The GST regime is undergoing a significant change with a two-tier structure of 5% and 18%, and a special rate of 40% for luxury goods. Despite concerns from opposition-ruled states about revenue losses, the Centre has promised compensation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced these reforms, which have been approved by a group of ministers.
"Ministry of Finance approves Rs 7,300 crore scheme to boost domestic production of rare earth magnets, expected to be approved by Cabinet. Seven-year plan aims to create self-sustaining ecosystem for magnets used in electric vehicles, wind turbines, and defence systems. Production target increased to 6,000 metric tonnes per year to meet demand by 2030."
India's 6G ambitions, through the Bharat 6G Alliance, aim to contribute $1.2 trillion to GDP by 2035 and own 10% of global 6G patents. The country is also rapidly growing in satellite communications, with the market expected to triple to $15 billion by 2033. The government is focused on expanding physical and digital infrastructure and India's digitally skilled workforce.
CPSEs and central agencies like railways and NHAI recorded a 60% growth in capital expenditure in September, indicating a strong focus on infrastructure development. Cumulative capex for April-September 2025 stood at Rs 3.85 lakh crore, showing a strong momentum in government-led economic initiatives. Indian Railways and NHAI are leading the infrastructure push with a target of economic growth.
The death toll of children who consumed contaminated cough syrup in Madhya Pradesh has risen to 20. The CDSCO found that drug companies did not follow testing rules. The WHO is seeking clarification on exportation. The government plans to improve supply chain and reduce risks by disincentivising the use of propylene glycol, believed to be the cause of deaths.
At the India Mobile Congress, Reliance Jio chairman Akash Ambani highlighted India's strength in the technology value chain and Jio's commitment to driving innovation. COAI director general SP Kochhar praised the event for showcasing India's progress in innovation and stressed the importance of a balanced ecosystem for sustained and inclusive growth in the technology sector.
Bharti Airtel's Gopal Vittal stresses the importance of a new global framework to combat cybercrime and digital fraud. He emphasizes the need for collaboration among companies and the creation of international institutions, while urging regulators to adapt to the evolving risks in the digital era. This comes after a retired citizen lost his life savings to an online scam.
India has become the third-largest solar energy producer with a capacity of 125 GW. It aims to achieve 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030, with a major focus on solar energy. The International Solar Alliance, a joint effort with France, plans to attract $1 trillion in solar investments by 2030. India is also looking to increase domestic manufacturing and collaborate with other nations.
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PM Modi urges investment and innovation in India, highlighting its democratic setup, investor-friendly policies, and digital capabilities. Government efforts to accelerate reforms and promote manufacturing and innovation were emphasized. India's potential as a semiconductor hub and progress in telecom and digital sectors, making it a leader in 4.0 technologies, were also praised.
NITI Aayog proposes a national mission, Digital ShramSetu, to make AI accessible and impactful for India's 490 million informal workforce. The aim is to achieve high-income status by 2047 by bridging the income gap and transforming low-productivity jobs. The mission suggests creating a trust ecosystem and incentivizing adoption of frontier technologies, with apex body chaired by the government.
The Indian government plans to allow e-commerce companies with foreign holdings to create their own inventory for exports, in order to boost e-commerce exports without harming small retailers. The global e-commerce market is projected to reach $2 trillion by 2034, with India aiming for $200-300 billion by 2030. Policies like e-commerce export hubs and incentives like RoDTEP.
Indian Railways sets new record in infrastructure spending, utilizing 56.5% of annual capital expenditure in first half of FY26. Total budgetary grants of Rs 2.52 lakh crore, with Rs 1.42 lakh crore invested in April-September. Focus on modernizing rail network, with investments in capacity, safety, rolling stock, and customer amenities.
The Indian government has allocated Rs 900 crore for a National Satcom Monitoring facility to protect the country's data resources and spectrum assets. The Indian Satcom market is expected to triple by 2033. The government has granted licenses for satellite broadband services and aims to provide 5G connectivity to 99.9% of the population.
