Strong Growth in Direct Taxes: Up 14.6 pc to INR 5.21 Lakh Crore

New Delhi, June 19: India’s net direct tax collections have registered a robust growth of 14.6 per cent, reaching ₹5.21 lakh crore in the current financial period, signaling sustained economic momentum and improved compliance across taxpayer segments.

The rise in collections has been supported by healthy advance tax inflows, steady corporate tax payments, and continued growth in personal income tax contributions. Officials said the performance reflects broad-based economic activity and strengthening financial discipline across sectors.

The data highlights improving tax buoyancy, driven by higher corporate profitability, stable employment trends, and widening participation in the formal economy. Enhanced digital compliance systems and stronger enforcement measures have also contributed to better reporting and revenue realization.

From a macroeconomic standpoint, the increase in direct tax collections is expected to strengthen the government’s fiscal position, providing greater flexibility to sustain capital expenditure, infrastructure development, and welfare spending without compromising fiscal prudence.

Economists view the growth in tax revenues as a positive indicator of underlying economic resilience, suggesting steady demand conditions and improving income levels. The trend also reinforces investor confidence in India’s medium-term growth outlook.

Authorities are expected to continue focusing on compliance expansion and broadening the tax base to maintain revenue momentum in the coming months.

Gujarat Approves INR 1,567 Crore Industrial Incentives to Boost Manufacturing and Jobs

Gandhinagar, June 19: In a significant push to industrial growth, the Gujarat government has cleared incentive support worth ₹1,567 crore for projects in the chemical, automobile, and textile sectors, aiming to strengthen manufacturing capacity, attract investment, and generate employment across the state.

The approved incentives are expected to speed up project execution and encourage new investments across key industrial clusters. Officials said the move reflects Gujarat’s continued focus on building a strong, diversified manufacturing base and reinforcing its position as one of India’s leading industrial destinations.

The chemical sector is set to benefit from expanded production capabilities and stronger downstream linkages. In the automobile segment, the incentives are expected to support component manufacturing and supply chain integration, while the textile industry—one of Gujarat’s core strengths—will see further modernisation and capacity expansion to improve competitiveness in domestic and global markets.

Beyond sectoral gains, the initiative is expected to generate significant employment opportunities and stimulate growth in allied industries such as logistics, engineering, packaging, and infrastructure. It is also likely to improve capital inflows and enhance overall industrial productivity in the state.

From an economic standpoint, the package is expected to have a wider multiplier effect by boosting manufacturing output, increasing exports, and strengthening MSME participation in supply chains. Higher industrial activity is also expected to support income generation and contribute to broader economic momentum in the region.

The state government reiterated its commitment to fostering a competitive and investment-friendly environment while promoting sustainable and inclusive industrial development.

Government Approves Major Pulses & Oilseeds Procurement Drive Across 4 States; Uttar Pradesh Leads Beneficiary List

Pic Credit: Pexel 

New Delhi, June 19, 2026: In a significant boost to India’s agricultural support framework, large-scale procurement of pulses and oilseeds has been approved across four states, with Uttar Pradesh emerging as the biggest beneficiary under the programme.

The initiative is aimed at strengthening minimum price support mechanisms, ensuring assured market access for farmers, and reducing price volatility in key agricultural commodities. By expanding procurement coverage, the government seeks to provide greater income security, particularly for pulses and oilseeds growers who often face fluctuating market prices.

Uttar Pradesh, with its large agricultural base and extensive cultivation of pulses and oilseeds, will receive the highest allocation under the procurement plan. Farmers in the state are expected to benefit significantly through improved price realization and timely procurement support.

Officials said the move will also help stabilize domestic supply chains for essential food items and reduce dependence on imports of edible oils and pulses, thereby improving overall food security.

From an economic perspective, the procurement drive is expected to have a positive multiplier effect. By increasing rural income, the initiative will boost farm liquidity, strengthen rural consumption demand, and support allied sectors such as transportation, warehousing, food processing, and agri-logistics. This, in turn, is likely to contribute to broader economic stability and reinforce growth in the agricultural economy.

The government reiterated its commitment to ensuring fair returns to farmers while promoting crop diversification and strengthening India’s self-reliance in key agricultural commodities.

Further details on procurement agencies, timelines, and state-wise allocations are expected to be announced by the concerned authorities shortly.

Sensex, Nifty Start Lower as IT Stocks Weigh on Market Sentiment

Mumbai, June 19: Indian equity markets opened lower on Friday, with benchmark indices coming under pressure amid a sharp decline in information technology (IT) stocks. Investor sentiment weakened following cautious guidance from global technology services firm Accenture, raising concerns over the near-term growth outlook for the IT sector.

