India’s Balance of Payments Expected to Turn Positive in FY27, Supporting External Stability

New Delhi, July 17: India’s balance of payments (BoP) position is expected to move into surplus in the financial year 2026-27, according to a recent report, supported by improving external sector conditions and steady economic activity.

The projected shift to a surplus reflects expectations of stronger capital inflows, stable foreign exchange reserves and improved resilience in India’s external accounts. Analysts believe favourable global conditions and continued domestic economic growth could provide further support to the country’s balance of payments position.

The report highlighted that developments in exports, foreign investment flows and global commodity trends will remain key factors influencing India’s external sector performance in the coming months.

A stronger BoP position is expected to enhance macroeconomic stability, provide greater support to the rupee and strengthen India’s ability to manage external economic challenges.

India’s ongoing focus on boosting exports, attracting investment and maintaining economic stability continues to play an important role in strengthening the country’s position in the global economy.

World Youth Skills Day 2026: 4 Platforms Helping Young Indians Build Future-Ready Careers

July 17: As India continues to embrace a digital-first economy, the need for practical, industry-ready skills has never been greater. On the occasion of World Youth Skills Day 2026, it’s worth highlighting the platforms that are helping young professionals move beyond traditional education and prepare for the demands of a rapidly evolving workforce.

From finance and technology to coding and career-focused certifications, these learning platforms are equipping learners with the skills needed to thrive in today’s competitive job market. Here’s a look at four platforms making a meaningful impact on India’s skilling ecosystem:

1. Zell Education – Building the Next Generation of Finance Professionals

Founded in 2015 by finance professionals Pratham Barot and Anant Bengani, Zell Education has emerged as one of India’s leading edtech platforms for finance and accounting education. The institute offers globally recognized qualifications such as ACCA, IFRS, CFA, CMA, and other industry-relevant programs designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and professional expectations.

With an emphasis on practical learning, mentorship, placement support, and career guidance, Zell Education empowers students and working professionals to build successful careers in finance. By making world-class finance education more accessible, the platform continues to contribute to India’s growing pool of skilled finance talent.

2. GUVI – Empowering India’s Tech Talent Through Vernacular Learning

GUVI has carved a niche by making technology education accessible in multiple Indian languages, enabling learners from diverse backgrounds to build in-demand digital skills. Its industry-focused programs cover Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Full Stack Development, Data Science, Cloud Computing, and more.

With hands-on projects, coding challenges, and career-oriented learning paths, GUVI helps students and professionals transition into high-growth technology roles while making quality tech education inclusive for learners across the country.

3. upGrad – Driving Career Growth Through Industry-Relevant Programs

upGrad has become a preferred destination for professionals looking to upskill or switch careers through structured online learning. Partnering with leading universities and industry experts, the platform offers programs across Data Science, Digital Marketing, Product Management, Software Development, AI, and Business Management.

Its blend of live mentorship, real-world projects, career services, and flexible learning has enabled thousands of learners to stay competitive in an increasingly skills-driven employment landscape.

4. Masai School – Outcome-Focused Learning for the Digital Economy

Masai School is redefining career education with its outcome-oriented approach to skill development. Focused on Software Development, Data Analytics, AI, and other digital disciplines, the platform emphasizes hands-on learning, problem-solving, and industry-ready projects rather than traditional classroom methods.

By combining rigorous training with career preparation and mentorship, Masai School equips learners with practical capabilities that align with the hiring needs of modern employers, helping create a stronger pipeline of job-ready talent for India’s digital economy.

As India moves towards becoming a global knowledge and innovation hub, platforms like these are playing a critical role in strengthening the country’s workforce. By making quality education more accessible and aligned with industry requirements, they are empowering millions of young Indians to build sustainable careers, embrace lifelong learning, and contribute meaningfully to the nation’s growth.

Assam Expands Sports Infrastructure and Athlete Support to Build Global Sporting Talent

Guwahati, July 17: The Assam government is strengthening its sports ecosystem through expanded infrastructure development, improved training facilities and enhanced support programmes aimed at nurturing athletes with the potential to compete on global platforms.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the state is focused on creating a strong foundation for sporting excellence by investing in modern facilities, professional coaching and athlete development initiatives. The efforts are designed to encourage young talent and provide aspiring sportspersons with better opportunities to achieve success at national and international levels.

The government’s sports development strategy focuses on upgrading infrastructure, promoting grassroots participation and building a supportive environment for athletes across disciplines. These initiatives are expected to help identify emerging talent and provide them with the resources needed to progress in their sporting careers.

Assam’s continued investment in sports reflects the state’s commitment to youth empowerment, healthy lifestyles and the creation of a sustainable pathway for athletes to represent the state and the country at major competitions.

