Sohini Das, Anjali Singh, Aneeka Chatterjee, Nitin Kumar, Surajeet Das Gupta

Stories by Sohini Das, Anjali Singh, Aneeka Chatterjee, Nitin Kumar, Surajeet Das Gupta

Govt in talks with SII for Nipah antibody, may put imports on hold

Govt in talks with SII for Nipah antibody, may put imports on hold

Rediff.com   21 Sep 2023

Given the recurring outbreaks in the last five years, the government is considering domestic manufacturing of monoclonal antibodies for treating Nipah virus infections and is in talks with Serum Institute of India, report Shine Jacob and Sohini Das.

EV sales zoom past 1 million in 2023

EV sales zoom past 1 million in 2023

Rediff.com   20 Sep 2023

Electric vehicle (EV) sales in India topped the 1 million mark in less than nine months in 2023, a milestone that took an entire year in 2022. According to data from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways' Vahan Dashboard, 1,037,011 EVs were registered with regional transport offices till September 19, accounting for 6.4 per cent of the total automobile sales in the country this year. The sales surge can be attributed to increased individual purchases as well as business-to-business (B2B) acquisitions by EV fleet operators, industry sources said.

How much does iPhone 15 cost? Rs 79,900 to Rs 199,900

How much does iPhone 15 cost? Rs 79,900 to Rs 199,900

Rediff.com   14 Sep 2023

Apple Inc has announced the India prices of the new variants of its bestselling smartphones - launched on Tuesday - as it assembles the device in the country. The new iPhone 15 range starts at Rs 79,900 for the 128 GB variant (the same price as the iPhone 14 when it was launched last year) and goes up to Rs 199,900 for the top-end Pro Max with a 6.7 inch screen and 1 TB (terabyte) storage. The world's most valuable company also launched three new upgraded Apple watches, starting with the SE at Rs 29,900 and going up to Ultra 2 at Rs 89,900.

Cipla, Torrent may need to divest 15 brands in buyout deal: Bernstein

Cipla, Torrent may need to divest 15 brands in buyout deal: Bernstein

Rediff.com   14 Sep 2023

As the market buzzes with news of Cipla promoters exiting the business through a stake sale and Ahmedabad-based Mehta family-led Torrent Pharmaceuticals racing to acquire its rival, Cipla, an analysis reveals that if the deal were to go through, both companies might need to divest as many as 15 brands to comply with Competition Commission of India (CCI) norms. A recent analysis by Bernstein shows that Cipla and Torrent share a presence in 332 products (based on product and molecule data from market research firm IQVIA). Bernstein analysts Nithya Balasubramanian and Parth Shah noted that, while this may appear as a high number, a significant portion of these products lack significance.

Focus shifts from exports to import substitution

Focus shifts from exports to import substitution

Rediff.com   8 Sep 2023

It started out as a Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme to make India an export hub. But after many a twist and turns, the latest 2.0 PLI for IT hardware, for which the 40 eligible candidates have applied till its deadline, is now focused on 'import substitution'. The scheme will help in reducing India's over-dependence on imports (80 per cent of laptops are imported), especially from China which include laptops, tablets and servers.

Heavy industries' ministry scraps human safety tests for EV batteries

Heavy industries' ministry scraps human safety tests for EV batteries

Rediff.com   7 Sep 2023

The Centre on Wednesday scrapped the mandatory human safety tests for electric vehicle (EV) batteries required to qualify for incentives under various government schemes. The ministry of heavy industries, in its fresh guidelines, has made compliance with the ministry of road transport and highways (MoRTH's) prevailing EV battery testing standards the only requirement to get incentives under the Centre's various incentive schemes.

EVs: Why LFP Is The Next Big Thing

EVs: Why LFP Is The Next Big Thing

Rediff.com   7 Sep 2023

From the customer point of view too, LFP batteries are safer and offer a longer life.

India's pharma industry likely to take 5-6% price hikes this year

India's pharma industry likely to take 5-6% price hikes this year

Rediff.com   6 Sep 2023

Notwithstanding the fact that the country's pharmaceutical (pharma) pricing regulator has allowed a 12 per cent price increase for medicines listed under the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) in 2023, analysts and industry insiders predict that the overall domestic pharma industry will only witness a price hike of 5-6 per cent. This is attributed to higher competitive intensity in the market. Krishnakumar V, executive director and chief operating officer (CEO) of Eris Lifesciences, a domestic-focused pharma company, noted that the NLEM segment experienced growth suppression of around 150 basis points due to price reductions during the January to July period this year.

