According to reports, Google is making Gemini AI available for a wider range of earbuds and headphones. A 9To5Google article claims that a code found in the most recent beta version of the Google app indicates compatibility between Gemini AI assistant and audio wearables like Google Assistant.
The Google app beta version 15.6's APK file, which is essentially the program code for an Android app, was found to have a line of code with the error message, "Gemini mobile app is working on expanding availability to make it accessible on your headphones," according to the report.

AI-generated audio replies to queries would probably be available with Gemini support on headphones. It is anticipated that activating the Gemini AI assistant through headphones will resemble utilizing Google Assistant. But according to the article, there won't be any visible indications on the display when the AI assistant on the gadget responds; instead, it would simply speak.

Google said last week that it is changing the name of its AI chatbot Bard to Gemini. Furthermore, Google released an Android app specifically designed for Gemini AI. Gemini can be accessed by iOS users via the Google app.
On the other hand, users of the Android app can activate the Gemini AI in a manner akin to that of Google Assistant by either pushing the power button or using the wake word, "Hey Google." The Gemini app also provides access to Google Assistant speech functions, such as calling, scheduling reminders, and managing smart home appliances. The Gemini Android app is now accessible in the US and is progressively making its way to other countries.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced the start of the "PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana," which seeks to light up one crore families by delivering up to 300 units of free electricity per month in an effort to promote solar power and sustainable progress. According to Modi, the project would require more over Rs 75,000 crore in funding.

"We are launching the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana to further sustainable development and people's wellbeing," stated Modi in a post on X. This project, which would cost more than Rs 75,000 crore, will provide up to 300 units of free power each month in an effort to light up 1 crore houses."

The prime minister said, "The central government will ensure that there is no cost burden on the people." This will include substantial subsidies that will be sent straight into people's bank accounts and highly advantageous bank loans.

Modi stated that incentives would be provided to urban local bodies and panchayats to encourage rooftop solar systems within their jurisdictions in order to popularize this plan at the grassroots level.

"At the same time, the scheme will lead to more income, lesser power bills and employment generation for people," stated the prime minister.







 

Tata Motors plans to pass on the savings from lower battery prices to its customers by offering price reductions of up to Rs 1.2 lakh on a number of electric vehicle (EV) models.
Three of Tata Motors' long-range versions of the company's best-selling Nexon.ev have had their pricing lowered by Rs 1.2 lakh each. Instead of starting at Rs 18.19 lakh as before, it now starts at Rs 16.99 lakh. In the meantime, Tiago.ev's starting pricing is now Rs 7.99 lakh. Tiago's prices have dropped by Rs 70,000.

According to a press release from the TPG-backed company, "We have chosen to proactively pass on the resulting benefits directly to customers with battery cell prices having softened in the recent past and considering their potential reduction in the foreseeable future." Vivek Srivatsa is the Chief Commercial Officer.
 Tata Motors has lowered its pricing, but the market is becoming more competitive and demand is declining. On February 6, MG Motor India, the industry leader in e-passenger vehicles, announced price reductions.

The standard ZS EV model now costs Rs19.98 lakh instead of Rs22.8 lakh, and the Comet's price dropped by Rs1 lakh to Rs7 lakh. The corporation said that greater localization and long-term major commodity cost rationalization are the reasons for its pricing reductions.


According to Shailesh Chandra, the managing director of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd & Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd, the business anticipates that as the base grows, EV sales in India would moderate to 40–45 percent this year.

"EV growth was starting from a very low basis two years ago. It grew by almost 100% in the previous calendar year, but the base is currently expanding. At the close of this fiscal year, it is anticipated to be between 90,000 and 1 lakh. Based on this strong foundation, I believe the industry's growth would slow to roughly 40% to 45%," Chandra remarked.


 

On Tuesday, JSW Steel announced the formation of a 50:50 joint venture (JV) with JFE Steel Corporation Japan to produce a type of steel in India that is utilized in the manufacturing of transformers that are energy-efficient.
Bellary, Karnataka, will serve as the home base for JSW JFE Electrical Steel Private Limited's production operations. An estimated Rs 5,500 crore would be invested in its establishment. According to a statement from JSW, the JV will satisfy the "surging domestic demand" for grain-oriented electrical steel.
On February 12, a groundbreaking ceremony was held to commemorate the cooperation. Both firms' executive teams were present during the function.

In order to address the increasing market demand for grain-oriented electrical steel in India, the plant intends to further expand its capacity and start production in the fiscal year 2027.

