eznews.inIndia's government has announced it will cease setting annual targets for clean energy tenders, following a significant shortfall in last year's goals and a backlog of projects lacking buyers. Currently, developers hold rights to approximately 43 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity without secured customers, as state utilities delay purchases, anticipating price drops and facing transmission infrastructure uncertainties. Santosh Kumar Sarangi, a senior official in the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, indicated that less than half of the unsold capacity might be cancelled, and new tenders will be issued based on demand assessments from state utilities. Despite the slowdown, India aims to achieve its target of 500 gigawatts of non-fossil fuel power capacity by 2030, having added 38 gigawatts in 2025. The government is also considering restructuring renewable energy implementation agencies, potentially consolidating roles under the Solar Energy Corporation of India. 
Published: Jan 27 2026, 9 ameznews.inHamdard Laboratories, a prominent Unani and pharmaceutical company in India, is investing in sustainable farming to cultivate its own herbs and medicinal plants. Chairman Abdul Majeed announced that the firm has established a modern extraction plant in Ghaziabad, producing 95% of its extracts in-house to ensure quality control, particularly of alkaloids. Currently, Hamdard is growing around 50 herbs across 200 acres in regions including Delhi and Haryana, with plans to expand into southern India, where it aims to source high-quality ginger and pepper. The company is transitioning to organic farming practices, utilizing natural fertilizers and avoiding pesticides, while also pursuing ISO certification. Despite challenges in exporting products due to regulatory hurdles, Hamdard continues to supply its offerings to over 25 countries, primarily to the diaspora. The firm aims to increase its revenue from ₹300 crore to ₹470 crore in the current fiscal year. 
Published: Jan 27 2026, 9 ameznews.inCapital expenditure by the central government is projected to exceed ₹12 lakh crore in FY27, reflecting a year-on-year growth of approximately 10%, according to a State Bank of India (SBI) report. This marks a significant increase from ₹2.5 lakh crore in FY16 to an estimated ₹11.2 lakh crore in FY26, underscoring the government's commitment to infrastructure development and economic growth. Grants for capital asset creation have also risen, from ₹1.3 lakh crore in FY16 to ₹4.3 lakh crore in FY26. When combined with capital expenditure from Central Public Sector Enterprises, total effective capex reached ₹15.5 lakh crore in FY26. The report anticipates net central government borrowing for FY27 at around ₹11.7 lakh crore, while state-level borrowings are projected at ₹12.6 lakh crore. The upcoming Union Budget, set for presentation on February 1, 2026, arrives amid global economic uncertainties and fluctuating crude oil prices. 
Published: Jan 27 2026, 9 ameznews.inIndia and the European Union are set to unveil a landmark trade agreement on Tuesday, marking the culmination of extensive negotiations that began in 2007 and were revitalized in 2022. Together, India and the EU account for nearly one-fifth of global trade and 25% of the world's population, underscoring the significance of their partnership. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the strategic collaboration, stating it demonstrates a commitment to a rules-based international order. The EU is India's second-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade in goods exceeding €120 billion in 2024, while trade in services reached over €66 billion. The EU's foreign direct investment in India also stands at €132 billion, solidifying its position as the leading investor in the country. The upcoming summit will focus on adopting a comprehensive strategic agenda and advancing free trade negotiations, aimed at enhancing economic ties and mutual resilience. 
Published: Jan 27 2026, 8 ameznews.inStakeholders in India's bullion and jewellery sectors are urging the government to implement key policy measures in the upcoming Budget to enhance fairness, competitiveness, and sustainability. Prithviraj Kothari, President of the India Bullion and Jewellers’ Association, highlighted the need for equitable customs duty benefits under the Tariff Rate Quota framework, proposing an increase in the duty on gold dore bar imports to 1.65%. Additionally, he called for a reduction in the basic customs duty on gold from 6% to 4% and simplification of mining regulations to boost domestic production. Industry leaders, including Suvankar Sen of Senco Gold, emphasized the importance of regulated financing options and a review of the GST structure to stimulate consumer demand. They also advocated for rationalising import duties on diamonds and gemstones to enhance export competitiveness and support local manufacturing, while promoting ethical lab-grown diamonds as a potential growth area for India. 
