India Spent ₹4.3 Lakh Crore on Energy Subsidies in FY25; Fossil Fuel Support Still Triples Clean Energy
India’s FY 25 energy subsidies reached ₹4.3 lakh crore (≈$51 bn), with electricity subsidies alone at ₹2.41 lakh crore (≈$29 bn). Fossil‑fuel support—led by LPG subsidies—remains about three times larger than clean‑energy aid, which together account for only roughly 10% of the total bill. The International Institute for Sustainable Development warns that the heavy fiscal load on fossil fuels squeezes the budget for renewable expansion and raises exposure to volatile global fuel prices. The report urges tighter targeting of electricity and LPG subsidies and stronger incentives for rooftop solar, electric cooking and EVs.
Agrizy Sets up New Lab to Develop Botanicals for Wellness Markets
Agrizy has opened a phytochemistry R&D laboratory to create high‑performance botanical ingredients for the nutraceutical sector. The facility is designed to validate raw materials against United States Pharmacopeia standards and to streamline value flow from Indian farms to premium products....
Uncertainty Prevails over El Nino’s Potential Strengths, Says Australian Weather Body
The Australian Bureau of Meteorology says forecasts for this year’s El Niño vary widely, ranging from a weak‑to‑moderate event to a potentially strong one, depending on central Pacific warming. Sea surface temperatures around the Tasman Sea may climb as much as...
AI-Based Climate Intelligence Platform Predicts 15-40 Extra Hot Days Each Year for Next 2 Decades
Delhi‑based think‑tank CEEW launched CRAVIS, an AI‑driven climate intelligence platform that forecasts 15‑40 additional hot days per year in India over the next two decades. The system also projects 20‑40 extra warm nights and 10‑30 more heavy‑rainfall days annually, especially...
RAFAC 2026 Focuses on Innovation, AI Integration in Food Analytics
The Coconut Development Board launched RAFAC 2026, a two‑day national conference on Recent Advancements in Food Analytical Chemistry. The event highlighted AI and machine‑learning integration to streamline food analytics and boost innovation across the coconut sector. Speakers from leading research...
India Exports Rise in Early April Despite West Asia Crisis: Piyush Goyal
India's exports rose in the first three weeks of April compared with the same period last year, despite the West Asia conflict. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said exporters remain enthusiastic and are using alternative routes around the Strait of Hormuz....
Asian Development Bank Cuts Regional Growth Forecasts on Impact of War in West Asia
The Asian Development Bank slashed its growth outlook for Asia and the Pacific to 4.7% in 2026 and 4.8% in 2027, down from 5.1% for both years, citing the war in West Asia. It lifted its inflation projection to 5.2%...
ATMA Seeks Policy Support to Address Supply Chain Worries
India’s Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA) has asked the government to broaden customs‑duty relief for key tyre inputs as volatile crude prices and shipping bottlenecks push costs higher. The association welcomed a temporary exemption on synthetic rubber and certain resins...
India to Challenge US Section 301 Probes in Public Hearings over Two Weeks
The Indian government and industry representatives from textiles, auto parts, plastics and solar are testifying in Washington to contest USTR Section 301 investigations. Hearings on forced‑labour allegations are set for April 28‑29, followed by overcapacity hearings May 5‑8. India argues the probes mischaracterize...
Chennai Division Records ₹1,290 Crore Freight Revenue in FY26
The Chennai Division of Southern Railway posted freight revenue of ₹1,289.78 crore (about $155 million) for FY 2025‑26, marking a record high. The division added new traffic streams, including a steel‑pipe corridor from Chennai Harbour to Golden Rock and dedicated electric‑vehicle shipments. It also...
Centre Likely to Maintain Status Quo on ATF Price Rise Cap Amid Airline Cost Concerns
The Indian government is expected to keep the existing cap on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) price hikes for domestic airlines, avoiding immediate changes to the pricing framework. While the cap remains, officials are evaluating longer‑term tools such as reinstating the...
Hub and Spoke Operations to Debut From Delhi - Varanasi Route
India’s civil aviation ministry will launch a hub‑and‑spoke trial between Delhi and Varanasi on June 1, with Air India spearheading the initial phase. The model will shift customs and immigration processing to the spoke airport, streamlining domestic‑international connections and reducing passenger...
