According to a new research released on Thursday, the government’s plans for divestiture and robust domestic inflows are helping the public sector play a significant role in propelling growth for investment banks in India.

Investment banks have a lot of options as the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) has set a divestiture target of Rs 47,000 crore for FY26.

According to a report by Emkay Investment Banking, the market has remained busy in recent years due to the initial public offerings (IPOs) of significant PSUs like LIC, IREDA, and ONGC as well as offers for sale (OFS) in businesses like IRCTC, HAL, and Coal India.

The expansion of investment banking in FY26 and beyond is anticipated to be further fueled by upcoming initial public offerings (IPOs) and fundraising initiatives from Bharat Coking Coal, CMPDI, MNGL, IREDA, and other banks.

Strong investor involvement has persisted in India’s equities markets. According to the research, qualified institutional placements (QIPs) raised Rs 1.36 lakh crore in 2024, while 92 initial public offerings (IPOs) raised a total of over Rs 1.62 lakh crore.

According to the research, the market has also received consistent support from the ongoing inflow from systematic investment programs, or SIPs.

An excellent measure of investor confidence, SIP inflows have continuously topped Rs 20,000 crore for the previous 11 months, and have topped Rs 25,000 crore in the last five.

In order to maintain market stability, domestic institutional investors, or DIIs, have been essential. Over Rs 5.7 lakh crore was invested by DIIs in FY25, which improved investor morale and market liquidity.

It is anticipated that the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) major policy measures will improve market liquidity and credit expansion even more.

The financial sector will benefit from the expected reduction in repo rates, the easing of risk weights on NBFC loans, and liquidity measures.

According to the report, measures in the Union Budget that are intended to boost consumption are also anticipated to generate good economic momentum.

Google released an interactive doodle on Wednesday to commemorate the final Half Moon of March.

The Doodle includes a celestial card game that tests players’ understanding of the lunar cycle.

For the game, users must compete against the Moon. Users must match different phases of the moon cycle to get points.

“This interactive Doodle commemorates March’s final half moon! “This monthly recurring card game invites you to compete against the moon to test your knowledge of the lunar cycle,” Google wrote in a blog post.

“Join the celestial card game where players must connect the phases of the lunar cycle to earn points and against the March Half Moon,” according to the announcement.

Victory over the celestial opponent may result in special rewards, making the encounter even more fascinating.
March is the month of the Worm Moon, when the winter ground thaws and insects return.

The Google Doodle game corresponds to the natural shift of the lunar cycle. It challenges players to advance through numerous levels while discovering four new wild cards.

People who finish the challenge can compare their high scores and test their lunar knowledge against peers.

Meanwhile, on March 14, a total lunar eclipse, or “Blood Moon,” occurred. It made the Moon to seem reddish during the eclipse, while the Moon was in its last quarter phase, so it appeared partially lighted.

The equinox is another celestial event that will occur in March. The equinox, which occurs on March 20, is the shortest day length in the northern hemisphere. In the southern hemisphere, this is the longest day.

“As winter in the Northern Hemisphere ends and spring begins, the daily periods of sunlight continue to lengthen, changing fastest around the vernal (spring) equinox on March 20,” according to the agency.

According to a new report released on Tuesday, the technology sector is adopting a democratized approach to artificial intelligence (AI), allowing for more experimentation and flexibility globally, while many other businesses are going towards a centralized model.

A KPMG International study found that 36% of tech leaders claimed they are still creating AI governance guidelines and promoting creative AI practices in their companies. Based on a poll of 2,450 CEOs from 26 countries, including 490 technology leaders, the report emphasized that a structured strategy will be necessary for the successful application of AI.

This entails risk assessment, cross-functional cooperation, and ongoing learning to optimize AI’s advantages while reducing any possible hazards.

In addition to AI, the research emphasizes how the technology industry is spearheading industry-wide digital transformation. It asserts that in order to stay ahead, the tech sector needs to reconsider its own tactics in addition to leading by example. Technology companies have maintained their growth despite market uncertainties thanks to strategic investments and methodical decision-making.

“With technology rapidly evolving, designing and building solutions in a responsible way is now more important than ever,” said Atul Gupta, KPMG India.

