📰 India Business Brief: Top Headlines for March 16, 2026

Business Standard

• Air India and Air India Express have scheduled 48 flights to and from West Asia today to maintain connectivity despite regional instability, following special regulatory approvals.
• A parliamentary panel has recommended that profitable Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) be allowed to raise capital through the IPO route, noting a historic consolidated net profit of ₹7,720 crore in the first nine months of FY26.
• India has successfully secured safe passage for 22 vessels stranded near the Strait of Hormuz; notably, the LPG carriers Shivalik and Nanda Devi are expected to dock at Mundra and Kandla today and tomorrow.
• Remittances from the West Asia region have surged by 20-30% this month as Indian expats move funds amid the ongoing conflict, though experts warn this trend may reverse if the war prolongs.
• The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings for thunderstorms and potential hailstorms across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Odisha, which may impact standing crops.

Economic Times

• The Reserve Bank of India is expected to boost system liquidity through open market operations (OMOs) to prevent short-term interest rates from spiking due to the rupee's recent volatility.
• A coalition of U.S. solar manufacturers has petitioned for anti-dumping duties on solar imports from India, Indonesia, and Laos, potentially complicating India's renewable energy export ambitions.
• European aviation safety regulators have reportedly flagged maintenance and safety lapses in Air India’s fleet, adding pressure on the carrier as it manages increased flight loads.
• The Central Government is holding emergency meetings to discuss a potential "jet fuel shock" cushion for domestic airlines as global oil prices threaten to derail the industry's recovery.
• Investors are closely watching the listing of Rajputana Stainless today, which saw moderate subscription levels amid the broader market correction.

Mint

• The Nifty 50 and Sensex are poised for a mildly positive opening today, according to Gift Nifty trends, though analysts warn that the "bearish momentum" remains dominant due to sustained FII selling.
• IndiGo has announced a new fuel surcharge effective immediately, citing an 85% surge in jet fuel prices triggered by the halt of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
• Investor Radhakishan Damani has reportedly offloaded 16 lakh shares of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles (TMPV) in a block deal worth approximately ₹52 crore.
• Market analysts have recommended a "cautious" approach to trading this week, highlighting Syngene International, Muthoot Finance, and Tata Consumer Products as potential defensive picks.
• The US-Iran war has officially entered its 21st day, with global markets remaining on edge as President Trump calls for an international coalition to police vital oil transit routes.

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