Page 21 - Industry News

CRISIL SME Tracker: Sugar MSMEs set for steady growth amid diversification

The government's Financial Assistance to Sugar Mills for Enhancement and Augmentation of Ethanol Production Capacity has prompted MSME sugar players to diversify into distilleries

Easing of liquor policy for GIFT City to boost hospitality, investments

Gujarat has eased liquor rules in GIFT City by removing temporary permits for visitors and allowing licensed hotels and restaurants to serve across premises, while prohibition stays statewide

Costlier chips may squeeze 2026 smartphone sales as prices jump 40%

Increasing shortage of memory chips expected to push up its price by another 40 per cent

Real estate developers expect rate cut to boost housing sales momentum

Developers say lower home loan rates after RBI repo rate cuts have improved affordability across major cities, supporting buyer confidence and housing sales momentum into 2026

India ordered 93 million biryanis in 2025, Swiggy report shows trends

Burgers ranked second with 44.2 million orders, followed by pizza at 40.1 million. Veg dosa recorded 26.2 million orders

NTPC to set up 1 tonne-per-day green hydrogen plant in Greater Noida

The project will be set up through NTPC Energy Technology Research Alliance (NETRA), the Research & Development (R&D) wing of NTPC

India reclaims third place in global wind market in 2025: BNEF report data

BloombergNEF says India is set to add 6.2 GW of wind projects in 2025, helping it reclaim third place globally and narrowing the gap with the US in second place

Business@2025: From tax reforms to trade pacts, a year of course correction

The government moved to steady the economy amid global uncertainty. Crises at IndiGo and BluSmart, meanwhile, underlined the need for tighter oversight and stronger governance

Five first-time bidders enter 14th round of commercial coal auctions

Five companies bid for coal blocks for the first time as the 14th round of commercial coal auctions drew 49 bids for 24 blocks, signalling continued private interest in mining

Lower home loan rates improve affordability in 7 of 8 cities: Knight Frank

Knight Frank's Affordability Index shows lower home loan rates improved affordability in seven of eight top cities in 2025, with Mumbai's EMI stress falling below 50 per cent

SHANTI Bill sets out safety protocols for private sector in nuclear power

SHANTI nuclear law opens nuclear power to private companies through licensing and safety authorisations, while keeping strategic functions with the state and reshaping operator and supplier liability

Workers' unions to go on strike in Feb over new labour codes, SHANTI Bill

The date of the strike will be formally ratified at the National Workers' Convention to be held on January 9 in New Delhi

Discussions on labelling AI content over, rules to follow soon: IT secy

The primary feedback from the industry is around wanting clarity on the degree of modification to make clear distinctions between substantive, material changes through AI

Delhi amends excise rules, raises sacramental wine limit ahead of Christmas

Earlier, bishops were permitted to purchase and possess up to 91 litres of sacramental wine annually, which has now been increased to 4,000 litres

Retail space leasing in India's top 8 cities rises 15% this year: C&W

The demand of retail spaces in shopping malls increased to 3.8 million sq ft from 2.5 million sq ft during the period under review

India-New Zealand FTA to open new doors for skilled professionals: Diaspora

Negotiations for the FTA have been concluded and after completion of domestic approvals, it is expected to be implemented from next year

Quick commerce margins fall as FMCG brands spend more on platform ads

FMCG firms are reportedly being forced to spend more on advertising to stay visible on quick commerce platforms, where shoppers make impulse purchases within seconds

US visa curbs, AI surge shape cautious outlook for Indian IT in 2026

The visa proposals triggered market volatility in late 2025, disrupting travel plans and denting IT stocks, before partial clarifications offered limited relief

SC admits Fada plea on GST compensation cess; issues notice to Centre

The Supreme Court has admitted Fada's writ petition challenging the non-transition of accumulated GST compensation cess credits under GST 2.0, and issued notice to the Union government

Routine jobs will be lost as new tech gains ground: Narayana Murthy

Infosys founder N R Narayana Murthy said AI and other new technologies will eliminate routine work, but productivity gains can create jobs if workers learn to use and master these tools