The southwest monsoon has officially set over Kerala, albeit delayed from its typical June 1 start. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts below-normal rainfall for the season, expecting around 90% of the long-period average, primarily due to the emerging El Nino conditions.
The India Meteorological Department forecasts the southwest monsoon to arrive in Kerala in the next two to three days, slightly delayed from the typical June 1 start. The department also predicts below-normal rainfall for the season due to emerging El Nino conditions.
Indian benchmark stock indices, Sensex and Nifty, experienced a significant decline for the third consecutive day, with the Sensex tumbling 1,092 points and Nifty closing below 24,550. This downturn was primarily driven by the India Meteorological Department's forecast of a below-normal southwest monsoon and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties surrounding the US-Iran ceasefire arrangement.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that the June-September southwest monsoon seasonal rainfall over India is expected to be 90 per cent of the long-period average. While the Northeast is likely to witness normal rainfall, the remaining parts of the country may see below normal rainfall.
The monthly average rainfall over India is expected to be below normal during July, the India Meteorological Department said on Tuesday in its monthly forecast.
"Rather than worrying, preparation is required. Contingency plans will be made for affected districts and crop changes will be considered wherever necessary"
S&P Global Ratings projects India's economic growth to slow to 6.6 per cent in FY27, down from 7.7 per cent in FY26, citing energy stress and a potential sub-par monsoon.
The IMD is predicting close to a 60% probability of deficient rainfall, which means there is a strong possibility that the monsoon this year will be poor.
Mumbai has spent four centuries building folklore around its monsoon: The potholes, the delayed trains, the office debates about whether it will 'break' this week or next. It turns out the rain was always a market. Nobody had built the exchange for it until now!
After a subdued start, the southwest monsoon has gathered pace since the beginning of July, narrowing the cumulative rainfall deficit from nearly 30 per cent on June 30 to around 15 per cent as of July 8.
As Mumbai grapples with rising temperatures and humidity, many slum dwellers are spending their nights on Versova beach to escape the unbearable heat in their poorly ventilated homes, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting a gradual rise in temperatures before a decline, and a yellow alert for isolated rainfall.
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal announced that the legal scrubbing of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) text is expected to be completed within 10-12 days, with the final deal anticipated to be signed by December 31.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted below normal monsoon rains for India this year, citing the potential emergence of El Nino conditions. This could significantly impact the country's agriculture-dependent economy.
Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) is expanding its farm equipment strategy beyond tractors to include a wider range of mechanisation solutions like harvesters, balers, seed drills, and telematics-enabled services, aiming to capitalise on the growing demand for rental services by rural entrepreneurs and address low mechanisation levels in Indian agriculture.
A recent SBI Economic Research report indicates that the significant gap between credit and deposit growth, currently over 530 basis points, is likely to persist if geopolitical risks and external supply shocks continue. However, an improvement in deposit growth is anticipated with inflows into foreign currency non-resident (bank) deposits.
'Monsoon is the pran (life) of our water system.' 'A weak monsoon will have a very negative impact on crops and people's lives.'
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has announced that conditions are becoming favourable for the onset of the southwest monsoon over parts of the south Bay of Bengal, Andaman Sea, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands towards the end of this week.
'The main problem the country faces is not low GDP growth, but low employment growth.'
Water levels were even lower than the 10-year average in 27 reservoirs in eastern India and around 47 in southern India.
'Periods of heightened volatility, driven by global events such as tariffs and geopolitical tensions over the past year-and-a-half, can make some investors pause or discontinue their investments.'
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted an early onset of the southwest monsoon over Kerala, expected around May 26. This marks the beginning of the crucial rainy season for India.
Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) returns for smallcap and midcap mutual funds have seen a significant rebound, with average one-year SIP returns now at 19.1 per cent for smallcap funds and 13.5 per cent for midcap funds, according to Value Research data. This recovery is expected to revive momentum in the retail mutual fund industry, which had experienced a moderation in growth indicators.
In April alone, they snapped up shares worth Rs 19,664 crore, recording their biggest buy since October 2024.
Smallcap funds give investors access to businesses that can grow much faster than the broader economy.
L&T Finance reported a robust Q1FY27 with net profit growing 29% year-on-year to 900 crore, driven by strong asset growth and strategic initiatives including accelerating cross-selling, improving productivity, and fostering a technology-first, AI-led culture, alongside significant expansion in gold loans.
'It is recommended to avoid screens for at least two hours before bedtime,' says Dr Manjusha Agarwal, senior consultant, internal medicine, at Mumbai's Gleneagles Hospital. 'Ideally, avoid taking your phone into the bedroom.'
India is likely to witness a mixed temperature pattern along with wetter-than-usual conditions in May, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) indicating that rainfall across the country is "most likely to be above normal" at over 110 per cent of the long period average (LPA).
'Investors shouldn't let fear dictate their decisions. The most important step is simply to begin investing.'
The harsh truth is that the US is no longer a reliable partner, cautions Ramesh Menon.
Avoid builders with very large commitments.
A poor monsoon could drag overall economic growth and compound the impact of the West Asia conflict on the Indian economy.
'The West Asia or the Gulf crisis has shown that what we develop as national infrastructure when things are not as bad as they could be, we forget to plan for adversities.'
With momentum building around the IPO, the NSE saw a surge in retail investors in the last two years, making it one of the widely traded stocks in the unlisted market.
India's consumption stocks, which have outperformed the broader market, are now facing significant pressure due to a gradual rise in fuel prices and the potential for higher inflation. Analysts warn that companies may be forced to pass on increased input costs to consumers, potentially hurting demand across both staples and discretionary categories, with a looming threat of deficient monsoon rainfall further exacerbating inflationary concerns.
Ben Stokes defended England's decision to rest Jofra Archer for the opening Test against New Zealand at Lord's after the fast bowler's Indian Premier League stint, with the captain warning that mishandling such situations could drive players away from international cricket.
JPMorgan has downgraded Indian equities to 'neutral' from 'overweight', citing elevated valuations, rising earnings risks, and limited exposure to next-generation technology like AI. The brokerage believes other emerging markets offer more attractive risk/reward propositions despite India's strong structural growth story.
If you have ever said 'I'll sort retirement later,' now is when 'later' begins.
'During the hot season (April to June), above-normal minimum temperatures are likely over most parts of the country, except in some regions of Maharashtra and Telangana, where minimum temperatures are expected to be normal to below normal,' IMD said.
The 35-year-old finishes as New Zealand's all-time leading international run-scorer with 19,346 runs, including 48 centuries and six double-centuries. Williamson's retirement means he will play no further part in the BlackCaps current Test series in England, with a replacement player to be confirmed in due course.
Hospital stocks have emerged as a strong theme in 2026, outperforming benchmark indices due to robust earnings growth, improved occupancy, higher average revenue per occupied bed, and aggressive expansion plans by major chains.
