Retail inflation outlook remains within target as the repo rate stays unchanged amid supply and price pressures.
Retail inflation is projected at 4.6 per cent for the current financial year, within the government-mandated target range. Quarterly CPI-based inflation is estimated at 4 per cent in the first quarter, 4.4 per cent in the second, 5.2 per cent in the third and 4.7 per cent in the fourth, while headline inflation remains contained and below target. The Monetary Policy Committee kept the repo rate unchanged at 5.25 per cent amid geopolitical uncertainty, energy price pressures, weather-related food risks and supply chain dislocations.

School meal partnership expands nutritious mid-day meals through a centralised kitchen, improving classroom attendance and child nutrition.
Deutsche Bank, under its CSR programme in India, partnered with The Akshaya Patra Foundation to inaugurate a centralised kitchen in Pune for the PM POSHAN initiative. The facility is designed to provide hot, nutritious mid-day meals to 25,000 children in 29 government and government-aided schools, supporting classroom attendance, nutrition outcomes, and access to education. The kitchen operates as a food-safe and hygiene-compliant unit with electric meal-delivery vehicles, reflecting environmental sustainability alongside social impact.

GDP growth projection moderates as supply chain disruption, commodity prices and global volatility weigh on domestic outlook.
India's real GDP growth for 2026-27 is projected at 6.9 per cent, with quarterly estimates of 6.8 per cent in Q1, 6.7 per cent in Q2, 7.0 per cent in Q3 and 7.2 per cent in Q4. The projection reflects elevated commodity and energy prices, supply chain disruptions, and higher freight and insurance costs, while domestic demand is supported by services activity, GST rationalisation, manufacturing capacity utilisation, and healthy financial sector and corporate balance sheets.

Repo rate unchanged as inflation pressures and currency movements keep monetary policy in a cautious stance.
Monetary policy retains the repo rate unchanged at 5.25 per cent with a neutral stance amid inflationary and external market pressures. The decision follows concerns arising from disrupted energy supplies, higher crude prices, and import-linked inflation, while headline retail inflation had moved closer to the medium-term target. The inflation framework also reflects a fresh government mandate requiring the central bank to maintain retail inflation at 4 per cent within a tolerance band of 2 per cent on either side for the next five years ending March 2031.

Financial inclusion through PMMY expands collateral-free credit for small entrepreneurs across banks, NBFCs and MFIs.
Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) extends collateral-free institutional credit to small and micro entrepreneurs for non-corporate, non-farm income-generating activities, with the objective of funding the unfunded and broadening financial inclusion. The scheme operates through banks, NBFCs and MFIs, and is structured into Shishu, Kishor, Tarun and TarunPlus categories according to the borrower's credit needs. Loan support covers term finance and working capital across manufacturing, trading, service activities and allied agricultural activities, while interest rates are governed by RBI guidelines and repayment terms are flexible.

Rupee appreciation follows ceasefire-driven risk-on buying as markets watch central bank policy and currency stability.
The rupee appreciated in early trade after a two-week suspension of military strikes against Iran triggered risk-on buying across currencies, equities and commodities, while Brent crude and the dollar index fell. Foreign exchange conditions were also shaped by the Reserve Bank of India's deadline for squaring overnight positions and the day's monetary policy announcement, with markets expecting the rupee to remain range-bound and volatile as attention shifted to inflation, growth, global uncertainty and currency stability.

Rupee volatility eases as dollar pressure, capital outflows and RBI policy caution keep the market on edge.
The rupee weakened against the US dollar amid foreign capital outflows, a firm dollar, higher crude oil prices, and geopolitical uncertainty. Market participants remained cautious ahead of the Reserve Bank's monetary policy review and the expiry of a geopolitical deadline affecting the Strait of Hormuz. The market also reflected the Reserve Bank's recent steps to curb speculative positions and limit banks' net open positions to reduce volatility in the domestic currency.

Business correspondent framework reform proposes new delivery point definitions, simpler eligibility norms, and uniform remuneration arrangements.
Reserve Bank of India has issued draft amendment directions for public comments across multiple categories of banks, revising branch authorisation and the business correspondent framework. The proposals define branch, Business Correspondent-Banking Outlet and Business Correspondent-Banking Touchpoint, simplify eligibility criteria for engaging business correspondents, subsume Business Facilitators under the business correspondent model, and standardise commission and remuneration arrangements in the business correspondent ecosystem.

Relationship-led banking targets the emerging affluent with premium service features, digital access, and zero forex mark-up benefits.
DBS Bank India introduced DBS Aspire, a relationship-led banking proposition aimed at the emerging affluent segment and globally mobile customers seeking premium service features with digital access. Eligibility is linked to a total relationship value of Rs. 10 lakh or a minimum monthly savings account average balance of Rs. 2 lakh. The programme includes a DBS Aspire debit card with zero forex mark-up on international spends, zero charges on banking transactions and services, access to a relationship manager, competitive savings account returns on eligible balances, and access to the bank's digiportfolio investment platform.

Rupee depreciation and forex curbs weigh on currency sentiment amid geopolitical uncertainty and monetary policy watch.
The rupee weakened against the US dollar and closed at 93.00 (provisional) amid foreign capital outflows, a firm dollar, higher crude oil prices and geopolitical uncertainty. Market participants remained focused on the Reserve Bank's forthcoming monetary policy review, while the Reserve Bank had tightened foreign exchange market safeguards to curb speculative positions and cap banks' net open positions at USD 100 million.

