As of December 31, 2025, about 2.83 crore units of Rs 2,000 notes are still in circulation in India, worth Rs 5,669 crore. The Reserve Bank of India announced the withdrawal of these notes in 2023 and 98.41% have been returned since then. However, they are still valid and can be exchanged at bank branches or RBI Issue Offices until October 7, 2023. India Post can also be used for
ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund has emerged as a strong contender for the top spot in India's mutual fund industry, closing the gap with leader SBI Mutual Fund. Its growth has been driven by performance, product discipline, and steady execution across categories, making it a genuine competition for the crown.
The Indian government has warned X, owned by Elon Musk, about obscene AI-generated content from its chatbot Grok. This is expected to prompt large technology platforms to comply with India-specific regulations.
Niti Aayog suggests India must cut tariffs, boost two-way trade, and shift production towards high-demand segments like passenger vehicles to strengthen competitiveness and increase automotive exports. India's current export share of just 1.4% in the global market highlights the need for reorienting towards high-demand categories.
RIL's stock and market capitalisation dropped by 4.5% and Rs 1.09 lakh crore respectively due to competition in the retail sector. CLSA removed RIL from its model portfolio and added Eternal and DMart. This decline also impacted the broader market and raised concerns about stress in the organised retail sector.
Reliance Industries' share price dropped by 4% due to reports of receiving Russian oil, but the company clarified that there is no connection between the two. Bloomberg has corrected their earlier report and the company's Q2 FY26 results showed a 9.6% increase in net profit. This led to a market valuation erosion of over Rs 94,000 crore.
NBFCs are expected to show strong growth in Q3 FY26, thanks to GST reforms and festive demand. Analysts predict a 15% year-on-year loan growth and a 3% sequential rise. Retail-focused NBFCs are expected to perform well, while infrastructure NBFCs will report steady results. Large HFCs may face competition from banks, leading to a contraction in NIM.
Mahindra has launched the XUV 3XO EV, priced from Rs 13.89 lakh, directly competing with the Tata Nexon EV. It replaces the slow-selling XUV400 EV and is the new entry point to Mahindra's electric SUV line-up. It has a 39.4 kWh battery, front-mounted electric motor producing 310 Nm of torque and 110 kW of power, and offers fast charging and connected car technology. It also features Level
The merger of DIL and Sapphire Foods will form India's biggest F&B company, with a projected revenue of $1 billion. Brands like KFC, Pizza Hut, and Costa Coffee will be operated under one platform. Expected synergy benefits of Rs 210-225 crore and a focus on turnaround rather than rapid growth. A significant global technology presence will also be a part of the merged entity.
The rise of smartphones has caused a fear of phone calls, known as telephobia, especially in younger generations. This is linked to social anxiety and the fear of unexpected demands, triggering physical symptoms like palpitations and breathlessness. Exposure therapy and setting digital boundaries can help overcome this anxiety.
Jaguar Land Rover experienced a decline in sales during the third quarter of FY26 due to production disruptions and discontinuation of legacy models. The company is committed to its Reimagine strategy and aims to transition Jaguar to an all-electric brand.
India's automobile retail market saw a 7.71% year-on-year growth in 2025, with a strong recovery in the second half of the year. The implementation of GST 2.0 in September played a key role in improving affordability and driving demand. Rural markets outpaced urban areas in passenger vehicle sales, and alternative fuels gained traction.
India's FMCG sector is experiencing a 5% volume growth in the first few months of 2026, thanks to strong macroeconomic indicators. The RBI's Consumer Confidence Index shows that consumer confidence is returning, leading to a 5.3% growth in the quarter ended October 2025. However, annual-level growth for the moving annual turnover remains behind the previous year.
South Indian stars Prabhas and Thalapathy Vijay are set to clash at the box office on January 9, 2026. Early advance booking numbers suggest that Vijay's Jana Nayagan is leading the race with record-breaking collections, while Prabhas' The Raja Saab is receiving a lukewarm response.
The Competition Commission of India found 28 steel companies, including Tata Steel, JSW Steel, and SAIL, guilty of price collusion and held 56 top executives, including Sajjan Jindal and T.V. Narendran, liable. The CCI order, dated October 6, has not been made public yet. The investigation started in 2021 after allegations of price manipulation, and the findings are now under review by the CCI.
Shark Tank India turned into a courtroom when Manoj Das, founder of Lewisia Wellness, marketed his aromatherapy and hair care products under the title "Dr. Manoj Das." The Sharks dismantled his branding, exposing his lack of medical qualifications and unethical marketing tactics.
The US Department of Homeland Security accused Hilton Hotels of discriminating against law enforcement officers and supporting criminals. This sparked outrage and calls for a boycott. Hilton and the hotel's management company denied any discrimination and apologized. It was later revealed that the hotel is owned by four Indian-origin individuals, adding another layer to the controversy.
