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Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India’s first Vande Bharat sleeper train service between Howrah and Guwahati (Kamakhya) from Malda Town station on Saturday. He also virtually launched the return service from Guwahati to Howrah and engaged with students aboard the train. The fully air-conditioned Vande Bharat sleeper train is designed to provide an "airline-like travel experience at economical fares," significantly reducing travel time by approximately 2.5 hours on the Howrah-Guwahati route, thereby enhancing long-distance travel and boosting tourism. During his visit, Modi is set to dedicate and lay the foundation for various rail and road infrastructure projects worth Rs 3,250 crore, aimed at improving connectivity in Bengal and the North East. This visit comes as Modi campaigns in poll-bound West Bengal and Assam, blending political messaging with infrastructure development ahead of the 2026 assembly elections. 
Published: Jan 17 2026, 2 pmeznews.inIndia's gross foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows have remained stable between USD 70 and 85 billion from FY20 to FY25, but net FDI has plummeted from USD 44 billion in FY20 to just USD 1 billion in FY25, according to CareEdge Ratings. This decline is attributed to increased profit repatriation and outward investments, despite a robust average return on inward FDI of 7.3%. In FY25, gross inflows rose by 13% to USD 81 billion, with the services sector receiving the largest share at 19%. However, sectors like drugs and pharmaceuticals saw a contraction. Globally, FDI flows have weakened amid economic uncertainties, with the ratio of global FDI to GDP dropping to 1.3% in 2024. India's share of global FDI inflows also decreased to 2.4%, influenced by rising repatriation rates, while countries like China have significantly increased their global FDI presence.
Published: Jan 17 2026, 3 pmeznews.inIndia's utility-scale solar power capacity surged by approximately 55% year-on-year, reaching 28.6 gigawatts (GW) in 2025, driven by expedited project completions and the expiration of the ISTS waiver deadline. A report from JMK Research & Analytics revealed that the country's total renewable energy capacity hit around 258 GW, with solar energy contributing 53%, followed by wind at 21%. The year marked a record for renewable energy additions, with nearly 37.9 GW of solar and 6.3 GW of wind capacity installed. The open access segment emerged as a significant contributor, accounting for over 38% of solar installations. Additionally, domestic module and cell manufacturing expanded, surpassing 200 GW capacity. Rooftop solar installations grew by 72% to 7.9 GW, largely due to the PM Surya Ghar scheme. However, off-grid solar installations saw a decline, adding only 1.35 GW. Gujarat led state-wise installations, contributing 11.1 GW.
Published: Jan 17 2026, 3 pmeznews.inIndia's electronic goods production has surged dramatically, increasing from ₹1.9 lakh crore in 2014-15 to an anticipated ₹11.3 lakh crore by 2024-25, driven largely by the Performance Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. Notably, mobile phone manufacturing has seen a 146% rise, with production jumping from ₹2.13 lakh crore in FY21 to ₹5.45 lakh crore in FY25, bolstered by $4 billion in foreign direct investment. However, the total PLI budget of ₹1.97 lakh crore has seen only ₹23,946 crore disbursed as of September 2025, indicating a slow start. Encouragingly, disbursements have accelerated, reaching ₹10,112 crore in FY25, with further growth expected in FY26. The scheme prioritizes large-scale electronics manufacturing, which has received the largest allocation of ₹38,645 crore, alongside significant investments in clean energy and traditional sectors. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw noted a sixfold increase in electronics production and an eightfold rise in exports over the past 11 years.
Published: Jan 17 2026, 3 pmeznews.inIndia's apparel retail market is poised for substantial growth, projected to reach nearly ₹16 lakh crore by 2029-30, according to a CareEdge Ratings report. Currently valued at ₹9.30 lakh crore in 2024-25, the market has expanded at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 7% since 2017-18. Organised retail, which constitutes about 41% of the market, is expected to grow faster at 10-13%, driven by consumer preference for branded apparel and the influx of international brands. The value fashion segment, estimated at ₹3.5 lakh crore in 2023-24, is a key growth driver, projected to reach ₹5.0 lakh crore by 2029-30. E-commerce is also a significant contributor, with online sales expected to rise from 22% to nearly 25% of organised retail. Despite facing demand pressures in 2024-25, a recovery is anticipated, bolstered by recent GST changes that favour affordable apparel.
