Business

India’s GDP growth between 2012 and 2023 may have been overstated, with actual expansion closer to 4–4.5% a year than the official estimate of about 6%, says a working paper by Abhishek Anand, Josh Felman and Arvind Subramanian

Mercedes-Benz India has announced a 2 per cent price increase across its portfolio effective April 1, 2026, citing foreign exchange volatility and rising input costs. Audi India also declared a similar 2 per cent increase earlier this week.

United States and India are nearing a critical minerals agreement to strengthen strategic cooperation and supply chains, said US Ambassador Sergio Gor. The deal aims to support advanced manufacturing, energy security and emerging technologies under expanding bilateral ties

Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen will step down after nearly 18 years, the company announced, beginning a search for his successor. Narayen will remain board chair while overseeing a smooth transition after leading Adobe’s transformation into a global cloud and AI-driven software leader

Rising fuel prices and Middle East tensions could boost traffic through the Panama Canal as shipping companies seek shorter, fuel-efficient routes, administrator Ricaurte Vasquez said. Higher energy costs may shift global trade routes and LNG shipments if Gulf disruptions continue

Two persons were detained under the Goondas Act in Madurai for hoarding 398 LPG cylinders for black marketing, the first such action in Tamil Nadu. Authorities assured adequate fuel supplies, urging the public to avoid panic buying despite rumours of shortages

Global oil prices eased slightly after the US allowed a 30-day waiver for countries to buy Russian oil already in transit. Brent and WTI declined marginally, while India assured adequate crude supplies through diversified sourcing and reduced dependence on the Strait of Hormuz route

Indian equity markets opened sharply lower as rising crude oil prices amid the US-Iran war dampened investor sentiment. Sensex and Nifty fell over 0.6 per cent, while most sectoral indices traded in the red. Analysts warned higher oil prices could increase inflation and market volatility

India has become the world’s third-largest cross-border hiring pool and accounts for 7.2 per cent of global AI trainers, according to Deel’s latest report. The country now ranks second only to the United States in talent contribution, surpassing the Philippines and Canada.

Gold prices in India slipped slightly on Thursday while silver rebounded on strong buying. On Multi Commodity Exchange, gold futures declined marginally as global bullion weakened due to a stronger dollar, while silver gained. Meanwhile, the Indian Rupee hit a record low

Motorola has announced the launch of the Edge 70 Fusion in India, priced from Rs. 24,999. The smartphone features the world’s first 50MP Sony-LYTIA 710 camera with motoAI, a 144Hz quad-curved AMOLED display, and a massive 7000mAh battery.

Audi India will raise car prices by up to 2 per cent from April 1, 2026, citing higher input costs and currency fluctuations. Brand Director Balbir Singh Dhillon said the increase will apply across all models sold in India

Induction cooktops are selling out across major online platforms in India as households rush to secure alternatives to LPG amid fears of supply disruptions linked to the West Asia conflict. Demand for electric cooking appliances has surged sharply on e-commerce platforms

Iran has allowed India-flagged tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz after talks between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The move helps ensure India’s crude supply despite ongoing tensions and attacks affecting maritime traffic

Indian stock markets opened sharply lower as Brent crude surged past $100 per barrel amid escalating tensions between the United States and Iran. The Sensex and Nifty fell over 1 per cent in early trade, with broad-based selling and rising volatility weighing on investor sentiment 

The Indian government has clarified that FDI easing applies only to firms outside China and other land-border countries with less than 10 per cent Chinese ownership. Entities from land-border nations still require government approval, with an expedited process introduced for certain sectors

Union Budget 2026–27 signals a gradual rationalisation of subsidies while prioritising fiscal consolidation and capital expenditure

CloudSEK has warned of a new cyber fraud technique that manipulates Android devices, intercepts OTPs and bypasses UPI security; UPI custodian NPCI says robust safeguards exist to manage such risks

Telangana Drugs Control Administration launched a Bulk SMS Alert System to notify medical shops about Not of Standard Quality (NSQ) drugs. The system enables immediate stoppage, recall, and withdrawal of substandard medicines, enhancing patient safety and market transparency

Gold and silver prices fell as investors booked profits, despite geopolitical tensions and a softer US dollar. MCX gold dropped to Rs 1,62,452/10g and silver to Rs 2,73,150/kg, while crude oil eased below $90, easing inflation concerns

Crude oil prices fell after reports the International Energy Agency may release record emergency reserves to curb the surge triggered by the US-Iran war. Brent and WTI declined sharply as G7 nations explored measures to stabilise markets and ease global energy costs

Asian markets rose Tuesday as investors watched developments in the Iran war and oil prices. Tokyo and Seoul led gains while US stocks stayed mostly steady. Oil remained below recent highs amid hopes the conflict may ease, reducing risks to global energy supply

India’s GDP growth may look impressive, but rising inequality, wage gaps and weak job quality reveal a deeper crisis for the working class

Sebi is reviewing the Calcutta Stock Exchange’s voluntary exit application from stock exchange operations. A working group and valuation agency are examining its assets, liabilities, and listed companies before Sebi passes a formal exit order, said Finance Minister of State Pankaj Chaudhary