Business

CBIC Launches Duty Deferment Scheme to Boost Manufacturing and Expedite Clearances Hybrid Outreach Program Introduced for Manufacturer Importers New Delhi, March 28 – The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) conducted a hybrid outreach program to promote the Duty Deferment Scheme for eligible manufacturer importers, the Ministry of Finance said on Saturday. The program aimed to expedite cargo clearances and improve liquidity for domestic manufacturers.How the Duty Deferment Scheme Works The scheme allows eligible manufacturer importers to clear imported goods without making upfront duty payments, instead enabling monthly duty settlement. This facility aligns with the government’s Make in India campaign, designed to...

Gujarat to Add 50,000 PNG Connections in 10 Days Following PM Modi’s Appeal State Launches Major Push for Piped Natural Gas Connections Gandhinagar, March 28 – Gujarat plans to provide over 50,000 new piped natural gas (PNG) connections across the state within the next 10 days, responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent appeal to expand such services, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi said on Saturday.In the past 10 days, more than 12,000 new residential PNG connections and over 300 commercial PNG connections have already been installed.High-Level Meeting Reviews Supply of Essential Commodities Following PM Modi’s video conference with state leaders on petrol, diesel, gas, fertilizers, and food grain supplies amid global...

Info Edge to Invest ₹250 Crore in Deep-Tech AIF, Exits Shopkirana via Share Swap Deal Investment in A88 Fund I to Back Early-Stage Deep-Tech Startups New Delhi, March 28 Info Edge (India) Ltd has announced plans to invest up to ₹250 crore in an alternative investment fund aimed at supporting early-stage deep-tech companies in India.According to a regulatory filing, the company has entered into a contribution agreement with A88 Fund I, a scheme launched by A88 Trust, which is registered with the Securities and Exchange Board of India as a Category II Alternative Investment Fund.The filing stated that the investment commitment of up to ₹250 crore will be made either directly or through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, including Smartweb...

India Monitors Strait of Hormuz Tensions as Oil Tankers Transit Key Route Indian Ships Continue Transit Amid Geopolitical Uncertainty New Delhi, March 28 – Two more merchant vessels carrying petroleum products for India are likely transiting the Strait of Hormuz, even as rising geopolitical tensions continue to disrupt movement through the critical global shipping route.The situation remains volatile following Iran’s claim of “full control” over the strategic waterway amid recent hostilities involving the United States and Israel.Indian Navy on Alert to Ensure Safe Passage According to sources, the Indian Navy has deployed warships near key ports to assist vessels and ensure safe passage. Additional ships are expected to arrive from...

India Warns WTO Against Misuse of Transparency Rules at MC14 India Opposes Use of Transparency for Trade Retaliation New Delhi, March 28 – India has cautioned members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) against using “transparency” provisions to justify trade retaliation or challenge legitimate domestic policies.The government emphasized that transparency measures must be supported by sustained capacity-building to ensure all countries—especially developing economies—can meet their obligations fairly and effectively.What Transparency Means in WTO Framework Transparency is a key pillar of the WTO’s Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Agreement. It requires member nations to regularly disclose information on trade policies, subsidies...

Cyber Attacks on Critical Infrastructure Pose Direct Threat to Human Lives: Expert Cyber Threat Landscape Expands Beyond Data Theft New Delhi, March 28 – As cyber attacks increasingly target critical infrastructure such as healthcare systems and power grids, the global threat landscape is evolving from data breaches to direct risks to human lives, according to a senior cybersecurity expert.Gaurav Shukla, Partner and Leader – Cyber at Deloitte South Asia, highlighted that cyber risks are no longer confined to information systems but now impact real-world safety and operations.IT-OT Convergence Increases Vulnerability Shukla noted that the convergence of Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) has significantly...

India’s SEZ Exports Surge 32% to ₹11.7 Lakh Crore in FY26, Boosting Investment and Jobs SEZ Exports Record Strong Growth in 2025-26 New Delhi, March 28 – India’s exports from operational Special Economic Zones (SEZs) crossed ₹11.70 lakh crore in 2025-26 (up to December 2025), registering a robust 32.02% growth compared to the previous year, according to an official government statement.This surge highlights the growing importance of SEZs in driving India’s export performance and strengthening its global trade position.India Has 368 Notified SEZs with ₹7.86 Lakh Crore Investment As of February 2026, India has 368 notified SEZs, with total investments reaching ₹7.86 lakh crore. These zones continue to attract significant domestic and...

