The Indian Stainless Steel Development Association (ISSDA) on Wednesday described the India–European Union free trade agreement as a significant step in India’s global trade engagement, while cautioning that adequate safeguards will be needed to protect domestic stainless steel producers, PTI reported.India and the EU announced the conclusion of negotiations for the FTA earlier this week. […]
Star Health net profit rises four-fold to Rs 449 crore in Q3FY26
MUMBAI: Star Health and Allied Insurance reported a sharp jump in profitability in the December quarter, with net profit rising more than four-fold, aided by higher premium growth, improved underwriting performance and a surge in investment income.The Chennai-based standalone health insurer posted a profit after tax of Rs 449 crore in the third quarter of […]
Activists call for doubling or more of health spend in Budget
NEW DELHI: Pointing out that the union government’s spending on health has continued to decline in the post-Covid period, as a percentage of GDP and in terms of its share in total expenditure, a network of 350 organisations and individuals have demanded that the health budget be at least doubled this year. A statement issued […]
Budget 2026 expectations for India’s real estate: A path to ‘Viksit Bharat’
Reintroduce tax holiday for affordable housing with a tweak that the eligibility for affordable housing should be based on size of flat rather than value. (AI image) By Adarsh RankaIndia’s real estate sector continued its strong growth trajectory in 2025, reinforcing its position as a core pillar of the country’s economic expansion.Government-led reforms continued to […]
IIP index: Industrial output jumps to over two-year high of 7.8% in December on broad-based recovery
India’s industrial production growth accelerated to a more than two-year high of 7.8% in December 2025, driven by strong performances across mining, manufacturing and electricity, official data released on Wednesday showed.Factory output, measured by the Index of Industrial Production (IIP), had grown 3.7% in December 2024, PTI reported.“Industry momentum further strengthened in December 2025 as […]
Economic Survey ahead of Budget 2026: What is Economic Survey, why is it significant, who prepares it & when will it be tabled by FM Sitharaman? Check date & time
The Economic Survey presents an in-depth analysis of macroeconomic parameters. Economic Survey 2025-2026: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is expected to table the Economic Survey ahead of her Union Budget speech. The Parliament’s Budget session began on January 28, 2026 and the first phase is expected to conclude on February 13, 2026. The Union Budget 2026 […]
Budget 2026: Rebuilding cotton’s innovation pipeline – research must be the centre of policymaking
Though cotton anchors India’s agrarian economy, yet faces a critical paradox. (AI image) By Dr. M. RamasamiCotton occupies a critical place in India’s agricultural and industrial economy. It supports millions of farm households, feeds a globally competitive textile sector, and remains one of the country’s most widely cultivated commercial crops. Yet, despite this significance, cotton […]
Secretly recorded calls between spouses admissible in divorce cases: Supreme Court – what it means
The Court was confronted with a conflict between two values competing with each other: the right to privacy in marriage, and the right to a fair trial. (AI image) In an important decision issued on 14 July 2025, the Supreme Court has put an end to a longstanding legal debate on the admissibility of secretly […]
Asian stocks today: Markets mixed as dollar weakens, investors await Fed decision
File photo (Picture credit: AP) Asian shares were mixed on Wednesday, tracking a muted lead from Wall Street after the S&P 500 edged to a fresh record, while the US dollar continued to weaken ahead of a key interest rate decision by the Federal Reserve.Markets are focused on the Fed’s policy announcement later in the […]
NPS Swasthya to cover your medical costs
New Delhi: Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) Tuesday launched the new ‘NPS Swasthya Pension Scheme’ to assist subscribers in covering both the outpatient and in-patient medical expenses through their pension savings. The scheme will be contributory in nature under the Multiple Scheme Framework (MSF) and will be offered to Indian citizens on a […]