Stories from earlier this week and beyond.
Jubilant FoodWorks is negotiating to transfer its Dunkin’ India franchise rights to Inspire Brands, the global owner of the coffee-and-doughnuts chain. The move is tied to the current franchise agreement ending in December. Inspire Brands says it will secure a new local partner to keep Dunkin’ growing in India, signaling a potential shift in how the brand operates there.
Clean energy producer Resolven has signed a 25-year power supply agreement with Solar Energy Corporation of India for electricity from a new 180-megawatt wind project in Andhra Pradesh. The wind farm is expected to generate substantial clean power each year, supporting household electricity needs while cutting carbon emissions and strengthening India’s renewable energy pipeline.
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The RBI has cut the repo rate by 25 basis points for the first time in nearly five years, reshaping expectations for fixed deposit returns. Despite the move, inflation concerns, slower GDP, and a weaker rupee limit room to celebrate. Any next reductions—potentially 50 to 75 bps—may hinge on inflation staying in check and global monetary conditions improving.
BCCI announced India’s 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup 2026. Ayush Mhatre has been named captain, with a final team drawn for the upcoming global tournament. Vaibhav Suryavanshi also makes the cut, adding fresh momentum to India’s youth campaign as the competition approaches.
The combined market valuation of five of India’s top-10 most valued firms jumped by Rs 72,284.74 crore over the past week. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Infosys were the biggest gainers, driving the surge as investor sentiment improved toward leading software bellwethers. The rally highlights how a handful of large caps can noticeably swing overall market wealth.
Online fantasy sports can’t run smoothly across India because gambling and betting laws sit with individual states. With a 150-year-old legal framework and uneven state rules, platforms face compliance headaches, inconsistent licensing, and slower expansion—making it harder to offer a uniform experience and keep the market growing.
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Vedanta’s stock fell sharply on the London Stock Exchange, trading about 5.5% lower in the late afternoon and swinging from an early gain into the red. The move comes as market chatter swirls around talks to buy a stake in Cairn, highlighting how deal speculation can quickly hit sentiment and pricing.
India’s Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has issued the Aviation Turbine Fuel (Regulation of Marketing) Amendment Order, 2026. The update broadens the fuel definition to cover synthetic hydrocarbon blends, drops outdated references, and realigns search and seizure authority with the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. The move is set to strengthen compliance and enforcement across aviation fuel marketing.
Prestige Estates Projects Ltd has hit a major milestone in Hyderabad, selling more than 1,700 housing units worth over Rs 2,500 crore. The surge is attributed to strong demand for its recently launched residential project, Prestige Golden Grove. The company says the project has received robust traction since launch, reflecting buyers’ appetite in the city’s property market.
In FY26, Indian businesses are leaning more on bank lending as the dominant source of corporate funding, hitting a three-year peak in total resource mobilisation. Though foreign capital and bond markets saw activity, their scale paled compared with banks. The shift signals a notable change in how companies are financing growth, with credit markets playing a bigger role again.
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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh toured Germany’s TKMS shipyard and inspected a Type 212 submarine, during a visit that also followed key India Germany defence cooperation agreements. The deals focus on joint training, capability development, and closer security collaboration, signaling deeper alignment on future defence equipment cooperation between the two countries.
The World Bank’s IFC says it will scale up investments in India to $10 billion per year by 2030, targeting renewable energy, urban infrastructure, and financial services. It is also exploring municipal bond financing with Indian states, a potential shift in how local projects are funded. The move underscores a deeper push to back India’s growth trajectory.
The Reserve Bank of India shifted to being a net buyer of $7.4 billion in February, reversing January’s net dollar sales. The move appears to have aligned with a stronger rupee following the India-US trade deal announcement. In March, the rupee’s real effective exchange rate fell, signaling possible undervaluation that could boost export competitiveness.
AI startup Nava has raised $22 million in a round led by Greenoaks Capital, with participation from RTP Global and Unicorn India Ventures. The funding will boost its GPU compute and AI data centre capacity and support hiring. Nava is shifting from a software-led GPU cloud to a vertically integrated model, selling infrastructure like GPU-as-a-service and bare-metal compute to enterprises building AI.
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Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said local Muslim leaders were involved in Congress’s decision to field Samarth Shamanur in the Davanagere South bypoll, even as minority backlash erupted. The comments follow disciplinary action against two party leaders and raise questions about Muslim community support ahead of the election.
Union Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the foundation stone for India’s first advanced 3D chip packaging unit was laid in Odisha’s Info Valley on Akshay Tritiya. The minister called it a major milestone for high-tech manufacturing in the state, crediting support from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.
The US military has seized another oil tanker tied to Iranian oil smuggling in the Indian Ocean, escalating a mounting maritime standoff. The move follows Iran’s capture of two vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and is meant to disrupt illicit networks supporting Iran. The dispute is already feeding into higher global oil prices and disrupted trade routes.
