Indian credit card issuers are increasingly steering customers toward equated monthly instalments, personal loans on card and fee-based products as the traditional revolver model loses traction. With fewer cardholders carrying balances month to month, interest-bearing receivables are rising more slowly than transaction volumes, forcing lenders to rethink how they monetise a business that is now used more as a payment instrument than a borrowing tool.
Axis Bank reported robust balance-sheet expansion for the quarter ended September 30, 2026, with gross advances rising 22.7% year-on-year to Rs 13.846 lakh crore and deposits increasing 20.7% to Rs 14.521 lakh crore. The lender also said CASA deposits grew 10.6%, while FCNR(B) inflows played a meaningful role in shaping both deposit and loan growth.
Dalal Street is heading into a heavy supply window as lock-in periods expire on shares in 91 companies over the next three months, releasing stock worth roughly $14 billion. The largest scheduled release is from Central Mine Planning & Design Institute, where 464 million shares are set to become tradable, raising the prospect of near-term volatility as investors assess whether newly unlocked holders choose to sell or stay put.
Delhi have brought Sarthak back into their Ranji Trophy squad, a move that signals both a tactical adjustment and a renewed vote of confidence in the player’s domestic credentials. The recall comes at a critical stage of the season, with squad balance and form management increasingly shaping selection decisions across India’s premier red-ball competition.
US stocks ended higher as investors leaned into a stronger-than-expected earnings backdrop, with the Nasdaq Composite closing up about 1% and leading the major averages. The move reflected renewed confidence that corporate profits can still support valuations even as markets continue to weigh interest-rate uncertainty and a slowing macroeconomic backdrop.
Kotak Mahindra Bank reported robust provisional growth in the September quarter, with net advances rising 24.7% year-on-year to Rs 5,77,094 crore and total deposits increasing 23.2% to Rs 6,51,491 crore as of September 30, 2026. The lender also said CASA deposits grew 11.3%, underscoring continued traction in low-cost funding even as competition for deposits remains intense across the banking system.
India’s President hosted the President of the Swiss Confederation in New Delhi in a high-level engagement underscoring the steady broadening of India-Switzerland relations. The meeting highlighted cooperation across trade, investment, innovation, and multilateral coordination, reflecting both countries’ interest in a more resilient and diversified partnership.
Airline executives are pushing back against Mumbai International Airport Limited’s proposal to temporarily cut about one-third of international flights from October 26, arguing that the timeline is too tight and the commercial costs are too high. The dispute underscores the strain on India’s busiest aviation market, where slot changes can ripple through aircraft rotations, crew planning, passenger connections and international network economics.
India’s top five IT services companies are likely to post only 0.5% to 1% quarter-on-quarter revenue growth in the second quarter of FY27, according to research advisory UnearthInsight, underscoring a still-muted demand environment after a subdued April-June period. Investors will be watching deal conversion, discretionary spending trends and the early impact of AI-led deflation on pricing and margins.
India’s Ambassador to the United States, Vinay Kwatra, met U.S. Senator Angela Alsobrooks in Washington and discussed avenues to deepen bilateral engagement. Kwatra said he also underscored the Indian diaspora’s growing contribution to strengthening India-Maryland ties, signaling the continued importance of subnational diplomacy in the wider India-U.S. relationship.
Paramount Syntex’s Rs 82-crore SME initial public offering was subscribed 1.35 times by the second day of bidding on the BSE SME platform, led by extraordinary demand from qualified institutional buyers. The QIB portion was subscribed 119.29 times, while retail and non-institutional investor categories remained subdued, underscoring a sharply uneven demand profile ahead of the issue’s October 6 close.
Kumkum Mohod delivered a landmark performance at the Asian Games 2026, becoming the first Indian woman to win an Asian Games medal in the individual recurve event. Her gold-medal finish also secured India an Olympic quota, marking a significant breakthrough for the country’s archery programme.
