Skoda's sub-4 metre SUV, the Kylaq, has been a game-changer for the brand in India. Since its launch in January 2025, it has sold 27,091 units, contributing to Skoda's highest-ever monthly sales in March 2025 and doubling its sales in the first seven months of 2025.
Brands are expected to spend Rs 2,200 crore on quick-commerce ads this festive season, 50% more than last year, encouraged by reported conversion rates of 3–8%. But ad prices are up 30–40%, forcing brands to reinvest heavily to stay visible. Smaller players face the greatest pressure, and success will hinge on measurable returns, competitive pricing and brand-building beyond these platforms.
Gen Z sees India’s festive season as a series of celebrations, not a single Diwali shopping peak. Brands should build consistent presence from Rakshabandhan through Diwali, pairing creator-led discovery with clear product stories that stand up to recommendations from friends and family.
Adani Enterprises and Jabil have signed a non-binding MoU for a proposed 50:50 joint venture to manufacture and assemble AI and data-centre equipment in India. The venture is expected to produce AI racks, servers, storage, networking, power and cooling systems, with multi-gigawatt capacity and installation services.
Sony Pictures Networks India is launching Tamil entertainment channel Sony VIZHA to reach audiences across television, streaming and social media. Content chief Rajaraman Sundaram said linear TV still has broad reach, though a shortage of culturally relevant local-language content is drawing some young viewers to streaming.
More than two-thirds of Amazon Pay transactions happen outside Amazon, and over 75% of its users live in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, CEO Vikas Bansal said. The company aims to grow into a broader financial platform by expanding digital credit in smaller towns, where interest in financial services is high but credit use remains low amid trust and fraud concerns.
Hyundai Motor Group will invest $15.5 billion in India from 2026 to 2032 to expand Hyundai and Kia manufacturing, strengthen local R&D and suppliers, and develop electric-vehicle charging, recycling and other mobility businesses. About $700 million is earmarked for R&D.
India may need to add 105–150 GW of coal capacity by 2035, up from the earlier 97-GW estimate, as electricity demand surges and weak hydropower boosts reliance on steady generation, CEA chief Ghanshyam Prasad said. He cited higher daily demand, a September power shortage and declining fuel stocks.
MSME Secretary Bharat Khera said Indian small businesses must improve quality and global cost competitiveness to seize opportunities from new free trade agreements and support India’s 2047 developed-economy goal. Priorities include better technology, skills and finance, stronger partnerships, and greater formalisation.
NTPC is negotiating with buyers in Japan, South Korea and Germany for green ammonia and other fuels as it shifts its green-hydrogen business from pilots toward commercial projects. Its proposed Andhra Pradesh hub is designed to produce green ammonia and methanol, with a 20-km pipeline under construction.
Indian Railways’ September freight loading rose 6.1% year on year to 135.35 million tonnes, while freight revenue climbed 9.3% to an estimated Rs 14,912 crore. Food grains, clinker and coal drove growth; coal loading rose 9%, and daily supplies to power plants increased 11.6%. First-half loading grew 4.1% to 833.7 million tonnes, with revenue up 3.7%.
Infosys Chairman Nandan Nilekani rejected predictions of mass AI-driven unemployment, arguing that enterprise adoption will take years and increase demand for IT services to manage complex transformations. While AI may automate coding and routine tasks, it will also create roles in governance, implementation and reskilling.
HCLTech’s record $3.3 billion in net new bookings and fast-growing AI business have improved its medium-term growth outlook, with analysts seeing potential for over 5% constant-currency growth in FY28. But weak discretionary spending and a 5.8% quarterly decline in software revenue cloud the near-term picture.
Rural demand is weakening amid a deficient monsoon, food inflation of 6.08% in September and wage growth slowing to 3–4%. Drought and low reservoir levels threaten farming and rabi sowing, while tractor and two-wheeler sales, household sentiment and inflation expectations show signs of strain. RBI rate hikes may further constrain spending.
The government has no current plans to cut pulse import duties, saying domestic crops remain broadly on track and global supplies are ample. It is monitoring prices and plans to release part of its record 4.5-million-tonne buffer after rabi sowing to contain increases. Retail prices of tur, gram and urad are up 12%, 5% and 9% year on year, respectively.
The rupee rose 50 paise to 95.28 per dollar, its strongest level in a month and Asia’s best performer, as traders cited RBI tightening, possible dollar sales and easing oil prices. New rules restrict some derivatives and expand banks’ foreign-exchange risk reserves.
India’s retailers and garment makers are more optimistic about the festive season, citing steady recent demand, stronger urban spending sentiment and shoppers returning to postponed purchases. Sales gains at several chains support the outlook, though recovery remains uneven and inventories are high.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the government is open to debate on long-term capital gains tax and securities transaction tax, but declined to signal changes ahead of the Budget. Investors have urged tax relief, citing the burden of both levies, while capital-gains revenue has grown sharply. Her comments were followed by a strong market rebound: the Sensex rose 1.54% and the Nifty 1.60%.
