Category Archives: Economy Snapshot

General News

• India celebrates its 75th Independence Day; PM Modi announces ₹100 lakh crore Gatishakti plan for holistic growth and National Hydrogen Mission.
• PM Modi declares August 14 to be observed as Partition Horrors Remembrance Day.
• Parliament session ends 2 days ahead of schedule; 22 Bills passed by both the Houses.
• Rajya Sabha records 29% productivity and Lok Sabha records 22%.
• President Kovind gives assent to Constitutional Amendment Bill allowing States to identify OBCs.
• India COVID tally touches 32.8 million, active cases account to 1.14% of total infections.
• India administers over 65.41 crore doses of COVID vaccination; recovery rate stands at 97.49%.
• Centre releases 2nd tranche of COVID Emergency Package to help states improve health infrastructure.
• DGCI approves study on mixing of Covaxin and Covishield doses; trial to involve 300 volunteers.
• Johnson and Johnson’s single-dose COVID vaccine gets approval for Emergency Use in India.
• Many states announce COVID relaxation measures; schools, colleges , cinema halls set to reopen.
• Kerala govt reimposes Sunday lockdown, announces night curfew from 10pm to 6am from August 30.
• India, China agree to disengage from a key patrol point in Ladakh.
• Bhubaneswar becomes first Indian city to achieve 100% COVID-19 vaccination.
• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launches 5th edition of Defence India Startup Challenge.
• DRDO develops technology to safeguard fighter aircraft from radar threats.
• Indian and Chinese Armies establish hotline for Sikkim sector.
• ISRO’s GSLV fails to put EOS-3 into orbit after cryogenic stage glitch.
• PM Modi launches Ujjwala 2.0 in UP, 1 crore additional LPG connections for low-income families.
• Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel announces 4 new districts, 18 tehsils on Independence Day.
• Tamil Nadu Budget: Petrol price reduced by ₹3; ₹257.16 crore allotted for healthcare at doorstep scheme.
• CM Jagan Mohan Reddy launches ₹4,500 crore Naadu-Nedu-2 to give fillip to 16,000 schools in Andhra.
• Karnataka becomes first state to issue order on implementation of National Education Policy 2020.
• Delhi CM Kejriwal inaugurates India’s first-ever Smog Tower in Connaught Place to improve air quality
• No govt jobs, passport clearances for those involved in stone-pelting, other crimes: J&K govt.
• Nagaland political parties agree to set up all-party government to resolve Naga conflict.
• Delhi Government, International Baccalaureate Board sign MoU for Delhi Board of School Education.
• Indore declared as the first ‘water plus’ city of India under the Swachh Survekshan 2021.
• India’s highest altitude herbal park inaugurated near Indo-China border in Uttarakhand.
• Govt need not disclose anything that compromises national security: SC on Pegasus snooping row.
• Calcutta HC orders CBI, SIT probe into West Bengal post poll violence.
• Former Congress MP from Assam Sushmita Dev joins TMC in presence of senior leader Abhishek Banerjee.
• Prashant Kishor quits as Punjab Chief Minister’s principal advisor.
• Former Uttar Pradesh CM Kalyan Singh passes away after prolonged illness.
• Global Coronavirus cases exceeds 218.5 million; U.S. hits daily average of 100,000 hospitalizations.
• WHO calls for halt on booster shot of vaccines to ensure wider coverage in poor countries.
• UK regulator approves Moderna COVID-19 shot for 12 to 17-year-olds.
• UAE approves Sinopharm’s COVID vaccine for children aged three and over.
• Australia expands lockdown amid virus spread fears.
• Japan extends COVID-19 “state of emergency” lockdown through mid-September.
• New Zealand moved into a snap three-day lockdown, after 1st COVID case in 6 months.
• President Ashraf Ghani flees Afghanistan, Taliban seize Presidential Palace.
• Taliban announce ‘amnesty’ for govt officials, urges women to join government.
• ISIS-K claims responsibility for Kabul airport blasts; U.S. drone strike destroys Its car bomb in Kabul.
• Countries officially end their evacuation mission; over hundred thousand people flown out of the country.
• UNSC adopts resolution on Afghanistan; demands territory not be used to attack other countries.
• US Senate narrowly passes Biden’s $3.5 trillion budget plan.
• US Vice President Kamala Harris begins Asia Trip amid Afghan crisis.
• Iran swears in new hard-line president Ebrahim Raisi amid regional tension
• Canada PM Justin Trudeau calls snap election on September 20 to retake a majority in Parliament.
• Mexico and US vow to expand cooperation to address immigration in high-level talks.
• Malaysia PM Muhyiddin Yassin resigns after losing majority; King appoints Ismail Sabri as Prime Minister.
• Myanmar army chief General Min Aung Hlaing appoints himself Prime Minister, promises election by 2023.
• Tokyo Olympics: India finishes 48th, best in four decades; 33rd in terms of terms of overall medals won.
• USA tops medal table with 113 medals (39 Golds), followed by China 38 Golds, Japan (27) and Britain (22).
• Odisha Govt extends its sponsorship of Indian National hockey teams by another 10 years.
• Tokyo Paralympics: Shooter Avani Lekhara wins Gold; Sumit Antil wins Gold, breaks world record thrice.
• India’s medal tally rises to 10 with 2 Gold, 5 Silver and 3 Bronze.
• Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award renamed after Hockey Great Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.
• ENG vs IND: England beat India in 3rd Test by an innings and 76 runs to level 5-match series 1-1.
• ICC T20 World Cup 2021 scheduled from Oct 17 to Nov 14; India to face Pakistan on Oct 24.
• ICC Test Rankings: Kohli slips to fifth, Bumrah rises to ninth spot.
• World Athletics U20 Championships: India clinch Bronze in 4x400m Mixed Relay.
• Lionel Messi signs 2-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain after leaving Barcelona.
• Cristiano Ronaldo leaves Juventus, returns to Manchester United after 12-years.

Business News

• Cabinet approves Amendments to LLP and Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation Bills.
• Government amends FEMA to enable FDI hike in insurance sector to 74%.
• Taxation Laws Amendment Bill passed to nullify retro tax.
• Cabinet approves National Mission on Edible Oils with outlay of ₹11,040 crore.
• Finance minister launches ‘Ubharte Sitaare’ scheme for export oriented MSMEs.
• Centre announces asset monetisation plan to raise ₹6 lakh crore by 2025.
• PM Modi launches e-RUPI: India’s new purpose-specific digital payment solution.
• Govt launches web portal, mobile app to make skill development schemes accessible.
• Govt launches e-SHRAM portal to maintain database of 38 crore unorganised sector workers.
• PM Modi transfers ₹19,509 crore directly to accounts of 9.75 crore farmers under PM-KISAN scheme.
• Govt introduces new registration mark “Bharat series (BH-series)” to facilitate seamless transfer of vehicles.
• Aviation ministry passes Drone Rules, 2021; slashes fees, eases rules of using drones in India.
• DGCA extends suspension of international flights till September 30.
• DGCA allows Boeing 737 MAX aircraft to fly 30 months after global ban.
• Tourism Ministry signs MOU with MakeMyTrip, Ibibo to strengthen hospitality industry.
• Govt launches ‘Samridh’ schemes to support 300 start-ups for creating 100 unicorns.
• RBI keeps policy rate unchanged for 7th time in a row; repo retained at 4%.
• ICICI Bank files ₹563 crore fraud case against Karvy Stock Broking.
• SEBI bars Kotak AMC from launching new fixed maturity plan for 6 months.
• India, World Bank sign $250 million project to make existing dams safe and resilient.
• RBI partially lifts ban on HDFC Bank, allows it to sell new credit cards.
• Glenmark Life Sciences, Rolex Rings, Devyani International, Windlas Biotech, Exxaro Tiles, Krsnaa Diagnostics, CarTrade Tech, Nuvoco Vistas, Chemplast Sanmar, Aptus Value Housing Finance make their market debuts.
• IT Ministry empanels Oracle as cloud infrastructure solutions provider.
• Cognizant acquires a digital engineering firm Hunter Technical Resources, its sixth acquisition in 2021.
• HCL Tech signs contract with Munich Re for digital workplace services in 40 countries.
• Govt approves Bharat Biotech’s manufacturing facility in Gujarat’s Ankleshwar for production of Covaxin.
• Wockhardt inks pact with RDIF’s subsidiary Enso Healthcare to produce, supply Sputnik vaccine.
• Serum Institute buys 50% stake in country’s largest vial maker Schott Kaisha.
• Zydus Cadila’s needle-free Covid-19 vaccine, ZyCoV-D, gets approval in India.
• Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine becomes first to win FDA’s full approval.
• Glenmark, Canadia’s SaNOtize inks pact to produce, market anti-COVID-19 nasal spray.
• Nitin Gadkari asks automakers to offer six airbags as standard in cars, SUVs.
• Centre exempts battery-operated vehicles from RC issue, renewal fees.
• Renault-Nissan ordered to pay additional wages, despite warning India unit could become ‘unviable’.
• Maruti Suzuki & Toyota Jointly Developing Hybrid Cars For India.
• Great Wall Motor to shift some India investment to Brazil after approval delays.
• Tesla gets approval for four models from India’s testing agencies.
• Yahoo shuts down news sites in India over FDI regulations.
• 75 Vande Bharat trains to connect different parts of country in 75 weeks of ‘Amrit Mahotsav’.
• Centre raises caps on domestic airfares by 9.83% – 12.82%.
• First direct flight operations flagged off on Imphal – Shillong route under UDAN.
• Tata Sons, Singapore International Airlines invest ₹750 crore in Vistara.
• Lockheed Martin gets $328.8 million contract to maintain IAF’s C-130J transport fleet.
• Twitter has ‘prima facie’ complied with new IT Rules: Centre tells Delhi HC.
• Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn secure Afghan users’ accounts amid Taliban takeover.
• Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic restarts space-trip sales at $450,000 and up.
• China passes major data protection law as regulatory scrutiny on tech sector intensifies.
• Amazon India’s top seller, Cloudtail to cease ops from May 2022.
• PayPal launches cryptocurrency trading in the UK.
• Prosus acquires Indian payments giant BillDesk for $4.7 billion, will merge with its PayU fintech group.
• Supreme Court stalls ₹24,713-crore Future-Reliance deal, says arbitrator’s award enforceable in India.
• Delhivery inks $200 million deal to acquire rival Spoton Logistics.
• ShareChat and Moj in multi-year music licensing deal with T-Series.
• Spotify expands its Music+Talk show format to 15 new markets including India.
• India jumps to 48 rank in Global Innovation Index amid record patent grants, trademark registrations.
• CoinDCX becomes India’s first crypto exchange to hit unicorn status, raises $90 million led by B Capital.
• N K Singh succeeds Dr ManMohan Singh as President of the Institute of Economic Growth Society.
• Mini Ipe takes charge as new Managing Director of LIC ahead of proposed IPO.
• Vinod Dasari resigns as Royal Enfield CEO & ED; COO B Govindarajan to take charge as ED.
• Eicher board re-appoints Siddhartha Lal as MD with revised remuneration package.
• Adi Godrej to step down as Godrej Industries’ chairman; Nadir Godrej to take over.

Q1 Results

• SBI reports highest-ever quarterly net profit of ₹6,504 crore in Q1, NII rose 3.7% to ₹27,638 crore.
• Bank of Baroda posts net profit of ₹1,208 crore in Q1; NII rises 16% to ₹7,892 crore.
• HDFC Q1 net profit dips to ₹3,001 crore; NII rises 22% YoY to ₹4,147 crore.
• Ashok Leyland loss narrows to ₹282 crore in Q1; revenue grows to ₹2,951 crore.
• Hero MotoCorp Q1 net declines 72% QoQ to ₹249 crore, revenue declined by 37% at ₹5,503 crore.
• Zomato Q1 net loss widens to ₹356 crore; consolidated revenue rises to ₹844 crore.
• Voda Idea Q1 net loss widens to ₹7312.9 crore; Revenue fell 4.7% QoQ to ₹9,152.3 crore.
• ONGC Q1 Net profit soars 772% to ₹4,335 crore, Gross revenue rose 77% to ₹23,022 crore.

General News

• Monsoon session of Parliament: Both houses face repeated adjournments over Pegasus, farm laws.
• All citizens aged 18 and above to be vaccinated by December 2021: Health Ministry tells Parliament
• 36 new ministers take charge after Cabinet revamp; 7 promoted, 12 ministers dropped.
• PM Modi offers India’s Co-WIN platform to the world for adaptation to local use.
• India COVID tally touches 31.6 million, 470 million vaccine doses administered so far.
• Active cases account for 1.28% of total infections; recovery rate improves to 97.34%.
• Global Coronavirus caseload crosses 198.5 million; US cases surpass 35.7 million.
• PM Modi inaugurates, lays foundation stones of projects worth over ₹1,500 crore in Varanasi.
• Tirath Singh Rawat tenders resignation as CM of Uttarakhand; Pushkar Singh Dhami takes oath as CM.
• Union Minister Thawarchand made Karnataka Governor; 7 other States get new Governors.
• Basavaraj Bommai sworn in as the 30th Chief Minister of Karnataka.
• S Jaishankar holds delegation level talks with Iranian, Russian and Georgian couterparts.
• S Jaishankar discusses outstanding issues along the LAC in the Western Sector with China’s Wang Yi.
• US Secretary of State Blinken meets PM Modi, discusses regional challenges, cooperation on COVID.
• President Kovind visits J&K, Ladakh; pays tributes to Kargil martyrs at war memorial in Baramulla.
• Navjot Singh Sidhu named Punjab Congress Chief with 4 working Presidents.
• YS Sharmila launches her political party, named ‘YSR Telangana Party’.
• Puri takes out Lord Jagannath’s Rath Yatra without devotees amid COVID-19.
• Phones of 50,000 people targeted using Pegasus spyware; includes over 40 Indian journalists, politicians.
• Timeline for Aadhar linking with ration card extended upto Sept 30.
• Two explosive devices dropped from a suspected drone on the Indian Air Force Station in Jammu.
• US Navy hands over first two MH-60R multi role helicopters to India.
• Fresh batch of 3 Rafale fighter jets land in India after flying 7,000 km non-stop from France.
• DRDO successfully test-fires new-generation Akash surface-to-air missile.
• GAVI signs COVID-19 vaccine supply deals with Sinovac, Sinopharm for COVAX.
• UNICEF inks deal to supply of 220 million COVID vaccine doses for African Union member states.
• United Arab Emirates becomes the world’s most vaccinated nation, vaccinates 72.1% of its population.
• Brazil suspends decision to import four million doses of India-made Covaxin..
• UK achieves its July-end vaccination goal, govt says all adults offered one jab.
• Over half of Europe’s adult population ‘fully vaccinated’ against COVID-19: EU.
• 17 European countries approve Covishield for ‘Green Pass’.
• Newly-elected Nepal PM Sher Bahadur Deuba wins vote of trust in Parliament.
• President Joe Biden signs three bills to overturn Trump-era rules.
• President Biden hosts Chancellor Merkel at White House in her final visit to US as head of the state
• Joe Biden, Iraq’s PM Mustafa al-Kadhimi seal agreement to end U.S. combat mission in Iraq.
• US troops leave Afghanistan’s Bagram airfield after nearly two decades.
• Taliban delegation meets Chinese Foreign Minister, discusses current Afghan situation.
• North, South Korea agree to restore severed communication links as leaders seek to rebuild ties.
• Melbourne joins Sydney in lockdown as COVID-19 spreads in Australia.
• Unprecedented heatwave claims as many as 500 people in Western Canada.
• NASA awards $178 million Jupiter moon mission contract to Elon Musk’s SpaceX.
• Tokyo Olympics: Mary Kom, hockey captain Manpreet Singh India’s flagbearers at opening ceremony.
• Mirabai Chanu wins silver, opens India’s medal account on Day 1.
• Boxer Lovlina Borgohain assures second medal for India.
• Women’s hockey: India beat South Africa 4-3 to keep quarterfinals hopes alive.
• Kamalpreet finishes 2nd in discus qualification to make finals.
• Brisbane picked to host 2032 Olympics without a rival bid.
• India Tour of Sri Lanka: India won the ODI series 2-1 ; Sri Lanka defeats India to clinch T20I series 2-1.
• Dhawan 10th Indian to score 6000 ODI runs, completes 10,000 runs as Opener in International cricket.
• ENG-W beat IND-W England wins series 2-1.
• New Zealand’s Devon Conway and England’s Sophie Ecclestone named ICC Players of the month for June.
• ICC announces new points system for 2nd edition of WTC, Teams to be ranked on percentage of points won.
• BCCI announces schedule for remainder of VIVO IPL 2021 in UAE, MI to face CSK on September 19.
• Ashleigh Barty wins maiden Wimbledon women’s title, Novak Djokovic wins his 6th Wimbledon title.
• Argentina beat Brazil 1-0 to win Copa America, 1st major title in 28 yrs.
• Euro 2020 Final: Italy beat England 3-2 on penalties in London to win their second European Championship.

