Shyam Plastic Industries Right

Parth Engineers & Consultant Right

Versatile Solution Bottom

Parth Engineers & Consultant Bottom

Shyam Plastic Industries Bottom

Versatile Solution Right

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Study Circle Launched for Advocates With Up to 10 Years of Practice

Gujarat High Court Big Move

Video shows MBA student murder accused laughing amid probe

Indore Murder Accused Smiles on Camera

Robodog row sparks backlash at India AI Impact Summit 2026

Galgotias Asked to Exit AI Summit

Actor pens heartfelt note after Sunil Malhotra’s passing

Kiara Mourns Sidharth’s Father

Minor held in SUV crash; father booked under MV Act provisions

Dwarka Crash: Accused’s Father Apologises

Top court restores rape attempt charge, seeks sensitivity guidelines

SC Sets Aside HC Order in POCSO Case

India&rsquo;s merchandise imports from Russia plunged by over 40% in January 2026, falling to about $2.86 billion from $4.81 billion a year earlier, official trade figures show, largely reflecting a steep reduction in crude oil purchases.
Crude oil typically accounts for roughly 80% of India&rsquo;s imports from Russia, and estimates suggest purchases of Russian crude last month were significantly lower than in previous years. Other goods imported from Russia include coal, fertilisers, iron, pulses, and precious stones, but these have not offset the slump in oil imports. The downturn in oil imports intensified after mid-2025, following punitive tariffs levied by the United States on Indian goods connected to purchases of Russian oil and ongoing diplomatic pressure. India&rsquo;s refiners, including some major private and state firms, have substantially reduced or halted buying Russian crude as they explore alternative sources.
In early February 2026, Washington eased the additional tariff on Indian products after New Delhi signalled a commitment to &ldquo;stop directly or indirectly importing&rdquo; Russian oil and to increase purchases of energy products from the United States, as well as broadening ties in global energy markets.
Analysts expect the shift in crude sourcing to continue, with Indian refiners eyeing other suppliers, including Middle Eastern and Venezuelan grades, as part of broader diversification strategies.

January sees 40% fall in Russia merchandise imports amid crude cutbacks

India’s Russia Imports Drop Sharply

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved a ₹10,000 crore Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS) 2.0 to strengthen India&rsquo;s venture capital ecosystem and fuel the next phase of startup growth.
The new corpus builds on the success of the original Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS 1.0), launched in 2016 under the Startup India initiative. Since the programme&rsquo;s inception, India&rsquo;s recognised startup base has expanded from fewer than 500 ventures to over 2 lakh.
Under FFS 1.0, the entire ₹10,000 crore corpus was committed to 145 Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs), which collectively invested more than ₹25,500 crore into over 1,370 startups across sectors such as artificial intelligence, clean energy, fintech, biotech, manufacturing, space tech, and agriculture.
FFS 2.0 will adopt a more targeted approach, focusing on deep tech, technology-driven manufacturing, and innovation in high-tech domains that require patient, long-term capital. The scheme aims to bridge funding gaps in high-risk areas, support early-growth founders, and reduce startup failures caused by capital shortages.
The new fund also seeks to channel investments beyond metro cities, promoting entrepreneurship across Tier-2 and Tier-3 regions. By backing globally competitive technologies and innovation-led enterprises, the government expects the scheme to strengthen economic resilience, create high-quality jobs, and advance India&rsquo;s vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047.

