Business & Economy

Recent weeks have seen a significant rise in copper prices, a key component used in air conditioners, refrigerators, fans, and other electronic appliances. The ongoing surge is now directly impacting market prices, causing concern among both retailers and consumers. Rising Prices in the Electronics Sector According to industry sources, electrical and electronic goods are experiencing weekly price fluctuations. In January alone, companies manufacturing ACs, refrigerators, and similar appliances have already raised their rates. Analysts predict that items containing copper could see an additional 10% price increase in the coming weeks, effectively offsetting the benefits of last year’s GST reforms. Vikas Taneja, an electronics retailer from Kamla Nagar Market, explained, “While last...

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to present the Union Budget 2026-27 on 1 February, marking her ninth budget. Preparations are underway following the traditional Halwa Ceremony, which signals the final stage of budget formulation. This year’s budget comes at a challenging time for the Indian economy, with 50% tariffs imposed on Indian goods by the US and foreign investors showing signs of selling in domestic markets. Every sector has expectations from the upcoming budget. Halwa Ceremony and the Lock-In Period The Halwa Ceremony, held at North Block, is an annual tradition where Finance Ministry officials and staff involved in preparing the budget are served the ceremonial sweet, marking the conclusion of final preparations. Following the ceremony, these officials remain “lo...

The Indian government is aiming to produce advanced 3-nanometer chips used in modern smartphones, computers, and other high-tech devices by 2032, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Tuesday. The initiative will focus on six key chip categories under the Design-Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme, giving domestic companies greater control over 70–75% of technology product development. Focus AreasDuring a meeting with 24 selected chip design companies, Minister Vaishnaw said the government will concentrate on six major systems: Compute Radio Frequency (RF) Networking Energy Sensors Memory “This approach will help the semiconductor design ecosystem in India grow holistically,” Vaishnaw said. He emphasized that while India currently focuses on chip design, the goal...

Gold and silver prices have surged sharply in recent days, prompting many investors to consider selling stocks and shifting funds into precious metals. However, experts caution that making investment decisions based solely on recent price rallies can be risky. Recent Price SurgeThe rise in gold and silver has been remarkable. On Tuesday, gold of 99.9% purity in Delhi jumped ₹7,300 (4.6%), reaching a record ₹1,66,000 per 10 grams (all taxes included). Silver surged ₹40,500 (12.3%) in a single day, climbing to ₹3,70,000 per kilogram. Over the past seven days, gold prices have increased by nearly 9%. Why the Spike?In 2025 alone, gold delivered a 75% return and silver 120%, while the Nifty provided a modest 10% return. Lighthouse Canton’s Investment Head Pradeep Gupta noted that current ...

Thane-based entrepreneur makes a mark in street foodGanesh Sathe, 23, from Thane, Maharashtra, has carved a niche in the street food industry. Alongside his sister Sapna Sathe, he launched “The Benne”, a street stall serving authentic Benne Dosa, which now generates daily sales of ₹40,000. Early Struggles and SetbacksWhile street food is often considered a low-risk business, Ganesh’s journey was anything but easy. In January 2023, while pursuing a CA course, he borrowed ₹50,000 from his parents to start selling his mother’s signature Benne Dosa on an old cart. However, competition, poor lighting, and monsoon rains severely affected sales, which fell from ₹3,000 on weekends to just ₹200. By mid-2024, heavy losses and mounting stress led Ganesh to temporarily shut down his venture. Ben...

Stock Market OverviewOn Tuesday, Dalal Street witnessed a strong rally, with both key indices closing higher. The BSE Sensex rose by 319.78 points to settle at 81,857.48, while the NSE Nifty gained 126.75 points, ending at 25,175.40. Positive sentiment was driven by the announcement of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, alongside heavy buying in banking and metal stocks. Strong cues from global markets further supported investor confidence. During intraday trading, the Sensex touched a high of 82,084.92 and a low of 81,088.59, reflecting volatility in the market. The Nifty similarly saw an upward movement, reinforcing optimism among investors. Top Gainers and LosersAmong Sensex constituents, Adani Ports, Axis Bank, Tata Steel, Tech Mahindra, NTPC, State Bank of India, UltraTech Cemen...

India and the European Union (EU) have signed a historic Free Trade Agreement (FTA), promising to boost Indian exports and investments while providing significant tariff savings for European buyers. The agreement is expected to strengthen economic ties between the two regions, benefiting sectors such as textiles, leather, gems and jewelry, engineering, and pharmaceuticals. A Milestone in India-EU Economic RelationsNew Delhi: The long-awaited India-EU FTA marks a significant step in India’s global trade ambitions. Termed by some as the “Mother of All Deals,” the agreement is expected to enhance India’s exports, investments, and participation in global supply chains. Under the deal, more than 90% of Indian exports to the EU will benefit from reduced tariffs, translating into nearly €4 bil...

Renowned playback singer Arijit Singh has announced a significant break from singing, marking a major milestone in his career. Sharing the news on his Instagram, Arijit thanked his fans for their unwavering support and revealed that he will now focus more on his personal life. Known as one of India’s most expensive singers, Arijit Singh continues to command impressive fees for live performances. Career Milestone and Fan GratitudeNew Delhi: Arijit Singh, who has carved a unique space in the Indian music industry, revealed that he will no longer record new playback songs for the time being. In a heartfelt post on Instagram, he expressed gratitude to his fans for their love and support. This decision represents a turning point in his career, as he shifts attention to his private life while...

In a nationwide strike demanding a five-day workweek, the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) brought banking operations to a standstill, affecting cheque clearances, cash deposits, and withdrawals. Approximately eight lakh bank employees participated, resulting in an estimated ₹4 lakh crore worth of cheques being held up, while several ATMs ran out of cash. Strike Hits Banking Services Across the CountryNew Delhi: The UFBU, a coalition of nine major bank officers’ and employees’ unions, called a countrywide strike on Tuesday after failing to reach a resolution in a meeting with the Chief Labour Commissioner on 23 January. The strike primarily targeted public sector banks, with employees seeking a shift to a five-day workweek. C.H. Venkatram, General Secretary of the All India Bank Em...

New Delhi: Preparations for the Union Budget 2026-27 have entered their final phase. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman honored the budget team’s hard work by distributing halwa, a gesture symbolizing both dedication and the confidentiality of the budget process. The Union Budget will be presented in Parliament on 1 February 2026 and will be made accessible to the general public in both Hindi and English through the ‘Union Budget Mobile App,’ further strengthening the Digital India initiative. Final Preparations Underway At North Block, the budget preparations have reached their concluding stage. The traditional ‘Halwa Ceremony’ marks the beginning of the ‘lock-in’ period, during which budget officials work in seclusion to maintain confidentiality. The Finance Ministry emphasized th...