Piyush Goyal Assures Exporters of Sustained Support to Enter New Markets
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal reaffirmed the Indian government’s commitment to bolster exporters, especially small and medium enterprises, through ongoing schemes and targeted interventions. He addressed industry concerns over high compliance costs, stringent testing, and rising shipping expenses tied to the...
No Proposal to Raise Diesel, Petrol Prices: Govt
The Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas confirmed there is no proposal to raise retail petrol or diesel prices, which have been unchanged since April 6, 2022. State‑run oil marketers are absorbing under‑recoveries of roughly ₹20 ($0.24) per litre for petrol and...
Rise in Copper Sulphate Prices Increase Cultivation Costs for Coffee, Arecanut Growers
Copper sulphate prices in India have surged about 70% year‑on‑year, climbing from roughly ₹270 ($3.3) per kilogram to over ₹450 ($5.5) now, driven by higher copper and sulphuric‑acid costs. The chemical is essential for Bordeaux‑mixture fungicide used on coffee and...
Indonesia Introduces New Quota System for Peanut Imports
Indonesia has issued a Ministerial Regulation imposing a new quota on peanut imports, allowing non‑quota shipments only until May 7 and requiring exporters to obtain global Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certification. The certification process can take three to six months, effectively...
ATR Bets on Tier-2, Tier-3 Markets to Drive India’s Aviation Growth
ATR sees India’s next aviation surge coming from tier‑2 and tier‑3 cities, where 90% of inter‑city trips are under 740 km—well within turboprop range. Yet only about 3% of those journeys are currently flown, leaving a massive untapped market. The government’s...
Air Cargo Growth Slows to 6.2% in FY26 as Against 10% in FY25
Air cargo movement across Indian airports rose 6.2% in FY26 to 3.963 million tonnes, slowing from the 10.5% expansion recorded in FY25. The slowdown reflects the impact of the West Asia crisis, which trimmed March volumes by about 6%. Delhi retained...
FinMin Asks PSBs to Complete Wage Revision Process in Next 12 Months
The finance ministry has instructed public sector banks (PSBs) to start negotiations for the 13th bi‑partite wage settlement and finish within 12 months, with the new pay scale to begin on November 1, 2027. The Indian Banks’ Association will mediate...
India Following Diversified Strategy to Boost Exports to China, Cut Import Dependence: Official
India is pursuing a diversified trade strategy that aims to boost its exports to China while reducing reliance on Chinese imports. Exports rose 37% to $19.5 bn in FY2025‑26, yet imports jumped 16% to $131.6 bn, expanding the trade deficit to $112.6 bn....
Swiss Flight Evacuated in Delhi After Engine Issue During Takeoff
Swiss International Air Lines evacuated flight LX147, an Airbus A330, at Delhi Airport after an engine problem during takeoff early Sunday. The aircraft, carrying 228 passengers and four infants, aborted the takeoff and used emergency slides to exit safely. Six...
India, New Zealand to Ink Free Trade Pact on April 27; Aims to Double Bilateral Trade
India and New Zealand will sign a free‑trade agreement on April 27, aiming to double bilateral trade to about $5 billion within five years. The pact grants Indian firms duty‑free access to most New Zealand products and promises $20 billion of New Zealand investment in India...
Hormuz Disruption, $100 Oil Pose Risks to India's Inflation, Rupee: Union Bank
Union Bank’s latest report warns that ongoing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have pushed Brent crude above $100 per barrel, creating a persistent "energy tax" on India’s economy. With the country importing roughly 85% of its crude, higher oil...
Balrampur Chini Mills to Invest ₹160 Cr in Lactogypsum Processing Plant
Balrampur Chini Mills (BCML) will invest ₹160 crore (≈$19 million) to build a lactogypsum processing plant in Kumbhi, Uttar Pradesh, targeting an annual output of about 7.6 million gypsum boards by December 2027. The facility will use lactogypsum, a by‑product of BCML’s upcoming polylactic...
India Procures Spot LPG Cargoes From the US as West Asian Supplies Still Under Cloud
India’s state‑run oil marketing companies are boosting spot LPG purchases from the United States to offset supply uncertainty from the Middle‑East Gulf region. The OMCs already hold a long‑term US contract and have expanded their source pool from 10 to...
