10, Jul 2026
Investor Confidence Remains Strong as SIP Inflows Rise, Gold ETFs See Record Surge
Mumbai, July 10: Investor participation in India’s mutual fund industry remained resilient in June, with Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) contributions climbing to a three-month high, while Gold Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) witnessed a sharp jump in inflows amid heightened interest in safe-haven investments.
The latest industry data reflects continued confidence among retail investors, who maintained steady SIP investments despite market fluctuations. The rise in monthly SIP contributions underscores the growing preference for disciplined, long-term wealth creation through mutual funds.
At the same time, Gold ETFs recorded a remarkable surge in inflows of over 570 per cent compared to the previous month, signalling increased demand for gold as investors sought to diversify their portfolios and hedge against global economic uncertainty.
Analysts said the twin trends point to a balanced investment strategy, with investors continuing to invest in equity markets through SIPs while allocating more funds to gold to manage risk and preserve wealth.
The robust inflows into both SIPs and Gold ETFs highlight the evolving investment landscape in India, where retail investors are increasingly embracing diversified portfolios to navigate changing market conditions.
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- By Neel Achary
10, Jul 2026
Fynd’s Festive Readiness Report Reveals Festive 2026 Will Be Won Before the First Sale Goes Live
Mumbai, July 10: Fynd, an AI-native retail technology company backed by Reliance Retail Ventures Limited, today released its Festive Readiness Report 2026, a forward-looking intelligence report for fashion, lifestyle and retail brands preparing for India’s biggest shopping season.
The report analyses shifts from the 2024 and 2025 festive seasons and outlines what brands must do before Festive 2026 begins. It draws on Fynd’s marketplace intelligence data collected between March 2025 and June 2026, covering leading marketplaces such as Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra, AJIO, Nykaa, JioMart, and other major commerce platforms. The report aims to highlight that Festive 2026 will be won before the first sale goes live. Brands will need to move from reactive discounting to early planning, sharper inventory allocation, faster fulfilment, marketplace-specific strategies and prepaid-first checkout.
“Festive 2026 will not be won by the brands that discount the deepest, but by those that prepare the earliest and execute the fastest,” said Ragini Varma, Chief Business Officer – India, Fynd. “The 2025 season showed us that people shopping from Tier III cities are now leading mainstream growth markets and store-led fulfilment is becoming critical to speed and margin protection. Brands need one real-time operating layer across inventory, marketplaces, fulfilment, pricing and checkout. That is where Fynd helps them turn festive readiness into measurable growth.”
Six signals for Festive 2026
The report identifies six signals every fashion brand must act on this year:
- Inventory is now a competitive advantage: Real-time, unified stock visibility will decide who captures the earlier festive peak and who loses sales to stockouts.
- Tier III cities are mainstream demand centres: Tier III cities contributed 46% of festive demand, ahead of Tier I at 35% and Tier II at 19%, making smaller-city assortment, sizing, pricing and delivery promises critical.
- Speed beats discounts: 77% of returns happened when delivery took more than three days, making sub-three-day fulfilment a direct lever for both conversion and margin protection.
- Marketplace dependence is rising: Myntra, JioMart and Flipkart together accounted for nearly 80% of festive demand, with Myntra alone contributing 49%, requiring brands to allocate inventory and ad spend by marketplace strength.
- Store fulfilment has become essential: Store-led fulfilment rose from 29% of orders in 2024 to 51% in 2025, overtaking warehouses and helping brands ship faster from locations closer to customers.
- Prepaid customers are the healthiest cohort: Prepaid crossed 53% of payments, while COD drove 73% of returns-to-origin, making UPI-first checkout and prepaid nudges important for healthier festive margins.
In 2025, festive demand peaked eight days before Diwali, while pre-Navratri D2C order volumes were already up 16% year on year. Average markdowns fell from 44% in 2024 to 34% in 2025, showing that shoppers continued to buy even as brands protected margins. At the same time, 55% of sales happened below ₹2,000, making value-led pricing more important than blanket discounting.
For brands, the report breaks festive readiness into three clear moments: plan early by forecasting demand and placing inventory where it is needed; stay agile during the season by tracking stock, pricing and stockouts in real time; and use the post-festive period to learn from returns, recover inventory and build stronger customer cohorts
Fynd helps brands act on these signals through one platform for marketplace selling, unified inventory, store-led fulfilment, real-time demand intelligence, value-led pricing and prepaid-first checkout. The platform enables brands to sell across marketplaces including Myntra, Flipkart, Amazon, AJIO, Nykaa and JioMart, while turning stores into fulfilment nodes through intelligent order routing and inventory hopping.
