Business

The RBI will introduce stricter digital payment rules from April 1, 2026, making two-factor authentication mandatory. The move aims to reduce online fraud, improve security and increase accountability, though transactions may take slightly longer to complete

Several financial and regulatory changes, including the new Income Tax Act, revised railway rules and possible labour reforms, will come into effect from April 1, impacting taxpayers, employees and commuters while influencing household finances and compliance requirements

IndiGo will introduce over 30 new routes from Navi Mumbai International Airport between March 29 and April 23, expanding connectivity across India. The airline will also increase Gujarat operations and partner with AAHL for duty-free shopping rewards

From April 1, India will implement major financial and regulatory changes, including the new Income Tax Act 2025, labour law reforms, revised Indian Railways ticket cancellation rules, and updated LPG pricing. These measures aim to simplify taxes, boost employee benefits, and tighten regulations

Exports from India’s special economic zones rose sharply in 2025-26, reflecting strong growth in investment and employment. The government plans policy measures to improve domestic sales, enhance efficiency, and strengthen SEZs as key drivers of trade and industrial expansion

Gold prices rose 5.77 per cent during the week amid geopolitical tensions and easing crude oil prices. Analysts expect continued volatility as traders monitor Middle East developments, crude oil movements and global central bank policy signals.

The US Federal Communications Commission has proposed measures to encourage businesses to shift call centre jobs back to America, citing concerns over customer service and data security. The move could impact India’s multi-billion-dollar BPO sector, which employs lakhs in outsourced operations.

India’s gold market is seeing a shift towards investment demand as high prices reduce jewellery consumption. While jewellery demand declined sharply, demand for bars and coins rose, with strong investment trends and organised sector growth supporting the market outlook

Reliance Industries shares fell over 4 per cent on Friday, eroding Rs 87,014 crore in market value amid a broader market decline. Rising crude prices, policy changes, and global uncertainty contributed to the sharp fall in the heavyweight stock

The defence ministry signed two contracts worth Rs 858 crore: Rs 445 crore with Russia for Tunguska air defence missiles for the Indian Army, and Rs 413 crore with Boeing India for P-8I aircraft maintenance, strengthening air and naval capabilities

Indian stock markets ended sharply lower on Friday, with Sensex and Nifty falling over 2 per cent, as geopolitical tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran dampened investor sentiment and triggered broad-based selling across sectors

The Centre has increased commercial LPG allocation to 70 per cent to ease supply shortages caused by import disruptions linked to the Iran war, prioritising key industrial sectors while urging consumers to register and apply for PNG connections

  Jefferies exited HDFC Bank holdings after chairman Atanu Chakraborty resigned, citing differences. The move reduced India exposure, raised governance concerns, and impacted investor sentiment, with the stock witnessing recent declines 

Gold and silver prices surged on Multi Commodity Exchange amid West Asia tensions, driven by safe-haven demand. Analysts cited geopolitical uncertainty and volatility, with metals holding key support levels and likely remaining sensitive to global macroeconomic and geopolitical developments

Benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty fell sharply in early trade on Friday after a two-day rally, tracking weak global markets amid escalating US-Iran tensions, high crude oil prices and continued foreign institutional investor outflows.

The rupee plunged 33 paise to a fresh all-time low of 94.29 against the US dollar in early trade on Friday as rising crude oil prices, a stronger dollar and continued foreign fund outflows intensified pressure on the domestic currency.

Nayara Energy raised petrol by Rs 5 per litre and diesel by Rs 3, becoming one of India’s first fuel retailers to pass on crude price hikes amid Middle East tensions. State-owned firms have kept prices unchanged since April 2022

India’s CO2 emissions rose just 0.7% in 2025, the slowest in over two decades, driven by falling power-sector emissions and reduced coal and oil consumption. Clean-energy growth, especially solar and wind, offset fossil-fuel use despite planned industrial expansions

As oil routes tighten and LPG delays mount, the Iran conflict is turning distant geopolitics into an immediate threat to India’s household

The Centre plans to cut broken rice allocation under PDS to boost ethanol production, freeing 90 lakh tonnes annually. Sanjeev Chopra said the move aims to strengthen supply chains, support blending targets and reduce crude import dependence

Swiggy raised its platform fee by 17% to ₹17.58 per order after Zomato made a similar move. The hikes reflect rising operational costs and a broader industry trend to improve margins amid increasing expenses

A report by Emkay Global Financial Services forecasts recovery in Indian markets as oil pressures ease. The Nifty 50 may stabilise, with rupee strengthening and bond yields softening, though higher crude prices could impact growth, inflation and fiscal balance

Gold and silver prices dropped sharply in Mumbai as easing West Asia tensions reduced safe-haven demand after Donald Trump signalled a pause in strikes on Iran. Weak global trends and improving sentiment pressured precious metals markets

The Indian government has intensified surveillance on unauthorised sale and promotion of GLP-1 receptor agonists, conducting nationwide inspections and issuing advisories. Authorities warned of strict action against violations, stressing patient safety amid rising misuse risks without proper medical supervision