Amidst stricter student visa regulations and political uncertainties in the US, Indian students and their families are increasingly exploring the EB-5 visa option for permanent residency. Applications from F-1 visa holders have surged, driven by concerns over potential disruptions to their academic pursuits and future prospects.
Canara Bank is set to eliminate minimum balance requirements for all savings accounts starting June 1, 2025, benefiting a wide range of customers. This move, a first among major public sector banks, removes penalties for not maintaining the Average Monthly Balance (AMB) across all account types, including regular, salary, and NRI accounts.
India anticipates a significant surge in the demand for AI professionals, projecting a need for one million skilled workers by 2026. Engineering education is adapting through cross-disciplinary approaches and industry integration to meet this demand. The number of B.Tech seats has increased, particularly in Computer Science and AI-related fields, reflecting the industry's strong need for AI talent.
The Trump administration's doubling of import duties on steel and aluminum is poised to negatively impact India's export demand, compelling companies to explore alternative markets. US importers are slowing orders due to increased costs, potentially hindering American firms' production and reducing input demand. India's steel and aluminum exports to the US, valued at $6.2 billion and $0.
SEBI has introduced new regulations to enhance the safety of derivatives trading by limiting open positions in index options. Effective between July and December, these rules link derivatives positions to the cash market, setting limits for net open interest at ₹1,500 crore and gross positions at ₹10,000 crore.
Chief Economic Advisor Nageswaran urged India Inc to increase capital expenditure and align worker compensation with profitability for sustained economic growth. He highlighted the need to close the gap between rising profitability and slower capital formation to achieve a minimum 6.5% real growth. Nageswaran also emphasized trust-based collaboration between government and the private sector to achieve 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047.
India's power demand is projected to surge by 6.0-6.5% annually over the next five years, fueled by EV adoption, data center expansion, and green hydrogen projects. While renewables will dominate capacity growth, a significant uptick in thermal projects is also underway. However, increased rooftop solar adoption may partially offset this rising grid demand.
The income tax department has extended the deadline for individual tax return filings to September 15, prompted by significant revisions to tax laws and ITR forms for the assessment year 2025-26. These changes aim to simplify compliance and enhance transparency, necessitating updates to the e-filing utility and providing taxpayers more time to accurately report financial data.
India and the US are in trade agreement negotiations, aiming to boost exports and market access. India seeks exemption from US tariffs, while the nation's economy demonstrates resilience with strong domestic fundamentals and government capital expenditure. Despite global uncertainties, India remains the fastest-growing major economy, with positive inflation outlook due to favorable monsoon forecasts and softening food prices.
Indian export shipments are cautiously resuming through the Red Sea corridor after months of disruption due to Houthi militant attacks. This vital route, crucial for trade with Europe and the US, saw vessels rerouted around Africa, increasing costs and delays.
Early monsoons in India present a mixed bag for FMCG companies. Rural consumption of staples like soaps and packaged food is expected to rise, while urban sales of summer-centric products such as soft drinks and ice cream are likely to decline due to unseasonal rains.
Apple has surpassed Xiaomi in Indian smartphone sales during the first quarter, securing a spot in the top five while Xiaomi's ranking fell to sixth. Vivo leads the market, followed by Samsung, Oppo, and realme. Xiaomi's decline is attributed to regulatory challenges, leadership changes, and a shift towards premium devices that didn't resonate with consumers.
Bharti Airtel is urging Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea to join forces in a collaborative effort against escalating telecom fraud. With cybercrime complaints exceeding 1.7 million and financial losses surpassing Rs 11,000 crore in the first nine months of 2024, Airtel proposes a joint initiative for real-time fraud intelligence sharing and cross-network coordination to protect individuals from deceptive digital scams.
Indian equity markets experienced a downturn last week, leading to a significant drop in the market value of six of the top ten companies, totaling Rs 78,166.08 crore. Reliance Industries, TCS, and Infosys were among the major losers, while Bharti Airtel, Bajaj Finance, and ITC bucked the trend with gains. Market analysts attribute the volatility to global uncertainty and profit-booking.
Indian equities are poised for a week influenced by domestic macroeconomic data, global cues, and foreign investor activity. Subdued performance in the previous week was attributed to rising US bond yields and concerns over US debt. Investors will closely monitor India's industrial output, GDP figures, monsoon progress, and developments in US bond markets.
Tripura government is actively developing data centers to foster AI and 5G synergy, aiming to transform the state into a digital hub for the eastern and northeastern regions. With significant progress in 5G deployment and land allocation for data centers, the initiative promises to unlock growth, innovation, and prosperity across various sectors, streamlining administration and saving costs.
