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.
Mumbai: India's snack makers are struggling to cut sugar. Low- or reduced-sugar products made up just 0.9% of launches in chocolates, confectionery, biscuits and snack bars last fiscal year ended March 31. While that is up from 0.1% in 2022, the share has stagnated over the past two years and even slipped from 1.1% in 2024, according to latest data from UK research firm Mintel shared with ET. Also Read | Parle continues to be India's top FMCG brand at home, 13th time in a row: Report But that's not what consumers want. Teens, a major segment for snack consumption, and their parents are seeking more of low-sugar and high-protein products. About a third of them in India prefer high-protein snacks, while a quarter are looking for lower sugar, show the data. "Sugar-free and no-added-sugar snacks are gaining traction in India, growing 30-40% faster than core categories, although on a low base, as rising health awareness drives adoption, especially in urban and ecommerce channels," Parle Products vice-president Mayank Shah said. Limited launches reflect factors such as the small pack sizes of regular products and mindful consumption that reduces sugar intake, and comparisons with the massive biscuit market, he said. India has roughly 249 million people aged 10-19, according to the UN Population Fund. And they are turning snacking into a lifestyle and forcing food companies to rethink what sits between meals. "Sugar-free remains a strong draw in cereals, but is no longer the sole launch hook as brands pivot to high-protein and no refined sugar formulations that balance health with taste," said Aditya Bagri of food manufacturing firm Bagrry's. "Demand is rising especially online but taste still dominates repeat purchases, even as urban consumers increasingly seek lower sugar and more functional nutrition options like protein, fiber and gut health," he said. Also Read | India faces second year of sugar deficit as mills close early Protein, by contrast, is now more popular, helped by the rise of gym culture, influencer-led nutrition trends and a broader post-pandemic focus on health. "Protein has become a mainstream claim in snacking, but differentiation will increasingly come from how it's delivered, whether through better protein quality, pairing with fibre for satiety, or reducing sugar without compromising taste," said Tulsi Joshi, principal food and drink analyst at Mintel India. "For brands targeting teens, the challenge is balancing permissible health with fun, shareable formats." Experts said reformulating for lower sugar without raising costs or compromising taste is particularly tricky in India, where price points remain tight and competition is intense. "Consumers are looking to reduce or remove sugar, but many are simply cutting back on sweet products rather than switching," said Tarun Arora, CEO of Zydus Wellness. "It's still early days. Making products that match taste and cost expectations without sugar is hard." India has seen heightened concerns over food safety amid rising consumer activism over the past few years. Companies, however, say portion control is the right parameter for consumption.
India's International Train Links: These 5 Indian Stations Connect You To Another Country By Train A video going viral of a Palestinian dad handing over a packet of India's favourite Parle-G biscuits to his daughter has highlighting the severe food crisis in Gaza, where the cost of the biscuit has risen to Rs 2,300 because of the ongoing Israel-Palestine war. On June 6, a resident of Gaza named Mohammed Jawad uploaded a video on X wherein he is giving his daughter, Rafif, a packet of Parle-G, her favourite biscuit. In the caption, Jawad had written, "After a long wait, I finally got Rafif he ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Axiom-4 crew members, including Shubhanshu Shukla, were welcomed with hugs and drinks as they stepped into the International Space Station on Thursday. The newly launched spacecraft -- the fifth in the Dragon series and named Grace -- successfully completed a soft docking with the International Space Station at 4.01pm while orbiting above the North Atlantic Ocean."At 6:31 am EDT (4:01 IST) on Thursday, the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft docked to the International Space Station for the fourth private astronaut mission to the orbiting laboratory, Axiom Mission 4," the National Aeronautics ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 8 (ANI): The cost of home-cooked meals eased in June as compared to the same month last year, driven by a sharp correction in vegetable prices, according to the Crisil Intelligence report. In the monthly report titled 'Roti Rice Rate', the average cost of a vegetarian thali (Plate) declined by 8 per cent year-on-year (YoY), while the cost of a non-vegetarian thali was down nearly 6 per cent. The decline in vegetarian thali prices was primarily attributed to a significant drop in key vegetable prices, which had spiked the previous year due to adverse weather and crop d ...Read More >
