The Azadpur Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) has introduced an online payment system for gate pass fees, aiming to reduce congestion, enhance transparency, and streamline operations at Asia's largest wholesale fruits and vegetables market. This digital initiative is expected to benefit traders, drivers, and other stakeholders by speeding up vehicle entry and minimising cash transactions.
The Azadpur Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) has introduced an online payment system for gate pass fees, aiming to reduce congestion, enhance transparency, and streamline operations at Asia's largest wholesale fruits and vegetables market. This digital initiative is expected to benefit traders, drivers, and other stakeholders by speeding up vehicle entry and minimising cash transactions.
Indian benchmark stock indices, Sensex and Nifty, declined for a second consecutive day, primarily due to selling pressure in IT, oil & gas, and select banking shares. Concerns over the US-Iran negotiations and a sluggish monsoon further dampened market sentiment.
The Indian corporate bond market witnessed a significant surge, with companies raising nearly Rs 16,000 crore in a single day, primarily led by state-owned financial institutions and NBFCs. This strong momentum, driven by improved borrowing conditions and investor confidence, is expected to persist.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a significant waiver of approximately Rs 48,000 crore in pending electricity dues for farmers, aiming to facilitate new agricultural power connections and support the state's agricultural sector.
Commercial banks in India recorded their highest credit growth in two years, accelerating to 18.6 per cent year-on-year by June 27, while also mobilising nearly 7 trillion in deposits, marking the third-highest fortnightly deposit growth in 29 years.
Global technology giant Google has announced the selection of 20 Indian AI startups for its 2026 Google for Startups Accelerator programme, marking the 10th anniversary of its accelerator initiatives.
Aligarh resident Habib Saifi has built a small hut-like structure on his bike to protect himself from direct sunlight during this intense summer.
The Centre has reviewed the monsoon situation, noting a reduced rainfall deficit and ongoing preparedness for the kharif season amidst El Nino concerns. A high-level meeting chaired by the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister discussed measures across various sectors, emphasising continuous monitoring and coordinated action to mitigate potential impacts on agriculture, water resources, and essential commodities.
Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar announced the establishment of India's first government-driven Artificial Intelligence University and an AI Hub in Bengaluru. This initiative aims to position Karnataka as a global leader in responsible AI innovation, fostering talent, research, and collaboration. The state seeks to become an AI-native state, leveraging AI to improve governance and daily life across various sectors.
A US trade representative described India as a 'tough nut to crack' during trade agreement negotiations in Washington, highlighting India's protection of its agricultural markets and the ongoing discussions on specific commodities.
Ten days after the expansion of the BJP government's cabinet in West Bengal, key portfolios have been allocated, with senior leader Tapas Roy taking charge of industries and journalist-turned-politician Swapan Dasgupta appointed finance minister.
India's finance ministry anticipates inflation will remain relatively contained in the coming months, supported by a correction in crude oil prices and softening input costs following the cessation of the West Asia conflict, despite earlier spikes in wholesale and retail inflation.
Leading Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) companies in India are expressing strong optimism for the current fiscal year, anticipating robust consumption trends, significant growth, and improved profit margins. This positive outlook is largely driven by resilient demand and the expected easing of elevated input costs, despite ongoing inflationary pressures and potential weather volatility.
'They talked bad about our leaders. They said India was a dead economy. They were not sensitive to the Indian psyche.'
The Madhya Pradesh BJP has dispatched senior leaders to Datia to consolidate support for its bypoll candidate, Ashutosh Tiwari, following protests by supporters of former home minister Narottam Mishra, who was denied a ticket. The party is working to project unity ahead of the July 30 by-election, which was necessitated by the disqualification of the incumbent Congress MLA.
'The real shock is going to be from a deficient monsoon.'
Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) is expanding its farm equipment strategy beyond tractors to include a wider range of mechanisation solutions like harvesters, balers, seed drills, and telematics-enabled services, aiming to capitalise on the growing demand for rental services by rural entrepreneurs and address low mechanisation levels in Indian agriculture.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has revised down India's GDP growth forecast for fiscal year 2026-27 (FY27) to 6.6 per cent from an earlier 6.9 per cent, primarily attributing the change to elevated energy prices stemming from the Middle East conflict. Despite this moderation, India is still expected to remain the world's fastest-growing major economy.
