On Rabindranath Tagore’s 165th birth anniversary, attention is turning once again to the extraordinary durability of Rabindra Sangeet, a body of work that continues to sound contemporary because it was built to be reinterpreted. Tagore’s songs endure not as museum pieces but as living texts, carrying ideas of freedom, love and human dignity across generations, languages and performance styles.
Consumer technology brand Lumio has raised $12 million in a funding round led by Blume Ventures, a capital infusion that will support research and development, product branding and talent acquisition. The raise underscores continued investor interest in differentiated consumer hardware and branded tech offerings in India, even as the sector remains highly execution-sensitive and capital intensive.
Analysts have identified five stocks — Black Box, Deep Industries, MRPL, Leela Palaces and Kotak Mahindra Bank — as potential medium-term opportunities as markets digest the Reserve Bank of India’s shift to calibrated tightening. Technical charts point to breakouts, improving momentum and firm support levels, while investors now look ahead to September-quarter earnings and management commentary for confirmation.
India’s central bank has raised the repo rate for the first time in nearly four years, marking a decisive shift in monetary policy as inflationary pressures persist and growth risks remain in focus. The six-member Monetary Policy Committee voted unanimously for the move, the first rate increase since Governor Sanjay Malhotra took office in December 2024, and signaled that further tightening may follow if price stability does not improve.
Veteran filmmaker, writer and director Singeetham Srinivasa Rao has died, closing a remarkable chapter in Indian cinema defined by imagination, discipline and range. He first drew wide attention at the age of 41 with his writing and direction of the Telugu film Neeti Nijayati in 1972, a work remembered for its moral clarity and understated conviction.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal held a series of meetings in New York with senior leaders from global financial services and technology firms, underscoring India’s effort to deepen engagement with long-term foreign investors. The discussions with executives from AIA Group, MetLife, General Atlantic and IBM come at a time when New Delhi is seeking to strengthen capital inflows, expand technology partnerships and reinforce India’s position as a preferred destination for global business.
The National Land Monetization Corporation has conducted a mock e-auction training exercise ahead of the proposed auction of land linked to Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd., underscoring the government’s push to professionalize asset monetization. The exercise is designed to test bidder readiness, platform functionality, and procedural transparency before the live sale process begins.
Wall Street opened the week on a cautious footing as renewed Middle East tensions lifted crude oil above the $100 mark, reviving inflation concerns and clouding the outlook for interest rates. The Dow Jones Industrial Average and Nasdaq Composite both drifted lower as investors balanced geopolitical risk against the prospect of tighter financial conditions.
India has placed maritime emergency preparedness back in sharp focus as the Minister of State for Defence inaugurated SAREX-2026 and reviewed search-and-rescue readiness at the 24th National Maritime Search and Rescue Board meeting. The discussions underscored the growing importance of coordinated response systems across India’s busy sea lanes, where commercial traffic, fishing activity, and strategic naval interests increasingly intersect. The review signals a continued push to strengthen inter-agency coordination, operational readiness, and response time in maritime emergencies.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday launched the first Fleet Support Ship and laid the keel of FSS-5 at Hindustan Shipyard, underscoring a major step in India’s naval logistics build-out. He said the programme would significantly strengthen the Navy’s reach, endurance and operational effectiveness across the Indian Ocean Region.
HDFC Bank has named V.N. Srivatsan, a long-serving ICICI Bank executive, as its Chief Compliance Officer for a three-year term beginning January 4, 2027. The appointment underscores the lender’s emphasis on regulatory discipline, data governance and oversight at a time when Indian banks are operating under tighter supervisory expectations.
Khalid Jamil said India were “okay in the first 30 minutes” before a lapse in fitness or concentration helped turn the match against them, underscoring a familiar problem in high-pressure football. His assessment points to a broader demand for sustained intensity, discipline and game management across the full 90 minutes.
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. Interest income climbed 9.73% to Rs. 214.94 crore, while profit before tax stood at Rs. 127.77 crore and net profit at Rs. 92.23 crore, underscoring steady execution in a challenging credit environment.
A pre-dawn domestic tragedy in Bengaluru has left a mother and her minor daughter dead and four other family members seriously injured after a cooking gas cylinder exploded inside their home. Police said the blast occurred around 6:20 a.m. as the family was preparing breakfast, underscoring the lethal risks posed by household gas leaks and delayed detection.
Indian steel and metal stocks advanced in late trade after the government extended the minimum import price regime on 66 steel products, a move seen as supportive for domestic producers facing competitive import pressure. Shares of Hindustan Zinc, Hindalco, Jindal Steel, JSW Steel and Tata Steel rose more than 1% from the previous close as investors priced in improved pricing discipline and margin support.
India’s Backward Classes Commission has cautioned village development committees against resorting to social boycotts, underscoring that informal punishments cannot substitute for lawful governance. The warning reflects growing concern that local bodies, while influential in rural dispute resolution, may overstep legal limits and deepen social exclusion.
