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.
CHANDIGARH: Gurugram has been ranked the most polluted city in the country for March 2026. Haryana accounted for four of India's top ten most polluted cities: Faridabad, Manesar, Bahadurgarh and Gurugram, as per the report of Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA). It further noted that Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh remained the most polluted city overall for the entire 2025-26 financial year. Data further showed that nine of Haryana's 24 monitored cities exceeded the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Gurugram recorded a monthly average PM2.5 level of 116 µg/m³. The millennium city consistently reported elevated PM10 concentrations, largely attributed to construction activity and road dust. "Other cities in the top 10 polluted list for March include Bahadurgarh, Faridabad, Singrauli, Mandideep, Ghaziabad, Manesar, Bhiwadi, Noida, and Nandesari. Haryana accounted for four of India's top 10 most polluted cities, followed by two cities each from Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, and one each from Rajasthan and Gujarat. Haryana had the highest number of cities exceeding NAAQS, with nine out of 24 recording PM2.5 higher than NAAQS, followed by Uttar Pradesh with eight out of 21 cities exceeding NAAQS," it read. In 2025, both Gurugram and Faridabad frequently figured among India's most polluted cities. Earlier trends indicated that while Faridabad often recorded higher PM2.5 levels, The findings come against the backdrop of persistently poor air quality in the region. Ghaziabad recorded the highest annual average PM10 concentration (FY 25-26) at 215 µg/m³, followed by Delhi (201 µg/m³), and Noida (195 µg/m³), all of the numbers being over three times higher than the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) of 60 µg/m³. The report noted that in March 2026, 220 out of 251 cities with >80 per cent CAAQMS data reported PM2.5 levels below India's daily national standard of 60 µg/m³. However, only three cities met the World Health Organization's (WHO) stricter daily safe limit of 15 µg/m³. Among NCAP cities, seven of the 96 cities with sufficient data exceeded India's daily PM2.5 standards, and 94 of 96 cities breached the WHO guidelines. Among 155 non-NCAP cities, 154 exceeded the WHO's daily limit, and 25 crossed the national standard. Dehradun recorded the highest reduction in PM10 levels -- about 75 per cent compared to the 2017-18 baseline -- while Delhi saw a modest 17 per cent decline.
New Delhi, Jul 3 (PTI) The Delhi government on Thursday urged the Centre's air quality panel to immediately suspend the fuel ban on overage vehicles and said it will also make "all out efforts" to resolve issues related to restrictions on the movement of end-of-life vehicles on the city's roads. In his letter to Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) chairman Rajesh Verma, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the fuel ban is not feasible and that it cannot be implemented due to technological challenges. The move three days after the ban came into effect in the national capit ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: The Delhi government has urged the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to defer the enforcement of a recent directive banning fuel supply to end-of-life (EOL) vehicles, citing serious technological challenges and growing public discontent. The request came through a letter sent by Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, who reiterated the government's support for air pollution mitigation but called the fuel ban "premature and potentially counterproductive." The ban, mandated under CAQM's Direction No. 89 dated April 23, came into effect on July 1 and prohibits petrol ...Read More >
New Delhi: The debate among scientists and environment policy experts over what really drives vehicle pollution has heated up in Delhi after the Commission for Air Quality Management's (CAQM) directive of denying fuel and impounding end-of-life vehicles from July 1 onwards.Petrol vehicles that are over 15 years old and diesel vehicles that are over 10 years old are in the direct line of fire of CAQM's Direction 89.The policy's aim is to reducing emissions, but environmentalists and automotive exp ...Read More >
GURGAON: The investigation into the murder of a 25-year-old former international tennis player, allegedly by her father, has revealed a sudden deterioration in their relationship. The apparent reason was a disagreement over the academy she ran near their house, but the roots clearly run deeper. The father, who claims to have spent Rs 2 crore on his daughter's tennis career, told interrogators he was troubled by questions about her "character" that some of his associates had raised.Deepak Yadav, who shot Radhika at their house Thursday morning, had allegedly been insisting for two weeks on her ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 13 (PTI) With the government exempting about 78 cent per cent of coal-fired plants from installing key anti-polluting systems, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Sunday said the Environment Ministry's rationale for the policy is based on "faulty premises". He asserted that the government's policymaking will continue to be driven by "flawed metrics" in the absence of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) revision. The former environment minister attacked the government after the central government once again extended the deadline for coal-based thermal power plants t ...Read More >
