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India's exports fell by 11.8% to $34.38 billion in October, according to government data released on Monday, while imports surged by 16.63% to $76.06 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of $41.68 billion for the month. The significant rise in imports was largely driven by a dramatic increase in gold and silver shipments, with gold imports soaring to $14.72 billion compared to just $4.92 billion in October of the previous year. Exports to the United States also declined, dropping to $6.3 billion from $6.9 billion a year earlier, as reported by Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal. For the fiscal period from April to October, exports saw a slight increase of 0.63% to $254.25 billion, while imports rose by 6.37% to $451.08 billion, highlighting ongoing challenges in India's trade balance. 
Published: Nov 17 2025, 3 pmeznews.inIn a positive economic outlook, India's Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) Chairman Ravi Agrawal announced on November 17, 2025, that the country is on track to meet its direct tax collection target of ₹25.2 lakh crore ($284.39 billion) for the financial year. As of November 10, net direct tax receipts have increased by 7% year-on-year, reaching ₹12.9 lakh crore, a sign of steady economic activity and improved compliance. This growth reflects the government's efforts to enhance tax buoyancy amid ongoing economic challenges. Meanwhile, the stock market showed mixed results, with the SENSEX rising by 388.17 points to close at 84,950.95, and the NIFTY gaining 103.40 points to reach 26,013.45. In contrast, crude oil prices fell by ₹14 to ₹5,328, while gold and silver prices also experienced declines.
Published: Nov 17 2025, 5 pmeznews.inThe non-profit organization Tech4Good Community has launched the Conservation Coalition to restore the Nilgiris Biosphere and Western Ghats in South India by addressing the issue of invasive species through technology. Co-founder Anusha Bhargava highlighted the urgent need for habitat restoration, noting that invasive plants introduced during British tea plantation expansion have overtaken native flora. The coalition collaborates with the Nature Conservation Foundation and Keystone Foundation to monitor native species and develop tools for real-time ecological data analysis. Utilizing drones and AI, the initiative aims to map and manage invasive species while supporting indigenous communities reliant on forest resources. The project, which evolved from a previous Climate Coalition effort, is backed by philanthropic support from organizations like the Rockefeller Foundation and Rohini Nilakeni Philanthropies. Tech4Good Community also plans to expand its innovative data-gathering platform, Idlistack, to other regions across India.
Published: Nov 17 2025, 5 pmeznews.inSelf-employment has become the primary driver of job growth in India, according to HDFC Bank's Employment Trends in India report. In FY24, self-employment surged to 358 million, up from 239 million in FY18, marking a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7%. This growth significantly outpaced salaried jobs, which rose from 105 million to 119 million (CAGR of 4.1%), and casual labour, which stagnated at 122 million. Notably, women played a crucial role in this expansion, contributing 103 million of the 155 million new jobs created, with their labour force participation rate increasing to 31.7%. The report highlights that the non-farm sector now accounts for 54% of total employment, with significant job creation in services, construction, and manufacturing. Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) have also become vital, representing 48% of employment in both manufacturing and services.
Published: Nov 17 2025, 5 pmeznews.inIndia's coffee production for the 2025-26 crop year is projected to increase by approximately 3% to 4.03 lakh tonnes, according to the Coffee Board's initial estimates. However, growers express concerns that this figure may be overly optimistic due to adverse weather conditions, including prolonged monsoons that have caused moisture stress in key growing regions like Karnataka and Kerala. Sahadev Balakrishna, Chairman of the UPASI Coffee Committee, anticipates an overall output of over 3.73 lakh tonnes, with Arabica and Robusta production expected to range between 1-1.10 lakh tonnes and 2.6-2.7 lakh tonnes, respectively. A. Aravind Rao, Chairman of the Karnataka Planters Association, highlighted the significant impact of climate change and the lack of insurance coverage for coffee growers, urging the government to implement a rainfall-based insurance scheme. Additionally, he called for increased funding to address rising man-animal conflicts affecting coffee plantations.
