Volvo's new flagship SUV, the EX90, boasts a serene and powerful driving experience with advanced technology and Scandinavian design. Priced at around Rs 1 crore, it features a whisper-quiet cabin, 456 horsepower engine, all-wheel drive, and air suspension for superior performance and safety.
Consumer-durables makers expect strong Dussehra and Diwali sales after brisk Onam and Ganesh Chaturthi demand. Premium products, home upgrades and consumer financing are driving growth, while entry-level demand is weaker. Price rises have not yet fully reached shoppers because retailers hold older stock; companies are absorbing some higher costs.
SUVs dominate India’s wider car market, but sedans still account for 35–40% of luxury sales, down from more than half previously. Buyers continue to value their comfort, driving dynamics and rear-seat experience, especially for chauffeur-driven travel. Luxury brands are refreshing sedan line-ups, and Mercedes-Benz says sedans generate about 45% of its Indian sales.
Mercedes-Benz India received more than 650 Expressions of Interest for its all-new Electric GLC within 36 hours of opening bookings on October 5, ahead of its November 4 launch. The GLC 400 4MATIC will be locally produced at the Chakan plant, marking the first locally built SUV on Mercedes-Benz’s next-generation electric platform.
Policybazaar data shows that repairing Indian EVs in the Rs 10–15 lakh segment costs 14% more on average than comparable petrol and diesel cars during their first three years: Rs 41,543 versus Rs 36,185. Expensive batteries, complex electronics and limited specialised repair facilities contribute to the gap. Monsoon claims average nearly Rs 65,000.
Skoda’s refreshed Slavia, priced from ₹9.99 lakh to ₹18.84 lakh, combines updated styling and technology with sedan comfort suited to Indian roads. Its 2,651 mm wheelbase, 521-litre boot and 179 mm ground clearance support practical use, while top trims add a segment-first rear-seat massage function.
Honda’s Elevate launched strongly but sales have since declined, falling to 21,308 units in 2025 and a monthly low of 935 in April. Its petrol-only lineup and limited powertrain choices leave it trailing leaders such as the Creta. Experts say a strong hybrid could improve efficiency but raise prices beyond the segment; a facelift may lift sales only modestly.
Canara HSBC Life Insurance expects Irdai’s proposed commission cuts to have limited impact on credit-life sales, saying lower costs could make products more affordable and help its shareholder banks expand distribution. The insurer reported first-half FY27 premiums up 17.3% to ₹4,742 crore and approved ₹287.5 crore in private-placement debentures.
Juspay is expanding from payments into SaaS and AI, promoting its open-source Xyne platform and tools for voice calls, shopping and payment analysis. International growth has brought new clients and payment-network partnerships. Revenue rose 30% to Rs 664 crore in FY26, while AI and overseas investments contributed to a Rs 90 crore net loss.
The RBI will raise the minimum daily CRR maintenance requirement from 90% to 99% from the fortnight beginning October 16, without changing the headline CRR or fortnightly average requirement. The move reduces banks’ flexibility and may push overnight rates closer to the 5.5% repo rate.
Indian equities rebounded Friday as strong TCS results lifted technology stocks and easing Brent crude prices improved sentiment. The Sensex rose 1.23% to 72,472 and the Nifty gained 1.30% to 22,520, helping both end an eight-week losing streak with weekly gains.
Retail prices of rice, sugar, mustard oil and onions are well above last year’s levels, adding to food-inflation risks. Onions have doubled in price, though fresh harvests and government sales from buffer stocks are expected to ease prices in coming weeks. Sugar and rice supplies may also improve through new-season production and government stock releases.
TCS reported Q2FY27 revenue of Rs 73,188 crore, up 11.2% year-on-year, with constant-currency growth broadly meeting estimates. Deal value fell 4% year-on-year to $9.6 billion, as demand recovery remained gradual and discretionary spending weak. AI services grew 19.2% sequentially to an annualised $3.1 billion.
The PERM suspension is unlikely to disrupt Indian IT firms’ projects or revenue immediately: it does not cancel H-1B visas, and few employees use PERM for green cards. Companies’ expanded US hiring reduces exposure; TCS plans 15,000 more local hires and reports single-digit PERM applications.
MoSPI released draft guidelines for compiling state and Union Territory GDP estimates using the expenditure approach under the 2022-23 base year. The framework covers private and government consumption, fixed investment and net exports, aiming to standardize estimates and align them with national methods. States and UTs can submit feedback by October 28.
The article answers four tax questions: Pre-construction home-loan interest can be claimed in five equal instalments after completion, subject to applicable limits. Gifted-property gains use the previous owner’s acquisition cost and holding period. F&O losses can offset business income, but not salary, and may be carried forward for eight years.
NPS subscribers can open a separate Swasthya account to build a healthcare corpus and access super top-up insurance, complementing existing health cover. Starting investment is Rs 1,000 plus the premium. Subscribers may withdraw up to 25% of their contributions for eligible treatment, while unused funds remain invested for retirement.
