News for 'Consumer India'

India Adopts Balanced AI Regulatory Approach

India Adopts Balanced AI Regulatory Approach

Rediff.com6 hours ago

An Indian AI Research Organisation official says India has adopted a balanced and pragmatic approach to AI regulation, avoiding the extremes of the US and EU models.

Why ICE Still Rules India's Car Market

Why ICE Still Rules India's Car Market

Rediff.com4 days ago

Indian car buyers care more about affordability than technology, keeping ICE vehicles dominant while hybrids emerge as the preferred transition option and EVs struggle in the mass market.

AI Can Make India World's Creative Capital

AI Can Make India World's Creative Capital

Rediff.com21 Feb 2026

'Not the back office for the world's content. The leader. The standard-setter.'

How India measured inflation, and what is set to change

How India measured inflation, and what is set to change

Rediff.com19 Feb 2026

India's main inflation measure, the Consumer Price Index (CPI), is set for another major update, even though it has been in its current form for only about 15 years.

HUL tops sustainability rankings as India Inc deepens ESG focus

HUL tops sustainability rankings as India Inc deepens ESG focus

Rediff.com19 Feb 2026

Hindustan Unilever (HUL) has topped the Perpetual Capital Hurun India Impact 50 - 2026 list with 53.9 points (on the scale of 0-100), reflecting a strong performance across key sustainable development goals (SDGs), including climate, water, circularity, gender and biodiversity.

India's EV Transition On Right Track, But Miles To Go

India's EV Transition On Right Track, But Miles To Go

Rediff.com4 days ago

Government schemes such as the PM E-Drive initiative, with allocations of around Rs 2,000 crore for charging points deployment, are helping accelerate rollout

Why India's Local-First AI Strategy Could Be A Winner

Why India's Local-First AI Strategy Could Be A Winner

Rediff.com5 days ago

Country's startups are carving a unique path by prioritising local, application-led innovation over the global pursuit of scale.

Will India Face Oil Shock from Iran Crisis?

Will India Face Oil Shock from Iran Crisis?

Rediff.com1 days ago

Will rising tensions between US-Israel and Iran threaten crude oil supply through the Strait of Hormuz, putting India's fuel prices, imports, and economic stability at risk?

India's Use Of ChatGPT 4 Times Global Average

India's Use Of ChatGPT 4 Times Global Average

Rediff.com21 Feb 2026

'AI adoption is moving faster than our ability to measure it -- and that's a challenge for anyone trying to make smart decisions.'

India, US to sign interim trade deal in March: Goyal

India, US to sign interim trade deal in March: Goyal

Rediff.com20 Feb 2026

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced that an interim trade agreement between India and the US is likely to be signed in March and operationalised in April, with chief negotiators meeting in Washington to finalize the details.

National interest to guide crude sourcing: India amid Russia oil row

National interest to guide crude sourcing: India amid Russia oil row

Rediff.com10 Feb 2026

India will maintain multiple sources for crude oil purchases and diversify them to ensure stability in the supply chain with national interests remaining the "guiding factor" for the procurement, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said.

Norms on investments from China can be eased in calibrated way: Goyal

Norms on investments from China can be eased in calibrated way: Goyal

Rediff.com6 days ago

India may adopt a "calibrated" and a "step-by-step" approach to easing norms on investments originating from China, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Tuesday. He was in a conversation with A K Bhattacharya on Day 1 of Business Standard's two-day annual event, Manthan 2026. The minister said foreign direct investment (FDI) from China was certainly not "banned", but it goes through an approval process. "The government's approach at the moment is to accelerate the approval process."

Apple hits record 28% value share in India

Apple hits record 28% value share in India

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

Tech giant Apple has recorded its highest-ever value share of 28 per cent in the Indian smartphone market, driven by a surging "premiumisation" trend where consumers are increasingly opting for high-end devices, according to a report by Counterpoint Research.

MG Motor plans 4 new models, invest 3K-4K cr in India

MG Motor plans 4 new models, invest 3K-4K cr in India

Rediff.com18 Feb 2026

JSW MG Motor India will launch four new models this year, and is planning to invest between 3,000 crore-4,000 crore in the country over the next couple of years. The new models include a plug-in hybrid, an electric vehicle, the Majestor SUV and one additional model yet to be disclosed.

