Axis Bank is preparing to significantly expand its lending to India’s data centre sector, with exposure expected to double from Rs 8,688 crore over the next three years. The move reflects a broader banking push into infrastructure tied to artificial intelligence, cloud computing and digital storage, as lenders look for new growth avenues in a fast-scaling market.
The opportunity is being reinforced by supportive government policy and rising demand for large-scale computing capacity, but it also brings execution risks, including project concentration, technology obsolescence and the capital-intensive nature of the sector.
U.S. equities enter the fourth quarter with a seasonal tailwind, but that familiar pattern is being tested by rising Treasury yields, a crowded earnings calendar and the political uncertainty of the November elections. Investors are also leaning heavily on the durability of artificial intelligence spending, making corporate results and guidance especially important for the market’s year-end direction.
Indian equities are undergoing a cyclical correction rather than a structural earnings downgrade, according to Mahindra Manulife Mutual Fund’s chief investment officer. The assessment comes as markets weigh energy price volatility, geopolitical tensions and the longer-term implications of AI-led disruption on employment and corporate margins.
Credit Saison India is stepping up its push into secured lending as it broadens its MSME franchise, with the company aiming to lift secured loans to 30% of its portfolio by the end of FY27. The strategy is centred on Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns, where the lender sees room to deepen distribution, open more branches and build a more balanced loan book around its current Rs 25,000 crore portfolio.
Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s latest film, described here as a maximalist fever dream, is less a conventional movie than a grandly self-aware exercise in cinematic excess. With Tom Cruise cast as the man trapped inside the joke, the result is a Russian doll of apocalypse, performance, and auteurist indulgence that dares viewers to decide whether it is genius, parody, or both.
Reserve Bank Deputy Governor Rohit Jain said banks are likely to put additional liquidity from FCNR(B) deposits to work in the coming months as festive-season credit demand strengthens. He added that the central bank will not direct lenders toward specific sectors, leaving deployment decisions to banks based on the quality of credit proposals.
Indiabulls Limited has received a Certificate of Registration from the Reserve Bank of India as a Core Investment Company, bringing its investment-holding structure under a specific regulatory framework. The company said the approval does not create any new banking or lending activity and noted it may surrender the certificate if the CIC structure is later found unsuitable.
Lance Oppenheim’s ‘Primetime’ is a razor-edged satire that turns the camera back on the culture of spectacle, exposing how televised morality can become its own form of performance. Anchored by a ferociously controlled Robert Pattinson, the film is both an entertainment and an indictment, gleefully dissecting the machinery that packages exploitation as virtue.
Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd. has expanded its Colombo terminal capacity to 3.2 million twenty-foot equivalent units, following a $750 million investment that materially lifts the facility’s strategic weight in the Indian Ocean trade network. The upgraded terminal is now positioned to handle nearly a quarter of the Port of Colombo’s targeted 13 million TEU capacity by 2028, underscoring Sri Lanka’s role as a transshipment hub and APSEZ’s growing regional footprint.
Shashank Yeleti’s Telugu film arrives with a promising premise, a playful tone, and a lead trio capable of generating real warmth, but it never fully escapes its repetitive structure. Fahadh Faasil and Ssara Palekar anchor the film’s best stretches, even as dull passages and recycled magic-trick beats blunt its momentum.
A fund associated with the late investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala has acquired a stake in Tourism Finance Corporation of India, drawing market attention to the specialised lender at a time when travel-linked financing is regaining traction. In an interview with CNBC-TV18, TFCI Managing Director Satpal Arora said business conditions remain constructive and outlined an improving outlook for the company.
India’s monetary policy outlook is becoming more complicated as the rupee stays under pressure, inflation broadens and the U.S. Federal Reserve moves deeper into a tightening cycle. Ankita Pathak of Ionic Asset says the Reserve Bank of India may have less flexibility to ease rates if elevated U.S. yields and a stronger dollar continue to weigh on capital flows and domestic financial conditions.
