The district administration in Agra is all set to enforce a set of norms for social gatherings ahead of the festival season as Covid-19 number saw a fresh surge in the last 24 hours. District Magistrate P.N. Singh said there were 71 fresh cases and one death in the last 24 hours. Khandari resident, 65-year-old Pijji succumbed to Covid-19. The total number of cases now stands at 6,241. So far 5,538 have been discharged after recovery. The number of active cases is 573. So far 2,12,684 samples have been collected. Singh told a meeting of administrative officials on Friday evening that there should be no let-up or complacency in the treatment of Covid patients. He assured there would be no resource crunch or lack of support to upgrade the medical infrastructure and provide medicines to the patients. The Health department officials said there had been some complaints and lapses in following the prescribed protocol for patients under home quarantine. It has been observed that there had been some cases where patients under home quarantine, turned up at the hospitals in critical conditions. Stricter monitoring will now need to be kept in such cases. Meanwhile, the S.N. Medical College has shutdown its Covid-2 unit as only 43 patients are now left in the Covid-1 unit. In September, the two units together had 170 patients. Doctors on Saturday warned people not to come under depression due to Covid-Phobia. Observing the world Mental Health Day, the specialists said a large number of people during the continued lockdown had fallen victim to depression and all kinds of fears. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/ecommerce/news/ahead-of-the-festive-season-amazon-opens-one-of-its-largest-fulfillment-centres-in-india/articleshow/78550039.cms">Ahead of the festive season, Amazon opens one of its largest fulfillment centres in India</a>

Agra imposes strict norms for social gatherings ahead of the festive season

Lucknow April 20 () With no let up in COVID-19 cases in some districts of Uttar Pradesh, the administration in Lucknow, Agra and Firozabad have decided against giving any kind of relaxation during the continued lockdown. Reports from other districts in the state on giving relaxation were awaited. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, during a video conference with respective district magistrates on Sunday night, had authorised them to take a call on giving relaxation from Monday after assessing the prevailing conditions there. He directed authorities in 19 districts with 10 or more coronavirus cases to take extra precautions.District officials have been asked to work out the modalities regarding opening of specified industries, banks and other units in the remaining 56 districts that have reported less than 10 coronavirus cases.Lucknow District Magistrate Abhishek Prakash said since the state capital has a large number of hotspots and COVID-19 patients, it is required that more alertness is maintained . Therefore, COVID-19 protocol and lockdown will continue as before, he said.In view of the said orders, only emergency services are functioning as before, an official spokesman said, adding that state secretariat is functioning partially with some conditionsIn Firozabad, district authorities are strictly maintaining the lockdown and the hotspot areas are completely sealed off with no new activity being allowed anywhere from Monday.Similarly, there is also no relaxation in in Agra with police in large numbers patrolling the streets and lanes.The government has directed that eleven industries including steel, refineries, cement, chemicals, fertilizers, garments (excluding apparel), foundries, paper, tyre, common effluent treatment plants and sugar mills can start operations with certain conditions. However, only the manufacturing and industrial units have been permitted to function and not their headquarters or administrative offices.Chief Secretary R.K. Tiwari has issued a detailed advisory for these industries, asking them to take adequate precautions for the safety of their staff. In case an industry or unit fails to adhere to the government's rules as may be updated from time to time, its license to operate can be cancelled, the advisory stated. SAB DVDV

No relaxation in lockdown restrictions in Lucknow, Agra, Firozabad in UP

Coronavirus cases in India rise to 17,265— with 1553 new cases in the last 24 hours

