Ishita Ayan Dutt, Business Standard

Stories by Ishita Ayan Dutt, Business Standard

Duty hikes to dent cigarette volumes by 6-8% in FY27: Crisil Ratings

Duty hikes to dent cigarette volumes by 6-8% in FY27: Crisil Ratings

Rediff.com   29 Jan 2026

The domestic cigarette industry is expected to see a 6-8 per cent volume contraction next fiscal following the imposition of additional excise duties and increase in goods and services tax (GST) rates from February 1, Crisil Ratings said on Wednesday.

Steel prices hiked again amid rising exports

Steel prices hiked again amid rising exports

Rediff.com   19 Jan 2026

The imposition of safeguard duty, an uptick in exports, and an increase in input cost are driving steel prices higher. The latest round of price increase took place on Friday, with some steel mills increasing hot-rolled coil (HRC) prices by ~500-750 a tonne, according to price reporting and market intelligence firm BigMint. HRC is a benchmark for flat steel.

Darjeeling tea output may have hit a new low in 2025

Darjeeling tea output may have hit a new low in 2025

Rediff.com   12 Jan 2026

The famed Darjeeling tea may have slip to a new production low in 2025, as changing weather patterns, a shortage of pluckers and mounting economic stress weigh on the region's gardens.

Northern Borders 'Stable Yet Sensitive': Defence Ministry

Northern Borders 'Stable Yet Sensitive': Defence Ministry

Rediff.com   3 Jan 2026

The deployment of the army in all sectors along the Line of Actual Control, the de facto border between India and China, is 'robust, well poised and prepared to deal with any emerging contingency'.

3.84 Trillion Spent On These Weapons...

3.84 Trillion Spent On These Weapons...

Rediff.com   2 Jan 2026

The largest tranche came in July, in the wake of Operation Sindoor, with the DAC according acceptance of necessity -- or initial approval -- for 10 capital acquisition proposals amounting to approximately 1.05 trillion through indigenous sourcing.

SIM-Binding Standoff: Telcos Vs Apps

SIM-Binding Standoff: Telcos Vs Apps

Rediff.com   17 Dec 2025

App-based communication services providers and Indian telcos are at loggerheads over the SIM-binding directions issued by the department of telecom, which are to be complied with by the end of February 2026.

Trai Launches Digital Consent Pilot

Trai Launches Digital Consent Pilot

Rediff.com   11 Dec 2025

A national rollout will take place after the pilot test in which SBI, PNB, Axis Bank, Bank of Maharashtra, Canara Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, IndusInd Bank, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Indian Overseas Bank and Punjab & Sind Bank are participating.

Buoyant demand has failed to push steel prices

Buoyant demand has failed to push steel prices

Rediff.com   21 Nov 2025

The Indian steel industry is faced with a paradox: Rising demand and falling prices. Demand continues to surge as user industries gather pace, with the World Steel Association projecting around 9 per cent annual growth for India over 2025 and 2026, the year domestic demand is projected to be almost 75 million tonnes (mt) higher than in 2020.

Sebi Eases IPO Lock-In Rules

Sebi Eases IPO Lock-In Rules

Rediff.com   14 Nov 2025

Sebi has proposed allowing depositories to mark such pledged shares as 'non-transferable' for the duration of the lock-in period, based on instructions from the issuer.

Tata Steel profit surges nearly 4x

Tata Steel profit surges nearly 4x

Rediff.com   13 Nov 2025

Tata Steel on Wednesday reported a 272 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) jump in consolidated net profit, attributable to owners, at Rs 3,101.75 crore in the second quarter of 2025-26 (Q2FY26) led by higher sales volumes in India and planned cost takeouts across geographies.

'Don't Consider Gold, Silver As Asset Classes'

'Don't Consider Gold, Silver As Asset Classes'

Rediff.com   11 Nov 2025

'An asset must generate income. Equities yield dividends, bonds pay coupons, deposits give interest, and real estate earns rent.' 'Gold, silver, and even Bitcoin produce no income, they merely store value. So, they should not be compared to productive assets.'

'Banks Need To Reinvent Themselves'

'Banks Need To Reinvent Themselves'

Rediff.com   3 Nov 2025

'Reinvention is not a hugely difficult task. With technology as available today, you can reinvent yourself pretty quickly.'

UPI Goes Global, Fintech Hits A Wall

UPI Goes Global, Fintech Hits A Wall

Rediff.com   1 Nov 2025

'When you think of cross-border payments, the first things that come to mind are risk, compliance, taxation, speed, and cost.'

JLR Cyberattack Triggers $2.55 Billion Shockwave

JLR Cyberattack Triggers $2.55 Billion Shockwave

Rediff.com   23 Oct 2025

At an estimated 1.9 billion in losses and over 5,000 UK organisations affected, the Jaguar Land Rover cyberattack has been labelled the most economically damaging cyber incident in UK history, exposing the deep vulnerability of interconnected supply chains.

'Sovereignty in foundational industries is critical for countries'

'Sovereignty in foundational industries is critical for countries'

Rediff.com   22 Oct 2025

'The steel industry has a multiplier effect on direct and indirect employment, national security on the supply chain, technology access etc.'

Pilot Training In India Is Below The Mark

Pilot Training In India Is Below The Mark

Rediff.com   14 Oct 2025

The principal problem lies in lack of training infrastructure and relatively lax safety standards.

Gold, Silver Shine As Stocks Slip

Gold, Silver Shine As Stocks Slip

Rediff.com   1 Oct 2025

'The frenzy for gold is primarily due to the uncertainty surrounding the tariff war.'

Amazing growth story of the Jindal group

Amazing growth story of the Jindal group

Rediff.com   24 Sep 2025

You have to grow, and grow fast - that's the DNA of the JSW group, chairman Sajjan Jindal said as JSW Cement made its debut on the stock market mid-August. The remark captured not just the moment but also the momentum of JSW's growth story.

US Tariffs May Drop To 10-15%: CEA

US Tariffs May Drop To 10-15%: CEA

Rediff.com   19 Sep 2025

'I do believe there will be a resolution in the next couple of months on the penal tariff and hopefully on the reciprocal tariff also.'

How Gen Z And Social Media Are Changing Nepal

How Gen Z And Social Media Are Changing Nepal

Rediff.com   16 Sep 2025

From mobilising protests to choosing the interim prime minister -- Discord, Bitchat became virtual control rooms, even as familiar platforms like TikTok, Reddit, Instagram, etc. played their part.