"Well, the other factors pertaining to depreciation and Ind AS 115 are the main causes of these losses. Thus, according to Dr. Praveer Sinha, CEO & MD of Tata Power, Mundra has made operating profit and profit in terms of EBITDA.

Indeed, in my opinion. I believe that because of the way demand has been increasing, there has been a significant rise, and in order to fulfill that demand, there will likely be significant capacity addition in the coming years.

Well, the other factors pertaining to depreciation and Ind AS 115 are the main causes of these losses. Mundra has therefore generated operating profit and profit in terms of EBITDA. However, as a result of these depreciation-related factors as well as the Ind AS requirement, you have observed losses, albeit minimal ones.

Our coal mines have been operating at maximum capacity and have been doing quite well. Naturally, the cost of 6500 kcal of coal has now settled down, coming in at about $120. And given the strong demand-supply match that has been observed, we anticipate that there won't be much of a raise in this sector in the upcoming quarter. And we anticipate that the coal mine profits we have experienced over the past year will essentially stabilize going forward.

Crisil Ratings has given the secured NCDs a 'A' rating and a 'Stable' outlook. With tenors of 18, 27, and 36 months, the offering will provide effective yields ranging from 10.47 to 11.19% annually.

The Navi Finserv group, managed by Sachin Bansal, intends to raise up to Rs 600 crore by issuing new bonds that are non-convertible debentures (NCDs). A green shoe option of up to Rs 300 crore will be included in the total bond issuance size in order to maintain oversubscription.

The subscription period for the issue will run from February 26 to March 7, 2024, with the allocation process taking place on a first-come, first-served basis.
It has been assigned 'A' to the secured NCDs.
 

Crisil Ratings has given the secured NCDs a 'A' rating and a 'Stable' outlook. The issuance will offer effective yields ranging from 10.47 percent to 11.19 percent annually across tenors of 18, 27, and 36 months. The money obtained by the new bond offering will go toward financing, loan repayment, subsequent lending, and general business needs.

In the first nine months of the fiscal year, a significant number of Union ministries had only used roughly two-thirds of their amended budgetary allocations for 2023–2024.

In a statement on the ministry-by-minister utilization of the Budget allocation for FY24, the Union finance ministry stated that the actual overall expenditure between April and December was ?30.41 trillion, as opposed to the revised allocation of ?44.90 trillion for 56 ministries.

The ministries of railroads, road transportation, and highways utilized up to 85% of their allocations, while the ministry of defense utilized roughly 71% of those with substantial allocations.

According to the revised estimate in the Budget, the Ministry of Railways was allotted ?2.43 trillion for FY24. As of December 31st, however, it had already spent ?2.08 trillion.
Of the ?2.76 trillion allotted, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways only used ?2.28 trillion.

However, much fewer have been used by other ministries. Up to December, the ministries of consumer affairs, food, and public distribution used over 64% of their FY24 budgetary allotments, education about 46%, and micro, small, and medium-sized business ministry about 23%.
With a budget of over ?1.3 trillion for FY24, the ministry of education only used roughly ?592 billion up until December 31st. With ?2.22 trillion allotted for the current fiscal year, the consumer affairs, food, and public distribution ministry has already spent ?1.39 trillion.

However, experts claim that the latter quarter of a fiscal year sees a significant portion of central government ministries and departments' spending as payments for numerous programs and schemes are made during that time.
As of December 31, the ministry of finance had spent almost 66.2% of the ?16.27 trillion allotted to it, and the ministry of rural development had spent roughly 63% of the ?1.73 trillion allotted to it.

The most recent budget's expenditure profile for 2024–25 shows that, compared to the revised estimate of ?44.90 trillion for FY24, the expenditure of various ministries and departments of the central government is expected to be ?47.66 trillion for the upcoming fiscal year.
For FY25, the projected revenue expenditure is ?36.55 trillion, while the predicted capital expenditure is ?11.11 trillion.

Next week, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will meet with a number of stakeholders, including the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), to talk about the transfer of merchants and customers from Paytm Payments Bank.

The RBI prohibited Paytm Payments Bank (PPBL) from accepting any more deposits after February 29 last month. PPBL includes Paytm Wallet, which offers features similar to FASTag. Paytm had already stated that FASTags and wallets would need to be moved to different banks, and the business has already begun corresponding with these institutions.

The RBI announced on February 8 that Paytm Payments Bank's "persistent non-compliance" was the reason behind the ban. It is not permitted to take on new clients as of March 11, 2022.

