India and EFTA have signed a trade agreement that will result in reduced tariffs on Swiss wine and medicines. The reduction will happen gradually over the next decade, with final duties of 50% on wines under $5 and 25% on wines over $15. Other food products like tuna, olive oil, and coffee will also see reduced or eliminated duties in the next 7-10 years.
Indian indices opened higher as RBI announced its decision on key lending rates. NSE Nifty 50 and BSE Sensex opened higher, with Bank Nifty, small and midcap stocks also seeing gains. The market hovered between 24,600 and 24,730 zones with non-directional intraday activity. Early gainers included Shriram Finance, Sun Pharma, and Mahindra & Mahindra.
Benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty recorded their worst H1 returns in three years, gaining only 3.68% and 4.64% respectively in April-September 2025. This was due to US tariff concerns impacting the equity markets. In comparison, the first half of FY24 and FY25 saw much higher gains of up to 13.13% and 15.6%. The BSE Midcap and BSE Smallcap indices also saw a significant drop in gains
Jain Resource Recycling made a successful debut on the stock exchanges today, with shares listing at a 14% premium over the issue price. The IPO was subscribed 16.76 times overall, with retail investors putting in 3.81 times more bids than the shares reserved for them.
Gitanjali Angmo, wife of education reformer Sonam Wangchuk, denies allegations of anti-national activities and challenges authorities to an open debate. She claims the charges are baseless and accuses a witch-hunt to weaken the movement for Ladakh's Sixth Schedule protections. She questions the sudden portrayal of Wangchuk as anti-national and highlights his numerous honours and innovations.
Assamese singer Zubeen Garg died in a water accident in Singapore. His manager and NEIF chief organiser have been detained and arrested, and the SIT is investigating their involvement. Notices have been issued to members of the Singapore Assam Association, and they have been urged to record their statements with the authorities. Financial aspects are also being probed.
Zerodha, one of the leading brokerage houses in the country, experienced a significant decline in its brokerage revenue for the first quarter of FY26. Founder Nithin Kamath acknowledged the hit in a blog post and hinted at the need to pivot the business.
Tata Motors' demerger of its commercial and passenger vehicle businesses into two listed firms from October 1. The company aims to capitalise on growth by sharpening its focus. The plan includes renaming both entities and transferring assets, liabilities, and employees accordingly. Shareholders will have identical shareholding in the de-merged entity with a share entitlement ratio of 1:1.
President Trump and Pfizer have reached an agreement to lower drug prices for Medicaid and ensure that the U.S. pays the same price as other high-income nations. A new website, TrumpRx, will be launched for consumers to buy directly from the manufacturer. Pfizer also promised to decrease prices for Medicaid and launch new drugs at the same price as other countries.
Students in Delhi government schools will soon learn about the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as part of a new programme called ‘Rashtraneeti’, which also includes lessons on freedom fighters and democratic values.
Police in Karnataka's Hassan are investigating a blast at a house that left a couple with major burn injuries. The blast occurred near the washroom area, and the police are considering various possibilities, including involvement in carpentry work or a faulty cylinder. A team of experts is examining the site to determine the exact cause of the explosion.
Robert Kiyosaki, author of 'Rich Dad Poor Dad', predicts a surge in silver investment by September 2025, potentially turning $100 into $500 in one year. Despite a mixed track record for predictions, Kiyosaki remains a vocal advocate for silver, believing it has been manipulated for too long.
Ladakh administration denies victimisation allegations against Sonam Wangchuk, citing credible evidence for actions taken. Ongoing investigations into financial irregularities and foreign currency violations by HIAL. SECMOL's FCRA registration cancelled due to Wangchuk's provocative remarks and incitement of youth.
Trump plans to sign trade deals with Asian countries during his trip, says US Trade Representative, after talks with India have been positive. Trump's visit is expected to lead to more agreements, with progress seen in discussions and plans to resolve issues.
President Trump announces near completion of deal with Harvard University, including $500 million payment and trade schools for AI and engine building. Disputes with prestigious universities over pro-Palestinian protests, campus diversity, and transgender policies have led to legal battles, with Harvard winning a recent ruling.
Investment banks are keen to establish themselves in GIFT City, promoted by IFSCA as the preferred destination for the Global South. Indian firms with international operations and NRIs seeking to list their businesses here are likely to consider IPOs at GIFT. Foreign currency-denominated listings are also gaining traction, with XED's IPO postponed to November.
A 6.9-magnitude earthquake strikes off the coast of Cebu City, Philippines, leading to power outages and damaged buildings. At least 22 people have been reported killed, with 37 injured and multiple aftershocks recorded. The country's seismology agency warns of potential damage and advises the public to be on alert for unusual waves.
