The Economic Times

An expert group is finalizing the list of cancer medicines for a new trade margin cap. The government plans to implement a 30% cap to reduce drug prices and save patients money. Retail prices of some anti-cancer drugs could drop by up to 70% as a result of this cap. The trade margin rationalisation will apply to all cancer medicines, including branded and generic versions.

The power ministry is pursuing Cabinet approval for continuing the Power System Development Fund in upcoming finance cycles. The fund supports essential projects for enhancing the reliability and stability of Indias electricity grid. An allocation of around 1,103 crore has been earmarked for the fund in the union budget for FY27. Reports indicate that India needs enhanced systems to manage its increasing renewable energy capacity.

The Railway Board has mandated the removal of restrictive conditions in procurement tenders for railway zones. This includes avoiding brand-specific references and adhering to Bureau of Indian Standards marked products. Previous procurement issues had been raised regarding certain items which pointed out flawed practices. The national transporter is expected to spend significant amounts as detailed in the latest budgetary report.

The plan to deploy more capital comes as developers increasingly turn to institutional investors for structured capital amid regulatory changes, sector consolidation and stronger balance sheets among leading players.

The company approached the HC against the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India's (FSSAI) order asking manufacturers of high-caffeine beverages to stop using the energy drink descriptor on their products, terming it a misleading claim.

Tejas Networks and C-DoT have confirmed that their equipment meets the quality benchmarks set by Trai. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd recently sought relaxed compliance timelines for new quality-of-service norms. The state-owned telecom operator cited challenges related to indigenous sourcing obligations in its request to Trai. Both Tejas Networks and C-DoT emphasized compliance with 3GPP standards in their responses.

The observation comes as the retailer plans to quadruple its revenue in India by 2030, expand its store network to 30 from the current eight and double its investments to Rs 21,000 crore. IKEA, which is recording double-digit sales growth in India, expects to become profitable by 2027-28 if global conditions stabilise, IKEA India CEO Patrik Antoni said.

The Indian Primary Copper Producers Association has urged the government to raise customs duties on solar copper products. They recommend increasing the duty on solar PV ribbon and busbars from 5% to 10%. The association also requests maintaining existing duties on refined copper and copper pipes. Domestic production is underutilized due to imports from China affecting the market.

The regulator has also started inspections of dark stores of quick commerce firms and cloud kitchens, he said. While platforms often mention a product's shelf life, consumers may not know the actual expiry date or batch number of products before placing an order. The government has been examining complaints accusing quick commerce platforms such as Blinkit, Zepto and Swiggy Instamart of failing to display product information, including expiry, best-before and use-by dates.

Protests in Delhi are causing significant disruptions, leading to a notable decline in hotel occupancies across the city. Companies have chosen to cancel events and meetings to avoid travel difficulties amid ongoing unrest. Many hotels report F&B sales dropping significantly because of reduced guest activity and restricted access. Some firms have advised their employees to work from home due to traffic curbs and security measures.

With gold jewellery turning increasingly pricier, consumers are looking at diamond-studded pieces in the Rs 10,000-Rs 1 lakh price bracket. Jewellers are using 18-carat, 14-carat and 9-carat gold to make diamond jewellery more accessible, allowing shoppers to buy lighter pieces without compromising on design.

Sitharaman said India raised crude steel output by 10% in 2025 to 165 million tonnes and by 6% in January-August 2026, even as world output declined. India's share of world steel production has risen to about 9% from 5.2% in 2014, she added.

GE Aerospace intends to increase its supply chain investments in India to $400 million annually by 2030. The company aims to expand its procurement from existing suppliers and add new components to its sourcing network. GE Aerospace operates in India for over four decades with key facilities in Pune and Bengaluru. Indian airlines have placed significant orders for aircraft, increasing demand for engines in the coming years.

IRDAI Chairman Ajay Seth said the regulator is examining industry feedback on a consultation paper that is open until October 25, while maintaining that distribution costs must be aligned with the value delivered to the policyholder, and selling incentives must reward persistency rather than first-year sales.

Global Japanese sportswear brand ASICS has opened its 150th store at Pacific Mall in Mansarovar, Jaipur. This store marks the third Company-Owned, Company-Operated store launched by ASICS in India. With a retail space of 1,508 square feet, the store offers products across various categories. Consumers can engage with the brand through Foot ID and explore suitable running and training products.

