The 56th GST Council meeting, chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, will take place in New Delhi from September 3-4. The major announcement expected is the revision of GST slabs, with the elimination of the 12% and 28% slabs. The auto sector is in focus as it stands to benefit from potential GST cuts, which could result in a 6-8% fall in on-road prices and boost car sales.
Uno Minda Limited conducts nationwide raids to combat counterfeit products, seizing 4,280 fake handle bar switches. A recent operation in Sirsa, Haryana targeted a major wholesaler and seized 2,740 counterfeit switches. Collaborating with investigative agencies, the company also conducted raids in Bihar and Assam to dismantle illegal operations.
Flipkart and Amazon are preparing for a competitive sale season with attractive pricing, early access for members, and partnerships with banks and brands. The GST cut allows for better offers and benefits for consumers. Smartphones, electronics, appliances, fashion, and lifestyle products will have heavy promotions, with financial partnerships and quick commerce playing a key role.
Kotak Institutional Securities predicts a 3-5% increase in health insurance premiums due to the loss of input tax credit after the full GST exemption on individual life and health policies. However, this could lead to a 12-15% decrease in prices for customers, boosting demand for the sector. Companies will have to pass on the GST burden on other services to customers.
SpiceJet, a top Indian airline, suffered a net loss of Rs 234 crore in Q1 FY26, a sharp decline from the Rs 158 crore profit in Q1 FY25. The company's revenue also dropped by 34% to Rs 1,120 crore due to geopolitical tensions and airspace restrictions.
Congress faces backlash for comparing Bihar to 'bidi' in a post criticizing GST rates. The remark has caused political outrage and could affect opposition's prospects in Bihar elections. Congress has apologized, but BJP leaders are still condemning the party for insulting Bihar and its people. This is not the first instance of Congress facing criticism for derogatory remarks.
Joint investments are convenient for succession planning but can result in duplicate reporting to the tax department, causing notices for non-earning joint holders. This is due to the mandatory reporting of high-value transactions under the PAN of all joint holders, leading to a mismatch between tax returns and AIS. Assessees can respond to tax notices by providing evidence of ownership.
Quant Mutual Fund is launching a new Specialised Investment Fund that allows investors to go short in the market, reducing risk and providing additional alpha. It will be managed through systematic active investing and perform well in market corrections. However, there is a shortage of talent for this type of management.
The Indian rupee reached a record low of 88.27 against the US dollar, attributed to foreign fund outflows and concerns over potential US tariffs. Despite a weak dollar and lower oil prices, the rupee continued to decline. The RBI attempted to intervene, but the impact was limited due to ongoing tariff announcements by Trump and selling by foreign investors.
The Indian luggage industry is undergoing a transformation as new-age companies emerge as strong competitors to traditional players. These companies are growing at a faster rate due to their modern designs and cost-effective production methods. This has resulted in a decline in margins for legacy players, while new-age companies now hold 25% of the organised luggage market.
Dassault Aviation, a French aerospace giant, is increasing its stake in Dassault Reliance Aerospace (DRAL), a joint venture with Reliance Infrastructure. After the transaction, DRAL will become a subsidiary of Dassault Aviation, with Reliance Infra holding a 49% stake. The move aims to strengthen guarantees and service commitments for customers in India and worldwide.
Inox Wind's share price is expected to rise by 31%, with Nuvama retaining a 'Buy' recommendation due to strong revenue visibility until FY27. The Inox Group has undergone restructuring and is expanding its renewable energy focus. Inox Green has entered the solar O&M market and IRSL is expanding its manufacturing and service capabilities.
Dwayne Johnson, also known as 'The Rock', has gone from pro-wrestler to Hollywood actor and entrepreneur. His latest film, 'The Smashing Machine', received critical acclaim at the Venice Film Festival. Despite early struggles, he built a successful brand and launched his own production house, tequila brand, Teremana, and a men's skincare line, which has gained immense popularity.
Indian defence forces have shifted their strategy post Balakot airstrike, prioritizing increased aerial attack capacity and precision strikes. CDS Anil Chauhan stresses the significance of political support and discretion in military operations. Operation Sindoor utilized lower airspace and drones, but airstrikes remain crucial for achieving political goals.
Punjab is facing severe floods due to intense monsoon, causing damage to homes and crops. Several Bollywood celebrities and political leaders have come forward to help the victims, including Diljit Dosanjh who has adopted 10 villages in the Majha region for long-term rehabilitation. Other celebrities like Sonu Sood, Satinder Sartaaj, and Randeep Hooda are also providing support.
Imagine Marketing, the parent company of boAt, has seen a 13.5% drop in unlisted share price in 6 months, following the trend seen in HDB Financial and NSDL before their IPOs. While revenue has declined, Imagine Marketing turned net profit positive in 2025. The upcoming IPO is expected to raise Rs 13,000 crore, with a fresh issue of Rs 900 crore.