Business News

• Lok Sabha passes Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill 2021.
• Cabinet approves BharatNet implementation strategy across 16 states through PPP Model.
• Cabinet approves amendment to Limited Liability Partnership Act, 12 offences to be decriminalised.
• Government announces inclusion of Retail and Wholesale trades as MSMEs.
• Centre releases ₹75,000 crore to states and UTs, nearly half of FY22 GST compensation shortfall.
• Centre approves ₹6,322 crore PLI scheme for specialty steel; to create 5.25 lakh jobs.
• Nitin Gadkari inaugurates country’s first LNG facility plant at Nagpur.
• 8 new routes to boost regional aerial connectivity from MP to Maharashtra, Gujarat.
• 59 airports including 2 water aerodromes and 5 heliports operationalized under RCS-UDAN.
• Odisha CM inaugurates Tata Consumer Products’ ₹100 crore tea packaging plant in Gopalpur.
• CBDT extends e-filing of IT Forms 15CA,15CB till 15th August.
• RBI bars Mastercard from adding customers in India from July 22.
• India Pesticides, Zomato, Clean Science, GR Infraprojects, Tatva Chintan make their market debuts.
• Govt to procure 66 crore doses of Covishield, Covaxin at ₹205 and ₹215 per dose, respectively.
• Bharat Biotech commits to supply 500 million doses of Covaxin to Centre for immunisation programme.
• Covaxin offers 93.4% protection from severe COVID, 65.2% immunity against Delta variant.
• MSN Labs, BDR Pharma, Bajaj Healthcare get license deal with DRDO for COVID-19 drug 2-DG.
• Dr Reddy’s soft launches Sputnik V vaccine in 50 cities including Delhi and Mumbai.
• India’s Morepen manufactures first test batch of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine.
• Govt caps trade margin for pulse oximeter, BP monitoring machine, 3 other medical devices.
• NPPA allows 50% price hike for ibuprofen, ranitidine, carbamazepine.
• Maharashtra unveils new EV policy, increases subsidies; aims 10% share in total registrations by 2025.
• Rajasthan announces subsidies for e-2W, e-3W buyers.
• Maruti Suzuki India lines up ₹18,000 crore investment for new manufacturing plant in Haryana.
• Ashok Leyland to invest up to $200 million in EVs via Switch Mobility.
• Tata Motors launches new brand ‘XPRES’ for fleet customers.
• Daimler, Volvo and Traton plan $600 million truck-charging JV.
• Alibaba Backed AutoX Achieves True Driverless Robot Taxi Service In China.
• Ola opens bookings for electric scooter at ₹499; receives 1 lakh reservations in the first 24 hours.
• Ola Electric signs $100 million long-term loan with Bank of Baroda.
• Ceat to invest about ₹1,000 crore capital expenditure for various expansion projects this fiscal year.
• OPEC+ meets to agree oil supply boost as prices rise.
• Zurich airport signs shareholder agreement with NIAL for development of Noida airport.
• Billionaire Richard Branson reaches Space, safely returns to Earth.
• Blue Origin’s first passenger Spaceflight with jeff Bezos & crew successfully complete historic space launch.
• Centre inks MoUs with Microsoft, Amazon, Patanjali for farm data project.
• HCL Technologies selected as a strategic launch partner for Microsoft cloud for Financial Services.
• IBM signs 10-year partnership with Bangalore International Airport for digital transformation.
• TCS enters pact with OTT platform SonyLIV as its technology partner.
• Vijay Mallya declared bankrupt by UK High Court for Indian bank to realise debt.
• Facebook submits compliance report as directed by new IT Law.
• WhatsApp puts privacy policy on hold till data protection bill comes into force.
• Cairn Energy secures French court order to seize 20 Indian government properties.
• Kitex group enters into ₹1,000 crore investment deal in Telangana, to set up factories in Warangal district.
• Adani Group takes over Mumbai airport management, now controls 33% of India’s air cargo traffic.
• World Bank deployed $157 billion to fight pandemic in 15 months.
• IMF approves policy reforms to support recovery of low-income nations.
• Asian Development Bank lowers India’s economic growth forecast for this fiscal to 10% from 11%.
• 130 countries agree to Biden-backed 15% global minimum tax for companies.
• G20 approves global corporate tax rate of at least 15%.
• US Senate passes bill to ban all imports from China’s Xinjiang over allegations of rights abuse.
• Pentagon cancels $10 billion Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure contract given to Microsoft.
• Salesforce finalizes $27.7 billion Slack acquisition.
• Verizon Business signs 5G contactless payment deal with Mastercard.
• Byju’s acquires Epic for $500 million; buys Great Learning for $600 million.
• Airtel Business, Cisco partner for connectivity solutions for enterprises.
• •OYO raises $660 million term loan funding from global institutional investors.
• Govt approves up to ₹15,000 crore FDI investment proposal from Voda Idea.
• Reliance Retail acquires majority stake of 66.95% stake in Just Dial for ₹3,497 crore.
• EU fines Volkswagen, BMW $1.036 billion in for emissions cartel.
• France fines Google $593 million over copyright row.
• India’s ranking jumps to 90.32% in 2021 in UN Global Survey on Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation.
• RBI clears Shyam Srinivasan’s reappointment as Federal Bank MD & CEO for 3 years.
• Shiv Nadar resigns as MD of HCL, named Chairman Emeritus; C Vijayakumar, President & CEO named MD.
• Kenneth Juster named advisor to Global Board of US India Business Council.
• Jeff Bezos to hand over the job of Amazon chief executive on July 5 to Andy Jassy.
• Aditya Ghosh to join as co-founder Rakesh Jhunjhunwala’s Akasa Airlines

Q1 Results

• Reliance Industries Q1 Profit after tax jumps 67% YoY to ₹13,806 crore, revenue at ₹1.44 lakh crore.
• HDFC Bank Q1 profit rises 14% to ₹7,922 crore, NII rose 14% to ₹17,009 crore, GNPA up at 1.47%.
• ICICI Bank Q1 Net profit rises 78% YoY to ₹4,616 crore as provisions fall; NII rose 18% to ₹10,936 crore.
• Kotak Mahindra Bank Q1 Net profit rises 32% YoY to ₹1,642 crore, NII rose 6% to ₹3,942.
• IndusInd Bank Q1 net profit doubled to ₹1,016 crore, NII increased 8% to ₹3,564 crore.
• Maruti Suzuki Q1 net profit rose to ₹440.8 crore, revenue soars 333% to ₹17,770.7 crore.
• TCS Q1 Profit rises 29% YoY to ₹9,008 crore, revenue at ₹45,411 crore, approves ₹7/share dividend.
• Infosys Q1 Profit rises to Rs 5,195 crore, revenue climbs to Rs 27,896 crore
• Wipro Q1 net profit rises 9% QoQ to ₹3,243 crore, revenues rises 12.4% to ₹18,252 crore.
• HCL Tech Q1 PAT rises by 9% to ₹3,214 crore, revenue at ₹20,068 crore; declares ₹6/share dividend.
• Tech Mahindra Q1 profit jumps 39% YoY to ₹1,353 crore, revenue grew 11.98% YoY at ₹10,197.6 crore.
• Tata Motors Q1 Consolidated net loss narrows to ₹4,451 crore, revenue up 108% YoY at ₹66,406 crore.
• Hindustan Unilever Q1 net profit rises 9.6% to ₹2,061 crore, revenue rose 12.8% to ₹11,915 crore.
• ITC Q1 profit rises 28.6% YoY to ₹3,013.5 crore, revenue jumps 36.4% to ₹12,959 crore.

General News

• India COVID tally touches 30.4 million, 335 million vaccine doses administered so far.
• Active cases account for 1.70% of total infections; recovery rate improves to 96.94%.
• Global Coronavirus caseload crosses 182.9 million; Brazil death toll surpasses 5.18 million.
• Centre begins next phase of nation wide COVID 19 vaccination drive to all above 18 years of age.
• Centre submits vaccination roadmap to SC, says entire population will get jabbed by the end of 2021
• •₹780 for Covishield , ₹1,410 for Covaxin and ₹1,145 for Sputnik V: Centre fixes rates at private centres.
• Many States and UTs announce more lockdown relaxations as virus cases continue to dip.
• PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana: Govt extends free foodgrains scheme till Nov for 80 crore beneficiaries.
• Rajnath Singh approves budgetary support of nearly ₹499 crore for innovations in defence sector.
• India, China discuss ‘early resolution’, agree to hold 12th military talks.
• India, Kuwait sign pact for cooperation on recruitment of Indian workers.
• India calls for open & inclusive order in Indo Pacific region: Rajnath Singh at ASEAN meet.
• India and Bhutan ink MoU for developing cooperation in area of environment.
• S Jaishankar attends G20 ministerial meetings in Italy.
• Thousands of farmers march against Farm laws, mark seven months of protests.
• 5 Ministers, including first woman in decades, take oath in Puducherry Cabinet.
• Amarnath Yatra cancelled for second consecutive year due to COVID 19 pandemic.
• Restoration of statehood, election among 5 demands raised during PM’s meet with J&K’s leaders.
• Tradition, technology India’s greatest strengths: PM Modi at Toycathon 2021.
• Anup Chandra Pandey, former UP Chief Secretary, appointed as new Election Commissioner.
• Aam Aadmi Party to contest all 182 seats in 2022 Gujarat assembly polls.
• Akali Dal announces alliance with BSP for Punjab Assembly elections 2022.
• BJP leader Mukul Roy, son Subhrangshu rejoin TMC in presence of Mamata Banerjee.
• Pashupati Kumar Paras elected unopposed as national president of LJP.
• CBSE submits Class 12 evaluation scheme before Supreme Court; says results by July 31.
• Flying Sikh Milkha Singh dies of COVID complications cremated with full state honours.
• BRICS Foreign Ministers agree on COVID 19 vaccine IPR waiver.
• EU, UK slap new sanctions on entities, individuals related to Myanmar military coup.
• NSAs of member countries pledge to unite against terrorism, radicalism at SCO meet, Tajikistan.
• G 7 summit ends with commitment on vaccines, climate change.
• US outlines plan to send 55 million vaccine doses globally; 16 million earmarked for Asia.
• Ex officer Derek Chauvin gets 22.5 years in prison for George Floyd’s death.
• Delta variant now reported in 85 countries globally, expected to become dominant lineage: WHO.
• WHO clears second Chinese COVID vaccine Sinovac for wider global use.
• More Australian cities under lockdown as COVID 19 Delta variant outbreak continues.
• Antonio Guterres re elected as UN Secretary General for 2nd five year term.
• Pakistan adopts ICJ ordinance allowing Kulbhushan Jadhav to appeal conviction.
• US to buy 500 million Pfizer COVID vaccines to share with 92 lower income countries, African union.
• USCIS reverses Trump era policy denying certain immigrant visa applications.
• US Russia summit: Joe Biden, Vladimir Putin discuss ambassadors, nuclear weapons, cybersecurity.
• US President Joe Biden meets Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, CEO Abdullah at White House.
• UK PM Boris Johnson delays COVID lockdown end by 4 more weeks to July 19.
• Hard line judiciary chief Ebrahim Raisi registers win in Iran’s presidential election.
• Myanmar military junta charges Aung San Suu Kyi with corruption.
• Naftali Bennett sworn in as Israel’s new Prime Minister, ending Netanyahu’s 12 year rule.
• Israel launches new airstrikes on Gaza in response to incendiary balloons.
• FATF keeps Pakistan on ‘Enhanced Follow up List’, asks it to work on terror financing measures.
• Three astronauts blast off for China’s new Tiangong Space Station.
• Asian Boxing Championships: India finishes 4 th with 2 Gold, 5 Silver and 8 Bronze.
• 108 Indian athletes across 17 sporting categories have so far qualified for Tokyo Olympics.
• French Open: Czech’s Barbora Krejcikova wins maiden title; Novak Djokovic wins 19th Grand Slam title.
• New Zealand beat India by 8 wickets to win inaugural ICC World Test Championship title.
• UEFA EURO 2020: Switzerland, Spain, Belgium, Italy, Czech, Denmark, Ukraine and England in quarterfinals.
• Sunil Chhetri overtakes Messi to become 2nd highest international goal scorer.
• Cristiano Ronaldo becomes joint top scorer in men’s international football.

