Category Archives: Business

India Plans 100 GW Nuclear Power Capacity by 2047: CEA Chairperson

Apr 17 (BNP): India is planning a major expansion of its nuclear energy capacity, targeting an increase from the current 8.8 GW to 100 GW by 2047, according to the Chairperson of the Central Electricity Authority (CEA).

The roadmap is part of the country’s long-term strategy to strengthen clean energy sources and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Nuclear power is expected to play a key role in meeting rising electricity demand while supporting India’s low-carbon growth goals.

The CEA Chairperson said the expansion plan is aligned with India’s broader energy transition efforts, which aim to raise the share of non-fossil fuel-based power in the overall energy mix.

He also noted that achieving this target will require sustained policy support, technological progress, and investment participation from both public and private sectors.

India Attracting Global Capital with Dollar 4.4 Trillion Market Cap

Apr 17 (BNP): India is increasingly being recognised as a stable destination for global investment, supported by a market capitalisation of around $4.4 trillion, according to Tuhin Kanta Pandey.

He said the country’s equity markets continue to show resilience, backed by steady economic fundamentals and long-term growth potential. This is helping strengthen investor confidence in India as a reliable capital market.

Pandey added that India’s expanding financial ecosystem and rising participation from both domestic and foreign investors are enhancing its position among major global investment destinations.

India’s Sugar Output Expected to Rise 8 pc to 274.8 Lakh Tonnes in 2025-26: ISMA

Oil Prices Drop as Trump Signals Possible Iran Agreement

Apr 17 (BNP): Crude oil prices fell more than 2 per cent in futures trade on Friday, as easing geopolitical tensions and expectations of a possible US-Iran agreement reduced concerns over global supply disruptions.

On the Multi Commodity Exchange, crude oil futures for May delivery declined by ₹180, or 2.1 per cent, to ₹8,396 per barrel.

Market sentiment turned weaker following indications of progress toward a potential diplomatic understanding between the United States and Iran. This eased worries over extended supply disruptions in global crude markets.

Analysts said the development led traders to reassess the geopolitical risk premium that had recently supported oil prices, resulting in downward pressure on futures.

BULLET microdrama app crosses 10 million downloads on Google PlayStore

Apr 17: BULLET microdrama app has crossed 10 million downloads on the Google Play Store, marking a key moment in its growth as the platform continues to see rising user adoption. The milestone reflects BULLET’s expanding presence in India’s digital entertainment space, supported by its focus on short-form, engaging content.

Driven by its focus on snackable, high-impact storytelling, BULLET microdrama app has been steadily building strong connections with audiences across markets. This approach is reflected in the performance of its shows, with several titles garnering strong viewership. Among the most watched titles, Rickshaw Romeo leads with 9.1 million views, followed by Auto Raja (3.4 million), Laxmi Raj (2.6 million), Lady Boss, With Love (2.2 million) and Dear Didimoni (1.9 million).

Extending its footprint beyond the app, BULLET microdrama app has also crossed 100,000 followers on Instagram, pointing to a rapidly growing and engaged digital community.

Commenting on the milestone, Azim Lalani, Co‑Founder & Chief Business Officer, Bullet, said:

“Crossing 10 million downloads is a strong indicator of the resonance we are building with audiences across markets. Our focus has been on creating stories that feel engaging, relatable, and rooted in everyday experiences. It’s encouraging to see this reflected not just in downloads, but in the growing engagement across our shows and social platforms.”

Bullet stands out with micro-drama content across 7 Indian languages; one of the widest offerings in the category. The platform is strengthening its scale while building strong audience affinity in the short-form entertainment space.

ABHFL Secures INR 2,750 Crore Investment from Indriya in Stake Deal

Apr 17 (BNP): Aditya Birla Capital has announced that its housing finance subsidiary, Aditya Birla Housing Finance Ltd (ABHFL), has raised ₹2,750 crore through the sale of a 14.29 per cent stake to Indriya Ltd, an entity associated with private equity firm Advent International.

In a regulatory filing, the company said that following the transaction, ABHFL is no longer a wholly owned subsidiary of Aditya Birla Capital. The parent company now holds an 85.505 per cent stake in the housing finance arm.

The board of ABHFL approved the allotment of 12.32 crore equity shares at a price of ₹223.12 per share to Indriya Ltd as part of the deal.

The transaction marks a strategic capital infusion aimed at strengthening the housing finance subsidiary’s balance sheet and supporting its future growth plans.

Asit Tripathy Elected First President of Odisha Steel Producers’ Association

India’s logistics sector poised for rapid expansion on the back of infrastructure and digital reforms

Apr 17 (BNP): India’s logistics industry is expected to witness strong, sustained growth over the coming decade, with estimates placing its value at around $800 billion by 2030 and close to ₹120 trillion by 2035. The expansion is being driven by large-scale infrastructure development, policy reforms, and increasing digital adoption across supply chains.

A key factor behind this growth is the ongoing capital investment push in transport infrastructure, including highways, rail networks, and dedicated freight corridors. These projects are designed to improve connectivity, reduce transit time, and lower overall logistics costs across regions.

Government initiatives such as the National Logistics Policy (NLP) and PM Gati Shakti programme are also reshaping the sector by improving coordination between departments and streamlining freight movement. India’s logistics cost, currently estimated at 13–14% of GDP, is targeted to gradually decline toward around 8%, enhancing global competitiveness.

