cap tech exposure and invest in phases
 "US-focused funds' outlook in 2026: Expect consolidation, moderate returns")
India's paid music market to hit high notes in next 5 yrs: Universal Music
Universal Music India expects the country to emerge as a major paid music market within five years as subscriptions rise and the industry pivots away from free streaming
 "India's paid music market to hit high notes in next 5 yrs: Universal Music")
UP govt plans to speed up over 100 defence projects worth ₹23,000 crore
The Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor (UPDIC) is a crucial element in the attempt to make India more self-reliant in the defence sector
 "UP govt plans to speed up over 100 defence projects worth ₹23,000 crore")
UP govt plans to speed up over 100 defence projects worth ₹23,000 crore
The Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor (UPDIC) is a crucial element in the attempt to make India more self-reliant in the defence sector
MGNREGA and the weight of change reignites debate over implementation
The proposal to rename the rural employment scheme, raise the number of guaranteed workdays and alter its cost-sharing structure has reignited debate over its implementation and intent
 "MGNREGA and the weight of change reignites debate over implementation")
Exim matters: US reform proposals challenge WTO's basic principles
US proposals to reform the WTO question core principles like MFN and special treatment for developing nations, deepening divisions and raising doubts over the future of rules-based trade
 "Exim matters: US reform proposals challenge WTO's basic principles")
Cheap oil-linked LNG supply to India trumps US gas amid trade talks
Indian buyers favour cheaper oil-linked LNG over US gas as henry hub prices and freight costs rise, cooling appetite for long-term US LNG deals amid ongoing trade talks
 "Cheap oil-linked LNG supply to India trumps US gas amid trade talks")
Weakening rupee makes long-haul travel costlier in 2025, data shows
Weak rupee and higher airfares are pushing up overseas travel costs for Indians, with long-haul destinations seeing package prices rise by up to 14% in 2025
 "Weakening rupee makes long-haul travel costlier in 2025, data shows")
Trade agreement between India and EAEU to exclude areas of services
The Eurasian Economic Union comprises five countries - the Russian Federation, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan
 "Trade agreement between India and EAEU to exclude areas of services")
Water-soluble fertiliser imports steady despite China export crackdown
Between January and November 2024 and 2025, data show that speciality water soluble fertiliser imports from China dropped by just 8.7 per cent, while overall it rose by 8.8 per cent
 "Water-soluble fertiliser imports steady despite China export crackdown")
Job transition with AI will not be as dramatic as feared: Susan Athey
Susan Athey talks about the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the workforce and the economy and how interoperability is important for competition in the digital space
 "Job transition with AI will not be as dramatic as feared: Susan Athey")
Railways hikes passenger fares for 2nd time in FY26; move may add ₹600 cr
'Modest' fare hike to have minimal impact on passengers while adding ₹600 crore to railway revenues, officials say, as costs rise and freight rates remain unchanged
 "Railways hikes passenger fares for 2nd time in FY26; move may add ₹600 cr")
Open offers highest since 2008 as acquisition, takeover attempts surge
Most open offers are for a minimum of an additional stake of 26 per cent and allow public shareholders an exit after the acquisition
 "Open offers highest since 2008 as acquisition, takeover attempts surge")
BS Poll: Rupee may trade around 90 against the dollar by December-end
Majority of the respondents said the domestic currency would appreciate to 88.5 against the dollar by end FY26
 "BS Poll: Rupee may trade around 90 against the dollar by December-end")
DPDP Act to change India's privacy regime: DSCI CEO Vinayak Godse
India's Digital Personal Data Protection Act will fundamentally alter how companies handle user data, mirroring GDPR's impact in Europe, says DSCI CEO Vinayak Godse
 "DPDP Act to change India's privacy regime: DSCI CEO Vinayak Godse")
Insurance intermediaries with high commissions may see payouts drop
Currently, 50 per cent of life insurance investment is allocated to government securities and the balance 50 per cent to other alternative investments
 "Insurance intermediaries with high commissions may see payouts drop")
Modi sounds poll bugle in Bengal, Assam; flags illegal immigration
PM hits out at TMC & Congress over the illegal immigrant issue; Opposition accuses him of neglecting other concerns in both states
 "Modi sounds poll bugle in Bengal, Assam; flags illegal immigration")
Insurance companies can't reject claim by delaying cheque presentation
The Bombay High Court ruled that an insurer cannot reject a claim by delaying the deposit of a valid premium cheque, holding the insurance company liable for deficiency in service
 "Insurance companies can't reject claim by delaying cheque presentation")