Business

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar concluded a productive Brussels visit, meeting EU leadership to advance the India-EU Free Trade Agreement. The talks prioritized strategic cooperation in technology, de-risking supply chains, security partnerships, and connectivity initiatives like the IMEC corridor

Gold and silver prices rose on MCX ahead of the US Federal Reserve policy meeting, supported by cautious sentiment and geopolitical tensions. Despite gains, both metals remain in a consolidation phase after recent highs, with investors closely watching inflation signals and interest rate outlook

Tata Motors on Monday announced that it will raise prices of its commercial vehicle range by up to 1.5 per cent from April 1 to partly offset rising commodity prices and input costs. The hike will vary depending on the model and variant

If measurement itself becomes a subject of debate, the informational foundations of economic policymaking inevitably weaken 

The government has claimed $2.81 billion from Reliance Industries Limited and BP for allegedly drawing gas from ONGC’s KG basin fields. The matter is now before the Supreme Court after the Delhi High Court set aside an earlier arbitration award favouring RIL

The Supreme Court appointed former CJI U U Lalit as sole mediator to resolve a dispute over enforcement of a UAE court decree of about Rs 500 crore in favour of RAKIA against industrialist Nimmagadda Prasad in the Vanpic project case

The government is preparing to relaunch the Stand-Up India scheme with modifications aimed at providing enhanced benefits to SC/ST and women entrepreneurs. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman informed Parliament that lessons from the original scheme, which ended in March 2025, are being incorporated into the new version.

Air India and Air India Express will operate 72 flights to and from West Asia despite tensions, including services to Jeddah and Muscat. Meanwhile, airlines including IndiGo and Akasa Air introduced fuel surcharges due to rising ATF prices

The ongoing West Asia conflict has disrupted LPG supplies in India, hitting smaller restaurants hardest. Orders initially dipped by 5–10 per cent but are recovering as eateries adopt induction stoves, wood-fired cooking, and electric ovens.

India’s top-10 firms lost Rs 4.48 lakh crore in market value as equities plunged, tracking a sharp fall in BSE Sensex and NSE Nifty. Banking giants State Bank of India and HDFC Bank led losses amid rising crude prices and Middle East tensions

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