Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 has become a blockbuster hit, crossing the Rs 550 crore mark at the box office post-Diwali. With a gripping storyline, impressive performances, and stunning VFX, the film has broken records and joined the coveted Rs 500 crore club. It is now the second-highest grossing film of 2025, and the top-grossing Kannada film of the year.
The Maldives has implemented a generational ban on smoking, prohibiting those born after 2007 from purchasing, possessing, or using tobacco. This policy aims to create a tobacco-free generation and protect public health. Other countries are closely watching as smoking is a major public health threat, leading to numerous deaths and health issues, especially among young people.
Paytm, the top merchant payments and financial services company in India, had a successful second quarter of 2025. Operating revenue increased by 24% and profitability improved, with a profit after tax of Rs 211 crore. This was due to growth in payments and financial services, with a 25% increase in payment services revenue and a 63% increase in revenue from financial services.
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has warned that parts of American airspace may have to be shut down if air traffic controllers continue missing work amid the ongoing government shutdown. On Sunday, more than 5,000 flights were delayed, with waiting times stretching to over four hours.
India's success in global education was recognized with 7 institutions in the Top 100 QS World University Asia ranking. PM Modi praised this and emphasized the government's dedication to quality education and research. The National Education Policy was credited for a 1,125% increase in research productivity. 7 IITs and 2 other top universities were also mentioned despite a slight drop in rankings.
Abigail Spanberger, a former congresswoman and CIA officer, won Virginia's election for governor, becoming the first woman to hold the position. Meanwhile, in New Jersey, Democrat Mikie Sherrill is projected to win the gubernatorial race. In New York City's mayoral race, Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani is leading against 67-year-old Andrew Cuomo.
Tata Consumer Products stock has seen a 27% increase in returns in 2025 and is predicted to maintain its impressive growth, according to Motilal Oswal. The brokerage has given a 'Buy' rating and set a target price of Rs 1,450, indicating a potential 21% increase. Earnings have recovered in Q2FY26, driven by strong performance in the India Branded business.
After Amazon, Microsoft, and other major tech firms, IBM has announced plans to cut thousands of jobs as it looks to invest in faster-growing areas like artificial intelligence consulting and software, Reuters reported.
Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa appear twice on the ballots for the New York Mayoral election due to the fusion voting system followed by the city. Zohran Kwame Mamdani is listed as a candidate for both the Democratic Party and the Working Families party. Meanwhile his Republican opponent is also representing the Protect Animals party line.
U.S. stocks closed sharply lower on Tuesday as big banks warned of a potential market bubble, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq suffering their biggest one-day drop since October 10. Tech stocks, particularly AI-related companies, dragged the indexes down, while financials led the gainers. The government shutdown and upcoming local elections add to market uncertainty.
Trump's administration has emphasized the importance of India-US relations, with the President personally engaging with PM Modi. Trade and energy discussions are ongoing, but tensions have arisen due to Trump's remarks on India's oil imports. Despite strains, both countries remain committed to strengthening their partnership.
A UPS cargo plane with three crew members on board crashed in Louisville, Kentucky, en route to Honolulu. The plane, an MD-11 freighter, caught fire and exploded upon impact, causing injuries and disrupting deliveries for UPS and its major customers. The Louisville airport, home to UPS Worldport, was shut down and first responders were on the scene. The cause of the crash is still unknown.
The Indian stock markets will be shut on November 5 for Guru Nanak Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Sikhism's founder, Guru Nanak Dev. All trading segments, including equity, derivatives, and currency, will be suspended. Normal trading will resume on November 6, the last scheduled market holiday for 2025. Investors should note that no buy or sell orders will be executed on this day.
The initial public offering of Lenskart Solutions, India’s largest prescription eyewear retailer, received 28.26 times subscription on the final day of the share sale on Tuesday. The total float was Rs 7,278 crore, comprised a fresh issue of Rs 2,150 crore and an offer for sale of Rs 5,128 crore.
The NSE has set aside Rs 1,297 crore for the settlement applications filed with Sebi regarding the co-location and dark fibre cases. Excluding this provision, the profit rose 8% YoY to Rs 3,396 crore. The consolidated total income for the quarter was Rs 4,160 crore. The exchange is awaiting a response from Sebi on the settlement applications, which could impact its IPO plans.
M&M's Q2 net profit rises 18% on strong tractor and light truck sales, surpassing expectations. However, SUV growth was slower. Better realisations, cost control measures, and investment gains boosted margins to 15.3%. Tractor and SUV volumes expected to grow in low double digits and high teens respectively for FY26.
Ashoka University, a leading institution in India, marks its 10th anniversary. It is renowned for its liberal arts education and research excellence. In an interview, Prof Somak Raychaudhury, the vice-chancellor, reflects on the university's growth and future goals.