The Reserve Bank of India has imposed penalties on Ebix Payment Services, along with Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Nagari Sahakari Bank and Hardoi Jilla Sahkari Bank. The action follows regulatory non-compliance identified by the central bank, highlighting tighter scrutiny of adherence to RBI rules across payment and cooperative banking entities.
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The West Asia conflict is hitting India’s fast-moving food and beverage sector, especially small eateries, as LPG shortages and supply disruptions pile up. Many businesses are adjusting menus, trimming operating hours, and in extreme cases shutting down to avoid massive losses. The war’s spillover is turning everyday cooking fuel scarcity into a serious economic threat for local restaurants.
Bharat Forge’s board has approved restructuring of its German subsidiary, Bharat Forge CDP GmbH, including a potential shutdown of operations in Ennepetal. The company cites sustained market challenges and persistent cost disadvantages that have made the unit hard to compete. Final decisions are expected after reviewing restructuring options and implications for operations.
London police are investigating whether Iran played a role in a string of arson attacks on Jewish sites, as the UK Chief Rabbi warns of a widening campaign of violence. A pro-Iranian group has claimed responsibility for some incidents, prompting counter-terrorism units to scrutinize the threats and watch for hostile activity within the UK amid rising tensions.
Australian AI hardware startup Syenta has raised $26 million to scale a new chip manufacturing approach designed to ease AI supply bottlenecks. The firm plans to open an Arizona office and aims for high-volume production by 2028. Former Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger has joined Syenta’s board, signaling strong industry backing for faster chip connectivity and improved availability.
On the first anniversary of the Pahalgam attack, politicians, tourists and locals gathered at the Baisaran memorial to pay tribute to 26 victims. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and LG Manoj Sinha reiterated India’s resolve against terrorism, as the attack on April 22, 2025 claimed 25 tourists and a local ponywala. Organizers stressed the country remains united against terror.
Despite a friendly transatlantic atmosphere in Brussels, EU leaders appeared to avoid an immediate, unified response to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s call to “push back on China together.” Two senior envoys who attended the talks said there was no direct reaction from ministers when Blinken argued for strength in unity, highlighting the EU’s “third way” approach toward both Washington and Beijing.
India’s tax department has released updated ITR forms for FY 2025–26 with stricter disclosure norms, without changing the overall structure. The updates target transparency in areas like political donations, F&O trading, and digital payments. Alongside these tighter checks, taxpayers get small convenience updates such as a secondary address field to streamline personal details filing.
Oil prices have jumped past $100 as Iran Israel tensions raise fears of a prolonged shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts warn crude could climb toward $150 if disruptions continue, stoking inflation risk and weighing on already pressured Indian equities. Markets are grappling with foreign outflows, rupee weakness, and lingering energy supply concerns.
Elon Musk claims xAI’s next Grok model could correct inaccuracies found in Wikipedia by using vast amounts of synthetic data to refine answers and add missing context. Amid rising AI competition, Musk hinted the system might even move toward a “Grokipedia,” raising questions about who controls updates to widely used public knowledge.
JD(U) has decided to give the Chief Minister’s post in Bihar to BJP, saying the move reciprocates support the alliance partner had provided earlier. The new government, led by Samrat Choudhary, will seek a vote of confidence, with the NDA holding a strong majority. The administration plans to continue along Nitish Kumar’s governance lines.
Indian Railways is planning to fast-track new bullet train projects using bundled approvals, aiming to cut delays in land acquisition and execution. Standardised designs are expected to ramp up manufacturing, while pre-cast construction should improve on-ground deployment speed. Seven corridors are in the pipeline, including Mumbai-Pune and Delhi-Varanasi, with the approach meant to avoid delays witnessed earlier on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route.
Japan’s Foreign Ministry is creating a new investment-support center to help Japanese companies expand into India. The move targets hurdles such as complex regulations and tax systems that have slowed overseas investment. The center will also deepen cooperation in AI, startups, and critical minerals, aligned with Japan’s aim of driving 10 trillion yen in private-sector investment by 2035.
Huawei says its Ascend supernode powered by Ascend 950 AI chips will fully support Deepseek’s V4 model variants after the Chinese AI startup released a preview. The announcement positions Huawei’s hardware stack as a near-term platform for Deepseek’s next generation, signaling escalating competition in China’s domestic AI compute ecosystem.
Hindustan Power has secured a 100 MW solar project from the Punjab government after a tariff-based competitive bidding process. The firm will sign a 25-year power purchase agreement with Punjab State Power Corporation Limited, with commissioning targeted within 24 months. The deal underscores Punjab’s push to expand solar capacity through long-term offtake arrangements.
The ILO says work related stress drives about 0.84 million deaths each year globally, fueled by long working hours, job insecurity, and workplace harassment. The organization estimates the economic cost of these psychosocial pressures reaches 1.37% of global GDP annually, urging stronger protections and safer work environments.
Eveready Industries India has inaugurated India’s only operating alkaline battery facility in Jammu’s Samba, backed by an investment of about INR 200 crore. The plant is designed for peak output of around 360 million alkaline batteries annually, aims to cut import dependence, and plans over 500 direct and indirect jobs. It also features 1 MW rooftop solar, rainwater harvesting, and a zero-discharge design.
