Business

New Delhi, February 17: Zinc prices declined in futures trading on Tuesday, tracking weakness in global markets and muted demand from consuming industries in the domestic spot market.MCX Zinc Futures Fall for February and March Contracts On the Multi Commodity Exchange, zinc futures for February delivery fell by Rs 1.65, or 0.51 per cent, to Rs 319.50 per kilogram. The contract recorded a trading volume of 1,697 lots during the session.The March contract also witnessed a decline, slipping by Rs 1.55, or 0.48 per cent, to Rs 321.60 per kilogram. Trading activity in the March series stood at 2,981 lots.The downturn in both contracts reflects cautious sentiment among market participants amid weaker global signals and limited buying...

New Delhi, February 17: Copper prices declined by more than 1 per cent in futures trade on Tuesday, tracking weak global trends and subdued demand from domestic consuming industries.MCX Copper February Contract Drops 1.2% On the Multi Commodity Exchange, copper for February delivery slipped by Rs 14.40, or 1.2 per cent, to Rs 1,183.65 per kilogram. The contract witnessed a trading volume of 16,193 lots during the session.The decline reflects cautious sentiment among market participants as softer demand from key consuming sectors weighed on prices.March Copper Futures Also Under Pressure The March contract mirrored the weakness, falling by Rs 15.55, or 1.27 per cent, to Rs 1,207 per kilogram. The contract recorded a trading volume...

MCX Gold Futures Slide to Rs 1.52 Lakh per 10 Grams Gold prices declined sharply in futures trade on Tuesday, slipping more than 1 percent as easing geopolitical tensions and a stronger US dollar reduced demand for safe haven assets.On the Multi Commodity Exchange, gold contracts for April delivery fell by Rs 2,228, or 1.44 percent, to Rs 1,52,532 per 10 grams. The decline was recorded in a trading turnover of 7,553 lots.The yellow metal traded on a softer note as prices consolidated following recent volatility. Profit booking, combined with a firm US dollar and changing expectations around interest rates from the US Federal Reserve, weighed on sentiment.Volatile Correction Continues in 2026 In 2026, gold and silver are undergoing...

Silver Futures Drop Sharply on Multi Commodity Exchange New Delhi, February 17: Silver prices declined sharply on Tuesday, falling more than 2 per cent in the domestic futures market, mirroring weakness in global cues and subdued liquidity due to market holidays across major Asian economies.On the Multi Commodity Exchange, silver contracts for March delivery plunged by Rs 6,330, or 2.64 per cent, to Rs 2,33,561 per kilogram. The decline was recorded in a business turnover of 5,820 lots, indicating active participation despite the price drop.The correction in domestic silver futures came as international prices retreated significantly, exerting downward pressure on local markets.Comex Silver Futures Fall Nearly 5% in Global Trade...

State-of-the-Art AC Manufacturing Facility to Strengthen Andhra Pradesh’s HVAC Hub Status Amaravati, February 17: Carrier Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Ltd has signed a lease agreement to establish a state-of-the-art air-conditioning manufacturing facility in Sri City, Andhra Pradesh, with a total investment of Rs 1,000 crore. The project is expected to generate 1,000 direct jobs and 2,000 indirect employment opportunities.The upcoming facility will be developed on a 39-acre site and will focus on producing sustainable and energy-efficient cooling solutions to meet rising domestic and global demand.Lease Agreement Signed in Presence of Senior Officials The lease agreement was formally signed and exchanged by Sundaresan Narayanan...

AI Will Not Replace Doctors, Says Anupriya Patel; Urges AI Literacy in Healthcare Sector New Delhi, February 17: Concerns that artificial intelligence could replace doctors and clinicians are largely unfounded, Union Minister Anupriya Patel said on Tuesday, asserting that AI is designed to assist and augment medical professionals rather than displace them.Speaking at the AI Impact Summit 2026 in the national capital, Patel, Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, called on the medical community to become AI literate and embrace the technology as a supportive tool. She emphasized the need for cost-effective AI solutions that are ethical, responsible, and tailored to India’s unique healthcare challenges.AI in...

