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.
Bengaluru : India's digital commerce landscape is undergoing a seismic transformation, driven by deep rural internet penetration, explosive growth in Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) brands, and the rapid adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the retail sector. According to the Made for Bharat, Powered by AI: The New Age of Commerce Report by Shiprocket and KPMG, with 886 million active internet users 55% from rural India and UPI accounting for 84% of all retail digital payments, Bharat is not just catching up; it's driving the change. The report was launched today at Shiprocket's flagship commerce summit - Shiprocket SHIVIR 2025. The D2C market is projected to hit $100 billion in 2025, with India ranking second globally in D2C funding. Quick commerce has evolved from an urban convenience to a nationwide habit, with a 40% surge in monthly transacting users and over 50% placing five or more orders each month. This shift from planned purchases to impulse buying is reshaping inventory, logistics, and marketing strategies. AI is no longer a futuristic concept -- it's the catalyst that is driving the transformation of the retail sector. From 99.9% order accuracy in warehouses to 90%+ demand forecast precision, AI is powering everything from logistics to customer engagement. Generative AI tools are enabling brands to create hyper-personalised campaigns at scale, while vernacular search is unlocking access for India's multilingual internet base, where 98% of users consume content in regional languages. "India's commerce landscape is undergoing a paradigm shift, and we are witnessing not just digital growth but also a behavioural and infrastructural revolution. From kirana stores embracing AI to rural consumers driving quick commerce adoption, Bharat is now at the heart of innovation. 2025 is Year Zero of AI-native commerce where intelligence is not an enhancement but the default engine of business. The Shiprocket-KPMG report highlights how intelligence, speed, and personalisation are becoming the new pillars of retail. At Shiprocket, we believe the future of commerce will be built on inclusivity, data, and agility where every seller, regardless of size or location, can thrive in an AI-native, hyperlocal ecosystem.", said Saahil Goel, MD & CEO of Shiprocket. "India's digital commerce ecosystem is entering a critical phase where intelligence, speed, and inclusivity are redefining how businesses operate and grow. The report reflects this shift, highlighting how AI is no longer a future ambition but a present-day enabler, especially for MSMEs and D2C brands. As we move into the 'AI-native era,' it's critical to build infrastructure, tools, and partnerships that empower small businesses to compete and thrive." said Manuj Ohri, Partner - Business Consulting, KPMG in India. In line with the report's emphasis on AI-led transformation, Shiprocket has also unveiled Shunya.ai, India's first sovereign, multimodal AI engine built specifically for MSMEs and D2C brands. Developed in partnership with Ultrasafe Inc., Shunya.ai is trained on Indian commerce data, supports 9+ regional languages, and is hosted entirely within India using L&T's GPU infrastructure, ensuring full data sovereignty. Shunya.ai is directly integrated into Shiprocket's seller panel, and it offers intelligent automation across cataloguing, marketing, and fulfilment, with early pilots showing up to 40% time savings. As Bharat's digital economy scales, Shunya.ai represents a strategic leap in making AI accessible, affordable, and locally relevant for the sellers. Key Insights from the Shiprocket-KPMG Report: AI is revolutionising Commerce: The global AI retail market reached $11.61 billion in 2024, with India leading enterprise deployment. Key AI applications transforming Indian commerce include: ● Demand Forecasting: Companies achieving over 90% forecast accuracy, reducing stockouts by 40% and excess inventory by 25% ● Warehouse Automation: Leading retailers reporting up to 99.9% order accuracy with robotic systems while cutting operational costs by 20% ● Personalised Marketing: 96% of marketers report improved sales through AI-driven personalization, with 44% seeing a significant uplift ● Vernacular Commerce: 98% of India's internet users accessing content in Indian languages, powered by AI-enabled translation and search Quick Commerce Redefines Consumer Expectations: Quick commerce has grown from an urban experiment to a national habit, with the sector projected to grow 75-85% in 2025, reaching $5 billion in gross merchandise value. ● 53% of users place more than five orders per month on quick commerce platforms ● 67% maintain average order values above ₹400 ● 6-8% of sales now come from completely unplanned, impulse purchases ● Daily online shopping habits jumped from 33% to 87% of consumers Rural Digital Revolution Drives Growth: The research highlights India's unique digital transformation, with rural areas emerging as the primary growth engine. ● Rural internet users grew to 488 million in 2024, representing 55% of India's total internet base ● Women now comprise 47% of all internet users, indicating