Foxconn Pauses Chinese Employee Rotations at India iPhone Plants

The United States is pushing India to lower its high tariffs on car imports as part of a trade deal, but India is hesitant to eliminate them completely right away. Currently, tariffs on imported cars can be as high as 110%, which has drawn criticism from Tesla's CEO, Elon Musk. He argues that these tariffs are among the highest globally, affecting Tesla’s plans to enter the Indian market. While the U.S. wants India to reduce tariffs significantly, India is consulting local car manufacturers before making a decision. The discussions aim to strengthen trade relations, targeting $500 billion in trade by 2030.

On March 5, 2025, Indian stock markets showed a positive turn as Sensex and Nifty closed higher, signaling renewed investor confidence. Sensex jumped over 740 points to 73,730.23, while Nifty rose by nearly 255 points to 22,337.30. Key gainers included major companies like Adani Ports, Tata Steel, and Mahindra & Mahindra. Despite this improvement, many stocks were still at yearly lows, highlighting market volatility. Analysts noted that the recent downturn had created buying opportunities, especially in small and midcap stocks, which surged. Global market trends, including positive news from the US and China, contributed to this uplift.

Google has launched an exciting new feature called 'AI Mode' in its search tool, aimed at making complex queries easier to handle. This innovative mode, powered by the Gemini 2.0 AI model, helps users ask difficult questions about topics like coding and advanced math. With AI Mode, users can dig deeper by asking follow-up questions and accessing up-to-date information from various sources. The feature uses a unique method to gather related data and provide clear answers. While still in testing, Google aims to enhance the experience with visual content and make it accessible to teens without sign-ins, although it may not always be perfect in its responses.

Shantanu Naidu, General Manager at Tata Motors, recently shared nostalgic memories of his childhood in a heartfelt LinkedIn video. Reflecting on a simpler time when technology was absent, he reminisced about carefree summer vacations filled with outdoor games, laughter, and mischief. Naidu highlighted how his generation enjoyed playing without the distraction of phones, creating lasting memories that remain vivid today. He humorously recalled adventures like stealing mangoes and hiding from his mother during evening prayers. His post resonated with many, sparking discussions about the impact of technology on childhood and adulthood.

As the new financial year approaches, it's important for taxpayers to prepare for filing their Income Tax Returns (ITRs) for assessment year 2025-26. The filing window opens on April 1, 2025, and closes on July 31. Taxpayers can file ITRs online, but many find the process confusing. To help, a step-by-step guide outlines the necessary documents and forms. Salaried individuals can choose from four ITR forms—ITR-1, ITR-2, ITR-3, and ITR-4—each catering to different income types. Understanding which form applies to your situation is key to a smooth filing experience.

The Indian government has introduced important updates for citizens applying for new or updated passports. For those born on or after October 1, 2023, only a birth certificate from an authorized body is accepted as proof of date of birth. For older applicants, other documents like school certificates and PAN cards are still valid. Notably, the residential address will no longer be printed in passports; instead, a scannable barcode will be used. The new color-coding system simplifies passport identification, with blue for ordinary citizens and red for diplomats. Additionally, personal information, such as parents' names, will not be printed, enhancing privacy. Lastly, the number of Passport Seva Kendras will grow from 442 to 600, making the application process more efficient.

The PM Internship Scheme 2025 is now open for registrations, offering a chance for young Indians to gain valuable experience. Launched on October 3, 2024, and backed by an ₹800 crore budget, this initiative targets students aged 21 to 24 who have completed at least class 10, 12, or hold a higher degree. Participants will receive a monthly stipend of ₹6,000 while interning at top companies in various sectors like finance, technology, and hospitality. The application deadline is March 12, 2025, so interested candidates should register soon to seize this opportunity for skill development and hands-on training.

NASA has achieved a historic milestone by using GPS on the Moon for the first time ever. On March 3, the Lunar GNSS Receiver Experiment (LuGRE), developed in collaboration with the Italian Space Agency, successfully tracked GPS signals from space. This breakthrough means that future Artemis missions and other explorations can accurately determine their positions without needing constant Earth communication. LuGRE was part of a mission that landed on the Moon on March 2, and it will operate for 14 days, paving the way for better navigation in space. This technology is a significant leap forward for lunar exploration and showcases international collaboration in space science.

The new income tax bill in India raises alarms as it allows tax authorities to access personal social media accounts, emails, and bank details if they suspect tax evasion. This provision, outlined in Clause 247, empowers officials to override access codes and enter digital spaces without consent. Critics argue that this could violate privacy rights and freedom of speech, as individuals may fear the government monitoring their private communications. Legal experts warn that such unchecked power could lead to misuse, undermining personal autonomy and democratic principles. The bill's implications on digital rights are concerning, calling for robust safeguards against potential abuses.

