Minister Piyush Goyal discusses strategies to attract foreign investment, streamline FDI and FII processes, and create a robust investment ecosystem for employment, technology, and advanced sectors. Government committed to an investment-friendly environment through ease of doing business, deregulation, and compliance reduction. Third version of Jan. 6th to be implemented.
The government and LIC are close to completing the strategic disinvestment of IDBI Bank, with plans to divest a total of 60.72% stake. The UPI is expanding globally, but faces challenges in domestic inclusion for insurance and pension coverage.
SBI Chairman CS Setty proposed a national financial grid to connect credit bureaus, fraud registries, eKYC, UPI, and account aggregator frameworks. He suggested the creation of Indian Digital Payment Intelligence Corporation for real-time intelligence sharing among banks.
Keyper and Property Finder are collaborating to introduce a new monthly rent payment system in UAE. This will replace the traditional one-to-four cheque cycle and offer tenants the option to pay with credit cards or direct debit, making it easier for newcomers to afford housing. The system will launch in 2026, benefiting both tenants and landlords and bringing the UAE in line with global norms.
US stocks, including the Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500, and Nasdaq Composite, saw a significant drop on Tuesday due to concerns about high valuations in AI companies and uncertainty about the economy. Nvidia's upcoming earnings report is highly anticipated as it could impact the market's direction. A strong report could lift the market, while a miss could deepen the recent slump.
India Inc's corporate net debt has increased by 7% in the six months to September 2025, reaching Rs 42.16 lakh crore. The BSE 500 Index accounts for 77% of this debt, with cash and bank balances decreasing by 2.5%. 32 companies became debt-free in this period, compared to 45 in the previous six months.
Morgan Stanley predicts a 30% chance of Sensex reaching 107,000 points by 2026, with a 27% increase if a bull market prevails. In the base case, they forecast a 13% rise to 95,000. The report cites India's worst underperformance in 30 years and predicts continued gains in macro stability.
TRAI has directed access providers to tag all variable components in business SMS templates to prevent fraud and misleading links. The deadline for compliance is 60 days, after which untagged messages will be rejected. This measure aims to protect consumers from phishing and scam messages. It will also help access providers detect suspicious content and improve automated filtering.
The ED arrested Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui, chairman of Al Falah Charitable Trust and Al Falah Group, for money laundering after raids at 19 locations, including Al Falah University, where incriminating evidence was found. The university has been under scrutiny since a terror module was busted and a blast near the Red Fort.
Wonderla Holidays, a renowned amusement park chain, is diversifying its business by building resorts in major cities such as Hyderabad, Chennai, and Kochi. The company's goal is to raise its non-park earnings to 50% in the near future. The launch of Wonderla Chennai, its fifth and largest project yet, with an investment of Rs 611 crore, is a significant step towards this goal.
On Tuesday, shares worth Rs 21,253 were sold through block and bulk deals. The most valuable trade was in Mphasis shares, where BCP TOPCO IX sold stake worth Rs 4,726.06 crore. Kotak Mahindra Mutual Fund and ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund were among the buyers. In Emcure, BC Investments IV sold shares worth Rs 610 crore. On the NSE, SAIF III Mauritius Company and SAIF Partners India IV
Cristiano Ronaldo, global football star, to meet with US President Donald Trump at the White House to discuss world peace. Visit coincides with Portugal's qualification for 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted by US, Canada, and Mexico. Ronaldo's first game in US in 12 years, following sexual assault allegations in 2009.
The 2025 Blue Dragon Film Awards, hosted by Han Ji Min and Lee Je Hoon, will take place this week. No Other Choice and The Ugly have the most nominations. The ceremony will be aired on KBS2 and livestreamed on CHZZK Naver and KBS' YouTube channel. AKMU's Lee Chan Hyuk will perform and stars like Yoona will attend.
Modern trade saw a revival in the September 2025 quarter, driven by urban demand and a shift towards branded products. Analysts predict continued growth, but traditional trade faced challenges from pre-GST stock and e-commerce competition. Organised retailers are adapting to online shopping by offering convenience and expanding into smaller towns and cities.
Zoho-backed messaging platform Arattai is introducing end-to-end encryption in its latest update, closing the gap with WhatsApp. Co-Founder & Chief Scientist Sridhar Vembu encourages users to update and spread the word. The encryption only works when both parties have the latest version, and group chats will be encrypted in a few weeks.
Silver premiums in India have plummeted from Rs 30,000/kg to Rs 550/kg due to the import of 2,200 tonnes of the metal. The decrease in festival demand has led to lower prices, but buying is expected to pick up again with price adjustments. Gold imports have also risen, reaching $41.2 billion in the current fiscal year.
