India

India’s leading adhesive manufacturer Pidilite Industries is confronting rising input costs driven by global supply disruptions, particularly amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Despite inflationary pressures on key raw materials, the company remains confident of maintaining its operating profit margins within the 20–24 percent range. Management has emphasized a balanced pricing strategy—absorbing part of the cost burden while passing some on to consumers—to sustain competitiveness.

India’s insurance sector has received a significant boost with the launch of Allianz Jio Reinsurance Ltd, a joint venture between Jio Financial Services Ltd and Allianz Group. Following regulatory clearance from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India, the entity has commenced operations with a focus on underwriting reinsurance risks in India.

India’s health insurance sector is experiencing sustained expansion, with premium collections exceeding Rs 1.2 lakh crore in 2024–25 and annual growth hovering around 9 percent. This upward trajectory reflects rising healthcare awareness, increasing medical costs, and broader access to insurance products. Alongside this growth, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India has introduced stricter timelines for cashless claim settlements to enhance efficiency and customer experience.

India is poised to maintain its position as one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies, with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development projecting GDP growth of 7.6 percent in the current fiscal year and 6.1 percent in 2026–27. However, the outlook is tempered by rising geopolitical uncertainties, particularly tensions in the Middle East that threaten global energy supplies and commodity flows.

India’s digital payments revolution has entered a new phase, with the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) now accounting for nearly 92 percent of lending transactions across peer-to-peer platforms. A recent industry report highlights a structural shift in how credit is disbursed and managed, driven by seamless payment infrastructure and evolving investor behavior. Notably, female participants are deploying significantly higher capital than their male counterparts, signaling changing demographics in digital finance.

India’s aviation sector is entering the summer season with a measured reduction in capacity, as airlines plan to operate just over 23,000 weekly domestic flights—approximately 10 percent fewer than the previous year. The revised schedule, released by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, reflects a strategic recalibration by carriers navigating operational constraints, fleet limitations, and evolving demand patterns. While passenger traffic remains resilient, airlines appear focused on optimizing profitability and efficiency rather than aggressive expansion.

India is accelerating its transition toward piped natural gas (PNG) by mandating that household LPG supplies be discontinued in areas where pipeline connectivity is available. The move comes amid supply disruptions in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) due to geopolitical tensions in West Asia and reflects a broader strategy to diversify energy sources. PNG, delivered directly through pipelines, offers uninterrupted supply and reduced logistical dependency compared to cylinder-based systems.

India is exploring ways to unlock an estimated Rs. 830 lakh crore (approximately USD 10 trillion) worth of household gold to strengthen its financial system and reduce reliance on imports. Policymakers and industry experts emphasize that shifting gold from physical assets into financial instruments could ease pressure on the current account deficit while enhancing economic productivity. With the gems and jewellery sector already contributing significantly to exports and employment, financialisation of gold is seen as a transformative opportunity.

OnePlus India is undergoing a leadership transition following the resignation of CEO Robin Liu, a move that comes amid a sharp decline in the company’s smartphone shipments. Industry data indicates a significant year-on-year contraction in sales, reflecting mounting competitive pressures and shifting consumer preferences in India’s highly dynamic mobile market. 

The Indian government has reassured citizens that fuel supplies across the country remain stable despite geopolitical disruptions affecting global energy routes. Authorities confirmed that petrol, diesel, and LPG stocks are sufficient, with refineries operating at near full capacity. The reassurance comes amid a surge in demand triggered by panic buying fueled by misinformation.