Business

New Delhi, March 26 The West Asia conflict could reduce economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region by up to 1.3 percentage points over 2026-2027 and increase inflation by 3.2 percentage points if energy market disruptions last more than a year, according to a research by the Asian Development Bank (ADB)."The conflict affects economies in Asia and the Pacific through higher energy prices, supply chain and trade disruptions, and tighter financial conditions. Tourism and remittances could also be impacted," ADB said in the report.The report outlines three risk scenarios indicating that the effects on the region’s developing economies will largely depend on the duration of the disruptions, it said.Under a short-lived conflict, energy...

IIT Ropar Deploys 100 Weather Stations in Punjab to Advance Agricultural AI Nationwide Weather Intelligence Network New Delhi – March 26 – IIT Ropar’s Annam.ai, a Centre of Excellence in artificial intelligence for agriculture, has deployed 100 advanced weather stations in Punjab. The initiative aims to develop a scalable weather intelligence network for India.These AI-based weather stations, provided free of charge, will deliver hyperlocal, real-time weather data to farmers. This data will enable farmers to make precise decisions regarding sowing, irrigation, and crop protection.“Designed as a model for nationwide expansion, this initiative aims to reduce climate-related risks and improve farm productivity,” IIT Ropar stated...

Pratap Technocrats Secures ₹8,025 Crore Contract for BharatNet Phase III New Delhi, March 26 – Telecom managed services firm Pratap Technocrats has entered into an agreement with state-run BSNL to design, build, operate, and maintain BharatNet Phase III. The contract value is ₹8,025 crore.BharatNet Phase III Rollout Details The agreement covers the rollout of the network across the states of Rajasthan, Haryana, and Assam, as part of the amended BharatNet program. Pratap Technocrats will be responsible for the deployment, operations, and 10-year maintenance of the optical fiber network infrastructure in these three states.The scope of work includes strengthening middle-mile connectivity and supporting the expansion of high-speed...

BRICS Bloc Strengthening Alters Global Dynamics, Kremlin Aide Says BRICS Expansion and Shifting Global Relationships Moscow, March 26 – The BRICS economic bloc is reshaping global relations and fostering South-South cooperation, bypassing Western influence, according to a top Kremlin economic aide.Maxim Oreshkin, the Kremlin’s top economic aide and Deputy Chief of the Kremlin Staff, made the statement at the meeting of the Russian Business and Industry Union’s (RSPP) National Committee on Business Cooperation with BRICS member states. He also discussed the growing importance of business diplomacy in today’s world compared to two decades ago.Oreshkin stated, “Overall, the nature of global relationships is changing. While technology...

Infosys Announces Acquisitions to Boost Healthcare and Insurance Capabilities New Delhi, March 26 – Infosys has announced plans to bolster its presence in the healthcare and insurance sectors through the strategic acquisitions of healthcare digital transformation company Optimum Healthcare IT and technology solutions provider Stratus. The combined investment amounts to approximately ₹5,260 crore.Healthcare Transformation Boost Infosys will acquire Optimum Healthcare IT for up to USD 465 million, including upfront payments and earnouts, excluding management incentives and retention bonuses. The acquisition is expected to close during the first quarter of fiscal 2027, subject to completion of closing conditions.Optimum Healthcare IT...

Government Buses Seen as Good Value, But Demand Simpler Booking New Delhi, March 26 – A recent study indicates that a majority of travelers believe government buses offer good value for money, while also highlighting areas for improvement in the booking and service experience.Key Findings from the redBus Study The research, conducted by online bus ticketing platform redBus, reveals that road transport corporations (RTCs) are a preferred choice for working professionals and students. The study analyzed responses from over 11,000 individuals utilizing government-owned intercity bus services, including RTCs, State Transport Corporations (STCs), State Transport Undertakings (STUs), and Roadways.Traveler Motivations The primary reasons...