Additionally, he said, it can lessen the likelihood of data breaches and the necessity for expensive security patch retrofits. The growing emphasis on profitability is one of the report’s main conclusions.

More and more tech workers think that in the last two years, digital innovations—especially in AI, data analytics, cybersecurity, and contemporary service delivery models—have greatly enhanced their company’s financial success.

Furthermore, 76% of tech executives stated that they precisely weigh the advantages and disadvantages of new technologies before making an investment. The growing significance of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) objectives in technological investments is also clarified by the report.

Approximately 73% of tech executives stated that their investments are closely related to goals for social responsibility and sustainability. Additionally, while making investment decisions, tech companies are paying attention to employee input.

According to the report, establishing robust security measures and guaranteeing data protection are crucial priority in fostering consumer trust as part of their ESG pledges.

According to the latest NASA release, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore will return to Earth on Tuesday evening (Florida time). With the replacement crew aboard the International Space Station (ISS), NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore now have a return date to Earth.

The two astronauts have remained in orbit for over nine months because their Boeing Starliner rocket experienced propulsion problems. In June of last year, the duo spent only eight days in space.

The SpaceX Dragon rocket will return Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore to Earth on Tuesday evening, with a splashdown slated for 5:57 PM EST. The duo will arrive in Florida more than nine months beyond their initial homecoming date.

The Dragon capsule’s return was originally slated for Wednesday, but NASA opted to bump it forward a day owing to ‘less favourable weather conditions projected later in the week’.

NASA announced that Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore’s return will be live-streamed. The coverage will begin at roughly 10:45 p.m. EST on Monday, with hatch closure preparations.

The SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft arrived at the ISS on Sunday with the replacement crew. It docked just after midnight ET (9:34 am IST), with an astronaut and a Russian cosmonaut aboard.

Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are giving the replacement crew a handover before they depart to Earth. Along with the trapped couple, NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov will return to Earth.

After the Boeing Starliner failed to return the trapped astronauts after several tries, US President Donald Trump tasked Elon Musk’s SpaceX with the assignment.

While the two astronauts remained in space for far longer than the initially intended eight days, they did not break the US record for the longest stay. That still belongs to Frank Rubio, who spent 371 days aboard the station in 2023. Valeri Polyakov of Russia achieved the global record by spending 437 days onboard the Mir Space Station in 1994-95.

In a thrilling final that brought back memories of cricket’s heyday, India Masters made history by defeating West Indies Masters by six wickets to claim the inaugural International Masters League (IML) 2025 title.

The squad, led by the renowned Sachin Tendulkar, outperformed Brian Lara’s West Indies Masters with a strong all-around performance. Nearly 50,000 fervent cricket fans cheered for their favorites during the big match, which took place at the SVNS International Stadium.

Dream matchups involving former greats were part of the tournament, which was praised for its unique combination of skill, nostalgia, and an unshakable love for the game. With a thrilling match between two cricketing titans, the India Masters vs. West Indies Masters title match was the ideal conclusion.

By holding their opponents to 148/7 and then launching a well-paced chase led by a 67-run opening partnership, the India Masters laid the groundwork for their victory. Ambati Rayudu (74) and Tendulkar (25) established a strong base that made the journey to the goal easy.

Tendulkar and Rayudu‘s brilliant strokeplay enthralled the crowded arena. With accurate cover drives and flicks, Tendulkar displayed his trademark finesse, but Rayudu took a more aggressive tack and used well-timed shots to destroy the opposition’s bowling assault.

A few beautiful boundaries and a six from the 51-year-old cricket legend delighted the fans until Tino Best’s savage delivery ended his innings. The electrified stands were momentarily quieted by his expulsion, but India Masters maintained control and ultimately won a historic victory.

But as India Masters sailed toward the goal, Rayudu made sure the pyrotechnics went on. While his second-wicket partnership with Gurkeerat Singh Mann (14) added another 28 runs to the Indian total, the right-handed opener reached a fifty off 34 balls with a boundary off Best. Yuvraj Singh (13 not out) came into the middle to thunderous applause after Mann was dismissed while trying to give off-spinner Ashley Nurse a glory shot.

