As the Union Budget 2025 approaches on February 1, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is expected to address rising concerns over high inflation and shrinking disposable incomes, with a focus on tax relief for salaried individuals. One of the most anticipated measures is the potential increase in the standard deduction for salaried employees. Under the current system, a standard deduction of Rs 75,000 is available for those opting for the New Tax Regime, while the Old Tax Reg

The Godrej Enterprises Group, known for its diverse presence across industries such as aerospace, defense, furniture, and IT software, revealed plans to invest more than Rs 1,200 crore over the next three to five years. This investment will focus on enhancing digital solutions and technology platforms, including AI and generative AI technologies. The group aims to improve customer experience, create a unified ecosystem, and foster deeper relationships with its 1.1 billion-strong consumer base

TP Solar Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Power Renewable Energy Ltd., has received a significant contract worth Rs 455 crore to supply 300 MWp of ALMM-certified solar modules for the Mukhyamantri Saur Krushi Vahini Yojana (MSKVY) 2.0 project. The contract was awarded by Maharashtra State Power Generation Co. Ltd. (MSPGCL), as part of a larger 750 MWp tender finalized through a competitive e-Reverse Auction (eRA) process. The ALMM-certified solar modules will be delivered to

 The Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), known for marketing dairy products under the Amul brand, has reduced the price of its one-litre milk packs across India by Rs 1. The new prices are now Rs 67 for Amul Gold and Rs 55 for Amul Taaza per litre in Delhi, compared to their previous prices of Rs 68 and Rs 56, respectively. This reduction applies only to one-litre packs and not to half-litre variants, with the aim to encourage consumers to buy larger packs of milk.

FIITJEE, one of the prominent coaching institutes for IIT-JEE preparation, is facing significant backlash following the sudden closure of multiple centres in Delhi-NCR and Uttar Pradesh. The closures have been attributed to months of unpaid salaries for teachers, leading to their resignation and a disruption in services for enrolled students. The affected students, who were preparing for both board exams and competitive entrance tests, have been left stranded without prior notice from the ins

Adani Group has issued a statement refuting claims that its 484 MW wind power projects in Sri Lanka, located in Mannar and Pooneryn, have been cancelled. The company clarified that the recent decision by the Sri Lankan Cabinet to reevaluate the tariff approved in May 2024 is part of a routine review process, especially with the new administration in place. The reevaluation aims to align the terms with the country’s evolving energy policies. The company emphasized its commitmen

 Gold futures on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) have surged to an all-time high, climbing 0.43% from Thursday's rates, reaching Rs 79,970 for contracts expiring on February 5, 2025. The precious metal has seen an upward trajectory this week, following a climb in spot prices which also touched record highs. As of 6:50 a.m. on Friday, gold's spot price in India stood at Rs 79,980 per 10 grams, according to the India Bullion Association. Despite the earlier rise, prices cooled o

Satya Nadella Responds to Elon Musk and Sam Altman’s AI Spat In a recent interview, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella responded to remarks from Elon Musk about the $500 billion Stargate AI project, which has sparked controversy between Musk, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, and others in the tech world. Musk raised doubts about the funding behind the project, claiming it lacked sufficient backing, which le

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is exploring a new mechanism for regulating pre-IPO trading activities through a concept called 'when-listed' securities. This proposed measure would oversee the trading of stocks between an IPO's allotment and its official listing. According to SEBI's chief, Madhabi Puri Buch, the aim is to allow investors to engage in these trades in a regulated manner, as there is existing demand for such transactions. Currently, t

 Lilavati Hospital has entered into a strategic partnership with Mayo Clinic USA to develop a 300-bed Cancer Care Institute in Mumbai and a healthcare project in Gift City, Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The Cancer Care Institute, expected to cost Rs 800 crore, will be situated near Lilavati Hospital in Bandra, Mumbai. The Maharashtra government has agreed to allocate land at a subsidized rate, and the acquisition process is nearing completion. The hospital is anticipated to begin operations with

Coromandel International Ltd. has won an appeal to quash an order to recover Rs 589.2 crore, including penalty and interest, from the company. The original order, filed by the additional commissioner of central tax from the Visakhapatnam Central GST Commissionerate, was contested successfully by the company. The Office of the Commissioner (Appeals), Central Tax and Customs, Guntur, ruled in Coromandel's favor on January 20, 2025. In a related matter, the fertilizer manufacturer

The Stargate Project, a bold and ambitious initiative, has captured global attention as it seeks to revolutionize AI and redefine geopolitical and technological power. However, its immense scale and lack of clear direction leave room for debate about its ultimate impact. Below is a breakdown of what’s at stake and the controversies surrounding it: 1. Massive Investment in AI Infrastructure

Hindustan Unilever Ltd. (HUL) has approved a plan to demerge its ice cream operations, including well-known brands like Kwality Wall’s, Magnum, and Cornetto. Shareholders of HUL will receive shares in the new entity after the demerger is completed. The new company will be listed on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE). This decision follows the board’s earlier approval to separate the ice cream business, which is expected to enhance operation

Trump Endorses Elon Musk or Larry Ellison Buying TikTok: Could This Lead to Its Return to India? President Donald Trump has voiced support for the possibility of billionaire Elon Musk or Oracle Chairman Larry Ellison purchasing TikTok, suggesting a unique proposal: "Buy it, and give half to the United States of America." This announcement comes amidst the backdrop of the U.S. Supreme Co

The HSBC Hurun Global Indians List 2024 recognizes 226 Indian-origin leaders who are running 200 of the world’s most valuable companies, collectively worth an astounding $10 trillion. Among the leaders, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai, and Vedanta Chairman Anil Agarwal stand out, with Nadella taking the top spot. This list reflects a growing dominance of Indian-origin leadership in global business, particularly in the software and services sector, which accounts

Market Uncertainty Due to Trump's Trade Policy Stance: The market experienced significant downturns largely due to concerns surrounding U.S. President Donald Trump's trade policies. Investors are on edge as Trump's inconsistent stance on trade tariffs has caused uncertainty in the global markets. His recent comments about imposing tariffs on neighboring countries, particular

Waaree Energies Solar Module Supply Contract Waaree Energies Ltd. announced receiving a letter of award for supplying solar PV modules with a total capacity of 180 megawatt peak. The modules will be provided to a renowned customer in the renewable energy sector, specifically for the development and operation of renewable power projects in India. The supply is expected to start in the financial year 2025–26. Acquisition of Enel Green Power India

Gautam Adani’s Address to Students On Monday, Gautam Adani, the chairman of the Adani Group, addressed the students of Adani International School in Ahmedabad. During his speech, Adani shared three core principles for the students: "dream relentlessly, learn relentlessly, and build relentlessly," encouraging them to aim high and remain determined in their endeavor

Bitcoin reached a historic milestone on Monday, soaring above $109,000 as Donald Trump, who has expressed plans to deregulate the cryptocurrency sector, prepared for his inauguration. The digital currency peaked at $109,241 before settling at $107,765, marking a significant surge in its value. This jump in Bitcoin’s price came in the wake of Trump’s election win in November and his nomination of Paul Atkins, a cryptocurrency advocate, to head the US securities regulator.

Months before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented an interim budget in February to manage the government’s immediate financial needs. After the BJP-led NDA returned to power for a third term, she unveiled the comprehensive Union Budget for the financial year 2024-25 on July 23. While both budgets play a significant role in the nation's fiscal planning, their objectives and scope are different. An interim budget is a temporary financi