Today’s Paper

Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson said there were no talks with US and that stance on the Strait of Hormuz, as well as conditions to end the war, did not change

Markets fell sharply on crude price concerns amid West Asia tensions, though hopes of de-escalation talks may support a rebound in equities and sentiment

PM Modi urged unity and preparedness in Lok Sabha, warning that the West Asia crisis could have prolonged economic and security implications for India

The move is expected to bring down the cost of remittances and reduce checks on cross-border transactions

After the Fino Payments Bank episode, fintech firms seek safe harbour protection and tighten internal controls, consolidating key responsibilities amid rising compliance risks

Bengaluru-based Pranos Fusion raises $6.8 million to develop compact fusion energy technology, aiming to build scalable, clean power infrastructure from India

AMNS India has begun work on a Rs 1.36 trillion steel plant in Andhra Pradesh, with plans to serve domestic demand and tap export markets through phased expansion

Somerset Indus has closed its third fund at $288 million, exceeding its target, and plans larger investments across healthcare, medtech, and insurance-linked sectors

Duroflex plans to add 150 stores over three years while strengthening its omni-channel strategy, aiming to drive growth through retail expansion and premium offerings

ICICI Bank will focus on building a stable liability base while maintaining growth, supported by diversified sourcing, calibrated lending, and steady margins, says report

Government says no formal study has assessed GST rate rationalisation's inflation impact; GST revenue rose 8.1% in February, with rural consumption showing strong gains

The old fire is stoked again as firewood and electric fill the LPG gap, and menus shrink

On the positive side, a new route, bypassing Hormuz, opened for India's LPG supplies from Saudi Arabia. But there is a supply shortage for March and a much bigger one for April as of date

India's economic growth has not translated into sufficient job creation, with weak formal employment and low female participation, says economist Jayati Ghosh

Private sector capex intentions decline 16.5 per cent to Rs 9.55 trillion in FY27, reflecting a cautious investment outlook despite modest rise in per-enterprise spending

PM Narendra Modi highlights India's diversified energy import strategy as tensions in the Strait of Hormuz disrupt global oil and gas flows

The government on Monday restored full benefits under the RoDTEP scheme to exporters amidst the ongoing West Asia crisis disrupting global trade. Last month, the government halved the rate of duty benefits under the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) Scheme. The exporting community expressed disappointment and had sought reconsideration of the decision. "The RoDTEP rates and value caps as specifiedas applicable on February 22, 2026, are hereby restored with effect from February 23, 2026 to March 31, 2026 for all eligible export products," the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said in a notification. The Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) Scheme, launched in 2021, provides for a refund of taxes, duties and levies that are incurred by exporters in the process of manufacturing and distribution of goods, and not being reimbursed under any other mechanism at the Centre, state or local level. Refunds under the scheme range from

Amid LPG shortages, the government has asked CGD firms to provide PNG connections to schools, colleges, and community kitchens within five days where pipeline infrastructure exists

NRI deposit inflows declined 25.86 per cent to $10.61 billion in April-January 2026, mainly due to a sharp fall in FCNR deposits, even as NRE and NRO inflows rose

Rupee hits fresh low, nears $94 a $

RBI turned a net buyer of dollars in January 2026, purchasing $2.52 billion after eight months, even as forward market positions and currency metrics shifted

RBI report calls for close monitoring of West Asia conflict and proactive steps to limit spillovers, citing India's oil dependence and rising global volatility

Remittances to India are projected to reach up to $140 billion in FY26 despite West Asia tensions, supported by resilient inflows and precautionary transfers, SBI report says

The government has received nearly 200 applications for second-level fund managers under the RDI Fund, with venture capital firms accounting for around 80 per cent

New investors should stick to diversified equity funds; if they invest, they should take limited exposure in satellite portfolio

Outward remittances under RBI's LRS declined 3.19 per cent to $2.68 billion in January 2026, with lower education and deposit outflows partly offset by rising overseas investments

The new framework, which is scheduled to come into effect on April 1, 2026, aims to strengthen regulatory oversight and promote responsible lending practices in the gold loan segment

Mule networks continue to drive frauds and scams, with operations turning transnational and causing heavy losses for Indian users, according to a Bureau report

Data from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi), and the World Bank suggests that India is a global outlier in the relative size of our credit markets

Iran's decision to shut off the Strait of Hormuz on March 1 was not merely an act of retaliation; it was a calculated demonstration of its enduring capacity to disrupt the global commons

A key concern is the gap between restoration and degradation: while 24.1 mn hectares are restored against a 26 mn target, nearly 30% of India's land still faces degradation

Many industrial areas remain underutilised; in Karnataka, some parks have only about 25% of units operational due to poor connectivity, weak governance, regulatory delays and low demand

Companies including Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, Sun Pharma, Zydus Lifesciences, Natco Pharma, Alkem Laboratories, and Torrent Pharmaceuticals have developed their own formulations

Backed by SIPs, domestic investors brought relief with ₹1.13 trn investment

Net FDI stood at negative $1.39 billion in January 2026 compared to negative $492 million in December 2025

Petronet LNG (PLNG) gets 8.5 mmtpa of LNG from Qatar (50 per cent of its volume) and PLNG has issued a press release in response to QatarEnergy's notice of force majeure

