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Retail inflation in India, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), rose to 0.7% in November 2025, up from 0.3% in October. Despite this slight increase, inflation has remained below the 2% threshold for three consecutive months, leading economists to suggest that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) may have room for a further repo rate cut. Experts, including Kanika Pasricha from Union Bank of India, indicate that a potential 25 basis points cut could occur in February 2026, bringing the rate to 5%. Meanwhile, Kotak Mahindra Bank's Upasna Bhardwaj anticipates a benign inflation trajectory until the first half of FY27, while State Bank of India's Soumya Kanti Ghosh projects FY26 inflation at 1.8%. Analysts believe the RBI will maintain a cautious approach, keeping rates steady unless economic conditions worsen, despite the recent uptick in inflation. 
Published: Dec 14 2025, 4 pmeznews.inIndian travellers are increasingly opting for short-haul international trips and budget-friendly options as the depreciating rupee makes long-haul holidays more expensive. With overall tour prices rising by 8-12% compared to last Christmas, airfares and hotel rates have surged due to strong demand, inflation, and limited availability at popular destinations. The rupee's decline, which recently surpassed 90 to the US dollar, has further inflated holiday costs. Despite these challenges, demand remains robust, particularly for destinations like Dubai and Vietnam, while domestic spots such as Rajasthan and the North-East are also popular. Increased flight capacity on routes to Thailand and Vietnam has helped stabilize fares, unlike long-haul routes, which continue to see higher prices. In 2024, 30.89 million Indians travelled abroad, with leisure trips accounting for 42% of this figure, and the UAE remains the top destination for Indian travellers.
Published: Dec 14 2025, 9 pmeznews.inAndhra Pradesh has emerged as a leader in agricultural production, ranking first in the country for fruit output with over 19 million tonnes during the 2024–25 financial year, according to a recent report from the Reserve Bank of India. The state also excelled in fish production, contributing nearly 5.1 million tonnes. Economic indicators show robust growth, with the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) estimated at approximately ₹16 lakh crore and a per capita GSDP exceeding ₹2.5 lakh. Additionally, Andhra Pradesh ranks 14th nationally for power availability, with nearly 1,500 units per capita. Life expectancy in the state matches the national average at 70 years, with women living longer at 73 years compared to 68 years for men. In its pursuit of Sustainable Development Goals, Andhra Pradesh ranks 10th in the country with a score of 74, reflecting its ongoing social and economic advancements.
Published: Dec 14 2025, 9 pmeznews.inGopalan Aerospace, a subsidiary of Gopalan Enterprises, anticipates a revenue increase to ₹120-130 crore in FY25, up from ₹80 crore in FY24, fueled by a significant rise in domestic defence orders. C Prabhakar, the company's Director, noted that local orders now represent nearly 60% of their pipeline, a shift from the previous reliance on exports. This change is attributed to quicker procurement processes at defence public sector undertakings like Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd and a surge in emergency defence purchases. Prabhakar emphasized the company's transition from survival to aggressive investment in infrastructure and manufacturing, with a target production value of ₹300 crore by 2026. Gopalan Aerospace, which holds six patents, is also expanding internationally, planning a facility in Abu Dhabi to meet demand from the Middle East and Africa, while investing ₹75 crore to triple its manufacturing space in India.
Published: Dec 14 2025, 7 pmeznews.inIndia's newly corporatised defence public sector undertakings (DPSUs) have amassed a substantial order book of ₹83,109 crore as of April 1, according to a report by the Standing Committee on Defence. Leading the orders is Armoured Vehicle Nigam Ltd (AVNL) with ₹35,553 crore, followed by Munitions India Ltd (MIL) at ₹28,939 crore, and Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Ltd (AWEIL) at ₹8,236 crore. In contrast, Gliders India Ltd (GIL) holds a modest ₹211 crore. The report highlights the DPSUs' enhanced autonomy since the 2021 corporatisation of the Ordnance Factory Board, enabling them to explore new markets and expand their product lines. Defence exports have surged dramatically, reaching ₹1,976.51 crore in 2023-24, with projections for further growth. The committee urged continued government support for modernisation and export diversification, noting that the new DPSU framework is showing promising signs of growth and consolidation.
