News for 'Business Standard'

Q3FY26 results preview: IT companies' growth likely to remain muted

Q3FY26 results preview: IT companies' growth likely to remain muted

Rediff.com12 Jan 2026

With discretionary spending still under pressure, the information technology (IT) services industry continued to face an uncertain demand environment in the third quarter of 2025-26 (Q3FY26).

Sagarmala Finance expecting at least Rs 2K cr equity infusion from govt: MD

Sagarmala Finance expecting at least Rs 2K cr equity infusion from govt: MD

Rediff.com6 Jan 2026

India's first maritime lender, state-owned Sagarmala Finance Corporation Ltd (SMFCL) hit the ground running with a Rs 4,300 crore disbursement announcement last Tuesday, within months of being registered as a non-banking financial company (NBFC) in June 2025.

Bajaj Chetak Takes the Slow Road To Global Reach

Bajaj Chetak Takes the Slow Road To Global Reach

Rediff.com15 Jan 2026

Bajaj Auto is planning a slow, calibrated push to take the Chetak, its electric scooter, to more than 100 countries on the strength of its distributor network and market-specific localisation rather than an aggressive global rollout, reports Sohini Das.

'Budget Likely To Be Non-Event For Markets'

'Budget Likely To Be Non-Event For Markets'

Rediff.com31 Jan 2026

'When markets go into a budget with excessive optimism, the risk of disappointment is higher.'

Aramco, OIL likely to pick up stake in BPCL's Andhra refinery

Aramco, OIL likely to pick up stake in BPCL's Andhra refinery

Rediff.com30 Dec 2025

State-owned Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) is willing to dilute a 30-40 per cent stake in its upcoming greenfield refinery in Andhra Pradesh, with Gulf energy major Saudi Aramco and upstream player Oil India Ltd (OIL) likely to join as partners, a senior BPCL executive said.

The Illusion Of India's 8% Growth

The Illusion Of India's 8% Growth

Rediff.com21 Jan 2026

The key question is how much of the latest growth record represents recovery from the 2020-2021 downturn, and what is the sustainable growth rate now, asks T N Ninan.

PSBs' staff count rises for 1st time in 5 years

PSBs' staff count rises for 1st time in 5 years

Rediff.com31 Dec 2025

Public sector banks' (PSBs') employee count grew for the first time in five years while private sector banks' staff strength saw a decline in 2024-25 (FY25), according to latest data released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The employee count of state-owned lenders rose 0.22 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) to 757,641 at the end of March 31, 2025 from 756,015 in FY24.

Realty moves to the core of conglomerates' biz strategy

Realty moves to the core of conglomerates' biz strategy

Rediff.com21 Jan 2026

India's leading conglomerates are stepping up investments in real estate, recasting what was once a peripheral activity into a core growth driver. Supported by strong balance sheets, established brands and access to long-term capital, major business houses including Aditya Birla, Tata, Godrej, L&T, Raymond, Wadia, Shapoorji Pallonji, Mahindra and Adani are positioning realty as a strategic pillar within their diversified portfolios.

Venezuela Turmoil Unlikely To Rattle India's Trade

Venezuela Turmoil Unlikely To Rattle India's Trade

Rediff.com12 Jan 2026

'The immediate impact for India will be very minimal as the share of Venezuela in our total overseas production is very low.'

Pankaja, O'Sey Balamma Make It To Sundance

Pankaja, O'Sey Balamma Make It To Sundance

Rediff.com26 Jan 2026

Pankaja and O'Sey Balamma bring deeply personal yet universally resonant stories to Sundance. They represent a new wave of South Indian storytelling, blending cultural authenticity with cinematic innovation, and mark an important step in amplifying regional voices on the international stage.

'Equity Market Poised For Comeback In 2026'

'Equity Market Poised For Comeback In 2026'

Rediff.com14 Jan 2026

'The bigger unknown remains global geopolitics, which is inherently unpredictable, including developments in our neighbourhood.' 'Another concern is the increasing tilt of government finances towards welfare subsidies, especially at the state level.' 'This could constrain capital expenditure, which is critical for long-term growth.'

How Ikkis Reimagines The War Hero

How Ikkis Reimagines The War Hero

Rediff.com11 Feb 2026

How Ikkis Reimagines The War Hero

India Tech Hiring Near 6-Year Low

India Tech Hiring Near 6-Year Low

Rediff.com3 Jan 2026

As of January 2026, the number of active job openings stood at 103,000, down 24 per cent from 136,000 in the same period last year.

