India has witnessed a remarkable rise in its Gross Expenditure on Research and Development (GERD) over the last decade, with spending more than doubling under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. 

Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister for Science and Technology, highlighted this significant growth, stating that India’s GERD increased from ₹60,196 crore in 2013-14 to ₹1,27,381 crore. This expansion underscores the government’s commitment to establishing India as a global hub for innovation and technological advancement.

Bridging the Gap Between Research and Industry

At the recent DISHA event held at the India Habitat Centre, Dr Jitendra Singh emphasised that government-backed initiatives are playing a crucial role in catalysing scientific advancements. The investment in R&D is not just focused on research but also on ensuring seamless integration of innovations from laboratories into industries. This approach aligns with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, empowering India to become self-reliant in cutting-edge technologies.

DISHA Programme: Driving Research-Based Economic Growth

The DISHA Programme (Developing Innovations, Successful Harnessing, and Adoption) is a government initiative aimed at fostering a knowledge-driven economy. It provides support to faculty members and students working on disruptive technologies, encouraging the development of research-driven solutions that can transform industries. This programme is strategically designed to keep India at the forefront of global technological advancements.

Anusandhan National Research Foundation: A Unified Research Ecosystem

To further integrate research across multiple disciplines, the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) has been established. This foundation aims to bridge the gap between science, humanities, and social sciences, promoting cross-sectoral collaborations. By encouraging interdisciplinary research, the ANRF ensures that India’s innovation ecosystem remains robust and competitive on a global scale.

Private Sector Participation in Strategic Research Fields

A notable shift in India’s research landscape is the government’s policy change allowing private sector participation in strategic areas such as space technology and nuclear research. Historically controlled by government institutions, these sectors are now witnessing increased private enterprise involvement, which is expected to accelerate technological advancements, enhance efficiency, and boost India’s global competitiveness.

Space Technology and Nuclear Research

India’s space sector has seen a surge in innovation, with startups actively contributing to satellite development, launch services, and space-based applications. The opening of the nuclear energy sector to private players marks another transformative step, leveraging indigenous expertise to drive energy security and sustainability.

Artificial Intelligence: Transforming Healthcare and Beyond

Dr Jitendra Singh also highlighted the growing impact of artificial intelligence (AI) in sectors like healthcare. AI-driven mobile telemedicine units are expanding access to healthcare in remote areas, while AI-powered diagnostics are revolutionising patient care by making medical services more accessible and cost-effective. 

However, he stressed the importance of balancing AI advancements with human expertise to ensure technology enhances, rather than replaces, skilled professionals.

India’s Vision for 2047: A Technological Powerhouse

As India approaches 100 years of independence in 2047, the role of young innovators in shaping the country’s technological future is becoming increasingly crucial. 

Dr Jitendra Singh urged the next generation to lead the way in developing cutting-edge solutions, stating that the investments made today will determine India’s position in the global economy decades from now.

Conclusion

India’s increasing investment in R&D, coupled with deep-tech research, skill development, and industry-academia collaborations, is setting the stage for a transformative future. Programmes like DISHA and initiatives like the ANRF will play a vital role in making India an innovation powerhouse, ensuring that the country is not just a consumer of technology but also a leading creator and exporter of groundbreaking solutions to the world.

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions. 

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

The Indian real estate market maintained its upward momentum in Q4 2024, with housing prices in the country’s top 8 cities—Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi National Capital Region (NCR), Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), and Pune—rising by 10% annually. This marks the 16th consecutive quarter of price appreciation since 2021, driven by sustained demand across market segments.

According to a report, Delhi NCR saw the highest year-on-year (YoY) increase at 31%, followed by Bengaluru at 23%. Strong demand for luxury and ultra-luxury housing is expected to further influence prices in 2025, even as the affordable housing segment remains the most sought after.

