NPCI's subsidiary NBSL will introduce new financial services on BHIM, starting with credit cards. Lalitha Nataraj, MD and CEO of NBSL, announced this and also launched a new feature for UPI payments. Nataraj said they will distribute credit cards with partner banks and expand to other financial products in the future.
Golden passports and visas are popular options for wealthy individuals seeking residency or citizenship in another country through investment. While visas offer temporary residency and the chance for permanent residency, passports offer instant citizenship and all its perks.
UPI recorded a transaction volume of 20.47 billion and a value of Rs 26.32 lakh crore in November, with a 32% Y-o-Y growth. The average daily transaction count increased to 682 million, while the transaction amount dropped to Rs 87,721 crore. FASTag transaction volume rose to 369 million, IMPS volumes declined, and AePS transactions fell.
LIC's investments in Adani Group companies have seen a significant rise, with Rs 38,659 crore in equity and Rs 9,626 crore in debt as of September 2025. These include investments in Adani Total Gas, Adani Enterprises, and Adani Ports. The finance ministry stated that LIC made these investments autonomously, following thorough risk assessment.
Coal stocks at thermal power plants increased by 34% due to above-normal rains and lower electricity demand. Only 13 out of 188 plants reported critical stock levels, with 5 being domestic coal-based. Peak power demand in India reached 241 GW and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7% in the next five years. 25.7 GW of gross power generation capacity was added in the first seven months.
The PNGRB's efforts to liberalize the natural gas market have been praised by experts, but the success of these reforms will rely on cost competitiveness and a strong pipeline network. Structural reforms, such as market-driven pricing and open access, have been recommended by a high-level expert committee to create a competitive domestic gas market.
The Central government has requested Parliament's approval for additional spending of Rs 1.32 lakh crore for the current fiscal year. The majority of this amount will be funded through savings and higher receipts within ministries, with a significant portion going towards fertiliser subsidies and oil marketing company compensation.
Maharashtra to hold local body elections on December 2 in 242 municipal councils and 46 nagar panchayats. 20 local bodies postponed to December 20 due to court cases. Results on December 3, with postponed areas on December 21. Check results on State Election Commission's websites. First major election since 2024 assembly polls, testing BJP-led government.
Delhi Municipal Corporation bypolls witness low voter turnout of 31.3%. Triangular contest between BJP, AAP, and Congress. First test for ruling party after landslide victory in Assembly elections. BJP fielded 8 women candidates, AAP 6, and Congress 5. Highest turnout in Chandni Mahal at 41.95%, lowest in Greater Kailash at 20.87%. Results to be declared on December 3 on ceodelhi.gov.in. 51
The government has requested Parliament's approval for a net additional spending of Rs 41,455 crore in the current fiscal. This includes Rs 27,000 crore for fertiliser and petroleum subsidies. The Supplementary Demands for Grants for 2025-26 also seek approval for a gross additional expenditure of Rs 1.32 lakh crore.
The pandemic has caused a rise in preventive healthcare awareness, leading to a demand for nutraceuticals and a growth in startups in the industry. Daily supplement consumption has increased, resulting in significant investments from venture capitalists. Startups have raised $180.3 million in under three years.
In Q2 FY26, the average CASA position for 29 PSU and private sector banks decreased to 36.38% due to high term deposit rates. This was caused by a shift towards fixed deposits and alternative investments by households and corporates. However, with a decline in term deposit rates, there has been a rise in CASA growth.
India's October IIP data grew 0.4% year-on-year, with manufacturing showing a 1.8% increase while mining and electricity saw a decline. The overall index stood at 150.9, with manufacturing, mining, and electricity sectors at 151.1, 126.2, and 193.4 respectively. The release noted lower demand and extended rainfall season as factors affecting electricity generation.
India's November GST collection saw a slower growth of 0.7%, with domestic revenues declining by 2.3%. This is due to the rationalization of GST rates for 375 items. However, import of goods showed a growth of 10.2%. October saw higher collections compared to previous months.
JYP Entertainment, a leading K-pop company, is planning to expand into India to capitalize on the country's increasing interest in K-pop. This move follows similar actions by HYBE and G-Dragon's company. India has shown a strong affinity for K-pop, as evidenced by surveys and the success of the recent K-Town Festival.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu, 38, and Raj Nidimoru, 50, got married in a private ceremony at Linga Bhairavi Temple in Coimbatore. The couple, who met on the set of The Family Man Season 2, had been dating since February. Nidimoru, a former software engineer, is now a successful filmmaker in partnership with Raj. The duo has made a name for themselves in the film industry.
A woman was fired via WhatsApp message without any explanation after she informed her employer about her pregnancy and intention to resign if maternity leave was not provided. The company terminated her with immediate effect without any explanation or severance pay.
India's manufacturing PMI fell to 56.6 in November, indicating a slower improvement in operating conditions since February. Output and new order growth also slowed to a 9-month low, with tough market conditions, project delays, and competition cited as contributing factors. Export sales continued to grow but at a softer pace, with the weakest export order growth in over a year.