Make demergers tax-neutral, biz houses nudge govt

Make demergers tax-neutral, biz houses nudge govt

Rediff.com26 Nov 2025

Ahead of the Union Budget 2026-27, Indian business houses have urged the government to make demergers tax-neutral, particularly in cases involving transfer of investments in associate companies with 25 per cent or more shareholding, under the new Income Tax Act. This may possibly help some companies planning to go public, according to a source.

Conscious Unbossing: GenZ's New Workplace Trend

Conscious Unbossing: GenZ's New Workplace Trend

Rediff.com5 Feb 2026

Contrary to popular misconception, Gen Z's work ethic isn't about avoiding responsibility. It's about choosing impact over hierarchy, explains Kartik Narayan, CEO of jobs marketplace, Apna.

'India Is Uber's Third-Largest Market'

'India Is Uber's Third-Largest Market'

Rediff.com6 Jan 2026

'We serve more than 1.2 billion trips annually and have over 1.5 million active earners each month using the platform.'

'14+ Anti-Obesity Drugs In The Pipeline'

'14+ Anti-Obesity Drugs In The Pipeline'

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

The semaglutide patent expiry next year could unleash a wave of generic versions from Indian drugmakers, with prices expected to go lower -- at least 80 per cent.

Mercedes-Benz, BMW eyeing India's luxe realty sector

Mercedes-Benz, BMW eyeing India's luxe realty sector

Rediff.com9 Jan 2026

According to multiple sources close to the development, Mercedes-Benz is already in talks with multiple developers in Gurugram for a luxury branded residence project.

Budget 2026 boosts healthcare spend, drugs relief

Budget 2026 boosts healthcare spend, drugs relief

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

The government on Sunday gave a strong push to upgradation and expansion of healthcare infrastructure, medical education and pharma sector with the Union Budget 2026-27 announcing a slew of steps, including those aimed at making India a global hub for allied healthcare professionals and biopharma manufacturing.

What Will Xi Jinping Do Next With All That Power?

What Will Xi Jinping Do Next With All That Power?

Rediff.com11 Feb 2026

'For the first time in a hundred years, the army has been taken out of the political equation. And for the first time ever, there is only one man who calls the shots. Not even Mao had this kind of power.'

CMF Headphone Pro Debuts In India At 6,999

CMF Headphone Pro Debuts In India At 6,999

Rediff.com16 Jan 2026

Nothing's offshoot, CMF, has stepped into the over-ear audio space with the India debut of its very first model, the CMF Headphone Pro.

Foreign mining firms assure rare-earth oxide supply under PLI scheme

Foreign mining firms assure rare-earth oxide supply under PLI scheme

Rediff.com10 Nov 2025

Major foreign mining and refining companies have assured the Indian government that they will have sufficient stocks of rare-earth oxides to supply to the winning bidders under the country's production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for indigenous manufacturing of rare-earth permanent magnets (REPMs), Business Standard has learnt.

Flight Chaos Fuels Year-End Staycation Boom

Flight Chaos Fuels Year-End Staycation Boom

Rediff.com17 Dec 2025

'The entire travel ecosystem is reeling with the domino impact of flight cancellations.'

Ageing CBD offices emerge as developers' next growth play

Ageing CBD offices emerge as developers' next growth play

Rediff.com13 Jan 2026

Office redevelopment is emerging as a key growth frontier for developers as India's commercial real estate market shifts towards quality, sustainability, and capital efficiency. With land parcels scarce in central business districts (CBDs) and demand for Grade A offices remaining strong, developers and investors are increasingly turning to ageing office stock in prime locations to unlock value.

L&T eyes global nuclear supply chain expansion

L&T eyes global nuclear supply chain expansion

Rediff.com19 Dec 2025

Construction major L&T is gearing up to expand its footprint in the global nuclear supply chain, a senior company official has said, while calling for amendments to key legislations on the domestic front to pave the way for the entry of private players and foreign capital necessary for capacity enhancement.

'Sensex Captures Changing Structure Of Economy'

'Sensex Captures Changing Structure Of Economy'

Rediff.com26 Dec 2025

'Only four or five original companies remain; the rest have been replaced every decade as sectors evolve or leadership shifts.' 'Companies that fail to adapt -- like many textile mills from the 1970s and shipping firms from the 1980s -- disappear.' 'Benchmark indices reward those who reinvent themselves in line with economic demands.'

