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In a notable market update, India's benchmark indices saw significant gains, with the SENSEX rising by 487.20 points to close at 82,344.68, while the NIFTY increased by 167.35 points, reaching 25,342.75. Commodity prices also experienced upward trends, with crude oil climbing by 97.00 to settle at 5,802.00, gold surging by 8,081.00 to 165,780.00, and silver soaring by 30,221.00 to 386,500.00. Meanwhile, the Economic Survey for 2025-26 is set to be presented in Parliament today by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, between 11 AM and 12 PM. This comprehensive report, prepared by the Economic Division of the Department of Economic Affairs and led by Chief Economic Advisor Dr. V Anantha Nageswaran, will provide insights into India's economic performance over the past year, ahead of the Union Budget scheduled for February 1, 2026. 
Published: Jan 29 2026, 8 ameznews.inIndia's Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is poised to present the Economic Survey for 2025-26 in the Lok Sabha on Thursday, offering a comprehensive analysis of the economy and projections for the upcoming fiscal year. The Economic Survey, crafted by the Economic Division of the Ministry of Finance under the chief economic adviser's guidance, will be a focal point of the session. Additionally, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol will introduce documents related to the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India, including a review of its operations for 2024-25. The day's agenda also includes the laying of eight Bills recently passed by Parliament, the presentation of the 13th Report of the Business Advisory Committee, and discussions under Rule 377, allowing MPs to address urgent public issues. The Budget Session, which began a day earlier, will span 30 sittings over 65 days, concluding on April 2.
Published: Jan 29 2026, 9 ameznews.inThe India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA), finalized on January 27, 2026, is hailed as a transformative deal between two economic powerhouses, according to a report by EY (Ernst & Young). The FTA is poised to significantly impact key sectors such as automobiles, defence, aerospace, textiles, and information technology. Notably, it proposes a phased reduction of import duties on completely built units in the automobile sector from 110% to 10%, fostering competition and innovation. The agreement also enhances strategic defence collaboration, facilitating technology exchange between Indian and European firms. In textiles, zero-duty access to the EU market restores India's competitiveness, while the IT sector benefits from easier movement of professionals. Additionally, the FTA lays the groundwork for future Social Security Agreements, addressing long-standing industry concerns. Both Indian and EU leaders have described the FTA as the "mother of all deals," marking a significant milestone in India's global trade strategy.
Published: Jan 29 2026, 9 ameznews.inHyderabad Metro's daily ridership fell to 4.1 lakh passengers in the third quarter, a 9% decline from its long-term average of 4.5 lakh, largely attributed to a 20% fare increase. Despite the drop in passenger numbers, the fare hike has positively impacted revenues for the current year, according to R Shankar Raman, Chief Financial Officer of Larsen & Toubro (L&T), which operates the metro through L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) Ltd. Raman expressed optimism that ridership would stabilize back to the average level. L&T is also in discussions with the Telangana government regarding a strategic exit from Phase-I of the project, which involves the government assuming approximately ₹13,000 crore in project debt and paying ₹2,000 crore for L&T's equity stake. The company aims to finalize this divestment by the end of FY26, citing operational challenges and accumulated losses as key factors for the exit.
Published: Jan 29 2026, 8 ameznews.inIndia's upcoming budget, set to be unveiled on February 1, is expected to prioritize capital spending on infrastructure, particularly in roads, ports, and energy, potentially exceeding ₹12 lakh crore ($131 billion) for the next fiscal year. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman aims to narrow the fiscal deficit to 4.2% of GDP while navigating challenges such as US tariffs, a weakening rupee, and geopolitical tensions. Analysts anticipate a focus on enhancing the ease of doing business and stimulating private investment through reforms and incentives, despite muted private sector activity. The government plans to fund increased spending partly through higher dividends from the Reserve Bank of India and asset sales, while also seeking to diversify trade partnerships beyond traditional allies. With elections looming in key states, there are expectations that the budget will also cater to voter interests, reflecting the ruling party's strategy to bolster its presence in regions where it has historically struggled.
