Business

Central government employees and pensioners may receive discouraging news next month. According to a Financial Express report, the Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) scheduled to take effect from 1 January 2026 are expected to increase by only 2%—one of the lowest hikes in the past seven years. Since January 2019, DA increments have generally ranged between 3% and 4%, with only one exception: a 2% increase in January 2025. If the projected figure holds true, employees will see a second consecutive minimal hike. First DA Revision Outside the 7th Pay Commission Cycle This upcoming DA adjustment carries added significance. For the first time, the hike will occur after the expiry of the 7th Pay Commission’s 10-year tenure, which ends on 31 December 2025.Although the 8th ...

India’s largest airline, IndiGo, continues to grapple with mounting challenges. After being forced to cut 10% of its flights and cancelling more than 5,000 services in recent weeks, the carrier may now face a formal investigation by the Competition Commission of India (CCI). The inquiry would examine whether IndiGo violated monopoly regulations and misused its dominant market position. According to a senior government official quoted in an Economic Times report, there is a “strong case” for a CCI investigation. The official noted that while the DGCA will continue to lead the broader government review into the airline’s operational crisis, the CCI is closely monitoring issues that fall under its jurisdiction, particularly allegations of restrictive practices and unfair conditions imposed...

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday sharply reprimanded the Central government over the chaos caused by mass cancellations of IndiGo flights and the steep spike in airfares that followed. Hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), the court demanded answers on why ticket prices—earlier available for ₹5,000—were allowed to soar to an exorbitant ₹35,000–₹39,000. Chief Justice-led bench questioned the government for failing to prevent the crisis and asked what immediate steps were taken to assist stranded passengers across the country. “If they failed, what did you do?” – Court to Centre During the hearing, Chief Justice confronted Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Chetan Sharma, saying, “If IndiGo failed, what did you do? You allowed the situation to deteriorate.”In response, Sharma...

New Delhi, December 10, 2025: The Aditya Birla Group has secured a significant investment in its renewable energy business, ABREN, as BlackRock, the world’s largest asset management firm, prepares to inject ₹3,000 crore into the venture. In return, BlackRock will acquire a minority stake in the business, which operates under Grasim Industries and has been valued at ₹14,600 crore. The investment will be structured in two stages: an initial ₹2,000 crore infusion, followed by an optional ₹1,000 crore green shoe option, depending on future requirements. The deal will be executed through Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), a part of the BlackRock Group. Expanding India’s green footprint ABREN has rapidly expanded its operations across India, establishing approximately 4.3 GW of renew...

New Delhi, December 10, 2025: American e-commerce giant Amazon has announced a major investment plan for India, committing over $35 billion (around ₹3 lakh crore) in its businesses across the country by 2030. The initiative is expected to create more than 10 lakh jobs over the next five years, expanding opportunities for entrepreneurs, workers, and the broader economy. The investment will target three key areas: business expansion, AI-driven digitalization, and export growth. Amit Agarwal, Senior Vice President (Emerging Markets) at Amazon, said, “We feel honored to be part of India’s digital revolution over the past 15 years. Amazon’s growth in India aligns perfectly with the vision of a self-reliant and developed nation. We have successfully introduced 'Made-in-India' products to glob...

New Delhi, December 10, 2025: Apple Inc. is set to expand its retail presence in India with the launch of its first store in Uttar Pradesh, opening tomorrow, December 11, at the DLF Mall of India, Noida. This marks Apple’s fifth store in the country, following locations in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Pune. Spread across 8,240.78 sq ft, the Noida store will offer customers a complete Apple experience, featuring the latest iPhones, Apple Watches, iPads, and other devices. Over 80 trained experts will be present from day one to assist customers, provide device setup, offer guidance for first-time iOS users, facilitate trade-ins, and support purchases on installment plans. Prime investment and rental details Apple has leased six units on the ground floor of the mall for 11 years, at...

New Delhi, December 10, 2025: In a significant early-morning block deal, Adani Green Energy Limited (AGEL) witnessed the trading of millions of shares, drawing market attention. Reports indicate that France-based energy company TotalEnergies sold its 1.4% stake in Adani Green, valued at ₹2,178 crore, triggering the block transaction. Approximately 2.24 million shares were transacted at ₹970 per share, below the previous session’s closing price of ₹999.55, indicating a loss on the sale. Following the deal, AGEL shares surged to ₹1,027.70 on the BSE. The stock opened at ₹1,010.35, fluctuating between a high of ₹1,027.70 and a low of ₹1,005 during early trading. Adani Green’s 52-week high stands at ₹1,250, while the low is ₹758. According to exchange filings, TotalEnergies’ two subsidia...

New Delhi, December 10, 2025: Dubai’s real estate market witnessed a spectacular event as the premium commercial tower SHAHRUKHZ by Danube, named in honor of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, was launched to overwhelming demand. The project, valued at 2.1 billion dirhams (approximately ₹5,000 crore), sold out completely on its very first day. The launch event, held at the Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo City, saw the presence of over 6,000 distinguished guests, including prominent UAE personalities, top creators, leading business figures, real estate experts, and global media representatives. Shah Rukh Khan himself, along with Mr. Rizwan Sajan, Founder and Chairman of Danube Group, graced the occasion. Record-breaking launch success Speaking at the event, Mr. Rizwan Sajan expresse...

On the fifth consecutive day of IndiGo Airlines’ operational crisis, the government has taken decisive action to protect passengers. Over 400 flights were canceled on Saturday, adding to more than 1,400 cancellations in the past four days, disrupting domestic air travel and causing fares on other airlines to spike. Government Orders The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has directed IndiGo to process all pending refunds for canceled or disrupted flights by 8 PM on Sunday, 7 December. The ministry warned that failure to comply will result in immediate regulatory action. Additionally, passengers affected by rescheduling must not be charged any fees. Fare Caps Introduced To curb exorbitant fares during the disruption, MoCA has also imposed fare caps across all airlines. The minist...

IndiGo Airlines’ operational crisis entered its fifth consecutive day on Saturday, leaving thousands of passengers stranded across India. Over 450 flights were canceled on Saturday alone, adding to the chaos after more than 1,000 cancellations on Friday. Major airports including Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad, and Thiruvananthapuram witnessed long queues and frustrated travelers. Cause of the Crisis The disruption stems from a combination of regulatory changes, planning missteps, and operational pressures. The DGCA’s new Crew Rest and Duty Time regulations, known as Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL), were designed to reduce pilot fatigue and enhance flight safety. However, these rules conflict with IndiGo’s high-utilization, low-cost operational model, creating a shortag...