India's BoP surplus in July was at $20.8 billion due to increased inflows for the FCNRB scheme. However, the CAD doubled due to higher energy prices and imports. The capital account had a surplus of $27.7 billion, driven by NRI deposits and foreign direct investment.
Indian manufacturers are grappling with a surge in inflation, with wholesale and retail prices rising significantly. While some companies are absorbing the cost, others are selectively increasing prices for high-demand products. However, experts caution against a widespread price hike, which could harm the recovery of consumer-facing industries like FMCG and automobiles.
The cost of urea, a popular soil nutrient in India, has decreased by 57% due to increased supply and imports. The global price has also dropped by 23%, causing a reevaluation of the fertilizer subsidy budget. The government may need to allocate Rs 15,000-20,000 crore for subsidies, as they have already imported 4.74 million tonnes of urea.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman praised India's stability amidst global uncertainty and geopolitical tensions, maintaining a growth rate of 7.8%. She highlighted the challenges posed by ongoing conflicts and urged graduating students to recognize the significance of India's economic performance.
Starting October 15, merchants will pay a 0.4% fee on UPI payments above Rs 2,000, ending six years of zero MDR. The NPCI's FAQs explain who pays and who is exempt, with no charges for consumers and small merchants. The fee will fund infrastructure and innovation, and UPI remains cheaper than card fees.
Meta, owner of popular social media platforms Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp, will now directly report child sexual abuse and safety concerns to India's anti-cybercrime agency. This will aid Indian agencies in pursuing cases under laws like POCSO and the IT Act. The government has been working with social media companies to prevent harmful content and protect children.
The Shapoorji Pallonji Group's stake in Tata Sons, valued at Rs 2.5-3 lakh crore, has been difficult to liquidate due to Tata Sons' private status. The RBI's denial of Tata Sons' request to surrender its investment company registration has renewed the possibility of a listing. This could help the SP Group sell their stake, benefiting lenders and reducing borrowing.
Flipkart to create 250,000 jobs for festive season, with 75,000 for first-time workers. Roles to be spread across 7,000 Ekart facilities, focusing on last-mile delivery and expanding quick commerce in Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets. Company prioritizes diversity, with 20% of supply chain employees being women.
India's rice exports in April-Aug 2026-27 saw a slight increase of 2.17%, reaching $4.81 billion. However, supply disruptions and high freight costs due to the West Asia conflict have caused delays and increased expenses for exporters. Middle Eastern countries are also adopting a cautious approach, creating a long-term challenge for the Indian rice industry in exporting to Europe, other markets.
India's merchandise exports surged 26.12% in August to $43.81 billion, driven by higher prices and increased export volumes. Imports also rose, but at a slower pace of 14.1%, resulting in a trade deficit of $26.86 billion. The growth was broad-based, with exports to the US and China increasing significantly.
India is hosting the World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) 2026, with a focus on resource efficiency, industrial resilience, and sustainable growth. This transition will involve changes in product design and consumption patterns. India's traditional approach of "repair, reuse, and recover" is being emphasized as the country embraces the circular economy.
AI is a crucial tool for business buyers, but incorrect information can harm a brand's reputation. Brands must take control of their online presence to provide trustworthy and understandable information for both humans and machines. This requires collaboration between search, content, and communications teams to maintain a credible public image in an AI-driven world.
Amazon launched Creator Connections in India to connect eligible creators with brand campaigns and reward them based on clicks and conversions. This aims to benefit smaller creators and democratize the creator ecosystem, potentially disrupting and reshaping the creator economy.
National Stock Exchange, with the guidance of merchant bankers, has set a price range of Rs 1,700-1,785 for its IPO to ensure investor value. MD and CEO Ashishkumar Chauhan discusses the reasoning behind the valuation and the company's aim to expand revenue beyond equity derivatives. NSE's subsidiary in GIFT City has achieved success with bond listings and GIFT Nifty.
Air India is utilizing Salesforce's Agentforce AI to automate passenger requests and improve customer service. The technology has reduced refund processing time from 14 days to 4 hours. Air India's Chief Digital & Technology Officer, Dr. Satya Ramaswamy, sees this as a game-changer for airline customer service.
India's crude oil basket has surged by 30% in under two weeks, which could result in a larger import bill, wider current account deficit, and inflation. If crude prices stay at $130 per barrel for a long time, the country's economic growth, inflation, and current account deficit will be greatly affected.
India and China have begun talks to tackle trade and economic issues, with a focus on finding fair solutions. India aims to reduce its trade gap with China and improve access to markets and resources. The New Zealand FTA will start in October, and India is working towards a trade agreement with Canada by year-end. Discussions with the US for a trade deal are also underway.
Indian bond yields increased on Tuesday as the Reserve Bank of India announced plans to sell government securities, causing the benchmark 10-year bond yield to reach 7.07%. The rupee also weakened against the US dollar. The central bank's decision, along with global bond yields and geopolitical tensions, impacted sentiment and further liquidity-tightening measures are expected.
