India Financial News

Indian seafood exports will face significant pressure following the imposition of the US reciprocal tariffs, according to a study by the industry body FICCI. India's exports of fish, meat, and processed seafood are valued at US USD 2.58 billion with six product categories--Frozen Shrimp, Frozen Fish, Fish Meal and Fish Feed, Frozen Squid, Surimi & Analogue Products, and Frozen Cuttlefish--accounting for 94 per cent of total export value. US is India's largest seafood export market, holding a 34.5 per cent share of total export value. Frozen shrimp dominates, contributing 91.9 per cent of the export value (USD 2.34 billion) and 90.4 per cent of the volume (2.97 lakh tonnes). «Indian seafood exports will face significant pressure following the imposition of the US reciprocal tariffs,» the study said. India competes with countries like Canada, Ecuador, Indonesia and Vietnam in these categories. Other Latin American countries also compete in the market.

Delhivery is acquiring rival logistics firm Ecom Express in an all-cash deal for Rs 1,407 crore. The Gurugram-based company had been valued at around Rs 7,000 crore less than a year ago. Here’s a timeline of how the once high-flying startup hit turbulence: 2012: Late T A Krishnan cofounded Ecom Express along with K Satyanarayana, Manju Dhawan, and Sanjeev Saxena—former Blue Dart executives. The company began operations in January 2013 from Gurugram, focusing on ecommerce logistics.

According to an official release, thereafter, at around 12:45 PM, PM Modi will perform darshan and pooja at the Ramanathaswamy temple at Rameswaram. At around 1:30 PM in Rameswaram, he will lay the foundation stone and dedicate various rail and road projects worth over Rs 8,300 crore to the nation in Tamil Nadu. He will also address the gathering on the occasion. These projects include the foundation stone for the four-laning of the 28-km-long Walajapet — Ranipet section of NH-40 and dedication to the Nation of the 4-laned 29-km-long Viluppuram — Puducherry section of NH-332, 57-km-long Poondiyankuppam — Sattanathapuram section of NH-32, and 48-km-long Cholapuram — Thanjavur section of NH-36. These highways will connect many pilgrim centres and tourist places, reduce the distance between cities and enable faster access to Medical colleges and hospitals and ports, besides empowering local farmers to transport agricultural products to the nearby markets and boosting the economic activity of local leather and small-scale industries. The Prime Minister will inaugurate the new Pamban Rail Bridge and flag off the new train service for Rameswaram-Tambaram (Chennai). The bridge carries a deep cultural significance. According to the Ramayana, the construction of Ram Setu was initiated from Dhanushkodi near Rameswaram. The Bridge, linking Rameswaram to the mainland, stands as a remarkable feat of Indian engineering on the global stage. It is built at a cost of over Rs 700 crore. It is 2.08 km in length, features 99 spans and a 72.5-metre vertical lift span that rises up to a height of 17 metres, facilitating smooth movement of ships while ensuring seamless train operations.

War 2 and Rajinikanth’s Coolie. The news of a potential showdown between the films came after the release date of Coolie was confirmed by the makers. Earlier, a three-way clash was reported between War 2, Coolie and Sunny Deol’s Partition drama Lahore: 1947. Now, the historical film will likely be released in June, making it a fight between Coolie and War 2.

Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, affected by flood, flash flood, cloudburst, landslides and cyclonic storm in 2024. Out of the total amount of Rs 1280.35 crore, Rs 588.73 crore has been approved for Bihar, Rs 136.22 crore for Himachal Pradesh, Rs 522.34 crore for Tamil Nadu and Rs 33.06 crore for Puducherry, an official statement said. This assistance is over and above the funds released by the Centre to the states in the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and the Union Territorial Disaster Response Fund (UTDRF), already placed at the disposal of the states and the UT. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Government of India is standing shoulder to shoulder with the states of Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and the Union Territory (UT) of Puducherry, who faced natural disasters last year, the statement said. The committee approved assistance of Rs 1247.29 crore to the three states — Bihar, Himachal Pradesh and Tamil Nadu — from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), subject to an adjustment of 50 per cent of the opening balance for the year available in the SDRF and Rs 33.06 crore to Puducherry. During FY2024-25, the central government released Rs 20,264.40 crore to 28 states under the SDRF and Rs 5,160.76 crore under the NDRF to 19 states.

Piyush Jalan, cofounder of Thimblerr, said that Gen Z’s impatience for trends and demand for constant newness is reshaping the fashion industry in India. This shift is triggering a supply chain revolution. As a result, traditional seasonal cycles are dead and brands are now launching 12 to 24 micro-collections a year to keep up. “The frequency of purchase among Gen Z is very high, and their patience for waiting six months to see international trends reach India has completely disappeared. They want what’s trending globally—right now. This is pushing brands to launch products faster and offer a wider variety tailored to Gen Z’s preferences.” Jalan said.