SunBridge BioEnergy has started operations at a new ethanol facility in Seoni, marking another step in its expansion across central India. The company said its ethanol portfolio will soon rise to 700 KLD as a 400 KLD plant in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, moves toward commissioning, underscoring the sector’s continued build-out amid India’s biofuel push.
Apple is preparing to launch Apple Pay in India next month, beginning with integration for Axis Bank credit cards, according to a report. The rollout would mark a significant step into one of the world’s most competitive digital payments markets, with discussions also under way with HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank to broaden access.
Senior Telangana minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka has accused the Bharat Rashtra Samithi of misleading the public on the state’s power sector, pushing back against what he described as politically motivated claims. He also ruled out privatisation, seeking to reassure consumers and employees amid renewed debate over electricity reforms and fiscal pressures.
Small-trader groups have called off their proposed ‘No UPI Day’ protest for October 2 after a meeting with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi on Wednesday. The decision, announced by the All India Consumer Products Distributors Federation and the All India Mobile Retailers Association, signals a temporary easing of tensions over digital payments and merchant concerns.
Food Safety and Drug Administration officers in Kolar intercepted a vehicle carrying an arecanut consignment that had originated in Assam and moved via Kolkata before being routed to multiple destinations across southern India. Officials said the shipment was found unsafe, prompting seizure and the initiation of legal proceedings under food safety regulations.
Saffron growers in Kashmir are confronting mounting heat stress and moisture loss after an extended dry spell began affecting corms, raising concern over the coming harvest. Farmers are responding by digging wells and planning drip irrigation, but the shift underscores how climate pressure is reshaping one of India’s most valuable high-altitude crops.
Sai Prithviraj is drawing fresh attention in Tamil cinema after his performance as Sabari in Balaji Tharaneetharan’s film won praise from audiences and industry watchers. The young actor is now set to appear next in Dhanush’s much-anticipated D56, strengthening the sense that he is moving quickly from promising supporting performer to a name with wider recognition.
Indian equities closed lower on Wednesday after the Reserve Bank of India raised the repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.5% and shifted its policy stance to calibrated tightening. The move pressured rate-sensitive and broad market sentiment, even as Kotak Mahindra Bank and Bharti Airtel emerged as notable gainers while Titan Company, Adani Enterprises and Hindalco led the declines.
The trailer for 'Jailer 2' has intensified anticipation around Rajinikanth’s return as Muthuvel Pandian, the retired jailer whose screen presence powered the first film into a major commercial success. Produced by Sun Pictures and slated for release on October 15, the sequel signals a larger, more combative canvas with the star positioned once again at the centre of a battalion-style confrontation.
Indian corporate groups are reshaping balance sheets at non-banking finance companies and core investment companies to avoid falling within the Reserve Bank of India’s regulatory definitions, according to sources familiar with the matter. The adjustments are designed to reduce registration and compliance burdens, with NBFCs lifting non-financial income and CICs altering asset composition to remain outside tighter supervisory scrutiny.
Gold fell to a two-month low on Wednesday as a firmer US dollar and rising Treasury yields reduced the metal’s appeal as a non-yielding asset. Spot prices dropped 1.6% to $4,096.13 an ounce, while silver also weakened sharply, underscoring a broader retreat across precious metals as markets reassessed the path of US interest rates.
US equities pulled back from record territory on Tuesday as a rebound in Treasury yields and crude prices tempered risk appetite, with the Nasdaq and S&P 500 both retreating after recent highs. Investors are now focused on the Federal Reserve’s latest meeting minutes, while earnings expectations point to a sharp third-quarter profit surge in energy even as chip stocks remain under pressure.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal met senior Blackstone executives Jonathan Gray and Prakash Melwani in New Delhi, using the engagement to press India’s case as a destination for long-term foreign investment. The meeting comes as New Delhi intensifies outreach to global private equity and venture capital firms to channel capital into startups, infrastructure, and growth-stage businesses.
Voice AI startup Desible.ai has raised ₹32 crore, or about $3.7 million, in a seed round led by Prime Venture Partners as it targets the banking, financial services and insurance market. The company said the capital will be used to develop an AI operating layer designed to help BFSI institutions automate customer interactions, improve service efficiency and deploy voice-led workflows at scale.
Indian banks are likely to report 11 percent year-on-year earnings growth in the second quarter of FY27, with private lenders expected to outpace public sector peers, according to Kotak. The brokerage said strong deposit inflows, especially through FCNR accounts, should support balance-sheet expansion but may temporarily compress net interest margins. Asset quality, meanwhile, is expected to remain broadly stable.
The Archery Premier League is preparing for its second season, underscoring a broader push to package archery as a spectator-friendly professional property in India. The league’s return signals growing confidence in the sport’s commercial and broadcast potential, even as it continues to build audience depth beyond its traditional competitive base.
Private credit is coming under pressure as competition intensifies, regulatory changes reshape lending behavior, and banks expand back into acquisition financing. In the first half of 2026, a significant share of private credit deals were priced below 18%, underscoring how quickly the market is normalizing for borrowers in India’s automotive, EV and mobility ecosystem.