Published: Nov 17 2025, 5 pmeznews.inIndia and the United States are nearing the finalisation of the first tranche of their proposed Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA), which focuses on reciprocal tariffs, according to Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal. Speaking during the release of October trade data, Agrawal highlighted that discussions have been ongoing for months, with the tariff-related component expected to be resolved sooner rather than later, although no specific deadlines were set. The BTA, initiated in February, aims to more than double bilateral trade from USD 191 billion to USD 500 billion by 2030, following discussions during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Washington. Despite recent tariff escalations by the US, including a 25% tariff on Indian goods, negotiations are progressing well, with officials asserting that the agreement will align with WTO norms. Additionally, an India-US LPG supply arrangement is advancing, separate from trade negotiations, to help balance trade between the two nations.
Published: Nov 17 2025, 5 pmeznews.inThe Andhra Pradesh government has appointed the Srikakulam District Collector to identify land for the development of a 500-acre Kings Maritime Aquaculture Technology Park, following a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kochi-based Kings Infra Ventures Ltd. The ₹2,500 crore project aims to establish Andhra Pradesh as a global leader in smart and sustainable aquaculture, with an initial ₹500 crore investment for core infrastructure and R&D facilities. The park will feature advanced systems for multi-species culture, processing, and a dedicated Aquaculture Skill & Innovation Centre, which aims to train 5,000 professionals over five years. Kings Infra's Chairman, Shaji Baby John, emphasized the project's goal of integrating AI, biotechnology, and renewable energy to create a cutting-edge aquaculture platform. The initiative is expected to enhance year-round production and diversify export markets while promoting a circular economy through a Marine Nutraceutical & Bio-actives Unit.
Published: Nov 17 2025, 5 pmeznews.inIndia's corporate sector is increasingly relying on internal resources for financing, as highlighted by a study from the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP) for the Finance Ministry. Internal funding has risen from 60% in 2014 to 70% in 2024, while external financing has dropped from 39% to 29% over the same period. Anuradha Thakur, Secretary of the Department of Economic Affairs, noted a significant decline in bank and financial institution borrowings, indicating a shift towards market-based funding. The popularity of equity financing has surged, with IPOs increasing six-fold since 2013. Despite the growth of the corporate bond market, it remains dominated by high-rated issuers, and liquidity issues persist. Thakur emphasized the need for further reforms to enhance market-making and encourage more corporate bond issuances, as India aims for sustained GDP growth of 8%.
Published: Nov 17 2025, 2 pmeznews.inIn a landmark agreement, Indian Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri announced on Monday that Indian public sector oil companies will import approximately 2.2 million tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from the United States in 2026, marking a significant step in diversifying India's energy sources. This deal, which constitutes nearly 10% of India's annual LPG consumption, is part of a broader strategy to enhance energy product purchases from the US, aiming to double annual imports to $24-26 billion. The contract, based on the Mount Belvieu benchmark, follows discussions between Indian officials and US producers. Puri highlighted the government's commitment to providing affordable LPG to consumers, noting that despite soaring global prices, the Ujjwala scheme has kept cylinder costs low. This development comes amid increasing competition between the US and Saudi Arabia, India's primary LPG supplier, as global prices fluctuate due to geopolitical tensions and changing demand dynamics.
Published: Nov 17 2025, 1 pmeznews.inIndia has made a significant move in the global energy market by exporting its first-ever jet fuel cargo to the US West Coast, specifically for Chevron, amid supply shortages in Los Angeles. The shipment, comprising approximately 60,000 metric tonnes of jet fuel, was loaded onto the Panamax tanker Hafnia Kallang at Reliance Industries' Jamnagar port and is expected to arrive in Los Angeles in early December. This export comes as Chevron's El Segundo refinery, which produces 285,000 barrels per day, has been offline since October due to a fire. While the US West Coast may face tight jet fuel supplies until repairs are completed in early 2026, traders suggest that imports from India may not become a regular occurrence due to cheaper alternatives from Northeast Asia. Current jet fuel prices in the US West Coast remain elevated, with stocks at a three-month low of 11.12 million barrels.
Published: Nov 17 2025, 12 pm
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