Gujarat is becoming the leading choice for semiconductor units in India, according to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. At the Gujarat SemiConnect 2025 event, he emphasized the state's readiness to join the global semiconductor supply chain. With a new Global Capability Center Policy, Gujarat aims to strengthen industries like artificial intelligence and machine learning. Several agreements were signed, including a significant ₹91,526 crore deal with Tata Electronics for a semiconductor unit in Dholera. This initiative promises to boost technology, create thousands of jobs, and enhance Gujarat's position in the booming tech sector.

Apple has introduced a new Sky Blue color option for its MacBook Air, available in both 13-inch and 15-inch sizes, alongside existing colors like Midnight and Silver. The new MacBook Air models feature the powerful M4 chip, which offers double the speed of the previous M1 models and improved battery life. Apple is also updating its macOS Sequoia, allowing easier setup by using an iPhone nearby. In addition, the Mac Studio has been refreshed with the M4 Max chip, tailored for creators, boasting impressive performance upgrades. The starting price for Mac Studio has seen a slight increase, now at ₹2,14,900.

Mukesh Ambani, the chairman of Reliance Industries, is revamping Reliance Retail Ventures to boost its valuation to $125 billion. This move comes after the company’s valuation dropped to $50 billion, well below its previous highs. Alongside his daughter Isha, Ambani is implementing cost-cutting measures, including reducing marketing budgets, halting store expansions, and merging with Reliance Brands. The restructuring aims to enhance competitiveness against rivals like Tata Group and Amazon, especially during a slowdown in consumer spending. With 34 crore registered customers and substantial revenue, Reliance Retail is gearing up for a future IPO that will offer limited stakes to early investors.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi urges the Indian industry to seize the opportunity to become a global leader in high-quality products and reliable supply chains. He emphasizes that the government stands firmly with the industry, providing support through reforms and stable policies. Modi encourages entrepreneurs to explore the global market with confidence and to leverage initiatives like the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes. He highlights the importance of research and development, especially in traditional crafts, to enhance India's export potential. By fostering entrepreneurship and improving credit access for MSMEs, India can create millions of jobs and boost economic growth.

The US has started imposing heavy tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico, signaling a shift in trade policy that raises concerns for India. This move contradicts the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and highlights the US's disregard for existing trade agreements. As India seeks a bilateral trade agreement with the US, experts worry that the imposition of tariffs may affect future negotiations. The new US trade policy also criticizes trade concessions for developing countries like India. To counter this, India could propose a "Zero-for-Zero Tariff" deal, eliminating tariffs on industrial goods in exchange for similar concessions from the US.

The Indian government has approved two exciting ropeway projects in Uttarakhand, connecting Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib and Sonprayag to Kedarnath. These projects, costing over ₹6,811 crore, aim to enhance accessibility to these significant religious sites, which attract millions of pilgrims annually. Currently, reaching these places involves long uphill treks, but the new ropeways will make the journey easier and quicker. The advanced gondola system will allow thousands of passengers to travel comfortably, boosting tourism and economic growth in the region. This initiative is part of a larger plan to develop over 250 ropeway projects across India.

US President Donald Trump has made a surprising announcement, naming five cryptocurrencies he wants for a new government reserve. Initially, he included Ripple (XRP), Solana (SOL), and Cardano (ADA), which are less known in mainstream crypto discussions. Later, he added the giants Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH) to the list. This move is part of his January executive order aimed at building a government stockpile of these digital assets. Each cryptocurrency has its unique story and value, with Bitcoin being the largest and most recognized. This announcement has sparked interest and volatility in the crypto market.

BSE shares faced a significant drop of over 9% after NSE announced a major change in its derivatives contract expiration dates. From April 4, Nifty index weekly derivatives will now expire on Mondays instead of Thursdays, impacting market dynamics. Initially, BSE stocks plummeted to ₹4,035.10 but later recovered slightly to ₹4,201. In contrast, NSE's Nifty index rose by 0.92%, reflecting a mixed market response. The change also affects Bank Nifty, FinNifty, and other indices, indicating a shift in trading strategies. This adjustment is expected to reshape trading patterns in the Indian stock market.

Home prices and rents in India are on the rise and are expected to exceed consumer inflation this year. A recent survey of housing experts predicts average home prices will increase by 6.5%, while urban rental costs may jump by 7% to 10%. This surge in prices is troubling for first-time buyers, as stagnant wages and a lack of good jobs make it hard for them to save for a down payment. Major cities like Mumbai and Delhi will see even steeper increases, leaving many families to rely on renting. Experts believe that government intervention is necessary to address the growing shortage of affordable housing in urban areas.