(Eds: Updating with more details) Lucknow, Apr 9 () The number COVID-19 cases in Uttar Pradesh increased to 410 on Thursday, with 49 more people testing positive of the infection, officials said.Four people have died in the state from the novel coronavirus till now. One death each has been reported from Meerut, Basti, Varanasi and Agra districts.The total number of cases on Wednesday was 361.Principal Secretary (Health) Amit Mohan Prasad said as many as 410 people have tested positive so far in 40 districts of the state. Of the total cases, 225 are linked to last month's Tablighi Jamaat congregation in Delhi, he said, adding that a total of 31 people have recovered so far.Prasad said wearing masks while venturing out has been made mandatory in the state under the Epidemic Act."Wearing mask has been made mandatory in the state. If any citizen has to go out of the house under special circumstances then it is compulsory for him to put a mask, in case of violation of the rule, strict action will be taken against such a person," he said.A bulletin issued here said t19 fresh cases were reported from Agra, taking the total number of cases there to 83. Of the total cases in Agra, 43 are linked to the Tablighi Jamaat, it said.Gautam Budh Nagar district has 63 COVID-19 cases, Meerut (38), Lucknow (29), Ghaziabad (25), Saharanpur (20), Shamli (17), Firozabad (11) and Sitapur (10), the bulletin said. Kanpur and Varanasi have nine cases each; Bulandshahr and Basti eight cases each; Maharajganj, Pratapgarh and Bareilly six cases each; Ghazipur, Rampur and Baghpat five cases each; and Azamgarh, Hathras, Muzaffarnagar, Jaunpur and Lakhimpur Kheri four cases each, it said.There are three COVID-19 cases in Hapur; two each in Pilibhit , Banda, Mirzapur, Rae Bareli , Auraiya, Kaushambi, Mathura , Amroha and Hardoi; and one case each in Moradabad, Shahjahanpur, Barabanki, Bijnore, Prayagraj, Badaun, the bulletin said, Prasad said 9,441 isolation beds have been made available in the state so far and efforts are being made to increase this number.He said in small cities where there are no big hospitals, private hospitals will be notified for treatment of coronavirus positive cases for which their patients will be shifted elsewhere.So far, six private hospitals have been selected for this, Prasad said.Additional Chief Secretary , Home, Awanish Awasthi said Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has instructed officers to ensure supply of basic amenities in sealed hotspots and proper review of these areas.He said Adityanath has given instructions to collect information about the number of houses and population of these hotspots. He has asked officials to ensure sanitisation on a daily basis with the help of fire tenders in hotspot areas.Apart from the number of COVID-19 positive cases in the hotspot areas, Adityanath has given instructions to senior officers to review the number of suspects and how many have been asked to remain in quarantine, Awasthi said. SAB ANBANB

COVID-19 cases rise to 410 in UP

Lucknow, May 8 () Uttar Pradesh reported eight more coronavirus-related deaths on Saturday, taking their number to 74 as 163 new COVID-19 cases surfaced in the state, officials said.Five fatalities were reported in Agra and one each in Aligarh, Gautam Buddh Nagar, Meerut districts, a Health Department bulletin issued here said.The number of active cases in the state is 1,800, while 1,499 patients have been treated and discharged so far, it said.Till date, 21 people have died in Agra, 11 in Meerut, seven in Moradabad, six in Kanpur Nagar, four each in Mathura and Firozabad, three in Aligarh and two each in Jhansi, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddh Nagar, the bulletin said.In addition to that, a death each has been reported from Allahabad, Etah, Mainpuri, Bijnore, Kanpur Dehat, Amroha, Bareilly, Basti, Bulandshahr, Lucknow, Varanasi and Shrawasti, it said.A total of 3,373 cases have been reported in the state so far, the bulletin said, adding that the infection has spread to 71 of UP's 75 districts.Fresh cases were reported from Agra, Meerut, Jalaun, Gautam Buddh Nagar, Bijnor, Firozabad, Ghaziabad, Moradabad, Mathura, Bahraich, Varanasi and Lucknow among others, the bulletin said.Earlier, Principal Secretary (Health) Amit Mohan Prasad said the national recovery percentage was 30 per cent but the figure was 43 per cent in Uttar Pradesh."It is a matter of satisfaction that people are recovering and returning home," he said.So far, 1,24,791 samples have been tested in the state.Prasad stressed that community surveillance will play an important role in coming days with the return of tens of thousands of migrants.There was a need for the 'gram nigrani samitis' in rural areas and the 'mohalla nigrani samitis' in urban areas to work strictly, he said."All those returning (to the state) are being kept in 21 days' home quarantine and those returning from abroad are also being put in quarantine. There is a need to ensure that infection does not spread and all remain safe," Prasad added.Over one lakh migrant workers from Uttar Pradesh stranded in different parts of the country following the coronavirus-induced lockdown will return to the state by Saturday night in 114 trains, according to officials.Appealing to the people to adhere to the lockdown rules which would save them from infection, Prasad stressed that steps like social distancing, sanitation including washing hands with soap and using face masks should be followed. SAB IJT

