SURVEY OF INDIA
India doesn’t have a savings problem. It has a savings incentive problem
Indian households are saving more than ever. The bigger question now is whether money kept accessible in a savings account can also earn meaningful value while it waits to be used.
India's unemployment rate falls to 5.1% in July-September as rural joblessness declines
India's unemployment rate saw a decline to 5.1% from 5.4% in the prior quarter. The decrease in unemployment primarily occurred in rural areas, where it fell to 4.3%. The survey indicated that more individuals were either working or seeking jobs during this period. Women's employment participation also improved, rising to 34.7% from 33.2%. The overall employment figure reached approximately 57.9 crore individuals in India.
When AI starts operating machines, the network becomes industrial infrastructure
As manufacturing and automation expand together, networks built to serve billions of people will increasingly serve tens of billions of machines and AI agents as well. Treating those connections as industrial infrastructure, and planning them for that scale, will determine how well physical AI works once deployments move from individual use cases to whole industrial environments.
If AI unwinding pulls power stocks down, mind the difference between narrative and business: 6 stocks with upside potential of up to 30%
It is quite possible that, over the coming weeks, the narrative on the street could be that power stocks, which many had started to treat as a kind of proxy for the AI build-out, would come under pressure. But linking these stocks to global unwinding in the AI trade could be a mistake because demand for power in India depends on something far bigger and far older.
India's Karnataka finds fuel samples exceeding 20% ethanol limit, state minister says
Surveys indicate that 80% of petrol stations in Karnataka are breaching the 20% ethanol limit in petrol sales. To address this, officials gathered 63 samples for testing after oil companies neglected to reveal ethanol percentages. The introduction of E20 petrol aligns with India's objectives to cut crude imports while boosting ethanol production.
Coldplay, Post Malone and the concert economy: BookMyShow's Naman Pugalia on why India's live music boom is only getting bigger
Post Malone's concert in Guwahati attracted around 20,000 fans, which proved to be a monumental economic boost, generating an estimated ₹43 crore for the local area. Fans traveled from more than 200 cities, reflecting the event's significant impact on tourism. A report shows people increasingly favor experiences over possessions, underlining how concerts can create memorable moments and facilitate the discovery of new musical talents.
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Bihar man buys second-hand car, pays Rs 14,000 for RC transfer, around 10 times the govt fees to agents, report finds
A new report by Consumer Voice and IndiaTech finds that used vehicle ownership transfers cost up to Rs 14,000 in parts of Bihar, with charges reaching 10 times statutory fees. UP takes over 30 days for RC transfers, while 39% of surveyed buyers and sellers reported delays.
ET Graphics: Inside India’s factories — Jobs, pay, margins
More than 40% of India's factory workers are employed on contract, while women account for less than a fifth of directly employed workers, with jobs concentrated in a few southern states. An analysis of the Annual Survey of Industries also finds that profits claim half of factories' value added, against a third for wages.
Gold loan NPA rises in first five months while eases over a three-year horizon
India’s gold loan market has experienced a rise in non-performing assets, reaching 0.78% by August 2023. The total outstanding volume grew nearly threefold to Rs 22.5 lakh crore recently. Borrowers are increasingly taking multiple loans, with many having four or more gold loans. The market also saw 5.5 crore active borrowers, indicating its broad consumer reach.
68.4% respondents in survey plan job change in 2027; half seek 31%-plus pay hike: Survey
According to a recent survey, 68.4 percent of Indian professionals are planning to explore new job opportunities in 2027. Career growth is identified as the primary motivation for changing jobs, with high salary expectations influencing decisions as well. The report highlights that most professionals feel confident about their job prospects in the evolving job market. Many are actively engaged in upskilling, especially in AI.
UPI MDR proposal: Street vendors may pass on charges to customers or switch to cash, ISB survey finds
Payments by street vendors exceeding Rs 2,000 may incur charges under the proposed merchant discount rate framework. Many vendors may switch to cash transactions if additional costs are imposed by suppliers. Awareness of the framework varies among vendors in different city tiers, affecting their payment acceptance practices. A significant percentage of Tier 1 vendors are likely to pass on additional charges to customers.
World's highest railway station in Ladakh at 17,244 feet: India planning a Rs 1.3 lakh crore railway line that will break China's record
World's highest railway station: India is planning a 489-km Bilaspur-Manali-Leh railway line costing an estimated Rs 1.31 lakh crore. The proposed corridor could feature the world's highest railway station at 5,256 metres beneath Tanglang La, surpassing China's existing record. Here's what we know about the ambitious Himalayan railway project, its route, tunnels and strategic importance.
Just 3.6% of factories drive 62% of India's manufacturing output, survey shows
India's manufacturing sector shows a significant concentration of output in large factories generating over Rs 500 crore. While these plants represent only 3.6% of operational units, they account for over 62% of total manufacturing output. Smaller factories with output up to Rs 10 crore, in contrast, represent the majority of operational units but contribute minimally to output.
Big factories dominate India's manufacturing output, Annual Survey of Industries shows
India's manufacturing sector is characterised by a significant concentration in large factories generating substantial output. Factories producing over ₹500 crore contribute to more than three-fifths of total value added. Smaller factories represent a large number but have minimal output and value contribution.
