Plans to invest and hire more but is concerned about global uncertainty

India Inc, corporates, Indian CEOS

Business Standard

The government on Wednesday said it is extending import restrictions on low-ash metallurgical coke from January 1 till June 30, 2026.
However, the coke with high-ash content (above 18 per cent) is outside the scope of this restriction.
"Import of low ash metallurgical coke (having ash content below 18 per cent), including coke fines/coke breeze and ultra low Phosphorous metallurgical coke...is restricted from January 1, 2026, till June 30, 2026, and shall be permitted only in accordance..., while imports of metallurgical coke with ash content above 18 per cent and other imports...shall continue to remain free," the directorate general of foreign trade said in a notification.

Steel plant, US Steel plant, Clairton Coke Works

Government extends curbs on low-ash metallurgical coke imports till June 30, 2026, while allowing free imports of high-ash coke

Press Trust of India

Prices of cooling appliances such as room air conditioners and refrigerators may go up 5-10 per cent from January 1, 2026, as the new revised star rating from the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) comes into force.
This hike, which will be applicable from January 1, 2026, will almost offset the price advantage which the consumers have got from the GST reforms in September this year on room air-conditioners (RAC), where duty was slashed 10 per cent.
Besides the fall of the Indian rupee against the US dollar and global increase of copper prices is also putting pressure on manufacturers' margins.
Despite this, leading manufacturers such as Voltas, Daikin, Blue Star, and Godrej Appliances are unfazed and expect this to help to keep the carbon footprints lower.
The new 5-star AC under the new revised BEE norms is 10 per cent more energy efficient; however, it will also increase the prices by around 10 per cent, said Blue Star Managing Director B Thiagarajan.
"New 5-star is a new produc

AC, air conditioner, inflation

Besides the fall of the Indian rupee against the US dollar and global increase of copper prices is also putting pressure on manufacturers' margins

Quick commerce and food delivery platforms saw an uptick in New Year's Eve demand, with grapes searches surging on Instamart and purchases spiking on Zepto

India quick commerce, qcom market India, Statista projections, Blinkit Zepto Instamart, quick commerce growth, qcom funding India, dark stores India, online grocery India, rapid delivery market, global qcom rankings

EU's carbon border levy enters its payment phase from January 1, 2026, with Indian steel and aluminium exporters facing price pressure and tougher emissions data compliance

Emissions rising from a Tata Steel plant in IJmuiden, Netherlands

After moderating in FY26, India's gas demand is expected to rebound in FY27 on higher industrial offtake and city gas distribution expansion, aided by softer LNG prices

LNG, NATURAL GAS, OIL SECTOR

The labour ministry has extended the SPREE 2025 deadline to January 31, 2026 after requests from employers and state governments, keeping 'no past dues' and no inspections benefit

Labour ministry

Eight more firms will start claiming auto PLI incentives from FY27, taking the total to 18, while the government moves to invoke guarantees of 10 firms for zero investment

automobile manufacturer, auto PLI firms

Delhi Transport Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh has called a January 2 meeting with five automakers and SIAM on the draft EV Policy 2.0, even as broader consultations continue

Electric vehicle

Hyundai Motor India Ltd on Wednesday said it will increase prices by around 0.6 per cent across its model range, effective from January 1, 2026, citing a rise in the cost of precious metals and commodities.
The company will implement a weighted-average price increase of around 0.6 per cent across its model range due to the rise in the cost of precious metals and commodities, Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL) said in a regulatory filing.
"While the company continuously strives to optimize costs and minimize the impact on its customers, the company is constrained to pass on some of the increased costs to the market through this minor price increase," it added.
At present, the company sells a range of vehicles, from the hatchback i10 Nios to the electric SUV IONIQ 5, priced from Rs 5.47 lakh to over Rs 47 lakh (ex-showroom).

Hyundai, Hyundai motors, Hyundai IPO

At present, the company sells a range of vehicles, from the hatchback i10 Nios to the electric SUV IONIQ 5, priced from Rs 5.47 lakh to over Rs 47 lakh (ex-showroom)

The government has pulled subsidies for electric three-wheelers under PM e-Drive after the segment reached its adoption target, with EV penetration at around 32%

three wheeler auto rickshaw

TNC Rajagopalan answers SME queries related to GST, export and import matters

export

Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy unveiled third round of speciality steel PLI scheme with relaxed thresholds, updated pricing benchmarks, and wider MSME participation to boost steel manufacturing

H D Kumaraswamy (Photo: X/@hd_kumaraswamy)

Base year revised, thresholds relaxed to reflect current market trends

Trade expert cites FTP Para 1.08 and CBIC circulars requiring that export consignments not be detained beyond three days, and clarifies documentation norms under the Advance Authorisation scheme

trade

UK fintech Tide will invest 500 million euros (₹6,000 crore) in India over five years from 2026, creating 800 jobs as it deepens its commitment to the country's fast-growing SME sector

investment

RBI data show public sector banks added staff in FY25 for the first time in five years, while private banks' headcount fell, led by a sharp drop at ICICI Bank

MSME credit target FY26, MSME loans public sector banks, PSB MSME lending growth, Finance Ministry MSME focus, India MSME sector credit, SBI MSME loan target 2025, PNB MSME lending growth, MSME credit outstanding FY25, MSME loan YTD growth 2025, GNPA

Bandhan Bank said it has sold stressed loan portfolios worth over Rs 6,800 crore to ARCIL and Phoenix ARC to reduce NPAs and refocus on core lending

Bandhan Bank

RBI said banks remain resilient with low bad loans and strong capital, but credit growth outpacing deposits will keep resource mobilisation competitive, requiring strong governance and risk management

Illustration: Ajaya Mohanty

Nabard withdrew a planned ₹7,000 crore three-year bond issue after bids stayed elevated, signalling muted transmission of the RBI's recent rate cut and pressure at the short end

NABARD, Nabard

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