Daily News - Friday, 19 December 2025
India Ranks 3rd Globally in Tech Startup Funding (USD 10.5 Billion) (Zee News)
In 2025, India’s tech startups raised USD 10.5 billion (₹87,000 crore), ranking the country 3rd globally behind the US and UK. The report by Tracxn, co‑founded by Neha Singh, noted a 17% decline from USD 12.7 Billion (₹105,000 crore) in 2024 and a 4% drop from USD 11 Billion (₹91,000 crore) in 2023. India recorded 14 funding rounds above USD 100 Million, compared to 19 rounds in 2024, with large deals in Transportation & Logistics Tech, Environment Tech, and Auto Tech. Early‑stage funding rose 7% YoY to USD 3.9 Billion (₹32,000 crore), while late‑stage funding fell 26% to USD 5.5 Billion (₹45,000 crore), and seed funding moderated to USD 1.1 Billion (₹9,000 crore). In 2025, India created 5 unicorns, up from 2 in 2023, with women co‑founded startups attracting USD 1 Billion (₹8,300 crore). Bengaluru led city‑wise funding with 32% share, followed by Mumbai at 18%, reinforcing India’s position as a resilient and attractive global startup hub.
India-Oman CEPA Signed in Muscat: India Gains Zero‑Duty Access on 98% of Oman’s Tariff Lines (Fortune India)
On 18 December 2025, India signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with Oman in Muscat, witnessed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sultan Haitham bin Tarik. The deal gives India zero‑duty access on 98.08% of Oman’s tariff lines, covering 99.38% of India’s exports by value. Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and Oman’s Minister Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef signed the agreement, unlocking duty‑free access for sectors like gems & jewellery, textiles, leather, footwear, plastics, furniture, and automobiles. Oman offered immediate tariff elimination on 97.96% tariff lines, while India reciprocated with liberalisation on 77.79% of its tariff lines (12,556 items), covering 94.81% of imports from Oman. The CEPA also expands services commitments in IT, R&D, education, health, and audio‑visual sectors, and allows 100% FDI by Indian companies in Oman. Mobility benefits include raising the quota for intra‑corporate transferees from 20% to 50%, and extending contractual service supplier stays from 90 days to 2 years, with a possible 2‑year extension.
Indian government imposed a five-year anti-dumping duty of $223.82 per tonne on Steel imports from China (CNBC TV18)
On 18 December 2025, the Indian government imposed a five-year anti-dumping duty of $223.82 per tonne on Cold Rolled Non-Oriented Electrical Steel imports from China after DGTR found injury to the domestic industry. The duty is aimed at protecting India’s domestic producers from below‑cost Chinese imports. The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) recommended the measure after investigations showed dumping margins of 15–35%. The duty will cover imports worth nearly USD 1.2 billion (₹10,000 crore) annually, impacting Chinese exporters like Baosteel and Ansteel. Indian steelmakers such as Tata Steel and JSW Steel are expected to benefit, as the move stabilizes prices and shields them from unfair competition. This step aligns with India’s broader trade strategy to curb dumping, support domestic manufacturing, and strengthen its position as the world’s 2nd most attractive manufacturing hub.
Japan’s Sumitomo Realty Bets $6.5 Billion India Investment Focused Entirely on Mumbai Projects (Reuters)
Sumitomo Realty & Development, Japan’s third‑largest developer, is investing USD 6.5 billion (₹54,000 crore) in India, with all five projects located in Mumbai. Managing director Tomoki Iwata confirmed that four projects in the Bandra Kurla Complex near Mumbai’s international airport will be completed within five years, with cash flows funding future expansion. General manager Niinomi Masato described Mumbai as the company’s “second growth engine” after Tokyo, citing fewer geographical risks like earthquakes. Unlike local developers such as Oberoi Realty and Godrej Properties, Sumitomo will manage and rent serviced apartments in its super‑high‑rise projects rather than sell them. Mumbai’s luxury rental market is booming, with average rents in South Mumbai reaching USD 8,096 (₹730,000) per month, up 20% in three years. Sumitomo has already spent 25% of its committed investment, positioning itself to replicate its Tokyo office building success model in India’s financial capital.
India’s Space Economy Valued at USD 8 Billion Projected to Hit USD 44 Billion by 2033 (Times of India)
INSPACe Chairman Pawan Goenka announced that India’s private space sector has raised USD 150 million (₹1,250 crore) so far in FY25, the highest since liberalisation in 2020. He stated at the India Economic Forum in New Delhi that total investments are expected to cross USD 200 million (₹1,670 crore) by the end of the fiscal year. India’s space economy is currently valued at USD 8 billion (₹66,800 crore) and projected to grow to USD 44 billion (₹3.67 lakh crore) by 2033. Investor interest has surged due to policy reforms and expanding commercial opportunities across launch services, satellites, and downstream applications. Much of the demand for space startups is coming from government departments, which previously relied mainly on ISRO for solutions. Goenka emphasized that the private sector must play a larger role in developing space technologies for both government and commercial use.
