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: India on Monday launched its first national policy on geothermal energy, joining a growing list of countries betting on subterranean heat to power their clean energy transitions. India's Ministry of New and Renewable Energy said the policy aims to unlock the country's untapped geothermal potential through incentives and regulations. It also encourages repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells and deploying ground source heat pumps for heating and cooling. WHY IT'S IMPORTANT Countries such as Germany have accelerated geothermal expansion and Big Tech companies in the U.S. have been scouting for low-carbon electricity to fuel AI growth. India has identified 381 hot springs and 10 geothermal provinces, including Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat, the MNRE said. The policy also promotes joint ventures between geothermal developers and oil, gas, and mineral companies, and proposes fiscal incentives such as tax holidays, import duty exemptions and viability gap funding. CONTEXT Conventional geothermal power involves drilling deep into the earth to release hot brine, which produces steam to drive turbines. These plants emit about 99% less carbon dioxide than fossil fuel-based power, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. BY THE NUMBERS Global geothermal capacity stood at 15.4 GW at the end of 2024, led by the United States, Indonesia and the Philippines, the MNRE said. India aims to contribute to this growth through 100% foreign direct investment, concessional loans and international collaborations, according to the policy document. The policy supports geothermal projects for up to 30 years, with extensions based on resource availability, the MNRE said.
Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], December 2 (ANI): Ambuja Cements has taken a step toward achieving its Net Zero goals. The company has partnered with Finland-based technology leader Coolbrook to implement its proprietary RotoDynamic Heater (RDH) technology. According to the exchange filing, this cutting-edge, zero-carbon heating solution, powered by renewable electricity, will drastically reduce the company's dependence on fossil fuels and lower its carbon emissions, aligning with its sustainability vision. Ambuja Cements will significantly reduce its fossil fuel dependence by harnessing renewa ...Read More >
IREDA plans to raise Rs 5,000 crore through a QIP, setting the floor price at Rs 173.83 per share. The initiative supports growing green energy financing demands. The board and shareholders had earlier approved the move, with possible discounts and non-dilution commitments outlined. State-run Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd (IREDA) has established the floor price for its qualified institutional placement (QIP) at Rs 173.83 per equity share, aiming to raise approximately Rs 5,000 c ...Read More >
India's foreign direct investment (FDI) reached $81.04 billion in FY 2024-25, marking a 14% growth over the previous year, as investors lauded the country's liberalized policy regime and proactive economic reforms at an Investor Roundtable held in New Delhi. The event, hosted on June 5 at Vanijya Bhawan, brought together over 90 representatives from industrial parks, multinational firms, and business associations, with more than 50 industrial parks from states including Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Delhi, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu participating in discussions. Union Minist ...Read More >
Guwahati, June 27 (UNI) The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has successfully capped a high-risk gas well blowout at its RDS 147A site in Sivasagar district, Assam, bringing an end to a 15-day-long emergency operation that triggered mass evacuation and widespread public anxiety. The gas well blowout, which began on June 12, involved an uncontrolled release of natural gas from one of ONGC's drilling sites -- a situation often considered one of the most hazardous in the oil and gas industry due to the risk of explosion and environmental damage. The blowout was finally brought under contr ...Read More >
Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], June 27 (ANI): A female student was allegedly gang-raped inside a law college in Kolkata's Kasba on Wednesday evening. The police have arrested all three accused within 24 hours. The three accused, named as Monojit Mishra (31), Zaib Ahmed (19), and Pramit Mukhopadhyay (20), were former students or staff members of the same law college. Also Read | Student Gang-Raped at South Kolkata Law College: Police Arrest 3 Youths for Sexually Assaulting Young Woman Inside Law College. According to the police, the accused named in the FIR will be produced before the A.C.J. ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jan 31 (VOICE) The output of India's eight core sector industries rose 4 per cent year-on-year in December, driven by an increase in the production of coal, steel, and electricity during the month, according to government data released on Friday.The eight core industries include coal, natural gas, crude oil, refinery products, fertilisers, cement, steel and electricity which comprise 40.27 per cent of the weight of items included in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP). The growth rate of the core industries, therefore, is an indicator of the overall industrial growth rate. Apa ...Read More >
Hyderabad: In a significant boost for 'Make in India' and 'Atmanirbharta' in the aerospace and defence sector, and Hyderabad's growing stature as a global aerospace hub, the complete fuselage of the Rafale fighter jet will now be made in India at Hyderabad. This move marks the first time that these Rafale components will be manufactured outside France for the Indian as well as global markets.French aerospace major Dassault Aviation has signed four production transfer agreements with Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) for manufacturing key sections of the Rafale fighter jet, including the lateral ...Read More >
New Delhi, June 6 (SocialNews.XYZ) External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar has urged the India-Central Asia Business Council to recommend a roadmap for further deepening of India-Central Asia ties in trade, economic and investment. Addressing the Business Council meeting in the national capital, EAM Jaishankar highlighted three broad objectives for strengthening the economic partnership -- deepen existing cooperation, diversify the trade basket and introduce sustainability and predictability in economic interactions. "One, is to deepen the existing cooperation both in terms of volume a ...Read More >
