Author: Neel Achary

Domestic Investors Sustain Buying Momentum as FIIs Show Signs of Return

Mumbai: Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) have continued to provide strong support to Indian equities, remaining net buyers in every week over the past month, while foreign institutional investors (FIIs) have shown signs of renewed buying interest.

According to market data, DIIs have made cumulative purchases of Rs 38,715.18 crore over the last one month. In August so far, FII buying stood at more than Rs 4,115.93 crore, compared with DII purchases of around Rs 17,053 crore, indicating a notable improvement in foreign investor sentiment.

FIIs had remained heavy sellers during the first two weeks of the recent period, with outflows of Rs 4,205.56 crore and Rs 3,892.77 crore. The selling pressure coincided with the Nifty touching a low of 23,767.45. However, foreign investors subsequently turned buyers from July 28, helping the Nifty recover to 24,774.30 by August 3.

Despite the recent improvement, FIIs remain net sellers on a cumulative basis, with net outflows of Rs 3,173.68 crore, according to Bajaj Broking Deputy Vice President-Research Pabitro Mukherjee. Last week, FIIs were modest net buyers of Rs 1,228.24 crore, despite alternating sessions of buying and selling.

Market sentiment, however, remains sensitive to global developments. Rising crude oil prices, geopolitical uncertainty and mixed international cues weighed on Indian equities during the week. Investors are also assessing the final phase of the Q1 FY27 earnings season and its implications for corporate profitability.

For the week, the Sensex declined 0.62 per cent to close at 78,009.25, while the Nifty fell 0.83 per cent to settle at 24,366.

Analysts have highlighted elevated crude prices as a key risk for the Indian market. Brent crude was trading around $87.18 a barrel after briefly testing the $90 level, raising concerns over India’s import bill, the rupee and inflationary pressures.

With domestic institutions continuing to provide a strong liquidity cushion and foreign investors showing early signs of returning to the buying side, market participants are likely to closely track FII-DII flows, crude prices, geopolitical developments and corporate earnings in the coming sessions.

Independence Day Campaign | Spinny Celebrates 80 Years of India with 36 Artists Turning Cars into Moving Portraits

Gurugram, August 16, 2026: As India marks its 80th Independence Day, Spinny is celebrating the country’s diversity through an artistic expression that brings together 36 artists from across the country, with cars becoming their canvases. Each artist brings alive the India they know through colours, symbols, landscapes and cultural influences that reflect the character of their region.

From the mountains of Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh to the coasts of Goa and Kerala, and from the cultural richness of Rajasthan and Punjab to the energy of Delhi and Maharashtra, every artwork offers a distinct interpretation of India. Together, these individual expressions come together on four wheels, creating a moving showcase of the country’s incredible diversity.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoypptfJyEY

The initiative goes beyond celebrating regional art- it celebrates the journeys that connect India. For Spinny, a car is more than a means of getting from one place to another; it is part of everyday Indian life, carrying families, ambitions, memories and milestones. By turning cars into moving canvases, Spinny brings these stories onto the road, allowing India’s many identities to travel together.

After 80 years of progress, India continues to move forward through its people, its places and its aspirations. These cars capture that movement in a way that is both personal and collective: 36 artistic expressions, each rooted in a place, but together telling one larger story of India.

The artworks are created by Sushmita and Chestha from Arunachal Pradesh, Biswajeet from Assam, Anjali from Bihar, Shubham from Chhattisgarh, Rhythm from Goa, Samridhi from Gujarat, Aryan from Haryana, Shreya from Himachal Pradesh, Reva from Jharkhand, Sayeb from Karnataka, Sanjana from Kerala, Vedant Mittal from Madhya Pradesh, Payal Patil from Maharashtra, Vishakha from Manipur, Shradha Bhat from Meghalaya, Sonali and Anshika from Mizoram, Daksh from Nagaland, Priyanka from Odisha, Kshitij from Punjab, Bhavya from Rajasthan, Shreya from Sikkim, Nivi from Tamil Nadu, Indrajit from Telangana, Rathore from Tripura, Riya from Uttar Pradesh, Sagar from Uttarakhand, Deep from West Bengal, Insha from Jammu & Kashmir, Shreya from Chandigarh, Hitashi from Daman and Diu, Shubhangi from Lakshadweep, Mehak from Puducherry, Ariel from Ladakh, Mayank from Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Alok from Delhi.

