News for 'Department of Industries and Commerce'

US Commerce Secretary's Surprise Delhi Visit

US Commerce Secretary's Surprise Delhi Visit

Rediff.com27 Feb 2026

'Engaged in very fruitful discussions to expand our trade and economic partnership.'

Punjab Government Reallocates Portfolios After Minister's Arrest

Punjab Government Reallocates Portfolios After Minister's Arrest

Rediff.com11 May 2026

The Punjab government has redistributed portfolios held by arrested minister Sanjeev Arora among other cabinet members, including Aman Arora, Harjot Singh Bains, and Tarunpreet Singh Sond.

Govt Eyes Steps To Contain CAD

Govt Eyes Steps To Contain CAD

Rediff.com4 hours ago

'The situation globally is quite challenging, but we have the confidence and courage of conviction that we will come out winners even in this challenging time.'

Govt issues updated SOP for processing FDI applications

Govt issues updated SOP for processing FDI applications

Rediff.com5 May 2026

The Indian government has issued an updated Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for processing Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) applications, aiming to clear all proposals within 12 weeks, a two-week extension from the previous 10-week target, to ensure a fully paperless and transparent process.

Indian Investments in US Rise, Create American Jobs: Official

Indian Investments in US Rise, Create American Jobs: Official

Rediff.com5 May 2026

Indian foreign direct investment (FDI) in the United States has reached approximately USD 16.4 billion, supporting around 70,800 jobs and contributing significantly to research and development, according to US Deputy Undersecretary Brandon Remington.

Bengal polls: EC tightens grip with strategic transfers

Bengal polls: EC tightens grip with strategic transfers

Rediff.com18 Mar 2026

The Election Commission has intensified preparations for the West Bengal Assembly elections by reshuffling senior officers and deploying IAS and IPS officers in key poll management roles.

IRCTC Bets Big on Payments Play

IRCTC Bets Big on Payments Play

Rediff.com23 Apr 2026

IRCTC is expanding its payments arm, IRCTC Payments, to handle transactions across its ticketing platform and tap government clients, aiming to scale its annual payment processing to approximately 1 trillion.

Omar Abdullah Emphasises Transparency in J&K Recruitment Drive

Omar Abdullah Emphasises Transparency in J&K Recruitment Drive

Rediff.com31 Mar 2026

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has affirmed his government's commitment to a transparent recruitment process, aiming to fill 25,000 vacancies this year while avoiding legal complications.

Government Introduces Bill to Decriminalise Minor Offences

Government Introduces Bill to Decriminalise Minor Offences

Rediff.com27 Mar 2026

The Indian government has introduced the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha to decriminalise and rationalise minor offences, aiming to promote ease of doing business and living.

Bill Introduced to Promote Ease of Business and Living

Bill Introduced to Promote Ease of Business and Living

Rediff.com27 Mar 2026

The government has introduced a bill in the Lok Sabha to amend provisions for decriminalising minor offences, aiming to promote ease of doing business and living.

India, US chief negotiators to begin three-day trade pact talks in Washington from Apr 20

India, US chief negotiators to begin three-day trade pact talks in Washington from Apr 20

Rediff.com19 Apr 2026

Chief negotiators from India and the US are set to begin three-day talks in Washington to recalibrate the bilateral trade agreement (BTA) framework, following significant changes in the US tariff landscape, including a new 10 per cent tariff imposed on all countries.

CBDT Eases GAAR Concerns for Investments Made Before April 2017

CBDT Eases GAAR Concerns for Investments Made Before April 2017

Rediff.com1 Apr 2026

The Income Tax Department has clarified that income from the transfer of investments made before April 1, 2017, is excluded from the scope of the General Anti-Avoidance Rules (GAAR), addressing industry concerns about retrospective application.

India-China border trade via Lipulekh Pass to resume after 6 yrs

India-China border trade via Lipulekh Pass to resume after 6 yrs

Rediff.com20 Mar 2026

Border trade between India and China through the Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand's Pithoragarh district is set to resume this year after a six-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Budget wishlist: Industry seeks easier tax rules, dispute fixes

Budget wishlist: Industry seeks easier tax rules, dispute fixes

Rediff.com3 Nov 2025

With the Union Budget three months away, major industry chambers have submitted to the government proposals on common taxes, seeking simpler compliance and a quicker resolution of tax disputes.