improved gender parity in digital access ● Traditional kirana stores are integrating with digital platforms, creating a "phygital" retail model Digital Payments Ecosystem Matures: India's payment infrastructure has evolved into one of the world's most sophisticated systems. ● UPI accounts for 84% of India's total retail digital payment volume ● UPI transactions grew 59.2% year-over-year to 11,761 crore transactions in FY2024-25 ● UPI Transaction values increased 44.8% to ₹180.24 lakh crore ● India now handles nearly half of all global real-time transactions Despite this digital surge, 105 million Indians still prefer Cash-on-Delivery, highlighting the importance of hybrid payment strategies. Enterprise AI Adoption Accelerates: Indian enterprises are leading global AI adoption across multiple functions: ● 59% of Indian enterprises with over 1,000 employees have deployed AI, the highest globally ● 70% of companies dedicate more than 5% of their IT budget to AI initiatives ● 77% of Indian startups are investing in AI, machine learning, and blockchain technologies ● AI talent concentration in India grew 263% between 2016-2023 The Path Forward: Three Pillars of Intelligent Commerce: The research identifies three foundational pillars driving India's commerce evolution: 1. Omnichannel Integration: 77% of Indian shoppers use both online and offline channels, demanding seamless experiences across touchpoints 2. Personalized Experiences: 81% of consumers prefer brands offering personalized experiences, with 73% expecting even more advanced customization 3. AI-Led Operations: From inventory management to customer support, AI is becoming the backbone of modern commerce operations Market Projections and Future Outlook: The research projects continued explosive growth across key sectors ● D2C Market: Expected to reach $100 billion by 2025, with over 11,000 brands currently operating ● Quick Commerce: Projected 75-85% growth in 2025, reaching $5 billion GMV ● E-Retail: Market size estimated at $125 billion in 2025, with 220 million online shoppers ● Warehouse Automation: Market set to hit $2 billion annually by 2026 Methodology: This analysis is based on comprehensive research conducted by Shiprocket in collaboration with KPMG India, examining data from multiple industry sources, including IAMAI, RBI, Bain & Company, and leading technology platforms. The research covers market trends, consumer behavior, and enterprise adoption patterns across India's diverse geographic and demographic segments.
BENGALURU, India, Dec. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Infosys (NSE: INFY) (BSE: INFY) (NYSE: INFY), a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting, today announced a strategic collaboration with Kardex, a leading global provider of intralogistics solutions, including automated storage solutions and material handling systems, to transform its business operations using SAP S/4HANA. Leveraging Infosys Cobalt, a set of services, solutions and platforms for enterprises to accelerate their cloud journey, Infosys will help Kardex unify its ERP system in over 30 countries, boost operation ...Read More >
Air India launched a Black Friday Sale with discounts up to 20% on domestic flights and up to 12% on international flights to various destinations. The sale is available through the airline's website and mobile apps. Additional savings are possible with waived convenience fees and specific payment methods. The airline continues offering student and senior citizen discounts.Air India on Friday launched a limited-time Black Friday Sale offering discounts of up to 20 per cent off base fares for domestic flights within India. The Tata-owned airlines will also offer up to 12 per cent off base fares ...Read More >
* Commoditisation and similarity of products and services with competitors will have the most significant impact on how businesses deliver customer experiences over the next two years, according to the latest IDC InfoBrief commissioned by Affinidi * However, businesses who are looking to hyper-personalise their products as a competitive differentiator are facing several obstacles in addressing the privacy-personalisation dilemma, with 56% of them highlighting data collection and management to be a key challenge. * To truly enhance customer experiences through more personalised insights, they m ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 3 (VOICE) White collar hiring in India grew 6 per cent in the festive season (October and November), driven by strong growths in key non-IT sectors, a report showed on Tuesday.The sectors like Oil and Gas (+16 per cent), Pharma/Biotech (+7 per cent), FMCG (+7 per cent), and real estate (+10 per cent), alongside sustained momentum in emerging domains like AI/ML (+30 per cent) and global capability centres (+11 per cent), according to Naukri JobSpeak Index. While the IT sector has historically been a dominant force in fresher hiring, the current trend shows a significant upsurge ...Read More >