Additionally, Das stated that the RBI encourages "bilateral engagement" and pushes regulated firms to make amends. He went on to say that before the RBI takes any action, the REs are given ample opportunity to implement corrective actions.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India's Unified Payment Interface (UPI) services, which connect traditional relationships with contemporary digital technology, were launched in Mauritius and Sri Lanka on Monday.
Along with Prime Minister Modi, President Ranil Wickremesinghe of Sri Lanka, and his Mauritian counterpart Pravind Jugnauth attended a virtual ceremony to launch India's RuPay card services in Mauritius.

Modi expressed his optimism that the new fintech services will benefit both countries and stated that the UPI is taking on "new responsibilities of uniting partners with India" in his speech.
"Today is a special day for the three friendly countries of the Indian Ocean Region as we are linking our historic ties with modern digital technology," he stated.

"I believe that Sri Lanka and Mauritius will benefit from the UPI system," Modi said.

The prime minister said digital public infrastructure has brought about a revolutionary change in India. He also highlighted India's focus on its "neighbourhood first policy".

"Be it a natural disaster, health-related, economic or supporting on the international stage, India has been the first responder, and will continue to be so," he said.

With New Delhi's bilateral commercial relations to Sri Lanka and Mauritius growing, Indian services were introduced in both nations.
With this change, Indian nationals traveling to Sri Lanka and Mauritius as well as Mauritius nationals traveling to India can now access UPI settlement services.
 

According to a senior company official, Vedanta is "actively" trying to demerger its important businesses, such as aluminum, into distinct public companies. The process should be finished in the next nine to twelve months.
Vedanta Ltd., headed by billionaire Anil Agarwal, said last year that it would create independent verticals by demerging its aluminum, oil and gas, power, and metals businesses in order to maximize potential value.

In an interview to PTI, John Slaven, CEO of aluminium business of Vedanta, said, "We are working very actively in securing the successful demerger of the aluminium business." The process for the demerger is currently underway and is subject to a number of approvals from various authorities, he added.

"We also need approval from our current lenders in the allocation of debt across the various entities that will be separated. So that's playing out at the moment. It's not directly within our hands. So unfortunately I'm not in a position to tell you categorically when it will occur. We are confident that in the next 9 to 12 months the demerger will be completed," Slaven said.

Additionally, we are finishing up the expansion of our value-added offerings. We are expanding our foundry alloy and billet capacities, as well as our rolled products business, which will see its capacity increase from 44,000 tonnes to about 100,000 tonnes. Thus, a large portion of that will be finished in the upcoming fiscal year," he stated.

According to him, Vedanta's Sijimali bauxite mine will start producing in the third quarter of the upcoming fiscal year.
In addition, the company's three other coal mines, Ghogharpalli, Radhikapur, and Kuraloi, will begin producing in nine to eighteen months.
More over half of India's aluminum, or 2.29 million tonnes, was produced by Vedanta Aluminium, a division of Vedanta Limited, making it the nation's top producer of the metal in FY'23. It also specializes in value-added aluminum products that are essential to key downstream sectors.

 

According to news agency Reuters, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) is intensifying its review of filings made by businesses looking to go public.

The action by India's market regulator coincides with a discernible rise in initial public offerings (IPOs) in the country.
First among the four sources cited in the report, "the regulator has returned at least six public offer documents, as Sebi observed companies are misleading in their reasons for fundraise," stated the source.

First among the four sources cited in the report, "the regulator has returned at least six public offer documents, as Sebi observed companies are misleading in their reasons for fundraise," stated the source.

Due to the increase in activity on the Indian stock market, around 50 companies will make their initial public offerings in 2023 alone. Eight initial public offerings (IPOs) have been finished this year, while 40 more are pending Sebi clearance.

Notably, the promoters and significant shareholders who play significant roles in the company would have their shares locked in for a period of eighteen months if monies were set aside for debt reduction.
Nevertheless, the lock-in period is extended to three years if the money is meant for capital expenditures.
"By saying the company is using funds to retire debt, they (promoters) are circumventing the law and reducing the share lock-in period from three years to 18 months," stated the initial speaker.
 

The board of directors has declared its first interim dividend of Rs 22 per equity share of Rs. 5/- each fully paid up for the financial year 2023-24.