New Delhi, June 6 (SocialNews.XYZ) Top bankers on Friday hailed the Reserve Bank's decision to reduce repo rate by 50 basis points to 5.50 per cent and cash reserve ratio (CRR) by 100 basis points in four tranches, saying the policy move is expected to provide the necessary drive for credit expansion in priority sectors which will enhance the financial inclusion. Besides this, the revision in CPI inflation to 3.7 per cent for FY26 also shows the RBI's confidence in inflation being aligned with its 4 per cent target. "The decision in CRR cut, which is expected to release Rs 2.5 lakh crore in ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jun 6 (PTI) The incentive scheme for recycling of critical minerals, such as copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt and rare earth elements, is in the final stages, a mines ministry official said on Friday. The Union budget has allocated Rs 1,500 crore for recycling of critical minerals under the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM), Joint Secretary in Mines Ministry Dinesh Mahur said during an event here. He said, "the incentive scheme for recycling is in its final stages." Earlier, the government had approved a Rs 16,300-crore National Critical Mineral Mission, envisaging a total o ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Trade talks between India and the US appear to be back on track, as President Donald Trump hinted that a "very big" agreement with India will be forthcoming soon. In a presser at the White House, Trump said, "Everybody wants to make a deal and have a part of it. Remember a few months ago, the press was saying, 'You really have anybody of any interest? Well, we just signed with China yesterday. We are having some great deals. We have one coming up, maybe with India. Very big one. Where we're going to open up India, in the China deal, we are starting to open up China.""We're not going ...Read More >
JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia and Canada on Monday signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) that aims to strengthen economic ties between the two G20 members, three years after negotiations began. The agreement will take effect in 2026 and was signed in Jakarta by trade ministers of both countries. Indonesia's trade minister, Budi Santoso, said Indonesia appreciated Canada's support for its plan to prioritise its critical minerals sector, which was vital for its sustainable growth. "Together, we advance sustainable critical mineral management, supporting Indonesia's net ...Read More >
FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Import tariffs expected to be implemented by the administration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump could lower economic growth and inflation in the 20 nations sharing the euro, European Central Bank board member Piero Cipollone said on Tuesday. Most economists agree that the possible tariffs would impact growth, though views diverge on the effect on consumer prices. Some argue the U.S. trade barriers will push up the value of the dollar, making imports of key commodities more expensive, while likely retaliation from Europe will also raise costs. Cipollone, speaking i ...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, Dec 12 (PTI) Terming the 5.4 per cent GDP growth in the second quarter as a "temporary phenomena", FICCI President Harsha Vardhan Agarwal on Thursday said the industry body expects India to achieve 6.5-7 per cent economic growth in the current financial year, while projecting a pick up in private investment. In an interview to PTI, Agarwal, who is also the Vice Chairman & Managing Director of Emami Ltd, said the RBI needs to manoeuvre a "tight-rope balancing act" between inflation and economic growth, as he opined that the central bank has been doing a prudent job. Notably, the FI ...Read More >
New Delhi: ONGC's production trend is beginning to turn after eight straight years of fall as a key new field in KG Basin ramps up and the old Mumbai High asset arrests decline. ONGC's crude production rose 3% year-on-year in November to 53,804 tonnes per day (tpd) and the output growth so far in December has accelerated to 4.2% to 54,535 tpd, according to people with knowledge of the matter. The output was marginally higher in three of the first seven months this fiscal year but there is a cle ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: Revenue minister Suresh Pujari on Saturday said Odisha would not be allowed to follow the lawless path in sand operations like it is in Bihar and West Bengal, while responding to the recent assault of an additional tehsildar in Kaptipada block, Mayurbhanj district, by the sand mafia. He promised stringent action against the sand mafia regardless of their connections, while speaking to mediapersons here on Saturday."The Kaptipada incident represents a serious escalation in conflict between law enforcement and the sand mafia. The attack on officers performing their enforcement dutie ...Read More >
Ahmedabad, June 27: Union Home Minister Amit Shah began his Gujarat visit on a spiritual note early Friday morning by participating in the Mangala Aarti at the historic Shri Jagannathji Temple in Jamalpur, Ahmedabad. The visit coincides with the auspicious occasion of the annual Shri Jagannath Rath Yatra, a major religious event that draws thousands of devotees every year. Arriving at the temple at 3:15 a.m., HM Shah joined in the sacred rituals and offered prayers to Mahaprabhu Jagannath. Sharing his experience on social media platform X, he posted, "On the sacred occasion of Rath Yatra, par ...Read More >
New Delhi/Guwahati, June 27 (SocialNews.XYZ) State-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) on Friday successfully capped the blowout in one of its wells in Assam's Sivasagar district, Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri has announced. Announcing the plugging of the blowout, Puri said in a post on X on Friday, "ONGC has successfully capped the blow out of well RDS#147A at 1115 hours hrs today. This blow out started on 12th June and has been capped successfully within the shortest possible time following all the best practices." He said the Crisis Manag ...Read More >