COVID-19: UP records 8 more deaths, 163 fresh cases

(Eds: With more inputs) Lucknow, May 16 () Nine COVID-19 patients died and 203 more people tested positive for the disease in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday, taking the total number of cases to 4,258 in the state, officials said. Amid a spurt in cases, the state government on Saturday issued a fresh order making it mandatory to wear face masks in public places. Those violating the order will be fined Rs 100 to Rs 500. Spitting in public is also made a punishable offense.Of the total 4,258 patients, 2,441 have cured and 104 died, a health bulletin said.The number of active cases in the state stands at 1,713.On Saturday, Agra reported three deaths, Jhansi two, Meerut, Gautambudh Nagar, Moradabad and Azamgarh one each.Principal Secretary, Health, Amit Mohan Prasad said officials have been directed to ensure migrants returning from other states are kept under home quarantine.He said, "From now on, moving out in public places without face mask or cover will be punishable." First and second time offenders will be fined Rs 100, while a fine of Rs 500 will be levied for violating the order third time. Similarly, for violating lockdown rules, a fine ranging between Rs 100 and Rs 500 will be levied on first time violaters, Rs 500-Rs 1,000 on second timers, while third timers and habitual offenders will be fined Rs 1,000 every time they defy the rule.Only one person is allowed to ride a two-wheeler during this period. If anyone is found defying the order, he will be fined Rs 250-Rs 1,000.An exception is being made to people who do not know how to drive two-wheeler but have to attend office or necessary work.In that case, they will have to take permission from an executive magistrate. Wearing helmets and masks is compulsory for both the driver and the pillion.Those who spit in public places will also be fined. A fine of Rs 100 will be imposed on first and second time offenders, while Rs 500 will be fined for third time and habitual offenders.Similar fines would be imposed on those violating other lockdown restrictions, he added.The principal secretary said coronavirus patients are now recovering fast in Uttar Pradesh as compared to other states. Giving details of the number of tests done, he said 5,612 samples were tested on Friday.He said Asha workers are preparing a report of coronavirus patients by visiting their homes. If migrant workers have no symptoms, then a 21-day home quarantine is being arranged and in case where symptoms are found, they are examined and are being treated. SAB DPBDPB