A recent Sebi investor survey found that only 10% of Indian households invest in securities, with a majority preferring capital preservation over higher returns. However, 22% of non-investors intend to invest within the next year, with a preference for simple digital platforms. The survey also highlighted the importance of financial education, especially in regional languages.
RBI data for August reveals a rise in bank credit to non-banking finance companies and micro, small, and medium enterprises. Loans to micro and small businesses saw a 1.8% increase month-on-month and 21% year-on-year, while credit to large businesses and medium businesses also saw growth.
Tata Capital's IPO price of Rs 310-326 per share, 27% lower than the unlisted share price, has caused a buzz. Despite this, the unlisted share price remains high, potentially causing losses for investors. However, the company's focus on cleantech, EVs, and SMEs makes it an attractive investment opportunity.
SpiceJet plans to triple its active fleet and double its daily flights by mid-November. The airline aims to expand its daily flights to 300, up from the current 125, and bring back 10 grounded aircraft by April. This comes as SpiceJet's net worth turned positive in FY25 and it reached a settlement with its largest lessor, Carlyle.
Tata Trusts and SP group are discussing an exit plan for SP's 18.6% stake in Tata Sons. The SP group wants a public share sale, but the Tatas have refused. The talks have gained momentum after the RBI's approval for Tata Sons' request to deregister as an NBFC, as long as both parties agree to keep it private.
In August, the weighted average lending rate (WALR) for fresh rupee loans of scheduled commercial banks (SCBs) decreased to 8.75% from 8.81% in July, while the WALR for outstanding rupee loans also dropped to 9.32% from 9.38%. The share of external benchmark-linked loans in total floating rate rupee loans increased to 62.9% in June 2025. The one-year median marginal cost of
Adar Poonawalla, owner of Serum Institute, is considering acquiring Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) of the Indian Premier League. The billionaire is evaluating the deal, but negotiations are ongoing and no decision has been made. RCB has been valued at $269 million, making it the top team in the league.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) maintains India's growth forecast at 6.5% for FY26, but reduces FY27 projection due to US tariffs. Despite this, strong domestic consumption and service exports will mitigate the effects. ADB's India director is positive about long-term growth. Favorable policies and monsoon expected to support consumption and economic growth.
The NSEIX has introduced daily expiry options for Nifty 50 index at GIFT city, making it the first Indian exchange to do so. These contracts cater to high-frequency trading and quantitative strategy desks, and provide new opportunities for retail investors. However, Indian residents are not allowed to trade these contracts due to Sebi's measures to safeguard retail investors.
Trai has revised its recommendations for PMRTS spectrum allocation, limiting it to five years instead of 20. This reflects the shift from narrowband to broadband critical communications. Trai also supports DoT's preference for annual royalty payments and aligning with telecom reforms.
Nifty 50 has recorded a 5% fall in the past 12 months, leading to a decrease in SIP momentum among retail investors. The current macro backdrop of tariff uncertainty and geopolitical tensions has made investors cautious, with a preference for household spending over financial investments.
RBI proposes shift to weekly credit reporting, introduces CKYC number reporting and monthly data quality index scores. This move is expected to pave the way for daily credit reporting, which has gained support from bankers and policymakers. While some banks have already started with daily reporting, others face challenges such as technological limitations and cost implications.
Flipkart's Big Billion Days sale is seeing a strong start, thanks to early-bird deals and GST benefits. Premium appliances and FMCG products are in high demand, particularly among Gen Z and metro customers. This trend is also seen in beauty and personal care products, as well as a surge in demand for larger screens and premium brands in appliances.
Airtel Business has partnered with Swift Navigation to launch Airtel-Skylark Precise Positioning Service, an AI/ML-powered solution that offers centimetre-level location accuracy. The service, which will initially cover 35,000 sq km in NCR, will improve accuracy by up to 100 times compared to standard GNSS technology.
TRAI has released a consultation paper to discuss the auction of 11,500 MHz of radio waves across 10 spectrum bands for mobile and broadband services. This follows a previous unsuccessful auction in June 2024. The DoT has asked for recommendations on reserve prices, block size, and spectrum quantity, including unsold spectrum. The paper also addresses the re-examination of the 600 MHz band.
Happy Maha Navami 2025! Celebrate the fourth day of Durga Puja and the final day of Navratri with rituals like Sandhi Puja and Kanya Pujan. The day is dedicated to Maa Siddhidatri, a manifestation of goddess Durga. Special bhog items are offered to the goddess before she heads back to her divine abode on the day of Durga Visarjan.
