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Subscribe to enjoy similar stories.General Atlantic-owned infrastructure investor Actis LLPis looking to cash out, fully or partly, from its listed Indian roads platform Nxt-Infra Trust, two people aware of the matter told Mint.“Actis is prepared to remain a co-investor or exit entirely depending on the valuation and the profile of the incoming investor,” one of the persons said on condition of anonymity.The mandate had been languishing for about six months, the second person said, on the condition of anonymity. “A Big Four adviser was originally onboarded to take the company through the mandate, but Ambit was later hired following a period of inactivity and execution hurdles.”The earlier outreach was focused largely on a small set of large private equity firms, this person added.

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories.The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is rolling out an artificial-intelligence-powered system to predict the arrival of the southwest monsoon at the sub-district level, an upgrade from the national and state-level forecasting that has kept farmers unsure about when to plant their crops.Meanwhile, IMD will make the all-important announcement about the onset of the southwest monsoon on Thursday.IMD will provide block-level monsoon onset forecasts at least 10 days in advance, covering more than 3,000 sub-districts across 16 states, including Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. The system draws on AI-based models, extended-range prediction tools, and statistical techniques to generate probabilistic forecasts and will disseminate alerts through mobile applications, SMS, and local agricultural extension networks."The AI-enabled monsoon advance forecasting system will provide probabilistic forecasts of monsoon progression," said Jitendra Singh, minister of Earth Sciences.Singh said the system combines AI-based forecasting models, extended-range prediction systems, and statistical techniques to provide operationally useful forecasts for agricultural planning and preparedness.IMD, Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, and National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF) have jointly developed the systems.IMD has already forecast a below-normal monsoon this year, about 92% of the long-period average, raising concerns for the farm sector, which remains mostly rain-dependent.

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories.At first, the legal battle between Nayara Energy Ltd—the Indian refiner backed by Russia’s Rosneft—and SAP India appeared to be a conventional contract dispute.However, it quickly raised larger questions around foreign sanctions, India’s technological dependence on multinational software providers, and whether global geopolitical developments could disrupt critical infrastructure operations within the country.After Justice Vikas Mahajan heard both parties, the court recorded its judgement on 30 April.Mint explains the case and why it matters.The dispute started in July 2025, when SAP India Pvt Ltd suspended all critical software support services including SAP ECC support (maintenance for its legacy core business suite), marketplace access, SSCR keys (developer credentials required to modify SAP source code), and expert services.SAP said this was done after the European Union imposed sanctions on Rosneft, the Russian oil refinery that has a 49.13% stake in Nayara.Nayara approached the Delhi High Court in September, saying the suspension blocked access to software critical for refinery operations and regulatory compliance. The company noted it was unable to implement GST 2.0 updates and argued that the disruption "poses a serious risk to India’s sovereignty and public interest", given that its refinery accounts for 8.5% of the nation’s energy production.Nayara argued that SAP was using the European Union trade curbs to not provide services to the energy firm despite its contractual obligations in India.

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories.New Delhi: The apex drug regulator has directed all licensed blood centres to enrol in a national digital portal, as part of a crackdown after cases of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infections in children due to contaminated transfusions across multiple states, according to two government officials and a document reviewed by Mint.The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation issued a directive ordering all 4,153 licensed blood banks to complete registration on the Online National Drug Licensing System portal by 13 May, a single-window platform that centralizes licensing, tracks donor histories, and provides hospitals and patients visibility into verified blood supplies.“In order to strengthen regulatory oversight, enhance transparency in blood services, and ensure easy public access to blood and its components across the country, it has been decided to generate a database of all Blood Centres on the Online National Drug Licensing System (ONDLS) portal www.Statedrugs.gov.in,” the CDSCO directive to all State Licensing Authorities (SLAs) said.CDSCO has categorized this mission as a ‘priority’.“...all State Licensing Authorities (SLAs) are requested to direct all Blood Centres within their respective jurisdictions to complete this registration latest by 13.05.2026. Action taken may be informed to this directorate for submitting to the MoHFW (ministry of health and family welfare),” the letter said.The e-RaktKosh digital backbone for blood services and National Informatics Centre (NIC) teams are involved in the information flow to manage the technical rollout.The move, authorized by drugs controller general Dr.

