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Delhi CNG price crosses ₹80 after fresh hike

Delhi-NCR residents will now pay more for CNG after Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) increased prices by ₹1 per kg, marking the second hike in 48 hours.

With the latest revision, CNG in Delhi now costs ₹80.09 per kg, while rates in Noida and Ghaziabad stand at ₹88.70 per kg. Overall, prices have risen by ₹3 per kg in two days.

The increase is expected to affect auto-rickshaw drivers, cab operators and daily commuters, with concerns that transport fares could rise if higher fuel costs are passed on to passengers.

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Beyond

Rupee weakens further, touches ₹96.25 per dollar

The Indian rupee touched a fresh record low of ₹96.25 against the US dollar on Monday as pressure from global developments and rising energy prices continued to impact the currency market.

The latest decline comes as crude oil prices remain elevated due to geopolitical tensions and concerns over global supply disruptions. Since India is heavily dependent on imported oil, any increase in international crude prices usually affects the country’s import bill and currency value.

Another reason behind the fall was the strengthening of the US dollar. Investors have moved towards safer investments amid global uncertainty, increasing demand for the American currency. Continued foreign investment outflows also affected sentiment in domestic financial markets.

The impact of a weaker rupee could be felt across several sectors. Higher fuel import costs may increase transportation expenses and influence prices of everyday goods. Electronics, imported machinery and products dependent on overseas raw materials could also become more expensive.

Industries such as aviation and manufacturing may face additional cost pressure if the rupee remains weak for a prolonged period. However, exporters in sectors such as information technology and pharmaceuticals may benefit, as a weaker rupee can increase earnings from overseas markets.

Also Read: Gold slides to ₹1.57 lakh, Silver drops to ₹2.6 lakh

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Beyond

Gold slides to ₹1.57 lakh, Silver drops to ₹2.6 lakh

Gold and silver prices moved lower on Monday, bringing some relief for buyers after recent sharp fluctuations in precious metal rates. The decline was seen across major cities as domestic prices reacted to changing international trends and shifting investor sentiment.

According to market rates, 24-carat gold was trading around ₹1.57 lakh per 10 grams, while 22-carat gold was priced at nearly ₹1.44 lakh per 10 grams. Silver also witnessed a decline and was trading at around ₹2.6 lakh per kilogram in several markets.

The fall comes after a period of volatility in precious metal prices, with global developments continuing to influence domestic rates. Analysts said changing movements in international markets, along with fluctuations in the US dollar and investor activity, contributed to the decline.

Gold is often considered a safe investment during uncertain times, but prices can move in either direction depending on global economic conditions. Rising interest rate expectations and changes in international commodity markets have recently affected demand and pricing trends.

Despite the decline, jewellers said consumer interest remains strong, especially among people planning purchases for weddings and long-term investments. Many buyers closely track daily price movements before making decisions, particularly during periods of volatility.

Silver also remained under pressure during the session and followed the broader trend seen in precious metals. Market experts said silver prices usually react not only to investment demand but also to industrial consumption trends.

Also Read: Sensex falls over 800 points, Nifty slips below 23,450

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Corporate

Sensex falls over 800 points, Nifty slips below 23,450

Indian stock markets ended Monday’s session on a weak note as investors turned cautious amid rising crude oil prices, global uncertainty and fresh geopolitical concerns. The benchmark BSE Sensex fell around 800 points to close below the 82,000 mark, while the Nifty 50 slipped below the 23,450 level, extending losses through the trading day.

Markets opened lower following weak cues from international markets and remained under pressure throughout the session. Selling was witnessed across key sectors including banking, metals, oil and gas, and real estate, indicating broad-based weakness in the market. Mid-cap and small-cap indices also traded lower, suggesting that selling pressure was spread across segments rather than being limited to large-cap stocks.

