News for 'Urban Demand'

SC declares menstrual health as fundamental right

SC declares menstrual health as fundamental right

Rediff.com30 Jan 2026

Private schools failing to provide these facilities risk de-recognition

What's in store for realty sector in 2026? A mixed bag

What's in store for realty sector in 2026? A mixed bag

Rediff.com2 Jan 2026

After three post-pandemic years of an upcycle, it was a mixed bag for the realty sector in 2025, with sales volumes in the residential real estate moderating across top cities, and commercial real estate and institutional investments emerging as standout performers. Residential: Volumes soften, value holds firm.

'Dravidian South Was Cradle Of Early Urban Modernity'

'Dravidian South Was Cradle Of Early Urban Modernity'

Rediff.com21 Jul 2025

'At Keeladi, we have not come across any evidence for organised religion.'

Indore deaths: BJP's Vijayvargiya snaps at reporters

Indore deaths: BJP's Vijayvargiya snaps at reporters

Rediff.com1 Jan 2026

Madhya Pradesh minister Kailash Vijayvargiya faces backlash after using objectionable language in response to questions about contaminated water in Indore. The incident has sparked controversy and calls for his resignation.

Will The Economy Face A Bumpy Road Ahead?

Will The Economy Face A Bumpy Road Ahead?

Rediff.com6 Jan 2026

Real GDP growth surprised on the upside in 2025, but weaker nominal growth, trade uncertainty, and soft demand signal a bumpier road ahead.

India's diagnostic chains are in expansion mode. Here's why

India's diagnostic chains are in expansion mode. Here's why

Rediff.com29 Dec 2025

India's diagnostics sector is accelerating capacity addition and geographic expansion, as large chains and regional players invest in new laboratories, integrated centres and dense sample collection networks to tap rising demand for preventive, advanced and precision testing.

Maha civic results may trigger MVA churn as Cong pulls ahead

Maha civic results may trigger MVA churn as Cong pulls ahead

Rediff.com18 Jan 2026

With the Congress coming third overall and having done much better than Shiv Sena-UBT and NCP-SP, its allies in Maha Vikas Aghadi, political analysts said it will force a rethink as far as coordination, seat-sharing and leadership are concerned ahead of the 2029 assembly polls.

Four killed, 9 hurt as BEST bus hits pedestrians in Mumbai

Four killed, 9 hurt as BEST bus hits pedestrians in Mumbai

Rediff.com30 Dec 2025

A reversing BEST bus in Mumbai struck pedestrians, resulting in four deaths and nine injuries. The incident occurred in Bhandup (West) and is under investigation.

Fear, anxiety and long journeys: SIR hearings in Bengal

Fear, anxiety and long journeys: SIR hearings in Bengal

Rediff.com5 Jan 2026

The second phase of the Systematic Integration of Rolls (SIR) in West Bengal is causing distress among elderly, disabled, and vulnerable voters, leading to political accusations ahead of the assembly polls.

Profit-Focused Startups Power India's Strong IPO Revival

Profit-Focused Startups Power India's Strong IPO Revival

Rediff.com16 Jan 2026

Eighteen new-age technology firms went public during the year, a near triple increase from the five firms that debuted in 2023 and 38 per cent more than 2024's tally of 13.

'Husband Can't Force Wife To Look After Parents'

'Husband Can't Force Wife To Look After Parents'

Rediff.com8 Jan 2026

'Caring for one's parents is the husband's responsibility, especially if he is the earning member of the family.' 'The wife may be financially dependent on him but that does not create a legal obligation for her to serve or care for her in-laws.'

Growth triggers missing in Dabur

Growth triggers missing in Dabur

Rediff.com14 Jan 2026

Dabur's business update for Q3FY26 indicated mid-single digit consolidated revenue growth. The guidance is that growth in operating and net profits will beat revenue growth. In the domestic business, home and personal care (HPC) revenue grew in double digits, while healthcare is likely to post a sequential growth in low-single digits.

PSBs rework branch plan to pare costs

PSBs rework branch plan to pare costs

Rediff.com23 Dec 2025

In order to optimise branch efficiency, public sector banks (PSBs) are reworking their strategies to streamline operations and reduce cost amid changing customer behaviour. The strategies include closing or merging low traffic branches and reducing their size in smaller centres.

Rural demand lifts FMCG sector to 5.7% growth in July-Sept: NielsenIQ

Rural demand lifts FMCG sector to 5.7% growth in July-Sept: NielsenIQ

Rediff.com8 Nov 2024

India's fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector grew 5.7 per cent by value and 4.1 per cent by volume in the July-September quarter driven by rural demand, consumer intelligence firm NielsenIQ said in its quarterly update on Thursday. Price-led growth stood at 1.5 per cent. According to NielsenIQ data, rural volume growth outpaced urban markets for the third straight quarter despite consumption softening in both regions.