The QS Sustainability Rankings 2026 show a slight improvement for Indian universities, with 32 moving up the list and 30 dropping in rankings. 15 IITs were featured, but six have lower rankings. India has over 100 universities in the rankings, behind the US, China, UK, and France. The methodology considers environmental and social impact.
"Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal launched the TIA Portal, a comprehensive and integrated platform designed to enhance trade analytics and inform policymaking. The portal offers access to multiple databases covering global and bilateral trade, providing crucial insights for decision-making.
The US has restored the SNAP for millions of Americans after the government shutdown. However, new federal rules could still cause nearly 42 million low-income families to lose eligibility. The new rules also affect immigrants and refugees, and shift some costs to states, potentially leading to reduction in benefits and eligibility. This puts vulnerable Americans at risk of food insecurity..
The government is considering a shorter compliance deadline for the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, and companies are ready to meet the challenge. While established institutions may need more time to adapt, multinational firms in sectors such as BFSI, telecom, and e-commerce are already GDPR-compliant.
Deep technology startups in India are facing the primary challenge of customer adoption, despite the availability of early-stage capital and talent. Founders of various startups in sectors like quantum security, semiconductors, and space highlight the struggle of convincing customers to adopt new technology.
MoSPI has launched a new system to track emerging industries such as digital platforms, renewable energy, and intermediation services in economic data. The updated NIC 2025 now has a six-digit coding system to accurately define products and align with international standards.
Noida-based edtech PhysicsWallah (PW) made a strong debut on the stock market, listing at a 33% premium and ending the day with a 43% gain. The company aims to be among the top 100 listed firms in India and has seen a decline in promoter ownership after its Rs 3,480 crore IPO. With a large student community and ambitious plans for expansion, PW is a promising long-term investment opportunity.
A US lawmaker suggests gradually ending the H-1B visa, allowing Indian IT firms to hire locally and reducing pressure on margins. New rules make it easier and cheaper to hire freshers from American universities, but skill and performance will still be prioritized. Indian IT firms should prepare for the eventual phasing out of the H-1B programme.
India and the US have signed a long-term LPG sourcing contract, showing progress in their relations. The BTA, expected to be announced soon, aims to double bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030. The first tranche, addressing 50% additional tariffs on Indian products, is close to completion. Both countries are committed to expanding trade and commerce.
Ascertis Credit, formerly known as BPEA Credit, has raised $520 million for its fourth fund, targeting $1 billion. The fund has a diverse mix of global and Indian investors, showing the increasing interest in private credit in India. Ascertis Credit has a successful history in performing credit and will provide tailored solutions to high-growth companies in India and Southeast Asia.
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.
MuleHunter.ai, an AI-enabled tool by RBIH, is detecting 20,000 mule accounts monthly to prevent fraud in the growing volume of digital transactions. These accounts act as intermediaries for illegal funds and terrorism financing, moving through a network of bank accounts.
Economists predict India's Q2 GDP growth to be between sub-7% to 8%, with SBI Research estimating a 7.5% growth due to GST rate rationalisation, increased investment activities, and recovery in rural consumption, services, and manufacturing. However, concerns remain over global commodity markets and trade disruptions. The Reserve Bank of India projects a 7% growth.
Indian gold demand in international markets saw a remarkable rise in October, with a 172% increase in volume and 200% increase in value compared to last year. This surge is attributed to domestic retailers preparing for the upcoming wedding and festive season. While gems and jewelry exports have declined, the industry remains hopeful for a rebound, driven by domestic demand.
India's crude import bill decreased by 13% in April-October of FY26, thanks to lower prices. The country imported 142.7 million tonnes of crude oil, with a reliance of 80.2%. Domestic production declined by 1.2%. In October, India imported 21.1 million tonnes, with a bill of $10.3 billion.
Finance Minister Sitharaman met with capital market representatives to discuss proposals for improving market efficiency, increasing investor participation, and strengthening capital-raising mechanisms. Suggestions included reducing securities transaction taxes, rationalizing buyback taxes, and harmonizing dividend taxation rates.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai cautions against blindly trusting AI and stresses the need for traditional verification methods. Under his leadership, Alphabet has made strides in AI with its Gemini models. Pichai pledges £5 billion to enhance the UK's AI ecosystem and introduces Gemini 3.0. He urges using AI for its strengths while acknowledging its potential for errors.
The IBBI has suggested changes to the bankruptcy system to ensure fairness, such as giving homebuyers a stronger role in the resolution process. The proposal also requires important details to be included in the information memorandum, allows top operational creditors to attend meetings, and requires reasons for choosing liquidation over viable plans.
