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In a recent report by the Statistics Ministry, retail inflation in India rose to 1.33% in December 2025, up from 0.71% in November, driven by increases in personal care, vegetables, meat, fish, eggs, spices, and pulses. Urban headline inflation surged from 1.4% to 2.03%, with food inflation improving from -3.6% to -2.09%. In the rural sector, headline inflation climbed to 0.76% from 0.1%, while rural food inflation also saw a slight increase, moving from -4.05% to -3.08%. Notably, education inflation decreased marginally to 3.32%, while health inflation fell to 3.43%. Additionally, transport and communication inflation dipped to 0.76%, and fuel and light inflation dropped to 1.97%. The Sensex closed at 83,878.17, up by 301.93 points, while Nifty rose by 106.95 points to 25,790.25, amidst fluctuating commodity prices, including a decline in crude oil. 
Published: Jan 12 2026, 4 pmeznews.inLok Sabha Speaker Om Birla announced that the Union Budget for the fiscal year 2026-27 will be presented on Sunday, February 1, marking the first time a budget will be unveiled on a Sunday. Speaking at a press conference ahead of the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of Commonwealth Parliaments in New Delhi, Birla emphasized the importance of maintaining parliamentary decorum, particularly in light of allegations against a Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP for using an e-cigarette in the House. He stated that exemplary punishment could be imposed for such violations, underscoring that no one has the right to undermine the sanctity of Parliament. The budget session will commence on January 28 with President Droupadi Murmu's address, followed by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presenting the Economic Survey on January 29. The session will conclude on February 13, reconvening on March 9 until April.
Published: Jan 12 2026, 7 pmeznews.inKempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru has reported a significant increase in passenger traffic, rising 8% to 43.82 million in calendar year 2025. The airport achieved a record single-day passenger count of 137,317 on November 23, 2025, and air traffic movements peaked at 837 on October 19. International operations were a major contributor to this growth, with daily international departures increasing from 38 to 51, resulting in a 28.7% year-on-year rise in international passenger traffic. By the end of 2025, the airport was connected to 113 destinations, including 79 domestic and 34 international cities. On the cargo front, BLR Airport handled 520,985 tonnes, marking a 5% increase from the previous year, with a peak single-day cargo throughput of 2,207 tonnes on August 7. The airport now connects to 37 cargo destinations through 15 airlines, with key export markets including Chicago and Singapore.
Published: Jan 12 2026, 7 pmeznews.inDuring the key harvesting period from October to December, the average prices of Kharif crops in India fell significantly below their minimum support prices (MSPs), with Jowar (sorghum) priced at ₹3,357 per quintal, 9% lower than MSP, and bajra (millet) at ₹2,318 per quintal, down 16.5%. While paddy prices slightly exceeded MSP at ₹2,407 per quintal, maize farmers faced a stark 30% drop, receiving an average of ₹1,684 per quintal. Pulses also saw steep declines, with moong at ₹6,575 (25% lower) and tur at ₹6,599 (17.5% lower). Despite these low prices impacting the gross value added (GVA) of the agricultural sector, farmers have increased the area under Rabi crops by 3%. The government projects a GVA of ₹25.54 lakh crore for the sector in FY26, reflecting a modest growth rate of 3.1%, attributed to lower crop prices despite record Kharif foodgrain output.
Published: Jan 12 2026, 7 pmeznews.inIndia's growing trend towards nano and micro Global Capability Centres (GCCs) is reshaping the landscape of product engineering and innovation, with these smaller entities expanding at an impressive annual rate of 15-20%, significantly outpacing the overall GCC market growth of 8-10%. Companies are increasingly opting for compact teams of 30-150 highly-skilled professionals focused on specific mandates such as AI engineering and product development, rather than establishing large centres with thousands of employees. This shift is driven by the need for speed and agility in a digital-first environment, as firms recognize the importance of retaining core capabilities in-house. With an estimated 850-900 nano and micro GCCs currently in India, projections suggest this number could rise to 870-920 by the end of 2026, as successful models are replicated across various sectors. The trend indicates a robust future for nano GCCs, with expectations of deeper integration into global operations.
Published: Jan 12 2026, 7 pmeznews.inGerman Chancellor Friedrich Merz, during a visit to Ahmedabad, India, on January 12, 2026, suggested that a free trade agreement between the European Union and India could be finalized by the end of the month. Following his discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Merz indicated that the presidents of the European Commission and Council would travel to India to sign the agreement if negotiations conclude successfully. Indian Trade Minister Piyush Goyal confirmed that the deal is nearing completion. Merz also highlighted the rising trend of protectionism affecting both nations, without naming specific countries, although he referenced U.S. pressures on India regarding Russian oil imports. The two countries signed several memoranda of understanding, focusing on security cooperation, critical minerals, health, and artificial intelligence. Despite Germany's push for India to reduce its reliance on Russian energy, India continues to maintain strong ties with Russia for military and energy needs.
