The Reserve Bank of India will require banks to maintain 99% of their cash reserve ratio on a daily basis from the fortnight beginning October 16, 2026, up from the current 90%. The move removes a layer of operational flexibility and is aimed at draining surplus liquidity from the banking system, reinforcing the central bank’s tighter liquidity stance.
API Holdings, the parent company of online pharmacy PharmEasy, sharply reduced its consolidated net loss by 67% year-on-year to ₹520 crore in the fiscal year ended March 2026, signalling a continued push toward financial discipline in India’s startup sector. The improvement underscores a broader reset in the company’s operating model after years of aggressive expansion and heavy cash burn.
A 63-year-old woman emerged as the top prize winner in the Dasara rangoli competition held at Mysuru Palace, standing out among more than 265 participants from across Karnataka. The contest, part of the city’s wider Dasara cultural calendar, underscored the enduring public appeal of traditional art forms and the strong participation of women across generations.
Rising U.S. Treasury yields and mortgage rates are prompting lenders and investors to increase mortgage-related hedging, adding another layer of selling pressure to an already fragile bond market. Analysts say the effect should be more contained than in past selloffs because refinancing activity has faded and the mortgage market is smaller, though oil prices, inflation expectations and Federal Reserve policy remain the dominant forces driving yields.
India’s boxing infrastructure is set for a targeted boost after the National Sports Development Fund and the Sports Authority of India announced a partnership with Indian Oil to deepen support for the sport. The collaboration is aimed at strengthening the athlete pipeline, improving institutional backing and widening the base for competitive boxing in the country.
The move comes at a time when India is seeking to convert individual boxing success into a more durable system of talent identification, training and performance support. Officials say the partnership is designed to reinforce the sport’s long-term development rather than deliver only short-term sponsorship.
Defence Minister of State Sanjay Seth will attend the Special Joint Conference of NCC State Representatives and Additional Directors General in Guwahati, underscoring the government’s continued emphasis on cadet training, youth mobilisation, and civil-military engagement. The meeting is expected to review operational priorities, coordination mechanisms, and the National Cadet Corps’ role in strengthening discipline and national service across states.
Lenskart early backer Alpha Wave Ventures has sold 2.64 crore shares in a bulk transaction valued at about ₹1,705 crore, marking one of the more significant secondary exits tied to the eyewear retailer. The deal underscores continued investor appetite for late-stage startup liquidity even as the market closely watches Lenskart’s next phase of growth and public-market readiness.
Brave Heart, Bellavita, Shining Dawn and Renoir delivered eye-catching performances that stood out in the latest round of Indian racing action, underlining the depth and competitiveness of the current season. Their displays offered both immediate results and longer-term signals about form, conditioning and stable strength as the campaign intensifies.
The Reserve Bank of India is actively consulting stakeholders on the possible appointment of Anup Bagchi as chief executive of HDFC Bank, according to people familiar with the matter. The move reflects regulatory caution over Bagchi’s three-year absence from mainstream banking, even as he emerges as the leading contender for one of India’s most closely watched banking jobs.
Bengaluru-based Mesa School of Business has raised ₹110 crore, or about $11.4 million, in a Series A round as it prepares to broaden its on-campus course portfolio. The financing underscores investor interest in India’s higher-education and skilling market, where institutions are racing to blend traditional management education with industry-linked, outcomes-driven training.
India’s new merchant fee regime for Unified Payments Interface transactions may hand a powerful advantage to the country’s largest payment apps, with Bernstein estimating PhonePe and Google Pay could together generate about $900 million a year by March 2028. The 0.4% fee on merchant payments above Rs 2,000 is likely to deepen incumbents’ scale advantage, while also nudging platforms to chase rural users and higher-value transactions.
Madhya Pradesh seized control of its Ranji Trophy contest after Avesh Khan and Aryan Pandey each claimed three wickets to dismiss Jammu & Kashmir for 120. The visitors’ disciplined pace attack and a late burst from spinner Saransh Jain left the defending champions with a 76-run first-innings lead and a firm foothold in the match.
