eznews.inBusiness growth in India experienced a slight slowdown in December, according to the latest HSBC PMI data, with the Composite Index falling to 58.9 from 59.7 in November. Despite this decline, the index remains well above the 50.0 threshold, indicating ongoing expansion in the private sector. December marked the softest growth in business output since February, attributed to a slower rise in new orders, although demand remained robust. The manufacturing sector also showed signs of deceleration, with the HSBC Flash India Manufacturing PMI dropping to 55.7 from 56.6, reflecting the smallest improvement in two years. Staffing levels remained stable, and inflation pressures were muted, suggesting controlled costs. Business confidence weakened for the third consecutive month, reaching its lowest point since July 2022. Nevertheless, companies maintain a positive outlook for continued growth into 2026, albeit with increasing caution. 
Published: Dec 16 2025, 11 ameznews.inThe MGR Chennai Central-Vijayawada Vande Bharat Express has been extended to Narsapur, with services commencing on Monday, as announced by officials. Union Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Steel, B Srinivasa Varma, inaugurated the extended route at Narasapur railway station in West Godavari district, emphasizing the significance of this development for regional rail connectivity. The train will make stops at Gudivada Junction and Bhimavaram Town before terminating at Narasapur, marking the first time the Vande Bharat Express operates on a branch line of Indian Railways. Varma noted that the new service provides a faster alternative to the Circar Express, cutting travel time to Chennai to around nine hours, and is expected to benefit passengers traveling for business and education. He also mentioned ongoing initiatives to enhance railway infrastructure in the area, including additional express train stops and the construction of road underbridges and overbridges.
Published: Dec 16 2025, 9 ameznews.inThe Uttar Pradesh State Industrial Development Authority (UPSIDA) has approved unique IDs for four major logistics and warehousing projects, collectively involving an investment of approximately ₹1,100 crore. This decision, made during a high-level meeting, aims to bolster the state's logistics infrastructure and create significant employment opportunities. The projects, set to be developed by firms including OWM in Varanasi and RP & Sons in Moradabad, are part of the Uttar Pradesh Warehousing & Logistics Policy-2022, which provides financial incentives and tax exemptions to investors. UPSIDA has now approved a total of 45 projects across nearly 650 acres, with a combined investment of ₹11,610 crore, as part of the state's initiative to establish Uttar Pradesh as a prominent logistics hub. UPSIDA CEO Vijay Kiran Anand emphasized the importance of this approval in facilitating timely execution of investments and enhancing the investment-friendly environment in the state.
Published: Dec 16 2025, 6 ameznews.inThe Modern Coach Factory (MCF) in Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh, marked a significant achievement by producing its 15,000th railway coach on December 15, as announced by the Railway Ministry. Established in 2007, MCF is one of India's leading passenger coach manufacturing facilities, built at a cost of ₹3,192 crore and boasting an annual production capacity of 1,000 coaches. In the current financial year, MCF has already manufactured 1,310 coaches, with production increasing from 140 in 2014-15 to a record 2,025 in 2024-25. Of the total coaches produced, 7,000 are air-conditioned and 8,000 non-air-conditioned, encompassing various types including Humsafar and Tejas coaches. The Ministry emphasized that all coaches adhere to stringent quality standards, ensuring safe and comfortable travel for passengers. This milestone reflects the dedication and teamwork of the MCF staff, showcasing the factory's rapid growth and commitment to excellence in railway manufacturing.
Published: Dec 16 2025, 7 ameznews.inStar Air, India's largest regional airline, is in negotiations to acquire up to 20 Embraer E2 aircraft in a deal valued at approximately $1 billion, which could signify a significant milestone for the Brazilian manufacturer in India's burgeoning aviation sector. The potential agreement, which may include 10 firm orders and 10 options, is expected to see deliveries commence by March 2028. Owned by the Sanjay Ghodawat Group, Star Air currently operates a fleet of leased Embraer E145 and E175 jets and aims to expand its operations as India targets increasing its airport count from 160 to 400 by 2047. While discussions are ongoing and no final agreement has been reached, this order would be the first by a regional carrier in India, further enhancing Star Air's position in a market that has become the third largest for domestic travel globally, following the US and China.
