LIC Eyes Major Stake in Health Insurance Firm

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.

SEBI Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey has made it clear that any misconduct by market intermediaries regarding client assets will not be accepted. He emphasized the importance of client asset protection to build investor trust in the markets. SEBI is employing advanced technology and data analysis to detect market misconduct, including insider trading and price manipulation. Daily surveillance of secondary market trades and investor complaints help in identifying suspicious activities. With improved investigation and enforcement processes, SEBI is seeing more entities opting for settlements, reflecting a growing confidence in regulatory actions.

Delhi Capitals (DC) celebrated their second win in IPL 2025 by defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in a one-sided match. This victory propelled DC to the second position in the points table, while SRH fell to eighth place after two losses. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) lead the table with two victories and a strong net run rate. Mumbai Indians (MI) are at the bottom, still searching for their first win. Nicholas Pooran from Lucknow Super Giants tops the batting chart, while CSK's Noor Ahmad leads in wickets, showcasing a competitive season ahead.

Haldiram Snacks Food, a well-known Indian snacks and sweets company, is making headlines by selling over 9% of its shares to Temasek, a global investment firm from Singapore. This deal could be worth more than Rs 8,000 crore, valuing Haldirams at around $10 billion. The company is also in talks to sell an additional 6% stake to Alpha Wave Global for over Rs 5,100 crore. This investment will help Haldirams expand its operations in India and abroad, strengthening its position in a growing market. With its rich history and diverse product range, Haldirams continues to attract global attention.

Digital payments in India surged during the Covid-19 lockdown, with UPI transactions skyrocketing from 2.23 billion in 2020 to 16.73 billion by 2024. While UPI has made transactions easier, concerns have arisen about its sustainability, as merchants are pushing for fees due to the zero charge policy. Cash usage unexpectedly remains high, even with more digital options available. Issues like the slow adoption of digital payments among adults and the stagnant growth of UPI highlight challenges in the ecosystem. Innovations exist, but the sector needs a robust business model to thrive, raising questions about the future of digital payments in India.

India has the potential for remarkable economic growth, with projections of reaching a $7 trillion economy by 2030. Kaushik Shaparia, CEO of Deutsche Bank India, emphasizes that growth should focus on inclusive prosperity, not just numbers. Currently, India's economy grows at about 6-6.5%, attracting steady foreign investments, but not at an exponential rate due to global uncertainties and high valuations. The next five years are crucial for India’s economic trajectory. By improving regulations and making it easier for foreign investors, India can enhance its investment landscape and achieve its ambitious goals.

Today, banks across India are closed for Ramzan Eid, with an extended holiday continuing into tomorrow for the annual bank account closing day. This break follows the usual Sunday off. Different states may have specific holidays due to local festivals, adding complexity to the holiday schedule. While the Reserve Bank of India publishes an official holiday list each January, customers should verify their local bank's schedule for 2025. Although banks are closed, customers can still use ATMs and online banking for transactions, but services involving cheques will not be available.

The Indian stock market will be closed on Monday, March 31, to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr. This holiday affects both the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), where trading will not take place. The currency derivatives will also be closed, but the commodity derivatives market will be open in the evening. Eid-ul-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, which is celebrated in India after the crescent moon was sighted. After this holiday, there are three more stock market holidays in April, and the market will resume on April 1.

Gold and silver prices have seen a notable rise in India as of March 31. Gold is currently priced at ₹89,330 per 10 grams for 24 carat and ₹81,886 for 22 carat. On the MCX index, gold stands at ₹88,850, increasing by ₹44 since yesterday. Meanwhile, silver is priced at ₹1,00,770 per kg, with a rise in the last 24 hours. The silver 900 coin costs ₹90,693 per kg, while on the MCX, it has increased by ₹23 to ₹1,00,480 per kg. Investors are advised to check prices in major cities and consult experts before investing.

ChatGPT's new image generation feature is creating a buzz as users rush to transform their photos in the enchanting Studio Ghibli style. While the quality is impressive, users face limitations, with free users allowed only three images, and even paid users having restrictions. In contrast, xAI’s Grok chatbot offers longer limits but with less accuracy. The article outlines a guide to effectively use ChatGPT for creating better images by providing detailed prompts, avoiding ambiguity. A comparison shows that using ChatGPT to generate prompts for Grok yields superior results, capturing details more accurately than Grok alone.

The Prime Minister of Greenland firmly rejected claims by US President Donald Trump that the United States could take control of the island. Greenland, rich in resources and currently a self-governing territory of Denmark, stands resolute in its sovereignty. Jensen-Frederik Nielsen emphasized that Greenlanders decide their own future, dismissing Trump's annexation ideas. This reaction coincided with US Vice President JD Vance's visit, where he raised concerns about Denmark's ability to protect Greenland. Despite Vance's assurances of respecting Greenland’s sovereignty, locals remain uneasy about US intentions. The situation reflects tensions over security and territorial claims, with Greenland asserting its right to self-determination.

Apple is making a significant move in artificial intelligence by planning to completely revamp its Health app, introducing an AI doctor service. CEO Tim Cook believes that healthcare will be Apple's most important contribution to humanity. The new app, known as Project Mulberry, will analyze data collected from various Apple devices and provide personalized health recommendations. Apple's health team is currently training an AI agent using data from in-house doctors and plans to include external doctors as well. With a target release in 2025, this innovation aims to enhance user health experiences while positioning Apple competitively in the AI space.