Government ratifies unchanged 8.25% interest rate for EPF deposits for 78 million subscribers, highest among fixed-income and tax-saving options. Central Board of Trustees determines rate based on EPFO's investment income and pattern.
Indian poetry has moved from traditional spaces to social media, where short-form videos are creating a new generation of audiences. Hindi and Urdu spoken-word creators have built large online followings, while platforms like Reels are driving major cultural conversations.
India is revamping its village planning strategy with the VB-G RAM G Act, introducing a scientific and geospatial approach through the Draft Framework for the Viksit Gram Panchayat Plan. The framework will utilize data from multiple platforms to tackle climate change, water security, and disaster management.
In its second season, The Paper's editor-in-chief takes on a powerful local club. Haiwaan follows a blind martial artist caught in a murder case, while The Revolutionaries delves into India's freedom struggle. Last Man in Tower examines greed and displacement in Mumbai's real estate boom. Ghamasaan is a crime thriller set in the rugged ravines of Bund.
Gallery Sumukha celebrates its 30th anniversary with a solo exhibition by sculptor G Ravinder Reddy, featuring five sculptures exploring beauty, identity, and the human image. KNMA's In-Rhythm exhibition brings together Bice Lazzari and Nasreen Mohamedi's work, while Inheritors of Earth explores plants as living participants.
Coffee and citrus flavors are being combined to create refreshing summer drinks. This trend is not new, with the mazagran originating in Algeria and coffee and orange juice being popular in Brazil. Specialty cafes and popular brands like Starbucks and Nestle are incorporating citrus into their coffee offerings.
The cancellation of the Met's exhibition on John Galliano raises the issue of separating an artist's work from their personal actions. Galliano's past offensive remarks resulted in the decision, reflecting the challenge of reconciling an artist's talent with their wrongdoing.
Travel clothing is evolving to meet the demands of modern travellers, with features such as packability, weather resistance, hidden storage, and lightweight fabrics. This trend is seen in products like the Nobero and ZILO travel hoodie, H&M's shirt dress, and UNIQLO's packable jackets.
CircleChess and NeuroStellar's partnership combines technology and chess to measure cognitive performance using a smart headband. This trend of integrating technology into sports is also evident in wearable sensors, AI coaching systems, and smart vests for data analysis. However, finding a balance between the use of technology and traditional methods will be crucial.
India launched its first imaging satellite, EOS-05, from a geosynchronous orbit using GSLV-F17 rocket, showcasing their improved remote-sensing and disaster-monitoring abilities. The advanced sensors on the satellite can capture detailed data on land use, vegetation health, soil moisture, water bodies, urban growth, and atmospheric conditions.
In "The Silent Syndicate," Ameer Shahul explores the influence of global private equity firms on India's healthcare industry. He raises concerns about their control over healthcare decisions and pricing, using the case of KIMSHEALTH as an example. This book sheds light on the impact of these firms on the quality and accessibility of healthcare services in the country.
The author of "Batanagar: A Personal History of India's Forgotten Company Town" reflects on the decline of the Bata company and its township, where she grew up. She paints a nostalgic picture but also acknowledges the flaws and impact of India's turbulent history on the community. The book appeals to those with a connection to Bata and raises important issues.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's net worth has skyrocketed to $198.8 billion thanks to the company's acquisition of Hugging Face for $12.9 billion. He is now the 8th richest person globally, with his wealth primarily coming from his 3% stake in Nvidia. The deal is expected to enhance AI accessibility.
Western and Central Railway have announced maintenance blocks that will affect Mumbai local train services. Western Railway will have a 5-hour block on September 6, while Central Railway will have special traffic and power blocks at Titwala for platform extension work. Passengers are advised to plan their journeys in advance and check for updates before travelling.
India's private space industry has experienced significant growth since 2014, with over 400 start-ups emerging by 2026. This has disrupted the long-standing monopoly of ISRO and is driven by policy reforms, investor interest, and government support.
Royal Enfield launched the new Himalayan 440, a simpler and affordable adventure motorcycle, addressing the demands of its rider community. It replaces the 411cc model with a larger engine, reduced vibrations, and updated features. The 440 also targets budget-conscious buyers and celebrates the brand's legacy.
The tech hiring landscape in India is changing, with a 95% increase in job openings in smaller cities. This is driven by the IT Services and BPM sector, with Ahmedabad, Coimbatore, and Jaipur experiencing the most growth. Companies are attracted to these cities due to lower costs and talent retention. However, this trend may not last long as the tech job market shows signs of recovery.
Goldman Sachs reports that Persian Gulf oil exports are higher than what is visible due to tankers turning off their tracking systems while crossing the Strait of Hormuz. This has created a disconnect between observable tanker movements and actual exports. The bank also highlights the high shipping risks in the region, with recent confirmed tanker strikes.
