Banking, Fintech & Insurance
Cash-flow-based lending is set to become increasingly important for emerging industries such as electric vehicles and mobility, according to State Bank of India managing director Ashwini Kumar Tewari. He said lenders are studying the model closely as traditional collateral is often unavailable in technology-led businesses, making revenue visibility and sector expertise critical to underwriting decisions.
National Governance & Policy
BJP leader Subramanian Swamy has called for a ban on cement imports from Pakistan, arguing that such shipments could be used to conceal contraband, weapons and ammunition. His remarks add a security dimension to a trade issue that sits at the intersection of border policy, industrial competition and market regulation.
Macro Economy & Fiscal Policy
India’s economic momentum has held up through July and August, but the second half of FY27 is likely to be more difficult as global uncertainty, rising interest rates and firmer oil prices weigh on activity, Chief Economic Adviser V. Anantha Nageswaran said. He said recent high-frequency indicators still point to resilience, even as September has already shown signs of strain.
India Entertainment & Culture
Chainsmoker Cat arrives as a deliberately abrasive, wildly improbable series built around a chain-smoking catgirl and a gallery of damaged oddballs, but it quickly reveals a sharper purpose beneath the chaos. What begins as a parade of indignities becomes one of the year’s most surprising achievements: a comedy with bite, emotional intelligence and a disciplined sense of form.
Global Markets & Equities
India’s government bond market may be entering a consolidation phase after a strong run, but the broader bull case remains intact, according to market experts. The benchmark 10-year government security yield, which spent much of 2015 and early 2016 trapped in an 8-7.5 percent band before easing below 7 percent, could decline further if liquidity conditions continue to improve.
Banking, Fintech & Insurance
Apple Pay has officially gone live in India, enabling Axis Bank credit card holders to make contactless payments using Visa and Mastercard cards on Apple devices. The launch expands the country’s digital payments landscape with a privacy-focused option that removes the need for PINs or one-time passwords at the point of sale. For Indian consumers, it adds a new layer of convenience to an already fast-evolving mobile payments market.
Borosil Glass Works has emerged as one of the market’s standout wealth creators, with its shares rising more than 200% over the past year as investors reward a stretch of strong revenue growth and improving EBITDA. The rally reflects confidence in the company’s operating momentum, though the pace of gains also raises questions about valuation and how long the earnings upgrade can continue.
Macro Economy & Fiscal Policy
India’s manufacturing sector expanded at its fastest pace in seven months in September, supported by a sharp rise in new orders and stronger demand across electronics, food, pharmaceuticals and textiles, according to a private survey. The reading points to resilient industrial momentum even as firms continue to navigate cost pressures and a mixed global backdrop.
Banking, Fintech & Insurance
The National Payments Corporation of India is considering a 0.4% merchant discount rate on UPI transactions, a move that could help recover roughly ₹13,000-15,000 crore in annual costs while leaving most consumer payments free. NPCI chief executive Dilip Asbe said the proposed charge would largely fall on large merchants already accepting credit cards, as the payments network seeks to revive investment after six years of zero MDR.
Banking, Fintech & Insurance
Apple is preparing to launch Apple Pay in India next month, beginning with integration for Axis Bank credit cards, according to a report. The move would place the iPhone maker inside one of the world’s most competitive digital payments markets, with talks also under way to broaden support through HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank.
National Governance & Policy
Police in Tamil Nadu have detained Gem Granites’ Veeramani and two of his associates under the Goondas Act in connection with a case registered under the POCSO Act. Authorities said four cases have so far been filed against Veeramani and his associates under various legal provisions, indicating a widening criminal inquiry. The action marks a significant escalation in the state’s preventive policing response.
The International Cricket Council has approved a sweeping set of playing-condition changes that will affect Tests, ODIs and T20Is, marking one of the most significant rule resets in recent years. The package includes tougher penalties for time-wasting, clearer fielding regulations, standardised ball usage in ODIs and a pink-ball Test pilot aimed at improving balance and consistency across formats.
