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.
NEW DELHI: In a major agricultural reform aimed at doubling cotton production in the country, the government is planning to legalise the controversial herbicide-tolerant (Ht) Bt cotton (HtBt cotton). The expert committee on HtBt cotton seeds has given a positive recommendation for its commercial cultivation to the top biosafety regulatory body, the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), after analysing three years of biosafety data. Environmentalists are concerned that the approval may lead to farmers indiscriminately spraying Glyphosate, a controversial herbicide used to eliminate weeds without harming cotton crops. This practice raises concerns about potential negative impacts on the environment and other crops grown in nearby fields. The GEAC appointed the committee in 2022 to study the adverse effects of HtBt cotton. The committee assessed the biosafety data of Bayer-owned, Monsanto-patented HtBt cotton for the years 2022-2024, reviewed the fresh risk assessment and risk management, and yield claim, and found it satisfactory. However, HtBt cotton cultivation has been occurring illegally in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana for many years. "If we approve commercial cultivation, then farmers who are getting 'unauthorised seeds' would get the right quality of seeds, where the seller would be made accountable," a senior officer said.
Guwahati (Assam) [India], July 1 (ANI): Assam has set a new record in paddy procurement by procuring nearly 7 lakh MT of paddy during the Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2024-25. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said, 'We are proud to announce the successful conclusion of Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2024-25 with a record paddy procurement of 6.97 lakh MT -- the highest ever.' In Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2022-23, the state procured 5.92 lakh MT of paddy, and in 2023-24, the state procured 3.14 lakh MT of paddy. 'This remarkable achievement reflects our commitment to e ...Read More >
Pointing to the increase in the country's stature in the world forum, he asked how, under these circumstances, the promises made to farmers cannot be fulfilled. "Policy-making is not on right track," he added.. Jagdeep Dhankhar's comments come amid a spike in farmer protests. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar took up the farmers' issue and questioned the government on their behalf today, directing most of his queries at the Union agriculture minister. Pointing to the increase in the country's sta ...Read More >
Dehradun, Jun 6 (PTI) The Centre and Uttarakhand government are committed to making the state a national hub of horticulture, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Friday. Interacting with farmers at a Kisan Chaupal in Pavwala Sauda village under Doiwala block of Dehradun, the agriculture minister said, "The quality of fruits, grains and vegetables grown in Uttarakhand is unique and they have full potential to make a mark at the global level." "The Centre and the state government together will make Uttarakhand a national hub of horticulture," he said. During his visit, the ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Monsoon covered the entire country on Sunday, nine days before the normal date, advancing into the remaining parts of Delhi-NCR, Rajasthan, west UP and Haryana, IMD said.This is only the fourth time in the past 25 years that monsoon covered NCR and remaining parts of northwest India the same day. The last time this happened was on July 13 in 2021, whereas the earliest date on which such an event took place was June 16 in 2013 -- the day Kedarnath witnessed a major disaster due to cloudburst and flash floods.It has taken monsoon 37 days to cover the entire country this time since its ...Read More >
Mumbai, Jul 2 (PTI) Opposition in the Maharashtra legislative assembly twice staged a walk-out on Wednesday over the issues of farmer suicides and non-payment to soybean cultivators whose crop was procured by government agencies. More than 700 farmers have ended their lives in the state in the first three months of this year, claimed Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar as he moved an adjournment motion seeking a discussion on the issue. Speaking on the notice for adjournment, he questioned the BJP-led government's priorities, citing the sanctioning of Rs 20,000 crore for the Shaktipeeth express ...Read More >
New Delhi: As India and the US prepare to seal a deal aimed at boosting bilateral trade, New Delhi is aiming for a balanced outcome while Washington is focused on securing deeper market access for its goods. Though India has drawn red lines around its sensitive sectors -- agriculture, dairy, and genetically modified (GM) food -- the US continues to push for significant concessions. It has signalled a potential 6% duty relief from the 16% reciprocal tariff hike announced on 2 April, which remains on hold until 9 July. However, three people familiar with the matter said that even if partial re ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 9 (ANI): Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday called a meeting in Coimbatore on July 11, 2025, at 10 am to address the declining productivity of cotton in India, which has been affected by the TSV virus impacting BT cotton, bringing together experts from various fields. Speaking on the issue through a self-shot video on the social media platform X, Chouhan said, The productivity of cotton in our country is currently quite low. In recent times, productivity has declined further due to the TSV virus affecting BT cotton. Cotton production is decli ...Read More >
