India’s rooftop solar energy capacity is projected to surge from 17 GW to an estimated 25–30 GW between FY25 and FY27, a report showed on Tuesday.

The expansion is driven by India’s broader energy transition goals, with solar power emerging as a central pillar in the country’s clean energy roadmap.

With a total renewable capacity of 220 GW as of FY25 and a national target of 300 GW solar capacity by 2030, rooftop solar, particularly in the commercial and industrial (C&I) segment, is expected to play a pivotal role in this growth, according to the report by CareEdge Ratings.

As of FY25, India’s rooftop solar capacity stood at 17.02 GW, and increasing awareness among businesses about reducing operating costs and meeting sustainability targets is fuelling adoption.

Government incentives, reducing technology costs, and policy support such as net metering and PLI schemes are expected to further accelerate deployment.

India’s frontline equity indices on Tuesday surged in a massive bull rally in the early trade, as positive global cues improved investors' sentiment.

After the opening bell, the Nifty 50 was trading 467 points or 2.05 per cent higher at 23,295.55, and the Sensex was trading 1,569.89 points or 2.09 per cent higher at 76,727.15.

All the sectoral indices traded in the green, with Nifty Auto jumping nearly three per cent to lead the pack. The Nifty Bank index soared two percent, while the IT, pharma, and metal indices also recorded strong gains.

Tata Motors, M&M and Bharat Forge shares soared up to eight per cent in the early session.

The broader markets underperformed the benchmarks, as the Nifty Smallcap 100 and Nifty Midcap 100 gained 1.3 per cent each in early trade.

India's hospitality sector demonstrated remarkable resilience and growth in 2024, maintaining investment levels on par with the previous year with 42,071 new hotel keys, a report showed on Monday.

The year 2024 saw approximately 25 deals, primarily involving operational properties in both business and leisure destinations, according to JLL's latest analysis.

High-net-worth individuals, family offices, and private hotel owners led the charge, contributing 51 per cent of the transaction volume.

Indian Railways has registered an improved operating ratio at 98.32 per cent and an increase in earnings to Rs 2.65 lakh crore for the financial year that ended March 31, according to official figures.

For the financial year 2024-25, passenger revenue recorded a 6.4 per cent increase while freight income went up by 1.7 per cent.

Indian Railways (IR) has improved its operating ratio, which reflects the efficiency level in performance, to 98.32 per cent. This means that the railways spent Rs 98.32 to earn every Rs 100 during 2024-25. During 2023-24, the operating ratio was 98.43 per cent as the railways spent Rs 98.43 for every Rs 100 earned,

Cost-cutting measures in railways include manpower management and electrification of tracks, which has led to huge savings as running trains with diesel locomotives is more expensive, a senior official said.

While US tariff hikes remain a key risk to growth forecast, global credit rating agency Crisil on Monday projected 6.5 per cent GDP growth for India in fiscal 2026, with risks tilted to the downside.

Crisil expects the RBI’s monetary easing to create some offset to the external headwinds.

“Interest rate cuts, income tax relief and easing inflation are expected to provide tailwinds to consumption this fiscal, while the expected normal monsoon will support agricultural incomes,” the report mentioned.

Moreover, the anticipated decline in global crude oil prices, resulting from a potential global slowdown, is expected to provide additional support to domestic growth, it added.

The current week is poised to be a crucial one for global markets, including the Indian benchmark indices, as inflation, industrial activity and employment data line up across the world’s largest economies, a report said on Monday.

Investors can expect increased volatility and sharper focus on central bank cues.

The Indian stock market is closed on April 14 on account of Ambedkar Jayanti.

The week of April 12 to April 19, 2025, brings a host of significant economic data releases from major global economies, which are expected to guide market sentiment and influence monetary policy expectations.

FMCG firms in India, on aggregate, should end FY25 with low single-digit revenue as consumer staples stocks have benefited from the flight-to-safe trade recently, a new report has said, adding that the base will remain favourable in FY26.

A BNP Paribas India report expects FMCG revenue growth to inch up slightly from 4 per cent in Q3 FY25 to 5 per cent in Q4 FY25.

“As trade concerns ease, we see a risk of reversal of recent outperformance. However, we do see some near-term positives, such as the drop in crude price and our economic heat map indicates positive trends for rural growth,” the report mentioned.

Commentaries from Marico, Dabur and GCPL indicate that demand has been resilient while urban slowdown, led by weakness in general trade, persisted in Q4 FY25.

India’s raw silk production has experienced steady growth, rising from 31,906 metric tonnes (MT) in 2017-18 to 38,913 MT in 2023-24, as exports figures also jumped significantly in the period.

This growth is supported by the expansion of mulberry plantations from 223,926 hectare in 2017-18 to 263,352 hectare in 2023-24, which boosted mulberry silk production from 22,066 MT in 2017-18 to 29,892 MT in 2023-24, according to latest government data.

Total raw silk production increased from 31,906 MT in 2017-18 to 38,913 MT in 2023-24. Exports of silk and silk goods rose from Rs 1,649.48 crore in 2017-18 to Rs 2,027.56 crore in 2023-24.

As per Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCIS) reports, the country exported 3348 MT of silk waste in 2023-24.

The 134th birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution, will be celebrated with great fervour and state honours across Uttar Pradesh on Monday, April 14. A series of events have been planned throughout the state to mark the occasion.

In view of the celebrations, the state government has declared a public holiday.

Under the direction of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the day will be observed with grandeur and dignity. Districts across the state will host grand events, seminars, and tribute ceremonies dedicated to Babasaheb’s life and legacy.

On Sunday, a day before the celebration, special cleaning drives will be conducted in all public parks and memorials across the state—particularly those housing statues of national heroes and great personalities. Residents, public representatives, government officials, and employees will also participate in the cleanliness campaigns.

The domestic startup ecosystem continued the funding momentum this week, with raising more than $180 million by 24 new-age companies.

The fintech sector remained the most funded sector. This week saw six growth-stage and 13 early-stage deals.

Among the biggest growth-stage deals, digital payment technology company Juspay secured $60 million in its Series D round led by Kedaara Capital, with participation from existing investors Softbank and Accel.

Another digital payment company Easebuzz raised $30 million in a funding round led by Bessemer Venture Partners.