New Delhi: Deteriorating further, the city's air quality worsened within the poor category on Wednesday, even as the pollution models indicated that the air quality index would turn very poor even before Diwali.The average AQI was 233 at 4pm against 211 on Tuesday. According to weather analysts, while the mornings are likely to turn misty or foggy and winds calmer, the share of stubble burning to the city's PM2.5 levels is expected to rise from less than 1% to over 4% by Friday. This may lead to AQI deteriorating faster than expected, they added. AQI between 301 to 400 is considered very poor ...Read More >
Delhi's End-of-Life (EOL) vehicle ban takes effect on November 1 The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has decided to defer the fuel ban on end-of-life (EOL) till November 1, 2025. According to PTI sources, the panel reviewed the fuel ban and decided to delay the enforcement of this ban till November. The report states that the End-of-Life (EOL) vehicle ban will be implemented across the National Capital Region (NCR), covering Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gautam Budh Nagar, and Sonipat. Delhi fuel ban: No end-of-life vehicles seizure According to PTI, CAQM has instructed the a ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], August 14 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Thursday reserved its order on pleas seeking a stay of its August 11 order to remove all stray dogs from the localities in the Delhi-NCR region and put them in shelter homes. A three-judge bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and NV Anjaria said it will pass an interim order on the August 11 order of a different bench. At the outset, Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Delhi government, said that there was a loud vocal minority and a silent suffering majority. In a democracy, there is a vocal majority an ...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 [India], June 29 (ANI): The Delhi government has requested Rs 1,000 crore in funding from the Central government to deploy new technology and implement measures aimed at reducing the Air Quality Index (AQI) of the national capital, Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh said on Sunday during an inspection of Nehru Park. Minister Singh visited Nehru Park along with Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, as part of the government's initiative to install air purifiers in the area. Also Read | US: 24-Year-Old Indian Woman Simran Simran Goes Missing Days After Arriving for Arranged Mar ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Three days after exempting majority of the coal- and lignite-based thermal power plants (TPPs) in India from installing key anti-pollution equipment that could have helped them meet the sulphur dioxide standards, the Union environment ministry on Monday sought to justify its move saying the current exposure levels provide no credible evidence to suggest that SO₂, under prevailing ambient conditions, is a major public health concern.It said any revision to SO2 standards must be driven by its actual contribution to PM2.5 levels and its corresponding health burden.Flagging a detailed s ...Read More >
Slashing pollution levels across the country by up to 30% can substantially reduce the burden of ailments such as heart disease, diabetes, anaemia and low birth weight among women and children, said a new assessment released Tuesday by IIT-Delhi and Climate Trends, a research-based consulting and capacity building initiative. Data on disease prevalence from National [...] Slashing pollution levels across the country by up to 30% can substantially reduce the burden of ailments such as heart disea ...Read More >
India's top court on Wednesday permitted the use of some firecrackers in New Delhi during the Diwali festival, easing a blanket ban even as the capital battles unhealthy winter air pollution. The Supreme Court said the controlled use of the less-polluting "green firecrackers" -- developed by federal research institutes to reduce particulate and gas emission -- would be allowed for limited periods between Saturday and Tuesday. During Diwali, a major Hindu festival of lights, widespread bursting ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Reacting to Delhi's fuel ban on diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years from today, AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj said that this step was impractical and the BJP did not know how to run the government. Saurabh Bharadwaj said, "Didn't they have any other way of stopping old vehicles? Now that the Monsoon has hit Delhi, will they conduct a pilot project for artificial rain? You've (BJP) filled in small potholes but left the larger ones as they are. Owners of Petrol Pump Associations say that this step is impractical. Will the petrol pump operator fi ...Read More >
