Commercial LPG cylinder prices saw a significant increase from Monday, with the 19kg cylinder becoming ₹42-₹53.50 costlier across major cities, while the 5kg Free Trade LPG (FTL) cylinder saw an ₹11 hike, putting additional pressure on small businesses and restaurants that depend on cooking gas.

In Delhi, the 19kg commercial cylinder now costs ₹3,113.50, up from ₹3,071.50, according to sources familiar with the matter. Kolkata witnessed an even steeper increase of ₹53.50, taking the price to ₹3,255.50 per cylinder. However, domestic LPG cylinders used by households remain unchanged, offering some relief to families.

Domestic Gas Prices Stay Put

The price revision applies only to commercial cylinders, not the 14.2kg domestic cylinders used by households. Sources clarified that there has been no change in domestic LPG rates across cities, a move that authorities say was intentional to protect middle-class families from rising living costs during the summer months.

Restaurant owners and small business operators, however, expressed concern over the impact on their operations. "This increase will force us to either absorb the cost or pass it on to customers," said Rajesh Kumar, owner of a mid-sized restaurant in Paschim Vihar, New Delhi. "Either way, margins are getting squeezed."

FIFA World Cup 2026 to Air on Zee Network in India

In sports entertainment news, Indian football fans will soon have access to the FIFA World Cup 2026 through Zee Entertainment. The broadcaster has secured television and streaming rights for the tournament, which begins on June 11 and runs until July 19, 2026.

Matches will be telecast on United8 Sports, Zee's newly launched sports channel, while live streaming will be available on the Zee5 app. The deal, reportedly valued between USD 30-35 million, covers both television broadcasting and online streaming distribution rights for India.

The 2026 World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will feature 48 teams playing 104 matches—marking the first time the tournament has expanded to this format.

GST Collection Drops 20% in May After April's Record

Government tax revenues showed signs of moderation in May 2026. India's gross GST collection stood at ₹1.94 lakh crore, down 20% from April's record ₹2.42 lakh crore, according to official data released on Sunday. However, the figure remains 3.2% higher than the ₹1.88 lakh crore collected in May 2025, indicating year-on-year growth despite the month-on-month dip.

Net GST revenue for May rose 3.3% year-on-year to ₹1.67 lakh crore, compared to ₹1.62 lakh crore in the same period last year. The April surge was attributed to advance tax payments and festival-related spending, economists noted.

Maruti Suzuki Sets Monthly Sales Record

The automotive sector showed strong momentum, with Maruti Suzuki India Limited selling 2,42,688 units in May 2026—the company's highest-ever monthly sales volume. This represents a 34% increase compared to 1,80,077 units sold in May 2025.

The growth was driven by robust domestic demand and strong export performance. Hyundai, Mahindra & Mahindra, and Toyota also reported healthy growth, with sales rising up to 11% year-on-year, according to monthly sales reports released by automakers on June 1.

Gold, Silver Prices Retreat from Record Highs

Precious metals saw a correction on Monday. Gold prices fell ₹864 to ₹1,56,220 per 10 grams for 24-carat gold, while silver dropped ₹450 to ₹2,79,900 per kilogram, according to India Bullion and Jewelers Association (IBJA) data.

Analysts attributed the decline to profit-booking after gold touched record highs earlier this year. "Gold has corrected about ₹20,000 from its all-time high, making it more accessible for jewelry demand," said a Mumbai-based bullion trader.

Fuel Prices Hold Steady on June 1

Petrol and diesel prices remained unchanged across India on June 1 following a recent hike. In Delhi, petrol is now priced at ₹102.12 per litre and diesel at ₹95.20 per litre. Mumbai saw petrol at ₹111.21 and diesel at ₹97.83 per litre.

Oil marketing companies had recently increased fuel prices by ₹2.61 per litre for petrol and ₹2.71 for diesel as global crude oil crossed $100 per barrel.