Rupee pressure from capital outflows, firm dollar and crude prices persists despite RBI measures to curb speculation.
The rupee depreciated in early trade amid continued foreign capital outflows, a firm US dollar and elevated crude oil prices in a volatile geopolitical setting. The Reserve Bank of India had recently tightened rules to curb speculative positions and capped banks' net open positions at USD 100 million, which traders said had helped stabilise the currency and limit extreme weakness. The exchange-rate outlook was described as range-bound with volatility, with traders awaiting the Reserve Bank's monetary policy decision.

Rupee volatility control measures support the currency as the Reserve Bank tightens speculative position limits.
Rupee appreciated against the US dollar after the Reserve Bank of India tightened foreign exchange rules to curb speculative positions and reduce currency volatility. The measures included capping banks' net open positions at USD 100 million and restricting activity in onshore forward markets. Market participants viewed the steps as supportive of the rupee, although pressure continued from foreign capital outflows, a firm dollar, higher crude oil prices and heightened geopolitical tensions.

Industrial development and credit support drive investment, entrepreneurship, and manufacturing growth across Bihar's priority sectors.
Industrial development is being prioritised through investment attraction, land allotment, project execution, and scheme-based financial support for startups, women-led ventures, micro-enterprises, and artisan sectors. The financing framework also includes efforts to increase bank lending, a committee to address credit concerns, higher lending through NABARD, and continued promotion of ethanol production and procurement alongside handloom, khadi, and handicraft initiatives.

Fiscal space supports targeted relief, capital spending, and potential rate cuts amid West Asia crisis pressure.
Fiscal prudence and debt management have created fiscal space to support sectors affected by the West Asia crisis, maintain the capital expenditure programme, and permit targeted relief measures in response to external volatility. The discussion also notes that the Reserve Bank has room to cut interest rates to address wider global challenges, with emphasis on maintaining policy flexibility, supporting affected sectors, and cushioning price pressures arising from the crisis.

Equity markets rebound as softer crude prices, stronger rupee and banking-led buying lift benchmark indices.
Equity markets staged a broad-based rebound as softening crude oil prices, reports of ceasefire efforts in West Asia, and improved global risk sentiment supported benchmark indices. Strong buying in banking and IT stocks, together with a firmer rupee, helped offset early intraday weakness and profit booking, while sectoral gains were led by PSU banks, private banks, financial services, consumer durables, and utilities. Energy and oil & gas stocks lagged.

Foreign exchange volatility curbed as RBI tightens bank exposure rules and supports rupee stability against the dollar.
Rupee appreciation against the US dollar followed Reserve Bank of India measures aimed at curbing speculative positions and reducing volatility in the foreign exchange market. The RBI tightened restrictions on banks' open foreign exchange exposures and onshore forward market activity, with traders describing the steps as supportive of the rupee. Market conditions nevertheless remained influenced by foreign capital outflows, a firm dollar, and crude oil prices amid geopolitical tension.

Inflation targeting and cautious monetary policy shape RBI review amid crude oil shocks, currency weakness and geopolitical tensions.
The Reserve Bank of India's Monetary Policy Committee began its review amid expectations of an unchanged benchmark lending rate, as policymakers assess inflation risks from the West Asia crisis, volatile crude oil prices and currency weakness. The policy stance is expected to remain neutral, cautious and watchful, with liquidity conditions, transmission of past rate changes, financial market stability, capital flows and bond market dynamics also under consideration. The inflation-targeting framework continues to aim at 4% retail inflation with a 2% tolerance band on either side.

Rupee gains after tighter forex rules curb speculation and prompt banks to unwind dollar positions.
The rupee strengthened in early trade after the Reserve Bank of India tightened foreign exchange rules to curb speculative positions and cap banks' net open positions at USD 100 million. The reported movement reflected banks unwinding dollar positions ahead of the compliance deadline, while the measures were supporting the domestic currency in the short term. The currency remained under pressure from foreign capital outflows, a stronger dollar, higher crude oil prices, and broader geopolitical tensions.

Inflation risks from crude oil and currency volatility may keep the repo rate unchanged in the April review.
The Reserve Bank of India is expected to keep the benchmark repo rate unchanged in its April monetary policy review, with economists attributing the likely pause to rising inflation risks from geopolitical tensions in West Asia, firm crude oil prices, and sharp currency volatility. The expected policy approach is cautious and watchful, with the monetary policy stance likely to remain neutral amid uncertain global conditions and closer monitoring of inflation data before any further action. Economists also expect the review to focus more on inflation management, with possible upward revision of inflation projections if elevated crude prices persist.

Personal loan flexibility expands as longer repayment tenure, collateral-free borrowing, and faster disbursal aim to ease EMI burden.
Bajaj Finance has revised its personal loan offering by extending the repayment tenure up to 108 months, replacing the earlier 96-month structure. The longer tenure is intended to reduce monthly EMI burden and give borrowers greater flexibility in managing repayments, while shorter tenures remain available within a range of 12 months to 108 months depending on customer preference. The personal loan product is described as collateral-free and designed for planned and urgent expenses, with loan amounts ranging from Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 55 lakh.