10, Jul 2026
New Zealand Welcomes UPI to Strengthen Digital Economy
New Delh, July 10: New Zealand has welcomed the expansion of India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI), describing it as a significant step towards modernising its digital economy and strengthening financial connectivity between the two countries.
Speaking on the growing partnership in digital payments, New Zealand’s Trade Minister said the introduction of UPI would make transactions more seamless for businesses, tourists, students, and the Indian diaspora, while supporting greater economic engagement.
The move is expected to simplify cross-border digital payments, improve convenience for travellers, and encourage stronger trade and investment ties. It also reflects the increasing global recognition of India’s digital public infrastructure and its role in enabling secure and efficient financial transactions.
The collaboration marks another milestone in India-New Zealand economic relations, with both countries looking to deepen cooperation in digital innovation, fintech, and technology-driven commerce.
The adoption of UPI in New Zealand is expected to enhance payment accessibility while reinforcing efforts to build a more connected, inclusive, and digitally enabled economy.
10, Jul 2026
Delhi Hosts Global Environment Workshop to Strengthen Sustainable Development Efforts
New Delhi, July 10: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday inaugurated a World Bank-supported workshop aimed at promoting environmental sustainability and strengthening collaboration on climate action and sustainable urban development.
The workshop brought together policymakers, government officials, environmental experts, and development partners to exchange ideas and explore practical solutions to pressing environmental challenges. Discussions focused on improving environmental governance, enhancing climate resilience, and encouraging sustainable development practices.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister highlighted the importance of partnerships and knowledge sharing in tackling environmental issues. She stressed the need for innovative approaches to protect natural resources, improve urban ecosystems, and build a cleaner and more resilient future.
The World Bank-supported initiative is designed to strengthen institutional capacity and encourage the adoption of global best practices in environmental management. The workshop also serves as a platform for collaboration on policies and projects that promote long-term ecological sustainability.
The initiative reflects the continued emphasis on integrating sustainable development into urban planning while fostering cooperation between governments, experts, and development agencies.
10, Jul 2026
Assam Boosts Tourism with New Initiatives
Guwahati, July 10: Assam has outlined an ambitious strategy to transform its tourism sector, with the state government announcing a host of measures in the Budget to improve visitor infrastructure and elevate the state’s profile as a premier travel destination.
Among the key proposals are the expansion of homestays across the state and the development of luxury hotels through public and private investment. The initiatives are aimed at enhancing tourist experiences while creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for local communities.
The government believes that strengthening tourism infrastructure and promoting Assam’s natural beauty, wildlife, cultural heritage, and unique traditions will help attract more domestic and international visitors. Community-led homestays are expected to play a vital role in showcasing authentic local experiences while supporting rural economies.
The latest measures reflect the state’s long-term vision of making tourism a key driver of economic growth, employment, and investment. By improving hospitality facilities and encouraging greater participation from the private sector, Assam hopes to emerge as one of the country’s most sought-after travel destinations.
10, Jul 2026
India Moves Closer to an AI-Ready Digital Future, Report Highlights
July 10: India is making significant progress toward building an artificial intelligence (AI)-ready digital ecosystem, according to a new report highlighting the country’s growing technology capabilities, digital infrastructure, and innovation landscape.
The report notes that India’s rapid adoption of digital services, expansion of data networks, and increasing focus on AI research and skills development are creating a strong foundation for the next phase of technological growth.
With investments in digital infrastructure, emerging technologies, and workforce training, India is positioning itself as a key player in the global AI transformation. Businesses, startups, and public institutions are increasingly adopting AI-driven solutions to improve efficiency, enhance services, and address complex challenges across sectors.
The report also emphasizes the importance of responsible AI development, including stronger digital skills, data security, and ethical technology practices, to ensure that the benefits of AI reach communities across the country.
As India continues to strengthen its digital capabilities, the country is moving toward a future where artificial intelligence plays a central role in economic growth, innovation, and social development.
10, Jul 2026
From Farm Waste to Flight Fuel: India’s Crop Residue Could Power a Cleaner Aviation Future
July 10: India’s mountains of agricultural residue, once seen as a major environmental challenge, could become a valuable resource for producing sustainable jet fuel, according to a new report.
Every year, large quantities of crop waste are generated across the country, much of which is burned after harvest, contributing to air pollution. New technologies are now showing that this biomass can be converted into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), offering a cleaner alternative for the aviation industry.