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories.MUMBAI: Investors are beginning to finance commercial lawsuits in India in exchange for a share of future settlements or court awards, as litigation funding— a niche alternative asset class long established in some global markets—starts to take shape locally.At least three entities, including alternative investment fund (AIF) Five Rivers, New Delhi-based LegalPay, a litigation funder, and Singapore-based ELF Partners, a litigation finance consultancy, are active in the space, marking early institutional entry into what is also known as third-party funding (TPF).Five Rivers, a Mumbai-based AIF, is in talks with investors to close its first fund of $25-50 million,according to Irfan Mughal, the managing director of Five Rivers. It positions itself as the first dedicated fund of its kind in India, offering investors exposure to returns linked to outcomes in commercial disputes.

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories.NEW DELHI: The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council is likely to meet before mid-July to consider proposals to simplify procedures and clarify matters including the taxation of ride-hailing app companies, according to two people aware of the development.The proposals likely to make it to the agenda include making tax registration and claiming tax credits simpler. Simpler GST registration procedures and input tax credit norms are expected to make compliance easier for businesses.While the reforms aim to streamline registration and invoice reconciliation, taxpayers continue to face practical challenges around withdrawal of registration applications and input tax claim-related procedural certainty, said Ikesh Nagpal, lead-indirect tax at AKM Global, a tax and consulting firm.The meeting may be scheduled before the monsoon session of Parliament that runs from July to August.In the case of cab aggregators such as Uber and Rapido, the effort will be to clarify the taxability of their operations.

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories.New Delhi: After halting new cooking gas connections and extending refill booking periods, oil marketing companies (OMCs) are turning to tax data to weed out ineligible beneficiaries of the direct benefit transfer scheme for LPG (DBTL), even as high energy prices raise the possibility of a fuel price hike.Indian Oil Corp. Ltd, Bharat Petroleum Corp.

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories.Creating a successful and resilient stock portfolio requires a series of thoughtful steps.It begins with setting well-defined investment objectives, selecting a strategy that aligns with your preferences, and maintaining active involvement with both the market and your investments.Gaining insights from seasoned investors and implementing their time-tested approaches can provide meaningful direction.For instance, Vijay Kedia, a celebrated investor, is a notable example, with his market strategies frequently garnering attention and respect.Vijay Kedia is a stalwart in the Indian equity markets. Regarded as a market maestro, he has built a reputation for selecting winning mid-cap stocks, making his portfolio a guidepost for retail investors.Having begun his stock market journey at 19, Kedia's fascination with the financial world stems from his family's roots in the stockbroking business.

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories.New Delhi: The Centre has amended rules to allow private, government-approved testing centres (GATCs) to inspect and certify petrol, diesel, and gaseous fuel dispensing machines, as it aims to reduce delays, ease compliance, and protect consumers, according to an official order reviewed by Mint.The calibration and verification certificate, which must be obtained every year, has become a massive exercise.

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories.The government is exploring an initial public offering for the country's largest container port, managed by the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, and has engaged state-backed investment banks to initiate the regulatory processes for the share sale, two people aware of the matter told Mint.The process remains in the earliest stages, with no valuation discussions yet and no timeline set, the people said, who asked not to be identified because the talks are private. The focus is on preparing JNPA for the compliance and reporting standards required of a publicly listed organization—this is something that is needed before pricing or deal structuring can commence."The process is in the preliminary stages and involves multiple layers of departmental approvals," said one of the people, who asked not to be identified because the discussions are private.