India Entertainment & Culture
India’s Department of Agricultural Research and Education, through the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, has launched its Swachhata Hi Seva 2026 campaign as part of a broader push to embed cleanliness, civic responsibility and institutional discipline into the country’s development agenda. The initiative positions sanitation not as a symbolic observance but as a governance tool tied to public participation, workplace culture and the long-term vision of Viksit Bharat.
India’s Neeru and Kynan delivered a composed late surge to win the trap mixed team gold at the Asian Games 2026, finishing with 34 in the final after entering the medal round from fourth place in qualification. Qatar’s Mohammed Al-Rumaihi and Ray Bassil secured silver with 32, underlining the tight margins that defined the contest.
Banking, Fintech & Insurance
PSB Bank Chairman Petr Fradkov has underscored how Russia’s cross-border payments market is being reshaped by sanctions pressure and the search for alternative financial infrastructure. In an interview with RBC, he described the A7 international payment system as a mechanism that operates in a space where conventional international payments have largely disappeared.
The remarks highlight a broader shift in global finance: the rise of parallel payment channels designed to keep trade moving when established banking networks are constrained. For sectors dependent on imported components, including automotive and electric mobility, the evolution of these rails could influence settlement speed, supplier access and transaction risk.
TBO Tek shares climbed nearly 3% on Thursday after Nuvama initiated coverage on the travel technology company with a Buy rating and a target price of Rs 2,200. The brokerage cited strong earnings visibility, projecting a 35% compound annual growth rate in earnings over FY27-FY29E, supported by international expansion and growth in the hotel business.
National Governance & Policy
Police in Tamil Nadu have detained Gem Granites’ Veeramani and two of his associates under the Goondas Act in connection with a case filed under the POCSO Act. Authorities said four cases have now been registered against Veeramani and his associates under different legal provisions based on complaints. The move signals a tougher preventive policing approach as investigators widen scrutiny of the allegations.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said ethanol blending in petrol is helping India move beyond a narrow dependence on conventional fuel and toward a more diversified agricultural economy. He said that since 2022, about four crore four-wheelers and 20 crore two-wheelers have been running on petrol mixed with ethanol, underscoring the scale of the transition.
India Entertainment & Culture
Television director Radhakrishna Malineni is marking 26 years in Telugu television with a career that has tracked the medium’s evolution from family-centric storytelling to more layered, values-driven drama. His latest work, 'Seetaramayya Gari Manavaralu' on E TV, underscores themes of resilience, family legacy and women’s strength, reinforcing the enduring appeal of emotionally grounded serials in regional Indian entertainment.
Indian equity and commodity markets will remain closed on October 2 for Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti, with trading suspended on both the BSE and NSE. MCX and NCDEX will also be shut, while investors are already looking ahead to the remaining market holidays in 2026 to plan positions and liquidity.
National Governance & Policy
The Supreme Court has declined to entertain a plea by a judicial officer seeking priority hearing before the High Court, underscoring that every litigant has an equal right to access justice. The Bench said granting special treatment to one petitioner would be unfair to others already waiting for their matters to be heard, reinforcing the principle that court time must be allocated impartially.
Startups & Venture Capital
Engineering education must shift from teaching students how to write code to teaching them how entire software systems behave, according to the emerging consensus in India’s startup and venture ecosystem. As AI tools automate more routine programming tasks, the premium is moving toward systems thinking, architecture, reliability, and product judgment.
Shubman Gill produced a career-defining unbeaten 233 and Rohit Sharma struck his 35th ODI century as India overhauled West Indies’ mammoth 405 for 7 in a remarkable run chase. The openers’ 255-run stand set the platform for a famous victory that underlined India’s batting depth and composure under pressure.
National Governance & Policy
AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami has called on a TVK-led administration to protect the employment of workers engaged in the Vaazhndhu Kattuvom Project, framing the issue as one of livelihood security and administrative continuity. His intervention places worker retention at the centre of a broader debate over welfare delivery, political responsibility and the future of state-backed employment-linked programmes in Tamil Nadu.
Banking, Fintech & Insurance
Banks in India are expected to operate normally on September 28 after a proposed strike by bank unions was deferred following discussions with the Indian Banks' Association. The move eases immediate disruption for customers, though branch timings and local arrangements may still vary and should be confirmed before travel.
