India's economic engine is revving up, but navigating the global headwinds requires sharp strategy. The rupee's recent volatility against the dollar underscores the complexities facing Indian businesses, impacting everything from import-export trade to domestic inflation. This week alone, we've seen significant shifts in the IT sector, with major players announcing restructuring and a renewed focus on AI-driven solutions. Meanwhile, the burgeoning startup ecosystem continues to attract substantial funding, despite a cautious global investor sentiment. The government's recent policy announcements on infrastructure development and digitalization are poised to further shape the business landscape, creating both opportunities and challenges for entrepreneurs and established corporations alike. Understanding these market dynamics is crucial for success in today's rapidly evolving Indian economy. Stay informed with Abtak.com for the latest insights and analysis on key sectors including finance, manufacturing, and technology – empowering your business decisions in a dynamic market. Explore the complete business news section now to stay ahead of the curve.
Hyderabad: The dryer explosion at Sigachi Industries in Pashamylaram, which killed over 35 workers and injured dozens, stands as the deadliest industrial accident in the history of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, and among the worst in India's chemical sector. In past five years, the two states have witnessed several fatal explosions in chemical and pharma manufacturing units.The last major incident took place on August 21, 2024, when 17 workers died and more than 35 were injured in a massive explosion at Escientia Pharma in the Atchutapuram SEZ of Andhra Pradesh. Months before that, in April 2024, four people died and 16 others were injured in an explosion at SB Organics in Sangareddy, Telangana. A hot oil jacket leaked into the reactor, causing a blast. "The common thread in all these incidents is poor maintenance, unqualified staff, and a complete absence of documented safety protocols," said K Babu Rao, a retired CSIR scientist who tracked industrial violations in the region for over three decades. "Serious fallout like FIRs, compensation packages, and inquiry committees follow each explosion, but no one attempts to address the root causes."Given the spate of fatal accidents, experts have renewed calls to revive a long-delayed plan to form a joint inspection committee tasked with monitoring safety in industrial belts. Proposed in 2023 after repeated complaints from residents near such facilities, "The committee was meant to include officials from the Inspector of Factories, Telangana State Pollution Control Board (TGPCB), and other relevant departments. The committee was never formed. The plan was shelved after the member secretary was transferred," confirmed a TGPCB official.Meanwhile, environmentalists who have been flagging concerns about industrial zones like Pashamylaram and Patancheru since the 1990s have reiterated their demand to shift hazardous units away from residential areas. "What's missing is enforcement," said structural engineer SP Anchuri. "Under the Factories Act, hazardous units are required to conduct periodic risk assessments, install emergency relief systems, and train staff in chemical safety. But most skip drills, fudge documents, and continue hiring under-qualified contract workers." He added that the Hazardous Chemicals Rules also mandate both on-site and off-site emergency plans and temperature control systems, "but who checks if those exist or are ever updated?"Fire auditor C Andrew, who audited multiple chemical units over 45 years, stressed the need for modern fire suppression systems such as aerosol suspension and blanketing. "Most of these plants are decades old. There must be third-party safety audits every year. Newer facilities should adopt compartmentalisation, solvent storage and electrical panels must be on separate floors. That alone could prevent tragedies like these."................Industrial accidents in Telangana & Andhra Pradesh in past 5 years:August 2024: Escientia Pharma, Atchutapuram: MTBE vapour leaked during reactor operations & ignited on contact with an electrical panel, killing 17 & injuring over 35 during lunch hourApril 2024: SB Organics, Sangareddy: A hot oil jacket leaked into a reactor causing a violent blast; 4 workers died & 16 injured. The plant had no cooling system or trained staffJuly 2024: Vasant Chemicals, Atchutapuram: A benzophenone reactor exploded due to suspected thermal or pressure failure, killing a contract worker May 2020: LG Polymers, Visakhapatnam: Styrene gas leak from a failed refrigeration system created a toxic cloud, killing 11 & hospitalising hundreds; thousands exposedMay 2020: Biofuel Plant, Zaheerabad: A reactor exploded during welding repair due to flammable gas in the tank, killing 2 workers & injuring 1August 2022: Hindys Labs, Nalgonda: A reactor exploded during batch processing, killing 1 & injuring 6; this was the fourth such incident at the unit in two yearsJune 2022: Gowliguda, Hyderabad: Residual resin reacted with water during tank cleaning, causing a chemical blast that killed 1 worker & injured 2
Sivasagar, Jun 26 (PTI) Leakage of gas continued for the 15th day from a crude oil well of ONGC in Assam's Sivasagar district although the energy major on Thursday claimed that it is nearing to control the blowout. In its daily bulletin on the blowout, ONGC said it has achieved a key breakthrough in its ongoing operations in close coordination with international well control specialists from CUDD Pressure Control. "The team successfully cleared all remaining rig materials, including staircases, entangled wires and other structural components. "This critical step culminated in the safe remov ...Read More >
