As Budget 2026 approaches, the expectations of millions of workers associated with India’s rapidly expanding Gig Economy are also reaching new heights.

Delivery partners, cab drivers, freelancers and platform-based professionals have today become the strong backbone of the country’s digital economy. Online platforms have provided new employment opportunities, but they have also brought uncertainty.

Even though the work is flexible, the income is not stable and there is no guarantee of any kind.

Gig workers are most affected by weather and inflation. If work is stopped for a day due to heatwave, flood, heavy rain or extreme weather, then the earning for that day directly becomes zero.

Existing welfare and insurance systems mostly provide support after a loss has occurred, while gig workers need real-time support and income protection so that difficult circumstances do not disrupt their daily lives.

Young freelancers and platform professionals invest in their own skills, online courses and certifications for their career growth.

In such a situation, it is expected from Budget 2026 that the government will pay special attention to tax relief, cheap education loans, affordable upskilling programs and secure digital credit systems. If the Budget takes visionary and practical steps regarding the gig economy, gig workers will not just remain workers, but will also be able to create a secure, stable and dignified future.

On the very first day of the new year, a sharp decline was seen in Tobacco stocks in the stock market. ITC shares fell by about 8.2% to ₹370, while Godfrey Phillips’ stock fell by about 16%.

The biggest reason for this decline is the central government’s big decision on cigarette tax. According to the official notification issued by the Finance Ministry, the government has increased the excise duty on cigarettes. Now excise duty will range from ₹ 2,050 to ₹ 8,500 per thousand sticks depending on the length of the cigarette. This new rule will come into effect from February 1 and will be imposed on top of the existing 28% GST and other cesses, which will significantly increase the total tax burden.

It is estimated that companies will pass this burden on consumers, due to which the price of a cigarette may increase by ₹ 2–3.

With this, the effective GST rate on tobacco and pan masala products will be around 40%. During this period, about 4 crore shares of ITC were sold in a block deal at an average price of ₹ 400, whose total value was ₹ 1,614.5 crore. This step of the government is being considered as part of the strategy to increase revenue and control sin goods.

Infosys has launched its biggest share buyback of ₹18,000 crore in which the company will purchase 10 crore shares at the rate of ₹1,800 per share. The tender window is open till 20–26 November 2025. In this video we will understand in detail who is eligible and how to check entitlement for buyback (NSDL/CDSL/Physical). What is the meaning of 2:11 ratio for small shareholders and 17:706 ratio for general category. Promoters are not participating, what will be the impact on the acceptance ratio. How has been the previous buyback track record of Infosys. If you are an Infosys shareholder, this video is very important for you. Do watch till the end so that you can capture maximum benefit.

Rupee vs dollar: The Indian rupee weakened against the US dollar on Monday due to increasing concerns about American tariffs and frequent withdrawal of foreign capital from the Indian market. On the first day of the week, the rupee fell 11 paise to 87.29 per dollar in early trade.

According to foreign exchange traders, the weak trend of US dollar and softening in crude oil prices definitely supported the rupee to some extent. But despite this, the rupee opened at 87.21 compared to the US dollar in the interbank foreign exchange market, which was 11 paise weaker than a day earlier.

Major reasons for rupee fall

Uncertainty for American tariffs: The possibility of increasing the import duty (tariff) by the US has affected the perception of global investors, increasing pressure on the currency of emerging markets.

FII selling: Foreign institutional investors (FII) on Friday made a net selling of shares worth ₹ 3,366.40 crore, which affected the domestic currency.

Increase in dollar demand: Dollar demand remained in the Interbank Forex Market, which weakened the rupee.

Some auxiliary factor

Dollar index falls: The dollar index, depicting US dollar strength against major currencies, fell 0.40% to 98.74.

Softening of crude oil prices: According to Brent Crunt International Standard, 0.26% fell to $ 69.49 per barrel, which can provide relief to the oil importing country like India.

Domestic stock market rose: BSE Sensex rose 262.90 points to 80,861.80 in early trade, while NSE Nifty gained 98.50 points to 24,663.85.

Now look at RBI’s decision

The market is now looking at the next monetary policy of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to bring stability in the rupee and attract foreign investment. If the RBI intervenes a big or changes the rates, then it will directly affect the direction of the rupee.

Dollar vs rupee: The Indian rupee reached its lowest level in the last four months due to the continuous strong US dollars and the selling of foreign investors in the domestic stock market. On Tuesday, the price of the rupee fell 18 paise to 86.88 against the dollar. Foreign traders say that the US currency remains strong due to the continuous demand of the dollar from the importers, which has put pressure on the rupee. Along with this, the withdrawal of foreign capital and domestic stock market lethargy has also weakened the notion of investors.

Why is the rupee weakening?

