The Union government is considering slashing the GST rate on personal care items to 5%, along with a proposed cut in food and beverage items to nil and 5%. This move is expected to give a boost to consumption, with oral care, skin care, and hair care products likely to see a reduction from 18% to 5%. The proposed changes are expected to benefit both consumers and the FMCG industry.
Sandeep Yadav, head of fixed income at DSP Mutual Fund, predicts that the Reserve Bank of India's accommodative stance, potential trade deal with the US, and reduced fiscal concerns will lead to a decrease in government bond yields. He advises investors to consider gilt funds to benefit from this trend.
The recent GST rate cut has led to an increase in auto sales, which in turn is expected to boost motor and health insurance premiums. The Managing Director of Cholamandalam MS General Insurance predicts a rise in premiums due to higher vehicle sales. However, the industry still faces challenges, such as the high number of uninsured vehicles.
Eli Lilly and Cipla have partnered to bring tirzepatide, a weight-loss drug, to India under the brand name Yurpeak. The drug will be available in a convenient once-weekly pre-filled injector pen with various dose options. This collaboration aims to improve access to the drug and combat the rising rates of type 2 diabetes and obesity in India.
Indian refiners, led by Reliance Industries, will decrease imports of Russian oil due to US sanctions on state-run oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil. RIL, the biggest buyer of Russian crude in India, will have to stop importing under its long-term deal. Other private sector buyers, like Nayara Energy, will also have to adjust their purchases.
OpenAI has rolled out a new internet browser called Atlas that integrates directly with ChatGPT. Browsers have always been silent enablers — the pipes through which we reach the internet.
A video exposed a daring theft at the Louvre Museum's Apollo Gallery, where two thieves used a ladder and a delivery basket to steal 88 million euros worth of jewellery. The thieves were calm and had an accomplice waiting at the bottom of the ladder. The museum's director has resigned, admitting to a security flaw that aided the thieves in avoiding detection.
Even as the government’s proposal to mandate labelling of AI-generated content has drawn broad approval for its intent, analysts are not sure whether such a system can truly be foolproof.
Hindustan Unilever (HUL), the country's largest consumer goods company, under the leadership of CEO & MD Priya Nair, will focus on four key areas to drive its next phase of growth. These include consumer cohorts, modernizing brands, transforming marketing and sales, and investing in future channels.
Benchmark equity indices, including Sensex and Nifty, closed higher for the sixth consecutive session after giving up early gains due to profit booking. The optimism over a potential trade deal with the US and improved sentiment towards IT stocks, following President Trump's softer stance on H1B visas, boosted the market.
Hindustan Unilever (HUL) reported a 3% rise in standalone net profit for the second quarter, with revenue remaining flat due to GST rate changes and rainfall disruptions. On a consolidated basis, net profit rose 4% and revenue grew 2%. The company's underlying sales and volume growth were at 2%, with Ebitda margins narrowing.
Hero MotoCorp has made its debut in the UK market by teaming up with MotoGB and introducing the Hunk 440 motorcycle for £3,499. The bike boasts a powerful engine, dependable performance, and sleek design, along with advanced features like dual-channel ABS and all-LED lighting.
Colgate-Palmolive (India) reported a 17% decline in net profit for the September quarter due to GST-led disruptions. Revenue also saw a 6.3% decrease. The company's performance was below expectations, with a decline in both topline and bottomline. Despite this, investors remained optimistic and the company declared an interim dividend for 2025-26.
India's payment landscape is evolving, with a surge in digital transactions across all sectors. The Reserve Bank of India's latest report shows a considerable increase in debit and credit card usage, PoS terminal transactions, and QR code-based payments. This shift is fueled by a decrease in paper-based methods like cheques, pointing towards a move towards a cashless economy.
The 2025 Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards celebrated 31 outstanding individuals and teams in entertainment. Hosted by Kim Min Kyu and Park Sun Young, the event featured a performance by BEBE. Industry veteran Kim Hae Sook received the top honor, while late comedian Jeon Yoo Sung was remembered. K-pop star G-Dragon also made history as the youngest recipient of the Jewel Order.
Maruti Suzuki's market share has reached a record low of 38.8% in H1FY26, despite releasing new models. Entry-level car sales have declined as customers turn to the pre-owned car market due to increased costs. However, the company's market share may improve with the introduction of the first electric SUV and the recent GST reduction on small cars.
Despite excess monsoon rainfall causing damage to standing crops in key kharif crop-growing states, the overall impact on the country's crop output is predicted to be minimal. Crisil forecasts a successful harvest if there are no adverse weather events and a healthy upcoming rabi season.
L&T, a leading engineering and construction company, is redirecting its attention to hydrocarbon, renewable energy, and power transmission in the energy sector following the sale of non-core assets.
The Indian government has taken action after the deaths of 25 children due to contaminated cough syrup. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation has upgraded its online portal to monitor the supply chain and high-risk solvents used in manufacturing. Manufacturers must now register and submit data on each batch of solvents sold.
The Kia Syros and Skoda Kylaq were highly anticipated and received 40,000 bookings. However, the Skoda Kylaq has maintained steady sales while the Syros has seen a decline due to Kia's pricing strategy. Skoda's balanced pricing has led customers towards its competitor, the Sonet. U
The Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) has only been chosen by 4% of central government employees, possibly due to lack of awareness and resistance from certain staff. While UPS offers guaranteed pension and payouts to spouses, the obligation to invest in annuities has deterred some employees. The government is looking into providing additional retirement benefits to make UPS more appealing.
The Indian government is speeding up its National Data Centre Policy to meet the rising need for digital and AI computing power. The policy aims to simplify regulations and improve coordination between ministries to encourage private investments in data centres.
The wealth management industry in India is rapidly growing, with a projected size of $2.6 trillion. This has led to a high demand for experienced relationship managers, causing firms like InCred Group, 360One, and ASK Wealth to hire hundreds of RMs.
The government's food subsidy budget for FY26 is projected to increase by 10-15% due to rising grain stocks and the costs of distributing free grains to 810 million people under the PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana. The FCI has revised its projected expenditure to Rs 1.7 lakh crore for 2025-26 and has received Rs 75,921 crore from the finance ministry.
The government will launch a credit guarantee scheme for MSMEs in the next quarter to assist them in dealing with US tariffs and other challenges. The scheme will cover 100% of loans given by lenders, excluding deliberate defaulters. The ECLGS has been successful in improving asset quality and reducing loan defaults. The formalization of MSMEs has also aided banks in accessing reliable data.
Rural India's spending power has significantly increased in the past decade, surpassing the urban segment. The Monthly per capita expenditure (MPCE) in rural areas has tripled, indicating a shift towards more aspirational consumption. The gap between rural and urban spending has also narrowed, with a decrease in the share of food expenses for both sectors.
The Kerala government has launched 'Vision 2031' to transform the state into a major industrial hub and top investment spot. Structural reforms, industrial corridors, and innovation hubs will be set up to boost the secondary sector.
RBL Bank is in discussions with Zerodha to provide bank accounts for its 160 million broking customers, potentially unlocking Rs 40,000 crore in deposits and increasing the bank's CASA ratio. This would also mark RBL's foray into the broking and asset management sector after being acquired by Emirates NBD.
The "six seven" meme, popularized on TikTok through the song "Doot Doot" by rapper Skrilla, has caused confusion among parents and teachers. Considered "brain-rot" content, it holds no meaning to Generation Alpha and has been banned in several classrooms. Although not inappropriate, it is causing disruptions and is expected to eventually fade away.
Chhath Puja is a four-day festival in Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern Uttar Pradesh, dedicated to Lord Surya and Chhathi Maiyya. It involves fasting and praying for family well-being, with the main focus on offering Arghya to the Sun. The festival also includes cultural activities and expressing gratitude for blessings like sunlight, food, and water.
Crisil report predicts modest 5-6% revenue growth for India Inc in Q2 FY26, with power, coal, IT services, and steel sectors underperforming. Geopolitical uncertainties impact IT services, while steel prices decline affects steel sector's revenue. Pharmaceutical and telecom services sectors see growth, but overall operating profit margins compressed by up to 0.60%
The Defence Acquisition Council has approved military procurements worth Rs 79,000 crore for the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. These include new missile systems, intelligence and logistics systems, warfighting and support systems, and a long-range strike system. The new procurements will enhance operational capabilities, strengthen surveillance and logistics, and enable joint missions.
UPI has emerged as the most popular retail fast payment system in India, with a significant increase in transaction volumes and values over the years. It accounted for 84.8% of total payment transactions in the first half of 2025. While RTGS still has the highest transaction value, UPI is preferred for its ease of use and availability.
Colgate-Palmolive India reported a 6.3% year-on-year drop in sales to Rs 1,507.24 crore in Q2 FY26, impacted by GST-led disruptions and a high base from last year’s strong growth. The company declared its first interim dividend of Rs 24 per share, amounting to Rs 652.8 crore, payable from November 19. CEO Prabha Narasimhan said the GST rate cut from 18% to 5% caused temporary distribution disruptions but will benefit consumers in the long run.
