The Trump administration is easing restrictions on India's purchase of Venezuelan oil in light of a delayed trade deal and accusations of funding Russia's war in Ukraine. Recent statements from top US officials suggest a reversal in this stance, driven by the goal to increase American firms' trade and sale of Venezuelan oil.
Sebi introduces lifecycle funds, a new type of mutual fund with a fixed maturity and diversified investment strategy. With a maximum of six schemes per fund house, these funds aim to assist investors in goal-based and retirement planning. While providing clarity and reducing risk, there are some drawbacks to consider.
Imarticus Learning, a Mumbai-based edtech firm, plans to go public with a Rs 1,000 crore IPO in FY27. It aims to enhance its career programmes and partnerships in emerging job roles like AI and cybersecurity. The company has raised $11.7 million and will file its DRHP with SEBI in Q3 FY27. Its goals include expanding its physical presence, global partnerships, and improving learner outcomes.
DSP Mutual Fund's Rohit Singhania is optimistic about the Indian markets, citing strong recent earnings and a lower growth base. Despite external volatility, he believes in their continued success. He also discusses the effects of global tariffs and the US Supreme Court ruling, expressing confidence in mid and small cap stocks. Singhania stresses the need for a margin of safety in investments.
Finn Allen made history by smashing a 33-ball century in the T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final against South Africa at Eden Gardens. This broke Chris Gayle's 10-year-old record for the fastest World Cup century in the shortest format. Gayle's unbeaten 100 in 47 balls in 2016 was the previous record-holder, while Harry Brook, Brendon McCullum, and Gayle again feature in the top 5 fastest centuries.
Manupatra, a pioneer in online legal research in India, has joined forces with Legora, a top AI platform for legal professionals, to enhance the legal landscape and expand its product offerings. While subscription remains the main source of revenue, the partnership will bring a consumption-based approach through AI products.
AI is revolutionizing businesses and has the potential to add trillions to the global economy by 2040. India could see a $2 trillion boost by 2035. Adoption is increasing and the global market is predicted to reach $4.8 trillion by 2033. Agentic AI, which can make decisions independently, is transforming industries like healthcare, marketing, and customer experience.
CoRover, a Bengaluru-based firm, partners with government and public sector organizations to deploy secure and multilingual AI solutions. They have collaborated with the Indian Army to establish a sovereign AI-ML Lab and empower army personnel with their platform, BharatGPT.
The UK is shifting its focus to bringing high-quality education to India through transnational education programs, as part of their International Education Strategy 2026. This model is gaining popularity among Indian students, providing them with the same quality of education at lower costs. The UK is ensuring strict regulation and oversight to maintain the standard of education.
The rapid advancement of AI in higher education has brought both opportunities and challenges. Universities are facing difficulties in integrating responsible AI into their academic practices, with concerns about academic integrity, learning risks, and data protection. To address these issues, institutions are redesigning assessments and implementing governance frameworks.
The ongoing conflict in West Asia has led to a record low for the Indian rupee and a 1.40% fall in the Sensex. Crude oil prices have also risen due to the conflict. Despite efforts by the RBI, the rupee continues to weaken, causing a loss of Rs 21.31 lakh crore in investor wealth. Indian equities have fared better than other Asian markets, but the situation remains uncertain.
SEBI has made changes to the reporting requirements for AIFs in order to facilitate business operations. A comprehensive annual activity report must now be submitted by May 31, along with a limited quarterly report (except for March quarter). IVCA will help AIFs understand and comply with these new regulations.
The Indian Rupee reached a record low of 92.16 against the US dollar as crude oil prices rose and global tensions escalated. Domestic equity markets saw significant selling and foreign funds were withdrawn, leading to the Rupee's decline. Experts believe that high oil prices, inflation concerns, and fiscal pressure are responsible for the Rupee's weakness.
Sebi is planning to revamp PMS Regulations, 2020 to reduce compliance burden and address the minimum investment threshold of ₹50 lakh. Industry experts suggest streamlining compliance and allowing fully-digital onboarding for NRIs. They also propose a common NISM certification framework for distributors of PMS, AIF, and MF. However, some believe that product-specific exams should remain.
Indian markets have been volatile for the third month due to the West Asia crisis, causing confusion among investors. Motilal Oswal has shared its top stock picks from Nifty 50 and non-Nifty 50 companies. Earnings season has shown a steady growth of 12% for Nifty 50 in the next few years. The brokerage is neutral on telecom, cement, and healthcare but overweight on other sectors.
Renault is set to reveal its new Bridger concept on March 10, which will preview an upcoming compact SUV targeted at emerging markets like India. The production version is expected to measure under four metres in length and boast rugged design cues. It will feature petrol and hybrid powertrain options, advanced technology, and safety features.