China has pulled out of Pakistan's CPEC project and declined to fund the ML-1 railway upgrade during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's visit to Beijing. Despite signing MoUs worth $8.5 billion, Pakistan failed to secure new funding or major projects. This, along with improving ties with the US and India's growing alliance with China and Russia, has created a complex geopolitical situation.
Elon Musk's absence from a White House dinner allowed other tech CEOs like Mark Zuckerberg, Tim Cook, Bill Gates, and Sam Altman to gain prominence. Five Indian-origin tech moguls were also present. Notable figure Chamath Palihapitiya, a Trump supporter and megadonor, was among the invitees.
The recent GST rates rationalisation in the cement industry is expected to increase demand and prices, with larger players planning to raise prices by Q1 FY27. Nuvama predicts that consumers will benefit from most of the benefits, but some companies may be affected if states reduce incentives and subsidies.
The markets experienced a slight drop, with Nifty struggling at 24,700 and Sensex remaining flat. ITC's share price fell 3% due to GST concerns, while Persistent Systems and Ola Electric faced losses. However, Vodafone Idea saw a 6% increase. BSE's stock corrected significantly but is expected to see profit growth due to lower costs and colocation income.
President Trump signed an executive order to reduce tariffs on Japanese car imports and other goods, easing the burden on Japan's export-driven economy. The deal, announced in July, includes $550 billion of Japanese investment in U.S. projects. The lower tariffs, effective in seven days, prevent the 15% levy on Japanese imports from being added to existing higher tariffs.
Indian benchmark indices started positively, but optimism faded as sectoral pressure dragged markets lower. Realty, IT, FMCG, pharma, PSU banks, energy, infra, and metals all traded weak. Broader markets also showed signs of caution with Nifty Midcap 100 and Nifty Smallcap 100 slipping. Valuation concerns and global pressures ahead of Q2 earnings have led to cautious investor sentiment.
Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz are set to face off in the US Open 2025 men’s singles semifinal, with the 38-year-old Serbian aiming for a record 25th Grand Slam title and the 22-year-old Spaniard seeking revenge. This will be their first-ever meeting at the US Open, adding to the excitement. Djokovic leads the rivalry by 5-3, but Alcaraz has proven himself as a strong competitor, defeating Dj
Justin Bieber's surprise release of his new album, Swag II, has caused excitement among fans worldwide. The album cover has taken over billboards and social media, while Bieber made headlines for surprising a bride at her wedding. He also dedicated a song to his wife, Hailey Bieber, shutting down divorce rumors. Meanwhile, his former girlfriend Selena Gomez got engaged.
A laid-off employee expressed frustration on Reddit after finding out a meeting about "organizational alignment" was actually a layoff announcement. The employee had suspected this earlier and noticed a lack of communication from management. The layoff resulted in their department merging with another, with some colleagues receiving more notice.
JSW Cement's share price is facing selling pressure after reaching a record high on September 04. The government's infrastructure push and lower GST are anticipated to increase demand in the future. However, Motilal Oswal advises caution as the company's debt levels remain high. JSW Cement plans to reduce costs by Rs 400 per tonne in the next two years through cost efficiency measures.
The IT sector experiences a drop in stocks due to selling pressure, causing the Nifty IT Index to fall by 2%. Major companies like Infosys, TCS, and HCL Tech are all affected, along with all 10 constituents of the index. Weak global cues, volatility, and concerns over US jobs data and Fed rate cut also contribute to the decline.
India Yamaha Motor has introduced new color options for the R15 series, such as Metallic Grey, Metallic Black, and Matte Black. These updates aim to increase customer enthusiasm and solidify the R15's position as the top sportsbike in its category. With its outstanding performance and handling, the R15 remains a sought-after choice for young riders, competing with bikes like the Bajaj Pulsar.
The Income Tax Department has extended the deadline for filing ITR to September 15, 2025, but only 4.56 crore people have filed as of September 4. Out of these, only 3.17 crore have been processed, leaving 3 crore yet to file. Late filing can result in penalties and delayed refunds. The deadline might not be extended again, so it is advised to file early.
Swiggy and Zomato are preparing for the effects of new GST reforms which will make them responsible for taxes on local delivery services. They may increase delivery fees to protect their margins, potentially impacting consumers and the industry. However, some experts believe this could improve supply chain efficiency and benefit farmers and consumers.
Maruti Suzuki's new compact SUV, the Victoris, has received a 5-star safety rating from Bharat NCAP. It is expected to be more affordable than the Grand Vitara and offers advanced safety features like six airbags and ABS with EBD. The Victoris scored high in adult and child occupant protection, making it the second Maruti product to achieve a perfect safety rating.
Trump hosted a dinner with top tech leaders, including Zuckerberg, Gates, and Cook, but Musk was absent, causing speculation. Musk clarified he was invited but couldn't attend. The internet was upset by Gates' presence, saying Musk should have been there. Relations between the tech CEO and Trump have soured in recent times.
Widespread rainfall continues in Gujarat, with 195 talukas receiving rain in the past 24 hours. Umarpada in Surat recorded the highest rainfall of eight inches, while several other areas received over six inches. The IMD has forecasted sporadic showers until the monsoon withdraws around September 25.
Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Mandir Trust in Mumbai is planning a Rs 100-crore expansion, including the acquisition of Ram Mansion and Siddhivinayak Cooperative Housing Society. This will allow for the construction of new facilities and an underground parking lot for 450 cars.
Motilal Oswal has upgraded Swiggy to 'Buy' and reiterated its 'Buy' recommendation on Eternal (Zomato), predicting a strong growth rebound for both platforms. With GST reforms, festive tailwinds, and easing competition, the brokerage sees potential for a 32% upside for Swiggy and a 29% upside for Eternal.
TVS has launched the new Ntorq 150 in India at a price of Rs 1.19 lakh. It competes with the Hero Xoom 160 and Yamaha Aerox 155. The Ntorq 150 features a fresh design, projector headlights, all LED lighting, and a TFT instrument display with smartphone connectivity. It is powered by a 149.7cc engine that produces 13bhp and 14.2Nm of torque, with a top speed of 104kmph.
Fashion icon Giorgio Armani, worth $12 billion, died at 91 with no heirs to inherit his luxury label. He transformed menswear and had a successful RTW brand. His diverse business ventures made him the third richest Italian. The future of the brand now lies in the hands of his family and closest business partners.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's new GST reforms have caused controversy with a steep tax increase on IPL tickets. While industrialist Harsh Goenka supports the reforms, he questions the 40% tax on IPL tickets, which may discourage fans from attending matches. However, cinema-goers have received some relief with lower GST rates for tickets.
Barron Trump, the son of Donald and Melania Trump, has been absent from NYU for seven months despite enrolling in September 2024. His whereabouts and involvement on campus have been questioned, with rumors of conspiracy theories and concerns from his mother, Melania. A NYU professor believes Barron may have dropped out.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb cautions US President Donald Trump that his aggressive approach towards India and the Global South may result in losing influence to China and Russia. Stubb emphasizes the importance of viewing India as a strategic partner and not alienating them with tariffs and sanctions.
Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders, a defence PSU, has declared a final dividend of Rs 2.71 per share for the financial year 2024-25. The record date for eligibility is September 19, 2025, and the AGM is scheduled for September 26. The company has a history of regular dividends, with a 17% return in the past year. The market capitalisation is Rs 1.08 lakh crore.
TVS Motor Company has launched its latest scooter, the NTORQ 150, at an ex-showroom price of Rs 1,19,000. With this, TVS has entered the above-125cc scooter category, aiming to strengthen its position in the premium scooter segment. The company has invested Rs 100 crore in this product and is tapping into the growing sporty scooter segment, which has seen a 11% growth.
Elon Musk's Starlink is set to bring satellite broadband services to India after obtaining provisional spectrum for trials. The company will establish ground infrastructure at 10 sites, with Mumbai as its hub, and must comply with Indian security norms before launching. Officials predict affordable monthly charges, making it a viable option for underserved areas.
Kettleborough VC, a solo general partner (GP) venture capital firm, has launched Fund II with a target corpus of Rs 60-80 crore and plans to invest in 10-12 startups. Nisarg Shah, founder of Kettleborough VC, discusses the rise of solo GP firms in India, his standout investments, and the sectors he is bullish about.
Experts believe that the recent GST rate cuts, including a special rate for sin goods, could increase GDP growth by 10-60 bps annually. This will be driven by higher consumption, improved compliance, and lower inflation. However, the government should not tighten fiscal policy to counter the consumption boost.
CBIC chairman Sanjay Kumar Agarwal predicts that GST revenues will stabilize and increase in the coming months. He addresses concerns about industries like automobiles facing losses due to new GST rates and states seeking revenue compensation. He believes that compliance will improve, leading to better tax collections.
The GST exemption on life and health insurance is being evaluated by insurance companies, leading to the loss of input tax credit. Premiums may not immediately increase, but companies will have to cover some costs and may raise prices by 2-4% for new sales. In the future, the exemption could attract more customers and improve the industry, but short-term margin pressure may occur.
The decrease in GST rates has made premium cars more accessible, causing a shift towards higher-end options. Small cars will see price cuts of up to 8.5%, while larger sedans and SUVs will see cuts of 3.5% to 6.7%. This will boost demand in both rural and urban areas, including the luxury car segment.
The Yamuna River in Delhi has reached its peak due to heavy rainfall, leading to warnings and relief camps being set up. Ghaziabad is also facing evacuation and the risk of diseases. Businesses in the Tibetan Colony have been forced to close. More rain is expected and 24 river monitoring stations are at risk.
President Trump plans to sign an executive order to rename the Department of Defense to the "Department of War," allowing for the use of secondary titles like "Secretary of War." The move, which will require congressional approval, is part of Trump's efforts to rename institutions and places.
President Trump hosted a dinner for top technology leaders, including Indian Americans, at the White House. The dinner followed a meeting of the Artificial Intelligence Education Task Force, chaired by First Lady Melania Trump, which aims to develop AI education programs for young Americans. The dinner is expected to become a regular feature.