Business News

• Nirmala Sitharaman announces ₹6.28 lakh crore stimulus package to boost COVID affected sectors.
• ₹23,220 crore earmarked for healthcare infrastructure; first five lakh tourist visas will be issued free of cost
• Measures include ₹1.1 lakh crore loan guarantee scheme and additional ₹1.5 lakh crore under ECLGS.
• Parliamentary panel directs Facebook, Google to comply with new IT rules, court orders.
• Govt extends ban on international passenger flights till July 31, air bubble pacts to continue.
• Government proposes stricter e commerce norms to tackle unfair trade practices.
• Govt announces ₹12,195 crore PLI Scheme for telecom & Networking equipment.
• Centre releases revenue deficit grant of ₹9,871 crore to 17 states.
• Govt asks ministries, departments to cut ‘controllable’ expenditure by 20%.
• Govt simplifies registration process for MSMEs, only need to furnish PAN and Aadhaar to register.
• MCA raises threshold turnover and borrowing limits in definition of small and medium companies.
• PAN Aadhaar linking deadline extended by 3 months to 30 September.
• Govt extends validity of fitness, registration, driving licence & all permits till Sep 30, 2021.
• Gold hallmarking becomes mandatory with several exemptions.
• RBI leaves key rates unchanged, cuts FY22 GDP growth to 9.5% from 10.5%.
• RBI opens liquidity window of ₹15,000 crore for contact intensive sectors.
• Shyam Metalics , Sona Comstar , Dodla Dairy make their market debuts.
• SEBI halts PNB Housing Finance’s ₹4,000 crore deal with Carlyle Group.
• Centrum BharatPe gets RBI nod to take over crisis ridden Punjab and Maharashtra Co operative Bank.
• SBI General Insurance enters into bancassurance tie up with IDFC First Bank.
• India receives $64 billion FDI in 2020, fifth largest recipient of inflows in world: UN.
• Income tax department launches new e filing portal www.incometax.gov.in.
• Eli Lilly gets DCGI emergency use approval for COVID 19 antibody cocktail drug.
• Subject Expert Committee approves Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin phase 3 efficacy data, 77.8% efficacy shown.
• Serum Institute seeks test licence from DCGI to manufacture COVID vaccine Sputnik V.
• Serum Institute starts production of Novavax’s COVID 19 vaccine Covovax.
• Dr Reddy’s announces commercial launch of anti Covid drug 2DG.
• Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Lee Pharma signs agreement for production of 2 DG COVID drug.
• Sputnik V rollout: Dr Reddy’s partners with Manipal Hospitals, Aster DM Healthcare, Rockwell industries.
• ICMR approves Gujarat based global medtech company Meril’s self use Covid test kit COVIFIND.
• NCLT approves Piramal Group’s resolution plan for bankrupt financier DHFL.
• SEBI bans Franklin Templeton MF from launching new debt funds for 2 years, imposes ₹5 crore penalty.
• ED transfers assets worth ₹9,371 crore to PSU banks in Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi fraud case.
• Deadline extended for mandatory dual airbags for front seat passengers in existing car models to Dec 31.
• Gujarat gives ₹870 crore push to EV, charging infrastructure.
• Carmakers start to ramp up production as COVID 19 restrictions ease in states.
• Wipro collaborates with Germany’s FEV to open Innovation Lab for developing Software Defined Vehicles.
• Nissan India begins export of the Magnite to Nepal, Indonesia, and South Africa.
• Hyundai Motor buys US based robotics firm Boston Dynamics for $880 million.
• Yamuna International Airport secures ₹3,725 crore SBI financing to develop Noida International Airport.
• EU, US reach deal to end Boeing Airbus trade dispute after 17 years.
• NCLT approves resolution plan of Kalrock Capital and entrepreneur Murari Lal Jalan for Jet Airways revival.
• Reliance Jio and Google announce JioPhone Next ultra affordable 4G Phone and 5G partnership.
• Jio Platforms, Qualcomm join hands for local manufacturing of critical 5G equipment.
• Axiata, Telenor sign $16 billion deal to merge Malaysian telecoms units.
• Airtel announces partnership with Tata group for 5G network solutions.
• Nokia to receive Patent fees from Daimler, ending legal fight over Royalties for key technologies.
• Infosys wins digital technology integration contract from US Based Archrock.
• Virgin Atlantic partners with TCS to power recovery and transformation.
• US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen holds virtual meeting with China’s Vice Premier.
• G7 nations’ Finance Ministers agree to commit to a global minimum tax of at least 15%.
• US suspends additional tariffs on India, Austria, Italy, Spain, Turkey and the UK in digital tax dispute.
• Australia and the United Kingdom announce post Brexit trade deal.
• China blocks cryptocurrency related social media accounts amid crackdown on Bitcoin trading, mining.
• World Bank rejects El Salvador request for help on bitcoin implementation.
• US blacklists 28 more Chinese firms to investors over ‘facilitating serious human rights abuses’.
• Bosch opens $1.2 billion chip plant in Germany, its biggest ever investment.
• PharmEasy acquires 66% stake in Thyrocare Tech, to make open offer to grab additional 26%.
• Tata Digital invests $75 million in Curefit ; buys a majority stake in digital health company
• IKEA enters Bengaluru, launches ecommerce and mobile shopping app.
• BharatPe acquires loyalty platform PAYBACK India.
• Google Pay launches cards tokenisation with SBI, IndusInd Bank & other banks in collaboration with Visa.
• Byju’s becomes India’s most valued startup at $16.5 billion with UBS, Blackstone funding.
• Grofers becomes a unicorn after Zomato reportedly invests $120 million.
• Samsung shifts display manufacturing unit From China to Noida.
• Hindustan Unilever sets up a new fully owned subsidiary Unilever India Ltd.
• TikTok , WeChat ban lifted, Biden signs new orders to shield US
• ZEE5 forays into the US market.
• Google announces ₹113 crore grant to set up 80 oxygen plants, upskill rural health workers in India.
• Global economy expected to expand 5.6% in 2021, India’s FY22 GDP seen at 8.3% : World Bank.
• Kerala retains top rank in ‘ Niti Aayog’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) India Index 2020 21.
• Amitabh Kant gets one year extension up to June 2022 as CEO Niti Aayog.
• Raghuram Rajan, Esther Duflo , Dr Arvind Subramanian among 5 named in Tamil Nadu Economic council.
• Microsoft names CEO Satya Nadella as Chairman.
• Guenter Butschek to step down as Tata Motors CEO & MD on June 30.
• Warren Buffett resigns from Gates Foundation board; donates $4.1 billion.

Q4 Results

• PNB posts ₹586 crore profit in Q4; NII jumps over 48% to ₹6,937 crore, GNPA lower at 14.12%.
• Ashok Leyland Q4 profit soars 550% to ₹377 crore, FY21 loss stands at ₹70 crore.
• ITC Q4 Net profit falls 1.3% YoY to ₹3,748 crore, revenue up nearly 25% at ₹13,294 crore.
• ONGC reports Q4 profit at ₹6,734 crore, realisation increases 18.4%, revenue decline 1% to ₹21,189 crore.
• IndiGo Q4 net loss expands to ₹1,147 crore, revenue dropped 25% to ₹6,222 crore.

General News

• Assembly Elections: Mamata Banerjee, M K Stalin, Pinarayi Vijayan take oath as Chief Ministers of West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala respectively.
• BJP-led NDA retains power with majority in Assam; Himanta Biswa Sarma takes oath as CM of Assam.
• N Rangasamy sworn in as Chief Minister of first NDA govt in Puducherry.
• India COVID tally crosses 28 million, 213 million vaccine doses administered; recovery rate at 92.07%.
• Global Coronavirus caseload tops 171 million; US leads the global tally with 34 million cases.
• Govt announces pension scheme, insurance cover to support COVID-19 victims’ dependents.
• Centre and States provide financial aid, education to children orphaned by COVID.
• Centre directs States to notify black fungus or mucormycosis as an epidemic.
• States imposes fresh restrictions to Curb COVID; essential services exempted.
• Plasma therapy dropped from India’s corona treatment protocol: ICMR.
• DRDO’s anti-COVID drug 2-DG launched; to be available at hospitals from June, price fixed at ₹990/sachet.
• Serum Institute to produce 10 crore doses by August, Bharat Biotech promises 7.8 crore jabs.
• SC constitutes 12-member National Task Force to facilitate public health response to COVID crisis.
• Many States declare journalists ‘frontline workers’, to vaccinate them on priority.
• S Jaishankar meets UN Chief Antonio Guterres; discuss ramping up global vaccine supply and production.
• S Jaishankar holds talks with US NSA Jake Sullivan on trade, Quad, vaccines, Indo-pacific.
• India, UK agree on co-production of military hardware; technology collaboration for combat aircraft.
• Jaishankar meets Canadian counterpart; discusses Indo-Pacific strategy at India-France-Australia meet.
• India, EU discuss COVID Health Care cooperation, strengthening of Indo-EU partnership.
• PM Modi discusses positive outcomes of India-EU Leaders’ meet with French President Macron on phone.
• India, New Zealand call for rules-based international order and free, open & inclusive Indo-Pacific region.
• India and Israel sign 3 year work program to train farmers and modernize agriculture.
• Calcutta HC orders house arrest of 4 leaders held in Narada sting case; grants interim bail.
• SC strikes down Maratha community reservation in education, jobs exceeding 50%.
• Engineering, other technical institutes to begin classes by September 15: AICTE.
• Tribal Affairs Ministry & Microsoft sign MoU for digital transformation of Tribal Schools.
• Centre grants one-year extension of tenure to chiefs of Intelligence Bureau, R&AW.
• Subodh Kumar Jaiswal, former Maharashtra DGP, appointed CBI director for 2 years.
• Telangana signs MoU with NHA for implementing Ayushman Bharat.
• Cyclone Tauktae, the biggest to hit the region in decades, makes landfall in Gujarat.
• Cyclone Yaas makes landfall in Balasore, triggers heavy damage
• WHO approves Moderna, Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines for emergency use in all countries.
• WHO classifies B1617 COVID-19 variant, first identified in India, as variant of global concern.
• Nepal President announces mid-term polls in November as parties fail to stake claim to form govt.
• BRICS agrees to devise framework for social security agreement.
• Singapore shuts schools as new Coronavirus strain affects more children.
• US President Biden proposes $6 trillion budget to boost infrastructure, education and climate.
• Biden raises US refugee admissions cap to 62,500 after delay sparks anger.
• Pentagon cancels Trump’s Mexico wall projects using military funds.
• European Commission calls on EU member states to temporarily restrict travel from India.
• EU signs third contract with BioNTech-Pfizer for 1.8 billion vaccine doses.
• Xi and Putin jointly launch construction of new reactors in joint nuclear energy project.
• China builds key highway through Brahmaputra Canyon in Tibet close to Arunachal Pradesh border.
• Russia approves single-dose version of Sputnik V vaccine – Sputnik Light.
• Australia resumes repatriation flights from India for stranded citizens.
• Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi appears in court in person for first time since coup.
• Syria President Bashar Assad re-elected for fourth time with 95% of votes.
• Israel, Hamas agree to ceasefire to end 11 days of deadly fighting.
• Japan to extend Coronavirus emergency in Tokyo until month before Olympics.
• Pfzier and BioNTech to donate COVID-19 vaccines for Olympic athletes: International Olympic Committee.
• IPL 2021 suspended after players test positive for COVID; remainder to be held in UAE in Sep-Oct.
• India retain top spot in ICC Test team rankings, second place in the ICC T20, drops to 3rd in ODI chart .
• Indian Women’s tour of England: Mithali Raj will lead the side in the Test and ODIs.
• Ashes 2021-22 to start on December 9; Perth set to host final Test.
• Asian Boxing Championships: Pooja Rani bags gold; Mary Kom, Lalbuatsaihi and Anupama settle for Silver.
• Rafael Nadal beats Novak Djokovic to win 10th Italian Open title.

Business News

• GST Council exempts import duty on COVID-19 related supplies till Aug 31.
• IGST on import of COVID related medical supplies waived off; IGST on oxygen concentrators for personal use slashed to 12%.
• Centre to borrow additional ₹1.58 lakh crore to make up for GST compensation shortfall.
• Union Food Processing Ministry sets a target of 13,000 mini food parks in Assam.
• Pollution control body asks 30 industries to modify nitrogen plants for medical oxygen.
• State-run oil companies to set up 100 oxygen generation plants at hospitals.
• Govt makes vehicle location tracking devices mandatory for oxygen containers; exempts toll fee.
• Road ministry notifies changes in motor vehicle rules on vehicle ownership transfer.
• Centre releases first instalment of ₹8,873.6 crore under State Disaster Response Fund to states.
• Centre releases over ₹8,923 crore to 25 States for providing grants to Rural Local Bodies.
• Indian Railways crosses milestone of delivering over 20,000 MT oxygen.
• PM releases eighth instalment worth over ₹20,000 crore to 9.5 crore farmers under PM-KISAN scheme.
• Special Window for Affordable & Mid-Income Housing fund completes its first residential project,.
• Cabinet approves ₹18,000 crore PLI scheme for battery storage manufacturing.
• DGCA extends suspension of scheduled international passenger flights till 30th June.
• Civil Aviation Ministry cuts airline capacity to 50% from June 1.
• Govt hikes DAP fertiliser subsidy by 140%, to spend additional ₹14,775 crore.
• Govt extends deadline for mandatory hallmarking of gold jewellery till June 15.
• Govt extends FY21 ITR filing deadline for individuals till September 30.
• RBI unveils liquidity support measures; allots ₹50,000 crore for COVID-related healthcare infrastructure
• RBI offers fresh loan moratorium to Individual, small borrowers having loans up to ₹25 crore.
• RBI approves transfer of ₹99,122 crore surplus to Centre for 9 months ended in March.
• RBI issues guidelines for amalgamation of district central co-op banks with state co-op banks.
• Govt garners ₹4,000 crore via 1.95% stake sale in Axis Bank.
• Bank of Baroda sanctions ₹500 crore to Serum Institute under RBI’s ₹50,000 crore liquidity facility.
• Axis Bank, Anchor investor Bay Tree India cur their stakes in Yes Bank.
• Govt notifies final rules for 74% foreign investment in insurance sector.
• Indiabulls Housing Fin sells MF business to Groww for ₹175 crore.
• IMF unveils $50 billion proposal to vaccinate 40% of entire population by 2021-end.
• Roche launches COVID-19 ‘Antibody Cocktail’ in India at ₹59,750 per dose; Cipla to market drug in country.
• Govt rejects Serum Institute of India’s request to export 50 lakh doses of Covishield vaccine to UK.
• Russian Direct Investment Fund, Panacea Biotec launch production of Sputnik V vaccine in India.
• Apollo Hospitals, Dr Reddy’s announce Covid-19 vaccination programme with Sputnik V.
• Shilpa Medicare arm inks pact with Dr Reddy’s to manufacture Sputnik V vaccine.
• Pfizer, Moderna, J&J pledge 1.3 billion doses of Covid-19 vaccines to less wealthy nations.
• China’s Fosun Pharma signs deal for 1 billion vaccines with BioNTech.
• Moderna inks deal with UN’s GAVI to supply 500 million doses to low and middle-income countries.
• India, UK unveil 10-year road map to elevate bilateral trade partnership; to enhance vaccine partnership .
• US, Pakistan agree to continue Trade and Investment Framework (TIFA) agreement dialogue.China bans financial, payment institutions from cryptocurrency business.
• Cairn Energy sues Air India in U.S. court to enforce $1.2 billion arbitration award.
• Mehul Choksi arrested in Dominica; India sends private jet to Dominica carrying deportation documents.
• Vijay Mallya loses bankruptcy petition amendment High Court battle in UK.
• Hyundai, Kia shut down facilities in home base in the wake of the predicted semiconductor turmoil.
• Renault-Nissan, Hyundai face temporary closures in Chennai over workers’ COVID fears.
• Govt approves 13 5G trial applications with no Chinese Vendors.
• Rajasthan Govt approves Saint Gobain’s ₹1200 crore investment plan in State.
• Infosys partners with Majesco to accelerate digital experience for insurers.
• HCL Tech to expand investment in UK, hire 1,000 technology professionals.
• Google unveils new AI model LaMDA, to aid natural conversations with machines.
• HCL Tech enters into multi-year contract with Hitachi ABB Power Grids for business transformation.
• Zensar Technologies signs agreement to acquire US based data engineering firm M3bi.
• L&T Technology, Intel Corp develop AI-based outdoor parking solution.
• US removes Xiaomi from government blacklist, parties to resolve litigation.
• Amazon buys Hollywood studio MGM in $8.45 billion deal.
• Boeing wins approval for 737 Max electrical fix, notifies airlines.
• Ransomware attack shuts down network of top US fuel pipeline operator, Colonial Pipeline.
• Supreme Court defers hearing for July 6 on plea alleging IT Rules violation by Twitter.
• Twitter buys Scroll and its Ad-free news app with aim to bolster upcoming subscription service.
• Tata Digital buys majority stake of 64.3% worth $1.31 billion in online grocer BigBasket.
• Pharmeasy buys Medlife, creates India’s largest online pharmacy.
• NPCI partners Turkish firm PayCore to develop softPoS solutions for RuPay.
• KKR invests $95 million in Lenskart, TPG and TR Capital to partially exit.
• Edtech startup upGrad acquires Impartus, commits ₹150 crore for growth.
• India, China, South Africa fared ‘relatively better’ than other major economies in Q1 of 2021: UN data.
• Unemployment in urban areas surges to 10-month high of 11.72% amid lockdowns: CMIE.
• Govt names T Rabi Sankar as Deputy Governor of RBI; Jose Kattoor appointed as Executive Director.
• ByteDance founder Zhang Yiming to step down as CEO by end of 2021, HR Chief Liang Rubo to take over.

