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: A swelling supply glut of ethanol is forcing policymakers and industry to look beyond car and two-wheelers to spur consumption of the renewable fuel. This includes ethanol-powered cooking stoves and diesel blends to generators and flex-fuel vehicles. Pilot projects are already starting to unfold. Ethanol-based cooking stoves are being tested as a cleaner household alternative, while blending the biofuel with diesel and using it in backup generators is under discussion. Early trials are also being run of ethanol-blended diesel buses of Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation to ascertain technical feasibility. The mounting inventory underscores the urgency. India is sitting on an estimated surplus of nearly 20 billion litres of ethanol, while oil marketing companies have contracted only about 11 billion litres. The mismatch has left distillery capacity grossly underutilised, raising concerns of financial strain across the supply chain, said Deepak Ballani, director general of the Indian Sugar & Bio Energy Manufacturers Association. Industry bodies including the Indian Sugar & Bio Energy Manufacturers Association, and the Indian Distillers Association are pushing for rapid demand creation, especially in light of ongoing geopolitical uncertainties that could disrupt conventional fuel supply lines. Notably, the most scalable outlet may lie on the roads. Flex-fuel vehicles-capable of running on varying blends of petrol and ethanol-are technically ready, with prototypes spanning two-wheelers to passenger cars developed by Maruti Suzuki, Toyota, and Bajaj Auto, among others. Yet mass adoption hinges on economics. Unlike electric vehicles, which attract a concessional goods and services tax (GST) of 5%, flex-fuel vehicles are taxed between 18% and 40% depending on engine configuration and blend capability. The higher upfront cost, combined with the absence of widespread ethanol fuel availability, may dampen consumer interest. Also Read: India doubles 5-kg LPG cylinder quota to ease supply concerns amid Hormuz tensions "Vehicle readiness is not the issue, fuel availability and pricing are," said an official familiar with the discussions. "For flex-fuel to work, ethanol must be priced lower, and the entire fuel-vehicle equation needs policy alignment." Industry stakeholders are calling for tax rationalisation, long-term policy visibility for automakers, and a pricing framework to make ethanol blends economically attractive. "Without cheaper ethanol, flex-fuel vehicles will struggle to find buyers," said an executive at a car maker that has a ready flex-fuel prototype. Some states are starting to respond. Sikkim has waived road tax on flex-fuel vehicles, the first such move in the country, raising hopes of similar incentives elsewhere. Automakers, on their part, are preparing at least one flex-fuel model each, but are seeking a clearer roadmap before scaling production. Executives say with the right policy push, adoption could accelerate. Also Read: Govt steps up LPG supply, urges calm amid Hormuz concerns The government's ethanol blending programme has currently reached E20-a mixture of 80% petrol and 20% ethanol-but the next stage remains uncertain. Proposals for E25 and E30 blends are under consideration, though no firm policy direction has emerged. Meanwhile, the government appears reluctant to cut ethanol prices, "a move that could stimulate demand but hurt producer margins," said an official familiar with the matter. "This policy tension lies at the heart of the current impasse."
