Indian carmakers, including Maruti Suzuki and Kia India, reported robust sales growth in May 2026, with both companies achieving their highest-ever monthly sales despite rising fuel prices. Maruti Suzuki's domestic sales surged to 1,93,535 units, while Kia India recorded 27,586 units, driven by strong demand in mini and compact segments and a shift towards electric and CNG vehicles.
About 181,750 units were sold in FY26 in Punjab, marking a 16.29 per cent year-on-year increase.
India's leading two-wheeler manufacturers experienced significant growth in May, propelled by strong domestic demand for premium motorcycles and scooters, channel inventory replenishment, and a recovery in export markets.
Maruti Suzuki India reported a significant 147 per cent year-on-year increase in mini-car sales (Alto and S-Presso) during April-May 2026, reaching 32,341 units, driven by eased production constraints and a surge in demand for CNG vehicles amidst rising fuel prices.
'The innovators have been able to more or less stay where they are, in terms of revenue even as the generics are seeing exponential growth due to their affordability.'
Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Sunday approved a new Excise Policy, permitting the sale of hard liquor through retail vends, reducing documents to obtain a licence from 16 to six and extending the liquor availability to four more districts.
The United States has paused a proposed USD 14 billion arms sale to Taiwan due to concerns about maintaining sufficient munitions for potential conflicts, particularly in light of the ongoing situation with Iran.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has debunked reports of gold sales, stating that its physical stock of gold remains unchanged at 880.52 tonnes, countering claims of selling approximately USD 12 billion to protect foreign-currency reserves.
India's organised gold jewellery retail sector is projected to experience a 13-15 per cent year-on-year decline in sales volumes this fiscal, following an 8 per cent drop last year, due to elevated gold prices and a recent import duty hike, according to a Crisil report.
Bengaluru police arrested three individuals for allegedly selling deer antlers, a violation of the Wildlife Protection Act. The accused confessed to intending to earn large sums of money from the illegal sale.
Real estate developers are increasingly offering flexible payment plans, such as low booking amounts and deferred payments, to stimulate housing sales and manage affordability concerns without resorting to price cuts, as sales volumes declined by 14 per cent in 2025.
Indian carmakers experienced a robust start to the new fiscal year, with an estimated 4.5 lakh passenger vehicles sold in April, marking a 27 per cent increase year-on-year, attributed to factors like GST 2.0, repo rate cuts, and income tax benefits.
PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to implement a legislative ban on the sale of cigarettes to individuals born on or after January 1, 2009, aiming to create a smoke-free generation in India.
Godrej Properties closed FY26 with record bookings and presales, exceeding its annual guidance, but brokerages express concerns over weak cash-flow generation and the ability to sustain growth amidst a muted real estate market.
"Policy sales will be one of the focus areas for the company because looking at the large insurance gap, large number of people being uncovered. The only right way to go is to increase the number of policies," said Amit Jhingran, MD & CEO, SBI Life Insurance.
Maruti Suzuki has discontinued its Ignis hatchback due to weak sales and a shift towards SUVs, while simultaneously facing supply chain issues for its popular S-Presso and WagonR models, leading to booking halts at some dealerships.
Increased input costs due to geopolitical conflict in West Asia and unseasonal rain in March negatively impacted volumes of consumer durables makers, particularly air conditioners, in Q4FY26, leading to projected declines in EBITDA and APAT despite revenue growth.
Leading jewellery companies, Titan Company and Kalyan Jewellers India, have reported better-than-expected top-line growth in Q4 FY26, driven by robust same-store sales growth, higher average ticket sizes, and an improvement in buyer growth, signalling a strong recovery in demand.
Bajaj Auto reported a significant increase in its consolidated Q4FY26 performance, with profit after tax more than doubling to approximately 3,662 crore, a 103 per cent year-on-year rise, primarily driven by record volumes, an improved product mix, and the strategic consolidation of Bajaj Auto International Holdings AG (BAIHAG).
Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) has launched two new mobile applications, MyLIC for policyholders and Super Sales Saathi for its sales intermediaries, aiming to enhance digital agility and cater to the younger generation's needs. The apps, part of LIC's DIVE digital transformation platform, offer features like policy management, premium payments, and personalised recommendations.