Among individual stocks, Gland Pharma and IndusInd Bank emerged among the notable gainers and managed to stay in positive territory despite the broader weakness. On the losing side, Power Grid, Tata Steel, HDFC Bank, Maruti Suzuki, and Adani Ports were among the major drags on the benchmark indices.

Market sentiment remained under pressure due to rising crude prices linked to geopolitical tensions in West Asia. Higher oil prices generally raise concerns for India because of its dependence on imports, leading to worries over inflation and increased costs for businesses.

The Indian rupee also remained under pressure during the day, adding to investor concerns over foreign fund flows. Analysts said investors preferred profit-booking after the recent rally and adopted a cautious approach amid uncertainty in global markets.

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Leaders

Ankur Warikoo ends ₹100 cr Edtech venture

Entrepreneur Ankur Warikoo has shut down his online courses business, which had crossed ₹100 crore in revenue and earned about ₹25 crore in profit since launching in 2020.

He announced the decision in a social media video, saying he is closing the platform after five years of operations. The courses had reportedly reached around 5 lakh learners and became one of his key digital ventures.

Warikoo said the business had grown well beyond expectations, but continuing it no longer felt right. He did not give detailed reasons initially, but said he would share more about the decision later.

The platform offered courses on careers, personal finance and skill development, and was popular among young professionals and students. It grew largely through Warikoo’s strong presence on social media platforms.

The move has surprised many online, as the business was profitable and still growing. Some users questioned why a successful venture was being shut, while others believe it could signal a shift toward new projects.

Warikoo has previously said he focuses not only on profits but also on long-term purpose and alignment in his work.

Details about what happens to existing users of the platform have not been fully shared yet.

Also Read: Flipkart IPO put on hold, focus shifts to profits

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Corporate

Flipkart IPO put on hold, focus shifts to profits

Flipkart is expected to delay its long-awaited stock market debut as its parent company Walmart pushes the e-commerce firm to focus on profitability instead of rushing into an IPO.

According to reports, Walmart has advised Flipkart to hold off on listing plans until the company shows steady financial improvement. The goal is to first reach stronger earnings performance, including an internal target of breaking even at the EBITDA level by FY2027.

Flipkart had been widely expected to go public in the next couple of years, with earlier market expectations pointing to a possible IPO around 2026–27. However, that timeline now appears uncertain, with some reports suggesting the listing could be pushed as far as 2028.

The shift reflects a broader change in strategy. Instead of focusing on valuations and market entry, Flipkart is now being encouraged to strengthen its core business and improve margins. That includes cutting losses, improving efficiency, and growing higher-profit areas like advertising, fintech services, and logistics.

Walmart’s direction signals a more cautious approach, prioritising long-term stability over short-term listing goals. The idea is that Flipkart should enter the public markets only when its financial performance is strong enough to support sustained investor confidence.

Flipkart, one of India’s biggest e-commerce companies, has been preparing for an IPO for several years. The company has gone through multiple rounds of restructuring and investment to prepare for a potential listing.

However, changing market conditions and increased pressure on profitability across global tech companies have slowed down many IPO plans in the startup sector.

Also Read: New Google accounts may face 5GB storage limit

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Technology

New Google accounts may face 5GB storage limit

Google is reportedly testing a new approach to free cloud storage that could reduce the default limit for new accounts from 15GB to 5GB. The storage applies across Gmail, Google Drive and Google Photos, which all draw from a shared quota.

In the test, some users signing up for new Google accounts are shown only 5GB of free storage initially. To access the full 15GB, users may need to complete phone number verification during or after the registration process.

This change does not appear to affect existing Google accounts, which continue to receive the standard 15GB free storage allocation. The experiment is currently limited in scope and has not been officially rolled out worldwide.

For years, the 15GB free storage plan has been a key part of Google’s ecosystem, giving users a unified space for emails, files and photo backups. It has also been a competitive advantage in the cloud storage market.

