Piped natural gas prices cut in Delhi NCR as regulator simplifies pipeline tariffs, reducing distance-based zones nationwide.
A city gas distributor reduced domestic piped natural gas prices by Rs 0.70 per standard cubic metre for Delhi and nearby areas, specifying new consumer rates effective January 1. The reduction follows a regulator's tariff restructuring that reduces distance based tariff zones from three to two and applies a single lower Zone 1 rate for CNG and domestic PNG customers nationwide, intended to simplify and lower transportation costs.

Market Access Support launched with Rs 4,531 crore to subsidise exporters' participation in global trade events and MSME access.
The government launched Market Access Support (MAS) with Rs 4,531 crore for 2025-31 to subsidise exporter participation in Buyer Seller Meets, trade fairs, Mega Reverse BSMs and trade delegations, with per event caps (Rs 5 crore for BSMs and delegations; Rs 10 crore for RBSMs). Government shares 60% of event costs, up to 80% for priority areas, and reserves 35% participation support for MSMEs. MAS adds proofs of concept demonstrations for technology intensive sectors, mandatory online exporter feedback, and a three to five year events calendar as part of a wider Rs 25,060 crore export promotion mission that includes credit support measures.

Tea industry posts higher output and exports but faces pesticide rules, enforcement over blending, labour cost and climate risks.
The tea sector saw higher overall output and export growth in 2025 driven by small-grower production, causing CTC price pressure while orthodox tea remained firm. Exporters face potential disruption from impending pesticide legislation in the EU/UK, and the Tea Board has issued show cause notices over alleged blending and mislabelling of imported inferior tea. Anticipated labour cost increases and elevated inventory pose margin and price risks, while climate-driven crop losses have prompted research into resilient varieties and climate-smart practices.

Gold and silver surged as monetary easing, trade uncertainty and central bank buying tightened supply and boosted safe haven demand.
Easing monetary policy-three 25 basis point Fed cuts-weakened the dollar and acted as an initial inflection supporting bullion, while tariff rhetoric and trade uncertainty increased safe haven demand. Sustained central bank purchases and reserve diversification materially underpinned gold, and silver's rally was amplified by multi year mine shutdowns, China led supply constraints and rising production costs that produced structural deficits. Elevated domestic prices shifted consumption toward investment bars and coins, and analysts expect episodic consolidation but a constructive medium term outlook driven by monetary easing, central bank accumulation and constrained supply.

Market Access Support Intervention strengthens exporter access with financial support, MSME prioritisation and digital monitoring.
The Market Access Support Intervention under the Export Promotion Mission provides structured financial and institutional support for Buyer Seller Meets, trade fairs, Mega Reverse Buyer Seller Meets and trade delegations, with rationalised event level support ceilings and preferential assistance for priority sectors and small exporters. It mandates at least 35% MSME participation, benchmarks delegation sizes, enables end to end digital processes for proposals, approvals and fund release via the portal, requires mandatory online feedback on buyer quality and leads, and phases in Proofs of Concept, product demonstrations and digital lead tracking tools to strengthen outcome measurement.

India's economy enters a 'goldilocks' phase as fiscal reforms, GST cuts and a potential India-US trade deal aim to sustain growth.
India's 2025-26 macroeconomic position combines strong growth and low inflation, with policy emphasis on sustaining momentum through fiscal support for capital expenditure, Union Budget reforms to attract private and foreign investment, and Reserve Bank accommodation. Key regulatory measures include updating the national accounts base year to 2022-23, late-2025 GST rate reductions, implementation of new labour codes, and an anticipated India-US trade agreement to boost exports and industry.

India-Russia partnership diversifies trade beyond defence and energy via a five-year roadmap, joint ventures, and localisation.
India and Russia adopted a five-year roadmap and signed 30 documents to diversify bilateral trade beyond defence and energy, focusing on joint ventures, localisation, technology transfer, non-nuclear shipbuilding, and a proposed joint-investment fund to address the trade deficit and reduce reliance on discounted crude; implementation will proceed through intergovernmental coordination, ministerial engagements, localisation of aerospace technology, and exploration of an FTA framework with the Eurasian Economic Union to expand market access.

Celebrities and politicians seek protection of personality and contest disputes over wills, privacy, regulatory and commercial claims.
Public figures and corporations brought litigation over protection from unauthorised use of name, image, likeness and voice, contested wills and succession claims, and challenged regulatory and administrative orders including customs duty refunds, consumer protection guidelines and competition authority directions. The year's docket also included disputes over disclosure of personal records of officeholders, challenges to organisational bans and pandemic era prosecutions, alongside judicial scrutiny of educational attendance norms and anti ragging measures.

India's diplomacy navigated cross border strikes, suspended treaties, trade tariffs, and shifting regional partnerships in 2025.
India responded to a major terrorist attack by suspending the Indus Water Treaty and conducting cross-border strikes (Operation Sindoor), which triggered escalatory exchanges later halted through military hotlines; simultaneous trade coercion and visa policy changes by a major partner compounded bilateral strain while New Delhi pursued improved ties with China and Russia, a free trade agreement with the UK, and efforts to stabilise regional relations and energy security.

Customs seizes 196.5g gold concealed in jeans waistband after passenger search at airport.
Customs intercepted a passenger arriving from Riyadh, conducted a personal search after suspicious behaviour, and recovered two strips of yellow chemical paste believed to be gold weighing 196.5 grams concealed in the waistband cavity of jeans; the material was seized by customs authorities.

