Business & Economy

New Delhi: 2026 has begun on a promising note for cryptocurrency investors, with several digital assets, including Bitcoin, witnessing strong gains. One cryptocurrency making headlines is Dogecoin (DOGE), which has regained momentum after causing significant losses for investors last year. As of Monday at 2 PM, Dogecoin was trading at $0.1503 (approximately ₹14), marking a week-on-week increase of over 18%. Despite a minor dip of over 1% in the past 24 hours, investor interest in this cryptocurrency remains strong. Dogecoin is also famously favored by Elon Musk, one of the world’s richest individuals. Weekly PerformanceA week ago, Dogecoin was priced at $0.1268, and since then it has surged to $0.1503, giving investors a return of over 18% in just seven days. Since January 1, 2026, D...

New Delhi: The rapid development of India’s highways and expressways has brought unprecedented connectivity for travelers—but mobile network black spots on these roads continue to pose challenges. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has identified 424 locations across highways and expressways where mobile signals are weak or absent. The agency has written to telecom regulator TRAI, urging action to improve network coverage in these areas. According to NHAI, lack of network connectivity not only inconveniences travelers but also hampers emergency services. Ambulances, patrol units, and other field teams face difficulties communicating during accidents or urgent situations. The identified “telecom black spots” cover approximately 1,750 km. In a letter to TRAI Chairman Anil ...

New Delhi: The fifth season of Shark Tank India premiered today, January 5, introducing 15 judges, including six new sharks. Among the newcomers is Kanika Tekriwal, founder of the private aviation company JetSetGo, and one of India’s most successful self-made women entrepreneurs. Kanika Tekriwal’s net worth today exceeds ₹420 crore, making her one of the youngest women to feature on the Hurun Rich List. She founded JetSetGo, which operates nine private jets and two helicopters for charter, having served over 1,00,000 passengers and operated more than 6,000 flights to date. A Startup at 21:Kanika began her entrepreneurial journey at the age of 21 with a simple yet revolutionary idea: to create an “Uber-like” model for private aviation in India. Her plan was to purchase jets and lease ...

New Delhi: Shares of Reliance Industries have hit a 52-week high, with the stock touching ₹1,611.20 during trading, amid optimism surrounding developments in Venezuela. Analysts expect the price to rise further to ₹1,785, driven by potential benefits from the recent U.S. action against Venezuela. The United States has taken strict measures against Venezuela, including the arrest of President Nicolás Maduro. Experts believe that the U.S. may now take control of Venezuela’s oil reserves, which could benefit Indian companies such as Reliance Industries and ONGC. Jefferies has stated that if sanctions on Venezuela are eased or lifted, both companies could gain from improved crude oil supply, cash flow, and valuation. Venezuela holds nearly 18% of the world’s oil reserves, yet currently c...

Gold saw an extraordinary surge in 2025, not only in India but also in global markets. Dubai, a key gold trading hub, witnessed record-breaking prices for the precious metal last year. Dubai Gold Price SurgeAt the start of 2025, 24-carat gold in Dubai was priced at 318 AED (≈ ₹8,800) per gram. By 31 December 2025, it had surged to 520 AED (≈ ₹12,750) per gram, marking a remarkable 63.5% increase. This translates to ₹1.27 lakh per 10 grams. Similarly, 22-carat gold rose from 294.5 AED to 481.5 AED per gram, a 63.5% increase, while 21-carat gold gained roughly 176.75 AED per gram over the year. 14-Carat Gold Remains StableIn contrast, 14-carat gold, launched in the UAE on 29 November 2025, saw only a modest 2.3% increase during the year. Its relatively low jump is attributed to its lig...

India’s Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for smartphones, launched in 2021–22, has delivered remarkable results, making smartphones the country’s top export item. Under this scheme, Apple alone has exported $50 billion worth of iPhones from India. Record Exports by AppleAccording to a report by the Economic Times, Apple has exported iPhones worth $50 billion from India through its vendors up to December 2025. These exports are part of the PLI program, which Apple joined in FY 2021–22. The figure is expected to grow further, as three months remain in the five-year PLI period. With a market capitalization second only to Nvidia globally, Apple has leveraged India as a key manufacturing hub. An official noted that in the first nine months of FY 2025–26, Apple alone exported appro...

India’s sole producer of coking coal, Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL), is set to launch its Initial Public Offering (IPO) this week. The company’s shares are seeing strong demand in the grey market, with the Grey Market Premium (GMP) exceeding 70%. IPO DetailsBCCL, a subsidiary of Coal India Limited, is the country’s leading coal-producing company. This IPO will mark the first mainboard IPO of 2026. The public issue will open on Friday, 9 January, with the company aiming to raise ₹1,071 crore. The IPO is a fully Offer-for-Sale (OFS), with Coal India Limited planning to sell 46.57 crore equity shares at a price band of ₹21 to ₹23 per share (face value: ₹10 each). Following the IPO, BCCL shares will be listed on both the BSE and NSE mainboard. Grey Market ResponseBCCL’s IPO has ga...

New Delhi: The recent arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by the United States has sparked concerns over global oil markets. Venezuela, home to the world’s largest oil reserves, could see its oil fields come under U.S. control, potentially causing major disruptions in the global economy. However, experts say that the unfolding crisis is unlikely to have an immediate impact on India’s crude oil supply or fuel prices. According to The Times of India, while geopolitical tensions may affect global markets, India’s imports from Venezuela have been relatively low in recent years. India-Venezuela Oil TradeIn 2024, Venezuela ranked 18th among India’s crude suppliers, falling to 21st between April and October last year. During this period, India imported slightly over $300 million w...

New Delhi: The government is expected to present the Union Budget for FY 2026-27 on 1st or 2nd February. This year, several initiatives targeting women are likely to be announced, focusing on enhancing financial access and protection. According to the Economic Times, the government aims to provide women with greater access to credit and insurance through Jan Dhan accounts. The plan also includes measures to improve grievance redressal, particularly in relation to insurance claims. Women-Oriented Financial InitiativesThe upcoming budget may introduce special credit cards, loans, and insurance plans for women. The government also intends to expand existing initiatives launched in last year’s budget, including the rural credit score program and financial support for first-time entrepren...

New Delhi: India is set to witness a new milestone in rail travel with the launch of the country’s first Sleeper Vande Bharat train. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to flag off the train, which will operate between Kolkata and Guwahati, according to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. The launch is anticipated within the next 15–20 days, possibly on 18 or 19 January 2026, with the exact date to be confirmed shortly. Ticket Prices:The fare structure has already been finalized with affordability in focus: 3rd AC (with meals): ₹2,300 2nd AC: ₹3,000 1st AC: ₹3,600 Railway Minister Vaishnaw highlighted that the Vande Bharat fares are significantly lower than air travel. For instance, a flight from Guwahati to Howrah costs between ₹6,000 and ₹8,000, while the Sleeper Van...