The car is the canvas. India is the inspiration. Four Wheels. A Billion Dreams. For Every Dream, There’s a Spinny.

Gold Gains 0.86 percent in a Week as Fed Rate-Hold Expectations Strengthen

New Delhi: Gold prices rose 0.86 per cent on a weekly basis, supported by expectations that the US Federal Reserve may keep interest rates unchanged at its upcoming policy meeting. A series of weaker-than-expected US economic indicators has reduced expectations of an immediate rate hike, improving the appeal of the non-yielding precious metal.

On Friday, MCX gold futures for October delivery gained 0.73 per cent to Rs 1,54,590, while MCX silver futures for September edged up 0.15 per cent to Rs 2,36,272 per kg. In the international market, spot gold also strengthened, supported by a softer US dollar and lower Treasury yields.

Recent US inflation and employment data have reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve could maintain its current policy stance. The July Consumer Price Index rose 0.1 per cent month-on-month, in line with expectations, while weaker employment data further reduced the likelihood of a near-term rate hike.

Gold typically benefits from lower interest-rate expectations because the metal does not generate interest income. A softer dollar also makes gold relatively more attractive to investors holding other currencies.

Market analysts are watching the $4,470-$4,500 per ounce zone as an immediate resistance area for international gold, while $4,400-$4,370 is seen as an important support range.

Beyond monetary policy, gold continues to draw support from geopolitical uncertainty, central-bank demand and concerns over the global economic and fiscal outlook. These factors could keep the precious metal in focus even as investors assess the Federal Reserve’s next policy decision.

The latest weekly gain highlights how closely gold is currently tracking expectations for US monetary policy, with economic data, dollar movements and Treasury yields likely to remain key drivers of prices in the near term.

Expert View: PM Modi’s AI Skilling Push Can Create 1 Crore Young AI-Ready Indians

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement to provide artificial intelligence (AI) skilling training to one crore young Indians over the next year has been welcomed as a significant step towards preparing India’s workforce for an economy increasingly shaped by AI.

Pankaj Srivastava, Founder and CEO, UnoSearch, said the initiative goes beyond conventional skilling and represents an opportunity for India to strengthen its position in the global AI ecosystem.

“One crore young Indians, one year and one extraordinary opportunity,” Srivastava said, describing the initiative as a statement of where India intends to compete in the next phase of the digital economy.

According to him, AI is already transforming the way businesses operate, innovate, recruit talent and engage with customers. As a result, the objective should not be limited to creating AI users, but should extend to developing AI builders, AI strategists and AI-native businesses.

Srivastava pointed to the rapid transformation taking place in the digital search ecosystem as an example. Search is increasingly moving beyond the traditional model of displaying “10 blue links” towards AI-generated answers, recommendations and conversational discovery.

“This shift will create a competitive advantage for professionals and businesses that understand and adapt to it early,” he said.

The proposed skilling drive could therefore have implications well beyond employment. By training millions of young people in AI-related capabilities, India could create a large talent pool capable of supporting innovation across technology, services, manufacturing, education, healthcare, finance and other sectors.

Srivastava said the scale of the initiative presents both an opportunity and a responsibility. The focus, he argued, should be on ensuring that young Indians develop practical capabilities that enable them to create solutions, build businesses and contribute to India’s digital economy.

“10 million trained minds can become 10 million new catalysts for India’s digital economy,” he said.

The initiative comes at a time when AI adoption is accelerating globally and businesses are increasingly seeking professionals who can combine domain expertise with AI capabilities. For India, the challenge will be to translate the scale of training into meaningful skills, innovation and entrepreneurship.

