Author: Staff Writer

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Beyond

RBI plans simpler rules for large NBFCs

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has proposed a simpler way to identify and regulate large non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), in a move aimed at improving clarity and strengthening oversight.

In a draft framework released for public feedback, the RBI has suggested that NBFCs with assets of ₹1 lakh crore or more should automatically be placed in the “upper layer.” These are the biggest and most systemically important firms, and they are subject to tighter regulations.

Right now, NBFCs are classified using a mix of factors such as size, risk level and their connections with other financial institutions. This system can be complex and difficult to follow. By introducing a clear asset-based threshold, the RBI hopes to make the process more straightforward and transparent.

Another important change proposed is treating government-owned NBFCs the same as private ones. Until now, many state-run NBFCs were placed in lower regulatory categories. The RBI’s new approach removes this distinction, ensuring that any company—public or private—that meets the size requirement will face the same level of scrutiny.

This shift could bring more large NBFCs under stricter supervision. Companies classified in the upper layer are expected to follow tighter governance norms, improve risk management practices, and may also face requirements such as listing on stock exchanges.

The proposal could impact several large financial entities and corporate groups, potentially increasing compliance responsibilities for them. However, regulators believe this is necessary to maintain stability in the financial system, especially as NBFCs play a growing role in lending and financial services.

Also Read: India urged to cut West Asia energy dependence

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Beyond

Air India urged to stay focused amid challenges

Natarajan Chandrasekaran has asked employees of Air India to stay focused and work better as the airline goes through a tough phase. His message comes after the resignation of CEO Campbell Wilson.

At a recent internal meeting, Chandrasekaran told staff to concentrate on their work and improve how things are done. He said that while challenges are there, employees should focus on what they can control and try to perform better.

Air India is currently facing several issues. Rising fuel prices, global tensions and changes in flight routes have made operations more difficult. These factors have also increased costs for the airline.

N Chandrasekaran reminded employees to stay realistic and careful about spending. He stressed the need to manage costs properly while continuing efforts to improve services. He also assured staff that the Tata Group remains committed to supporting the airline.

Since returning to the Tata Group in 2022, Air India has been trying to rebuild its operations. The airline has expanded, upgraded systems and worked on improving its services. However, the journey has not been easy, and it continues to face pressure.

The recent exit of CEO Campbell Wilson has added to the uncertainty. The airline is now looking for new leadership to guide it through the next phase of its transformation.

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Corporate

Coal India shares slip by 5% on rising costs

Shares of Coal India fell around 5% after the company decided to absorb rising costs and lower coal prices, a move that worried investors about its earnings.

The drop came despite a steady broader market, showing that concerns were specific to the company. Investors reacted to the decision to take on higher expenses instead of passing them on to customers.

Coal India is currently facing increased costs in its operations. Prices of key inputs like explosives and fuel have gone up, making mining more expensive. This has put pressure on the company’s profit margins.

Even with these rising costs, the company has chosen to reduce prices in its e-auctions. These auctions usually bring in higher earnings, but the price cut is aimed at keeping coal affordable for industries, especially power producers. The move is expected to help prevent a rise in electricity costs.

However, this strategy may impact the company’s revenues. Lower auction prices and higher costs mean Coal India could earn less in the coming months. This has made investors cautious, leading to the fall in its share price.

The e-auction segment is a key source of profits for the company, and any decline in earnings from this segment could affect its overall performance. Analysts say this is one of the main reasons behind the negative market reaction.

Coal India remains a major supplier of coal in the country, and its pricing decisions play an important role in keeping energy costs stable. For now, the company appears to be focusing on supporting consumers rather than boosting short-term profits.

Also Read: Dubai flight cap hits Indian airlines

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Beyond

Dubai flight cap hits Indian airlines

Dubai’s decision to limit foreign airlines to just one flight a day is set to disrupt travel plans and hit Indian airlines hard. The temporary restriction, in place until May 31, comes at a time when passenger demand is usually high.

The move follows rising tensions in the Middle East, which have already affected flight routes and schedules across the region. Under the new rule, airlines that earlier operated multiple daily flights to Dubai will now have to scale back sharply.

Indian carriers are expected to be among the worst affected. Routes between India and Dubai are some of the busiest, with airlines like Air India, IndiGo and SpiceJet running several flights daily. Cutting these down to one flight per airline means fewer seats and potential revenue losses.

Airline officials say the timing is especially difficult, as the summer travel season typically sees a surge in passengers, including families, workers and tourists heading to the Gulf. With fewer flights available, ticket prices could rise, making travel more expensive.

The Federation of Indian Airlines has raised concerns over the decision and urged the government to step in. It has also suggested that India consider similar restrictions on UAE carriers if the issue is not resolved soon.

This adds to the challenges already faced by Indian airlines. Many flights are taking longer routes due to restrictions over Pakistani airspace, leading to higher fuel costs and operational strain.

Also Read: Reliance caps fuel sales at ₹1,000 per pump

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Corporate

Reliance caps fuel sales at ₹1,000 per pump

Reliance Industries has begun limiting fuel sales at its petrol pumps, allowing customers to buy fuel worth only up to ₹1,000 per visit.

This step comes as the company faces supply pressure due to global disruptions, particularly tensions in the Middle East. These issues have affected the movement of crude oil, making supplies tighter.

The limits are being seen at several fuel stations run by Reliance’s joint venture with BP across the country. While there is no official nationwide announcement, many local dealers have started following the cap to manage available stock.

The idea behind this move is simple which is to ensure that fuel is available to more people and prevent sudden shortages at individual pumps. It also helps avoid panic buying, where people rush to fill large quantities fearing supply issues.

