Banks' loans continue to outpace deposit growth, rising by 11.45% year-on-year as of October 17. This growth is attributed to the rationalization of GST rates and increased demand during the festive season. However, on a fortnightly basis, credit growth has marginally declined.
The US has implemented stricter work visa regulations, including re-screening and ending automatic extensions for employment authorisation documents. This change, following increased H-1B visa fees, will primarily impact Indian workers. The USCIS advises timely renewal of EADs and states that exceptions apply.
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation Secretary emphasized the significance of ASUSE and PLFS for calculating DDP. He also discussed the upcoming National Household Income Survey, which aims to collect reliable data on household income despite potential challenges with disclosure. The survey is set to begin in February 2026.
Kerala Tourism has launched new experiential products and packages for domestic and international travelers, positioning the state as a global brand with diverse choices. The upcoming festival and winter holiday seasons align with the 6th Kochi-Muziris Biennale and India's first Travel Literary Festival, 'Yaanam 2025'.
United Spirits, the largest liquor maker in India, reported a 36.1% increase in net profit for Q2 of FY26, surpassing street estimates. Revenue also rose 11.6% to Rs 3,173 crore, driven by strong brand performance and a re-entry into Andhra Pradesh. The company's Ebitda margin expanded to 9.2%, and it expects growth during the upcoming festive season.
ITC, a leading cigarette-to-FMCG company, reported a 3% growth in consolidated profit to Rs 5,126 crore in Q2. Despite a revenue decline, it exceeded expectations in both profit and revenue. FMCG segment grew by 8%, but faced challenges due to weather and GST. ITC's cigarettes segment remained strong with strategic initiatives, solidifying its leadership position.
Assocham urges government to implement tax amnesty scheme in Budget 2026-27 for taxpayers to settle outstanding dues and reduce litigation burden. It suggests complete waiver of interest and penalty, and partial waiver of duty for importers with disputes under the Customs act. Over 40,000 cases pending, with $4.5 billion in demand.
NTPC Ltd reported a 3% increase in net profit to Rs 5,225.30 crore for the September quarter due to lower expenses. The company's total income was Rs 45,262.10 crore, with expenses declining to Rs 40,218.03 crore. The board declared a dividend of Rs 27.75 per share for FY26.
On Thursday, the benchmark indices fell up to 0.70% due to the US Federal Reserve's comments ruling out a rate cut in December. The Sensex closed at 84,404.46, while the Nifty closed at 25,877.85. Foreign portfolio investors sold shares worth Rs 3,077.59 crore and domestic institutional investors bought shares worth Rs 2,469.34 crore.
Trump and Xi have agreed to ensure uninterrupted flow of rare earth minerals to the US, which are crucial for modern technologies. The deal will stabilize prices, but efforts to create alternative supply chains continue.
The DoT is seeking legal advice on the Supreme Court's order regarding Vodafone Idea's AGR dues, which has created uncertainty over the extent of relief. The ruling acknowledges the government's discretion but limits relief to a specific demand. The DoT is examining implications and will consult before making a decision.
Swiggy's Q2 numbers show high growth but widening losses, with a net loss of Rs 1,092 crore and revenue of Rs 5,561 crore. The company's core food delivery business saw steady growth, while its quick commerce arm, Instamart, doubled in revenue but slowed in expansion.
FPI short positions in India's index futures have decreased, resulting in a 5.1% increase in benchmark indices in October. This is due to optimism over GST cuts and a successful Diwali for sectors like cars and consumer goods. Short contracts have also decreased by 70%, signaling a shift from negative to positive sentiment.
L&T to invest Rs 10,000 crore to expand data centre capacity sixfold in response to India's growing need for digital infrastructure. Mumbai and Chennai already have data centres, with more planned. L&T also plans to offer cloud services. Indian data centre capacity expected to double by 2027.
Billionbrains Garage Ventures, owner of India's largest brokerage platform Groww, plans to raise Rs 6,630 crore through an IPO. The price band is set at Rs 95-100 per share, with an estimated valuation of Rs 61,700 crore. The issue will include a fresh issue of Rs 1,060 crore and an OFS of Rs 5,572.3 crore, with investors such as Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. Post-IPO, Grow
The government is introducing stricter measures in the Seed Act 1967 to regulate seed quality. The Bill will be presented in the budget session of Parliament in early 2026. The amendments aim to improve seed quality and ensure access to high-quality seeds for farmers.
During a summit meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Trump commended India for its efforts to decrease oil imports from Russia. He stated that India has promised to significantly reduce its oil purchases from Russia. However, the Ministry of External Affairs clarified that India's energy policies prioritize stable prices and secure supplies.
Reliance Industries and Google are teaming up to boost artificial intelligence in India. Jio users will get free access to Google's AI Pro plan for 18 months, worth Rs 35,100 per user. Reliance Intelligence will be Google Cloud's strategic partner for deploying Gemini Enterprise, and they will work together on infrastructure development, including Tensor Processing Units.