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories.Rail engineering firm Jupiter Wagons Ltd is preparing a major global expansion through exports of battery energy storage systems (BESS), wheelsets and freight wagons, while also entering passenger coach and metro train manufacturing through a partnership with a global rail company.The company expects exports and new mobility businesses to become key growth drivers over the next three years as it diversifies beyond its core wagon manufacturing operations, looking to double its revenues by 2028-29.“Exports could contribute 20-25% of revenue over the next few years as we scale up our battery systems, wheelsets and wagon businesses internationally,” managing director Vivek Lohia told Mint in an interview, adding that the company’s proposed entry into rail coach manufacturing later in 2026 would also provide opportunities for tapping the market for exports.The company’s current exports contribute less than 5% of its annual revenue.Jupiter Wagons, which accounts for over 40% of India’s wagon manufacturing capacity, is already exporting BESS to the US and African markets and plans to scale overseas shipments significantly after securing international certifications later this fiscal year.“We are pursuing international certifications for BESS to comply with stringent US and EU standards that will help scale exports of this product,” Lohia said.The company’s containerized BESS based on lithium-iron-phosphate technology are being deployed for renewable energy storage, industrial backup, EV charging and data centre applications.“We are seeing strong demand not only from engineering, procurement, and construction applications but also from commercial and industrial users,” Lohia said.The company

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories.Indian pharma stocks are attracting foreign institutional investors (FIIs) due to their strong export orientation, especially in regulated markets like the US, and consistent demand for generics and speciality drugs.Companies are benefiting from cost advantages, improving compliance records, and a growing focus on complex formulations and APIs.Additionally, defensive characteristics during global uncertainty make pharma appealing. Here are three pharma stocks where FIIs have hiked their stake in the March 2026 quarter.Shilpa Medicare is a niche Indian pharma company focused on oncology APIs, complex formulations, and CDMO services.

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories.India's maritime sector doesn't always make headlines, but it quietly powers the entire economy, moving over 90% of the country's trade by volume.Stretch that 7,500-km coastline across a map, add 12 major ports and 200+ smaller ones, and you start to appreciate just how much of India's growth story begins and ends at sea.The Maritime India Vision 2030 outlines over 150 initiatives with projected investments of ₹3–3.5 trillion, supported by a recent ₹69,725 crore package for shipbuilding, according to a PIB report.In FY24–25, major ports handled around 855 million (m) tonnes of cargo, reflecting strong growth in maritime trade and improved port efficiency.What’s interesting is the momentum building beneath the surface.Around 51 large ships are currently under construction in India, with a total value of nearly ₹90,000 crore, according to PIB report dated 3 December 2025.Since 2014, Indian shipyards have delivered more than 40 warships and submarines, and in the past year alone, a new vessel has been added roughly every 40 days. All of this is turning the maritime space into a buzzing investment theme.Here are five stocks from across the maritime space that are worth keeping on your radar.Established in 1907, Tata Steel is Asia’s first integrated private steel company and also played a key role in developing India’s first industrial city, Jamshedpur.

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories.India’s statistics ministry recently proposed an Index of Services Production (ISP), the need for which may seem self-evident, given how this sector’s prominence has grown. “The service sector is the dominant force in the Indian economy, contributing over 50% of the Gross Value Added [GVA],” as a discussion paper on the idea released by the ministry notes, “It has long been central to economic transformation, consistently driving growth, generating employment, and attracting investment across decades.” That’s the good part of our services story. The not-so-good part is the absence of accurate, disaggregated and timely data on the services sector along the lines of India’s monthly Index of Industrial Production (IIP).

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories.The Alliance Fairfax, a towering black and white car-carrier ship that had been stranded in the Persian Gulf for over two months, was finally making a break for it.“You are all set to go,” a U.S. military officer radioed as the ship glided through the Strait of Hormuz on Monday and swung around the peninsula at the northern end of Oman. “Safe travels.”Soon after, Iran launched a barrage of missiles and drones at commercial ships, at the U.S.