The transformation of crop residue into jet fuel could create new opportunities for farmers, reduce waste burning, and help India move toward its clean energy goals. With advances in biofuel technology and renewable energy, agricultural waste could play an important role in building a more sustainable future for air travel.
Experts believe that turning farm leftovers into fuel could help India address two major challenges at the same time: managing agricultural waste and reducing carbon emissions from aviation.
10, Jul 2026
Mutual Fund Investments Gain Momentum with 26 pc Jump in Equity Inflows
July 10: Investors continued to show strong confidence in equity mutual funds, with inflows rising 26 per cent to Rs 28,973 crore in June, according to data released by the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI).
The increase reflects growing participation from investors despite changing market conditions. Equity mutual funds have remained a preferred investment option for many individuals seeking long-term wealth creation through market-linked instruments.
The data showed continued interest across different categories of equity schemes, supported by regular investments through systematic investment plans (SIPs). The steady flow of funds highlights the growing acceptance of mutual funds among retail investors.
Industry experts said the rise in inflows indicates improved investor awareness and confidence in disciplined, long-term investing. Mutual funds have increasingly become an important avenue for households looking to participate in India’s capital markets.
The latest figures underline the expanding role of mutual funds in India’s financial landscape and the increasing involvement of individual investors in equity markets.
10, Jul 2026
India, Australia Sign Agreement to Strengthen Protection of Traditional Knowledge
Pic Credit: https://x.com/PMOIndia
July 10: India and Australia have signed an important agreement to improve the protection of traditional knowledge and strengthen the patent examination process.
The agreement allows Australia’s patent authorities to access India’s Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL), a specialised database that documents India’s centuries-old knowledge systems, including Ayurveda, Yoga, Siddha, Unani and other traditional practices.
The move will help patent examiners identify existing traditional knowledge while reviewing applications, reducing the chances of patents being granted for knowledge that is already part of India’s cultural and scientific heritage.
The agreement marks a new step in India–Australia cooperation in the field of intellectual property rights. It reflects both countries’ shared efforts to promote fair recognition of traditional knowledge and ensure that valuable heritage is protected in the global innovation system.
India’s TKDL has become an important tool in preserving traditional knowledge by making documented information available to patent authorities in a structured and accessible manner. Through this partnership, India and Australia aim to build a stronger and more transparent patent system while respecting the contributions of traditional communities.
10, Jul 2026
Government’s Customs Duty Rationalisation Strengthens India’s Electronics Manufacturing Ecosystem: IESA
The India Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA) has welcomed the Government of India’s decision to rationalise customs duties on capital equipment and critical inputs used for manufacturing lithium-ion battery cells, display assemblies and critical inputs used in the manufacture of wireless charging inductor coil modules, calling it a strategic policy measure that will accelerate India’s transition from an assembly-led economy to a globally competitive electronics manufacturing hub.
The customs duty relief is expected to reduce capital costs, improve project viability and catalyse investments across the electronics value chain. The policy complements the Government’s Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS) and Semicon India Programme, which together are aimed at deepening domestic manufacturing capabilities and increasing value addition.
India’s electronics market is projected to exceed US$400 billion by 2030, while semiconductor demand is expected to cross US$103 billion during the same period. Simultaneously, India is building a multi-hundred GWh lithium-ion battery manufacturing ecosystem to support the rapid growth of electric mobility and energy storage. Lower duties on manufacturing equipment will improve the competitiveness of these investments and strengthen supply chain resilience.
The announcement will benefit a wide range of sectors, including electric vehicles, smartphones, laptops, consumer electronics, telecom equipment, wearable devices, medical electronics, industrial electronics, drones, renewable energy and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). Domestic manufacturing of display assemblies and wireless charging modules will also increase local value addition in high-volume products, particularly smartphones and other smart devices.
Although the measure does not directly target semiconductor fabrication, it will have a strong multiplier effect by expanding domestic electronics manufacturing, increasing demand for semiconductor devices and encouraging deeper integration of India’s electronics and semiconductor value chains.
Ashok Chandak, President, IESA, said:
“This is much more than a customs duty rationalisation—it is a strategic investment in India’s manufacturing future. By reducing the cost of producing three of the most critical building blocks of modern electronics—advanced batteries, display assemblies and wireless charging modules—the Government is enabling higher domestic value addition, improving global competitiveness and making India a more attractive destination for electronics manufacturing investments. Every smartphone, EV, telecom system, medical device and energy storage solution built in India creates demand for semiconductors. A stronger component ecosystem today lays the foundation for a stronger semiconductor ecosystem tomorrow. This is another important step towards making India not just a market for electronics, but a globally trusted hub for product creation and advanced manufacturing.”
