Daily News - Friday, 26 December 2025
Tier II & III Cities to Drive 45% of Urban Growth in India as Capital Appreciation Hits 8-12% in Non‑Metro Markets (CNBC TV18)
Manoj Dhanotiya, Founder & CEO of Micro Mitti, highlighted that India’s Tier II & III cities are becoming major real estate opportunities due to rising incomes and infrastructure expansion. He stated that over 45% of India’s urban population growth in the next decade will come from these smaller cities, supported by jobs in manufacturing, IT services, logistics, healthcare, and education. Government spending by ministries such as the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Civil Aviation, and Housing & Urban Affairs on highways, industrial corridors, airports, and urban infrastructure is driving local housing demand. Residential prices in Tier II cities remain 40-60% lower than metros, while average home sizes are 20–30% larger, making them more affordable for buyers. In several non‑metro micro‑markets, capital appreciation has averaged 8–12% annually, compared with lower single‑digit growth in saturated metro suburbs. Dhanotiya cautioned about risks such as oversupply, title and approval issues, and uneven demand, stressing the need for legal diligence, credible developers, and realistic timelines.
India to Export Semiconductors Soon, USD $24 billion Projects Launched as Chip Demand Rises (Good Returns)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced at the Abhyudaya Madhya Pradesh Growth Summit (Dec 25, 2025) that India, despite its late entry, will soon achieve self‑reliance and begin exporting semiconductors. He inaugurated and laid foundation stones for industrial projects worth ₹2 lakh crore (≈ USD 24 billion), aimed at boosting manufacturing and technology. Shah highlighted that 4.57 lakh MSMEs were registered in Madhya Pradesh within a year, strengthening the state’s industrial ecosystem. He praised Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and the BJP government for regional investment summits that attracted businesses across the state. The initiative was timed with the 101st birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, underlining inclusive leadership and balanced development. Shah emphasized that India will soon start exporting semiconductors, positioning itself as a global supplier despite being a late entrant.
Global Deficit of 124,000 Tons in 2025 Puts Pressure on India’s Growth Plan (Business Today)
The global copper market faces a deficit of 124,000 tons in 2025 and 150,000 tons in 2026, according to Reuters. Prices have surged 35% this year, nearing USD 12,000 (≈ INR 10 lakh) per metric ton, marking the largest annual gain since 2009. Analyst Rakesh Bansal of RKB Ventures calls copper the “new king,” predicting a multi‑year bull run driven by AI data centres, EVs, and clean energy. He argues copper is a safe haven asset, comparable to gold and silver, because demand is structural and supply is constrained. In India, Hindustan Copper remains the only major domestic player, highlighting limited local supply capacity. Macquarie Bank forecasts global copper demand at 27 million tons in 2025, up 2.7% from 2024, with China’s demand rising 3.7% and the rest of the world 3%.
India’s Exports Hit Record USD 825 Billion in FY25 Despite Global Trade Pressure (CNBC TV18)
India’s exports hit a record USD 825.25 billion (≈ ₹68.7 lakh crore) in FY25, growing 6.05% year‑on‑year despite global disruptions. The Russia‑Ukraine war and Israel‑Gaza conflict raised freight and insurance costs, yet India’s exports remained resilient. In April 2025, US President Donald Trump imposed global tariffs of 10%, with India facing a steep 26% rate, later hiked to 50% in August after accusations of funding Russia via oil imports. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal rejected external pressure, insisting India’s trade decisions are sovereign, while talks on a bilateral US trade deal remained slow. India diversified by signing FTAs with the UK (July), EFTA (October), Oman (December, covering 98% tariff lines), and New Zealand, cushioning the US tariff shock. In the first half of FY26, exports grew 5.86%, led by services (+9.34%) and merchandise (+2.9%), with strong demand from Spain, Hong Kong, China, and UAE, though labour‑intensive sectors like textiles and leather now feel the US tariff impact.