IndiGo, India's biggest airline, recorded a net loss of Rs 2,582 crore in the second quarter of FY26, exceeding Bloomberg's forecast. Excluding foreign exchange effects, the airline still managed to earn a net profit of Rs 104 crore. Despite facing obstacles such as the Delhi runway closure, IndiGo saw a steady revival from July.
Zoho's 'swadeshi' messaging app, Arattai, initially gained popularity in India with endorsements from central ministers and its privacy-first approach. However, within a month of topping the charts, the app has dropped out of the top 100 on Google Play and the App Store.
The World Bank's report praises India's financial system for its resilience, diversity, and inclusivity, citing bold reforms as the key factor. It acknowledges India's strengthened regulation in banking and NBFCs, robust securities market supervision, and alignment with international standards in insurance.
Hyundai Motor India is focusing on SUVs to boost sales, with 71% of total sales coming from SUVs and a target of 80% by 2030. A Rs 45,000 crore investment is planned to solidify its market position and achieve over 15% market share by FY30. Despite a slow first half, demand is expected to pick up in the second half of the fiscal year.
The Directorate of Enforcement conducted search operations at multiple locations in Mumbai in an ongoing probe against Varanium Cloud and its promoter Harshavardhan Sabale. The company raised Rs 40 crore through its IPO, claiming it would set up data centers and learning centers.
Shriram Life Insurance Company sees a 20% rise in premium collections in the first half of FY26, mainly due to an increase in renewal premiums. The CEO credits this growth to customer trust and their effective approach. Individual premium collections remain stable, while new business premiums show a 17% increase.
Indian-origin conservative commentator Dinesh D'Souza warned about minorities leaving the Republican Party due to the spread of hatred by MAGA and the rise of anti-India, racist sentimentality. Recent incidents during Diwali, including Trump's celebration and comments from officials like Tulsi Gabbard, showed the extent of this issue.
India's sugar production is predicted to rise by 16% in 2025-26 due to favorable weather and increased area. The country plans to export 2 MT this season with a comfortable sugar balance. The government is urged to announce the export policy soon, and the total sugarcane acreage is estimated to be 5.73 Mha.
SBI's net profit in the September quarter increases by 10%, boosted by the sale of Yes Bank shares. However, operating profit drops by 7% without the one-time gain. Net interest income and margins see a slight rise. Asset quality remains robust, with gross NPA at a 20-year low. The bank aims for double-digit credit growth and plans to open new branches, while digital banking remains a priority.
Tata Starbucks, a joint venture between Starbucks and Tata Consumer Products, saw a low single-digit SSG in July-September due to GST and income tax cuts. They plan to cautiously expand, focusing on revenue and SSG. Despite climate change challenges, Tata Consumer's core portfolio, led by tea and salt, saw double-digit sales growth in the FMCG sector.
Nafed, the government's largest procurement agency for oilseeds and pulses, is launching its own e-auction portal 'Nafex.in' to sell agricultural commodities. The portal will also allow state-level cooperatives and agencies to participate. Nafed currently uses private platforms for auctions and is implementing new technology to improve efficiency.
OpenAI has launched IndQA, a benchmark to assess AI models' comprehension and reasoning skills in Indian languages and cultures. This is their first regional initiative, with future plans to expand to other regions. The benchmark includes 2,278 questions in 11 languages and 10 cultural domains, developed with input from 261 experts.
Bajaj Finance, a part of Bajaj Finserv, saw a 27% growth in volume and 29% in value year-on-year for consumer loans during the festive season, thanks to the positive impact of GST reforms and changes in personal income tax slabs.
Indian Hotels (IHCL) reported a 48.6% decline in net profit for Q2FY26, with a rebound expected in the second half of the fiscal year due to corporate travel and events. The company's expenses and Ebitda increased, while it also saw growth in revenue and hotel openings. IHCL also announced strategic partnerships and completed renovations in key properties.
OpenAI is expanding its reach in India by setting up data centres and offering India-specific pricing for developers. The company's CTO, Srinivas Narayan, is enthusiastic about partnering with local players to create infrastructure for both local and global use.
ICAI suggests changes for upcoming Union Budget 2026-27: decriminalisation of prosecution provisions, removal of dual penalty, e-ledger for tax payments. Mandatory return filing for individuals with large agricultural land and clarification on surcharge rates recommended. Tax neutral status for business reorganisation in LLPs and exclusion of F&O trading also suggested.
The government launched the PLI 1.2 scheme for specialty steel, aiming to attract new investments in emerging and advanced steel products. Indian companies involved in end-to-end manufacturing can apply within 30 days. The scheme covers 22 sub-categories and offers incentives of 4% to 15% on incremental sales.
