INDIA ECONOMY CHALLENGES
Peppermint Robotics raises Rs 100 crore led by pi Ventures, Crane Venture Partners
The company was founded in 2019 by Runal Dahiwade, and has raised Rs 150 crore to date. It also develops autonomous robots for material transportation and operates in nine countries. The US is its largest market, followed by India and western Europe, Dahiwade, who’s also the CEO, told ET.
US midterm election results: What Trump & Republicans' loss means for India
US midterms result: Indian industry and economy watchers were keenly looking at the polls to try and find out what direction US policy will take. In recent months, India's trade/export fortunes have swayed in lockstep with Trump's tantrums, making policymakers jittery over any new development in the US.
Loan growth, fall in provisions help SBI profits in Q2
State Bank of India reported a 14% year-on-year rise in Q2 FY27 net profit to Rs 23,038 crore, driven by 18% loan growth, higher net interest income, lower deposit costs and reduced loan loss provisions.
Modi says 500 million people lifted out of extreme poverty in 10-12 years, cites World Bank report
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India has lifted 500 million people out of extreme poverty over the past 10-12 years, citing a recent World Bank report. Speaking after virtually inaugurating Pune Metro Line 3, he linked economic growth and poverty reduction to infrastructure investment, direct benefit transfers and job creation.
R&D-focused stocks deliver over 23% annualised returns in five years, outperform NSE 500: Monarch AIF
Indian companies increasing R&D spending outperformed the NSE 500 TRI over five years, delivering 23.5% average annualised returns. Businesses combining strong research growth with higher R&D intensity achieved 32.5%, highlighting innovation's growing importance for investors.
NDA government stands firmly with farmers amid drought situation: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi affirmed his government's commitment to assist drought-affected farmers in Maharashtra. He emphasized the importance of ensuring the happiness of farmers during the festive season. The Maharashtra state government has declared 85 percent of the state drought-hit and announced interim aid.
- Go To Page 1
India weighs new oil manoeuvre as old routes get jammed
The West Asia war has forced India to look at energy security through a new, different lens. The oil issue, for India, has now gone from being a procurement issue to being a test of economic resilience. That has compelled the govt to rethink how it sources, transports and stores the fuel that powers its economy.
US Midterm elections 2026: The Indian American vote may be small, but the political weight isn’t
As we approach the 2026 midterm elections, the influence of Indian Americans on electoral decisions could be significant. A striking 66 per cent favour Democratic candidates, while just 19 per cent support Republicans. Their economic presence is marked, contributing 6 per cent of total US income tax revenues, although they constitute only 1.5 per cent of the populace.
India will become the world’s largest economy by end of the century, predicts top economist Jeffrey D Sachs
Renowned economist Jeffrey D Sachs said India could become the world’s largest economy by the end of the century, with a population twice that of China. Speaking at the World Symposium on "Ancient Wisdom for Modern Challenges" in Varanasi, he said the world was moving towards a multipolar order where no single country or region would dominate.
Uncertainty is certain: India is resilient and will emerge stronger
Despite global uncertainty, India remains well placed to weather economic and market disruptions, supported by resilient growth, deeper domestic capital markets and rising private investment. Stronger institutions, infrastructure spending and emerging industries could further reinforce the country’s long-term prospects.
All hands on the deck: Next few months, govt faces a test of political will to take hard economic calls
India is likely to face a host of economic and political pressures due to upcoming elections and external geopolitical factors. Balancing relationships with Iran, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Israel will be crucial for India's energy security. Political and economic manoeuvres may become necessary to address rising crude oil prices and currency pressures.
Garment workers' protests in Bangladesh turn violent
The BNP government has formed a wage board to determine revised pay scales for garment workers. However, protests have continued, potentially emerging as a major challenge for the Tarique Rahman government, which is already facing growing anti-incumbency amid a slowdown in the domestic economy.
Capex key to India's growth strategy, fiscal prudence remains top priority: Sitharaman at HSBC event
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted the importance of capital expenditure in driving economic growth in India. She stated that government spending would be guided by fiscal discipline while encouraging private sector investment. Sitharaman noted that higher public investment has historically generated strong economic returns over time. She reassured that the Indian economy remains robust, with no sign of fragility.
Uttar Pradesh to launch state Quantum Mission, steps up push for AI and robotics
The state of Uttar Pradesh is gearing up to launch a transformative Quantum Mission, poised to bolster its technology framework. By focusing on quantum technology within a broader digital transformation agenda, the initiative aims to ignite innovation. At the ETGovernment AI Vision Conclave, leading industry figures explored the adoption of AI, investment avenues, and workforce readiness.
US, Canada see growing interest in limited ceasefire in Black Sea
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted the growing interest in a limited ceasefire in the Black Sea. He emphasized the importance of facilitating grain shipments while pressing for a broader settlement of the ongoing war. Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand confronted Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov about Russia's invasion of Ukraine during the G20 meeting.
Modi calls Opposition ‘Avrodh Paksh’, raises questions over ‘secret’ meetings abroad
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday accused the Opposition of obstructing national progress and attempting to divide the country, dubbing it "Avrodh Paksh" instead of "Virodh Paksh". Addressing Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations in Gujarat, he also flagged infiltration, demographic changes and border security as key national priorities.