Srivastava believes India should aim for a leadership role in the AI revolution rather than simply becoming a large consumer of AI technologies.

“India shouldn’t just consume the AI revolution. We should build it and lead it,” he said.

India’s EV Revolution Gathers Pace as Sales Cross 25 Lakh in FY26

New Delhi, August 15, 2026: India’s electric mobility market has moved from an emerging segment to an increasingly important part of the country’s automotive economy, with electric vehicle sales reaching 25 lakh units in 2025-26, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his Independence Day address from the Red Fort.

The latest figure represents a dramatic increase from just 1.5 lakh EVs sold in 2009-10, translating into a rise of more than 16 times over the period. Modi cited the expansion of electric mobility as evidence of India’s progress in new-age industries and its growing capacity to create opportunities for young people.

EVs Move Into the Mainstream

The scale of the increase indicates that electric mobility is no longer confined to a niche market. India’s EV ecosystem now spans electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers, passenger vehicles and commercial mobility, creating demand across manufacturing, batteries, charging infrastructure, financing, software and after-sales services.

Industry data also points to the growing weight of two- and three-wheelers in India’s EV transition. Research firm JMK Research estimates that cumulative EV sales reached nearly 86.8 lakh units by the end of FY2026, with electric two-wheelers accounting for about 57.8% of annual EV sales and passenger electric three-wheelers contributing roughly 29%.

This composition is particularly important for India because two- and three-wheelers represent a large part of everyday urban and semi-urban mobility. Their relatively lower purchase prices and high utilisation make the economics of electrification more compelling than in some passenger-car segments.

A New Industrial Opportunity

The EV transition is creating a much larger industrial opportunity than vehicle assembly alone.

Battery manufacturing, power electronics, charging equipment, electric drivetrains, vehicle software, recycling and critical-mineral supply chains are emerging as strategic areas for investment. As volumes increase, manufacturers can potentially achieve economies of scale, while a larger supplier ecosystem can reduce dependence on imported components.

For India, this also creates an opportunity to combine its traditional automotive manufacturing capabilities with strengths in software, digital payments and engineering services.

The bigger economic question is therefore not simply how many EVs India sells. It is how much of the value chain India can manufacture domestically.

Policy Support Remains Critical

The rapid expansion of EV sales has taken place alongside government efforts to promote electric mobility and domestic manufacturing.

Policy support has helped reduce some of the initial cost barriers facing consumers and manufacturers. At the same time, India’s broader industrial strategy is increasingly focused on building domestic manufacturing capacity rather than relying heavily on imported finished products.

The next phase will require policies that encourage private investment while ensuring that the EV market can eventually become commercially sustainable without excessive dependence on subsidies.

Charging Infrastructure Becomes the Next Test

Higher EV sales inevitably increase pressure on charging infrastructure.

For electric mobility to move deeper into mainstream passenger and commercial transport, India will need a dense, reliable and interoperable charging network. The challenge is particularly significant outside major metropolitan centres, where charging availability can influence consumer willingness to switch from internal-combustion vehicles.

Battery swapping, fast charging and charging infrastructure for commercial fleets could become increasingly important as EV penetration rises.

The Battery Question

Batteries remain one of the most strategically important components of India’s EV ambitions.

India’s long-term competitiveness will depend on its ability to develop a robust battery ecosystem covering cell manufacturing, raw-material sourcing, energy storage technology and recycling. Reducing import dependence would improve supply-chain resilience and potentially make Indian EV manufacturers more competitive in global markets.

The recycling opportunity is equally significant. As the first large wave of EV batteries eventually reaches the end of its useful automotive life, recovering lithium, nickel, cobalt and other materials could become an important industrial segment.

Beyond Cars: The Commercial EV Opportunity

The strongest near-term opportunities may continue to come from commercial and high-utilisation vehicles.