Uttar Pradesh Board exams begin on February 18 for High School and Intermediate, with over 50 lakh students and more than 8,000 exam centres under UPMSP. Exams will use OMR sheets featuring pre-printed student details, while a counter-foil system is designed to boost transparency. Students arriving without admit cards may be allowed provisionally.
Danish Malewar made his IPL debut for Mumbai Indians in the 2026 season against Gujarat Titans. The 21-year-old batter from Nagpur secured his contract through standout domestic form, including a key role in Vidarbha’s Ranji Trophy triumph and strong T20 performances. His rise comes as Mumbai Indians look for a turnaround after recent setbacks.
Sebi has begun consultations through a high-level committee to tackle conflict-of-interest concerns within the regulator and craft a broader governance framework. The effort comes as a new regulatory regime takes shape, with the key challenge being to raise transparency while avoiding rules so heavy they slow markets. Stakeholders across the ecosystem are being heard.
India is preparing a new push to strengthen critical mineral processing at home and expand supply chains abroad. Mines Secretary says public sector companies will bid for four copper mines in Chile, aiming to significantly raise domestic copper production. The plan also includes extracting gold from mining residue, turning waste streams into value.
The Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation has urged regulators to extend timelines for rolling out new TV audience measurement rules. It cites complexities around board restructuring, expanding measurement panels, and cross-screen tracking, while also questioning how distribution platforms and tech firms influence ratings. With broadcasters and advertisers heavily reliant on these figures, the delay could reshape planning and ad spends across the industry.
India’s Shipping Secretary told investors in Singapore that ports are rapidly transforming into logistics and industrial hubs. Cargo handling capacity has already doubled and is projected to reach 3,500 million tonnes per annum by 2030. At the same time, India is ramping up shipbuilding ambitions and accelerating green port and green fuel investments.
Retail investors are turning cautious in early 2026, reversing past enthusiasm for IPOs. Weak market conditions and lukewarm listing performances are denting confidence, leaving many mainboard issues under-subscribed—particularly in the retail portion. Several deals are seeing notable shortfalls, suggesting investors are demanding clearer signals before parking money in new public offers.
Vijayawada-based Red Balloon Aerospace plans to launch a super pressure balloon in the second quarter to expand telecom coverage in underserved and rural regions. Operating in the 20 to 40 km stratospheric band for about 100 days, it will carry high-resolution imaging (25 to 75 cm) plus sensors for disaster response, industrial network monitoring, and continuous spatial observation.
During last year’s Indo-Pak conflict, an Indian Air Force unit in Haryana reportedly used the Barak-8 air defence system—deployed from Sirsa—to intercept and destroy a Pakistani ballistic missile that may have been aimed at Delhi. The successful engagement is being cited as evidence of India’s growing capability to track, neutralize and prevent high-impact missile strikes.
STCH, an AI-first platform for fashion fabric research, is raising $5.5 million from Omnivore and Kae Capital. The startup says its “fabric GPT” can reduce trial-and-error in fabric development by accelerating design and sourcing decisions. It also plans to push sustainable textile alternatives, positioning AI as a faster, greener route from concept to material.
Zee Entertainment Enterprises plans to invest up to Rs 116 crore in Phantom Digital Effects Ltd, under the PhantomFX brand, to enter and scale its AVGC ambitions. The company says the move will strengthen content creation across platforms and genres, drawing on PhantomFX’s global expertise and AI-integrated production to boost speed and output quality.
Dubai’s real estate market is facing headwinds as geopolitical tensions hit buyer sentiment, especially among entry-level buyers. Sales are slowing across segments, and deals are taking longer to finalize. To stimulate demand, developers are introducing buyer-friendly packages such as flexible financing and fee waivers, betting incentives can restart stalled transactions.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman called Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge’s “terrorist” remark about PM Narendra Modi “atrocious,” saying it marks a new low for the party. Kharge later clarified he was referring to Modi allegedly “terrorizing” opponents via central agencies, not labeling him a terrorist. Union minister Piyush Goyal joined the backlash, accusing the Gandhi family of choking democracy.
Zomato has withdrawn a contract term that required restaurants to match dine-in and website prices to its platform rates, Reuters first reported. The clause also allowed Zomato to impose fines up to three times the price difference and investigate via complaints or “mystery shopping,” though sources say it was never enforced. The move follows ongoing commission-model discussions amid intensifying competition.
India is facing a lingering cooking gas shortage as refineries ramp up production and fresh global supplies are sourced, including cargoes from the US. Authorities are urging households to shift to piped gas while tackling hoarding and price gouging. The disruption is already driving price hikes and pressuring businesses across the supply chain.
A Delhi court at Rouse Avenue denied interim medical bail to Punit Garg, the former Director of Reliance Communications, accused in a Rs 40,000 crore money laundering case. The court cited an AIIMS report stating his tests are not urgent at present, directing that any future medical requirement be routed through government hospital referral rather than interim release.
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