Issue: 1167
· Financial bids received for
IDBI Bank’s strategic sale are reportedly below the government’s reserve price,
raising concerns that the long-pending privatisation process.
· HDFC Bank stock hits 52-week
low amid sector pressure.
· The combined market
capitalization of India’s top 10 firms declined by ?4.48 lakh crore after the
benchmark Sensex fell significantly during the week.
· Foreign Portfolio Investors
pull out ?52,704 crore from Indian equities in March so far.
· India is considering creating
a $6.2 billion fund to shield the economy from global crises, especially due to
geopolitical tensions and supply disruptions.
· India’s services exports
reached $348.4 billion during Apr–Jan FY26, accounting for around 10% of GDP in
the first half of FY26.
· Venture Global announces
$20.7-billion LNG project financing.
Iran says Strait of Hormuz
remains open except for US and allies: The remarks by Iranian Foreign
Minister Abbas Araghchi on the status of the vital Strait of Hormuz were made
during an interview with the London-based Al-Araby al-Jadeed, published on
Sunday. In the interview, he was quoted as saying: “The Strait of Hormuz is not
generally closed, but only to the U.S. and its allies, and we will continue
this policy as long as the attacks continue,” underscoring Tehran’s position on
maritime access amid ongoing tensions.
(Moneycontrol)
India's gems, jewellery
exports up 3.86% at $2.68 billion in Feb: GJEPC: India’s gems and jewellery
exports grew 3.86 per cent year-on-year to $2.68 billion (?24,340.05 crore) in
February, following the industry’s diversification into other markets,
according to the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC). The
overall exports stood at $2.58 billion (?22,460.13 crore) during the
corresponding month of 2025, GJEPC data showed. From April 2025 to February
2026, total gems and jewellery exports were almost flat at $25.93 billion
(?2,28,230.06 crore) compared to $25.92 billion (?2,18,737.62 crore) in the
year-ago period.
(Business Line)
Oil extends gains as Middle
East conflict threatens export facilities: Oil prices extended gains on
Monday as the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran entered a third week, ?putting oil
infrastructure at risk and keeping the Strait of Hormuz shut in the biggest
disruption to global supplies ever. Brent crude futures jumped $2.01, or 1.95%,
to $105.15 a barrel by 2338 GMT after settling $2.68 higher on Friday.
(Reuters)
Axis Bank
ordered to pay ?3.19 crore for refusing demonetised notes in 2016: Axis Bank must pay Procure Logistics
Services Pvt Ltd Rs 3.19 crore. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal
Commission found the bank deficient in service. Axis Bank refused to accept demonetised
currency notes from the company during the 2016 demonetisation period. This
refusal caused the company a direct and irreversible loss. The commission
ordered payment with interest. In an order dated March 10, the
commission said, "The bank clearly failed by repeatedly disallowing the
complainant to deposit the notified cash into its own KYC-compliant account,
despite multiple requests and persisted with this till the entire timeline
lapses."
(Economic Times)
Shriram General Insurance
launches 'Shri Health Suraksha 2.0': In response to evolving
healthcare needs, Shriram General Insurance Company announced the launch of
Shri Health Suraksha 2.0, an enhanced health insurance suite engineered for
greater flexibility and 'all-inclusive' protection. This indemnity plan
addresses critical gaps in traditional coverage by removing standard caps on
room charges and adding unlimited restoration benefits.
(Economic Times)
Banks recorded higher
credit and deposits growth in the fortnight to February 28: Bank credit saw a strong 14.5%
year-on-year growth by February 28. Deposits also expanded, reaching 11.9%
growth. This marks an acceleration from the previous fortnight. Scheduled
commercial banks hold Rs 251.90 lakh crore in deposits, with fixed deposits forming
87% of this amount. Total bank credit stands at Rs 207.54 lakh crore. The
credit-deposit ratio slightly eased to 82.39%.
(Economic Times)
Par panel recommends IPO
route for profitable RRBs to raise capital:
The government should consider launching public
offerings of highly profitable Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) to attract market
capital and promote stronger corporate governance standards, a Parliamentary
panel has said in its report. Standing Committee on Finance, headed by senior
BJP leader Bhartruhari Mahtab noted the successful completion of the structural
consolidation of RRBs, reducing their number from 43 to 28 highly viable
entities across 11 states, eliminating the need for further capital infusion in
2026-27. RRBs have achieved a historic consolidated net profit of Rs 7,720
crore in just the first nine months of FY 2025-26, driving gross NPAs down to a
13-year low of 5.4 per cent, though vulnerabilities remain, particularly the
13.8 per cent GNPA in priority sector education loans.
(Business Standard)
EV discounts hit ?5 lakh as fuel jitters, tax perks and PLI targets drive March end sales: Automakers are rolling out some of the steepest discounts yet on electric vehicles— in some cases crossing ?5 lakh — as a convergence of fuel uncertainty, fiscal incentives and production-linked incentive (PLI) targets pushes manufacturers to accelerate sales before the financial year closes. Fuel supply concerns, tax advantages for corporate buyers and incentive-linked sales targets have created an unusual alignment of market forces, prompting automakers to roll out aggressive offers to stimulate demand.