India's Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has announced an ongoing investigation into three electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers for allegedly availing government subsidies fraudulently. The total sum in question amounts to approximately Rs2.97bn (about $35m). The firms under scrutiny, Hero Electric Vehicles, Benling India Energy and Technology, and Okinawa Autotech; they are accused of violating guidelines tied to FAME II. FAME II was launched in 2019 by India's Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI), that aimed to promote local EV manufacturing and drive electrification in India. It is mainl ...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 >
New Delhi, Dec 12 (PTI) Tata Motors on Thursday said it will increase prices of its trucks and buses portfolio by up to 2 per cent effective January 1, 2025, citing rising input costs. The price increase is to offset the rise in input costs, Tata Motors said in a statement. While the price increase will vary as per individual model and variant, it will be applicable across the entire range of trucks and buses, it added. Already passenger vehicle makers, including Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai Motor India and Tata Motors, along with luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi have announced that th ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar, Dec 18 (PTI) Ahead of BJD's 28th foundation day on December 26, its chief Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday urged members to remain dedicated to serving the people of Odisha, while the party announced a mass demonstration in Bhubaneswar on January 6 to highlight the price rise of essential commodities and other issues. Patnaik asked party supporters to "raise voice against the BJP government's 'anti-people' policies" and also highlight the impact of high inflation, which hits the poor and middle class. "The party leaders and workers need to create awareness among people on the state B ...Read More >
The global 5G testing equipment market is set to grow by USD 605.76 million from 2024 to 2028, driven by the increasing demand for high-speed, low-latency connectivity in industries like IoT, healthcare, and automotive. With a projected CAGR of 8.43%, the market is focusing on software-defined testing to optimize 5G device performance. Key players include Analog Devices, Anritsu, Keysight Technologies, and Rohde & Schwarz. Oscilloscopes, essential for analyzing electronic signals, dominate the market, and advancements in 5G testing equipment are expected to fuel future growth as 5G networks ex ...Read More >
Mumbai: The death toll in Monday's BEST bus crash rose to seven and the number of injured to 42 even as the driver, Sanjay More, booked for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, claimed he had noticed a spark and mistakenly accelerated the bus instead of applying brakes. Seeking More's custody, police said they want to investigate if he intentionally used the vehicle as a weapon. The bus on Route 332 had accelerated on a congested 200m stretch near Kurla station hitting vehicles and pedestr ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jun 6 (PTI) Interest-rate-sensitive stocks were in huge demand on Friday, with the realty index climbing nearly 5 per cent as investors cheered the Reserve Bank's jumbo rate cut of 50 basis points. Home, auto and other loans are likely to cost less as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cut interest rates by a larger-than-expected 50 basis points, and unexpectedly reduced the cash reserve ratio for banks to make available more money to lend in a bid to boost the economy. The RBI's six-member monetary policy committee, headed by Governor Sanjay Malhotra and consisting of three external ...Read More >
Listening to the sounds of nature such as birdsong reduces stress levels - but the sound of traffic increases them, new research shows. The research lends support for anyone who is a firm believer in the curative powers of a walk in the countryside or through a forest. In a study, 68 volunteers listened to three three-minute soundscapes: a nature soundscape recorded at sunrise in West Sussex, the same soundscape combined with 20 mile per hour road traffic sounds, and the same soundscape with 40 mile per hour traffic sounds. General mood and anxiety were assessed before and after the soundsc ...Read More >
An Ertiga made at its Manesar factory in Haryana is the 2 millionth vehicle to roll out from Maruti Suzuki's stables An Ertiga, its popular multi-purpose vehicle manufactured at its Manesar facility in Haryana, drove Maruti Suzuki India Ltd to new milestone -- two million vehicles manufactured in a calendar year, making India's largest car manufacturer the only company to achieve the feat in the passenger vehicle space. Of the two million vehicles, almost 60 percent were manufactured in Haryana ...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 >
