Bessemer Venture Partners has launched a $350 million fund dedicated to investing in early-stage startups in India, with a focus on AI, SaaS, fintech, digital health, consumer brands and cybersecurity. Partners Vishal Gupta and Anant Vidur Puri will lead the investment strategy. The firm has a track record of backing 80 startups in India and plans to deploy the fund soon.
IndiGo, India’s largest airline and most-travelled low-cost carrier, is struggling to cope with the new flight duty rules. Over the past few days, hundreds of flights have been delayed or cancelled. On Wednesday alone, about 200 flights were cancelled. The numbers crossed the 300 mark on Thursday and are still rising.
Over 17 lakh deceased voters and 6 lakh missing voters have been found in the electoral rolls of Gujarat during the ongoing SIR drive. Additionally, 30 lakh permanent migrants and 3.25 lakh "repeated" voters have been identified. These discrepancies highlight the administrative difficulties faced in the SIR process. The death of a Booth Level Officer has further complicated the situation.
The 2025 Melon Music Awards nominees have been revealed, featuring both K-pop and American pop artists. The Top 10 winners have been announced, with the final Grand Prize winner to be chosen from this list. Ed Sheeran, Lady Gaga, and Justin Bieber are nominated for Best Pop Artist. Stay tuned for updates on this highly anticipated event.
Enforcement Directorate attaches assets worth Rs 1,120 crore in alleged money laundering probe against Anil Ambani's Reliance Group companies. Properties, bank balances, and shareholdings of the group have been provisionally attached under PMLA. The ED alleges large-scale diversion of public money through mutual fund investments and Yes Bank lending.
18-year-old Arvid Lindblad, a British-Swedish driver of Indian descent, has joined Red Bull's Racing Bulls squad, making him one of the youngest drivers in Formula 1. With a successful karting career starting at age five and multiple championship wins, Lindblad has impressed F1 officials with his maturity and talent.
India and Russia's 23rd annual summit will witness major announcements and partnerships. Russian investors can now invest in Indian stock market through First India mutual fund, based on Nifty50 Index. The Index has shown a 2.3% return in the past month and a 5.65% surge in the past year. NSE and Sberbank are focused on improving their collaboration.
Finance author Robert Kiyosaki has posted a new warning about a global recession he believes will begin in 2026. In a long message shared on X, the Rich Dad Poor Dad author said recent job losses are an early sign of what’s coming, and urged people to start preparing now.
FM Sitharaman to present a new bill to increase funds for national security and public health. The bill includes a 40% cess on pan masala and will be presented in the upcoming Winter Session. Parliament has also approved a bill to increase duties on cigarettes, with the revenue to be shared with states.
"Dhurandhar, the highly anticipated spy thriller directed by Aditya Dhar and starring Ranveer Singh, has been receiving rave reviews from early viewers. With a gripping storyline, intense action sequences, and stellar performances from the ensemble cast, including Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, R Madhavan, and Arjun Rampal, the film is being hailed as one of the best Bollywood movies of the year.
A video from Las Vegas showing a woman arguing with an Uber driver has gone viral on social media. The argument appeared to have started when the driver claimed the passenger had been at the wrong pickup point for 10 minutes, which caused a delay.
Rahul Gandhi blames the Indian government's monopoly model for the widespread cancellations of IndiGo flights, causing chaos and inconvenience for passengers. The airline is facing multiple problems, including crew shortage and technical issues, resulting in a significant decrease in operations. Gandhi stresses the importance of fair competition in all industries.
IndiGo's mass cancellation of flights has led to chaos with over 400 flights cancelled on Friday and a record-breaking 550 on Thursday. The airline plans to resume normal operations by February 10, 2026, but cancellations continue to rise, causing delays and frustration for passengers across multiple cities in India.
Dozens of delivery riders from India, China, and Bangladesh were arrested in a week-long operation by the UK's Immigration Enforcement teams. The crackdown, called "Operation Equalize," aims to reduce illegal migration and is supported by the government and delivery companies. The workers are facing deportation for working illegally in various sectors.
HSSC has announced the CET 2025 Group C exam results, with 13 lakh candidates taking the July exams. The official website displays scorecards with important details like total marks, category-wise cut-off, and roll number. Shortlisted candidates will move on to post-specific assessments and document verification.
Indian equity indices open lower, Nifty 50 and Sensex down by 0.12% and 0.16% respectively. Bank Nifty also opens lower. Market focus on monetary policy and governor's comments on emerging macro trends. Rate cut, if any, will be the last in this cycle and may impact banks negatively. Early gainers include Eternal, Shriram Finance, Wipro, Infosys, and SBI Life Insurance.
Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to India includes ceremonial engagements, defence talks, and summit-level discussions focused on trade and energy ties. The visit began with a private dinner hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and will continue with a reception, official talks, and a joint press statement.
UK universities are under scrutiny for recruiting students from Pakistan and Bangladesh, as the government is cracking down on immigration. Many universities have stopped accepting students from these countries until 2026 and are being pressured to keep visa rejection rates below 5%. This could have a negative impact on their finances, as international students are a key source of revenue.
Russian President Vladimir Putin was full of praise for Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a sit-down interview with India Today ahead of his India visit. While speaking about India’s economic, defence and manufacturing growth, Putin described PM Modi as a reliable leader deeply committed to the country.
Russian President Vladimir Putin landed in New Delhi on Thursday evening for a two-day visit to India. His jet landed at Delhi’s Palam airport, where Prime Minister Modi personally received him. Putin then travelled in a white Toyota Fortuner to PM Modi’s official residence at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, ditching his armoured Aurus Senat.
The New York Times is taking legal action against the Pentagon's new rules that limit reporters' ability to publish information without approval. The policy, implemented by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, is being challenged by the Times and other news outlets as unconstitutional. The lawsuit aims to protect the press's right to gather and report information.
Pantone's Colour of the Year 2026 is Cloud Dancer, a soft and warm white symbolizing calm and cleanliness. It reflects the current trend of quiet reflection and is not tied to a specific trend or aesthetic. This choice reflects global trends in society, technology, and culture, highlighting the value of simplicity. It is the first time in 25 years that Pantone has chosen a color adjacent to white.
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, said that Russia has always been India’s “Sukh dukh ka saathi” (companion in both good and bad times) at the India-Russia Business Forum held in New Delhi on Thursday, ANI reported. The keynote speaker at the event was Maxim Oreshkin, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office of Russia.
Key companies across various industries, including IT, energy, chemicals, and infrastructure, made significant announcements on December 4. Updates include new contracts, collaborations, plant operations, and expansions. Companies to watch include HCL Technologies, Tata Power, RailTel, Diamond Power Infrastructure, and more.
Supreme Court orders states to ease work pressure on booth level officers during electoral roll revision, following concerns raised by actor Vijay's party about BLO suicides and FIRs. States directed to provide additional staff and exempt BLOs from duty during the process.
Danny Denzongpa, the famous villain in Hindi cinema, is also a successful businessman. He owns a brewery and a chain of hotels in Sikkim, with a net worth of Rs. 250 crore. His success highlights the importance of looking beyond the surface and recognizing hidden talents.
The Trump administration on Thursday rolled back the work-permit window for asylum-seekers. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is cutting the validity of work permits, known as Employment Authorization Documents (EADs), from five years to 18 months. The change, announced Thursday, will also affect several noncitizens.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday presented Russian President Vladimir Putin with a Russian-language copy of the Bhagavad Gita. PM Modi later shared the moment on X, writing that the Gita’s teachings inspire millions of people around the world.
The parliamentary standing committee on consumer affairs criticized the department for uneven disbursement of funds under the price stabilisation fund. The panel suggested strengthening monitoring systems and conducting periodic reviews to improve the scheme's effectiveness.
Suzlon Energy CEO JP Chalasani plans to build three AI-enabled smart factories in Karnataka and Gujarat, with a third site to be finalized soon. The company will also upgrade all 15 existing factories with digital systems. The new factories are expected to generate 3,000 direct and 12,000 indirect jobs in rural areas.
DGCA reviews operational disruptions at IndiGo, with 170-200 flight cancellations per day due to revised FDTL rules. IndiGo cites transitional challenges, winter season constraints, and FDTL compliance for surge in cancellations.
India's power demand decreased in November due to lower temperatures and a rise in renewable energy generation. However, the country recorded its highest peak power demand since FY16 and electricity prices declined, leading to increased supply liquidity. Despite fluctuations, power demand is expected to rise by 1-3% this fiscal year due to economic growth and rising disposable income.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has instructed IndiGo to address disruptions caused by cancelled flights. IndiGo has admitted to errors in implementing flight duty time limits and plans to stabilize by February 10. The airline will reduce operations and has asked for exemptions to minimize inconvenience while ensuring safety. Progress reports will be submitted every 15 days.