RBI's monetary policy committee to meet from December 3-5 to discuss policy outcome, considering strong growth and record-low inflation. Benchmark rate lowered by 100 basis points in first half of 2025, held steady since August to assess impact. Experts suggest potential for rate cuts, but growth and inflation may restrict possibility.
Actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu surprised fans by getting married to filmmaker Raj Nidimoru in a private ceremony at the Ling Bhairavi Temple in Coimbatore. The couple's high-profile relationship and the hush-hush nature of the wedding has caused a stir on social media.
Morrow County in Oregon is known for its large farms and food processing units. But over the last decade, it has also become home to several Amazon data centres. According to a report by Rolling Stone, experts and local residents now believe that a mix of farming waste and the heavy water usage of these data centres is pushing nitrate levels in drinking water to unsafe levels.
Elon Musk, the world's richest man, recently appeared on a podcast hosted by Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath. He opened up about his personal life, including his strong ties to India. His partner, Shivon Zilis, has Indian roots and is the Director of Operations at NeuraLink, a company owned by Musk. Zilis, a Yale graduate with a tech and finance background, met Musk while working for OpenAI.
The 2025 APAN Star Awards nominees have been announced, raising the stakes for an all-out competition in the Korean drama industry. The ceremony will feature big names such as Park Bo Gum, Lee Junho, and IU, among others. The top excellence awards for mid-length and long-form dramas have also been revealed, with Park Bo Young, Ahn Jae Wook, and Uhm Ji Won among the nominees.
December brings a star-studded line-up of films, with Ranveer Singh's Dhurandhar kicking off the year-end-release season. Directed by Aditya Dhar, the movie marks Ranveer's comeback after two years and has a run-time of 3 hours 32 minutes. However, it may face a roadblock as the parents of Major Mohit Sharma have sought a stay on its release, claiming it is based on their son's life.
Aviation turbine fuel (ATF) will cost more starting December, as oil marketing companies have announced another round of price increases, according to information updated on the Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. website. This is the third month in a row that ATF rates have gone up, and the latest hike comes at a time when airlines are already facing high operating costs.
Motilal Oswal has identified three stocks, GAIL, Privi Speciality Chemicals, and Global Health, with high potential for returns. GAIL is expected to see a 25% increase due to rising gas demand and improved profitability. Privi Speciality Chemicals has the potential for 30% growth through capacity expansion and diversification.
Influencer 'Bikergirl' Karen Sofia Quiroz Ramirez tragically died in a road accident in Colombia. The 25-year-old had a large following on Instagram and had predicted her own death before losing control of her motorcycle and being hit by two trucks. An investigation is ongoing.
Aanand L Rai's latest romantic drama Tere Ishk Mein, starring Dhanush and Kriti Sanon, has made a strong Box Office debut, earning Rs 51.75 crores in the first three days of release. The movie, hailed as a spiritual sequel to Raanjhanaa, follows the love story of Shankar and Mukti in Benaras.
Some of the highest starting salaries in the US today are actually at sea. Fresh graduates from America’s maritime academies can earn over $200,000 a year as commercial sailors. They get free food, private rooms, and a chance to travel the world. Their workdays come with ocean views, and nights often mean clear skies filled with stars.
Madhu Purnima Kishwar, in a social media post, detailed her disturbing encounter with an Uber driver who exhibited an unsettling behaviour. She called for the company to address the driver's mental health and improve safety measures for passengers. The driver allegedly yelled at her and drove away with her suitcase, only to return later after the security guard at the main gate didn't let him go.
Cuban national Yordanis Cobos-Martinez, accused of beheading his Indian-American boss in Dallas, Texas, will not face the death penalty. A decision will be made by January 8. The defence plans to investigate Cobos-Martinez's background, possibly involving trips to Cuba and California, paid for by Dallas County taxpayers.
Three mainboard IPOs are opening this week, with Meesho, Aequs, and Vidya Wires aiming to raise a total of Rs 6,000 crore. These companies represent different industries, including ecommerce, aerospace, and electrical components. The grey market is showing strong interest in all three IPOs, with Meesho being quoted at a 38% premium, Aequs at 35%, and Vidya Wires at 19%.
Godrej Properties, a real estate developer, has won the bid for a five-acre land parcel in Neopolis, Kokapet, Hyderabad. The proposed residential development is expected to generate revenue of Rs 4,150 crore and offer 2.5 million sq ft of saleable area. This is the second major land acquisition by the company in Hyderabad, with the first being in Kukatpally for Rs 550 crore.
SWREL has secured a five-year contract worth Rs 1,381 crore from Adani Green Energy, making it their biggest domestic EPC win this fiscal. The deal includes a BOS package for three solar power projects in Gujarat. This brings SWREL's total order inflows for the current fiscal to over Rs 6,450 crore, and they are already working on 6 GW projects in the Khavda region.