Government, Industry Partner to Create One Crore Driver Jobs Through New Driving Schools New Delhi, March 26 – The Indian government, in collaboration with industry stakeholders, is launching a nationwide initiative to establish driving training centers in 120 aspirational districts and 500 aspirational blocks. The project aims to create one crore jobs for young people over the next five years.Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari announced the plan during a Sadak Suraksha Abhiyan event, highlighting a significant shortage of drivers within the country. Currently, 200 driving schools operate nationwide.According to Minister Gadkari, India faces a driver deficit of 22 lakh individuals. The new initiative seeks to...

Mumbai, March 26 Adhesive maker Pidilite will bear some of the price pressures resulting from rising raw material costs, but does not expect operating profit margins to fall below the 20-24 per cent target range, a top official has said.The city-headquartered company's immediate focus will be to secure supplies of essential raw materials amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, its managing director Sudhanshu Vats said recently."… as we have always done, we will be very careful in our pricing, we will ensure that we pass on some costs, absorb some, and that philosophy will remain," Vats told

New Delhi, March 26 ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel (AM/NS) India announced on Thursday that CEO Dilip Oommen will retire on June 30 after 22 years with the company, including seven years as CEO.Oommen, 68, will remain involved as a board member of AM/NS India and take on the role of Vice-Chairman of ArcelorMittal India Private Ltd, the steel maker said in a statement.Amit Harlalka, the company's current CFO, has been appointed as the new CEO effective July 1.Harlalka joined AM/NS India in December 2019 as Deputy Director, Finance, became CFO in January 2023, and has previously held finance roles across ArcelorMittal operations in Mexico, Zenica, and Luxembourg.He is a chartered accountant and holds an MBA in finance from the Indian...

New Delhi, March 26 The domestic coal market is witnessing rising demand and price pressure as the West Asia crisis is triggering an energy crisis, while the power sector remains steady on the back of coal and renewables, mjunction services said on Thursday.According to mjunction services, a B2B e-commerce platform and joint venture between Tata Steel and Steel Authority of India, coal auctions are signaling early signs of rising demand and price pressure, but within a phase of controlled tightening rather than a sharp surge."Early indicators of tightening demand-supply dynamics and firming prices are visible in India's coal auction market, though the trend is gradual rather than broad-based," mjunction MD Vinaya Varma told

Blue-Collar Salaries Surge, Outpacing White-Collar Growth in India Mumbai, March 26 – India’s labor market is experiencing a structural shift, with average minimum salaries for blue-collar jobs increasing at a faster rate than entry-level white-collar positions, according to a report released Thursday by WorkIndia, a blue and grey-collar recruitment platform.The report, based on data from approximately 18 lakh employers on the platform in 2024 and 2025, indicates an 8.60 per cent year-on-year increase in blue-collar minimum salaries, rising from ₹14,056 in 2024 to ₹15,265 in 2025. Comparatively, several entry-level white-collar jobs saw a 6.75 per cent growth, increasing from ₹14,760 in 2024 to ₹15,756 in 2025.Operational roles...

Sebi Confirms Restrictions on Par Drugs’ Proposed Slump Sale Regulatory Action Pending Investigation New Delhi, March 26 – The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has confirmed its previous directions against Par Drugs and Chemicals Ltd (PDCL) regarding a proposed slump sale of its core business to a promoter-related entity. The regulator’s decision follows a pending investigation into the matter. Confirmatory Order Issued On March 25, Sebi issued a confirmatory order affirming the directions outlined in an interim order issued on September 15, 2025. The order states that PDCL has not successfully refuted the findings presented in the initial interim order.DetailsInformationRegulatorSecurities and Exchange Board of India...

Private Equity Investments in India’s Real Estate Surge 59% in 2025 to $6.7 Billion Strong Economic Growth Fuels Investment New Delhi, March 26 – Private equity investments in India’s real estate sector experienced a substantial increase of 59% in 2025, reaching $6.7 billion, according to a report released on Thursday. The growth was driven by robust demand and stable economic conditions. The report noted India’s economic performance remained strong throughout the year. GDP growth reached 7.8% in the first quarter of FY26 and further rose to 8.2% in the second quarter, positioning India as the world’s fourth-largest economy, with an estimated size of $4.18 trillion. Lower inflation also contributed to a reduction in interest rates...