Indian two-wheeler companies are now using EICMA in Milan as their main platform for global product launches, signaling their aim to expand into the international market and compete with established competitors. This move allows for greater global exposure and positions Indian brands as players in the midsize and premium segments.
Saikat Neogi reports that shipments of gems and jewellery to the US have been declining for four consecutive years. The decline was even more significant in FY26, with exports decreasing every month except for March. The US tariffs resulted in a 74% decrease in September, but the UAE quickly took over as a new market for exporters.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman reassures that privatisation of banks will not hinder financial inclusion, as professional and board-driven banks effectively serve both national and banking interests. She also expresses confidence in meeting the fiscal deficit target and aims to create a new-generation customs tariffs structure.
NCLAT grants partial relief to Meta Platforms and WhatsApp in competition case over privacy policy update. Upholds Rs 213.14 crore penalty but sets aside findings of dominance and overturns five-year data sharing prohibition for advertising purposes.
Despite growth, secondary market liquidity lags behind market expansion. Banks dominate trading, but liquidity is concentrated in few securities and limited in state government securities. Challenges in price discovery, liquidity management, and benchmark management require policy attention.
Indian universities have dropped in the latest QS Asia University Rankings, but newer IITs have improved. China, Singapore, and Hong Kong have moved up, with China having 24 universities in the top 100. India added 137 universities, but six dropped out. Despite this, India remains a leader in research.
Steel secretary Sandeep Poundrik expressed concern over low prices and dumping of sub-standard steel in the domestic market, affecting the industry. He stressed the importance of fair pricing as India aims to boost its steel capacity. Poundrik also discussed the government's efforts to reduce reliance on imported coking coal and prevent the entry of inferior steel.
Nippon India Mutual Fund is set to launch its first fund in the growing SIF industry in India, which is expected to reach Rs 15 lakh crore by 2030. The fund, managed by Andrew Holland, promises high returns with minimal risk and offers non-taxation benefits. Despite concerns from investors, Holland explains the potential for higher returns and low risk through the fund's risk curve.
Mehli Mistry, former trustee of Tata Trusts, has reached out to chairman Noel Tata to mend their strained relationship and put an end to media speculation. In a letter, Mistry expressed his commitment to Ratan Tata and the Tata Group, emphasizing the negative impact of controversy.
Indian exporters seek PM Modi's aid in dealing with US tariffs. They propose reviving the Interest Equalisation Scheme and automating GST refunds. Other concerns include skilling, cost reduction, and tariff negotiations in trade talks with the US. They also call for increased support in the Market Access Initiative and specific sectors.
Kunal Kapoor, CEO of Morningstar Global, advises investors to focus on simple, long-term, and diversified portfolios for future returns, as they may not match the past decade. He suggests not worrying about short-term market fluctuations and staying invested for the long haul, despite concerns about valuations in the Indian market.
The government is implementing strategies to enhance transmission capacity and streamline the contracting process for renewable energy projects. This involves reviewing agreements and potentially cancelling stalled projects. Emphasis is placed on grid strength, storage, and market reforms. Delays are attributed to inadequate transmission infrastructure.
India's IPO market is on the rise, but retail investors must carefully consider whether to participate or not. Venkatachalam Shunmugam recommends asking important questions and doing basic calculations before investing. The IPO is divided into two categories: Fresh Issue and Offer for Sale (OFS).
Bharti Airtel to seek reassessment of AGR dues from government after Supreme Court allows review of Vodafone Idea's liabilities. Vice chairman expresses disappointment over lack of consideration for errors in AGR judgment. Company to approach government before deciding next steps. Airtel's AGR dues estimated at Rs 44,000 crore.
Sundaram Home Finance MD, D Lakshminarayanan, talks about the robust demand for affordable housing in smaller towns despite supply-side challenges. The company plans to expand its emerging business segment. The recent GST rate cut and income tax slab revision are expected to boost demand, while the repo rate cut has had a gradual impact on lending rates.
Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers experienced a notable rise in profits and revenue during the second quarter of FY26, with a growth of 57.29% and 45% respectively. The company's net profit was Rs 153.78 crore, compared to Rs 97.77 crore in the previous fiscal year. The board of directors has also approved an interim dividend of Rs 5.75 per equity share, totaling to Rs 65 crore.
The Supreme Court is worried about the expensive prices of items in multiplexes, which could result in empty movie theaters. This comes after a petition by the Multiplex Association of India challenging a decision to limit ticket prices at Rs 200. The court suggested reasonable rates to attract customers, but the association argued that it should be a matter of choice and the cap is not feasible.