Reserve Bank of India Governor Sanjay Malhotra has cautioned that financial vulnerabilities can emerge abruptly and take years to unwind, urging policymakers and markets to avoid complacency amid a more uncertain global backdrop. Speaking at the Kautilya Economic Conclave, he said geopolitical shocks, including the conflict in West Asia, are complicating inflation and financial stability assessments.
Across India, 242,000 special gram sabhas marked Gandhi Jayanti by placing citizen-focused governance, local planning, and grassroots accountability at the heart of village-level deliberations. The scale of the exercise underscores the Centre’s continuing push to use the panchayati raj system as a delivery platform for public services and participatory development.
At the 72nd National Film Awards, Sumira Roy’s documentary Bhangaar has drawn attention for its unflinching look at autonomy, ageing, and the moral burden of end-of-life choice. Centered on the Lavate family’s demand for euthanasia, the film arrives at a moment when India’s elderly population is expanding and questions of care, consent, and dignity are becoming harder to avoid.
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam is preparing to file a complaint with the Election Commission of India over remarks made by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin against the party’s candidate in Dharapuram, a minister said on Thursday. The episode has sharpened political tensions in the state and triggered a fresh exchange over campaign conduct, with the minister alleging that the DMK is drifting toward the AIADMK’s past political pattern and could align with the BJP in the 2029 election cycle.
Chanakya International is marking its 40th anniversary with three exhibitions that frame women as both subject and symbol, drawing a line from divine iconography to the everyday lives of Indian women. The shows underscore how the house has built a reputation not only in luxury craft, but also in preserving and reinterpreting textile traditions through a distinctly female lens.
The Hindu’s Sunday crossword No. 76 has arrived as a fresh test of vocabulary, lateral thinking, and cultural recall for readers across India. In a media environment dominated by speed and short-form consumption, the puzzle underscores the continued appeal of slow, disciplined wordplay as a form of intellectual leisure.
Indian households are increasingly favouring secured borrowing, with loans against gold jewellery rising sharply even as credit card dues and consumer durable loans posted only modest growth. Reserve Bank of India data indicate that personal loans remain a major driver of bank credit, but the composition of household debt is shifting toward collateral-backed lending.
Farmers in Bhogapuram have escalated their opposition to the proposed acquisition of agricultural land for a Reliance Data Center, boycotting a meeting convened on Friday by Mandal Development Officer D. Swarupa Rani. The protest underscores growing rural resistance to industrial land conversion, with cultivators demanding clarity on compensation, consent, and the long-term impact on livelihoods.
Cube Highways Trust has secured Rs 1,150 crore through the issuance of senior secured, AAA-rated non-convertible debentures at a coupon of 7.50% per annum, payable quarterly over five years. The transaction, backed by Axis Bank and ICICI Bank, is part of a broader Rs 4,500 crore financing programme aimed at refinancing debt and funding ongoing capital projects.
The Indian government is assessing revised financial bids from Fairfax Financial Holdings and Emirates NBD for the proposed sale of a 60.72% stake in IDBI Bank, according to sources familiar with the process. The transaction, one of the most closely watched privatisation efforts in the financial sector, is advancing steadily as officials review the offers and weigh the next steps.
The North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd. (NEDFI) reported a solid financial showing for 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 reached Rs. 127.77 crore and net profit stood at Rs. 92.23 crore, underscoring resilient earnings momentum.
A clutch of nine large-cap stocks has delivered gains of more than 50% in the first half of FY27 so far, sharply outperforming the benchmark and underscoring the market’s preference for earnings visibility, balance-sheet strength and sector-specific momentum. The rally, based on ACE Equity data, highlights how investors have continued to reward scale and resilience even as broader macro conditions remain uneven.
Jio Financial Services and Allianz have jointly pumped ₹640.1 crore into their general insurance joint venture, underscoring a deeper capital commitment to India’s fast-growing non-life insurance market. The infusion signals that both partners are moving beyond exploratory positioning and into operational scaling as they prepare to build a larger presence in a sector still dominated by established incumbents.