Mohanlal’s L2: Empuraan has been marching towards success since its release on March 27, setting record after record. Directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran, the film has collected over Rs 100 crore (gross) at the Indian box office, becoming only the fourth Malayalam movie to achieve this feat. The movie is also inching closer to Manjummel Boys’ global box office total to be the biggest Malayalam grosser of all time, as per industry tracker Sacnlik. Manjummel Boys had grossed Rs 241 crore worldwide. Empuraan has earned Rs 236 crore till date and is likely to overtake Manjummel Boys soon.

H-1B visa holders, international students on F-1 visas, and green card applicants — with many from the Indian diaspora. The Ombudsman’s office handled nearly 30,000 requests last year, offering help with delays, errors, and application disputes, according to the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). Immigration attorneys say the closure will reduce transparency and accountability within the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). “Individuals or businesses sought assistance from the CIS Ombudsman for a variety of issues, ranging from erroneous rejections of filings and denials to typographical errors on secure documents (such as Green Cards and Employment Authorization Documents) and even mailing issues. Last year, the Ombudsman’s office assisted approximately 30,000 applicants,” Sharvari Dalal-Dheini, senior director for government relations at AILA, told TOI's Lubna Kably.

UGC) has notified a new regulation to streamline the recognition and grant of equivalence degrees to academic qualifications obtained from foreign educational institutions. The move comes amid a growing number of Indian students returning from abroad with international credentials, often facing delays and uncertainty in getting their degrees recognised either for admission to Indian institutions or for employment. Under the new regulations--UGC (Recognition and Grant of Equivalence to Qualifications Obtained from Foreign Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2025--notified on April 4, the Commission has put in place a transparent, technology-driven mechanism to assess foreign qualifications from schools and higher education institutions.

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) are becoming an essential part of diversified investment strategies in today's fast-changing financial landscape. As the property market evolves, REITs offer a way to benefit from real estate returns without the hassle of direct property ownership. The appeal of REITs lies in the stability and growth of the Indian real estate sector. REITs have delivered competitive returns, with consistent rental yields and potential for capital appreciation. Collectively, these REITs distributed ₹4,259 crores in the first nine months of FY25, marking a 15% YoY growth from ₹3,706 crores in 9M FY24 (Source: Indian REITs Association Data). This makes them a compelling choice, positioned between traditional fixed-income investments and full equity exposure, offering portfolio balance to investors.

tariff rate of 10% on countries across the globe, big and small. From the imposed reciprocal tariff rates, Asia and Europe on the higher end of the tariff scale. In Asia, the highest rate of reciprocal tariff is on Cambodia and Vietnam. India faces reciprocal tariffs of 27% while China faces reciprocal tariffs of 34%. Indonesia and Taiwan are facing higher tariffs than India at 32%. Mexico and Canada are exempted from new tariffs, while the previously announced 25% tariff on autos is to take effect from April 3, 2025. Reciprocal tariffs to the equivalent of ~50% of combined estimated rate of tariff and non-tariff barriers faced by US exports in the respective countries have been announced. A retaliation might put the global economy in a trade war. The efforts to reach a bilateral agreement between India-USA provides hope and scope to limit the impact of these reciprocal tariffs levied on India.

Public Provident Fund (PPF) is one of India's most popular long-term investment options. It offers tax benefits, safety due to sovereign backing, and guaranteed returns. PPF comes with a 15-year lock-in period and EEE tax status (Exempt-Exempt-Exempt). Many investors invest in PPF due to the tax-free interest and maturity amount.

While some items may seem niche or indulgent, they’re part of daily routines and cultural habits that touch millions of households. And the costs are set to climb.

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. During a recent Iftar get-together at Old Delhi’s grand Jama Masjid, a pair of pants caught my attention: the floor-sweeping farshi salwar, which borrows its name from the Urdu word for floor, farsh. It wasn’t just the bright pink colour that stood out in a sea of heavily embroidered palazzos and slim dhoti- pants; its presence indicated that celebrities and content creators flaunting their love for salwars online is more than just a social media trend.

box office. On its ninth day, the Malayalam action thriller earned around Rs 3 crore, continuing its strong run. Starring Mohanlal and directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran, the film has become one of the highest-grossing Malayalam movies ever made. But what has grabbed the spotlight is that the film charted history by becoming the first Malayalam movie to cross Rs 100 crore in worldwide theatrical share. Released on March 27, L2: Empuraan has now minted Rs 91.51 Cr, its India net collection. Mohanlal celebrated the Rs 100 crore milestone on X, calling it a proud moment for Malayalam cinema.

In 2024, at the India-ASEAN Summit, Modi gifted a vintage brass Buddha statue to Laos President Thongloun Sisoulith, symbolizing shared heritage and India’s commitment to cultural diplomacy. In the same year, India sent several sacred relics of Lord Buddha and his disciples to Thailand. The relics of Lord Buddha and his disciples, Arahant Sariputta and Arahant Maha Moggallana, were taken to Bangkok by an Indian delegation and displayed for 25 days in four cities of Thailand . In 2023, PM Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visited the Bal Bodhi Tree at Buddha Jayanti Park in Delhi, reinforcing the deep-rooted Buddhism ties between India and Japan. India also hosted the first-ever Global Buddhist Summit, bringing together scholars and practitioners to discuss contemporary challenges through the lens of Buddhist philosophy, where Modi stressed that Buddha’s teachings provide solutions to global issues. In 2022, PM Modi visited Lumbini, Nepal, on Buddha Purnima and laid the foundation stone for the India International Centre for Buddhist Culture and Heritage, a landmark project promoting Buddhist culture and strengthening Indo-Nepal spiritual ties.

