Business

Hundreds of Billions Committed as AI Race Intensifies New Delhi, February 22: Global technology leaders have pledged to invest hundreds of billions of dollars in artificial intelligence initiatives linked to India, as the country hosted a landmark AI summit attended by world leaders and top industry executives.The wave of commitments comes amid an intense global push by governments and corporations to accelerate AI development and expand computing capacity.Global hyperscalers including Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, and Alphabet are expected to collectively spend up to $700 billion this year on AI-related capital expenditure, underlining the scale of the worldwide transformation underway.Reliance and Adani Outline $210 Billion AI...

Historic Trading Volume Reflects Rising Global Interest in India-Linked Derivatives Mumbai, February 22 Trading activity in GIFT Nifty reached a new milestone on Friday, underscoring the accelerating growth of India’s equity derivatives market.The index recorded its highest-ever single-day trading volume of 457,989 contracts, generating a turnover of $23.48 billion, equivalent to approximately Rs 2.13 lakh crore. This surpassed the previous record turnover of $22.88 billion achieved on January 23, 2024.The latest milestone signals increasing participation and sustained global interest in India-linked derivatives traded at GIFT City.Strong Momentum Since Full-Scale Launch in July 2023 Trading volumes on the NSE International...

Domestic macroeconomic data releases, the monthly futures and options expiry, and global developments triggered by fresh tariff measures from US President Donald Trump are expected to keep Indian equity markets volatile in the coming week, according to analysts.Investors will also track foreign institutional investor activity, evolving developments between the US and Iran, crude oil price movements, and global monetary policy signals as key drivers of sentiment.F&O Expiry and Key Domestic Data in Focus Market participants are bracing for heightened volatility, particularly with the monthly F&O expiry scheduled for February 24.Ajit Mishra, SVP Research at Religare Broking Ltd, said that several important domestic data points are...

As India moves closer to a major defence procurement decision, Brazilian aerospace major Embraer has stepped forward with an ambitious proposal to supply up to 80 military transport aircraft to the Indian Air Force. The company is offering its KC-390 Millennium as a next-generation tactical airlifter and positioning India as a future production hub for the Asia-Pacific region.KC-390 Millennium Projected as New Global Benchmark In an exclusive interaction, Embraer President and CEO Francisco Gomes Neto described the KC-390 Millennium as a multi-mission workhorse and a new global benchmark in tactical airlift capability.He highlighted that the aircraft has been selected by nine European nations, including NATO members such as Sweden...

Industry Bodies Warn of Revenue Impact and Operational Disruptions Panaji, February 22Leading alcoholic beverage industry associations have appealed to the Goa government to defer the rollout of the proposed Deposit Refund System for liquor bottles and cans, warning of significant supply chain disruptions and potential revenue losses.The industry bodies, which represent a majority of branded alcoholic beverages sold in the state, have described the April 2, 2026 implementation timeline as unrealistic. They estimate that the move could result in an excise revenue loss of over Rs 100 crore from beer and Indian Made Foreign Liquor.What the Goa Deposit Refund System Proposes The Goa government plans to introduce the Deposit Refund...

India’s leading fast-moving consumer goods companies are preparing for a volume-driven growth cycle in the next fiscal year, supported by easing inflation, stable commodity prices, and improving consumer sentiment.After navigating several quarters of volatility, the operating environment is showing signs of stability. In the December quarter, top FMCG players reported mid to high single-digit volume growth, signaling a shift from price-led expansion to demand-led momentum.Cooling Inflation and Stable Inputs Reduce Margin Pressure Key raw materials such as edible oils, wheat, copra, and surfactants have become more affordable in recent months, reducing cost pressures on manufacturers. The moderation in inflation is also aligning with...

New Delhi, February 22: YES Bank, the private sector lender that has been steadily rebuilding its financial position, expects to close the current financial year with a Return on Assets of 1 percent, according to its Chief Financial Officer Niranjan Banodkar.The projection marks a significant milestone for the bank as it continues its recovery journey and works toward strengthening core profitability metrics.ROA Seen Crossing 1% in Next Fiscal Speaking about the bank’s financial outlook, Banodkar said the lender expects to achieve a Return on Assets of 1 percent by the end of the current fiscal year. On an annualized basis, he added, the ROA is expected to exceed 1 percent in the next financial year.Return on Assets is a key...

