
India’s manufacturing sector presents a complex picture of resilience and growing headwinds. In 2024-25, manufacturing gross value added (GVA) grew at 9.3%, accelerating to 10.7% in 2025-26 — a seemingly robust performance. Yet beneath this headline growth, the sector faces mounting challenges: manufacturing PMI has slipped from a 2025 average of 57.8 to 52.9…

India’s concert economy is booming — and so are ticket prices. In 2025, Coldplay’s India tour saw tickets ranging from ₹2,500 to ₹12,500, with resale prices skyrocketing to ₹1.5 lakh. AP Dhillon set a record with VVIP packages at ₹6.25 lakh. By 2026, Coldplay’s Infinity tickets at ₹2,000 sold out in seconds, while standard…

Understanding the factors that impact SBI gold loan interest rates can help you save thousands. In 2025, SBI gold loan rates started at 8.75% and went up to 10.25%. By August 2026, rates have become more competitive — starting at 8.70% and ranging up to 9.95% — a reduction of up to 0.30% for…

India’s defence finance strategy is undergoing its most significant transformation in a decade. In 2025, the Ministry of Defence declared the “Year of Reforms”, setting the stage for record budget allocations, indigenous production milestones, and a strategic shift from import dependence to self-reliance. In 2026, the defence budget surged 15% to ₹7.85 lakh crore,…

India’s rare earth sector is undergoing its most significant transformation in decades. In 2025, the government approved the ₹7,280 crore rare earth permanent magnet (REPM) scheme, launched the National Critical Minerals Mission, and began laying the groundwork for domestic magnet manufacturing. In 2026, these policies went live — the REPM scheme attracted 20 global…

Index funds and ETFs are transforming how Indians invest. In 2025, the Nifty 50 delivered a 10.5% return, while index funds tracking the index gave similar returns at low costs[reference:0]. But 2026 has brought a sharp reversal — the Nifty 50 is down 9.2% year-to-date, while mid-caps have gained 1.2% and small-caps 4.5%[reference:1]. Meanwhile,…

Building passive income is the ultimate financial freedom goal. In 2025, India’s fixed deposit rates ranged from 6.5% to 7.5%, dividend yields averaged 3-4%, and REITs offered 6-7% returns. In 2026, FD rates have climbed to 7.5-8.2% — a 100 basis point increase — driven by RBI rate hikes and inflation expectations. Dividend payouts…

The financial services landscape in India is undergoing its most rapid transformation in decades. In 2025, digital payments surged — UPI transactions crossed ₹200 lakh crore, fintech investments hit $6 billion, and AI adoption in finance grew 35%. In 2026, these trends accelerated: UPI recorded 15 billion transactions in June alone, AI adoption grew…