Delhi weather today: The weather in Delhi-NCR brought a big change as heavy rain lashed the region early Monday morning. The downpour came as a huge relief from the recent days of scorching heat and high humidity. For many residents, the cooler temperatures and fresher air came as a welcome break. However, the sudden rainfall also led to waterlogging in several low-lying parts of the city. The Delhi weather system impacted not just the capital but also nearby cities such as Gurgaon, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Faridabad. People in these areas reported heavy to very heavy showers, strong gusty winds ...Read More >
Bengaluru (India) (AFP) - Pollution levels in India's capital shaped Natasha Uppal and her husband's decision on parenthood -- either raise their child away from the city, or stay put and remain childless. New Delhi and the surrounding metropolitan area, home to more than 30 million people, consistently tops world rankings for air pollution. Uppal, who grew up in the city, often considered leaving -- especially on days spent indoors with air purifiers humming, or when she battled severe migraines. The turning point came when the couple decided to try for a baby. "When we thought about what ...Read More >
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Delhi on Monday, forecasting generally cloudy skies with light to moderate rain and thunderstorms. These are expected to be accompanied by lightning and gusty winds of 30-40 kmph, occasionally reaching up to 50 kmph during storms. According to the IMD, an orange alert suggests the possibility of moderate to heavy rainfall. The alert signifies severe weather that could impact transport and power supply. The showers are likely to lower the maximum temperature, keeping it between 31 and 33 degrees Celsius, while the minimu ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 8 (PTI) Fuel retailers' body DPDA on Tuesday hailed the central government panel's decision to defer the fuel ban on end-of-life (EOL) or overage vehicles until November 1, saying the move gives them ample time to prepare for the implementation. According to sources, Centre's panel on air quality in Delhi-NCR CAQM on Tuesday decided to put on hold the implementation of the fuel ban on end-of-life or overage vehicles in the national capital until November 1. Also Read | PM Modi in Brasilia: PM Narendra Modi Receives Grand Welcome From Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva ...Read More >
Meanwhile, Delhi experienced partially cloudy skies on Friday, with no rainfall recorded. (File) ShowQuick Read Summary is AI-generated, newsroom-reviewed * Rainfall and winds helped Delhi avoid a sharp pollution rise after Dussehra celebrations * Delhi's 24-hour average AQI was 88 on Friday, categorised as satisfactory * Post-Dussehra pollution spikes have been common, with AQI exceeding 200 in recent years Did our AI summary help? Let us know. Switch To Beeps Mode New Delhit: A combin ...Read More >
Stage I of GRAP is implemented when the AQI exceeds 200. Stage II (Very Poor) comes into effect when it crosses 300, Stage III (Severe) at levels above 350, and Stage IV (Severe Plus) when the AQI goes beyond 400. New Delhi: Delhi's air quality deteriorated to the 'poor' category for the first time this season with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 211 on Tuesday ahead of Diwali. It forced Commission for Air Quality Management to impose stage I of Graded Response Action Plan (Grap) in Delhi-NCR. The ...Read More >
Gurgaon: It took just 19 days this year for air pollution levels in Gurgaon to overshoot the limit considered safe by the World Health Organization (WHO).A study of air quality data by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) found that Jan 19, 2025, was Gurgaon's 'overshoot day'. By then, particulate matter 2.5 concentration was already so high that, even if levels were to drastically reduce to zero for the rest of the year, the city would still fail to meet WHO's annual limit.The analysis also ranked the city as the fifth most polluted Indian city in the first half of 2025, wit ...Read More >
Chandigarh: The city experienced an unusually sharp fall in temperatures this week, making the plunge from a warm 36 degrees Celsius on Sunday to a relatively cool 22 degrees Celsius on Tuesday. Overcast skies, rain and thunder brought about a nip in the air ahead of Diwali.Tuesday saw many reaching for shawls and light jackets as maximum temperature slid down to the lowest level since 2021. Officials said such a sudden fall in temperature is normally seen at the end of the month, but this year, ...Read More >