Bathinda: With persistent rains lashing southern Malwa, Punjab's water-sensitive cotton crop has begun to suffer, particularly in areas where water stagnation is occurring. The damage is most pronounced in Fazilka district, where cotton cultivation spans over 60,000 hectares. Crop damage has already been assessed in more than 2,000 acres, just as the first picking was expected to begin within a fortnight.Experts warn that if water remains stagnant around cotton plants for over 72 hours, the plants begin to deteriorate. The situation is especially concerning given the reduced acreage under cott ...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 >
Majuli (Assam) [India], June 28 (ANI): Majuli, the river island district in Assam, has marked a significant milestone as its indigenous organic red bao paddy makes its debut in the global market. In a historic development, the first consignment of this unique variety of rice has been formally exported to countries in Central Asia and Europe, bringing smiles to the faces of Majuli's farming community. Also Read | Long-Awaited Relief for Retired Government Employees? 8th Pay Commission May Reduce Commuted Pension Restoration Period from 15 to 12 Years. The export initiative has been spearhead ...Read More >
New Delhi: Economic think tank GTRI on Saturday cautioned that allowing genetically modified (GM) farm products from the US under the proposed trade pact would have implications for India, as it may affect the country's agri exports to regions like the European Union. India and the US are negotiating an interim trade pact, which is expected to be announced before July 9. The Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said that allowing the import of GM products such as soybean meal and distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) for animal feed would affect India's agricultural exports to the E ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 9 (PTI) Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday expressed concern over the declining yield of cotton crops and said a meeting has been convened on July 11 in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, to address this issue. The minister released a video message informing about the meeting and also inviting suggestions from farmers. In his message, Chouhan said, "The productivity of cotton in our country is currently quite low. In recent times, productivity has declined further due to the TSV (tobacco streak virus) affecting BT Cotton. Cotton production is declining rapidly, ...Read More >
Navi Mumbai: Farmers are experiencing a significant setback because of the unpredictable rainfall. There is concern that planting will be lost because of heavy rainfall. Farmers are experiencing the embarrassment of leaving their fields uncultivated. Farmers are concerned because the seeds in their rice fields have decayed. Because the dust collector hasn't had an opportunity because of the rains, there is a call for the government to genuinely evaluate the situation of the farmers. This year, the farmers' planting timetable has disrupted since the rains began in May. There is concern that th ...Read More >
India and the US are in crucial trade talks. New Delhi is firm on its stance regarding market access in agriculture. This includes GM crops and dairy. India hopes for a deal before July 9. After July 9, reciprocal tariffs from the US will take effect. India will not compromise the interests of its farmers.The India-US trade pact talks are at a crucial stage with New Delhi sticking to the red line on the issue of market access in agriculture, genetically modified (GM) crops, and dairy, people privy to the development said. However, efforts are on to stitch the trade deal before July 9, when 26 ...Read More >
New Delhi: With just 48 hours left for 90-day pause on US reciprocal tariffs to end, the much-anticipated bilateral trade agreement (BTA) between India and the US has reached a critical stage. According to two officials in the Indian commerce ministry and one in Washington, the agreement is unlikely to be finalized without direct political intervention to resolve some of the remaining sticky issues. "It's down to the wire. Unless there's political direction, the deal may not go through in time," said the first of the two Indian representatives cited above. "If all goes well, the deal will b ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 12 (ANI): A significant meeting aimed at boosting cotton productivity was convened on Friday at the ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, under the leadership of Union Minister for Agriculture, Farmers' Welfare, and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The meeting saw in-depth discussions on the history of cotton, the current scenario, challenges, and future strategies for increasing cotton productivity in India, the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare said. Also present on the occasion were Union Minister of Textiles Giriraj Singh, H ...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, Aug 1 (PTI) Domestic export sectors such as leather, footwear, textiles and shrimp will be hit hard by the imposition of the 25 per cent tariff by the US, industry experts say. "Quick estimates suggest that India's goods exports in FY 2026 may come down by 30 per cent from USD 86.5 billion in FY 2025 to USD 60.6 billion in FY 2026," GTRI Founder Ajay Srivastava said. The duty, announced this week, will come into force from August 7 (9.30 am IST). These will be over and above the exiting standard import duty in the US. The 25 per cent tariff will replace the existing 10 per cent ba ...Read More >
New Delhi: The country's largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki has announced the rollout of its first made-in-India electric vehicle - the e-Vitara SUV - in a major boost to the green segment from its upgraded Gujarat plant, which is now set to become one of the world's largest automotive manufacturing hubs with a projected annual capacity of one million units. Crucially, this facility will serve as Suzuki's global production base for electric vehicles (EVs), exporting to over 100 countries, including advanced markets in Japan and Europe, which is aligned with India's vision of becoming a global aut ...Read More >