The West Indies Masters spinners postponed the inevitable by taking out Rayudu, who was trapped in front by Nurse and fell to left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn after hitting nine fours and three enormous sixes in his 50-ball knock, and new man Yusuf Pathan just as the India Masters were sweeping home to victory. But Stuart Binny (16 not out) put the finishing touches in style by smoking two enormous sixes when the equation was down to 17 off the last 28 deliveries.

After the Caribbean team chose to bat, the Indian Masters bowlers set the terms, limiting them to a respectable 148/7, which was primarily based on Lendl Simmons’ half-century.

Making the audacious decision to start the innings himself was Brian Lara (6). Alongside the energetic Dwayne Smith (45), Lara’s appearance alone, at 55, was enough to send a wave of emotion through the crowd, setting the stage for a fantastic start. Indian Masters captain Sachin Tendulkar and his bowlers had to reconsider their strategies after the Caribbean pair blasted into the new ball, hitting 34 in less than four overs.

However, as they say, cricket is a wonderful leveler, and Vinay Kumar was the one who supplied one such twist by dismissing Lara, which put a halt to the West Indies Masters’ assault. The packed audience, which had been quieted by his team’s first assault, sprang up in unison as the legendary left-hander made his way back, celebrating not just the wicket but also a cricketing legend who had shaped an era.

Vinay Kumar was the best bowler for the home team, returning 3/26, while Shahbaz Nadeem claimed two wickets. Stuart Binny and Pawan Negi each contributed a wicket.

Brief Scores: West Indies Masters 148/7 (Lendl Simmons 57, Dwayne Smith 45; Vinay Kumar 3/26, Shahbaz Nadeem 2/12) lost to India Masters 149/4 (Ambati Rayudu 74, Sachin Tendulkar 25, Stuart Binny 16 not out; Ashley Nurse 2/22) by six wickets.

After Mumbai Indians advanced to their second WPL 2025 final with a 47-run victory over Gujarat Giants in the Eliminator, captain Harmanpreet Kaur expressed her satisfaction with her team’s performance in Thursday’s match at Brabourne Stadium.

On a new surface, Hayley Matthews and Nat Sciver-Brunt scored 77 each, while captain Harmanpreet Kaur hit an incredible 36. MI finished with a total of 213/4. Hayley shone in defence of the big total, taking 3-31 as GG were bowled out for 166 in 19.2 overs.

“Feeling wonderful, it was a great team effort, and I’m extremely thrilled with how we performed today. Before the game, I wanted to bat first. But then we decided to chase – whatever score is on the board, if you demonstrate trust, you can chase.”

“Whatever occurred, it was for the best, and Hayley and Nat did an excellent job putting everything up for us. They are superb players that understand how to play these kind of games. We do not need to instruct them what to do. I’m really pleased with how they accepted responsibility and batted for the team.”

“We bowled well today. All of the bowlers performed admirably, and this is what we hoped to accomplish. The next game is critical, and we need to sit down again and reflect on what went well for us,” Harmanpreet stated during the post-match presentation ceremony.

Hayley, who was named Player of the Match, said she was prepared to give her all with both bat and ball. “I think it was a great game. You received a lot of value for your shots as a hitter. Nat and I worked hard to relieve the load on ourselves. With the ball, I had my plans and attempted to carry them out as best I could.”

When asked about her plans for MI’s second WPL final, Hayley replied, “Come back, do our homework on DC – they are a fantastic team and have gotten the better of us in the last two games. Come back, finish your studies, and then perform on the field.”

Nat, who is now the tournament’s leading run-getter, believes adhering to her abilities has been the key to her success with the bat. “I’m not sure what I did differently, to be honest. We have played a lot of cricket up until now (aside from this competition). Wickets are good, outfields are speedy, which helps the batters, I guess.

She also praised head coach Charlotte Edwards’ assistance. “She has got great experience obviously, but the best thing is that she tries to make everyone feel comfortable – that has contributed to a great vibe around the group.”

Even though the Gujarat Giants lost and were eliminated from the final, skipper Ashleigh Gardner chose to focus on the season’s positives. “This group has a lot to be proud of – so many wonderful tales, and various people have spoken up at different periods. It’s been an absolute pleasure to lead this side. Young players placing their names in lights is what events like these are all about.