Published: Jan 12 2026, 6 pmeznews.inThe Cochin Oil Merchants Association (COMA) has urged the State government to address rising copra prices, which persist despite significant arrivals from domestic and international sources. COMA President Thalath Mahmood accused traders in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka of stockpiling to create an artificial shortage, impacting small-scale production. Currently, coconut oil prices are stable at approximately ₹313 per kg in Kerala and ₹225 per kg in Tamil Nadu, while copra is priced at ₹186.50 and ₹170 per kg, respectively. Industry consultant K.K. Devraj noted that demand related to the Sabarimala pilgrimage has prevented a sharp price decline, although a slowdown in copra conversion may stabilize prices in the coming months. Despite a drop in coconut oil consumption due to high prices in 2025, households have not reverted to coconut oil, opting instead for cheaper alternatives. Increased coconut availability from favorable rainfall is expected to further influence market dynamics as the main harvest season approaches in February.
Published: Jan 12 2026, 6 pmeznews.inThe Lakshadweep administration is poised to implement strategic initiatives aimed at the comprehensive development of its fisheries sector, focusing on entrepreneurship, technology, and investment. At the Matsya Mela in Kavaratti, Fisheries Secretary Raj Thilak announced plans to enhance the tuna and seaweed value chains, ornamental fisheries, and marine cage fish farming. The event, organized by the Lakshadweep Krishi Vigyan Kendra and the Fisheries Department, emphasized innovation-driven growth, targeting startups and sustainable livelihoods for local youth and women. Despite a fisheries potential of nearly 100,000 tonnes, current production stands at only 20,000 tonnes, indicating significant room for growth. Experts highlighted the promise of high-value species cultivation and Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) for environmental sustainability. The discussions also pointed to opportunities for establishing hatcheries and processing facilities, with funding support available through the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
Published: Jan 12 2026, 6 pmeznews.inIndia's Digi Yatra initiative is enhancing airport experiences by integrating its app with airlines and booking platforms, allowing passengers to access services seamlessly. Suresh Khadakbhavi, CEO of Digi Yatra Foundation, emphasized the platform's commitment to privacy, stating it acts as a "privacy-preserving gateway" that does not transfer personal data during transactions. The app enables users to share boarding passes directly from airline apps, ensuring data remains decentralized and user-controlled. By 2026, Digi Yatra plans to support 22 regional languages, improving accessibility for diverse passengers, and expand to 17 additional airports, building on its current presence at 24. The app, downloaded over 19 million times, has facilitated more than 81 million uses, significantly reducing manual verification at airports and decongesting departure areas during peak travel times. This initiative positions Digi Yatra as a vital player in promoting seamless, contactless air travel in India.
Published: Jan 12 2026, 6 pmeznews.inCMA CGM, the world's third-largest container shipping line, is reinforcing its commitment to the Indian market by enhancing connectivity and increasing local hiring. The French firm has announced additional port calls at Hazira as part of its India-West Asia service, aimed at boosting manufacturing and petrochemical exports from South Gujarat. Atit Mahajan, managing director of CMA CGM India, emphasized that this move underscores the company's long-term dedication to India as a vital player in global trade. In addition to expanding services, CMA CGM plans to recruit 1,500 seafarers from India by the end of December and has signed a letter of intent with Cochin Shipyard Limited for the construction of six containerships. This initiative not only supports local employment and skills development but also aligns with broader investments in India’s maritime sector, as seen with Maersk's recent partnerships in shipbuilding.
Published: Jan 12 2026, 6 pmeznews.inBlue Dart Express Ltd has unveiled its inaugural annual delivery trends report, revealing a record-breaking day in July 2025 when the logistics firm transported over 14,000 tonnes of cargo. The report, titled ‘India on the Move 2025,’ indicates that Blue Dart delivered 47 million parcels throughout the year, with 20 peak days witnessing shipment volumes double the daily average. Notably, tier-2 cities contributed significantly to this growth, with a 60% increase in shipments attributed to the rise of small and medium enterprises and digital adoption. The company showcased its specialized logistics capabilities, including the transport of liquid nitrogen for veterinary vaccines and temperature-sensitive medical cargo. Operating across 56,400 locations in India, Blue Dart has streamlined its digital account opening process to just 90 seconds. As of January 12, 2026, shares of Blue Dart Express closed at ₹5,360, reflecting a slight decline of 0.51%.
Published: Jan 12 2026, 4 pm
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