Nagpur Factory Blast: Negligence Suspected, Minister Says

Nagpur Factory Blast: Negligence Suspected, Minister Says

Rediff.com2 Mar 2026

Maharashtra minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule suspects negligence and safety lapses at SBL Energy Limited in Nagpur, where a blast killed 19. An investigation is underway to determine accountability.

US trade probe targets India, 15 other countries

US trade probe targets India, 15 other countries

Rediff.com12 Mar 2026

The United States Trade Representative (USTR) office on Wednesday launched a sweeping investigation into manufacturing and industrial practices in 16 economies, including India, citing concerns over what it calls 'structural excess capacity' that could distort global trade. Announcing the move on a White House press call, Jamieson Greer said the probe would be conducted under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, one of Washington, DC's most powerful trade enforcement tools.

Govt moves to shield trade as Iran war chokes sea routes

Govt moves to shield trade as Iran war chokes sea routes

Rediff.com5 Mar 2026

With the Iran war escalating sharply and crisis deepening in the global energy market, India on Monday unveiled a coordinated plan to support exporters and shippers caught in the fallout.

Waaree Energies, Premier Energies in Focus as US Imposes 126% Duty on Indian Solar Imports

Waaree Energies, Premier Energies in Focus as US Imposes 126% Duty on Indian Solar Imports

Rediff.com25 Feb 2026

Shares of Waaree Energies and Premier Energies are under pressure after the US imposed initial duties on Indian solar imports. The article examines the impact on green energy stocks and market sentiment.

India-EU FTA: 'Mother Of All Deals': Goyal

India-EU FTA: 'Mother Of All Deals': Goyal

Rediff.com17 Jan 2026

Both India and the EU are likely to announce a conclusion of trade talks on January 27.

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.

India-US Deal Shields Farmers

India-US Deal Shields Farmers

Rediff.com4 Feb 2026

New Delhi will substantially reduce tariffs on industrial and agricultural goods while continuing to protect sensitive sectors. Tariffs on some agricultural products that are not traditionally considered sensitive will be brought down to zero, while in the case of relatively sensitive items, duties will be reduced in a graded manner and quotas will be imposed.

India, US To Issue Joint Statement On Trade Deal

India, US To Issue Joint Statement On Trade Deal

Rediff.com6 Feb 2026

'Based on the joint statement, a formal agreement will be drafted, which may take a month or month-and-a-half to finalise. We aim to sign the formal agreement by mid-March.'

Congress calls Indo-US trade pact a 'surrender'

Congress calls Indo-US trade pact a 'surrender'

Rediff.com7 Feb 2026

The Congress party has criticized the Indo-US trade agreement, calling it a 'surrender' of India's self-esteem and interests, and a betrayal of Indian farmers and MSMEs.

26 e-com players say they are free from dark patterns: Govt

26 e-com players say they are free from dark patterns: Govt

Rediff.com20 Nov 2025

As many as 26 top e-commerce companies, including Zepto, BigBasket and Zomato, have given an undertaking that their platforms are free from misleading claims and unfair trade practices which constitute 'dark patterns', the government said on Thursday.

Tariffs cut, $30tn market: India, US unveil interim trade pact

Tariffs cut, $30tn market: India, US unveil interim trade pact

Rediff.com8 Feb 2026

The agreement addresses non-tariff barriers and promotes increased trade in technology products and cooperation between the two countries.

Tamil Nadu bets big on India's first full-stack sovereign AI park

Tamil Nadu bets big on India's first full-stack sovereign AI park

Rediff.com14 Jan 2026

The sovereign AI park will be a first-of-its-kind, purpose-built district in India, integrating AI compute infrastructure, secure data frameworks, model research labs, and AI innovation clusters, along with a dedicated institute for AI in governance.

Coming Soon! Prada's Made in India Kolhapuri Chappals

Coming Soon! Prada's Made in India Kolhapuri Chappals

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

Prada's Kolhapuri chappals will debut globally in February across 40 Prada stores and on the brand's e-commerce platform.