Cottonseed Oil Cake Gains Rs 6 in March Contract on NCDEX New Delhi, February 17: Cottonseed oil cake prices edged higher in futures trade on Tuesday, supported by fresh buying from market participants amid firm demand in the cattle feed segment.On the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange, the March delivery contract of cottonseed oil cake rose by Rs 6, or 0.19 percent, to trade at Rs 3,215 per quintal. The contract had settled at Rs 3,209 per quintal in the previous session.Open interest for the March contract stood at 55,850 lots, indicating active participation in the market.Fresh Positions and Strong Demand Support Prices Traders said the uptick in prices was largely driven by speculators creating fresh positions. The...

AI-Powered Ports Could Cut Logistics Costs by ₹15,000 Crore Annually New Delhi, February 17: India can unlock significant savings in cargo handling and logistics by embracing artificial intelligence in its ports ecosystem, according to Gourav Vallabh, Member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister.Speaking at the session titled AI-Powered Ports: Reimagining Efficiency and Operations during the AI Impact Summit, Vallabh said that the use of AI in cargo handling alone can result in an estimated saving of ₹20,000 crore. In addition, the country can potentially reduce logistics costs by ₹15,000 crore every year through AI-driven efficiencies.He emphasized that the central question is no longer whether artificial...

Government Begins Consultations With Industry on Additional Safeguards New Delhi, February 17: The issue of deepfakes is escalating rapidly and requires significantly stronger regulation to safeguard children and society, Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Tuesday. He confirmed that the government has initiated consultations with industry stakeholders to explore additional safeguards beyond the existing legal framework.Speaking at a briefing during the AI Summit, the minister emphasized that discussions are currently underway with social media platforms to address the growing threat of deepfakes and to evaluate age-based restrictions. The objective, he said, is to determine the most appropriate regulatory pathway...

AI Impact Summit 2026 Signals India’s Strategic Push to Become a Global AI System Builder The AI Impact Summit 2026, currently underway in New Delhi, is far more than a technology gathering. According to Pratik Mathur, Consul General of India in Shanghai, the summit represents a clear statement of India’s strategic intent to position itself among the world’s leading AI system builders.In a commentary published on China’s business portal Caixin Global, Mathur described India’s rise in artificial intelligence as a structural transformation, backed by an integrated ecosystem spanning computing, data, models, talent, governance, and real world deployment.India’s AI Rise and Its Global Significance Writing under the title “India's AI...

Infosys Chairman Calls AI Shift a “Root-and-Branch” Change at Investor Day Bengaluru, February 17: Nandan Nilekani, Co-founder and Chairman of Infosys, said on Tuesday that artificial intelligence will fundamentally alter how software is built and deployed, marking a structural shift in the technology industry.Speaking at Infosys’ Investor Day, Nilekani described the ongoing AI transition as a “root-and-branch” transformation that goes far beyond adding another layer of technology. He said companies must rethink customer journeys, business processes, and organizational structures to adapt effectively.According to him, writing code will no longer remain the primary goal for technology professionals. Instead, the focus will shift...

AI Set to Strengthen India’s Digital Public Infrastructure New Delhi, February 17: The convergence of connectivity and computing power is poised to fundamentally reshape how citizens, businesses, and governments interact across India, according to Reliance Jio CTO Shyam Prabhakar Mardikar.Speaking at the AI Impact Summit, Mardikar said artificial intelligence will amplify India’s already robust digital public infrastructure, unlocking a new phase of inclusive and intelligent growth.“India’s digital infrastructure is already a huge success story,” he said during the five day summit that began on Monday. “Now, imagine adding intelligence to it, making it aware, inclusive, and accessible to every citizen in every village.”India Ahead...

Underrepresentation in AI Raises Concerns Over Systemic Bias Women account for only 30 per cent of artificial intelligence professionals worldwide and hold just 16 per cent of AI research positions, UN Women said on Tuesday, urging greater female participation in the development of AI tools to better address women’s needs across health, finance, climate resilience, and safety.Speaking at the launch of the AI Casebook on Gender and Agriculture at the India AI Summit in New Delhi, Christine Arab, Regional Director for Asia Pacific at UN Women, said the continued underrepresentation of women in AI development is leading to systemic bias within emerging technologies.Arab highlighted what she described as a persistent global design gap...