ESDS Software shares fell to the 5% lower circuit on Monday, extending losses for a sixth straight session and erasing nearly 30% of market value over the period. The selloff comes after the expiry of a one-month shareholder lock-in, while softer sequential Q1 revenue and profit have intensified concerns that the stock had run ahead of fundamentals.
Hong Kong equities drifted lower by midday on Wednesday as selling pressure in real estate and financial shares offset modest gains in technology stocks. The Hang Seng Index slipped 0.08%, while the Hang Seng Tech Index rose 0.3% in subdued trade with mainland Chinese markets shut for the National Day holiday.
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 was not fully replaced. Deposits fell by Rs 2.49 lakh crore, while credit growth also moderated, signalling a short-term adjustment in banks’ funding and lending patterns after recent overseas inflows.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the long-promised Vizhinjam fishing harbour is moving toward reality, with a 235-metre breakwater, a 500-metre L-shaped fishery berth and supporting infrastructure now planned. The project is expected to strengthen coastal livelihoods while improving landing, storage and access facilities for the fishing community.
Deepak Punia has strengthened his reputation as one of India’s most reliable freestyle wrestlers by adding an Asian Games bronze to an already substantial international record. The medal further underlines the consistency that has defined his career, which includes a silver at the 2019 World Championships and five Asian Championships medals.
India’s startup ecosystem opened the week with a familiar mix of capital discipline, product expansion and selective optimism, as founders and investors continued to navigate a market that rewards efficiency over exuberance. The latest daily roundup underscores how venture activity is increasingly concentrated around businesses with clear unit economics, defensible technology and near-term paths to scale.
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 across a complex banking and subsidiaries platform.
For founders, investors, and operators navigating India’s fast-moving startup economy, the ability to think clearly under pressure is becoming a core competitive advantage. A new reading list of seven influential books offers practical frameworks for staying calm, making better decisions, and reducing costly errors when stakes are high.
India enter the first T20I with a batting order that looks formidable on paper, but the match carries more uncertainty than the hosts would prefer. Sanju Samson is under scrutiny, the management’s handling of young talent Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will be watched closely, and West Indies arrive strengthened by the returns of key white-ball names.
Kozhikode Corporation has revised its annual Plan after receiving an additional ₹40.92 crore for spillover projects, reshaping spending priorities across urban services and civic welfare. The updated allocation includes higher outlays for day-care homes and City of Literature activities, while ₹45 lakh has been sanctioned for the Samanwaya project and an escalator is set to come up near the mofussil bus stand.
India’s gig economy is seeing a quiet but important shift as delivery and mobility workers increasingly use platform-led tax filing services to claim refunds on tax deducted at source. What began as a compliance exercise is now also becoming a pathway to formal financial records, helping workers build documentation that can support future credit applications.
Indian airlines are urging the government to intervene as lenders withhold the final tranche of Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme funds from eligible carriers, according to the Federation of Indian Airlines. The industry says the delay is worsening cash-flow stress at a time when operating costs remain elevated and recovery in domestic aviation remains uneven.
The finance ministry has asked banks to share feedback on their use of artificial intelligence in loan collection, signalling a closer policy review of how lenders are deploying automation in recovery and borrower engagement. The exercise is aimed at assessing adoption levels, customer-protection safeguards and the extent to which conversational AI is being used in collections.
Walmart-owned Flipkart has acquired a minority stake in Delhi-based B2B travel technology startup TravClan, marking a strategic move to deepen its presence in international travel services. The investment is aimed at broadening Flipkart’s offerings as the ecommerce major continues to diversify beyond retail into adjacent consumer and services categories.
RNFI Money, the wholly owned subsidiary of RNFI Services, has secured Reserve Bank of India approval to undertake cross-border trade remittances, marking a significant expansion of its regulated financial services footprint. The licence strengthens the company’s ability to serve trade-payment and foreign exchange needs through its existing last-mile network, while complementing RNFI Services’ recent in-principle authorisation to operate as a Payment Aggregator–Physical.