New Fund of Funds to boost deep tech, VC ecosystem

Cabinet Clears ₹10,000 Cr Startup Fund 2.0

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday laid out the contours of the India&ndash;US interim trade agreement, calling it a calibrated and mutually beneficial framework aimed at expanding bilateral trade while safeguarding domestic interests.
Addressing a press conference in Delhi, Goyal said the agreement lowers US tariffs on Indian goods to 18 per cent, unlocks significant market access, and provides targeted relief to key sectors including agriculture, MSMEs, pharmaceuticals and manufacturing.
<h3 data-start="732" data-end="778">Tariff relief and export opportunities</h3>
Explaining the core outcomes, Goyal said the US has agreed to reduce duties across a wide basket of Indian exports, opening what he described as a &ldquo;vast global opportunity&rdquo; for domestic producers. Items expected to benefit include textiles, leather, gems and jewellery, smartphones, pharmaceuticals and select engineering goods.
Several Indian exports will move towards zero-duty access, notably generic medicines, gems and diamonds, and aircraft parts, subject to the full operationalisation of the interim framework.
<h3 data-start="1318" data-end="1353">Concessions with safeguards</h3>
On India&rsquo;s commitments, the minister clarified that tariff concessions offered to the US are quota-based and carefully ring-fenced. Apples from the US will be allowed under a duty concession only above a minimum import price of ₹80 per kg, while limited concessions have also been extended on soybean oil.
Additional tariff relaxations cover alcoholic beverages, cosmetics and certain medical devices, with Goyal stressing that none of these measures compromise Indian farmers or domestic industry.
<h3 data-start="1877" data-end="1921">Boost for manufacturing and aviation</h3>
India will gain duty-free access in the US market for specific auto and aircraft components, a move expected to strengthen domestic manufacturing in the automotive and aerospace sectors. The US has also agreed to remove earlier national security-linked tariffs on Indian aircraft parts imposed under metal import proclamations.
<h3 data-start="2269" data-end="2307">Jobs, MSMEs and future pathway</h3>
Highlighting the wider economic impact, Goyal said the agreement is designed to directly benefit MSMEs, farmers and fishermen, while increased exports could generate large-scale employment opportunities for women and youth.
He described the interim framework as a stepping stone towards a full Bilateral Trade Agreement, with both countries committing to preferential market access, alignment on standards and conformity assessments, and a safeguard mechanism to address future tariff changes.
India has also indicated its intent to purchase $500 billion worth of US goods&mdash;including energy, aircraft, technology products and critical raw materials&mdash;over the next five years, alongside deeper technology trade and cooperation, particularly in data centre and advanced computing sectors.

Piyush Goyal briefs media on India–US deal

Piyush Goyal details tariff cuts, zero-duty items and market access gains

India–US interim trade deal cuts tariffs to 18%

India and the United States have finalised an interim trade framework that sharply lowers tariffs, eases non-tariff barriers and sets an ambitious target of $500 billion in bilateral trade. Shared by Union commerce minister Piyush Goyal, the text calls it a historic milestone. Yet behind the optimism lies a harder question: does this deal strengthen Atma Nirbhar Bharat, or does it expose India&rsquo;s most sensitive sectors to disruptive competition?
<h3 data-start="671" data-end="709">What the Interim Deal Delivers</h3>
At the heart of the framework is a significant recalibration of tariffs. The United States has agreed to bring down duties on Indian goods to a final 18 per cent, from levels that had touched 50 per cent, partly due to penalties linked to India&rsquo;s Russian oil purchases. In return, India will lower or remove tariffs on all US industrial goods and on a wide range of farm and food products, including animal feed, edible oils, fruits, nuts, wines and spirits.
If fully concluded, the interim agreement also promises the end of reciprocal tariffs on several high-value Indian exports such as generic medicines, gems and diamonds, and aircraft parts, while Washington separately removes duties on certain aviation products.
<h3 data-start="1457" data-end="1510">Agriculture and Dairy: The Political Red Line</h3>
The most contentious element is agriculture. Lower duties and easier access for US farm goods raise concerns for Indian farmers and the dairy ecosystem, sectors already protected by policy and politics. Cheap imports of feedstock, oils and processed foods could compress margins for small and marginal farmers, while dairy cooperatives fear indirect pressure through feed and allied products.
However, policymakers argue that India is opening selectively, not indiscriminately. The real test will be safeguards, quality standards and sequencing, without which domestic producers may struggle to compete with heavily subsidised American agriculture.
<h3 data-start="2174" data-end="2226">Industrial Goods and Manufacturing Ambitions</h3>
On the industrial side, tariff liberalisation cuts both ways. Cheaper US machinery, metals and components could reduce input costs for Indian manufacturers, aiding scale and competitiveness. Yet sectors still climbing the value chain may face import surges, challenging the spirit of Atma Nirbhar Bharat unless accompanied by productivity gains and technology absorption.
The government&rsquo;s bet is clear: exposure will force efficiency, while export access to the US offsets domestic pressure.
<h3 data-start="2733" data-end="2785">ICT, Digital Trade and Strategic Convergence</h3>
Perhaps the most strategic shift is India&rsquo;s decision to scrap restrictive import licensing rules for US ICT goods and review acceptance of US or international standards. This could speed up access to advanced hardware, including GPUs for data centres, critical for AI and digital infrastructure.
For India&rsquo;s digital economy, this promises faster capacity build-up, deeper tech cooperation and improved global integration. The flip side is dependence on imported high-end technology, unless domestic design and semiconductor ambitions keep pace.
<h3 data-start="3349" data-end="3396">Medical Devices and Non-Tariff Barriers</h3>
India has also agreed to address long-standing barriers for US medical devices, a move likely to improve healthcare access and competition. Yet it reopens debates on price controls, regulatory sovereignty and domestic manufacturingin a sector already under strain.
<h3 data-start="3672" data-end="3705">The $500 Billion Question</h3>
India&rsquo;s plan to buy $500 billion worth of US goods over five years&mdash;from energy and aircraft to coal and technology&mdash;signals strategic alignment. Such purchases could support India&rsquo;s energy security and infrastructure push, but will also widen the import bill unless matched by export growth.
<h3 data-start="4002" data-end="4043">GDP Growth vs Domestic Disruption</h3>
In macro terms, smoother trade, lower tariffs and tech access could lift India&rsquo;s GDP growth through higher investment, productivity and exports. But growth will be uneven. Winners will be exporters, tech users and capital-intensive industries; losers risk being farmers and smaller producers unless policy cushions are real and timely.
<h3 data-start="4389" data-end="4412">At a Crossroads</h3>
This interim deal is less about tariffs and more about India&rsquo;s economic direction. It tests whether Atma Nirbhar Bharat means protection, or competitive self-reliance in a geopolitical partnership with the US. The final outcome will depend on how India balances openness with resilience when the full Bilateral Trade Agreement negotiations unfold.