Delhi NCR and Bengaluru Lead the Price Surge

Delhi NCR’s real estate market saw a sharp rise in property values, particularly in high-growth corridors such as Dwarka Expressway and Greater Noida, where prices surged by 58% and 52% YoY, respectively. This increase can be attributed to infrastructure enhancements and improved connectivity in these areas.

Bengaluru followed closely, witnessing a 23% YoY rise, with micro-markets like Outer West Bengaluru experiencing price hikes of up to 15%. Pune and Ahmedabad also saw significant appreciation, reflecting strong buyer sentiment and increasing investments in these regions.

Declining Unsold Inventory and Market Shift

For the fourth consecutive quarter, unsold housing inventory saw a decline, falling by 5% YoY. The total number of unsold units dipped below 10 lakh for the first time in two years. Among major cities, Pune registered the sharpest drop in unsold units at 14% YoY, followed by Hyderabad at 13%.

Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), which historically had higher inventory levels, saw a decline for the first time in nearly three years, with unsold units dropping to 3.9 lakh. The demand for larger homes—particularly 3-4BHK apartments—was a key factor, leading to a 34% YoY price increase in this category in Bengaluru, Delhi NCR, and Pune.

Luxury Housing Dominates, but Affordable Segment to Gain Traction

The real estate market in the past four years has been largely driven by luxury and ultra-luxury housing. However, Q4 FY24 saw new housing launches moderate, and experts anticipate a rise in demand for affordable and mid-segment properties. This could lead to a shift in market composition as buyers seek budget-friendly options amidst rising interest in premium housing.

Factors Driving Housing Demand

Several key factors are likely to shape the Indian housing market in the coming quarters:

• Evolving Consumer Preferences – Buyers continue to seek larger living spaces, particularly in metropolitan areas.
• Rising Land and Construction Costs – The increasing cost of materials and land acquisition is expected to influence property pricing.
• Potential Interest Rate Reduction – A policy shift towards lower interest rates could boost housing demand further.
• Infrastructure Development – Connectivity and urban expansion projects continue to support price appreciation in key micro-markets.

Conclusion

With strong sales momentum and shifting consumer demand, the Indian housing market is poised for further evolution in 2025, balancing luxury aspirations with the need for affordable housing options.

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions. 

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

The financial landscape for women in India is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by a sharp rise in credit awareness. According to a joint report by TransUnion CIBIL, NITI Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP), and MicroSave Consulting (MSC), 27 million Indian women actively monitored their credit health by December 2024—an impressive 42% increase from 19 million in December 2023.

The report, titled “From Borrowers to Builders: Women’s Role in India’s Financial Growth Story,” further reveals that women’s share in the total self-monitoring borrower base grew to 19.43% in December 2024, up from 17.89% the previous year.

Gen Z Women Leading the Trend

A closer look at the data indicates that younger women, particularly Gen Z borrowers, are at the forefront of this shift. Gen Z women saw a 56% year-on-year (YoY) increase in self-monitoring activity, making up 22% of the self-monitoring women population in 2024. Meanwhile, Millennial women exhibited a 38% YoY rise, constituting 52% of self-monitoring women.

This growing awareness is translating into action. TransUnion CIBIL data indicates that 13.49% of women who monitor their credit open a new loan account within a month of doing so. Additionally, 44% of self-monitoring women experienced improvements in their credit scores within 6 months, reflecting enhanced financial management.

Financial Inclusion and Women Entrepreneurship

Highlighting the need for better financial access, B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, CEO of NITI Aayog, remarked, “Access to finance is a fundamental enabler for women’s entrepreneurship. The Women Entrepreneurship Platform continues to work towards building an inclusive financial ecosystem, but this requires collaborative efforts from financial institutions and policymakers to design women-centric credit solutions.”

Between 2019 and 2024, women borrowers in India grew at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22%. Notably, 60% of these borrowers hail from semi-urban and rural areas, indicating the expanding financial footprint of women beyond metropolitan cities.