Bharat Coking Coal (BCCL) IPO is set to open on January 09 with a high grey market premium of over 56%. However, potential investors should be aware of the key risks outlined by the company, including poor quality coal, inaccurate reserve estimates, geographic concentration, coal pricing restrictions, environmental mandates, dependence on raw coking coal, and significant contingent liabilities.
Homebound, directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, has made it to the shortlist for the 98th Academy Awards in the International Feature Film category. This is a rare achievement for an Indian film, with only four others making it this far in the past. The film's success is a testament to the growing interest in diverse Indian languages and storytelling on the world stage.
Reliance Industries shares fell by 5.18%, making it one of the top three losers in the Nifty 50. The rise was attributed to US military attacks on Venezuela and President Trump's interest in their oil business. Reliance Industries' expertise in refining complex crude oil could lead to discounted supplies if the US begins selling Venezuelan crude, though the company denies any involvement.
Novo Nordisk has released Wegovy, the first daily pill for their GLP-1 weight loss drug in the US. It offers 1.5 mg and 4 mg doses for $149 per month and has been approved by the FDA based on successful trials showing a 13.6% weight loss at 64 weeks. The company aims to make the drug affordable and accessible for all.
The 2026 Korea First Brand Awards, celebrating its 24th anniversary, was held at the Dynasty Hall of The Shilla Seoul on Tuesday, January 6. K-drama stars like Hong Kyung, Lee Chae Min, and Kim Min Ha won awards, along with seasoned actors like Lim YoonA, Yim Siwan, and Lee Byung Hun. K-pop groups aespa, NCT DREAM, and RIIZE also took home victories.
The HSBC India Services PMI Business Activity Index dropped to 58.0 in December, signaling the slowest expansion since January. The services sector experienced a slowdown in new work and output rates, leading to a decrease in hiring. However, firms remain optimistic about future growth despite a dip in overall sentiment. The outlook is positive due to external demand and low inflation.
Indian Origin politician and Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has raised $9.88 million in the second half of 2025 for his campaign to become Ohio’s next governor, his team announced. This marks a record-breaking fundraising haul for any Ohio gubernatorial race, according to IANS.
TCS and Infosys take divergent paths ahead of Q3 FY26 results. TCS bets $6.5 billion on AI data centres to drive long-term growth, while Infosys returns Rs 18,000 crore via buyback, focusing on capital efficiency. Analysts expect TCS to hold margin edge, but Infosys may lead in revenue growth. The quarter will test whether AI investment or buyback returns win investor confidence.
The world of US visas for creative talent is changing. What used to be reserved for movie stars, famous musicians, and top artists is now opening up to social media influencers and online creators
Zomato founder Deepinder Goyal is shifting focus from food delivery to other ventures, such as Temple, a health-tech device to ensure long-term sustainability. A startup founder, Akshat Shrivastava, explained why Goyal's interest in other high-margin domains, like aviation, shows his aim to build a higher-leverage ecosystem similar to Amazon's AWS.
Amul dismisses viral video by Testify claiming their Masti Dahi failed quality tests, labelling it as "misinformation" and "fear-mongering." Testify's previous video on Eggoz found heavy metals and antibiotics, highlighting the demand for third-party verification in India's market.
Ranveer Singh's blockbuster film Dhurandhar is facing a slowdown after 31 days at the box office, with collections dropping to single digits. Despite this, the film has already earned over Rs 800 crore globally and continues to break records with a worldwide collection of Rs 1215 crore.
Vivek Ramaswamy, Republican candidate for governor of Ohio, has declared his intention to quit social media in an op-ed published on the Wall Street Journal. He was inspired by Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, who avoids news to prevent media influence. His team will handle his social media presence while he focuses on his campaign.
HDFC Bank's stock has fallen for the second consecutive session despite a strong Q3 FY26 business update. International brokerage firm Jefferies maintains a 'Buy' rating on the bank, with a target price of Rs 1,240. The bank's loan growth has improved to 12%, higher than Jefferies' estimate of 11%. The bank's stock has given a return of 14.4% in the last 12 months.
A bill that seeks to completely end the H-1B visa program has been formally introduced in the US Congress. The move goes far beyond tightening rules and instead aims to shut down the program entirely.
Indian musician AR Rahman turns 59 today, with a net worth of Rs 1,728 crore. Despite a challenging childhood, he has become one of the country's most successful musicians, with a multi-crore empire including recording studios, real estate investments, and luxury vehicles. His recent audio launch event showcases his determination and ability to inspire others.
Suraj Biswas, founder and CEO of Assessli, in a LinkedIn post, highlighted the significance of gig work in providing economic mobility and opportunities for students and migrants. He argues against banning 10-minute deliveries and treating gig work as forced employment, advocating for tech-led job creation and flexible income models.