Indian Student Numbers Surge at UCL

Indian Student Numbers Surge at UCL

Rediff.com10 Dec 2025

University College London has recorded a 19 per cent and 26 per cent rise in undergraduate and postgraduate students from India for the 2026 term, indicating a preference for the UK over the US at a time when Indian students are facing visa uncertainties in US-based institutions.

With firefighting behind them, insurers can now shift gears and focus on growth

With firefighting behind them, insurers can now shift gears and focus on growth

Rediff.com3 Dec 2025

Recent years have been turbulent for the insurance industry due to direct and indirect tax reforms, regulatory overhaul and other external pressures. The events cumulatively slowed growth rate to single digits from the high teens seen earlier.

Explained: How FTA with EU will help boost India's exports

Explained: How FTA with EU will help boost India's exports

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

India and the European Union (EU) on Tuesday announced the conclusion and finalisation of negotiations for the proposed free trade agreement (FTA).

Dr Reddy's profit down 14% on low Lenalidomide US sales

Dr Reddy's profit down 14% on low Lenalidomide US sales

Rediff.com22 Jan 2026

Pharma major Dr Reddy's Laboratories (DRL) reported a 14 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) drop in consolidated net profit to Rs 1,210 crore in the December quarter of FY 2025-26 (Q3FY26) on low sales of cancer drug Lenalidomide in the North American market. The firm's revenue from operations grew to Rs 8,727 crore in Q3FY26, a 4.4 per cent Y-o-Y increase from Rs 8,357 crore recorded for the same quarter last year.

No prayer bell, only Jana Gana Mana at this Gujarat factory now

No prayer bell, only Jana Gana Mana at this Gujarat factory now

Rediff.com27 Jan 2026

The idea, Shah explains, was to keep the discipline of a shared start, without asking anyone to participate in a religious act that wasn't theirs. The anthem, he felt, offered a "common minimum" that didn't privilege one faith over another: stand together, start together, get to work.

Is India Still Buying Russian Oil?

Is India Still Buying Russian Oil?

Rediff.com17 Dec 2025

Indian private sector and State-run refiners continued to receive crude oil from Russian suppliers even after November 21 -- the winding-down date for US sanctions on supplies from leading Russian oil producers imposed in October -- as new intermediaries sprung up in West Asia to sell the oil, according to senior refining sources and ship tracking data.

Hindus attacked in Bangladesh: Reward announced on info

Hindus attacked in Bangladesh: Reward announced on info

Rediff.com25 Dec 2025

Bangladesh police are offering a reward for information on attackers who set fire to a Hindu-owned house. The incident is part of a series of arson attacks and mob violence that have raised concerns in the country.

'Listing Does Not Alter Our Investment Philosophy'

'Listing Does Not Alter Our Investment Philosophy'

Rediff.com23 Dec 2025

'We operate in an economy that is structurally positioned for long-term growth. As market levels rise over time, our AUM grows in line.'

'Technology alone won't help win customer's confidence'

'Technology alone won't help win customer's confidence'

Rediff.com31 Oct 2025

The return on investment (RoI) from technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) will take time to materialise, and the immediate priority should be to increase spending on building governance frameworks around AI, top bank executives said.

Why Modi And Shah Like Nitin Nabin

Why Modi And Shah Like Nitin Nabin

Rediff.com29 Dec 2025

Both Mr Modi and Amit Shah like Nabin because they know he will never answer back, points out Aditi Phadnis.

Malaysia's IHH plans India expansion after Fortis open offer

Malaysia's IHH plans India expansion after Fortis open offer

Rediff.com16 Dec 2025

After completion of its mandatory tender offer in Fortis Healthcare and Fortis Malar Hospitals, Malaysian health care giant IHH Healthcare is aiming to add 2,000 beds in a bid to double down on value creation in India. IHH, which is Asia's largest multinational private healthcare provider, currently has over 5,000 beds across a combined network of 35 hospitals and 11 states.

World's 8 Best Airline Cabin Crews...

World's 8 Best Airline Cabin Crews...

Rediff.com5 Jan 2026

The Best Airline Cabin Crew awards celebrate outstanding overall excellence among inflight teams, recognising both technical proficiency, like efficiency, precision and service execution, as well as the human touch, including enthusiasm, attitude, warmth and genuine hospitality, according to SkyTrax.

How India Is Rewriting Its FTA Playbook

How India Is Rewriting Its FTA Playbook

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

India has been on an FTA-signing spree of late. Since 2021, it has signed eight trade agreements, three of which -- with the UK, Oman and New Zealand -- were finalised in 2025 alone.