Shifting Borrowing Preferences: Rise of Business Loans

While consumption loans remain the preferred credit product for women borrowers, business loans are gaining momentum. In 2024, women opened 37 lakh new business-purpose loan accounts—over four times the 8 lakh accounts recorded in 2019. Correspondingly, business loan disbursements to women surged to ₹1.9 lakh crore in 2024, up from ₹0.7 lakh crore in 2019.

A breakdown of women borrowers’ credit portfolios showcases this evolving preference:

• 36% of women borrowers held consumption loans by December 2024, up from 33% in 2019.
• 34% availed agri and gold loans in 2024, compared to 32% in 2019.
• 16% held business loans in 2024, a sharp rise from 9% in 2019.

Geographic Trends: Growth Beyond Metro Cities

The rise in credit monitoring is more pronounced in non-metro areas, where self-monitoring women borrowers grew by 48% YoY, compared to a 30% increase in metro cities.

Among states, southern regions lead the charge. Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Telangana, along with Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, account for 49% of self-monitoring women borrowers in India.

Conclusion

The increasing credit awareness among Indian women is a testament to their growing financial independence and participation in the credit ecosystem. With Gen Z women leading the charge and rural penetration expanding, India is witnessing a paradigm shift in women’s financial literacy and borrowing patterns. This transformation sets the stage for enhanced economic opportunities, particularly in entrepreneurship and business expansion.

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions. 

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

India’s gem and jewellery sector has taken a significant step towards strengthening its trade relationship with Thailand by signing multiple memorandums of understanding (MoUs). These agreements aim to enhance cooperation, streamline gemstone standardisation, and foster innovation in jewellery design and production.

Thailand remains a key trading partner for India in the gem and jewellery industry. Indian exports account for 15% of Thailand’s total gem and jewellery imports, making it one of the top ten importers of Indian jewellery products. Despite this strong trade relationship, India’s gross exports in the sector stood at ₹2,02,640 crore (US$ 23,188 million) in the first 10 months of FY25, reflecting a 12.11% decline compared to the previous year.

Key MoUs Signed to Boost Industry Collaboration

Three key agreements were signed between Indian and Thai jewellery trade associations:

1. Standardising Gemstone Quality and Research

The Gems and Jewellery Research and Laboratories Centre (IIGJ-RLC) signed an MoU with the Gem & Jewellery Institute of Thailand (GIT), a public body under Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce. This partnership aims to promote gemstone standardisation, joint research initiatives, and knowledge exchange, ensuring greater transparency and trust in the industry.

Chairman of IIGJ Jaipur and Director of IIGJ-RLC, Mr. Nawal Agarwal, emphasised that the agreement would enhance gemstone certification processes, benefiting both traders and consumers.

2. Strengthening the Coloured Gemstone Trade

The Jewellers Association Jaipur entered into an MoU with the Chanthaburi Gem and Jewellery Traders Association, focusing on boosting the coloured gemstone trade between India and Thailand.

According to Mr. Alok Sonkhia, President of the Jewellers Association Jaipur, the agreement will facilitate better trade policies and strengthen business relations between coloured gemstone traders in both countries.

3. Advancing Silver Jewellery Design and Market Reach

A third MoU was finalised between the Sitapura Gems and Jewellery Industry Association (SGJIA) and the Thai Silver Exporters Association (TSEA). This agreement seeks to drive innovation, design excellence, and market expansion in silver jewellery.

Mr. Arvind Gupta, President of SGJIA, noted that this collaboration would help improve design standards, encourage new product development, and increase global competitiveness in silver jewellery exports.

Conclusion: A Step Forward for the Jewellery Industry

These MoUs mark a significant milestone in India-Thailand jewellery trade relations, ensuring better standardisation, stronger collaborations, and enhanced market access. By focusing on knowledge sharing, research, and design innovation, the agreements are expected to create new growth opportunities for both countries in the global jewellery market.

As the industry navigates evolving global trends, such partnerships will be instrumental in driving sustainable growth and strengthening India’s position in the international gem and jewellery trade.

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions. 

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.