India depends heavily on imported crude oil, so any disruption in global supply chains can quickly impact availability in the country. Recent tensions have made the situation more uncertain, prompting companies to act cautiously.

In some areas, reports of possible shortages had already led to a surge in demand, putting additional pressure on fuel stations. By setting limits, retailers are trying to maintain a steady supply and avoid long queues.

Also Read: TCS shares fall 2% despite strong Q4 performance

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Corporate

TCS shares fall 2% despite strong Q4 performance

Shares of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) fell around 2% after it announced its fourth-quarter results, even though the company reported steady growth.

For the March quarter, TCS posted a rise in profit and revenue compared to last year. The company also announced a final dividend, showing confidence in its financial health.

However, the market reaction was muted. Investors seemed more focused on future growth rather than past performance. Concerns about slower demand in key sectors, especially banking and financial services, weighed on sentiment.

Brokerage firms gave mixed views. Some remained positive, highlighting strong deal wins and a healthy order pipeline, which could support growth in the coming quarters. Others were more cautious, pointing to possible pressure on margins and slower growth ahead.

Another area of concern is the impact of artificial intelligence (AI). While AI offers long-term opportunities, it is also changing the way IT services are delivered, creating some uncertainty in the near term.

The weak sentiment was not limited to TCS. Shares of other IT companies also came under pressure, reflecting broader concerns in the sector.

Also Read: Instagram rolls out stricter safety rules for teens

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Corporate

Sensex jumps 900 points, Nifty tops 24,000

Indian stock markets rose sharply on April 10, recovering from the previous session’s losses.

The Sensex climbed over 900 points to close above 77,500, while the Nifty crossed the 24,000 mark. The strong rally was mainly driven by positive global signals and easing concerns around geopolitical tensions.

Markets were supported by reports of improving relations between the US and Iran, which led to a drop in crude oil prices. Lower oil prices are beneficial for India as they help reduce inflation and import costs.

Buying was seen across several sectors, especially auto, metals and banking stocks. Among the top gainers were Asian Paints, Mahindra & Mahindra, and Adani Ports, which helped push the indices higher.

However, not all stocks participated in the rally. Infosys, Reliance Industries, and TCS were among the major losers, facing selling pressure during the session.

Global markets also traded positively, which lifted investor sentiment. A stronger rupee and some return of foreign investor interest added to the gains.

Experts say the rise was partly due to bargain buying after the recent fall. Still, they caution that markets may remain volatile due to global uncertainties.

Also Read: Amazon CEO says chip business crosses $20 bn

Categories
Technology

Instagram rolls out stricter safety rules for teens

Instagram is introducing new safety features aimed at making the platform safer for teenagers.

With this update, all users under 18 will automatically be placed under stricter content settings. This means they will see only age-appropriate posts, similar to content rated suitable for teens.

The platform will now reduce exposure to posts that include violence, strong language, or adult themes. It will also limit interactions with accounts that regularly share such content.

Search results are being tightened as well. Teens won’t easily come across sensitive or harmful content, even if they try to search for it in different ways.

One of the biggest changes is that these safety settings cannot be turned off freely. Teens will need approval from parents to make any changes, giving families more say in how the app is used.

The update also introduces a “limited content” option, which applies even stricter filters for those who want extra protection.

Parent company Meta says the changes are based on feedback from parents and are part of a larger effort to improve safety for younger users.

The move comes at a time when social media platforms are facing growing pressure to better protect teenagers online, especially around issues like mental health and exposure to harmful content.

Also Read: World Bank raises India growth forecast to 6.6%

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Beyond

Bengaluru airport tests ‘face as passport’ travel system

Air travel could soon become much easier, as Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport has tested a new system where passengers can use their face instead of showing documents.

In this trial, travellers moved through different airport checkpoints using facial recognition. Instead of showing a passport or boarding pass again and again, their identity was verified digitally. This made the process quicker and more convenient.

The system was tested across the entire journey, from check-in to boarding. Passengers could enter the airport, pass through security, and board their flight without needing physical documents at each step.

The project is being developed with support from airlines and global aviation bodies, and builds on India’s existing Digi Yatra system. While Digi Yatra is currently used for domestic flights, this new trial aims to bring similar convenience to international travel.

One of the key features of the system is data security. Passengers have control over their personal information, and it is only shared when needed. The process is designed to be safe as well as fast.

The biggest benefit of this technology is saving time. It can help reduce long queues at airports and make the travel experience smoother, especially during busy hours.

If rolled out widely, this system could change how people travel, making the entire process almost paperless.

Also Read: Amazon CEO says chip business crosses $20 bn

Categories
Leaders

Amazon CEO says chip business crosses $20 bn

Amazon is seeing rapid growth in its technology business, with CEO Andy Jassy revealing that its chip division has now crossed an annual revenue run rate of $20 billion.

The milestone reflects how quickly demand for artificial intelligence (AI) is rising. Companies across industries are increasingly relying on cloud services and advanced computing power, which has boosted Amazon’s custom chip and infrastructure business.

A major part of this growth is being driven by Amazon Web Services, the company’s cloud arm. Its AI-related offerings are gaining traction as businesses look to build and run AI models more efficiently.

Amazon is also focusing on developing its own chips to reduce costs and improve performance. These in-house chips are designed to handle complex AI workloads and are becoming a key part of the company’s long-term strategy.

To support this expansion, Amazon plans to continue investing heavily in data centres and technology infrastructure. While the scale of spending is significant, the company maintains that it is necessary to keep up with growing demand and stay competitive in the AI space.

The announcement signals Amazon’s intent to strengthen its position against other global tech companies investing in similar technologies. It also highlights a shift in the company’s business model, with AI and cloud services playing a bigger role than ever before.

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