Colliers identifies 30 industrial and warehousing hubs -- 8 prime, 12 emerging and 10 nascent -- across India, driven by infrastructure growth, manufacturing expansion and strong policy support

IIP, index of industrial production, manufacturing, industrial production

Business Standard

For the first time, demand for Chinese smartphones dropped in India as buyers shift to premium models; rising component costs are also pushing prices higher

mobile, Automobile, Phone, Smartphone

In a move aimed at speeding up approvals for new drugs, the government has changed the way testing permissions are granted, allowing companies to begin laboratory testing immediately after filing applications instead of waiting for detailed scrutiny.
In an official circular, the country's apex drug regulatory authority, Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), said it has decided that "No Objection Certificate (NOC) for testing of drug samples at the designated laboratories (IPC, Ghaziabad; CDTL, Mumbai; CDL at CRI, Kasauli; or NIB, Noida) shall be issued immediately upon receipt of applications in the concerned division."
Earlier, the regulator examined detailed specifications submitted by applicants before issuing permission for testing.
These included "Type of formulation, dosage form, Critical Quality Attributes (CQAs), and general characteristics of the product," along with "Product development reports, forced degradation studies, and other relevant data, in ...

Pharma

The circular further stated that this move would shift the focus to faster movement of files while retaining technical scrutiny for later stages

Press Trust of India

The entire 11,790 MHz of spectrum recommended to be put up for auction would be valued at around Rs 2.1 lakh crore at the reserve price if fully taken up, sources said after telecom regulator TRAI's suggestions on the modalities for bidding of radiowaves.
Sources further said that overall, the spectrum is 19 per cent cheaper than prices recommended in 2022.
According to sources, if the entire spectrum - 11,790 MHz - is assigned in the auction, it would be worth Rs 2.1 lakh crore at the base or reserve price.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) on Tuesday recommended auctioning the entire available radiowave spectrum, while proposing lower entry barriers for new players and a uniform 35 per cent spectrum cap to safeguard competition in the telecom sector.
While urging the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to reclaim spectrum held by telecom companies undergoing insolvency, Trai proposed halving the net worth criteria for new entrants from Rs 100 crore to Rs 50 cror

telecom, TRAI, Airtel

Sources further said that overall, the spectrum is 19 per cent cheaper than prices recommended in 2022

The corporate affairs ministry will introduce a three-month compliance facilitation scheme for companies to submit their pending filings with reduced fees, as well as condone the delays.
The scheme, which will be operational from April 15 to July 15, comes after representations from various stakeholders seeking more time for making the filings.
There are more than 20 lakh active companies in the country.
Under the 'Companies Compliance Facilitation Scheme, 2026 (CCFS-2026)', there will be a one-time compliance window for companies to regularise pending filings with reduced fees and condonation of delay, the ministry said on Wednesday.
In a circular issued on Tuesday, the ministry said the number of active companies has crossed the 20 lakh-mark and the rate of growth of companies in the country corresponds to the increase in the formalisation of the economy, which consists of many new-age entrepreneurs, MSMEs and producer companies, among others.
"The ministry has received ...

India IT industry, IT services, automation, artificial intelligence, AI, generative AI, Gen AI, skill transformation, organisational structure, entry-level engineers, pyramid structure, diamond-shaped workforce, mid-tier workforce, IT hiring trends,

The scheme, which will be operational from April 15 to July 15, comes after representations from various stakeholders seeking more time for making the filings

Sanjeev Sanyal, Member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, on Wednesday said that India has managed to sustain growth of 7-7.5 per cent while maintaining macroeconomic stability despite global uncertainties, while asserting that sequential growth with stability is key to achieving the goal of a "Vikshit Bharat".
Sanyal also said that West Bengal should reposition itself as a maritime state and consider setting up a large port.
Addressing a special session on 'India's Growth Story  Navigating Global Challenges' organised by the Merchants' Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI), Sanyal said it was a cliche to describe the present as uniquely uncertain, noting that the world had navigated crises such as the global financial meltdown and COVID-19 earlier as well.
He said India's macroeconomic parameters remain "in good shape", citing lower inflation, fiscal balance and a relatively contained debt-to-GDP ratio. The government, he added, adopted a conservative fiscal .

Sanjeev Sanyal

Sanyal also said that West Bengal should reposition itself as a maritime state and consider setting up a large port

RBI data shows listed private non-financial firms posted 10.1% growth in Q3FY26 - their first double-digit rise in nearly 3 yrs - driven by a rebound in manufacturing and stronger sectoral performance

Reserve Bank of India, RBI

Hybrids emerge as the preferred bridge technology as most buyers stay price-conscious, favour lower EMIs and take a cautious view on full electrification

cars, auto industry

Tarun Mehta, CEO of Ather Energy, said that India has no competition in the mid-tier EV two-wheeler segment and PLI schemes can help the industry expand its global footprint

Tarun Mehta

At February 10 meeting, BEE proposed separate yearly CAFE-3 emission targets

One target or five: Siam opposes Bureau of Energy Efficiency's CAFE 3 reset

CAFE 3

India ranks 47th in global ePV adoption in 2025 with just 4% penetration, far from its 2030 target, as infrastructure and policy gaps slow EV momentum

electric vehicle, ev industry

Compared with last year's Budget, the Union Budget 2026-27 builds on the credit framework while moving decisively towards equity funding, market-linked liquidity, and structured compliance support

MSMEs

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

Around 5,000 Yes Bank forex card customers were hit by fraudulent transactions totalling $280,000, with the bank blocking several attempts and initiating chargebacks to prevent financial loss

YES BANK

A committee formed by the director of the development and panchayats department of Haryana has recommended a police investigation after uncovering alleged forgery and procedural lapses involving officials from both IDFC First Bank and AU Small Finance Bank.
This committee was formed on February 11 to inquire into the matter related to IDFC Bank First accounts regarding "mismatch/issues".
The findings of this committee have been included in the FIR registered by the State Vigilance Anti-Corruption Bureau, following directives from the state government.
On Sunday, the IDFC First Bank disclosed a Rs 590-crore fraud committed by its employees and others in accounts held by the Haryana government.
The Anti-Corruption Bureau is currently conducting a probe into this matter.
An FIR in the matter has been lodged under Section 13 (2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, and Sections 316(5) (criminal breach of trust) 318(4) (cheating), 336(3) (forgery), 338 (forgery of valuable security), .

IDFC FIRST Bank

On Sunday, the IDFC First Bank disclosed a Rs 590-crore fraud committed by its employees and others in accounts held by the Haryana government

Credit card spending eased to Rs 2 trillion in January after festive highs, though outstanding cards rose to 116.65 million as issuers recalibrated amid tighter norms and shifting customer profiles

Credit Card

Fortnightly issuance hits ₹1.34 trn; outstanding at record ₹6.62 trn

Banks ramp up certificate of deposit issuances to bridge the credit–deposit gap as funding costs stay high despite RBI liquidity support.

Industry News: Find the top news on industry, banking & financial sector, manufacturing industries news, industry trends, corporate news and many more on Business Standard.

Industry

Auto

SME

Banking