China's government subsidies, aimed at boosting domestic consumption, have spurred a surge in digital product sales, generating approximately $20 billion in just four months. Over 48 million consumers participated, purchasing 51.48 million products. This initiative has led to a significant increase in retail sales of communication appliances and a shift towards higher-end smartphones.
Donald Trump has warned Apple that iPhones made outside the US could face a 25% tariff, potentially impacting Samsung as well. Trump insists Apple CEO Tim Cook should move production back to America from countries like India. This follows reports of Apple planning to produce most US-sold iPhones in India.
The Telangana Gig and Platform Workers' Union has accused Zepto of exploitative labor practices, including low per-delivery rates and unsafe working conditions, prompting a strike in Hyderabad. Zepto denies the allegations, asserting that delivery partners earn competitive hourly wages and receive comprehensive welfare benefits, including insurance and access to facilities at dark stores.
The Indian rupee rebounded strongly, appreciating by 50 paise to Rs 85.45 against the US dollar, driven by a weaker dollar index and robust domestic equity market performance. Positive global risk sentiment and central bank initiatives further supported the rupee, offsetting concerns from crude oil prices and foreign fund outflows. The currency saw its largest single-day gain since November 2022.
The new Income Tax Bill, 2025 proposes a one-time tax relief. It could lower capital gains tax for many. Long-term capital losses until March 31, 2026, can offset short-term gains from 2026-27. This change offers broader tax planning. Taxpayers can sell loss-incurring investments before April 1, 2026. This helps reduce overall tax liabilities.
India sees growth in mid-market global capability centres. Over 140 new GCCs emerged in the last 30 months. These centres plan to create 70,000 jobs. Many mid-sized global firms are setting up these GCCs. Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune are popular locations. Experts predict over 120 new mid-market GCCs by 2026. These centres are expanding beyond just technology.
Indian markets are poised to react to foreign fund activity, developments in the India-US trade deal, and the rupee-dollar exchange rate following Moody's US credit rating downgrade. Investors will also be watching quarterly earnings from major companies like ONGC and ITC. Strong participation from both FIIs and DIIs, coupled with global risk appetite, has fueled the recent market rally.
Tata Steel is set to aggressively reduce costs by Rs 11,500 crore globally over the next 12–18 months, building on previous savings. The company aims for significant cost reductions in India, the UK, and the Netherlands through operational improvements and restructuring. Capital expenditure is allocated, with a focus on Indian operations, while net debt has decreased.
US authorities have rejected fifteen mango shipments from India at various airports due to documentation irregularities concerning mandatory irradiation treatment. Exporters face approximately $500,000 in losses as they were compelled to dispose of the fruit locally due to high re-exportation costs.
Gold prices are under pressure, having fallen 7% from their April high, testing a crucial support level. Analysts suggest further declines are possible if key support levels break, influenced by reduced expectations for US rate cuts and diminished trade war concerns.
In April, SEBI's SCORES platform addressed 4,239 investor grievances while receiving 4,341 new complaints, resulting in a slight increase in unresolved cases to 4,263. Listed companies and intermediaries averaged eight days for Action Taken Reports, with First Level Reviews resolved in four days. The upgraded SCORES 2.0 ensures timely complaint resolution, offering investors options for review and escalation.
The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has announced a nationwide boycott of trade relations with Turkey and Azerbaijan, triggered by their support for Pakistan after India's Operation Sindoor. This includes halting imports, discouraging business engagements, and boycotting Indian films shot in those countries.
A McKinsey report reveals a stark gender gap in India's corporate leadership, with women holding only 17% of C-suite roles and 20% of board positions. Despite near-equal university enrollment, women are underrepresented in entry-level jobs and face promotion disparities. The report highlights a significant age gap at entry-level and higher attrition rates for women in initial roles.
Market sentiment surged following positive news, including US President Trump's hint at a potential zero-tariff deal with India and encouraging domestic inflation figures. This led to a significant rally on Dalal Street, with both the Sensex and Nifty reaching seven-month closing highs. Foreign funds fueled the surge, while investors saw a substantial increase in wealth.
Tata Power will bid for Dakshinanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam and Purvanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam in Uttar Pradesh. The company aims to expand its transmission and distribution business. Tata Power currently serves 12.5 million customers and wants to reach 40 million in five years. The company is also awaiting legal clarity on small modular nuclear reactors.
US visa applicants, including H-1B workers and their families, must now make social media profiles public for enhanced screening. This direc...