Published: Dec 14 2025, 7 pmeznews.inIndia is poised to significantly boost its exports to Russia, targeting a trade volume of $100 billion by 2030, with key sectors identified as engineering goods, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and agriculture. Currently, India's exports to Russia stand at a modest $1.7 billion, compared to Russia's $37.4 billion in imports, highlighting a substantial opportunity for growth. The Indian commerce ministry has pinpointed around 300 products that align with Russia's unmet demand, particularly in agriculture, where India currently exports $452 million against a global import demand of $3.9 billion. Engineering goods show a notable gap, with India exporting just $90 million while Russia imports $2.7 billion. Additionally, pharmaceuticals represent a strategic area, with India supplying $546 million to a $9.7 billion market. Beyond these sectors, India's labor-intensive industries, including textiles and electronics, also present significant potential, given Russia's large consumer base and India's competitive pricing.
Published: Dec 14 2025, 7 pmeznews.inIn a significant update, the National Statistical Office (NSO) is set to launch a new Consumer Price Index (CPI) series with a base year of 2024, replacing the current 2012 series. This revised CPI will encompass data from over 280 markets across urban and rural areas, reflecting a substantial increase in the number of urban markets from 1,114 to 1,395 and rural markets from 1,181 to 1,465. The new series, expected to debut in the first quarter of 2024, will utilize data from popular retail outlets and e-commerce platforms, enhancing the accuracy and reliability of inflation metrics. Additionally, the NSO plans to incorporate administrative data for various sectors, including rail fares and fuel prices, while employing advanced technology such as AI and cloud-based systems for data collection and analysis. This overhaul aims to provide more granular insights into retail inflation, crucial for shaping monetary policy.
Published: Dec 14 2025, 5 pmeznews.inLaunched in May 2015, the Atal Pension Yojana (APY) aims to establish a universal social security system for all Indians, particularly targeting the poor, underprivileged, and workers in the unorganised sector. Recent data reveals a significant rise in female participation, with women constituting 48% of the total 8.34 crore subscribers as of October 31, 2025. This trend mirrors the Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana, where women made up 56% of beneficiaries. Notably, in FY24 and FY25, women accounted for 52% and 55% of new subscribers, respectively. The APY offers a guaranteed monthly pension ranging from ₹1,000 to ₹5,000 after the age of 60, with provisions for spouses and nominees. As of October 31, 2025, the total corpus under APY reached ₹43,275 crore, supported by public sector banks, which play a crucial role in enhancing financial inclusion in rural areas.
Published: Dec 14 2025, 4 pmeznews.inThe Indian Power Ministry has identified 16 critical items essential for the power sector, including subsea cables, permanent magnets, and HVDC valve assemblies, as part of a strategy to enhance domestic manufacturing and reduce reliance on imports. This list, compiled by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) in collaboration with industry stakeholders like ABB and Schneider, aims to address the high import dependency of these components, which are vital for energy security. The CEA has called for feedback from the Indian Electrical and Electronics Manufacturers’ Association by December 29, 2025, as it seeks to develop a comprehensive localization strategy. While 73 items have been recognized as critical, the focus on these 16 reflects their immediate importance. The initiative aligns with the government's Atmanirbhar Bharat vision, promoting local manufacturing and mitigating risks associated with global supply chains.
Published: Dec 14 2025, 3 pmeznews.inIndia's inflation outlook is set to be influenced by a combination of factors, including a nearly 5% depreciation of the rupee against the US dollar, rising inflation in the US, and a restructuring of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in India. Economists warn that imported inflation, driven by higher prices for commodities such as gold and crude oil, will increasingly impact domestic inflation figures. A recent SBI report noted that the imported inflation component of the CPI has reached 1.6%, primarily due to rising costs in gold and oils. Experts predict that the effects of rupee depreciation will soon be reflected in retail prices, particularly for automobiles and essential goods. Additionally, the upcoming CPI rebase may alter weightings, potentially amplifying the impact of imported inflation. However, a potential GST rate cut could mitigate some of these inflationary pressures, as indicated by recent trends in core inflation.
Published: Dec 14 2025, 3 pm
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