Electric three-wheelers, delivery fleets, buses and last-mile logistics vehicles can achieve attractive operating economics because they travel long distances and spend significant time on the road. Lower energy and maintenance costs can therefore compensate for higher upfront vehicle prices.

This could accelerate electrification in logistics, e-commerce delivery and urban public transport.

What the 25-Lakh Milestone Means

The 25-lakh sales milestone is more than an automotive statistic. It signals the emergence of an entirely new industrial ecosystem.

For automobile companies, the challenge will be to scale EV portfolios without compromising profitability. For component manufacturers, it represents a shift in technology and supply chains. For energy companies, it creates a new source of electricity demand. For investors, it opens opportunities across batteries, charging, electronics, software and mobility services.

The transition will not be without challenges. Battery costs, charging infrastructure, raw-material security, resale values and consumer confidence will determine how quickly EV adoption can progress from today’s momentum to mass-market penetration.

But the direction is increasingly clear. India’s electric mobility market has crossed an important threshold, and the next contest will be about who can build the most competitive EV ecosystem around it.

Modi’s Independence Day reference to the sector places EVs within a broader economic narrative: India is seeking not only to consume new technologies but also to manufacture them, build supporting industries and create jobs around them.

FIIs Extend Buying Streak as Rising Crude Prices Put Nifty Under Pressure

India’s equity market is entering a more complicated phase. Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) have turned net buyers for the third consecutive week, signalling a gradual improvement in overseas investor appetite. Yet the Nifty 50 closed the week lower as rising crude prices and renewed geopolitical uncertainty overshadowed improving corporate earnings and supportive domestic liquidity.

The immediate numbers tell only part of the story. FIIs bought equities worth around ₹1,228 crore during the week ended August 14, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) invested a much larger ₹9,286 crore. The contrast highlights an important structural change in the Indian market: foreign flows are becoming supportive again, but domestic capital remains the stronger stabilising force.

FII Buying Is a Positive Signal, Not Yet a Trend Reversal

The return of FII buying is significant because foreign investors had been a major source of pressure on Indian equities earlier in the year. July already saw a recovery in foreign participation, with overseas investors buying about $2.12 billion of Indian equities, while August began with another strong inflow of ₹12,921 crore in the first week.

However, three weeks of net buying should not yet be interpreted as a complete reversal of the foreign-investor cycle.

FIIs remain highly sensitive to the relative attractiveness of Indian valuations, US interest rates, the rupee, crude oil and global risk appetite. A sustained return of foreign capital would require these variables to remain broadly supportive.

That makes the recent buying more accurately a constructive signal rather than a definitive bullish confirmation.

Crude Oil Has Become the Market’s Immediate Risk

For India, crude oil is more than another commodity price. It has direct implications for inflation, the current account, the rupee, corporate margins and fiscal conditions.

Brent crude climbed to around $87 a barrel, up 4.6% over the week, amid renewed tensions in the Middle East and uncertainty surrounding US-Iran negotiations. The rise contributed to the Nifty’s 0.8% weekly decline to 24,366, ending its two-week winning streak.

This creates a difficult equation for investors. Stronger oil prices can increase input costs for airlines, logistics companies, paints, chemicals and several manufacturing businesses. They can also raise the country’s import bill and put pressure on the rupee.

On the other hand, oil producers and some energy companies can benefit from higher prices. This explains why market leadership can become increasingly selective when crude remains volatile.

Domestic Liquidity Is Providing a Cushion

One of the strongest features of the current market is the depth of domestic institutional participation.

DIIs invested more than ₹9,000 crore during the latest week, substantially exceeding FII purchases. This domestic liquidity is helping prevent foreign selling or risk reduction from translating into a sharper market correction.

The mutual-fund ecosystem is also providing structural support. Although equity mutual-fund inflows declined in July, they remained positive for the 65th consecutive month, while SIP contributions stayed close to record levels. Small-cap and mid-cap funds continued to attract significant investor interest.

