Business

New Delhi, April 1 – India’s data center (DC) capacity is projected to grow by around 30 per cent year-on-year in 2026, driven by strong demand and continued investor interest, according to a report released on Wednesday.According to an analysis by CBRE, the estimates suggest an addition of nearly 500 MW of new supply this year, building on the record 440 MW capacity added in 2025 – a 160 per cent jump compared to the previous year.The total domestic data center capacity stood at around 1,700 MW at the end of 2025, according to the report.The sector has also attracted significant capital, with investment commitments reaching $56.4 billion in 2025, taking the cumulative total to $126 billion.These commitments are expected to rise...

New Delhi, April 1 MSME Business Forum India and Vertex Group announced a partnership on Wednesday aimed at boosting MSME growth and job creation in India through skill development programs.As part of the initiative, Vertex Learning, one of Vertex Group's core verticals, will offer industry-recognized certifications and advanced upskilling programs for MSMEs and professionals in India through direct collaborations with Polish universities.Gagan Arora, Founder and President, Vertex Group, said, "Through this partnership, we are not only facilitating investment and business expansion but also creating a skilled workforce and sustainable jobs that will shape the future of both our nations."At a recent Indo-Polish B2B roundtable here...

Mumbai, April 1 Czech auto major Skoda Auto announced on Wednesday that its vehicle sales in India surged by 17 per cent to 20,028 units in the January-March quarter of CY 2026, compared to 17,138 vehicles in the same quarter of last year, driven by an enhanced product portfolio and expanding market reach.Building on a successful 2025, when it posted record 107 per cent year-on-year growth, Skoda Auto India has sustained its growth momentum and continues to accelerate its presence in the domestic market, the company said.Skoda Auto India continues its strong growth trajectory into 2026, recording its highest-ever quarterly sales in Q1 (January-March) with 20,028 units sold, the company said.The company's product range in India...

New Delhi, April 1: Members of the 8th Pay Commission have begun consultations on the proposed salary revision for central government employees and pensioners.A key meeting is scheduled in Dehradun on April 24, where representatives of employee unions, pensioners' associations, and other stakeholders are expected to present their views on pay structures, allowances, and pension-related issues.Members of the commission are expected to visit various other parts of the country to hold similar meetings in order to better understand the problems faced by employees and retirees. The feedback collected from these meetings will help the Commission decide how much salaries, pensions and benefits should be revised in the future.The...

New Delhi, April 1 India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra) said on Wednesday that the corporate credit profile has remained strong for the fifth consecutive year in 2025-26, supported by domestic policy measures and favorable macroeconomic conditions.Disruptions related to tariffs were largely manageable and affected only a few entities in export-heavy sectors, it added, noting that the ongoing conflict in West Asia will test the strong balance sheets of the corporate sector in the current fiscal, which begins on April 1.During FY26, Ind-Ra upgraded the ratings of 361 issuers and downgraded the ratings of 115 issuers.The upgrade-to-downgrade ratio dipped slightly to 3.1 in FY26 from 3.5 a year ago.Arvind Rao, Head of the Credit...

New Delhi, April 1 The price of gold rose by Rs 1,539 to Rs 1.52 lakh per 10 grams in futures trading on Wednesday, due to positive sentiment in the domestic market amid rising prices of precious metals globally and a weaker US dollar.On the Multi Commodity Exchange, the yellow metal for June delivery increased by Rs 1,539, or 1.02 percent, to Rs 1,52,300 per 10 grams from Tuesday's closing level of Rs 1,50,761 per 10 grams.Commodity markets were closed in the morning session due to Shri Mahavir Jayanti and resumed trading in the evening session on Tuesday. Market research toolsAnalysts said investors turned to safe-haven assets amid uncertainty surrounding the ongoing US-Iran conflict."Gold prices saw a significant increase on...

New Delhi, April 1 Automaker Renault India reported a 77 per cent growth in domestic wholesale sales at 5,046 units in March 2026, compared to 2,846 units in the same month a year ago.For the fiscal ended March 31, 2026, total sales were at 42,018 units, a growth of 11 per cent over 37,900 units sold in FY25, Renault India said in a statement.The new Renault Kiger and the new Triber continue to maintain strong momentum, accounting for 63 per cent of overall March sales and reinforcing customer confidence in the updated lineup, it added.