India Releases Second Phase of Flying Training Organisation Rankings
India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation released the second phase of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s Flying Training Organisation (FTO) rankings on April 24, 2026. The new rankings introduce a Category A tier for the first time and show a shift toward higher‑performing...
Travel Agents Demand Transparency on Airline Surcharges, Prompt Refunds
The World Travel Agents Associations Alliance (WTAAA) has urged airlines to disclose fuel surcharges transparently and to embed them within base fares. The alliance also demands prompt refunds of those charges when flights are cancelled and advance notice of any...
Noida International Airport Appoints Nitu Samra as Interim CEO
Noida International Airport appointed Nitu Samra as interim chief executive officer on April 24, 2026, succeeding Christoph Schnellmann. The change complies with a Bureau of Civil Aviation Security directive that airport CEOs be Indian nationals. Samra, the airport’s chief financial officer since October 2021,...
IGC Pares Global Grain Output Projections for 2026-27 by 3 Million Tonnes
The International Grains Council lowered its 2026‑27 global grain output forecast by 3 million tonnes to 2.414 billion tonnes, citing fertilizer affordability concerns tied to the West Asia war. The cut applies across major crops, including wheat and maize, and reduces the...
West Asia Conflict Hits Air Travel, International Passenger Traffic Drops 18.5 per Cent in March
Passenger traffic at India’s airports slipped 4.4% year‑on‑year to 34.5 million in March, driven by an 18.5% plunge in international volumes to 5.3 million. Domestic movements fell only 1.3%, while Pune was the sole top‑ten hub to post growth, up 8.1%. Airlines...
Court Extends Detention of Aviation Official, Reliance Exec in Bribery Case
An Indian court extended the pre‑trial detention of Deputy Director General Mudavath Devula of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation and Reliance Industries senior vice‑president Bharat Mathur until May 6. Both are accused of accepting a $16,000 bribe to expedite drone...
International Flights From Navi Mumbai Delayed, Expansion Plans on Track: Senior Executive
International flights from Navi Mumbai airport have been postponed beyond the planned March 29 launch due to the West‑Asia conflict and rising jet‑fuel costs. Domestic operations are expanding rapidly, now offering 156 daily services and handling about 20,000 passengers, with expectations to...
Petrol & Diesel Prices May Surge ₹25–28 per Litre After April 29 Polls: Kotak
Kotak Institutional Equities warns that India’s retail petrol and diesel prices could jump ₹25‑28 per litre (about $0.30‑$0.34) after the April 29 elections. The brokerage says refiners are shouldering an extra ₹270 billion ($3.3 billion) a month as global crude prices climb and...
Corporates Can File Overdue Returns Under Companies Act by Paying Just 10% Addl Fees
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs launched the Companies Compliance Facilitation Scheme 2026 (CCFS‑2026), running from April 15 to July 15, to let firms clear overdue returns by paying only 10% of the usual additional fees. A 300‑day delay that normally attracts a ₹30,000...
HSBC Downgrades India to 'Underweight' As Oil Shock Clouds Earnings Recovery
HSBC downgraded Indian equities to underweight from neutral, marking its second downgrade in less than a month. The move follows a 42% surge in Brent crude since February, with prices now above $100 a barrel, heightening inflation and growth risks...
India’s Urea Stock at 4-Year Low Ahead of Kharif Sowing Season
India’s urea opening stock as of April 1 2026 slipped to 54.22 lakh tonnes, the lowest level in four years, raising concerns ahead of the kharif sowing season. The government has been ramping up imports since September 2025, but the season’s requirement of roughly...
India Decides to Import 2.5 Million Tonnes of Urea at $935 & $959/Tonne
India’s import agency Indian Potash (IPL) approved the purchase of 2.5 million tonnes of urea at $935 per tonne for the West Coast and $959 per tonne for the East Coast. The contract was awarded to five firms—Aditya Birla Global Trading,...
Iran Tankers Go Dark to Sail Past US Blockade Laden with Crude
Iranian VLCCs Hero II and Hedy, each capable of carrying about 4 million barrels, slipped past the U.S.‑declared blockade in the Arabian Sea on April 20. Satellite‑based data from Vortexa shows the two ships were part of a larger flotilla that moved roughly...
