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AXISCADES Technologies Limited announced on Monday that its subsidiary, AXISCADES Aerospace & Technologies Private Limited, has received a significant order from the Indian Army for Man Portable Counter Drone Systems (MPCDS). This contract is notable as it is one of the first awarded under emergency procurement following Operation Sindhoor. The advanced system can detect drones from up to 5 kilometers away and jam their signals across various frequency ranges, all while remaining lightweight and portable for field deployment. Sharadhi Chandra Babu, President of Defence at AXISCADES, highlighted the order as a testament to the Indian Army's trust in the company's indigenous counter-drone technologies, reinforcing its commitment to enhancing operational readiness and self-reliance. AXISCADES, listed on BSE and NSE, operates in multiple sectors, employing over 3,000 professionals across 17 global locations, and maintains strong ties with defence entities and global manufacturers. 
Published: Sep 29 2025, 9 pmeznews.inThe Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), part of India's Commerce Ministry, has launched anti-dumping investigations into imports of solar encapsulants and mobile covers from China, following complaints from domestic manufacturers, including RenewSys India and the All India Mobile Cover Manufacturer Association. The allegations suggest that these imports, particularly solar encapsulants used in photovoltaic modules, are being sold at unfairly low prices, harming local industries. If the investigations confirm material injury due to dumping, the DGTR may recommend imposing anti-dumping duties, with the final decision resting with the finance ministry. Additionally, the DGTR has initiated a countervailing duty investigation into imports of Clear Float Glass from Malaysia and Indonesia, prompted by claims of subsidised imports causing harm to domestic producers. These actions align with India's ongoing efforts to protect its industries under World Trade Organization regulations. 
Published: Sep 29 2025, 11 pmeznews.inAt the 6th Economics Conclave held at the University of Hyderabad, Suman K. Bery, Vice-Chairman of NITI Aayog, highlighted significant employment growth in India, with 150 million jobs added between 2017-18 and 2022-23, including 80 million women entering agriculture. Bery emphasized India's demographic advantage, noting that its working-age population will remain large for two decades longer than China's, peaking between 2025 and 2035. He pointed out that while agriculture has seen growth accelerate to 4.4%, it could reach 5% with the right initiatives. However, he warned of widening inter-state income disparities, with high-income states contributing disproportionately to GDP. To achieve advanced economy status by 2047, India must target a 7.6% annual growth rate, increase capital formation, and ensure inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth, positioning itself as a leading global economic power. 
Published: Sep 29 2025, 9 pmeznews.inConsumer durables and electronics companies are experiencing a significant surge in sales this Navratri, attributed to pent-up demand and recent GST rate cuts. Haier Appliances India reported a remarkable 60% year-on-year growth in the first eight days of the festival, with expectations of a 30% increase overall by Diwali. The trend towards premium products, such as large-screen TVs and high-efficiency air-conditioners, is also notable. Retailers, including Vijay Sales, are witnessing a doubling of growth across categories, although they anticipate a normalization of demand soon. Blue Star's Managing Director indicated a projected 20% growth for September compared to last year, with strong foot traffic in stores. The LED TV segment, in particular, is thriving, with online sales outpacing offline, driven by attractive deals and the GST cuts, leading to expectations of double-digit growth for the festival season. 
Published: Sep 29 2025, 8 pmeznews.inThe National Consumer Helpline (NCH) has reported approximately 3,000 complaints related to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) since the introduction of revised rates, with some cases being escalated to the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) for further investigation. Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare highlighted the ongoing influx of complaints, particularly concerning misleading discount practices that prevent consumers from benefiting from reduced GST rates. The Ministry is actively monitoring these issues, forwarding relevant complaints to appropriate convergence partners and the CBIC for cases of profiteering. To enhance its capacity to address GST-related grievances, the Ministry has introduced a dedicated category on the Integrated Grievance Redressal Mechanism (INGRAM) portal, encompassing various sectors such as automobiles, banking, and e-commerce. Khare emphasized the Ministry's commitment to analyzing complaints for unfair trade practices and misleading advertisements. 