Securities and Exchange Board of India Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey has launched Project Jagrook, a new investor education initiative aimed at narrowing the gap between awareness of securities products and actual participation. The move comes as SEBI intensifies its warning against anonymous market tips and social media finfluencers, which it says can distort decision-making and expose retail investors to avoidable risk.
BharatPe has publicly supported the proposed UPI merchant discount rate framework, saying the changes are designed to make digital payments economically sustainable without charging consumers or burdening small merchants. The company also clarified that former co-founder Ashneer Grover’s criticism reflects his personal view, not the firm’s position, underscoring a sharp break between the startup’s current stance and its ex-chief’s commentary.
Singeetham Srinivasa Rao and Kamal Haasan formed one of Indian cinema’s most adventurous director-actor partnerships, repeatedly backing ideas that many others would have considered commercially unworkable. Their collaborations ranged from a film without dialogue to a dwarf protagonist and a single actor playing four distinct roles, leaving behind a body of work defined by audacity, precision and lasting cultural impact.
The Reserve Bank of India’s deputy governor has said the introduction of a merchant discount rate on UPI payments above Rs 2,000 will not necessarily trigger a shift back to cash, pushing back against concerns that pricing digital transactions could reverse India’s payments gains. He argued that cash and digital payments often expand together, with currency serving both as a medium of exchange and a store of value.
The remarks come as the payments ecosystem prepares for the October 15 rollout of the fee structure, a move that could reshape merchant behaviour, especially in retail-heavy sectors such as automotive sales, EV charging, and mobility services where high-value transactions are common.
ICICI Prudential Life Insurance is set to elevate veteran banker Sidharatha Mishra as its next chief operating officer and chief executive officer, marking a leadership transition that draws on nearly three decades of experience inside the ICICI ecosystem. His rise from branch-level banking roles to digital operations leadership underscores the company’s preference for an executive steeped in retail distribution, operations and technology-led execution.
Corteva has announced plans to separate its seed business, a move that would leave the company as a pure-play crop protection specialist and mark one of the clearest portfolio resets in global agricultural inputs. The company also said it intends to launch 12 new active ingredients over the next decade, including five biologicals, underscoring a longer-term bet on innovation-led growth in a market under pressure from pricing, regulation and climate volatility.
Asset reconstruction companies have urged the government to strengthen the debt recovery framework by improving the functioning of Debt Recovery Tribunals and tightening procedures around interim stays. Their proposals include automatic lapse of interim orders after two months, better notice systems for creditors, faster filling of tribunal vacancies and expanded electronic services for litigation.
The Olympic Council of Asia has formally handed over the torch and flag for the next Asian Games to Qatar, marking the transition from Aichi-Nagoya to Doha in a ceremony steeped in symbolism. Qatar Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani received the insignia before passing it to Olympic, world and Asian high jump champion Mutaz Essa Barshim, underscoring Doha’s role as the next host city.
Tamil Nadu has set aside ₹812 crore for the Annan Seer scheme, a welfare measure aimed at supporting eligible marriages in the state. The government order specifies that marriages taking place on or after the date of issue will be covered, signalling immediate operational effect for new applicants.
Shambala and Pure Soul have emerged as names drawing close attention in India’s cricket conversation, underscoring how quickly promising performers can move from obscurity to scrutiny in a crowded talent pipeline. Their rise reflects the broader competitive pressure within Indian sport, where every standout showing is now assessed for immediate impact and long-term value.
RNFI Money, a wholly owned subsidiary of RNFI Services, has secured Reserve Bank of India approval to undertake cross-border trade remittances, a move that broadens its regulated financial services footprint. The licence is expected to strengthen the company’s last-mile distribution model by adding foreign exchange, remittance and trade-payment capabilities alongside its parent’s recent in-principle authorisation as a Payment Aggregator–Physical.
