The beneficiary count under the direct benefit transfer (DBT) initiative of the government with respect to different schemes of the MSME Ministry dropped to 14.44 lakh in the financial year 2023-24, according to the 2023-24 annual report of the MSME Ministry published last week.
28,000 crore
Tata Capital, the financial services arm of the Tata group, has raised Rs 4,641.8 crore from 135 anchor investors ahead of its IPO launch. Top investors such as Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs are among the anchor investors. The IPO will open on October 6 and close on October 8, with a total size of Rs 15,512 crore and shares priced at Rs 310 to Rs 326, valuing the company at Rs.
Over Rs 2.57 lakh crore worth of shares from 79 companies will be unlocked between October 6 and January 30, with Rs 41,427 crore available for sale in the first 30 days. However, not all shareholders are expected to sell their stake. Bharti Hexacom, Waaree Energies have the highest value of shares to be unlocked while Urban Company and HDB Financial Services face pressure due to lock-in expiry.
Two-wheeler manufacturers saw a 9% increase in dispatches to dealerships in September, thanks to the cut in GST rates and the start of the Navratri season. Hero MotoCorp, Royal Enfield, TVS Motor, and Bajaj Auto all saw growth in their volumes, with Royal Enfield leading the pack with a 43% surge. However, some demand was held back due to lack of discounts and extended monsoon.
Trai suggests a digital radio broadcast policy for private broadcasters in 13 major cities, with higher reserve prices in Mumbai and Delhi. The shift to simulcast mode allows for one analogue, three digital, and one data channel on a single frequency. Existing FM operators can migrate and new entrants can start in digital. The revenue model includes 4% AGR for cities and 2% for border and hills.
India has launched an anti-dumping investigation into the alleged dumping of stainless steel sheets from China, Indonesia, and Vietnam. The Indian Stainless Steel Development Association (ISSDA) filed a complaint, stating that these imports were causing losses to domestic producers. The DGTR has also initiated investigations into imports of melamine, wallpaper and others.
The Honor X7c 5G is a sturdy and reliable option in the mid-range phone category with solid build quality, water and dust resistance, and durability. It features a bright and sharp 6.8-inch display, dual 5G SIM support, and a powerful Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 processor. The phone also has a long-lasting battery and supports super-fast charging.
The iPhone Air is Apple's newest and most advanced device, boasting a slim and lightweight design that has captivated fans and tech lovers. With a 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, an A19 Pro chip, and a 48MP Fusion camera system, it offers top-notch performance and features like Centre Stage for photos and videos. Despite its cost, it's a must-have for daily use, gaming, and more.
Air India to move one-third of domestic departures from Delhi airport's T3 to T2 from October 26. 60 out of 180 daily domestic flights to shift to upgraded T2, while Air India Express to relocate to renovated T1. International flights to continue from T3. Passengers to receive free shuttle services and extra ground staff during transition.
Agentic AI, such as Lenovo's AI assistant, Lena, is transforming customer support with its blend of efficiency, scalability, and human-like engagement. As businesses prioritize AI and restructure support operations, these systems are becoming more responsive, intelligent, and empathetic at scale. By analyzing data, making independent decisions, and learning from interactions.
India is dominating GitHub's developer community with 19.2 million users and is projected to become the largest by 2028. The country's contributions to AI innovation have increased by 95%, aided by Microsoft-owned GitHub's AI tools like Copilot. This will boost productivity and job satisfaction, creating a citizen-developer culture and positioning India as a top talent hub in the AI era.
FCI rice stocks have hit a 10-year high of 36.3 MT, causing concerns about economic costs and the food subsidy bill. Paddy procurement for 2025-26 will further add to the stocks. Despite efforts to reduce stocks, the economic cost of rice may rise. Wheat inventories have also reached a four-year high.
Warburg Pincus-owned Truhome Finance, formerly Shriram Housing Finance, will receive Rs 500 crore from the private equity firm this month. With assets of Rs 20,000 crore, they plan to expand to tier-II and III cities and become a top affordable housing finance company. They are also investing in technology and seeking a credit rating upgrade.
The DGCA's first-ever rankings of FTOs showed that none received an A+ or A rating, with safety standards and training infrastructure being identified as the weakest links. Concerns were raised about the quality of training and pilots being produced. Nearly two-thirds of FTOs ranked 'C' will receive notices to improve, and the next round of rankings will include more institutes.
This weekend's OTT releases have something for everyone, from action-packed thrillers to heart-warming romantic dramas. AR Murugadoss's Madharaasi and Netflix's Genie, Make a Wish are must-watch Tamil and Korean offerings, while Steve and Monster: The Ed Gein Story offer intense psychological dramas.
India's pension industry is set to expand the National Pension System (NPS) tenfold in five years, with the launch of the Multi Scheme Framework (MSF) offering multiple differentiated schemes. Reforms in distribution, fee structure, and exit rules aim to make NPS more attractive and flexible for savers.