Authorities in Uttar Pradesh's Gonda district have seized a large consignment of codeine-based cough syrup, prompting an investigation into its procurement and intended distribution. The seizure led to a halt in sales as officials examine records and supply chain details to verify the legality of the transaction.
The Maharashtra excise department has arrested over 210 people and registered 313 cases in a five-day crackdown on illicit liquor manufacturing and sales in Thane, Palghar, and Raigad districts. This intensified action follows the Pune hooch tragedy, which claimed at least 15 lives, leading to the seizure of property worth Rs 1.58 crore and the suspension of 22 police and excise personnel.
The Maharashtra excise department has arrested over 210 people and registered 313 cases in a five-day crackdown on illicit liquor manufacturing and sales in Thane, Palghar, and Raigad districts. This intensified action follows the Pune hooch tragedy, which claimed at least 15 lives, leading to the seizure of property worth Rs 1.58 crore and the suspension of 22 police and excise personnel.
While SUVs have steadily gained share across the industry, data shows that nearly three in 10 luxury vehicles sold in India are sedans, highlighting the segment's resilience despite years of SUV-led growth.
India's leading listed real estate developers are increasingly focusing on pan-India expansion, diversifying beyond their traditional home markets into high-demand residential areas like MMR, NCR, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai to tap broader housing demand and reduce reliance on single-city market cycles.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that the US is ready to sell as much energy as India is willing to buy. He described India as a 'great partner' ahead of his visit to New Delhi.
World Cup fever in Argentina, home of the defending champions, has boosted sales of counterfeit jerseys and soccer trading cards, sparking protests from retailers who are already under pressure from President Javier Milei's market-opening policies.
Authorities in Udaipur, Rajasthan, seized approximately 18,000 litres of suspected adulterated ghee and yellow food colour during a raid on a dairy farm. The raid was prompted by complaints of food adulteration and product quality. Samples have been sent for testing, and the sale and distribution of the seized ghee have been banned.
The daughter of an Indian-origin high school teacher based in Melbourne, who went missing in Amritsar last month, has appealed to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for help in tracing her father.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to the DGPs of Odisha and Uttar Pradesh, and the Dhenkanal district magistrate, seeking a detailed report on the alleged trafficking, sale, and sexual assault of a 17-year-old tribal girl from Odisha in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh. The girl was reportedly trafficked with three others, subjected to prolonged sexual abuse, forced abortion, and sold before she managed to escape.
rediffGURU T S Khurana answers readers' personal income tax queries
Passenger vehicle sales in India reached a record high of 4.7 million units in FY26, boosted by strong performances from major automakers and the implementation of GST 2.0.
The iQOO 15 Apex Edition has made its Indian debut with a starting price of 72,999 for the model featuring 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of internal storage. For those seeking more heft, the 16 GB RAM variant paired with 512 GB storage comes for 79,999.
Indian pharmaceutical companies are strategically increasing investments in the US market, focusing on specialty drugs, complex generics, respiratory products, and local manufacturing, despite a nearly 10 per cent fall in exports to the US in FY26 due to pricing pressure and competition in traditional generics.
The Indian equity market is set for an event-heavy week, with analysts pointing to the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) interest rate decision, developments in the US-Iran situation, and crude oil prices as the primary determinants of market trends.
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has dismantled an interstate drug trafficking network involved in supplying charas from Himachal Pradesh to various parts of India, seizing significant quantities of the drug and apprehending multiple suspects.
The Enforcement Directorate has summoned several farmers in Jaipur as part of an investigation into alleged money laundering and fraudulent land aggregation involving real estate developers.
India's foreign exchange reserves saw a significant drop of USD 7.511 billion, settling at USD 681.384 billion for the week ending May 22, as the Reserve Bank of India intervened in the forex market due to rupee pressure and the lingering effects of the Middle East conflict.
Police in Bareilly have uncovered a sophisticated child trafficking ring, allegedly kingpinned by a nurse, that targeted vulnerable women and arranged illegal sales of newborns. The racket was exposed after the abduction of a toddler, leading to multiple arrests and the identification of a wider network involving fake medical practitioners and links to private hospitals and IVF centres.
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries reported strong consolidated numbers for Q4 FY26, with net profit rising 26 per cent year-on-year to 2,714 crore, despite continued weakness in its US generics business. Growth in innovative medicines and increased R&D investments are helping to offset these pressures.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances