Wealth management leadership appointment strengthens product innovation, strategic partnerships and technology-enabled platform building at Centrum Wealth.
Centrum Wealth Limited announced the appointment of Saurabh Rungta as Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer, with responsibility for the investment team across products, advisory and in-house PMS platforms, as well as the Family Office business. The role is intended to support the firm's growth agenda, strengthen product architecture, deepen strategic partnerships and build a differentiated, technology-enabled wealth platform. The text also notes that Centrum Wealth is an AMFI-registered mutual fund distributor.

Import duty on precious metals raised to curb non-essential imports and ease pressure on the rupee.
Import duty on gold and silver was raised to 15 per cent, with basic customs duty and cess revised, and platinum and related precious-metal items also adjusted. The measure was introduced to curb non-essential imports, reduce foreign exchange outflows, and ease pressure on the rupee and the external account amid elevated balance-of-payments stress. Government sources described it as a calibrated, preventive intervention using price-based disincentives rather than quantitative restrictions.

Precious metal import duty hike curbs non-essential imports and eases external account pressure amid market stress.
Import duty on gold and silver was increased to 15 per cent, and on platinum to 15.4 per cent, with consequential changes for related precious-metal items. The measure raises the effective duty on precious-metal imports and is described as a calibrated, price-based restraint intended to moderate avoidable import demand and ease pressure on the external account during extraordinary external conditions.

Import duty on precious metals raised to curb discretionary imports and ease pressure on foreign exchange reserves.
Import duty on gold, silver and platinum was increased to 15 per cent, with related items also revised, as a calibrated price-based measure to moderate discretionary imports and reduce pressure on foreign exchange reserves. The stated rationale was to preserve market flexibility while easing external-sector stress, prioritising forex for essential imports and supporting balance-of-payments stability amid the West Asia crisis.

Import duty on gold and silver raised to curb non-essential imports and conserve foreign exchange amid balance of payments stress.
Import duty on gold and silver was increased to 15 per cent by raising the social welfare surcharge and agriculture infrastructure and development cess, effective 13 May 2026. The measure was intended to curb non-essential imports of precious metals and conserve foreign exchange amid a rising import bill and balance of payments stress. It reversed the earlier reduction in customs duty on gold to 6 per cent and was aimed at moderating inbound shipments driven largely by the jewellery industry.

Rupee weakness amid global risk aversion, crude price surge and expectations of possible RBI support
The rupee fell to a fresh record low against the US dollar amid global risk aversion, stronger dollar trends and a sharp rise in Brent crude prices. Traders linked the weakness to concerns over India's trade deficit and balance-of-payments pressures if oil prices remain elevated, while noting that any RBI intervention could support the currency at lower levels. The report also notes foreign institutional selling and weakness in domestic equity markets.

AI-first banking trust positioning emphasizes compliant by design transformation, core-system integration, and measurable operational outcomes.
Maveric Systems announced a new brand positioning, "Engineering Trust in AI-First Banking," for financial institutions shifting from digital-first to AI-first operating models. The positioning emphasizes embedding AI into core banking systems, applying fairness, explainability, reliability, privacy and regulatory compliance by design, and delivering measurable outcomes through a proprietary AI @ Scale framework, supported by platforms for quality intelligence, data integrity, customer intelligence and intelligent operations.

Foreign-exchange conservation measures prompt ICAI to curb overseas travel and promote virtual meetings among members and officers.
ICAI proposed foreign-exchange saving measures for members, officers and families amid the West Asia conflict and higher oil prices. The institute said it would issue an advisory to curb foreign travel and encourage other ways of conserving foreign exchange, including using virtual meetings where possible. Foreign travel by office-bearers and officers would be restricted to cases of absolute necessity, and the measures would be implemented mandatorily within ICAI.

Rupee depreciation under geopolitical as US-Iran tensions and surging crude prices pressure foreign exchange markets.
Rupee depreciation in the foreign exchange market was driven to a record closing low against the US dollar amid renewed US-Iran tensions, heightened global risk aversion, and concerns over tighter global supply conditions. Market sentiment was also affected by expectations that elevated crude prices could worsen India's trade deficit and balance-of-payments position, while the dollar remained firm against major currencies. Brent crude rose sharply, reinforcing fears of supply disruption and higher energy costs.

Balance of payments stress test from West Asia crisis raises inflation, current account and rupee pressure for India.
West Asia crisis is described as a live balance of payments stress test for India, with direct implications for inflation, the current account and the exchange rate. Heavy dependence on imported crude, imported LPG and remittance inflows from Gulf countries makes India exposed to disruption in energy supplies and external earnings, while higher global crude prices are expected to enlarge the import bill, weaken foreign exchange reserves, widen the current account deficit and put pressure on the rupee.

Foreign exchange conservation drives fuel savings, reduced travel and restrained consumption amid West Asia conflict pressures.
Calls for judicious use of fuel and foreign exchange conservation in response to the West Asia conflict emphasise reduced petrol and diesel consumption, greater use of metro rail, carpooling, electric vehicles, railway parcel services and work from home. The appeal also includes postponing gold purchases and foreign travel for one year as measures to ease pressure on the economy and preserve foreign exchange reserves amid disruptions to fuel transport and other global supply effects.

Foreign exchange pressure drives rupee to record low as dollar strength, crude prices and capital outflows intensify.
Foreign exchange market pressure pushed the rupee to a record closing low against the US dollar amid a stronger greenback, rising crude oil prices, and heavy foreign capital outflows. Geopolitical tensions in West Asia, domestic appeals to reduce spending on fuel, gold, and foreign travel, and weakness in domestic equities all added to market volatility and pressure on the local currency.

Portable air conditioner buying guide highlights cooling capacity, energy efficiency, portability, and EMI-based purchase options.
Portable air conditioners are described as an installation-free cooling option for rooms where window or split ACs cannot be fitted, especially for renters and small-apartment users. Buyers are advised to assess cooling capacity, BEE star rating, portability features, noise levels, exhaust hose length, and additional modes such as fan-only and dehumidifier functions. The purchase process includes browsing models, checking eligibility, selecting a partner store, and choosing an EMI plan with repayment tenures from 3 to 60 months and zero down payment on select models.

Crude oil price shock and austerity appeal weigh on investor sentiment amid foreign exchange and inflation concerns.
Stock market weakness was linked to rising crude oil prices, renewed geopolitical tension in West Asia, and concern over inflationary pressure, fuel costs, foreign exchange reserves, and the current account outlook. Investor sentiment was further affected by the Prime Minister's appeal for austerity and conservation of foreign exchange through reduced fuel use, postponement of gold purchases and foreign travel, greater use of public transport, carpooling, electric vehicles, rail services, and work from home.

Rupee weakness deepens amid oil surge, dollar strength and foreign outflows, pressuring market sentiment and reserves.
The rupee fell sharply to a record low against the US dollar amid heightened West Asia tensions, a surge in crude oil prices, a stronger dollar and sustained foreign capital outflows. Market sentiment was also weakened by calls for austerity, including reduced discretionary spending and foreign travel, as part of efforts to conserve foreign exchange. India's foreign exchange reserves also fell in the latest reporting week, adding to pressure on the domestic currency.

Savings account interest rate revision boosts returns with monthly credit, digital onboarding, and select zero-balance account options.
AU Small Finance Bank has revised its savings account interest rates to up to 6.75% per annum, applicable to select balance slabs and subject to periodic change. The savings account structure includes monthly interest credit, zero-balance options for select variants, and fully digital account opening through video KYC without a branch visit. The account is integrated with mobile and net banking facilities, fund transfers, UPI, IMPS, NEFT, bill payments, fixed deposit booking, account statements, and security features.

Austerity and self-reliance appeal amid West Asia conflict sparks political clash over responsible leadership.
Political exchange over the Prime Minister's appeal for austerity and economic self-restraint in the context of the West Asia conflict. The appeal urged citizens to conserve energy, reduce fuel consumption, use public transport and carpooling, postpone gold purchases and foreign travel, and prefer indigenous products and Swadeshi goods to conserve foreign exchange and support self-reliance. The response defended these measures as responsible leadership and invoked Nehru's remarks on the impact of wars abroad on India.

Foreign exchange conservation and fuel restraint shape a wider debate on austerity, consumption cuts, and economic stress.
Concerns were raised over the economic impact of the West Asia conflict and the possibility of tighter austerity measures, including higher fuel prices, as the government urged citizens to reduce consumption of petroleum products and other imports. The stated objective of these appeals was to conserve foreign exchange and reduce pressure on the economy amid rising supply-chain stress and increased prices of petrol and fertilisers. The measures advocated included greater use of metro rail, carpooling, electric vehicles, railway parcel movement, work-from-home arrangements, postponement of gold purchases and foreign travel, reduced edible oil consumption, lower use of chemical fertilisers, promotion of natural farming, and preference for Swadeshi products.

Foreign-exchange conservation appeal to delay gold purchases and travel weighs on jewellery demand and bullion sentiment.
Postponement of gold purchases and avoidable foreign travel was urged as a foreign-exchange conservation response to the West Asia crisis and higher crude prices. The appeal was linked to macroeconomic stability, trade deficit management, and pressure on the rupee and current account, while analysts said it could dampen short-term jewellery demand and sentiment across bullion-linked businesses.

Crude oil price surge and West Asia tensions weigh on stock markets as foreign exchange conservation measures intensify
Stock markets fell in early trade as rising crude oil prices and renewed West Asia tensions weighed on sentiment, with Brent crude higher and supply disruption concerns returning to focus. The pressure was linked to the risk of a wider current account deficit and foreign exchange outflows, while the reported response emphasised conserving foreign exchange through lower fuel use, public transport, carpooling, electric vehicles, postponement of gold purchases, and deferment of foreign travel.