She concluded by thanking fans for their support of the squad in WPL 2025. “Hopefully, we’re moving in the right path. It was great to gain some wins and play in front of our home crowd, who has supported us all season. Hopefully, we can build on it. It’s been incredible to be a part of this franchise for three years and witness its exponential growth.”

Brief scores:

Mumbai Indians 213/4 in 20 overs (Nat Sciver-Brunt 77, Hayley Matthews 77; Danielle Gibson 2-40, Kashvee Gautam 1-30) beat Gujarat Giants 166 in 19.2 overs (Danielle Gibson 34, Phoebe Litchfield 31; Hayley Matthews 3-31, Amelia Kerr 2-28) by 47 runs(Agency)

The Central government has introduced the Immigration and Foreigners Bill of 2025 with two goals in mind: to highlight India as a more welcoming location for global travelers and to address contemporary security problems.

The Bill, a seminal piece of legislation, aims to overhaul and streamline the country’s immigration system. This forward-thinking measure by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Central government aims to strengthen national security while fostering economic prosperity and ensuring easy access for legitimate foreign visitors, whether they are professionals, scholars, business magnates, tourists, or those in need of medical care.

This legislation undertakes the consolidation of provisions from four distinct statutes — namely, the Passport (Entry into India) Act of 1920, the Registration of Foreigners Act of 1939, the Foreigners Act of 1946, and the Immigration (Carriers’ Liability) Act of 2000.

These antiquated laws, relics of bygone era, are now set to be replaced by a singular, harmonised legal framework, emblematic of India’s broader endeavours to simplify governance. Also, the Bill seeks to improve the ease of conducting business, and reduce compliance burdens. Among the salient features of this Bill are its provisions for a reformed visa regime, wherein streamlined processes for various visa categories — such as tourist, business, and medical visas — are poised to render the entry, sojourn, and departure of bona-fide travellers a seamless experience.

The act also intends to boost the nation’s economy by making travel processes more efficient, consequently improving tourism — particularly the booming field of medical tourism — and creating commercial prospects. This initiative requires the construction of a Bureau of Immigration, an organization with the capacity to administer immigration problems more effectively.

With an unwavering focus on national security, the Bill requires the possession of legal travel documents for entry and exit into and out of India. The new Bill empowers immigration officials to request crucial information from travelers, while transportation operators are required to provide passenger information in accordance with current international norms.

Furthermore, methods to monitor overstaying foreign nationals are strengthened, with hotels, universities, hospitals, and other organizations being required to disclose the presence of foreign visitors under their care. Furthermore, the Bill reduces the compliance burden on legitimate stakeholders by allowing the compounding of certain breaches.

More crucially, this legislation is completely unrelated to citizenship issues, focusing entirely on the regulation of foreign entrants. This Bill is a watershed moment in India’s immigration policy because it strikes a balance between national security and economic prosperity.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has lowered the time frame for completing rights offerings from 126 to 23 days. This will enable corporations to raise cash more quickly through rights issues, as opposed to preferential offers, which require 40 days. The new rule would go into force on April 7, 2025.

In addition, the regulator has allowed specific investors in the rights offering to be allocated differently.

Sebi issued a circular on Tuesday outlining new timetables for completing the different actions involved in the rights issue process, from the date the issuer’s board of directors approves it until the date the issue is closed.

Sebi stated that rights issues will be open for subscription for a minimum of seven days and a maximum of 30 days.
In a second notification, Sebi stated that “the issuer shall file the draft letter of offer with the stock exchange(s)”.

The exchanges and depositories have been required to build a system for automated application assessment within six months. Furthermore, Sebi has rationalized the language of the Letter of Offer to provide just the important additional information regarding the rights issue — object of issue, price, record date, entitlement ratio, among others. It removed the requirement that an issuer appoint a merchant banker and making it optional subject to completion of rights issue within the timeline of 23 working days.

Currently, an issuer offering securities worth less than Rs 50 crore through a rights issue does not need to hire a monitoring agency.

It further stated that the stock exchanges and depositories, in collaboration with the issue’s registrar, will validate application bids received for subscribing to shares in the rights issue and finalize the basis of allotment.

This process would be even faster than the preferential allotment procedure, which requires 40 working days.