India's electric vehicle (EV) sector is facing a major hurdle due to China's restrictions on the export of rare earth metals. These materials are key components in the production of EV motors, and their restricted import from China has made things difficult for several Indian companies. The issue was highlighted in a recent report by Jefferies, which warned that this could severely impact motor production and jeopardize the entire supply chain. ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jan 2 (PTI) Stakeholders from the electric vehicle (EV) sector will hold a meeting with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal here on January 3 on issues, including infrastructure related to charging and battery swapping, sources said. They said that officials from the Department of Heavy Industries are expected to attend the meeting. Also Read | SOF NSO Results 2024-25 Out at sofworld.org: National Science Olympiad Exam Result Released, Get Direct Link and Know Steps To Download. Representatives from Tata, Mahindra, Mercedes-Benz India, Hero MotoCorp, and other companies h ...Read More >
New Delhi: Six people, including a three-year-old child, were injured in five separate fire incidents reported across the city on Thursday.According to Delhi Fire Services (DFS), a fire was reported on Pankha Road in west Delhi's Janakpuri around 5.30am, in which two buses and a car were gutted. Two fire tenders were sent to the site. No casualties were reported. At 9.35am, a fire broke out in a house in southeast Delhi's New Friends Colony. According to police, a resident called workers to clean a sofa set in her home when a fire broke out. "It appears the thinner caught fire during the clean ...Read More >
Dozens of two-wheelers skidded on a Hyderabad road after an oil tanker leaking fuel passed from the area. The incident which occurred on Hyderabad's Kushaiguda-Nagaram road left several bikers injured. In a video, which went viral after the accident, men and women were seen sprawled on the road along with their fallen two-wheelers. While some of them are still on the road, others can be seen attempting to pick up their vehicles. "A road stretch between ECIL & Keesara has turned slick due to a diesel spill. Motorists are urged to drive carefully and consider alternate routes to avoid accident ...Read More >
BCL Industries is investing Rs 150 crore to set up a bio-energy plant in West Bengal, aiming to enhance ethanol production as part of India's green energy push. The project, along with another in Punjab, is set for completion in 18-24 months. The company is also venturing into biogas production in Haryana with a Rs 350 crore investment. In a significant move towards enhancing India's green energy landscape, BCL Industries announced on Wednesday its plans to invest Rs 150 crore in a bio-energy pl ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Highlighting a recent directive from the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on the establishment of 'sugar boards' in schools, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has urged states to support and implement the initiative to help curb excessive sugar consumption among schoolchildren and foster healthier dietary habits from an early age. The matter was discussed during the 47th Central Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting of the FSSAI, held on May 27. According to the FSSAI, in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for urgent action against obesity ...Read More >
New Delhi: Rare earth magnets, essential for EV motors, have become the latest flashpoint in India's growing electric mobility ambitions. These magnets power the core of Brushless DC (BLDC) and Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors (PMSM), which drive most electric vehicles today, particularly two-wheelers. With China tightening export controls, Indian automakers now face serious supply-side disruptions. If the situation continues, industry experts warn that EV prices could rise, production could slow and expansion plans may take a hit. In April this year, China imposed an export curb on rare- ...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 >
New Delhi: India's passenger vehicle market witnessed varied performance across major automakers in November 2024. While Maruti Suzuki, Mahindra & Mahindra, and Tata Motors posted year-on-year growth, Hyundai faced challenges in its domestic market. Maruti Suzuki, the country's largest carmaker, reported strong growth in total passenger vehicle sales, reaching 141,312 units during the month. This marked an increase from 134,158 units sold in November 2023. However, the company's sales in October 2024 were higher at 159,591 units, indicating a month-on-month decline. In November 2024, Maruti ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 18 (PTI) Renewable energy player BCL Industries on Wednesday said it is setting up a bio-energy plant in West Bengal with an investment of Rs 150 crore. The company has also received an environment clearance for its 75 KLPD (kilo litres per day) plant coming up in Kharagpur, it said. Additionally, the work on a similar project with 75 KLPD capacity in Bathinda, Punjab is in full swing. Both the projects are expected to be completed within a time period of 18-24 months, it said. In India, ethanol production is a key part of promoting bio-energy and biofuels, contributing to t ...Read More >
