Business
China lifts rare earths export curbs: India’s electronics sector could benefit from relaxations – what industry experts have to say – Times of India
The electronics sector, India’s major Make-in-India achievement, could gain lasting global advantages due to a surprise backing from its strategic competitor, China.The Chinese government’s decision to relax restrictions on rare earth metals and critical mineral exports addresses a significant supply constraint for electronic products, including electric vehicles, computers, mobile phones, gaming devices and display-based instruments, as industry leaders told Economic Times.The removal of import restrictions is expected to create additional prospects for advanced manufacturing and research activities in India, whilst helping to maintain stable costs.Also read: India to ease China business visa process- Top executives’ applications from Vivo, Xiaomi and more likely to be approved; move amid improving tiesRare earth metals are essential components in manufacturing magnets for electronics, EVs, robotics and emerging technologies. Previously, India’s electronics supply chain faced difficulties, with Foxconn’s Hyderabad facility experiencing supply constraints for Apple AirPods production following initial restrictions.Subhrakant Panda, managing director, Indian Metals and Ferro Alloys, said, “Industry will be relieved by China lifting its export curbs on rare earth elements and critical minerals. Moreover, it is a positive development which will aid in the normalisation of ties that are in mutual interest.”The recently improving relations between India and China will enhance Beijing’s industrial and diplomatic position, according to Jason Oxman, President and CEO of Washington DC-based Information Technology Industry Council (ITI), in his statement to ET. “Whenever the US vacates policy space, China wins. Where Washington pulls back from trade agreements or imposes tariffs, Beijing steps in with offers of tariff-free trade. That is a long-term risk to U.S. competitiveness,” he said.Indian electronics producers welcomed the announcement. Rajoo Goel, secretary general, Electronic Industries Association of India (ELCINA), told ET, “The bigger hit was for Indian electronics companies in wearables and electric vehicles (EVs), which rely on rare earth magnets in larger quantities. We heard from companies such as Brandworks and boAt which faced difficulties due to shortages. EV makers were also impacted because rare earths are critical for motors and battery systems. However, I would add that while production slowed, no company had to completely shut down operations.”This brief disruption points to the necessity of self-sufficiency and strategic planning, he noted. “Unlike China, India hasn’t sufficiently invested in securing rare earth supply chains despite a decade of efforts to grow its electronics ecosystem. We need to anticipate such risks, prepare alternatives, and allocate resources for domestic exploration, research, and processing of these critical minerals,” he said.Experts indicated that the disruption revealed India’s susceptibility to global fluctuations in critical minerals and emphasised the urgency of establishing its own rare earth infrastructure.Abhishek Bhatia, managing director and partner, BCG India, told ET, “Curbs on export on the select rare earth elements and related magnets from China to India presented significant production risks to industries like automotive, consumer electronics, and wind power, and any change in the current status will be a welcome relief to the industry.”China dominates the global rare earth value chain from extraction to oxide processing and downstream industries, representing over 90% of worldwide production across various applications including magnets, ceramics, catalysts and alloys, Bhatia elaborated. This is where India should actively be looking to build self-reliance through strategic acquisitions of assets globally via mechanisms like KABIL as well as encouraging the private sector to invest across the exploration, mining and downstream value chain,” Bhatia said.KABIL, or Khanij Bidesh India Limited, combines three Indian public sector enterprises: NALCO, HCL, and MECL. It aims to ensure critical and strategic mineral supplies through overseas resource identification, exploration and acquisition. KABIL currently sources minerals including lithium and cobalt from Argentina and Australia.Industry experts suggest that consistent supply will enable Indian manufacturers to increase production, maintain stable raw material costs and plan long-term research investments.Discussing China’s policy change implications, T Senthil Siva Subramanian, head, Institute Industry Interface Programme, Hindustan College of Science and Technology (Sharda Group of Institutions), Mathura, told ET, “Lifting export curbs on rare earth metals, particularly Yttrium, will catalyse growth in India’s opto-electronics ecosystem. As the global leader in yttrium production, China’s policy shift opens new avenues and enormous opportunities for India to accelerate innovation in advanced plasmonic sensing technologies.“He also detailed Yttrium’s hydrogen-sensing capabilities for plasmonic hydrogen gas sensors, noting that with India’s progress in indigenous chip design and fabrication, Yttrium-based Sensor Systems on Chip (YSoC) could represent a significant advancement.These sensors will support defence, space exploration and green energy initiatives, including the National Green Hydrogen Mission, Indian Semiconductor Mission, National Quantum Mission and National Manufacturing Mission. The availability of rare earths will also enable Indian MSMEs to conduct research, innovate and produce rare earth-based opto-electronic chips, advancing domestic capabilities.
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National Startup Day highlights India’s thriving startup ecosystem, celebrating innovation, entrepreneurship and job creation driven by founders, unicorns and Startup India mission
National Startup Day 2026 honours Indian startups, entrepreneurs and innovators driving economic growth and job creation.
National Startup Day 2026: India’s startup ecosystem has evolved into one of the world’s most vibrant and promising innovation hubs. To recognise the contribution of entrepreneurs, founders and startups transforming ideas into impactful solutions, National Startup Day is observed every year on January 16 across the country.
Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2022, the day celebrates visionary entrepreneurs who play a crucial role in economic growth, employment generation and technological advancement.