Sebi will review HDFC Bank board minutes after chairman Atanu Chakraborty's exit, with its chief cautioning independent directors against unsubstantiated remarks

Realty, IT and FMCG stocks drag markets deeper as several sectoral indices enter bear territory, even as pharma, metal and infra show relative resilience

While global mcap has declined 7.3 per cent this month, India's 13.3 per cent drop is the steepest among major markets

New investments in pooled vehicles will be permitted, provided they are professionally managed by regulated market intermediaries

HDFC Bank's sharp fall has eroded Rs 50,000 crore from mutual fund portfolios, with high exposure across schemes limiting fund managers' ability to deploy fresh capital

Oil prices dropped sharply after Trump paused Iran strikes, while Indian LPG tankers crossed the Strait of Hormuz amid supply concerns and disruptions in West Asia

XED Institute may extend its IPO subscription window by three days amid weak demand and global uncertainty, with bids reaching only about 5 per cent so far.

Sebi has relaxed reporting requirements for brokers and depository participants, allowing selective account reporting and simplifying demat disclosure norms

Wipro expands its South Korea operations with a new innovation lab, larger office in Seoul, and investments in local talent to support AI-led transformation

Less than 20 per cent of colleges achieve strong placements within six months, highlighting gaps between academic outcomes and job readiness despite NEP reforms

MoEF&CC seeks an action taken report from Odisha over proposal to fell over 2,000 trees at NIT Rourkela, flagging environmental concerns and asking for detailed examination

Anil Ambani has approached the Supreme Court seeking debt resolution similar to the Sandesara case, even as the court pulled up agencies over probe delays

Odisha has lost another rare melanistic tiger to poaching, with nine arrested and a hide seized near Similipal, raising concerns over protection measures

The SC bench observed that its primary concern was the recovery of funds, stating that it was interested in money coming back to India, as this would benefit banks

Gold blocks are part of 34 mineral blocks, including 25 major mineral blocks and nine critical blocks

Drivers of Ola, Uber, and Rapido staged protests in Delhi-NCR, demanding stronger safety measures, passenger verification, and improved working conditions

The Corporate Laws Amendment Bill proposes decriminalisation, stronger NFRA powers, and simpler compliance norms, alongside reforms in mergers, CSR, and corporate governance

FFVs and CBG vehicles run on flex fuel (currently ethanol blended with petrol) or bio-gas (currently CBG mixed with compressed natural gas) using internal combustion engines

Despite policy push and diversification, India's rising oil and gas import dependence is exposed by the Strait of Hormuz crisis, underscoring gaps in domestic production and energy transition

Rising raw material costs, West Asia tensions squeeze consumer goods sales

Banking system liquidity slipped into deficit after two months due to tax and GST outflows, though experts expect a return to surplus in early April

SIDBI withdrew its ₹6,000 crore bond issue amid high yield demands, while Indian Bank and Union Bank raised ₹8,000 crore through 10-year infrastructure bonds

Coal minister urges states to check retail profiteering amid rising prices during the West Asia crisis; Centre launches seventh tranche of critical mineral auctions

Domestic medical device makers seek government support as input costs surge up to 50 per cent amid West Asia disruptions, flagging supply chain stress and rising logistics costs

CDSCO flagged four drugs as spurious and 194 as not of standard quality in February 2026, including widely used medicines, as part of routine surveillance

IndiGo has appointed former Air India Express MD Aloke Singh as chief strategy officer from April 6, as the airline navigates leadership changes and expansion plans

Biogas industry body has urged phased CBG blending and diesel phase-down in Delhi, advocating an integrated clean mobility approach combining EVs, CNG, and biogas

Writes to three ministries flagging MSME stress; seeks lower interest rates, loan moratorium, and working capital support amid shutdowns and fuel supply disruptions

Unseasonal rains and hailstorms across Rajasthan have severely damaged Rabi crops, leaving farmers anxious as losses mount and compensation processes begin

Uttar Pradesh is ramping up investments in pharma parks and medical device manufacturing to emerge as a major healthcare production hub in South Asia

The author argues, "Supply chains and critical technologies, such as artificial intelligence and biotechnology, are becoming increasingly important to emerging nations in the IOR

Oil prices have climbed to multi-year highs and fuel prices in the US are sur- ging, creating potential trouble for President Donald Trump's Republican party ahead of the mid-term elections

Encouraging individuals to invest for the long-term alongside that probable growth "is both the challenge and the opportunity," he said

This new phase of the war began Wednesday, when Iran carried out a retaliatory missile strike on Ras Laffan, Qatar's vast energy complex

India and Russia need to address issues such as non-tariff barriers and regulatory impediments to increase the two-way annual trade to USD 100 billion by 2030, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Monday while reaffirming New Delhi's steadfast commitment to strengthening the long-standing partnership with Moscow. "In today's evolving geo-political dynamics, our engagement continues to deepen," he said in a virtual address at a conference titled "India and Russia: Towards a new bilateral agenda". Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov lauded India's "independent foreign policy" and said that Russia looks forward to welcoming Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a visit this year. In his remarks, Jaishankar said the evolving multipolar order requires greater cooperation between India and Russia, including through BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), G20 and the UN. India is looking forward to closely working with Russia to address shared challenges in a "balanced