BPTP Expands Delhi NCR Portfolio with Joint Development Agreement New Delhi, February 22: Real estate firm BPTP Ltd has entered into a joint development agreement to develop an 11-acre residential project in Surajkund, Faridabad, marking another step in its expansion across the Delhi NCR region.The company’s subsidiary, Urban Realtech Pvt Ltd, has partnered with a landowner to develop a group housing project on approximately 11 acres in Sector 39, Surajkund, Faridabad. The proposed development is expected to offer a developable area of more than 2 million square feet.While BPTP did not disclose the investment outlay or projected revenue from the project, the scale of the development indicates a significant addition to its...

New Delhi, February 22: The proposed excise duty waiver on biogas blended with compressed natural gas is set to reshape India’s renewable energy landscape, with the Indian Biogas Association stating that the move could unlock investments of up to ₹1 lakh crore if backed by a clear and predictable policy framework.The announcement follows provisions in the Union Budget 2026, which granted an excise duty waiver on Compressed Biogas blended with Compressed Natural Gas. The industry body described the measure as a significant milestone in advancing India’s energy transition aligned with its 2070 Net Zero target.5 Percent Blending Could Trigger ₹55,000 Crore Investment According to the association, even a modest nationwide biogas...

Mumbai, February 22: The combined market valuation of six of India’s top 10 most valuable companies surged by ₹63,478.46 crore last week, reflecting steady investor interest as benchmark indices closed in positive territory.The 30 share BSE Sensex ended the week higher by 187.95 points, or 0.22 percent, supporting gains in select heavyweights across sectors.Larsen & Toubro, SBI Emerge as Top Gainers Among the top performers, Larsen & Toubro recorded the sharpest rise in market capitalization. The company’s valuation climbed by ₹28,523.31 crore, taking its total market cap to ₹6,02,552.24 crore.State Bank of India followed closely, adding ₹16,015.12 crore to reach a valuation of ₹11,22,581.56 crore.Private sector lender HDFC Bank...

Strategic Location Chosen to Minimise Security and Seismic Risks New Delhi, February 22: The Reserve Bank of India has established a high-security Greenfield data center in Odisha, reinforcing its efforts to protect critical financial infrastructure and ensure uninterrupted functioning of core banking systems.The facility, located on an 18.55-acre campus at Info Valley II in Khordha near Bhubaneswar, has been strategically positioned away from India’s western and northern borders. Analysts tracking the sector noted that this reduces exposure to potential cross-border missile or drone threats. The site also lies outside the country’s highest seismic risk zones, lowering vulnerability to major earthquake activity and strengthening the...

India and US Pause Talks to Assess Legal and Policy Implications New Delhi, February 22: India and the United States have decided to reschedule their official meeting on the proposed interim bilateral trade agreement, as both sides move to assess the implications of a recent US Supreme Court ruling that struck down key tariff measures introduced by President Donald Trump.The three day meeting between teams led by the chief trade negotiators of India and the US was initially scheduled to begin in Washington on February 23. The discussions were aimed at finalising the text of the interim trade pact between the two countries.However, according to reliable sources, the visit of the Indian delegation will now take place after both...

Israel Targets 69,000 Indian Visitors as Tourism Rebuilds After Covid and War Mumbai, February 22: Israel is charting a steady recovery path for its tourism sector after facing the dual impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the war, with a renewed focus on the Indian market. The country expects to regain and surpass its pre-pandemic visitor numbers from India by 2027, according to a senior tourism official.Speaking about the outlook, Galit Hoffman, Consul for Tourism Affairs, India, at the Israel Ministry of Tourism, said that Israel is aiming to reach around 69,000 Indian visitors within the next one and a half to two years, provided promotional efforts gather pace.Pre-Crisis Benchmark: 2019 Visitor Numbers In 2019, Israel welcomed...

