Msmes

DRDO unveils two advanced armoured platforms for Indian defence forces

Two key armoured platforms designed and developed by the DRDO, to meet the emerging operational requirements of the armed forces, were unveiled on Saturday. The Advanced Armoured Platforms (Tracked and Wheeled), designed and developed by Vehicles Research & Development Establishment, were unveiled by Secretary, Department of Defence (R&D) and Chairman, DRDO, Samir V Kamat at the premises of the DRDO's laboratory in Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra, the defence ministry said. "The platforms have been developed to meet the emerging operational requirements of the defence forces," it said in a statement. Both the platforms have been integrated with indigenously designed and developed 30 mm crewless turret, with advanced features to meet the mobility, fire power and protection requirements, it said. The 30 mm crewless turret along with the 7.62 mm PKT gun is configured to launch Anti-Tank Guided Missiles as well. The base design has the capabilities to be configured for multiple roles. ...

Small business credit growth slows to 14.9 per cent: CRIF-SIDBI report

India's small business credit portfolio remains resilient at ₹47.8 lakh crore, though growth moderated amid a higher base, even as smaller-ticket loans gained share

Why India's AI ambitions demand a reset in virtualisation strategy

AI adoption accelerates across sectors, India must rethink virtualisation models to ensure cost efficiency, flexibility, and secure infrastructure capable of supporting scalable and inclusive growth

Govt explores ECLGS-like credit scheme for MSMEs amid West Asia crisis

The Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises is in touch with the Department of Financial Services to explore an ECLGS-like credit guarantee scheme to support MSMEs amid the West Asia crisis, a senior official stated on Wednesday. Responding to a media query on whether a credit guarantee scheme was in the works for MSMEs, Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Rajneesh said, "We are in constant touch with the Department of Financial Services regarding ECLGS kind of a mechanism. So, at an appropriate stage I will be in a position to share further details on this". The Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) was launched in May 2020 as part of Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan to support eligible MSMEs and enterprises in meeting their operational liabilities and restarting their businesses in the context of the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The scheme covers all the sectors. Field officers of the MSME Ministry are in constant

Govt should cap product testing charges under quality control order: GTRI

The government should cap testing charges for routine industrial products as high costs to comply with the quality control orders (QCOs) may impact the country's manufacturing and small importers, think tank GTRI said on Tuesday. While the QCO policy aims to improve product quality and consumer safety, the pace of expansion is putting pressure on testing infrastructure and has created significant compliance bottlenecks for MSMEs, the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said. "India's expanding quality control regime is imposing such high testing and certification costs that many MSME importers may be pushed out of business, leaving the market increasingly dominated by large importers," GTRI Founder Ajay Srivastava said. The charges arise under the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS) of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), under which foreign manufacturers of products covered by India's Quality Control Orders have to obtain BIS certification before exporting to ...

Centre eyes TReDS extension to defence procurement to ease MSME payments

Government is exploring extending TReDS to defence procurement to improve MSME liquidity, address delayed payments, and encourage greater participation in the sector

Lenders favour MSME loan restructuring over moratorium amid stress

Banks prefer restructuring MSME loans over moratoriums to maintain credit discipline, as stress from US tariffs and the West Asia crisis raises concerns over repayment capacity

RBI simplifies MSME onboarding on TReDS, removes due diligence norm

RBI proposes removing due diligence requirement for MSMEs on TReDS platform to improve access to working capital and encourage wider participation

MSME, retail demand to drive bank credit growth by 13% in FY27: Crisil

Newer options such as acquisition financing, now allowed for banks by the RBI, should also support credit growth

Beyond oil shock, Iran war is quietly straining India's financial system

A new report has flagged a delayed risk cycle for India from the US-Iran conflict, as liquidity tightens and cash-flow stress builds before defaults, even as headline indicators remain stable

Customs duty cut fails to lift plastic sector as input costs remain high

Industry says duty exemption on petrochemical imports has had limited impact as raw material prices stay elevated, demand weakens, and MSMEs face mounting stress

CII asks Finance Ministry for fiscal support amid West Asia crisis

Industry body proposes credit support, tax relief and policy steps to shield MSMEs, exporters and energy-intensive sectors from disruptions caused by the ongoing West Asia crisis

Rupee’s worst fall in 12 years, RBI curbs NDF trades, MSME moratorium push, RBL deal & more

RBI bars NDF trades with corporates The RBI has barred banks from offering rupee NDF contracts to corporate clients to curb speculation and stabilise the currency.

West Asia conflict: City of Glass cracks under Iran war's distant heat

Starting in Firozabad, where cooled furnaces and scattered shards of glass mirror fragile livelihoods, this six-part series traces the ripple of the West Asia war across India

The future of retail: How empowering small businesses can drive growth

India's MSMEs are reshaping retail through digital adoption, data-led decisions and e-commerce expansion, but unlocking their full potential will require stronger infrastructure, training, and ecosyst

CBIC removes ₹10 lakh cap on courier exports to boost e-commerce trade

Move to boost e-commerce exports and ease logistics as CBIC rolls out wider reforms, including faster clearances and simplified return mechanisms

HDFC Bank probes chairman's resignation letter; RBI's CBDC push; Fino PB withdraws CEO reappointment

Bankers seek debt moratorium for MSMEs With the West Asia conflict nearing a month, bankers have urged the RBI and Centre to consider a time-bound moratorium on debt repayments for MSMEs

Aluminium extrusion industry seeks Covid-style relief after shutdowns

Writes to three ministries flagging MSME stress; seeks lower interest rates, loan moratorium, and working capital support amid shutdowns and fuel supply disruptions

MSMEs face operational crisis as LPG shortage threatens jobs, growth

A critical shortage of LPG is pushing micro, small and medium enterprises towards an operational crisis, the Association of Indian Entrepreneurs said, calling for urgent intervention of central and state governments to prevent job losses in the sector. Association of Indian Entrepreneurs National Chairman K E Raghunathan highlighted that for thousands of small industries, commercial kitchens, and food processors, "LPG is not just a fuel, it is a lifeline of daily production." In a statement on Sunday, he said, "When supply becomes uncertain and prices rise sharply, MSMEs simply cannot absorb the shock." "Unlike large corporations, MSMEs operate on extremely thin margins. A sudden spike in energy costs or irregular LPG supply can force many units to cut production, reduce workforce, or temporarily shut down operations. If this situation continues, it could trigger a chain reaction impacting employment, supply chains and local economies," he added. Raghunathan urged the central and .

AI can help manufacturing MSMEs create up to $150 bn in value by 2035

AI could enable $135-150 billion in value creation for manufacturing MSMEs by 2035, a PwC-ORF study says, stressing a human-centric, augmentation-first approach to technology adoption