Published: Jan 27 2026, 9 ameznews.inAfter nearly two decades of negotiations, the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), heralded as the "mother of all trade deals," is poised for announcement at the India-EU Summit in New Delhi on Tuesday. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal confirmed that discussions have concluded, with a formal signing expected after legal reviews. EU leaders Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa will join Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the summit. The FTA aims to enhance economic integration, benefiting Indian exporters of textiles, leather, and other labor-intensive goods, while EU exporters, particularly in the automotive and wine sectors, will gain improved market access. The agreement, which encompasses a population of 1.9 billion and over 20% of global GDP, is anticipated to take five to six months for legal scrubbing before its official signing, with hopes for implementation by early 2027. Additionally, a separate MoU will facilitate mobility for students and skilled workers. 
Published: Jan 26 2026, 9 pmeznews.inAfter nearly two decades of negotiations, the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), heralded as the "mother of all trade deals," is poised for announcement at the India-EU Summit in New Delhi on Tuesday. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal confirmed that discussions have concluded, with the formal signing expected to follow legal reviews. EU leaders Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa will join Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the summit. The FTA aims to enhance economic integration, benefiting Indian exporters of labour-intensive goods like textiles and leather, while providing EU exporters, particularly in protected sectors like automobiles, with improved market access. The agreement, which encompasses a population of 1.9 billion and over 20% of global GDP, is anticipated to be legally finalized within five to six months, with hopes for implementation by early 2027. Additionally, a separate MoU will facilitate mobility for students and skilled workers between India and the EU. 
Published: Jan 26 2026, 9 pmeznews.inCalifornia is expected to rely heavily on imports from Asia, particularly jet fuel and gasoline, to compensate for reduced local refining capacity, as refinery maintenance on the US West Coast impacts supply. Indian refiners, notably Reliance Industries, are poised to benefit from this situation, with exports of refined petroleum products anticipated to remain stable in 2026. Kpler, a global data analytics provider, highlights that India's refinery expansions and increased utilization will enhance product availability, allowing for continued competitiveness in the export market. However, planned refinery maintenance in the US could temporarily disrupt export availability and increase volatility. Additionally, the European Union's recent sanctions may compel Indian refiners to seek alternative crude sources, further influencing export dynamics. Despite these challenges, strong global demand for refined products suggests that Indian exports will continue to find markets, even without European outlets. 
Published: Jan 26 2026, 7 pmeznews.inMustard acreage in India has increased by 3.2% this year, reaching 89.36 lakh hectares, compared to 86.57 lakh hectares in 2024-25. Following a decline of over 4% last year, production is expected to rise by at least 10% in 2025-26, bolstered by favorable weather conditions. However, forecasts of rain and hailstorms in the north-west region pose a potential threat to crops. The government aims for a production target of 139 lakh tonnes, up from last year's 126.67 lakh tonnes. Notably, Uttar Pradesh has seen a remarkable increase in mustard acreage, nearly tripling since 2015-16, while areas in the north-east, particularly Jharkhand and Assam, have experienced declines due to adverse weather during the sowing period. Experts remain optimistic about overall production, citing good crop conditions and the absence of frost. 
Published: Jan 26 2026, 8 pmeznews.inAs gold prices continue to soar, the Indian government is expected to significantly increase allocations to the Gold Reserve Fund in the revised estimates for FY26 and the budget estimates for FY27. This fund is crucial for covering redemption payouts under the Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) scheme, which has seen a surge in redemptions, particularly from the 2017–18 series. Bonds issued at prices between ₹2,881 and ₹2,951 per unit are now being redeemed at rates ranging from ₹9,486 to ₹14,853. With the FY26 allocation previously set at ₹700 crore, a substantial revision is anticipated, especially following FY25's allocation of over ₹28,000 crore. Looking ahead, several tranches from the 2018–19 and 2021–22 series are also nearing redemption. The Reserve Bank of India bases redemption prices on gold's average closing rates, which currently exceed ₹16,000 per gram, indicating ongoing high costs for the government. 
Published: Jan 26 2026, 8 pm
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