Mumbai, February 22: IDFC First Bank on Sunday disclosed a fraud of ₹590 crore involving accounts held by the Haryana government at one of its branches in Chandigarh, triggering regulatory reporting, a police complaint, and an internal probe.Fraud Detected During Account Closure and Balance Transfer Request In a regulatory filing made in the early hours, the private sector lender said it had informed the banking regulator and lodged a police complaint following the detection of discrepancies.According to the filing, prima facie unauthorized and fraudulent activities were carried out by certain employees at a specific branch in Chandigarh. The issue involves a defined set of accounts linked to the Haryana state government and may...

New Delhi, February 22: India and Brazil have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen cooperation in the postal sector, expanding collaboration in digital transformation, logistics, and inclusive service delivery, the Ministry of Communications said on Sunday.The agreement was signed by Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia and Brazil’s Communications Minister Frederico de Siqueira Filho during the State Visit of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to India.Broad Framework for Postal Collaboration The MoU establishes a comprehensive framework for cooperation between India’s Department of Posts and Brazil’s Ministry of Communications. It aims to reinforce the strategic partnership between the two...

Settlement Brings Relief to Realty Firm Mahagun The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal has directed the withdrawal of insolvency proceedings against real estate firm Mahagun (India) after the company reached a settlement with its financial creditor.A two member bench of the appellate tribunal took note of a settlement agreement dated February 12, 2026, between Mahagun and IDBI Trusteeship Services. Following this agreement, the financial creditor moved an application seeking withdrawal of the insolvency case.In its order, the tribunal recorded that during the pendency of the matter, both parties had entered into a settlement. The applicant financial creditor sought permission to withdraw application IB 112 ND 2025.Insolvency...

10 Major Investments Cleared at HLCA Meeting Led by CM Mohan Charan Majhi Bhubaneswar, February 22: The Odisha government has approved 10 large industrial projects with a combined investment of Rs 44,200 crore, marking a significant step in strengthening the state’s industrial ecosystem. The approvals were granted at a High-Level Clearance Authority meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday evening.The projects span strategic sectors including semiconductors, rare earth manufacturing, cement, automobiles and auto-components, telecom infrastructure, and renewable energy. Officials said the initiatives are expected to generate employment for 8,765 people across eight districts such as Khurda, Koraput, Kalahandi...

Central Capex Declines Sharply in Third Quarter New Delhi, February 22: India’s capital expenditure recorded a sharp year-on-year contraction of 23.4 per cent in the third quarter of FY2025-26, according to data compiled by ICRA.The slowdown in Central government spending is expected to moderately temper economic growth momentum during the quarter. Despite this, overall economic activity continues to draw support from festive demand and improved capital spending at the state level.States Offset Central Slowdown With 21.9% Growth While Central capex weakened, state governments displayed stronger momentum. Data from 24 states showed that their combined capital outlay and net lending rose 21.9 per cent in Q3, reversing the contraction...

New Delhi, February 22: Local communities and grassroots organizations in India’s Himalayan region have triggered a systemic shift in climate policy through farmer-producer organizations, leading to higher farm incomes, improved crop productivity, and more resilient agricultural systems, according to a study by Indian Institute of Management Lucknow.The findings have been published in the prestigious Journal of Rural Studies, highlighting how community-led governance mechanisms are reshaping climate adaptation strategies in vulnerable mountain ecosystems.Farmer-Producer Organizations Drive Climate Resilience The research underscores the role of farmer-producer organizations in strengthening climate resilience across the Himalayan...

Chief Negotiators’ Meeting in Washington Deferred New Delhi, February 22: India and the United States have decided to reschedule the proposed meeting of their chief negotiators that was set to take place in Washington from Monday to finalize the legal text of the interim trade pact.The Indian delegation, led by Darpan Jain, Joint Secretary in the Commerce Ministry and India’s chief negotiator for the agreement, was scheduled to begin a three day meeting in the US on February 23.According to Commerce Ministry sources, both sides have agreed that the visit of the Indian Chief Negotiator and the team should be scheduled after each country has had sufficient time to assess the latest developments and their implications. The meeting will...