India is taking steps to address challenges faced by exporters under the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. A committee has been formed to coordinate efforts and develop domestic verification capacity. The shortage of recognized verifiers is a concern, and the government is seeking recognition of NABCB by the EU.
The NPCI-led committee is set to introduce a fee of 0.3% for UPI payments above Rs 2,000, while RuPay debit card transactions will remain free regardless of the amount. This decision was made due to operational challenges in monitoring thresholds. However, the government has assured that UPI transactions up to Rs 2,000 and RuPay debit cards will not incur any charges for consumers.
India's unemployment rate for people aged 15 years and above decreased to 5% in August, with rural areas seeing a significant drop to 4.1%. However, urban areas saw a rise to 6.8%. The joblessness rate was higher among women at 5.1%, and youth unemployment remained a concern with 15.1% in August.
Domestic sales of PVs, two-wheelers, and three-wheelers reached record highs in August 2026, but the growth was influenced by last year's low base due to GST cuts. The industry is expected to face challenges in maintaining this growth from September onwards. However, the demand remains strong, especially in rural markets, with consumer confidence and financing conditions driving purchases.
Tech experts warn about AI's potential threat to humanity, but Trump dismisses it as a hoax and claims the US is ahead of China in the AI race. He also supports the use of data centers, calling them the "oil of the next 20-25 years." However, surveys show that Americans still prefer humans making important decisions and have concerns about the impact of AI on jobs and the environment.
HDFC Bank's CEO succession process is at a crucial stage as the board has submitted two candidates to RBI for a three-year term. The appointment will greatly impact the bank's continuity, leadership depth, strategy, and valuation, according to various brokerages. The board has also proposed the reappointment of V. Srinivasa Rangan as whole-time director for one year.
Trump's approval rating has risen slightly, but this may not ensure victory for the Republican Party in the mid-term elections. His pledge to give $5,000 to Americans if his party wins Congress has caused controversy and accusations of bribery. The ongoing tension with Iran and economic concerns have caused a shift towards Democrats. Trump's proposal has faced criticism.
Indian equities are set to open on a positive note after a 1-day holiday, with GIFT Nifty trading 80 points higher. However, weak Asian markets, rising crude oil prices, and US Treasury yields will be closely watched. In the previous session, both Sensex and Nifty 50 fell, and the global and domestic cues for September 15, 2026 are mixed.
Bangladesh's State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir has expressed a desire to "reset" ties with India after a 15-year relationship that he described as "uncomfortable" under an "authoritarian, corrupt and exploitative" regime. Tensions between the two have been further complicted by issues such as the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty, expiring in December.
Jefferies has identified five Indian financial companies, including fintech firms Groww and Paytm, that are expected to see strong revenue growth and benefit from their scale. The brokerage has given them a 'Buy' rating and predicts at least 25% compound annual growth in operating profit over the next three years for these companies.
Nuvama Research recommends buying ACME Solar, NTPC, and Power Grid Corporation of India in the power sector, as well as CESC, Tata Power, and Inox Wind. Their analysis shows a strong thermal plant load factor and predicts 45-50GW of renewable energy additions annually for the next two years. Nuvama has assigned 'Buy' ratings to six power stocks, including Inox Wind.
Oil prices have surpassed $100 a barrel due to strikes in Saudi Arabia and issues in the Gulf, causing concerns over global energy supplies. This is affecting various industries, including oil marketing companies, airlines, tyre makers, paint manufacturers, and chemical companies, as they face higher costs. Brent and WTI futures have risen to a three-month high, putting pressure on HPCL.
Severe weather in the US caused over 4,000 flight delays, with the Northeast being hit the hardest. This adds to ongoing air traffic control staff shortages and a recent technical issue in the UK causing further disruptions. Boston and New York City were among the areas experiencing delays and ground stops.
Indian Railways has extended special train services connecting Delhi, Ranchi, Hyderabad, and Ajmer until November and December 2026. The trains will cover important stations across Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Delhi-NCR. The extended services include Ranchi-Anand Vihar Terminal, Shalimar-Charlapalli, and Santragachi-Ajmer trains.
Air India is facing challenges due to lack of aircraft, high fuel costs, and geopolitical uncertainty, leading to a sharp reduction in scheduled capacity. The airline is being more selective in deploying aircraft, focusing on routes with stronger demand and economics.
India's carbon market is shifting from a domestic compliance tool to a trade and industrial competitiveness tool. The government is incorporating carbon pricing into its trade strategy and the UK has acknowledged India's Carbon Credit Trading Scheme. This could impact Indian exporters.
