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Air India, under the Tata Group, has received regulatory approval to operate direct flights from Delhi to Shanghai, with expectations for a second set of clearances to launch services from Mumbai to Shanghai as well. Flights are anticipated to commence in December, although a final decision on the operational hub will depend on the second approval. This marks a significant development as direct flights between India and China had been suspended for five years due to the pandemic and geopolitical tensions. IndiGo has already resumed non-stop flights between Kolkata and Guangzhou, with plans to expand to Delhi. The resumption of services is expected to enhance bilateral trade, tourism, and business travel, potentially increasing annual passenger traffic from one million to nearly three million. Historically, flights to China have seen high demand, often achieving load factors of up to 90%. 
Published: Nov 02 2025, 10 ameznews.inA tragic collision between a truck and a PUNBUS on Sirhind Road in Patiala resulted in one fatality and left 12 others injured, highlighting ongoing concerns about road safety in India. In response, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has announced new penalties for contractors responsible for stretches of National Highways built under the build-operate-transfer (BOT) model. If more than one accident occurs within a year on a 500-meter stretch, contractors will face fines starting at ₹25 lakh, escalating to ₹50 lakh for subsequent incidents. The ministry has identified 3,500 accident-prone areas and is also set to launch a cashless treatment scheme for road accident victims, providing up to ₹1.5 lakh for the first seven days of medical care at designated hospitals. This initiative aims to improve timely medical intervention and reduce fatalities from road accidents across the country.
Published: Nov 02 2025, 3 pmeznews.inIndia's fuel consumption has surged to near-record levels since March 2025, with May marking an all-time high. The demand for diesel, petrol, and jet fuel has been particularly strong during the festival season, aided by recent cuts in Goods and Services Tax (GST) rates. In October 2025, diesel consumption reached a four-month high of 7.6 million tonnes, a 12% increase month-on-month, while petrol usage rose over 7% to 3.45 million tonnes. Aviation turbine fuel consumption also saw a 7% month-on-month increase. Factors driving this growth include rising demand from the agricultural sector ahead of the Rabi season and a rebound in mining activities. The International Energy Agency projects that India will lead global oil demand growth, with petrol and jet fuel consumption expected to rise significantly due to an expanding middle class and increasing affluence.
Published: Nov 02 2025, 4 pmeznews.inIndia's agricultural trade body, APEDA, reported a decline in rice exports to Mauritius, dropping from over 50,000 tonnes in 2023-24 to approximately 42,000 tonnes in 2024-25, which includes around 31,500 tonnes of Basmati rice. Mauritius, which imports between 50,000 and 60,000 tonnes of rice annually, is seeking a long-term agreement with India to secure its rice supply amid fluctuating market conditions. Takesh Luckho, chairman of the State Trading Corporation of Mauritius, emphasized the importance of such an agreement, particularly after India's ban on non-Basmati rice exports led to increased competition from Pakistan. Currently, Mauritius sources rice through open tenders, purchasing about 33,000 tonnes annually for government use, while private traders import a similar amount. Luckho noted that a long-term deal could stabilize prices and ensure a consistent supply for the island nation, which has a subsidy scheme to make rice affordable for its population.
Published: Nov 02 2025, 4 pmeznews.inIndia's petrol sales reached a five-month high in October, driven by festive travel, with consumption rising 7% year-on-year to 3.65 million tonnes, up from 3.4 million tonnes in September. In contrast, diesel sales, which account for nearly 40% of the country's fuel consumption, saw a slight decline to 7.6 million tonnes, down from 7.64 million tonnes in October 2023. This marks a deviation from the typical seasonal rebound in diesel demand following the rainy season. Meanwhile, aviation fuel (ATF) consumption increased by 1.6% to 769,000 tonnes, reflecting a recovery in air travel, while LPG sales rose 5.4% to nearly 3 million tonnes, bolstered by increased household demand and the addition of 2.5 million new homes to the subsidised LPG supply scheme. Overall, petrol consumption for the fiscal year to date has risen by 6.8%, while diesel sales have increased by 2.45%.