Delta flight 5087, operated by Endeavor Air, faced a scary landing snag at an Iowa airport due to icy conditions during a snowstorm. Luckily, all 54 passengers and four crew members were unharmed. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating, and the airport was shut down temporarily. The incident occurred during the busy Thanksgiving travel season.
Indian stock market starts December 2025 at record high with Sensex and Nifty showing an uptick. Top gainers in early trade include Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, Adani Ports, L&T, and Sun Pharma. Key losers are ITC, Titan, TCS, and Asian Paints. Auto sales, reshuffles, and corporate actions to guide stock-specific action.
A 46-year-old assistant teacher in Uttar Pradesh, BLO Sarvesh Singh, died by suicide due to work pressure from election-related duties. He left behind a note citing his inability to cope with the workload and lack of time. His wife blames the lack of training and support, and videos of him crying for his children have gone viral. This is the seventh BLO death in the state since the SIR.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Sunday that talks with Ukraine about ending the Russia-Ukraine war were productive, but “more work remains to be done,” Reuters reported.
Nagaland officials express anger as American evangelist Rev. Franklin Graham is denied Indian visa, preventing him from attending a major event in the state. He was slated to be a chief guest at a religious gathering and the Hornbill Festival. This decision has sparked controversy and raised questions about the government's intentions, bringing attention to religious tensions in India.
7Wakefit Innovations, a well-known home and furnishings brand, is going public with its IPO on December 8. The company aims to raise Rs 377 crore through a fresh issue of shares and an Offer for Sale. The IPO will be open from December 8 to 10, with allotment on December 11 and listing on December 15. The funds will be utilized for expansion.
The Rajasthan government faced criticism for its decision to observe December 6 as "Shaurya Diwas" to remember the demolition of Babri Masjid, but the order was revoked within 12 hours. The directive included activities promoting patriotism and nationalism, as well as exhibitions on the Ram Temple and Ram Janmabhoomi movements.
Today's market buzz is shaped by a new round of corporate announcements, including index reshuffles, quarterly earnings, penalties, fundraises, and project acquisitions. The Indian markets closed quietly on November 28, with the Nifty and Sensex slipping slightly. Key stocks to watch today include automakers, Lenskart, HDFC Bank, Tejas Networks, Groww, JK Tyre, and more.
India is reportedly preparing to open talks with Russia on buying new fighter jets and an upgraded missile defence system when President Vladimir Putin visits this week, according to Bloomberg.
VinFast, a Vietnamese EV maker, will release the Limo Green, a seven-seater MPV, in India in 2022, followed by a new EV every six months. The Limo Green will be their third car in India and will rival the Kia Carens Clavis EV and BYD eMax 7. VinFast's plan focuses on localisation and they have invested in an EV manufacturing facility in Tamil.
The 2025 MAMA Awards took place in Hong Kong's Kai Tak Stadium despite a recent tragedy, with adjustments made to the event. The hosts paid tribute to the victims and many stars cancelled appearances. Winners included G-Dragon, Stray Kids, BLACKPINK's Rose, and SEVENTEEN, while KPop Demon Hunters received the Inspiring Achievement award.
Blaupunkt's Xceed SBW600 Emperor is a top-performing soundbar that offers an immersive and dynamic soundstage for TV viewing. With 17 Neodymium speaker drivers, 12.1.4-channel Dolby Atmos, and an 8-inch wireless subwoofer, this soundbar produces crisp, clear, and powerful audio with deep bass and impressive surround sound.
The Noise Endeavour Pro and Fastrack MYND are two smartwatches with advanced features and great value. The Endeavour Pro is rugged and military-grade, with dual-band GPS and water resistance. The MYND has an AI-powered curved display and advanced health tracking. Both watches are user-friendly and perfect for fitness and outdoor activities.
India's Home Rent Rules 2025 are bringing significant changes for landlords, including capping security deposits at two months' rent, mandatory digital registration, and limits on rent hikes and inspections. Non-compliance can result in penalties and fraud risks. Landlords also benefit from expedited evictions and must ensure a written tenancy agreement is registered within 60 days.
Switzerland has rejected a proposed 50% tax on inherited fortunes of 50 million Swiss francs or more, despite its aim to fund climate change projects. The tax was expected to fail due to widespread opposition and concerns from the government and financial advisors about its potential negative impact on the country's ultra-wealthy and economy.
Indian airlines have completed software upgrades on all active Airbus A320 aircraft after Airbus warned of potential data corruption from solar radiation. IndiGo, Air India, and Air India Express upgraded 323 operational aircraft, with only four remaining in maintenance. EASA's directive affected 338 Indian aircraft, but Akasa Air and SpiceJet were unaffected.
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a suspect in the National Guard shooting, was radicalized in the US through connections in his home community and state. He entered the US under a resettlement program for Afghan evacuees in 2021 and served alongside US troops in Afghanistan. One victim has died and Lakanwal will be charged with first-degree murder.