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: An expert committee, appointed by central biotech regulator to review biosafety data of transgenic cotton, has submitted a favourable report on genetically modified HTBt cotton, paving way for Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) to take a final call on its commercial cultivation.Though transgenic Bt cotton is being cultivated in the country after getting approved in 2002, the herbicide-tolerant Bt (HTBt) cotton could not get the mandatory GEAC nod despite long-pending demand of cotton farmers. As a result, its illegal variant is reportedly being used without quality check in many cotton-producing states.Sources said the expert committee's report has given an all clear to HTBt cotton but the final decision would be taken by govt after getting regulator GEAC's nod.The demand for legal use of HTBt is expected to be raised again on Friday when Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan visits Coimbatore for a crop-specific meeting on cotton.Since the ministry has invited suggestions from farmers ahead of the meeting amid reports of declining Bt cotton productivity in the country due to a newly emerging disease, tobacco streak virus (TSV), demand for allowing another transgenic variety - HTBt - for commercial cultivation at the earliest is expected to be the key takeaway.
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 >
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 >
Minister Jitendra Singh emphasized the importance of public understanding and participation in India's biotechnology mission, highlighting the goal of achieving a $300 billion bioeconomy by 2030. He noted the significant growth of India's biotechnology ecosystem, driven by supportive policies and partnerships.Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh Monday called for a wider public understanding and inclusive participation in India's biotechnology mission, stating that every Indian is a sta ...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 >
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Cabinet on Friday decided to implement two new schemes for the development of biotechnology and to enhance urban infrastructure. The Cabinet also gave its nod to a proposal to float a tender for Chheligada multipurpose medium irrigation project in Gajapati district. These proposals were approved at the Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. "The two new schemes, named 'Development of Biotechnology' and 'Mukhya Mantri Sahari Bikash Yojana (MSBY)', aimed at creating employment and strengthening the State's economy," Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja told ...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 >
Bangalore Gold Rate Today: Shattering all hopes of retail jewellery buyers of some relief amid the ongoing Navratri festival, gold rates in Bangalore, and other Indian cities broke another record on Monday, September 29. The price of gold in Bangalore, aka Bengaluru, witnessed a sharp surge bringing 24 karat gold Rs 16,000 above the historic Rs 1 lakh mark. The gold price rally in Karnataka capital mirrored the surge in gold rate in India and across the world. The sharp rally in precious metal is on its path to beat the record-rally of 1979. Multiple factors like US Fed rate cut, trade becau ...Read More >
Srinagar, Jun 7 (PTI) Authorities on Saturday barred Eid prayers from taking place at the Eidgah ground and the Jama Masjid in the old city here, while Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq claimed that he was put under house arrest. "Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid Srinagar deeply regrets to inform that the authorities have once again disallowed Eid-ul-Adha prayers at the Eidgah as well as at the historic Jama Masjid in Srinagar by closing the gates of the mosque and deploying police personnel outside," the management of the historic mosque said in a statement. ...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, Oct 17: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh today launched the curtain raiser for the India International Science Festival (IISF) 2025, describing it as a "celebration of science" that complements the country's growing spirit of scientific inquiry and innovation. Addressing the gathering, Dr. Jitendra Singh said the festival will serve as a platform to showcase India's scientific achievemen ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: The state cabinet, under the chairmanship of chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi, on Friday approved a comprehensive five-year biotechnology development scheme with an outlay of Rs 1,113.50 crore. The programme will be implemented from 2025-26 to 2029-30.The 'Development of Biotechnology' initiative, comprising 17 sub-schemes, aims to transform Odisha into a knowledge-driven bio-economy by leveraging the state's rich biodiversity and existing research infrastructure."This scheme will create a robust ecosystem for innovation, incubation and investment in the biotechnology sector," a ...Read More >
Silchar: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday visited the flood-ravaged districts of Hailakandi and Sribhumi in the Barak Valley. He assured affected residents of providing timely disbursement of rehabilitation grants and swift repair of damaged infrastructure.This marks Sarma's second visit to the flood-hit region within four days, underscoring the gravity of the situation. Speaking to the media in Sribhumi after inspecting multiple relief camps, the CM said, "Flood-related problems may persist till July. I will return before Durga Puja to ensure that roads and infrastructure ar ...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 >
Mumbai, Sep 12 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Maharashtra government on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the US state of Iowa, paving the way for collaboration in agriculture, biotechnology, financial services, infrastructure, renewable energy, and technology. The MoU was signed in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds. CM Fadnavis announced that this partnership will create new opportunities for innovation and exchange between the two states. He further stated that the key areas of cooperation will comprise growth in investment and econom ...Read More >
In a major relief to the State government which drew flak from the opposition over the shortage of urea, the State is set to receive 27,650 metric tonnes of urea in the next four days. The State had received urea to the tune of 11,930 metric tonnes on Friday and this was preceded by receipt of 23,000 metric tonnes in the last couple of days, Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao said. The Minister directed the department officials to reiterate the plea to the Central government to revive th ...Read More >
Dhar (Madhya Pradesh): A review meeting was held at Samatva Bhavan where Chief Minister Mohan Yadav stressed the promotion of agriculture-based industries. He directed the Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, and Fisheries departments to organise multipurpose agricultural fairs to help farmers learn about profitable marketing of their crops and products. Highlighting the PM Mitra Park being developed in Bhensola village, Dhar district, the CM said it would benefit over six lakh cotton farmers, create one lakh direct jobs and two lakh indirect jobs. He noted that many major companies ...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 >
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 >