Business

Nasscom has voiced concerns over the US administration’s decision to hike H-1B visa fees to $100,000, potentially disrupting Indian tech companies and onshore projects. The organization also criticized the short implementation deadline, warning of uncertainty for businesses and professionals. This fee increase, coupled with proposed legislation, poses challenges for the Indian IT sector already navigating…

The ministry of consumer affairs has launched a GST category on the INGRAM portal, effective September 22, 2025, to address consumer queries and complaints related to revised GST charges. National Consumer Helpline (NCH) counsellors received training to handle GST-related grievances efficiently.

India’s pharmaceutical market demonstrated robust growth, climbing 8.1% in August, fueled by chronic treatments like cardiac and anti-diabetic drugs. Respiratory and cancer medications also saw strong demand. GLP-1 therapies experienced a remarkable 97% surge, significantly boosting anti-diabetic sales.

Maharashtra leads India in wealth creation with 1,78,600 millionaire households, a 194% increase since 2021, fueled by a 55% GSDP surge. Mumbai, the “Millionaire Capital,” contributes 1,42,000 of these households. Nationally, millionaire households have risen by 90%, but wealth remains concentrated in the top 10 states and key metropolitan areas.

India’s first bullet train project achieves a significant milestone with 320 km of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor viaduct completed. The advanced E10 Shinkansen will operate on the route, with the initial Surat-Billimora section targeted for 2027. A challenging tunnel breakthrough was achieved, and the entire corridor is expected to be operational by 2029, connecting to Bandra-Kurla…

Container freight rates are projected to remain low through FY26 due to global trade uncertainties, exacerbated by US tariffs. Indian exports to the US surged by 18% before the tariff deadline, while exports from China to India also increased. Experts anticipate a potential 10-15% correction in freight rates due to oversupply and weakening demand.

Japanese and Taiwanese firms, including Tokyo Electron and PSMC, are considering establishing country-specific housing corridors in Dholera, Gujarat, to accommodate expat employees working on India’s first chip fabrication unit. These private townships aim to cater to the specific needs of expats, addressing dietary preferences and cultural adjustments in the remote location.

Public sector banks have demonstrated a remarkable resurgence, achieving their highest advance growth since 2010 at 12.2% in FY25, surpassing private banks for the first time in over a decade. This turnaround is attributed to improved asset quality, strategic branch expansion, and diversification of income streams.

Companies are proactively reducing prices on daily essentials as the new, lower GST rates take effect. Major FMCG players like P&G and Hindustan Unilever have already begun dispatching products with revised price tags, absorbing the tax gap to boost buyer sentiment. This move aims to revive consumption and benefit from simplified GST slabs, potentially increasing…