Stories from earlier this week and beyond.
VinFast has entered a new vehicle segment in India with the launch of its seven-seater electric MPV, the VF MPV 7. The EV is rated for a 517 km range and is locally assembled in Tamil Nadu. VinFast also plans to expand its retail footprint, targeting 75 showrooms by 2026 as it scales up in the market.
Groupe ADP, the operator of Paris airports, agreed a deal worth up to €924 million to sell part of its stake in GMR Airports, targeting as much as 7.3%. ADP will retain co-promoter status and governance rights, with an initial sell-down plus potential further divestment, alongside purchases of convertible bonds to balance value realization and continued upside.
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After meeting Union Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Zepto cofounder Aadit Palicha said the quick commerce firm backs government initiatives and is willing to accept constructive suggestions. Palicha highlighted the company’s employment footprint, citing over 180,000 delivery partners and more than 40,000 store and warehouse-related workers, while noting other gig players have helped sustain the ecosystem.
Enterprise AI startup Xccelera has raised Rs 1.2 crore from a group of founders including Livspace cofounder Ramakant Sharma, TestMu AI’s Asad Khan, and Zipdial’s Amiya Pathak. The funding will help it grow its engineering team, improve its multi-agent orchestration and validation stack, and scale go-to-market efforts for global enterprise customers.
India’s new Income Tax Return forms have removed ITR-1 and ITR-4, forcing US 401(k) and other overseas pension account holders to file ITR-2 or ITR-3 instead. The update is meant to streamline reporting of foreign assets and income, consistent with existing disclosure expectations. A tax deferment option remains available through Form 10-EE.
IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva praised India’s Union Budget as a thoughtful policy agenda, highlighting its emphasis on innovation across research and development, human capital investment, and digitalisation. Her remarks underscore international confidence in India’s investment priorities, especially around skills and technology-led growth—key areas the budget seeks to strengthen for long-term economic resilience.
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Tencent and Alibaba are reportedly discussing an investment in AI startup DeepSeek, targeting a valuation above $20 billion. The talks underscore how costly cutting-edge AI development has become, with the final terms still under negotiation. DeepSeek’s earlier model release drew worldwide attention, raising expectations around what new funding could enable next.
Amitabh Kant says India’s G20 Presidency will unfold in a “fractured world” marked by deep geopolitical tensions and economic strain. He warns the agenda may be shaped by challenges ranging from war-related disruption to recession risks, requiring India to work on bridging relationships while navigating competing priorities and uncertainties.
Jeh Aerospace has signed a significant long-term agreement with France based Liebherr Aerospace to produce precision landing gear components for narrow body commercial aircraft. The parts will be manufactured at Jeh Aerospace’s Hyderabad facility, linking the company to Liebherr’s worldwide production network. The deal highlights Jeh’s focus on operational excellence and high precision manufacturing for critical aircraft systems.
February trade data points to encouraging momentum for India’s engineering exports, with projections suggesting a new record for this fiscal year despite global turbulence. EEPC’s Chadha flags risks from geopolitical tensions and energy-market volatility, warning that the outlook could swing even as current numbers look strong.
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Infosys’ board has approved equity-based compensation for CEO Salil Parekh worth Rs 51.75 crore, using a mix of RSUs and PSUs. The grants are linked to performance metrics and ESG targets, tying a portion of the reward to sustainability goals. The update comes alongside a reported 20.8% rise in net profit for the March 2026 quarter.
Pocket FM has appointed Lalit Gangwar as Chief Operating Officer to lead the company’s global audio business. The move is designed to support its international expansion ambitions, building on Gangwar’s role in scaling the platform in India and helping drive its US market entry. Pocket FM says the leadership change is meant to enable predictable, long-term growth as it expands.
Woovly has expanded its leadership team by appointing a new associate director, as it continues building a platform that blends social media content with community and e-commerce. The company focuses on empowering micro and nano creators, aiming to deliver a more holistic experience for audiences and shoppers.
Karnataka has launched Bescom’s ‘HT Mitra’ portal to speed up grievance redressal for industrial and commercial consumers with high-tension electricity connections. Developed by Bescom engineers, the platform lets customers register complaints and track their status online. The move is intended to boost transparency and efficiency for more than 18,000 eligible customers and reduce delays in service delivery.
