Wipro Infrastructure Engineering (WIN) recently announced the launch of Wipro Electronic Materials, a new business division focused on manufacturing high-performance base materials for Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs). As part of this initiative, the company will establish a Copper Clad Laminate (CCL) manufacturing facility in Karnataka, investing approximately INR 500 crore and creating around 350 jobs. This move aims to address India's current 100 percent import dependency for CCLs, strengthen the domestic electronics manufacturing supply chain, and boost global competitiveness across rapidly growing sectors like telecommunications, automotive, and AI infrastructure.Read more

SRF Ltd, a Gurugram-based diversified chemical firm, plans to invest close to INR 750 crore to establish new manufacturing facilities. This includes an agro-chemical plant in Dahej, Gujarat, costing INR 250 crore, and a BOPP film manufacturing facility in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, with an investment of INR 490 crore. These projects, approved by the company's board recently, are part of SRF's expansion strategy. The announcement follows a strong financial quarter for SRF, which reported a 71 percent increase in net profit, reflecting the company's robust capital expenditure plans despite global uncertainties.Read more

India's industrial output growth slowed to a 10-month low of 1.5 percent in June 2025, a notable drop from 1.9 percent in May. This slowdown was primarily due to weak performance in the mining, electricity, and primary goods sectors. While manufacturing showed improvement, other key sectors contracted, impacting the overall Index of Industrial Production (IIP). This trend, with worse growth last recorded in August 2024, highlights a moderation in industrial activity, even as some segments like infrastructure goods continue to show positive growth, pointing to mixed signals in the nation's industrial landscape.Read more

India is set to receive USD 100 billion in investments from the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) over the next 15 years as part of a trade agreement signed in March 2024. The deal, which becomes effective from October, will see funding channeled into infrastructure, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and other key sectors. In return, India has agreed to reduce or eliminate tariffs on products such as Swiss watches, chocolates, and polished diamonds. Meanwhile, the US has increased duties on seafood and automobiles, affecting Indian exporters.Read more

Diamond Power Infrastructure Ltd has bagged an INR 1,349.11 crore order from Adani Energy Solutions Ltd (AESL) to supply 24,080 AL-59 high-performance conductors. The order is set to be fulfilled by June 2028, as disclosed in a regulatory exchange filing. This significant deal reinforces Diamond Power's stronghold in India's transmission infrastructure sector. Known as the country's largest single-location manufacturer of power cables and conductors, the company continues to attract large-scale contracts, reflecting its operational scale and sectoral importance.Read more

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with electric vehicle (EV) maker Ather Energy. This partnership aims to create new opportunities for startups in the EV and manufacturing sectors. The collaboration will focus on providing strategic mentorship and infrastructure support for deep-tech startups within the EV value chain. Joint Secretary Sanjiv Singh from DPIIT stated that this initiative seeks to foster an environment where startups can contribute significantly to EV manufacturing, battery innovation, and clean energy solutions, aligning with India's push for sustainable mobility and domestic production.Read more

India saved over INR 4 lakh crore (approximately USD 46 billion) in fossil fuel and pollution-related costs in 2024, thanks to its growing renewable energy capacity. A report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) highlights that these savings came from avoiding USD 14.9 billion in fossil fuel expenses and preventing 410.9 million tonnes of CO2 emissions, alongside realizing USD 31.7 billion in air pollution benefits. India's renewable energy, especially solar PV, is noted as the second cheapest globally after China, with costs consistently falling due to efficiency and innovation, positioning the country as a leader in cost-effective green energy.Read more

Empower Finance Inc., a U.S.-based fintech firm, has acquired Indian digital lending platform NIRA, aiming to scale its impact in emerging markets. The move strengthens Empower's foothold in India by leveraging NIRA's local expertise and customer base, especially in underserved Tier 3 cities and rural areas. NIRA, founded in 2018, has disbursed over INR 1,600 crore (approximately USD 200 million) in personal loans and turned profitable in 2023. Empower's global operations already span the U.S., Mexico, and the Philippines, serving over 5 million users. The acquisition will help both firms accelerate innovation and expand financial access to India's working-class population.Read more

Senior IAS officer Sanjay Kaul has assumed charge as the Managing Director and Group CEO of Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City), India's first operational smart city and International Financial Services Centre (IFSC). Kaul, a 2001-batch officer, succeeded Tapan Ray, who had been leading the institution since 2019. Kaul brings over 20 years of experience across public policy, infrastructure, and finance. His academic background includes degrees in electronics engineering and public policy from prestigious Indian and US institutions.Read more

Ajay Seth, the former Finance and Economic Affairs Secretary, has been appointed as the new chairman of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) for a term of three years. His appointment fills the vacancy left after Debasish Panda's term ended about four months ago. Seth, a 1987-batch IAS officer from the Karnataka cadre, recently retired in June after serving four years in the Finance Ministry. The decision was made following due procedure by the Financial Sector Regulatory Appointments Search Committee and received final clearance from the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.Read more