The government has issued 80 lakh e-passports in 6 months under the upgraded PSP Version 2.0, aiming to make all Indian passports chipped by 2035. E-passports have an e-chip under the Ashoka Pillar for enhanced security. AI-powered chat and voice bots are also used for passport-related issues, improving the overall experience.
Major companies have made significant updates that may impact trading, such as government action, stake sales, new deals, investments, and project orders. Indian equity benchmarks closed higher on November 20. The Enforcement Directorate is investigating Anil Ambani group stocks for money laundering. Max Financial plans to sell a stake, while JSW Energy acquires Raigarh Champa Rail Infrastructure.
Wall Street stocks fell due to a decline in technology gains, resulting in the Nasdaq and S&P 500 hitting their lowest closes since September. The Cboe Volatility index also reached its highest close since April. Nvidia's earnings initially boosted the market, but concerns over AI spending and the U.S. labor market caused a sharp reversal.
Reliance Industries, India's conglomerate, has stopped importing Russian crude oil into its Jamnagar refinery complex due to sanctions against Moscow. All product exports from the refinery will now come from non-Russian crude oil, with the transition being completed ahead of schedule. Reliance has also stated that all pre-committed liftings of Russian crude oil will be honored.
Abhishek Bachchan, son of Amitabh Bachchan, has found success in the business world through investments in sports, startups, and real estate. His diverse portfolio showcases his love for sports and personal connections, proving that fame can translate into lasting power and success.
Marico, a consumer goods maker, is optimistic about the future of the FMCG sector as it expects urban demand to pick up in the second half of FY26. This is due to factors like lower inflation, GST rate cuts, and a better policy environment.
Kolte Patil Developers, supported by Blackstone, aims to release 5-6 million sq ft of projects in Pune and Mumbai in the second half of the fiscal year. The company has launched luxury projects in Versova and NIBM and has a gross development potential of Rs 29,000 crore.
Shriram General Insurance aims to achieve a GWP of ₹8,000 crore by 2030 by launching surety bonds and expanding into non-motor insurance. They have seen a 28% growth in GWP in the motor insurance segment and plan to increase the share of non-motor insurance to 15%. The company also plans to introduce parametric cover and surety bond insurance in the near future.
NHAI has launched a public Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT) that will hold 1,500 km of highways in 3-5 years. This will allow retail investors to benefit from high revenue generating national highways. The InvIT, called Raajmarg Infra Investment Trust (RIIT), will be managed by Raajmarg Infra Investment Managers Private Limited (RIIMPL).
India's crude imports from Russia have stayed steady, but new shipments have dropped due to impending US sanctions. Reliance Industries has stopped using Russian crude at its export-only refinery in Jamnagar to abide by the sanctions. Other Indian refiners are also expected to halt direct purchases after November 21.
Sudeep Pharma's IPO has a price band of Rs 563-593 per equity share, aiming to raise Rs 895 crore. The issue includes a fresh issue of 0.16 crore shares worth Rs 95 crore and an offer for sale of 1.35 crore shares worth Rs 800 crore. The company has already received Rs 268.5 crore from anchor investors, and the allotment will be finalised on November 26. Stock is expected to perform well.
Rohit C, founder of a Bengaluru-based tech firm, discusses the reasons behind the failure of major Indian cities to provide a "world-class life." He points out issues like poor air quality, infrastructure, and inclusivity in cities like Gurgaon and Bengaluru. Rohit stresses the importance of considering factors like safety, education, and cost of living when choosing a city for long-term living.
Equity benchmarks hit new 52-week highs on Thursday, driven by foreign inflows and strong corporate earnings. Talks of a US-India deal and a reduction in FII selling have also boosted the market.
The IBBI has introduced new guidelines for valuations under the IBC to promote consistency, transparency, and standardisation. These guidelines aim to create comprehensive and well-documented valuation reports based on a structured assessment of insolvent company assets.
RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra believes that the rupee's depreciation is due to the high demand for the US dollar and is confident in a good trade deal with the US to stabilize the currency. He clarified that the RBI does not have a specific target for the rupee and is cautious about cryptocurrencies.
Google announced AI-powered security initiatives to enhance digital safety, including a scam-detection feature on Pixel phones developed with fintech players. They also introduced ePNV for secure authentication and showcased SynthID technology to tackle deepfakes. These efforts align with Google's PETs approach and comply with DPDP provisions.
India and Israel have signed an agreement to boost bilateral trade, aiming to increase it ten-fold in the next decade. The FTA and bilateral investment treaty will provide greater market access and investment opportunities. Israel's trade minister has also shown interest in helping Israeli companies invest in India and share defence technologies.