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A new Rystad estimate suggests damage to Middle East energy assets may cost up to $58 billion, with the figure doubling in just three weeks. Widespread damage occurred before an April 8 ceasefire, and repairs are expected to reroute existing capacity—slowing projects and pushing global inflation beyond the region.
DSCI and Rockwell Automation have opened a new Operational Technology Cyber Security Lab in Noida. The facility is designed to support testing, capability building, and practical security work for operational technologies used in industries. The move signals deeper focus on protecting connected industrial systems against evolving cyber threats.
Frex, a platform designed to simplify international money transfers for immigrants, has raised Rs 9.5 crore in pre-seed funding from Zeropearl VC, White Venture Capital and other backers. The startup plans to expand across North America and India, strengthen compliance and improve transaction systems to make cross-border transfers easier and more reliable.
Anthropic’s valuation is nearing $1 trillion in secondary markets, drawing heavy investor interest and even outpacing rival OpenAI in trading appetite. While fast revenue growth and a perceived competitive edge are helping, the latest surge appears powered as much by FOMO as by hard fundamentals. The gap between primary and secondary valuations adds to the buzz.
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Wealth First Portfolio Managers has received SEBI approval to start its mutual fund business through a new entity, Lakshya Asset Management Company, based in Ahmedabad. Lakshya AMC plans to roll out innovative investment products, backed by senior hires from Benchmark Asset Management, widely known for pioneering ETFs in India.
Gold and silver ETFs dropped as much as 5% even as MCX prices bounced back, helped by a weaker dollar and easing geopolitical stress. Analysts point to rising yields and traders locking in gains as key drivers. While caution remains, experts suggest staggered investing through SIPs to potentially benefit from dips, backed by solid medium-term demand fundamentals.
The government is reportedly working on a major incentive package aimed at attracting leading semiconductor manufacturers to India. Senior officials have been in discussions with companies including TSMC, Intel, AMD, Fujitsu and United Microelectronics, according to sources. The move signals an intensifying push to build domestic chip capabilities and reduce reliance on imports.
Yezdi and BSA have unveiled two new scrambler motorcycles in India: the Yezdi Scrambler 350 and the BSA Scrambler 650. Positioned to ride the momentum of the premium scrambler segment, both models are pitched as versatile machines for everyday city cruising and light off-road exploring. The debut adds fresh options for riders seeking style and capability across mixed terrain.
Indian engineering exports reached a record $122.43 billion in FY25-26, a milestone credited to government support and trade agreements. The sector posted strong growth even as geopolitical tensions and changing trade policies threatened demand. EEPC’s Chadha highlighted the industry’s resilience and ability to adapt quickly to shifting global conditions, keeping momentum strong into FY26.
Despite a ceasefire, India’s chemical exporters are facing mounting pressure as disrupted supply chains and high costs continue to bite. Uncertainty over shipping via the Gulf corridor is also affecting both imports and exports, keeping logistics shaky and leaving a large share of trade exposed to further delays and price swings.
From April 2026 to March 2027, India will allow export zones to sell products locally. The move is designed to help exporters cope with rising tariffs and supply-chain disruptions tied to the Middle East conflict, while improving use of SEZ capacity and reducing dependence on expensive imports. The policy could shift how firms balance export orders with domestic sales.
Odisha is stepping up its industrial agenda with a Rs 3,877 crore infusion aimed at scaling advanced manufacturing and building green industries. The plan also extends into healthcare and tourism, signalling a push for broader economic diversification rather than a narrow focus on traditional sectors. The investment is positioned as a catalyst for sustained industrial growth across the state.
Europe and Asia may face a looming jet fuel shortage within weeks, linked to the Iran conflict and disruptions tied to the Strait of Hormuz. With jet fuel prices reportedly doubling, airlines could respond by raising fares and cutting capacity, raising the risk of delays or cancellations just as the summer travel rush begins.
Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu reviewed progress in drone research, development, and component manufacturing, outlining a push to accelerate India’s drone ecosystem. The review is aimed at strengthening local capabilities and scaling production, with a stated goal of making India the world’s third-largest drone market by 2030.
After years of unreliable automation and fiddly setup, Google and Amazon are pushing an AI-first smart home approach. Their new AI assistants aim to coordinate devices more naturally and handle configuration work that previously required a home IT administrator, promising a smoother experience for everyday users and a major shift in how smart homes get set up.
