Mumbai, Nov 24: Gold prices fell sharply on Monday as weak chances of a US Federal Reserve rate cut and easing geopolitical tensions weighed on investor sentiment.

A stronger US dollar also added pressure on the precious metal.

On the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), gold December futures dropped 1 per cent to Rs 1,22,950 per 10 grams.

Silver followed the trend, with December futures falling 0.61 per cent to Rs 1,53,209 per kg in early trade.

“In INR gold has support at Rs1,23,450-1,22,480 while resistance at Rs1,24,750-1,25,500,” analysts said.

“Silver has support at Rs1,53,050-1,52,350 while resistance at Rs1,55,140, 1,55,980,” they added.

Analysts said gold currently lacks any strong positive trigger to maintain its previous gains.

The latest US job market data reduced expectations of a 25-basis-point rate cut by the Federal Reserve in December, which has been a key reason behind the correction in prices.

The strong economic data pushed the US dollar index to nearly a six-month high on Friday.

The index remained above the 100 level on Monday, making gold more expensive for buyers holding other currencies and restricting demand.

Geopolitical concerns have also eased in recent days, further reducing gold’s safe-haven appeal.

Experts believe the combination of a stronger dollar, uncertainty over US tariff decisions, developments in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and the upcoming Fed policy announcement may keep gold prices volatile in the near term.

Some market analysts expect further correction and advise investors to stay cautious before making fresh purchases.

Gold is attempting to reclaim momentum as prices hover near $4,100, driven by growing expectations of a December Fed rate cut, now priced at 71 per cent probability after dovish hints from officials like Miran and Williams.

“Bullion has been choppy over the past three sessions, reflecting traders’ indecision, but with rate-cut bets rising and geopolitical risks lingering, dips in gold are likely to attract renewed buying interest in the coming week with next resistance seen around 125000 and support near 122000,” experts added.

Mumbai: Mumbai woke up on Monday to a cool November morning, with minimum temperatures dipping below 22°C and a light chill settling over the city. Early commuters enjoyed clear skies and gentle winds, weather that briefly made the city feel closer to winter than its usual warm, humid climate.

However, the pleasant morning arrived with a grim reminder of Mumbai’s persistent air-quality crisis. A dense layer of smog hung over the skyline, muting visibility even as the mild breeze failed to disperse the pollution that has been accumulating steadily through November. What felt like a refreshing start to the day was overshadowed by a thick haze that lingered across major areas.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), clear skies are likely to continue through the day, with maximum temperatures expected to rise to around 34°C by afternoon. Meteorologists added that early-morning coolness may persist for a few more days, though they offered no clear indication of when the city’s worsening pollution levels might improve.

Mumbai’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) touched 326 on Monday morning, placing the city firmly in the severe category. This marks a huge jump from air-quality readings earlier in the month, when several pockets still showed moderate levels. Today’s data revealed widespread deterioration, particularly in industrial belts and high-density areas.

Chembur recorded the highest AQI of the day at 382, placing it deep in the severe range. Santacruz East and the Wadala Truck Terminal followed closely, reporting severe AQIs of 362 and 355. Malad (344) and Bandra Kurla Complex (342) showed similar readings, indicating that the pollution surge has spread across the eastern, western and central corridors of the city.

Suburban regions showed marginally better, but still concerning, air quality. Kandivali East, with an AQI of 163, recorded the lowest value in the city but remained in the poor category. Other areas including Jogeshwari (309), Govandi (313), Borivali East (315) and Mulund West (317) all fell under the severe category.

For context, an AQI between 0–50 is considered good, 51–100 moderate, 101–150 poor, 151–200 unhealthy, and anything above 200 falls under severe or hazardous.

Patna, Nov 22: After becoming Bihar’s Home Minister, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary has taken a tough stance on maintaining law and order in the state.

On Saturday, soon after assuming office, he issued a stern warning to criminals, declaring that no offender would be spared and that the police had been given full freedom to act.

Deputy CM Choudhary said that the police are no longer bound and now have complete authority to take action openly.

He reaffirmed that criminals have no place in Bihar and asserted that the Home Ministry will work under the guidance of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

Good governance, he said, existed earlier and would continue even more firmly in the future.

He added that the ‘jungle raj’ that had been eliminated would not be allowed to return.

Responding to a query about his earlier controversial remark — saying that criminals in Bihar would be cremated in Gaya — the State Home Minister said the police were doing their job.

This marks the first time Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has handed over the Home Department to the BJP since 2005.

In the new Cabinet, along with Nitish Kumar, 26 Ministers were sworn-in.

Samrat Choudhary has been appointed both the Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister, while Vijay Kumar Sinha has also been appointed the Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar.

He is holding the charge of Revenue, Land Reforms and Mining departments in the Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government.

Ministers from all NDA constituents have found a place in the Bihar Cabinet.

The BJP has the highest representation in the state Cabinet with 14 Ministers, followed by Janata Dal-United with eight, Lok Janshakti Party-Ram Vilas with two, Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) with one, and Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) with one.

Despite having two Deputy CMs and 14 Ministers, the BJP’s share of the allocated departmental budget is lower compared to JD-U.

The BJP controls 29.22 per cent of the total budget, LJP-RV Ministers 0.91 per cent, HAM 0.58 per cent, and RLM 3.56 per cent.

The remaining departments, accounting for around 65 per cent of the total budget, remain with the JD-U.