Published: Jan 29 2026, 7 ameznews.inIndia has excluded a range of sensitive agricultural items from tariff reduction commitments in its Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union (EU), according to government officials. Key exclusions include dairy products, cereals, tea, coffee, spices, pulses, poultry, soymeal, and various fruits and vegetables, with the dairy sector receiving full protection, including high-end cheese. The EU has similarly safeguarded its sensitive sectors, such as meat, dairy, honey, rice, sugar, and tobacco. Both parties have agreed to respect each other's sensitivities in the negotiations, which concluded recently. The EU will provide preferential market access for approximately 87% of agricultural tariff lines, including processed food products. The FTA is expected to be signed and implemented later this year, pending legal review and political approval, while all Indian imports will need to comply with the EU's stringent health and food safety regulations.
Published: Jan 28 2026, 10 pmeznews.inPrime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Wings India 2026 event virtually on Wednesday, urging global investors to capitalize on India's burgeoning aviation industry, which is set to expand from 160 to over 400 airports by 2047. His remarks came amid a somber backdrop following a tragic plane crash in Maharashtra that claimed the life of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, leading to the absence of key officials at the event. Modi highlighted India's advancements in aircraft design, manufacturing, and maintenance, emphasizing the country's shift towards domestic production of military and civil aircraft. He also noted the rapid growth of passenger traffic and the expansion of Indian airlines, which have ordered over 1,500 new planes. The Prime Minister reaffirmed the government's commitment to affordable air travel through the UDAN scheme and announced plans for sustainable aviation fuel production, positioning India as a significant player in the global aviation market.
Published: Jan 28 2026, 9 pmeznews.inA Learjet 45 carrying Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar crashed near Baramati Airport on January 28, 2026, resulting in the deaths of Pawar and four others, including two crew members. The aircraft, operated by VSR Aviation, was valued at ₹50 crore and held a liability insurance of ₹210 crore through ICICI Lombard General Insurance, which expressed condolences to the victims' families. The plane, manufactured in 2010, was part of a fleet of 17 aircraft operated by VSR Ventures, a Non-Scheduled Operator with a valid Air Operator Permit until April 2028. Baramati Airport is classified as an uncontrolled airfield, with traffic information managed by flight instructors. ICICI Lombard confirmed that their insurance policy is supported by adequate reinsurance arrangements and stated their commitment to regulatory compliance while coordinating with authorities for the claims process.
Published: Jan 28 2026, 9 pmeznews.inIndia's recent Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union aims to balance consumer access to premium European wines while safeguarding local producers. To protect Indian wine makers, no tariff concessions will be offered on lower-priced European wines under €2.5, and duties on wines priced between €2.5 and €10 will gradually decrease to 30% over seven years, with a final cap of 20% for wines above €10. This phased approach allows India's domestic wine industry to enhance its competitiveness. Additionally, Indian wines will benefit from reduced customs duties in the EU, and India will receive duty-free entry for 85,000 tonnes of table grapes. Industry experts, including Sula Vineyards, have expressed optimism about the agreement, noting it protects over 90% of Indian wines while promoting market expansion. The deal is seen as a significant step towards enriching India's retail landscape with diverse European products and improving the overall quality of offerings.
Published: Jan 28 2026, 8 pmeznews.inIndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers has emphasized that three days of flight disruptions in December should not overshadow the airline's two-decade performance. As India’s largest airline, IndiGo faced significant challenges affecting numerous customers, but Elbers remains optimistic about the airline's growth trajectory. The airline received 55 Airbus A320Neo aircraft in 2025 and will continue to add new planes weekly, including nine A321XLRs for international routes. Elbers stated, “We can’t let three days define what we have built over 20 years,” highlighting the airline's ambition to become one of the world's largest. Additionally, IndiGo has launched a new ancillary service called Upfront, offering customers enhanced seating, complimentary snacks, and flexible cancellation options. Elbers noted that as IndiGo evolves from a domestic carrier to a global player, it is committed to providing reliable, affordable, and personalized travel experiences to meet changing customer expectations.
Published: Jan 28 2026, 8 pm
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