News for 'Sector 18'

Budget 2026 is cautious and also focussed on the long-term journey

Budget 2026 is cautious and also focussed on the long-term journey

Rediff.com10 Feb 2026

This year's Economic Survey and the Union Budget were more closely followed for more reasons than one.

Budget reflects a maturing economy

Budget reflects a maturing economy

Rediff.com11 Feb 2026

The Budget reflects a clear focus on strengthening India's long-term prospects by leaning on nation-building sectors such as infrastructure, manufacturing, and technology while maintaining fiscal responsibility.

'Cybersecurity incidents could surge 20 pc this year'

'Cybersecurity incidents could surge 20 pc this year'

Rediff.com11 Feb 2026

While methods such as generative user awareness remain among the most efficient and low-cost mechanisms for preventing cybersecurity incidents, they are becoming less effective as attacks become more sophisticated.

What is India-US interim trade deal all about. Here are the details

What is India-US interim trade deal all about. Here are the details

Rediff.com7 Feb 2026

US and India will promptly implement this framework and work towards finalising the interim agreement with a view to concluding a mutually beneficial bilateral trade agreement.

Govt introduces bill to open civil nuclear sector to private players

Govt introduces bill to open civil nuclear sector to private players

Rediff.com15 Dec 2025

The Indian government has introduced a bill to overhaul the civil nuclear sector, allowing private participation and establishing a new liability regime. The SHANTI Bill, 2025, aims to repeal existing acts and address industry concerns.

10 Stocks That May Gain From Budget

10 Stocks That May Gain From Budget

Rediff.com4 Feb 2026

The fiscal tilt towards capex benefits companies in investment-related sectors like capital goods, defence equipment, engineering & construction and metal & mining. The planned cut in revenue expenditure will weigh on companies in consumption sectors like FMCG, consumer durables and retail.

Grip and choke: Rahul Gandhi on why he used Jiu-Jitsu terms to attack Modi

Grip and choke: Rahul Gandhi on why he used Jiu-Jitsu terms to attack Modi

Rediff.com20 Feb 2026

'In my experience of politics, I have seen political grips and political chokes are mostly hidden. The average person cannot see them,' Rahul Gandhi said.

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?

Stock markets end higher; ITC, banks lead recovery

Stock markets end higher; ITC, banks lead recovery

Rediff.com6 Feb 2026

Stock markets closed higher on Friday after the Reserve Bank of India kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged as expected and proposed allowing banks to lend to Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) with certain prudential safeguards to deepen the financing pool for the real estate sector.

Reliance gets US licence to directly buy Venezuela oil

Reliance gets US licence to directly buy Venezuela oil

Rediff.com14 Feb 2026

Private-sector oil refiner Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) last week received a general licence from the United States (US) government to buy Venezuelan oil, an industry executive said.

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.

Realty to get indirect push from Budget proposals

Realty to get indirect push from Budget proposals

Rediff.com3 Feb 2026

The government's Budget announcements providing tax holiday for data centres, setting up of city economic regions (CERs) and funding to improve infrastructure in Tier-II and -III cities may give an indirect boost to India's realty sector, said industry executives.

Cooling hub Sri City gets a Carrier legacy stamp

Cooling hub Sri City gets a Carrier legacy stamp

Rediff.com18 Feb 2026

Sri City in Andhra Pradesh is dubbed the "Cooling City" of India, accounting for nearly 40 per cent of the air conditioners (ACs) manufactured in the country. On Tuesday, this industrial hub added one more feather to its cooling credentials. Carrier Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Ltd, the Indian arm of the oldest AC company in the world, Carrier Global, signed a deal to invest around ~1,000 crore for a new manufacturing unit at Sri City.

AI adoption leading to moderation in entry-level hiring: Report

AI adoption leading to moderation in entry-level hiring: Report

Rediff.com15 Feb 2026

Artificial Intelligence (AI) adoption has led firms to moderate hiring, primarily at the entry-level, according to a report.