Godrej Properties has acquired land in Gurugram and Kolkata to build residential projects, with expected revenues of over Rs 6,000 crore. The company's sales bookings have increased by 25% and it aims to achieve its target of Rs 32,500 crore for the year.
Abinash Mishra's LinkedIn post about a founder wearing a jacket with photos of 600 employees on their IPO day has gone viral. The post emphasizes the importance of recognizing the team behind success and building a strong company culture. Social media users praised the founder's gesture, calling it a reflection of true leadership and valuing the team.
The UK has long been a destination for people seeking safety from war and persecution. Each year, thousands arrive hoping to study, work, or rebuild their lives. But the government says some are taking advantage of this generosity.
Ongoing military actions between Iran and the US have caused major disruptions for Big Tech operations in the Middle East and Gulf regions. Nvidia, Amazon, and Google have all been impacted, with temporary office closures and stranded employees. The safety and well-being of employees remain a top priority for these companies.
Indian airlines are adjusting their schedules and restoring long-haul flights through alternate routes to avoid restricted airspace amid the Middle East crisis. The Ministry of Civil Aviation is coordinating with airlines to assist stranded passengers and prevent sudden fare spikes. 1,221 flights have been cancelled so far and airlines are advised to keep passengers informed.
The recent violence in West Asia has caused damage to JSW Infrastructure's storage tanks at the Fujairah Liquid Terminal, owned by JSW Group. The company is working with authorities to assess and repair the damage, highlighting the impact of the conflict on Indian markets and companies.
Fino Payments Bank's conversion to a small finance bank is proceeding as planned within the 18-month deadline set by the central bank. Despite facing scrutiny due to the arrest of its CEO in a tax probe, the bank assures that its compliance and business are not affected. The bank denies any association with shell companies.
The South Korean won has weakened beyond a key psychological threshold due to concerns about the ongoing war in the Middle East. This has had a significant impact on the country's economy, as it heavily relies on oil imports from the region. As a result, the stock market has experienced a sharp decline, causing a loss of 562.4 trillion won in market value.
Dubai International Airport is experiencing a decrease in safety and luxury as a result of the ongoing Iran war. The conflict has caused chaos and stress for travelers, with limited commercial flights and expensive private jet prices. Gulf nations are facing the consequences of hostile military actions, leaving thousands stranded and seeking costly charter flights to escape the uncertainty.
Investors are seeking refuge in defence stocks on Dalal Street amidst global market turmoil. Rising tensions between the US-Iran and new government orders have strengthened the sector, as seen by the resilient Nifty India Defence Index which has outperformed the broader market.
Delhi government allows liquor shops to remain open on Holi, citing public health and enforcement concerns. The decision aims to reduce illegal sales and smuggling and recover lost revenue. The January 15 order lists remaining dry days till March end, with no compensation for license holders. Hotels serving liquor to residents/guests are exempt.
The government has taken steps to boost farming in under-performing districts, including providing quality seeds and promoting vegetables cultivation, fisheries, and bee-keeping under the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (DDKY). This has led to an increase in gram and mustard production in these districts. The DDKY, with an annual outlay of Rs 24,000 crore, aims to improve agriculture.
The Centre has approved Rs 83,528 crore for post-harvest infrastructure projects to boost the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund. By 2032, Rs 2 lakh crore will be disbursed, with over Rs 1 lakh crore already invested, including private-sector contribution. The fund aims to enhance post-harvest management infrastructure and promote collaboration between entrepreneurs and farmers.
Dalal Street is on edge as geopolitical conflicts and a sharp sell-off have caused concerns for investors. The Nifty's recent fall has erased gains and the market may continue to see downside. Analysts advise caution and suggest watching key support and resistance levels, as well as crude oil prices, for potential market movement.
Every year, thousands of skilled professionals in the United States wait anxiously for one email — the H1B lottery result. For many, that message decides whether they can continue building their careers in America or must pause their plans yet again.
Infosys and Intel have joined forces to speed up the implementation of secure AI in businesses. They will create and improve AI tasks and provide model management, data integration, and performance monitoring features. The goal is to develop customized AI systems that are reliable and ready for production.
The Union government is set to surpass the revised estimate for gross tax revenues this year, with a strong 8.6% year-on-year growth in collections till January. Despite a downward revision in the Union Budget, the overall projected growth for FY26 is 7.4%.
Ciena is focusing on aligning its optical infrastructure with post-quantum cryptography standards to prepare for the potential threat of quantum computing. However, this is just one aspect of their larger infrastructure cycle, which includes AI-driven capacity expansion.