China says it mediated India-Pakistan tensions amid dispute over military support and competing ceasefire narratives.
China presented itself as mediating regional hotspots, including India-Pakistan tensions, while New Delhi maintained the May 7-10 ceasefire was negotiated directly between DGMOs; the article records criticism over Chinese military support to Pakistan, Chinese calls for restraint, and the broader diplomatic context of SCO invitations, BRICS expansion, and Sino US engagement.

Kandla SEZ appraiser convicted and sentenced for disproportionate assets, with jail terms and monetary fines imposed.
A Kandla SEZ appraiser was convicted for amassing disproportionate assets after an expanded investigative check period increased the quantified unexplained wealth in the chargesheet; the special court imposed custodial sentences and monetary fines on the appraiser and convicted his spouse for abetment.

Cochin airport export cargo capacity expanded to 1.25 lakh tonnes, boosting cold chain and dangerous goods handling efficiency.
Cochin International Airport Limited expanded export cargo warehouse capacity from 75,000 metric tonnes to 1.25 lakh metric tonnes and equipped it with additional X ray machines, explosive trace detection, a dangerous goods room, two cold rooms, a radioactive cargo room and a valuables room to strengthen cargo security, specialised handling and operational throughput for perishables, pharmaceuticals, dangerous goods, radioactive materials and high value consignments.

RSWM wins three awards for sustainability, highlighting circularity, renewable energy adoption and water stewardship.
RSWM Ltd received three awards recognizing sustainability and ESG-led manufacturing: the AR Choice Award for Sustainable Textile Manufacturer of the Year for integrated materials, energy, water and waste stewardship; a Silver Medal at the India Green Manufacturing Challenge for its Melange unit following IRIM's on-site evaluation; and a Bronze Award at the FE Green Sarathi Awards for circular material practices, recycled fibre integration, renewable energy adoption and water management.

India-China relations in 2025: cautious normalization amid border de escalation, trade frictions, and diplomatic disputes.
Following the October 2024 end to the eastern Ladakh face off, India and China in 2025 engaged Special Representatives and senior ministers to normalise ties through dialogue and de escalation, while facing impediments including alleged Chinese military support to Pakistan, an immigration incident implicating Arunachal Pradesh and transit treatment concerns, and Chinese curbs on rare earth exports that disrupted Indian industry; these matters prompted diplomatic protests, partial easing of controls, and modest growth in Indian exports amid continuing strategic rivalry.

International legal developments: challenges to criminal convictions, tariff adjustments, arms transfer and diplomatic recognition disputes affect state relations.
Separate appeals challenge lengthy sentences and a military court conviction, raising procedural and appellate issues about tribunal jurisdiction and review; an opposition figure lodged electoral nomination papers invoking candidacy and nomination rules; allegations that mass protests were a "planned conspiracy" suggest criminal investigation thresholds for coordinated vandalism and arson. Internationally, an announced arms sale raises export control and foreign policy considerations, provisional reductions of import tariffs engage tariff setting authority and trade policy, and formal recognition of a disputed territory implicates legal effects of diplomatic recognition and territorial sovereignty.

Bangladeshi exhibitors stayed away from a major trade fair due to geopolitical tensions and visa-related constraints affecting cross-border participation.
Absence of Bangladeshi exhibitors from BNCCI's 37th trade fair resulted from geopolitical tensions and visa-related issues that prevented historically significant cross border participation. BNCCI shifted the fair from a business to business model to a consumer and festival focus, emphasised handloom and handicrafts, and organised industry and MSME conclaves to facilitate policy and export support, while indicating future international participation depends on resolution of the diplomatic and visa constraints.

China applies lower import tariffs on 935 items from Jan 1, 2026, while maintaining zero tariffs for least developed countries.
China will implement provisional lower import tariff rates on 935 items from January 1, 2026, reducing duties on key components, advanced materials, certain resources for green development, and medical products. The measure includes optimisation of tariff headings and addition of national subheadings for products like intelligent bionic robots and bio aviation kerosene to support technological and circular economy development. China will continue applying agreed preferential rates under 24 free trade agreements with 34 partners and maintain zero tariff treatment on all tariff lines for 43 least developed countries.

Tamil Nadu posts 11.19% growth; US 50% tariff disrupts Tirupur knitwear, causing orders and job losses.
Tamil Nadu achieved 11.19% growth in 2024-25, saw record electronics exports and secured major investments including a Rs 3,250 crore Ford engine project and aerospace commitments, while a US-imposed 50% tariff on certain Indian imports significantly disrupted Tirupur's knitwear sector, causing order losses, production cuts and job losses and prompting appeals for bilateral resolution.

US-India ties tested by reciprocal tariffs, a USD 100,000 H 1B fee, and a new 10 year defence framework pact.
The document outlines reciprocal US tariffs rising to roughly 50% on Indian imports in response to India's high levies, simultaneous negotiation of a multi-sector Bilateral Trade Agreement with agreed Terms of Reference, a proclamation imposing a USD 100,000 fee on new H-1B visas treating programme abuse as a security threat, intensified counterterrorism cooperation including extradition and terrorist designation, and a 10-year Defence Framework Pact to institutionalise the US-India major defence partnership.