In 2024, Delhi-NCR saw a 56% surge in premium apartment launches, driven by high-end projects in Gurugram. Nationwide, luxury residential launches maintained strong momentum, with 113,016 units launched. Despite rising interest rates affecting larger luxury home sales, housing demand is expected to reach 70 million units by 2030.
India and Iran plan to enhance their counter-terror collaboration and synchronize their tactics against Al Qaeda and ISIS amidst the instability in Syria. The Iranian vice foreign minister's visit to New Delhi will focus on security cooperation and developments at Chabahar Port.
The communications ministry seeks clarity from the telecom regulator on which licence clauses can be invoked to encash telcos' bank guarantees to recover fines for not effectively managing spam. Trai had urged the government to encash these guarantees, while discussions continue on bringing telemarketers under regulatory control for accountability.
Pre-leasing large office spaces is rising among managed office companies in Indian metro cities due to a supply-demand imbalance in the office market. This trend is driven by increased demand for flexible managed offices, prime location scarcity, and the shift toward hybrid work models.
The scheme also allows a consumer who did not previously own a truck to get a scrapping certificate from someone else to avail the incentives while buying. The incentive amount for e-trucks is likely to be announced later this month. Girish Wagh, executive director, Tata Motors, said initiatives like the PM E-Drive provide the much-needed push for EV adoption in the M&HCV segment by "fostering industry confidence and accelerating investments in cleaner technologies."
Union Home Minister Amit Shah urges historians to document India's rich history from lived experiences, stressing the inseparability of Kashmir from India. He cites reduced terrorism post Article 370 abrogation, highlighting the Modi government's commitment to Kashmir's cultural heritage.
Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Reliance are intensifying their efforts in India's soft drinks market ahead of summer, with increased distribution and manufacturing. Reliance is pushing its Campa brand, while Varun Beverages and Bisleri are also expanding. The market for non-alcoholic beverages in India remains promising, showing considerable growth potential.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto's upcoming visit to India for Republic Day will focus on purchasing the BrahMos missile and strengthening defense ties, despite budget constraints. Indonesia may seek India's help for maintaining Su30 jets and is interested in emulating India's digital initiatives and school meal programs.
Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah asserts that the Kashmir issue remains unresolved and expresses hope for a solution soon. He confirms his government is stable with support from the Prime Minister and Home Minister, and denies any pressure to join the BJP or NDA.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the BSF of aiding illegal infiltration and announced plans to write to the Centre. She claimed the BSF was trying to destabilize Bengal. Trinamool general secretary Abhishek Banerjee demanded stern action against Bangladesh. Union ministers criticized Mamata Banerjee, with Giriraj Singh accusing her of opposing NRC in Bengal.
The government has proposed two sites near Rajghat for the memorial of former prime minister Manmohan Singh: Ekta Sthal, the memorial of former President Giani Zail Singh, or Vijay Ghat, the memorial of former prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastri. The family will tour the sites after the Antim Ardas ceremony. A trust will be constituted to finalize the allocation.
US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan will visit India on January 6-7 to review the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) with Indian counterpart Ajit Doval. This marks the third round of talks since iCET's launch in January 2023. Sullivan will also meet Minister S Jaishankar and PM Modi, and deliver a lecture on January 6.
India's employment increased by 36% from 471.5 million in 2014-15 to 643.3 million in 2023-24, with 171.9 million jobs added during the Modi government's first decade, compared to 29 million under the UPA. The unemployment rate decreased from 6% to 3.2%, and LFPR rose to 60.1%.
BJP has accelerated the election process for its state presidents across 29 states, appointing 11 Union ministers and three ministers of state as in-charges. This move aims to ensure effective election management, with the newly elected state presidents later participating in the national president's election. The process is expected to conclude by the end of January.
Work demand under India's MGNREGS rural employment programme increased for the second consecutive month in December due to an unfavorable base effect and the return of farm laborers post-Kharif harvest. About 25.8 million individuals sought work, marking a 7.4% rise from the previous year.
Union defence minister Rajnath Singh called on DRDO to include start-ups in research and development. He emphasized the need to align with the evolving technological landscape. Singh urged each DRDO lab to identify and complete 2-3 critical projects by 2025, aiming for 100 such projects to be concluded by the next foundation day.
The incentives are intended to encourage purchases before the government subsidy schemes for the new year start. More than 5.2 million cars sold as of mid-December had benefited from Chinese government subsidies.
Andhra Pradesh will initiate major projects worth ₹4.8 lakh crore on January 8. This includes NTPC's Green Hydrogen Park, ArcelorMittal/Nippon Steel's integrated steel project, Bharat Petroleum's refinery, a new railway zone in Visakhapatnam, and the first phase of Reliance's biogas plant. PM Narendra Modi has been invited to inaugurate these projects.
India's internal security focus is shifting towards combating modern terrorism as traditional hotspots see a decline in violence. Challenges include the Manipur conflict, implementation of new criminal laws and Census 2025, organised gangs and pro-Khalistan elements, cybersecurity issues, and managing northeastern and Jammu and Kashmir regions.
The government has set up a working group to revise the base year of the Wholesale Price Index to 2022-23 from 2011-12. The group will suggest the commodity basket for WPI and Producer Price Index, review the price collection system, and improve reliability. The final report is expected within 18 months.
The finance ministry assures there is no concern regarding the sufficiency of the GST compensation cess fund. It is on track to meet all obligations, including back-to-back loan repayments, with a projected minor surplus by March 2026. Collections are on target, dispelling shortfall fears.
US Army Green Beret Matthew Livelsberger tragically lost his life in a devastating Tesla Cybertruck explosion outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas.
The Press Information Bureau initiated a new practice of serving snacks from different Indian states each week after cabinet briefings. This initiative began with Bihar's popular dish, litti-chokha. Additionally, Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan intervened when CM Nitish Kumar was questioned about his return to the INDIA bloc, asking media to focus on his oath-taking day.
Viewers can look forward to a season filled with romance, challenges, and the charm that has made Bridgerton a global sensation.