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In its latest monthly bulletin, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) expresses cautious optimism about the country's economic outlook despite ongoing global uncertainties. The article, titled "State of the Economy," highlights geopolitical tensions, including US interventions and conflicts in the Middle East, which contribute to elevated geo-economic risks. However, RBI officials project that India will remain the fastest-growing major economy, with GDP growth estimates for 2025-26 supporting this claim. In response to a 50% tariff imposed by the US on Indian goods starting August 27, 2025, India is actively diversifying its export markets, engaging in trade negotiations with 14 countries, including the EU and the US. Additionally, significant economic reforms in 2025, such as tax rationalisation and labour market reforms, are expected to bolster growth prospects. The RBI's analysis underscores the importance of strengthening India's export capabilities and financial support systems. 
Published: Jan 21 2026, 8 pmeznews.inGold prices surged to a new high in global markets, reaching $4,855 an ounce on Wednesday, after briefly exceeding $4,870 earlier in the day. This increase is attributed to rising geopolitical tensions, particularly between the US and Europe over Greenland, prompting investors to seek gold as a safe haven. In India, gold closed at ₹1,54,227 per 10 grams in the Mumbai spot market, while February futures on the MCX were at ₹1,57,582. Silver also remained strong, trading around $94.23 an ounce, with March futures at $94.150. The precious metals market has seen gold gain 12.5% and silver 32.5% since the start of the year. Experts warn that ongoing volatility may lead consumers to become more cautious, potentially impacting demand and exports, especially in price-sensitive jewellery segments, as uncertainty persists amid looming US tariffs on several European nations.
Published: Jan 21 2026, 8 pmeznews.inThe Indian government has launched an interest subvention scheme as part of its ₹25,060-crore six-year export promotion mission (EPM) to provide competitive credit rates for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Announced earlier this month, the scheme allocates ₹5,181 crore and offers a base subsidy of 2.75% on pre- and post-shipment export credit for eligible MSME exporters. However, certain sectors, including specific steel, pharmaceutical, and chemical products, have been excluded from the scheme, despite calls from industry representatives for their inclusion. The current positive list covers 75% of total tariff lines, with a subvention cap of ₹50 lakh per firm annually. Exporters of engineering goods have expressed disappointment over the exclusion of key steel items, while chemical exporters are advocating for broader coverage. The government has indicated that while the list may be expanded in the future, immediate changes are unlikely.
Published: Jan 21 2026, 8 pmeznews.inThe Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) is set to release the first draft of the revised Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 within two weeks, aiming to streamline capital acquisition processes ahead of the FY27 budget, which is expected to increase from ₹1.80 lakh crore. Key reforms include a gradual scaling of indigenous content for high-tech orders, enhanced foreign direct investment (FDI) flexibility, and simplified testing protocols. The MoD plans to implement the revised DAP by April 1, 2026, reducing procurement timelines to approximately two years. Additionally, the new guidelines will align with initiatives like 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' and 'Make in India,' while also addressing the emerging defence space sector. The revisions aim to create a level playing field for both private and public sectors, promoting innovation and establishing India as a global hub for defence manufacturing and maintenance. Stakeholder feedback will be sought before finalizing the amendments.
Published: Jan 21 2026, 8 pmeznews.inAs of December 31, 2025, the total outstanding credit to India's commercial sector surged by 15%, a notable increase from 11.3% in the previous year, according to the Reserve Bank of India's latest monthly bulletin. The financial resources flowing to the sector during the 2025-26 fiscal year reached ₹30.8 lakh crore, up 45% year-on-year from ₹21.3 lakh crore. This growth was driven by both bank and non-bank sources, with non-food bank credit rising by ₹20.27 lakh crore compared to ₹12.78 lakh crore a year earlier, while non-bank sources, including corporate bond issuances and foreign direct investment, contributed ₹10.58 lakh crore, up from ₹8.55 lakh crore. Notably, non-bank sources experienced a growth rate of 16.4%, while non-food bank credit grew by 14.4%, reflecting a robust expansion in the commercial credit landscape.