Flaxseed meal, a nutrient-packed superfood, is gaining popularity for its health benefits and versatility in the kitchen. Rich in fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, it’s perfect for enhancing meals. Boost your morning smoothie with a tablespoon of flaxseed meal for added nutrition without altering the taste. Use it as an egg substitute in vegan baking or to thicken soups and stews naturally. Even homemade salad dressings can get a nutritious upgrade with this powerhouse ingredient. Whether you’re aiming for better digestion, heart health, or a fiber boost, flaxseed meal is an easy and creative way ...Read More >
New Delhi: A surge in sales may be around the corner for some of India's leading packaged consumer goods makers, as cheaper inputs and lower import duties craft a perfect recipe for their next stage of growth. Companies and analysts alike said that falling prices of wheat, maize, barley and oils will help expand volumes, in a change from the recent experience of pricier products driving revenue. On 31 May, the government halved the basic customs duty on crude soybean oil, crude palm oil, and crude sunflower oil to 10%, eight months after raising it from nil to 20%. The move had prompted pack ...Read More >
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has charged five individuals, including goldy Brar, in relation to the 2024 Gurugram club bombing plot, as revealed in a recently filed chargesheet. This case involves a conspiracy to bomb two clubs, aiming to disrupt communal harmony in Haryana, with the banned terrorist group Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) implicated. The NIA's investigation highlights the severity of the plot. Those charged include satinderjit Singh (Goldy Brar), Sachin Talian, Ankit, Bhavish, and Randeep Singh. News Directory 3 provides crucial updates on sensitive cases such ...Read More >
MUMBAI, July 3 (Reuters) - Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries said it will spin off its consumer goods unit into a new entity to allow the fast-growing business to attract investors beyond those backing its retail unit. Reliance's consumer business includes brands such as Campa Cola, which competes with Coca-Cola and Pepsi, and dozens of other snacks and confectionery brands that fight for shelf space with the likes of Mondelez's Cadbury chocolates. India's National Company Law Tribunal has approved the internal restructuring under which Reliance will transfer its consume ...Read More >
Thane: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP-SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad said the govt should request all laadki bahin beneficiaries to contribute Rs 50 to the state if it is unable to provide eggs to over 24 lakh govt and aided school students through their midday meal schemes due to financial constraints. Awhad made this scathing remark at the state on Friday after staging a peaceful protest at the Thane collector office, where he presented a set of sugar and eggs to the administration as a symbolic protest against the govt plan. "Govt data shows the annual cost of providing eggs to students is just ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jun 6 (PTI) The reduction in import duty on edible oils, including palm, soya and Sunflower, is going to help FMCG companies improve their margins and stabilise their input costs, according to experts. Palm Oil, which the FMCG companies use as a key ingredient for the manufacturing of soaps and even food products, will also help cool down consumer monthly inflation, experts said. The move will not only benefit the food companies, for which palm oil is almost 25-30 per cent of their raw material costs but also lower PFAD prices (Palm Fatty Acid Distillate), a byproduct used by soap ...Read More >
Bengaluru, Jun 7 (PTI) A 26-year-old man allegedly beheaded his wife following a heated argument on the outskirts of Bengaluru after he suspected her of having an extra-marital affair, police said on Saturday. After killing Manasa, Shankar travelled with her severed head on his scooter to the nearest police station and confessed to the crime, they said. The man was later arrested, police said, adding that the incident occurred at Heelalige village, near Chandapura, Anekal taluk late on Friday. According to the police, the couple were married for over five years and have a four-year-old daug ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], June 27 (ANI): The Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs will hold a meeting on Friday. During the meeting, the committee will record evidence of experts/non-official witnesses in connection with the examination of the subject 'Future of India-Bangladesh Relationship'. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has been the chairperson of the Committee of the External Affairs since September 2024. India has strongly condemned the demolition of a Durga temple in Dhaka, criticising the role of the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government in allowing the destruction and projectin ...Read More >