Sebi's review of the CAS has been well-received by market players, with trading-linked stocks and brokerages seeing a boost. Proposed reforms include a hybrid settlement mechanism and aligning closing times of cash and derivatives markets. BSE's CEO recognizes the need for improvement and suggestions from market participants include using VWAP for derivatives settlement.
The Income Tax Department has launched Form 1 for the FAST-DS 2026 scheme, allowing small taxpayers to declare undisclosed foreign income or assets. The form must be filed electronically by December 31, 2026 and has four parts. This scheme offers a simple way for individuals to report unreported foreign income and assets, with lower taxes and fees, and is open to former Indian residents.
States' capex growth slows in April-July FY27, with only 4 tranches of tax devolution shared compared to 5 last year. However, stronger tax revenues and lower borrowings give states fiscal space to increase capex in remaining months. Maharashtra, Punjab, and Kerala see significant increases in capex, while West Bengal and Bihar see declines.
The NSE has been granted approval for its IPO, which will be one of India's biggest. The offer for sale will have 10 shareholders selling a total of 148.905 million shares, including State Bank of India, MS Strategic, and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board. The IPO could bring in a significant profit for some shareholders, exceeding expectations.
Kia India plans to sell 410,000 vehicles by 2030, with a focus on premium SUVs and electrified powertrains. They will introduce 10 new models, 8 of which will have electrified powertrains. While they have enough capacity, they must boost sales and exports. The launch of Sorento, a premium SUV, demonstrates their strategy of diversifying powertrains.
E-way bill generation under GST increased by 7.7% in August, indicating growth in India's organized economy due to improved compliance and steady consumption demand. However, it was down 0.5% from July. This rise is expected to continue during the festive season, further boosting GST collections which saw a 14.6% increase in August.
Reliance Jio, known for its free calls and cheap data, is set to launch a massive IPO worth Rs 37,700 crore. After investing in infrastructure and gaining millions of subscribers, the company is now focused on monetizing its network, customer base, and digital ecosystem. With a customer base of 524 million and a wide range of services, Jio's IPO is a significant milestone in its growth.
HarperCollins India has obtained the rights to publish Sonia Gandhi's memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love, following a dispute with Penguin India. The highly anticipated book, releasing on November 10, will delve into India's post-independence era and Sonia's personal life, including her marriage to Rajiv Gandhi and her political journey.
Ola Electric has launched its first cohort of dealer-operated stores in seven states, with plans to expand to over 500 dealerships in the coming months. This shift to a partner-led retail model will improve market reach and customer response, while existing company-owned stores will focus on providing product experience.
A Coast Guard plane carrying DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin and 14 others made an emergency landing at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport due to engine failure. This raises concerns about the safety of old Coast Guard aircraft and the DHS's request for a new, luxurious jet. Mullin praised the pilots for their professionalism.
Anil Chakravarthy, a successful Indian tech leader and IIT alum, has been appointed as the new CEO of Adobe, taking over from long-time CEO Shantanu Narayen. Chakravarthy's expertise and past achievements at Adobe make him well-equipped to lead the company's growth in the age of AI. He will work closely with Narayen, who will now serve as executive chair, to ensure a seamless transition.
Motilal Oswal has initiated or reiterated ‘Buy’ calls on three stocks with potential upside of 14% to 66%. The reasons behind the calls are different, with PhysicsWallah's online growth and improving margins, UltraTech's cement demand and entry into cables and wires, and CG Power's higher transformer capacity and rising power-sector demand.
Jefferies forecasts a bright future for Indian equities, citing a potential increase in nominal GDP growth and corporate profits. The brokerage is optimistic about sectors like banks, power, metals, property, and hospitals, and recommends top picks like HDFC Bank, Adani Energy Solutions, JSW Energy, DLF, Fortis Healthcare, and Medanta.
UltraTech Cement's foray into the wires and cables industry has caused worry among existing players, causing a significant drop in their stocks. With a planned investment of Rs 1,800 crore, UltraTech aims to dominate the segment within five years. it predicts that their new business could contribute up to 7% of their revenue and EBITDA by FY30
ESDS Software Solution made a strong stock-market debut today, September 4, with its IPO receiving a strong response from investors. The stock opened at a 76.46% premium over its issue price of Rs 429 and was heavily subscribed, with bids for 142 times the shares on offer. The company operates in the technology space and raised Rs 720 crore through a fresh issue of 1.68 crore shares.
