eznews.inIndia's agricultural sector is poised for a significant evolution in its use of artificial intelligence (AI) by 2026, shifting focus from isolated experiments to broader integration and scalability. Over the past decade, various AI applications have emerged, enhancing crop advisory, pest detection, and yield estimation, yet their impact has been inconsistent. The success of these technologies increasingly hinges on their integration into existing agricultural frameworks, including government programs and supply chains. As digital infrastructure strengthens, AI is expected to support institutional decision-making rather than operate in silos. However, challenges such as data quality, transparency, and the diverse realities of India's agricultural landscape remain. Future advancements will depend on responsible governance, addressing last-mile connectivity issues, and ensuring that AI tools are contextually relevant. Ultimately, the role of AI in enhancing agricultural resilience will be shaped by its careful embedding within the systems that govern production and distribution. 
Published: Jan 03 2026, 9 ameznews.inThe Indian automotive sector wrapped up December 2025 with strong performance across key segments, buoyed by improved macroeconomic conditions and positive rural sentiment, according to a report by Asit C. Mehta Investment Intermediates Limited (ACMIIL). Despite a post-festive slowdown, year-on-year growth remained robust, particularly in the passenger vehicle segment, where Maruti Suzuki reported a 22.2% increase in wholesales, driven by pre-buying ahead of expected price hikes. Mahindra & Mahindra also excelled, with a 23% rise in domestic utility vehicle volumes. In contrast, Hyundai lagged with only a 6.6% increase. The two-wheeler market saw TVS Motors leading with a 47.8% growth, while commercial vehicles showed early signs of an upcycle, with M&M reporting a 34.4% increase. The tractor and three-wheeler segments also thrived, with TVS achieving a remarkable 109.8% growth in three-wheelers. Looking ahead, supportive macro conditions are expected to sustain growth, though rising commodity prices may impact margins.
Published: Jan 03 2026, 9 ameznews.inThe Andhra Pradesh Government has approved the establishment of a greenfield port and shipbuilding cluster at Dugarajapatnam in Tirupati district, as part of the Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways' Shipbuilding Development Scheme. The AP Maritime Board will acquire 2,000 acres for this initiative and create a 50:50 special purpose vehicle (SPV) in collaboration with the Vizag Port Trust, ensuring equal representation from both the State Government and the Trust. The board will transfer the land to the SPV to facilitate the cluster's development and will also seek a partner for the shipyard project. Additionally, the State Government has authorized the Andhra Pradesh Airports Development Corporation Limited (APADCL) to acquire 418.14 acres in Damavaram village for the Dagadarthi Greenfield Airport, with an investment of ₹54.36 crore.
Published: Jan 02 2026, 8 pmeznews.inIndia's natural gas demand is projected to rebound in FY27, with a growth rate of 3-4% year-on-year, following a period of decline in FY26 due to reduced consumption in key sectors like fertilizer and power. The expansion of the city gas distribution (CGD) network and a recovery in industrial consumption are expected to drive this resurgence. Electricity demand is also anticipated to rise by 5-5.5% in FY27, recovering from a low growth of 1.5-2% in FY26, influenced by weather patterns and previous monsoon impacts. Additionally, easing global LNG prices and moderating domestic gas prices, projected at $6.1 per million British thermal units, will benefit CGD entities. The energy sector is increasingly adopting digital tools and AI to enhance efficiency and decarbonisation efforts, while renewable capacity saw a significant increase of 31.2 gigawatts in the first eight months of FY26, indicating a robust project pipeline.
Published: Jan 02 2026, 8 pmeznews.inIndia's major reservoirs have seen water levels fall below 80% this week, according to the Central Water Commission (CWC), which reported a storage of 142.177 billion cubic metres (BCM), or 77.45% of their total capacity. This marks a 5.5 percentage point increase from the previous year and is 22.5 percentage points above the 10-year average. However, rainfall has been limited, primarily affecting only parts of the peninsular south and north-west, as noted by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). While the western and central regions maintain storage above 80%, the northern and eastern regions are struggling, with levels at 71.95% and 69.52%, respectively. Currently, eight reservoirs are full, and 42 exceed 90% capacity, but 13 are below 40%. The IMD forecasts further declines in water levels due to expected lower rainfall from January to March.