COVID-19 death toll crosses 100-mark in UP, cases rise to 4,258

<ul><li>The positive momentum in the <keyword id="6354553" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Real-estate" source="Orion">real estate</keyword> sector can hold on till the first quarter of 2023 say experts. </li><li>From the second quarter onwards, demand will be determined by interest rates, say experts. </li><li>The property rates could further shoot by 8% at least next year, due to rising input costs.</li></ul><keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword>’s <keyword id="35288" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="real-estate-market" source="Orion">real estate market</keyword>, which has been buoyant since the Covid-19 pandemic, is expected to continue with its growth momentum in the first quarter of 2023, according to experts. Few experts are willing to make predictions beyond the first three months of the next year, due to uncertainty. They believe that an after-effect of global economic slowdown might have a role to play in the property purchase decisions of Indians. “There is a possibility of a recession in major global markets including the US and India cannot be decoupled from it. There could be some repercussions in the Indian market by way of layoffs which in turn may slow down the residential demand, if at all,” Anuj Puri, Chairman – Anarock Group, told Business Insider India. Moreover, in December, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) raised base interest rates for the fifth time in seven months – taking it to 6.25%. Consequently, banks are expected to pass on the hiked interest rates to the consumers – increasing the cost of home ownership. Added to that, analysts say that the burden of home loans will be higher as many consumers have <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/personal-finance/news/be-prepared-to-pay-higher-emis-no-room-for-loan-tenor-increase-after-rbis-latest-rate-hike/articleshow/96052276.cms">exhausted the option of increasing</a> home loan tenures without impacting their EMIs – in the last four interest rate hikes. The direction of repo rate hikes will guide the housing property demand in 2023, and experts say that there could be more such hikes ahead. “A lot will also depend on how the home loan interest rates pan out over the next year. While so far, the impact of the rate hikes has been minimal but if the rates rise further, it may go on to impact residential sales,” Puri added. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="New launches may remain muted" comment="subhead" text="New launches may remain muted">New launches may remain muted</cmsannotation> According to Puri, new launches across the country overall may remain muted in the coming year. “We may see muted new launches in the new year as many developers would rather wait and watch how the global and Indian markets pan out over the year and if all goes well then we may see new launches increase in the second half of 2023,” Puri said. However, new launches in the Jan-Sept period of 2022 surpassed full-year readings of 2019 with approximately 2.65 lakh units launched in the nine-months period, according to Anarock data. MMR, Hyderabad, Pune have been ruling the charts for the last two quarters in terms of new launches. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Property rates to rise in 2023" comment="subhead" text="Property rates to rise in 2023">Property rates to rise in 2023</cmsannotation> That’s just one side of the coin. Hurt by low demand, many developers have not been increasing property rates for the last few years. But input costs have started hurting construction companies and the overall property rates increased by 5-7% in 2022. Next year, the real estate price hikes will be steeper at around 8% at least next year, according to Puri. This however might not affect demand as much, a few developers feel. Younger generation wants to own a home instead of renting – and this mindset change will aid real estate companies. “We have seen housing prices rise by 5-8% in 2022 but property sales remained robust as real estate became a favorite asset class among potential homebuyers. This momentum is likely to continue next year as developers are wary about the positive home buying sentiment and consumer’s goal for financial security,” Rahul Purohit, national sales head, Square Yards, told Business Insider India. Price increases, developers say, have little effect on intent to own homes as they have proven to be the best asset class for investment as compared to gold and equities. “Property price corrections won’t deter affordable home buying plans as consumers have full confidence in real estate as the best asset class,” Purohit added. Property demand is expected to be high across tier 1 cities, according to Square Yards. Reopening of offices, and increased business activity will guide residential demand in Mumbai, Delhi, Noida, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Gurgaon and Chennai. Demand is also expected to be high in Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Kochi, Indore, Agra, Varanasi, Gwalior etc. due to the massive infrastructural growth seen in these cities. Hiring in the real estate industry increased 10% in November on both month-on-month and year-on-year, according to foundit (formerly known as Monster) Insights Tracker (FIT) – indicating that the sector anticipates better times ahead. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="The luxury of growth" comment="subhead" text="The luxury of growth">The luxury of growth</cmsannotation> The growing wealth of Indians and increased number of HNI or high networth individuals is another factor that’s fuelling the demand for luxury homes. Several reports suggest that the luxury house segment has acquired a lion’s share in overall home sales numbers in the year 2022. According to a recent survey conducted by India Sotheby’s International Realty, a larger number of HNIs are proposing to buy luxury property in the next two years. “Various real estate consultants cited that sales of luxury apartments witnessed significant growth month on month during the year. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region accounted for more than half of these sales,” Ram Raheja, managing director at S Raheja Realty, told Business Insider India. Raheja further added, “Enabled by a much higher purchasing power to the steep rupee fall — the Indian currency has breached the 82-mark against the US dollar — NRIs are also viewing this as a great opportunity to build bigger and better assets back home.” Apart from celebrities like Janhvi Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit and many more, startup founders and stakeholders too are people keen on the luxury housing market. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/whatsapp-working-on-feature-to-let-users-report-status-updates/articleshow/96479567.cms">WhatsApp working on feature to let users report status updates</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/covid-19-random-testing-of-international-arriving-passengers-begins-at-delhi-airport/articleshow/96473834.cms">Covid-19: Random testing of international arriving passengers begins at Delhi airport</a>