NBFCs have surpassed private sector banks in the consumer durable financing market, with 82.8% of loan originations in the December quarter. This is due to their aggressive sales and marketing tactics. Private banks' share has decreased to 14%, leading them to shift their focus to credit cards instead.
Indian CEO stranded in Kuwait amid ongoing US-Israel military offensive against Iran after flight to New York gets rerouted back to Kuwait due to airspace closures. Despite initial hope, the seriousness of the situation hits hard as over 1000 people are stuck at the airport. Domestic US travel remains unaffected, but international routes through Middle East hubs face disruptions.
The PMJDY accounts have seen a rise in cash deposits and are now actively used for savings, direct benefit transfers, and routine transactions. The average balance per account is Rs 5,110 and the total number of beneficiaries has increased, with a focus on unbanked areas and gender inclusion. The JAM trinity has facilitated the use of technology in the implementation of the scheme.
India is striving to become a leader in artificial intelligence, leading to a rapid expansion of its data centre industry. However, this growth is straining the country's infrastructure, particularly in terms of electricity, water, and transmission.
27 Indian ships are stuck in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Aden due to the West Asia conflict. The Indian National Shipowners Association is calling for government intervention to ensure safe passage through the Hormuz Strait. The CEO of the Association has warned of potential losses and safety concerns for the large crews on these ships. India's energy needs, specifically LPG imports, are at risk.
After a three-day suspension of flights between West Asia and India due to US-Israel strikes on Iran, around 5,000 citizens returned on March 3 and 30 more flights are scheduled for March 4. The Ministry of External Affairs assures the safety of one crore Indian citizens in the Gulf region. However, over 250 flights were cancelled despite the partial resumption.
SEDEMAC Mechatronics is launching an IPO today, with the aim of raising Rs 1,087.45 crore through an offer for sale of 0.80 crore shares. The IPO price band has been set between Rs 1,287 and Rs 1,352 per equity share, with a subscription deadline of March 06. The allotment for IPO shares is expected to be finalised on March 09.
Tata Consumer is boosting its distribution strategy to target rural markets and increase direct reach. The company has expanded its rural infrastructure and created a dedicated reporting structure. While urban demand is recovering, rural demand remains strong. The company has also restructured its distributors for better focus and capital allocation.
Industry executives met with MeitY to discuss policy changes for the Rs 40,000-crore expansion of the ECMS. Concerns were raised about duty structure and non-resident component warehousing. Streamlined approvals and targeted support were also requested to boost local manufacturing and attract global investors. The ECMS has the potential to drive growth in the electronic manufacturing sector.
Iran is reeling from the aftermath of air strikes by the US and Israel, with 800 people dead and 165 schoolgirls among the victims. Schools, hospitals, and residential areas have been destroyed, causing immense devastation and loss of innocent lives. Despite denials, local reports and footage reveal the true extent of the damage.
Prime Offices Fund, managed by Nuvama and Cushman & Wakefield Management, has acquired TenSteps, a Grade A+ commercial office asset in Pune, marking their entry into their third city. This aligns with their strategy to build a diversified, institutional-grade office portfolio, now totaling 3.8 million sq. ft. across Delhi NCR, Chennai, and Pune.
Jio Platforms Limited has named Dan Bailey as its new president to lead international expansion from London. With 35 years of experience in consulting and investment banking, Bailey will also join the executive committee. Chairman Mukesh Ambani expressed excitement for Bailey's appointment and their shared ambition for the company's future.
For months, India had been carefully reducing its dependence on Russian oil amid the Trump tariff threat and pending US trade deal. By January 2026, Russian oil made up less than 20% of India’s imports, the lowest in nearly four years.
Bill and Hillary Clinton were questioned separately last week about their connection to Jeffrey Epstein's files. They denied any prior knowledge of his crimes and were accompanied by their lawyers. Bill denied visiting Epstein's island and cut ties after his conviction. Trump's involvement with Epstein was also mentioned, with Bill discussing a "property deal."
Dubai has resumed commercial flights after attacks on Iran, causing affluent travelers to pay high prices for private jets. The Dubai International Airport was damaged, leading to increased tensions in the region. Private jet prices have risen and some are driving 10 hours to secure flights. Western tourists are stranded on cruise ships due to the situation.
The US-Iran conflict has caused oil prices to rise for a third day, with Brent crude futures reaching $79/bbl and the US contract jumping to $71.97 a barrel. Analysts predict further increases and potential for prices to reach $120-$150 as the conflict continues. India, heavily reliant on the Strait of Hormuz for oil imports, may see a rise in fiscal deficit and reduced GDP growth.
Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon, believes that stress is not caused by a heavy workload, but rather a signal that something needs attention. He has maintained this mindset since the early days of Amazon and believes that taking small, productive actions can alleviate stress and turn high-pressure situations into enjoyable challenges.