Hand over Sabarimala gold case to neutral agency: Amit Shah to Kerala CM

Hand over Sabarimala gold case to neutral agency: Amit Shah to Kerala CM

Rediff.com11 Jan 2026

Union Home Minister Amit Shah criticizes Kerala's ruling Left government over the Sabarimala gold loss case, demanding a neutral investigation and accusing the government of protecting the real culprits. He also signals the start of the BJP's campaign for the upcoming Assembly elections.

FIR registered over slogans against Modi, Shah at JNU

FIR registered over slogans against Modi, Shah at JNU

Rediff.com7 Jan 2026

Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has sought a first information report (FIR) after students allegedly raised 'provocative' slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah inside the university campus during an event on Monday night, varsity officials said.

Taskaree: The Smuggler's Web Review: A Neeraj Pandey thriller

Taskaree: The Smuggler's Web Review: A Neeraj Pandey thriller

Rediff.com15 Jan 2026

It is difficult to make conveyor belt and baggage-scanning scenes thrilling -- which is how most people trying to sneak out through the Green Channel are caught -- but Neeraj Pandey and co-director Raghav M Jairath and co-writer Vipul K Rawal make sure there is enough going on to make the series watchable, raves Deepa Gahlot.

Realty faces execution pressure as developers expand launch pipelines

Realty faces execution pressure as developers expand launch pipelines

Rediff.com22 Dec 2025

Developers are entering one of the busiest construction cycles, with the top four firms planning launches worth Rs 1.13 trillion over the near to medium term, even as execution faces pressure from approval delays, labour shortages, rising costs, and contractor capacity limits across the industry.

Assam To Honour 818 Young Writers

Assam To Honour 818 Young Writers

Rediff.com25 Dec 2025

Books will be included as part of gifts at government functions, alongside the traditional gamusa, to underline the government's message that books must return to the centre of public life.

India's Housing Finance Sector Hits Home Run

India's Housing Finance Sector Hits Home Run

Rediff.com29 Oct 2025

India's housing finance sector is riding a wave of post-pandemic revival, driven by policy support, digital innovation, and growing demand from younger homebuyers in emerging cities.

Seniors to Drive 25% of India's Pharma

Seniors to Drive 25% of India's Pharma

Rediff.com21 Nov 2025

'Once the 60-plus population hits 20 to 30 per cent of the country, the demand for elderly-care treatments will surge -- cardiac, metabolic, neurological, and musculoskeletal medicines are going to dominate the market for the next several decades.'

November car sales surge 21% on back of GST cut

November car sales surge 21% on back of GST cut

Rediff.com2 Dec 2025

'The market is still very bullish. The demand is so strong that for eight models, we have no units in our factories to dispatch to dealers,' said Partho Banerjee, senior executive officer, marketing & sales, Maruti Suzuki India (MSIL).

Emcure sets sights on pan-Indian obesity market with Poviztra

Emcure sets sights on pan-Indian obesity market with Poviztra

Rediff.com23 Dec 2025

Emcure Pharmaceuticals on Monday said it saw Poviztra, its newly launched semaglutide brand, as a "long-term" opportunity in India's fast-evolving obesity and cardiometabolic therapy market, even as price competition in the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) segment intensified.

About 50% turnout in Maha civic polls; 41% polling in BMC

About 50% turnout in Maha civic polls; 41% polling in BMC

Rediff.com15 Jan 2026

A BMC spokesperson said the average voter turnout stood at 29.96 per cent till 1.30 pm in the metropolis, which has more than 1 crore eligible electors.

Factors that will guide the markets this week

Factors that will guide the markets this week

Rediff.com30 Nov 2025

In an event-heavy week ahead, stock markets' movement would highly depend on macroeconomic data announcements, global trends, RBI's interest rate decision and trading activity of foreign investors, analysts said. India's industrial production data for October 2025 will be released on December 1, an official statement said on Friday.

Rural markets drive FMCG sector; outpace urban areas

Rural markets drive FMCG sector; outpace urban areas

Rediff.com6 Feb 2025

The FMCG industry in India achieved a 10.6% growth in value terms in the December quarter of 2024, driven largely by rural markets, which have surpassed the large urban markets in growth for the fourth consecutive quarter. Festive demand and consumption-driven growth played a key role, with overall volume up 7.1% despite inflationary pressures. However, the industry also saw a "preference shift of consumers towards smaller packs" due to high food inflation. Local manufacturers continue to outperform larger FMCG companies, fueled by consistent volume growth.

2026 will see launch of over 25 new cars

2026 will see launch of over 25 new cars

Rediff.com15 Dec 2025

Starting January, the market is expected to welcome models like the Tata Punch 2025 which is expected to be around 6 lakh, Mahindra BE 07 EV around 29 lakh, Maruti WagonR Electric around 8.5 lakh, Toyota 3-Row SUV around 14 lakh, and Volkswagen Tera to be around 8 lakh.