Q4 Results

• SBI net profit jumps 80% YoY to ₹6,451 crore, NII up by 19% to ₹27,067 crore; to pay ₹4/share as dividend.
• Kotak Mahindra Bank net profit rises 33% YoY to ₹1,682 crore, GNPA improves to 3.27%, NNPA at 1.21%.
• YES Bank Q4 Net loss widens to ₹3,788 crore, provisions rose 7.5% YoY to ₹5,240 crore.
• HDFC Q4 profit rises 8.7% QoQ to ₹3,180 crore, NII fell 0.1%; to pay ₹23 as dividend.
• M&M posts profit of ₹163 crore, revenue up 48% YoY to ₹13,338 crore; to pay dividend of ₹8.75 /share.
• RIL Q4 profit more than doubles to ₹13,227 crore, firm posts record annual profit of ₹53,739 crore.
• Jio registers 36.3% YoY increase in EBITDA to ₹8,573 crore; Average revenue per user drops to ₹138.2.
• Bharti Airtel reports Q4 net profit of ₹759.2 crore, revenue rises 12% to ₹25,747 crore.
• Sun Pharma Q4 net profit rises 123% YoY to ₹894 crore, revenue rose 4% YoY to ₹8,523 crore.
• Dr Reddy’s Labs profit falls 28% to ₹554 crore, revenue up by 7% YoY to ₹4,728 crore, to pay ₹25 dividend.
• Tata Motors loss narrows to ₹7,604 crore due to JLR write-offs, revenue up 42% YoY to ₹88,628 crore.

General News

• India COVID tally crosses 19.1 million with over 2 million deaths; recovery rate stands at 81.84%.
• Global Coronavirus caseload tops 152 million; US leads the global tally with 33 million cases.
• 15.22 crore vaccine doses administered; more than 1.28 crore doses administered Tika Utsav.
• States to set up Containment & micro Containment Zones; to ramp up tests to break transmission chain.
• Centre says national directives for COVID-19 management will continue throughout country till 31st May.
• Several states impose lockdown, night curfew to curb Covid surge.
• All Centrally protected monuments, sites & museums under ASI closed till May 15.
• Centre imports 20 cryogenic tankers, allocates them to states to address shortage of oxygen tankers.
• India to import 4.50 lakh vials of Remdesivir; first consignment to arrive today.
• Oxygen Expresses delivers cumulative 510 metric tonnes of oxygen to UP, Maharashtra, Delhi and MP.
• Over 40 countries offered assistance to India to fight COVID-19.
• Assembly elections: West Bengal records 81.76% voter turnout; 72.81% in Tamil Nadu; 81.88% in Puducherry, 74.57% in Kerala, 82.04% in Assam.
• Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra set to become the next CEC.
• PM Modi, Seychelles President Ramkalawan jointly inaugurate several Indian projects in Seychelles.
• India, France and Australia hold trilateral talks.
• UK PM Boris Johnson cancels delayed visit to India; Britain adds India to COVID-19 travel ‘red list’.
• S Jaishankar holds delegation-level talks with his Russian and UAE counterparts.
• India urges G20 members to ensure equitable access, widespread distribution of vaccines.
• World Banks approves $32 million project to improve health services in Mizoram.
• IAF Chief RKS Bhadauria flags off four Rafale aircraft for India in France.
• India, China agree to maintain stability on ground; avoid new incidents in eastern Ladakh.
• DRDO develops advanced technology to safeguard Indian Navy ships from enemy missiles.
• ISRO, French space agency to share expertise on human spaceflight.
• Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank launches SARTHAQ initiative for implementation of NEP.
• Govt releases ₹4,000 crore for Post Matric Scholarship Scheme for Scheduled Castes.
• CBSE, ICSE Class 10 board exams cancelled, Class 12 Board exams postponed.
• JEE Main April 2021 postponed, revised dates to be announced later.
• Monsoon rains in India to remain ‘normal’ for third year: IMD.
• Government simplifies process for re-issuance of Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards.
• Justice NV Ramana formally appointed as next CJI, to assume charge on April 24.
• President Biden unveils $2 trillion package to overhaul American physical infrastructure.
• US announces all US and NATO troops to leave Afghanistan by September 11; begins withdrawal.
• US Presidential Elections: US imposes sanctions on Russia; Moscow vows retaliation.
• US issues Level 4 health alert, asks its citizens to leave India in view of the escalating COVID-19 pandemic.
• China, U.S. agree to tackle climate crisis with urgency.
• Biden, Japan’s Suga commit to work together to meet China challenge.
• Boris Johnson gives go-ahead to next stage of England’s lockdown easing from April 12.
• Twice weekly rapid COVID-19 tests to be rolled out for all in England.
• Japan to expand emergency measures as needed amid fears of new COVID strains.
• Russia’s Putin signs law that could keep him in power until 2036.
• Chinese defence minister calls on Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa; discusses steps to boost bilateral ties.
• Blackout hits Natanz Atomic site, Iran describes it as nuclear terrorism.
• Prince Philip, husband of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, dies at 99.
• Myanmar unity government says it must be part of any ASEAN bid to end crisis.
• Lloyd Austin makes first Israel visit by Joe Biden official, Iran on the agenda.
• Pakistan govt bans Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) amid violent anti-France protests.
• French embassy asks all its nationals, companies to leave Pakistan amid security threats.
• NASA’s Mars helicopter takes flight, first powered flight on another planet.
• IPL 2021: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) strengthened their position at the top spot in points table.
• Pakistan’s Babar Azam dethrones Kohli after over 3-Year-long reign on Top of ODI Rankings for batsmen.
• French Open postponed to May 30 amid COVID-19 crisis.
• Tokyo Olympics: IOC push ahead with plans to open Tokyo Olympics during state of emergency.
• Asian Wrestling Championships 2021: India finishes 3rd with 14 medals including 5 Gold, 3 silver, 6 bronze.

Business News

• RBI keeps repo rate, reverse repo rate unchanged at 4% and 3.35%; projects GDP growth of 10.5% for FY22.
• Paytm, wallet accounts limit raised to ₹2 lakh; opens RTGS, NEFT connectivity with payment operators.
• RBI caps bank CEO tenure at 15 years, policy to be effective Oct 1.
• RBI issues guidelines for appointment of statutory auditors of banks, NBFCs.
• PLI Scheme: Cabinet okays ₹10,900 crore for food processing, ₹6,238 crore for solar modules, white goods.
• Centre releases ₹4,608 crore to States for providing grant-in-aid to local bodies.
• Govt to inject $2 billion capital in four weakened state banks.
• Piyush Goyal launches Startup India Seed Fund Scheme to create a robust startup ecosystem in the country.
• PM Modi meets pharma leaders, urges industry to ensure seamless supply of medicines.
• Govt to provide ₹4,500 crore booster to vaccine manufacturers for ramping up capacity.
• Supreme Court allows Vedanta to produce oxygen at Sterlite plant in Tamil Nadu.
• Centre bans supply of oxygen to industries to meet demand from COVID-19 patients.
• Indian Railways runs Oxygen Express trains to transport oxygen to states facing shortage.
• Major ports waive-off all charges for ships carrying oxygen and oxygen related equipment cargo.
• Railways converts more than 4,000 train coaches as COVID care-cum-isolation facility amid virus surge.
• Centre bans export of Remdesivir & its active ingredients till COVID situation improves in country.
• SII fixes price of covid vaccine Covishield at ₹600 per dose for private hospitals and ₹300 per jab for states.
• Bharat Biotech fixes price of Covaxin at ₹400 per dose for states, ₹1,200 for private hospitals.
• India indefinitely puts on hold AstraZeneca’s vaccine shipment to Canada.
• Panacea Biotec to produce 100 million doses of Sputnik V vaccine in India.
• US govt lifts export ban on essential raw materials required for manufacturing COVID vaccine in India.
• Sputnik V gets emergency use authorisation in India; to produce 850 million doses annually.
• Govt waives off import duty on Remdesivir to provide affordable medical care to Corona patients.
• Government amends insolvency law; introduces pre-packaged resolution process for MSMEs.
• Direct tax collection up 5% in FY21 at ₹9.45 lakh crore; refunds at ₹2.61 lakh crore.
• CBDT notifies new income tax return forms for AY 2021-22.
• Govt extends deadline for making payment under Vivad Se Vishwas scheme till June 30.
• ICICI Bank, Axis Bank to co-lead New Umbrella Entity (NUE) with Amazon, Visa as partners.
• Axis Bank to sell 100% stake in UK subsidiary to OpenPayd.
• HDFC Bank provides ₹500 crore to refund interest-on-interest on moratorium loans.
• Citi group, South Africa’s second largest bank – FirstRand Bank to exit retail banking business in India.
• IRDAI asks hospitals to provide cashless treatment for COVID-19 to policyholders.
• LIC earns ₹1.84 trillion in new premium in FY21, pays ₹1.34 trillion as claims last fiscal.
• Barbeque Nation, Macrotech Developers debuts in stock market.
• UK Home Minister Priti Patel approves extradition of Nirav Modi to India.
• SC stays further proceedings in Amazon-Future-Reliance case.
• KV Kamath committee clears Future Retail, Future Enterprises debt recast plans.
• PV retail sales rise 28%, two-wheeler registrations dip 35% in March: FADA.
• Mahindra joins hands with CERO to offer vehicle scrapping services for its customers.
• Swift dethrones the Alto as India’s largest selling passenger vehicle in FY21.
• Hyundai India achieves 1-million cumulative SUV sales in domestic, export markets.
• US auto industry calls for government help as it warns of impact of chip shortage.
• Toyota acquires US-based Lyft’s autonomous car division for $550 million.
• Hero MotoCorp ties up with Taiwan’s Gogoro to develop EVs; to establish battery swapping JV.
• Air France gets EU green light for €4 billion aid.
• Airlines ground some 737 Max jets after Boeing discloses electrical problem.
• Airbus and Dassault reach tentative deal on FCAS fighter.
• OPEC and allies agree to gradually boost crude oil output from May to July.
• Saudi Aramco agrees $12.4 billion deal to sell 49% stake in pipelines to U.S’ EIG Global Energy Partners.
• Cairn Energy offers to forego $500 million if India agrees to pay principal due.
• HCL Tech signs a multi-million dollar digital transformation and hybrid cloud contract with UD Trucks.
• Microsoft makes its second biggest acquisition, buys AI speech tech company Nuance for $19.7 billion.
• Dixon, Bharti Enterprises to form JV for manufacturing telecom products.
• Agriculture Ministry signs MoU with Microsoft for a pilot project in 100 villages to raise farmers income.
• LG becomes first major smartphone brand to withdraw from market due to losses.
• China’s Ant to become financial holding firm under enforced revamp.
• Reliance Retail extends deadline to complete ₹24,713 crore deal with Future Group.
• Amazon announces $250 million-fund for small and medium businesses in India.
• Flipkart, Mahindra Logistics join hands to accelerate use of EVs in last mile delivery.
• Softbank Group to invest $450 million in Swiggy at $5.5 billion value.
• Flipkart acquires Covid-hit travel booking portal Cleartrip.
• Byju’s acquires Aakash Educational Services; raises $150 million from UBS.
• Saregama inks global music licensing deal with short video platform Triller.
• Sony Pictures, Netflix sign exclusive streaming deal.
• Tarun Bajaj made new Revenue Secretary, Ajay Seth Economic Affairs Secretary.
• Expenditure secretary T V Somanathan appointed finance secretary in place of Ajay Bhushan Pandey.
• Bajaj Auto names Rahul Bajaj as Chairman Emeritus; Niraj Bajaj to take over as Chairman.
• NASSCOM appoints Accenture’s Rekha Menon as Chairperson.

Q4 Results

• HDFC Bank Q4 profit rises 18% to ₹8,186 crores; NII rose 12% YoY, GNPA rose 1.32%, NNPA stood at 0.40%.
• ICICI Bank Q4 profit spikes 261% YoY to ₹4,403 crore, NII grows 17%, NNPA stood at 1.1%.
• Axis Bank posts Q4 profit at ₹2,677 crore as provisions dip, NII grew 11% YOY to ₹7,555 crore.
• IndusInd Bank Q4 net profit jumps over two-fold to ₹876 crore, provisions fall 24%.
• Yes Bank Q4 net loss widens marginally to 3,788 crore.
• RIL Q4 Consolidated PAT jumps 129% YoY to Rs 14,995 crore; firm to pay ₹7 dividend.
• TCS Q4 net profit jumps 15% to ₹9,246 crore; revenue at ₹ 43,705 crore.
• Infosys net profit rises 17.5% YoY to ₹5,076 crore in Q4, announces ₹9,200 crore buyback.
• Wipro posts 27.7% YoY increase in Q4 net profit to ₹2,972 crore, revenue up at ₹16,245 crore.
• HCL Tech Q4 Net profit down 26% QoQ at ₹2,962 crore, revenue grew 1.8% to ₹19,642 crore.
• Tech Mahindra Q4 profit falls 17.4% QoQ to ₹1,081.4 crore, revenue up 0.9% at ₹9,729.9 crore.
• TVS Motor posts three-fold increase in Q4 net profit at ₹289 crore in Q4 FY21.
• Nestle India reports 14.6% jump in Q4 profit at ₹602 crore, revenue up 8.5% at ₹3610.82 crore.
• HUL Q4 profit up to ₹2,143 crore, revenue rises 35% to ₹12,132 crore; announces dividend of ₹17/ share.

