State governments' capital expenditure increased by 19% in April-July, with a slight slowdown in July due to monsoon. Borrowings rose as revenue growth slowed, but revenue expenditure remained stable. The Centre's loan support of Rs 1.5 lakh crore is expected to boost state capex, while public capex by CPSEs and other agencies grew by 2% in the first four months of the current financial year.
The Noida International Airport (NIA) is set to open soon and is projected to handle 6-8 million passengers in its first year. With a capacity to accommodate 12 million passengers annually, NIA aims to reach 10 million passengers by 2030 and eventually expand to 70 million by 2050. It will provide a fully digital travel experience and have direct bus routes to major cities.
President Trump's Gold Card initiative offers a path to US citizenship for wealthy immigrants through a $1 million gift and $15,000 fee. However, it is subject to visa availability and potential legal and congressional obstacles. It does not create a new immigration category and may not be suitable for mass hiring
A study by Jetri shows a "sync gap" in Indian private education, with students, parents, and educators disconnected in technology, motivation, and emotional safety. While AI is used by students, parents are unsure and teachers need training. The report recommends universal social-emotional learning, purpose-driven learning, and ethical AI to bridge the gaps.
The 2025 SBS Drama Awards will celebrate the best talents from South Korean networks, with nominees including Lee Je Hoon and Han Ji Min. Fans can vote for their favorite couple until December 24, with the ceremony on December 31. The event promises to be a grand finale for the year.
The Noida International Airport, India's first fully digital airport, promises to transform the travel experience with its advanced technology and self-service options. With automated systems and a seamless integration of technology, the airport offers self-bag-drop kiosks and self-boarding gates, reducing the need for manual tasks.
In CY25, India's credit system showed a shift towards micro markets, with NBFCs playing a prominent role in meeting the financing needs of households and enterprises. This was driven by a shift in monetary policy and GST rationalisation, which led to a revival in discretionary purchases.
India's first fully digital airport, Noida International Airport, aims to revolutionize air travel with automation and self-service systems. The airport's clean slate design promises reduced waiting times and predictable passenger flows. Future expansion and multimodal connectivity plans are also in place. IndiGo and Akasa Air will be the launch carriers for this state-of-the-art airport.
The highly anticipated IPL 2026 mini auction is scheduled for December 16 in Abu Dhabi, where franchises will bid on players from a curated pool to build balanced squads within financial and squad-size limits. With a data-driven approach, uncapped players and younger talents are likely to be in demand.
NCLT approves Flipkart's move to shift domicile from Singapore to India, allowing consolidation of overseas entities into Indian arm. Move seen as preparation for domestic public listing, seeking clearance under Press Note 3 due to Tencent's stake. Restructuring simplifies holding structure and shows commitment to India, following trend of new-age companies shifting.
India and Canada's chief negotiators will meet virtually this week to discuss the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The negotiations, which were abandoned in 2023, have resumed after a gap of two years. It is yet to be decided whether to continue from where they left off or start over.
Kantar's Media Compass Report for Q3 of CY2025 shows a significant increase in digital-only viewers in India, with 75% of them residing in rural areas. This accounts for 26% of the country's 15+ population. In contrast, linear TV viewership has slightly declined. The report, based on a sample of 87,000 consumers, provides updated reach and frequency metrics.
Merriam-Webster has named "slop" as its word of the year for 2025, reflecting its new cultural meaning as a term used to describe low-quality, AI-generated digital content. The decision was based on a significant rise in dictionary lookups and usage of the term, with other words like "six seven" and "performative" also making the shortlist.
SBI's YONO 2.0 aims to double its user base to 20 crores by reducing costs, accelerating digital credit, and increasing wealth and insurance penetration. It offers simplified KYC and Re-KYC, eliminating the need for repeated verifications. Available in 15 languages, it will have 10,000 floor managers for digital migration. Existing users will be automatically upgraded.
India's finance minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, revealed that household consumption data indicates a positive change in the country's growth pattern, with the bottom 40% of the population gaining wealth at a higher pace than the top 20%. This has resulted in reduced inequality, particularly in urban regions where the lower income group has seen a rise in asset ownership.
HomiHydrogen, a major electrolyser manufacturer, has invested Rs 400 crore in a new plant in Maharashtra. Despite its capacity to produce 150 MW in one shift and 300 MW in two shifts, the plant remains uncommissioned due to low demand for domestic electrolysers. Founder Siddharth Mayur is worried about the future of domestic manufacturing.