In comparison to the same period last year, net profit increased to Rs 1261.5 crore in Q3 from Rs 1155.19 crore.For the fiscal year 2023–2024, the board of directors has declared its first interim dividend, which will be paid out in full to each equity share valued at Rs. 5/-. In Q3FY24, the company reported revenue of Rs 6061.3 crore, up 7% from Rs 5665.54 crore the previous year.

In the third quarter of the preceding fiscal year, earnings per share (EPS) increased to Rs 18.86 from Rs 17.27 in the December quarter. Compared to Rs 4,951.05 crore in the quarter ending in December 2022, total expenses in Q3 decreased to Rs 4,838 crore.
A total of 2.13 lakh of the company's shares were traded, generating a turnover of Rs 61.95 crore.
The company's market value dropped to Rs 1.91 lakh crore on the BSE.
 

The online store owned by Zomato, Blinkit, has introduced a new feature called 'Single Mode' specifically for lone buyers as Valentine's Day approaches. With this creative innovation, customers can peruse a carefully chosen assortment of goods made to accommodate unique requirements and tastes for the occasion.

Users can access a range of product categories designed for solo activities with the 'Single Mode' feature. These categories include alternatives for solo parties, binge-watching sessions, self-care routines, and even personalized gifts for oneself.

Alternatively, the app presents a variety of romantic events and products that are perfect for couples celebrating the week of love when the 'Single Mode' is disabled. Blinkit provides a wide range of options to support couples in celebrating the international holiday together, from customary gifts like flowers and chocolates to carefully thought-out date ideas and personal items.

Blinkit has had tremendous growth in its revenue from advertisements despite having a smaller revenue base than Zomato. In fact, the platform's October–December (Q3) quarter of 2023–2024 (FY24) saw a considerable increase in the number of advertisers. The company's gross order value (GOV) increased by 103 percent during the same period, but its advertisement revenue soared by 220 percent year over year (YoY), more than twice as much. In addition, the number of advertisers increased dramatically by 130% to 557 in Q3FY24 from 242 in the same period the previous year.

This financial year, investment growth in textiles, IT hardware, and specialty steel is "significantly slow," according to a review report by an interministerial body that conducts periodic stocktaking of the program.

In FY24, the government had hoped for investments of Rs 49,682 crore. Of this, during the first nine months of this fiscal year, approximately Rs 30,695 crore, or 61.8%, has been made in all 14 sectors.

PLI schemes for mobile phones, bulk medications, pharmaceuticals, telecom, drones, and food processing are doing well and are on track to meet or surpass government-envisioned targets for investment, production/sales, and employment, according to an assessment conducted during a review meeting.“The progress of PLI Schemes of IT Hardware, Textile Products and Specialty Steel is significantly slow in terms of investments (in FY24),”

"Although the investment objective has been reached for bulk pharmaceuticals and medical devices under PLI Schemes, actual production and sales have fallen short of the target. The production and sales targets under the PLI Scheme for automobiles and auto components were met, but the investment target was not, as per the minutes.

The program has been introduced for fourteen industries, including white goods, pharmaceuticals, telephony, textiles, cars, and drones. Although the implementation of these 14 programs took place between 2020–2021 and 2021–2022, incentive payments to participating enterprises began in the most recent fiscal year.

Maruti Suzuki's newest project, electric air copters, is about to take off into the sky. The company aims to be a leader in innovative mobility solutions, and they are preparing to launch small air taxis that can accommodate up to three people, including the pilot.

Prior to entering the Indian market, the project intends to achieve early success in the US and Japan. The dynamics of urban mobility are about to be redefined by the small air taxis, which are similar to ground-based ridesharing services like Uber and Ola.

Suzuki Motor's assistant manager, Kento Ogura, disclosed the company's strategic intentions to TOI during a speech at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo. The SkyDrive, which will have 12 motor and rotor units, will make its premiere during the 2025 Osaka Expo in Japan. Maruti Suzuki plans to establish alliances and attract prospective customers in India after its unveiling.

The research also states that in order to accommodate India's large territory, the three-passenger air taxi's range, which was initially just 15 kilometers, is anticipated to quadruple by 2029 and then reach 40 kilometers by 2031. Maruti Suzuki is evaluating opportunities for manufacturing in India and highlighting the possible cost savings and synergies connected with local production as part of regulatory negotiations with the government.

Although the exact timing for production in India is yet unknown, Ogura reiterated the company's intention to participate in the 'Make in India' campaign by pointing to the favorable manufacturing environment in the nation. Maruti Suzuki is determined to transform urban air mobility and promote accessibility and affordability in India's transportation system, even as talks with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) advance.