New Delhi, Aug 14 (SocialNews.XYZ) Easing inflation and favourable monsoon boosted rural demand in India in the April-June period this year, outpacing urban consumption once again, according to a new report. According to the report by global research firm NielsenIQ, rural markets and small manufacturers propelled the packaged consumer goods sector in Q2 2025. Rural markets grew twice as fast as cities, as urban areas showed signs of recovery, particularly in smaller towns. According to the report, e-commerce also rose significantly, led by increased shopper penetration and spending, especia ...Read More >
New Delhi, India, January 20, 2025 - According to a recent, global Recon Analytics survey commissioned by Seagate Technology, business leaders from across 15 industry sectors and 10 countries expect that adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) applications will generate unprecedented volumes of data, driving a boom in demand for data storage, in particular cloud-based storage. With hard drives delivering scalability relative to terabyte-per-dollar cost efficiencies, cloud service providers rely on hard drives to store mass quantities of data. Recently, analyst firm IDC estimated that 89% of ...Read More >
Hyderabad, July 18 (UNI) In view of the ongoing heavy rains in Hyderabad, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has directed all concerned departments to stay on high alert and ensure swift response to public grievances. The Chief Minister instructed officials from GHMC, HMDA, Water Works, Electricity, and Police departments to work in close coordination to prevent any rain-related disruptions. He also emphasised the need for immediate action in areas facing waterlogging, power outages, or other rain-induced issues. CM Revanth Reddy further directed the deployment of SDRF, NDRF, Hydra teams, and ot ...Read More >
India's export regulations have been amended by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, now permitting the export of Second Generation (2G) ethanol. This eco-friendly ethanol, derived from non-food sources like agricultural residues, aligns with sustainability goals due to its low CO₂ emissions. Exports necessitate valid authorization and feedstock certification, impacting ethanol under ITC(HS) Code 22072000. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) on Wednesday updated India's export ...Read More >
New Delhi: Three Indian citizens vanished mysteriously in Tehran. Darkness closed in as hope seemed lost. A ruthless Pakistani gang with potential links to ISI snatched them away, casting a shadow of fear. But relentless Indian diplomats refused to back down. Against all odds, a daring rescue mission ignited. Now, the captives are free, and a chilling game of espionage comes to light. The Punjab-based trio - Amritpal Singh from Hoshiarpur, Jaspal Singh from SBS Nagar and Hushnapreet Singh from Sangrur - had landed in Iran on May 1. Promised a clandestine route to Australia via Dubai and Tehra ...Read More >
New Delhi: Delhi govt has prepared a plan under which Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) bus drivers and conductors will receive regular training, with a focus on ethical values, customer service and safe driving, transport minister Pankaj Singh said on Friday. The move is for improving the public image of DTC buses.The minister mentioned that DTC bus drivers who fail to halt at designated stops or are found speeding will face strict departmental action.Several commuters have complained about the behaviour of DTC bus drivers. There have alleged that the buses often fail to stop at the designate ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Former head of Air India and chairman of the Railway Board Ashwani Lohani is the new Prime Ministers Museum and Library (PMML) director. The official order for his appointment was issued on Wednesday. A 1980-batch officer of the Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineering (IRSME), Lohani is known for turning around various organisations during his illustrious career. Following his retirement from IRSME service, he joined the GMR Group as the CEO. According to the order dated June 4, his appointment to the post of director, Prime Ministers Museum and Library in the rank and pa ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 18 (PTI) The Supreme Court has said money cannot be recovered by filing an FIR and seeking help of police as it quashed a cheating case against the producer of Bollywood movie "Tanu Weds Manu". A bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan expressed displeasure over the approach of the Allahabad High Court in dealing with the petition of producer Shailesh R Singh for quashing of the FIR against him by complainant Kunal Jain. "Money cannot be recovered, more particularly, in a civil dispute between the parties by filing a first information report and seeking the help of the ...Read More >
New Delhi, Aug 1 (PTI) Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will hold meetings with exporters from different sectors, including food processing, textiles, engineering, and chemicals, from August 2-4 in Mumbai to discuss the implications of 25 per cent tariff announced by the US, an industry official said on Friday. The official added that exporters from segments such as fisheries, engineering, IT, and pharma will also participate in the deliberations. Leather sector exporters are expected to meet the minister on August 4 here. The US on Friday slapped a 25 per cent tariff on India, p ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], August 14 (ANI): India's wholesale inflation, measured by the All India Wholesale Price Index (WPI), slipped further into the negative zone in July 2025, standing at (-) 0.58 per cent (provisional) compared to the same month last year, according to the Ministry of Commerce & Industry. This marks a continuation of the deflationary trend, with the decline largely driven by falling prices of food articles, mineral oils, crude petroleum & natural gas, and basic metals. On a month-to-month basis, however, the WPI rose by 0.39 per cent in July over June 2025. Also Read | BIGBANG ...Read More >
