lic

Indian markets experienced a significant downturn last week, with the top 10 most valued firms losing Rs 3.12 lakh crore. Geopolitical tensions, a weakening rupee, and rising inflation, exacerbated by surging crude oil prices, drove the decline. Reliance Industries saw the steepest fall, while Bharti Airtel was the sole gainer among the giants.

Aravindh Chithambaram recently became the first Indian to qualify for the 2026 Esports Chess World Cup after winning at DreamHack Atlanta. Raised by his mother and grandparents after losing his father at age three, Aravindh discovered chess through his grandfather. With strong family support and guidance from coach RB Ramesh, he steadily rose through the ranks to become a national champion and elite player.

lic Housing Finance Limited will close applications for 180 Junior Assistant posts on April 30, 2026. The recruitment, opened on April 16, targets graduates aged 21–30 with at least 55% marks. Selection includes an online exam and interview, with salary starting at ₹20,000 per month along with multiple benefits. The exam is expected in June 2026.

The central government has announced 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in insurance companies via the automatic route, enabling full foreign ownership. This move, aligning with the Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha Act, 2025, aims to boost foreign participation, with IRDAI approval required. lic remains an exception with a 20% FDI limit.

In a significant crackdown, Bihar's Economic Offences Unit conducted raids at five sites associated with Amrendra Kumar, the sub-registrar from Supaul. The operation revealed a staggering Rs 10 crore in assets, far beyond what his official salary could justify.

Dalal Street concluded the holiday-shortened week with gains, as the combined market valuation of India's top 10 firms surged by Rs 2.20 lakh crore, led by Reliance Industries. Despite a volatile trading environment and mixed global cues, investor sentiment remained resilient, with the BSE Sensex rising 0.32%.

Kotak Mahindra Bank is exploring Deutsche Bank's retail business, having exited the IDBI Bank acquisition due to valuation concerns. CEO Ashok Vaswani emphasized that any deal must align strategically, be financially sound, and manageable. The bank reported a 13.4% year-on-year profit increase for the March quarter, driven by robust loan expansion and reduced provisions.

A 36-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly setting his wife on fire in Chennai after a dispute over a Rs 8 lakh loan. The victim, a 34-year-old housekeeping staffer, sustained severe burn injuries. The incident occurred on April 28, and her husband was apprehended on May 1.

The government has revived the strategic sale of its stake in IDBI Bank, along with lic's holding, after previous bids were rejected. A fresh valuation is underway, with officials considering whether to re-engage existing bidders or restart the process to expedite the sale and maintain investor confidence.

NSE's initial public offer received a significant boost as a majority of its shareholders agreed to divest their holdings for the offer for sale. The aggregate offering of shares has now surpassed the 4% limit of the exchange's total equity capital, paving the way for the IPO which could be valued at Rs 23,000 crore.

Bengaluru-headquartered Infosys has fallen out of India's top 10 most valued companies, now ranking 11th, while Tata Consultancy Services has dropped to sixth. These shifts have been attributed to artificial intelligence-driven disruptions impacting the business models of major Indian software exporters. The information technology sector saw significant sell-offs on Monday.

Maharashtra government is set to acquire the iconic Air India building in South Mumbai for Rs 1,600 crore. The Finance Department has released funds, paving the way for a deal with Air India Assets Holding Limited. This move aims to alleviate space crunch at Mantralaya and consolidate government offices, offering significant office space near the secretariat.

India's life insurance sector saw a robust 15.7% growth in new business premiums for FY26, reaching Rs 4.6 lakh crore. While overall policy sales rose modestly, private players like SBI Life gained market share. The individual segment showed strong gains, with group insurance proving crucial for stabilizing some insurers' portfolios.

lic Housing Finance Limited has opened applications for 180 Junior Assistant positions, with registration commencing April 16, 2026. Candidates need a graduate degree with 55% marks and must be between 21 and 30 years old. The selection involves an online exam and interview, with a starting salary of ₹20,000 plus benefits.

Director Vignesh Shivan revealed that the Life Insurance Corporation of India demanded a staggering Rs 112 crore to use the title 'lic' for his film 'Love Insurance Kompany.' Facing this exorbitant demand, the team opted for the creatively spelled title 'LIK' to avoid legal complications and proceed with the release.

Indian markets concluded the week on a positive note, with the combined market value of the top ten companies surging by over Rs 1.87 lakh crore. Bharti Airtel emerged as the leading gainer, adding Rs 58,831 crore to its valuation. This uptrend was supported by easing geopolitical tensions and a positive risk sentiment.