Housing demand outlook 2023: Interest rates, global spillovers to play a key role

Panaji, May 16 () A 46-year-old man from Sangli inMaharashtra who claims to have entered Goa without beingchecked for COVID-19 symptoms at the border has testedpositive for novel coronavirus after being admitted in GMCHhere for fever, a senior health official said on Saturday.The man had come in a car along with two others tosupply goods to a firm in Panaji, he said."The 46-year-old man who tested positive for novelcoronavirus at Goa Medical College and Hospital has said hewas not tested or medically screened at the checkpost beforeentering the state. As per rule, all those entering the statehave to be tested at the border, and be quarantined till thereports are out," the Directorate of Health Services officialsaid.He said the health department had informed thedistrict collector about this case in order to look into theissue of unchecked entry at the state border.Meanwhile, a truck cleaner from Agra in Uttar Pradeshwho traveled to Goa's Kundaim industrial estate near Ponda hasalso tested positive during a rapid test for coronavirus onSaturday.State Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said the Truenattest returned positive for the cleaner but negative for thedriver of the truck."They were admitted to the district hospital in Margaoin south Goa for fever. The cleaner, a native of Agra, hadcome from Haridwar in Uttarakhand to deliver pharmaceuticalgoods. He entered the state on May 14 from the Patradeviborder and then got admitted for fever," Rane said. RPSBNM BNM

Goa: Man tests positive, claims he was not screened at border

Thai Prime Minister <keyword id="2251261" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Prayut-Chan-O-Cha">Prayut Chan-o-cha</keyword> said on Monday that the <keyword id="26362" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Government">government</keyword> will endorse an extraordinary session of Parliament in a bid to avert a looming political crisis in the face of massive street protests. Prayut confirmed at the Government House that the cabinet of ministers at Tuesday's meeting will consider supporting calls for the extraordinary session very shortly to address the political situation, reports Xinhua news agency. The House of Representatives and Senate, which are currently in recess and would be otherwise scheduled to open on November 1, might not only find ways and means to defuse the looming political crisis but to promptly push for constitution amendment. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister denied that the critical emergency rule, currently imposed in <keyword id="6357117" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="bangkok">Bangkok</keyword> to stem street protests, might as well cover its neighbouring provinces or others. Neither will curfew be enforced in the Thai capital or anywhere else in the country, he said. In recent weeks, the capital city has witnessed rallies calling for the resignation of Chan-o-cha, who took power in a 2014 coup and won disputed elections last year, the <keyword id="60684" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="BBC">BBC</keyword> reported. Some are also urging reforms to the monarchy, despite the risk from the country's strict royal defamation laws. A protest in August drew around 10,000 protesters, according to Thai police. Since July there have been regular student-led street protests amid the Covid-19 pandemic and the enforcement of <keyword id="10132147" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="the-state-of-emergency">the State of Emergency</keyword>. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/agra-re-open-secondary-schools-with-strict-measures/articleshow/78745624.cms">Agra re-opens secondary schools with strict measures</a>

Amid massive protest, Thai government supports an extraordinary session of Parliament to address the political situation

Mathura, Apr 22 () The number of coronavirus cases in the district rose to seven after a 50-year-old man tested positive for it, officials said on Wednesday. District Magistrate Sarvagya Ram Mishra said the patient was a vegetable seller in Agra, but was the resident of Baldeo block of the district. While he has been kept under quarantine, a survey team has been sent to his village, the official said. Mishra said now thermal scanning has been made compulsory for entry into Krashi Utpadan Mandi Samiti to prevent over-crowding. As 20 people from another village tested negative for the virus after completing their quarantine period, they have been sent to their homes, Mishra said, adding they have been instructed to remain in home quarantine for two weeks. The reports of family members of a coronavirus patient, who is a resident of the village, have been found negative, he said, adding that the patient has been kept under quarantine. The district magistrate also asked people to strictly adhere to lockdown rules and on social distancing. The official said the students coming from Kota have been advised to get themselves examined for COVID-19 and added that stern action under Epidemic Act will be taken against violaters. CORR AARAAR