Published: Sep 29 2025, 8 pmeznews.inWashington has signaled it will maintain a 50% tariff on Indian goods until the issue of Russian oil purchases is resolved, complicating ongoing bilateral trade negotiations. Despite U.S. warnings, India remains reluctant to halt its oil imports from Russia, citing favorable pricing and the absence of sanctions on Russian oil. While India is open to increasing energy imports from the U.S. as a goodwill gesture, it emphasizes the need for cost-effectiveness due to resource constraints. The lack of a scheduled date for the next round of trade talks, following a July meeting, underscores the strained relationship, with U.S. officials urging compliance from countries like India and Brazil. Meanwhile, India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar reaffirmed the country's commitment to its existing alliances, hosting a BRICS Foreign Ministers meeting to promote dialogue and diplomacy amid global tensions. 
Published: Sep 29 2025, 8 pmeznews.inFast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sales have been adversely affected by low demand during July and August, primarily due to heavy rainfall across India and the transition to new Goods and Services Tax (GST) rates. Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) has indicated that these factors will lead to flat to low-single digit growth for the quarter ending September 30, prompting a nearly 3% drop in its stock price. Distributors reported a slowdown in sales as retailers paused purchases to clear old inventory, while FMCG companies delayed product releases and offered discounts on existing stock. Although there has been a slight recovery in sales following the GST changes, the overall impact remains significant, with expectations of continued repercussions into October. HUL noted that around 40% of its portfolio now benefits from a reduced GST rate of 5%, which may support long-term consumption despite the current disruptions. 
Published: Sep 29 2025, 8 pmeznews.inAir India Express, the low-cost carrier promoted by Tata Group, aims to expand its operations to 65 destinations by the end of 2025, having recently added six new routes, including Ahmedabad and Navi Mumbai. Currently serving 60 destinations—43 domestic and 17 international—the airline is focusing on underserved routes and second-tier cities in India. The expansion is supported by the induction of over 50 new narrow-body jets, which will enhance flight frequencies and introduce new city pairs. Air India Express operates over 500 daily flights with a fleet of 115 aircraft, including Boeing 737s and Airbus A320s. To improve operational efficiency, the airline is set to implement a cabin retrofit programme, standardising seating across its Boeing 737-8 fleet. This initiative aims to streamline operations, reduce costs, and enhance scheduling flexibility, ultimately supporting the airline's growth strategy in both domestic and international markets. 
Published: Sep 29 2025, 7 pmeznews.inThe Coffee Board of India has launched the draft Indian Coffee Board Sustainability Certification Scheme (INDICOFS) for public consultation, inviting feedback from stakeholders until October 24, 2025. This initiative aims to establish sustainability standards for the coffee sector, addressing environmental, social, and economic challenges while preserving traditional farming practices. The scheme will be implemented in two phases, focusing first on sustainability standards for plantations and then on chain of custody standards. With India being the seventh largest coffee producer and fifth largest exporter, the scheme seeks to enhance the sector's recognition and align with global sustainability standards. Currently, only about 15% of India's coffee output meets sustainable certification criteria. INDICOFS will provide a voluntary framework for responsible agricultural practices, with compliance assessed at three levels, managed by the Central Coffee Research Institute and third-party certification bodies. 
Published: Sep 29 2025, 7 pmeznews.inMany original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are enticing customers with significant discounts, in addition to the recent GST rate cut, resulting in increased showroom traffic. Following the GST adjustments on September 22, inventory levels of passenger vehicles have notably decreased, now averaging 30-40 days, down from the typical 50-55 days. This marks a sharp decline from September 2024, when inventory levels soared to 80-85 days, equating to approximately 7.9 lakh vehicles valued at ₹79,000 crore. Analysts attribute the surge in sales to pent-up demand, as consumers who delayed purchases are now buying. Major players like Maruti Suzuki and Tata Motors have slashed prices significantly, with reductions of up to ₹1.58 lakh on select models. As production ramps up, dealers express hope that OEMs will avoid overstocking, preventing a repeat of last year's inventory issues. 
Published: Sep 29 2025, 7 pm
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