Actually, the rupee opened at 86.76 against the US dollar in the interbank foreign exchange market. After this, the low -lying level of 86.88 per dollar touched a decline of 18 paise in the previous closed price. The rupee closed at 86.70 against the dollar on Monday. Meanwhile, the dollar index showed 0.01 percent to 98.64, depicting the US dollar position against the currencies of six major countries.

stock market crash

Talking about the domestic stock market, the S&P BSE Sensex was trading down 62.31 points to 80,828.71 on Tuesday at around 9.30 am. While the Nifty 50 on NSE also fell 7.20 points to 24,673.70. Today, the shares which have seen a boom during early trade, have gained 0.77 percent jump in Trent. While Realis Industries has also gone up 0.77 percent, Tato Motors 0.66 percent, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries 0.63 percent and Kotak Mahindra 0.58 percent.

International Standard Brent crude gained 0.04 percent to a price of $ 70.07 per barrel. According to the stock market data, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) were selling on Monday. He purely sold shares worth Rs 6,082.47 crore.

Also read: Gold between the trade deal of many countries of US

Rupee vs dollar: Retail and wholesale inflation rates are being strengthened by the Reserve Bank of India and the rupee is getting stronger with the hope of cutting possible interest rates. During the early trade on Tuesday 15 July 2025, the rupee opened at 85.97 against the US dollar, which is strengthened by 2 paise in the rupee as compared to the previous days. Significantly, during the current financial year, the rupee has declined by 0.52 percent.

Rupees rise

Foreign Money Traders says that there was no significant increase in domestic currency due to the withdrawal of foreign capital and uncertainty about the result of India-US trade talks. Here, the rupee again reached 85.92 after the rupee opened at 85.97 against the dollar in the Foreign Currency Exchange Market, which is equal to the price that was closed a day earlier.

Fall a day before

A day earlier on Monday, the rupee fell by 12 paise to close at 85.92 against the US dollar. Meanwhile, the dollar index, depicting the US dollar position against six major currencies, fell 0.04 percent to 98.04.

Stock market also boom

If we talk about the stock market, then it showed a boom on Tuesday. The 30 -point Sensex on BSE in domestic stock markets reached 82,457.41 points during early trade in domestic stock markets amidst ongoing business talks with the US. Whereas, the Nifty 50 on NSE also climbed 68.85 points to 25,151.15 points.

International Standard Brent crude fell by 0.42 percent to $ 68.92 per barrel. According to the stock market data, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) were selling on Monday and purely sold shares worth Rs 1,614.32 crore.

Also read: How cheap gold became today or expensive? Learn the latest price of your city on 15 July 2025

Rupee vs dollar: The Indian rupee stands firmly for the third consecutive day due to the tariff letter sent by US President Donald Trump to many countries. On Thursday 10 July 2025, the rupee climbed 6 paise to 85.62 against the US dollar during early trade. However, during the current financial year, there has been a decline in Indian currency of 0.15 percent. Despite the decline in the stock market, this strength is being seen in the rupee.

A day earlier on Wednesday, the rupee closed at 85.73 per dollar in the Interbanking Forex Market. Foreign Money Traders says the market’s sentiment has also been affected due to strengthening of US dollars in foreign markets and being close to $ 70 per barrel in foreign markets.

Constant strength in rupee

On Wednesday, the rupee opened at 85.84 against the dollar in the Interbanking Forex Market. But after trade in the radius of 85.93 to 85.65 per dollar a day, it finally closed at 85.73 per dollar. On Tuesday too, the rupee closed with a gain of 21 paise as compared to the dollar.

According to Jatin Trivedi, Vice Research Analyst (commodity and currency) of LKP Securities, there was some relief on the conversation on the trade deal and the tariff for some time. While the Indian rupee got stability, it has also found a large extent in stopping the decline.

50 percent tariff on Brazil

Here, Trump has imposed a huge tariff of 50 percent on Brazil. Whereas, 30 percent tariff was imposed in Iraq, Libya and Algeria. Whereas Sri Lanka will now have to pay a tariff of 25 percent for exporting goods in America. Along with this, Trump also said that from August 1, we will start taking 50 percent tariff on copper exports to America. However, here, the US Federal has indicated that whatever inflation due to the tariff will not be affected by their rate deduction plan.

Also read: Gold and silver price reduced today, know the fresh price of your city on 10 July 2025

Globe Civil Projects IPO ₹ 119.00 crore is bookbuilding. This issue is completely a new issue of 1.68 crore shares. Globe Civil Projects IPO will open for subscription on June 24, 2025 and will close on 26 June 2025. The allocation for Globe Civil Projects IPO is expected to be finalized on Friday, June 27, 2025. Globe Civil Projects will be listed on IPO BSE, NSE and the possible date of listing has been fixed on Tuesday, July 1, 2025.

Aakaar Medical Technologies IPO is a book building of ₹ 27.00 crore. This issue is a new issue of 37.50 lakh shares completely. Size Medical Technologies IPO will open for subscription on June 20, 2025 and will close on 24 June 2025. The allocation for size medical technologies IPO is expected to be finalized on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. Size Medical Technologies IPO will be listed on NSE SME, whose possible listing date has been fixed on Friday, June 27, 2025.

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