Macro Economy & Fiscal Policy
India has raised the minimum support price for wheat by ₹25 to ₹2,610 per quintal for the 2027-28 marketing year, extending a calibrated increase across six rabi crops. The government estimates a procurement-linked payout of ₹90,962 crore for 324 lakh tonnes, underscoring its continued use of administered prices to support farm incomes and food security.
India Entertainment & Culture
Chris Hansen has publicly rejected Robert Pattinson’s interpretation of him in the new thriller *Primetime*, saying the performance leans too heavily into drama and does not reflect his own view of the figure being portrayed. The remarks add an early layer of controversy around a film already drawing attention for its high-profile casting and real-world inspiration.
Banking, Fintech & Insurance
Apple Pay has officially gone live in India, enabling Axis Bank credit card holders to add eligible Visa and Mastercard cards and pay contactlessly through Apple devices. The launch broadens the country’s digital payments landscape by offering a private, secure checkout flow that does not require PINs or one-time passwords for every transaction.
Automotive, EVs & Mobility
The North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd. (NEDFI) delivered a solid financial performance in FY 2025–26, with gross income rising 4.40% to Rs. 270.82 crore. The lender’s interest income climbed 9.73% to Rs. 214.94 crore, while profit before tax reached Rs. 127.77 crore and net profit stood at Rs. 92.23 crore, underscoring steady earnings momentum.
Shubman Gill produced a career-defining unbeaten 233 and Rohit Sharma struck his 35th ODI century as India chased down West Indies’ mammoth 405 for 7 in emphatic style. The openers added 255 for the first wicket, turning a daunting target into a statement victory and underlining India’s batting depth and chase-making authority.
Macro Economy & Fiscal Policy
India’s capital expenditure rose 18% year-on-year in the April-August period, underscoring the government’s continued emphasis on infrastructure-led growth even as revenue pressures intensified. At the same time, the fiscal deficit widened to 41% of the full-year Budget Estimates, reflecting slower tax collection growth and a tighter near-term fiscal position.
Banking, Fintech & Insurance
A proposed merchant discount rate of 0.4% on UPI transactions could generate as much as Rs 15,000 crore in the first year, according to the National Payments Corporation of India’s chief. The estimate underscores the scale of the subsidy gap in India’s fast-growing digital payments ecosystem and the pressure to find a sustainable funding model without slowing adoption.
India Entertainment & Culture
Ahead of the release of Don't Trouble The Trouble, Fahadh Faasil has framed the film as a family entertainer with a distinctly adult sensibility, describing it as a children's film that also speaks to grown-up audiences. In a wide-ranging interview, he discussed filming on real Hyderabad locations, the practical value of working across Malayalam, Telugu and Tamil cinema, and the perspective that comes with 24 years in the industry.
National Governance & Policy
India will host the fifth Kautilya Economic Conclave in New Delhi from October 3 to 5, 2026, under the theme "Resilience in an Era of Uncertainty." The gathering is expected to bring together policymakers, economists, and strategic thinkers to examine how economies can withstand geopolitical shocks, supply-chain disruptions, and financial volatility. The conclave underscores New Delhi's intent to position itself as a venue for high-level debate on global economic governance.
Macro Economy & Fiscal Policy
India’s gross Goods and Services Tax collections climbed 14.7% year-on-year in September to more than ₹2.03 lakh crore, underscoring resilient tax buoyancy despite uneven demand conditions. Domestic activity contributed about ₹1.38 lakh crore, while import-linked revenues surged 26% to ₹65,525 crore, pointing to firm trade flows and stronger compliance.
West Indies head into the second one-day international under pressure to avoid falling 2-0 behind in the series, with the visitors showing enough promise in the opener to believe they can compete but not enough consistency to feel secure. India, meanwhile, will again lean on the form of Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli, whose batting depth and control give the hosts a clear edge heading into a match that could effectively decide the contest.
National Governance & Policy
An Indian pilot is being hailed for helping prevent a serious cockpit security breach aboard a Flydubai flight after a co-pilot allegedly attacked him, triggering emergency signals and a diversion to Saudi Arabia. The incident prompted panic among passengers before the aircraft was secured, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the pilot as a “true hero.”
