JCR upgrades India's sovereign ratings to 'A-' with Stable Outlook, citing strong economic growth, improved fiscal management, robust financial-sector fundamentals, and effective structural reforms. This is the first upgrade in over 35 years, reflecting a high level of certainty in honoring financial obligations.
The US is India's main source of LNG and LPG, but Gulf countries are regaining their position in the Indian market. In August, India imported more LNG from the US, but combined supplies from Qatar, Oman, and the UAE are catching up. While the US still dominates the LPG market, Gulf countries are showing a 44% increase in shipments, indicating renewed competition for India's market.
MoSPI secretary Saurabh Garg defends the latest GDP data, stating that the previous-quarter growth prints saw sharp revisions due to the use of PPI and double deflation method. He also refutes claims of nominal GDP growth being 2.6% in Q1FY27 and explains the reasons for revisions in past data. Going forward, revisions are expected to be lesser due to the availability of real-time data.
India's crude imports from Russia saw a significant decline in August due to lower Russian seaborne exports, stronger competition from Chinese refiners, and higher risks around Black Sea shipments. This resulted in a decrease in Russia's share in India's crude basket and led to a pivot towards alternative suppliers.
US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor advocates for a balanced and advantageous trade partnership between the two countries. He urges American companies to enter the Indian market and invites Indian auto component manufacturers to invest in the US. Both sides are striving for a trade agreement and have witnessed growth in investment and manufacturing collaborations in the automotive industry.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation is making it easier to get NOCs for building projects near airports by providing upfront information on permissible heights and decentralizing the process. These changes aim to increase transparency and predictability while ensuring aviation safety. The government hopes this will boost investment, employment, and economic activity in the sector.
The Indian automotive industry is investing in research and development, engineering, and critical technologies to become a global manufacturing and technology hub. This shift will involve deeper localization and the ability to produce complex and technology-intensive products domestically.
FADA is focusing on dealer profitability amidst a growing auto market by establishing specialized retail zones and collaborating with OEMs and governments. The shift to electric vehicles will impact dealership economics. Dealer sentiment is optimistic, especially in rural regions. FADA aims to improve rule implementation and tackle issues like skilled labor and dealership consolidation.
Air India Express pilots are seeking a minimum flying allowance of 70 hours and a higher guaranteed flying-hours component under the airline's revised pay structure. The carrier has raised pilot salaries by 10-15% on average, but pilots are seeking to match IndiGo's structure. The airline is facing operational limitations and concerns have been raised about the loss of experienced pilots.
Assam is set to improve connectivity with a new road and rail link under the Brahmaputra River. The project, estimated at Rs 11,982 crore, will include an underwater tunnel, road and railway infrastructure. It will reduce travel time, improve access to key destinations, and integrate with existing networks. The corridor will also enhance access to economic, logistics, and tourism centers.
The two-wheeler market saw continued growth in August, with major manufacturers reporting higher domestic sales. Hero MotoCorp, Honda 2Wheelers, TVS Motor, Bajaj Auto, and Suzuki Motorcycle India all saw an increase in sales. TVS also saw a surge in electric two-wheeler sales, while Royal Enfield and Suzuki Motorcycle India reported strong performance in the mid-size and premium segments.
The Indian automobile sector had a strong August, with rising electric vehicle adoption and strong demand. However, supply constraints and high commodity prices are concerns. Two brokerage houses have listed their preferred bets, but not all companies were able to fully capture the demand. Commercial and electric vehicles are driving growth, but sustainability is a concern.
India is determined to turn its 16 defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) into major players in global defence manufacturing, prioritizing exports, technology leadership, and high-quality standards. The Defence Minister emphasizes the importance of this for national security, not just economic growth.
A new semi-high-speed Vande Bharat Express will connect Gujarat and Rajasthan, providing a faster travel option for passengers. The train will cover 690 km in 7.5 hours with nine stops along the route. It will operate six days a week. The existing Udaipur City-Asarva Vande Bharat Express will be discontinued, giving passengers a longer direct connection between the two states.
The Odisha Coastal Highway connecting Rameshwar and Paradeep is expected to reduce travel time by 2.5 hours and improve connectivity between the state's coastal districts. The project, with a total cost of Rs 8,300.79 crore, will include a four-lane access-controlled highway and a two-lane highway with paved shoulders.
Two new reserved special superfast trains will run from New Delhi and Anand Vihar Terminal to Kanpur Central, stopping at key destinations like Aligarh and Etawah. This will improve railway connectivity and cater to high demand on the busy Delhi-Kanpur route. Passengers will now have more options for travel and better access to these cities.