In November, wholesale price inflation continued to decline for the second month in a row, mainly due to lower prices of food, mineral oil, and electricity. The WPI dropped to (-)0.32% from 2.16% in the same period last year, but showed a slight improvement from (-)1.21% in October.
The government has introduced a new bill, Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025, to reform higher education. It proposes a single regulator for accreditation and autonomy, replacing existing bodies like UGC, AICTE, and NCTE. The bill also grants the regulatory body the power to penalize institutions and shifts grant authority to the education ministry.
Rob Reiner's son, Nick, was arrested for the murder of his parents, Hollywood director Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner. The couple had multiple stab wounds in their Los Angeles home. Rob, known for 'This Is Spinal Tap', was born in 1947 and married Michele in 1989. Nick has a history of drug addiction and has been in and out of rehab.
At a time when US President Donald Trump has tightened his stance on immigration and H-1B visas, an Indian-origin entrepreneur has emerged as a new billionaire in Silicon Valley. Jyoti Bansal, who moved to the United States from India with just a few hundred dollars and years on a work visa, has hit the billionaire mark
Sweden is experiencing a rise in gang violence, with minors as young as 12 being recruited by criminal networks through social media. Lenient laws protecting older gang leaders have led to a surge in violent crimes involving young people, causing fear and chaos in communities. The government is proposing legal changes to tackle this problem.
The Indian rupee has reached a new low of 90.73/$ due to weak sentiment and outflows. It has depreciated by 6% this year, the highest in three years. Traders are pushing the rupee down, while RBI intervention has been minimal. Structural reforms and a trade deal with the US are needed to increase capital inflows.
The proposed law to replace MG-NREGA seeks to overhaul the programme by shifting focus to strategic infrastructure creation and a predetermined funding pattern. The new law will no longer be demand-driven and states will share its costs in a 6:4 ratio. The aim is to create a cleaner, more accountable and infrastructure-driven rural employment system in line with the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
India's merchandise exports in November reached a three-month high of $38.13 billion, with a 19.37% year-on-year growth, driven by increased exports to the US and China. The decline in imports, particularly of gold and crude oil, led to a five-month low trade deficit.
India's marine products exports increased by 16% to $5.75 billion in April-November 2025-26, despite being hit by US tariffs. This was due to a surge in shipments to new markets such as China, Vietnam, Belgium, Japan, Russia, Canada, and the UK.
Top FMCG CEOs at the CII FMCG Summit discussed the potential for growth in the industry, citing the impact of GST and increased disposable income. They also highlighted the importance of targeting rural and small town markets and the need for R&D and innovation tailored for India's unique market.
India and Mexico are discussing a Preferential Trade Agreement to address the steep tariff increase on non-FTA partners. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal believes this is the best solution and a WTO-compatible one. A virtual meeting has been held and technical discussions on the PTA have begun.
India and the US are close to finalizing a framework agreement to lift reciprocal tariffs on Indian exports. The Commerce Secretary expects the pact to be completed soon, while a delegation from the US and EU visited India to discuss trade agreements. The issue of carbon tax on certain commodities is also being addressed.
Western Digital, a data storage firm, highlights the continued relevance of HDDs as they store 80% of data in data centres despite the growing adoption of flash storage. The company sees India as a key market, with its surveillance storage business driving revenue. They also expect a strong year for enterprise storage due to data centre investments and increased surveillance spending in India.
Retail loan performance remains stable, with balance-level delinquencies improving for home, personal, credit card, and gold loans. The Credit Market Indicator increased by 5 points, but micro-LAP and small-ticket housing loans showed signs of stress.
360 ONE Asset's real assets platform has raised a staggering Rs 2,300 crore in just four months, with majority of the committed capital already invested in infrastructure and commercial properties.
PIA denies reports of missing crew members in Canada, calling them "fake news" spread by "anti-Pakistan quarters". The airline reassures passengers and the public that all operations are running normally and crew members are safe. However, there have been past cases of missing PIA crew members in Canada, with investigations launched and potential consequences for those who illegally disappear.
Gold loans are gaining popularity over personal loans due to the surge in gold prices. Bank credit for gold loans has risen by 128.5%, while personal loans have slowed down. SBI chairman C S Setty notes that salaried customers are choosing gold loans for their larger amounts and lower rates.
GCPL CEO Sudhir Sitapati is optimistic about the current FMCG market, citing GST 2.0 price cuts, rural demand, and urban recovery. The company is prioritizing premiumisation, acquisitions, and strengthening their India business. They are strategically balancing premiumisation with mass-market growth and have made profitable acquisitions.