Dream Sports, the parent company of Dream11, has pivoted its flagship brand from a fantasy gaming platform to a second-screen sports entertainment app. This change was prompted by the nationwide ban on real-money gaming, which greatly impacted the company's revenue and profits.
S&P Global Ratings upgraded Reliance Industries' credit rating to 'A-' with a stable outlook, citing its strong market position and healthy earnings. The company's rating is two notches higher than India's sovereign rating, thanks to its robust balance sheet and US dollar revenue. RIL is projected to boost cash flow through its consumer businesses, enhancing its profitability.
JSW Steel has formed a joint venture with JFE Steel for Bhushan Power and Steel, which will improve its margins and financial flexibility. The deconsolidation of BPSL will directly impact its bottom line and improve leverage ratios.
India and Russia have set a goal to boost their bilateral trade to $100 billion by 2030. Currently, the trade is imbalanced, with India exporting only $4.8 billion and importing $63.8 billion. To achieve this, they are aiming to align standards and reduce barriers.
RBI has proposed that credit institutions and credit information companies update their credit reports on a weekly basis to ensure the accuracy of credit information. This is to facilitate faster data submission and error rectification. The submission will only include incremental data and full credit information should be submitted within three days of the next month.
BAT to sell 7-15.3% stake in ITC Hotels via block deals, worth Rs 6,600 crore. BAT CEO says stake not strategic, proceeds to support deleveraging plan. This is the third stake reduction in ITC group companies in two years. ITC has 39.85% stake in ITC Hotels. BAT affiliates to offload shares through bookbuild process.
MeitY exempts film, advertising, and allied creative sectors from 10% labelling rule in draft deepfake regulations after consulting with stakeholders who expressed concerns about its impact on creative freedom and production workflows. Final regulations aim to balance regulation of synthetic content with practicalities of high-end media production.
Indian Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh met with Russian Agriculture Minister Oxana Lut to discuss boosting bilateral trade, addressing market access issues, and promoting collaboration in research and education.
The Year in Search 2025 report showed Indians searched for sports, AI, cinema, travel, and more. Women's cricket and "nano banana" related to AI image generation were top searches. The Maha Kumbh and practical queries like "Earthquake near me" and "Air Quality near me" were also popular. Celebrities like Saif Ali Khan and Dharmendra were among the most searched personalities.
Putin and Modi's collaboration is not targeted at any country, but to protect their own interests. Some are trying to limit India's global influence due to its ties with Russia. Putin praised Modi's leadership and believes India should not be treated as before. He hopes for a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine conflict and discussed trade between India and Russia.
Luxury Time, an SME IPO, plans to raise Rs 18.74 crores through a mix of fresh shares and offer for sale. The IPO price is Rs 78-82 per equity share, and allotment is on December 9 with a listing on December 11. The company relies heavily on a Swiss supplier and the top 10 customers, and the funds will be used for new retail stores.
The Indian rupee reached a new all-time low against the dollar but recovered slightly with RBI's intervention. Kunal Sodhani of Shinhan Bank confirms RBI's support at different levels. IPO inflows may have also contributed to the currency's stability.
Suzlon Energy's group CEO JP Chalasani plans to set up smart factories to boost efficiency and meet the company's target of commissioning 1,500 MW in FY26. Despite competition from solar-plus-BESS, Suzlon remains on track to add 25% of the country's 6GW target.
IndiGo under fire for lack of preparation in implementing new flight duty and rest norms, leading to disruptions and cancellations. Pilot groups urge DGCA to ensure sufficient staff for safe operations. ALPA India raises concerns about management and regulatory oversight. IndiGo pilots reveal crew shortages and long working hours as main causes of disruptions.
Nishant Kumar, MD at GuarantCo and Head of Coverage at PIDG, stresses the importance of credit enhancement in developing India's local debt capital markets. The partnership with NSE aims to create an ecosystem for credit-enhanced bonds to be listed.
IndiGo is struggling with a crisis as they cancel 300 flights due to crew shortage caused by new duty-time rules. This has resulted in a decline in on-time performance and share prices. The CEO is addressing the issue and the DGCA has demanded an explanation while pilots' associations blame the airline's planning for the chaos.
InMobi, an adtech-to-consumer-tech company, has raised $350 million in debt and is buying back a majority of SoftBank's stake, increasing founders' combined holding to over 60%. This will decrease SoftBank's stake to less than 7% and value InMobi at $1 billion.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a proposed Health and National Security Cess that will apply to demerit goods like pan masala. The cess aims to discourage consumption of products with health risks and will be calculated based on production capacity.