Page 59 - Industry News

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

Regional dishes still rule Indian breakfast tables despite protein trend

Id Fresh Foods started selling rice batter for dosa and idli in 2005, identifying a white space in the packaged food market

Vineyards with wine tourism: A heady mix for hospitality business

Sula opened the country's first vineyard tasting room in the late-1990s, followed by amphitheatres, restaurants and festivals

BSP fabricates Bloom Caster Tundish in-house, a first for SAIL

Officials said the initiative has reduced the conventional procurement lead time from six to eight months to just two months

India's ferrous scrap imports jump 45% in FY26 as domestic supply lags

India's ferrous scrap imports rose sharply in the current financial year, underlining continued dependence on overseas supplies as domestic scrap generation remains structurally constrained

India regains favour, China slips to underweight allocation: BofA survey

BofA's Asia Fund Manager Survey shows India regaining a mild overweight as a diversification play against AI-led markets, while China slips to underweight on stalled momentum

Delhi HC keeps Powergrid tender ban on KEC in abeyance, allows bids

Delhi High Court has kept Powergrid's nine-month tender ban on KEC International in abeyance and allowed it to bid for ongoing projects, pending a fresh order by PGCIL

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