eznews.inRetail inflation in India, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), is projected to rise to between 1.6% and 1.7% in December, up from 0.71% in November, according to forecasts ahead of the official data release by the Statistics Ministry on Monday. Despite this increase, the inflation rate remains below the targeted range of 2% to 4%. Analysts suggest that food prices, particularly tomatoes, have driven this uptick, with a month-on-month increase of 12.7% attributed to seasonal demand and supply disruptions. While food inflation is expected to remain negative year-on-year, it has shown sequential growth. Reports indicate that the Monetary Policy Committee may consider further rate cuts in early 2026, with HDFC Bank projecting an overall inflation forecast of 1.8% for the fiscal year, aided by potential GST rate cuts and robust agricultural output. 
Published: Jan 11 2026, 2 pmeznews.inIndia's electric vehicle (EV) market achieved a significant milestone in 2025, with sales reaching 2.3 million units, representing 8% of all new vehicle registrations, according to the India Energy Storage Alliance's Annual Report. The overall automobile market saw 28.2 million registrations, with two-wheelers dominating at over 20 million units. Electric two-wheelers led EV sales with 1.28 million units, while electric three-wheelers accounted for 0.8 million units. Uttar Pradesh emerged as the largest EV market, followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka, collectively contributing over 40% of national sales. The report highlighted a robust festive surge in Q4, aided by GST benefits. Notably, the year also saw the completion of India's largest electric bus tender under the PM E-DRIVE scheme, reinforcing the government's commitment to green public transport. The focus on electrifying heavy commercial vehicles and developing charging infrastructure is expected to bolster India's EV ecosystem beyond 2025.
Published: Jan 11 2026, 1 pmeznews.inThe Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) has advocated for a strategic approach to accelerate the privatisation of Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) in non-strategic sectors, proposing disinvestment as a temporary measure in its recommendations for the Union Budget 2026-27. Notably, the term "disinvestment" has been replaced in budget documents with "Miscellaneous Capital Receipts," which includes proceeds from equity management. CII estimates that reducing government stakes to 51% in 78 listed PSEs could unlock nearly ₹10 lakh crore. The proposed four-pronged strategy includes gauging investor interest before selecting PSEs for privatisation, announcing a three-year privatisation pipeline, establishing a dedicated oversight body, and implementing a phased disinvestment approach. CII's Director General, Chandrajit Banerjee, emphasized that this calibrated reduction balances strategic control with value creation, potentially mobilising significant resources for infrastructure development and fiscal consolidation.
Published: Jan 11 2026, 1 pmeznews.inBy 2026, food systems will face a pivotal transformation as geopolitical tensions, climate volatility, and regulatory pressures converge into a permanent reality. Agri-food enterprises must adapt by prioritizing resilience through intelligence rather than scale. Key shifts include the recognition of geopolitics as a core risk, prompting companies to diversify sourcing strategies and adopt risk-adjusted procurement practices. Compliance with regulations will evolve from mere reporting to operational necessities, with traceability becoming essential for market access. Artificial intelligence will transition from predictive tools to decision-grade intelligence, guiding critical operational choices. Additionally, dynamic planning models will replace static annual plans, enabling real-time adjustments to changing conditions. Automation will enhance efficiency, while regenerative agriculture will gain traction as measurable and financeable practices. Ultimately, the successful enterprises of 2026 will integrate decision-grade intelligence, agentic planning, autonomous execution, and audit-ready compliance to ensure resilient and sustainable food systems.
Published: Jan 11 2026, 11 ameznews.inThe Indian Micro-Fertilizers Manufacturers Association has called on the government to extend the 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST) to all fertilizers listed under the Fertiliser Control Order, expedite refunds for excess GST credits, and implement a unified licensing system ahead of the Union Budget. While praising the reduction of GST from 12% to 5% on certain items as a significant reform, the association highlighted the challenges posed by an inverted duty structure, where raw materials incur higher GST than finished products, leading to excess input tax credit and locked working capital. President Rahul Mirchandani emphasized the need for a clear mechanism for quick refunds to alleviate financial stress and enhance investment in quality and outreach. The association also advocated for a 'One Nation, One Licence' system to streamline licensing processes, reduce compliance costs, and improve access to quality fertilizers for farmers.