Bengaluru, 4th December 2024- PURE EV, one of India's leading electric two-wheeler manufacturers, has unveiled an ambitious roadmap to strengthen its presence nationwide and expand globally while introducing innovative solutions for sustainable mobility. Over the next 30 months, the company aims to add 250 new dealerships, taking its total network to over 320 across India. The expansion will be driven by the growing demand for long-range scooters, electric motorcycles, large B2B contracts, and the company's entry into the house-hold brand space. Dr. Nishanth Dongari, Founder & MD of PURE EV, ...Read More >
The Reserve Bank of India raised the interest rate caps on Foreign Currency Non-Resident Bank (FCNR-B) deposits to attract more capital inflows, amid pressures on the rupee. Starting December 6, banks can offer higher rates -- up to 400 basis points for 1-3 year deposits and 500 basis points for 3-5 year deposits -- until March 31, 2025. This move comes as the rupee faces volatility.The Reserve Bank of India on Friday announced a raise in the interest rate caps on the Indian diaspora's foreign cu ...Read More >
Gurugram, 11 December 2024: Around USD 40 billion of investments are envisaged over the next 5-6 years for the development of Electric Vehicles (EV) & ancillary industries in India. However, the deployment of these funds will rely upon successful implementation of government policies, charging infrastructure ramp-up and domestic manufacturing capacity scale-up. As per Colliers' latest report "EVs in India: Renewed Vigour in Electric Mobility", about two-thirds of the planned investments, can potentially materialize in the lithium-ion battery segment alone. Interestingly, despite slower than an ...Read More >
WarmUp Ventures Founders L to R - Rajendra Lora ,Yogesh Chaudhary , Sharad Bansal Athera Venture Partners has roped in HDFC AMC's fund of funds as an LP for its Fund IV, while Warmup Ventures is launching its second fund. HDFC AMC invests in Athera's Fund IV Tech-focused venture capital fund Athera Venture Partners, formerly known as Inventus India, on Wednesday said that HDFC's fund of funds has invested in its Fund IV, which is scheduled to close in 2025. HDFC AMC's Select AIF FoF I Scheme will be a dominant LP in Athera's Rs 900-crore fund to be invested into fast-growing tech startups ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 14 (IANS) The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has achieved 15,547 crore transactions worth Rs 223 lakh crore from January to November this year, 'showcasing its transformative impact on financial transactions' in India, the Finance Ministry said on Saturday. The Finance Ministry also said that UPI is now accepted in seven countries including France, UAE, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Bhutan and Nepal. The UPI system provides a cheaper and quicker alternative to the available channels of cross-border remittances. UPI has succeeded in increasing financial inclusion and promot ...Read More >
Mumbai: The birth of three penguin chicks at Mumbai's Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan and Zoo has sparked an unexpected row not over their care, but their names. BJP functionary Nitin Bankar from the Byculla Assembly constituency has objected to the chicks being given English names, insisting they be named in Marathi instead. The BMC is expected to respond by June 10, after which Bankar will decide his next move. Speaking to The Free Press Journal, Bankar said, "When penguins were brought from abroad, we accepted that their names would be in English. But these chicks were born on the soil of M ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Recognizing the potential and challenges of AI, the Government of India constituted an advisory group, chaired by Principal Scientific Advisor Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, to undertake the development of an 'AI for India-Specific Regulatory Framework'. Under the guidance of the Advisory Group, a sub-committee on 'AI Governance and Guidelines Development' will provide actionable recommendations for AI governance in India. The sub-committee's report on AI Governance, now published for public consultation, aims to guide the development of a trustworthy and accountable AI ecosystem in India. ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 31 (IANS) The year 2024 has been historic for Indian startups as the government abolished the angel tax (a tax levied on investing in startups), which improved Indian startups' funding and enabled them to raise more than $12 billion. Along with this, food delivery company Zomato managed to make its place in the Sensex, the index of top companies in the country. Indian startup companies crossed the magical figure of getting $150 billion in funding in 2024. Between 2014 and 2024, new-age tech companies raised more than $151 billion in funding. Startups raised the highest funding ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jun 5 (PTI) Fintech firm BimaPay Finsure on Thursday said it has entered into corporate insurance financing and aims for Rs 20 crore in premiums in 2025-26. Launching the pilot phase with insurance partners, BimaPay said the initiative will allow businesses to pay premiums in easy equated monthly instalments (EMIs) instead of bearing the burden of full upfront costs. Also Read | Who Is Pinaki Misra? From Age