India's NTPC (previously the National Thermal Power Corporation) has launched its first 160 megawatt hours (MWh) CO₂ battery energy storage project, to be developed by Triveni Turbine and its energy partner Energy Dome. The project will be executed on a turnkey basis at NTPC's Kudgi plant in Karnataka, India. The initiative aligns with NTPC's strategy to diversify its energy portfolio and increase renewable power generation. The adoption of CO₂ battery technology also supports India's "Make in India" and "Atmanirbhar" (self-sufficiency) policies, offering opportunities for the domestic indu ...Read More >
Sample of Earth Minerals. (Representative) Quick Read Summary is AI generated, newsroom reviewed. India is negotiating with companies to create long-term rare earth magnet stockpiles. The initiative aims to reduce dependence on China, which controls 90% of magnet processing globally. The government is considering fiscal incentives to boost domestic production of rare earth magnets. New Delhi: India is holding talks with companies to establish long-term stockpiles of rare earth magnets by offering fiscal incentives for domestic production, people familiar with the matter said. Building ...Read More >
Mumbai: The Multi Commodity Exchange of India (MCX) has received approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) to launch electricity derivatives, according to a regulatory filing on the BSE. These contracts -- linked to the price of electricity -- will allow power generators, distribution companies, and large consumers to hedge against price volatility and manage risks more effectively. "The electricity derivatives contracts will enhance efficiency in the power market," MCX said in its filing. The launch marks the resolution of a long-standing jurisdictional tussle over the ...Read More >
New Delhi, Feb 7 (VOICE) In a testament to the nation's commitment to a cleaner, greener future, India has achieved a historic milestone by surpassing 100 GW of installed solar power capacity, reinforcing its position as a global leader in renewable energy, the government said on Friday.As of January 31, India's total solar capacity installed stands at 100.33 GW, with 84.10 GW under implementation and an additional 47.49 GW under tendering. This remarkable achievement marks a significant step toward realising the ambitious target of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based energy capacity by 2030 set ...Read More >
Mumbai: For the first time in the history of Maharashtra, electricity rates are set to decrease. According to the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), tariffs will be reduced by 10% in the first year, with a phased 26% reduction over the next five years. This move has been approved by the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) after a proposal from the state electricity company (MSEDCL). Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis hailed the decision on X, saying, "Good news on electricity tariffs! For the first time in the state's history, electricity tariffs will be reduced. Thanks to the Mah ...Read More >
India must ensure any trade deal with the U.S. is fair, not politically driven, and protects its farmers, digital ecosystem, and regulatory sovereignty, the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said on Friday. With India's chief negotiator in Washington and a July 9 deadline approaching (marking the end of U.S. President Donald Trump's 90-day tariff suspension), a limited mini-deal appears likely.Any trade agreement with the US must not be politically driven or one-sided and India should protect its farmers, digital ecosystem, and policy space, economic think tank GTRI said on Friday. With ...Read More >
Also Read: Assam gas leak: Strategic progress in capping oil well, says ONGC The ONGC officials on Thursday said that they are hopeful to plug the gas blowout by Friday, and accordingly, have successfully done the capping of the well. The company sources earlier said that ONGC, in close coordination with international well control specialists from CUDD Pressure Control, achieved a key breakthrough on Thursday in its ongoing operations at Well RDS-147A. The team successfully cleared all remaining rig materials, including staircases, entangled wires, and other structural components. According ...Read More >
Chandigarh, Dec 11 (PTI) Farmer leader from Punjab Jagjit Singh Dallewal's fast unto death at the Khanauri border point to press the Centre to accept farmers' demands, including a legal guarantee on the MSP for crops, entered the 16th day on Wednesday. Farmers on Wednesday held prayers for the success of their agitation going on at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana in support of their various demands and for the good health of Dallewal. Farmers under the banner of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) have been camping at Shambhu ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 12 (PTI) India should remain open to investments from China as other developed countries like the US and Germany, with the exception of a handful of sectors, 16th Finance Commission Chairman Arvind Panagariya said on Thursday. He also cautioned that one has to be careful about investments from potentially "unfriendly countries" that might damage the interest of the nation. However, developed countries are accepting investments from China in any particular sector, India can also welcome such investments. "If the US is taking investment from China, if Germany is taking, I would ...Read More >
Brescia: India and Italy Thursday cautioned against some countries' dominance on critical minerals and how the over-dependence on these key components of semiconductor, aerospace industry and EV batteries can be reduced. Commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal said the concentration of critical minerals and their supply chains in a few geographies can hurt economic development of countries while Italian Deputy Prime Minister and foreign minister Antonio Tajani said the private sector of the two countries can consider forming joint ventures in this segment. The concerns assume significanc ...Read More >
Chandigarh (Haryana) [India], December 12 (ANI): Haryana Chief Secretary Vivek Joshi on Thursday presided over a state-level coordination committee meeting to review the 'PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.' According to an official release, it was informed during the meeting that 9,609 rooftop solar systems with a combined capacity of 45.90 MW have been installed across the state so far. The government has disbursed Rs 52.54 crore in subsidies to beneficiaries to further encourage solar adoption. Moving forward, the state plans to equip government buildings with solar power plants, with the Pu ...Read More >