Government Approves 2% DA Hike for Employees!

Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) is set to see its share price rise for the fourth consecutive session on April 1, following a significant contract worth ₹62,700 crore from the Defence Ministry. This contract includes the supply of 156 light combat helicopters, with 66 going to the Indian Air Force and 90 to the Indian Army. Additionally, a contract for leasing an aircraft for pilot training was also signed. Analysts from ICICI Securities have upgraded HAL's stock rating to 'buy' and set a new target price of ₹5,000. Currently, HAL's shares are 26.41% below their 52-week high of ₹5,675.

Byju's, once the world's largest ed-tech company, faces tough times as founder Byju Ravindran shares a motivational message on social media. He emphasizes resilience, saying, "Broke, not Broken. We will rise again." The company's value soared during the pandemic but has since crashed due to the return of physical classes and financial troubles. Byju's defaulted on $19 million owed to the BCCI, leading to insolvency proceedings in the Supreme Court. Despite the challenges, Ravindran calls for a comprehensive investigation into alleged mismanagement, hoping to clear the company's name and rebuild its reputation.

Starting from April 1, 2025, several important financial rule changes will affect UPI users, credit card holders, and pensioners in India. One significant change is the new income tax slabs introduced in the Union Budget 2025, which exempts individuals earning up to ₹12 lakh from income tax. Additionally, UPI transactions will not be allowed from inactive mobile numbers, ensuring safer transactions. Credit card rewards are also set to change, impacting various bank customers. Moreover, the Unified Pension Scheme will replace the old system, benefiting many government employees. These changes aim to streamline financial processes and enhance security.

Rishabh Nahar from Qode Advisors predicts that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) may cut interest rates by 75 basis points in FY26, depending on inflation and global trends. He believes that domestic sectors like infrastructure, banking, and manufacturing will benefit from government investments and reforms. Despite challenges in the FMCG and IT sectors, domestic demand remains strong. Nahar also warns of potential risks from global economic factors, including a possible recession in the US, which could affect growth. Overall, he sees a mixed outlook for various sectors going forward.

ITC Ltd., a major Indian conglomerate, is making headlines with its recent acquisition of Century Pulp and Paper from the Aditya Birla Group for Rs 3,498 crore. This strategic move aims to boost ITC's growth in the paper business by increasing their production capacity from 8 lakh MT to 12.8 lakh MT per annum, enhancing efficiency and reducing operational risks. The acquisition will allow ITC to better serve customers and tap into key raw material sources. The deal is pending necessary approvals, including from the Competition Commission of India. This significant step signals ITC's commitment to expanding its operations in the paper and pulp sector.

The Delhi government's plan to stop giving fuel to old vehicles has been postponed. This rule, meant to reduce air pollution, targets diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years. Officials stated that the delay is due to necessary changes at some fuel stations. The government aims to ensure that all petrol pumps comply before enforcing the rule. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa emphasized the importance of a smooth transition to avoid disruptions. With Delhi's air quality still among the worst in the world, this initiative is crucial for cleaner air.

The Mumbai Indians (MI) delivered a stunning performance against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in a recent match at Wankhede Stadium. Led by Hardik Pandya, MI chased down a target of 117 runs in just 12.5 overs, winning by 8 wickets. This victory propelled MI from the bottom to the sixth spot in the IPL 2025 Points Table, while KKR fell to last place. Royal Challengers Bengaluru are leading the table with two wins, showcasing a strong net run rate. Players like Nicholas Pooran and Noor Ahmad are making headlines for their impressive performances in the race for the Orange and Purple Caps.

Ashley St. Clair, a 26-year-old influencer, recently claimed that Elon Musk is the father of her child but is facing financial difficulties. She sold her $100,000 Tesla, allegedly a gift from Musk, to cope with a significant cut in child support payments. St. Clair has accused Musk of being controlling and emotionally immature. She mentioned that she needed the money to hire a nanny for her two children. Musk admitted uncertainty about the paternity but has provided financial support. The situation highlights a complex relationship and a custody dispute, stirring debates on social media.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that several states will face heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and lightning from March 31 to April 4. This weather will impact Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala, and more. Gujarat will likely see similar conditions on April 1 and 2, while Chhattisgarh and Odisha will experience the same weather during that time. In the northeast, areas like Assam and Tripura can expect light to moderate rain along with storms. Farmers are advised to harvest crops quickly and protect them from potential hailstorms to minimize damage.