A long-promised plan to install fire hydrants along Broadway remains unimplemented, despite repeated warnings over the area’s fire risk. The Fire and Rescue Services Department is now examining alternative measures after the Kerala Water Authority said it faces practical difficulties in carrying out the District Collector’s instruction to install the hydrants.
The Jammu and Kashmir government has notified its Electric Vehicle Policy 2026, setting out a six-year roadmap to accelerate clean, affordable and weather-resilient mobility across the Union Territory. The policy is designed to support wider EV adoption through a mix of infrastructure expansion, institutional coordination and incentives tailored to local terrain and climate conditions.
India enter the gold-medal match as favourites, but their narrow escape from a late collapse against Pakistan has sharpened the stakes rather than softened them. The final 20 minutes of that contest exposed how quickly control can slip when a side eases off, and Malaysia will take note of every warning sign.
The Prime Minister attended a prayer meeting at Gandhi Smriti in New Delhi, marking a solemn public tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and the values associated with his legacy. The observance underscored the continued political and moral relevance of Gandhi’s message of non-violence, truth, and public service in contemporary India.
Lovlina Borgohain turned her birthday into a landmark moment for Indian sport by winning her maiden Asian Games gold in women’s boxing. The victory made her only the second Indian woman after MC Mary Kom to secure an Asian Games boxing gold, underscoring her rise as one of the country’s most accomplished fighters.
Kumkum Mohod delivered a landmark performance in recurve archery, becoming the first Indian woman to win an Asian Games medal in the individual event and sealing a coveted Olympic quota place in the process. Her breakthrough marks a significant moment for Indian archery, combining personal triumph with broader national significance.
Banks are expected to put additional liquidity from FCNR(B) deposits to work in the coming months as credit demand strengthens ahead of the festive season, Reserve Bank Deputy Governor Rohit Jain said. He added that the central bank will not direct lenders toward specific sectors, leaving deployment decisions to banks based on the quality of credit proposals and prevailing demand across the economy.
Procurement and legal teams are increasingly expected to operate as a single control layer for risk, cost and compliance, yet many startups still treat them as separate functions with competing incentives. The result is slower contracting, inconsistent approvals and avoidable friction at the exact moment venture-backed companies need speed and discipline most. Technology may help, but only if it is used to standardise workflows rather than simply digitise old silos.
India’s medal tally at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026 reflects a broad-based performance across multiple disciplines, underscoring the country’s growing depth beyond its traditional strongholds. The full list of medallists, categorised by sport, offers a clear snapshot of where India converted promise into podium finishes and where its next cycle of investment may be needed.
The North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd. (NEDFI) reported a solid financial performance for FY 2025–26, led by higher interest income and steady profitability. Gross income rose 4.40% to Rs. 270.82 crore, while interest income climbed 9.73% to Rs. 214.94 crore, underscoring resilient lending activity and disciplined execution.
A new entertainment quiz framed around the idea of “all about sisters rising” taps into a larger cultural moment in India, where stories of women’s ambition, solidarity, and visibility are increasingly shaping mainstream conversation. The format blends light Sunday-morning appeal with a sharper undercurrent: the growing audience appetite for narratives centered on women claiming space across film, television, and popular culture.
The Hindu is set to release its documentary 'Gandhi for GenZ' today, positioning Mahatma Gandhi not as a distant historical figure but as a living reference point for India’s younger generation. The film aims to connect Gandhi’s ideas of non-violence, civic responsibility and moral courage with the pressures, anxieties and aspirations shaping youth life in contemporary India.
Madhava Prasad and Athish struck commanding centuries and shared a decisive 250-run partnership to place Tamil Nadu Under-23 in a dominant position against the Rest of India. Their stand blunted the opposition attack and shifted the momentum firmly toward the home side in a contest that had been evenly poised earlier in the day.