(Business Line)
Top-10 firms lose ?4.48
lakh cr in mcap; SBI, HDFC Bank biggest laggards: The combined market valuation of the top-10
domestic firms eroded sharply by ?4.48 lakh crore last week, in tandem with a
steep decline in equities, with banking majors State Bank of India and HDFC
Bank taking the biggest hit. Last week, the BSE benchmark Sensex tanked
4,354.98 points or 5.51 per cent, and the NSE Nifty dropped 1,299.35 points or
5.31 per cent as surging crude prices raised concerns over inflationary
pressures and global economic stability amid the widening conflict in West
Asia.
(Business Line)
MSMEs seek 6 months debt
moratorium as gas supply shortage hits operations: The ongoing gas supply disruptions for
industrial users has already started impacting the micro, small and medium
enterprises and they are gearing up to seek moratorium on outstanding loans
upto six months and fresh loans to deliver pending orders. Most of the MSMEs
are sitting on good order book with the financial year coming to an end this
month. However, they are finding it difficult to execute these orders due to
West Asia war crippling gas supply. More than 70 per cent of MSMEs in the
Western region have cut production by 50-60 per cent due to gas shortage and
struggling to complete the orders in hand before the financial year-end.
(Business Line)
NHAI revises FASTag Annual
Pass price to Rs 3,075 from 1 April: NHAI on Sunday said it has increased the fee
for its FASTag Annual Pass by Rs 75 to Rs 3,075 for the financial year 2026–27. The
annual pass facility was launched on August 15, 2025, to provide financial
relief to commuters using national highways. In a statement, NHAI said it is
revising the applicable fee for the FASTag Annual Pass from the current Rs
3,000 to Rs 3,075 for the Financial Year 2026–27.
(Moneycontrol)
Finance Ministry
restructured norms for minimum public shareholdings: Finance Ministry has revised
norms for public shareholding framework of listed companies. Experts feel such
a move aims balance market liquidity with the practical realities of large
capital raising. Earlier, there were just three categories of post-issue
capital – ?1,600 crore, ?1,600 crore to ?4,000 crore and ?4,000 crore to ?1
lakh crore – for defining norms to achieve the 25 per cent minimum public
shareholding. There was a special category for post-issue capital size of ?1
lakh crore and above. Now there will be six
categories – ?1,600 crore, ?1,600 crore to ?4,000 crore, ?4,000 crore to
?50,000 crore, ?50,000 crore to ?1 lakh crore, ?1 lakh crore to ?5 lakh crore
and more than ?5 lakh crore.
(Business Line)
Cancer care under Ayushman
Bharat needs Rs 33,000 crore annually, far above current allocation: Study: India's Ayushman Bharat health
scheme is a lifeline for cancer patients, improving access to treatment. A new
study highlights its strengths and areas for improvement. While the scheme
covers many treatments, a funding gap exists. Experts suggest smarter spending,
early detection, and revised benefit caps to save lives and reduce costs.
Policy changes are underway to enhance cancer care. According to government data,
the scheme has helped cover over 68 lakh cancer treatments worth around Rs
13,000 crore since its inception in 2018, especially benefiting rural and
low-income populations.
(Economic Times)
TWIN DEFICIT
1. Fiscal Deficit (Government spending exceeds
revenue)
2. Current Account Deficit (CAD) (Imports exceed exports)
Economic
Logic
Higher
fiscal deficit increases domestic demand, which can lead to higher
imports, widening the current account deficit.
Risks
·
Currency depreciation
·
Increased external borrowing
·
Pressure on foreign exchange
reserves
·
Exchange rate volatility
·
Sovereign risk perception
·
Interest rate expectations
·
Foreign investment flows
RBI KEY RATES
Repo
Rate: 5.25%
SDF:
5.00%
MSF
/Bank Rate: 5.50%
CRR:
3.00%
SLR:
18.00%
FOREX RATES (RBI REF. RATE)
INR
/ 1 USD : 92.4405
INR
/ 1 GBP : 123.2035
INR
/ 1 EUR : 106.3072
INR
/100 JPY: 57.9900
EQUITY INDEX
Sensex:
74563.92 (-1470.50)
NIFTY:
23151.10 (-488.05)
Bnk NIFTY: 53757.85 (-1343.10)
National
Vaccination Day: Observed every
year in India on 16 March. It marks the first dose of Oral Polio Vaccine
administered in India in 1995 under the Pulse Polio Immunization Programme. The
day highlights the importance of immunization and vaccines in preventing
diseases. It also recognizes the efforts of healthcare workers and vaccination
programs across the country.
Historical
events: March 16 marks
significant milestones in history, featuring the 1527 Battle of Khanwa
establishing Mughal rule in India, and Sachin Tendulkar achieving his 100th
international century in 2012. It is observed as National Vaccination Day in
India, while globally, it marks the 1968 My Lai Massacre and the 1988 chemical
attack in Halabja.
****Have a nice Day****
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