Delhi's air quality continues to deteriorate with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 304, falling under the "very poor" category. Several areas, including Anand Vihar, Jahangirpuri, and Mundka, reported severe pollution levels, significantly impacting visibility and health. The National Capital Region (NCR) also saw poor air quality, with areas like Noida and Ghaziabad in the "poor" range. The Supreme Court upheld restrictions under Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to curb pollution. Authorities urge residents to limit outdoor activities and take health precautions as smo ...Read More >
Entrepreneur and managing director of Homestays and villas and Mangalya destination weddings, Siddharth Bakaria, was the latest victim of the horror show that the city has turned into. Delhi's air and its declining quality have unfortunately become the hallmark of the general discourse of the country towards the end of the year and almost all throughout Winter. Lungs are Burning To no one's surprise, the Winter of 2024 is no different, with the landlocked capital city breaking the most undesirable records, very early on in the season. According to reports, Delhi and its neighbouring region ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 3 (ANI): Merely two days after its rollout, the Delhi government has put its End-of-Life (EOL) vehicle impounding on hold, which involved a ban on providing fuel to diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years. Amid the backlash from opposition and public outcry, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa confirmed that the city will not impound old vehicles for now and formally wrote to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to suspend the policy. Also Read | Fuel Ban Order on Overage Vehicles Not Feasible Now Due to Tec ...Read More >
New Delhi, July 10 (UNI) A recent large-scale Danish study has revealed that ultrafine particles in air pollution can cross the blood-brain barrier and may increase the risk of developing tumors of the central nervous system (CNS), particularly meningiomas --the most common type of primary brain tumor. The findings published in journal Neurology add to growing evidence that air pollution's harmful effects extend beyond respiratory and cardiovascular health, potentially affecting the brain as well. Given the high pollution burden in Indian metropolitan areas such as in Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolk ...Read More >
New Delhi, July 14 (SocialNews.XYZ) Delhi Home and Power Minister Ashish Sood will on Tuesday boost the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign - inspired by the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi - by planting a sapling in the Janakpuri area, said an official. As part of the ongoing Van Mahotsav of the Delhi government, the Minister will plant a sapling at Municipal Corporation of Delhi park in A-2 Block Ram Vatika in Janakpuri, said the official on Monday. Sood's green initiative follows Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena's participation in the New Delhi Municipal Council's (NDMC) special tree plan ...Read More >
Visakhapatnam: The Indian Navy is hosting the fifth edition of the Indo-Indonesian joint bilateral maritime exercise 'Samudra Shakti - 2025' in Visakhapatnam. The participating units include INS Kavaratti, an Anti-Submarine Warfare Corvette of Eastern Fleet under the aegis of Eastern Naval Command (ENC) and the Indonesian Navy Ship KRI John Lie, a Corvette (with an integral helicopter), which arrived at Visakhapatnam. Commenced on October 14, the exercise will continue till October 17. The harbour phase features a range of activities aimed at building camaraderie and professional rapport th ...Read More >
New Delhi: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for the national capital predicting the possibility of rains in Delhi on Saturday. The maximum temperature of Delhi is expected to be 35 to 37 degrees Celsius and the minimum temperature will be 24 to 26 degrees Celsius. Relative humidity was recorded at 80 per cent today at 8.30 am. The air quality was recorded in the "satisfactory" category at 8 am on Saturday, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of 80, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data showed. The AQI readings in other parts of the NCR are 88 in F ...Read More >
New Delhi, July 9 (SocialNews.XYZ) Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emplaned for Namibia -- the final stop of his five-nation visit -- after wrapping up his State Visit to Brasilia where he met Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and also attended the 17th BRICS Summit in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro. Taking to X, the PMO wrote: "PM @narendramodi has boarded for Namibia, the final destination of his tour" Also, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randir Jaiswal wrote on X: "PM @narendramodi concludes a productive visit to Brazil and emplanes for Namibia. A memorable visit t ...Read More >