Trai and the Department of Telecommunications are nearing a satcom spectrum pricing framework, Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said. Starlink, Jio Satcom and Eutelsat OneWeb are licensed but must meet security and other requirements before operating; spectrum will be assigned after pricing is settled.
Ageas Federal Life Insurance launched Aurum Advantage Plan, a GIFT City ULIP allowing customers of any nationality to invest in US dollars, euros or pounds across international equities, fixed income and gold, with life cover. Minimum investment is 3,000 in the chosen currency. The plan offers flexible premiums, withdrawals without a lock-in period and maturity, loyalty and death benefits.
Weak monsoon conditions, El Niño and low reservoir levels could squeeze rural cash flows during the upcoming Rabi season, putting agricultural lending and rural demand at risk. Banks and rating agencies report no meaningful deterioration in repayments so far, and major system-wide asset-quality damage is not expected.
E-way bill generation reached a record 141.53 million in September, up 7.2% year on year and 1.8% from August, as businesses stocked up for festive demand. Annual growth remained among the slowest in nearly four years, partly due to a high base. The increase suggests stronger goods movement and potentially higher October GST revenues.
India and ASEAN agreed to accelerate the review of their trade-in-goods pact, setting time-bound targets to resolve outstanding issues. At a Jakarta meeting, the joint committee tasked eight sub-committees with measurable progress; three held separate talks. The review seeks to improve the agreement amid limited Indian gains and a trade deficit that reached $51.54 billion in 2025–26.
India’s power shortages are driving distributors to buy expensive evening electricity, with bilateral prices reaching about Rs 20 per unit. Unmet demand surged to 560 million units in September—nearly six times August’s—and shortages persisted in October as solar output faded after sunset. Reduced hydropower and tight coal stocks are adding pressure.
Renault India has opened bookings for the Duster strong-hybrid at ₹21,000 ahead of its October 17 launch. The SUV introduces Renault’s E-Tech hybrid technology in India and has ARAI-certified fuel efficiency of 29 km per litre. Its third powertrain option will compete with hybrid midsize SUVs from Maruti Suzuki and Toyota.
Jio Platforms’ IPO has received SEBI approval, with the issue reportedly pegged at about Rs 37,700 crore and a projected valuation of Rs 11 lakh crore; no details are officially confirmed. At least 35% of the issue is reserved for retail investors, with separate allocations for eligible Reliance Industries shareholders and employees.
JSW Motors plans to launch passenger vehicles under its own brand, revealing its name and product roadmap at a Mumbai event on December 3–4. Its first SUV, reportedly named Combat and based on a Chery model, is expected to be a petrol plug-in hybrid.
FLY91 plans to base at least two aircraft at Navi Mumbai International Airport and launch flights to Sindhudurg and Jalgaon in the third quarter of the current financial year, with dates yet to be announced. It will also link Navi Mumbai to Goa and offer onward journeys to Agatti. Winter services are expected to increase 26% to 354 weekly flights across 14 destinations.
Karnataka has released Rs 1,250 crore to drought-hit farmers, beginning with direct payments of Rs 2,500 each to about 50 lakh eligible farmers while awaiting central aid. Severe rainfall deficits damaged crops across the state; in Koppal, losses affected more than 302,000 hectares.
Indian markets rebounded on October 9, with the Nifty up 1.2% near 22,500 and the Sensex gaining 1.1% to about 72,392 after the previous session’s steep decline. IT stocks rose following TCS’s broadly in-line results; TCS gained as much as 6%, while HCL Tech and Tech Mahindra also advanced. Colgate Palmolive climbed nearly 8%.
India on Friday criticised the US decision to suspend several major IT companies from a key green card programme, saying the move does not serve the shared interests of the two countries.
Jefferies remains positive on India’s cables and wires sector despite new competition from Aditya Birla Group’s Ultravolt, naming Polycab and Finolex Cables as top picks. It forecasts 18–20% sales growth for both in Q2FY27, supported by demand from power, real estate, data centers and solar. About 20% price hikes have largely offset higher copper and aluminium costs.
The United States has named five Indian nationals and two Mumbai-based companies in its latest round of sanctions linked to Iran. The move is part of Washington’s efforts to cut off Iran’s oil revenue and target networks it accuses of helping Tehran continue selling petroleum despite US restrictions.
TCS shares rose 5% intraday after Q2 FY27 revenue increased 1.3% sequentially to ₹73,188 crore and net profit rose 15% year on year to ₹13,884 crore, slightly beating expectations. Brokerages cited margin pressure and uncertain demand. Jefferies and Ambit rated the stock “Underperform” and “Sell,” while Nomura and Motilal Oswal maintained “Buy” ratings and JM Financial retained “Add.”
Microsoft has defended its hiring practices after the Donald Trump administration suspended the company from a US immigration programme that helps foreign workers obtain green cards.
