India

Czech automaker Skoda Auto India reported a 17% increase in vehicle sales during the first quarter (January–March) of CY 2026, reaching 20,028 units compared with 17,138 units in the same period last year. This performance reflects the company’s strengthened product portfolio, strategic market expansion, and sustained consumer demand following a record 107% growth in 2025. Skoda Auto India’s highest-ever quarterly sales underscore its rising footprint in the competitive Indian automotive market.

India’s imports of telecom instruments from China rose sharply to USD 6,371 million (Rs 59,500 crore) in the 2023-24 fiscal year, reflecting sustained demand for network infrastructure and consumer devices. Overall telecom imports also increased to USD 17,010 million from USD 13,333 million in 2019-20, signaling robust sector growth. While the rise underscores India’s dependence on Chinese technology, the government has simultaneously launched initiatives to strengthen domestic telecom manufacturing and reduce import reliance.

India has intensified its liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) supply measures to ensure uninterrupted availability amid rising geopolitical concerns surrounding the Strait of Hormuz. The government has significantly increased the distribution of 5-kg free trade LPG cylinders, selling approximately 6.6 lakh units since late March 2026. Authorities have emphasized that there is no shortage of domestic LPG, with over 51 lakh cylinders delivered in a single day and digital bookings accounting for 95 per cent of demand.

India and Nepal are taking renewed steps to strengthen their economic partnership, with a growing emphasis on trade expansion, investment collaboration, and private-sector engagement. At a recent bilateral trade forum, Nepal’s envoy highlighted the need for deeper integration between business communities to unlock untapped opportunities. The initiative underscores the strategic importance of cross-border cooperation in driving sustainable growth for both nations.

India’s equity markets are poised for heightened volatility as investors navigate a complex mix of domestic policy decisions and global geopolitical risks. The upcoming monetary policy announcement by the Reserve Bank of India is expected to set the tone for market sentiment, with inflation and growth concerns in sharp focus. Simultaneously, escalating tensions in West Asia and fluctuating crude oil prices are adding to uncertainty.

India’s television manufacturing sector is entering a phase of heightened uncertainty as escalating input costs and softening consumer demand weigh on growth prospects. Rising prices of critical components such as memory chips, alongside increased expenses for plastics and ocean freight due to geopolitical tensions in West Asia, are squeezing margins. Currency depreciation has further amplified cost pressures, pushing retail prices upward.

India’s dairy giant Amul has achieved a significant financial milestone, crossing Rs. 1 lakh crore in total turnover for FY 2025–26, driven by robust demand across product categories. Managed by Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), the brand reported an 11 percent year-on-year growth, reflecting strong consumption trends and effective distribution strategies. The cooperative’s own turnover also recorded steady expansion, underscoring its operational strength.

India’s indirect tax collections for fiscal year 2025-26 slightly exceeded government targets, reflecting resilient economic activity across sectors. Total collections, including customs, excise, and Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST), surpassed Rs 15.52 lakh crore, supported by strong domestic demand and trade flows. Customs duty contributed Rs 2.58 lakh crore, excise duty Rs 3.38 lakh crore, and CGST Rs 9.58 lakh crore. 

India’s pharmaceutical sector is being urged to reduce its reliance on imported raw materials and strengthen domestic manufacturing capabilities amid rising global uncertainties. A senior government official emphasized the need to achieve 80–90 per cent self-sufficiency in critical inputs such as APIs and bulk drugs while expanding export markets. Despite India’s presence in nearly 200 countries, significant opportunities remain to diversify supply chains and enhance resilience.

India’s banking sector is witnessing a notable divergence between credit growth and deposit mobilization in the fourth quarter of FY26, signaling evolving structural dynamics in financial intermediation. Leading lenders have reported robust expansion in advances, outpacing deposit growth and reflecting strong demand across retail and corporate segments. While this trend underscores economic momentum, it also raises concerns about liquidity management and funding costs. The imbalance could compel banks to recalibrate deposit strategies, adjust interest rates, and optimize balance sheets.