Murf AI, led by CEO Ankur Edkie, is set to launch an updated version of its Falcon voice model in 3 weeks, giving them an advantage in the growing voice-AI market. Falcon 2 outperforms other models in naturalness, speed, and price. Murf is also working on reducing latency and has seen success in India. Plans to raise funds in 2026.
Bajaj has launched the new Pulsar 150 and Pulsar 125 in Pune, bringing back the iconic design of the original Pulsar line from 2004. The bikes offer a modern twist with an LED headlight, Bluetooth connectivity, and a lighter, stiffer frame. The Pulsar 125 is a lively urban machine, while the Pulsar 150 is a powerful all-rounder. Both models have confident braking and are competitively priced,
IIM Ahmedabad (IIMA) remains the top-ranked B-school in India, but the recent Financial Times Masters in Management (FT MiM) 2026 rankings paint a different picture. IIM Bangalore (IIMB) has jumped seven places to 21st globally, while SP Jain Institute of Management & Research (SPJIMR) has surged to 26th globally, surpassing IIMA.
Mercedes-Benz and BMW have taken different approaches to their flagship lineups. Mercedes-Benz offered a smaller, cheaper electric option compared to their traditional S-Class, while BMW has priced their petrol and electric versions of the 7 Series at the same price.
Uttar Pradesh is leading in residential rooftop solar installations with 228.95 MW added in August. Despite a decline of 11.6% nationwide, the residential solar market is growing rapidly with 16,185.48 MW installed under the PM Surya Ghar scheme. The programme aims to install rooftop solar in 10 million households by FY27, with 5 million already benefiting from free electricity and subsidies.
The OnePlus Nord Buds 4 are affordable wireless earbuds with 52 dB of noise cancellation, 12 mm titanium-coated drivers, and Bluetooth 6.1. They have good noise reduction, bass-heavy sound, and strong battery life. The IP55 rating makes them perfect for workouts and outdoor use, and the AI Translate and AI Assistant features are added bonuses. Overall, they offer a well-rounded package.
Lava's new smartphones, the Virat V1 and Virat V1 Pro, offer 5G connectivity, large displays, and powerful 6,000mAh batteries, all at affordable prices. The Pro version also boasts a 50MP AI rear camera and 8GB RAM, making it a great option for photography and social media use. Both phones have a durable IP64 rating and solid performance for everyday tasks.
India's gig workforce has seen a significant increase, expected to reach 23 million by 2029-30. This is crucial for the young population, but concerns arise over legal framework and protections, including algorithm-based evaluations and occupational safety. The workforce is also diverse, ranging from high-skilled to low-skilled individuals.
India secures 1.64 million tonne of steel products quota under FTA with EU, giving exporters access to the bloc's market amid tighter controls on steel imports. The new EU steel regulation aims to protect the market from global overproduction and cheap imports. The quotas cover various steel products and will be reviewed every five years.
Sebi's plan to revamp the closing auction session has sparked debate among market players. Two options have been proposed for determining derivative contract settlement prices, with opinions divided. However, there is agreement on the need to control disruptive orders during CAS. While some suggest a gradual transition, others favor a direct shift to the blended VWAP method.
India offers European car makers deeper access to its passenger-vehicle market with significant duty cuts under the proposed India-EU Free Trade Agreement. In return, the EU will allow imports of Indian cars at lower duties with quotas, gradually increasing over 10 years.
Kharif crop acreage down by 1.4% due to uneven rainfall distribution and water availability concerns. Paddy, oilseeds, and pulses among the crops likely to be impacted. Monsoon deficit of 14.7% likely to result in lowest rainfall since 2009. 47% of districts received deficient rainfall, while 53% received normal to excess precipitation.
Smallholder farmers in Punjab and Haryana will be rewarded for implementing sustainable farming practices, including direct seeding and low tillage residue management, in an effort to reduce emissions and store carbon in the soil. The first issuance of carbon credits will cover 30,000 acres and generate over 50,000 credits, benefiting farmer livelihoods and combatting climate change.
Rishi Kohli, chief investment officer at Jio BlackRock Mutual Fund, predicts that the upcoming IPOs of Jio Platforms and NSE could temporarily affect the secondary market due to diverted liquidity. However, mutual funds are expected to remain stable, with sustained retail participation and selective opportunities in sectors such as pharma, banking, and IT.
India's tokenised corporate bonds have raised over Rs 1,000 crore from three issuers, leading to plans for a liquid secondary market and retail investor involvement. The Securities and Exchange Board of India and Reserve Bank of India have launched a pilot framework using distributed ledger technology and central bank digital currency.
Mumbai local train passengers on September 13, 2026, must be aware of service changes due to Mega Blocks on the Main Line and Trans-Harbour Line for maintenance. Central Railway will have a Mega Block between Thane and Kalyan, while Western Railway's suburban network will continue to operate. Another Mega Block will affect the Up and Down Trans-Harbour lines between Thane and Vashi/Nerul.