Silver defies gravity; hits another record of Rs 2.92 lakh/kg in Delhi
New Delhi (PTI): Silver price extended its record-setting rally for the sixth straight day by rising Rs 3,600 to Rs 2,92,600 per kg in the national capital on Friday amid sustained buying by stockists, according to the All India Sarafa Association.
However, gold of 99.9 per cent purity retreated from its all-time high level and declined by Rs 1,100 to Rs 1,46,200 per 10 grams (inclusive of all taxes) from Rs 1,47,300 per 10 grams in the previous session.
Silver had closed at Rs 2,89,000 per kilogram on Thursday.
Traders said silver remained resilient on the back of persistent industrial offtake, shrugging off weak global trends.
The white metal has now climbed 20.16 per cent, or Rs 49,100, in just six sessions, up from Rs 2,43,500 per kilogram on January 8.
Silver continues to outpace gold for the second consecutive year, delivering 22.4 per cent returns.
Meanwhile, spot gold and silver extended their decline for the second straight day in the international markets, with prices dipping amid a stronger US dollar and fading geopolitical risk premium after reduced tensions in the Middle East.
Spot gold fell by USD 12.46, or 0.27 per cent, to USD 4,603.51 per ounce.
"Spot gold is trading 0.25 per cent down at around USD 4,606 per ounce. The yellow metal is under pressure as the US strike on Iran has been averted," Praveen Singh, Head of Commodities, Mirae Asset ShareKhan, said.
Spot silver fell 2.26 per cent, or USD 2.08, to USD 90.33 per ounce on Friday.
In the previous session, the white metal had increased to a fresh record of USD 93.57 per ounce before plunging nearly 8 per cent to an intraday low of USD 86.30 per ounce after the US administration refrained from imposing an import tax on silver and other critical metals.
The metal had settled at USD 92.34 per ounce on Thursday.
"Precious metals eased on Friday after touching record highs earlier in the week, pressured by a firm US dollar and reduced expectations of an imminent Federal Reserve interest rate cut," Gaurav Garg, Research Analyst at Lemonn Markets Desk, said.
He added that underlying fundamentals remain supportive for the precious metals, with gold benefiting from persistent global economic uncertainty and central bank buying, while silver continues to draw strength from industrial demand, particularly from the green energy and electronics sectors.
However, strong US jobs data boosted the dollar, triggering near-term profit-taking across precious metals, Garg said.
"We remain constructive on the medium to long-term outlook, especially for silver, citing ongoing supply deficits and accelerating industrial consumption as factors that could drive prices to fresh highs despite short-term volatility.
"In the Indian market, bullion prices also hovered near record levels, supported by currency dynamics," he added.
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Smriti Mandhana named BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year for 2025
New Delhi (PTI): Star batter Smriti Mandhana, who played a pivotal role in India's historic 2025 Women's World Cup triumph, was named the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year for 2025 at a glittering function here on Monday.
Chess prodigy Divya Deshmukh won the Emerging Player of the Year award, for her historic FIDE Women's World Cup triumph at just 20.
Preethi Pal was named the Para-Sportswoman of the Year, for winning two bronze medals at the 2024 Paris Paralympics in track and field, while Anjali Bhagwat was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award, recognising her pioneering career as India's first woman shooter to reach an Olympic final and her trailblazing success on the world stage.
Mandhana, who is currently touring Australia with the Indian team for multi-format bilateral assignments, said in a video message: "Thank you BBC for giving me the awardfor Best Sportswoman of the Year. 2025 was a special year for women's cricket, especiallytowards the end we had a World Cup and I'm happy I could contribute and help India win matches.".
At 29, the left-handed batter is already among the game's greats, with the second-highest number of centuries in women's One Day Internationals and ranking third in total runsscored among current players worldwide.
Hailing from Sangli city in Maharashtra, the affable Mandhana was inspired by her father and brother, both of whom played cricket at the district level.
In September last year, she made a 50-ball hundred against Australia – the fastest 50 over international ton (men and women) by an Indian in the format, breaking Virat Kohli's record.
The award winners were decided by a distinguished grand jury comprising Leander Paes, Deepa Malik, and Anju Bobby George.
Praising the athletes' achievements CEO of BBC News, Jonathan Munro said: "Congratulations to this year's winners who showcase the very best in sporting excellence. The BBC World Service is committed to bringing such stories of human endeavour and outstanding success to audiences across India and around the world.".
Additionally, the ceremony also celebrated a wide spectrum of talent and impact, recognizing star performers and changemakers for redefining the landscape of Indian sport.
BBC Star Performers of the Year 202.
• Indian Women's Cricket Team: for their historic World Cup victory.
• Ekta Bhyan, Deepthi Jeevanji and Preethi Pal: for their trailblazing performances at the World Para Athletics Championship.
• Indian Women's Cricket Team for the Blind: for their inspiring World Cup victory.
• Indian Women's Kabaddi Team: for their smashing victory in World Cup.
.
BBC Changemakers of the Year 202.
• Indian Women's Ice Hockey Team: for breaking barriers in a non-traditional sport.
• Rajbir Kaur: Indian field hockey player and former captain of the women’s national team.
• Savita Punia: Indian field hockey player and current member of the national team.
• Paani Devi: recognised for her impactful contribution to grassroots sport.