AI ecosystem opaque, needs accountability: CCI chairperson

AI ecosystem opaque, needs accountability: CCI chairperson

Rediff.com5 days ago

The artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem is opaque and needs to be made transparent and accountable, said Competition Commission of India's (CCI) Chairperson Ravneet Kaur at the Business Standard Manthan Summit on Wednesday.

India poised to be global hub for digital infra, AI: Modi

India poised to be global hub for digital infra, AI: Modi

Rediff.com15 Feb 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is promoting India as a global hub for digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence, highlighting the government's incentives for data center investments and inviting the world's data to reside in India.

Budget 2026: The Business Of IP Remains Unfinished

Budget 2026: The Business Of IP Remains Unfinished

Rediff.com23 Feb 2026

The Union Budget backs skilling across animation, gaming and comics. But creators and studios confront a hard question: who owns what comes next?

US stopping India from buying cheap oil: Russian FM

US stopping India from buying cheap oil: Russian FM

Rediff.com10 Feb 2026

Lavrov said that the US has set itself the objective of 'achieving economic domination', adding further to it that Americans want to control the routes to leading countries to provide its energy sources to them.

India's January power demand hits 16-year high at 143 billion units

India's January power demand hits 16-year high at 143 billion units

Rediff.com11 Feb 2026

India's power demand rose 4.5 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) to 143 billion units (BUs) in January, marking the highest consumption for the month since 2010, primarily on the back of severe cold wave conditions across northern and eastern regions of the country.

Hyderabad claims its place as global MNC destination

Hyderabad claims its place as global MNC destination

Rediff.com18 Feb 2026

Hyderabad is rapidly emerging as a strategic hub for multinational companies (MNCs) deepening their focus on artificial intelligence (AI), life sciences, and global capability centres (GCCs), supported by the city's strong pharmaceutical (pharma) base, deeptech talent pool, and a policy environment that encourages high-value investment.

Now, India's gems & jewellery sector on par with China, Thailand

Now, India's gems & jewellery sector on par with China, Thailand

Rediff.com4 Feb 2026

Exporters of gems and jewellery have said the free-trade agreement (FTA) has brought relief to their sector because this opens up the world's second-largest market and brings them on a par with China and Thailand, which face zero tariffs on shipments to Europe.

Blow to Trump as US Supreme Court strikes down his sweeping tariffs

Blow to Trump as US Supreme Court strikes down his sweeping tariffs

Rediff.com20 Feb 2026

The verdict marks a notable shift from a series of recent wins for Trump at the Supreme Court.

AI Could Widen Inequalities if Not Used for People's Benefit: Amitabh Kant

AI Could Widen Inequalities if Not Used for People's Benefit: Amitabh Kant

Rediff.com5 days ago

Former NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant warns that artificial intelligence (AI) could exacerbate global inequalities if not used for the benefit of people, highlighting its immense energy requirements and the need for renewable energy solutions.

India's services sector growth touches 2-month high in Jan

India's services sector growth touches 2-month high in Jan

Rediff.com4 Feb 2026

India's services sector growth rose to a two-month high of 58.5 in January, on faster expansion in new business intake and output, prompting service providers to hire additional staff, a monthly survey said on Wednesday.

European wines to cost less under India-EU FTA

European wines to cost less under India-EU FTA

Rediff.com27 Jan 2026

European wines are set to enter the Indian market at lower prices under the bilateral free trade agreement as India will provide import duty concessions under the pact, an official said. Under the pact, the duty on EU wines would fall from 150 per cent to 20 per cent (for expensive ones).

Why Hockey India dropped Manpreet Singh

Why Hockey India dropped Manpreet Singh

Rediff.com30 Jan 2026

Hockey India dropped Manpreet Singh, Dilpreet Singh and Krishan Bahadur Pathak from FIH Pro League probables over disciplinary issues during India's South Africa tour.

India's internet user base crosses 950 million in 2025: IAMAI report

India's internet user base crosses 950 million in 2025: IAMAI report

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

India's internet user base crossed 950 million in 2025, driven largely by rapid growth in rural connectivity, rising short-video consumption, and increasing adoption of AI, according to a report released by IAMAI on Thursday.