Five small-cap mutual funds Quant, Nippon, Tata, Bandhan, and Invesco have delivered 30%+ annualised returns over five years, beating benchmarks. With consistent performance and low expense ratios, they rank among the best small-cap mutual funds in India for 2025, offering high long-term growth potential.
Taapsee Pannu gave an exclusive interview to Hindustan Times where she shared details about her century-old home in Denmark. She and her husband, Mathias Boe, are currently restoring the historical property and have incorporated Indian traditions, such as living with elderly parents, into their Danish household. The home is filled with vintage furniture and decorations.
Amit Shah inaugurated new residential quarters for Gujarat MLAs, costing Rs 325 crore, and laid the foundation stone for a road project in Ahmedabad. The complex has 216 apartments with modern amenities, and the road project will improve connectivity to industrial centres. With 182 MLAs still living in the facility, it will provide better accommodation for the state's lawmakers.
Despite government efforts to boost domestic coal production, Coal India's subsidiary SECL is experiencing delays in 12 projects due to environmental clearances and land possession problems. However, 18 projects are progressing as planned. The company's report shows a wide range of project costs and a total of 73 approved projects with a sanctioned capital of Rs 44,571 crore.
Mira Kapoor's post on questioning the tradition of bursting crackers on Diwali sparked a debate on social media. While some praised her for speaking out, others called for a complete ban. Netizens also pointed out the hypocrisy of celebrities who own luxury cars and participate in firecracker events. Mira emphasized the need to stop normalizing this tradition.
SpiceJet flight bound for Patna returned to Delhi due to technical glitch, crew noticed issue mid-air. Alternate flight arranged, landed safely. In a separate incident, SpiceJet flight from Kandla to Mumbai landed safely after losing outer wheel. No injuries reported. SpiceJet reports net loss in Q1 FY26. Details of passengers not disclosed.
Indian-origin US assemblyman Zohran Mamdani has once again become the target of criticism for eating with his bare hands, this time for a picture of him enjoying biryani. The months-old video of him eating biryani with his hands resurfaced, sparking a debate on cultural differences and racism. While some defended Mamdani, others called it "barbaric" and "gross."
Jefferies reaffirmed its Buy rating on Sunteck Realty, setting a target price of Rs 575, implying up to 34% upside. The brokerage said the real estate stock continues to post strong pre-sales growth, rising collections, and expanding luxury projects in Mumbai, making it one of the best real estate stocks to buy in 2025.
Virat Kohli's consecutive duck in the second ODI against Australia has caused a stir among fans, with some speculating about his future in the game. While some believe he should retire now, others are defending him against critics. A few even said that it was his "final goodbye" to the game.
Over 60 people, mostly children aged 8-14, hospitalized in Bhopal due to injuries from calcium carbide guns used during Diwali. Some have lost eyesight and suffered burns. Families demand a ban and compensation. Administration taking action against manufacturers and sellers.
BEL, a leading defence company, has secured a Rs 633 crore order from Cochin Shipyard for supplying various items. This follows a series of major orders worth Rs 592 crore received in October. The company will also lead the Rs 30,000 crore QRSAM project for the Indian Army. With promising future orders and export prospects, all eyes are on BEL's Q2 FY26 results.
Janhvi Kapoor, in a chat with Kajol and Twinkle, discussed her approach to cosmetic procedures and the importance of being transparent but not promoting unrealistic beauty standards. She cautioned young girls against chasing perfection and emphasized the need for proper guidance and caution when considering such procedures.
Shobha De, in a recent appearance on Barkha Dutt's podcast, revealed shocking details about Shilpa Shetty's restaurant brand Bastian. The Dadar outlet, called Bastian - At The Top, reportedly earns Rs 2-3 crores every night, with high-end cars and expensive tequila bottles being a common sight.
Tata Trusts' long-standing differences seem to be easing as trustees show signs of reconciliation. Mehli Mistry responded positively to Venu Srinivasan's mail, stating that the dispute was about transparency. However, Mistry has given a conditional approval for Srinivasan's reappointment and calls for unanimous approval for all future trustee renewals.
Vikram Solar, a top solar module manufacturer, secures a 148.9 MW order from Sunsure Energy for their advanced M10R N-Type TOPCon modules with a power rating of 595 Wp. The modules will be used in projects in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. This is one of the many recent orders for Vikram Solar, who is also increasing their production capacity to meet growing demand.
Tom Homan, the US President's 'border czar', announced plans to deport over 600,000 illegal immigrants by the end of the year. He warned all those in the country illegally that they will be arrested if found. The majority of those arrested by ICE are criminals, while others are national security threats.