to Family Background and Net Worth, Here's All About BJD Leader With Whom Mahua Moitra Reportedly Married. The company aims to finance over Rs 20 crore worth of premiums by t ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], June 5 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, in the presence of leaders of Central Asian countries, touched upon various business opportunities and complementarities between these respective economies on Thursday. Jaishankar suggested a few areas where India and Central Asian countries should collaborate to improve their economies. Jaishankar noted that India's trade and economic ties with Central Asia have actually shown a very strong positive trend over the last decade. However, he has also said that the trade figures do not reflect the full potential. Given th ...Read More >
Vastu Housing has raised $100 million from the global consumer internet group Prosus. The Amsterdam-based investor has acquired an 8.4% stake (7.8% fully diluted) in the home finance company. Vastu Housing Finance is a prominent player in the affordable housing finance sector, focusing on underserved communities. In September, Vastu received a $50 million loan from the United States International Development Finance Corporation (USDFC). Housing finance companies have attracted significant funding in recent months. Recently, Easy Home Finance raised $35 million in a fresh funding round led by ...Read More >
Haridwar: A woman politician has been arrested for allegedly letting her boyfriend and others repeatedly rape her 13-year-old daughter in Haridwar, Uttarakhand. The horrifying crime, which occurred between January and March, was exposed when the minor bravely confided in her father, prompting a police investigation that led to the arrest of the accused. The accused was arrested with her boyfriend and one more. According to police reports, the minor was gang-raped multiple times, often in the presence of her mother. The minor, who had been living with her father following her parents' separat ...Read More >
Sunmei Hotels Group has announced the launch of Sunmei Group International (SGI) and three new overseas brands—SHANKEE, PENRO, and LANOU—marking its expansion into the UAE market. The company plans to introduce SHANKEE Hotels, a smart economy brand, to cities like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Riyadh. SGI focuses on smart marketing, modular renovations, and intelligent operations, leveraging big data and AI to enhance service and guest experiences. Chairman Ma Yingyao aims to open 100 hotels globally within the next decade, doubling revenue and establishing a strong international presence for Chinese ...Read More >
The churning waters of the 21 Century maritime domain are no longer defined solely by steel-hulled might and firepower. Today, the true battleground lies in the unseen realms of algorithms, data streams and quantum states. The Indian Navy, a sentinel of the vast Indian Ocean Region (IOR), stands at the cusp of this technological revolution, leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing to secure its maritime sovereignty and amplify its geopolitical influence. India's journey into this brave new world is both a strategic necessity and an audacious leap. With China's growing nav ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 26 (VOICE) India in 2024 saw a boom in employment rates, with women and youth leading the charge in workforce participation, according to a report.The report by Apna.co, a job and professional networking platform, showed women contributed an impressive 2.8 crore job applications -- 20 per cent higher than in 2023. Similarly, the youth posted a 27 per cent year-on-year increase in job applications. Women contributed an impressive 2.8 crore job applications out of a total of 7 crore, a 25 per cent year-on-year surge, in 2024. Flexible work opportunities, gender-focused initiativ ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: In a significant step toward digital transformation, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has revamped its post-election data reporting process by introducing a streamlined, technology-driven system for generating Index Cards and Statistical Reports. The initiative, aimed at enhancing data accessibility and timeliness, replaces the earlier manual process that often delayed dissemination. Under the leadership of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, the new system leverages automation and data integration to enab ...Read More >
New Delhi, June 5 (SocialNews.XYZ) Aadhaar number holders executed over 211 crore authentication transactions in May this year taking the cumulative number of such transactions to more than 15,223 crore since inception, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Electronics & IT on Thursday. The May authentication transactions are more than the previous month, as well as of May 2024 when 201.76 Cr such transactions were carried out. The growing number shows, how Aadhaar-based authentication has been playing a facilitating role in effective welfare delivery, and voluntarily availing v ...Read More >
