Indian refiners have been diversifying their crude oil sourcing amid tightening Russian supplies.

Competition from China for Russian crude has also been a factor.

Russian imports fell to about 1.75 million barrels a day in September, a five-month low.

Russia still remained India’s top crude supplier for the month.

India’s total crude imports rose to about 5.3 million barrels a day in September.

India’s imports of Russian crude fell to about 1.75 million barrels a day in September, their lowest level since April.

That marks a second consecutive monthly decline from a record 2.8 million barrels a day reached in July.

In March 2026, India had nearly doubled its intake of Russian crude in a single month, to 2.25 million barrels a day.

The United Arab Emirates and Venezuela followed Russia among India’s top crude suppliers in September.

Indian refiners have been diversifying crude supply sources amid tightening Russian supplies and competition from China.

India is one of the world’s largest importers of crude oil, given its limited domestic production relative to demand.

Crude oil import volumes and sourcing patterns are closely watched indicators of India’s energy security strategy.

Global crude oil markets have seen shifting trade patterns in recent years amid geopolitical and sanctions-related pressures.

Refiners typically adjust their crude sourcing mix based on price, availability and logistics considerations.

India’s major state-run and private refiners include Indian Oil Corporation, Reliance Industries and Bharat Petroleum, among others.

Crude oil price movements globally can significantly affect India’s import bill given its heavy reliance on imports.

Sanctions and trade restrictions on some oil-producing nations have periodically reshaped global crude trade flows in recent years.

India’s total crude oil imports averaged about 5.3 million barrels a day in September 2026.

That is up roughly 600,000 barrels a day from August and about 700,000 barrels a day from a year earlier.

Oil tanker at a refinery jetty (representative image), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Tata Motors will begin deliveries of the new Aeris sedan on October 11, 2026.

The car was launched on September 26, priced from Rs 5.29 lakh.

It replaces the Tigor, with the base variant priced Rs 40,000 lower.

The Aeris offers 419 litres of boot space.

It features a 1.2-litre petrol engine with manual or AMT transmission options.

The car retains the Tigor’s notchback roofline but gets reworked styling, including a slim gloss-black grille and rectangular LED headlamps.

It also gets wheel arch cladding, a sharkfin antenna, and connected LED taillamps similar to the Tata Curvv.

The cabin borrows its theme from the refreshed Tiago, with a lighter beige and cream interior.

Key features include a 10.25-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Other features include automatic climate control, ventilated front seats, a wireless phone charger and cruise control.

Higher variants add a 360-degree camera and a built-in dashcam.

Standard safety features include six airbags, three-point seatbelts for all occupants, and rear parking sensors.

The Aeris is powered by a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine producing 86 PS, paired with a 5-speed manual or AMT.

A CNG variant producing 76 PS is also available.

The car offers 419 litres of boot space.

Tata Motors positions the Aeris in India’s compact sedan segment, which competes on price, space and features.

The Tigor had been on sale in India for several years before being replaced by the Aeris.

Tata Motors sells vehicles across hatchback, sedan, SUV and electric vehicle segments in India.

The Curvv, whose taillamp design has influenced the Aeris, is a newer coupe-SUV model in Tata’s line-up.

Compact sedans in India are typically judged on a combination of fuel efficiency, boot space and in-cabin technology.

Tata Motors launched the Aeris sedan on September 26, 2026.

Prices start at Rs 5.29 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi, for the base ‘Smart’ petrol variant.

Tata sedan (representative image), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

India’s four newly notified mega ports are Mundra, Deendayal (Kandla), Jawaharlal Nehru Port and Paradip.

The classification requires ports to handle at least 150 million tonnes of bulk cargo or 7.5 million TEUs of container traffic annually.

It was introduced under Section 73 of the Indian Ports Act, 2025.

The notification took effect from September 25, 2026.

It is the first such classification introduced in India.

The five-year classification is based on annual cargo-handling thresholds of 150 million tonnes for bulk ports or 7.5 million TEUs for container ports.

Mundra Port, operated by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone, is the only privately owned facility among the four.

The other three mega ports are government-run facilities.

Paradip Port is the only mega port on India’s east coast among the four notified.

This is the first time India has introduced a mega port classification, following the enactment of the Indian Ports Act, 2025.

Jawaharlal Nehru Port, located at Nhava Sheva near Mumbai, is one of India’s busiest container ports.

Deendayal Port, formerly known as Kandla Port, is located in Gujarat.

The mega port classification is expected to be reviewed periodically based on cargo-handling performance.

India’s port sector has seen significant private and public investment in recent years as trade volumes have grown.

The Indian Ports Act, 2025, replaced an older colonial-era law governing port administration in the country.

Cargo-handling capacity at major Indian ports has expanded steadily over the past decade.

Container throughput and bulk cargo volumes are commonly used indicators of a port’s scale and economic significance.

India’s coastline spans both the western Arabian Sea coast and the eastern Bay of Bengal coast, served by different major ports.

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is the central government body responsible for port sector policy and regulation.

India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways notified four ports as the country’s first ‘mega ports’.

Mundra Port, Gujarat (representative image), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0