PM Narendra Modi Calls for Unity Amid Global Crisis, Inaugurates Noida International Airport Modi Urges Citizens to Prioritize National Interest and Unity Noida, March 28 – Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday called on citizens to work with dedication and unity to tackle global challenges, emphasizing that India must prioritize its national interests during times of crisis.Addressing a gathering at the inauguration of the Noida International Airport, he urged people to remain calm and united amid ongoing global uncertainties.“This is a global crisis, but we must prioritize India’s interests. That is our greatest strength,” he said.West Asia Conflict Raises Concerns Over Energy Security Referring to the ongoing conflict in...

Noida International Airport to Boost Greater Noida Real Estate, Drive Housing Growth: Report Jewar Airport Inauguration Expected to Transform NCR Property Market New Delhi, March 28 – The inauguration of the Noida International Airport at Jewar by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to significantly boost developer confidence and accelerate residential real estate growth in Greater Noida, according to a report by Knight Frank India.The airport, positioned as the second major aviation hub for the Delhi-NCR region, is expected to reshape the region’s urban and economic landscape.Greater Noida Gains Stronger Position in NCR Housing Market According to the Knight Frank India report, Greater Noida has emerged as a key residential hub...

India Pushes for Consensus-Based WTO Reforms at MC14, Highlights Global Trade Imbalances India Advocates Consensus-Driven Decision Making at WTO New Delhi, March 28 – Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal emphasized the importance of consensus-based decision-making during the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Cameroon.Leading the Indian delegation, Goyal stated that consensus is fundamental to the WTO’s legitimacy. He cautioned against undermining the sovereign rights of member nations, asserting that no country should be obligated to accept rules without its consent.Rebuilding Trust Key to WTO Reform Addressing WTO reform and past mandates, Goyal highlighted the urgent need to...

Mumbai, March 28 An IndiGo flight from Visakhapatnam to Delhi, carrying 160 passengers, made an emergency landing at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport on Saturday due to a malfunctioning engine, according to sources."A full emergency was declared at Indira Gandhi International Airport at 10:39 for IndiGo's Visakhapatnam-Delhi flight 6E 579 due to a single engine failure," a source said.The Boeing 737 aircraft was carrying 160 passengers, the source added.The flight landed at 10:59 am, as per flight tracking website flightradar24.com.Further details are awaited.

New Delhi, March 28 Rentomojo Ltd, an online platform for renting and subscribing to home furniture and appliances, has filed preliminary documents with the capital markets regulator, Sebi, to raise funds through an initial public offering (IPO).The proposed IPO involves the issuance of up to Rs 150 crore in new equity shares, as well as an offer-for-sale (OFS) of up to 2,83,99,567 equity shares by existing shareholders, according to the Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) filed on Friday.The company intends to use the proceeds from the new issuance for paying off debt, lease rentals, or license fees for its warehouses and experience stores, and for general corporate purposes.Founded by Geetansh Bamania, the company operates a...

New Delhi, March 28 Gold prices rose by 5.77 per cent during the week, amid sustained geopolitical tensions and a decline in crude oil prices.On Friday, MCX gold April futures increased by 0.15 per cent while MCX silver May futures declined by 0.09 per cent. Currently, gold futures are at Rs 1,44,500, while silver futures are at Rs 2,27,750 per kg.The price of 10 grams of 24-carat gold was at Rs 1,42,942 on Friday, up from the Rs 1,35,141 seen at the market opening on Monday, according to data published by the India Bullion and Jewellers Association (IBJA).Gold spot prices dipped slightly on the last day of trading as a strong US dollar weighed on the market.MCX gold in India showed a steady recovery from a weekly low of Rs...