Modi and Trump during bilateral meeting (file photo)

Tariff cuts and ICT access promise growth, but risks loom for farms and dairy

India-US Trade Deal Tests Atmanirbhar Push

<h3 data-start="191" data-end="224">A Shock That Shook Confidence</h3>
Silver&rsquo;s vertical rise met a brutal reality check. Within a single session, prices collapsed by as much as 25 per cent on domestic exchanges, erasing nearly ₹1,00,000 per kg after flirting with record highs near ₹4 lakh. Internationally, silver mirrored the fall, tumbling sharply after an overheated rally. Gold did not escape either, shedding around 8&ndash;12 per cent from recent peaks. For investors who chased momentum, the speed of the reversal was as unsettling as the fall itself.
<h3 data-start="710" data-end="739">The Dollar Did the Damage</h3>
The immediate trigger came from a sudden surge in the US dollar. A policy signal from Washington soothed fears over central bank independence and sent the dollar index sharply higher. A stronger dollar typically weighs on precious metals by reducing their appeal as a hedge and making them more expensive for non-US buyers. As gold reversed, silver&mdash;known to exaggerate gold&rsquo;s moves due to thinner liquidity and heavier speculation&mdash;collapsed even faster.
<h3 data-start="1195" data-end="1231">Why Silver Fell Harder Than Gold</h3>
Silver&rsquo;s dual role as a precious and industrial metal makes it uniquely volatile. During rallies, speculative participation builds quickly; during corrections, exits are crowded. Market veterans point out that silver had entered extremely overbought territory, with momentum indicators at levels seen only a handful of times in a century. In such conditions, sharp drawdowns are not an anomaly&mdash;they are the release valve.
<h3 data-start="1655" data-end="1679">Lessons From History</h3>
History offers a sobering lens. Previous peaks in silver and gold were followed by deep, prolonged corrections that took years to recover from. A weakening rupee has not always cushioned investors during speculative bursts. The message is clear: parabolic moves often end with painful mean reversion, regardless of long-term fundamentals.
<h3 data-start="2020" data-end="2048">Buy, Hold or Step Aside?</h3>
Expert opinion is split&mdash;but cautious. Some advise no fresh exposure in silver until prices stabilise, recommending tight trailing stops for existing holders near the ₹3 lakh zone. Others see value only after deeper corrections, flagging ₹2.25&ndash;2.5 lakh as a more attractive accumulation range. A minority believe silver could base earlier, around ₹3&ndash;3.25 lakh, but concede volatility will remain elevated.
On gold, the tone is relatively calmer. Several analysts describe the correction as &ldquo;natural and healthy&rdquo; after an extended rally, with potential comfort emerging closer to ₹1.40 lakh&mdash;and stronger value only on deeper dips.
<h3 data-start="2680" data-end="2698">The Road Ahead</h3>
The near term is likely to remain choppy. Both metals need time to cool off and rebuild conviction. For long-term investors, staggered buying after further corrections may make sense. For traders, discipline matters more than conviction. The crash has not killed the secular case for precious metals&mdash;but it has ended the illusion that prices only move one way.

