India’s wheat output is likely to rise in 2026 compared with the previous year, but may still fall short of earlier projections after unseasonal rains and hailstorms damaged crops nearing harvest, according to trade and industry officials. India, the world’s second-largest wheat producer after China, grows one crop annually, planted in October–November and harvested in March–April. In recent years, heatwaves in late February and early March have often reduced yields.

Following several years of weak production, output recovered in 2025 due to favorable weather. However, another late-February heat spike this year renewed concerns. Navneet Chitlangia, president of the Roller Flour Millers Federation of India, said production would exceed last year’s levels but remain below initial forecasts.

The government has estimated a record output of 120.21 million metric tons for this year, while the flour millers’ association had earlier projected 115 million tons. That estimate has now been revised down to around 113.5–114 million tons, still higher than last year’s output of about 109.5–110 million tons.

In recent years, the millers’ body has issued more conservative estimates compared to government projections, which traders often believe are overstated. Unlike rice, India’s wheat reserves remain relatively limited, though last year’s strong harvest helped ease concerns about potential imports. Recent rainfall has cooled wheat-growing regions, providing some relief from heat stress. However, hailstorms in parts of the country have caused localized damage, raising concerns about yield losses and grain quality.

According to grains trader Ramesh Garg, the overall harvest is expected to surpass last year’s levels, although quality issues may arise in some northern regions. Farmers have expanded wheat cultivation to 33.4 million hectares this year, up from 32.8 million hectares last year, supported by good soil moisture from a strong monsoon. Ramandeep Singh Mann, a farmer from Punjab, said that while hailstorms caused some scattered damage, rainfall largely protected the crop from extreme heat. He added that the final outcome will depend on weather conditions in the coming days.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Bloomberg.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday presented the Budget for the financial year 2026–27, totaling ₹1,03,700 crore, a rise of about 3.7% from the previous year’s ₹1,00,000 crore. The Budget projects tax revenue of ₹74,000 crore and prioritizes spending across infrastructure, health, education, and civic services.

Gupta emphasized that this year’s plan strongly focuses on environmental sustainability, with 21% of the allocation dedicated to green initiatives. “We have brought a Green Budget. Every policy and scheme has been viewed through a green lens, aiming to balance development with care for Mother Earth,” she said, noting the urgency as Delhi continues to struggle with severe air pollution annually.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi has been allocated ₹11,666 crore, including ₹1,000 crore for road improvements and ₹1,352 crore for developing dust-free roads, which involves large-scale recarpeting projects across the city. Education has been allotted ₹19,148 crore, while health receives ₹12,645 crore. Urban development and shelter projects are set to get ₹7,887 crore, and the Public Works Department will receive ₹5,921 crore.

The power department has been granted ₹3,942 crore, including ₹200 crore to move overhead electricity wires underground, preparing for a projected rise in summer electricity demand with peaks expected above 9,000 MW. The Delhi Jal Board will receive ₹9,000 crore for water and sewage management, including ₹475 crore for the Chandrawal water treatment plant to ensure residents do not need to rely on water tankers.

Additional allocations include ₹787 crore for the Delhi Rural Development Board, ₹674 crore for the fire department, ₹454 crore for works on the Najafgarh drain, and ₹350 crore for the MLA Local Area Development Scheme. The Budget reflects the government’s effort to balance development priorities with environmental and civic needs while addressing the capital’s ongoing challenges.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI.

India’s second LPG carrier Nanda Devi safely reached Vadinar Port in Gujarat on Tuesday carrying 46,500 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas after passing through the Strait of Hormuz amid tensions in West Asia, officials said. A day earlier, another LPG vessel, Shivalik, had arrived at Mundra Port in Gujarat. According to Deendayal Port Authority Chairman Sushil Kumar Singh, Nanda Devi docked at Vadinar in Devbhumi Dwarka district. Arrangements are being made to transfer the LPG cargo to another vessel, BW Birch, which will later transport portions of the shipment to Ennore in Tamil Nadu and Haldia in West Bengal.