At the same time, digital transformation is accelerating efficiency and transparency in supply chains. Platforms like the Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP), e-way bill systems, and RFID-enabled tracking are helping improve real-time visibility, reduce delays, and formalize operations. Industry expectations suggest that up to 60% of the sector could become formalized by 2035.

Demand-side growth is also strengthening the sector, supported by the rise of e-commerce, manufacturing expansion under “Make in India,” and the development of export logistics hubs. These trends are increasing the need for modern warehousing, cold chain networks, and efficient last-mile delivery systems.

With India’s economy projected to expand from around $4.2 trillion in 2025 to nearly $10 trillion by 2035, the logistics sector is expected to play a central role in enabling trade, industrial growth, and consumption across the country.

In Her Footsteps: Spotlight on the Great Women in the Himalayas

Global cultural initiative honours Alexandra David-Neel while re-framing history through the voices of women across the Himalayan region

India, Apr 17: The Embassy of France in India and the French Institute in India, in collaboration with the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, Gangtok, organised a landmark cultural initiative presenting an exhibition titled “Alexandra David-Neel in Sikkim: A Journey into Buddhism (1912–1916)”, alongside an international symposium in honour of Alexandra David-Neel, “In Her Footsteps: Great Women in the Himalayas.”

Bringing together scholars, institutions, and international partners, this ambitious project curated by anthropologist Dr Anna Balikci invited audiences to rediscover the legacy of Franco-Belgian explorer Alexandra David-Neel, while shining new light on the often-overlooked trajectories of remarkable women across the Himalayan region.

Across the Himalayas, extraordinary women have made lasting contributions to culture, education, religion, and social transformation—yet many of these narratives remain underrepresented. This initiative sought to foreground these voices, situating Alexandra David-Neel’s journey within a broader continuum of women who shaped the region as explorers, thinkers, spiritual practitioners, and cultural transmitters.

The exhibition opened at the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology in the presence of distinguished guests, including H.E. Mr Om Prakash Mathur, Hon’ble Governor of Sikkim; H.E. Dr Thierry Mathou, Ambassador of France to India; H.E. Mr Didier Vanderhasselt, Ambassador of Belgium to India and H.E. Ms Maya Tissafi, Ambassador of Switzerland to India, whose respective embassies supported this project, likewise graced the opening with their presence.

A rich, immersive project, the exhibition wove together archival materials from the Maison Alexandra David-Neel museum in Digne-les-Bains, visual narratives, and historical research to retrace David-Neel’s transformative years in Sikkim—years that played a defining role in shaping her engagement with Buddhist philosophy and Himalayan cultures.

The international symposium brought together leading researchers from Europe and South Asia to explore the lives and legacies of Himalayan women who had distinguished themselves as figures of transmission, resistance, and innovation across cultural, spiritual, and social spheres.

During his address, Ambassador Thierry Mathou highlighted: “Alexandra David-Neel’s influence on young women in France has been significant. Her legacy could be understood in several ways: as a symbol of intellectual independence, a model for female explorers, and an early bridge between Europe and Asian spiritual traditions. (…) Her years in Sikkim created enduring intellectual and cultural ties between our two regions stretching back to over a century, and through her writings she brought the spiritual and cultural richness of the Himalayas to Europe. This initiative honoured not only Alexandra David-Neel, but all the women whose contributions continue to inspire us.”

Strong Credit Momentum in FY26, Deposit Growth Also Rises: RBI

Apr 17 (BNP): Bank lending in India picked up strong momentum in FY26, with credit expanding by 16.08% year-on-year, marking its fastest growth since FY24, when growth had crossed 20%, according to Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data.

Deposits also showed healthy traction, rising 13.47% YoY—its strongest pace in the same period. Total bank credit stood at ₹213.61 trillion, while deposits reached ₹262.30 trillion.

In the fortnight ended March 31, credit rose sharply by 2.8% (₹5.92 trillion), compared with a marginal 0.1% increase in the previous fortnight. Deposits grew even faster during the same period, up 4.87% (₹12.18 trillion). However, analysts noted that year-end figures may appear elevated due to changes in RBI reporting dates.

Market experts said credit growth has improved in recent months, led by strong demand from corporates, MSMEs, and retail borrowers, particularly in segments like gold loans. Lower lending rates have also encouraged companies to shift back to bank borrowing, as bond market yields remained relatively high.

According to industry experts, external funding avenues such as overseas borrowing have become costlier due to elevated global yields and currency volatility, further boosting reliance on domestic bank credit.

Data shows major lenders including State Bank of India, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, and Kotak Mahindra Bank have reported strong growth across corporate and MSME loan segments.

Analysts also pointed out that bond market activity has remained subdued due to higher yields, while tighter global financial conditions have constrained external commercial borrowing. This has further strengthened banks’ role as key lenders in the system.

However, experts cautioned that sustaining this pace of credit growth will require stronger deposit mobilisation, as rising credit demand is already creating pressure on liquidity and balance sheets. Banks have increasingly relied on certificate of deposits (CDs) to bridge funding gaps, with issuances rising sharply during FY26.

Overall, while credit momentum remains strong, analysts expect banks to focus on deposit growth and funding stability to support sustained lending expansion going forward.