The Indian stock market saw a sharp decline in the first day of September, with the Sensex and Nifty falling more than 800 and 250 points respectively. The major reasons for this selloff were the sudden jump in crude oil prices, escalating US-Iran conflict, and rising US bond yields.
India's Semicon 2.0 programme has a bigger budget and wider scope than its predecessor, with a focus on developing the semiconductor ecosystem. The government is supporting various aspects of chip manufacturing, including incentives for fabrication, packaging, and display projects.
Coal India's subsidiary, Mahanadi Coalfields, plans to go public with an IPO that will see Coal India sell 10% of its stake. The IPO will be listed on both NSE and BSE, managed by SBI Capital Markets, BOB Capital Markets, and other key players. This is not the first Coal India subsidiary to go public.
JioHotstar, the streaming platform of JioStar, has launched in the UK, Canada, and Singapore, offering over 160,000 hours of content in 12 Asian languages. The expansion is aimed at the South Asian diaspora and international audience interested in Indian stories and culture. The platform also offers interactive features and a new pricing strategy for quarterly and annual subscriptions.
Oil prices are on the rise due to escalating tensions between the US and Iran, as well as a new oil deal between the US and Venezuela. President Trump claims this will lower gas prices, but experts disagree. Military strikes on Iran have caused disruptions in oil shipments, leading to a spike in Brent futures. Despite this, national gas prices remain high and the US-Iran continue attacks.
A key section of the railway network between Telangana and Karnataka is set for expansion. South Central Railway has invited bids for an EPC contract worth ₹1,122.78 cr for quadrupling the track between Sulehali West and Kurugunta (KQT) stations. The Sulehali West-Kurugunta work is part of the larger Secunderabad -Wadi third and fourth line project.
National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) has invited bids for a Rs 2,765 crore contract to construct twin-tube tunnels and approach roads along the Chenani–Sudhmahadev–Goha section of NH-244.The project is expected to make travel through the hilly stretch smoother and provide a more reliable road connection between key areas along the NH-244 corridor.
The Maharashtra Cabinet Infrastructure Committee has approved the ₹17,724 cr Metro Line 13 project. The 25 km corridor will run through Thane and Palghar, with 21.78 km elevated and 3.25 km underground, and will feature 16 stations. The new corridor will provide a direct mass-transit link between the two rapidly growing parts of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
Western Railway has revised its suburban train timetable from September 1, bringing changes to local train services across the Western Line. The new timetable includes changes to train timings, routes and terminals, along with adjustments to existing services. The revised schedule also includes additional AC local services on the Western Line.
SBI Funds Management is drawing bullish views from three brokerages, with price targets implying up to 28% upside. Analysts point to SBI’s vast distribution network, improving fund performance, strong SIP flows and growing SIF, PMS and AIF businesses as key growth drivers.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek on Monday, with the two leaders discussing India-Russia ties, trade, defence and other areas of cooperation.
India is still trying to keep its Chabahar Port project in Iran alive, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said on Monday. But with the US-Iran war continuing for months, an American sanctions waiver no longer in place and trade tensions with Washington still hanging over the relationship, New Delhi is finding it harder to balance its interests in West Asia.
Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are gaining importance in the global drug development pipeline, drawing Indian CDMO companies to specialize in this high-value segment. Piramal Pharma, Anthem Biosciences, and Cohance Lifesciences are among the Indian companies with ADC capabilities, programs, and investments.
Mumbai’s metro network is set to expand towards Bhiwandi, Kalyan and Ulhasnagar after the Centre approved the revised Metro Line 5 and its Line 5A extension. Metro Line 5A will add 11.83 km to the network at an estimated cost of Rs 4,063 crore. The first phase of Metro Line 5, connecting Thane and Bhiwandi, is currently under construction and is expected to open by December.
Mumbai’s proposed ring road network is set to expand beyond the city, with the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) planning two new routes spanning around 307 km. The expansion will increase the planned network from seven to nine corridors, extending connectivity to Thane, Navi Mumbai and the northern suburbs.
Macquarie's report suggests that the new US policy could create opportunities for Indian power and grid equipment companies, particularly those with established export connections to the US. This move could benefit companies like Bharat Electronics, Siemens Energy India, GE Vernova T&D India, and Cummins India.
