Page 12 - Industry News

Delhi-NCR startups raise $2.9 bn in 2025; auto tech jumps: Report

Total funding in the Delhi-NCR tech ecosystem rose 9 per cent to USD 2.9 billion in 2025, driven by a massive surge in late-stage investments and a blockbuster year for the auto tech sector, according to a report by data intelligence platform Tracxn. While the total capital raised saw an uptick from USD 2.7 billion in 2024, the ecosystem witnessed a significant 34 per cent decline in deal volume, with the number of funding rounds dropping to 415 from 630 in the previous year. This indicates a "shift toward higher conviction in fewer assets", the report noted. Total funding growth was driven by a sharp rise in late-stage investments, while seed and early-stage funding fell compared to previous years. Late-stage funding witnessed a 47 per cent surge, reaching USD 1.8 billion in 2025. In sharp contrast, seed-stage funding plummeted by 38 per cent to USD 260 million, while early-stage funding dropped 18 per cent to USD 839 million. The auto tech sector emerged as the frontrunner of ...

US-Bangladesh pact to put India's textile, cotton exports in a spot

India's textile industry sees the US-Bangladesh trade deal as a mixed outcome, with zero reciprocal tariffs for some Bangladeshi goods potentially hurting apparel and cotton yarn exports

Share of flexi workers rose to 70% from 20% in 5 years, says report

The share of flexi workers in India's workforce rose sharply to 70 per cent in 2025 from 20 per cent in 2020, while the proportion of permanent workers declined, an ISF report said

India's joblessness falls to three-quarter low of 4.8% in Q3 FY26

India's unemployment rate eased to a three-quarter low of 4.8% in Q3FY26, helped by higher labour force participation and a decline in youth joblessness, latest PLFS data showed

Limited charging infra biggest challenge to EV growth: Auto firms

Auto industry executives say lack of charging infrastructure, reliability issues and low consumer confidence continue to slow electric vehicle adoption in India despite rising demand

Gig workers find their voice: Push grows for welfare and protections

Back-to-back service sector strikes underline rising worker assertion in the gig economy and test whether new labour reforms can deliver real security

Rethink auctions, retain safeguards: NITI Aayog on critical minerals

NITI Aayog has urged retaining public consultation and revisiting auction-led exploration by allowing conditional first-come-first-served access for early-stage critical mineral projects

SC nudges FSSAI to 'seriously' consider front-of-pack warning labels

The Supreme Court urged FSSAI to evaluate front-of-pack warning labels on packaged foods, citing concerns over excessive sugar, fat and sodium and the need to protect public health

India's January power demand hits 16-year high at 143 billion units

Peak power demand in January touched 245 gigawatt (Gw), surpassing the previous summer peak of 243 Gw recorded in June last year

India's net zero roadmap sees coal demand peaking by 2050 before steep fall

Niti Aayog's Net Zero reports project coal demand rising till 2047 even as India scales up clean energy, electrifies industry and transport, and targets net zero emissions by 2070

Bringing urea under NBS scheme faces farmer income, pricing challenges

Pilot trials using Agri Stack and farmer IDs to rationalise urea use have shown promise, but issues of bringing urea under the Nutrient Based Subsidy and rationalising retail prices remain

Cholamandalam Financial posts 27% rise in Q3FY26 profit to ₹1,386 crore

Cholamandalam Financial Holdings Ltd on Tuesday reported a 27 per cent rise in consolidated profit after tax to Rs 1,386 crore for the October-December 2025 quarter. The city-headquartered company, part of the diversified Murugappa Group, had posted a profit after tax of Rs 1,093 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous financial year. Cholamandalam Financial Holdings Ltd (formerly TI Financial Holdings Ltd) has significant shareholdings in group companies, including Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Company Ltd, Cholamandalam MS General Insurance Company Ltd and Cholamandalam MS Risk Services Ltd. In a statement, the company said profit after tax for the nine-month period ended December 31, 2025, rose 14 per cent to Rs 3,860 crore, compared with Rs 3,378 crore in the same period a year ago. Total income for the OctoberDecember 2025 quarter increased 17 per cent to Rs 10,084 crore from Rs 8,593 crore in the year-ago period. For the nine-month period ended December 31,