GST 2.0, Festival Cheer Drove Record Vehicle Sales in October

GST 2.0, Festival Cheer Drove Record Vehicle Sales in October

Rediff.com11 Nov 2025

Festivals also contribute to the rise in overall automobile retail sales, says dealers association.

New Rural Jobs Bill Sparks International Concern

New Rural Jobs Bill Sparks International Concern

Rediff.com20 Dec 2025

'Previously, contributing only 25 per cent of material costs, states now face burdens of 40 per cent to 100 per cent of total costs, ensuring poorer states will curb project approvals, directly stifling work demand.'

EV makers hope for festive spark to light up sales

EV makers hope for festive spark to light up sales

Rediff.com27 Aug 2025

India may see its busiest EV festive season in 2025 with SUVs, luxury cars and scooters set to launch, but rare-earth supply bottlenecks risk delaying rollouts.

Will Mahayuti's sweep carry into Dec 2 Maha local body polls?

Will Mahayuti's sweep carry into Dec 2 Maha local body polls?

Rediff.com30 Nov 2025

Maharashtra is set to hold local body elections on December 2 for municipal councils and nagar panchayats. The polls are seen as a test of the ruling coalition's strength after their recent assembly election victory.

HSBC flags 5 positives for Indian equities

HSBC flags 5 positives for Indian equities

Rediff.com3 Sep 2025

Equity benchmarks face a key test as investors weigh consumption revival hopes against tariff pressures and weak earnings. Amidst this, HSBC has outlined tailwinds and risks that could cap gains.

Bajaj Finance to Muthoot Finance: NBFCs outpace banks once again

Bajaj Finance to Muthoot Finance: NBFCs outpace banks once again

Rediff.com16 Dec 2025

Non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) such as Bajaj Finance, Shriram Finance, Muthoot Finance, and IIFL Finance have regained their growth momentum after losing market share to banks in the post-Covid period. The growth surge is being led by diversified lenders and gold-loan companies while development-finance institutions such as Power Finance Corporation (PFC), REC, and Housing & Urban Development Corporation (Hudco) continue to grow at a slower pace.

Prosus says India as one of its most critical growth markets

Prosus says India as one of its most critical growth markets

Rediff.com25 Dec 2025

Prosus, the Amsterdam-based technology investor with net assets valued at over $200 billion spanning payments to e-commerce, has identified India as one of its most critical growth markets, and is increasing its strategic investments here.

Maharashtra municipal elections to be held on Dec 2

Maharashtra municipal elections to be held on Dec 2

Rediff.com5 Nov 2025

Elections for municipal councils and nagar panchayats in Maharashtra are scheduled for December 2, according to the State Election Commissioner. The schedule for other local bodies will be announced later.

Marico Q2 net down 0.7%

Marico Q2 net down 0.7%

Rediff.com16 Nov 2025

The consolidated net profit of Marico, the maker of Parachute coconut oil, declined 0.7 per cent in the second quarter (July-September) of 2025-26 (Q2FY26).

Maha to probe honeytrap allegations after Cong MLA's demand

Maha to probe honeytrap allegations after Cong MLA's demand

Rediff.com18 Jul 2025

The Maharashtra government has promised to investigate allegations of a honeytrap racket targeting state officials in Thane, Nashik, and Mumbai, following demands from a Congress MLA for a formal statement in the assembly.

Maha set for first phase of local polls on Tuesday amid nomination issues

Maha set for first phase of local polls on Tuesday amid nomination issues

Rediff.com1 Dec 2025

Maharashtra is set to hold local body elections for municipal councils and nagar panchayats, marking the first phase of a Supreme Court-mandated process. The elections are seen as a key indicator of political sentiment following the BJP-led Mahayuti's victory in the assembly elections.

Worst may be over for Asian Paints, but prospects still far from bright

Worst may be over for Asian Paints, but prospects still far from bright

Rediff.com21 Nov 2025

Asian Paints reported a good performance for the second quarter (July-September) of 2025-26 (Q2FY26), with some help from base effects, despite strong competition and extended monsoon. Volume grew in low double digits in the key domestic decorative paints, and value in that segment grew by 6 per cent. Ebitda (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation) grew 21 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y), and PAT (profit after tax) grew 14 per cent. Asian Paints also defended market share better after several quarters where it had lost ground to Birla Opus.

'Insult to Bapu': Oppn MPs protest against G RAM G bill

'Insult to Bapu': Oppn MPs protest against G RAM G bill

Rediff.com17 Dec 2025

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra criticizes the government's proposed bill to replace MGNREGA, arguing it weakens the guaranteed 100 days of employment for the poor and centralizes control over the scheme.