Markets opened on a cautiously optimistic note on Wednesday, with the Sensex and Nifty showing marginal gains, while investors closely monitored global economic indicators and upcoming domestic policy decisions. The Sensex opened higher at 81,036.22 from its previous close of 80,845.75 and is currently trading at 81,168.92 as of 9.45 am, up by 323.17 points or 0.40 per cent. Similarly, the Nifty opened at 24,488.75 compared to its previous close of 24,457.15 and is now at 24,558.20, rising by 101 ...Read More >
The Andhra Pradesh government inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Google. The tech giant will launch its operations from Visakhapatnam in the State. Making the announcement at the district collectors' conference on Wednesday, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said HRD Minister Nara Lokesh's efforts have paved the way for this. The MoU was a significant development and would be a game changer. Visakhapatnam is poised for transformative growth, Mr. Naidu said. The chief minister, in ...Read More >
News 2 min read Indian IT industry to see 30-35 pc high demand for niche tech roles in 2025 The Indian IT industry is projected to see 30-35 per cent increased demand for highly-specialised tech roles in 2025, along with increased spending on upskilling in the coming years, according to a new report. New Delhi, The Indian IT industry is projected to see 30-35 per cent increased demand for highly-specialised tech roles in 2025, along with increased spending on upskilling in the coming years, acco ...Read More >
India's Indigenous Light Tank: A Key Weapon System For High-Altitude Combat Friday, December 13, 2024 by Indian Defence News India's indigenous light tank, Zorawar, represents a significant advancement in the country's defence capabilities, particularly for operations in high-altitude regions. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in collaboration with Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and supported by various Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), the Zorawar is designed to meet the operational demands highlighted during the 2020 standoff with China in Eastern Lada ...Read More >
Mumbai, Dec 18 (PTI) Jobs and talent platform and a Quess company, foundit, on Wednesday announced the appointment of V Suresh as its Chief Executive Officer. With over two decades of experience in the internet domain, digital transformation, and the e-recruitment ecosystem, Suresh brings a wealth of strategic expertise and a forward-looking vision to foundit (formerly Monster APAC and ME), the company said in a statement. "Suresh's deep understanding of the digital talent ecosystem and proven ability to scale businesses will help us strengthen our leadership position in the market. Under hi ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], December 12 (ANI): The gross NPA ratio of public sector banks declined to 3.12 per cent in September 2024 from 4.97 per cent in March 2015 and a peak of 14.58 per cent in March 2018, the government stated on Thursday, reaffirming the robustness of the banking system. The government emphasised its proactive support for the banking ecosystem, addressing both business needs and employee welfare to ensure stability, transparency, and growth. Also Read | Places of Worship Act Validity: Supreme Court Restrains Courts in Country Not to Entertain, Pass Orders on Suits Related to R ...Read More >
Bengaluru, India (OTE) - Leveraging Infosys Topaz and Google Cloud technology, the center of excellence will foster co-innovation to deliver transformative AI-powered solutions Infosys (NSE: INFY), (BSE: INFY), (NYSE: INFY), a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting, today announced the launch of a Google Cloud center of excellence, powered by Infosys Topaz, to foster enterprise AI innovation. The center will serve as a catalyst for co-creation and help businesses harness the power of generative AI to achieve transformative growth. Infosys and Google Cloud share a s ...Read More >
Oslo [Norway], June 5 (ANI): The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW), Sarbananda Sonowal, attended the MoU signing ceremonies in Oslo, as Indian maritime companies inked them with leading global players, exploring opportunities for collaboration and future business. A Memorandum of Intent (MOI) was signed by Carsten Rehder Schiffsmakler und Rehder GmbH & Co. KG, Germany and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE) for the construction of an additional 4 numbers of 7,500 DWT multi-purpose vessels. These vessels will have hybrid propulsion and will adhere to the latest ...Read More >
ICICI Lombard partners with Arya.ai to leverage the Arya Apex AI platform, resulting in 98% workflow automation and enhanced customer satisfaction. This collaboration sets a new standard in the insurance industry by significantly boosting operational speed, scalability, and customer experience in just three months. ICICI Lombard, a major player in the Indian private-sector insurance market, has teamed up with Arya.ai, a leader in AI-driven enterprise solutions. Together, they are revolutionizing the industry with Arya Apex, an all-encompassing AI API platform that has achieved a remarkable 98 ...Read More >