Delhi Police has taken measures to protect its traffic personnel from the adverse effects of pollution and cold weather. This includes providing high-quality masks and winter gear, as well as conducting regular health check-ups. With Delhi's AQI frequently crossing the "very poor" mark and visibility dropping due to smog, the police recognise the need to safeguard their officers.
The CAG has advised other states to replicate Odisha's budget stabilisation fund, which has amassed Rs 21,000 crore from mining revenues. This fund is considered a top practice and the CAG offers a broader view of state operations compared to the RBI's debt-centric approach.
Canara Bank's net profit rose by 19% YoY to Rs 4,773.96 crore in Q2 of FY26, driven by improved asset quality. However, NII declined 2% YoY, while other income grew 41.6% YoY. The bank's NIM also decreased to 2.52% in Q2, but is expected to improve to 2.75%-2.80% by the end of FY26. Asset quality
Larsen & Toubro (L&T) is expected to see a boost in domestic orders in the coming quarters, with a significant portion coming from energy, infrastructure, and real estate projects. The company is also diversifying into new-age sectors such as electronics manufacturing, renewable energy, and semiconductors.
Agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan called for increasing sales turnover of 5,000 FPOs to Rs 1 crore each by FY26. He also urged FPOs to enroll 20 million farmers as shareholders and obtain licenses for selling inputs. Over 10,000 FPOs have been formed under a special scheme, with some reporting sales of over Rs 10 crore.
NHAI has reduced toll collection costs by 43.5% through timely bidding and minimizing short-term contracts. In 2024-25, the cost of toll collection was Rs 2,674 crore, a decrease from Rs 4,736 crore in 2023-24. Measures were also taken to reduce short-term contracts and increase engagement with toll collection agencies.
CBSE has announced the date sheet for the 2026 Class 10 and Class 12 board exams, with exams starting on February 17 and ending on March 3. Students have 110 days to prepare, with exams for vocational courses and languages also included. The exams will follow the National Education Policy 2020.
Nvidia, a company known for their GPUs and chips, has reached a record-breaking valuation of $5 trillion. Their success is attributed to the growing demand for AI software and partnerships with major companies. Co-founder and CEO Jensen Huang's net worth has also soared, making him the 8th richest person in the world.
Pixa AI, a Jaipur-based AI startup, has launched Luna, India's first speech-to-speech voice model. It has raised seed funding from top investors and plans to expand its reach in education, gaming, and healthcare. Luna stands out for its pure speech-to-speech system, real-time emotion detection, and impressive performance in voice quality and accuracy tests.
Despite facing a 50% additional tariff, engineering exports to the US have only declined by 9.4% due to rushed shipments and tax parity with other countries. The impact of Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum sectors has been minimal, with significant growth in exports. However, exports to the UAE and China have decreased.
Dabur's Q2FY26 profit falls short of expectations due to GST trade disruptions, but the company remains strong with a consolidated net profit of Rs 453 crore. Dabur Ventures with a capital of Rs 500 crore for digital-first investments was approved, and an interim dividend of Rs 2.75 per share was declared. Despite challenges, Dabur shows growth and gains in key areas and Indian market share.
India's major companies, including FMCG giants ITC and Dabur India, public sector banks Union Bank and Canara Bank, and Q-Comm major Swiggy and pharmaceuticals major Cipla, have released their quarterly results for the second quarter of FY26. ITC reported a net profit of Rs 5,186.55 crore, while Dabur India saw a 6.5% profit growth. Aditya Birla Capital, Hyundai Motor India,
Union Bank of India (Union Bank) reported a 10% YoY decline in net profit to Rs 4,249 crore for Q2 FY26. The dip was due to reduced recoveries and other income, while provisions declined. Despite beating analyst estimates, the stock closed 3% lower. NII and NIM also decreased, while operating profit fell 16%.
The India vs Australia T20I series in Melbourne ended in a draw due to rain interrupting the second match. Australia won the toss and chose to bowl first on the bowler-friendly pitch at Melbourne Cricket Ground. The upcoming match also has a high chance of rain. The squads for both teams, led by Suryakumar Yadav and Shubman Gill, have been announced.
Indian weddings are expected to bring in Rs 6.5 lakh crore from 46 lakh weddings in the first set of auspicious dates from November 1 to December 14. Delhi alone is estimated to contribute Rs 1.8 lakh crore from 4.8 lakh weddings.