US tariff jolts UP's export hubs; industry seeks govt bailout

US tariff jolts UP's export hubs; industry seeks govt bailout

Rediff.com1 Sep 2025

Uttar Pradesh's leading export hubs are reeling under the impact of a steep 50 per cent tariff imposed by the US on Indian imports, with exporters warning of job losses, stalled orders and shrinking market access. Industry leaders from Noida, Kanpur and Varanasi said the tariff has put years of painstaking market-building at risk, even as protests and demonstrations erupted in several districts last week.

16th India-EU summit today; trade, security, defence on agenda

16th India-EU summit today; trade, security, defence on agenda

Rediff.com27 Jan 2026

Over the years, India-EU ties have grown, and covered trade, investment, climate change, science and technology, space, digital, mobility, and connectivity.

Will India continue to remain an attractive FDI destination in 2026?

Will India continue to remain an attractive FDI destination in 2026?

Rediff.com27 Dec 2025

FDI inflows into India are expected to register robust growth in 2026, supported by strong macroeconomic fundamentals, big-ticket investment announcements, sustained efforts to improve the ease of doing business, and a new generation of investment-linked trade pacts.

Govt Targets 100 Products For Aatmanirbhar Push

Govt Targets 100 Products For Aatmanirbhar Push

Rediff.com16 Sep 2025

'Our endeavour will be that we identify these products, put them in the public domain so that the manufacturers can look at them and give a boost to Make in India.'

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.

Petro exports to US grew in October as other sectors slide

Petro exports to US grew in October as other sectors slide

Rediff.com8 Dec 2025

India's exports to the US contracted 8.6 per cent to $6.3 billion in October, while imports rose 13.9 per cent to $4.5 billion leading to a trade surplus of $1.8 billion during the month.

Tax forms for charitable institutions set for overhaul

Tax forms for charitable institutions set for overhaul

Rediff.com4 Dec 2025

As the new Income Tax (I-T) Act, 2025 moves towards implementation from April 1, 2026, the finance ministry is reviewing and simplifying the compliance forms used by charitable institutions. Debjyoti Das, principal chief commissioner of income tax (exemption), said the new Act has already reorganised exemption provisions into a clearer and more coherent structure, and the accompanying procedures and forms are now being examined.

India-US Trade Deal In Final Lap!

India-US Trade Deal In Final Lap!

Rediff.com25 Oct 2025

'As far as the contentious issues such as agriculture are concerned, we are finding some common ground.'

CAG to conduct pan-India audit on ease of doing biz for MSMEs

CAG to conduct pan-India audit on ease of doing biz for MSMEs

Rediff.com20 Nov 2025

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has launched an integrated audit across 32 states and Union Territories to assess the ease of doing business for the micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) sector.

Jaishankar, Rubio to meet in US amid tariff, H-1B visa concerns

Jaishankar, Rubio to meet in US amid tariff, H-1B visa concerns

Rediff.com22 Sep 2025

This will be the first face-to-face meeting between Rubio and Jaishankar following President Donald Trump's imposition of an additional 25 per cent tariff on India for Delhi's purchases of Russian oil, taking the total levies imposed on India by the Trump White House to 50 per cent.

India Diversifies Petroleum Exports To New Markets

India Diversifies Petroleum Exports To New Markets

Rediff.com17 Nov 2025

India offset the decline in exports to traditional destinations by sharply ramping up shipments to Jordan (18,086 per cent), Hong Kong (17,006 per cent), Spain (13,436 per cent), the Philippines (2,235 per cent), and Namibia (1,068 per cent) in H1FY26.

India, US Fast-Track Trade Deal Talks

India, US Fast-Track Trade Deal Talks

Rediff.com17 Sep 2025

'A deal will only be possible if India stops buying Russian oil -- but even then, New Delhi must not compromise its core red lines.'

Why ecom platforms are under govt lens

Why ecom platforms are under govt lens

Rediff.com4 Oct 2025

The Ministry of Consumer Affairs is looking into complaints of additional charges being levied by ecommerce platforms when customers choose cash-on-delivery (COD) option instead of paying while ordering items. "The Department of Consumer Affairs has received complaints against ecommerce platforms charging extra for cash-on-delivery, a practice classified as a dark pattern that misleads and exploits consumers," Pralhad Joshi, Union minister of consumer affairs, wrote on X on Friday afternoon.