New Delhi, July 1 (SocialNews.XYZ) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that eight years have passed since GST was introduced, and it stands out as a landmark reform that has reshaped India's economic landscape. "By reducing the compliance burden, it has greatly improved the Ease of Doing Business, particularly for small and medium enterprises", PM Modi stated. "GST has also served as a powerful engine for economic growth, while fostering true cooperative federalism by making states equal partners in this journey to integrate India's market," the Prime Minister said in a statement on ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Signalling the government's intent to move ahead with the impeachment motion of Allahabad High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday said that main opposition parties have given their in-principle approval to support the motion in the upcoming monsoon session scheduled for July21-August 21. Rijiju said that the government is yet to decide whether the motion would be brought in the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha. For the Lok Sabha, signatures of a minimum 100 MPs is required. The requirement is the support of at least 50 MPs in the Rajya Sabha. H ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 11 (ANI): India's Quick Commerce (Q-commerce) market is estimated to have reached around Rs 64,000 crore in FY25, growing at a staggering Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 142 per cent during FY22-FY25, said market analytics firm CareEdge in its latest report. According to the report, the Gross Order Value of the quick commerce market will nearly triple from an estimated Rs 64,000 crore in FY25 to around Rs 2 lakh crore by FY28, registering exponential growth. Quick commerce (or q-commerce) is a specialised form of e-commerce that focuses on delivering goods to cu ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 13 (ANI): Sneha Debnath, a 19-year-old girl from Sabroom in South Tripura district, reportedly went missing in the national capital. Following this, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha gave necessary instructions to the police to take immediate and appropriate action on the matter. Also Read | Trump Announces 30% Tariffs on EU Goods as Trade Talks Stall. In a statement posted on its official social media account, the Tripura Chief Minister's Office stated, "The report of Miss Sneha Debnath, a resident of Sabroom, who has reportedly gone missing in New Delhi, has come t ...Read More >
MUMBAI: The Indian stock markets bounced back strongly on Friday with both the Sensex and Nifty rising sharply during the intra-day trade after a cautious start. The rally was driven by positive global cues and heavy buying in the IT and FMCG stocks. The Sensex jumped 953 points, or 1.17 per cent, to hit an intra-day high of 81, 905. Meanwhile, the Nifty climbed 299 points, or 1.21 per cent, to cross the 24, 900 mark, reaching a high of 24, 909 during early trade. However, the market gave up some of its early gains as the session progressed. Around 1 p.m., the Sensex was trading at 81, 800.8 ...Read More >
Kolkata, June 28: A political slugfest has erupted in West Bengal after a woman accused Padma Shree awardee monk Kartik Maharaj, who is posted with the Murshidabad unit of Bharat Sevashram Sangha, of allegedly raping her 12 times for six months in 2013. As per the police complaint lodged by the woman, Kartik Maharaj raped her multiple times 12 years ago promising her a job at a local school. The ruling Trinamool Congress is highlighting the issue in a major way and accusing the BJP of being silent on it since the accused monk had been reportedly close to the saffron party. The woman accusin ...Read More >
Bengaluru: They were all minors but wanted to make quick bucks to splurge on drugs, cigarettes and snacks. Setting eyes on lone victims, mainly pedestrians near bus stands or isolated streets, three Class IX students and one first-year PU student ganged up for pre-dawn robberies across East Bengaluru for over a year. However their luck ran out when they snatched the valuables of a woman on July 3. Caught by KR Puram police, they are now cooling their heels in jail.On the morning of July 3, a woman in her 50s was walking past Garden City College when two of the juveniles, riding a stolen gearle ...Read More >
Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], July 9 (ANI): Following the violent protest at Kerala University, a case has been registered against 27 activists of the ruling CPM's Students Federation of India (SFI), including its state secretary P S Sanjeev, who has been named the prime accused, police said. The case also names 1,000 identifiable protesters who have been accused of damaging public property, forcibly entering the university campus, and assaulting police and university staff, police said on Tuesday. Also Read | Nobel Peace Prize 2025: From Mahatma Gandhi to Jawaharlal Nehru, Check Full ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 13 (ANI): With food prices lagging seasonal trends and driving headline Consumer Price Index-based retail inflation below 4 per cent since February 2025, Union Bank of India has revised downwards its 2025-26 headline inflation forecast from 4 per cent to 3.6 per cent (largely aligned with the RBI' forecast of 3.7 per cent). The June retail inflation data is due early next week. In a report, the bank said June 2025 retail inflation will be at 2.3 per cent, with the worst seems to be over for now. According to them, July figures would be the near-term bottom. '...in ou ...Read More >