With a focus on long-term development, Assam aims to establish itself as a centre for sporting excellence and contribute to India’s growing presence in international sports.

Government Introduces Export Handbook to Support MSMEs in Expanding Global Markets

New Delhi, July 17: The Government of India has introduced a new export handbook to help micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) strengthen their export readiness and expand into international markets.

The handbook offers practical guidance on export procedures, documentation, regulatory compliance, logistics, financing options and government support schemes. It is intended to simplify the export process and equip MSMEs with the knowledge needed to access global opportunities more effectively.

The initiative supports the government’s efforts to enhance the global competitiveness of Indian MSMEs, promote export-led growth and encourage greater participation by small businesses in international trade.

Indian Rupee Opens Higher as Softer US Dollar Supports Market Sentiment

Mumbai, July 17: The Indian rupee opened 4 paise stronger against the US dollar on Friday, supported by weakness in the greenback and improved sentiment in the domestic foreign exchange market.

The local currency gained in early trade as the US dollar softened against major global currencies, providing support to emerging market currencies, including the rupee. Market participants also monitored foreign fund flows, crude oil prices and broader global economic developments for additional direction.

Currency analysts noted that a weaker dollar helped strengthen the rupee at the opening, although volatility may persist throughout the trading session amid changing global market conditions and investor positioning.

The performance of the rupee will continue to be influenced by movements in the US dollar index, international crude oil prices, foreign institutional investor activity and upcoming domestic and global economic data releases.

The stronger opening reflects cautious optimism in the currency market as investors assess global macroeconomic trends and their potential impact on India’s external sector and financial markets.

India Advances Green Rail Mobility with Hydrogen-Powered Train Initiative

New Delhi, July 17: India is taking a significant step toward sustainable transportation with the development of its hydrogen-powered train initiative, reinforcing the country’s commitment to cleaner mobility and low-carbon infrastructure. The project is aligned with the government’s broader vision of accelerating green energy adoption and modernizing the national rail network.

Union Minister Piyush Goyal said the hydrogen-powered train reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for green mobility, emphasizing that the initiative demonstrates India’s focus on innovation-driven and environmentally sustainable transport solutions.

The hydrogen-powered train is expected to reduce carbon emissions, improve energy efficiency and provide a cleaner alternative for rail operations, particularly on non-electrified routes. The initiative supports India’s long-term objectives of achieving sustainable economic growth, enhancing energy security and promoting the use of clean technologies across critical infrastructure.

The project forms part of the government’s ongoing efforts to transform Indian Railways through advanced technologies, improved operational efficiency and environmentally responsible practices. As investments in green transportation continue, hydrogen-powered rail systems are expected to play an important role in shaping the future of sustainable mobility in India.

The initiative highlights India’s commitment to building a modern, resilient and environmentally conscious transportation ecosystem while contributing to global climate goals and the country’s transition to a greener economy.

Indian Equity Markets Open Higher as IT and Auto Stocks Drive Early Gains

Mumbai, July 17: Indian equity markets opened on a positive note on Friday, with benchmark indices advancing in early trade, led by strong buying interest in information technology (IT) and automobile stocks. The upbeat market sentiment reflected investor confidence amid ongoing corporate earnings announcements and expectations of stable domestic economic growth.

The benchmark BSE Sensex and NSE Nifty traded higher during the opening session as gains in leading IT companies and automobile manufacturers lifted the broader market. Technology stocks attracted investor attention on optimism surrounding quarterly earnings and improving global demand trends, while auto shares benefited from continued expectations of healthy domestic sales and improving consumer sentiment.

Market participants remained focused on the ongoing earnings season, with upcoming financial results from major listed companies expected to provide further direction to equity markets. Investors also continued to monitor global economic developments, crude oil prices and foreign institutional investor activity for additional cues.

Analysts noted that the resilience of India’s macroeconomic fundamentals, coupled with sustained domestic investor participation, continues to support market sentiment despite global uncertainties. Selective buying in large-cap stocks helped benchmark indices maintain positive momentum during early trading.

Looking ahead, market experts expect stock-specific movements to dominate trading in the near term as investors assess corporate earnings, economic data and global market trends. The performance of the IT and automobile sectors is likely to remain a key driver of market sentiment in the sessions ahead.

The Next Evolution of AI Is Future-Ready Intelligence

Swagat Sarangi, Co–founder, Smytten & PulseAI Research 

“AI is not replacing human judgment; it is fundamentally changing how that judgment is formed. For decades, businesses have relied on historical data to predict what consumers might do next. The next frontier is future-ready intelligence: AI that continuously learns from real consumer behaviour, validates signals and helps businesses move from hindsight to foresight.