India is already a heavyweight in global farm trade in pockets such as rice exports, but experts are urging a pivot from a subsidy- and procurement-driven mindset to a productivity and nutrition strategy that still shields farmers from volatility.
The gems and jewellery industry anticipates challenging times following the government's decision to increase gold import duty to 15 per cent, a move that exporters warn could fuel the grey market and heighten smuggling risks.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 594-km-long Ganga Expressway, connecting Meerut to Prayagraj, aiming to boost connectivity, industrial investment, and economic growth in Uttar Pradesh.
India and the United States have reviewed progress on a proposed interim bilateral trade agreement, discussing market access, digital trade, and non-tariff barriers, as they race to finalise a deal before a temporary 10 per cent US tariff regime expires on July 24.
Morocco's impressive rise in global football is uniquely funded by its vast phosphate reserves, with the state-owned OCP Group investing heavily in national team development. This strategic investment, driven by a royal directive, supports training academies and infrastructure, contributing to the nation's recent successes like reaching the 2022 World Cup semi-finals and hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The country's abundant phosphate resources provide a stable economic base for these ambitious sporting endeavours.
India has completely protected the interests of its agriculture and dairy sector in the India-US trade agreement.
'Why not aspire for 8 or 9 or even 10 per cent?'
The United States and India are on the verge of finalising a landmark bilateral trade deal, aiming to boost trade to USD 500 billion by 2030, according to US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Bethany Poulos Morrison. The agreement seeks to open India's 1.4 billion-strong market to American goods on reciprocal terms, with ongoing high-level discussions to recalibrate the pact after recent changes in US tariff policy.
Monthly gold imports have declined to 25-30 tonnes from 70-80 tonnes while recycling of old jewellery has increased following the recent hike in import duties.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) will come into effect on July 15, 2026, anticipating a significant boost to bilateral trade and investment.
'It's very important for India to retain its sovereignty. India should not sign any agreement which compromises its sovereignty.'
Indian companies are increasingly opting for demergers, with 29 deals valued at over $40 billion in 2025 alone, marking a 10-year high, as promoters and boards recognise that markets favour focused businesses over complex conglomerates.
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has registered a case of Disproportionate Assets against suspended Additional Superintendent of Police N Bhujanga Rao in Hyderabad. Searches at his properties and associates' places revealed assets valued at over Rs 5.92 crore, including agricultural land, plots, houses, cash, bank balances, gold, and cars. Rao is also implicated in a "phone tapping" case from the previous BRS regime.
World Bank President Ajay Banga has advocated for the deployment of 'Small AI' locally deployed artificial intelligence running on inexpensive hardware to address daily problems faced by farmers and rural communities in emerging markets.
The Indian government has issued a stern warning to industrial users who are reportedly procuring cheaper retail fuel instead of industrial-grade fuel, leading to significant losses for state-run oil marketing companies (OMCs) and potential local shortages. This diversion, driven by a substantial price difference between retail and bulk diesel, is adversely impacting OMCs, which are absorbing daily losses of approximately 550 crore to keep retail prices stable.
A recently finalised peace deal between the US and Iran, set to be signed on June 19, is expected to significantly benefit India's economy by boosting exports to West Asia, stabilising the rupee, and easing inflationary pressures, according to exporters and experts.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of being 'anti-farmer' and 'selling' the country through the India-US interim trade deal, vowing to stand strongly with farmers.
Moody's Ratings has highlighted that Indian banks are among the most exposed in the Asia-Pacific region to the West Asia crisis, primarily due to India's high dependence on energy imports, which could lead to increased inflation, higher interest rates, and strained borrower cash flows.
Indian benchmark stock indices, Sensex and Nifty, experienced a significant decline for the third consecutive day, with the Sensex tumbling 1,092 points and Nifty closing below 24,550. This downturn was primarily driven by the India Meteorological Department's forecast of a below-normal southwest monsoon and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties surrounding the US-Iran ceasefire arrangement.
Maruti Suzuki Chairman R C Bhargava is pushing for increased government incentives for biogas-powered vehicles over hybrids, emphasising their net-zero carbon emissions and the valuable organic manure they produce, while also advocating for continued GST benefits for electric vehicles.
Larsen & Toubro (L&T) is significantly investing in automation, robotics, and technology-led solutions to scale up its construction activities, as increasing traditional manpower is no longer a viable growth option, according to CFO R Shankar Raman.