At the Global Fintech Fest, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal praised India's trust as its greatest asset in global finance. He credited PM Modi's leadership and Viksit Bharat 2047 vision for the country's success in digital infrastructure, fintech innovation, and trade resilience. Despite challenges, India's exports and IT services have grown, aided by GST.
LG Electronics India Ltd's IPO received 3.32 times subscription on the second day of bidding, with bids for 23,70,85,836 shares against 7,13,34,320 shares on offer. The IPO is valued at Rs 11,607 crore and will conclude on Thursday, with the price band set at Rs 1,080 to Rs 1,140 per share. The company, which collected Rs 3,475 crore from anchor investors, is expected
The first death anniversary of Ratan Tata, former chairman of Tata Group, is being commemorated with remembrance events. However, the Tata family is facing discord within Tata Trusts, leading to government intervention. The SP Group, owning a significant stake in Tata Sons, is seeking a listing to reduce debt. A truce between the two factions is being sought.
Indian IT sector set for steadier quarter with TCS, HCL Technologies, Persistent Systems, and Tech Mahindra announcing results. Kotak Institutional Equities expects 0.2-6% sequential growth and steady margins. Concerns include H-1B visa rules and impact of weak rupee. Focus on TCS's planned layoff of 12,000 employees and Infosys's expected 1.8% growth.
GRSE and Centum Electronics have signed an MoU to jointly develop Advanced Naval Navigation Systems, with a focus on modernization and upgrades. This partnership aligns with the Indian government's push for public-private partnerships in the defence sector and supports the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' initiative.
Saatvik Solar Industries' stock price rose by 7% after securing two major orders worth Rs 707.62 crore from well-known IPPs and EPC companies. These orders will be executed in FY26 and are repeat orders from domestic entities. The company clarified that there are no related-party transactions involved and its promoters have no interest in the entities awarding the contracts.
PM Modi welcomed UK Prime Minister Kier Starmer in Mumbai and the two visited the Yash Raj Film Studio in Film City. Starmer enjoyed a movie screening with CEO Akshaye Widhani and was seen sharing a candid moment with actress Rani Mukherjee. The visuals show Mukherjee stunning in a bright yellow suit as Starmer made his YRF debut. More details to follow.
In 2025, Akshay Kumar recreated his viral moment by asking Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis how he likes to eat oranges. Fadnavis shared a unique 'Nagpur trick' of eating oranges, similar to how people eat mangoes. The exchange happened at a FICCI Frames event in Mumbai, leaving netizens ROFL.
Motilal Oswal has maintained a Buy rating on Kalyan Jewellers with a target price of Rs 650, expecting a 34% upside. The company is experiencing strong footfalls and double-digit same-store sales growth in Q2 FY26, driven by weddings and festivities. Kalyan Jewellers has launched 15 showrooms before Diwali and added 15 more during the quarter. The company's consolidated sales grew by 30% YoY.
Indian benchmarks closed lower on Wednesday after a volatile session, breaking a five-day winning streak. The Nifty 50 closed 0.12% higher while the Sensex ended 0.17% higher. The Nifty Bank settled 0.39% lower, while midcap stocks surged. The BSE Midcap declined 0.74%, and the BSE Smallcap finished 0.42% lower. The market was driven by profit booking and caution ahead of the Q2 earnings.
The coal ministry plans to introduce a new law to replace the outdated Coal Mines Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1948. The proposed legislation aims to improve social security and pensionary benefits for coal workers, considering factors such as industrial disputes resolution, working conditions, and digitalisation. The draft bill seeks to replace the current Board of Trustees
Businessman Robert Kiyosaki advises on how to become a "winner" in the current situation of the US dollar's decline. He suggests investing in alternatives such as gold, silver, Bitcoin, and Ethereum. Kiyosaki's past tweets highlight his belief in the impending stock market crash and the importance of investing in these assets.