Supreme Court's ruling on tariffs is deeply disappointing: Trump

Supreme Court's ruling on tariffs is deeply disappointing: Trump

Rediff.com21 Feb 2026

The ruling is expected to have wide-ranging consequences for global trade, businesses, consumers, inflation trends and household finances across the country.

Sensex reclaims 84K-mark; Nifty ends up 174 points

Sensex reclaims 84K-mark; Nifty ends up 174 points

Rediff.com9 Feb 2026

Benchmark equity indices Sensex and Nifty extended their gains for the second straight session on Monday, driven by optimism over the India-US trade deal and robust buying in public sector banks, consumer durables, and realty stocks.

How Modi Steered India-US Ties Back On Track

How Modi Steered India-US Ties Back On Track

Rediff.com3 Feb 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi stayed calm, avoided public confrontation, and focused on India's long-term interests to steady ties with the United States.

Jeep places India at centre of Asia-Pacific strategy

Jeep places India at centre of Asia-Pacific strategy

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

Jeep outlines a renewed regional roadmap with higher localisation, export expansion and focus on products and ownership experience amid intense competition in India's SUV market.

At No 4, VinFast Racing Towards Podium Finish in India EV Market

At No 4, VinFast Racing Towards Podium Finish in India EV Market

Rediff.com9 Feb 2026

Six months after its India debut, the Vietnamese automaker has overtaken established players such as Hyundai Motor, BMW, Kia, and Chinese EV major BYD.

BJP Promises to Replicate Assam Model in Bengal

BJP Promises to Replicate Assam Model in Bengal

Rediff.com1 days ago

BJP national president Nitin Nabin announced the party's plan to replicate Assam's 'detect, delete and deport' model to expel alleged Bangladeshi infiltrators in West Bengal if voted to power.

Aaron George's ton powers India into U19 World Cup final

Aaron George's ton powers India into U19 World Cup final

Rediff.com5 Feb 2026

Aaron George delivered a match-winning masterclass, smashing a sensational century to steer India into the ICC U19 World Cup final with a record chase of 311 against Afghanistan in Harare on Wednesday.

Trump's tariff junked: What it means for Indian companies

Trump's tariff junked: What it means for Indian companies

Rediff.com21 Feb 2026

India will now face a lower reciprocal tariff of 10 per cent, down from 25 per cent, after US President Donald Trump announced a new global levy on items imported into America in the wake of the Supreme Court verdict against his sweeping duties on several nations.

Health Expert Cautions Against AI Self-Diagnosis

Health Expert Cautions Against AI Self-Diagnosis

Rediff.com4 days ago

A senior health expert warns against the growing trend of using AI for self-diagnosis and treatment, emphasizing that these tools should not replace human clinical judgment.

Inflation may stay benign: RBI deputy guv

Inflation may stay benign: RBI deputy guv

Rediff.com6 days ago

India's retail inflation, which has stayed below the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI's) 4 per cent target in recent times, is likely to remain benign in the coming months, RBI Deputy Governor Poonam Gupta said in a speech, on Friday, which was uploaded on the central bank's website on Tuesday. Headline inflation dipped to multi-year lows of around 1.5-2.8 per cent in late 2025.

Tata Sons Delays Decision on Chandrasekaran's Third Term

Tata Sons Delays Decision on Chandrasekaran's Third Term

Rediff.com7 days ago

The Tata Sons board has deferred a decision on the re-appointment of Natarajan Chandrasekaran as Chairman, signaling potential differences within the group. Concerns were raised about losses in certain group companies and the listing of Tata Sons.

Indian consumers show renewed festive optimism

Indian consumers show renewed festive optimism

Rediff.com17 Oct 2025

Indian consumers are entering the festive season with renewed confidence and financial optimism, outpacing global benchmarks, according to Deloitte India's latest Consumer Signals: India Chapter. "With inflationary pressures easing and the recent Goods and Services Tax (GST) revisions enhancing purchasing power and festive cheer among consumers, this brings a new wave of consumption.

'This Isn't Day One Of AI; It Is Hour One'

'This Isn't Day One Of AI; It Is Hour One'

Rediff.com20 Feb 2026

'When a technology is this fundamental, a country should have its own version of it, rather than relying on whether someone else chooses to build it for you.'