Motilal Oswal, a brokerage firm, has identified its preferred sectors and stocks in capital goods, defence, and electronics manufacturing services. The brokerage's top picks include Larsen & Toubro, Cummins India, GE Vernova T&D India, Kalpataru Projects International, Bharat Electronics, and Dixon Technologies. Transmission, data centres, and defence-led capital expenditure are expected
Rail connectivity between West Bengal and Jharkhand is set to improve with the doubling of the Adra–Sanka–Rukni section. The project includes new signalling, telecommunication, and electrical infrastructure, and a 2x25 kV overhead equipment system. A tender worth ₹147 crore has been floated, and the contractor will have 24 months to complete the work.
Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh faces a difficult decision as the central bank heads towards its September policy meeting, with inflation still above the Fed’s target and the labour market showing signs of stability.
India's HDFC Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank are both experiencing leadership transitions, with the MD and CEO of HDFC Bank set to retire in 2026 and the CEO of Kotak Mahindra Bank choosing not to seek another term. The succession process is underway, with internal and external candidates being considered.
Western Railway has extended the operation of four weekly special trains on the Mumbai-Kanpur Anwarganj and Mumbai-Katihar routes until November 2026. The trains will continue to operate on selected days of the week and will include stops at major cities along the route. This extension comes as rail traffic is expected to remain high during the festive season.
Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has extended the services of three pairs of Festival Special trains to ease congestion and meet the expected increase in passenger demand during the upcoming festive season. The extended services include trains operating on the Katihar–Amritsar, Dibrugarh–Kolkata and Bhagalpur–Katihar routes. The trains will make additional trips from September to November 2026.
Tim Cook has spent nearly 15 years running Apple. On Monday, he will serve his final day as the company's CEO, bringing an end to a long tenure that started soon after Steve Jobs stepped down.
The Pixel 11 Pro Fold is a revolutionary foldable phone with cutting-edge technology and a user-friendly design. Its advanced camera system, durable build, and dual screens make it perfect for both productivity and entertainment. With impressive specs, this phone is a top competitor in the foldable smartphone market.
The female labour-force participation in India has improved, but maternity and career breaks make it hard for women to return to work. Artificial intelligence can help bridge the gap by keeping them updated with new skills and offering entrepreneurial opportunities. Organizations must use AI to bring experienced women back into the workforce and make career breaks less of a permanent detour.
US hiring is expected to pick up in August after a disappointing July, describing a labour market that is still holding fairly steady.
Teachers' Day is celebrated on September 5 to honor the profession of teaching, but it goes beyond just a job. In the Indian tradition, a teacher is seen as a guide, imparting knowledge and serving a larger purpose. In today's technology-driven world, the role of a teacher as a human formator is crucial.
The Indian foreign education market is seeing a change as ambitious students from smaller cities are opting to complete their undergraduate degrees in India before going abroad for postgraduate studies. This is due to the lack of domestic postgraduate capacity and alternative funding models are emerging to support non-metro families.
Rakesh Gangwal, co-founder of IndiGo, has pledged Rs 300 crore to IIT Kanpur, using the underutilized tool of 'matching grants' in Indian academic funding. This conditional gift aims to raise a total of Rs 700 crore to build a super-speciality hospital and cancer care research center.
JSW MG Motor India has disrupted the traditional pricing hierarchy in the Indian car market with the launch of the Hector Tomahawk PHEV. Priced at Rs 25.69-27.79 lakh, it is cheaper than the Toyota Innova Hycross strong hybrid and can even compete with the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder with the Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) ownership model.
India's industrial production has increased by 6.3% in the first four months of the current financial year, despite global and geopolitical challenges. However, this growth is driven by investments rather than consumption, which is facing risks due to deficient rainfall and El Nino. While manufacturing and electricity growth remain strong, mining output has decreased.
The GST cut in 2025 has boosted auto sales, along with other government policies such as income tax cuts and cheaper credit. Despite rising prices, demand remains high and electric car and two-wheeler sales have also increased due to the rise in petrol prices. Despite concerns about the monsoon, economists predict continued double-digit growth in auto sales.
India's E2W registrations have exceeded CY2025's full-year sales in just 8 months, thanks to more product options, high fuel prices, and lower ownership costs. Monthly sales have risen, and the festive season could boost sales to over 2 million. State policies and legacy OEMs' EV offerings are also driving the market towards electric vehicles.
REITs and InvITs are listed investment options for income-generating assets, with REITs focusing on commercial real estate and InvITs on infrastructure. The tax treatment is intricate, with various income streams subject to different rules. Investors must carefully review Form 77 to accurately report and comply with taxes, emphasizing the need for proper record-keeping.