follow us:
Sensex fell 2,497 points and Nifty dropped 776 points as oil prices surged above $115 and HDFC Bank faced turmoil. Investors lost ₹14 lakh crore in a broad sell-off across banking, IT, auto, and finance sectors. Rising Middle East tensions, crude shocks, and weak global cues fueled volatility, which may continue in the near term.
The Sensex and Nifty opened at fresh record levels in early trade on Thursday, March 19, 2025. The Sensex started trading today at 74993.87, down at 1,710.26 points or 2.23%, and the Nifty was at 23261.85, down at 515.95 points or 2.17%. Meanwhile, the Indian rupee was trading today at 92.29 against the dollar.
The Indian rupee weakened by 23 paise, closing at a record low of ₹92.63 against the US dollar. The depreciation reflects ongoing forex market volatility, weak global cues, and strengthening of the greenback. Traders cited inflation concerns and rising crude prices as contributing factors. Economists say persistent pressure may influence import costs and inflation.
The ongoing Iran–US–Israel conflict is disrupting global supply chains, which may drive up medicine prices in India. Rising freight costs, higher raw material expenses, and shipping delays through the Strait of Hormuz threaten pharmaceutical imports and production. Experts warn these pressures could increase costs for essential drugs if tensions persist.
Indian markets closed higher on March 18, 2026, with Sensex up 633 points at 76,704 and Nifty50 rising 197 points to 23,778. IT, realty, and media stocks led gains, while metals lagged. Broader markets outperformed, with MidCap and SmallCap indices climbing. Investors await the US Federal Reserve’s policy update amid geopolitical tensions.
Russian oil tankers originally headed to China are rerouting to India amid global turmoil caused by ongoing conflict and supply disruptions. Reports say several vessels changed course as India ramped up imports to secure energy needs. The shift reflects Indian’s increasing purchases to offset reduced supplies from traditional Middle Eastern sources.
A 24×7 LPG gas ATM has been launched in Gurugram, allowing consumers to purchase cylinders anytime without waiting for delivery. The vending machine system aims to improve convenience and reduce delays in LPG access. Officials say the initiative modernizes fuel distribution and could expand to other cities, ensuring faster, easier availability for households.
India’s semiconductor market, currently USD 45-50 billion, is set to nearly triple to USD 120 billion by 2030 and reach USD 300 billion by 2035, driven by AI, automotive growth, data centers, and electronics manufacturing. Local production is expected to meet over 60% of domestic demand, reducing reliance on imports above 90%, says Deloitte.
The Sensex and Nifty opened at fresh record levels in early trade on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. The Sensex started trading today at 76,477, up 405 points, or 0.53%, and the Nifty was at 23,702, up 121 points, or 0.25%. Meanwhile, the Indian rupee was trading today at 92.42 against the dollar.
A debate has emerged in India about allowing married couples to file joint tax returns. Proponents argue it could simplify compliance and reduce tax burden for dual‑income households. Critics say it may complicate returns and benefit only certain earners. Experts suggest detailed analysis before policy changes, considering revenue impact, and administrative feasibility.
Indian markets extended a two-day rally on March 17, 2026. Sensex gained 568 points to 76,070, while Nifty50 rose 172 points to 23,581. Tata Steel, Mahindra & Mahindra, and Eternal led gains. Metal and auto sectors outperformed, while IT and FMCG lagged. MidCap and SmallCap indices also closed higher, signaling broad market recovery.
The Sensex and Nifty opened at fresh record levels in early trade on Tuesday, March 17, 2025. The Sensex started trading today at 75716.56, up at 213.71 points or 0.28%, and the Nifty was at 23478.35, up at 69.55 points or 0.30%. Meanwhile, the Indian rupee was trading today at 92.44 against the dollar.
The Centre told Parliament that about 69 lakh pensioners receive benefits under the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), while only 49,802 pensioners are enrolled under the National Pension System (NPS), showing a large disparity between the two systems. About 50.14 lakh central government employees are currently in service.
Amid the ongoing Iran war and disrupted maritime routes, India successfully got two Indian‑flagged LPG tankers to transit the Strait of Hormuz after diplomatic talks between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Iranian counterparts. Tehran allowed their passage despite broader closures, highlighting India’s diplomatic engagement to ensure safe maritime movement.
Indian equity markets rebounded after a three-day slump, led by auto and banking stocks. The Sensex rose 939 points (1.26%) to 75,502.85, while the Nifty50 gained 257.70 points (1.11%) to 23,408.80. Broader markets lagged, with MidCap and SmallCap indices declining. Sector-wise, auto and financials outperformed, while realty underperformed peers.