The BSE Sensex opened over 500 points lower at 76,852.86, while the NSE Nifty slipped more than 150 points to begin the session at 23,991.20.

Technology shares led the losses, with the Nifty IT index witnessing a significant decline. Mid- and small-cap IT and telecom stocks also traded lower as investors reacted to global industry trends and moderated growth expectations.

Broader market sentiment remained subdued, with sectors such as real estate, consumer durables, financial services, metals, automobiles, and FMCG trading in negative territory during early trade.

However, defensive sectors provided some support to the market. Pharmaceutical and healthcare stocks attracted buying interest, reflecting investors’ preference for relatively stable sectors amid heightened market uncertainty.

Despite the weakness in technology stocks, market experts remain optimistic about the broader market outlook. Improving domestic macroeconomic indicators, easing inflationary concerns, and declining crude oil prices continue to support investor confidence.

Foreign institutional investor (FII) activity has also contributed to recent market resilience, particularly in the banking sector, where short-covering and selective buying have helped sustain momentum.

Global developments further influenced market sentiment. Crude oil prices moved lower following reports of easing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and the resumption of tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. The decline in oil prices is viewed as a positive development for India, which relies heavily on energy imports.

Meanwhile, Asian markets traded mixed during the session, while major US indices closed higher overnight, reflecting cautious optimism among global investors.

Market participants will continue to monitor global economic developments, corporate earnings, foreign investment flows, and commodity price trends for cues on market direction in the coming days.

Athulya Senior Care, Dementia India Alliance Train Future Caregivers to Close India’s Dementia Care Gap

Chennai, June 19:  With nearly 90 percent of India’s dementia cases going undiagnosed and demand for trained caregivers rising, Athulya Senior Care, in association with Dementia India Alliance, trained more than 45 students and aspiring healthcare professionals at a “Healthy Brain, Healthy Ageing” workshop held today at its Maduravoyal facility in Chennai, as part of Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month 2026.

Participants from disciplines including psychology, social work, caregiving and allied healthcare attended expert-led sessions on brain health, dementia awareness, healthy ageing and caregiving practices, and received certificates upon completing the programme.

Sessions, led by mental health professionals and dementia care experts, covered the early signs and symptoms of dementia, risk factors associated with cognitive decline, current approaches to dementia care and treatment, and the importance of early diagnosis and intervention, giving participants practical insight into supporting people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

Beyond raising awareness, the workshop aimed to strengthen India’s dementia care ecosystem by equipping students and aspiring professionals with foundational caregiving knowledge, contributing to a skilled workforce capable of supporting the country’s growing number of people living with dementia and age-related cognitive disorders.

The initiative comes as India faces a rapidly growing dementia burden. Recent research estimates that approximately 8.8 million Indians aged 60 and above currently live with dementia, of which nearly 70 percent are estimated to have Alzheimer’s disease translating to more than 6 million Alzheimer’s cases nationwide. As India’s ageing population continues to grow, that number is projected to rise to nearly 16.9 million by 2036. Globally, more than 75 percent of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias are expected to occur in low- and middle-income countries by 2050, underscoring the urgency of strengthening awareness, diagnosis and care infrastructure.

Dr. Nivedha Pathmanathan, Consultant Psychiatrist, Athulya Senior Care said “Many families mistake the early signs of dementia for normal ageing, and that delay can cost months, sometimes years, of care a person could have received”, Early intervention significantly improves quality of life for someone living with dementia and gives families time to prepare for the journey ahead. Workshops like this one are how we move the needle on early detection and informed care.”  

Commenting on the initiative, Ms. Ramani Sundaram, Executive Director, Dementia India Alliance, said, “India is entering a phase where dementia is increasingly becoming a public health and caregiving challenge, yet we continue to face a significant shortage of professionals trained to support those living with the condition. Through our association with Athulya Senior Care, this workshop introduced to participants the realities of dementia care and encouraged a more informed and empathetic approach towards cognitive health.”

Speaking about this initiative, Mr. Srinivasan G, Founder and CEO, Athulya Senior Care said, “The shortage of caregivers trained to support people with dementia is one of the biggest gaps in India’s senior care system today. Through our association with Dementia India Alliance, this workshop gives students and aspiring professionals a foundation in dementia care, and the skills they build here will shape how well India’s ageing population is supported in the years ahead.”

The workshop is part of Athulya Senior Care’s ongoing efforts to build awareness around healthy ageing, cognitive health and specialised senior care, while supporting the development of a trained workforce for individuals living with dementia and their families.