Deeptech investments in India are projected to increase significantly in the next few years, reaching 25-30% of total investments. This shift is due to the strong intellectual property protection of deeptech ventures, making them more attractive to investors. Sectors like sem are seeing a rise in interest from investors.
Q2 FY26 numbers from Waaree Energies and Premier Energies point to two very different strategies as India’s solar sector tightens at the upstream end. Investors are now watching which company moves faster on cells, wafers and order visibility, because the gap could reshape how the next two years unfold.
The government is taking urgent measures to reform public sector banks before the 2026-27 budget. Proposals such as consolidation, operational autonomy, and increasing FDI limit will be discussed in a meeting called by the PMO.
Karnataka government is investing Rs 600 crore in Deep Tech and AI, along with leading venture capital firms, to create a joint fund of over Rs 1,000 crore to support start-ups in these sectors. The initiative aims to develop a Deep Tech pipeline and establish six "Centres of Excellence" across state clusters. Rs 25 crore will also be provided for innovation labs in schools.
UnitedHealth Group has appointed former FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb to its board. Gottlieb, who previously served as FDA chief from 2017 to 2019, will use his experience to support affordable and innovative healthcare delivery. He was praised for his efforts to reduce e-cigarette use among youths and speed up approval times for generic medicines to lower drug prices.
Solar Industries India has received export orders worth Rs 1,400 crore for supplying defence products to international clients. The company's Q2 performance was its best ever, with a 57% year-on-year growth in revenue and a total order book of Rs 17,100 crore. Its international revenues also reached a record level of Rs 960 crore. The company's share price has risen by 39.83% this year.
Prabhas, the popular Telugu actor, has achieved great success with hit movies like Baahubali and Salaar. He is among the highest paid actors in India and has been consistently featured on Forbes India's Celebrity 100 list. His luxurious Jubilee Hills bungalow in Hyderabad, worth Rs 60 crores, is a prized possession with lavish amenities like an indoor pool and gym.
The Global Capability Centres (GCCs) sector in India is expected to see significant growth, with a projected increase of 11% in jobs by 2026 and 3.46 million by 2030. This growth is driven by the adoption of AI and the emergence of new roles such as Cybersecurity and AI Governance Architects. The sector is also expanding beyond metro cities to smaller cities
Nomura report shows India's housing market remains strong despite concerns around IT job losses and tariff uncertainties. Pre-sales for real estate developers rose 50% in Q2, with expectations for even stronger growth in FY27. Demand remains strong, with healthy resilience and upcoming launches. Developers continue to add new projects and land parcels, with collections rising 20% YoY.
The Rajasthan state government, in collaboration with the central government, plans to build an inland port in Jalor, Rajasthan, connected to the Arabian Sea through the Kandla port in Gujarat. The project, costing over Rs 10,000 crore, aims to enhance trade, industry, and logistics connectivity in the state. It will also support the HPCL-Rajasthan oil refinery project
Trump has shifted his stance on the release of Epstein files, claiming his government has "nothing to hide". Democrats' release of new emails has reignited the debate, with survivor Lisa Phillips urging for full disclosure. Trump, who previously dismissed concerns about his ties with Epstein, now supports the release and believes it will implicate Democrats.
SBI and ICRA have varying predictions for India's Q2 GDP growth, with SBI expecting 7.5% and ICRA expecting 7%. SBI credits rural consumption, investment, and GST rationalisation for the growth, while ICRA expresses concern over low government expenditure. Both agencies foresee growth in manufacturing and services, but ICRA predicts a slowdown in agriculture.
Hollywood actor Jon Voight has expressed his disapproval of New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, urging President Donald Trump to "terminate" his win in recent elections. Voight, known for his iconic roles in films like 'Coming Home' and 'Midnight Cowboy', called Mamdani a "communist" and warned that he will turn the city into a "virtual refugee shelter for radical Muslim ideology."
Indian equity benchmarks ended their six-day winning streak as the Nifty 50 and the BSE Sensex closed lower. Nifty Bank also saw a decline, while midcap and smallcap stocks fell. BSE Midcap and Smallcap indices closed higher. Factors like weak global sentiment, a stronger dollar, and expectations of a U.S. Fed rate cut in December contributed to the decline. Bharti Airtel was the top gainer.
After 25 years in the US, a couple returned to India, hoping to enjoy their golden years. But as friends back in the States ask about life here, a dealbreaker keeps cropping up — the horrendous traffic.
NielsenIQ's report reveals a slowdown in Indian FMCG sales growth due to GST rate changes. However, value growth increased by 12.9%, with rural areas surpassing urban areas for the 7th quarter. The report also discusses the impact of e-commerce and economic measures on consumption. Despite hurdles, the sector remains strong, with rural markets driving growth.