Marico's Q2FY26 saw a 30% increase in revenue, driven by price hikes and strong sales of premium hair oils. Despite GST 2.0 reforms, domestic volume grew high-single-digit. However, high input costs and brand-building investments may lead to modest operating profit growth. International markets, especially Bangladesh and MENA, showed strong growth for the company.
D-Mart chain of stores, Avenue Supermarts, reported a 15.43% increase in standalone revenue for Q2FY26, reflecting consistent sales growth in the competitive grocery retail market. The company plans to open 50 stores this year, with a focus on northern India. CEO Neville Noronha will step down in January 2026, making way for CEO-designate Anshul Asawa.
Ozempic and Mounjaro, two weekly injectable medications, have been approved in India for treating type 2 diabetes and weight loss. While Ozempic is globally popular, studies show Mounjaro to be more effective for weight loss due to its dual hormone pathway targeting.
Indians going abroad for higher education can benefit from taking a loan from the UK and utilizing Section 80E benefit. It is also advised to use fixed deposits to prepay a part of the loan, but check for lower prepayment penalties. When taking a home renovation loan, consider the interest rate and prepayment options.
Value retailers V2 Retail and V-Mart Retail reported strong revenue and same-store sales growth in the September quarter, driven by festive buying and resilient consumer demand. Both companies primarily target consumers in tier 2 and 3 cities, indicating a pick-up in demand in smaller centres.
During the festive season, gifts from friends and family above Rs 50,000 must be declared in your ITR to avoid penalties. Gifts from employers up to Rs 5,000 are exempt, but exceeding this amount is taxable. Property or shares received as gifts are also taxable if their value exceeds Rs 50,000. Proper documentation and disclosure in the ITR is crucial to avoid scrutiny.
The Indian government has ended a two-year ban on the export of de-oiled rice bran, benefiting the rice industry and farmers. Restrictions on dairy and farm products to Bhutan have also been lifted, and a certificate of inspection is no longer required for rice exports to most European countries.
NITI Aayog recommends introducing optional presumptive taxation with sector-specific benchmarks to reduce uncertainty for foreign investors in India. This, along with legislative clarity and alignment with international practices, could reduce litigation and boost investor confidence. The report emphasizes efficient dispute resolution mechanisms and expanding APA and MAP programs.
India's consumer economy experienced a boost in Navratri sales due to GST reforms, resulting in lower tax rates and increased affordability of products. The automobile sector, led by Maruti Suzuki, saw a doubling of car sales and record-breaking numbers. Mahindra & Mahindra and Hyundai also reported significant sales increases.
India's petroleum product exports reached a one-year high of 2.2 million barrels per day in September, driven by demand from UAE, Netherlands, and Brazil. However, annual exports declined by 4%, with private refineries, particularly Reliance Industries' Jamnagar refinery, leading the growth. India plans to boost exports to Latin America, as domestic consumption remains low.
The Ministry of Electronics and IT has introduced a draft of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Rules, 2025, which may increase compliance costs for gaming startups. While the framework aims to bring regulatory clarity, smaller firms may face higher expenses for registration, reporting, and in-house grievance systems.
RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra praised India's flexible inflation-targeting framework, stating that it has worked well. He also emphasized the importance of balancing central bank independence with accountability. Despite geopolitical tensions, India's macroeconomic fundamentals remain strong and the central bank is confident of long-term GDP growth of 7-8%.
RBI proposes framework to link corporate fundraising limits from abroad to financial strength, removes cost caps and eases end-use restrictions. Under the new guidelines, companies can raise ECBs up to $1 billion or 300% of net worth, with simplified reporting requirements and eligibility for entities under restructuring or investigation.
The shift from a lottery to a merit-based H-1B visa system in the US will benefit Indian STEM professionals with advanced degrees and specialized skills. Lawmakers are pushing for reforms to raise wages and end the current lottery system, which favors Indian professionals. This change presents opportunities and challenges for Indian IT companies and professionals.
Saumitra P Srivastava, an IIT Roorkee and SP Jain Institute graduate, has been named Director (Marketing) at Indian Oil. With a strong background in downstream operations, marketing, and strategy, he aims to modernize the Marketing Division and drive the country towards sustainable and advanced fuels. He has a track record of successfully leading transformation projects.
Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman warns against complacency in India's economic growth, citing shifting global order and contested dominance. She emphasizes the importance of domestic factors in anchoring growth and the need for self-reliance. The minister also discusses India's twin-track approach to prosperity and the erosion of confidence in multilateral institutions.
WeWork India's IPO received a 4% subscription on the first day, with bids for 11,10,440 shares against 2,54,89,748 shares on offer. The company has collected over Rs 1,348 crore from anchor investors and its Rs 3,000-crore issue will conclude on October 7. The price band has been set at Rs 615-648 per share, valuing the company at Rs 8,685 crore. The
Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi issued a stern warning to Pakistan, urging them to stop supporting terrorism on their soil if they want to remain on the world map. He emphasized that India is fully prepared and will not hold back like during Operation Sindoor. He also urged soldiers to be ready for future conflicts.