From hatchbacks to holidays, consumers ready to loosen purse strings

From hatchbacks to holidays, consumers ready to loosen purse strings

Rediff.com   1 Sep 2023

With Onam and Raksha Bandhan just around the corner, the festival season is ready to kick off in full swing. As people embrace the celebratory spirit, companies anticipate a surge in sales this year. Consumer durables firms are expecting strong growth of 40-50 per cent in the premium segment during the upcoming season. Appliance makers also foresee increased demand for cooling appliances - refrigerators and air conditioners - which were impacted by unseasonal rainfall.

Bikanervala to go for IPO in next three years

Bikanervala to go for IPO in next three years

Rediff.com   31 Aug 2023

Indian sweet, snack, and restaurant chain group Bikanervala, with revenues of over Rs 3,000 crore, is working towards an initial public offering (IPO) for its food company in the next three years. Before that, it could also bring in private equity (PE) investors. The low-profile Aggarwal family-owned group company, Bikanervala Foods (which also sells under the brand name Bikano), operates in the snack business.

47,000 Luxury Cars To Be Sold This Year!

47,000 Luxury Cars To Be Sold This Year!

Rediff.com   28 Aug 2023

After a brief lull during the pandemic, there is a strong revival in luxury car sales, bolstered by more launches across price bands, replacement demand, ban on old diesel vehicles in the NCR, and 'revenge buying'.

Why All Is Not Well In Bharat Gears Family

Why All Is Not Well In Bharat Gears Family

Rediff.com   26 Aug 2023

The sons learned that they had been completely disinherited and that Surinder Kanwar's new wife would inherit everything.

'Power shifts to chemists instead of doctors'

'Power shifts to chemists instead of doctors'

Rediff.com   22 Aug 2023

'Whichever company offers better incentives, the chemist would prefer it.'

India Needs Foxconn And Vice Versa

India Needs Foxconn And Vice Versa

Rediff.com   22 Aug 2023

Clearly, Foxconn Chairman Young Liu and his team are looking to raise their game in India.

How Ather Energy is taking on its rivals

How Ather Energy is taking on its rivals

Rediff.com   21 Aug 2023

'Our expectations are that we will be able to double our market share from 14-15 per cent currently to around 30 per cent by the end of the financial year.'

US-based Coupang to set up tech centre in India

US-based Coupang to set up tech centre in India

Rediff.com   18 Aug 2023

Coupang, a prominent online retail giant headquartered in the United States (US), is gearing up to establish a cutting-edge technology centre in India, aiming to hire several dozen skilled professionals by the end of the year, Business Standard has learnt. The intended expansion involves the recruitment of software engineers across various domains, underscoring Coupang's commitment to extend its global reach. The Indian team will support the company's global technology team, sources said.

Maruti's Goal: Hybrid, Not EV, Cars

Maruti's Goal: Hybrid, Not EV, Cars

Rediff.com   16 Aug 2023

'We are going to have hybrid cars, which, as far as I know, none of our competition is working on, and this includes ethanol.'

Samsung remains the largest exporter of smartphones

Samsung remains the largest exporter of smartphones

Rediff.com   14 Aug 2023

In FY22-23, Samsung exported $4.09 billion smartphones from India -- an increase of 42 per cent over 2021, when it was $2.8 billion -- accounting for 35 per cent of all smartphone exports.

Can Isha Do What Her Dad Did With Jio?

Can Isha Do What Her Dad Did With Jio?

Rediff.com   12 Aug 2023

Isha's stab at the bottom of the laptop pyramid shows she is a true Ambani.

Why Dolo, Saridon, Calpol Will Have QR Codes

Why Dolo, Saridon, Calpol Will Have QR Codes

Rediff.com   8 Aug 2023

The top 300 pharmaceutical brands in the country will now bear a quick response (QR) code on their packaging to rein in spurious drugs and ensure better traceability.