India

Ola Electric has introduced a nationwide campaign titled #EndICEAge, aimed at accelerating India’s transition from petrol-powered two-wheelers to electric mobility. The initiative highlights the increasing costs and inconvenience associated with petrol dependency while encouraging riders to adopt electric vehicles as a more sustainable and economical alternative. As part of the campaign, the company is offering limited-period incentives exceeding Rs 20,000 on select electric models, including the Ola S1 scooter and Roadster motorcycle.

Tata Motors has secured orders for more than 5,000 buses and chassis from multiple state transport undertakings across India, reinforcing its strong position in the country’s public transportation and commercial vehicle market. The orders cover a broad portfolio of passenger mobility solutions, including the Magna, Cityride, Starbus, and Starbus Prime models. These vehicles will be deployed by state transport corporations in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Bihar, Rajasthan, Kerala, Haryana, and Telangana, along with regional operators in Karnataka and Chandigarh. 

India’s liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) refill bookings have declined from approximately 88.8 lakh to around 77 lakh, signaling a slowdown in precautionary purchases as authorities reassure citizens about the stability of fuel supplies. Despite geopolitical tensions in West Asia, the government has confirmed that petrol, diesel, and cooking gas remain readily available across the country. 

India’s wholesale price inflation continued its gradual upward trend in February 2026, reaching 2.13%, according to the latest government data. The increase marks the fourth consecutive monthly rise and was largely driven by higher prices in manufacturing, basic metals, textiles, food articles, and non-food commodities. Although vegetable prices declined slightly compared with the previous month, broader commodity cost pressures pushed the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) higher. The inflation rate rose from 1.81% in January but remained below the 2.45% recorded in February 2025.

India’s equity markets witnessed a sharp decline last week, resulting in a massive erosion of Rs 4.48 lakh crore in the combined market valuation of the country’s ten most valuable companies. The downturn was triggered by rising global crude oil prices and escalating geopolitical tensions in West Asia, which intensified investor concerns about inflation and economic stability. Banking giants State Bank of India and HDFC Bank recorded the steepest losses in market capitalization.

The Indian government has introduced a significant policy change aimed at optimizing the distribution of cooking fuel across households. Under a new amendment to existing regulations, households that have access to piped natural gas (PNG) for cooking will no longer be permitted to retain or obtain subsidized domestic LPG connections. The move is intended to streamline fuel distribution and reduce pressure on liquefied petroleum gas supplies during a period of global energy market disruptions.

India’s gems and jewellery export sector showed modest growth in February, reflecting the industry’s resilience amid global economic uncertainty. Exports increased by 3.86 percent year-on-year, reaching USD 2,680.79 million, equivalent to approximately Rs 24,340.05 crore. The growth was driven largely by diversification into emerging international markets as exporters adapted to shifting global demand.

India’s state-owned oil marketing companies (OMCs) are evaluating a controversial strategy to manage rising financial pressure caused by a prolonged freeze on retail fuel prices. With international crude oil prices climbing from around USD 70 per barrel to more than USD 100 due to geopolitical tensions in West Asia, domestic petrol and diesel prices have remained unchanged. This gap has forced OMCs to absorb significant losses. To offset the financial burden, companies are reportedly considering reducing payments to refineries by altering refinery transfer prices.

India’s real estate sector is witnessing a strong surge in overseas investment, with non-resident Indians (NRIs) playing an increasingly influential role in property sales. Leading developer DLF has reported property sales worth approximately Rs 5,250 crore to NRI buyers during the April–December period of the current fiscal year. These purchases accounted for nearly one-third of the company’s total sales bookings, highlighting a major shift in buyer demographics.