Family business groups bullish on expansion, growth despite hurdles

PwC's latest survey finds 36% of Indian family businesses lack a clear succession plan, even as most remain confident about growth and expansion despite governance gaps

Overhaul the labour regime: Unions ill-prepared for tech reshaping work

India needs simpler, more flexible labour Codes and modernised trade unions, not a return to 29 outdated laws that hurt productivity, formalisation and competitiveness

Piyush Goyal to meet exporters on Feb 11 as India eyes major trade pacts

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will hold a meeting with representatives of export promotion councils and industry associations on February 11 here amid finalisation of trade pacts with the US and the European Union, an official said on Monday. The meeting is important as India and the US have finalised a framework for signing the first phase of the bilateral trade agreement. Under this, the US has agreed to reduce the 25 per cent reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods to 18 per cent. It has already eliminated the punitive 25 per cent tariffs on India, which was imposed in August last year for purchasing Russian crude. Indian exporters were eagerly waiting for this deal as the US is the largest export destination for several labour-intensive sectors such as textiles, leather and footwear and gems and jewellery. The steep 50 per cent tariffs were hurting India's exports to America. The industry official said that all the export promotion councils have been invited for the .

Workers expect timely payments, income security under Labour Codes: Study

A perception-based VVGNLI study finds most workers expect better income security and timely wages under the new Labour Codes, even as awareness and clarity on provisions remain uneven

Sidbi, Nabfid and Hudco to tap debt capital market for ₹13,500 crore

Sidbi, Nabfid and Hudco will raise Rs 13,500 crore through bond issuances this week, even as higher yields and geopolitical risks continue to weigh on corporate debt fundraising

Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission signs 3 MoUs to strengthen drug safety

The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) has signed memoranda of understanding with the Goa State Pharmacy Council, Quality Council of India, and HLL Infra Tech Services Limited, to strengthen drug safety, quality assurance, and capacity-building initiatives. The IPC, an autonomous body under the Health Ministry, has been making efforts to foster institutional partnerships with regulatory bodies, professional councils, quality organisations, and public sector enterprises to strengthen pharmacovigilance systems, enhance professional competencies, and promote uniform standards for medicine quality and patient safety across India. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between IPC and Goa State Pharmacy Council (GSPC) provides a structured framework for collaboration in pharmacovigilance, rational use of medicines, and professional development of pharmacists in the state, the health ministry said in a statement. It envisages promotion of the National Formulary of India among ...

Sky Gold and Diamonds posts over twofold jump in Q3 profit at ₹81 cr

Sky Gold and Diamonds Ltd on Monday reported more than twofold jump in consolidated profit to Rs 80.53 crore for the December quarter. Its net profit stood at Rs 36.53 crore in the year-ago period. Total income rose to Rs 1,775.12 crore during the October-December period of the fiscal year from Rs 1,005.09 crore in the corresponding period of the preceding year, according to a regulatory filing. Established in 2008, Mumbai-based Sky Gold and Diamonds Ltd is a B2B jewellery manufacturers, specialising in lightweight, design-led and studded jewellery. The company serves India's leading jewellery retailers and is expanding into global markets.

Euler Motors partners Jio-bp to expand EV charging network across India

Electric commercial vehicle manufacturer Euler Motors on Monday said it has tied up with Jio-bp to collaborate on expanding EV charging infrastructure across high-demand logistics hubs in India. The strategic partnership aims to support the growth of electric commercial vehicles by improving charging accessibility for fleet operators and users nationwide. As part of the collaboration, the partners will identify business hubs for commercial EV deployment. "India's transition towards sustainable mobility requires strong collaboration between vehicle innovation and energy infrastructure. Our partnership with Euler Motors represents a shared commitment to accelerating the electrification of commercial logistics, a segment that will play a decisive role in reducing urban emissions and improving freight efficiency," Jio-bp Chairman Sarthak Behuria said in a statement. Ashish Tandon, Global Head of Customer Excellence, Euler Motors, added that the MoU brings together two committed partner