The Indian rupee strengthened against the dollar on Thursday, outperforming several Asian peers after the Reserve Bank of India moved to curb speculative dollar demand and steady the foreign-exchange market. Traders and analysts said the central bank’s latest measures, combined with softer oil prices, have improved near-term support for the currency.
Security forces uncovered a suspected terrorist hideout in a cave in Surankote, Poonch district, recovering an AK-47 rifle, six hand grenades and ammunition during a joint Army-police operation. The recovery comes as separate search operations continue in Udhampur and Kathua, underscoring an active counter-infiltration and counter-network push across Jammu and Kashmir.
Anup Kumar Saha is poised to take over as chief executive of Kotak Mahindra Bank in January 2027, bringing a reputation for disciplined execution, direct communication and a strong command of financial metrics. His appointment comes as the lender looks to accelerate loan growth while broadening its deposit base in an increasingly competitive banking market.
Indian banks are entering the next few quarters with broadly benign asset quality and stable credit costs, but a new report warns that external shocks could still pressure earnings. Higher crude oil prices and drought-like conditions across five states may weaken borrower repayment capacity, even as deposit growth improves and balance sheets remain resilient.
Actor Teja Sajja has said that hosting the Telugu edition of 'The Traitors' demanded a disciplined, restrained screen presence that was far removed from his natural temperament. The 'Mirai' and 'Hanu-Man' star said he binge-watched Karan Johar's Hindi version in two days and studied hosts from five or six countries to prepare for the role.
India’s existing biomanufacturing infrastructure could become a major engine for smart protein expansion, according to a new study that maps 478 facilities across 17 states. The report identifies an estimated 198 million kilolitres of smart protein-relevant fermenter capacity, underscoring the scale of industrial assets that could be adapted for alternative proteins and related bio-based products.
The Securities and Exchange Board of India has extended a temporary relaxation that allows IPO-bound companies to revise the size of their fresh issue without filing a new draft prospectus, according to bankers tracking the move. The extension, now running through March 2027, is designed to give issuers greater flexibility as equity markets remain sensitive to volatility and shifting investor appetite.
The government has prepared a major restructuring of India’s tax administration, including a revamp of the Central Board of Excise and Customs, to support a smooth nationwide rollout of the goods and services tax. The move underscores the scale of the administrative transition required to shift the country to a unified indirect tax regime and reduce the risk of implementation glitches.
The Reserve Bank of India will raise the minimum daily cash reserve maintenance requirement for banks to 99% from 90%, effective from the fortnight beginning October 16, 2026. The move removes a layer of operational flexibility and is aimed at absorbing excess liquidity in the banking system, reinforcing the central bank’s tighter liquidity stance.
Rahul and Revanth produced a decisive 202-run partnership to drag Karnataka from early trouble to a commanding position, exposing the fragility of the opposition bowling attack in the process. Their stand transformed a potentially awkward outing into a statement performance, leaving the hosts firmly on top by the close of play.
RBL Bank reported a sharp rise in September-quarter net profit, powered by strong loan growth, higher net interest income and a surge in deposits supported by FCNR(B) inflows. Chief Executive R. Subramaniakumar said margins are likely to moderate next quarter as those foreign currency deposits fully work through the balance sheet.
The recently held LURU Screendance Festival placed a sharp focus on the changing relationship between dance and cinema, highlighting how the camera does more than record performance: it actively shapes meaning, rhythm and audience perception. In a field where movement is often ephemeral, the festival underscored screendance as both an artistic form and a cultural archive.
India’s new merchant fee regime for high-value UPI transactions is set to deepen the dominance of PhonePe and Google Pay, with Bernstein estimating the two payment giants could together earn about $900 million annually by March 2028. The policy may also accelerate their push into rural markets while forcing smaller rivals to chase higher-value transactions to stay viable.