Published: Dec 16 2025, 5 ameznews.inUnion Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman defended India's economic performance on Monday, indirectly responding to US President Donald Trump's claim that India is a "dead" economy. Speaking in the Lok Sabha, she highlighted that India remains one of the fastest-growing major economies, achieving an 8.2% growth in the last quarter compared to the global average of 3.2%. Sitharaman addressed concerns regarding India's national accounts, clarifying that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) assigned a 'C' grade due to the use of an outdated base year, not due to weak economic fundamentals. The Lok Sabha also approved the first Supplementary Demands for Grants, allowing for a cash outflow of over ₹41,500 crore, primarily for fertilizer subsidies and compensations to oil marketing companies. This expenditure is part of a broader package totaling over ₹1.32 lakh crore, with no expected impact on the fiscal deficit, which remains at 4.4% of GDP.
Published: Dec 15 2025, 10 pmeznews.inIndia is exploring a limited preferential trade agreement (PTA) with Mexico in response to new import tariffs set to impact over $2 billion in annual exports from India, particularly in the automotive sector. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal emphasized that a PTA would be a quicker solution than a full free trade agreement (FTA), which could take considerable time to negotiate. The tariffs, affecting approximately 1,455 tariff lines from January 2026, are primarily aimed at China, suggesting that a PTA could help India secure necessary concessions without compromising its interests. Additionally, Agrawal noted progress in India-US trade negotiations, with a framework nearing finalization, while discussions with Canada regarding a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) are set to resume after a pause due to political tensions. India is also pursuing multiple FTAs with other partners, including Chile and the EU, as it navigates evolving global trade challenges.
Published: Dec 15 2025, 9 pmeznews.inThe Indian government has introduced the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Bill, 2025, which aims to open the civil nuclear sector to private participation while maintaining sovereign control over strategic assets and nuclear materials. The legislation allows non-government entities to build and operate nuclear power plants under a licensing framework, marking a significant shift from the previous public-sector monopoly. It establishes a new liability regime, repealing the Atomic Energy Act of 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act of 2010, and outlines the operator's liability for nuclear incidents, with exceptions for natural disasters and acts of conflict. The Bill also proposes the creation of the Atomic Energy Redressal Advisory Council and a Nuclear Damage Claims Commission to address disputes and compensation claims. Minister of State Jitendra Singh emphasized that the Bill aligns with India's commitment to safety and innovation in nuclear energy.
Published: Dec 15 2025, 9 pmeznews.inThe Indian government has faced backlash for its proposed Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025, which seeks to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) of 2005, notably removing Gandhi's name from the title. Scheduled for introduction in the Lok Sabha, the bill has not yet been tabled, prompting criticism from opposition parties. Key changes include a revised fund-sharing model, with a 90:10 ratio for northeastern and Himalayan states, and a 60:40 ratio for others, shifting financial responsibility for expenditures beyond 125 days to the states. Additionally, the bill ties job guarantees to "economic capacity," allowing for work only within state-determined allocations and mandating a 60-day suspension of work during peak agricultural seasons. These alterations have raised concerns about the potential impact on rural employment and the rights of workers under the new framework.
Published: Dec 15 2025, 9 pmeznews.inIndia and Brazil have strengthened their maritime and defence ties with the signing of a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) involving the Indian Navy, the Brazilian Navy, and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited. The agreement, signed during Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi's visit to Brazil from December 9 to 12, focuses on the exchange of maintenance information for Scorpene-class submarines and other naval vessels. This collaboration aims to enhance life-cycle support, logistics, training, and defence research and development. Admiral Tripathi engaged in high-level discussions with Brazilian officials, including Defence Minister Jose Mucio Monteiro and Navy Commander Admiral Marcos Sampaio Olsen, to explore deeper defence industry engagement and operational cooperation. His visit included a tour of key naval facilities and attendance at a midshipmen passing-out parade, highlighting the growing partnership between the two nations in maritime security and defence.
Published: Dec 15 2025, 9 pm
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