Business

New Delhi: Taiwan is preparing to make a significant investment in India’s technology and manufacturing ecosystem, with plans underway to establish a large, advanced technology park in the country. The proposed project could prove transformative for western Uttar Pradesh, with the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) region near Greater Noida emerging as the leading contender. According to sources, the initiative is being driven by the Taiwan Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers’ Association (TEEMA), which represents some of Taiwan’s largest electronics and technology companies. TEEMA is exploring the development of technology hubs across four countries—India, the United States, Mexico and Poland—as part of a broader strategy to diversify and strengthen global s...

New Delhi: The Union Budget for the next financial year is expected to continue its strong emphasis on infrastructure spending, with indications that Indian Railways may receive a higher allocation than the highways sector. The move is aimed at stimulating economic growth, boosting employment and strengthening domestic demand. According to a report by India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra), the Railways could be allocated around ₹2.7 lakh crore in Budget 2026–27, up from ₹2.5 lakh crore in the current financial year. The likely increase is attributed to a growing pipeline of railway projects, including new lines, capacity expansion and modernisation works. In contrast, the highways sector may see only a marginal rise in budgetary support, as significant investments have already been mad...

New Delhi: Indian Railways has announced a revision in passenger train fares across all classes and categories, with the increased rates coming into effect from December 26, 2025. The hike applies to tickets booked on or after this date. However, the Railways has clarified that passengers who booked reserved tickets in advance will not be required to pay any additional charges. The fare rationalisation has been introduced to balance rising operational costs with passenger convenience. Railway officials cited increasing expenditure on employee salaries, pensions and overall operational expenses as the primary reasons behind the move. No Impact on Already Booked Tickets Addressing a major concern among travellers, the Railways confirmed that tickets booked before the fare hike will ...

New Delhi: The year 2025 will be remembered as a test of patience and resilience for Indian markets. Domestic equities faced sustained pressure from global trade tensions, persistent foreign investor sell-offs, a weakening rupee and geopolitical uncertainty. Yet, despite repeated bouts of volatility, India’s underlying economic fundamentals remained largely stable, offering important lessons for investors and policymakers alike. Markets Navigate a Challenging Year Indian stock markets spent most of the year moving within a narrow range. Sluggish corporate earnings growth in several sectors dampened sentiment, even as global cues remained uncertain. However, confidence gradually improved toward the end of the year. By early December, the Nifty index had recovered most of its losses, t...

New Delhi: Tata Group company Tata Steel has come under legal scrutiny overseas after a lawsuit worth $1.6 billion (approximately ₹13,000 crore) was filed against its Dutch subsidiaries in the Netherlands. The case has been initiated by a local non-governmental organisation (NGO), alleging environmental and health-related damages. In a regulatory filing to the stock exchanges, Tata Steel informed investors that the lawsuit has been filed by Stichting Frisse Wind (SFW) in a district court in the Netherlands. The NGO has sought compensation, claiming that emissions from Tata Steel’s IJmuiden plant have adversely affected the health of residents living in nearby areas. Allegations by the NGO According to the petition, toxic and harmful substances released from the IJmuiden facility h...

New Delhi: While commercial flights have begun at the Navi Mumbai airport from December 25, the much-anticipated Noida International Airport at Jewar, touted as India’s largest airport, is facing further delays due to serious safety and security shortcomings. According to official sources, the Jewar airport has failed to meet more than 25 mandatory security and safety standards, leading to a delay in obtaining critical safety clearance. As a result, passengers may have to wait longer before flights can take off from the greenfield airport located near Delhi. Construction of the Navi Mumbai and Jewar airports began around the same time, but the contrast in progress has now become evident. While the Adani Group’s Navi Mumbai airport has commenced commercial operations, the six-runway J...

New Delhi: In a major step to protect public health, indoor air quality and the environment, the Government of India has introduced a new quality standard for incense sticks (agarbatti), banning the use of several hazardous chemicals commonly found in the product. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has notified the new standard IS 19412:2025, which was formally released by Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Pralhad Joshi. Under this standard, the use of certain synthetic pesticides and chemical fragrance intermediates—many of which are internationally restricted—has been prohibited in the manufacture of agarbatti. India’s incense stick industry, valued at nearly ₹8,000 crore, touches almost every household in the country. The new regulation aims to c...

New Delhi: The momentum in precious metals continued today as gold and silver hit new all-time highs. On Friday, gold prices surged by ₹1,200, while silver witnessed a massive jump of over ₹10,000, marking record levels for both metals. Domestic RatesOn the MCX, February gold futures climbed by ₹1,200 to reach ₹1,39,290 per 10 grams, compared to the previous close of ₹1,38,097. At 12:00 PM, gold was trading at ₹1,39,277, up ₹1,180 or 0.85% from the previous session. Similarly, March silver futures surged over ₹10,000 in early trade, reaching a new peak of ₹2,33,183 per kilogram. At noon, silver was trading at ₹2,32,873, up ₹9,083 from the last close of ₹2,23,790. Year-to-Date GainsGold has recorded an impressive 72% increase in 2025, while silver has soared 138%, reflecting strong...

New Delhi: As the IPO market breaks records this year, quick commerce giant Zepto is gearing up to enter the stock market next year. The company is expected to file its draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) with SEBI soon under the confidential filing route, which allows flexibility in adjusting the IPO size later. IPO DetailsAccording to reports, Zepto’s IPO could be worth $1.3 billion (approximately ₹11,680 crore), with around ₹11,000 crore intended to raise fresh capital. The remaining portion will be allocated for early investors looking to sell their shares. The company’s shareholders approved this plan during a special general meeting on 23 December 2025. Financial PerformanceDocuments filed with the Registrar of Companies (RoC) reveal that Zepto recorded a revenue of ₹9,669 cror...

New Delhi: Despite a declining domestic stock market, railway-related shares witnessed a sharp surge today following a fare hike in passenger trains, expected to generate ₹600 crore in additional revenue for Indian Railways. Market ReactionIn early trading, railway-linked stocks jumped as much as 13%. Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) led the rally, with its stock climbing to ₹391.40, marking a 13% gain on the BSE. Other notable performers included: Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC): up 8% to ₹132 Jupiter Wagons: up 4% to ₹358.15 Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC): up 3% to ₹701.60 Investors had been anticipating this fare increase, coupled with expectations of higher budgetary allocations for the railway sector. Details of the Fare HikeThe Mi...