Published: Jan 21 2026, 8 pmeznews.inMajor cryptocurrency exchanges in India are advocating for tax relief and clearer regulations on virtual digital assets (VDAs) in the upcoming Union Budget, as the industry seeks to enhance compliance and attract users back to domestic platforms. Sumit Gupta, co-founder of CoinDCX, emphasized the need for pragmatic reforms, including uniform implementation of TDS provisions across exchanges, which would bolster compliance and protect citizens from non-compliant operators. He suggested reducing TDS from 1% to 0.01% to discourage offshore migration and improve transaction visibility. Binance's SB Seker called for a regulatory framework focused on capital gains, while Delta Exchange's Pankaj Balani highlighted the risks of relying on offshore platforms, which could lead to significant economic losses for India. Recent estimates indicate that Indian traders contributed nearly ₹5 lakh crore in trade volume to offshore exchanges, underscoring the urgency for reforms to retain economic value and jobs within the country.
Published: Jan 21 2026, 7 pmeznews.inAir India is set to replace the engine of an Airbus A350 aircraft grounded after it ingested a cargo container while taxiing in low visibility at Delhi Airport. The incident, which occurred last Thursday, caused significant damage to the right engine, including the fan and inlet cowl. Air India is currently inspecting the engine and will consult with original equipment manufacturers Rolls-Royce and Collins Aerospace before proceeding with the replacement. The airline, which operates six A350s on routes to London and New York, is temporarily using a Boeing 777 for affected flights. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched an investigation into the incident, which involved a container that fell from a tug operated by ground handling firm BWFS. The DGCA's preliminary findings indicate that the container was left on the taxiway, leading to the engine ingestion.
Published: Jan 21 2026, 7 pmeznews.inBengaluru-based Unimech Aerospace and Manufacturing Limited has entered into a joint venture with Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo Company Limited to create an advanced manufacturing and remanufacturing facility in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. The venture, named “YBAK Unimech Advanced Manufacturing Solutions,” will see Unimech holding a 51% stake, while YBA Kanoo will hold 49%. The facility, backed by a phased investment of approximately $30 million, aims to generate around $80 million in revenue over five years, contingent on market conditions and regulatory approvals. Anil Kumar Puttan, Unimech's Chairman & Managing Director, emphasized that this initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia's push for localization and industrial development, addressing the growing demand for precision machining and repair services. The facility will initially focus on advanced CNC machining, with plans to expand into API-certified remanufacturing and repair services, enhancing local capabilities and market access.
Published: Jan 21 2026, 7 pmeznews.inThe Indian government's proposal to increase the credit cap under the ₹1-lakh crore Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) from ₹2 crore to ₹5 crore is currently uncertain, with concerns about its inclusion in the upcoming Budget on February 1. This hesitation follows the Prime Minister's Office expressing reservations, particularly as three significant agriculture-related initiatives from last year's Budget remain unimplemented. Launched in May 2020 to enhance farm-gate infrastructure, the AIF has seen substantial uptake, with banks approving over 1.5 lakh projects and sanctioning ₹80,149 crore, of which ₹59,000 crore has been disbursed. Major states like Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh have received the highest investments. Experts argue that successful schemes should be rewarded, cautioning that delays in raising credit limits could undermine the credibility of government initiatives aimed at boosting agricultural productivity.
Published: Jan 21 2026, 7 pmeznews.inAndhra Pradesh is considering adopting Australia’s ban on social media for children under 16, as stated by Technology and Human Resources Minister Nara Lokesh at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Lokesh emphasized the need for a robust legal framework to protect young users, arguing that minors often lack the understanding necessary to navigate social media safely. While India has implemented parental controls for minors, the federal government has yet to take a definitive stance on broader restrictions. Legal expert Karnika Seth cautioned that enforcing a total ban could be challenging due to technological circumvention methods. Amidst a global trend of tightening regulations on Big Tech, Andhra Pradesh aims to position itself as a leading IT hub, with aspirations of becoming a $2.4 trillion economy by 2047, following a significant partnership with Google for a data center.
Published: Jan 21 2026, 7 pm
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