National Startup Day serves as a reminder that innovation, backed by determination and policy support, can reshape society and create global impact.
National Startup Day 2026 Theme
The official theme for National Startup Day 2026 is yet to be announced. However, the core focus areas are expected to revolve around:
- Innovation and emerging technologies
- Entrepreneurship and leadership
- Self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat)
- Startup India Mission
- Youth empowerment
- Job creation
How Startups Are Shaping India’s Future
India currently ranks as the third-largest startup ecosystem globally, with over 1.59 lakh startups recognised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) as of early 2025. Backed by 100+ unicorns, the ecosystem continues to grow rapidly.
Metro cities such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi-NCR lead this expansion, while Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities are emerging as new innovation centres, adding diversity and scale to India’s entrepreneurial journey.
Startups across fintech, edtech, health-tech, e-commerce and deep-tech are addressing real-world challenges and gaining global recognition. Technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and IoT are increasingly driving innovation, according to Startup India ecosystem reports.
Industry-Wise Startup Impact
DPIIT-recognised startups have generated over 16.6 lakh direct jobs across sectors as of October 31, 2024, strengthening India’s employment landscape.
- IT Services: 2.04 lakh jobs
- Healthcare & Life Sciences: 1.47 lakh jobs
- Commercial & Professional Services: 94,000 jobs
Through the Startup India initiative, the government continues to focus on skill development, funding access, ecosystem collaboration and global outreach.
Key Initiatives Under Startup India
- Capacity building and mentorship
- Outreach and awareness programmes
- Ecosystem development events
- International exposure and global linkages
- Collaboration between startups, corporates and institutions.
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January 16, 2026, 07:00 IST
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The government on Thursday kept petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD) prices unchanged at Rs253.17 per litre and Rs257.08 per litre respectively, for the coming fortnight, starting from January 16.
This decision was notified in a press release issued by the Petroleum Division.
Earlier, it was expected that the prices of all petroleum products would go down by up to Rs4.50 per litre (over 1pc each) today in view of variation in the international market.
Petrol is primarily used in private transport, small vehicles, rickshaws, and two-wheelers, and directly impacts the budgets of the middle and lower-middle classes.
Meanwhile, most of the transport sector runs on HSD. Its price is considered inflationary, as it is mostly used in heavy transport vehicles, trains, and agricultural engines such as trucks, buses, tractors, tube wells, and threshers, and particularly adds to the prices of vegetables and other eatables.
The government is currently charging about Rs100 per litre on petrol and about Rs97 per litre on diesel.
Business
Gold price today: How much 22K, 24K gold cost in Delhi, Patna & other cities – Check rates – The Times of India
Gold prices climbed to a fresh lifetime high in the domestic market on Thursday amid sustained buying by jewellers and stockists, according to the All India Sarafa Association.Gold advanced by Rs 800 to hit a new peak of Rs 1,47,300 per 10 grams (inclusive of all taxes), extending gains for the fifth consecutive session. The yellow metal had closed at Rs 1,46,500 per 10 grams in the previous session.Since the start of 2026, gold prices have surged Rs 9,600, or around 7 per cent, supported by persistent demand in the physical market. In overseas trade, spot gold slipped USD 12.22, or 0.26 per cent, to USD 4,614.45 per ounce, after having touched a record high of USD 4,643.06 per ounce in the previous session.Here is how much gold costs in major Indian cities today:
Gold price in Delhi today
The price of 22K gold in Delhi is Rs 13,140 per gram, down Rs 75, while 24K gold is priced at Rs 14,333 per gram, lower by Rs 82.
Gold price in Chennai today
In Chennai, 22K gold costs Rs 13,290 per gram, up Rs 10, while 24K gold is priced at Rs 14,498 per gram, higher by Rs 10.
Gold price in Mumbai today
Mumbai markets see 22K gold priced at Rs 13,125 per gram, down Rs 75, while 24K gold stands at Rs 14,318 per gram, lower by Rs 82.
Gold price in Ahmedabad today
In Ahmedabad, 22K gold is priced at Rs 13,130 per gram, down Rs 75, while 24K gold costs Rs 14,323 per gram, lower by Rs 82.
Gold price in Kolkata today
Kolkata markets price 22K gold at Rs 13,125 per gram, down Rs 75, while 24K gold stands at Rs 14,318 per gram, lower by Rs 82.
Gold price in Jaipur today
In Jaipur, 22K gold costs Rs 13,140 per gram, down Rs 75, while 24K gold is priced at Rs 14,333 per gram, lower by Rs 82.
Gold price in Hyderabad today
Hyderabad sees 22K gold at Rs 13,125 per gram, down Rs 75, while 24K gold is priced at Rs 14,318 per gram, lower by Rs 82.
Gold price in Bhubaneswar today
Bhubaneswar markets see 22K gold priced at Rs 13,125 per gram, down Rs 75, while 24K gold costs Rs 14,318 per gram, lower by Rs 82.
Gold price in Patna today
In Patna, 22K gold costs Rs 13,130 per gram, down Rs 75, while 24K gold is priced at Rs 14,323 per gram, lower by Rs 82.
Gold price in Lucknow today
Lucknow markets see 22K gold priced at Rs 13,140 per gram, down Rs 75, while 24K gold costs Rs 14,333 per gram, lower by Rs 82.
National Startup Day 2026: How India’s Startups Are Shaping The Future
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