Amazon in Pact with Bayer’s TGRA for Carbon Credit Offtake From Sustainable Rice Project
Amazon has signed a long‑term off‑take agreement with Bayer‑owned TGRA to purchase over 685,000 metric tons of CO₂‑equivalent carbon credits from a sustainable rice‑farming program in India. The initiative will work with more than 13,000 smallholder farmers across 35,000 hectares,...
India’s Drop to Sixth-Largest Economy Is a Temporary Blip, Says Nilesh Shah
India slipped from fourth to sixth place in the IMF’s ranking of world economies, a shift Nilesh Shah of Kotak Mutual Fund attributes to a change in the GDP base year and a roughly 10% rupee depreciation that pushed GDP...
SEA Cautions on Longer-Term Impact of Geopolitical Volatility in Edible Oil Sector
The Solvent Extractors’ Association of India warned that ongoing geopolitical volatility in the Gulf, especially the US‑Iran conflict, could have lasting effects on the country’s edible‑oil sector. Disruptions to shipping routes have lifted freight rates and, together with a 50‑60%...
Charter Biz Remains Steady in April, Could See 10-15% Dip From Next Month
India’s charter aviation market held steady in April as election‑related flights accounted for roughly 70‑80% of operations. However, a recent surge in jet‑fuel prices—adding about ₹75,000‑₹125,000 ($900‑$1,500) per flight hour and doubling rates for non‑scheduled flights—is expected to cut overall...
El Nino May Emerge Between May and July
Major climate models, including those from Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology, indicate a warming tropical Pacific that could trigger El Nino between May and July 2026. The Nino3.4 index has risen to –0.27 °C, moving out of the neutral range, while subsurface heat...
Atomgrid Opens New R&D Centre in Bengaluru for Speciality Agrochemicals
Atomgrid has opened a new research and development centre in Bengaluru’s KIADB Industrial Area, targeting specialty agrochemicals. The facility begins with 15 scientists and will grow to 25 within a year, focusing on cost‑efficient, high‑purity active ingredients for both regulated...
IIT (Ropar) Launches India’s First Fully Integrated Agricultural Intelligence System
The Indian Institute of Technology Ropar has unveiled ANNAN.AI, India’s first fully integrated agricultural intelligence ecosystem that combines AI, IoT, climate science and multilingual advisory tools. The platform features Swan micro‑climate weather stations, Krishi AI for crop and pest diagnostics,...
Loopworm Says Its Silkworm-Based Feed Ingredients Are Now Carbon Negative
Loopworm announced that its silkworm‑derived feed ingredients, LoopMeal and LoopOil, are carbon‑negative, removing 2.56 kg CO₂e per kilogram produced. An independent life‑cycle assessment by PwC India, conducted to ISO 14040/44 standards, benchmarked the products against soy and fish meals across 18 impact...
Allana Group Forms JV with Captain Fresh to Retail Animal Protein Products
Allana Group and global seafood firm Captain Fresh have launched Indian Retail Alliance Private Limited, a joint venture in which Allana holds a 51% stake and Captain Fresh 49%. The JV will create an organised, pan‑India fresh‑protein retail ecosystem covering...
Odisha Rail Projects Worth ₹90,000 Crore Underway, Says Ashwini Vaishnaw
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that rail projects worth ₹90,000 crore (about $10.8 billion) are under execution across Odisha, backed by a record railway budget allocation of ₹10,928 crore (≈$1.3 billion). The plan includes redeveloping 59 stations under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme and...
Railways Earns over ₹6,800 Crore From Scrap, Non-Fare Revenue Surges
Indian Railways posted a record ₹6,813.86 crore (≈ $820 million) from scrap sales in FY 2025‑26, surpassing its ₹6,000 crore target and continuing a trend of over‑achievement from the previous year. Non‑fare revenue (NFR) climbed to ₹777.76 crore (≈ $94 million), a 168% rise since FY 2021‑22 and 107.9%...
CAFE 3: Car Prices to Rise up to ₹1.25 Lakh; ₹1.48 Lakh Cr Industry Impact
India’s draft CAFE III fuel‑efficiency standards, slated for rollout in April 2027, will add ₹20,000‑₹1.25 lakh ($240‑$1,500) to new car prices and impose a ₹61,500‑₹1.48 lakh cr ($740‑$18 billion) compliance burden on manufacturers through FY 2032. The regulations push modest upgrades now—idle‑stop, TPMS, low‑rolling‑resistance tyres—while later phases...