'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.'

At $4.4 bn, Shriram Fin to get India's largest financial-sector FDI

At $4.4 bn, Shriram Fin to get India's largest financial-sector FDI

Rediff.com20 Dec 2025

Leading non-banking financial company (NBFC) Shriram Finance on Friday said Japan-based MUFG Bank would invest Rs 39,618 crore, or $4.4 billion, to acquire a 20 per cent stake on a fully diluted basis through a preferential issue of equity shares.

'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.'

PM pressured to hand over people's data as part of US deal, alleges Rahul

PM pressured to hand over people's data as part of US deal, alleges Rahul

Rediff.com11 Feb 2026

Rahul Gandhi claims the Indo-US trade deal will compromise the data security of 1.5 billion Indians, alleging Prime Minister Modi is surrendering India's data resources to the US. He warns of potential job losses in the IT sector due to AI and the importance of controlling India's data pool.

Delhi teacher poses as woman, attacks sister-in-law over family row

Delhi teacher poses as woman, attacks sister-in-law over family row

Rediff.com16 Feb 2026

A 27-year-old physiotherapist was attacked by her brother-in-law, disguised in women's clothing, in Delhi's Rohini area. The accused, identified as Jai Prakash Yadav, was arrested and faces charges of attempted murder.

India joins US-led strategic alliance Pax Silica

India joins US-led strategic alliance Pax Silica

Rediff.com20 Feb 2026

India has joined the US-led 'Pax Silica' alliance, aimed at building a resilient supply chain for critical minerals and artificial intelligence, marking a significant step in strengthening bilateral ties and fostering economic security.

Indian goods to gain edge over China, others in US market

Indian goods to gain edge over China, others in US market

Rediff.com8 Feb 2026

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Sunday said Indian goods will have a competitive advantage in US markets compared to products from China and other competitor countries, which face higher levies, following the reduction in reciprocal tariffs to 18 per cent.

Budget proposes Rs 10,000 cr investment in biopharma over next 5 years

Budget proposes Rs 10,000 cr investment in biopharma over next 5 years

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday proposed Rs 10,000 crore investment in the biopharma sector over the next five years, a move which would give a boost to the country's pharmaceuticals industry.

A long-game Budget

A long-game Budget

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

The Union Budget for 2026-27, presented by Finance Minister (FM) Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday, which was a first, had an excellent domestic macro backdrop. According to the first advance estimates, gross domestic product (GDP) in constant prices is projected to grow 7.4 per cent in the current financial year, against 6.5 per cent in 2024-25.

How investors will benefit if banks start lending to Reits

How investors will benefit if banks start lending to Reits

Rediff.com6 Feb 2026

The Reserve Bank of India on Friday proposed to allow banks to lend to Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) with certain prudential safeguards to deepen the financing pool for the real estate sector.

ED slaps Rs 184-cr FEMA penalty on NewsClick, Purkayastha

ED slaps Rs 184-cr FEMA penalty on NewsClick, Purkayastha

Rediff.com16 Feb 2026

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has imposed a Rs 184-crore penalty on NewsClick and its founder, Prabir Purkayastha, for alleged FEMA violations related to foreign funding and misrepresentation of business activities.

Banking services impacted as unions go on nationwide strike

Banking services impacted as unions go on nationwide strike

Rediff.com27 Jan 2026

Banking operations at public sector banks across the country were impacted on Tuesday as the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) went on nationwide strike demanding the immediate implementation of a five-day work week.

India-EU sign 'mother of all' trade deals, says Modi

India-EU sign 'mother of all' trade deals, says Modi

Rediff.com27 Jan 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced the signing of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), saying it accounts for 25 per cent of global GDP and one-third of global trade.

