Stories from New Delhi · India

Listed companies in India reported a 14.7% increase in net profits for Q3 FY26. This represents the fastest growth rate recorded in the last two years.

India is working to establish itself as a global manufacturing leader, specifically focusing on the battery industry. The country faces significant competition from China, which seeks to maintain its dominance in manufacturing sectors. This push comes as Indian companies aim to build out large-scale battery plants to secure supply chains. The Indian government has committed billions of dollars in incentives and subsidies to initiate domestic semiconductor manufacturing. Key focus areas include semiconductors, advanced chemistry cells, renewable energy, artificial intelligence, biotech, space tech, and defense manufacturing. India's manufacturing sector's contribution to GDP fell to 13% in 2024. This decline occurs despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi's stated goal to increase manufacturing to 25% of the national GDP.

Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal announced a 1 trillion rupee fund to support urban development over the next four years. The plan covers a four-year implementation period. This initiative coincides with the 50th anniversary of the statehood celebrations. Large parts of the country are currently experiencing an intense heatwave. These funds include modernization for 30 rural water schemes under the Jal Jeevan Mission. Union Minister Mandal approved ten major decisions involving an allocation of 152,000 crore rupees. The announcement included developments related to the Namo Bharat train service. NCARTI stated that the high-speed train has seen a increase in passenger numbers over the last two years. Efforts are being made to further improve the travel experience on the Namo Bharat service.

The Election Commission has removed 9 million names from voter rolls, representing 12% of the electorate, during a cleanup of duplicate entries. Local government critics allege the mass deletion is a political purge intended to benefit Nyu Dedi. The move has impacted diverse groups, including Hindu voters such as 22-year-old Rani Munda. Resistance is growing in India as millions of people are being removed from voter lists across multiple states. Critics argue the purge may have political motives, specifically targeting Muslims and those in lower social strata who reside in certain neighborhoods. The government stated it cannot review all cases in time due to the sheer volume of people removed from the lists. The government stated it is unable to review all cases in a timely manner due to the scale of the deletions.

India's waste management systems are reported to have significant gaps, with nearly half of the generated packaging waste ending up in the environment.

Small food businesses are facing significant financial strain due to surging cooking gas prices, which have quadrupled since the Iran War. Businesses that previously spent 1800 rupees per cylinder now face costs of 7000 rupees, impacting daily operations and profitability.

Internet subscriptions in India have more than tripled over the last decade, reaching a total of 970 million users. This surge is primarily driven by a massive increase in smartphone ownership, which has moved from one in three citizens to a much higher majority. The growth reflects significant shifts in social wealth and digital connectivity across the country.

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has released operational guidelines for the $10,000 crore Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0. The framework establishes mechanisms for fund deployment, governance, and monitoring to improve capital flow efficiency. This move aims to strengthen the national startup ecosystem through structured investment processes.

The Director General of Police announced a rehabilitation package of 1.2 crore rupees for individuals who surrender and leave forest areas. The package includes central government incentives and free health cards to assist reintegration into mainstream society. This move is part of a broader effort to encourage forest dwellers to join the mainstream.

Candidates in India are reportedly improving their skills for upcoming elections. This development is seen as crucial for their performance in the electoral field, with specific mention of Trimun Kunresh and Jordar Shavdar.