Published: Nov 02 2025, 1 pmeznews.inIn a recent update, the Indian stock market saw a decline, with the SENSEX closing at 83,938.71, down by 465.75 points, while the NIFTY fell by 155.75 points to settle at 25,722.10. In commodities, crude oil prices rose slightly by 29.00 to reach 5,420.00, whereas gold and silver experienced declines, with gold priced at 121,300.00, down by 208.00, and silver at 148,424.00, down by 416.00. Meanwhile, tea production in India faced a significant drop, with total output in September 2025 falling by 5.9% to 159.92 million kilograms compared to the previous year. Assam's production remained stable at 94.76 million kilograms, while West Bengal's output decreased to 40.03 million kilograms. Overall, North India's tea production fell to 138.65 million kilograms, and South India saw a slight decline to 21.27 million kilograms.
Published: Nov 02 2025, 1 pmeznews.inSteel manufacturers in India are calling on the government to implement further measures to combat rising imports, particularly from China, which produced 746.3 million tonnes (MT) of crude steel from January to September—over six times India's output of 122.4 MT during the same period. In September alone, China's production reached 73.5 MT, dwarfing India's 13.6 MT. The domestic stainless steel sector is operating at only 60% capacity due to import pressures, despite the government's introduction of over 100 quality control orders aimed at restricting non-compliant steel products. The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) has recommended a 12% provisional safeguard duty on certain steel imports, but the stainless steel industry is seeking additional protections. A high-level NITI Aayog committee is set to meet with industry leaders next week to address these concerns, as India continues to grapple with a surge in steel imports, impacting domestic prices and competitiveness.
Published: Nov 02 2025, 12 pmeznews.inAchieving the fiscal targets for Financial Year 2026 (FY26) is proving difficult, as a report from the Union Bank of India highlights subdued growth in corporate and income tax revenues. The government's reduced fiscal deficit target of 4.4% of GDP, down from 4.8% in FY25, relies on strong tax collections and a robust capital expenditure (capex) push aimed at stimulating consumption and job creation. However, India's fiscal deficit reached ₹5.73 lakh crore in the first half of FY26, a 21% increase year-on-year, driven by higher capex that outpaced revenue growth. While GST collections showed a 9% rise in September, overall growth for H1FY26 remained modest at 5.8%. The report warns that further reductions in GST rates could hinder revenue, although higher non-tax revenues and better-than-expected divestment proceeds may provide some fiscal relief.
Published: Nov 02 2025, 11 ameznews.inIndia has proposed the establishment of an online platform for technology exchange to help bridge the digital divide among countries, particularly benefiting developing and least developed nations in global e-commerce. During a recent WTO meeting focused on e-commerce, India emphasized the need for inclusive participation by sharing national experiences and addressing gaps in digital infrastructure. The country called for discussions on secure and interoperable digital public infrastructure to prevent monopolistic practices by major tech firms and to foster competition among micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). India's submission highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts to enhance digital skills, improve internet access, and promote digital literacy, particularly among vulnerable groups. The proposal aims to create a framework for WTO members to collectively tackle these challenges and ensure equitable access to technology and digital resources, ultimately supporting a more inclusive global digital economy.
Published: Nov 02 2025, 11 ameznews.inA new agroforestry model developed by the Western Ghat Agroforestry Lab presents a viable solution for India's smallholder farmers, who face increasing challenges from climate change, rising costs, and market instability. Traditionally reliant on monocropping, these farmers are now encouraged to adopt a diversified approach that integrates trees, crops, and livestock. Tested in Maharashtra's Gudewadi village, the model features a tiered income structure, with short-duration crops generating ₹45,000–55,000 annually, supplemented by livestock earnings of ₹40,000–50,000. Long-term returns from fruit-bearing trees and timber species can yield significant profits, while also enhancing soil health and biodiversity. However, successful implementation requires robust institutional support, including training and market access. As India seeks sustainable agricultural practices, this agroforestry model could provide both economic security and ecological restoration, demonstrating the potential for resilient farming systems in diverse agro-climatic regions.
Published: Nov 02 2025, 10 am
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