Business & Economy

In a major setback for U.S.-based investment giant Tiger Global, the Supreme Court of India has ruled that the company must pay taxes in India on the capital gains earned when it exited Flipkart in 2018. The apex court overturned a Delhi High Court decision from August 2024, which had favored Tiger Global and dismissed the tax claim. Background of the CaseTiger Global had sold its $1.6 billion stake in Flipkart to Walmart in 2018. The dispute arose because the company had initially acquired Flipkart shares in Singapore between October 2011 and April 2015 and later transferred them to a Luxembourg-based entity, Fit Holdings SARL. When Walmart acquired a significant stake in Flipkart, Tiger Global exited the investment. Supreme Court’s VerdictA bench comprising **Justices J.B. Pardiwal...

Despite rising U.S. tariffs and global uncertainties, India’s merchandise exports in December posted a modest increase compared to the same month last year. Exports rose by 1.87% year-on-year to reach $38.5 billion, according to the Commerce Ministry, even as imports climbed 8.7% to $63.55 billion, resulting in a trade deficit widening from $20.6 billion to $25.04 billion. Mixed Performance Across Key MarketsWhile India’s exports to the United States fell by 1.83% to $688.6 million in December, exports to China surged 67.35% to $204.7 million. The U.S., India’s largest export market, saw the impact of a 50% tariff imposed on August 27, with cumulative exports from September to December totaling $25.6 billion, slightly down from $25.8 billion in the same period last year. In December,...

Megha Sarayan, a bright student from Kolkata, never imagined that her future would lie not in corporate offices, but amid ovens and cakes. What began as a casual baking workshop soon sparked a passion that transformed into a multi-crore business. Today, her brand Land of Cakes generates an annual revenue of ₹2 crore, all starting with just ₹5,000. Humble Beginnings in Mom’s KitchenIn 2017, while pursuing her studies, Megha started baking cakes as a hobby. Encouraged by friends, she listed her first product, a chocolate truffle cake, on Zomato. With no prior business experience, she began working from her mother’s kitchen, earning just ₹3,000 in the first month. Balancing college during the day and fulfilling orders at night, her dedication soon paid off. Megha then invested ₹5,000 to re...

The Indian stock market was closed on Thursday due to municipal elections in Maharashtra. Prior to that, markets had ended lower on Wednesday amid global uncertainties and profit-booking in IT and select banking stocks. Market RecapOn Wednesday, the BSE Sensex fell 244.98 points (0.29%) to close at 83,382.71, while the NSE Nifty 50 dropped 66.70 points (0.26%) to end at 25,665.60. During intraday trade, the Sensex had slipped as much as 442.49 points to 83,185.20. Investor sentiment was influenced by continued foreign fund outflows and renewed uncertainties surrounding US tariffs. Among Sensex constituents, Tata Consultancy Services, Asian Paints, Maruti Suzuki, Sun Pharma, Hindustan Unilever, ICICI Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Tech Mahindra, HDFC Bank, and Larsen & Toubro were the...

Unrest in Iran poses a serious concern for India’s economic, strategic, and diplomatic interests. Key regional engagements, such as the Chabahar port project and access to Central Asia, could be jeopardized. A sudden change in leadership may produce unpredictable outcomes, directly affecting India’s regional position. Iran: More Than Just a Regional StoryWhile global attention focuses on protests and instability, for India, Iran’s turmoil is far from a distant problem. According to The Times of India, the real issue is not merely whether Iran’s leadership can withstand domestic unrest, but whether the country can continue to function as a stable and reliable state. Losing Iran as a trusted partner would be a major setback for New Delhi, especially in an already volatile neighborhood. ...

Silver and gold continue their meteoric rise in the Indian market, driven by robust domestic demand and global economic uncertainty. In New Delhi, silver surged ₹3,000 on Thursday to touch a record ₹2,89,000 per kilogram. Gold also climbed to a new peak of ₹1,47,300 per 10 grams, fueled by persistent buying from stockists, jewellers, and retail investors. Silver’s Spectacular Five-Day RallySilver has gained nearly ₹45,500 in just five trading sessions. After starting at ₹2,43,500 per kilogram on 8 January, it jumped to ₹2,50,000 on Friday, ₹2,65,000 on Monday, ₹2,71,000 on Tuesday, ₹2,86,000 on Wednesday, and finally ₹2,89,000 on Thursday—marking an approximate 16% increase in less than a week. Gold has mirrored this bullish trend, rising ₹800 on Thursday to reach ₹1,47,300 per 10 gr...

Gold and silver prices have broken records on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), reflecting growing global uncertainty and increased demand for safe-haven assets. In 2026 alone, gold has delivered over 5% returns, while silver has surged more than 15%, signaling strong prospects for both metals. Record-Breaking RallyThis week, gold reached an all-time high of ₹1,43,590 per 10 grams on MCX, while silver soared to ₹2,91,406 per kilogram. In the domestic market, gold rose 0.67% to ₹1,43,201 per 10 grams, and silver jumped nearly 5% to ₹2,89,000 per kilogram. Global markets mirrored this trend. Spot gold briefly touched a record $4,642.72 per ounce before settling at $4,594.66, while US gold futures fell 0.8% to $4,599.50. Silver, after touching $93.57 per ounce, declined 5.3% to $87.88...

India and the United States are on the verge of finalizing a bilateral trade agreement, officials have confirmed. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Aggarwal stated that the deal will be officially announced once both countries are ready, with negotiators currently addressing the remaining issues. The agreement is expected to strengthen economic ties and benefit both businesses and consumers in India and the US. Final Stages of NegotiationSpeaking to reporters on Thursday, Secretary Aggarwal said, “The agreement is very close to completion. However, I cannot provide a fixed timeline. The announcement will be made when both sides feel it is the right moment.” He emphasized that trade discussions between India and the US have never stopped, and the two nations have maintained continuous contact th...

Following government intervention, quick commerce companies have withdrawn their promise of 10-minute deliveries, a move aimed at addressing safety concerns for gig workers. While the change eases pressure on workers’ personal safety, its impact on earnings remains uncertain. Mixed Reactions Among Gig Workers Some gig workers welcome the change, noting that it reduces the rush and potential risks on the road. However, many point out that their income largely depends on completing a high volume of deliveries. Until companies implement minimum wages, insurance, and other safety measures, workers’ financial pressures are unlikely to ease. During Christmas and New Year’s Eve, gig workers staged strikes, citing the lack of guaranteed pay and low per-delivery rates. Many rely heavily on...

The rally in precious metals has continued into the new year, with gold and silver prices reaching record levels on Wednesday. On the Multi Commodity Exchange of India (MCX), gold surged to ₹1,43,590 per 10 grams, while silver soared to ₹2,91,406 per kilogram. Since the beginning of 2026, gold has gained around 5%, and silver has surged over 15%. Over the past year, gold has delivered an 80% return, while silver has astonishingly returned 192%. Experts attribute the sustained rise in precious metals to geopolitical tensions and US tariff policies under President Donald Trump, which have driven investors toward safe-haven assets like gold and silver. Central banks around the world have also ramped up their gold purchases, further supporting prices. Meanwhile, silver’s rising industrial d...