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories.KKR-backed InCred Holdings Ltd, primarily operating through its material subsidiary InCred Finance, has filed its updated draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) with the markets regulator.The initial public offering (IPO) size is likely to be around ₹3,000 crore and value the firm at up to ₹15,000 crore, two people aware of the matter told Mint.The offering comprises a fresh issue of equity shares totalling ₹1,250 crore and an offer for sale of up to 99 million shares from existing investors, as per the updated DRHP filed with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi).Shareholders participating in the process include KKR India Financial Investments Pte, MNI Ventures, MEMG Family Office LLP, and V’Ocean Investments Ltd.The company said it may also consider a pre-IPO fundraise of up to 20% of the fresh issue size, which comes up to ₹250 crore, and then reduce the fresh issue size proportionately.The Mumbai-based firm, which had ​confidentially filed draft papers in November 2025, intends to use the net proceeds to increase InCred Finance's capital base, specifically to strengthen tier-I capital and support onward lending.Founded by former Deutsche Bank AG executive Bhupinder Singh in 2017, InCred Holdings now operates as a holding company for the same.

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories.Investors’ pursuit of the companies supplying key materials to the artificial intelligence build-out is powering an epic rally in shares of chip makers. Other companies caught in the frenzy include a 175-year-old glass manufacturer, a heavy machinery giant and Japan’s leading maker of toilets.The AI trade has boosted stocks’ record run, with the S&P 500 climbing 1.5% to new highs on Wednesday after signs of progress on a Middle East peace deal and strong earnings from Advanced Micro Devices.

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories.Mumbai: India's latest emergency credit scheme could turn out to be a timely tailwind for banks, offering both incremental loan growth and a crucial buffer against rising stress linked to the West Asia war, three brokerages said in a report.The Union cabinet on Tuesday allocated ₹18,100 crore under the fifth edition of the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS 5.0), unlocking ₹2.55 trillion in additional credit flow to businesses to help them tide over the war-induced liquidity stress.Analysts see this loan-support scheme as credit and asset quality supportive, with the sovereign guarantee structure sharply reducing downside risks for lenders.“ECLGS 5.0 is a net positive for banks—a modest loan growth tailwind and a more meaningful near-term asset quality buffer. These loans carry zero credit risk, with no provisioning drag or capital consumption,” Nomura Global Markets Research said in a note on 6 May.At a time when the market is watchful on the impact of the West Asia crisis on bank asset quality, ECLGS 5.0 provides a meaningful policy cushion, the foreign bank’s research note said.The scheme allows eligible borrowers ranging from micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to larger corporates and airlines to access additional working capital loans backed by a government guarantee.

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories.The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) plans to let online bond platform providers (OBPPs) offer products from Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City), but early signals suggest platforms may move cautiously.In a consultation paper issued on Tuesday, the markets regulator recommended changes aimed at easing business conditions for OBPPs while widening the range of products they can offer. Mint explains what these changes are and whether OBPPs are likely to tap the opportunity.Sebi has proposed allowing OBPPs to offer products regulated by the International Financial Services Centre Authority (IFSCA), such as overseas debt investments, that aren’t easily accessible to most Indian investors using digital platforms.

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories.Just a few weeks ago, the case for gilt funds, which hold government bonds with long tenures, seemed compelling.A sharp rise in government bond yields had made valuations attractive, market sentiment had turned very pessimistic, and several fund managers argued that much of the concern around elevated borrowing and supply pressures was already priced in.Government bond yields rose amid inflation fears stoked by the West Asia war. A rise in yield means a drop in prices, making gilt funds attractive.

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories.Competition between OpenAI and Anthropic, the two most prominent artificial intelligence start-ups, is intensifying as they race to expand relationships with major financial institutions.San Francisco-based Anthropic, which makes the Claude AI assistant that rivals OpenAI’s widely used ChatGPT, is launching a slate of new AI agent offerings for banks, investment managers, and insurers.The agents are meant to help those companies’ employees build presentations, synthesize webs of data sets and filings, build financial models, and complete other tasks, Anthropic said on Tuesday.Anthropic announced the new agents one day after it said it would partner with Blackstone, Goldman Sachs, and private-equity firm Hellman & Friedman to create a new, unnamed entity for expanding Claude across midsize companies. OpenAI is forming a similar venture, Bloomberg News reported on Monday, underscoring stiff competition.Anthropic, run by the former OpenAI executive Dario Amodei, has muscled further into financial services since it launched a suite of tools catering to banks, financial-technology firms, and others last year.The so-called agents have pressured software stocks, whose businesses, investors worry, could be threatened by the AI-driven tools.