Banks Closed 11 Days in June

The Reserve Bank of India's holiday calendar shows banks will remain closed for 11 days in June 2026. This includes four Sundays, the second and fourth Saturdays (June 14 and June 28), and five additional regional holidays observed across different states, including Bakrid/Eid al-Adha on June 13.

New Export Duty on Fuel Takes Effect

Additionally, new export duties on petrol, diesel, and ATF (aviation turbine fuel) came into effect from June 1, impacting India's fuel export economics. The move is expected to reduce fuel exports while ensuring adequate domestic supply during the monsoon season when demand typically rises.

Market analysts suggest that while the commercial LPG hike and fuel export duties may increase short-term costs for businesses, the overall economic picture remains resilient with GST collections showing year-on-year growth and auto sales hitting record levels.

Looking ahead, attention will turn to the RBI's monetary policy review next week, where interest rate decisions could further impact business borrowing costs and consumer spending patterns.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be broadcast in India on Unite 8 Sports channels, while live streaming will be available on Zee5 as Zee Entertainment expands its sports portfolio.

Zee Entertainment Secures FIFA World Cup Rights for India Ahead of 2026 Tournament

New Delhi: Less than two weeks before the start of the FIFA World Cup 2026, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) has announced that it has acquired the media rights for the tournament in India, bringing one of the world's biggest sporting events to its television and digital platforms.

The FIFA World Cup 2026, scheduled to be held from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Canada and Mexico, will be available to Indian viewers through the newly launched Unite 8 Sports channels and on the Zee5 streaming platform. The expanded tournament will feature 48 teams and 104 matches, making it the largest edition of the competition to date.

Rights Secured Across FIFA Events

Beyond the men's FIFA World Cup in 2026 and 2030, ZEEL said it has also secured media rights for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2027 and several other FIFA competitions through 2034. The package includes a range of youth tournaments and additional football-related content aimed at Indian audiences.

The acquisition significantly strengthens Zee's position in the sports broadcasting market, where competition for premium global sports properties has intensified in recent years.

Late Confirmation Before Kick-Off

The announcement comes unusually close to the start of the tournament. Industry observers had been watching developments around the Indian broadcast rights for months, as no official broadcaster had been confirmed despite the event drawing near.

One of the key challenges has been the time-zone difference. Most FIFA World Cup matches are expected to be played during late-night and early-morning hours in India, potentially limiting television viewership compared to previous editions.

According to industry reports, this factor influenced negotiations and broadcaster interest in the rights package.

Reports of Earlier Negotiations

Media reports indicate that discussions between FIFA and JioStar over broadcast rights pricing did not result in an agreement. Sources familiar with the matter suggested that differing assessments of the commercial value of the tournament in the Indian market contributed to the impasse.

The development eventually opened the door for Zee Entertainment to enter the bidding process and secure the rights.

Reports have suggested that FIFA initially sought around $100 million for the Indian rights package before lowering expectations during negotiations. However, broadcasters reportedly remained cautious, citing scheduling challenges and audience considerations.

New Sports Channels Launched

As part of its renewed push into sports broadcasting, Zee has introduced four dedicated sports channels under the Unite 8 Sports brand. These include standard-definition and high-definition offerings in both Hindi and English.

The channels are expected to serve as the primary destination for the FIFA World Cup 2026 coverage in India while also carrying other sports programming throughout the year.

More Than Just Football

The company has indicated that its sports portfolio will extend beyond football. Programming plans include cricket, kabaddi, badminton, wrestling and combat sports, alongside existing properties such as regional leagues and franchise tournaments.

In addition to the FIFA World Cup, Zee will also broadcast events including the FIFA U-17 World Cup, FIFA U-20 World Cup, women's youth tournaments, futsal competitions and the FIFA Intercontinental Cup.