Air India Express, Air India and Akasa Air have cancelled Riyadh flights through October 10, while IndiGo’s suspension runs until October 9, citing security concerns after reported Houthi attacks on Saudi airports. Some flights returned to India. Affected passengers are being offered refunds or, where available, complimentary rescheduling as airlines monitor developments.
Indian markets were poised to open higher, with GIFT Nifty up 100 points at 22,359, after the Nifty and Sensex fell 1.6% and 1.4% on Thursday. Asian markets were mixed; oil prices eased, US futures edged up and Treasury yields declined. Foreign investors sold Indian equities worth ₹12,944 crore. Investors will also watch global cues, crude prices, bond yields and institutional flows.
Anup Bagchi’s proposed annual compensation as HDFC Bank CEO is Rs 35.9 crore, including Rs 18.04 crore in stock options—more than twice the FY26 pay of several private-bank peers. RBI has approved the package, which requires shareholder approval. Bagchi starts a three-year term on October 27, succeeding Sashidhar Jagdishan.
The GST Council proposed easier registration for small e-commerce sellers, automated refunds and registration updates, and uniform tax liability for platforms. It also proposed 5% GST without input tax credit on platform-delivered goods and classifying intellectual-property transfers as services. The text does not specify any proposed tax-rate changes.
Noel Tata has requested a meeting with the PMO to oppose listing Tata Sons, warning an IPO could dilute Tata Trusts’ 66% control and constrain long-term investment. He says the board and principal Trusts had supported keeping the company private, but RBI rules are increasing pressure to list.
Online festive sales are forecast to grow 25–29% to ₹1.5–1.55 lakh crore, but higher product, freight and currency costs—and no repeat of last year’s GST cuts—leave platforms less room for discounts. Prices across major categories are above last year’s levels, while consumers are expected to favour cheaper products and smaller baskets.
Thermax expects biomass revenue to exceed ₹1,000 crore this year, up from ₹600 crore, supported by over 55 plants producing 3,500 tonnes daily. It is exploring expansion in Southeast Asia, West Asia and Africa. CEO Ashish Bhandari sees thermal energy and data centres driving growth, though the West Asia crisis has caused shipping delays and higher freight costs.
GST input tax credit utilisation improved after tax slabs were cut in September: unused credit fell to 21.16% of monthly taxable supplies, from 21.56% a year earlier. The average GST rate dropped to 10.84%, while taxable supplies rose 25.8% to Rs 50.58 lakh crore a month. Experts said the figures do not show how much credit remains genuinely blocked.
The GST Council approved tax reliefs aimed at lowering cultivation costs and improving farm profitability. It cut GST on FCO-registered seaweed biostimulants and retreaded tractor tyres from 18% to 5%, exempted seed storage and coffee curing services, and set GST on psyllium seeds at nil regardless of their form.
India’s apparel market is projected to grow 9% annually, from $95.7 billion in 2025 to $146.3 billion by 2029, as consumers upgrade wardrobes and shift to organised retail and branded clothing. Kidswear and womenswear are expected to outpace menswear, while casualwear and comfort-focused styles gain ground.
The Supreme Court directed the central government to form a panel within two weeks to review unethical pharmaceutical marketing, assess existing rules and enforcement, and recommend a suitable framework. The panel must consult stakeholders and experts, then report within two months of its first meeting. The UCPMP 2024 will remain in force meanwhile.
India’s GLP-1 market value rose 72% year-on-year in September 2026, despite a 10% drop in units sold, as newer products—largely generic semaglutide—drove growth. The broader anti-obesity market reached Rs 287.9 crore. Tirzepatide led with 57.5% of sales; Mounjaro remained the top-selling drug.
Indian equities suffered their steepest one-day wealth loss in five months as the Sensex fell 1.44% to a 33-month low and the Nifty dropped 1.64% to an 18-month low. Record FPI selling, higher interest rates, crude above $104 a barrel and global weakness drove the sell-off; domestic buying offered little support.
Elon Musk questioned why Starlink lacks final approval in India despite being licensed in more than 165 countries, alleging unnamed oligarchs are blocking its entry. His remarks appeared to target Mukesh Ambani, whose Jio has partnered with Starlink but also awaits security clearance.
The WTO raised its 2026 global merchandise trade growth forecast to 3.9%, from 1.9%, after trade grew 3.5% in the first half despite the West Asia conflict. Supply-chain shifts and booming AI-related goods trade helped offset energy and shipping disruptions. Services trade faces greater strain, with growth forecast at 3.3%.
The GST Council approved process reforms, effective April 1, 2027, to simplify compliance, speed refunds and reduce disputes, without changing tax rates. Measures include scrapping GST arrest powers, raising the prosecution threshold, expanding input tax credits and refunds, automating registration and assessments, and limiting transit inspections to intelligence-led checks.
The GST Council eased export rules for Indian firms serving clients through overseas branches and clarified when services involving foreign-owned goods in India qualify as exports. It also confirmed zero-rated treatment for supplies to SEZs and FTWZs, aligned payment rules with RBI standards, and broadened tax refunds—measures intended to lower exporters’ costs and improve competitiveness.