Author: Aruna Kaim

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has issued a significant clarification regarding the regulatory obligations of Asset Management Companies (AMCs) and their subsidiaries when they provide management or advisory services to Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs). The regulator emphasized that these entities must adhere to stringent “broad-based” fund criteria, a move designed to ensure that AIFs are not used to bypass the spirit of mutual fund diversification rules. Key Clarifications from Sebi: Scheme-Level Compliance: Sebi clarified that compliance with diversification and broad-based norms must be assessed at the individual scheme level, rather than the overall fund level. Each AIF…

At a recent microfinance conclave in Mumbai, Sa-Dhan, a leading self-regulatory organization (SRO) for the industry, emphasized that microfinance institutions (MFIs) must continue to uphold strict lending standards. Despite signs of recovery and resilience within the sector, the SRO argues that maintaining these “guardrails” is essential to protect vulnerable borrowers and ensure the industry’s long-term health. Strengthening Responsible Lending The existing guardrails were established to prevent the aggressive over-leveraging that caused significant distress in the sector over the last two years. Key regulations currently in place include: Lender Limits: Restricting a single borrower to a maximum of three lenders. Debt…

Indranil Ghosh, a senior executive at Cerberus Capital Management, has stepped down from his position to join Apollo Global Management. His move marks a significant shift within the private equity landscape, as Apollo continues to strengthen its leadership team by tapping into top-tier talent from rival firms. During his tenure at Cerberus, Ghosh played a pivotal role in managing strategic investments and navigating complex distressed asset portfolios. At Apollo Global, he is expected to take on a senior leadership role, leveraging his expertise in credit and private equity to drive the firm’s expansion efforts in key markets. This transition highlights…

We’ve all been there: you post a witty remark or a heartfelt response on a friend’s Reel, only to realize a split second later that autocorrect has betrayed you. Until now, the only solution was the “shameful delete” and a fresh repost. But as of April 10, 2026, Instagram has officially rolled out a global update that lets you fix those typos on the fly. Following the logic of the DM editing feature introduced in 2024, this new tool is designed for quick fixes—but it comes with a strict set of rules. The “15-Minute” Rule The most important thing to…

In a significant move to safeguard the retirement savings of Indian citizens against skyrocketing medical costs, the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has updated the guidelines for its innovative NPS Swasthya scheme. Issued on April 7, 2026, the new norms under “Proof of Concept 2” (PoC 2) introduce mandatory health insurance integration and a compassionate “full exit” clause for critical medical treatments. Key Update: Mandatory Health Insurance & Top-Ups Subscribers to NPS Swasthya are now required to maintain health insurance coverage as part of the scheme. The Provider: Coverage is currently anchored by Aditya Birla Health Insurance. The…

In a major escalation of the corporate battle over India’s largest conglomerate, Shapoorji Pallonji Mistry, Chairman of the SP Group, has described the public listing of Tata Sons as a “necessary evolution” for the group’s future. His statement, released on April 10, 2026, comes at a critical juncture as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) prepares to unveil a new regulatory framework that could force the $165-billion holding company to go public. The Argument for “Necessary Evolution” Mistry, whose group holds an 18.37% stake in Tata Sons, argued that transitioning from a private to a public entity is not just…

As the diplomatic mission heads to Islamabad, White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett is painting a hopeful—and strategic—picture of the global economy. In a recent interview with Fox Business Network, Hassett suggested that the Strait of Hormuz could return to normal operations within the next two months, paving the way for a major drop in inflation and energy costs by June 2026. The Economic “Domino Effect” Hassett’s projections link the success of the current peace talks directly to the wallets of American consumers. The logic follows a clear sequence: Reopen the Strait: Restore the flow of oil to…

With the eyes of the world turned toward Pakistan, President Donald Trump has signaled a high-stakes turning point in the U.S.-Iran conflict. On Friday, just hours before Vice President JD Vance was set to touch down in Islamabad for critical peace negotiations, Trump took to Truth Social to issue a cryptic but formidable warning: “World’s most powerful reset.” The message serves as a dual-purpose signal: a hope for diplomatic resolution and a promise of unprecedented military force should those talks collapse. Diplomacy Under the Shadow of Force While the White House has framed the Saturday summit in Islamabad as an…

Shapoorji Pallonji (SP) Group chairman Shapoorji Pallonji Mistry has intensified his campaign for a public listing of Tata Sons, calling it a “necessary evolution” for India’s largest conglomerate. This push comes at a critical juncture as Tata Sons faces a ticking regulatory clock from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). 1. The Core Arguments: Governance vs. Tradition Mistry’s stance centers on transforming Tata Sons from a private holding company into a transparent, publicly accountable entity. Value Unlocking: The SP Group holds an 18.37% stake in Tata Sons. A listing would provide a clear market valuation for this holding and offer…

In a major push to modernize India’s financial infrastructure, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued a final circular mandating that all cross-border inward remittances be credited to beneficiary accounts on the same business day. This move is designed to bridge the massive efficiency gap between India and other advanced economies, ensuring that the $135 billion flowing into the country annually reaches people faster. The “Nostro” Bottleneck: Why it Used to be Slow Historically, banks waited until the end of the day to check their “Nostro” accounts (bank accounts held in a foreign country in that country’s currency). They…