Sharp reversals have jolted metals. Is this a pause, or the start of a deeper reset?

Gold, Silver Crash: Buy Later, Not Now

A Bangladesh government committee has identified major discrepancies in the power purchase agreement with Adani Power's Godda plant. Payments exceed market rates by around 50%, driven by high coal import costs, transmission fees, and tax pass-throughs. This adds hundreds of millions annually to consumer bills over the 25-year contract.
<h2 class="mb-2 mt-4 font-sans font-semimedium visRefresh2026Fonts:font-bold text-base first:mt-0">Deal Background</h2>
Signed in 2017 without competitive bidding, the agreement covers a 1,496 MW facility in Jharkhand, India. It supplies over 10% of Bangladesh's electricity, especially vital during peak summer demand. Capacity payments have surged, even when generation falls short due to fuel shortages.
<h2 class="mb-2 mt-4 font-sans font-semimedium visRefresh2026Fonts:font-bold text-base first:mt-0">Key Irregularities Uncovered</h2>
The probe points to procedural flaws and potential undue influences from the outset. Imported Australian coal, cross-border charges, and fixed obligations inflate tariffs beyond norms. Sector-wide, this has raised power costs by approximately 25%, with long-term overpayments potentially reaching billions.
<h2 class="mb-2 mt-4 font-sans font-semimedium visRefresh2026Fonts:font-bold text-base first:mt-0">Recommendations Forward</h2>
The panel calls for renegotiating unfair terms, cancelling corrupt arrangements, mandating open tenders for future deals, and creating an independent energy regulator. Legal challenges are feasible, but risks include supply disruptions and widespread blackouts during transition.
<h2 class="mb-2 mt-4 font-sans font-semimedium visRefresh2026Fonts:font-bold text-base first:mt-0">Adani's Position</h2>
Adani Power emphasises its role in providing reliable, competitive energy despite outstanding dues. The company reports no formal receipt of the probe findings or renegotiation demands. Past payment delays led to temporary output cuts, now stabilised.
<h2 class="mb-2 mt-4 font-sans font-semimedium visRefresh2026Fonts:font-bold text-base first:mt-0">Broader Implications</h2>
Post-2024 political changes have intensified scrutiny of energy contracts. Bangladesh faces a dilemma: securing immediate power versus enforcing fiscal discipline. Resolving this could set precedents for other import deals, balancing reliability with affordability amid growing demand.
&nbsp;