According to an Ambit report, festive spending is expected to slow down this year due to low wage growth and subdued consumption in urban regions. Despite GST cuts, overall demand may not increase due to brand substitution and stagnant disposable income. Rural areas are expected to outpace urban demand, with tier 2 and tier 3 cities showing more robust growth due to higher wage increments.
Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan has announced that the government will not protect any wrongdoers in the Sabarimala gold plating controversy and a special investigation team has been appointed. The opposition is demanding the resignation of the state's Devaswom minister and has halted Assembly proceedings.
IAS officer Durga Shakti Nagapal has been asked to pay Rs 1.63 crore as compensation for "unauthorised occupation" of an official bungalow on IARI's Delhi campus. Nagpal, who served as OSD to the Agriculture Minister in 2015, continued to occupy the residence after her deputation ended in 2019 due to her parents' health conditions.
The average cost of a vegetarian thali fell by 10% and non-vegetarian thali by 6% year-on-year in September, according to a report by Crisil Intelligence. This was due to a sharp drop in prices of vegetables and pulses. However, vegetable oil and LPG prices limited the overall decline. On a monthly basis, the cost of a vegetarian thali fell by 3%, while the non-vegetarian thali rose by 3%.
Nineteen people have died in Madhya Pradesh after consuming a 'toxic' cough syrup called Coldrif, which contained a dangerous level of diethylene glycol. The victims included 17 children from Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Cough syrups are not advised for children under 5 years old and may not be effective, according to recent research.
Heavy rains in Bihar have led to flooding on National Highway 19, leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded and causing traffic jams up to 65 km from Rohtas. The road is waterlogged and filled with potholes, causing slow and dangerous progress. Despite the severity, no action has been taken by the NHAI or the road contractor.
The Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) has issued a demand notice to IAS officer Durga Shakti Nagpal for ₹1.63 crore. Currently serving as a District Magistrate at Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh, Nagpal has been accused of “unauthorised occupation” of an official Type VI-A bungalow on its Pusa campus in Delhi long after her deputation ended, between May 2022 and February 2025.
IRS officer Sameer Wankhede has filed a defamation lawsuit against Netflix, Meta, XCorp, and Google for their series Ba***ds of Bollywood, which portrays him in a false and malicious manner. The Delhi High Court has summoned the defendants to respond and issued notice on the application for interim relief. Wankhede's amended plaint seeks Rs 2 crore in damages.
SIT arrests APS officer Sandipan Garg in Zubeen Garg death probe. Five others, including event organiser and band members, also arrested. SIT chief Munna Prasad Gupta confirms the news.
Jefferies remains positive on the cement sector despite sluggish demand, predicting a 52% YoY growth in EBITDA due to better pricing and a soft base. The brokerage expects companies to increase prices in November due to rising fuel costs. Their top stock picks are UltraTech Cement, Ambuja Cements, and JK Cement. Grasim Industries, however, is expected to have a weak performance in the near term.
India Inc prepares for Q2 earnings as top Nifty companies like TCS, HCL Technologies, Tech Mahindra, and Axis Bank announce results. Nuvama forecasts 6% topline and 8% profit growth, marking the tenth consecutive quarter of muted earnings. US tariffs to affect Indian corporates, but strong performance expected in electronics, telecom, and cement sectors, while IT and banks face challenges.
President Trump appoints Indian-origin scholar S Paul Kapur as new Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs. Kapur, a strong advocate for India-US relations and a critic of Pakistan, was confirmed by the Senate. He has extensive knowledge of South Asian politics and international relations, and has written books on nuclear weapons and conflict in the region.
British PM Keir Starmer, during his maiden trip to India, believes that the India-UK free trade agreement has great potential and will act as a catalyst for growth. India's expected rise to the third largest global economy by 2028 makes it a lucrative market for British businesses. Starmer, accompanied by 125 business leaders, aims to enhance bilateral relations.