Reducing taxes on aviation could make air travel more affordable for average Indians. Air India officials believe this will drive significant growth in passenger traffic. Currently, annual domestic passenger numbers are projected to rise from 340 million to 1.1 billion by 2040. Long-haul flights present a huge market opportunity for Indian carriers, contributing significantly to revenue. Focus on regional connectivity is essential for utilizing airports outside major cities more effectively.

Around 40 pilots of SpiceJet's Q400 fleet have delayed their flights until unpaid salary dues are settled. This decision has received support from the Airline Pilots' Association of India, which stands with the affected pilots. The pilots claim they have faced ongoing financial and operational challenges, creating a challenging work environment. SpiceJet's operational fleet is dwindling, with most aircraft currently parked.

India is set to explore a collaboration with the Czech Republic to manufacture various regional aircraft. The partnership aims to fulfill regional connectivity needs under the UDAN scheme and cater to global markets. Discussions between Indian and Czech officials highlighted combining India's demand for air travel with Czech manufacturing expertise. The focus is on producing 19-seater, 40-seater, and 90-seater aircraft in India.

Stellantis has formed a partnership with Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles for vehicle production in India. This collaboration will leverage Tata's advanced technology and Stellantis' engineering expertise for competitive vehicle development. A new Jeep SUV will be produced based on Tata's Argos platform, further enhancing export potential. The vehicles will be manufactured at the Ranjangaon facility under a joint venture.

India's telecom sector reported an adjusted gross revenue of Rs 88,796 crore in the April-June quarter. Reliance Jio dominated the market, accounting for about 44.62% of the revenue share. Overall sector revenues grew by 10.50% year-on-year, reflecting a rise in subscriptions and data usage. The average monthly mobile data usage increased to 28.39 GB per subscriber during this period. Furthermore, the average revenue per wireless user reached Rs 187.

The Tata Group-owned airline has been taking longer routes for its European and North American flights since early last year following the Pakistan airspace closure for Indian carriers. Now, in addition, the airline is grappling with airspace curbs in various Gulf countries amid the continuing Middle East conflict.

Adani Navbharat Developers Pvt Ltd has initiated construction of rehabilitation homes at the 22-acre Matunga railway site. This project will include 10,432 apartments along with commercial and industrial units for eligible Dharavi residents. The first five towers are projected for handover by March 2029, followed by additional towers in 2029 and 2030. A portion of commercial space will be reserved for revenue generation to maintain infrastructure.

The Delhi High Court declined to interfere with a ruling preventing PepsiCo from producing beverages labeled as 'energy drink'. PepsiCo had appealed against a previous order affecting its product line, citing comparable relief granted to another brand. The court required the single judge to provide specific reasons for their decision within a week. Currently, PepsiCo can sell existing stocks but cannot manufacture new products with the contested label.

IndiGo plans to expand its fleet by acquiring 9 to 10 A321 XLR aircraft by March 2027. This move aims to cater to the increasing demand for medium-haul flights, especially from growing Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets. With four A321 XLRs already in operation, IndiGo is poised for significant expansion. The Indian aviation sector is anticipated to reach staggering heights, projected to handle 1.

Volvo Cars India is facing significant challenges from rising input and logistics costs, which may lead to price increases. The company's Managing Director Jyoti Malhotra highlighted that shipping and turnaround times are particularly problematic. Volvo intends to roll out a new electric vehicle every year to enhance its market presence. Currently, Volvo offers four vehicles in India, with two being electric cars.

India is experiencing significant growth in its Travel and Tourism sector, driven by a rapid economy. The World Travel and Tourism Council recently discussed India's potential for global tourism leadership. Key industry leaders highlighted the importance of showcasing India's diverse states and attracting international students. Minister Gajendra Shekhawat emphasized the government's focus on promoting tourism alongside trade and technology.

CreditAccess Grameen is in the process of securing a $175 million loan from several international lenders. This funding will help enhance the company's liability profile and is essential for financial management. The company intends to raise a significant portion of its annual borrowing requirements through external commercial borrowings. Financial officials noted that current hedging costs are rising but manageable overall.