General News

• Second phase COVID-19 vaccination drive begins for people over 60 & above 45 years with co-morbidities.
• Centre asks States, UTs to increase gap between two doses of Covishield vaccine between 4 & 8 weeks.
• PM Modi chairs high-level meeting with all CMs of States & UTs over surge in COVID-19 cases.
• India COVID tally reaches 12.20 million with over 244 million tests done; recovery rate stands at 93.88% .
• Global COVID-19 caseload tops 129 million, death toll surge to 2.82 million.
• Over 6.30 crore doses of corona vaccine have been administered in the country
• President gives assent to bill giving more powers to Delhi Lieutenant Governor.
• More than 67.5 lakh people brought back from around the world under Vande Bharat Mission.
• India supplies over 5.86 crore doses of Made in India COVID vaccines to nearly 71 countries.
• Assembly elections 2021, 1st Phase: 2.14% voter turnout recorded in Assam and 79.79% in Bengal.
• Campaigning for 2nd phase polling in West Bengal, Assam ends today; polling on April 1.
• Election Commission cuts notice period for new political parties from 30 days to 7 days.
• Suvendu Adhikari to contest Bengal election from Nandigram seat against Mamata Banerjee.
• Ex-BJP leader Yashwant Sinha joins Trinamool Congress, appointed as party’s Vice President.
• Congress’s PC Chacko quits party ahead of Kerala polls, joins NCP.
• V K Sasikala quits politics ahead of Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu.
• CM Manohar Lal Khattar’s govt wins trust vote in Haryana assembly comfortably.
• Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat resigns; BJP MP Tirath Rawat named new CM.
• Quad Meet: Australia, India, Japan and the US stress for a free, open and rule-based Indo-Pacific region.
• India, Sweden hold virtual summit, agree to strengthen bilateral cooperation on digitalization, startups.
• India, Nigeria resolve to step up cooperation in combating terrorism.
• PM Modi virtually inaugurates ‘Maitri Setu’ connecting India-Bangladesh.
• India, Bangladesh ink 5 agreements; agree to expand cooperation across entire gamut of water resources.
• US Defence Secretary Austin visits India; meets PM Modi, Rajanth Singh and NSA Ajit Doval.
• US Defense Chief Lloyd Austin meets Afghan President in Kabul as troop withdrawal deadline nears.
• Govt constitutes 259-member panel headed by PM to commemorate 75 years of India’s independence.
• Digitisation of 4.50 crore pages of Records & Exhibition on Mahatma Gandhi inaugurated.
• World Water Day: PM Modi virtually launches Jal Shakti Abhiyan : Catch the Rain campaign.
• Delhi gets its own education board as government registers Delhi Board of School Education (DBSE).
• Govt signs ₹1,188 crores deal with Bharat Dynamics to acquire 4,960 Milan-2T missiles.
• After 23 years, Indian Navy deploys women officers on warships.
• INS Karanj, third Scorpene-Class Submarine, commissioned into Indian Navy.
• India to buy 30 US Predator drones for $3 billion to counter China, Pakistan.
• ISRO launches DRDO’s satellite ‘Sindhu Netra’ to monitor activities in Indian Ocean.
• ISRO develops radar for joint earth observation satellite mission with NASA.
• China approves building dam on Brahmaputra in Tibet, near Arunachal Pradesh border.
• WHO experts report says it has ‘not yet’ found source of coronavirus; calls for further studies.
• EU states resume AstraZeneca vaccine after EU drug regulator declares shot safe for use.
• US President Biden outlines plan to get US ‘closer to normal’ by July 4.
• French PM announces month-long limited COVID-19 lockdown for Paris, other regions.
• Germany extends lockdown until April 18 as COVID-19 cases continue to rise.
• Australia extends international border closure till June in view of COVID crisis.
• China relaxes its border for foreigners inoculated with Chinese vaccines.
• Russia, Iran tried to meddle in 2020 Presidential elections: US intelligence report.
• Pentagon approves extending Guard deployment at US Capitol for 2 more months.
• US President Biden signs $1.9 trillion stimulus bill into law on US lockdown anniversary.
• US House passes pair of immigration bills amid influx of migrants crossing US-Mexico border.
• Myanmar coup: Dozens killed as army opens fire on protesters during deadliest day.
• Suez Canal reopens after Ever Given cargo ship successfully refloated.
• Pope Francis visits regions of Iraq once held by Islamic State.
• NASA’s Perseverance rover performs first test drive on Mars.
• IND vs ENG: India managed to win all the series — Test 3-1, ODI 3-2, T20 2-1.
• IPL 2021 to take place from 9 April to 30 May; six Indian cities to host all matches.
• Kieron Pollard becomes third batsman to hit six 6s in an over in international cricket.
• Aaron Finch becomes first Australia batsman to hit 100 Sixes in T20Is.
• Mithali Raj becomes first Indian woman to score 10,000 international runs, second overall.
• Yuzvendra Chahal leapfrogs Jasprit Bumrah, becomes India’s highest wicket-taker in T20Is.
• India’s Mithali Raj has become the first women’s cricketer in history to reach 7000 ODI runs.
• Virat Kohli becomes first batsman to complete 3000 runs in T20I cricket.
• Puma signs three-year sponsorship deal with Royal Challengers Bangalore.
• Sony Pictures Networks signs multi-year agreement to broadcast Ultimate Kho Kho.
• Novak Djokovic sets a new landmark of 311 weeks as world number one, surpassing Roger Federer.

Business News

• Govt releases 12th and final monthly instalment of revenue deficit grant of ₹6,194.09 crore to the states.
• Cabinet clears bill for new Development Finance Institution.
• President Kovind Approves Bill to Set up National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development.
• Adityanath, Hardeep Singh flagged off Gorakhpur-Lucknow flight service under RCS-UDAN scheme.
• Rajya Sabha passes Insurance Amendment Bill, 2021; FDI limit increased to 74% from 49%.
• Govt constitutes empowered committee headed by Commerce Minister for high-tech manufacturing.
• Waiver on registration fee, 25% rebate on road tax: Gadkari announces vehicle scrappage policy.
• Govt to levy fine of up to ₹1 crore on auto firms on mandatory vehicle recalls.
• Govt makes passenger side airbag mandatory in new cars from April 1.
• Govt to provide all-India tourist permit to operators in 30 days of online application submission.
• Govt increases lower fare band for flights by 5% on ATF price hike, extends cap on 80% capacity.
• DGCA issues circular for airports, warns passengers to wear masks properly inside aircraft.
• Adityanath, Hardeep Singh flagged off Gorakhpur-Lucknow flight service under RCS-UDAN scheme.
• Govt approves 33 API applications with over ₹5,000 crore committed investment under PLI scheme.
• NITI Aayog submits first list of about 12 PSUs for privatisation.
• BIS license is must for packaged drinking water companies from April 1: FSSAI.
• Easy Trip Planners’ , Kalyan Jewellers, Craftsman Automation, Laxmi Organic Industries’, MTAR Technologies,
  Nazara Technologies, Suryoday Small Finance Bank, Barbeque Nation Hospitality debut in stock market.
• RBI asks banks to implement image-based Cheque Truncation System in all branches by Sep 30.
• No compound, penal interest be charged from borrowers during loan moratorium period: SC.
• Govt amends rules to bring insurance brokers within ombudsman ambit.
• India to manufacture Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine as part of Quad initiative.
• Govt signs fresh purchase agreement with Bharat Biotech for 2 crore doses of Covaxin.
• National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) brings more than 80 medicines under Price Regulation.
• US to provide financial assistance to Indian vaccine manufacturer Biological E.
• Russia reaches deal with Virchow Biotech to make Sputnik V in India.
• Gland Pharma inks pact to supply 252 million doses of Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine.
• Moderna, AstraZeneca, Pfizer conduct COVID vaccine trials on children.
• Spectrum auction ends with ₹77,815 crore bids; Reliance Jio top buyer with ₹57,122 crore.
• DoT demands ₹21,919 crore as upfront payment for spectrum from telecom companies.
• SC sets aside NCLAT order restoring Cyrus Mistry as executive chairman of Tata Group.
• Future-RIL deal: Delhi HC halts ₹24,713 crore acquisition; orders attachment of Biyani’s assets.
• India and US agree to revamp India-US Strategic Energy Partnership (SEP).
• US suspends trade deal with Myanmar in aftermath of military coup.
• Bank Of Japan maintains short-term interest rate target at -0.1%.
• UK’s Rishi Sunak hikes corporation tax to 25% , extends job support system until September.
• China sets economic growth target ‘above 6%’ for 2021, defense budget hiked by 6.8% to $209 billion.
• Inflation-stricken Venezuela rolls out new, larger-denomination banknotes.
• Turkish lira falls 16% after President Erdogan sacks central bank chief.
• Sri Lanka signs three-year $1.5 billion currency swap deal with China.
• Infosys announces expansion in Canada, double workforce to 4,000 by 2023.
• HCL Tech opens digital acceleration centre in Canada.
• Tata Consultancy expands strategic partnership with Vodafone Netherlands.
• Tech Mahindra acquires 70% stake in Perigord to augment pharma expertise for €21million.
• OPEC+ decides to extend current production cuts till April; allows Russia, Kazakhstan to raise output.
• Saudi cuts April crude for some Asian refiners, maintains India supply.
• Indian Oil Corporation enters into joint venture with Israeli firm Phinergy.
• Mahindra receives clearance from RBI to reduce stake in SsangYong Motor.
• Jaguar Land Rover to write down £1.5 billion as part of restructuring.
• Piaggio, KTM, Honda, Yamaha sign swappable batteries agreement to increase range and lower cost.
• Boeing unveils new executive performance metrics tied to product safety and quality.
• Boeing wins biggest 737 MAX order since safety-ban lift from Southwest.
• Mahindra Defence wins contract to make armoured vehicles for Indian army.
• India imports Chinese toys worth $600 million every year.
• China asks Alibaba to divest stake in media assets, including South China Morning Post.
• Morgan Stanley becomes first major U.S. bank to offer clients access to bitcoin funds.
• Sri Lanka approves proposal to develop West Container Terminal at Colombo Port with Adani group.
• Facebook resume Political and Social issue Advertisements on its platform.
• News Corp reaches three-year agreement with Facebook in Australia.
• Google  to reduce its Play Store commission to 15% for developers on first $1 million revenue.
• Apple ordered to pay over $300 million for digital rights management patent infringement.
• Amazon Care marks the Company’s entry into Healthcare services in the US.
• Microsoft ends support for original cross-platform Edge browser.
• PhonePe signs up six sponsorship deals for the IPL 2021.
• Amazon infuses ₹225 crore into India payments unit.
• Uber agrees to classify drivers in UK as ‘workers’; to give drivers minimum wage, pension, holiday pay.
• SpaceX successfully tests Starship SN10 rocket after 2 failed attempts.
• Oyo’s Singapore subsidiary secures $200 million term loan from SoftBank.
• Indian Gaming League raises $500,000 from Hungama Digital Media and Hindustan Talkies.
• Vi partners with Disney+ Hotstar to provide year of free content to users.
• Disney+ streaming platform crosses 100 million subscriber milestone.
• Canara Bank’s Executive Director Matam Venkata Rao appointed as new MD & CEO of Central Bank.
• US Senate confirms Katherine Tai as Biden’s chief trade negotiator.
• Ralf Speth to take over as TVS Motor Chairman in 2023 Venu Srinivasan will become Chairman Emeritus.
• Google vice-president Caesar Sengupta steps down.
• Dr Anish Shah to replace Dr Pawan Goenka as Mahindra MD and CEO.

General News

• Assembly elections to be held between 27th March to 29th April; counting will take place on 2nd May.
• Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry to vote in 1 phase; Assam in 3 phase voting, West Bengal in 8 phase.
• India’s COVID-19 tally reaches 11.11 million with over 216 million tests done; Recovery rate stands at 97.05%.
• Over 14 million administered COVID-19 vaccines in the country so far.
• Global COVID-19 cases tops 114 million with 2.54 million deaths.
• Dr Harsh Vardhan launches Mission Indradhanush 3.0, to focus on children, women’s vaccine doses.
• Made in India COVID vaccines were supplied to 25 nations and 49 countries across the world: S Jaishankar.
• Centre issues fresh guidelines for international travellers as new strains found in India.
• Nepal, India jointly inaugurate road link connecting Indo-Nepal border.
• India, Qatar hold fourth foreign office consultations, exchange views on issues of mutual interest.
• Govt launches pilot survey on drinking water in 10 cities under the Jal Jeevan Mission.
• PM Modi, Afghan President hold virtual summit; MoU signed on construction of Shahtoot dam project.
• PM Modi speaks to US President Biden, discuses regional issues, climate change and strategic partnership.
• India signs $50 million defence agreement with Maldives to boost maritime capability.
• Quad’s 3rd ministerial meeting today, to discuss work towards inclusive Indo-Pacific.
• Protesting farmers announce series of events from February 23, to intensify agitation against Farm Laws.
• PM Modi hands over Arjun Main Battle Tank (MK-1A) to Indian Army at Chennai.
• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurates HAL’s second Light Combat Aircraft production line.
• Govt formally seals ₹48,000 crore deal to procure 83 Tejas LCA from HAL.
• CRPF inducts 34 women commandos in its elite Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) unit.
• India reserves ₹70,000 crore of the defence budget of ₹1.35 trillion for domestic defence procurements.
• Mallikarjun Kharge to be Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha as Ghulam Nabi Azad’s term ends.
• First phase of Budget Session ends, Lok Sabha adjourned till March 8.
• Rajya Sabha passes J&K Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2021; Major Port Authorities Bill 2020.
• PM Modi inaugurates India’s first virtual Toy Fair 2021, pushes for use of less plastic.
• Maharashtra govt imposes fresh lockdowns as daily COVID cases cross 5,000.
• In poll-bound Tamil Nadu, state govt announces ₹12,110 crore farm loan waiver.
• UP Govt presents first paperless Budget of ₹5.5 lakh crore in Assembly to make State “Aatmanirbhar”.
• Ram temple trust deploys `3-tier system` to monitor transparency as donations cross ₹600 crore mark.
• Right to protest cannot be anytime and everywhere: SC on Shaheen Bagh CAA protests.
• National Herald case: Delhi High Court notice to Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, seeks reply by April 12.
• CBSE board exams 2021 to be held from May 4 to June 10, results by July 15: Education Minister.
• 4G mobile internet services being restored in entire J&K after 18 months.
• Kiran Bedi relieved as Puducherry Lt Governor; CM Narayanasamy resigns after failing to prove majority.
• Union Cabinet approves President’s Rule in Puducherry as BJP, allies did not stake claim.
• Glacier breaks in Uttarakhand’s Joshimath: Death toll rises to 72, rescue operation underway.
• WHO concludes investigation of origin of COVID-19 virus in Chinese city Wuhan.
• China calls for COVID-19 origin tracing in US after WHO probe in Wuhan.
• WHO authorises AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use.
• UNICEF, Serum Institute of India enter into long-term supply for COVID-19 vaccines.
• US House passes $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package, sends it to Senate.
• US extends new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty with Russia for 5 years.
• Joe Biden discusses Coronavirus, Hong Kong, Xinjiang in his first conversation with President Xi Jinping.
• US Senate acquits former President Donald Trump in impeachment trial for Capitol Hill riots.
• Pakistan to remain on FATF ‘grey list’ till June, asked to address ‘strategic deficiencies’.
• Myanmar’s Suu Kyi detained in military coup, 1-year emergency declared.
• Nepal’s Supreme Court reinstates parliament dissolved by PM Oli in December last year.
• More than 2000 Rohingya refugees sent to newly developed Bhashan Char relocation centre in Bangladesh.
• China, Hong Kong ban BBC World News from broadcasting for violating reporting guidelines.
• Japan starts vaccine rollout with healthcare workers as Olympics approach.
• Angela Merkel, German governors to decide on extending COVID-19 lockdown beyond February.
• NASA lands Perseverance rover on the Mars surface, carrying the first helicopter for another planet.
• IND vs ENG: India takes 2-1 lead in 4-Match Test Series.
• NZ vs AUS: New Zealand edge Australia by four runs in second T20, lead 5-Match series 2-0.
• Rishabh Pant, Shabnim Ismail win inaugural ICC Player of the Month Awards for January 2021.
• Australian Open 2021: Novak Djokovic wins his ninth title; Naomi Osaka her Fourth Grand Slam Title.
• IPL Auction: Chris Morris most expensive player ever; sold to Rajasthan Royals for ₹16.25 crore.

