The Times of India

India's UDAN 2.0 scheme, with a Rs 28,000 crore outlay, aims to significantly boost regional air travel over 10 years. The revamped initiative will develop 100 airports, support aerodrome operations, build helipads, and provide financial aid to airlines, enhancing connectivity to Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.

Prior to the conflict, analysts had projected global LNG supply to increase by up to 10% this year, reaching between 460 million and 484 million metric tonnes, supported by new capacity additions.

The Middle East war has intensified an oil crisis as Iran's actions in the Strait of Hormuz disrupt global energy supplies. While the Red Sea's Bab el-Mandeb Strait is considered an alternative, it also faces threats. Reopening Hormuz is complicated by its geography and requires significant security measures, including a multinational coalition, to overcome the risks of attacks and minefields.

Gold and silver price prediction today: Gold and silver prices may sustain their up move in the coming sessions, says Abhilash Koikkara, Head - Forex & Commodities, Nuvama Professional Clients Group.

Iran has opened the Strait of Hormuz for friendly nations like India, China, Russia, Iraq, and Pakistan. This comes as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged an end to the conflict and the reopening of the vital waterway. The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial oil route, and its volatility impacts global energy flows amid regional tensions.

The LPG shipment will be distributed among three state-run fuel retailers: Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited.

Oil prices rebounded past $100 as markets reassess Middle East conflict developments. Iran's mixed signals on US peace proposals, coupled with Trump's tougher stance, create market uncertainty. Meanwhile, the ongoing conflict severely impacts global supply chains, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz, leading to significant oil disruptions.

OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, is expanding in Asia. Kiran Mani, former JioStar CEO, will lead the company's operations in the Asia-Pacific region. He joins in June. This move signals OpenAI's focus on growing its user base in key markets like India. Mani will oversee regional strategy and operations.

Sammaan Capital shares surged 6% following the RBI's approval for a controlling stake acquisition by UAE's International Holding Company (IHC). IHC will invest approximately Rs 8,850 crore through its entity, Avenir Investment, marking a significant development for the company.

Indian stock markets surged today, with Sensex crossing 75,000 points. This rally, driven by hopes of a West Asia conflict resolution and easing crude oil prices, saw global markets also perform strongly. Foreign fund selling slowed, while domestic investors bought heavily, adding significant wealth to investors.

Lok Sabha approved the Finance Bill with key amendments. Promoters' capital gains from share buybacks will now face a 12% surcharge. Startup tax holidays have been extended, with the turnover threshold raised to Rs 300 crore. Taxpayers will now receive a minimum of 30 days to respond to reassessment notices, fostering a trust-based tax administration.

An empowered group of officials has begun assessing demand and supply chains to mitigate the impact of the West Asia conflict. The government is prioritizing food and fuel availability, exploring alternative import sources and potential duty cuts to stabilize prices. Efforts are underway to secure LPG supplies, with a focus on diversifying from West Asian sources.

Oil prices dropped significantly on Wednesday. This followed a US proposal to Iran and a slowdown in regional hostilities. Brent crude fell 3%. Gold and silver prices saw a substantial increase. This rally in precious metals reflects reduced fears of energy supply disruptions and potential inflation.

Infosys is significantly expanding its healthcare and insurance sectors in the US through two major acquisitions. The company is acquiring Optimum Healthcare IT for up to $465 million to enhance its provider segment presence. Additionally, Stratus will be acquired for up to $95 million to strengthen its P&C insurance capabilities and AI-driven transformation services.

The World Trade Organization's ministerial meeting in Cameroon will focus on reforming the 30-year-old body. The US and EU aim to expand talks to new issues and recognize plurilateral agreements, while India will advocate for farm trade reforms and preserve the WTO's core principles, prioritizing small farmers and policy space for developing economies.

Indian banks face a growing funding gap as credit expansion outpaces deposit growth. Lenders are turning to certificates of deposit, a wholesale funding source, to meet loan demand. This shift reflects changing household savings patterns and strong credit appetite across various sectors. Banks are also reallocating capital from government securities to support lending activities.

Airbus is considering establishing a final assembly line (FAL) in India for its ATR regional aircraft, driven by the government's focus on enhancing aerial connectivity. This move aligns with India's 'Make in India' vision and could reduce acquisition costs for local airlines, potentially boosting regional air travel.