Dolly Parton's sister, Freida, has asked fans to pray for her recovery as the singer has been dealing with health challenges and had to postpone concerts due to medical procedures. Dolly explained that she had a kidney stone and infection, and also lost her husband earlier this year. She joked about needing a "100,000-mile check-up" and assured fans that she is rehearsing for upcoming shows.
Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of Telegram, is a wealthy and influential figure known for his escape from Russian intelligence and his innovative contributions to social networking. In a recent interview, he discussed various topics, including literature and AI. Durov has anonymously donated sperm in 12 countries, to normalize and assist in fertility treatments.
PM Modi urges investment in India, citing government's reforms and welcoming approach. He highlights opportunities in manufacturing of semiconductors, mobiles, and electronics. Digital connectivity is now a crucial part of every Indian's life, with India having the world's fastest-growing developer population. India has also achieved a major indigenous feat with its Made in India 4G Stack.
Vruj Patel, a 26-year-old Indian-origin man, was sentenced to 22 years in jail for rape, sexual assault, and other indecent acts against minors and women. His brother, Kishan Patel, was also sentenced to 15 months for possessing indecent images of children. The Metropolitan Police is appealing for more victims to come forward.
Popular Punjabi singer Rajvir Jawanda, 35, died on October 8, 2025, due to a severe road accident in Himachal Pradesh. He was hospitalized for 12 days at Fortis Hospital, Mohali, but succumbed to brain and spinal injuries. His sudden demise has left the industry and his fans devastated, with many mourning and honoring his talent.
Kyiv reported on Tuesday that an Indian national has been captured by Ukrainian forces after allegedly fighting alongside the Russian army. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs said it is verifying the reports and has not yet received any formal update from Ukrainian authorities regarding the detention.
The Ministry of Education's decision to make Zoho Office Suite mandatory for official use has sparked a debate on the Swadeshi movement and promoting homegrown innovation in India. While there is criticism for the delay in implementation, others support Zoho and its founder for their potential in creating jobs and developing skills in rural areas.
Lloyds Metals and Energy has received approval from the CCI to acquire a 49.99% stake in Thriveni Pellets. The deal has been deemed to have no competition concerns in the market. Lloyds Metals' share price has seen a 4.42% increase this year. Lloyds Metals and Energy operates in various segments including iron ore mining, DRI production, and pellet trading.
British Airways is expanding its services to India by adding a third daily flight between London and Delhi in 2026. This follows the signing of a Free Trade Agreement between the UK and India. The airline also plans to bring back its First cabin on flights to Mumbai and introduce its latest business class Club Suite on all five Indian routes by 2026.
Gita Gopinath, former IMF Chief Economist, criticizes the "Liberation Day" tariffs imposed by the US, stating they have not benefited the economy and have instead burdened domestic firms and consumers. The tariffs have increased government revenue but also led to higher prices and inflation, with no improvement in trade balance or manufacturing sector.
Titan's share price saw a 4% jump in early trade following their second-quarter business update. The domestic jewellery segment reported 19% year-on-year growth, with strong performances from Tanishq, CaratLane. Brokerages like Motilal Oswal and Nomura have maintained a buy rating on the stock, with target prices of Rs 4,150 and Rs 4,275 respectively.
The ED conducted a sweep against Malayalam superstars, including Mammootty, Prithviraj, Dulquer Salman, and Amit Chakkalackal, in connection to the Kerala luxury car smuggling case. The raids were conducted at 17 locations, revealing a syndicate involved in illegal activities. The investigation also uncovered the use of forged documents, shell entities, and launder foreign currency.
A study in Australia shows that younger generations, especially Gen Z, are choosing to not drink alcohol due to changing norms and health concerns. This could have positive long-term health effects and is changing the perception of celebration in society. However, binge-drinking is still a concern among older adults.