Tensions in West Asia are disrupting a key India-linked corridor via the Strait of Hormuz, forcing shipping lines to divert vessels. The fallout is visible in surging insurance premiums, the emergence of new surcharges, and added transit costs. With route uncertainty rising, exporters and importers face tighter schedules and higher logistics expenses.
Kaynes shares have tumbled 43.5% from their October peak, with Friday’s 12.5% fall the steepest single day so far. Momentum indicators stay bearish, keeping risk high for a further move toward the year’s low near Rs 3,825. Yet the stock is about 26% below its 200-day SMA, hinting at possible mean-reversion toward Rs 4,541 if buyers step in—otherwise losses could extend below Rs 4,300.
DB Realty and Unitech stocks rose after top executives from both companies were granted bail in the 2G scam case. The market reaction suggests traders are weighing immediate legal relief more than the broader uncertainty around the long-running scandal. The move highlights how court developments can quickly sway sentiment in heavily watched corporate investigations.
Indian businesses are struggling under GST 2.0, with an inverted duty structure hitting FMCG and OTC pharma firms hard. Experts point to the phase-out of the GST compensation cess, which has left companies with a backlog of unusable credits. On top of this, tighter free-trade agreement rules are creating fresh compliance and trade barriers.
Lovable Lingerie has emerged as one of the standout performers among newly listed stocks, with shares doubling in value. Traders appear to be positioning for another success story, drawing comparisons to Page Industries, another high-flying stock. The rally has made the company the third-best performer among listings this year, fueling fresh speculation on its next leg of growth.
Gold and silver ETFs fell as bullion prices slid up to 3%, pressured by a sharp rise in crude oil and lingering uncertainty around US-Iran talks. Investors also weighed concerns over sticky inflation and expectations of higher interest rates, dimming risk sentiment. Analysts suggest booking profits and waiting for dips as volatility is likely to continue.
The Wealth Company Mutual Fund, under Pantomath Group, has launched its SIF brand “WSIF” and introduced two new funds using differentiated long-short strategies. The approach blends equity investing with tactical hedging to manage downside risk. With this move, the fund house is entering India’s emerging Specialised Investment Funds category, signaling a shift toward more complex risk-managed offerings.
India is set to purchase 2.5 million tons of urea fertilizer at rates nearly 90% higher than before the Middle East conflict, with global supplies tightening under geopolitical pressure. Indian Potash Ltd. will source the shipment just ahead of monsoon crop sowing, in a move aimed at preventing fertilizer shortages during the critical planting season.
Delhi’s draft Electric Vehicle Policy 2.0, shaped around a “citizen-first approach,” proposes purchase and scrappage incentives to speed up the shift to electric mobility. The key offer is 100% exemption from road tax and registration fees for EVs priced below Rs 30 lakh, targeting middle and lower-income buyers with less upfront financial burden.
Indian Railways will run 18,262 summer special train trips during peak travel season to handle the expected spike in passengers. The Ministry of Railways said the additional services are meant to reduce overcrowding and improve connectivity on high-demand routes, ensuring smoother journeys when demand is at its highest.
India’s drug regulator, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation, has transferred about 95 officials across states as part of a structured policy. The stated goal is to strengthen compliance in the pharmaceutical sector and reduce the influence of long-serving officers. Officials say the reshuffle is intended to refresh oversight and improve how rules are enforced nationwide.
Steelmakers are expected to post a major profit surge in the March quarter, backed by seasonal demand and a new protectionist measure. Analysts forecast higher steel prices and stronger volumes will offset rising coking coal costs. SAIL is projected to see the steepest profit growth, while improving India’s trade balance and steady domestic demand strengthen the sector’s outlook.
India’s appetite for weight-loss injectables like Ozempic and Mounjaro is rising fast, with consumers seeking gradual weight reduction. But healthcare professionals are warning that the current regulatory and marketing environment is not keeping pace, increasing the risk of misuse and improper promotion. Calls are growing for stronger oversight to protect patients.
Tesla is pressing investors to back its next leap: self-driving robotaxis and humanoid robots powered by AI. The company plans to more than double capital spending to over $25 billion by 2026, even as it expects negative free cash flow for the rest of the year. The market question: will faith in these still-unproven bets hold?
Voting has started for Maharashtra’s bypolls in Baramati and Rahuri, with early turnout alarmingly low. In Baramati, Sunetra Pawar is in the fray, while Rahuri also faces a by-election contest. Polling runs until evening, with election officials arranging voters and results expected later. The low morning participation is drawing attention.
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