New Delhi, March 26 Realty firm Manasum Senior Living has partnered with Alt DRX India to offer fractional ownership to investors in housing projects for the elderly.Alt DRX India is a Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) tokenized digital real estate marketplace that allows retail investors to buy and sell fractionalized housing assets starting from as little as 1 square foot.In a statement on Thursday, Manasum Senior Living said it has partnered with Alt DRX India to enable tokenized, digital investment in senior living real estate."This collaboration aims to open up prime senior living investment opportunities to a wider audience, allowing investors to participate with as little as Rs 10,000, without the complexities of traditional...

New Delhi, March 26 ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel (AM/NS) India announced on Thursday that CEO Dilip Oommen will retire on June 30 after 22 years with the company, including seven years as CEO.Oommen, 68, will remain involved as a board member of AM/NS India and take on the role of Vice-Chairman of ArcelorMittal India Private Ltd, the steel maker said in a statement.Amit Harlalka, the company’s current CFO, has been appointed as the new CEO, effective July 1.Harlalka joined AM/NS India in December 2019 as Deputy Director, Finance, became CFO in January 2023, and has previously held finance roles across ArcelorMittal operations in Mexico, Zenica, and Luxembourg.He is a chartered accountant and holds an MBA in finance from the Indian...

New Delhi, March 26 India has approximately 60 days of fuel stock cover, the government said on Thursday, adding that there is no shortage of petrol, diesel, or LPG, as it dismissed reports of shortages as a "deliberate misinformation campaign" aimed at triggering panic buying.The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said that all petrol pumps across the country are adequately stocked and operating normally, with no rationing of petrol or diesel.India, the world's fourth-largest refiner and fifth-largest exporter of petroleum products, has ensured domestic fuel availability and continues to supply refined fuels to over 150 countries, the ministry said in a statement."Every Indian refinery (which turn crude oil into fuels like...

New Delhi, March 26 Turtlemint Fintech Solutions Ltd, which is expected to launch its initial public offering (IPO) in May, plans to invest over ₹218 crore in cloud and server-related infrastructure, as well as strengthening its technology and product development teams, as it looks to drive scalable growth.The company has earmarked ₹193.04 crore for strengthening its technology and product development teams and ₹25.64 crore for cloud and server infrastructure, according to updated draft documents.This is part of the company's "digital-first", advisor-led strategy to expand its customer base.According to sources, the insurtech firm plans to launch its ₹2,000-crore maiden public offering in May. In January, Turtlemint filed updated...

New Delhi, March 26 – India is intensifying its efforts to explore critical minerals, promote startups in mining, and build strong domestic supply chains to reduce import dependence, Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh said on Thursday.Speaking at the governing body meeting of the National Mineral Exploration and Development Trust (NMET), the minister highlighted the need to accelerate exploration activities, particularly for important minerals like lithium, which are crucial for new-age technologies."India is in the process of scaling up the exploration of critical minerals, creating a startup-driven mining ecosystem, and building strong domestic value chains to reduce import dependence," Singh stated.He said that India must...

New Delhi, March 26 The DGCA, the aviation regulatory body, has asked Air India to take corrective measures after the airline deployed an incorrect aircraft for a flight to Vancouver last week, a senior official said on Thursday.Action has also been taken against an airline official in connection with the incident, the senior official at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) told

India Launches Investigation into Subsidized Chinese, Indonesian Paperboard Imports New Delhi, March 26 – India has initiated an investigation into the import of subsidized paperboards from China and Indonesia, according to a notification from the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR). The investigation is aimed at addressing concerns about the impact of subsidized exports on domestic paper manufacturers.The DGTR, the commerce ministry’s investigation arm, began the process following a complaint filed by the Indian Paper Manufacturers’ Association on behalf of the domestic industry. The applicant alleges that multi-layer paperboard exports from China and Indonesia, supported by government subsidies, are negatively affecting the...