CLSA predicts a positive future for Oil And Natural Gas Corporation Ltd. and Oil India in the oil and gas industry, with expected tightening of crude oil markets and increasing demand in Asia. ONGC has potential for 71% growth, while Oil India has 12.4% growth. Strong production growth and a tighter crude market are key triggers for both stocks, according to the report.
Adani Group is rapidly expanding its property development with plans for over 600 million sq ft, surpassing DLF as the largest listed developer in India. They are also targeting an extra 150 million sq ft near airports and city-side infrastructure. The group is focused on boosting Mumbai's economy with their projects and has experienced a significant increase in their real estate wealth.
Aditya Birla Group is leveraging its resources and expertise to enter new markets and challenge established players. Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla sees the group as a platform for innovative ventures, targeting categories with growth potential and market disruption. Ultravolt, the group's latest venture in wires and cables, aims to be a top player with a massive investment of `1,800 crore.
Tata Trusts declared that the allegations against the transfer of shares in 1989 were baseless and the charity commissioner of Maharashtra dismissed the complaint. The commissioner stated that the transfer was lawful, supported by documentation, and the trust made a profit. The commissioner also expressed surprise at the behavior of a trustee.
India and New Zealand's FTA, to be implemented in October, will remove tariffs on all Indian exports. New Zealand has committed to investing $20 billion in India over 15 years. Talks with China and negotiations for a CEPA with Chile are expected at the BRICS Summit. Expanding the Preferential Trade Agreement with Mercosur is also under consideration.
Moody's Ratings predicts that India's data centre investment will have a limited impact on the country's economic growth due to high import intensity. The construction phase will add 0.10% to GDP, with power generation contributing 0.03%. Malaysia is expected to benefit more with a potential 1.75% contribution to GDP.
India's crude import bill is facing pressure with the benchmark crude basket rising to $99.35/barrel, a 7.9% increase from August and 18.6% higher than July. This is due to tensions in West Asia and volatility in crude markets after US strikes and Iranian retaliation.
India's service sector showed a slight recovery in August with an increase in new business inflows and stronger customer demand. However, the pace of expansion was slow, with subdued bookings and increased competition limiting growth. Job creation was at a 15-month high and price pressures only picked up modestly.
India's Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, assured investors that the country's economic strength, ongoing reforms, and commitment to fiscal responsibility make it a reliable destination for global investment. Despite global disruptions, India remains the fastest-growing major economy, with a 7.8% growth in Q1 of FY 2026-27.
Advertisers are gearing up for the festive season, with a predicted 10% increase in ad spending to reach Rs 66,000 crore. Despite obstacles like inflation and conflicts, consumer and advertiser sentiment remains upbeat. A survey reveals that 67% of Indian consumers plan to spend more on fashion, furniture, electronics, and consumer durables.
Maruti Suzuki is experiencing a high demand for their products, resulting in only 16 days of inventory heading into the festive season. To meet this demand, the company has installed two new production lines, but it will take a few months to reach full capacity. They also have plans to introduce new SUVs and continue their multi-powertrain strategy.
The month of August saw a record high of Rs 98,353 crore in bulk and block deals, attributed to the end of lock-in periods for new companies and improved market sentiment. Mutual funds and foreign portfolio investors were the top buyers, with FPIs using block deals to invest in mid- and small-cap stocks.
Indian refineries have adapted their crude procurement approach amidst the West Asian crisis. The Indian crude basket (ICB) is a key indicator for policymakers and companies to monitor crude costs, inflation dangers, and geopolitical disturbances.
Hyundai Motor India is increasing its efforts to boost sales in the domestic passenger vehicle market. They plan to focus on EVs, with a goal of 7-8% of sales next fiscal year, and ramp up exports to 30% in five years. Production capacity is being expanded and a mass-market EV is being introduced. Hyundai will continue to offer a variety of eco-friendly vehicles to meet customer needs.
Chennai-based air freight company Afcom Holdings has signed an LOI with Boeing for the acquisition of up to four Boeing 777-8F freighter aircraft. This would be the first order for the 777-8F by an Indian carrier. Afcom plans to expand its cargo operations and enter wide-body freighter operations.
India's Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal stresses the need for a clear tariff advantage for Indian exporters before signing a bilateral trade agreement with the US. He highlights the importance of relative tariff burden and the competition India faces in the American market.
BSE's weekly derivatives expiry triggered extreme volatility during the closing auction session on Thursday, with the Sensex plunging more than 2,100 points before recovering by 1,800 points. The benchmark eventually closed down 417 points, adding to concerns over liquidity and price discovery.
Indian economy growing rapidly due to high government capital spending, private sector investments encouraged by Finance Minister. Private sector capex increasing in services and emerging areas, but manufacturing sector still lagging. Signs of recovery seen. Central government's increased capital expenditure leading to GDP growth and rise in investments.