BUREAU STANDARD OF INDIA
20% DME-LPG blend can cut imports by 6.3 MT, save around Rs 34,200 cr yearly: Report
India can significantly cut LPG imports by blending 20 per cent dimethyl ether, derived from coal gasification. This move could save 6.3 million tonnes of LPG annually, translating to over USD 4 billion in foreign exchange. The Bureau of Indian Standards permits this blending. Domestic DME production is currently limited, but a clear policy can unlock investments.
22k gold rate today on Akshaya Tritiya 2026: Check 24k, 22k, 18k gold prices (April 19, 2026) in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and other cities
Akshaya Tritiya, April 19, 2026, is here. This auspicious day is ideal for gold purchases and new beginnings. Families traditionally invest in gold and start ventures. Check the latest gold rates from Tanishq, Joyalukkas, Kalyan Jewellers, and Malabar Gold & Diamonds. The Bureau of Indian Standards app helps verify gold authenticity.
Akshaya Tritiya 2026 date and time: Check city-wise muhurat timings for gold buying
Akshaya Tritiya, a festival believed to bring wealth, sees a surge in gold purchases, with demand often rising a week prior. This year, the auspicious day falls on Sunday, April 19, 2026, with specific muhurat timings varying by city. Consumers are increasingly opting for investment-grade gold like coins and bars, alongside digital gold, while traditional jewellery remains popular.
Govt should cap charges of product testing under quality control order: GTRI
High testing and certification costs for Quality Control Orders (QCOs) are pushing many MSME importers out of business, according to GTRI. The think tank urged the government to cap testing charges and recognize foreign lab reports to support the 'Make in India' initiative and prevent market domination by large importers.
CAFE-III to kick in from April 2027; Govt unlikely to extend implementation date: Official
New fuel efficiency rules for car makers will take effect from April 1 next year. The government is not planning to extend the deadline for CAFE III standards. Auto companies are discussing the new norms. A high-level meeting is scheduled for April 16 to finalize the rules. The new framework includes flexible compliance and carbon credit trading.
West Asia War: Govt pushes local induction cooktop output amid LPG concerns
West Asia War: The government is pushing Indian companies to boost local production of commercial induction cooktops. This move aims to prevent potential shortages of LPG for restaurants and hotels. Manufacturers are ready to expand but need help with component sourcing, especially glass from China. Incentives and policy support are sought to build a strong domestic manufacturing base for these appliances.
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Centre to soon set up a digital portal to track narcotic drugs
The proposed platform will enable real-time, end-to-end digital tracking of all regulated pharmaceutical products, covering every stage from manufacturing or import through distribution, stock management and sale.
West Asia conflict fears could harden credit card underwriting, curb co-branded card growth
Indian banks are tightening credit card rules due to global economic worries and the West Asia war. Fintech firms expect stricter underwriting for credit cards. This follows a slowdown in credit card originations and spending limits. The impact of the oil crisis will be felt across credit operations in the coming months. Lenders are becoming more cautious about unsecured loans.
Industry seeks duty relief on key chemicals amid supply disruptions
Indian industry bodies are urging the government to temporarily suspend anti-dumping duties on key chemical feedstocks. This move aims to ease supply chain disruptions caused by the West Asia crisis. The proposals focus on protecting MSMEs and ensuring the availability of essential raw materials for packaging and consumer goods. Reductions in import duties are also sought to manage rising costs.
AIBEA writes to FM seeking probe into HDFC Bank matter after chairman's exit
The AIBEA said there is a need for HDFC Bank's 120 million customers, shareholders and also the general public to feel reassured, and hence sought Sitharaman's intervention in the matter.
E20 petrol now the main fuel in India from April 1. What this big shift means, and can your car handle ethanol-blended fuel?
India has mandated E20 petrol, a blend of 20% ethanol and 80% petrol, across the nation from April 1, 2025. This initiative aims to reduce crude oil imports, boost energy security, and support agriculture. While newer vehicles are largely compatible, older models may see minor efficiency drops.
Real-time checks to improve discipline in credit cycle
Lenders will now report to credit bureaus weekly, a shift from fortnightly, enhancing real-time borrower risk assessment. This move is expected to improve underwriting standards by enabling continuous monitoring and reassessment of borrower risk throughout the loan lifecycle. Digitised lending products will be crucial for this transition, allowing for almost real-time borrower behavior monitoring and faster response to emerging stress.
Silver prices down today? Check high-purity per kg silver rates (March 27, 2026) on IBJA, MCX, MMTC-PAMP
Silver prices experienced significant fluctuations this week, driven by geopolitical tensions and anticipation of US Fed rate cuts. While MCX rates saw an overall increase from March 23rd to 27th, a notable decline was observed on Thursday. IBJA also reported sharp movements in 999 purity silver prices.
22k gold rate today: Check 22K, 24K gold prices (March 26, 2026) on Tanishq, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Joyalukkas and IBJA
Gold prices showed signs of recovery on March 25, 2026, after a mostly down month. Experts anticipate continued volatility due to geopolitical factors and US Fed interest rate uncertainty. Major Indian jewelers like Tanishq, Joyalukkas, Kalyan Jewellers, and Malabar Gold & Diamonds reported 22k gold prices around Rs 13,465 per gram on March 26, 2026.
Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport proposes measures to reduce road accidents, clear backlog of road projects with NHAI
A Parliamentary committee has proposed specific annual reduction targets for road accidents and fatalities, alongside a dedicated National Highway Safety Patrol. Recommendations also include conditioning new NHAI contracts on backlog clearance and shifting to Zero-Based Maintenance Budgeting. The committee further suggested a "Last Mile Task Force" for the Bharatmala project and joint missions for port connectivity.
Supply woes spur call for easing quality curbs on critical imports
Indian industries are seeking relaxed quality control rules. This move aims to secure vital components from alternative sources like China. Supply chain disruptions due to the West Asia conflict are impacting sectors such as automotive and electronics. The government is considering these requests to ease the current supply squeeze. A decision is expected soon.
The other Ether-blend solution: How DME could ease India’s LPG crisis
India is embarking on an innovative journey by mixing dimethyl ether (DME) with cooking gas to lessen its dependency on imported LPG. This strategy utilizes the current LPG infrastructure, offering a smart and practical solution for enhancing energy independence.
Gold prices crash today; check 22K, 24K gold rates on Tanishq, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Joyalukkas and IBJA; Why are silver and gold rates falling?
Gold price today (23 March 2026): Gold and silver prices have plummeted, offering a significant buying opportunity for jewellery shoppers. This sharp decline, attributed to a strengthening US dollar amidst geopolitical fears, has seen substantial drops in bullion rates. Global gold prediction trends remain volatile.
Gold prices crashing today? Check 22K, 24K gold rates on Tanishq, Kalyan Jewellers, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Joyalukkas and IBJA
Gold Prices Crash Today: Gold prices are experiencing a dip in India. This is happening even as geopolitical tensions between Israel and Iran continue. Major jewellery brands like Tanishq, Kalyan Jewellers, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, and Joyalukkas are showing lower rates.
'India could become Hettich's biggest market in five years': Andreas Hettich
Hettich, a leading furniture fittings maker, anticipates India will soon become its largest market, surpassing Germany. This growth is driven by India's expanding middle class and a significant shift from informal carpentry to organized manufacturing. The company sees strong potential in tier-2 and tier-3 cities. Regulatory changes are also supporting local investment and production in India.
India's ethanol moment has arrived — and the industry says it's ready for more
India has mandated 20% ethanol in petrol from April 2026, a significant policy acceleration. The nation boasts surplus production capacity, offering a strategic energy buffer amidst global oil price volatility. This move bolsters farmer incomes and reduces foreign exchange outgo, with the industry now eyeing further expansion into aviation fuel and cooking gas.
Pune-based scientists develop synthetic gas that can become an alternative to LPG
CSIR-NCL scientists have developed an indigenous technology to produce Dimethyl Ether (DME), a clean-burning fuel that can be blended with LPG. This innovation aims to reduce India's reliance on imported cooking fuel and bolster energy self-reliance. The technology offers a cost-effective way to produce DME, with potential for significant foreign exchange savings.
Supreme Court to hear digital arrest scam case next week
The Supreme Court will hear a suo motu case concerning victims of digital arrest scams next week. These scams involve fraudsters impersonating law enforcement to extort money. The court previously described such frauds as robbery and directed the Centre to draft a standard operating procedure.
Quake code: It's about getting the safety-cost balance right
India has reverted to the 2016 seismic code after withdrawing IS 1893 (2025), sparking debate over earthquake safety. While the 2025 draft offered stronger, internationally aligned standards, higher costs and enforceability issues raised concerns. Experts advocate a balanced approach prioritising critical structures, retrofitting vulnerable homes, and improving compliance to enhance safety without overwhelming budgets.
NCL, a central lab, proposes use of DME as indigenous substitute for LPG
India's National Chemical Laboratory is developing dimethyl ether, or DME, as a domestic cooking fuel alternative to LPG. This move aims to reduce reliance on imported fuel and save foreign exchange. DME can be used with existing LPG infrastructure. Scientists have developed a new catalyst and burner technology.
Mumbai police register FIR on Axis Bank complaint against RCFL, ADAG promoters
In a high-stakes financial drama unfolding in Mumbai, the police have filed a case against Reliance Commercial Finance Limited and its key stakeholders from the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group. The action follows Axis Bank's complaint regarding suspected financial misconduct and the alleged redirection of funds.
Mandatory gold hallmarking expanded to 7 more districts
Gold hallmarking: The seven districts are: Rupnagar (Punjab), Banda (Uttar Pradesh), Beed (Maharashtra), Gomati (Tripura), Katihar (Bihar), Beawar (Rajasthan) and Neemuch (Madhya Pradesh), an official statement said.
PlayStation 5 Pro India launch soon? Certification surfaces on BIS portal under model CFI-7121 after long delay
Sony’s PlayStation 5 Pro (PS5 Pro) has finally been spotted on the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) website under model number CFI-7121, signaling that a domestic launch may be imminent. While the console debuted globally in November 2024, its entry into the Indian market was reportedly stalled due to regulatory conflicts surrounding Wi-Fi 7 (6GHz) spectrum allocation.
Air India plane crash probe report will be out 'very soon': Aviation minister Naidu
The investigation into the Air India plane crash is progressing well, with the report expected soon. Efforts are underway to ensure safe flight operations and assist Indians in West Asia. India's civil aviation sector is set for significant expansion, with plans to open hundreds of new airports and enhance services.
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