Trade unions urge Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to repeal four labour codes and prioritize job creation in pre-budget meeting. Concerns over labour codes, unemployment, and minimum wage of Rs 26,000 per month raised. Calls to stop contract and outsourcing of permanent jobs.
The IDC, led by Financial Services Secretary M Nagaraju, approved RBI's proposals for foreign banks to establish branches, representative offices, and subsidiaries in India. The committee also approved expansion plans of Indian banks abroad after consulting with various ministries. However, there has been a decline in foreign bank branches in India.
Hospitality and tourism representatives urge government to grant 'industry' status for affordable finances. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman holds meeting with various bodies, including Hotel Association of India and MakeMyTrip, ahead of Union Budget.
Traditional FMCG companies still control the majority of consumer spending on daily-use staples, despite the rise of quick commerce platforms. Legacy brands hold a 65% share of sales on Blinkit, with Colgate dominating toothpaste and digital-first brands finding success in low-frequency, premium segments.
Mahindra Group unveils ambitious plans for automotive business, targeting nearly threefold revenue growth by FY30. Aims to become world's fastest-growing SUV brand with upcoming launches and portfolio expansion. Revenue guidance of Rs 2.27 lakh crore by FY30, eightfold growth from FY20.
Tata Consultancy Services and TPG have joined forces to invest Rs 18,000 crore in TCS's new AI data centre unit, HyperVault. This partnership will focus on providing high-density compute and energy-efficient infrastructure for hyperscalers, AI companies, and large enterprises.
The Ministry of Steel has introduced 'SARAL SIMS' to simplify the registration process for MSMEs and small importers under the Steel Import Monitoring System. This new system allows for a single annual number and unlimited steel imports. The regular SIMS process has also been made easier with fewer mandatory fields and no need for a No Objection Certificate from the Ministry.
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation is revamping key economic indicators like GDP, IIP, and CPI in 2026 to improve the accuracy and credibility of India's economic data. Secretary Saurabh Garg assures that the new series will use advanced methods and tap into new databases, addressing concerns of volatility and credibility.
Amazon Pay India CEO Vikas Bansal talks about the company's comprehensive payments ecosystem, covering UPI, credit cards, pay-later, wallet, travel bookings, and bill payments. He highlights the company's efforts to overcome the perception of being just an "in-app feature" and its success in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
Shreyasi Singh, a successful sportsperson, joined Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's cabinet as a minister. She has a strong political background and has won the 2020 and 2025 Bihar Legislative Assembly elections by a significant margin. Singh has a decorated career in shooting, including a gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Reliance Group has cut ties with Reliance Communications and Anil Ambani after the ED attached more assets in a money laundering investigation. Anil Ambani has not been on the Boards of Directors for Reliance Infrastructure or Reliance Power for 3.5 years. The ED has now attached assets worth over Rs 1,400 crore, bringing the total attached assets to Rs 9,000 crore.
Experts warn against relying on wearable air purifiers to combat Delhi's winter air pollution spike. These devices are not scientifically certified and may not be effective in real-world conditions. Instead, experts recommend using established methods like N95 masks and HEPA filters.
BJP leader Vanathi Srinivasan accused the DMK government of submitting a deliberately faulty Detailed Project Report for the Metrorail project in Coimbatore. She also stated that the project will only happen after the NDA forms government in Tamil Nadu in 2026.
JSW Energy has been approved by Raigarh Champa Rail Infrastructure's creditors to acquire the debt-ridden entity. This follows their successful acquisition of KSK Mahanadi Power Company Ltd in March, giving them indirect ownership of RCRIPL. The company has received a Letter of Intent from the Resolution Professional for the transaction.
The October Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) remained stagnant, with four sectors experiencing a decline. Fertilizers, steel, cement, and electricity were the top performers, while coal, crude oil, natural gas, and refinery products saw a decrease in output.
By FY30, renewable energy will contribute 35% of power generation with a 200 GW increase in capacity. Timely project implementation, transmission infrastructure development, and PPAs are crucial for success. However, there is a decline in project bids and PPAs, raising concerns about execution and grid stability.
After a decade of dating, South Korean actors Kim Woo Bin and Shin Min Ah are getting married, confirmed by their agency AM Entertainment. The couple first met on a fashion brand ad shoot in 2015 and have overcome obstacles, including Woo Bin's cancer diagnosis. Fans and the K-entertainment industry are thrilled for their upcoming wedding on Dec. 20.