Gurgaon: MCG additional commissioner Yash Jaluka directed bulk waste generators (BWG) across the city to ensure proper disposal of waste by private agencies who are assisting them. Giving these instructions in a meeting held on Friday, he said it is often observed that BWGs hand over their waste to private agencies, which only sort valuable items and dump the remaining waste on roads, drains, vacant land or public places. This, he said, not only affects cleanliness of the city but also poses a threat to public health."Under the Solid Waste Management Rules-2016, it is the legal and moral respo ...Read More >
Kolkata: After a 54% jump in salary in 2023-24, the remuneration of ITC chairman Sanjiv Puri remained almost flat in 2024-25, per the annual report of the FMCG, tobacco and agri major.Puri's total remuneration was Rs 25.6 crore in 2024-25, compared to Rs 25.2 crore in 2023-24. In FY25, his basic salary was Rs 3.5 crore, perquisites Rs 73 lakh and performance incentive Rs 21.4 crore.Puri drew a basic salary of Rs 3.1 crore, perquisites and other benefits of Rs 57 lakh and a performance bonus of Rs 21.5 crore from the diversified conglomerate in 2023-24, according to the company's last annual re ...Read More >
Hyderabad, July 6 (Maxim News): In a major boost to employment opportunities in the banking sector, public sector banks (PSBs) are set to recruit around 50,000 personnel during the current financial year (FY2025), according to data compiled from various banks. The move is aimed at supporting expanding business operations, enhancing customer services, and strengthening digital and physical infrastructure. The State Bank of India (SBI), the country's largest lender, is leading the hiring wave with plans to employ nearly 20,000 people in FY2025. This includes both probationary officers and speci ...Read More >
TVS Industrial & Logistics Parks (TVS ILP), a part of the TVS Mobility Group and a joint venture between TVS Supply Chain Solutions (TVS SCS) and Ravi Swaminathan & Family, has listed its Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT) -- TVS Infrastructure Trust -- on the National Stock Exchange (NSE). The company develops Grade A warehousing and industrial infrastructure. This initiative is backed by marquee global and domestic investors, including the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group and L&T. IFC has invested ₹348 crore ($41 million) as the cornerstone inve ...Read More >
Gandhinagar: In households in Gujarat's cities, cereals may take up less space in the grocery bill, but they still dominate the dinner plate. A new Union govt report shows that cereals, while accounting for just 3.8% of household spending, supply 35% of total calorie intake in cities. In villages, their role is even more dominant, making up 43% of calorie consumption while accounting for 4.5% of total spending.Cereals also account for a major portion of protein intake for people in Gujarat.These insights come from the Centre's latest "Nutritional Intake in India" report, which tracks food patt ...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 >
New Delhi, July 14 (PTI) The Union health ministry has urged all ministries, departments and autonomous bodies to display "oil and sugar board" mentioning the sugar and oil content in Indian snacks such as samosa, kachori, french fries and vadapav to promote healthy lifestyles and combat obesity and non-communicable diseases. It has also called for printing health messages on all official stationeries such as letterheads, envelopes, notepads, folders, etc and publications to reinforce daily reminders on fighting obesity. Also Read | Will Japanese Bullet Train Not Run Between Ahmedabad and Mu ...Read More >
CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu government has requested the union government to release pending dues amounting to Rs 2,670.64 crore. These dues relate to expenses incurred by the state for paddy procurement, rice fortification, and subsidies for ragi and sugar. Of the roughly 2.25 crore ration cards in Tamil Nadu, the cost of supplying rice through the Public Distribution System (PDS) to 1.12 crore cards (covering 3.6 crore beneficiaries) is fully borne by the centre under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). Of the total outstanding dues of Rs 2,670.64 crore, a sum of Rs 2,181.88 crore has been ...Read More >
New Delhi, 2 July 2025: Over the past couple of years, GCCs have been the primary growth driver of India's office market This growth has been fueled by cost optimization strategies, a skilled talent pool, rapid infrastructure development, favourable government policies, ease of doing business, and a supportive business environment. As per Vestian's latest report, GCCs accounted for 42% of the pan-India absorption in FY 2025, registering a marginal increase from 41% a year earlier. In terms of value, GCC absorption increased by 24% during the same period stated above, reaching 31.8 Mn sq ft. ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday announced the provisional attachment of assets worth approximately ₹131.45 crore in Spain, including a luxury yacht and immovable properties, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). These assets belong to Pavel Prozorov, a Spanish national and the alleged mastermind behind the unauthorised forex trading platform OctaFX. The attached assets comprise a commercial Italian-model luxury yacht cruising in the Western Mediterranean, a minijet boat, a luxury car, and two residential properties in Spain. The ED's probe was launched ...Read More >