Apparel Export Promotion Council Highlights Growth Momentum in Ready-Made Garments New Delhi, February 17: The Apparel Export Promotion Council on Tuesday said the latest data on ready-made garment exports reflects the resilience of Indian apparel exporters, even as they continue to navigate challenging global conditions.On a cumulative basis, ready-made garment exports during April to January of the financial year 2025 to 26 stood at 13,129.1 million dollars. This represents a growth of 1.6 percent compared to the corresponding period of April to January in FY25. More significantly, exports registered a 13.3 percent increase over the same period in FY24, indicating a steady recovery trajectory for the sector.January Performance...

AI in Agriculture: From Input Distribution to Real-Time Advisory Support New Delhi, February 17: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology Secretary S Krishnan on Tuesday urged the use of artificial intelligence to bridge the widening information gap in Indian agriculture, stating that the traditional extension network has weakened and shifted its focus away from the advisory support farmers truly need.Speaking at the AI Impact Summit in the national capital, Krishnan, who described himself as a registered farmer with an agricultural loan in his personal account, said timely and reliable advice remains the most critical requirement for farmers. He noted that while his mother oversees cultivation on his farm, the challenge of...

India Positioned as Global Epicenter of AI Growth and Governance: Report New Delhi, February 17: India’s vast domestic market, indigenous artificial intelligence models such as BharatGen and Sarvam 1, robust digital public infrastructure, deep technology talent pool, and the IndiaAI Mission are collectively positioning the country as the epicenter of AI’s next chapter, according to a report released on Tuesday.The report stated that India’s rapid advancements in artificial intelligence have transformed it into a powerhouse of innovation and a strong voice for equitable global AI governance.AI Market Growth and Global Competitiveness India’s AI market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 25 to 35 percent through...

Tamil Nadu Interim Budget 2026-27: Rs 4,000 Crore for Free Bus Travel Scheme, Fiscal Deficit Targeted at 3% of GSDP Chennai, February 17: Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thenarasu on Tuesday presented the Interim Budget for 2026-27 in the state Assembly, allocating Rs 4,000 crore for the fare-free bus travel scheme for women and earmarking funds for key flagship initiatives of the DMK government.The nearly two-and-a-half-hour-long speech is being seen as one of the lengthiest Budget addresses in recent years, coming ahead of the Assembly elections due in April 2026.Rs 4,000 Crore for Vidiyal Payanam Scheme In the Interim Budget Estimates for 2026-27, the government has allocated:Rs 4,000 crore for the Vidiyal Payanam scheme...

India’s drone ecosystem is witnessing accelerated growth, with more than 38,500 drones registered across the country and 39,890 DGCA-certified remote pilots as of February 2026, according to official figures released on Tuesday.The surge reflects the steady formalization and scaling up of unmanned aerial systems in India, supported by a structured regulatory environment and expanding institutional capacity.Over 240 Training Organisations Fuel Skilled Workforce To support the rising demand for drone operations and maintenance, more than 240 approved training organisations have been established nationwide. These institutions are focused on building a skilled workforce capable of operating drones across commercial, agricultural...

Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian Thali Costs Decline Year-on-Year The cost of preparing a home-cooked vegetarian and non-vegetarian thali declined in January compared to the same month last year, driven by lower prices of key vegetables and pulses.According to a report by Crisil Intelligence, the cost of a vegetarian thali fell by 1 percent year-on-year in January, while the cost of a non-vegetarian thali dropped by 7 percent. The moderation reflects easing prices of essential ingredients, although select items recorded increases that limited the overall relief.Onion, Potato and Pulse Prices Drive Relief The reduction in vegetarian thali costs was primarily supported by a sharp fall in onion, potato and pulse prices.Onion prices...

New Delhi, February 17: Space technology startup Pixxel Space has announced a strategic partnership with French electric propulsion provider Exotrail to support the control and operation of its advanced satellites in orbit. The announcement comes at the start of the India France Innovation Year, launched by Narendra Modi and Emmanuel Macron in Mumbai.Exotrail’s Spaceware Systems to Power Upcoming Satellite Deployments Under the agreement, Pixxel will integrate Exotrail’s spaceware electric propulsion systems into its upcoming satellite deployments, with deliveries scheduled through 2027. These systems will play a critical role in supporting Pixxel’s expanding Earth Observation constellation and its broader space infrastructure...