Bollywood actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut was granted bail on Monday by a Bathinda court in a defamation case dating back to her 2021 social media post made during the farmers’ protest, PTI reported. The Queen actor expressed regret over the “misunderstanding” and said she has deep respect for every “mata” (mother), whether from Punjab or Himachal Pradesh.
India's top eyewear company, Lenskart, is launching its IPO on October 31 with a target of raising Rs 7,278 crore. The grey market premium for its shares is high, but analysts caution that the valuation may be too high. Promoters and investors will sell 12.75 crore shares.
Influencer Ben Bader, known for his lifestyle and financial advice content, passed away at the young age of 25. His girlfriend, Reem, shared the news on TikTok, describing him as a kind and positive person. The cause of his death is still unknown, with toxicology reports pending. Bader's last social media post was on his 25th birthday, where he expressed his desire for more in life.
Joining the recent wave of layoffs, Paramount Skydance is expected to announce 1,000 job cuts on Wednesday, a Bloomberg report said citing sources familiar with the matter. The report further added that a second round of layoff will be announced later which will take the total number of job cuts to 2,000.
US President Donald Trump and Japan's new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi have signed two new deals, strengthening their alliance. One deal focuses on US-Japan relations, while the other deals with rare earths. This marks the beginning of a "new golden age" for their countries.
Amazon is preparing to lay off as many as 30,000 corporate employees starting Tuesday, according to a report by Reuters. This is one of the company’s largest job reductions since 2022. The mass firing is expected to impact nearly 10% of the company’s corporate workforce.
PNB Housing Finance reported a 24% increase in net profit to Rs 582 crore for Q2, driven by growth in affordable and emerging markets. Net interest income grew by 14.4%, while net interest margin decreased to 3.67%. Operating expenditure rose by 7.6%.
Bank of India's MD & CEO, Rajneesh Karnatak, reports improved asset quality in the September quarter with gross NPAs at 2.54% and net NPAs at 0.65%. The bank's one-time settlement scheme aims to resolve issues in MSME and retail sectors. The corporate loan sanction pipeline is at Rs 60,000 crore, with a focus on power, petroleum, renewable energy, and roads.
Ola Electric has launched Hyperservice, an open platform that allows independent mechanics and garages to purchase genuine spare parts directly through its app and website. This eliminates intermediaries and offers full transparency. The company plans to expand this service to include diagnostic tools and technician certification programs.
RBI Deputy Governor emphasizes TReDS, credit assessment models, and fair lending for reviving stressed MSMEs. MSMEs crucial for India's economic growth, RBI committed to strengthening credit ecosystem through initiatives like ULI, Account Aggregator framework, and Regulatory Sandbox. Meeting addresses trade war challenges and calls for government, regulator, and industry support for MSMEs.
MCX stock price rises 4% as new options contracts for bullion index are launched, aimed at reducing volatility in commodities market. MD & CEO Praveena Rai hails this as a crucial step for India's commodities ecosystem, providing an innovative product for market players to access a range of commodities.
Leena Nair, the global CEO of Chanel, is a prime example of Indian women's capability and dominance in various industries. She rose from a small town, becoming the first woman in her family to pursue higher education and holding top positions at Hindustan Unilever. Her success and advocacy for human-centred workplaces make her an inspiration for young women of colour everywhere.
AICPDF refuses to accept orders or meet sales targets from Tata Consumer due to unresolved issues of stock dumping. Distributors in Maharashtra have accumulated Rs 50-60 crore worth of stock, triggering a protest march to the company's headquarters. Concerns are also raised about the pressure on distribution networks caused by Tata Consumer's strategy of promoting multiple products.
Bata India, a popular footwear retailer, reported a 73.26% decline in consolidated net profit in the September quarter due to lower revenue and higher expenses. The company also faced challenges during the GST transition and a disruption at one of its warehouses.
SEBI suggests measures to boost retail involvement in debt market via public offerings, including higher coupon rates and discounts for specific groups. Compliance burden for listed debt securities may be reduced, and related party transaction rules may align with those for equity-listed firms. These changes aim to promote bond market participation and ease of conducting business.
Peyush Bansal, founder and CEO of Lenskart, aims to revolutionize eye-testing and distribution by building a robust infrastructure like Reliance Jio's optic-fibre network. The company's goal is to redefine remote optometry and prioritize customer value, with profit being a byproduct.
Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has directed NSC to boost its share in the domestic seed market to 25%. He promised to support NSC in competing with private companies and ensuring stable prices. An online seed booking platform was launched and NSC was urged to expand its presence to all districts, with a focus on aspirational districts. NSC aims to increase sales turnover by 33%.
