Industry News

Gas-based power plants increasingly becoming impractical: NTPC chief

NTPC Chairman Gurdeep Singh flags viability concerns for gas-based power plants amid fuel supply uncertainties and stresses need for flexible generation solutions

SC reserves verdict on 'industry' definition, re-examines 1978 ruling

Supreme Court reserves verdict on redefining "industry" under labour law, revisiting 1978 ruling that expanded scope of protections across sectors

PM Modi calls for global investment as power sector needs $2.2 trillion

PM Modi invites global investors to India's power sector, which needs $2.2 trillion over two decades to support energy transition and infrastructure expansion

Retailers embrace redesign, renovation as premiumisation takes centre stage

Retailers are redesigning stores with minimalist aesthetics and premium formats as rising consumer demand for curated experiences drives a shift in retail presentation

Uttar Pradesh approves food processing projects worth over ₹200 crore

The approved private projects encompass farm segments including vegetables, horticulture, dairy, and poultry

Cabinet clears ₹33.7K crore BHAVYA scheme for 100 industrial parks

The new Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojna or BHAVYA scheme, to develop industrial parks over an estimated 33,600 acres of land, will be implemented with States through a challenge mode

Petrol dealers may face cash crunch as OMCs seek advance payments

Dealers warn of reduced fuel orders as refiners end credit supply amid losses on petrol and diesel sales with retail prices unchanged

Centre clears IFFCO's nano NPK fertilisers under FCO amid West Asia war

Approval of nano NPK products aims to cut reliance on conventional fertilisers and ease supply pressures amid gas shortages linked to West Asia conflict

India needs bigger banks, consolidation for $30 trn goal: Former RBI DG

Former RBI deputy governor flags need for larger financial institutions, stronger capital base and consolidation across banking and NBFC sectors to support economic expansion

Govt clears ₹1,718 crore MSP support to CCI for cotton procurement

The government on Wednesday approved Rs 1,718.56 crore as reimbursement for price support extended under MSP operations to the Cotton Corporation of India for the procurement undertaken in the 2023-24 cotton season. The decision was taken by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. As market prices of cotton fell below MSP during the season, the government agency had to undertake MSP operations to the extent of 32.84 lakh bales, benefiting about 7.25 lakh farmers and paying about Rs 11,712 crore directly into their bank accounts, officials said. The cabinet approved incurring expenditure towards reimbursement of price support extended under Minimum Support Price operations for cotton during Cotton Season 2023-24 (October 1, 2023, to 30 September, 2024), they added. "In a significant step towards strengthening farmer welfare and advancing the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, the CCEA has approved Minimum Support Price (MSP) funding of Rs ...

WGC proposes shared infrastructure to fix fragmented digital gold market

The World Gold Council has proposed a 'Gold as a Service' model to standardise digital gold and address trust and interoperability gaps

Odisha to take authentic Odia cuisine nationwide via restaurant chain plan

Odisha plans to promote its culinary heritage nationwide through dedicated restaurant chains across metros and tourist hubs, aiming to boost gastronomy tourism and cultural branding

Company, customers, and professionals can all win: Pronto's Anjali Sardana

Pronto's 23-year-old founder says daily bookings have grown 18-fold in seven months, as the startup targets 70,000 bookings a day by June

India plans ₹600 crore war chest to boost LNG supply for fertiliser units

With the West Asia war showing no sign of an early end, the government has started working on alternative plans to keep fertiliser units running once they resume operations

LPG shortage in Delhi-NCR leaves consumers scrambling for refills

Long queues and limited stock show a system not firing on all cylinders

Creative opportunities: India's AVGC sector moves up the value chain

The larger opportunity lies in the rapid expansion of the AVGC ecosystem. India's media & entertainment sector was estimated at around ₹2.5 trn in 2024 and is projected to reach about ₹3 trn by 2027

India's sugar output rises 10.5% to 26.21 MT in 2025-26 season: ISMA

India's sugar production reached 26.21 million tonne so far in the ongoing 2025-26 marketing year, up by 10.5 per cent from the year-ago period, industry body ISMA said on Tuesday. The sugar output so far has exceeded the total net production of 26.12 million tonne in the full 2024-25 marketing year (October-September). The crushing was underway as 157 mills were in operation as on March 15, while 379 mills remained closed. According to Indian Sugar and Bio-energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA), mills have manufactured 26.21 million tonne of sugar as of March 15 of the 2025-26 marketing year, as against 23.72 million tonne in the year-ago period. As the sugar season advances and reaches its penultimate phase, the industry body said it continues to await an early upward revision of the Minimum Selling Price (MSP). "With production costs increasing and ex-mill realizations lagging, mills are facing mounting cash-flow pressures, leading to higher cane payment arrears," it said in a

West Asia conflict: Helmet makers flag safety risks amid cost surge

Helmet makers warn that rising input costs driven by global conflicts may lead to compromised safety standards, as price pressures intensify in India's competitive market

Policy response to heatwaves remains cool even as nationwide instances grow

An early March heat spike has raised concerns of a prolonged summer as El Niño risks grow. While preparedness has improved, gaps in planning, funding, and implementation persist

West Asia conflict scars begin to show on India Inc across sectors

With the war showing no signs of abating, the outlook for many sectors of India's industry is clouding over right now