Singh said the transfer operation is carried out at a speed of around 1,000 tonnes per hour and is expected to take nearly two days to complete. He added that the Vadinar port authorities have been directed by the Ministry of Ports to conduct the process efficiently. While such ship to ship transfers are a routine operation at the port, the ministry has instructed that LPG vessels must be given the highest priority so that unloading and distribution can be completed quickly.

Multiple agencies are closely monitoring the operation. Officials have already visited the vessel and interacted with the crew, and the receiving ship is currently on its way to berth alongside Nanda Devi before the transfer begins. Singh also noted that the ministry has issued clear instructions that all upcoming LPG vessels should be handled on priority while strictly following safety procedures and avoiding any operational delays.

Gujarat minister Jitu Vaghani stated on Monday that the LPG carrier Shivalik was able to reach Mundra safely from the Strait of Hormuz despite regional tensions, crediting India’s strong diplomatic ties under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The ship successfully navigated the Strait of Hormuz despite heightened tensions involving Iran, Israel and other nations, he said during a session of the state assembly.

India depends heavily on imports for its energy needs, sourcing about 88 percent of its crude oil, 50 percent of its natural gas and nearly 60 percent of its LPG from abroad. Before the escalation of conflict following US Israel strikes on Iran on February 28 and Tehran’s retaliation, a significant portion of these imports came from Middle Eastern countries including Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

The conflict has resulted in a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for energy shipments from the Gulf. India has partly compensated for crude oil supply disruptions by importing from countries such as Russia, but natural gas supplies to industries have been reduced and LPG availability for commercial users like hotels and restaurants has been limited. Officials also said that 22 Indian flagged vessels with 611 seafarers are currently in the western Persian Gulf, and efforts are underway to ensure their safe passage.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from @Deendayal_Port/X.

Piyush Goyal, the Union Minister, said that India is not facing any fuel shortage despite rising uncertainty in global energy markets caused by the ongoing tensions in West Asia. Speaking to reporters in Tiruchirappalli, he stated that the government is carefully monitoring the situation and taking necessary measures to ensure uninterrupted fuel availability across the country. He added that authorities remain alert and relevant departments are continuously reviewing developments to protect domestic supply chains.

Goyal noted that while a serious conflict is underway, officials are closely observing the situation and will keep the public informed whenever required. He emphasised that there is currently no shortage of fuel in the country. His remarks come after the government invoked the Essential Commodities Act to stabilise the domestic energy market amid global supply concerns. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas also issued a directive asking refineries and petrochemical units to increase the production of liquefied petroleum gas and redirect key hydrocarbon streams to maintain adequate cooking gas supply nationwide.

Under the revised allocation framework, households have been given top priority for natural gas distribution. The government has guaranteed full supply of piped natural gas for homes and compressed natural gas for vehicles. Other sectors will receive regulated supplies based on their consumption patterns from the past six months.

Industries such as tea processing units and other manufacturing facilities connected to the gas grid will receive about eighty percent of their usual supply. Industrial and commercial consumers are also limited to the same level, while fertiliser plants have been allocated around seventy percent of their average consumption.

Officials said the redistribution plan also includes a reduction in natural gas supply from refineries and petrochemical plants by about thirty five percent in order to prioritise essential domestic needs. The decision comes as India deals with logistical challenges linked to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a key route through which a large share of the country’s natural gas imports normally pass. To manage possible short term shortages, the government is exploring alternative trade routes for natural gas procurement while ensuring that LPG availability for households remains a priority during the ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI.

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Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

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Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

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Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

2026 is shaping up to be a defining year for the AI-driven economy. According to Saxo Bank’s latest analysis, the upcoming IPO pipeline is dominated by tech giants poised to move from private backing to public scrutiny. While OpenAI and Anthropic represent high-risk, high-reward bets on generative AI, companies like Canva and Stripe showcase more established models in SaaS and Fintech at scale. Andrea Heng and Susan Ng highlight the key factors investors should monitor — including governance, computing costs, and revenue sustainability — as these “private unicorns” prepare for their public market debut, with insights from Chan Yew Kiang, ASEAN IPO Leader at EY.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.