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Wholesale inflation in India eased to 0.39% in May, down from 0.85% in April, primarily due to falling prices in minerals and non-food items, according to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The WPI Food Index inflation rate also declined significantly from 2.55% in April to 1.72% in May. The index for primary articles saw a slight decrease of 0.05%, with mineral prices dropping by 7.16%, while food articles rose by 0.56%. The fuel and power index fell by 0.95%, driven by a 2.06% decrease in mineral oil prices, although coal and electricity prices increased. The manufactured products index remained stable, with mixed price movements across various sectors. Notably, prices for pharmaceuticals and textiles rose, while food product prices saw a decline. The overall trend indicates a complex inflation landscape influenced by various commodity price shifts. 
Published: Jun 16 2025, 12 pmeznews.inIndiGo's net profit fell by 20.2% year-on-year to ₹2,176.3 crore for the April-June quarter of FY26, attributed to geopolitical tensions and airspace restrictions, despite a 4.7% rise in operational revenue to ₹20,496.3 crore. Total income increased by 6.4% to ₹21,542.6 crore, driven by a 7.8% rise in passenger ticket revenue and a 22.1% surge in ancillary revenues. However, operational costs rose by 10.2% to ₹19,231.9 crore, impacting profitability. The airline transported over 31 million passengers, an 11.6% increase, while its EBITDAR margin slightly declined to 28%. IndiGo's cash position remains strong at ₹49,405.7 crore, with plans for mid-to-high single-digit capacity growth in the next quarter. CEO Pieter Elbers highlighted the successful launch of a loyalty program and the introduction of new aircraft to enhance services, despite challenges from recent flight cancellations and geopolitical issues. 
Published: Jul 30 2025, 6 pmeznews.inJSW Infrastructure Ltd, India's second-largest commercial port operator, is significantly expanding its logistics arm, targeting a turnover of ₹700-800 crore and an EBITDA of ₹100 crore by FY26. The logistics strategy will leverage captive volumes from the JSW Group and return cargo from EXIM players, with a capital investment exceeding ₹9,000 crore planned to support long-term growth. Following its acquisition of Navkar Corporation for ₹1,700 crore, JSW Infra aims to enhance its logistics capabilities, including the establishment of new Gati Shakti terminals and strategic acquisitions. The company is also focused on doubling its cargo handling capacity from 177 million tonnes per annum to 400 million tonnes by FY30. With a manageable net debt of ₹1,246 crore, JSW Infra is well-positioned to pursue its ambitious growth plans, which include multiple port projects and the development of a pan-India multi-modal logistics network. 
Published: Jul 30 2025, 6 pmeznews.inThe International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and other partners, is set to launch an innovative project in Maharashtra aimed at providing smallholder farmers with personalized, real-time climate advisory services using artificial intelligence and machine learning. This initiative, named AI-powered Context-Specific Agromet Advisory Services for Climate-Resilient Agriculture at Scale, will deliver actionable recommendations on critical farming decisions such as sowing, irrigation, and pest management through accessible digital platforms, including an AI-driven WhatsApp bot. The project, supported by the Government of India’s Monsoon Mission III, will initially focus on Maharashtra, with insights from this phase guiding a broader national rollout and potential expansion across the Global South. The upgraded Intelligent Systems Advisory Tool (iSAT) will facilitate the transformation of complex climate data into user-friendly advisories, addressing the challenges posed by climate variability. 
Published: Jul 30 2025, 8 pmeznews.inUS President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that a 25% tariff on goods imported from India will take effect on August 1, 2025. In a post on Truth Social, Trump criticized India's high tariffs, which he described as among the highest globally, and highlighted the country's non-monetary trade barriers. He also noted India's significant military purchases from Russia and its status as a major buyer of Russian energy, particularly amid ongoing tensions related to the Ukraine conflict. Trump did not specify the nature of an additional penalty that India would face on the same date. The Indian commerce ministry, responsible for trade negotiations with the U.S., has yet to respond to the announcement. The move marks a significant escalation in trade tensions between the two nations, which have historically maintained a friendly relationship despite economic challenges. 