New Delhi, April 1 – India's automobile sector ended March 2026 on a strong note, with major carmakers reporting record sales driven by steady demand, new launches, and expanding customer reach.Kia India emerged as one of the top performers, posting its highest-ever March sales since entering the Indian market.The company sold 29,112 units during the month, representing a 14.5 per cent year-on-year growth compared to 25,525 units in March 2025.The automaker also recorded its best-ever quarterly performance, with sales of 84,316 units in the January–March period, up 11.6 per cent from 75,576 units a year ago.The strong performance was largely driven by sustained demand for models such as the Kia Seltos, Kia Sonet, and Kia Carens...

New Delhi, April 1 Indian leading automobile manufacturer Mahindra & Mahindra announced on Wednesday that overall auto sales for March 2026 stood at 99,969 vehicles, marking a growth of 21 per cent, including exports.Utility Vehicles domestic sales reached 60,272 units in March, up 25 per cent, while overall UV sales including exports reached 62,109 units. Domestic Commercial Vehicles sales for the month were 24,928, marking a growth of 11 per cent.The company reported year-to-date exports rising 18 per cent to 40,990, while total exports eased 4 per cent year-on-year to 3,968 vehicles in March.The financial year concluded with all-time-high volumes of 660,276 SUVs and 289,597 light commercial vehicles under 3.5 tonnes, delivering...

New Delhi, April 1 – The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas clarified on Wednesday that only the price of commercial LPG has been increased in the country, while the price of domestic LPG remains unchanged to protect households from the sharp rise in the cost of cooking gas, which is being imported amid disruptions due to the Iran war."The prices of commercial LPG cylinders, used by industries and hotels, are deregulated and market-determined, and are typically revised on a monthly basis. Their consumption accounts for less than 10 per cent of the total LPG consumed in the country," the Ministry said in a statement posted on X.The April 1 increase in the price of commercial cylinders is due to a 44 per cent surge in the Saudi...

New Delhi, April 1 Marksans Pharma Ltd announced on Wednesday that it has received final approval from the US health regulator for its generic version of Benzonatate capsules, indicated for the treatment of persistent cough, bronchitis, pneumonia, or other lung infections.The approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) is for the company's abbreviated new drug application (ANDA) for Benzonatate capsules of strengths 100 mg and 200 mg, Marksans Pharma said in a regulatory filing.This product is bioequivalent and therapeutically equivalent to the reference listed drug (RLD), Tessalon Capsules, 100 mg and 200 mg, of Pfizer Inc, it added.Benzonatate is a non-narcotic antitussive that numbs stretch receptors in the...

New Delhi, April 1 The National Stock Exchange (NSE) announced on Wednesday that it has partnered with Indian Gas Exchange Ltd (IGX) to introduce exchange-traded derivatives based on domestic natural gas prices.As part of the collaboration, NSE will launch natural gas futures contracts linked to IGX's benchmark price index, the Gas IndeX of India (GIXI), which reflects pricing based on actual trades on the IGX platform.In a statement, the exchange said it has received approval from the market regulator, Sebi, to launch Indian natural gas futures, with the launch date to be announced shortly.The proposed contracts aim to provide a transparent and efficient risk management tool for stakeholders across the gas value chain, including...

New Delhi, April 1 Automaker Kia India reported 14.5 per cent growth in total sales at 29,112 units in March, compared to 25,525 units sold in the same month of 2025.This is the company's best-ever sales performance for the month of March, Kia India said in a statement.The company further said it also achieved its strongest-ever quarterly performance, with Q1 (January-March) 2026 sales at 84,316 units, a growth of 11.6 per cent over 75,576 units in Q1 2025."We achieved our best-ever March sales and strongest-ever quarterly performance, driven by sustained demand across our portfolio. The new Seltos, backed by its 5-star BNCAP rating, continues to lead, while the Sonet and Carens line-up remain steady volume drivers with continuous...

New Delhi, April 1 – ATF or jet fuel prices more than doubled to a record Rs 2.07 lakh per kilolitre on Wednesday, but state-owned oil companies passed on only a fraction of the increase to domestic airlines, adopting a calibrated approach to dealing with the war-linked surge in global oil prices.The price of aviation turbine fuel (ATF) was increased by 8.5 per cent to Rs 104,927.18 per kl for domestic airlines, according to state-owned oil firms.The price of ATF for domestic airlines in Delhi was hiked by Rs 8,289.04 per kilolitre, or 8.56 per cent, to Rs 104,927.18 per kl. This compares to Rs 96,638.14 per kl last month.Domestic airlines will pay half of what foreign airlines, as well as other carriers such as those offering ad...

