The Times of India

The BJP's Kerala election manifesto pledges a Rs 3,000 monthly welfare pension for needy women and seniors, alongside 20,000 litres of free water per household. The party also promised two free LPG cylinders annually for poor families and a Rs 2,500 monthly health card. Key development plans include an AIIMS and a high-speed rail network.

IndiGo Airlines has appointed former British Airways chief William Walsh as its new CEO, effective August 3, 2026. This strategic move follows the resignation of Pieter Elbers earlier this month. Walsh, currently with IATA, brings extensive global aviation experience and a customer-focused leadership style to guide IndiGo's next phase of growth and transformation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a Rs 3,300 crore semiconductor plant in Sanand, Gujarat. This facility by Kaynes Technology will produce over 7 lakh chips daily. India is strengthening its position in the global semiconductor supply chain. The nation is committed to self-reliance in manufacturing. This marks a crucial step in India's ambitious plans for the electronics sector.

Several changes are expected to reduce the tax burden for the salaried class in general. We take a look at top 10 things salaried taxpayers should know going into the new financial year 2026-27:

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee urged voters to support her leadership across all 294 constituencies, positioning herself as the face of the Trinamool Congress. She also alleged that the BJP is attempting to manipulate voter rolls by including individuals from other states and targeting deletions, accusing the party of acting in concert with the Election Commission.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Samprati Museum in Gandhinagar. He also launched a Rs 3,300 crore semiconductor plant by Kaynes Technology in Ahmedabad. This marks a significant step in India's semiconductor sector. The facility is the second such plant in the country. It supports the government's mission to build domestic chip manufacturing capacity

Escalating Middle East tensions and a potential near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz could drive crude oil prices to $150-$200 a barrel. Millions of barrels of daily supply are already cut, with energy experts warning of astronomical losses and market choke if disruptions persist. Physical supply realities, not political statements, will dictate the surge.

Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami visited Khatima from Kashipur via road late on Monday evening. During the journey, he received a grand welcome from residents at various points along the route. At several places, people even used bulldozers to showcase their enthusiasm and strong support.

Across major firms such as TCS, Infosys, Wipro, HCLTech and Tech Mahindra, the number of employees on the bench has dropped by around 75,000, falling from nearly three lakh to about 2.25 lakh.

Banks across India will observe several closures in April 2026 due to national and state-specific holidays, including year-end finalization and Good Friday. Several states will also see branches shut for regional festivals and observances like Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Jayanti and Bengali New Year. Digital banking services will remain operational for routine transactions.

The BJP's Assam election manifesto, 'Sankalp Patra,' outlines 31 commitments focusing on indigenous rights, economic growth, and infrastructure. Key promises include investing Rs 5 lakh crore to make Assam an economic hub, strengthening law and order, and implementing a Uniform Civil Code. The party also pledges to protect land and heritage of indigenous communities and create jobs for youth.

Although crude prices have surged amid the near shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz, the effect has differed across fuels. Crack spreads for diesel and jet fuel have climbed to new highs, whereas those for petrol have remained broadly stable.

Gold price prediction today: Gold is trading as a risk asset and not a safe haven asset, says Praveen Singh, Head Currencies and Commodities, Mirae Asset ShareKhan.

Asian markets witnessed their sharpest decline since 2022 as the Middle East conflict enters its second month, sparking fears of escalating inflation and economic slowdown. Investors are increasingly risk-averse, with oil prices soaring and bond markets facing pressure from expectations of sustained high interest rates. The US dollar and gold are seeing gains as safe-haven assets amid global uncertainty.

Many banks across India are closed today for Mahavir Jayanti, impacting customers in states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh. However, agency banks handling government transactions will remain open on March 31st to facilitate financial year-end dealings. Digital banking services are unaffected, but check with your bank for specific details.

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay faces a case for alleged election conduct violations. A complaint cited the use of 30 loudspeakers and a gathering of over 5,000 people causing public inconvenience and obstructing a pathway, reportedly blocking an ambulance. Police have registered a case against Vijay and party workers.

Alakh Pandey, a teacher from Prayagraj, transformed his YouTube channel into the edtech giant PhysicsWallah, making quality education accessible and affordable for millions. His journey from free online lessons to a billion-dollar valuation highlights a unique path to success in the competitive Indian education market.

This holiday is the fifth among the 16 market closures planned for 2026. Trading will remain suspended again on April 3 (Friday) for Good Friday, followed by another holiday on April 14 (Tuesday) to mark Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Jayanti.

Oil prices have jumped significantly. Brent crude is over $110 and WTI is above $100. Supply worries are growing due to the conflict in the Middle East. Iran's actions and Houthi missile strikes are impacting key shipping routes. This situation threatens global energy flows. Saudi Arabia is rerouting its oil. The US has warned Iran about its energy infrastructure.

During the joint exercise, the triservices executed coordinated amphibious assaults, maritime dominance operations and complex beach landing drills. In seamless synergy, IndianArmy, IndianNavy and IndianAirForce executed coordinated amphibious assaults, maritime dominance operations and complex beach landing drills employing Next-Generation Equipment and drones, reaffirming precision, jointness and mission-ready interoperability, the Army posted on X. It also shared some photos of the military d

Year of records: Foreign investors sell Rs 1.8L Cr Equities | IPOs raise Rs 2L Cr