Cabinet approves VGF plan for grid-scale energy storage with Rs 14,500 crore support
The Union Cabinet has approved a significant ₹14,500 crore funding scheme to develop 92 GWh of energy storage capacity. This initiative supports both hydro pumped storage and battery energy storage systems aimed at accelerating renewable energy. Additionally, a scheme has been approved for processing critical minerals like lithium and nickel to reduce import dependency. The government aims to modernize its statistical system with a ₹4,371.10 crore scheme.
New orders & robust demand lift India's October services growth to 4-month high
Growth in India's services sector increased to a four-month high in October due to strong domestic demand and business orders. The HSBC Services Business Activity Index rose to 55.8, reflecting improved business conditions. Conversely, manufacturing activity showed a slight decline, easing to a PMI of 54.7. While input prices continued to rise, the rate of increase was the slowest in over six years.
Over half of street vendors may cut UPI acceptance if 0.4% MDR is introduced: ISB study
More than 67% of street vendors in India currently accept UPI payments for transactions. A proposed 0.4% merchant discount rate could lead to reduced acceptance among vendors. Concerns arise particularly for vendor-supplier transactions, as many vendors make payments above ₹2,000. A significant portion of vendors faced additional charges from suppliers and might pass costs onto customers.
Did Iran just make Trump cry? How Republicans may have taken a direct war hit
US Midterm Election Results 2026: While inflation, tariffs, political dissatisfaction and other issues all may have contributed to the Republican setback, the Iran war brought together several of these concerns through higher energy prices, mounting public expenditure and questions about the administration's priorities.
Google hands schools the AI switch as learning concerns grow
Google plans to restrict access to its AI tools for K-12 students, pending administrator approval. This change follows feedback aimed at enhancing control over classroom AI usage. The company is also expanding its Guided Learning feature, which helps students solve problems systematically. Research shows mixed results regarding AI's impact on student performance and learning outcomes.
ETtech Explainer: Why SIM-binding is a concern for consumers and businesses
A new study raises alarms about the Department of Telecommunications' proposed SIM-binding requirement for messaging applications. The mandate could severely disrupt operations for consumers and businesses alike, especially impacting international travelers who depend on local SIMs or Wi-Fi. Businesses are bracing for heightened costs and difficulties tied to limited device accessibility.
Stop the price scam in our hospitals
A recent investigation in Maharashtra has shed light on concerning price hikes for medical supplies charged to patients. Items such as IV infusion sets have seen astronomical price increases, exceeding 2,800% over wholesale prices. Regulatory agencies have recognized that they lack jurisdiction over the pricing of medical disposables, amplifying worries about the potential for patient exploitation.
RBI launches 3 surveys to capture inflation expectations, consumer confidence ahead of December policy meeting
Reserve Bank of India has announced the November 2026 round of the Inflation Expectations Survey of Households. This survey aims to capture households' perceptions regarding price movements and inflation based on their consumption patterns. Additionally, the Urban Consumer Confidence Survey seeks to understand household sentiments on the economic situation and employment. The Rural Consumer Confidence Survey collects perceptions from rural areas on economic conditions, income, and spending.
Nearly 44% of workplace sexual harassment cases occur outside office premises: Report
In India, more than 40 percent of sexual harassment incidents occur outside typical workspaces, according to research. Alarmingly, many employees lack knowledge of their company's Prevention of Sexual Harassment policies. Complaints point to a pervasive hostile work environment, fueled by multiple harassment forms. Additionally, there's growing anxiety about confidentiality in addressing these issues, underlining the persistent challenges in ensuring a safe workplace against harassment.
Indian companies trust AI with greater autonomy but struggle to prove financial returns: Report
Indian companies are shifting towards AI-driven processes to enhance operational efficiency, but there's a catch. Despite the optimistic outlook from leaders regarding AI's capabilities, many are skeptical about the financial gains. A large portion of enterprises neglect to assess the monetary value of their AI investments, facing hurdles such as system integration and data coherence. It's crucial for organizations to move beyond trials and start quantifying AI’s economic impact.
India’s professionals keen to sharpen AI skills, see productivity gains
Nearly 97% of Indian professionals are willing to develop their AI skills, while 88% expect the technology to improve productivity and efficiency, according to Michael Page India’s Candidate Pulse Report 2026, based on a survey of 3,401 professionals across 11 APAC markets, including 2,550 in India.
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.
Manufacturing activity eases in Oct as new order growth drops
Manufacturing activity in India experienced a slowdown in October, decreasing from the previous month's growth. Despite this, the sector remained above its long-run average due to stronger international demand. A survey indicated that nearly 18% of manufacturers anticipated increased output over the next year, supported by fresh client inquiries.
Telcos to face up to Rs 20 lakh fine per quarter per circle for complaint redressal lapses
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has introduced new rules for telecom operators and internet providers to enhance complaint redressal. These providers will face penalties up to Rs 20 lakh if they fail to resolve consumer complaints quickly. The rules require complaint centres to operate 24 hours with human representatives available for assistance. Consumers will now have a shorter time frame of 15 days to appeal complaint resolutions.
India factory growth slows in October, export orders jump, PMI shows
India's manufacturing growth slowed in October, with the HSBC Manufacturing PMI falling to 54.7 from 55.1 in September, as domestic demand and hiring weakened. However, export orders rose at their fastest pace in six months, providing some support to factory activity.
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