This is an important evolution in India’s capital markets. Domestic savings are increasingly capable of absorbing a meaningful portion of foreign-flow volatility.

Earnings Are Emerging as the Next Market Driver

Corporate earnings are becoming increasingly important as investors look beyond short-term geopolitical headlines.

Despite the weak weekly performance of the benchmark indices, India’s earnings environment has remained relatively resilient. Analysts at Carnelian Asset Management expect Nifty 500 earnings growth of around 14–15% annually through 2027 and 2028, suggesting that fundamentals could provide a stronger market foundation if macroeconomic risks moderate.

The market, therefore, may increasingly differentiate between companies rather than moving uniformly with the index.

Businesses with pricing power, strong balance sheets, lower dependence on imported inputs and sustainable domestic demand could prove more resilient if crude remains elevated.

What Investors Should Watch

The next phase of the market is likely to be driven by the interaction of four variables: crude oil, FII flows, domestic liquidity and earnings growth.

If crude prices stabilise and geopolitical tensions ease, the recent return of foreign capital could gain momentum. That combination could provide the Nifty with a stronger foundation for recovery.

Conversely, a prolonged crude spike could complicate India’s inflation outlook and pressure margins and the rupee. It could also encourage investors to rotate towards sectors and companies less exposed to imported energy costs.

The US interest-rate outlook will remain another important variable. Expectations of easier US monetary policy can improve global liquidity and make emerging-market equities more attractive, while a stronger dollar or higher US yields could once again pull capital away from markets such as India.

The Bigger Picture

The current market environment should not be viewed simply as a battle between FIIs and DIIs. It reflects a broader transition in India’s equity market.

Foreign investors appear to be reassessing Indian equities after a period of heavy selling, while domestic investors continue to provide a substantial liquidity base. At the same time, corporate earnings are offering fundamental support, even as crude oil and geopolitical developments create periodic shocks.

For investors, this points towards a stock-selection market rather than a broad-based momentum market.

The key question for the coming months is not merely whether FIIs continue buying. It is whether foreign inflows, domestic liquidity and earnings growth can collectively overcome the drag from expensive crude and global uncertainty.

If that balance improves, the recent FII buying streak could become the beginning of a broader market recovery. If oil remains elevated for an extended period, however, Indian equities may continue to experience sharp sector rotation and bouts of volatility even in the presence of strong domestic investment.

Investment disclaimer: This analysis is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice, a recommendation to buy or sell securities, or a guarantee of future market performance.

NITI Aayog Report Highlights Scope to Strengthen India’s Professional Services Sector

New Delhi, August 15, 2026: NITI Aayog has released a new report examining India’s regulatory framework for professional services, highlighting opportunities to improve the sector’s competitiveness, exports and contribution to high-skilled employment.

The report, titled “India’s Services Sector: Insights on Regulatory Regime in Professional Services,” was launched by NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Ashok Kumar Lahiri on August 10 at a meeting of the High-Powered Education to Employment and Enterprise Standing Committee. Senior government officials, industry representatives, state government officials and experts attended the launch.

The assessment compares India’s regulatory framework for professional services with selected international jurisdictions and draws on consultations with industry stakeholders. It identifies regulatory challenges and suggests areas where policy improvements could help the sector expand.

Professional services have become an important component of India’s services economy, accounting for nearly one-fourth of the country’s total services exports. The sector includes high-value, knowledge-intensive activities that support other industries, create skilled employment and contribute to foreign exchange earnings and remittances.

The report proposes a four-pronged approach to strengthen the sector. This includes using emerging trends and technologies to transform professional services, increasing their role within the broader services value chain, adopting international best practices and encouraging continuous professional development.

NITI Aayog noted that professional services could become an increasingly important source of high-skilled jobs, entrepreneurship and innovation as India moves towards its demographic peak. A more efficient regulatory environment could also support services exports, cross-border movement of professionals and ease of doing business.