However, storage usage has increased significantly over time as users store more high-resolution photos, videos and documents. This has led many users to eventually upgrade to paid Google One plans once their free limit is reached.

The new test suggests Google may be exploring ways to better manage storage demand while also tightening account verification processes. Industry observers note that linking storage benefits to identity confirmation could become a broader trend across digital platforms.

Google has described the move as a controlled experiment aimed at improving platform security and reducing the creation of fake or spam accounts. By linking full storage access to verification, the company may be trying to discourage mass sign-ups that exploit free storage offerings.

Also Read: ITC Hotels to acquire The Zuri Kumarakam for ₹205 cr

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Beyond

New export duty rules for fuel from May 16

The Centre has revised export taxes on petroleum products, introducing a Special Additional Excise Duty (SAED) of ₹3 per litre on petrol exports and reducing duties on diesel and aviation turbine fuel (ATF). The new rates came into effect from May 16 as part of the government’s regular review of fuel export taxes.

Under the revised structure, diesel export duty has been reduced from ₹23 per litre to ₹16.5 per litre, while the levy on ATF has been cut from ₹33 per litre to ₹16 per litre. Petrol exports, which previously did not attract any export duty, will now be taxed at ₹3 per litre.

The government has clarified that the changes apply only to exports and will not affect fuel sold within the country. This means petrol and diesel prices for domestic consumers are not expected to see any immediate impact due to the latest revision.

Export duties on fuel are reviewed every two weeks and are linked to international crude oil and refined fuel prices. These periodic revisions are intended to help the government respond to fluctuations in the global energy market and maintain a balance between exports and domestic fuel availability.

The latest move comes at a time when global oil markets continue to experience uncertainty. The government had introduced export duties on petroleum products earlier to discourage excessive exports during periods of high international prices and to ensure adequate supplies within India.

Also Read: Indian ice creams enter the TasteAtlas Global list

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1 Minute-Read

Indian ice creams enter the TasteAtlas Global list

India’s rich and diverse dessert culture has found a place on the global stage, with five Indian ice cream varieties making it to TasteAtlas’ list of the world’s top 100 iconic ice creams.

The list features favourites that have won hearts over the years, including Mango Ice Cream Sandwich, Gadbad Ice Cream, Tender Coconut Ice Cream, Guava Ice Cream, and Death by Chocolate. These desserts, known for their unique flavours and loyal fan following, come from popular Indian brands and outlets.

The recognition highlights how local favourites are increasingly gaining appreciation among food lovers worldwide.

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Beyond

India-UK FTA hits delay over steel import curbs

India and the United Kingdom are working to resolve a fresh dispute over steel imports that has delayed the implementation of their long-anticipated Free Trade Agreement (FTA), according to official and media reports.

The deal, which was expected to be operational by May 2026, has hit a hurdle after the UK introduced new steel safeguard measures that tighten import access. The changes include sharply reduced tariff-free quotas and higher duties on steel imports exceeding those limits.

Indian officials say these restrictions were not anticipated during FTA negotiations and are now affecting the final rollout of the agreement. The issue has become a key sticking point in otherwise advanced discussions between the two countries.

Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said both sides are actively engaged in talks and are trying to find a “unique and creative solution” to address the problem. He added that India and the UK remain close to operationalising the broader trade pact despite the setback.

The UK’s new steel regime, set to take effect from July 2026, will significantly cut tariff-free steel import volumes and impose steep duties on excess shipments. The policy is aimed at protecting domestic steel producers but has raised concerns among trading partners, including India.

Despite the dispute, both governments have stressed that the FTA remains on track overall. Negotiators are now focusing on bridging differences related to steel trade rules so the agreement can be implemented without further delay.

For India, the concern is that reduced access for steel exports could weaken expected gains from the FTA, particularly for its metals and engineering sectors. The agreement was designed to improve market access and boost bilateral trade across goods and services.

Also Read: US set to drop fraud case against Gautam Adani