IIM Calcutta successfully concludes summer placements for its flagship MBA program with 510 offers for 470 students from 183 recruiters. The average monthly stipend is Rs1,85,000 and the highest domestic stipend is Rs4,50,000. The institute saw participation from various sectors and received strong support from legacy recruiters.
Indian government approves 7 projects worth Rs 5,532 crore to boost local electronics manufacturing. Kaynes Group leads the investments, creating 5,195 jobs and reducing import bill by Rs 20,000 crore. Projects to cater to 27% of PCB demand, achieve self-reliance in copper laminates and polypropylene films. Scheme attracts investment proposals worth.
JK Tyre & Industries has overcome the effects of US tariffs on tyre imports by expanding in Europe and South America. With a rise in demand in India due to GST reduction, the company is developing new products and increasing capacities.
Kabeer Biswas, former CEO of Dunzo, has left his role as vice president at Flipkart Minutes after just 10 months. He is in talks to join BigBasket, where he will lead the quick commerce vertical. Biswas was succeeded by Kunal Gupta, a Flipkart executive.
India's growth outlook for 2025-26 is promising, backed by strong domestic demand, favorable monsoon, lower inflation, and GST reforms. Global uncertainties pose risks, but the lower GST rate is expected to boost demand and employment. Rural and urban demand has improved, and the manufacturing and services sectors have expanded, leading to upward revisions in growth forecasts.
The Supreme Court has granted Vodafone Idea relief by allowing the Department of Telecommunications to reassess their AGR dues. This decision is specific to Vodafone Idea and will provide them with an opportunity to seek a recalibration of their dues. It has been hailed as a practical move that will aid the company's growth.
Adani Energy Solutions' second quarter net profit decreased by 21%, missing analyst expectations. However, the company saw a one-time positive impact from deferred tax and a 7% revenue growth. Ebitda margins and capex investments increased, with a focus on energy transition and regulatory stability. The company installed 4 million smart meters and has a strong order book and tendering pipeline.
Indian seafood exporters are facing a major setback as the US has imposed effective duties of close to 60% on India's shipments, causing a projected 75% year-on-year fall in exports in September. The decline in marine product exports to the US, which has a 35% share, is expected to impact overall shipments in FY26. The industry is exploring alternative markets to offset losses.
Amazon India's 2025 Great Indian Festival saw a surge in customer visits, with a majority coming from tier 2 and 3 cities. Convenience and value were top priorities, with AI playing a crucial role. Small and medium businesses also saw success. Gold and silver coins, fashion and beauty, and premium categories experienced significant growth, thanks to GST rate cuts.
The 8th Pay Commission will soon be formed and is expected to recommend revised pay and pension norms for over 11.8 million central government employees and pensioners. The report will be submitted in 6-12 months and will have a significant impact on state governments, PSUs, and central universities.
Lenskart Solutions, an eyewear manufacturer and retailer, is set to go public with a price band of Rs 382–402 per share, valuing the company at Rs 69,676 crore. Promoters and early investors, including co-founders Peyush Bansal and Neha Bansal, are expected to see substantial gains, with their stakes multiplying significantly.
The NCAER Business Expectations Survey for India showed a decline in business sentiments in the second quarter of the current fiscal, attributed to global uncertainties and US policies. The Business Confidence Index also decreased, but remains higher than last year. The survey emphasized the need for policy stability and reforms to boost business confidence.
Public sector banks are preparing for the RBI's new ECL-based provisioning framework by building a combined war chest of ₹20,000 crore. This framework requires a forward-looking approach towards provisioning, and PSBs are front-loading provisions to ease the transition.
Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) will follow US sanctions on Russian oil imports, causing Indian refiners to decrease their imports to avoid secondary sanctions. Reliance Industries Ltd, India's top Russian oil importer, may stop importing. Indian refiners are diversifying their crude imports due to a decline in Russian oil.
The Indian government has introduced Bharat Aayat Niryat Lab Setu, a digital platform that will improve the testing and certification process for exports and imports. It will connect exporters, importers, and testing agencies, reducing delays and ensuring traceability of results.
Paytm has introduced a new feature that allows NRIs from 12 countries to use their international mobile numbers for UPI payments through NRE or NRO accounts, eliminating the need for international payment gateways or currency conversions. This move is significant as UPI transactions have seen a rise, with UPI driving 85% of India's digital payments.
Bharat Founders Fund (BFF) has made 10 investments this financial year and aims to make 12-15 more by FY26. The firm is sector-agnostic and sees potential in AI applications in the physical world. BFF offers India-specific operational guidance through its network of operators and focuses on being the first external cheque for founders at the angel and pre-seed stage.