Lucknow Super Giants head coach Justin Langer had the press room in splits after he unexpectedly answered a phone call during the post-match press conference, moments after his team’s 12-run victory over Mumbai Indians in the IPL. While responding to a question about injured pacer Mayank Yadav, Langer noticed a reporter's phone buzzing on the podium with “Mom” flashing on the screen. «Who's Maa?» he asked with a grin, then got the reporter’s nod before picking up the call. “Mom, it’s 12:08 AM, I’m at a press conference,” he said, triggering laughter across the room. Langer was clearly in a cheerful mood after LSG successfully defended 204 by restricting MI to 191/5 — a strong comeback after their previous defeat, and their second win in four matches.

Manoj Kumar, celebrated as 'Bharat Kumar' for his portrayals of patriotic heroes in films such as «Upkar» and «Kranti», was cremated with full state honours and a three-gun salute here on Saturday. Amitabh Bachchan, and Salim Khan were among the prominent personalities from the entertainment industry present at the Pawan Hans crematorium in suburban Juhu. The last rites started at about 11:30 and Kumar's two sons — Vishal and Kunal — lit the funeral pyre of the actor-filmmaker who died on Friday due to age-related issues at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani hospital. He was 87. Abhishek Bachchan, Arbaaz Khan, Subhash Ghai, Anu Malik, Zayed Khan, Prem Chopra and Rajpal Yadav also attended the cremation. A photo of a young Kumar was placed at the entrance of his building premises for everyone to offer their last respects.

Narendra Modi will inaugurate India's first vertical lift sea bridge in Rameswaram and would also dedicate other projects on April 6. On the eve of the official event, the Indian Railways came out with a promotional video of the picturesque new Pamban Bridge. The Railway Ministry said, «Bridging the past, lifting the new, Pamban stands tall with a breathtaking view. This Ram Navami, witness India's First Vertical Lift Railway Sea Bridge — unveiling in one day!» The coastal town has come under security cover ahead of the inauguration of the Rs 550 crore bridge. Around noon (April 6), the prime minister would inaugurate the new Pamban Rail Bridge and flag off Rameswaram-Tambaram (Chennai) new train service, and a Coast Guard Ship will be flagged off as the Vertical Lift Span rises up to make way, and witness the operation of the bridge. Modi is expected to visit the renowned Ramanathaswamy temple at Rameswaram at around 12.45 pm for darshan and pooja and later lay the foundation stone and dedicate to the nation various rail and road projects worth over Rs 8,300 crore in Tamil Nadu at around 1.30 pm, a release said. These projects include foundation stones for four-laning of 28 Km long Walajapet — Ranipet section of NH-40 and dedication to the nation of 4-laned 29 Km long Viluppuram — Puducherry section of NH-332; 57 Km long Poondiyankuppam — Sattanathapuram section of NH-32 and 48 Km long Cholapuram — Thanjavur section of NH-36.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday said it is very important to pay attention to the slump of India's markets as common people are losing their money and this could cause the economy to sink. In a post on X in Hindi, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister held the central government responsible for this «double vicious circle» of the economy. Indian markets plunged on Friday after US President Donald Trump announced sweeping reciprocal tariffs, including 27 per cent on India, to reduce the trade deficit and boost domestic manufacturing. «It is very important to pay attention to the loss of millions of crores in the country's stock market because the savings and capital of the common people, who have some extra money to invest and with which they buy goods or services and vehicles and land, is being lost. »These are the things that keep the wheel of buying and selling moving in the market and also the economy. If the money of the common people is lost in the stock market, then both the market and the economy sink," Yadav said in his post. Investors' wealth dropped by Rs 10 lakh crore on Friday as the BSE Sensex slumped over 900 points to crash below the 76,000 level due to an across-the-board sell-off, tracking weak global markets amid growing global trade war fears.

«It has become a concerning issue for us, our fishermen and all the Indians. It is a matter related to security. The PM should raise this issue firmly. Even an inch of Indian land belongs to us. I support that it (Kachchatheevu Island) should be under the protection of India...It is ours,» Tiwari told ANI. This came after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday regarding the retrieval of Katchatheevu Island. The Tamil Nadu assembly passed a resolution on April 2 regarding the retrieval of Katchatheevu island to protect the traditional fishing rights of Indian fishermen in the Palk Bay area. The letter dated April 3, reads, «I am writing this letter to bring to your immediate attention to the Resolution passed by the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on 02.04.2025 regarding the retrieval of Katchatheevu island, to protect the traditional fishing rights of the Indian fishermen in the Palk Bay area. I would like to point out that the origin of the problem is the Indo-Sri Lankan Treaty (Katchatheevu Agreement) made between the two Countries in the year 1974.»