Private investment is showing clearer signs of revival in India as capital formation rises at its fastest pace in more than three years, supported by strong foreign inflows and improving domestic demand conditions. India attracted a record gross foreign direct investment of USD 97 billion in FY26, while first-quarter inflows in the current financial year reached about USD 30 billion, underscoring sustained investor interest despite a volatile global backdrop.
Vithya Ramraj’s bronze-medal run, which erased P.T. Usha’s 42-year-old national record, has become a defining marker of India’s progress in the women’s 400m hurdles. Her medal haul, including relay gold and silver, also underscores the growing depth of India’s one-lap programme and the value of training athletes across both hurdles and flat sprinting.
Tamil Nadu has sanctioned ₹812 crore for the Annan Seer scheme, a major welfare allocation aimed at supporting marriages covered under the programme. According to the government order, marriages taking place on or after the date of issue will be eligible, signalling immediate implementation of the expanded outlay. The move underscores the state’s continued reliance on targeted social assistance to cushion household wedding expenses.
A High Court has ordered a CBI investigation into corruption allegations involving individuals linked to the AAP government in Punjab, intensifying political pressure on the ruling party. The petition concerns claims of irregularities in transfers, policy decisions and tenders, giving fresh ammunition to the opposition against AAP’s long-standing claim of zero tolerance for graft.
A large-scale household survey has found that the average trip to an educational institution for a student costs more than ₹400 and takes about 23 minutes, underscoring the hidden fiscal burden of access to schooling and higher education in India. The findings, drawn from a survey covering over 4.92 lakh households and more than 20 lakh people, point to transport costs and travel time as material barriers in everyday education access.
The Andhra Pradesh Central Power Distribution Company Limited (APCPDCL) will conduct a three-day series of awareness camps on solar power systems from October 6 to 8, signalling a renewed push to expand public understanding of rooftop solar and related clean-energy options. The initiative is expected to focus on consumer education, installation processes, and the practical benefits of solar adoption as India accelerates its energy transition.
India’s steel consumption is expected to expand by 7% to 8% in the coming years, supported by resilient demand from automobiles and construction, Tata Steel Chief Executive Officer T.V. Narendran said. He said the outlook is also being reinforced by a more balanced pattern of growth between urban and rural India, suggesting a broader and more durable consumption base.
The Malayalam film 'Izhakalkkappuram,' directed by Venu Nair and released in theatres on Gandhi Jayanti, is drawing attention for its critical engagement with Gandhian ideals rather than a reverential retelling. Featuring Dinesh Paniker, Gautami and Vanchiyoor Praveen Kumar, the film arrives at a moment when Indian cinema is increasingly revisiting national icons through more questioning, contemporary perspectives. Its release on a symbolic national holiday adds to the conversation around how Gandhi is represented in popular culture.
European equities inched higher in early trade, recovering modestly from last week’s losses, but gains were capped by renewed pressure on French shares. The CAC 40 fell 0.8% as Schneider Electric tumbled after announcing its $22.6 billion acquisition of PTC, while investors weighed softer U.S. jobs data, bond-market moves, inflation risks and political uncertainty across Europe.
Singaporean collector Peter Lee is drawing fresh attention to Indian textiles, especially checks and chintz, as markers of how commerce shaped taste across the Indian Ocean world. His reflections place fabric at the center of a larger story about multicultural ports, where merchants, motifs and materials moved freely and transformed local identities.
Indian corporate groups are restructuring non-banking finance companies and holding-company balance sheets to avoid crossing thresholds that would trigger Reserve Bank of India registration and tighter compliance, sources said. The manoeuvre includes lifting non-financial income at NBFCs and altering the asset mix of core investment companies, underscoring how regulatory definitions are shaping capital allocation across the sector.
The rupee closed marginally stronger at 96.2925 against the U.S. dollar, drawing support from softer Brent crude prices and a modest improvement in risk sentiment. Trading remained subdued and tightly ranged as investors positioned for the Reserve Bank of India’s policy announcement, with a 25-basis-point rate hike widely anticipated.