Noel Tata and his son Neville filed caveats in the Bombay High Court and Mumbai City Civil Court on October 7, seeking a hearing before any orders are passed. The filings follow complaints from trustees Venu Srinivasan and Vijay Singh alleging governance lapses and appointment irregularities. Darius Khambata and Bhaskar Bhat were also named, but the trust says they continue to support Noel.
Indian markets rebounded, with the Sensex rising 1.54% to 73,033.78 and the Nifty gaining 1.60% to 22,721.95. IT stocks led after strong TCS and HCL Technologies results; the Nifty IT index jumped 5.22%, its biggest daily gain in 17 months. Lower oil prices and the government’s openness to hearing views on removing LTCG tax also lifted sentiment.
SEBI extended until March 31, 2027, a relaxation allowing IPO issuers to increase or decrease the fresh issue portion by up to 50% without filing new draft documents. It applies to IPOs opening by that date, provided the issue’s main objective remains unchanged. Lead managers must conduct due diligence, justify the revision and publish an addendum informing investors.
NPCI has postponed the planned MDR on certain UPI merchant payments until after Diwali, with the new date to be announced separately. The proposed 0.4% fee applies to eligible transactions above Rs 2,000, capped at Rs 300; person-to-person payments and small merchants remain exempt.
In five years, the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan’s Network Planning Group has evaluated 421 infrastructure projects worth Rs 20.23 lakh crore; 256 have been sanctioned and 198 are being implemented. The platform connects 58 central ministries and departments with all states and Union Territories, supporting coordinated, multimodal planning.
Zoho will forgo its usual annual pay increases this year as surging AI-related server and data-centre costs, geopolitical tensions and an uncertain software outlook pressure the SaaS industry. The company has cut marketing spending and frozen hiring for 18 months, while seeking to avoid layoffs and reinvent its business. Zoho employs about 19,000 people and serves more than 150 million users.
McCain Foods agreed to acquire Falcon Agrifriz Foods’ frozen potato processing business in Gujarat, expanding its manufacturing capacity alongside its existing Mehsana operations to serve India’s growing market and export customers. The deal builds on McCain’s recent C$135 million Gujarat expansion.
New-to-credit borrowers’ share of two-wheeler loan originations fell to 39% in the first half of 2026, from about 60% in 2019, as consumers increasingly entered formal credit through smaller loans. A more credit-experienced borrower base accompanied lower delinquencies, despite portfolio growth.
Hyundai Motor India will launch the Bayon mid-size SUV on October 26, with bookings open for ₹11,000 and deliveries expected during the festive season. Positioned between the Venue and Creta, it will target rivals including the Maruti Suzuki Victoris and launch with a 1.5-litre petrol engine. Hyundai plans a more affordable Bayon alongside a premium next-generation Creta due in 2027.
The Delhi High Court denied SpiceJet and managing director Ajay Singh more time to pay ₹144 crore to Kal Airways and Kalanithi Maran, and rejected Gurugram property papers in place of cash. The court said it might have considered the papers if the initial ₹50 crore had been paid. SpiceJet remains bound by the original deadlines while its challenge to the arbitration award proceeds.
Steelbird Helmets managing director Rajeev Kapur says uniform enforcement of helmet laws could raise India’s annual demand to 12 crore helmets, far above genuine manufacturers’ capacity of about 3 crore. Expanding production could require more than ₹6,000 crore in investment and create at least one lakh jobs.
Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran said semiconductor investments should be judged by their strategic value to India, not just near-term returns, while remaining commercially viable and aligned with demand. He cited India’s talent, market and supply-chain potential, and the need for global partnerships and reliable energy.
Foreign investors sold more than Rs 40,000 crore of Indian equities in October’s first eight trading days, following ₹45,000 crore of outflows in September, while domestic institutions continued buying. Kotak Institutional Equities says flows alone do not drive share prices: investors should focus on company fundamentals, earnings expectations and valuations.
Natural diamond prices have fallen sharply, with a 1-carat stone averaging $3,898—51% below its 2021 price—amid excess inventory and competition from lab-grown gems. India’s lab-grown diamond sales are forecast to rise 20% this festive season, while Titan reports stable natural-diamond prices and resilient jewellery demand. Industry observers see signs prices may be nearing a floor.
Anup Saha’s appointment as Kotak Mahindra Bank’s MD and CEO removes leadership uncertainty and is expected to support strategic continuity and retail lending growth. Analysts remain positive on the bank’s franchise and asset quality but flag deposit mobilisation, falling CASA, margin pressure and execution as key challenges.
Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport will remain closed until 2100 GMT on October 17, as authorities complete safety checks after repeated Houthi attacks. The strikes caused at least 18 deaths and hundreds of injuries, and airlines including IndiGo, Air India, Lufthansa and Qatar Airways have suspended or cancelled Saudi flights.
