SEBI clears REITs for Nifty, India pumps ₹1.9T into chips

The Securities and Exchange Board of India issued a circular reclassifying Real Estate Investment Trusts as equity‑related instruments. This change lets REITs be considered for inclusion in Nifty equity indices at the next rebalancing, expanding their market exposure and giving mutual funds and SIFs a broader investment universe.

The International Financial Services Centres Authority released a consultation paper proposing a direct‑listing framework for equity and convertible securities in GIFT City. Companies can go public without an IPO, preserving shareholder stakes while giving founders, PE, VC and ESOP holders a liquid exit path. The move aims to revive listing activity after earlier IPO attempts faltered.

OnePlus will halt sales in the US and Europe this week and plans a full global withdrawal, including India, by 2027. The move is part of Oppo's restructuring driven by component shortages, weak market performance and geopolitical pressure, signalling the end of the brand's budget flagship model.

Futures now account for roughly 80% of crypto trading on Indian exchanges, a shift driven by tax arbitrage that lets traders dodge the 30% VDA tax and 1% TDS on spot trades. With no regulator capping leverage, platforms flaunt 100x‑200x margins, pulling retail traders from traditional markets and exposing them to heightened risk.

The Union Cabinet cleared a ₹62,500 crore Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme and a ₹1.27 trillion Semicon 2.0 programme, targeting domestic design, local sourcing and chip sovereignty. Spanning FY 2026‑27 to 2030‑31, the plans aim to shift India from volume exports to a high‑value tech hub and foster indigenous brands.

In May 2026 India recorded a $2 bn current‑account deficit, a swing from a $4.7 bn surplus in April, driven by a $27.9 bn merchandise deficit that eclipsed a $15.7 bn services surplus. The capital account gap narrowed as foreign portfolio outflows fell to $4.7 bn, but net foreign direct investment turned negative.

The RBI released a draft Guidance on Regulatory Expectations for Data Governance, applying to all major banking and NBFC entities. It outlines required controls over data architecture, quality, metadata and third‑party sharing, aiming to curb operational and compliance risks as data volumes surge. Comments are open until Aug 17, 2026.

India’s Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool has its first claim after a vessel was hit by a drone in the Black Sea. The $100 million industry layer will cover the loss while the sovereign guarantee backs larger payouts, testing the pool’s ability to keep Indian shipping insured amid West Asia tensions.

Brent crude jumped to $85.31 and WTI to $79.69 after the US reinstated a naval blockade and Iran struck US infrastructure. Analyst Aamir Makda warns that continued escalation could push prices past $100 per barrel, sparking stagflation risks and tightening global energy markets.