Author: News Desk

Southern Railway has recorded a strong performance in passenger demand, with four Vande Bharat Express trains and six Express services featuring among the top 10 most occupied trains in India for FY 2025–26. Among them, the Thiruvananthapuram–Mangaluru Vande Bharat Express stood out with occupancy levels exceeding 180%, making it one of the busiest routes in the country. The high occupancy highlights the growing popularity of Vande Bharat trains, driven by faster travel, modern amenities, and improved connectivity across major cities in southern India. Overall, passenger traffic on these trains has seen a significant rise, indicating a shift toward both premium…

Indian-flagged LPG vessel Jag Vikram has successfully reached Kandla Port in Gujarat, carrying 20,400 metric tonnes of LPG after crossing the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz. The vessel docked at the port after navigating one of the world’s most sensitive maritime routes, which had seen disruptions due to rising geopolitical tensions in the region. Notably, Jag Vikram is among the first Indian ships to transit the strait following the recent US-Iran ceasefire, signaling a gradual restoration of trade and shipping activity. The arrival is expected to strengthen India’s LPG supply chain, especially at a time when energy shipments through the route are being closely monitored. Officials…

The Reserve Bank of India has proposed introducing a time lag for high-value digital transactions, particularly those above ₹10,000 sent to new payees, as part of efforts to curb rising digital fraud. However, the proposal has drawn strong concerns from bankers and fintech companies, who argue that such delays could disrupt the real-time nature of digital payments and affect user convenience. Industry experts believe the move may reduce the efficiency of platforms like UPI, which thrive on instant transactions, and could potentially push some users back toward cash-based payments. The RBI’s intent is to provide users a cooling-off period to detect and cancel fraudulent transactions, amid a…

China has emerged as India’s largest trading partner in FY 2025–26, surpassing the United States after four consecutive years at the top. Bilateral trade between India and China reached around $151 billion, highlighting strong economic ties despite geopolitical tensions. However, the development comes with a major concern, as India’s trade deficit with China widened to a record $112 billion, driven by a sharp rise in imports. India’s exports to China grew significantly by over 36%, but imports also increased by around 16%, keeping the trade imbalance high. Key imports include electronics, telecom equipment, and industrial components, reflecting India’s continued dependence on Chinese manufacturing. The shift in…

India’s goods exports reached a record $441.8 billion in FY 2025–26, marking a modest growth of around 1% compared to the previous year. The achievement comes despite global headwinds, including geopolitical tensions in West Asia and trade disruptions that impacted exports toward the end of the fiscal year. Overall exports, including services, rose to a record $860 billion, reflecting India’s growing strength in global trade. Key sectors such as engineering goods, petroleum products, and agriculture contributed to the growth, while services exports continued to remain a strong pillar. Officials highlighted that India’s export growth outpaced the global average, underlining the country’s resilience and expanding global trade footprint despite…

Shares of key Adani Group companies, including Adani Power and Adani Energy Solutions, hit fresh 52-week highs amid strong market momentum. The rally is being driven by improved financial performance, robust demand outlook, and continued investor confidence in the group’s core infrastructure and energy businesses. Adani Power has particularly gained on expectations of higher power demand and better realizations, supported by rising electricity consumption across the country. Meanwhile, Adani Energy Solutions has benefited from its strong order book and expansion in transmission and distribution networks. The broader rally in Adani stocks also reflects renewed market optimism and easing concerns around the group, attracting both institutional and retail investors.…

The Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala has emerged as a major alternative hub for international shipping as tensions in the Middle East escalate and Iran closes the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting access to Gulf ports. More than 100 ships from eight international shipping companies are now seeking permission to dock at Vizhinjam after being stranded in the Middle East and unable to berth at ports such as Dubai due to the ongoing conflict. Most of these vessels are large motherships headed to destinations across the world. Vizhinjam’s strategic advantage lies in its location just 10 nautical miles from the international…

The story of B R Shetty is one of the most dramatic rises and falls in modern Indian business, spanning a journey from modest beginnings to global success and eventually a major financial collapse. Born in 1942 in Udupi, Karnataka, Bavaguthu Raghuram Shetty began his life far from the corporate world he would later enter. In 1973, he moved to the UAE with just 7 dirhams (around ₹50–60), searching for better opportunities. A trained pharmacist, he started out as the UAE’s first medical representative, visiting clients to sell medicines. During this time, he identified a major gap in affordable and…

In a small village near Coimbatore, K. Kamalathal—fondly known as “Idli Amma”—has spent decades ensuring that no one goes hungry. At over 80 years old, she continues to prepare and sell idlis for just ₹1, making food accessible to daily wage workers, students, and the underprivileged. Her journey began as a simple effort to support her local community, but over time, it turned into a powerful symbol of compassion and service. Cooking on a traditional wood-fired stove, she wakes up early every day to serve fresh meals with care and dedication. Despite rising costs, she never focused on profit. Her goal…

The World Bank has so far disbursed USD 340 million for the first phase of the Amaravati Capital City development, according to a senior official from the institution. Andhra Pradesh is also expected to receive an additional USD 130–150 million by the end of April, jointly from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), as per state government officials. The funding forms part of a larger commitment of USD 1.6 billion, equally shared between the World Bank and ADB, to support the Amaravati Integrated Urban Development Programme. Interest Rates and Loan Structure Officials said the loans carry an…