Published: Jan 17 2026, 3 pmeznews.inIndia's stock market showed positive movement on January 17, 2026, with the SENSEX rising by 187.64 points to close at 83,570.35, while the NIFTY gained 28.75 points, reaching 25,694.35. In commodities, crude oil prices increased slightly to ₹5,450, but gold and silver saw declines, with gold dropping by ₹43 to ₹142,474 and silver falling by ₹61 to ₹287,701. Meanwhile, CRISIL reported that India's merchandise trade deficit widened to $25 billion in December 2025, up from $20 billion a year earlier, as export growth lagged behind imports. The report highlighted potential pressures on tea and basmati rice exports due to a new 25% tariff imposed by the US on countries trading with Iran. Despite these challenges, the current account deficit is expected to remain manageable, supported by a strong services trade surplus and healthy remittances.
Published: Jan 17 2026, 2 pmeznews.inIndia's forthcoming free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Union is poised to significantly enhance exports across key sectors, including textiles, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, engineering goods, and gems and jewellery, according to industry exporters. The agreement, expected to be finalized on January 27, aims to eliminate tariffs, potentially doubling exports to the EU within three years. This FTA is seen as a crucial step for Indian exporters to diversify their markets, particularly in light of rising US tariffs that have hampered competitiveness. The EU, accounting for 17% of India's goods exports, remains a vital trading partner, and the agreement is anticipated to provide a stable framework for long-term investments and integration into European value chains. Additionally, sectors such as IT and legal services are expected to benefit, further bolstering India's trade footprint amid global economic uncertainties.
Published: Jan 17 2026, 1 pmeznews.inIndia is poised for a record wheat production of 117.54 million tonnes in the 2024-25 season, with a promising outlook for 2025-26. In a bid to support domestic brands while managing prices, the government has partially lifted a ban on wheat exports, allowing 5 lakh tonnes of wheat products for export, as announced by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) on January 16. This decision aims to facilitate the Indian diaspora's access to familiar products like atta and maida. Despite the surplus, the export of wheat flour remains prohibited, and industry representatives have urged for a higher cap on exports. The government has procured 30 million tonnes from the recent harvest, the highest in four years, helping to stabilize prices. However, challenges remain as new mills in the Middle East cater to global demand, raising concerns about the timing and volume of export permits.
Published: Jan 17 2026, 1 pmeznews.inThe Telangana government has announced plans to procure nearly 1.71 lakh tonnes of red gram (tur) this kharif season, as farmers have cultivated the crop across 2.02 lakh hectares, estimating total production at approximately 3 lakh tonnes. Despite the minimum support price (MSP) for red gram being set at ₹8,000 per tonne, market prices have fallen to around ₹7,200, prompting state intervention through the State Markfed. The price per quintal is projected to be between ₹6,900 and ₹7,200 during the harvest period from January to February 2026. Although the area dedicated to red gram cultivation has slightly decreased, Telangana's share of the national red gram area has risen from 4.09% to 6.09%. Currently, 13 of the 82 proposed procurement centres are operational, with Markfed having procured 30.25 tonnes from 32 farmers for ₹0.24 crore. MSP operations will continue until March 26.
Published: Jan 17 2026, 1 pmeznews.inA new report from the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) calls for a comprehensive reform of India's import tariff structure and customs administration to enhance manufacturing competitiveness and boost export growth. The report, titled ‘A Blueprint for Modernizing India's Import Tariffs and Customs Regime’, highlights that current tariffs have become irrelevant as a revenue tool, contributing to production distortions and imposing high administrative costs. With customs duties accounting for only 6% of gross tax revenue, GTRI recommends zero duties on most industrial raw materials and a standard 5% duty on finished goods over three years. It also advocates for the elimination of inverted duty structures and extreme tariffs, such as the 150% duty on alcohol. Additionally, the report criticizes the complex customs notification system and urges the government to streamline regulations for clarity and efficiency, aligning with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's commitment to overhaul customs procedures.
Published: Jan 17 2026, 12 pm
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