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Moneycontrol empowers investors with expert insights on markets
Mumbai: Moneycontrol.com has launched a comprehensive coverage plan for this year’s Union Budget. The content offering is by far India’s biggest, in terms of breadth, depth, width, variety and innovation, powered by real-time updates, insights, data stories, live blogs and live broadcasting throughout the day.
With the Modi government presenting the first Budget of its third term, the big questions are whether there will be a reset, and what this means for your pocket and investments. Moneycontrol.com’s special Budget Day coverage and livestream, on its website and YouTube channel, will focus on providing all the answers one needs with top finance experts and fund managers, providing in-depth discussions, expert opinions, and real-time updates throughout the day. From tax changes to market impact, from policy pronouncements to political economy nuances, Moneycontrol.com’s special coverage titled `The Reset Budget’, will also be featured on JioNews.
“This is the go-to destination for investors, CEOs, market watchers, the salaried classes, students, the middle class, small businesses, large corporations, entrepreneurs and startups, for all matters related to the Union Budget,” said Moneycontrol managing editor Nalin Mehta.
The team of Moneycontrol.com editors and domain specialists, along with industry experts will offer cutting-edge analyses, breaking down the finer details for every class of viewers and readers in the special coverage.
The platform has unveiled comprehensive coverage and analysis of this year’s landmark budget, ensuring investors and financial enthusiasts are equipped with data-backed insights and reports.
Moneycontrol’s crack team of MC Pro analysts will shortly launch a ‘Budget Portfolio’ of key stocks for investment after carefully analysing Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s budget announcements. This initiative builds on our successful ‘Elections’ and ‘Make in India’ portfolios, which have consistently outperformed their benchmarks.
Moneycontrol has also introduced interactive tools for users to explore and understand the Budget in an engaging way. Its new AI-driven ‘Budget Buddy’ chatbot will provide users with answers to all they want to know about the Budget. ‘Play The FM’ is a one-of-a-kind budget fantasy game that allows users to step into the shoes of India’s Finance Minister, understanding the effect of various budget allocations and making strategic decisions. The ‘Budget Word Cloud’ tracks the frequency of specific terms or domains mentioned in budget speeches starting from 1950’s, highlighting the shift in areas such as women’s issues and health over the years. Another section, titled ‘Modinomics’, gives a detailed account of India’s economic policies during the BJP-led government. ‘The Reset Budget’ also puts a spotlight on key issues and the potential impact of the Budget across sectors through ‘Pitch Report’.
The special coverage also includes a pre-budget’ CEO Survey’ in collaboration with Deloitte, which provides insights from India’s top CEOs on budget expectations and business sentiments. Other features include ‘Markets on Budget’ for real-time coverage of share market trading on Budget Day and an Income Tax Calculator to clarify the impact of new tax policies on personal finances.
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Induction cooktop demand spikes 30× amid LPG supply concerns
Supply worries linked to West Asia tensions push households and restaurants to turn to electric cooking alternatives
MUMBAI: As geopolitical tensions in West Asia ripple through global energy supply chains, the familiar blue flame in Indian kitchens is facing an unexpected challenger: electricity.
What began as concerns over the availability of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has quickly evolved into a technology-driven shift in cooking habits. Households across India are increasingly turning to induction cooktops and other electric appliances, initially as a backup but now, for many, a necessity.
A sudden surge in demand
Recent data from quick-commerce and grocery platform BigBasket highlights the scale of the shift. According to Seshu Kumar Tirumala, the company’s chief buying and merchandising officer, demand for induction cooktops has risen dramatically.
“Induction cooktops have seen a significant surge in demand, recording a fivefold jump on 10 March and a thirtyfold spike on 11 March,” Tirumala said.
The increase stands out sharply when compared with broader kitchen appliance trends. Most appliance categories are growing within 10 per cent of their typical demand levels, while induction cooktops have witnessed explosive growth as households rush to secure an alternative cooking option.
Major e-commerce platforms including Amazon and Flipkart have reported rising searches and orders for induction stoves. Quick-commerce apps such as Blinkit and Zepto have also witnessed stock shortages in major metropolitan areas including Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru.
What was once considered a convenient appliance for hostels, small kitchens or occasional use has suddenly become an essential addition in many homes.
A crisis thousands of miles away
The trigger for this shift lies far beyond India’s kitchens.
Escalating conflict in the Middle East has disrupted shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy corridors. Nearly 85 to 90 per cent of India’s LPG imports pass through this narrow waterway, making the country particularly vulnerable to supply disruptions.
The ripple effects have been swift.
India currently meets roughly 60 per cent of its LPG demand through imports, and tightening global supply has already begun to affect domestic availability and prices.
Earlier this month, the price of domestic LPG cylinders increased by Rs 60, while commercial cylinders rose by more than Rs 114.
To discourage panic buying and hoarding, the government has also extended the mandatory waiting period between domestic refill bookings from 21 days to 25 days.
Restaurants feel the pressure
The strain is not limited to households. Restaurants, hotels and roadside eateries are also grappling with supply constraints as commercial LPG availability tightens under restrictions imposed through the Essential Commodities Act.
In cities such as Bengaluru and Chennai, restaurant associations report that commercial LPG availability has dropped by as much as 75 per cent, forcing many establishments to rethink their kitchen operations.
Some restaurants have reduced menu offerings, while others are rapidly installing high-efficiency induction systems, creating hybrid kitchens where electricity now shares the workload with gas.
For smaller eateries and roadside dhabas, the shift is less about sustainability and more about survival.
A potential structural shift
The government has maintained that there is no nationwide LPG crisis and has directed refineries to increase production to stabilise supply.
Nevertheless, the developments of March 2026 may already be triggering a longer-term behavioural shift.
For decades, LPG has been the backbone of cooking in Indian households. However, recent disruptions have highlighted the risks of relying on a single fuel source.
Increasingly, households appear to be hedging against uncertainty by adopting electric cooking options to guard against price volatility and delivery delays.
If the current trend continues, the induction cooktop, once viewed as a niche appliance, could emerge as a quiet symbol of India’s evolving kitchen economy.