British Airways is set to reward pilots with bonuses up to 1% of their salary for cutting carbon emissions. Pilots must collectively reduce CO2 by 60,000 tonnes above 2025 levels to earn the payout, starting next year. This initiative, focusing on fuel-saving practices, aims to address rising oil prices and climate pressures, with a union vote expected soon.

India grapples with a severe cooking gas shortage, driven by Middle East conflict-induced import disruptions. Long queues and panic buying plague cities as supply chains strain. The government is prioritising household needs, cutting industrial allocations, while seeking to restore commercial supplies and urging a shift to alternatives like piped natural gas.

Bank customers must check holiday schedules before visiting branches this week. Closures will occur due to festivals and state holidays. RBI guidelines also mean branches will be shut on the second and fourth Saturdays of March. Plan your banking needs accordingly. Digital platforms like mobile apps and UPI remain active for everyday transactions. Services requiring branch visits will be unavailable.

Investors can note that Dalal Street will observe a holiday on March 26 for Ram Navmi, as per the exchange's official calendar. This early pause in the trading week means equity markets will be closed. The article also lists upcoming stock market holidays for 2026, including Shri Mahavir Jayanti and Good Friday.

Unstable weather in the UAE prompts questions about mandatory remote work for private sector employees. While not automatically mandated, authorities strongly encourage companies to prioritise worker safety, offering flexibility like remote or hybrid options. Employers must ensure safe conditions, with a focus on protecting outdoor workers, reflecting a balance between business continuity and employee wellbeing.

Indian refiners have significantly increased purchases of Russian crude, securing around 60 million barrels for the upcoming month amidst Middle East conflict-driven supply disruptions. This surge is supported by a US waiver allowing imports of Russian oil loaded before March 12, with refiners also diversifying with Venezuelan and previously Iranian crude.

A large portion of the refinerys output is sold within the domestic market, with exports having declined after the sanctions last year. A considerable share of production is supplied to state-run refiners.

The Middle East crisis is severely impacting Pakistan's already fragile economy, triggering soaring oil and LNG prices. This energy shock is fueling inflation, raising travel costs, and straining household budgets. Experts warn of deepening vulnerabilities, with potential collapse if the conflict escalates and reserves dwindle, disproportionately affecting the poor.

The company is also exploring partnerships with global energy majors such as BP, ExxonMobil, TotalEnergies and Petrobras as part of its strategy to reduce risks that are associated with exploration in capital-intensive frontier areas.

Government has debunked false reports circulating on social media about revised LPG refill booking timelines. Existing booking periods of 25 days in urban and 45 days in rural areas remain unchanged. Authorities assure sufficient fuel stocks amidst Middle East tensions and urge the public to avoid panic buying and misinformation.

Major oil companies have debunked claims of a fuel shortage, assuring the public that supplies are normal and sufficient. Despite global supply tensions due to the Middle East crisis, firms like BPCL, HPCL, and Indian Oil emphasize no panic buying is needed. They are committed to uninterrupted service, with real-time updates confirming smooth operations at retail outlets.

Gold price prediction today: Gold prices are likely to see movement based on inflation projections and rate cut expectations, says Maneesh Sharma, AVP - Commodities & Currencies at Anand Rathi Shares and Stock Brokers.

The Indian rupee continued its downward trend, falling to 93.96 against the US dollar amid persistent foreign fund outflows and global crude oil price hikes. Forex traders attribute the sustained weakness to uncertainty surrounding the West Asia crisis. Despite the rupee's decline, Indian stock markets showed strength, with benchmark indices trading higher.

Stock market today: Nifty50 and BSE Sensex continued their rally on Wednesday rising over 1.5% in trade. While Nifty50 went above 23,400, BSE Sensex rose over 1,500 points intraday.

Stock market recommendations: Aurobindo Pharma, Infosys, and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) - these are the stocks that Mehul Kothari, DVP - Technical Research at Anand Rathi Shares and Stock Brokers has recommended as top stocks to buy today (March 25, 2026):

Analysts are bullish on Fractal Analytics and Tata Power, citing strong growth prospects and positive developments. UBS maintains a buy on ITC, expecting it to beat expectations despite pricing strategy impacts. However, Nuvama and Kotak Institutional Equities express caution on Coal India and Power Grid Corp, respectively, due to potential headwinds and saturated valuations.