New Delhi, April 1 Farm and construction equipment firm Escorts Kubota Ltd reported a 6.6 per cent increase in total tractor sales at 12,119 units in March 2026, compared to the same month last year.The company had sold a total of 11,374 units in March 2025, Escorts Kubota Ltd said in a regulatory filing.Domestic sales were at 11,582 units last month, up 7.5 per cent from 10,775 units in March 2025, it added.However, exports were down 10.4 per cent last month at 537 units, compared to 599 units in the year-ago month, the company said.The domestic tractor industry continued its steady performance in March 2026, supported by sustained rural demand and the gradual onset of Rabi harvesting in select regions, it said.While...

New Delhi, April 1 State-owned Power Grid Corporation of India (PGCIL) announced on Wednesday the appointment of Burra Vamsi Rama Mohan, Director (Projects), as Chairman & Managing Director, effective April 1.According to an order from the Ministry of Power (MoP), his term will be from the date he assumes office – April 1, 2026 – until his retirement on July 31, 2030, or until further orders, whichever comes first, according to a regulatory filing.The Board of Directors of POWERGRID approved the appointment of Burra as Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) at its meeting held on Wednesday, according to the filing.Vamsi is not related to any of the Directors or Key Managerial Personnel of the Company, and he has not been barred from...

New Delhi, April 1 Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL) on Wednesday reported a 2.5 per cent year-on-year growth in sales at 69,004 units in March 2026.Sales for March 2026 comprised domestic sales of 55,064 units – the highest-ever domestic sales for any March month, with a 6.3 per cent year-on-year growth, and exports of 13,940 units, HMIL said in a statement.The company achieved a total of 2,08,275 units in sales during the January to March 2026 period, representing an 8.7 per cent growth compared to the previous year.This includes domestic Q4 sales of 1,66,578 units, up 8.5 per cent year-on-year, which is the company's highest-ever quarterly sales figure for domestic sales since its inception, it said.In Q4, exports accounted for...

New Delhi, April 1 Auto components maker Kay Jay Forgings Ltd has filed draft papers with the market regulator, Sebi, to raise ₹360 crore through an initial public offering (IPO).The proposed IPO comprises a fresh issue of equity shares worth ₹300 crore and an offer for sale (OFS) of shares worth ₹60 crore by promoters, bringing the total issue size to ₹360 crore, according to the draft red herring prospectus (DRHP).The company may also consider a pre-IPO placement of up to ₹40 crore, and if undertaken, the size of the fresh issue will be adjusted accordingly.The Ludhiana-headquartered company proposes to use the net proceeds from the fresh issue towards capital expenditure and debt reduction.Of the total, approximately ₹118.8...

New Delhi, April 1 Domestic gross GST collections rose 8.8 per cent year-on-year to Rs 2 lakh crore in March 2026, driven by steady domestic revenues and a sharp increase in collections related to imports, according to official data released on Wednesday.Gross GST revenue stood at Rs 2,00,064 crore in March, compared to Rs 1,83,845 crore in the same month last year. The growth was primarily driven by a strong 17.8 per cent increase in import revenues, while domestic revenues increased at a relatively moderate pace of 5.9 per cent during the month.On a net basis – after accounting for refunds – GST collections rose 8.2 per cent year-on-year to Rs 1,77,990 crore in March.For the full financial year 2025-26, gross GST collections...

New Delhi, April 1 Ola Electric announced a strong return to business performance on Wednesday, with daily orders exceeding 1,000 units in the last week of March 2026, and registrations rising to 10,117 units during the month (according to VAHAN), up from 3,973 units in February, translating to over 150 per cent month-on-month growth, signaling a sharp resurgence in demand momentum.The company also witnessed a V-shaped M-o-M recovery in market share, with the company continuing to gain share throughout the month. Ola Electric stated in a statement.This demand recovery is being driven by a structural transformation in service operations. More than 80 per cent of vehicles are now serviced on the same day, enabled by improved parts...