One more coronavirus case reported in Mathura, total cases rise to 7

Bahraich, Apr 12 () 'Yamraj', the God of Death, roamed the streets of Bahraich in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday, reminding people of the perils of stepping out of their homes during the coronavirus outbreak and warning to take anyone not following social distancing or the lockdown to the underworld."I am 'Yamraj', I am coronavirus. If you do not adhere to the rules, no human will be left on the planet. I will become the cause of death of all. If you are careless, I will take you with me," he spoke into a mic, with a sickle in the other hand and policemen in tow."No one should violate the lockdown and step out unnecessarily. A handkerchief can be used as a face mask, wash your hands repeatedly with soap, use sanitisers and maintain a distance of one to two metres from each other. This will ensure everyone's safety," he said.Wherever 'Yamraj' went, people, young and old, gathered at their doorsteps and listened to him carefully. However, there was no fear and many used their mobile phones to click his photos.The Lord of Death was deployed by Bahraich police to spread awareness about the COVID-19 pandemic and tell people how precautions like social distancing, washing hands, wearing masks can protect them against the disease.Dressed as 'Yamraj' in a black attire with a touch of gold and red is policeman Lavkush Mishra from Baundi police station. A faux Hungarian moustache and a gold crown complete his look.Baundi police station incharge Brahmanand Singh said, "We experimented with this idea in our area to spread awareness about COVID-19 and it was successful."About his colleague Mishra, he said he is fond of acting and before joining the police force he used to act in Ramlila.Uttar Pradesh has reported 483 coronavirus cases so far, with 31 fresh infections detected on Sunday.According to Principal Secretary (Medical and Health) Amit Mohan Prasad, at present, there are 576 patients in isolation wards while 8,084 are in quarantine facilities.Agra, Gautam Buddh Nagar, Lucknow, Saharanpur and Ghaziabad are the state's worst affected districts. CORR NAV DIVDIVDIV

Bahraich: Planning to step out of home during lockdown? Watchout for 'Yamraj'