India can achieve $1 trillion exports target this fiscal despite global headwinds: Piyush Goyal
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal expressed confidence that India would achieve its $1 trillion exports target in 2026-27 despite global uncertainties. He said nine FTAs could open preferential market access to economies with a combined GDP of $60 trillion. Goods and services exports were estimated at $476.2 billion in April-September.
'Took stock of our bilateral cooperation': EAM Jaishankar meets US Secy of State Rubio on sidelines of G20
S Jaishankar held a bilateral meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Atlanta. The meeting focused on enhancing India-US cooperation and addressing geopolitical issues. Jaishankar emphasized that military solutions are not viable for resolving global challenges. Rubio also highlighted the importance of protecting economic and maritime security during the discussions. The G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting concluded with crucial dialogues on international economic stability.
"Discussing ACITI": EAM Jaishankar holds trilateral meeting with Australian, Canadian counterparts
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a trilateral meeting with Canadian and Australian counterparts in Atlanta. They discussed the Australia-Canada-India Technology and Innovation Partnership focused on green energy and supply chains. Jaishankar emphasized the need for diplomatic solutions to global challenges and highlighted issues impacting the Global South. He noted the adverse effects of military actions on civilian shipping and emphasized market access issues.
The next AI advantage for India's developers: Turning code into companies
In India's rapidly growing builder economy, AI is revolutionising software creation, allowing developers to generate code and build prototypes in minutes. But speed is only half the battle-code to deployment is the other half. Through tools like GoDaddy's Developer Platform, the real opportunity is achieving this next half of the challenge seamlessly and turning fast-built applications into viable, long-lasting products and thriving companies.
India records one of the fastest poverty declines in the world, poverty down from 27.1% to 2.6%: World Bank
India has seen a significant decline in poverty, with the rate dropping from 27.1 percent to 2.6 percent. Approximately 496 million people were lifted out of poverty between 2011 and 2023. Employment has increased, particularly among rural women, which contributed to this progress. However, youth unemployment has also risen, particularly among young rural women. The report highlights the need for productive employment opportunities to continue reducing poverty.
Global FMCG giants find an Indian answer to their Western slowdown
Global consumer giants including PepsiCo, Nestle, Unilever, Pernod Ricard and Coca-Cola are increasingly looking to India for growth as demand slows in the US and Europe. Companies are betting on premiumisation, wider distribution and fast-growing channels such as ecommerce and quick commerce, with several reporting stronger momentum in India than in developed markets.
Finmin pegs Q2 expansion at 7.35%,flags capital pressure over US yield
India’s economy is estimated to have grown 7.35% in the September quarter, supported by strong industrial output, GST collections, energy use, port traffic and auto sales, the finance ministry said. It expects domestic demand and investment to sustain momentum, while warning that high crude prices, food inflation, rupee pressure and elevated US bond yields could pose risks in the second half.
Jio & let Jio, India’s crackling telco space
India's Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel are now among the world's top telecom companies due to significant evolution. The integration of AI technologies is transforming telecom networks and helping to optimize operations effectively. This shift enhances the capacity for high-speed data transfer, which is essential for supporting AI applications. Telecom firms are addressing challenges such as siloed data and adapting to provide better services.
Promoters key in emerging markets, professional management vital as firms grow: Anil Agarwal
Anil Agarwal made a compelling case for the crucial impact of promoters in emerging markets, particularly India. He pointed out the differences when compared to developed markets, where the management often operates independently from ownership. Highlighting the changing dynamics of India's corporate sector, shaped largely by family entrepreneurs, Agarwal emphasized the requirement for professional management to enhance governance and efficiency as businesses flourish.
India’s Arrakis problem: The price of what low-skilled workers know
Indian workers contribute valuable data for training AI systems, which is transforming how tasks are automated. As technology advances, low-cost labour is becoming a significant resource for AI development globally. Companies are increasingly relying on Indian workers for video data that demonstrates various physical tasks. This trend poses challenges regarding data ownership and the economic benefits for India.
'2026 resembles 1991': CEA Nageswaran says India is at a critical economic inflection point
Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran emphasized that 2025-26 could be a significant inflection point for India's economy. He mentioned the challenges posed by global shocks and supply-side disruptions in recent years. The reliance on imported crude oil adds to India's vulnerability to fluctuating international energy prices. Strengthening resilience to external disruptions is crucial for managing such risks effectively.
India only major emerging economy set to reduce debt ratio by 2031: RBI Deputy Governor
India is projected to be the only emerging market economy among nine economies with gross domestic product (GDP) exceeding USD 1 trillion to reduce its government debt-to-GDP ratio between 2025 and 2031, Reserve Bank of India Deputy Governor Poonam Gupta said, highlighting the country's stronger fiscal position amid rising global debt and borrowing costs.
Regional rural banks to set up cybersecurity centres, develop threat intel
Regional rural banks are set to improve their cyber security through the establishment of cyber security operations centres. They will also develop capabilities for vulnerability assessments and incident response as part of the reform agenda. The Financial Stability and Development Council plans to enhance cyber security measures following previous ransomware attacks. New initiatives will include implementing enterprise data warehouse solutions for better data management and reporting.
Load More