Business News

• Nirmala Sitharaman presents first ever Union Budget digitally; Fiscal deficit for FY21 pegged at 9.5% of GDP, 6.8% for FY22.
• Capital expenditure hiked 34.5% to ₹5.54 lakh crore in FY’22 to push growth.
• Health & well-being budget outlay at ₹2.23 lakh crore; ₹64,180 crore Atmanirbhar Health Yojana unveiled.
• FM allocates ₹20,000 crore for bank recapitalisation, proposes AMC-ARC for NPAs.
• Agri credit target raised to ₹16.5 lakh crore for FY22; FM reassures commitment to MSP and APMCs.
• Centre imposes agri infra cess of ₹2.5 on Petrol, ₹4 on Diesel; cuts import tax on gold, silver to 7.5%.
• Defence Ministry allocated ₹4.78 lakh crore; Home gets ₹1.66 lakh crore; ₹1,10,055 crore for Railways.
• Govt announces voluntary vehicle scrapping policy; to phase out old and unfit vehicles.
• Centre announces guidelines & digital media ethics code for digital and social media platforms.
• MCA signs pact with Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs for data exchange.
• RBI maintains status quo for fourth time in a row; keeps repo rate static at 4%.
• Embargo lifted on grant of Govt business to private banks. All banks can now participate.
• India’s WPI inflation rises to 2.03% in January – highest in 11 months on the back of higher fuel prices.
• BPCL, Air India share sale by September; LIC IPO-post October: DIPAM Secretary.
• Finance Ministry permits 4 states to borrow additional ₹5,034 crore post ease of doing business reforms.
• Petrol, diesel price at fresh high; oil company says government can cut taxes to ease consumer burden.
• Assam Govt removes COVID cess on petrol & diesel; removes 25% COVID-19 cess on liquor.
• All lanes in fee plazas on National Highways to be declared as FASTag lane from February 15th midnight.
• DGCA allows airlines to charge 10-30% more for domestic flights with immediate effect.
• Government extends ban on commercial international flights till March 31.
• DGCA allows airlines to provide concession in air fares to customers with no baggage.
• Deadline for filing declaration under ‘Vivad Se Vishwas’ scheme extended till March 31.
• India’s stock market now 7th biggest in the world as BSE market cap surges to $2.7 trillion.
• Technical glitch halts NSE trading, resumed later in the same day.
• Indigo Paints, Home First Finance Company, Rail Tel debut in stock market.
• Bank of England holds interest rates held at but warns they could go negative.
• Bitcoin hits $1 trillion market cap, surges above $56,000.
• Ether hits $1,800 for first time as market cap crosses $200 billion.
• India, EU talk restarting bilateral trade, investment pact with interim agreement.
• Bharat Biotech inks pact with Ocugen for development, sale of Covaxin in US.
• Biocon Biologics partners with International Diabetes Federation.
• Dr Reddy’s begins process to obtain emergency use authorisation for Sputnik V.
• China approves 16 locally-made COVID-19 vaccines for clinical trials.
• Cabinet approves PLI scheme for telecom sector worth ₹12,195 crore.
• Tata Communications partners Google to ease cloud adoption by enterprises.
• Bharti Airtel ties up with Qualcomm for 5G services in India.
• HCL inks 5-year Digital Workplace Services agreement with Airbus.
• TCS enhances ties with Amazon Web Services, launches new TCS AWS Business Unit (BU).
• Ford, Google join hands to offer cloud-based data services.
• Ashok Leyland buys Nissan’s 38% stake in Hinduja Tech for ₹70 crore.
• Australia passes landmark law requiring Google, Facebook to pay for news.
• Facebook signs preliminary pay deals with three Australian news publishers.
• Apple Pauses Electric Car Talks With Hyundai and Kia.
• Tesla to set up electric car manufacturing plant in Karnataka: CM Yediyurappa.
• Airbus signs MoU with GMR Group to collaborate on aviation services in India.
• HAL, Wipro3D collaborate to manufacture metal 3D printed aircraft engine component.
• Australia lifts ban on Boeing 737 MAX, first in Asia-Pacific region.
• Lockheed Martin inks pact with HAL to explore potential industrial collaboration in India.
• SpaceX launches world’s first all-civilian astronaut mission.
• UK revokes license of Chinese state-owned broadcaster CGTN.
• Tata Group acquires 68% stake in online grocery major BigBasket for ₹9,500 crore.
• Amazon acquires Australia-based Selz, a platform allowing users to launch online stores.
• PayPal to shut shop in India from April 1, focus on global customers.
• Mastercard and Razorpay partner to make digital payments more accessible for MSMEs and startups.
• Haldiram’s partners with Futurelife to bring nutritional product range to India.
• Airtel enters advertising business; launches adtech platform with brand engagement services.
• Apple partners with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co to develop micro OLED displays.
• Wikipedia launches first global code of conduct to stem misinformation.
• ixigo acquires train booking app Confirmtkt.
• Sandes, alternative to WhatsApp & other instant messaging apps launched by National Informatics Centre.
• Chanda Kochhar gets bail in PMLA case, asked not to leave country without court’s permission.
• Nirav Modi guilty on all charges, can be extradited to India: UK Court.
• Vijay Mallya allowed some access to UK court-held funds to meet legal, living expenses.
• Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala becomes first woman and first African to lead WTO.
• Jeff Bezos to become executive chairman later this year, Andy Jassy to takeover as Amazon CEO.
• Marc Llistosella appointed as new Tata Motors CEO, MD as Guenter Butschek steps down.
• Honda CEO Takahiro Hachigo to step down, be replaced by R&D chief Toshihiro Mibe.
• Hero MotoCorp sets up a new vertical for Harley-Davidson in India; to be headed by Ravi Avalur.

Q3 Results

• SBI Q3 standalone net profit falls 7% to ₹5,196.22 crore, consolidated profit down 6% at ₹6,402.16 crore.
• PNB Q3 net profit declines 18% to ₹506 crore; NII falls marginally to ₹8,313 crore.
• Ashok Leyland reports Q3 net loss of ₹19 crore due to VRS cost of ₹85 crore, revenue at ₹ 4,813.51 crore, .
• Mahindra’s Q3 net profit grows 42% to ₹1,268 crore, revenue up 11% to ₹21,625.95 crore.
• Hero MotoCorp Q3 consolidated PAT up 14% at ₹1,029 crore, revenue rises 39% to ₹9,827 crore.
• Divi’s Labs Q3 net profit rises 31% to ₹471 crore, Total consolidated income stood at ₹1,720.76 crore.
• SpiceJet reports Q3 net loss of ₹57 crore, revenue fell 53.7% to ₹1,691 crore.
• ITC Q3 profit falls 11% YoY to ₹3,587 crore, consolidated revenue rose to ₹14,124 crore.
• Vodafone Idea Q3 loss narrows to ₹4,532 crore, revenue down 2% YoY to ₹10,849.1 crore.

General News

• Global COVID-19 cases top 102.9 million with 2.2 million deaths.
• India’s caseload crosses 10.7 million mark with recovery rate reaching 96.98%.
• India approves Covishield, Covaxin vaccines in fight against COVID-19.
• World’s largest COVID-19 vaccination drive kicks off in India; over 37 lakh vaccinated so far.
• EC allows govt to use voters’ data for vaccination, asks to delete it after drive.
• Vaccine Maitri: India begins supply of indigenous COVID Vaccine to neighbouring and partner countries.
• India showcases military might, cultural heritage at its 72nd Republic Day parade on Rajpath.
• No foreign head of any govt as chief guest on Republic Day due to COVID-19 pandemic.
• Supreme Court stays implementation of farm laws, forms 4-member committee.
• Govt offers to suspend farm laws implementation for up to 1.5 years; farmer unions demand repeal.
• Tractor Parade: Protesting farmers enter Red Fort with Tractors, wave flags from the ramparts of the fort.
• Japanese Pm Shinzo Abe, SPB, Tarun Gogoi, Ram Vilas Paswan among Padma Award winners 2021.
• ECI launches digital voter ID Cards on National Voters Day.
• Construction work of new Parliament building begins after SC gives green signal the project with riders.
• India begins its two-year tenure as a Non-Permanent Member of the UNSC.
• India, China agree to push for early disengagement of frontline troops in Ladakh.
• Govt clears purchase of 83 Tejas aircraft in defence deal worth nearly ₹48,000 crore.
• India, Pakistan exchange lists of nuclear installations and facilities.
• India, Israel successfully test Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile defence system.
• India, EU hold their first maritime security dialogue in virtual format.
• A minor IED blast rocked the high-security zone near the Israeli embassy in New Delhi.
• TN CM inaugurates Jayalalithaa memorial in Chennai; ‘Veda Nilayam’ residence also declared a memorial.
• Avian Influenza confirmed in 5 States for poultry birds and in 10 States for crows, migratory and wild birds.
• India Innovation Index-2020: Karnataka tops in Major States category; Himachal in North East & Hill States.
• UN adopts $3.2 billion budget for 2021 over US and Israel objections.
• Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, 1st-ever treaty to ban nuclear weapons, entered into force.
• UNGA adopts resolution to safeguard religious sites across the world.
• WHO inks deal for delivery of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines in poor countries.
• UK Coronavirus strain detected in at least 60 countries.
• China denies Coronavirus leaked from Wuhan lab, says global outbreaks caused pandemic.
• WHO expert team arrives in Wuhan to begin investigating the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, UN Chief, Singapore PM, Indonesian President receive COVID vaccinations.
• UK PM Boris Johnson declares new lockdown for England until mid-February.
• Japan declares state of emergency for Tokyo area amid COVID-19 surge.
• Germany to extend COVID-19 related restrictions until Feb 14: Chancellor Angela Merkel.
• Brazil approves emergency use of AstraZeneca and Chinese-made Sinovac coronavirus vaccines.
• Pakistan approves Chinese Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine and Russia’s Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine.
• New Zealand lifts all COVID19 restrictions, declaring the nation virus-free.
• Trump supporters storm Capitol Hill amid a key Senate vote; Washington DC placed under lockdown.
• Held responsible for Capitol riot, Trump becomes first President in US history to be impeached twice.
• Donald Trump’s impeachment trial to begin on February 9.
• Joe Biden takes oath as 46th US President, Kamala Harris as Vice-President.
• Biden signs 15 executive orders, reversing Donald Trump’s key policies including Paris accord.
• COVID test, quarantine mandatory for people entering US, Biden launches 100 days mask challenge.
• US withdraws H4 work permit restrictions in relief to spouses of H1-B visa holders.
• North Korea holds huge military parade as Kim vows nuclear might.
• Indonesian plane with 62 people on board crashes after takeoff; Black Box recovered from Java Sea.
• Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli expelled from ruling Nepal Communist Party amid political chaos.
• Saudi Arabia and Qatar agree to reopen airspace and maritime borders.
• Israel opens embassy in United Arab Emirates after normalising ties.
• Bangladesh sends 3rd Batch of Rohingya refugees to Bhashan Char Island.
• India claim series win against Australia; becomes first team to beat host at the Gabba since 1988.
• ICC Test rankings: Historic win at The Gabba takes Team India to second place; Kohli loses 2nd spot to Smith, Pujara moves up to 8th.
• Cheteshwar Pujara becomes 11th Indian to cross 6000-run mark in Test cricket.
• T Natarajan made his Test debut becomes first Indian cricketer to debut in all three formats on same tour.
• Chennai Super Kings release Harbhajan Singh ahead of IPL 2021 mini-auction.
• Rajasthan Royals trade Robin Uthappa to CSK; appoint Kumar Sangakkara as Director of cricket.
• Thailand Open 2021: Sai Praneeth withdraws after testing COVID-19 positive, Srikanth forced to pull out.

