India

Urban mobility has become a critical benchmark for measuring the effectiveness of governance and public investment, according to Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) K. Sanjay Murthy. Addressing the closing session of the 5th BRICS Supreme Audit Institutions Leaders' Summit, Murthy underscored that transportation systems and urban infrastructure are among the most direct points of interaction between governments and citizens. He argued that the success of public expenditure should not merely be judged through financial metrics, but through tangible improvements in citizens’ daily lives.

Walmart Inc. has reaffirmed its long-term commitment to India, describing the country as one of the most dynamic growth engines in global commerce. Walmart President and CEO John Furner revealed that the retail giant has already sourced goods worth more than USD 40 billion from India, underlining the country’s expanding role in the company’s global supply chain strategy. The announcement also reinforces Walmart’s previously stated objective of sourcing goods worth USD 10 billion annually from India by 2027.

Hyundai Motor India Ltd reaffirmed its long-term commitment to India as it celebrated three decades of operations, unveiling an ambitious investment roadmap of Rs 45,000 crore between FY26 and FY30. Having already invested Rs 40,700 crore since its inception in 1996, the company aims to accelerate manufacturing capacity, electrification, and future mobility solutions while launching 26 new products by FY2030.

India’s rapidly expanding gig economy is confronting a critical challenge as extreme heatwaves expose delivery workers to significant health risks. With temperatures exceeding 40°C across several regions, millions of workers supporting e-commerce and quick-commerce platforms are operating under hazardous conditions. Limited access to drinking water, rest facilities, and protective infrastructure has amplified concerns around worker welfare.

India’s automobile retail sector has opened the new fiscal year on a robust note, registering a 12.94 percent year-on-year growth in April with sales reaching a record 26,11,317 units, according to the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations. The surge, compared to 23,12,221 units in the same month last year, reflects a convergence of favorable macroeconomic conditions, including improved affordability under GST reforms, a supportive monetary policy stance by the Reserve Bank of India, strong rural income flows, and seasonal demand drivers such as an extended विवाह season.

India’s capital markets regulator, Securities and Exchange Board of India, has proposed extending the early pay-in (EPI) facility to options contracts in the commodity derivatives segment, aiming to enhance market efficiency and risk management. Currently limited to futures contracts, the mechanism allows participants to deposit certified goods in advance against sold positions. By broadening this framework, SEBI seeks to improve liquidity, streamline settlement processes, and reduce counterparty risk.

India’s smartphone market is poised for a slowdown as rising memory component costs disrupt pricing dynamics and consumer demand. According to CyberMedia Research, shipments are projected to decline by 10–12 percent this year, following an earlier 2 percent year-on-year contraction. The surge in DRAM and NAND flash prices has increased production costs, compelling manufacturers to raise retail prices. This, in turn, has dampened upgrade cycles in a price-sensitive market like India.

India’s capital markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has proposed a comprehensive set of reforms to strengthen the framework governing securitised debt instruments (SDIs). The proposed changes include permitting single-asset securitisation by entities regulated by the Reserve Bank of India, simplifying the winding-up process for securitisation transactions, and relaxing certain structural constraints to enhance market participation.

IndiGo has announced the resignation of its Head of Global Sales, Vinay Malhotra, who will step down to pursue opportunities outside the company. According to a regulatory filing, Malhotra will be relieved of his duties effective close of business on July 3. The departure adds to a series of leadership changes at India’s largest airline, which has witnessed notable shifts in its top management in recent times.

Unilever is positioning itself to capitalize on supply chain disruptions and rising input costs that have strained smaller competitors in India and Southeast Asia. Chief Executive Officer Fernando Fernandez indicated that higher packaging costs, driven by elevated crude oil prices, have constrained local players, creating opportunities for volume expansion. The company reported record market share in laundry powders in India during Q1 FY26 and is strengthening its presence in liquid detergents.