New Delhi, March 28 Thermax announced on Saturday that its subsidiary, Thermax Babcock & Wilcox Energy Solutions (TBWES), has secured a boiler package supply order worth approximately ₹1,600 crore for an ultra-supercritical thermal power project.According to a company statement, TBWES has secured the ₹1,600 crore boiler package supply order from a leading thermal power project company in Central India for a 1x800 MW ultra-supercritical thermal power plant.The scope of work includes manufacturing, supply, commissioning, and performance testing of the boiler package, the statement said."This order represents a significant achievement for Thermax and reinforces our proven capabilities in large-scale energy solutions. We thank our...

DGCA Issues Safety Guidelines for VVIP Flights After Fatal Crash Concerns New Rules Target Non-Scheduled Operators Carrying Top Dignitaries Mumbai/New Delhi, March 27: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Friday issued fresh safety guidelines for aircraft operators flying VVIPs, including chief ministers, central ministers, and governors.The new directives apply specifically to non-scheduled aircraft and helicopter operators involved in transporting high-profile dignitaries, aiming to strengthen operational safety standards.Move Comes Amid Safety Concerns After January Crash The guidelines come in the backdrop of a fatal plane crash in January that resulted in the death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar...

RBI Mandates LEI and UTI for Financial Market Transactions to Boost Transparency LEI to Be Mandatory for OTC Market Participants Mumbai, March 27: The Reserve Bank of India on Friday directed the mandatory use of Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) for participants in financial market transactions, aiming to enhance transparency and standardisation across markets.The LEI is a 20-character alphanumeric code that uniquely identifies entities involved in financial transactions. According to the central bank, the requirement will apply to all over-the-counter transactions undertaken by entities other than individuals across government securities, money market instruments, foreign exchange instruments, and derivatives.However, for...

Jaishankar Congratulates Nepal’s New Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal, Reaffirms Bilateral Ties India Extends Diplomatic Warmth Following Nepal’s New Government Formation Paris, March 27: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday extended his greetings to Nepal’s newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shisir Khanal, expressing optimism about strengthening the long-standing partnership between the two countries.In a message shared on X, Jaishankar conveyed his best wishes, stating, "Warm wishes to Shisir Khanal on assuming the role of Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nepal." He also emphasized his intent to collaborate closely to deepen bilateral engagement.Nepal’s New Leadership Takes Oath in Kathmandu The development comes...

SEBI Approves IPOs of Six Companies Including SAEL Industries, Vishvaraj Environment Six Firms Receive Regulatory Clearance for Public Listings New Delhi, March 27: The Securities and Exchange Board of India has approved initial public offering plans of six companies, including SAEL Industries Ltd, Vishvaraj Environment Ltd, and Symbiotec Pharmalab Ltd.The other companies that secured approval are Prasol Chemicals, NoPaperForms Solutions Ltd, and Shah Investor's Home Ltd.These companies had filed their draft papers between September and December and received approvals between March 25 and March 27, clearing the path for their stock market debut.Total Fundraising Expected Around Rs 10,000 Crore The six IPOs together are estimated...

Tata Motors Says JLR Temporarily Pauses Production at UK Plant Amid Supply Constraint Production Halt Affects Select Vehicle Lines at Solihull Facility New Delhi, March 27: Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd on Friday announced that its British subsidiary Jaguar Land Rover has temporarily paused production on certain vehicle lines at its Solihull manufacturing facility in the United Kingdom due to a supply constraint from a supplier.The company, in a regulatory filing, cited a statement from Jaguar Land Rover confirming that production has been halted on select lines as a precautionary step.Company Engages Supplier to Resolve Issue Swiftly Jaguar Land Rover is currently working closely with the concerned supplier to address the...

Centre Plans Rs 8 Lakh Crore Borrowing via Dated Securities in H1 FY27 Government Targets Fiscal Gap Funding Through Market Borrowings New Delhi, March 27: The Centre is set to raise Rs 8 lakh crore through dated securities during the April to September period of the financial year 2026-27, as part of its strategy to bridge the revenue gap, the finance ministry said on Friday.Revised Borrowing Estimates After G-Sec Switches The government has pegged its gross market borrowings for FY27 at Rs 17.20 lakh crore in the Budget Estimates. However, following switches of government securities conducted after the Budget presentation, the gross borrowing requirement has been revised downward to Rs 16.09 lakh crore.Over Half of Borrowing...