Business News

• Budget session begins from January 29, to be held in two phases.
• Economic Survey 2021 tabled in the Parliament; FY21 GDP estimated to contract by 7.7%.
• Nirmala Sitharaman launches the Union Budget Mobile App as India gears up for first paperless budget.
• New Foreign Trade Policy 2021-2026 to be rolled out from April.
• Ease of doing business: Government launches regulatory compliance burden portal.
• PM announces ₹1,000-crore startup India seed fund; Govt holds meeting with 70 global funds.
• PM Modi inaugurates the 306 km Rewari-Madar section of western dedicated freight corridor.
• J&K LG Manoj Sinha launches Industrial development scheme worth ₹24,800 crore for UT.
• Centre approves green tax on old polluting vehicles, tractors to be exempted.
• Cinema halls to be allowed to operate with 100% capacity starting from February: I&B Minister.
• Indian Army signs a pact to procure high-altitude drones from ideaForge for $20 million.
• Karnataka earmarks 520-acres to set up Japanese Industrial Township near Tumakuru.
• CM Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurates Common Facility Centre for gold and Assamese traditional jewellery.
• Centre lists bill to ban all cryptocurrencies in India, create official digital currency.
• RBI launches Digital payments index to track transactions.
• IRDAI to introduce standard home insurance policy Bharat Griha Raksha for fire, allied peril risks.
• TCS becomes world’s most valued IT company, beats Accenture; surpasses Reliance market capitalisation.
• IRFC, Indigo Paints, Home First Finance and Stove Kraft launch their IPOs.
• KVIC unveils e-commerce portal for khadi, village industry products.
• Govt allows import/export of COVID-19 vaccine without any value limitation.
• Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar inaugurates Hisar airport under Udan scheme.
• DGCA extends travel restrictions on scheduled international commercial flights till Feb 28.
• CBI books Cambridge Analytica, Global Science Research for illegal data harvesting.
• World Economic Forum Davos 2021 – PM Modi addresses WEF Davos Summit 2021.
• Serum Institute of India applies for trials of another COVID-19 vaccine; to launch Covavax by June 2021.
• SII to sell Covishield at a special price of ₹200 for govt, to be sold in private markets at ₹1,000 per vial.
• Mahindra, Ford end talks of auto joint venture.
• Hyundai Motor India Ltd ends calendar 2020 with a production of 5.2 lakh units.
• Tesla registers India office in Bangalore, to start operations with R&D unit.
• Hyundai commences export of vehicles via rail, first consignment of 125 cars to reach Nepal.
• Toyota beats Volkswagen to become World’s No.1 car seller in 2020.
• General Motors teams up with Microsoft to accelerate rollout of Electric and self-driving cars.
• Ola, Siemens to build advanced EV hub in Tamil Nadu for ₹2,400 crore.
• DGCA issues guidelines for Airlines to transport COVID-19 vaccines.
• Boeing to pay $2.5 billion to settle US criminal probe into 737 MAX crashes that killed 346 people.
• Total to acquire 20 % stake in Adani Green Energy for $2.5 billion.
• Govt to hold spectrum auctions from March 1; DoT invites applications.
• BSNL to test Indian telecom gears before letting manufacturers bid for 4G network tender.
• Bharti Airtel receives regulatory approval for 100% FDI in subsidiaries.
• Dixon’s subsidiary Padget Electronics ties up with HMD India to manufacture Nokia smartphones.
• TCS partners with UK’s leading mobile network carrier, Three UK to accelerate 5G network rollout.
• SAP invests ₹500 crore to accelerate multi-cloud strategy in India.
• Google Cloud, Nokia partner to accelerate cloud-native 5G readiness for communication service providers.
• US blacklists Xiaomi, CNOOC and 7 other Chinese companies, US investors must pull out by end of year.
• Federal judge blocks Parler’s bid to be restored on Amazon Web Services.
• Health startup Cure.fit acquires US-based digital fitness company Onyx.
• Richard Branson’s Virgin Orbit reaches Space for the first time with its Air-Launched Rocket.
• Alphabet shutting down Loon, which used balloon alternative to cell towers.
• Future Retail-Reliance Retail deal receives SEBI, BSE nod with observations.
• Reliance Retail to tie up with Kirana stores as franchise partners, JioMart exits sale of FMCG goods.
• Amazon buys 11 aircraft for the first time to deliver orders faster.
• Google completes its $2.1 billion acquisition of Fitbit amid ongoing review by US Department of Justice.
• PayPal becomes first foreign firm in China with full ownership of payments business.
• Global cryptocurrency market cap hits $1 trillion as Bitcoin hits $37,000.
• Google removes some lending apps in India to protect consumers.
• WhatsApp delays policy update rollout to May 15 amid severe criticism.
• Govt asks WhatsApp to withdraw changes to privacy policy.
• Amazon joins hands with Bharti Airtel for the first roll-out of Prime Video mobile edition.
• Japanese beer maker Kirin to invest $30 million in maker of India’s Bira.
• Janet Yellen becomes America’s first woman treasury secretary.

Q3 Results

• HDFC Bank Q3 net profit rises 18% to ₹8,758 crore YoY, NII up 15% to ₹16,317.6 crore.
• ICICI Bank Q3 net profit rises 19% to ₹4,940 crore, NII grew 16% to ₹9,912 crore.
• Axis Bank Q3 profit plunges 36% to ₹1,117 crore on elevated provisions, NII grows 14.3% ₹7,372.76 crore.
• Kotak Mahindra Bank Q3 profit rises 16% to ₹1,853 crore, NII grows 17% to ₹4,007 crore.
• YES Bank Q3 net profit rises to ₹151 crore, NII jumps to ₹2,560 crore; NNPA lower at 4.04%.
• TCS Q3 Net profit rises 7% to ₹8,701 crore, revenue up 5% to ₹42,015 crore; ₹6/share dividend declared.
• Infosys Q3 net profit jumps 16.8% YoY to ₹5,197 crore, revenue came in at ₹25,927 crore, up 12.27% YoY.
• Wipro Q3 profit rises 21% YoY to ₹2,966.70 crore, dollar revenue growth highest in 36 quarters at 3.8%.
• HCL Tech reports 31% jump in Q3 profit at ₹3,982 crore, revenue increased by 6% YoY to ₹19,302 crore.
• Maruti Suzuki Q3 net profit rises 24% to ₹1,941 crore, revenue up 13% to ₹23,458 crore.
• Tata Motors Q3 profit jumps 67% to ₹2,906 crore, revenue grew by 5.5% YoY to ₹75,653.8 crore
• TVS records its highest ever quarterly profit of ₹266 crore, revenue up 31% YoY to ₹5,404 crore.
• Biocon Q3 net profit falls 19% to ₹186.6 crore, revenue from operations rose to ₹1,851 crore.
• Dr Reddy’s posts Q3 profit at ₹20 crore, revenues grew 12% YoY to ₹4,930 crore.
• RIL Q3 net profit rises 12.5% YoY to ₹13,101 crore, consolidated revenue up 21.10% to ₹1.2 lakh crore.
• Reliance Jio net profit rises 15.5% to ₹3,489 crore in Q3; ARPU jumps to ₹151.
• HUL Q3 net profit rises 19% to ₹1,921 crore, revenues climb 20% to ₹11,682 crore.

General News

• Global CIVID-19 cases exceed 83.8 million; US most-affected in world as tally crosses 20.4 million-mark.
• India COVID-19 tally crosses 10.28 million, recovery rate improves to 96.07%.
• India reports 25 cases of new COVID-19 strain as UK returnees test positive.
• Centre issues 113 pages guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination drive; first Phase to include 30 crore people.
• Farmers’ protest: SC adjourns hearing, asks Govt to consider putting farm laws on hold.
• Opposition lead by Rahul Gandhi, Sharad Pawar meets President, seeks repeal of farm laws.
• Farmers’ protest: Centre agrees to 2 of 4 demands of protesting farmers; next round of talks on Jan 4.
• 9 states successfully completes ‘one nation one ration card’ reform.
• Winter Session of Parliament scrapped due to COVID-19, Budget Session to take place in January.
• UK PM Boris Johnson accepts India’s invite, will be Republic Day parade chief guest.
• UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab calls on PM Modi; discuss various facets of strategic partnership.
• India, Nepal discuss trade and investments, propose developing of cross-border economic zone.
• PM Modi speaks to Qatar Amir; task force to be set up to boost Qatari investments into India.
• Rajnath Singh calls for joint efforts against threats of ‘bio-terrorism’ at ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meet.
• EAM Jaishankar meets business leaders in Qatar; highlights investment opportunities in India.
• Army chief Gen. Naravane holds talks with UAE and top Saudi Generals.
• Army Chief General MM Naravane meets South Korean top military brass to bolster military ties.
• India and Uzbekistan sign nine agreements to strengthen strategic partnership.
• India and Bangladesh seal 7 pacts to expand cooperation in diverse areas, restore a cross-border rail link.
• PM Modi inaugurates world’s largest renewable energy park at Khavda, meets Farmers in Kutch.
• PM launches Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY SEHAT to ensure universal health coverage to people of J&K.
• PM Modi flags off India’s first ever driverless train, launches National Common Mobility Card.
• Education Ministry sets up task force for preparing roadmap on technical education in mother tongue.
• JEE-Mains to be held four times every year from next year; First exam from 23rd to 26th of Feb.
• PM Modi releases postal stamp to mark centenary celebrations of Aligarh Muslim University.
• Cabinet approves merger of four government-run film and media units with NFDC.
• Amit Shah lays foundation stone of medical college, law colleges in Assam.
• J&K DDC polls: Farooq Abdullah-led Gupkar alliance wins big in Kashmir, BJP in Jammu.
• Suvendu Adhikari, 5 TMC MLAs join BJP at Amit Shah’s rally in Midnapore.
• Maharashtra MLC Election: NCP-Congress coalition wins four seats; BJP bags 1.
• Hyderabad civic polls: Ruling TRS wins 55 seats, followed by BJP with 48 seats and AIMIM by 44 seats.
• MP cabinet gives nod to Religious Freedom Bill, forced conversion will invite 10-year-jail term, penalty.
• Arya Rajendran becomes India’s youngest Mayor from Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram.
• Tamil Nadu grants permission to hold Jallikattu with COVID-19 restrictions.
• Defence Ministry approves acquisition of military hardware worth ₹28,000 crore.
• Navy test-fires anti-ship version of BrahMos supersonic cruise & Prithvi-2 Nuclear capable ballistic missiles.
• ISRO Successfully Launches India’s 42nd Communication Satellite CMS-01 from Sriharikota.
• PM Modi lays foundation stone for new Parliament building.
• Bombay HC stays transfer of Kanjurmarg land for Mumbai metro car shed.
• Indo-Islamic Cultural Foundation (IICF) unveils design of mosque, hospital to be built in Ayodhya.
• Almost 1 billion vaccine doses secured for low- and middle-income countries: WHO.
• Britain first among countries which have begun vaccinating their people against the COVID.
• 137,000 people in UK receive COVID vaccine in 1st week; 1 million Americans vaccinated in 10 days.
• US Vice President Mike Pence, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris publicly receive COVID-19 vaccine shot.
• New strain of Coronavirus identified in UK triggers series of travel bans ahead of holiday season.
• U.S. Electoral College confirms Joe Biden’s win.
• Biden names Janet Yellen as Treasury Secretary and ex-general Lloyd Austin as secretary of defense.
• U.S. House approves $2,000 Coronavirus aid checks sought by Trump.
• US Senate passes bill eliminating per-country cap for employment immigrant visas.
• UK PM Boris Johnson signs EU-UK trade deal after MPs vote to pass agreement.
• UN Chief Antonio Guterres urges global summit to declare ‘climate emergency’.
• UN backs Afghan peace talks in resolution, Russia votes `no’.
• Nepal PM Oli dissolves Parliament amidst power tussle.
• Israeli parliament moves to dissolve government; to hold snap election in March, fourth in two years.
• China 2nd nation to plant flag on the Moon; Chang’e 5 capsule brings 1st new moon samples in 44 years.
• Lebanon PM, former ministers charged over Beirut port blast.
• Bangladesh ships Rohingya refugees to remote island despite outcry.
• Govt to include Gatka, Kalaripayattu, Thang-Ta and Mallakhamba in Khelo India Youth Games 2021.
• BCCI approves 10 teams from 2022 IPL; calls for cricket’s inclusion in 2028 Olympics.
• Chetan Sharma is BCCI’s new chairman of selectors; Abey Kuruvilla, Debashish Mohanty included in panel.
• India vs Australia: Aus win ODI series 2-1, India wins T20 series 2-1, 4 – match Test series levelled at 1-1.
• Virat Kohli becomes fastest cricketer to score 12000 ODI runs, beats Sachin Tendulkar’s record.
• ICC ODI rankings: Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma retain top two spots; Bumrah sits on 3rd spot.
• Virat Kohli named ICC Male Cricketer of the Decade, honoured with Sir Garfield Sobers Award.
• Cristiano Ronaldo wins Player of the year and ‘Gives’ it to Robert Lewandowski in remarkable gesture.