Bengaluru: A delegation led by chief minister Siddaramaiah, his deputy DK Shivakumar and some cabinet colleagues met Union defence minister Rajnath Singh Wednesday and sought central support for a wide range of proposals -- from setting up two defence industrial corridors and securing defence land for major infrastructure work in Bengaluru, to hosting an Indian Air Force (IAF) air show during this year's Mysuru Dasara celebrations.In a letter to Singh, Siddaramaiah urged the Centre to establish a defence industrial corridor each in North and South Karnataka, like those announced in Uttar Prade ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 15 (ANI): The Indian Sugar & Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) wrote a letter to Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry, voicing concerns regarding the potential removal of restrictions on ethanol imports for fuel blending, amidst ongoing trade discussions with the United States. In the letter, ISMA emphasised the critical role of the Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP) in promoting clean energy and uplifting Indian farmers. ISMA highlighted that the government's clear policy direction, anchored in the National Policy on Biofuels (2018) and supported b ...Read More >
New Delhi, July 18 (SocialNews.XYZ) Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri said that despite global volatility, India accounted for 16 per cent of global growth in crude oil consumption and is projected to contribute 25 per cent of such growth over the next three decades. In his address at the plenary session of the All India Petroleum Dealers Association (AIPDA) conclave, the minister said that the Government has ensured affordable and uninterrupted energy supply to citizens, even during times of global uncertainty. Highlighting India's achievements in the biofuels ...Read More >
Bengaluru: For millions of people, the sudden, sharp pain of tooth due to sensitivity can turn a sip of cold water into a jolt. Now, researchers at Indian Institute of Science (IISc), in collaboration with Bengaluru-based deep-tech startup Theranautilus, have engineered "CalBots" - magnetic nanobots that can seal the problem at its source.As per IISc, CalBots are 400-nanometre particles loaded with a calcium silicate-based bioceramic formula, designed to travel 500 micrometres deep inside dentinal tubules, the tiny tunnels in the tooth that lead to nerve endings. Guided by an external magnetic ...Read More >
HYDERABAD: With the kharif season underway and farmers facing an acute shortage of urea, agriculture minister Tummala Nageswara Rao has written to the Centre, urging immediate intervention to ensure timely and sufficient supply of the critical fertiliser. In letters addressed to Union minister for chemicals and fertilisers JP Nadda, Tummala highlighted the alarming gap between the state's demand and actual supply. The minister said the Centre had allocated five lakh metric tonnes of urea to Telangana for the months of April, May, and June. However, only 3.06 lakh metric tonnes have been suppli ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: Automatic weather stations (AWS) will be set up at block levels while automatic rain gauges (ARG) will be installed in every gram panchayat, as the state government Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Sky-met Weather Services Pvt Ltd for implementation of Weather Information Network Data System (WINDS) project. According to sources, the project is expected to benefit not only farmers but also the broader sectors of insurance and disaster management as it would create a robust and real-time weather monitoring system. The agreement was signed in the presence of ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: The Uttar Pradesh administration has strengthened security arrangements across several districts including Lucknow, Sambhal, and Moradabad to ensure peace and avoid any disruption, as Muharram processions and the Kanwar Yatra are being held at the same time.Large crowds gathered for Muharram processions across different regions, while preparations for the Kanwar Yatra are also underway. Police personnel have been deployed in all sensitive areas, and surveillance is being carried out using drones and CCTV cameras.In SambhalDistrict Magistrate Dr Rajender Pensiya while speaking to ANI ...Read More >
Jammu, Jul 18 (PTI) Senior officials of the Jammu and Kashmir government reviewed the arrangements for the smooth conduct of the 13-day-long Budha Amarnath pilgrimage in Poonch district that will begin on July 28. Deputy Inspector General of Police Tejinder Singh reviewed security in Poonch and stressed ensuring the safety of the devotees. "The first batch will depart from the Bhagwati Nagar basecamp in Jammu on July 28, moving towards the Mandi tehsil in Poonch in a regulated convoy amid full security arrangements," a spokesperson said. Jammu Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar and Inspec ...Read More >
New Delhi, Sep 15 (PTI) India's exports rose 6.7 per cent to USD 35.1 billion in August annually, while imports declined 10.12 per cent to USD 61.59 billion, according to government data released on Monday. Gold imports were down nearly 56 per cent in August, helping to trim merchandise trade deficit to USD 26.49 billion in August, as against USD 35.64 billion in the year-ago month. The US was top exporting destination for India at USD 6.86 billion showing a growth of 7.15 per cent year-on-year, followed by the UAE (USD 3.24 billion), the Netherland (USD 1.83 billion), China (USD 1.21 billio ...Read More >