In September, retail auto sales saw a significant drop, but a pre-festive season surge provided relief to manufacturers. Registrations were down by 13.28%, but industry executives believe the numbers may not accurately reflect sales. However, there was a boost in footfall, bookings, and enquiries after September 22.
Adani Airports has obtained an aerodrome licence for its Navi Mumbai International Airport, paving the way for commercial operations. The airport, with a capacity of 20 million passengers, will be inaugurated by PM Modi and is expected to eventually accommodate 90 million passengers. Despite delays, flight tests have been completed and construction for the next phase is underway.
Eco-friendly D2C brands are gaining traction in the market, with a notable increase in funding and investor interest. This can be attributed to environmental regulations, changing consumer preferences, and competitive pricing and distribution. Brands like EcoSoul Home, Amwoodo, Bambrew, and D'moksha have seen success, despite facing challenges such as high competition.
IMD reports above normal monsoon season with 108% rainfall, second consecutive year. 91% areas report normal to surplus rainfall. Floods and crop damages in three regions, while east and north-east regions experience deficit rainfall.
Satellite internet providers are urging the DoT to create a separate license category for them, as the draft telecom framework could impede growth and discourage investment. The BIF is concerned about satellite communication being classified under mainstream telecom services instead of as a distinct category.
Despite pressure from the US to stop buying oil from Russia, India continues to rely heavily on Russian crude oil. However, there has been a slight decrease in purchases, showing a move towards diversifying oil sources. India is working to balance imports from Russia and the Middle East, in order to increase energy security and economic flexibility.
The government has extended the RoDTEP scheme until the end of the year to support exporters in the uncertain global market. The scheme covers various exports and will operate within the approved budget. This timely extension has provided exporters with policy continuity and confidence.
India's bilateral free trade agreement with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) will come into force today, providing major gains for India in investment commitments and service-sector access. The agreement, officially called the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), was signed on March 10, 2024, with Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein.
John Mayer, a seven-time Grammy award winner, will be making his India debut on January 22nd, 2026 at Mumbai's Mahalaxmi Racecourse. Known for his bluesy acoustics and soulful song writing, Mayer has had a successful and influential career in modern music. His one-night-only show is expected to have high demand for tickets.
The RBI has announced a revised liquidity management framework that will use the overnight weighted average call rate as the operating target. The existing symmetric corridor system will remain, with the standing deposit facility and marginal standing facility as the lower and upper bounds.
Centre's fiscal deficit widened to Rs 5.98 lakh crore, or 38.1% of the annual target, in the first five months of 2025-26 as net tax revenues continued to contract and capex accelerated. Non-tax revenues surged by 31.7%, while gross tax revenues expanded by just 1%. Analysts believe there is no threat to the Centre's plan to bring down fiscal deficit to 4.4% of GDP in FY26 due to robust
RBI deputy governor Swaminathan J urges PSBs to protect capital and asset quality through forward-looking buffers and stress management. He emphasizes collaboration among banks for cost reduction and efficiency through technology and digital twins.
The Indian rupee has experienced a 3.5% depreciation against the US dollar in 2025 due to a combination of global and domestic factors such as capital outflows, trade imbalances, and increased gold imports. Despite the weakening of the US dollar, the rupee has still fallen, indicating the influence of domestic pressures.
India Inc has remained stable in the first half of FY26, with more upgrades than downgrades in different sectors. Strong domestic demand, policy support, and improved balance sheets have helped companies withstand external shocks. Infrastructure, hospitality, and real estate have seen the most upgrades, while export-oriented industries and MSMEs have faced difficulties.
The Enforcement Directorate searched Reliance Infrastructure, a company of Anil Ambani Group, in Mumbai and Indore for illegal remittances abroad. The company is also under investigation for financial irregularities and loan diversion worth Rs 17,000 crore. Reliance Group denies wrongdoing and has reached a settlement. Ambani is not on the board of R Infra.
The Centre's fiscal deficit for August was 38.1% of the full-year target, higher than the previous year's 27%. In absolute terms, it was Rs 5,98,153 crore. Government receipts were Rs 12.82 lakh crore, with an estimated fiscal deficit of 4.4% of GDP. The Centre's total expenditure was Rs 18.8 lakh crore, with Rs 5,28,668 crore on interest payments and Rs 1,
ABD, a popular liquor company in India, is expanding its premium offerings to meet the growing demand for quality drinks. They have opened a new manufacturing facility for PET bottles and are set to launch an Indian single-malt whisky in 2029. The company is also investing in Telangana and Maharashtra to enhance efficiency and profits.