Rupee falls 6 paise to close at an all-time low of 83.40 against US dollar
Mumbai, Nov 24: The rupee declined 6 paise to close at its all-time low of 83.40 against the US dollar on Friday, tracking higher demand for the greenback from importers and a weak tone among Asian peers.
Forex traders said a muted trend in domestic equities also weighed on the local unit.
At the interbank foreign exchange market, the local unit opened at 83.33 against the US dollar and moved in the range of 83.33-83.40 during the session.
It finally settled at its lifetime low of 83.40 against the dollar, registering a fall of 6 paise from its previous close.
On Thursday, the rupee settled at 83.34 against the American currency.
"The Indian Rupee ended weaker to record closing low on Friday, weighed down by weakness in its Asian peers and dollar demand from foreign banks...For the week, the local unit depreciated by 0.10 per cent on the back of bids from foreign banks and importers' dollar demand.
"Meanwhile, most Asian peers were weaker this Friday, while a recovery of the US Treasury Yields also weighed on sentiments," Sriram Iyer, Senior Research Analyst at Reliance Securities, said.
The rupee depreciated on Friday on demand for dollars from importers and weak tone in Asian currencies. However, a softness in the US Dollar and a decline in crude oil prices cushioned the downside, Anuj Choudhary, Research Analyst, Sharekhan by BNP Paribas, said.
Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, was trading 0.18 per cent lower at 103.73.
"In the overseas markets, the US Dollar Index was trading marginally weaker against the basket of currencies in thin Black Friday trading on bets rates have peaked.
"The Yen was flat even after Japan's core consumer price growth picked up, reinforcing views that the BoJ (Bank of Japan) may soon roll back monetary stimulus," Iyer said.
The Sterling was trading stronger against the greenback on Friday afternoon in Asian trading.
Brent crude futures, the global oil benchmark, rose 0.28 per cent to USD 81.65 per barrel.
On the domestic equity market front, Sensex fell 47.77 points, or 0.07 per cent, to settle at 65,970.04 points. The Nifty advanced 7.30 points, or 0.04 per cent, to 19,794.70 points.
Foreign institutional investors were net buyers in the capital market on Friday as they purchased shares worth Rs 2,625.21 crore, according to exchange data.
"We expect the rupee to trade with a slight negative bias due to weak global markets and expectations of a recovery in the US Dollar index. However, IPO-driven Dollar inflows and a weak tone in crude oil prices may support the local currency.
"Traders may take cues from PMI data out of the US today evening. USD/INR spot price is expected to trade in a range of 83.10 to 83.70," Choudhary said.
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Karnataka offers extensive incentives in its proposed IT policy
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka has proposed a new Information Technology Policy for 2025–2030, offering extensive financial and non-financial incentives aimed at accelerating investments, strengthening innovation and expanding the state's tech footprint beyond Bengaluru.
The Karnataka Cabinet gave its nod to the policy 2025–2030 with an outlay of Rs 445.50 crore on Thursday after the Finance Department accorded its approval.
The policy introduces 16 incentives across five enabler categories, nine of which are entirely new, with a distinctive push to support companies setting up or expanding in emerging cities.
Alongside financial support, the government is also offering labour-law relaxations, round-the-clock operational permissions and industry-ready human capital programmes to make Karnataka a globally competitive 'AI-native' destination.
According to the policy, units located outside Bengaluru will gain access to a wide suite of benefits, including research and development and IP creation incentives, internship reimbursements, talent relocation support and recruitment assistance.
The benefits also include EPF reimbursement, faculty development support, rental assistance, certification subsidies, electricity tariff rebates, property tax reimbursement, telecom infrastructure support, and assistance for events and conferences.
Bengaluru Urban will receive a focused set of six research and development and talent-oriented incentives, while Indian Global Capability Centres (GCCs) operating in the state will be brought under the incentive net.
Incentive caps and eligibility thresholds have been raised, and the policy prioritises growth-focused investments for both new and expanding units.
Beyond incentives, the government focuses on infrastructure and innovation interventions.
A flagship proposal in the policy is the creation of Techniverse -- integrated, technology-enabled enclaves developed through a public-private partnership model inside future Global Innovation Districts.
These campuses will offer plug-and-play facilities, artificial intelligence and machine learning and cybersecurity labs, advanced testbeds, experience centres, and disaster-resistant command centres.
There will also be a Statewide Digital Hub Grid and a Global Test Bed Infrastructure Network, linking public and private research and development, and innovation facilities across Karnataka.
The government has proposed a Women Global Tech Missions Fellowship for 1,000 mid-career women technologists, an IT Talent Return Programme to absorb experienced professionals returning from abroad, and broad-based skill and faculty development reimbursements.
Shared corporate transport routes in Bengaluru and tier-two cities will be designed with Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation and other transport entities to support worker mobility.
The government said the policy is the outcome of an extensive research and consultation process involving TCS, Infosys, Wipro, IBM, HCL, Tech Mahindra, Cognizant, HP, Google, Accenture and NASSCOM, along with sector experts and stakeholder groups.
It estimates an outlay of Rs 967.12 crore over five years, comprising Rs 754.62 crore for incentives and Rs 212.50 crore for interventions such as Techniverse campuses, digital grid development, global outreach missions and talent programmes.