The report is intended to serve as a basis for further policy discussions on the regulatory foundations of professional services. Strengthening this segment, according to the report, will be important for building a more competitive and future-ready services economy as India works towards its Viksit Bharat @2047 vision.

Handloom Haat Opens at Janpath, Bringing India’s Textile Heritage Under One Roof

New Delhi, August 15, 2026: Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh inaugurated Handloom Haat – The Handloom Experience Centre at Janpath, New Delhi, creating a new platform that brings together India’s traditional weaving heritage, contemporary design, artisans, brands and retail.

The Minister also unveiled the Handloom Haat logo in the presence of Textiles Secretary Neelam Shami Rao and Development Commissioner (Handlooms) Dr. M. Beena.

The inaugural showcase featured 24 award-winning weavers through an exhibition organised by the National Handloom Development Corporation, along with more than 30 curated brands participating in the fifth edition of Weave The Future. The event highlighted sustainable and craft-led approaches to textile production, including the use of indigenous fibres, regenerative materials and innovative design.

During his visit, Singh toured the retail spaces and interacted with weavers, artisans and designers. He explored a wide range of handloom traditions and contemporary products, emphasising the skill, creativity and entrepreneurial potential of India’s weaving communities.

“Handloom Haat will create greater visibility and market opportunities for weavers and handloom enterprises,” the Minister said.

Three Floors, Three Dimensions of Handloom Heritage

The centre offers visitors a multi-layered experience across its three floors. The ground floor hosts the temporary exhibition “Reimagining Odisha Weaves, Cloth, Craft, Creativity, Community” by Vriksh Designs. The exhibition explores the revival of regional traditions through collaborations between designers and master weavers, featuring lesser-known Odisha traditions such as Ganjam Bomkai and Dhalapathar Tapestry, alongside contemporary interpretations of Ikat, Jaala and Phoda weaving.

The first floor houses the Visvakarma Gallery, featuring rare textiles from the Visvakarma exhibition series held between 1981 and 1991. Developed through Weavers’ Service Centres in collaboration with weaving communities, the collection reflects the evolution of Indian handloom design and technical expertise in post-Independence India. The gallery also honours Sant Kabir and Padma Shri awardees who have contributed significantly to the handloom sector.

The second floor features a Design Conclave and an immersive presentation inspired by India’s forests and the animal, bird, floral and natural motifs that have long influenced the country’s textile traditions.

By combining handloom excellence, experience and enterprise, the new centre aims to take Indian handlooms beyond traditional retail and present them as a contemporary, sustainable and commercially relevant part of India’s textile economy. It is also expected to provide weavers and handloom businesses with greater exposure to consumers, designers and new markets.

Steel Ministry to Hold Open House on Steel Import Issues on August 21

New Delhi, August 15, 2026: The Ministry of Steel will organise an Open House on August 21, 2026, to hear and discuss issues faced by companies and industry associations in importing steel.

The session will focus on matters relating to SIMS, SARAL SIMS and Quality Control Order (QCO) exemptions. Companies and industry bodies will have an opportunity to present specific concerns and seek clarification from the Ministry.

The Open House will be held from 11 am to 5 pm at the Steel Room, 3rd Floor, GPOA-3, Netaji Nagar, New Delhi. Participation will be strictly through confirmed time slots, and walk-ins will not be permitted. To ensure wider participation, only one representative from each organisation will be allowed.

Interested companies and associations have been asked to submit their requests by August 18, 2026, at 2 pm to the designated Ministry email address for allocation of a time slot.

Applications should include the organisation’s name, industry and product category, details of the SIMS/SARAL SIMS/QCO exemption issue, application reference number where applicable, a brief description of the problem, and the name and contact details of the participating representative.

The Ministry said third-party representation will not be permitted, with organisations required to nominate their own representatives for the discussions.

The initiative is expected to provide industry with a direct platform to flag operational difficulties related to steel imports and help the Ministry better understand issues affecting manufacturers across sectors such as automobiles, aerospace, telecom and defence.