Veteran actors Urvashi and Jagadish are set to share the screen again after nearly three decades in 'Room No 9', a new film directed by debutant Jay Mohan. The project, slated for release later this year, has drawn attention for its nostalgia value and for the way it brings together two familiar names from Indian cinema in a fresh creative setting.
The Karnataka State Cricket Association has asked the Mangaluru Urban Development Authority to identify and allot about 50 acres of land for a major cricket infrastructure project in the coastal city. In a letter to MUDA chairperson, KSCA Honorary President B. K. Venkatesh Prasad said the association is committed to building a Centre of Excellence that can strengthen player development and expand the game’s footprint in coastal Karnataka.
India’s new merchant fee regime for UPI transactions above Rs 2,000 is poised to deepen the dominance of PhonePe and Google Pay, with Bernstein estimating the two platforms could together generate about $900 million a year by March 2028. The policy may also accelerate expansion into rural markets and push smaller rivals toward higher-value payments, reshaping competition in the country’s fast-growing digital payments sector.
India’s credit card market showed signs of moderation in August, with spending slipping 2.8% month on month to ₹2.02 lakh crore from ₹2.08 lakh crore in July. Although spending remained 5.9% higher than a year earlier, the slowdown in fresh card issuance and softer monthly transaction growth point to a cooling pace in consumer credit expansion.
The Indira Gandhi Zoological Park has begun its Wildlife Week celebrations with a programme aimed at strengthening public awareness of conservation, biodiversity and responsible coexistence with nature. The observance places the zoo at the centre of a broader national conversation on environmental stewardship, education and the role of public institutions in shaping conservation behaviour.
Ahead of the release of his new film, Fahadh Faasil has framed 'Don't Trouble The Trouble' as a family story with a wider emotional reach, calling it a children’s film that adults can also read deeply. In an interview, the actor also reflected on shooting in real Hyderabad locations, the changing language boundaries between Malayalam, Telugu and Tamil cinema, and his 24-year career in the industry.
The WTA Chennai Open is set to be relocated to Manila next year, marking a significant change in the women’s tennis calendar for Asia. The move underscores the growing competition among regional cities to host international tennis events and raises fresh questions about Chennai’s place in the sport’s Indian footprint.
African importers are moving quickly to lock in rice supplies amid fears that El Niño-related weather disruptions and the wars in Ukraine and Iran-linked shipping tensions could further unsettle global food markets. Exporters in India say ships are waiting at nearly all major ports to load rice consignments, underscoring a fresh wave of demand from overseas buyers seeking to build inventories before prices rise further.
For founders, investors, and operators navigating a volatile startup market, October is an ideal month to reset with books that combine literary depth and practical insight. This curated list spans fiction and nonfiction, offering perspective on leadership, ambition, resilience, and the human cost of building in uncertain times.
A widening dispute over whether AI systems are being credited with breakthroughs they have not truly achieved is intensifying concern among researchers, with mathematician Tristan Buckmaster among those urging caution after claims around OpenAI’s Codex and the Navier-Stokes equations drew scrutiny. The debate is landing at a moment when India’s startup market is also watching Moneyview’s expected blockbuster listing, underscoring the sharp contrast between speculative AI hype and the more grounded demands of public-market discipline.
India and the Netherlands have discussed ways to strengthen agricultural cooperation, signaling a continued push to combine Dutch expertise in precision farming, water management, and horticulture with India’s scale and policy priorities. The talks underscore New Delhi’s broader effort to modernize farm productivity while advancing climate-resilient and technology-driven agriculture.
Abhishek Pathak’s ‘Drishyam: The Conclusion’ does not merely revisit a proven thriller template; it recalibrates it for the Hindi mainstream with sharper emotional cues, broader spectacle and a more overtly theatrical sense of suspense. Ajay Devgn anchors the film with controlled menace, while Jaideep Ahlawat brings a volatile intensity that gives the cat-and-mouse drama its most electric moments.