Dabur India reports 6.5% profit growth in Q2 FY26, with a net profit of Rs 444.79 crore. The company also saw a 5.3% revenue growth, reaching Rs 3,191 crore. An interim dividend of Rs 2.75 per equity share has been announced, with a total payout of Rs 487.76 crore. Q2 FY25 saw a net profit of Rs 417.52 crore and revenue of Rs
Shah Rukh Khan celebrated his 60th birthday with a fan Q&A session where he discussed his upcoming movie King, working with daughter Suhana, and his children's projects. He also expressed pride in their work and support for their careers. On his birthday, seven of his iconic films will be re-released in theaters.
These 5 all-weather funds turned market swings into steady 17% annual returns.
Indian Oil is looking to increase its oil supply from the Americas, while Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals is purchasing Abu Dhabi crude to replace Russian oil. Due to US sanctions, many Indian refiners have stopped buying Russian oil and are turning to the spot market for alternatives. Indian Oil has put out bids for 24 million barrels of oil
Sriram Raghavan’s upcoming film Ikkis features Agastya Nanda as Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, a decorated Indian Army officer and Param Vir Chakra awardee who displayed extraordinary courage during the 1971 Indo-Pak War. The film chronicles his bravery, sacrifice, and the legacy that made him one of India’s most revered war heroes.
Delhi police reveals that the 2020 riots were a pre-planned conspiracy to create an armed rebellion and draw international attention during US President Trump's visit. The main accused, Sharjeel Imam and Umar Khalid, aimed to destabilize the government and portray the CAA as a pogrom against the Muslim community in India.
Hyundai Motor India reported a 14.3% YoY profit growth in Q2 FY26 with a consolidated PAT of Rs 1,572 crore. The company's revenue from operations also increased marginally by 1.1% YoY to Rs 17,460 crore. EBITDA and EBITDA margin also improved by 10% and 113 basis points respectively. Domestic sales declined by 6.8%, but exports grew by 21% in the quarter.
BSNL, a state-owned telecom firm, has achieved 93% of its target revenue for the September quarter, earning Rs 5,347 crore. The company's revenue for the first half of the current fiscal year stands at Rs 11,134 crore. Union Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has set a target of 20% revenue growth for the full fiscal year.
US Vice President JD Vance is facing scrutiny over his and his interfaith family's religion, a trend that has also affected other officials like Kash Patel and Tulsi Gabbard. During a Turning Point USA event, Vance defended his intercultural marriage and immigration policies, revealing that his wife Usha Vance grew up in a Hindu family.
Enrique Iglesias' highly anticipated return to India after 10 years attracted a crowd of 25,000 fans, but left many disappointed due to his reputation for poor live performances. Attendees, including Bollywood actors, expressed disappointment over the high ticket prices and lip-syncing, with some even praising the opening act. Despite mixed reviews, some fans appreciated Iglesias' energy on stage.
Ramayana, an upcoming Bollywood project, has sparked interest and controversy due to its adaptation of the ancient epic for a modern audience. Screenwriter and director Nitesh Tiwari consulted priests to ensure the script stays true to the original story while appealing to all ages. With a star-studded cast and a budget of Rs. 600 crores, the film is highly anticipate
Kristen Bell's popular show "Nobody Wants This" returns for season 2, with her playing the fearless Joanne. Off-screen, she is happily married to Dax Shepherd and they have two kids. Their $4 million LA home, designed by Amber Interiors, boasts an open-plan living room, playhouse, and backyard with a pool and trampoline. The couple loves spending time with their children.
MP Shashi Tharoor is known for his impressive vocabulary, which has become a popular subject of memes. Recently, during an episode of fashion Shark Tank, Karan Johar compared a contestant to Tharoor, which was received with laughter. Tharoor responded with a tongue-in-cheek comment on social media, garnering mixed reactions from netizens. While some found it humorous, others criticized Tharoor.
Prashant Kishor, founder of Jan Suraaj, denies receiving Rs 11 crore for just two hours of advice from a company. He clarifies that the amount was an advance payment for future services and that the media has manipulated his statement. Kishor also mentions paying taxes and donating the money to his party.
Cipla, a leading pharmaceutical company, reported a 3.73% increase in net profit for Q2FY26, reaching a record high of Rs 1,351.17 crore. Revenue from product sales also saw a significant rise of 6.98% YoY. The company's EBITDA margin remained stable at 25%.
US private equity firm General Atlantic has invested $600 million in PhonePe, increasing its stake to 9%. This brings their total investment in the fintech company to $1.15 billion. The funding will help PhonePe employees with their ESOP tax obligations. PhonePe has filed for a confidential DRHP and is expected to raise Rs 12,000 crore in its upcoming IPO
Adani Power, a subsidiary of the Adani Group, reported an 11.8% decline in YoY profit in Q2 FY26, with consolidated net profit at Rs 2,906.46 crore. Revenue saw a marginal growth of 0.88%, standing at Rs 13,456.84 crore. EBITDA remained flat at Rs 6,001.24 crore. The company attributed the subdued demand to early monsoon and weather disruptions, resulting in slower energy