India’s general insurance premium growth eased to 6% in September from 10% in August, largely because Agricultural Insurance Company’s premiums dropped 52%, rather than due to a widespread slowdown. JM Financial expects regulatory changes to have less impact on general insurers than life insurers and sees continued medium-term growth for standalone health insurers.
The cases of 20 lakh voters, or more than 60% of the 33 lakh electors who received notices asking them to prove their eligibility to remain on Delhi’s electoral roll, have been resolved, the office of the Delhi Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) said on Monday, reported The Indian Express.
Cheap heavy crude oil is piling up in North and South America as refiners in Asia and Europe struggle to secure supplies, Reuters reported. Soaring tanker costs are making it harder to ship the oil to buyers, wiping out much of the benefit of buying it at a discount.
HCLTech shares rose nearly 5% to Rs 1,282.70 after Q2 FY27 net profit increased 11% quarter-on-quarter to Rs 5,132 crore, revenue grew 3% to Rs 35,620 crore, and EBIT margin improved to 18.2%. Nomura maintained a Buy rating and raised its target to Rs 1,330, citing services and AI growth.
The RBI raised its FY27 growth forecast to 7.1%, despite geopolitical, oil-price and weather risks, while ruling out rate cuts amid inflation concerns. Its shifting forecasts reflect a broader pattern: professional forecasters underestimated growth more often after FY23, as turmoil made them cautious. Before the pandemic, actual growth generally fell short of forecasts.
Reliance Industries’ proposed Jio Platforms IPO could raise Rs 30,000 crore at a valuation near Rs 11 lakh crore. Experts advise retail investors not to chase listing gains or rely on the Jio brand alone. Before applying, they should assess the company’s fundamentals, valuation, business prospects, sector regulation, competitors and market appetite, and consider a longer investment horizon.
Former Tata Trusts trustee Mehli Mistry may approach the Bombay High Court over repeated delays in hearings on his complaints of governance lapses and trustee misconduct at three trusts. If hearings scheduled for October 15 are adjourned again, he is expected to object to further extensions and seek to freeze trustee appointments at their September 1, 2025, status.
More than 49,800 farmer producer organisations have been registered, with 97% incorporated since 2016, according to a NAFPO-Nabard report. Yet growth has not brought broad commercial readiness: 91% of farmer producer companies have paid-up capital below ₹5 lakh, while compliance costs and market access remain major hurdles.
HCLTech has partnered globally with Anthropic to expand enterprise use of agentic AI, with an emphasis on safety, cybersecurity and governance. It will create an Anthropic business unit and centre of excellence, integrate Claude tools into HCLSoftware products and its AI Force platform, and help clients test, deploy and scale AI through secure sandboxes, engineering support and workforce training.
India’s CAFE-III rules target a 16.7% improvement in fuel efficiency from 2027 to 2032, while allowing automakers to use EVs, hybrids, alternative fuels and more efficient combustion vehicles. Three-times credits for battery EVs and range-extended EVs make them especially valuable for compliance, encouraging higher-volume, affordable models.
Zetwerk has set its IPO price at Rs 143–151 a share, below its Rs 171 pre-IPO valuation. CEO Amrit Pratik Acharya says the company is focusing on energy, precision manufacturing and capital goods, while selling its civil infrastructure business. In-house manufacturing is growing, and manufacturing margins have improved.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman urged the World Steel Association to establish an India office, citing the country’s rapidly growing steel demand and industrial base. India produced 165 million tonnes of crude steel in 2025, while per-capita consumption remains below the global average.
The Centre and states may replace several GST officers’ committees with a permanent 12-member panel to simplify administration. After September 2025 rate cuts, taxable supplies rose 25.8% and gross tax liability 13.6% through July 2026, despite a lower effective tax rate.
HCLTech added 6,450 employees in the September quarter, taking its headcount to 230,339—the company’s largest sequential increase since Q2FY23. It hired 6,136 freshers, including elite engineers being trained as forward-deployed engineers, and plans to continue hiring. TCS added 4,200 employees, down from 9,200 in the previous quarter.
RBL Bank’s September-quarter net profit rose 170% year on year to Rs 482 crore, while net interest income grew 37% to Rs 2,131 crore, both beating estimates. Advances increased 42% to Rs 1.42 lakh crore, including growth driven by FCNR(B) deposits; growth excluding related lending was about 30%.
The RBI’s new foreign-exchange curbs could raise corporate hedging costs by 1.1–1.6 percentage points, taking some firms’ annual costs close to 6%. Banks are expected to pass on part of the cost of a new reserve requirement and tighter trading rules.
ISB rose 15 places to 38th and IIM Bangalore climbed eight to 64th in the Financial Times’ 2026 EMBA rankings. IIM Indore fell out of the top 100, leaving India with two ranked institutions, down from three. IIM Bangalore reported 102% salary growth for graduates and an average post-programme salary of $285,934. Kellogg–HKUST topped the global rankings.