Banking, Fintech & Insurance
SBI Research has argued that Foreign Currency Non-Resident Bank deposits under the FCNR(B) scheme could generate as much as Rs 5.5 trillion in notional profit for banks and the Reserve Bank of India, challenging earlier concerns that the programme would impose heavy losses. The report says the mobilised foreign currency funds can support additional credit growth, while hedging costs remain manageable and the RBI may also benefit from improved profitability.
National Governance & Policy
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India is preparing to propose changes to the Chartered Accountants Act that could reshape how domestic accounting firms grow, collaborate and compete. The move follows discussions at the Prime Minister’s Office on regulatory adjustments aimed at enabling Indian professional firms to build the scale needed for global mandates.
India Entertainment & Culture
After a 10-year gap between full-length releases, Chennai indie-rock quartet The F16s have returned with a new album, 'All Dogs Go To Heaven', a record shaped by age, absence and a renewed faith in instinct. The band says the project reflects a more self-assured phase in its career, including a willingness to work solo, embrace vulnerability and challenge its own image, even down to appearing naked on the album cover.
Macro Economy & Fiscal Policy
Commercial vehicles entering or exiting Mumbai will face higher toll charges from October 1, a move that is likely to raise logistics costs in India’s busiest commercial corridor. Transporters have opposed the increase, warning that the burden will ultimately be passed on to consumers through higher freight and distribution expenses.
Startups & Venture Capital
Digital lender Moneyview delivered a striking market debut on the BSE on Tuesday, with shares listing at ₹55.6, a 64% premium to the issue price. The strong opening underscores investor appetite for profitable, technology-led consumer finance platforms even as the broader startup market remains selective and valuation-sensitive.
Flipkart has recorded its highest-ever single-day sales, grossing about $200 million in what marks the strongest day in the Bangalore-based company’s history since its launch in 2007. The milestone underscores the scale of India’s online retail market and the enduring power of festive-season demand, even as competition and margin pressures remain intense across e-commerce.
Banking, Fintech & Insurance
Apple Pay has launched in India with Axis Bank as its first banking partner, marking a significant expansion of Apple’s payments ecosystem in one of the world’s most competitive digital finance markets. The rollout gives Indian users access to Apple’s contactless payment service at a time when smartphone-led transactions are already deeply embedded in daily commerce.
National Governance & Policy
India’s Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has proposed amending the Petroleum Act, 1934, with a focus on Chapter III, which governs penalties and procedure. The move is aimed at decriminalising minor offences and replacing punitive provisions with a more compliance-oriented framework, in line with the government’s broader regulatory reform agenda.
Lovlina Borgohain advanced to the Asian Games 2026 final, guaranteeing India at least a silver medal and becoming the first Indian woman boxer to reach consecutive Asian Games finals. Priya and Kapil, meanwhile, bowed out with bronze medals after semifinal defeats, underlining a mixed but significant day for India’s boxing contingent.
Banking, Fintech & Insurance
Indian credit card issuers are increasingly pushing EMI conversions, personal loan-on-card products and higher fee income as the traditional revolver model loses momentum. With fewer customers carrying balances month to month, interest-bearing receivables are rising more slowly than transaction volumes, forcing lenders to rework how they monetise card spending.
India Entertainment & Culture
At Delhi’s Sunder Nursery, Anuradha Kapur’s 'Virasat' revisits Mahesh Elkunchwar’s celebrated Wada trilogy with a production that is both intimate and unsparing. The staging turns a family’s inherited decay into a broader meditation on the cost of clinging to a dying past, while questioning the assumption that modernity automatically means progress.
Banking, Fintech & Insurance
Reliance Industries Limited is preparing to raise Rs 10,000 crore next week through a 10-year bond, underscoring how large Indian companies are moving quickly to lock in funding while banking-system liquidity remains abundant. The borrowing wave, which also includes Adani Airport Holdings and other issuers this Friday, comes just ahead of the Reserve Bank of India’s policy decision on October 7.
Startups & Venture Capital
In a startup ecosystem where speed often outruns reflection, a well-chosen book can become a practical decision tool rather than a passive read. Seven titles stand out for helping founders, investors, and professionals think more clearly about risk, judgment, uncertainty, and long-term consequences.