The Delhi High Court has asked actor Salman Khan to respond to a plea filed by the producer of the film 'Kala Hiran,' intensifying a legal dispute over the movie’s proposed release. Khan has sought to restrain the film, arguing that it is based on him and could infringe his rights and reputation. The matter now moves into a contested phase, with the court seeking a formal response before deciding any interim relief.
Lionel Messi is poised to play what is expected to be his final match for Argentina on Tuesday, when the world champions face Benin in a friendly at Buenos Aires’ Estadio Monumental. The occasion is set to mark a defining emotional moment for Argentine football, closing a historic international chapter for the 39-year-old captain.
The Reserve Bank of India has lifted its FY27 growth projection to 7.1% while also raising its consumer inflation forecast to 5.2%, signalling confidence in the economy’s underlying momentum even as price pressures remain sticky. The revision reflects stronger inflation in food and fuel, with the central bank also noting a pickup in core inflation that suggests widening price pressures beyond volatile items.
The Reserve Bank of India’s Monetary Policy Committee has raised the repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.5% and shifted its policy stance to “calibrated tightening,” underscoring renewed concern over price pressures. At the same time, the central bank lifted its FY2026–27 growth forecast to 7.1% from 6.7%, while increasing its inflation projection to 5.2%, signaling a more cautious balance between supporting growth and containing inflation.
Students at Jagtial Government Medical College have launched a protest over what they describe as an inordinate delay in the construction of permanent college and hostel buildings. The agitation has renewed scrutiny of the pace of public infrastructure delivery in Telangana’s higher medical education sector, where temporary arrangements often persist long after institutions are announced.
The first teaser for Mike Flanagan’s horror reboot, 'The Exorcist: Martyrs,' has been released, offering an early look at Scarlett Johansson in a franchise built on dread, faith and psychological terror. The full trailer is expected later this week, intensifying anticipation around one of the most closely watched studio horror projects of the year.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal met senior leaders from global financial services and technology firms in New York, underscoring India’s effort to deepen commercial ties with major US investors and multinationals. The discussions with executives from AIA Group, MetLife, General Atlantic and IBM come at a time when India is seeking more capital, technology transfer and long-term strategic partnerships to support growth.
Outstanding bank deposits and advances declined in the fortnight ended September 15, according to Reserve Bank of India data, as a large volume of high-cost bulk deposits matured and rolled off. Deposits fell by Rs 2.49 lakh crore, while credit growth also eased, underscoring a period of funding normalization after recent overseas inflows had supported bank balance sheets.
HSBC Holdings Plc is planning a significant expansion in India, including a 35% increase in its branch network over the next two years, as it seeks to deepen its presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing banking markets. The lender is sharpening its focus on affluent clients, wealth management and transaction banking as it targets a place among India’s top private banks by 2030.
The United States posted a sharply wider trade deficit of $105.6 billion in August as imports rose faster than exports, underscoring resilient domestic demand and persistent external imbalances. For India, the trade gap with the US stood at $6.2 billion, while the cumulative deficit through August remained 19.9 per cent below the comparable period a year earlier.
Britain’s 30-year gilt yield has climbed to its highest level since January 1998, underscoring the strain sweeping global bond markets as inflation remains sticky and governments continue to borrow heavily. The move has sharpened investor concern ahead of Finance Minister John Healey’s budget, with analysts expecting roughly £15 billion in additional public borrowing in the coming fiscal years.
Central Bank of India reported a sharp 30% year-on-year rise in credit growth for the second quarter, underscoring stronger lending momentum across its portfolio. As of September 30, 2025, advances stood at Rs 2.93 lakh crore, deposits rose 14% to Rs 5.08 lakh crore, and total business expanded 21% to Rs 8.89 lakh crore.
A high-level Chintan Shivir on the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana has outlined a forward-looking agenda centered on construction quality, long-term maintenance and the use of technology in rural road delivery. The deliberations signal a shift from rapid network expansion toward durable, data-led connectivity that can better serve India’s villages over time.
Satin Creditcare Network shares advanced 3.74% after the company reported a robust Q2FY27 business update, underscoring continued expansion in its lending franchise. Consolidated assets under management rose 31% year-on-year to Rs 16,600 crore, while disbursements climbed 41% and gross non-performing assets improved to 1.9%.
IndusInd Bank Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Rajiv Anand said he has been informed that his name is unmapped from the electoral roll, even though he holds valid identification documents including a voter ID and Aadhaar card. The development comes as the Election Commission carries out a Special Intensive Revision of voter lists, with extended deadlines for claims and corrections in Delhi and Maharashtra.
The West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer has said voters whose names were deleted from the rolls, but who remain eligible, can seek restoration by applying through Form 6. The CEO office has also placed the ASDD list online so citizens can check whether their names were affected, as the move draws political criticism from the Trinamool Congress.
Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport has unveiled a long-range development roadmap to 2036 that aims to lift annual capacity to 125 million passengers, underscoring the capital’s role as India’s most important aviation hub. The plan includes expansion of Pier E at Terminal 3, additional aircraft stands, road upgrades and an automated people mover to connect terminals with Aerocity, signalling a major push to ease congestion and improve airside and landside connectivity.