Return to Sports Broadcasting

The FIFA rights acquisition marks a significant milestone in Zee Entertainment's return to sports broadcasting after several years away from the segment. The company had previously exited the space following the sale of its sports network assets but has gradually signalled its intention to re-establish a presence in the market.

With the FIFA World Cup 2026 now added to its portfolio, Zee has made one of its biggest moves in sports media in recent years. The success of the venture will likely depend on audience engagement, digital viewership and advertiser response as Indian fans prepare to follow football's biggest tournament through Unite 8 Sports and Zee5 next month.

FIFA revenue hit at lead
FIFA is likely to get significantly lower returns from the sale of India TV rights for the 2026 World Cup after major broadcasters scaled back bids, according to industry sources and documents reviewed by Reuters and other outlets. The drop comes as media houses weigh the late-night, early-morning broadcast window for matches in North America and reassess advertising prospects.

Bidders thin out
Initial demands from FIFA reportedly sought about $100 million (roughly ₹955 crore) for a bundled television and streaming package for India, then later fell to a floor of around $60 million (₹573 crore). Sources familiar with broadcaster negotiations said offers on the table ended up near $20 million (about ₹191 crore) before bidders withdrew. JioStar — a large media group — exited the race after a final offer, leaving Zee Entertainment Enterprises as the principal bidder currently engaged in talks.

Why offers dropped
Media analysts said the time-zone mismatch is the primary deterrent. Matches hosted in the United States, Canada and Mexico will often kick off in the early hours in India, undermining live viewership figures and reducing the appeal of peak-time ad inventory. “Late-night fixtures translate to lower real-time audiences and muted ad revenue, which directly hits the valuation,” an industry analyst familiar with the talks said on condition of anonymity.

Zee's strategy
Zee has indicated interest in using the tournament to expand its sports footprint and is planning new sports channels under the brand ‘Unite8 Sports’, according to people briefed on the matter. Industry executives said Zee is seeking a deal at a much lower price than FIFA’s initial expectations, aiming for a package that leaves room for subscription and digital monetisation given the time-shifted viewing behaviour.

Broadcasting context
In 2022, Viacom18 — now a Reliance-Disney joint venture — paid about $62 million (around ₹592 crore) for Indian broadcasting rights and streamed matches on Sports18 and JioCinema. The sharp softening of bids this cycle could mean FIFA receives roughly one-third of that amount, industry figures estimate, although final numbers will depend on whether Zee closes a deal and on the exact scope of rights (TV, streaming, highlights, sublicensing).

Ticketing row complicates optics
The rights debate comes amid wider controversy surrounding FIFA’s ticketing for the 2026 World Cup. Investigations by US state authorities, including in New York and California, were reported after fans and consumer groups accused FIFA of using dynamic pricing and creating a new “Front Category” that allegedly displaced early buyers. Ticket prices have soared — the cheapest public tickets start around $120 (about ₹11,460) while best-category final match seats climbed to as high as $10,990 (about ₹10.49 lakh) after dynamic pricing adjustments. The ticketing uproar has cast a shadow over FIFA’s wider commercial approach to the tournament.

Impact on viewers and advertisers
For Indian broadcasters and advertisers, the calculus is changing. Brands typically pay premiums for live events that guarantee mass, appointment viewing. With matches airing at inconvenient hours, advertisers may demand steep discounts or opt for targeted digital buys instead. That in turn reduces the pool of revenue a broadcaster can recoup, pressuring bid prices downward.

What’s next
Negotiations between FIFA and Zee were ongoing at the time of filing. If Zee signs a low-cost deal, FIFA’s India take will shrink markedly compared with 2022, forcing the governing body to rely more on other markets to meet revenue forecasts. Media houses are also weighing sublicensing or time-shifted streaming packages as backup monetisation strategies.

Broader significance
A reduced payout from India — one of the world’s largest football markets by viewership potential — would be notable for global sports rights trends, signalling how time zones and changing consumption patterns are reshaping the economics of mega-events.