Heavy Rain and Storms Expected Across India

Zomato, the popular online food delivery platform, has laid off up to 600 employees from its customer support team just a year after hiring them. This decision comes as the company faces slow growth in its core food delivery services and increasing losses from its subsidiary, Blinkit. The layoffs, affecting staff in Gurugram and Hyderabad, were reportedly based on poor performance and punctuality. Employees received one month’s salary as compensation but were terminated without prior notice. The situation has caused concern among current employees, with discussions about the layoffs gaining traction on social media.

Starting from April 1, 2025, American Express will change its Platinum Travel Credit Card rewards. They are adding new gift vouchers from The Postcard Hotel and Air India, but removing Flipkart vouchers. Cardholders can now redeem 20,000 Membership Rewards (MR) points for a Rs. 10,000 voucher from The Postcard Hotel or Rs. 6,000 from Air India. However, the MR points needed for Taj vouchers will increase, meaning cardholders will get less value for their points. While the new options are an improvement, many will miss the Flipkart vouchers and be disappointed by the reduced value for Taj. Cardholders received a short notice about these changes, leaving little time to adapt.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has addressed rumors about his potential future as India's prime minister, stating that politics is not his primary focus. He emphasized his dedication to serving the people of Uttar Pradesh, asserting that he is a Yogi at heart. This statement follows claims by Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut that Prime Minister Narendra Modi may be planning his retirement. While speculation continues regarding Modi's successor, including figures like Amit Shah and Nitin Gadkari, Adityanath remains focused on his role in Uttar Pradesh, indicating that there will be a time frame for his political career.

The Supreme Court has decided not to release YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia’s passport for now. The court stated it will review his request after two weeks, following an investigation into his controversial comments about parents and sex made on a YouTube show. Ranveer, known as BeerBiceps, promised to maintain decency in his content and requested that the passport condition be changed, as it impacts his job. He has also been granted temporary protection from arrest in various FIRs filed against him. Recently, he apologized for his remarks and committed to creating content more responsibly.

Kusha Kapila, a popular influencer turned actor, has launched her shapewear brand, UnderNeat, inspired by Kim Kardashian's successful SKIMS. The brand aims to achieve rapid growth in India’s emerging shapewear market, offering stylish and affordable products priced 30-40% lower than SKIMS. Targeting young adults who shop at brands like H&M and Zivame, UnderNeat promises light-to-medium control shapewear. This venture reflects a rising trend in India where digital creators are transforming their influence into business opportunities. Kapila's launch signals the growing crossover between entertainment and entrepreneurship, following the footsteps of other Indian creators.

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.

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.