Consumers are already using AI to learn, explore and make more informed decisions. This gives brands an opportunity to move beyond assumptions and build on real behavioural intelligence. At PulseAI Research, we are transforming billions of consumer signals into validated, decision-ready intelligence, helping businesses identify emerging trends, anticipate changing preferences and act with greater speed and confidence.

The companies that win will not simply have more data, but better intelligence. The future of AI will be defined not by how much information we collect, but by how responsibly we use it to create better products, experiences and outcomes.”

Blackstraw Technologies Pvt. Ltd. Recognized for Data Foundation Excellence at ET Edge AI Summit and Awards 2026

“The focus is shifting from experimentation to execution, and the success of any AI initiative depends on the quality of the data foundation beneath it,” said Atul Bansal, Head of AI at Blackstraw. “Generative and agentic AI keep expanding what is possible, but sustainable outcomes require infrastructure and processes that can support AI at enterprise scale.”

Commenting on the broader enterprise AI landscape, Hemendhira Muralidharan, VP Marketing at Blackstraw, said, “The enterprise AI conversation has evolved significantly over the past 12-18 months. Organizations are increasingly moving beyond pilot programs and proofs of concept to focus on measurable business outcomes. We are also seeing enterprises test and validate AI capabilities within their own operations before deploying them more broadly across customer facing and business critical functions. In that environment, strong data foundations, governance frameworks, and operational readiness become strategic priorities. This recognition reflects the growing industry understanding that long term AI success is built on these core, non-comprising fundamentals.”

Polycab India Posts Record Q1 FY27 Revenue and Profit; PAT Rises 33%

Polycab India Posts Record Q1 FY27 Revenue and Profit; PAT Rises 33%

Mumbai, July 16, 2026: Polycab India Limited, India’s largest manufacturer of wires and cables, reported its highest-ever first-quarter financial performance, with consolidated revenue rising 39% year-on-year to ₹8,209.7 crore for the quarter ended June 30, 2026. The company also posted a 33% increase in Profit After Tax (PAT), reflecting robust demand across its core businesses.

The strong performance was driven by sustained momentum in the Wires & Cables (W&C) business and exceptional growth in the Fast-Moving Electrical Goods (FMEG) segment.

Wires & Cables Continue Strong Growth

The Wires & Cables business recorded 39% year-on-year growth, led by a 43% increase in domestic revenues. The company attributed the performance to healthy market demand and improved execution under its Project Spring transformation programme.

Within the segment, the wires business outperformed cables, while channel sales registered stronger growth than institutional sales. Although the international business declined 13% year-on-year, Polycab said its diversified global presence and healthy order book provide confidence for future growth.

The company also reported sequential improvement in EBIT margins, supported by a better product mix and operational efficiencies.

FMEG Business Registers Outstanding Quarter

Polycab’s FMEG business delivered an impressive 71% year-on-year revenue growth, with broad-based demand across product categories.

The solar products portfolio remained the largest contributor, recording more than double the revenue compared to the same period last year.

The segment’s EBIT margin expanded to 8%, driven by operating leverage, premium product offerings and continued efficiency improvements. The performance aligns with the company’s long-term objective under Project Spring of achieving 8–10% EBITDA margins by FY2030.

EPC Business Remains Well Positioned

Revenue from the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) business declined 11% year-on-year, primarily due to the timing of project execution. However, the segment maintained an EBIT margin of 11% and continues to be supported by a healthy order backlog and a strong project execution pipeline.

Profitability Remains Strong

For the quarter, EBITDA increased 32% year-on-year, with the consolidated EBITDA margin standing at 13.8%.

Profit After Tax (PAT) grew 33% year-on-year, while PAT margin remained healthy at 9.7%, underscoring the company’s operational strength and disciplined cost management.

Management Commentary

Commenting on the results, Inder T. Jaisinghani, Chairman and Managing Director, Polycab India Limited, said the company entered FY2027 with strong momentum, achieving its highest-ever first-quarter revenue and profit.

He said the Wires & Cables business continued its robust growth trajectory, supported by healthy domestic demand and execution excellence, while the FMEG business strengthened profitability through premiumisation, operational efficiencies and an expanding product portfolio.

Jaisinghani added that the company’s international business remains an important long-term growth driver, backed by a strong order book, while the EPC business continues to benefit from a healthy project pipeline.

He also expressed confidence that sustained government infrastructure spending, ongoing investments in manufacturing capacity, product innovation and distribution expansion will help Polycab strengthen its market leadership and deliver sustainable long-term growth.