Veteran actor Nana Patekar was laid to rest at his Pune farmhouse on Thursday evening with full State honours, following his death at his Goa home in the early hours of October 8, 2026. The ceremony drew family, close associates and admirers, marking the end of a career that helped define a certain rugged, morally charged strain of Indian cinema.
Mohammed Shami spearheaded a disciplined Bengal bowling effort as Delhi were dismissed for 240 in a competitive domestic contest. Bengal’s pace unit kept sustained pressure throughout the innings, limiting Delhi’s ability to build a commanding total despite periodic resistance.
Mumbai made a polished start to their Ranji Trophy campaign, with Shams Mulani and Tanush Kotian doing the heavy lifting in a performance that underlined the squad’s depth and red-ball discipline. The early showing suggested a side intent on setting the tone quickly in India’s premier domestic competition.
The Nifty 50 could climb to 26,000-26,500 over the next four to five months if three supportive forces continue to align, according to Monarch Networth Capital CEO Gaurav Bhandari. He cited cooling US Treasury yields, a softer dollar and short covering by foreign investors, while strong domestic inflows of about Rs 31,000 crore a month are helping sustain market valuations.
Rahul and Revanth produced a decisive 202-run partnership that dragged Karnataka from early trouble to a dominant position, turning the contest sharply in the hosts’ favour. Their stand not only rescued the innings but also laid bare the inadequacies of the opposition bowling attack, which failed to sustain pressure after making early inroads.
Asset-backed borrowing is emerging as a more visible feature of India’s credit ecosystem, with gold-backed loans leading the shift as households and small businesses look for quick liquidity without liquidating investments. The trend is being amplified by digital lending platforms that are making such products easier to access, compare and manage, signalling a broader change in how borrowers approach short-term funding.
India’s existing biomanufacturing infrastructure could become a major catalyst for the country’s smart protein industry, according to a new study that maps capacity across 17 states and nine segments. The report identifies 478 facilities and an estimated 198 million kilolitres of smart protein-relevant fermenter capacity, underscoring a large industrial base that could be repurposed for alternative proteins, precision fermentation and related applications.
Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu said at TechSparks 2026 that artificial intelligence could surpass 90% of coders within six months, but argued that software automation should not be treated as a crisis. He urged India to focus instead on technological ownership, hardware capability and reducing dependence on foreign intellectual property.
Non-banking finance companies now account for 50% of India’s new-to-credit borrowers, up sharply from 24% in June 2016, according to a TransUnion CIBIL-FIDC report covering about 2,000 NBFCs. The findings underscore how NBFCs have become a critical gateway for first-time borrowers, especially in vehicle finance, even as lenders balance financial inclusion with credit discipline.
A new big-screen conversation around *Good Night Good Morning* is drawing attention for its restrained, intimate take on love, positioning the film as a study in emotional distance rather than conventional romance. In a market often driven by spectacle, the project stands out for treating affection as a complicated, contemporary negotiation shaped by timing, temperament, and silence.
Triveni Power Transmission Limited has begun trading on the BSE and NSE after its demerger from Triveni Engineering & Industries, marking the formal separation of its power transmission business into an independent listed company. The move is designed to give the business a clearer strategic identity and greater flexibility to pursue growth across industrial, marine and defence applications.
S&P Global expects India’s financial sector lending to expand by 12-14% this fiscal year, underpinned by resilient economic activity, steady public investment and improving private capital spending. But the ratings firm warned that a weak monsoon could soften rural incomes and weigh on loan demand and repayment capacity in agriculture-linked markets.
The finance ministry will meet heads of banks on Tuesday to assess the progress of India’s financial inclusion programmes, with a focus on flagship schemes that have expanded access to savings, credit and insurance. The review is expected to examine both coverage and delivery quality across initiatives such as Jan Dhan, Mudra, Jan Suraksha and Stand-Up India.