Bombay High Court dismisses Anil Ambani's plea against SBI's decision to classify his and Reliance Communications' accounts as fraud. Ambani argued that the bank did not follow principles of natural justice and documents were not provided initially. SBI also filed a complaint with CBI, alleging a loss of Rs 2,929 crore due to misappropriation by Reliance Communications and Ambani.
India's IT sector is set to perform well in the second quarter, with TCS, HCLTech, and Infosys announcing their results. The focus will be on management commentary regarding the H-1B visa fee hike and tariff tensions. Nuvama predicts modest growth for large-cap firms and expects mid-tier players to outperform. TCS may see flat revenue growth
The 6th edition of Condé Nast's Traveller magazine's Best Restaurants list for India 2025, in partnership with Zomato's District, has been revealed with Mumbai securing the most spots. However, the announcement has sparked controversy on Reddit's r/bangalore subreddit, with doubts raised about the credibility and criteria used for the rankings.
HSBC Mutual Fund India CEO Kailash Kulkarni predicts strong growth in the next two decades, driven by consumption, financialization, and infrastructure. He highlights the importance of India's regulatory framework, product innovation, and underpenetrated regions for international investors.
Reserve Bank Governor Sanjay Malhotra praises India's strong macroeconomic fundamentals and its role as an anchor of stability in a volatile world. He credits the combined efforts of the government, regulators, and regulated entities for maintaining low inflation, good foreign exchange reserves, and a strong banking and corporate sector.
Salaried partners in legal firms are struggling to advance in their careers due to the absence of their own clients, resulting in low profitability and limited job opportunities. Firms are now expecting partners to bring in business, manage client relationships, and contribute to strategic decisions.
Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has officially become a billionaire, as reported by the Hurun Rich List 2025. His net worth of Rs 12,500 crore includes earnings from his production house, Red Chillies Entertainment, and his son Aryan Khan's directorial debut. Khan also owns luxurious properties in Mumbai and Dubai, and is the co-owner of Kolkata Knight Riders and a private jet.
The Reserve Bank of India has proposed new rules to facilitate foreign currency fundraising for companies. These changes include expanding eligible borrowers and lenders, linking borrowing limits to a company's financial strength, and simplifying restrictions and reporting. The central bank is seeking feedback before finalizing the rules and plans to implement ECL Framework
Taylor Swift's new album 'Life of a Showgirl' has sparked curiosity among fans due to its hit song 'Ruin The Friendship'. The emotional track has led to various theories about its meaning, with some thinking it could be about her late friend Jeff Lang, while others believe it could be about her ex Matty Healy or friend Blake Lively.
Popular UPSC coaching institute Drishti IAS has been fined Rs 5 lakh for publishing misleading advertisements and making false claims about the results of the 2022 CSE. The institute was found to have violated consumer protection norms and concealed important information about successful candidates' course choices. This is not the first time Drishti IAS has faced penalties for such practices.
Blake Lively shares a rare glimpse of her $6 billion Pound Ridge retreat on Instagram while baking a bunny-shaped cake for her daughter. The picture reveals the beautiful decor of her home and her love for her family, as seen through the artwork, chandelier, and furniture filled with her children's toys.
HDFC Securities has increased the target price for Metro Brands to Rs 1,050, but maintains a 'Sell' rating due to high valuation. However, management sees potential for growth in the Walkaway segment with the reintroduction of Rs 500 price points and store additions. This could be a game-changer for the company.
Madras High Court rejects anticipatory bail plea of TVK leader in Karur stampede case, questions party's inability to control crowd and condemns unruly behavior during party chief Vijay's roadshow. HC also rejects BJP leader's plea for CBI probe and asks her to approach Madurai bench. DMK accuses TVK of causing deaths, while Vijay blames Stalin.
TCS is expected to announce stable Q2FY26 results on October 9, after a weak start to the year. Attention will be on workforce restructuring and policies for those on the bench, amid rumors of layoffs. Large deals secured globally, but India business to remain flat. Updates on US market and stock also awaited by investors.
A pharmaceutical distributor in Madhya Pradesh is being investigated after nine children died from consuming contaminated cough syrup from a Chennai-based company. Over 30 children fell ill and six died, sparking a probe and sample collection for testing. The cause of the kidney failures that led to the deaths is being determined.
Taylor Swift's new album 'Life of a Showgirl' is a departure from her previous work, inspired by her relationship with Travis Kelce and featuring a track called 'Fate of Ophelia' dedicated to him. Fans are loving the song, which is now available for purchase.
Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna acknowledges H-1B visa abuse by IT outsourcing firms and calls for reform. He opposes the $100,000 fee and suggests a prevailing wage standard. Khanna emphasizes the importance of high-skilled talent and warns against limiting H-1B visas. He agrees with Trump's goal of reform but not his methods.