US appeals court agrees to expedite appeal against Trump's $100,000 H-1B visa fee, which has faced multiple legal challenges. The fee, set to take effect on February 27, 2026, would replace the random lottery system with a wage-weighted selection process, favoring higher-skilled and higher-paid foreign workers.
Nikitha Godishala, a 27-year-old from Secunderabad, was found dead in the United States on January 3. Local police in Maryland initially described the accused as her “ex-boyfriend,” but her father, Anand Godishala, speaking to The Indian Express, clarified that he was actually her ex-flatmate, not a romantic partner.
Two days after he was taken from a compound in Caracas, Venezuela’s former president Nicolás Maduro stood inside a Manhattan courtroom on Monday. Wearing a navy shirt over his orange prison clothes and headphones for translation, Maduro pleaded not guilty to US charges and called himself a “prisoner of war.”
A Hindu businessman who was also working as the acting editor of a local newspaper was shot dead by unknown attackers on Monday evening in Bangladesh’s Jessore district, PTI reported.
President Trump has threatened India with higher tariffs if they keep buying oil from Russia despite increased import duties. Senator Graham agrees, stating that tariffs have decreased India's oil purchases from Russia. Trump and Modi have discussed this, with Trump insisting that India must make him happy. India is also negotiating a trade agreement with the US, hoping for lower tariffs.
Early winter reshapes India's white goods market, with a surge in sales of heating appliances and air purifiers, while cooling appliances suffer. Manufacturers struggle with excess inventory due to the unexpected demand shift and the upcoming energy efficiency norms. Companies explore bulk tie-ups and quick-commerce platforms to clear inventory.
Universal Music India (UMI) has invested `2,400 crore for a 30% stake in Indian film and digital content studio, Excel Entertainment. This partnership will give UMG global distribution rights for all future soundtracks, launch a dedicated music label, and become the exclusive music publishing partner.
Mid-cap Indian IT services companies are expected to see a revenue growth of 0.5-4% in the December 2025 quarter due to stabilizing demand conditions and slowing contract ramp-downs. Analysts suggest that the quarter will focus on execution of earlier deals and cost optimization programs.
LeadSquared, a sales automation SaaS platform, is aiming to boost revenue by expanding in the US market while maintaining growth in India. They plan to target education and healthcare industries, expand within current customer accounts, and enhance their on-ground capabilities.
EtoE Transportation Infrastructure, India's leading railway system integrator and OEM, recently made headlines with its record-breaking IPO bids of Rs 29,500 crore. In an exclusive interview, the company's CEO and director, along with the head of rail and transportation at Tata Elxsi, discussed the success of the IPO, plans for their flagship product Kavach 4.0, and their revenue targets.
Small Finance Banks (SFBs) have shown strong growth in both advances and deposits, led by Suryoday SFB with a 23.5% increase in gross advances and AU SFB with a 19.3% rise in deposits. Despite challenges in the microfinance segment, SFBs are projected to have a 18-20% growth in FY2026, rebounding to 22-25% in FY2027 with a shift towards secured lending.
The RBI has released new guidelines for lending to related parties, with relaxed provisions and exemptions for certain institutions. Equity investments are exempt, but debt instruments are still covered. The central bank has also streamlined definitions and rejected calls to increase materiality thresholds, implementing a scale-based framework.
Tata Sons seeks new leader for Air India as Indian airlines turn to foreign executives due to a lack of skilled leadership in the industry. However, Indian executives have shown potential in leading successful airlines. Critics question the perceived advantage of expats and point to successful non-aviation professionals in the industry. Change is on the horizon.
Mahindra has launched the XUV 7XO at an introductory price of Rs 13.66 lakh to Rs 22.47 lakh (ex-showroom). The SUV aims to "reset" the premium C-SUV segment with its advanced technology, performance, and features.
Experts predict a cautious approach from the government for the upcoming Union Budget for FY2026-27, with estimated direct tax collection targets of Rs 27-29 lakh crore and a moderate 6-8% growth in gross tax revenue. Deloitte Tax Partner Rohinton Sidhwa suggests a conservative estimate of Rs 27-29 lakh crore, considering the impact of rate cuts. Government data shows a growth in tax revenue.
FCI to re-launch e-auction of wheat due to sufficient private stock and expected good harvest. Only 0.53 million tonnes sold in Nov-Dec, leading to discontinuation of weekly sales. Trade sources caution against selling surplus wheat as it may lower prices. Govt. plans to sell record 8 million tonnes of rice this fiscal year.
The government's plan to sell its stake in IDBI Bank worth Rs 36,000 crore may not be completed this fiscal year, causing a shortfall in non-debt capital receipts. This could impact the overall target of Rs 47,000 crore for disinvestment and asset monetisation. Delays in the process, attributed to various factors, have led to the current situation.