Pune: Maruti Suzuki, India's biggest car maker, on Friday said it aims to be the largest producer of electric vehicles in the country and make India the export hub over the next one year. The Japanese giant will take on EV market leader Tata Motors, Mahindra and MG Motor in the electric car game in the country. To realize its goals Maruti Suzuki, which unveiled its first electric SUV e-Vitara at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 in New Delhi on Friday, will introduce a range of six electric vehicle models by 2030. Suzuki Motor Corporation representative Director and President Toshihiro S ...Read More >
NEW DELHI, June 5 (Reuters) - Indian and U.S. are holding high-level talks this week, aiming to finalise tariff cuts in sectors such as farm and automobiles as part of an interim deal, two government sources said, with an announcement likely later this month. A U.S. delegation led by senior officials from the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) began closed-door, two-day discussions in New Delhi on Thursday with Indian trade officials headed by chief negotiator Rajesh Agrawal ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], June 6 (ANI): The Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) on Friday released vehicle retail data for May, which revealed a modest rise of 5 per cent as compared to the same month last year. Segment-wise, two-wheeler was the best category, which performed, registering a rise of 7.3 per cent on a year-on-year basis, followed by three-wheeler (rise of 6.2 per cent), and the tractor segment registered a gain of 2.7 per cent on yoy basis.On the flip side, the Passenger Vehicle segment, Construction Equipment, and Commercial Vehicle declined by 3.1 per cent, 6.3 per c ...Read More >
Royal Enfield sold 82,257 motorcycles in November 2024, a 2% increase from last year. Exports nearly doubled to 10,021 motorcycles. The company launched the Goan Classic 350, Bear 650, and new EV brand Flying Flea at EICMA 2024. The fourteenth edition of Motoverse concluded with over 10,000 attendees and exciting new introductions. ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jan 2 (PTI) Stakeholders from the electric vehicle (EV) sector will hold a meeting with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal here on January 3 on issues, including infrastructure related to charging and battery swapping, sources said. They said that officials from the Department of Heavy Industries are expected to attend the meeting. Representatives from Tata, Mahindra, Mercedes-Benz India, Hero MotoCorp, and other companies have been invited to the deliberations, they added. Earlier in March last year, the government rolled out an electric-vehicle policy, under which duty ...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 >
PUNE: Automobile dealers clocked a modest rise of 5 per cent year-on-year to 22.12 lakh units in the retail sale of total vehicles in May, buoyed by healthy two- and three-wheeler sales. However, passenger vehicle (PV) sales bucked the trend, slipping 3.1 per cent as rising inventory and cautious consumer behaviour signalled a pause in demand recovery, the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations or FADA data showed on Friday. The PV registrations last month stood at 3,02,214 units, as compared to 3,11,908 units in May 2024. FADA said that customers delayed purchases in several states d ...Read More >
Ola Electric continued to dominate the market in November as well and maintained market leadership, followed closely by TVS Motor and Bajaj Auto The domestic Electric Two-Wheeler (E2W) market continues its upward sales trajectory with annual sales exceeding the milestone of one million in November 2024. As per the data available on Vahan, E2W registrations went up by nearly a 30 percent YoY (year-on-year) in November 2024, reaching 1,18,944 units The country's e2W sales for the first 11 months of the year were at 10,74,041 units, up by nearly 37 percent from 7,84,532 units logged during the ...Read More >
Mumbai: Benchmark stock indices Sensex and Nifty rebounded nearly 2 per cent on Tuesday in line with a recovery in Asian peers after US President Donald Trump delayed tariffs on Mexico and Canada for a month. The 30-share BSE Sensex jumped 1,397.07 points or 1.81 per cent to settle at a month's high of 78,583.81. During the day, it surged 1,471.85 points or 1.90 per cent to 78,658.59. The NSE Nifty soared 378.20 points or 1.62 per cent to 23,739.25, a level not seen since January 3. From the 30-share blue-chip pack, Larsen & Toubro rallied nearly 5 per cent. Adani Ports, IndusInd Bank, Tata ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: India's two major private-sector refiners, which have long prioritised exports, are turning to local sales, grabbing share in the country's fast-growing $150 billion fuel retail market as weaker global demand squeezes profit margins offshore. Reliance Industries and Nayara Energy are stepping up sales at home as fuel demand growth slows in developed markets and China, the world's second biggest oil consumer, with the transition to electric vehicles. The lower demand offshore combined with supply competition from new refiners, such as Dangote in Nigeria, and rising exports from Chi ...Read More >