Amazon India's fashion and beauty business saw a rise in festive demand, led by non-metro shoppers and a rise in interest for premium and homegrown D2C brands. The company introduced virtual try-on and image-based search to improve the shopping experience.
Indian Oil Corporation, a public sector company, reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 8,190.86 crore in Q2 FY26, a significant increase from the previous fiscal year's loss of Rs 448.78 crore. The company also saw a 20% YoY net profit growth and a 3.94% YoY revenue growth. Indian Oil's profit margins were at $10.6 per barrel in the September quarter, compared to $4.08 per barrel in
Mohabbatein, the 2000 Bollywood film starring Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai, and Amitabh Bachchan, was a major commercial success and a turning point in the latter's career. After facing financial difficulties and career setbacks, Bachchan famously charged only Rs 1 as an acting fee from director Yash Chopra, who had previously helped launch his stardom. This film changed his life forever.
India plans to increase foreign investment in state-run banks to 49%, double the current limit, to attract more capital and narrow the gap between government-owned and private banks. This proposal has been discussed with the RBI and is part of recent efforts to ease regulations and attract foreign interest in India's banking industry. Safeguards, such as a cap on voting rights
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah may contest 2028 assembly elections despite previous announcement of 2023 being his last. He stated that party members want him to continue, while his son suggested mentoring a successor - Satish Jarkiholi. However, the final decision lies with the high command in Delhi, he said.
Honda Motor has acquired a stake in Indian renewables firm OMC Power, along with Japan's Mitsui & Co. and Chubu Electric Power, to develop clean energy storage batteries. The stake size and financial details were not disclosed. OMC Power, with 70% ownership by the three Japanese companies, aims to raise 25-30 billion rupees in debt.
SBI Cards' stock price fell by 3% after Nuvama Institutional Equities downgraded the rating to 'Hold'. However, the brokerage maintained its target price at Rs 1,025, implying a 9.5% upside. Nuvama stated that NIM stayed flat and credit costs missed estimates. The company's management expects credit cost to decrease in FY26.
Lenskart and Orkla India are both launching their IPOs this week, with Lenskart planning to raise Rs 7,278.02 crore and Orkla India aiming to raise Rs 1,673.44 crore. While Lenskart has a higher institutional focus, Orkla India's IPO is more balanced. Lenskart is India's largest eyewear retailer, while Orkla India is a packaged food company.
New York State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani still stands a pretty good chance in the race for New York City mayor, far ahead of Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa, despite strong opposition from the elites of America. His mayoral campaign has become a lightning rod for some American billionaires, including Michael Bloomberg, Bill Ackman, Richard Kurtz and so on.
A UPSC aspirant was found murdered in his Delhi flat by his live-in partner, a forensic science student, and her ex-boyfriend. The trio had a dispute over obscene videos and images, and planned to make it look like an accident. However, they were caught by the police through CCTV footage and CDR data. Three individuals have been arrested in connection with the crime.
Maharashtra-based jeweller PN Gadgil saw a 74% year-on-year sales growth during the festive season, with a record-breaking single-day sale of Rs 277 crore on Dhanteras. The company's growth was driven by the gold segment, with silver and diamond jewellery also seeing significant growth. In the second quarter of FY26, the company's core jewellery business grew by 31%
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav will kick off the Mahagathbandhan's election campaign in Bihar on October 29. Priyanka Gandhi will not be attending the rallies. The bloc will release its manifesto on October 28, focusing on social justice and countering the NDA's "jungle raj" narrative.
India's economy is projected to grow strongly this year, driven by domestic demand and lower inflation. The government's September report also forecasts a positive outlook for food production and soft prices. Despite ongoing trade talks with the U.S., India's trade data for September 2025 shows a diverse range of export destinations.
Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 has been a blockbuster hit, surpassing its predecessor in content, VFX, and box office numbers. The movie's well-researched plot and gripping narrative have captivated audiences, leading to packed theatres even 26 days after its release. Speculation about the film's OTT release has been sparked by a recent post from Prime Video.
Lenskart Solutions is launching a Rs 7,278 crore IPO on October 31, with a closing date of November 4. However, investors should be aware of risks such as reliance on China for raw materials and manufacturing, an ongoing inquiry by the Enforcement Directorate, and potential disruptions in the supply chain and manufacturing facilities.
Bangladesh's interim head Muhammad Yunus caused a stir by presenting a distorted map to Pakistan's General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, depicting India's northeast as part of Bangladesh. The incident took place during Mirza's visit to Dhaka to enhance relations. This is not Yunus' first controversy regarding the northeast region.