<ul><li><keyword id="896278" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-IT-services-companies">Indian IT services companies</keyword> <keyword id="6354512" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Infosys">Infosys</keyword> and <keyword id="141968" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="HCL-Tech">HCL Tech</keyword> may see their stocks increase by more than 50% in the coming year, according to Edelweiss.</li><li>The current ‘tech upcycle’ could also put mid-cap stocks like MindTree and L&amp;T Infotech on the road to becoming large caps by 2035.</li><li>The surge of growth is pegged on the faster-than-expected recovery of the BFSI vertical, the prioritisation of spending on cloud services and the reduction of costs due to most employees working from home. </li></ul>The COVID-19 pandemic may have wreaked havoc on many industries but the IT sector exhibited extraordinary perseverance. Edelweiss estimates that despite the rally seen over the last three months, the best is yet to come. And, <keyword id="4126021" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-IT-stocks">Indian IT stocks</keyword> like Infosys, HCL Tech and TCS are most likely to reap the benefits. “Among mid-caps, we believe Mindtree and L&amp;T Infotech might well be the large caps of 2035 (perhaps much like Infosys and TCS, respectively),” said the analysts’ December report on the IT sector. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none;"><colgroup></colgroup><col /><col /><col /><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Company </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Target Price </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Projected upside </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Eclerx </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹1,536 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">96.70% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">HCL Tech </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹1,480 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">72.90% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Infosys </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹1,850 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">63.10% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">LTTS </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹2,740 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">52.10% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">TCS </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹4,000 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">46.90% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Mindtree </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹2,044 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">42.10% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">L&amp;T Infotech </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹4,197 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">28.50% </td></tr></tbody></table>Source: Edelweiss Research This is because ‘clients are more determined to spend than ever before,’ according to Edelweiss. This is further bolstered by the fact that the IT companies themselves are gaining on margins with employees working from home. Most companies will have a larger than usual budget for tech upgrades Companies don’t normally carry over their budget allocation for IT into the next year. But this time around, they’re making an exception. Majority of IT departments are likely to carry forward any of the unused technology budgets from 2020 into 2021, according to Edelweiss. That means next year, most clients of IT services companies will have a significant amount to spend in addition to traditional allocation for technology upgrades. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; width: 468pt; table-layout: fixed;"><colgroup></colgroup><col /><col /><col /><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Quarter </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">TCS’ Total Contract Value </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Infosys’ large deal signings </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Q1 FY20 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">$5.7 billion </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">$2.7 billion </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Q2 FY20 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">$6.4 billion </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">$2.8 billion </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Q3 FY20 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">$6 billion </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">$1.8 billion </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Q4 FY20 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">$8.9 billion </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">$1.7 billion </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Q1 FY21 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">$6.9 billion </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">$1.7 billion </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Q2 FY21 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">$8.6 billion </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">$3.2 billion </td></tr></tbody></table>Source: Respective company reports “[This implies] FY22 revenue growth for Indian technology companies can be comfortably in the 12–14% range or even more,” said the report. The best phase of the ‘tech upcycle’ The surge in spending on technology upgrades has been dubbed the ‘tech upcycle’. It’s a result of the increase in online activity during the coronavirus pandemic. Back in June, the upcycle was just kicking off and the most expansive phase — when the money actually starts rolling — is yet to begin. This is called the ‘squeeze up’ phase of the cycle. <div type="image" title="Copy of canara bank" msid="79659488" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The share prices of HCL Tech, Infosys and TCS over the last six months&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Why will some companies gain more than others? According to Edelweiss, all IT companies have something to gain from the increased spending on digital that will flow in. But, some will gain more than others depending on where their focus lies within the digital space. For instance, spending on cloud technology is more important than investing in non-cloud digital services. “Cloud has clearly taken precedence in spends as clients now increasingly and strongly-than-ever believe that they need an agile IT infrastructure to manage variable data loads,” notes the report. With companies like HCL Tech, Infosys and TCS being the strongest contenders for cloud technology right now, they have the most to gain. Another positive for these companies is that the BFSI segment, in particular, is witnessing decade-high budgetary allocations to upgrade its technology. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="76334123" title="TCS, Infosys, HCL Tech and others will gain from Microsoft, Amazon and Google spending more on technology" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> IT sector gains aren’t without its risks The IT sector may be on the precipice of massive growth but the risks have never been higher. A serious data breach — keeping in mind that the number of cyberattacks on companies during the last six months has been increasing — could have a serious impact on client trust and customer confidence. The depreciation of the dollar versus the rupee could also moderately affect growth and the resulting earnings estimates of IT companies, according to Edelweiss. And, while it is true that technology spends are stepping up, the North American market is an exception to that rule. Since most clients within the US are already digitally savvy, their budgets for IT may be slashed. <keyword id="6357549" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-IT-companies">Indian IT companies</keyword> may bear the brunt since, for most, the majority of their revenue comes from customers in the US. Lastly, while the BFSI sector is racing to catch up, it also means there’s a higher risk of companies within that vertical declaring bankruptcy. If a large enough BFSI client was to go bust, it wouldn’t impact the whole industry, but the IT services company providing services would be in for a rough ride. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/india-desi-gps-finally-joins-china-russia-and-the-us-after-a-two-year-long-wait/articleshow/79656300.cms">India’s desi-GPS is now in the same league as the US, Russia and China — can scan 1,500 kilometres beyond its own borders</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/canada-has-enough-covid-19-vaccine-doses-to-cover-each-citizen-five-times-over-while-the-fate-of-67-poor-countries-remains-undecided/articleshow/79645493.cms">Canada has enough COVID-19 vaccine doses to cover each citizen five times over while the fate of 67 poor countries remains undecided</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/farmers-plan-to-block-delhi-jaipur-and-delhi-agra-highways-starting-december-12-and-start-nationwide-protests-on-december-14/articleshow/79644167.cms">Farmers call for nationwide protest on December 14 — plan to block Delhi-Jaipur and Delhi-Agra highways starting December 12</a>

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