Consumer & Products

📍 India

Data reported on 5-7 October 2026 show onion prices up about 93% year on year, sugar up 28% and rice up about 8% in September, after a 13% monsoon rainfall deficit. The government has allowed duty-free raw sugar imports, set dealer stock limits and released buffer onions at Rs 35/kg.

📍 India

Business Standard reported on 27 September 2026 that appliance makers planned a third round of 2026 price increases from 1 October: about 5-8% on air conditioners and 3-4% on washing machines, refrigerators and LED TVs. Companies cite higher copper, aluminium, steel and freight costs.

📍 India

A report dated 10 June 2026 said Indian smartphone prices rose 7.9% in the first five months of 2026, with phones under Rs 10,000 up 17.6%. A tracker updated 14 September 2026 lists rises of Rs 500 to Rs 8,000 across major brands, linked to a global DRAM and NAND shortage driven by AI data-centre demand.

📍 India

Tata Motors raised passenger vehicle prices by up to Rs 25,000 from 1 September 2026, its third revision this year, citing input costs. On 15 September it raised Punch EV prices by up to Rs 20,000, and BYD India announced rises of Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh on select EVs on 1 July.

📍 India

The RBI Monetary Policy Committee was due to announce its decision on 7 October 2026. A Reuters poll cited on 4 October found 35 of 61 economists expected a 25 basis point hike to 5.50%, while others expected a hold. Repo-linked loan EMIs and fixed deposit returns could be affected.

📍 India

Business Standard reported on 20 September 2026 that economy fares rose sharply on India's busiest routes in the first half of 2026, for example Mumbai-Bengaluru up 38.8% year on year in June, while business fares fell on most routes. Airlines point to capacity limits and jet fuel up 32.7% since February. A further report on 5 October cites festive demand.

📍 India

The 57th GST Council meeting, postponed from 12 September, is scheduled for 7 October 2026 in New Delhi. Reports say the agenda includes input tax credit rules, refund procedures and process reforms such as e-invoicing; the Council is chaired by the Union Finance Minister.

📍 India

Reports dated 6-7 July 2026 cited a Centrum Institutional Research preview expecting a 12-15% prepaid tariff increase by Jio, Airtel and Vi within three to four months, with possible usage-based pricing. No operator had announced a date at the time of those reports.

📍 India

A regulatory tracker dated 19 August 2026 records an order by India's Central Consumer Protection Authority fining Flipkart Rs 5 lakh for unfair trade practices and selling toys lacking mandatory Bureau of Indian Standards certification. Platforms' responsibility for third-party sellers is debated.

📍 Kerala, India

On 30 July 2026 a Kerala district consumer commission ordered a marketplace to refund Rs 359 and pay Rs 8,000 compensation and costs after a customer received the wrong earbuds and got no response. Another commission order reported on 29 September directed a refund and Rs 10,000 penalty against a platform.