Bengaluru : GPS Renewables, one of the leading global full-stack, renewable oil & gas companies offering technology and project solutions for climate-positive biofuel projects, has partnered with Council of Scientific and Industrial Research - National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL) to develop a first-of-a-kind commercial-scale production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) from ethanol. The same technology can be used to produce SAF from methanol as well. As part of the partnership, GPS Renewables will invest in developing technology based on a patented catalyst from CSIR-NCL. The technology ...Read More >
Jorhat, July 6: An illegal ice cream and ice manufacturing unit in Jorhat has sparked alarm after revelations of unhygienic production and unsafe ingredients, with products mostly consumed by children. The factory, located in Letekujan in Titabor, has reportedly been running for a long time without any license or official permission from the authorities. Local sources allege that the factory has been producing various colorful ice creams and ice blocks using dirty water and artificial chemicals, which pose a serious threat to public health. Residents say the factory supplies its products to ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 16 (ANI): India's goods trade deficit is projected to widen to USD 300 billion in FY26, up from USD 287 billion in FY25, as weak global demand weighs on exports while resilient domestic consumption is expected to fuel higher imports, as anticipated by ICICI Bank Global Markets in its latest report. The report attributes the sluggish growth in merchandise exports largely to tepid demand from non-US markets. While shipments to the US have held up due to the front-loading of trade, exports to other key geographies have failed to gain momentum. Also Read | China Shocker: ...Read More >
Shimla, Jul 17 (PTI) Himachal Pradesh High Court has directed the state government to remove encroachments on forest lands, including the fruit-bearing trees, all across the state and not limit it to some areas. The order was passed by a division bench consisting of Justices Vivek Thakur and Bipin C Negi on Wednesday after the Advocate General placed on record fresh instructions issued by Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, informing that 2,456 apple and other fruit trees have been felled from forest lands in Chaithla village, and 713 and 490 trees in Rohru and Kotgarh forest divisions, r ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar/Gopalpur: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday laid the foundation stones for five major industrial projects at the Tata Steel Special Economic Zone Limited's (TSSEZL) Gopalpur Industrial Park (GIP) in Ganjam district. With a cumulative investment of over Rs 20,500 crore, these projects mark a significant boost to the state's fast-growing industrial base. Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Majhi said, "Ganjam has emerged as a dynamic industrial destination due to its robust infrastructure, a strategically located port, and a pool of skilled manpower. With inv ...Read More >
Mumbai, June 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) On her milestone 50th birthday, Shilpa Shetty took a heartfelt moment to reflect on her incredible journey and the defining stories that have shaped her both personally and professionally. Celebrating decades of success and growth, she shared insights into the experiences that made her the strong and inspiring woman she is today. Taking to Instagram, she posted a video of her transformation over the years and wrote, "Grateful for my journey and the stories that made me and the ones still on my way. Thank you for all your love and wishes Instafam. #Gratitude #lo ...Read More >
BENGALURU: Following the stampede at M Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4, which claimed 11 lives and injured over 60 people, the Karnataka police have issued a detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for crowd management at public events and mass gatherings. The move comes after Home Minister G Parameshwara announced that the government would create specific guidelines to prevent such tragedies in the future. The SOP emphasises prioritising safety to life, protection of rights, de-escalation of conflict and prevention of damage to property. It notes that modern gatherings are often spontaneou ...Read More >
Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Tuesday reassured that global energy supplies remain adequate despite ongoing geopolitical conflicts that traditionally impact crude oil prices. Speaking on the sidelines of a national seminar in New Delhi, Puri addressed concerns about energy security in the context of heightened global uncertainties. "There are many things that have an impact on crude prices. People say that if there is military conflict somewhere, it will have an impac ...Read More >
Dimapur, Jul 18 (PTI) Two persons have died of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) in Nagaland, a health department official said on Friday. Chief Medical Officer, Dimapur, Dr Yartenla Jamir, said that of the seven JE cases detected in Dimapur, Chumoukedima, and Niuland districts, two persons have died so far. She expressed concern over the rise in Japanese encephalitis (JE) cases in the three districts, especially during the monsoon season, which increases the risk of transmission. The Health department has urged district administrations to issue a public advisory on JE prevention measures and to i ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], August 14 (ANI): India wholesale inflation, measured by the All India Wholesale Price Index (WPI), slipped further into the negative zone in July 2025, standing at (-) 0.58 per cent (provisional) compared to the same month last year, according to the Ministry of Commerce & Industry. This marks a continuation of the deflationary trend, with the decline largely driven by falling prices of food articles, mineral oils, crude petroleum & natural gas, and basic metals. On a month-to-month basis, however, the WPI rose by 0.39 per cent in July over June 2025. The WPI captures pric ...Read More >