India

Ahead of India’s 2027 budget, the agriculture sector is calling for targeted tax relief measures to enhance productivity, incentivize investment, and support rural livelihoods. Industry stakeholders and farmer associations have emphasized the need for reduced input costs, exemptions on equipment and fertilizer purchases, and improved access to credit. Analysts note that strategic fiscal reforms in agriculture could stimulate growth, attract private investment, and ensure food security while supporting income stabilization for millions of farmers.

India’s core infrastructure growth moderated to 3.7% in December, highlighting a slowdown in key industrial sectors that underpin the country’s economic expansion. This deceleration reflects weaker performance in coal, crude oil, natural gas, and cement production, offsetting gains in electricity and steel output. Analysts suggest that while the moderation is temporary, it underscores the challenges facing India’s industrial sector amid fluctuating global demand and domestic consumption patterns.

Gold prices in India have surged past the Rs 1.5 lakh per 10 grams mark, while silver has reached record highs, reflecting a combination of global economic uncertainty, rising inflation, and strong investor demand for safe-haven assets. Analysts attribute the surge to weakening currency trends, geopolitical tensions, and heightened interest in precious metals as a hedge against market volatility. Jewelers and investors alike are navigating the sharp price movements, with demand patterns shifting toward smaller denominations amid affordability concerns.

India is accelerating its steel scrap utilization as a strategic lever to boost industrial growth, reduce reliance on imported raw materials, and support environmental sustainability. By integrating higher volumes of scrap into domestic steel production, the country aims to enhance cost-efficiency, decrease energy consumption, and lower carbon emissions across the steel sector. Policy incentives, improved scrap collection infrastructure, and advanced recycling technologies are expected to strengthen this transition.

Coca-Cola has identified India as a key growth market, projecting that the country will soon rank among its top three global markets. Fueled by rising consumer demand, urbanization, and expanding distribution networks, India’s beverage sector presents significant opportunities for the soft drink giant. Coca-Cola plans to intensify marketing initiatives, diversify product offerings, and strengthen supply chains to capture increasing market share.

India’s textile and apparel exports have demonstrated notable resilience despite rising tariff barriers and an uncertain global trade environment. The sector has continued to record steady growth, supported by diversified export markets, improved manufacturing capabilities, and sustained demand for value-added products. While higher duties in key overseas markets have added cost pressures, Indian exporters have mitigated the impact through strategic pricing, product innovation, and supply chain efficiency.

India’s unemployment rate increased to 4.8% in December, signaling a modest but notable rise in joblessness compared with previous months. Analysts attribute the uptick to seasonal employment fluctuations, slowing hiring in certain sectors, and persistent structural challenges in labor markets. While urban job markets remain relatively stable, rural employment faced headwinds due to weaker agricultural activity and delayed public works projects. Economists are closely monitoring the data for its implications on consumption, wage growth, and overall economic recovery.

Sony India has initiated a strategic restructuring exercise that includes changes in senior leadership and a reduction in its workforce, signaling a recalibration of priorities amid shifting market dynamics. The move reflects broader efforts by global consumer electronics companies to streamline operations, manage costs, and sharpen focus on high-growth segments. While the company continues to reaffirm its long-term commitment to the Indian market, the internal reorganization underscores pressures from slowing demand, intense competition, and evolving consumer preferences.

India’s job market showed renewed strength in December, with hiring activity rising 15 percent compared with the previous year, signaling improving business confidence across multiple sectors. The uptick reflects steady demand in technology, manufacturing, financial services, and emerging digital roles, supported by resilient domestic consumption and selective corporate expansion. Recruiters note that companies are focusing on skill-based hiring rather than large-scale workforce additions, emphasizing productivity and efficiency.

India’s merchandise exports rose to USD 38.5 billion in December, signaling a gradual recovery in external trade amid a challenging global environment. The improvement reflects better performance across select manufacturing and engineering segments, supported by stabilizing global demand and improved supply-chain conditions. Trade experts note that while geopolitical uncertainties and uneven growth in major economies continue to pose risks, India’s diversified export base is providing resilience.