Published: Jan 11 2026, 11 ameznews.inStarting April 1, 2026, the Income Tax Act, 2025, will replace the outdated 1961 tax law, marking a significant overhaul of India's direct tax framework. The new legislation, which is revenue neutral and maintains existing tax rates, aims to simplify tax regulations by reducing the volume of text and sections by approximately 50%. It eliminates the distinction between assessment and previous years, introducing a unified 'tax year' concept, and allows taxpayers to claim TDS refunds even if income tax returns are filed late, without penalties. Approved by Parliament in August 2025, the new Act reflects the need for modernization in response to technological advancements and changing socio-economic conditions. Any amendments to tax rates announced in the 2026-27 Budget will be integrated into this new law, with implementation rules expected to be finalized following the Budget presentation.
Published: Jan 11 2026, 11 ameznews.inIndia's sugar sector is facing a significant crisis in the 2025-26 season, marked by record production of approximately 119 lakh tonnes—up 25% from the previous year—amid stagnating demand and low global prices. While Maharashtra led production increases, domestic consumption is estimated at only 28-28.5 million tonnes, influenced by rising health concerns over sugar intake. Additionally, reduced ethanol diversion, with only 34 lakh tonnes allocated from sugar feedstocks, exacerbates the surplus. Ex-mill prices have dropped to ₹3,600-3,720 per quintal, below production costs, leading to delayed farmer payments and potential factory shutdowns due to storage shortages. Industry bodies are calling for urgent policy changes, including higher ethanol prices and an increase in the minimum support price for sugar, to stabilize the sector. As the season progresses, the balance between public health initiatives and farmer livelihoods remains critical for the future of millions dependent on sugarcane.
Published: Jan 11 2026, 10 ameznews.inIndia's agricultural transformation hinges on aligning national policy with the realities faced by farmers, who grapple with climate volatility, pest pressures, and market fragmentation. The Union Budget 2026 must address these complexities by creating a comprehensive reform strategy that strengthens the agricultural value chain, moving beyond isolated schemes. A pivotal aspect of this strategy involves redefining subsidies to promote resource-efficient farming, ensuring farmers have access to essential technologies like quality seeds and digital advisories. Additionally, integrated resilience against climate challenges requires investment in advanced crop protection and farmer education. To enhance farmers' risk profiles, policies should focus on establishing digital land records and modernizing credit access. As India aims to boost its global agricultural exports, robust supply chains with traceability and sustainable practices are crucial. Ultimately, the 2026 budget presents an opportunity to build a climate-secure, data-driven agricultural framework centered on the farmer's needs.
Published: Jan 11 2026, 9 ameznews.inIndia's fertilizer sector, crucial for agriculture, is shifting from a subsidy-driven model to one that operates with less price support, coinciding with significant technological advancements and new business models in farming. Recent reforms, such as reduced GST on fertilizer raw materials and streamlined regulatory processes, have begun to enhance the sector's structure and compliance. However, experts argue that further reforms are essential to foster entrepreneurship and local manufacturing. A proposed "3D Reform" of the Fertilizer Control Order emphasizes the need for digitisation, decriminalisation, and deregulation. Digitisation is critical for managing supply chain disruptions, while decriminalisation would differentiate between product deficiencies and fraud, promoting a healthier business environment. Deregulation aims to bolster domestic manufacturers, enabling them to compete effectively against international suppliers. These strategic changes are vital for ensuring India's food security and reducing reliance on imports.
Published: Jan 11 2026, 9 ameznews.inA small aircraft operated by IndiaOne Air made a forced landing in an open area near Rourkela, Odisha, on January 10, 2026, after the crew declared a "Mayday" to air traffic control. The Cessna Grand C208B, carrying four passengers and two crew members, departed from Bhubaneswar at 12:25 IST and landed safely at 13:20 IST, with all on board reported unharmed. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed that the passengers and crew were taken to a local hospital for precautionary checks. The Odisha state government stated that the district administration promptly responded to the incident, ensuring medical assistance was provided. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) will conduct a thorough investigation, while IndiaOne Air, which has been providing regional connectivity since 2022, is required to report the incident details to the DGCA and AAIB as per regulations.
Published: Jan 10 2026, 5 pm
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