Rajiv Gandhi: 'I Can't Sack People'

Rajiv Gandhi: 'I Can't Sack People'

Rediff.com18 Feb 2026

'When I met the prime minister, he asked me, "Dr Ganguly, what do you do with people in your company who lie to you?"' 'I said, "Prime Minister, we counsel them and give them a gentle warning. If they lie again, they are sacked".' '"This is my problem,'" Rajiv responded. "I can't sack people in government".' A revealing excerpt from former Hindustan Lever Chairman Dr Ashok S Ganguly's We Are Our Future: Reflections On Life.

Budget 2026: 'Increased Industrialisation Will Lead To More Jobs'

Budget 2026: 'Increased Industrialisation Will Lead To More Jobs'

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

'The trade deficit in some sectors is huge and that is an area of opportunity to localise.'

Netanyahu reveals Modi's two-day Israel visit, strategic ties in focus

Netanyahu reveals Modi's two-day Israel visit, strategic ties in focus

Rediff.com16 Feb 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Israel for two days to discuss bilateral and regional issues, marking his second visit to the Jewish state and highlighting the growing strategic partnership between India and Israel.

FTA: No duty cut by India on dairy, rice, wheat, pulses

FTA: No duty cut by India on dairy, rice, wheat, pulses

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

India has fully protected its sensitive sectors like dairy, rice, wheat, pulses, tea, genetically modified (GM) goods, and coffee by not granting any import duty concessions to the European Union (EU) under the bilateral free trade agreement, according to the Commerce Ministry.

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.

Sensex crashes over 1K points on selling in metal, IT stocks

Sensex crashes over 1K points on selling in metal, IT stocks

Rediff.com13 Feb 2026

Benchmark equity indices Sensex and Nifty tumbled more than 1 per cent on Friday due to across-the-board selloff, especially in metal, IT and commodity stocks, tracking sluggish global markets.

Insurance sector premium growth crossed 20% in Nov

Insurance sector premium growth crossed 20% in Nov

Rediff.com9 Dec 2025

Both the life and non-life insurance segment posted over 20 per cent premium growth in November for the first time in this financial year (FY26), supported by the reduction in goods and services tax (GST) on premiums from 18 per cent to zero and a favourable base effect.

Govt raises FY27 capex target to Rs 12.12 lakh cr

Govt raises FY27 capex target to Rs 12.12 lakh cr

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

The government also proposes to set up risk guarantee fund for infrastructure sector, she added.

Jobs in unincorporated sector rose marginally in Q2: NSO data

Jobs in unincorporated sector rose marginally in Q2: NSO data

Rediff.com26 Nov 2025

Around 128.6 million people were employed in the unincorporated sector during July-September of FY26, showed the latest quarterly bulletin of unincorporated sector enterprises released by the National Statistics Office (NSO) on Tuesday. This is slightly higher than the 128.57 million in the previous quarter.

Sundar Pichai unveils new India-US subsea cable routes

Sundar Pichai unveils new India-US subsea cable routes

Rediff.com18 Feb 2026

Betting big on India's AI potential, Google CEO Sundar Pichai on Wednesday announced new subsea cable routes to boost AI connectivity between India and the US, alongside major skilling initiatives, including training 20 million public servants and supporting 11 million students

Budget 2026 stays committed to long-term growth drivers

Budget 2026 stays committed to long-term growth drivers

Rediff.com11 Feb 2026

Capex, infrastructure development, and prudent fiscal management are the key focus areas in the Budget, says Nilesh Shah.

The Woman Behind The Fiery Theyyam Picture

The Woman Behind The Fiery Theyyam Picture

Rediff.com20 Feb 2026

Chennai-based photographer Ramya Sriram explains how she captured the fiery and hypnotic Theyyam image that won her the National Geographic India Contest

India, EU FTA: Duty cuts on textiles, footwear, cars, wines likely

India, EU FTA: Duty cuts on textiles, footwear, cars, wines likely

Rediff.com26 Jan 2026

Import duty cuts on labour-intensive sectors such as textiles and footwear, as well as cars, and wines, are likely to be part of the free trade agreement between India and the 27-nation bloc European Union (EU), the conclusion of which is set to be announced on January 27 here, sources said.