SEBI to introduce distribution framework for fixed income products to regulate mis-selling and aggressive advertising. Two categories of distributors - regulated entities and certified individuals. They will work for online bond platform providers and comply with strict advertising norms. This will protect retail investors from unregistered platforms and help them make informed decisions.
The IPL 2026 auction will have a rule called the "maximum fee rule" limiting overseas players' bids to Rs 18 crore. An overseas player's maximum fee at a mini auction is capped at the lower value between the highest retention slab (Rs 18 crore) and the highest price at the previous mega auction (Rs 27 crore for Rishabh Pant), capping the salary slab to Rs 18 crore for the 2026 auction.
Indigo's flight cancellations caused inconvenience to many travelers, who faced problems such as missed connections and hotel stays. According to DGCA rules, airlines must offer refunds or alternate flights and compensate for long delays, but not for non-refundable expenses.
CEO Jennifer Goldsack's cancer diagnosis led her to implement new rules, such as 'Take 5' breaks, to prioritize her health and inspire her team. She ignored early signs of exhaustion and stomach pain due to work stress, but now prioritizes health appointments and encourages self-care.
Aggressive hybrid funds offer a balanced allocation between equity and debt, making them a suitable choice for moderate risk and smoother returns. Despite their conservative structure, they have generated 15% returns over five years and have a competitive long-term track record.
San Francisco is facing a severe housing crisis and a start-up, Brownstone Shared Living, is offering affordable sleeping pods in public spaces for $700 a month. The company aims to increase productivity and reduce fatigue while also planning to expand and solve the housing crisis on a larger scale. Other US cities are also struggling with this issue.
Indian TV stars have seen a rise in their income, with some earning as much as Bollywood stars. The richest TV star, Kapil Sharma, has a net worth of Rs 300 crores and earns Rs 5 crore per episode for his show on Netflix. Rupali Ganguly, Karan Kundra, Harshad Chopra, and Tejasswi Prakash are also among the highest paid actors on Indian television, with impressive net worths and salaries.
Trevel, an electric mobility startup, has launched in Gurugram as an alternative to app-based cab aggregators. It owns all vehicles and employs drivers as full-time staff, ensuring high service standards. Currently offering city rides, airport transfers, and hourly rentals, it plans to expand to outstation services.
SITA, a global aviation technology provider, is discussing the implementation of baggage biometric technology with major Indian airlines and airports. This technology, which uses AI and image recognition, aims to reduce mishandled baggage caused by lost or damaged tags.
Lionel Messi's India tour included a visit to Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium where he met the Delhi Chief Minister and ICC President, received a ticket for the India vs USA T20 World Cup match, and played with young players. He will not meet PM Modi as initial media reports suggested but will meet other dignitaries at Purana Qila. Earlier, his Kolkata visit was disrupted by chaos and violence.
Noida International Airport will feature advanced biometric systems, self-service bag drop and boarding facilities, and a ground transportation complex. It will have 13 security lanes, CT scanners, and X-ray machines for baggage screening. The flexible gate system and multi-level terminal design will improve operational efficiency.
CIDCO plans to build a third runway at NMIA to meet the growing demand for air travel in Mumbai. A feasibility study has been requested to evaluate the technical and commercial aspects of the project, which will inform future infrastructure planning. NMIA is expected to become a major aviation hub, handling 90 million passengers and 3.2 million tonnes of cargo per year.
Benjamin Erickson, a person of interest in the Brown University shooting, has been released without charges due to lack of evidence. The police chief and attorney general have conflicting views on his involvement. The university has cancelled classes and exams for the semester, adding to the growing number of school shootings and gun violence in the US this year.
Galaxy Health Insurance, the youngest standalone health insurer in the country, predicts a 5-6% decrease in profits due to the GST rate cut. However, the government's decision to exempt individual health policies from GST will aid long-term growth.
Maruti Suzuki India is focusing on localizing battery production and other crucial components to boost the electric vehicle industry in India. Although they do not qualify for government incentives, they plan to introduce Battery as a Service and subscription models for their first EV.
Mammootty's latest action crime thriller Kalamkaval has been a massive success at the Box Office, earning over Rs 70 crore worldwide in just 10 days. With positive reviews, strong word-of-mouth, and Mammootty's star power, the film has surpassed expectations and outperformed Bollywood movies.
Tim Seifert's explosive 102 off 56 balls led Melbourne Renegades to a strong total of 212/5 against Brisbane Heat in their BBL 2025-26 faceoff. Seifert's performance comes ahead of the IPL 2026 Auction where he has registered at a base price of ₹1.50 crore. Jack Wildermuth was the top bowler for Heat.