Business
LPG rumours: Centre urges remaining states to prevent panic buying after only 17 conduct briefings
Centre has urged states and Union territories to step up efforts to counter rumours around LPG supply, warning that inadequate public communication is contributing to unnecessary concern and panic buying in some areas. In a letter addressed to chief secretaries, the ministry of petroleum and natural gas said that at present, only 17 states and…
Pakistan fuel crisis deepens: Diesel up 55%, petrol rises 42% amid Hormuz disruption
Pakistan has announced a sharp increase in petrol and diesel prices for the second time in less than a month, amid the ongoing Middle East war that has deeply impacted the global oil crisis.The latest hike is expected to worsen inflationary pressures and add to the economic burden on citizens already struggling with rising costs.The…
Hire edu push gains pace as colleges double down on industry tie-ups to boost employability
BENGALURU: As hiring patterns shift and companies prioritise job-ready talent, engineering colleges across India are embedding industryled courses, certifications and internships into their curricula to narrow the gap between academia and the workplace. These programmes, however, are inherently short-term, often lecture-driven, and closely tied to current technology demand — making them prone to rapid obsolescence…
Foreign investment in Indian real estate falls 75% in Jan-March; domestic investors cushion decline: Colliers report
Foreign investment in India’s real estate sector dropped sharply during January-March, falling 75 per cent quarter-on-quarter to $400 million amid global uncertainty triggered by the West Asia conflict, according to PTI.Data from real estate consultant Colliers showed that total institutional investments declined 61 per cent to $1.6 billion in Q1 2026 from $4.2 billion in…
Are you a ‘worker’ under India’s labour codes? How it differs from white‑collar employment
The labour codes aim to simplify and consolidate India’s complex labour law framework. India’s new labour codes have introduced a structured distinction between the terms “employee” and “worker”. While all workers are employees, not all employees are workers. This distinction is more than just terminology – it determines the applicability of several statutory benefits and…
Govt does U-turn on 60% free seating order for airlines; puts it in abeyance
NEW DELHI: In a U-turn, the civil aviation ministry Thursday put on hold its directive for airlines to offer at least 60% seats free of charge. Under intense cost side pressure since the Iran war began, airlines had warned this move to curb ancillary revenue will lead to additional fare hikes.The aviation ministry had on…
Govt caps ATF hikes to 25% a month for domestic flights to curb fare spikes
In a move aimed at shielding passengers from sharp airfare surges, the government has capped monthly increases in aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices for domestic flights at 25%, according to Reuters.The decision comes amid volatility in global energy markets linked to the ongoing Iran crisis, which has pushed up fuel costs and added pressure on…
Govt rolls out measures to cushion Gulf trade hit: DGFT
The government has introduced a series of measures to support exporters facing disruptions from the ongoing Gulf conflict, with key sectors such as gems and jewellery, rice and pharmaceuticals under pressure, PTI reported.At an inter-ministerial briefing, Director General of Foreign Trade Lav Aggarwal said the commerce ministry is working with insurers and banks to address…
US 30-year mortgage rates climbs to 6.46%, highest in nearly 7 months; homebuyers face fresh cost pressure
The average long-term US mortgage rate has climbed for the fifth consecutive week, reaching its highest level in nearly seven months and adding to affordability challenges for homebuyers during the crucial spring housing season, according to AP.The benchmark 30-year fixed mortgage rate rose to 6.46% from 6.38% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said. A…
RBI allows Rupee exchange at airport departure counters beyond immigration
The Reserve Bank of India has allowed both residents and non-residents to exchange Indian rupee notes at foreign exchange counters located in departure halls of international airports beyond immigration or customs checkpoints, according to PTI. Earlier, such counters were permitted only to buy Indian rupees from non-residents and sell foreign currency to them. “On a…