Published: Jul 30 2025, 6 pmeznews.inThe Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) is set to launch a specialized training program next month aimed at preparing its members to offer professional services in the UK, capitalizing on the new India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA). ICAI President Charanjot Singh Nanda announced that the first cohort of around 200 professionals will commence training, following a successful initiative for the US that has already trained over 1,000 individuals. Nanda highlighted plans to extend the program to five countries, including Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, within a year. The ICAI played a crucial role in negotiating favorable terms for Indian professionals in the FTA, ensuring market access and mutual recognition of qualifications. Additionally, ICAI has signed agreements with NSE IFSC Ltd and the Indian Venture and Alternate Capital Association to enhance investor education and professional development in India's capital markets. 
Published: Jul 30 2025, 6 pmeznews.inIn a notable shift in sourcing, nine Indian companies, including Patanjali Foods and Adani Wilmar, have entered agreements with two Chinese exporters to import a record 150,000 tonnes of soyabean oil between September and December 2023. This unusual development arises as the oil is being offered at prices $15-20 lower than those from traditional suppliers Argentina and Brazil, with quicker delivery times. The shipments are facilitated by Cosco, a state-owned Chinese firm, and other private entities. The Solvent Extractors Association of India (SEA) highlights that China has a surplus of soyabean oil due to its significant imports of soyabeans, prompting this export initiative. However, industry experts caution that this trend may not be sustainable, as India typically sources the majority of its soyabean oil from Argentina and Brazil. Despite this, the diversification of import sources could benefit India’s edible oil market. 
Published: Jul 30 2025, 5 pmeznews.inThe Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has identified 263 safety-related lapses across Indian airlines during its annual audit, with 19 classified as "Level I" significant breaches. Notably, the largest carrier, IndiGo, reported 23 lapses, while Air India, the second largest, had 51, including issues related to inadequate pilot training, the use of unapproved simulators, and poor rostering practices. The DGCA emphasized that a higher number of findings is typical for airlines with larger fleets, as the audits align with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. Other carriers, such as SpiceJet and Vistara, reported 14 and 17 lapses respectively, while Air India Express had 25. The regulator has yet to audit Akasa Air. The findings are not connected to the recent Boeing 787 crash in Ahmedabad that resulted in 260 fatalities. 
Published: Jul 30 2025, 4 pmeznews.inIndiGo, India's largest airline, reported a 20% decline in profit after tax (PAT) for the quarter ending June 30, 2025, with earnings falling to ₹2,176.3 crore from ₹2,728.8 crore in the same period last year. The airline's parent company, InterGlobe Aviation, attributed this drop to a challenging operating environment, which included geopolitical tensions, airspace restrictions, and a recent tragic accident in the Indian aviation sector. Despite these challenges, IndiGo experienced a robust 12% year-over-year growth in passenger volumes, indicating strong demand resilience amid external pressures. The airline's performance highlights its ability to navigate difficulties while maintaining a solid customer base. 
Published: Jul 30 2025, 4 pmeznews.inThe Indian government has appointed Anju Rathi Rana, the current law secretary, as an ex-officio member of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI). This decision, announced in an official notification, is in accordance with section 189 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) of 2016, which permits the central government to nominate representatives from key ministries to the Board. Rana, who assumed her role as law secretary in March 2025, is notable for being the first woman to hold this position. She has been with the law ministry since 2017, previously serving as a public prosecutor for 18 years. The IBBI is tasked with overseeing the implementation of the IBC, regulating insolvency professionals, and ensuring transparency in the insolvency resolution process, with its board comprising representatives from various financial and legal sectors. 
Published: Jul 30 2025, 4 pmeznews.inIndia Post is advancing its services through a technology-driven transformation under the IT 2.0 framework, aiming to integrate with the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) and the Government e-Marketplace (GeM). This initiative, discussed during a review meeting with Minister of State for Communications Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, is designed to enhance accessibility and competitiveness against third-party logistics firms. Currently, over 86,000 post offices are utilizing the new application, with plans for full migration by August 2025. Key upgrades include real-time tracking, electronic proof of delivery, and digital payment options. The collaboration with GeM will facilitate automated pricing and centralized payment tracking. Additionally, India Post has established 344 dedicated delivery centers nationwide to improve mail operations, offering flexible delivery options, including on weekends and holidays, thereby strengthening its logistics network and service efficiency. 
Published: Jul 30 2025, 3 pm
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