Invesco Mutual Funds Summit SIF has launched the Summit Active Asset Allocator Long-Short Fund, an interval investment strategy offering exposure to multiple arbitrage opportunities across equities, debt, indices, commodities and special situations. The new fund offer is open for subscription until October 26, with a minimum investment of Rs 10 lakh for investors.

Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles and Stellantis will collaborate to develop vehicles aimed at global markets. The partnership builds on their existing relationship, which includes manufacturing through Fiat India Automobiles. Stellantis will use Tata's vehicle architecture and technologies for its international development efforts. This collaboration demonstrates India's increasing importance in the global automotive industry. The expected outcomes highlight the potential for growth in vehicle dep

Renault Group's CEO Francois Provost emphasizes India's importance for their initiatives outside Europe. The company aims to promote hybrid and electric vehicles as part of their strategy in India. They are focused on localizing production to make these technologies affordable for Indian customers. Provost also believes electrification will transform customer preferences away from diesel vehicles. Renault plans to gradually introduce full hybrids and electric vehicles to the Indian market.

Gurugram's real estate landscape has rapidly evolved to surpass several areas in Mumbai in terms of property prices. The NCR's property values have increased by 450% since 2020, outpacing the growth in other leading cities. This rapid escalation in the luxury housing market is driven by affluent clientele in pursuit of high-end features and amenities.

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has reopened the entry and exit gates of all metro stations. This decision took effect at 5 PM after an earlier closure for security reasons. Six stations had been closed since 6 AM on October 12, causing inconvenience to commuters. The closed stations included Patel Chowk, Janpath, and Rajiv Chowk among others. Interchange facilities at these stations are now also available for passenger use.

Galleri5 has rolled out enhanced functionalities for its AI Studio platform, tailored to streamline film production workflows. The company's vision includes integrating sophisticated technologies into traditional VFX and animation methods.

Tenant ordered to pay Rs 24 lakh for unauthorised stay after failing to prove landlords wanted to evict without giving back Rs 10 lakh security amount; Delhi HC order explained.

Grasping the nuances of bike loan interest rates is essential for effective repayment management throughout the loan duration. Elements such as your credit history and income level heavily dictate the rates provided by lenders. Its wise to factor in the complete borrowing expenses, including additional fees. Leveraging an EMI calculator can assist future borrowers in projecting their monthly installments and making informed comparisons.

Mahindra & Mahindra has initiated commercial production of its new multi-crop seeding machine called Maxseeder. This machine is designed to sow various crops, like rice, wheat, and cotton, efficiently. It operates using lower-horsepower tractors, making advanced seeding technology more accessible for farmers. Additionally, the Maxseeder promotes sustainable farming by eliminating the need for stubble burning.

India has shielded city gas supplies from Middle East LNG disruptions by cutting deliveries to fertiliser plants, refineries and industrial users, helping it weather the crisis better than Pakistan and Bangladesh, Wood Mackenzie said. Even so, India has faced sharply higher LNG prices and an estimated 1.5 million-tonne reduction in gas demand, as the regional supply shock reverses earlier expectations for South Asian LNG growth.

India's Hatsun Agro Product expects revenue to rise as much as 50% over the next two financial years, supported by a wider milk procurement network and expansion beyond its southern Indian stronghold, Chairman RG Chandramogan told Reuters.

In a strategic push, GE Aerospace plans to ramp up its supply chain spending in India, setting an ambitious goal of USD 400 million. This initiative emphasizes their commitment to the burgeoning Indian aviation market and supports local sourcing initiatives. Presently, GE partners with established suppliers like Tata Group and Mahindra, while also focusing on enhancing their technological and innovative proficiencies in the region.

Indian mutual funds launched 28 open-ended NFOs in September, collecting Rs 2,708 crore according to AMFI data. Equity and index categories led collections, driven by strong investor interest in sector-specific offerings, including the Tata CRISIL-IBX Financial Services 3-6 Months Debt Index Fund which raised Rs 544 crore.

Pensioners who rely on the State Bank of India for their pensions have several options to submit their life certificates. Those who are 80 years old or older should do so in October 2026, while others can submit theirs between November 1 and 30. For ease, submissions can be made digitally via the Jeevan Pramaan portal or the UMANG app.