Business News

• All 28 states and 3 Union Territories choose Option-1 to meet GST implementation shortfall.
• Govt releases 9th instalment of ₹6,000 crore loan to states to meet GST shortfall.
• Cabinet approves ₹3,500 crore subsidy for sugar farmers, 5 crore sugarcane farmers to benefit.
• Cabinet gives nod to next round of spectrum auction.
• Commerce Ministry and AYUSH Ministry decide to set up an AYUSH Export Promotion Council.
• Cabinet approves setting up of public WiFi networks under ‘PM-WiFi Access Network Interface’.
• I&B Ministry issues an advisory on advertisements on Online gaming, Fantasy sports.
• Nitin Gadkari inaugurates National Highway projects in Nagaland, Karnataka, Rajasthan and Assam.
• World Bank approves four India projects worth over $800 million.
• Centre and West Bengal sign $500 million project to build Green National Highway Corridors.
• Centre proposes mandatory airbag for front passenger on all cars.
• FASTag mandatory from February 15, toll collection through FASTag crosses ₹80 crore per day for first time.
• Centre proposes mandatory airbag for front passenger on all cars.
• India’s first indigenously developed 100 Octane premium petrol launched.
• Nitin Gadkari unveils Vedic Paint made from cow dung, says ‘will boost rural economy’.
• Govt shells out ₹22,087 crore as interest towards recap bonds for banks.
• Government issues zero-coupon bonds worth ₹5,500 to recapitalise Punjab and Sind Bank.
• RBI leaves the repo rate unchanged at 4%, maintains status quo.
• RTGS to be made available 24X7 in next few days: RBI Governor.
• RBI asks banks to not declare dividend for FY21; retain profit made in FY20.
• ₹200 crore Lucknow Municipal Corporation Bonds list successfully on the BSE.
• Quick restaurant chain Burger King India, Mrs Bectors Food Specialities make their stock market debut.
• Kotak Mutual Fund launches India’s first international REIT fund of funds.
• Pfizer/BioNTech wins the global COVID vaccine race, vaccine rolled out first in UK.
• Aurobindo Pharma to make COVAXX’s potential COVID-19 vaccine for India, UNICEF.
• India’s first indigenous mRNA vaccine candidate receives approval to initiate human clinical trials.
• India to produce 300 million doses of Russian Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine in 2021
• UK, EU finalise post-Brexit trade deal after 10 months of negotiation; set to enter force on January 1.
• Bangladesh signs Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) with Bhutan, its first since independence.
• Cuba to devaluate currency from January; peg exchange rate at 24 pesos per US dollar.
• Iraq’s Central Bank devalues Dinar by 22% to push Economy forward ahead of deficit.
• Bitcoin on a record breaking spree, breaches $27,000 to set all-time record high.
• OPEC+ agrees to increase output by 500,000 barrels a day in Jan 2021.
• Airtel, Nokia ink pact for 5G network rollout in Kenya.
• Nokia starts production of next generation 5G equipment at Chennai facility.
• US FCC orders carriers to remove Huawei equipment, starts proceeding to revoke China Telecom’s permit.
• Germany gives nod to Huawei to build 5G networks with security regulations.
• Audi begins manufacturing of A4 facelift in India; launch in early 2021.
• Fiat Chrysler to invest $150 million to set up Global Digital Hub in Hyderabad.
• Bajaj Auto signs MoU with Maharashtra govt to set up new manufacturing unit in Chakan.
• Amazon, Blackberry team up to create cloud-based vehicle software platform IVY.
• Infosys announces long-term strategic partnership with Daimler AG.
• Wipro inks $700 million digital & IT deal with German company METRO AG.
• Salesforce acquires Slack for $27.7 billion in its largest acquisition ever.
• Boeing’s updated 737 MAX completes first flight with media onboard.
• Ryanair buys 75 Boeing MAX jets in largest order since grounding.
• US lawmakers back $15 billion in airline payroll assistance.
• Lockheed Martin inks $4.4 billion deal to acquire Aerojet Rocketdyne.
• Boeing 737 MAX deemed safe to fly by European Union Aviation Safety Agency.
• Infosys, Rolls-Royce ink strategic partnership for aerospace engineering in India.
• Reliance to buy out IMG Worldwide from sports management joint venture for ₹52.08 crore.
• Alibaba hikes share buyback plan to $10 billion from $6 billion.
• Amazon, Amex, Daimler AG and Stripe join to Fund Software Developers in New GitHub Program.
• Sony to buy anime streaming service Crunchyroll from AT&T for $1.175 billion.
• Swiggy partners with PM’s AtmaNibhar Nidhi to bring over 36,000 street food vendors online.
• Reddit buys TikTok rival Dubsmash, to allow users to upload and stream short-form videos.
• Facebook launches collaborative music video app Collab for iOS users.
• Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo collaborate on shared safety standards for online gaming.
• CCI initiates investigation against cement companies over alleged anti-competitive behaviour.
• SC rejects Vedanta’s interim plea to inspect, operate closed Sterlite copper unit at Tuticorin.
• Nirav Modi’s remand extended by London court; final hearings in 2021.
• Vijay Mallya’s assets in France worth €1.6 million seized by ED.
• Delhi High Court dismisses Future Group plea against Amazon in $3.4 billion asset sale.
• French watchdog fines Google €100 million and Amazon €35 million over cookies law breach.
• Cairn wins arbitration in tax dispute; India asked to pay $1.2 billion in damages.
• China launches antitrust probe into tech giant Alibaba.
• IBM agrees to pay $24.25 million to resolve FCC probes over subsidies.
• UAE’s Lulu group to set up food processing centre in Jammu and Kashmir.
• SBI along with NPCI, Japan’s JCB launch contactless debit card.
• GoDaddy acquires US-based payment processor Poynt for $365 million.
• Ola to invest ₹2,400 crores to set up ‘the world’s largest scooter factory’ in Tamil Nadu.
• Star and Disney India’s Uday Shankar to take over as FICCI President for 2020-21.
• Uday Kotak to head Kotak Mahindra Bank for another 3 years.
• Flipkart board rejig: CEO Kalyan Krishnamurthy, HDFC’s Keki Mistry to join; Steuart Walton, 3 others exit.
• United Spirits names Hina Nagarajan as MD and CEO.

General News

• Global COVID-19 cases cross 63.5 million mark with 1.4 million deaths; US cases pass 13.9 million.
• India’s caseload crosses 9 million mark with recovery rate reaching 93.94%.
• Centre rushes high level teams to Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Manipur to contain spread of COVID-19.
• MHA issues new COVID-19 guidelines from Dec 1, gives nod to states and UTs to impose local restrictions.
• Delhi gets its first vaccine storage facility at Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality hospital.
• PM Modi announces $1 million aid to COVID-19 response fund at ASEAN summit.
• PM Modi urges respect for others’ sovereignty, territorial integrity at virtual SCO summit.
• East Asia Summit 2020: India expresses concern over actions that erode trust in South China Sea.
• PM Modi addresses G-20 summit; calls for new Global Index for post-Corona world.
• BRICS nations adopt new counter-terrorism strategy to effectively deal with the menace.
• India, Luxembourg ink 3 pacts to push investment ties in their maiden summit in two decades.
• India and Italy ink 15 agreements, unveil action plan to further strengthen defence ties.
• S Jaishankar meets Abu Dhabi Crown Prince, discusses the strategic cooperation between India and UAE.
• NSA Ajit Doval participates in trilateral talks with Sri Lanka and Maldives.
• Centre releases ₹2,200 crore as first instalment to 15 states for improvement of air quality.
• Centre approves ₹4,382 crore as calamity assistance to six states.
• Nitish Kumar becomes Bihar’s CM for 4th straight term; BJP’s Tarkishore Prasad, Renu Devi as Deputy CMs.
• BJP sweeps Assembly bypolls; BJP wins 41 out of 59 bypoll seats.
• Madhya Pradesh govt announces formation of ‘Cow Cabinet’ for protection of cows.
• CM Yogi Adityanath dedicates power projects worth ₹216 crore to Gorakhpur.
• Punjab CM virtually inaugurates 1467 smart schools, distributes 2625 tablets in govt primary schools.
• General Naravane conferred with the honorary rank of ‘General of the Nepal Army’ by Nepal President.
• Second batch of three Rafale fighter jets arrive in India after flying non-stop from France.
• Indian and Chinese armies conclude 8th round of military talks.
• India successfully test-fires Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile system in Odisha’s Chandipur.
• Land-attack version of BrahMos supersonic cruise missile successfully testfired.
• PSLV-C49, carrying India’s earth observation satellite EOS-01 and 9 others, lifts off from Sriharikota.
• Farmers from Punjab, Haryana protest in Delhi against the Centre’s new farm laws.
• UGC issues guidelines for reopening of Universities & Colleges across country.
• Congress veterans Ahmed Patel, Tarun Gogoi, TCS founder FC Kohli and Diego Maradona passed away.
• Republic TV’s Arnab Goswami arrested in 2018 suicide abetment case, SC grants interim bail.
• VK Sasikala pays ₹10 crore fine in disproportionate assets case.
• US polls 2020 generated highest voter turnout of 66.9%, the highest turnout rate since 1900.
• Joe Biden elected as 46th president of United States with Kamala Harris as his deputy.
• US President-elect Joe Biden unveils economic plan; formal transition of power to Biden begins.
• US officially ends participation in Open Skies Treaty; formally exits global climate pact.
• Trump bans US investment in Chinese military-linked firms.
• Mike Pompeo meets Afghan government officials, Taliban representatives in Doha.
• US approves $600 million sale of armed MQ-9 Reaper drones to Taiwan.
• Barack Obama memoir ‘A Promised Land’ sells more than 887,000 copies on first day.
• England enters into new month-long lockdown as UK virus cases pass 1 million.
• House of Lords rejects Boris Johnson’s treaty-breaking Brexit laws.
• UK announces biggest military investment since Cold War.
• Jacinda Ardern sworn in for second term as New Zealand Prime Minister.
• Australia and Japan agree ‘in principle’ to historic defence pact.
• Aung San Suu Kyi’s party wins absolute majority in Myanmar polls.
• 1 million Chinese injected with Sinopharm vaccine under emergency use scheme.
• Anti-French protests erupts worldwide following President Macron’s recent comments about Islam.
• Chinese Communist Party unveils plan to make PLA on par with US military by 2027.
• Chinese President Xi Jinping orders advancing construction of rail line in Tibet, close to Arunachal Pradesh.
• Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia sign Nagorno-Karabakh peace deal.
• Bahrain’s long-serving PM Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa dies, Crown Prince named new PM.
• Pakistan parliamentary committee passes China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Authority Bill.
• IPL 2020: Mumbai Indians beats Delhi Capitals to win 5th title, Rahul takes home Orange Cap, Kagiso Rabada ends with Purple Cap.
• AUS vs IND : Australia take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
• BCCI announces MPL as the new apparel sponsor for Indian cricket team for three years.
• Jio named title sponsor of BCCI’s Women’s T20 Challenge.
• Shane Watson formally announces retirement from all forms of cricket.
• Australia replace India at the top spot in World Test Championship after ICC’s altered point system.
• Rafael Nadal wins 1,000th ATP Tour match with Paris Masters victory.
• Daniil Medvedev beat Dominic Thiem to win ATP Tour Finals in London.
• Argentinian football legend Diego Maradona dies at 60 after suffering heart failure.

Business News

• Centre transfers ₹6,000 crore as 2nd tranche to 16 States, 3 UTs for meeting GST Compensation shortfall.
• GST e-invoicing mandatory from January 1, 2021 if turnover exceeds ₹100 crore.
• PM Modi renames Shipping Ministry to ‘Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways’.
• Govt makes use of FASTag mandatory for all four wheelers from Jan 1, 2021.
• Cabinet gives in-principle nod to Production Linked Incentives (PLI) in 10 sectors.
• Govt launches Aatmanirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojana to incentivise job creation during Covid recovery phase.
• Centre okays ₹107.42 crore grant for 28 food processing projects in 10 states.
• India set to become global powerhouse: PM Modi chairs virtual global investor roundtable.
• Tamil Nadu bans online gaming, ₹5,000 fine, imprisonment for violators.
• 50% subsidy on air transportation for fruits & vegetables from North-Eastern & Himalayan states.
• PM Modi & his Bhutanese counterpart jointly launches RuPay Card phase-2 in Bhutan.
• Centre brings Digital news portals, OTT platforms under govt regulation.
• Govt blocks 43 more mobile apps, including AliExpress, Alipay Cashier and CamCard.
• All fixed to mobile calls to be dialled with prefix ‘0’ from Jan 15, 2021.
• Govt provides ₹670 crore support to Regional Rural Banks to meet regulatory capital.
• RBI lifts restriction on Equitas Small Finance Bank for opening of new branches.
• ICICI Bank first private lender to surpass ₹2 trillion in mortgage loan portfolio.
• Cabinet approves Lakshmi Vilas Bank & DBS India merger.
• IRDAI approves HDFC ERGO Health-HDFC ERGO General Insurance and Bharti AXA-ICICI Lombard mergers.
• Markets soar to record high; Sensex tops 44,000 and Nifty crosses 13,000 level.
• Equitas Small Finance Bank and Gland Pharma make their stock market debut.
• Bharat Biotech starts Phase III trials of COVAXIN.
• Pfizer ends vaccine trial with 95% success rate, to apply for approval soon.
• AstraZeneca’s phase 3 interim data shows vaccine 90% effective at lower dose.
• Hetero to manufacture 100 million doses of Sputnik V for India.
• Will work in a public-private partnership to ensure availability of COVID healthcare: Piyush Goyal.
• Regeneron, given to Trump, gets emergency US clearance for COVID-19 therapy.
• Nirav Modi extradition case: UK judge admits CBI, ED evidence.
• TRP scam: Centre forms 4-member committee to review guidelines on television ratings.
• 15 Asian nations sign huge China-backed RCEP trade pact, excluding India and US.
• Britain and Canada agree post-Brexit rollover trade deal.
• Bank Of England keeps interest rate unchanged at 0.1%; injects extra £150 billion into economy.
• US Fed keeps its interest rate unchanged 0.25%, says economy is still well below pre-pandemic levels.
• US Senate unveils $1.4 trillion spending bill amid post-election turmoil.
• EU parliament, govts finalise 2021-2027 budget, £1.6 trillion recovery package.
• Japan’s economy exits recession as GDP grows 5.0% in Q3.
• China publishes draft competition rules for online platforms.
• Ant Group’s record $37-billion IPO suspended in Shanghai, Hong Kong citing ‘major issues’.
• Bitcoin climbs towards all-time high after topping the $19,000 mark.
• Wipro announces collaboration with Cisco.
• Infosys, ATP extend digital innovation partnership for 3 years.
• Qualcomm receives US permission to sell 4G chips to Huawei in exception to ban.
• Huawei sells its Honor smartphone division for $15-billion to Shenzhen govt, Digital China, others.
• iPhone maker Pegatron approves ₹1,110 crore initial investment for a new factory in India.
• MediaTek acquires Intel’s power-management chip business for $85 million.
• Ashok Leyland floats new subsidiary Vishwa Buses and Coaches.
• Fiat Chrysler, PSA win Brazil antitrust approval for merger.
• Porsche and Embraer team up for world’s first matching set of a Jet and Supercar called ‘The Duet’.
• UK to ban sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030.
• Harley-Davidson to continue India operations January 2021 onwards.
• Boeing’s 737 Max allowed to fly two years after deadly crashes.
• Korean Air to buy indebted Asiana, emerging as world’s 10th-largest airline.
• SpaceX Crew Dragon launches 4 astronauts to space station in 1st operational flight for NASA.
• Virgin Hyperloop hosts first human ride on new transport system at over 160 kmph for the first time ever.
• Google enters air terminal retail through tie up with startup Airbuy.
• Amazon launches Amazon Pharmacy, a delivery service for prescription medications.
• Amazon Web Services to invest $2.77 billion in Telangana for data centres.
• Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia to invest $1.3 billion in Reliance Retail for 2.04% stake.
• ADIA, PIF to pump in $1.01 billion in RIL’s fiber assets business.
• Jio Platforms gets ₹33,737 crore from Google for a 7.73% stake.
• Reliance Retail picks up 96% stake in Furniture Retailer Urban Ladder for ₹182.12 crore.
• Western Union buys 15% stake for $200 million in Saudi Telecom’s STC Pay unit.
• WhatsApp payments service gets NPCI nod for roll out in India for upto 20 million users.
• TikTok signs deal with Sony Music to expand music library.
• TikTok sell-by date extended to December 4 by the US Treasury.
• CCI clears Reliance-Future Retail deal despite Amazon’s objections.
• PUBG parent Krafton signs deal to host the game on Microsoft Azure.

Q1 Results

• ICICI Bank Q2 net profit rises over 6-folds to ₹4,251 crore, total income stood at ₹23,650.77 crore.
• HDFC’s Q2 net profit falls 27% YoY to ₹2,870 crore; revenue rose to ₹13,017.68 crore.
• SBI Q2 profit surges 52% to ₹4,574 crore, NII increases 14.6% to ₹28,181 crore.
• Sun Pharma Q2 net profit up 70% at ₹1,813 crore revenue from operations stood at ₹8,553.13 crore.
• Ashok Leyland posts ₹147 crore loss in Q2, revenue down 28% YoY at ₹2,837 crore.
• ITC Q2 PAT declines 20% to ₹3,232 crore, revenue from operations rose a mere 0.1% to ₹11,976.75 crore.
• M&M Q2 Profit dips 3% YoY to ₹1,311 crore, revenue increases 6% to ₹11,590 crore.