Union minister Nitin Gadkari believes that reducing lithium battery costs will make electric vehicles (EVs) cheaper and more accessible for everyone. With pollution being a critical issue in India, he emphasizes the urgent need to shift from fossil fuels to cleaner energy sources. Gadkari highlights advancements in battery technology as essential for this transition, which not only addresses environmental concerns but also reduces the economic burden of fuel imports. He encourages initiatives like cycling for urban transport and promotes biofuels derived from agricultural waste to enhance farmers' income and lower pollution levels.

K Annamalai, the president of BJP in Tamil Nadu, may resign as discussions about a BJP-AIADMK alliance for the upcoming assembly elections heat up. The BJP aims to strengthen its presence in the state, especially considering caste dynamics. Annamalai, viewed as a key factor in the AIADMK-BJP split in 2023, has been informed of this decision during a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The BJP is considering replacing him with Nainar Nagendran, a leader from the influential Thevar community, to gain wider support in southern districts. This shift is crucial as AIADMK sees no alternative but to align with BJP after past tensions.

The digital payments revolution in India truly took off during the Covid-19 lockdown, with UPI leading the way. From just 2.23 billion transactions in December 2020, UPI skyrocketed to 16.73 billion by December 2024, marking a staggering growth of over 651%. Despite this, cash usage has increased, and many people still lack familiarity with digital payments. While UPI has introduced innovative features, the Reserve Bank of India's plans for a competing entity have stalled. Concerns about UPI's sustainability grow as providers struggle with a zero fee model. Government incentives alone may not be sufficient to ensure the ecosystem’s long-term success.

Jignesh Desai from Centrum Broking believes that corporate earnings in India are set to improve starting in the first quarter of FY26. He is optimistic because many companies have raised funds for growth, which should reflect in their earnings soon. Sectors like FMCG, cement, and auto are expected to thrive as tax cuts and lower inflation boost consumer spending. While focusing on domestic businesses is wise, the technology sector remains strong and essential for exports. With reasonable stock valuations available, especially in smaller companies, investing in these sectors could be a smart choice.

Apple is making significant strides in artificial intelligence by planning a major upgrade to its Health app. CEO Tim Cook believes this could be the company's greatest contribution to humanity. The revamped app will include an AI doctor to provide personalized health advice by analyzing data from various Apple devices. The project, known as Project Mulberry, aims to create a more interactive health coach experience. Although Apple has faced challenges with its AI features in the past, the company is focused on improving user health and hopes to release the new app with iOS 19.4 next year.

US President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, threatening “big problems” if he backs out of a crucial rare earth minerals deal with the United States. This deal would allow the US access to Ukraine's critical mineral resources in exchange for support in the ongoing conflict with Russia. Trump emphasized that Ukraine cannot use this deal to gain NATO membership, expressing skepticism about Zelensky's intentions. He also criticized both Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the stalled ceasefire talks, while expressing frustration over the ongoing tensions between them.

MS Dhoni, the former captain of India, remains an essential player for CSK at 43, showcasing impressive skills like quick stumpings in the IPL. However, fans are concerned about his batting position, as he’s often pushed down the order. CSK coach Stephen Fleming explained that Dhoni makes these decisions based on his physical condition. With age affecting his knees, he can't play at full intensity for long. Dhoni's leadership is crucial, and he's careful about when to bat, stepping in during critical moments. Despite his efforts, Dhoni has struggled to finish games recently, highlighting the challenges he faces.

The Indian stock market faced a tough financial year, affecting major conglomerates like Reliance, Adani, Tata, and Aditya Birla. While only the Aditya Birla Group enjoyed a rise in market capitalization, the others suffered significant losses. Adani Group saw its stocks plummet, with Adani Green's price dropping by 48%. Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Group also faced a decline, losing around ₹3.78 lakh crore in market cap, primarily due to poor performance in refining and retail. Similarly, Tata Group experienced losses, with Tata Motors and TCS losing over ₹2 lakh crore combined. The article highlights the challenges and dynamics of these major players in a volatile market.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have made headlines by defeating Chennai Super Kings (CSK) twice in just four days. This win at the M Chidambaram Stadium marks RCB's first victory over CSK there in 17 years. Along with their victory, RCB has now become the most followed team in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Instagram, boasting 17.8 million followers, surpassing CSK's 17.7 million. Social media erupted with excitement, with fans sharing memes and expressing hopes for RCB’s success this season. Other teams trail in follower count, with Mumbai Indians at 16.2 million. As the IPL progresses, fans are eager to see how these rivalries unfold.