Author: Aruna Kaim

New Delhi – In a significant move to reassure global investors, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has clarified that investments made before April 1, 2017, will remain exempt from the General Anti-Avoidance Rules (GAAR). The announcement, issued late Tuesday night, aims to provide long-term tax certainty for foreign investors and private equity funds exiting their legacy holdings in India. Key Highlights of the Notification: Grandfathering Clause: Income generated from the transfer of assets acquired before April 1, 2017, is officially “grandfathered,” meaning it stays outside the purview of GAAR. Rule Amendment: The CBDT has amended Rule 128 of…

Singapore/Mumbai — As the conflict in the Middle East severely restricts traditional energy corridors, Asian nations are increasingly turning to Russian crude and refined products to prevent an economic standstill. With the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed, the region’s refiners are facing a “near-total” supply shock, leaving them with little alternative but to look toward Moscow. The Strait of Hormuz Stranglehold The ongoing war involving the US, Israel, and Iran has choked off nearly 20% of global oil production that typically flows through the Strait of Hormuz. This disruption has forced a radical shift in trade routes: Alternative Chokepoints: The…

New Delhi – In a move aimed at boosting domestic manufacturing and supporting businesses within Special Economic Zones (SEZs), the Indian government has announced a temporary reduction in customs duties for SEZ-manufactured goods sold in the Domestic Tariff Area (DTA). According to a government notification issued on Tuesday, the relief is designed to provide a competitive edge to local units amid shifting global trade dynamics. Key Details of the Policy: Reduced Duty Rates: Customs duties for eligible goods will now range between 5% and 12.5% across various industries. Effective Period: The relief is temporary, remaining in effect from April 1,…

Mumbai – Two Gujarat-based companies, Cosmic PV Power and Gujarat Victory Forgings, have filed their Draft Red Herring Prospectuses (DRHP) with the market regulator SEBI to launch their initial public offerings (IPOs). 1. Cosmic PV Power (Surat) The Surat-based solar module manufacturer aims to raise ₹640 crore through its maiden public issue. Fresh Issue: ₹540 crore. Offer for Sale (OFS): ₹100 crore. Objective: The proceeds are expected to be used for expanding manufacturing capacities and general corporate purposes as the renewable energy sector continues to gain investor traction. 2. Gujarat Victory Forgings (Vadodara) The Vadodara-based manufacturer, specializing in non-ferrous metal…

Washington D.C. – President Donald Trump has publicly mocked a recent ultimatum from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which listed 18 American tech and industrial giants—including Apple, Google, and Microsoft—as potential targets for retaliation. The “BB Gun” Exchange During a press interaction at the White House on Tuesday, President Trump dismissed the severity of the Iranian threats. When questioned about the IRGC’s list of corporate targets, Trump responded with characteristic derision: “With what? What did they threaten them with? BB guns? They don’t have much left to threaten.” The President’s comments come amid a high-stakes military standoff following joint…

Mumbai – Indian equity markets roared back to life on Wednesday morning, providing a sharp relief rally after a brutal month of selling. The rebound was fueled by optimistic signals from Washington suggesting an imminent de-escalation of the conflict in Iran, which sparked a global appetite for risk. Market at a Glance The recovery was broad-based, with both major benchmarks gaining nearly 3% in early trade: S&P BSE Sensex: Jumped 1,968.98 points (2.73%) to hit an intraday high of 73,916.53. NSE Nifty 50: Climbed 2.71% to reach 22,937.65. Broad Market: Small-cap and Mid-cap indices outpaced the heavyweights, advancing 3.5% and…

Chennai-based AI solutions provider Intellius Recode Limited has officially filed its Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) with SEBI on March 29, 2026. The company is looking to capitalize on the surging global demand for enterprise automation and “Agentic AI.” The IPO Structure The offering is a mix of fresh capital and an exit for existing investors: Fresh Issue: ₹117 Crore (to be used for growth and R&D). Offer for Sale (OFS): Up to 12.9 lakh equity shares by existing promoters and shareholders. Promoter Stake: Recode Solutions Inc. currently holds an 86.83% stake in the company and is the primary selling…

Shares of major capital market players including BSE, Motilal Oswal Financial Services, Groww, and Angel One rallied up to 8% on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. The surge is primarily attributed to a major regulatory reprieve from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). 1. RBI Defers Stricter Liquidity Norms The primary “good news” is the RBI’s decision to postpone the implementation of stricter liquidity and lending norms for brokers by three months. The Original Deadline: These rules were scheduled to take effect today, April 1, 2026. The New Deadline: The implementation has been pushed back to July 1, 2026. The Impact:…

South Korea’s export economy experienced a historic surge in March 2026, reaching record-breaking levels fueled by an insatiable global appetite for artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Despite escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East driving up energy costs, the nation’s semiconductor sector has provided a robust shield for the broader economy. The AI Boom: A Multi-Decade Export Peak Preliminary trade data reveals that South Korea’s total exports skyrocketed by 48.3% year-on-year, reaching a record $86.13 billion. This performance represents the fastest expansion since 1988, significantly outpacing market forecasts. The primary engine of this growth is the semiconductor industry, which serves as…

Meta is reportedly set to launch two new models of its Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses as early as next week (early April 2026), specifically designed for prescription wearers. While previous versions allowed for prescription lens integration as an “add-on,” these new models—internally codenamed “Scriber” and “Blazer”—represent a first-of-their-kind effort to build and market the hardware specifically for the vision correction demographic Key Details of the Launch Based on recent reports and FCC filings, here is what we know about the upcoming release: Two New Styles: The glasses will debut in rectangular and rounded frame styles, broadening the aesthetic options beyond…