Solar capacity additions in the country will accelerate in the Financial Year (FY) 2026 and FY27, with 85-90 GW of new solar capacity expected to be added during these two years combined, according to a report by SBI Caps.
The Indian government has lifted the export ban on broken rice, imposed in September 2022, to boost shipments and due to rising inventories. This follows the removal of the minimum export price and previous bans on non-basmati white rice amid sufficient domestic stocks and stable retail prices.
MNCs continue to push for women in top leadership roles, unlike Indian IT firms where women in C-suite roles are still under-represented. Global Capability Centres are making strides with targeted mentorship and deliberate focus on gender diversity, resulting in increased women leaders in senior positions.
The Centre has appointed Vikas Kaushal as the chairman of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL). Kaushal, a former India head of Kearney, is the first private sector individual to head a state-run oil company. His appointment, following a government decision, comes after PESB rejected eight candidates for the post last year.
The sensex saw a strong rally driven by local buying, closing 610 points higher, above the 74K mark. Over the last two sessions, it gained 1,350 points or 1.9%. Despite foreign funds selling, domestic net buying helped boost market capitalization by Rs 4.5 lakh crore.
The Indian stock market closed higher, led by gains in financial and energy stocks following the RBI's $21 billion liquidity infusion and lower crude prices. The BSE Sensex and Nifty 50 both rose significantly. Positive global cues, particularly from a temporary tariff reprieve in the US, also bolstered investor sentiment.
India and the US are negotiating a bilateral trade agreement, with India willing to lower tariffs on items of interest while seeking similar concessions from the US. Sectors like apparel, engineering goods, and gems and jewelry have identified specific products where tariff reductions could be beneficial.
The Bombay High Court stayed a special court order directing the registration of an FIR against ex-SEBI chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch and five officials for alleged stock market fraud and regulatory violations, noting the order was passed mechanically. The High Court has given four weeks to the complainant to file his affidavit in reply to the petitions.
Tuhin Kanta Pandey has been named the new chairman of Sebi, succeeding Madhabi Puri Buch. Pandey, a 1987-batch IAS officer with extensive experience in finance, is known for his adherence to rules and clean image. He will face the challenge of addressing staff issues at Sebi and maintaining confidence among stakeholders.
Bharti Airtel is in discussions with the Tata Group to potentially acquire its DTH business, Tata Play, aiming to merge it with Airtel's Bharti Telemedia. This comes years after Airtel's acquisition of Tata Group's consumer mobile business. As of Q3 2024, Tata Play held a 32% share in the DTH market, ahead of Bharti Telemedia's 29.4%.
A weak rupee is increasing costs for Indian students studying abroad, exacerbated by tighter post-education work visa norms in the UK and Canada. This could lead to longer loan repayment periods or higher EMIs. Experts suggest locking in foreign exchange rates early and seeking scholarships to reduce financial burden, while recommending students to focus on emerging fields for better job prospects.
Foreign funds have sold over Rs 2 lakh crore worth of Indian stocks since October last year, driven by weak earnings growth, falling rupee returns, and US market resilience. Market players note that India is not currently attractive enough for foreign investments, and higher US bond yields are also affecting their decisions.
Tata Capital's board has approved plans for an IPO to list by September, comprising fresh shares and stake-sale, potentially valued at $1.7 billion. This move complies with RBI's mandate for 'upper-layer' NBFCs. Tata Sons, holding 93% of Tata Capital, plans to sell shares to support other ventures, while maintaining a significant stake post-listing. A rights offering worth Rs 1,504 crore has also been approved.
The RBI has eased restrictions on lending to non-bank finance companies and microfinance institutions by lowering risk weights for bank credit. This move aims to boost lending capacity and support economic growth, reversing the slowdown observed after previous regulatory measures.
India and the UK have resumed discussions on a free trade agreement, including social security and investment. India is open to reducing tariffs to foster competitive business relations. Both sides aim for a balanced and mutually beneficial deal, prioritizing quality over speed, with a focus on business visas for students.
The Sensex dropped for the fifth consecutive session, closing at an eight-month low of 74,454 points. Weak global sentiment and substantial foreign fund outflows affected the market. IT, telecom, and metal stocks led the decline, while the broader Nifty also fell significantly. Despite the selloff, optimistic forecasts suggest potential recovery.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) fined Citibank NA, JM Financial, and Asirvad Micro Finance for regulatory non-compliance. Citibank was penalized Rs 39 lakh for credit data breaches, JM Financial fined Rs 1.5 lakh for non-disclosure of interest rate rationale, and Asirvad Micro Finance fined Rs 6.2 lakh for failing to report borrower income and other omissions.
Elon Musk may be finally moving forward with launching Tesla's electric cars in India, following recent discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Tesla has advertised for retail positions in Mumbai and is expected to import cars initially, encouraged by recent government policies and incentives.
India's deposit insurance fund of nearly Rs 2 lakh crore ranks third globally but covers only 46.3% of deposits due to a Rs 5 lakh coverage limit. Calls for higher coverage have been reignited, particularly for senior citizens and small depositors, following recent banking issues.
A Mumbai court has remanded Hitesh Mehta, a former general manager of New India Cooperative Bank, and Dharmesh Paun in police custody until February 21 for allegedly misappropriating Rs 122 crore. The Reserve Bank of India has taken control of the bank's board and imposed withdrawal restrictions amid ongoing investigations.
Labour and employment minister Mansukh Mandaviya emphasized the Modi government's priority on industry and trade to elevate India to a developed nation by 2047. Highlighting initiatives like 'Make in India' and 'Startup India', he noted the increase from four to 118 unicorns over the last decade.
India and the US are hopeful of finalizing a mutually beneficial trade deal by fall 2025. Key aspects include reducing import duties and non-tariff barriers. The deal aims to enhance bilateral trade with a focus on Indian goods such as textiles and leather, while boosting US exports of industrial goods and agricultural products.
Foreign funds have withdrawn over Rs 1 lakh crore from the Indian stock market in 2025, impacting investor sentiment and causing the rupee to weaken. This outflow, combined with a strong dollar and rising US bond yields, has led to an ongoing market decline and increased volatility.
Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman expressed confidence in moderating inflation while emphasizing that the government and RBI are monitoring the price situation. She addressed concerns regarding the fluctuating rupee and defended Budget calculations against criticism. Sitharaman highlighted the measures taken to manage food inflation and assured that the steps taken are realistic despite global economic uncertainties.
Solar capacity additions in the country will accelerate in the Financial Year (FY) 2026 and FY27, with 85-90 GW of new solar capacity expect...
