India's online home services market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 18-22%, potentially reaching INR 85-88 billion by FY30, driven by urban demand for convenience, reliability, and speed. While the overall home services market was valued at INR 5,100-5,210 billion in FY25, online penetration remains low at less than 1% of net transactions. The rise of instant home services, influenced by quick commerce trends, is reshaping consumer expectations, particularly in India's eight largest cities, which account for 85-90% of current online demand.Read more

Global nuclear energy reached a record output of 2,677 terawatt-hours in 2024, largely driven by expansion in China. A new report highlights that maintaining this level will be difficult due to underinvestment, ageing plants, and construction setbacks. Renewables are advancing faster, with investment 21 times higher than nuclear last year and new capacity additions more than 100 times greater. Falling battery costs add further pressure. Most new nuclear construction since 2020 has been led by Chinese and Russian state firms, while Western small modular reactor projects remain stalled. Without major improvements, nuclear's share of electricity, about 9% in 2024, is expected to decline.Read more

The U.S. government's decision to impose a USD 100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applications is set to change the way Indian IT firms operate. With India making up the majority of H-1B approvals last year, the rule could limit cross-border staff movement, delay contracts, and increase project costs. While existing visa holders and renewals are not affected, the sudden announcement created confusion and forced many employees to alter travel plans. Industry experts expect more offshore work delivery, selective visa sponsorships, and a faster expansion of global capability centres in India and nearby regions.Read more

Interarch Building Solutions has expanded its manufacturing footprint by commissioning the second phase of its plant in Andhra Pradesh and adding a new Box Column Line at its Uttarakhand facility. The Andhra Pradesh unit has increased capacity by 25,000 metric tonnes per annum with an investment of INR 32 crore, while the Uttarakhand upgrade has added 15,000 metric tonnes annually through an outlay of INR 21 crore. These developments are aimed at supporting sectors such as renewables, automotive, electronics, EV infrastructure and FMCG.Read more

The IFC has committed USD 137 million to support India's electric bus expansion, allocating USD 100 million to JBM Ecolife and USD 37 million to GreenCell Mobility. The initiative plans to deploy 4,000 electric buses and build necessary charging infrastructure in 39 municipalities across Maharashtra, Assam, and Gujarat. JBM Ecolife will operate 1,455 buses, while GreenCell Mobility will enhance its fleet and charging systems. The project is expected to generate around 12,000 jobs and supports India's goal of 40% electric bus penetration by 2030.Read more

During an official visit to Japan, a Karnataka government delegation secured fresh investment commitments from Japanese companies. Air Water will set up its second unit near Bengaluru after its Vijayanagar facility and is exploring biogas production using cow dung and iron pulp. Shinko Nameplate announced a unit near Bengaluru with an investment of INR 100 crore for decorative vehicle parts. Toyota Group's Cataler will expand its Bidadi operations with an additional INR 140 crore by 2030. Saginomiya expressed interest in establishing a unit in the state. The delegation also met Japanese firm Konoike for joint venture opportunities and visited the Osaka World Expo 2025 pavilions to study collaboration prospects.Read more

The Ministry of Mines has confirmed that several mining-sector products, including marble, granite, lime bricks, and stone inlay work, will now attract a reduced GST rate of 5 per cent instead of 12 per cent. This is expected to lower construction costs, particularly in rural housing projects. Household items such as brass stoves, aluminium utensils, and copperware, along with handicrafts, will also become cheaper. The GST on multimodal transport of goods has been cut as well, which will benefit iron ore and mineral movement. These changes come under the GST Council's recent overhaul, with new rates applying from next week.Read more

India faces steep tariffs of up to 50 per cent from the US, including a 25 per cent penalty on crude oil imports from Russia, which could affect GDP growth by around 0.2-0.3 per cent this financial year. Chief Economic Adviser V Anantha Nageswaran said that the recent GST reforms would help offset these impacts by boosting domestic demand. The reforms include a move to a two-slab system of 5 per cent and 18 per cent, along with a 40 per cent rate on luxury and sin goods, making nearly 400 products cheaper. Key sectors like textiles, gems, leather, and machinery are most affected, while pharma, energy, and electronics remain largely exempt.Read more

Fitch Ratings has upgraded India's GDP growth forecast for the current fiscal year to 6.9%, citing robust growth in the April-June quarter and strong domestic consumption. This is the first upward revision by a global agency after earlier downgrades due to trade uncertainties. While trade tensions with the US and higher tariffs pose challenges, government reforms in the Goods and Services Tax are expected to support consumer spending. Growth is projected to moderate in the second half of the fiscal year, with future fiscal years seeing slower, yet steady expansion.Read more

Bond prices climbed recently after the Finance Minister reaffirmed that the borrowing strategy will stay unchanged and the fiscal deficit target of 4.4% of GDP remains within reach. The 10-year benchmark yield eased slightly from its previous week's close. Market players anticipate a smoother supply plan, with hopes that long-dated borrowing may ease in the second half. Swap rates edged lower as fiscal concerns abated, while attention turns to upcoming inflation data both domestically and in the U.S. Supportive global cues and central bank measures also helped ease market tension.Read more