Two newly completed bridges have closed a critical gap in the coastal road network linking Kollam and Koyilandy harbour, giving fisherfolk a direct route to the harbour without detouring via the national highway. Built at a cost of ₹1.16 crore from Harbour Engineering department funds, the project is expected to improve access, reduce travel time, and strengthen day-to-day logistics for coastal communities.
Tamil filmmaker Thiagarajan Kumararaja’s next feature, 'Pocket Novel', has entered a notable new phase with GV Prakash Kumar stepping in as composer after Ilaiyaraaja’s exit from the project. The casting and music shift adds fresh intrigue to a film already drawing attention for reuniting Kumararaja with Vijay Sethupathi after their acclaimed collaboration on 'Super Deluxe'.
The India Meteorological Department has forecast heavy rainfall over Kerala, south Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry for four days beginning Thursday, signalling a consequential wet phase for the southern peninsula even as a low-pressure system over the south-east Bay of Bengal has weakened after its parent circulation dissipated. The outlook raises the risk of localized flooding, transport disruption and short-term pressure on agriculture and urban drainage systems across the region.
Coal supply to India’s power sector averaged 2.49 million tonnes per day in October, while rake dispatches to the sector stood at 469 per day, underscoring sustained fuel movement into the electricity system. The figures point to steady logistical support for thermal generation at a time when power demand remains structurally elevated and coal continues to anchor baseload supply.
Four BSE 500 stocks, including PTC Industries and Aditya Infotech, touched fresh 52-week highs on Tuesday as the Sensex jumped 1,109 points, extending a broad market rebound. The move underscores sustained buying interest in select counters, with the group advancing by as much as 14% over the past month despite a volatile macro backdrop.
The average loan ticket size for passenger vehicles in India has risen 49% over the past seven years to ₹8.2 lakh, underscoring the growing cost of vehicle ownership and the expanding role of formal credit in auto purchases, according to TransUnion CIBIL. The data also show that non-banking finance companies continue to dominate vehicle financing, accounting for 73% of two-wheeler loans and 37% of passenger vehicle loans.
Automation could place nearly seven in 10 jobs in India at risk, according to a World Bank-based assessment cited in a fresh warning on the disruptive impact of technology on labour markets. The estimate underscores a widening challenge for policymakers, investors and employers as artificial intelligence, robotics and digitisation reshape work across emerging economies.
The Reserve Bank of India will raise the minimum daily maintenance requirement for banks’ cash reserve ratio to 99% from 90%, a sharper operational constraint that takes effect from the fortnight beginning October 16, 2026. The move is designed to absorb surplus liquidity in the banking system and reduce the room banks previously had to average reserve balances across the maintenance period.
BJP leader Subramanian Swamy has called for a ban on cement imports from Pakistan, arguing that such trade could be used as a cover for smuggling contraband, weapons and ammunition into India. His remarks add a security dimension to a trade issue that sits at the intersection of markets, border controls and policy scrutiny.
The intervention is likely to intensify debate over whether commercial openness with Pakistan can be separated from national security concerns, particularly in sectors involving bulk cargo movement by rail and road.
Apple Pay has officially gone live in India, enabling Axis Bank credit card holders to add Visa and Mastercard cards to Apple’s wallet service for contactless payments. The launch broadens the country’s digital payments landscape by offering a secure, private transaction method that does not require PINs or one-time passwords at checkout.
India’s Ministry of Panchayati Raj will conduct a nationwide cleanliness and pendency-resolution drive on October 14, 2026, under Special Campaign 6.0, signaling a renewed administrative push across the rural governance system. The initiative is designed to improve office hygiene, accelerate disposal of pending matters, and reinforce accountability in public administration.
Incoming HDFC Bank chief executive Anup Bagchi inherits a franchise that remains formidable in scale but is under sharper investor scrutiny than at any point in recent years. His early mandate is clear: restore confidence by tightening execution, strengthening governance, and proving the bank can lift growth and returns back above industry averages.