CAG issues directive to harmonize Object Heads of Expenditure across Union and State governments by FY 2027-28, addressing long-standing inconsistencies and improving budgeting and accounting systems. Deputy CAG highlights progress on Monthly Civil Accounts reform, advancing rendering dates to 10th and 15th of the following month in certain states.
ICICI Prudential AMC is waiting for regulatory clearance on their ₹10,000-crore IPO and is focused on capex and consumption stories. CIO Anand Shah manages Rs 63,807 crore and believes Indian markets are still trading at a 9% premium.
Lawmakers are disappointed with the Labour Ministry's failure to revise the National Floor Level Minimum Wage (NFLMW) for eight years, despite it being expected to be revised every two years. The NFLMW was introduced in 1991 to create a minimum wage system and bridge gaps across India.
Verizon, a major U.S. wireless carrier, will cut 13,000 jobs to reduce costs and improve operations, according to new CEO Dan Schulman. The decision is driven by the need to streamline operations and address customer issues, while facing competition and investing in 5G technology. A career transition fund will be available for affected employees.
Saudi crown prince Mohammed Bin Salman Al Saud, with a net worth of $1 billion and control over the $925 billion Public Investment Fund, leads a lavish lifestyle with a $500 million yacht and a $300 million Château. On a visit to the US, he was welcomed with a black-tie dinner party attended by notable figures.
India's crude imports from Russia will decrease after November 21 due to sanctions, but refiners are working to find alternative supply sources. Russian crude will still be available through unclear channels, and the future of this trade will be impacted by how strictly Western nations enforce sanctions. Recent tanker activity suggests a change in Russian trading tactics.
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee has written to the CEC expressing her concerns about the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in the state. She called it "unplanned" and "coercive" and highlighted the mounting work pressure on those working on it. Banerjee also mentioned the death of an anganwadi worker who was serving as a booth-level officer, citing the "human cost of SIR mismanagement".
Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister of West Bengal, has raised concerns about the Special Intensive Revision exercise being conducted in a chaotic and dangerous manner. She has urged the Chief Election Commissioner to halt the exercise and reevaluate its methodology and timelines.
TCS and TPG have formed a joint venture to establish data centres in India, investing Rs 18,000 crore. TCS will collaborate with TPG to construct advanced AI data centres and create a subsidiary. Other major Indian companies like Adani and Reliance Industries are also investing in this sector. This is a significant move for TCS, known for its low capital expenditure approach.
India's defence production reaches record high of Rs 1.54 lakh crore, with exports at Rs 23,622 crore. Private sector dominates exports, while PSUs account for 77% of production. 193 defence contracts worth Rs 2.09 lakh crore signed in FY25. India aims to achieve Rs 3 lakh crore in defence manufacturing and Rs 50,000 crore in exports by 2029.
Motilal Oswal, a domestic brokerage firm, predicts a 17% upside in one of its recently picked stocks. The firm is bullish on Reliance Industries, with its new energy business expected to scale up in FY27. L&T is expected to see growth in the Middle East market, while Happy Forgings is likely to post steady performance and an earnings CAGR of 22% over FY25-28.
Donald Trump, the 45th President of the US, has never consumed alcohol due to a family tragedy - his brother's death from alcoholism. He has a strict no alcohol, no drugs rule for his children and believes it can hinder one's potential. His abstinence could also be protecting him from potential harm.
The Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) remained steady at 162.4 in October, with gains in refinery, fertiliser, steel and cement production offset by declines in coal, natural gas, and electricity generation. These eight industries account for 40.27% of India's industrial production index.
PVR INOX, a leading multiplex chain, is transforming cinemas into social spaces by blending movies, design, and lifestyle. Its latest luxury multiplex in Delhi offers unique amenities such as a nail bar, gaming arena, lounge, perfumery corner, and cafe.
Shubman Gill's participation in the second Test against South Africa is uncertain due to a neck injury. The BCCI is waiting until the last minute to decide on his availability. His absence in the first Test had a big impact, but the batting coach is confident in the team's depth. Dhruv Jurel may replace Gill, pending a fitness test.
The November IPO season saw new-age tech companies like Orkla India, Lenskart Solutions, Groww, Pine Labs, and PhysicsWallah making their debut. While some faced scepticism over their valuations, others experienced initial surges before correcting. PhysicsWallah had a strong listing but faced a decline afterwards.
Niti Aayog member Ramesh Chand suggests improving warehouse infrastructure and tapping into the export market to meet the growing demand for agricultural products. He emphasizes the importance of regulations to influence investment decisions and prevent food losses. With a predicted rise in agricultural production, India's agriculture sector can maintain a steady 4% growth