Published: Jan 02 2026, 8 pmeznews.inThe Indian government launched two key components of its ₹25,060 crore export promotion mission (EPM) on Friday, introducing a long-awaited interest subvention scheme with a budget of ₹5,181 crore and ₹2,114 crore in collateral support for export credit. The scheme offers a base interest subsidy of 2.75% on pre- and post-shipment rupee export credit for eligible MSME exporters, covering 75% of total tariff lines, with additional incentives for exports to emerging markets. The subvention is capped at ₹50 lakh per firm annually and will be reviewed bi-annually. Additionally, a collateral guarantee support scheme will provide up to 85% coverage for micro and small exporters. While these measures aim to alleviate high credit costs and collateral challenges for MSMEs, some exporters expressed disappointment over the subvention rate and the exclusion of certain products. The EPM, approved by the Union Cabinet, aims to enhance the global competitiveness of Indian MSMEs.
Published: Jan 02 2026, 8 pmeznews.inThe conclusion of the PM E-DRIVE scheme is expected to narrow the price gap between electric three-wheelers (e-3W) and internal-combustion vehicles, which currently stands at around ₹1 lakh due to the subsidy. The Heavy Industry Ministry confirmed that the scheme has met its objectives, supporting nearly 2.86 lakh e-3Ws by December 22, and will not entertain claims beyond December 26. Deependra Sharma, CEO of Montra Electric, noted that while the end of the subsidy may lead to a slight increase in upfront costs, e-3Ws still offer significant savings in operating and maintenance expenses. Analysts predict that the initial dip in demand among price-sensitive buyers will be temporary, as the total cost of ownership remains favorable for electric models. The industry, now more mature, is poised for continued growth, with e-3W penetration rates reaching 65%, the highest among all vehicle categories in India.
Published: Jan 02 2026, 8 pmeznews.inChennai Metro Rail Ltd (CMRL) achieved a significant milestone in 2025, recording 11.19 crore passengers, marking a 6% increase from the 10.52 crore passengers in 2024, according to official data. Since its launch on June 29, 2015, a total of 46.73 crore passengers have utilized the metro service up to December 31, 2025. To encourage ridership, CMRL is offering a 20% discount on various ticketing services, including the NCMC Card and digital QR tickets available through platforms like WhatsApp, Paytm, and PhonePe, as well as the CMRL Mobile App. However, this discount does not apply to single journey paper QR tickets purchased at ticket counters. The announcement was made in a release published on January 2, 2026.
Published: Jan 02 2026, 7 pmeznews.inIndia's gherkin exports are projected to decline by approximately 10% in FY26, primarily due to tariffs imposed by the United States, the country's largest market, which accounts for about 25% of exports. Despite the weakening rupee providing some financial relief, exporters like GM Vinod, President of the Indian Gherkin Exporters Association, acknowledge that the volume of exports will decrease. Efforts to diversify into European and Russian markets face challenges, as these regions produce their own gherkins and offer limited pricing competitiveness. Current export figures show a slight increase, with $169.71 million in revenue from April to October 2025, compared to $159.02 million the previous year. Exporters are also seeking government support through interest subventions and faster GST refunds, as they adjust production levels amid market uncertainties. Gherkins are primarily cultivated in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, with most output destined for international markets.
Published: Jan 02 2026, 7 pmeznews.inThe Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) reported a record container throughput of 7.94 million twenty-foot long containers for the calendar year 2025, marking a 12.64% increase from the previous year. December was particularly notable, with the port handling 7.11 lakh containers in a single month, the highest monthly figure recorded. Overall cargo throughput also saw a significant rise, climbing 9.86% to reach 99.17 million metric tonnes. JNPA chairperson Gaurav Dayal attributed this growth to stable demand and improved coordination among terminal operations, shipping lines, and service providers. The expansion of port facilities, including the recent inauguration of the second phase of the PSA Mumbai terminal, which doubled its capacity to 4.8 million containers annually, has further bolstered these impressive figures. The developments reflect a robust performance for JNPA as it continues to enhance its operational capabilities.
Published: Jan 02 2026, 6 pm
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