Business

New Delhi: The Indian government has significantly broadened the definition of startups, allowing companies with a turnover of up to ₹200 crore to qualify as startups. Previously, the limit was ₹100 crore. Additionally, a new category for Deep Tech Startups has been introduced, targeting companies working on highly innovative, research-driven technologies. This move aims to give a fresh impetus to India’s startup ecosystem, especially in sectors like Deep Tech, manufacturing, and R&D, where companies often require more time and capital before generating revenue. So far, around two lakh companies have been recognized as startups under the Startup India initiative, which offers benefits such as income tax exemptions and other incentives. Key Changes in Startup Rules:The Department ...

New Delhi: Rouble Negi, a teacher and activist, has risen to global fame almost overnight, earning millions and making a lasting impact through her innovative educational murals. Recently, she was honored with the Global Teacher Prize, receiving a reward of $1 million (approximately ₹9 crore) for her outstanding contribution to education. Negi is renowned for painting educational murals on the walls and ceilings of slum areas, transforming ordinary surfaces into vibrant learning spaces. Her work has earned her international recognition, giving her a unique identity in the world of education. Through the Rouble Negi Art Foundation, she has established over 800 learning centers across India, aimed at providing structured learning for children who have never attended school, as well as sup...

New Delhi: After three consecutive sessions of gains, the domestic stock market saw a decline on Thursday, February 6, as investors booked profits amid weak global cues. The BSE Sensex fell 503.76 points (0.60%) to close at 83,313.93, hitting an intraday low of 83,151.62. Similarly, the NSE Nifty dropped 133.20 points (0.52%), ending at 25,642.80. Sector Performance:Among Sensex constituents, Eternel, Bharti Airtel, Bharat Electronics, ITC, Infosys, Reliance Industries, ICICI Bank, and Asian Paints led the losses. On the other hand, Trent, Tata Steel, State Bank of India, and Bajaj Finance recorded gains, reflecting selective buying in the market. Stocks Showing Strong Buying:Investors have been active in stocks such as Nykaa, Policybazaar, Devyani International, Aditya Birla Real...

New Delhi: Ride-hailing services like Ola, Uber, and Rapido may face disruptions on Saturday, February 7, as driver unions across India have called for a strike. Representing gig workers associated with these platforms, the unions claim that companies arbitrarily set commission rates on their apps, significantly affecting drivers’ earnings. They have also appealed to the government to intervene. The strike, dubbed the “All India Breakdown,” is being led by the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) in coordination with several national labor organizations. Drivers are expected to go offline for at least six hours during the protest, potentially disrupting cab, auto-rickshaw, and bike taxi services in major cities across the country. Union Allegations:The unions allege that ...

New Delhi: The central government has officially launched the Bharat Taxi Service, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurating the initiative. According to Shah, the service is designed to provide significant benefits to drivers, offering them a cooperative ownership model similar to Amul, which could make it a landmark initiative in the mobility sector. The platform is expected to be a game-changer for gig workers across the country. Driver-Owned ModelUnlike aggregator-based platforms, Bharat Taxi Service operates as a cooperative ownership platform, allowing drivers—referred to as “Saarthis”—to be the owners of their vehicles. This system eliminates zero-commission practices and surge pricing, putting drivers at the center of operations and value creation. The cooperative model ai...

A joint statement on the trade deal between India and the United States is expected within the next 4–5 days. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said that the first phase of the bilateral trade agreement is likely to be finalized and signed in the coming days. Once the joint statement is signed, the US is expected to issue an executive order reducing tariffs on Indian goods from 25% to 18%. Currently, Indian goods face a 25% retaliatory duty, along with an additional 25% duty on Russian crude oil imports. Speaking to reporters, Goyal said that a detailed legal agreement for the first phase could be signed by mid-March. He emphasized that the current deal does not include any binding investment commitments. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Aggarwal added that once the joint statemen...

Maggi, the iconic instant noodles brand from Nestlé, has completed 50 years in India. To celebrate this milestone, the Union Minister for Food Processing, Chirag Paswan, today released a special commemorative postage stamp in honor of Maggi’s golden jubilee. Nestlé India’s CMD, Manish Tiwari, was also present at the event. A Culinary Staple Across India From the remote valleys of Kashmir to the serene beaches of Goa, and from the hills of Himachal Pradesh to Uttarakhand, one thing remains common—Maggi noodles are everywhere. Since its introduction in India, Maggi has become an integral part of the Indian food ecosystem, enjoyed by people of all ages. Minister Highlights Processed Food Evolution Speaking at the event, Minister Chirag Paswan said, “Maggi came to India 50 years ag...

China has achieved a major milestone in the electric vehicle (EV) sector, with EV sales surpassing those of petrol and diesel vehicles for the first time in the country’s history. The shift highlights China’s rapid transition toward sustainable mobility, while India still lags behind. According to recent data, China sold 13.1 million electric vehicles last year, compared to 12.3 million petrol and diesel cars, marking the lowest sales for conventional vehicles in 15 years. The sales of petrol and diesel cars in China have declined for the eighth consecutive year, falling by 13% last year alone. Petrol and diesel car sales in China had peaked in 2017, but have since dropped by 49% (11.6 million units). Analysts estimate that by 2030, EV sales in China could reach 21.2 million units, w...

The three-day rally in the domestic stock market came to a halt on Wednesday as profit-booking and sectoral weakness weighed on investor sentiment. The BSE Sensex dropped 450 points, while the Nifty50 fell more than 150 points, led by losses in metal and pharmaceutical stocks. At around 10 a.m., the Sensex was trading at 83,345.02, down 472.67 points (0.56%), and the Nifty stood at 25,624.30, down 151.70 points (0.59%). Sectoral trends Among Sensex constituents, BEL, IndiGo, Larsen & Toubro, Tata Steel, Axis Bank, and Sun Pharma declined between 1% and 2.5%, while Hindustan Unilever gained over 1%. Other gainers included Trent, Infosys, TCS, and SBI, which rose by up to 0.5%. Market heavyweight Reliance Industries slipped 0.6%. On the broader market front, the Nifty Smallca...

New Delhi — While the majority of taxpayers have already migrated to the new tax regime, the government has not yet officially phased out the old system. With the Income Tax Act 2025 set to replace the 1961 law starting April 1, 2026, many are asking: how long will the old tax regime continue? Simplified forms and rules In an exclusive interview with NBT, CBDT Chairman Ravi Agrawal confirmed that all forms and rules under the new Income Tax Act 2025 will be notified this month. “We first simplified the language and then updated the rules and forms,” Agrawal said. “Several forms have been made smarter, some have been discontinued. The objective is to make compliance easier while ensuring the data collected is better utilized.” Key changes in forms Agrawal noted that while most I...