Probe Reveals 50% Overpayment on Power Imports Amid Corruption Claims

Bangladesh has been paying around $400–500 million

Deepinder Goyal has stepped down as the Group Chief Executive Officer of Eternal Ltd., the company said in a regulatory filing on Wednesday. Blinkit Chief Executive Officer Albinder Dhindsa has been appointed as his successor with immediate effect.
Goyal will continue to remain associated with the company and, subject to shareholder approval, will stay on the board as Vice Chairman. In a letter addressed to shareholders, Goyal said the decision was driven by his growing interest in exploring high-risk and experimental ideas that do not align with the strategic scope of a publicly listed company.
He noted that while Eternal must remain focused and disciplined in pursuing growth within its existing businesses, his new interests require flexibility that is better suited outside the company&rsquo;s framework. He added that the responsibilities and regulatory expectations of leading a public company in India demand complete and singular attention.
Under the new leadership structure, Albinder Dhindsa will take charge of day-to-day operations, execution strategy and key business decisions. Goyal highlighted Dhindsa&rsquo;s role in building Blinkit from its acquisition phase to achieving breakeven, crediting him with strong execution capabilities and operational leadership.
The company&rsquo;s decentralised structure will remain unchanged, with individual business heads continuing to operate with full autonomy. Blinkit will continue to be Eternal&rsquo;s largest growth driver and a top priority under Dhindsa&rsquo;s leadership.
Goyal clarified that his long-term commitment to Eternal remains intact. He will continue to contribute to the company&rsquo;s strategic direction, organisational culture, leadership development, and governance. As part of the transition, all of his unvested employee stock options will revert to the ESOP pool, aimed at strengthening leadership retention without increasing shareholder dilution.
Looking ahead, Goyal reaffirmed his vision of building Eternal into one of India&rsquo;s most valuable companies, expanding its customer base, creating livelihoods, and generating long-term social impact. He described the leadership change as a shift in title rather than commitment, stating that Eternal continues to remain his life&rsquo;s work.

Blinkit head Albinder Dhindsa takes charge as Group CEO with immediate effect

Deepinder Goyal Steps Down as Eternal CEO

China&rsquo;s BYD has overtaken Tesla to become the world&rsquo;s largest seller of electric cars, marking a turning point in the global auto industry and underscoring the growing dominance of Chinese manufacturers in the EV race.
In 2025, BYD sold 2.26 million battery electric vehicles, comfortably ahead of Tesla&rsquo;s 1.63 million deliveries. The shift reflects both BYD&rsquo;s rapid expansion and a sharp slowdown at Tesla, whose sales fell for the second year in a row.
Tesla&rsquo;s decline was most pronounced at the end of the year, with fourth-quarter deliveries missing expectations and annual sales down 9 percent compared with 2024. The slump has been linked to policy changes under US President Donald Trump, including the rollback of EV subsidies and emissions rules that had supported electric car adoption.
The company also faced reputational headwinds after CEO Elon Musk openly aligned himself with far-right politics, triggering consumer backlash in some markets. Tesla shares dipped following the weak delivery numbers, though the firm remains the world&rsquo;s most valuable carmaker, with investors betting on its ambitions in artificial intelligence and robotics.
BYD&rsquo;s rise is emblematic of China&rsquo;s broader push to dominate the electric vehicle transition. Founded as a battery maker in 1995 by Wang Chuanfu, BYD has leveraged scale, aggressive pricing and rapid innovation to outpace rivals. Its electric car sales rose 28 percent in 2025, even as growth in the global EV market slowed and competition intensified.
Beyond pure electric cars, BYD sold 4.55 million vehicles overall last year, including hybrids and commercial vehicles such as electric buses and trucks. It has also moved quickly on advanced driver-assistance features, offering technologies comparable to Tesla&rsquo;s on even its lower-priced models.
The crossover is more than a sales milestone. It signals a deeper shift in automotive power, with Chinese companies increasingly setting the pace in electric mobility as Western rivals grapple with policy uncertainty, slower demand and rising competition.

China’s EV giant surges ahead as Tesla sales slide amid subsidy cuts and backlash

