India's private sector activity slowed to a four-year low in July, with the HSBC Flash Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) falling to 54.3, driven by weakened sales and output amidst renewed tensions in West Asia and rising inflationary pressures.
Hyderabad-based Midwest Ltd has become the first Indian private company to secure overseas critical mineral mines, sealing a deal with Indonesia's state-run PT Perusahaan Mineral Nasional (PERMINAS) to ensure a long-term supply of rare earths.
Senior Indian officials highlight the indispensable role of the private sector in translating India-US cooperation in AI, semiconductors, quantum technologies, and critical minerals into tangible outcomes. The collaboration aims to build trusted, resilient technology ecosystems and position India as a global electronics and semiconductor hub.
India's services sector growth experienced a significant slowdown in June, reaching a 17-month low due to challenging market conditions and reduced domestic client interest, as indicated by the HSBC India Services PMI Business Activity Index.
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.
India's eight core infrastructure sectors experienced a significant slowdown in production growth, reaching a seven-month low of 0.5 per cent in May, primarily driven by negative growth in coal, crude oil, and refinery products.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the formation of a committee of women legislators to amend laws and ensure effective implementation against harassment and religious conversion in the corporate sector. This decision follows an incident at a TCS unit in Nashik involving alleged exploitation and forced conversion, which is currently under SIT investigation. Probes have also been ordered into similar complaints at a Spanish multinational in Pune and a government ITI in Solapur, highlighting a broader issue of workplace misconduct.
Domestic passenger vehicle dispatches in India reached a record 12,73,811 units in the first quarter of FY27, marking a 25.9 per cent growth, driven by robust domestic demand despite geopolitical headwinds, according to SIAM.
A new report by EY-Parthenon and CREDAI indicates that Generative AI (GenAI) could inject USD 14-17 billion into India's real estate economy over the next seven years. The technology is expected to significantly enhance operational efficiency, boost sales velocity by 30-50 per cent, and accelerate product launches, offering competitive differentiation and improved customer experiences for developers.
Hyderabad-based SETL, a precision engineering company, has acquired a 51% majority stake in GScale Energy Private Limited, an AI Datacenter Engineering infrastructure specialist. This strategic move involves an initial investment of Rs 190 crore, with a total commitment of Rs 500 crore, marking SETL's expansion into the rapidly growing AI Datacenter sector and leveraging its expertise from pharmaceutical and chemical industries.
The India-Oman free trade agreement, operationalised on June 1, is set to create significant export opportunities for India's labour-intensive and value-added sectors, including textiles, gems and jewellery, and marine products, while also strengthening energy security.
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.
India's nine core infrastructure sectors recorded a five-month high production growth of 5 per cent in June, primarily boosted by significant increases in the output of cement, electricity, and the newly added iron ore, despite declines in crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, and fertiliser.
Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan announced the state's vision to become a national hub for artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, coinciding with the launch of Naviq Technology by IBS Software Group. The state government is implementing initiatives like an AI-powered dashboard, a Global Job Watch Tower, and curriculum revisions to align with technological advancements and foster skill development in AI and semiconductor sectors.
Andhra Pradesh and Punjab National Bank (PNB) have signed an MoU to establish the PNB Quantum Finance Hub at Amaravati Quantum Valley. This initiative aims to foster innovation and adopt next-generation technologies like AI and Quantum Computing in the banking sector, focusing on cybersecurity, fraud detection, and customer experience.
Andhra Pradesh's "Drone City" in Kurnool district will host a national roundtable on drones on August 18, with the Civil Aviation Minister and up to 40 drone companies expected to attend. This initiative aims to boost the drone sector, which is projected to create 40,000 jobs.
The government introduced the SHANTI Act, 2025, to support the mission and open the sector to private participation.
Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Samba and Kathua districts have launched extensive search operations after suspected Pakistani drones were detected near the International Border. One drone was seen in Samba and another in Kathua, prompting intensified surveillance.
Trai Chairman Anil Kumar Lahoti highlighted the transformative role of satellite communications in expanding seamless connectivity across India, especially in remote areas. He noted that India's space economy is projected to grow significantly, driven by satcom technology that will bridge the digital divide, provide resilient infrastructure during disasters, and support strategic sectors.
Trai Chairman Anil Kumar Lahoti highlighted the transformative role of satellite communications in expanding seamless connectivity across India, especially in remote areas. He noted that India's space economy is projected to grow significantly, driven by satcom technology that will bridge the digital divide, provide resilient infrastructure during disasters, and support strategic sectors.
Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced the Centre's readiness to release Rs 6 crore to Mizoram to strengthen its power sector. The announcement came during a meeting with BJP leaders in Aizawl, where issues concerning Mizoram, including pending central funds and housing schemes, were discussed.
Three more persons were arrested on Sunday in connection with the violence during a protest here two days ago against the NEET paper leak, taking the total number of apprehended people to 14, the police said.
Indian farmers staged a significant protest at the Shambhu border against a proposed India-US trade deal, fearing its detrimental effects on the domestic agricultural sector and demanding its immediate abandonment. They later ended their agitation after assurances from the Haryana Agriculture Minister regarding the release of detained farmers and a meeting with the Union Agriculture Minister.
In the draft norms issued last month, the RBI said that the ultimate responsibility for the bank's performance, conduct and control rests with the Board
'The Indian private space sector is no longer a high-risk bet; it is a highly bankable, globally competitive asset class capable of easing the global small satellite launch bottleneck.'
Male central government employees are entitled to 15 days under service rules and provisions in the private sector depends on the company's policy.
The Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) has chosen seven to eight biotechnology startups as the initial group to receive funding from the government's ~1 trillion Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund, with an average investment of approximately ~25 crore per startup.
ICICI Bank has successfully raised $1 billion through a five-year senior unsecured US dollar bond, marking its first public dollar bond issuance since 2017 and the largest single-tranche US dollar bond issuance by an Indian issuer so far this year.
'After that the burdens of an ageing population will be upon us, and the share of working age population will shrink.'
India's fair trade regulator, the Competition Commission of India (CCI), has dismissed a complaint alleging anti-competitive conduct against Reliance Jio Infocom Ltd and over 4,500 other firms across various sectors, citing a lack of specific evidence.
Lieutenant General Syed Aamir Raza's loyalty to Field Marshal Asim Munir during the turbulent times appears to have stood him in good stead, points out Rana Banerji, who headed the Pakistan desk at R&AW.
Srinagar International Airport will suspend all flight operations for 15 days from October 1 for crucial runway maintenance, raising alarm bells within the tourism industry that fears the shutdown will deal a massive blow to the sector as it directly clashes with the peak Durga Puja holiday season.
India's manufacturing sector activity reached a three-month high in May, with the HSBC India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) rising to 55.0, driven by robust domestic demand, infrastructure projects, and new business gains despite ongoing inflationary pressures.
Skyroot Aerospace successfully launched India's first privately developed orbital rocket, Vikram-1, placing multiple technology demonstration payloads and commemorative items, including a postcard from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, into low Earth orbit, marking a significant entry into the global orbital launch market.
Precision engineering components maker Indo MIM Ltd is optimistic about the growth of the domestic aerospace industry, particularly focusing on engine applications. The company notes a significant acceleration in foreign OEM interest in India for engineering talent and manufacturing. Indo MIM recently announced its Rs 3,812 crore IPO, opening on July 23, to fund borrowings and general corporate purposes.
Precision engineering components maker Indo MIM Ltd is optimistic about the growth of the domestic aerospace industry, particularly focusing on engine applications. The company notes a significant acceleration in foreign OEM interest in India for engineering talent and manufacturing. Indo MIM recently announced its Rs 3,812 crore IPO, opening on July 23, to fund borrowings and general corporate purposes.
Indian stock markets witnessed a significant rally, with the Sensex climbing 964.58 points and the Nifty reaching 24,330, driven by strong buying in blue-chip stocks, particularly in the IT and banking sectors, amidst optimism over Q1 earnings and a shift towards large-cap investments.
Rockwell Automation's CEO Blake Moret highlights India as the centrepiece of the company's Asian growth strategy, detailing its four-decade presence, significant employee base, and support for the 'Make in India' initiative. The company sees major opportunities in pharmaceuticals, automotive, food and beverage, and consumer products, with AI playing a crucial role in simplifying industrial automation and boosting productivity for Indian manufacturers, including MSMEs.
'Banking is the only sector that can see double-digit growth in FY27.'
HCLTech CEO C Vijayakumar's total salary for the financial year 2025-26 surged by nearly 66.9 per cent to $18.13 million, primarily driven by long-term incentives and stock options, placing him at the top among his Indian IT sector peers.