New Delhi: Economic think tank GTRI on Saturday cautioned that allowing genetically modified (GM) farm products from the US under the proposed trade pact would have implications for India as it may affect the country's agri exports to regions like the European Union. India and the US are negotiating an interim trade pact, which is expected to be announced before July 9.The Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said that allowing the import of GM products such as soybean meal and distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) for animal feed would affect India's agricultural exports to the Eur ...Read More >
MUMBAI, Aug 3 -- US President Donald Trump on Thursday slapped a 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods after prolonged talks that got bogged down over access to India's labour-intensive agricultural sector, which New Delhi has pledged to protect. Why is India opposing the products the US is lobbying for? The United States is pressing India to open its markets to a wide range of American products, including dairy, poultry, corn, soybeans, rice, wheat, ethanol, fruits and nuts. While India is willing to provide greater access for US dry fruits and apples, it is holding back on corn, soybeans, whe ...Read More >
Hyderabad: With the early onset of pre-monsoon showers, farmers across Telangana have started their agricultural activities ahead of schedule. However, the agriculture department is facing strong criticism for failing to provide adequate fertilizers and seeds necessary for the current season. According to officials, there is a significant shortfall in the availability of essential inputs like urea and cotton seeds, which may negatively impact crop planning and productivity across the state. Also Read: Madhuri Dixit Recalls 'Hum Aapke Hain Koun' Magic with Salman Khan as Monsoon Arrives For ...Read More >
New Delhi: The clock is ticking. Only a few days left before the July 9 deadline set by U.S. President Donald Trump. Hopes of a limited trade deal between India and the United States still linger. But the mood around the negotiating table feels anything but settled. The White House has publicly hinted that the deal is all but done. In New Delhi, officials have echoed a similar sentiment, calling the potential agreement "big, good and beautiful". Trump claimed it would open Indian markets to American goods. But behind closed doors, things remain tangled in tough back-and-forth. Key concerns h ...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 >
Srinagar, July 09: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said that Jammu & Kashmir's tourism sector is witnessing a strong revival, with a steady rise in the number of tourists visiting the Union Territory each day.Abdullah, while addressing reporters in West Bengal ahead of the Kolkata Tourism Fair, said, "Tourists are coming back to Kashmir in good numbers. The ongoingAmarnathYatra is proceeding smoothly with heavy footfall on both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes, he said."I spoke to several pilgrims, and they are all happy and satisfied with the arrangements. I have come to Kolkata to ta ...Read More >
CHENNAI: In a step to address the ongoing challenges in cotton cultivation, Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, will chair a high-level meeting in Coimbatore tomorrow (July 11). The meeting will focus on improving cotton productivity, combating virus attacks, and ensuring the availability of quality seeds for farmers. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, the meeting will bring together a wide spectrum of stakeholders, including cotton farmers, scientists, agriculture ministers of cotton-growing states, seni ...Read More >
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], July 12 (ANI): Himachal Pradesh's Revenue, Horticulture and Tribal Development Minister Jagat Singh Negi on Saturday underlined the state government's commitment to promoting the legal cultivation of cannabis (hemp) for medicinal and industrial purposes, emphasizing that 'drug-free cannabis can become a sustainable economic option for farmers, not a source of addiction.' Speaking to ANI a day after the seminar and exhibition at the historic Gaiety Theatre in Shimla, Negi said that the misconceptions about narcotics in industrial use need to be ended first. ...Read More >
Chennai: Preliminary investigations attribute the fire on the goods train near Tiruvallur to a possible spark from overhead electrical equipment (OHE) igniting fuel leaking from a derailed wagon.The incident paralysed services on the busy Chennai-Arakkonam route and left nearby residents engulfed in thick black smoke. The disruption left thousands of rail passengers stranded, many of whom were unable to get updates as railway helplines went unanswered for hours. The train carrying diesel from Chennai Harbour to Walajah Road Siding was exiting Tiruvallur station around 5.30am on Sunday, when a ...Read More >
Srinagar: The Counter-Intelligence Kashmir (CIK) unit of Jammu and Kashmir Police is conducting searches at ten locations across four districts in the Valley. An official told news agency -- Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the raids are part of an ongoing investigation into a terror-crime case linked to a terrorist sleeper cell and recruitment module handled by Jaish commander Abdullah Ghazi from across the border. The searches are underway at one location in Pulwama, six in Ganderbal, one in Srinagar, and two in Budgam district -- (KNO) ...Read More >
Kerala Lottery Result SAMRUDHI SM 12 Results Live: The first winner of today's lottery game- SAMRUDHI SM 12 lottery- takes home Rs 1 crore as a cash prize. The Kerala lottery is one of the most trusted games in the country. Kerala Lottery Result Sunday 20-07-2025: The Kerala lottery is back with another fun game- that may lead you to win Rs 1 crore! The results for today's Kerala lottery games- SAMRUDHI SM 12 Sunday- are announced. The Kerala lottery results are announced here, so people with tickets for today's game can stay in touch with this live blog. Samrudhi Lottery Series: MN, MO, MP, ...Read More >