BYD dethrones Tesla as top EV seller

The Gujarat government has eased liquor consumption norms within the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) by revising its &lsquo;Wine and Dine&rsquo; policy, allowing alcohol to be served in expanded designated areas such as hotel terraces, lawns and poolside zones. The move is aimed at strengthening GIFT City&rsquo;s appeal as a global financial and information technology hub.
Officials said the revised policy will permit domestic and foreign visitors, as well as authorised officials working in GIFT City, to consume liquor within specified premises. The changes are intended to support a global business ecosystem and streamline operations for international investors, technical experts, and national and multinational companies operating in the city.
GIFT City, India&rsquo;s first operational International Financial Services Centre, spans 880 acres along the Sabarmati River between Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar. It has been envisioned as a world-class financial and IT hub designed to attract global capital and talent.
Under the amended rules, domestic and foreign visitors travelling on official business will be able to obtain temporary liquor permits more easily. The managing director of GIFT City has also been empowered to issue group permits for large conventions and major business events, a step expected to facilitate international conferences and corporate gatherings.
The Gujarat government has, however, made it clear that there is no change to the state&rsquo;s long-standing prohibition laws. The revised policy applies strictly within the confines of GIFT City and does not dilute the broader legal framework governing alcohol consumption in Gujarat.
As per the Gujarat Prohibition (Amended) Act, 2017, the sale, purchase, transport and possession of liquor in the state is a punishable offence, carrying a prison term that can extend up to ten years, with a minimum sentence of seven years along with a fine.
Officials stressed that the revised &lsquo;Wine and Dine&rsquo; policy applies only to designated zones within GIFT City and is intended to facilitate officials, employees and visiting business delegates. The amended rules do not apply to residents of Gujarat and do not alter the state&rsquo;s prohibition regime outside the special financial zone.
The move is part of broader efforts to position GIFT City as a globally competitive destination for finance, technology and international business while maintaining Gujarat&rsquo;s prohibition framework across the rest of the state.

The GIFT City is a smart city and the first operational International Financial Services Centre (IFSC)

Revised Wine and Dine policy aims to boost GIFT City’s global investor appeal

Gujarat Eases Liquor Norms in GIFT City

The Congress on Friday alleged that the Narendra Modi government altered India&rsquo;s nuclear liability framework to align it with United States interests, citing a provision in a US defence law signed by President Donald Trump.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh claimed that recent changes to India&rsquo;s nuclear law were rushed through Parliament with Washington &ldquo;firmly in mind&rdquo;. He referred to a section of the United States&rsquo; National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026, which mandates a joint assessment between India and the US on nuclear liability rules.
According to Ramesh, a provision buried deep within the legislation calls for the establishment of a joint consultative mechanism under the US&ndash;India Strategic Security Dialogue. This mechanism is tasked with assessing the implementation of the 2008 civil nuclear cooperation agreement and exploring ways for India to align its domestic nuclear liability rules with international norms.
&ldquo;Now we know for sure why the Prime Minister bulldozed the SHANTI Bill through Parliament earlier this week,&rdquo; Ramesh said in a social media post, referring to the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Bill, 2025. He alleged that the new law diluted key provisions of the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010, which had been passed unanimously by Parliament.
The nuclear liability law has long been seen as a major hurdle that prevented the full implementation of the Indo&ndash;US civil nuclear deal signed during the tenure of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Ramesh suggested that the latest changes were aimed at removing this obstacle, taking a swipe at the Prime Minister&rsquo;s public bonhomie with Trump by saying the SHANTI Act could well be dubbed the &ldquo;TRUMP Act&rdquo;.
The Congress leader&rsquo;s remarks came after the Rajya Sabha cleared the SHANTI Bill, following its passage in the Lok Sabha earlier in the week. The Union government has defended the legislation, saying it is intended to reduce India&rsquo;s dependence on fossil fuels, expand atomic energy capacity, and open the tightly regulated civil nuclear sector to private participation.
During the debate in the Upper House, Ramesh opposed the Bill, arguing that it was being rushed through without adequate consultation on an issue of long-term national importance. He also accused the BJP-led government of abandoning the stand taken by its own senior leaders when the 2010 nuclear liability law was enacted.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor also strongly opposed the Bill in Parliament, describing it as a &ldquo;dangerous leap into privatised nuclear energy&rdquo;. He raised concerns over the cap on liability, the potential burden on taxpayers, and the possibility that genuine victims of a nuclear accident could be excluded from compensation or barred from filing complaints.
Ramesh further urged the government to focus on standardising India&rsquo;s indigenous 700 MW nuclear reactors instead of relying on designs from multiple foreign vendors. &ldquo;We are self-reliant in 700 MW plants,&rdquo; he said, warning that a &ldquo;vendor-driven&rdquo; approach could meet the same fate as the farm laws that were eventually repealed after widespread protests.

Congress alleges PM Modi altered nuclear liability rules, citing a Trump-era US documents

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