Week 2 (Oct 08 – Oct 14) (2026/10/08 to 2026/10/14)
Bengaluru FC opened their Indian Super League campaign with a hard-earned victory over a stubborn SC Delhi side in a lively season opener that mixed tempo, pressure and late-game tension. The result underlined Bengaluru’s greater composure in key moments, even as Delhi showed enough resilience to suggest they will be competitive this season.
The GST Council has moved to accelerate tax refunds for businesses, with the Finance Ministry saying 90% of claimed refunds will now be released within 13 days. The time taken to acknowledge a refund claim will also be reduced to 10 days from 15, a change aimed at easing working-capital pressure and improving compliance efficiency.
The Indian rupee edged higher on Friday and briefly touched an intra-day high before losing momentum to close at 96.73 against the US dollar, as sustained corporate demand for dollars outweighed the currency’s brief recovery. The Reserve Bank of India intervened through state-owned banks to temper volatility, while Governor Sanjay Malhotra said the rupee remains undervalued and needs stabilization.
‘Reporting Live’ arrives with clear intent and more than a few sharp observations about media, public spectacle, and the pressures of telling difficult stories. Yet despite sincere performances and an earnest moral centre, the film ultimately settles into a cautious, lukewarm watch that never fully matches the urgency of its premise.
PSB Bank Chairman Petr Fradkov has described cross-border payments as one of the economy’s most closed and strategically sensitive sectors, arguing that new alternative infrastructure is emerging to move money outside traditional Western-dominated channels. In an interview with RBC, he outlined how the A7 international payment system is operating in a market where conventional international payments are increasingly constrained.
A tightly watched morning of racing has put Crown Invictus, Ashwa Tazbeez and Red Lightning at the centre of attention in India’s sports and betting discourse. With the field still being assessed and market sentiment shifting quickly, the trio has emerged as the names drawing the sharpest scrutiny from punters and analysts alike.
Golden Dancer emerged victorious in the Suresh Mahindra Trophy, delivering a result that will resonate across India’s racing and sporting circles. The win underlines the horse’s rising stature and adds fresh momentum to a competition that continues to draw attention for its prestige and competitive depth.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has declined a request to meet leaders of the INDIA bloc, sharpening tensions around the opposition’s anti-Chief Election Commissioner protest in the capital. Later in the evening, Delhi Police detained women protesters as the campaign to press for accountability and permission for a peaceful demonstration at Jantar Mantar intensified.
A new study by GFI India suggests that consumer curiosity around cultivated meat is far broader than previously assumed, with 94% of respondents indicating willingness to try the product. The findings point to a potentially significant opening for alternative proteins in India, even as questions remain over regulation, pricing, and public trust.
India’s satellite communications market has entered a sharper phase of regulatory and commercial contest, with Elon Musk’s Starlink at the center of a widening dispute over market access, spectrum allocation, and the pace of approvals. At the same time, the Reserve Bank of India’s updated FEMA framework is adding another layer of compliance scrutiny for startups and venture-backed firms navigating cross-border capital and operating structures.
D2C fashion brand Bewakoof reversed its recent improvement in profitability in FY26, reporting a nearly 20% wider net loss of ₹87.4 crore even as revenue crossed the ₹200 crore mark. The numbers point to a business still scaling top-line growth, but one that remains under pressure from operating costs, competitive intensity and the economics of online fashion retail.
Two locomotive pilots were injured in separate stone-pelting incidents near Tuni and Samalkot railway stations in Andhra Pradesh, underscoring persistent safety risks on busy rail corridors. The attacks have renewed concern over passenger and crew security, with railway authorities expected to intensify monitoring and enforcement along vulnerable stretches.
Industrial metal prices are likely to remain under pressure as markets price in a more hawkish US Federal Reserve stance, tightening financial conditions and weighing on risk appetite. Ferrous and non-ferrous metals have already come under strain, with traders cautious that higher-for-longer rates could curb demand across construction, manufacturing and global trade.
Mumbai begin their Ranji Trophy campaign with a significant lift as opener Yashasvi Jaiswal is available for selection, strengthening the 42-time champions’ bid to open the season with a statement win. Chandigarh, meanwhile, face a demanding assignment at the Wankhede Stadium, where Mumbai’s depth, experience and home advantage make them clear favourites.
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav sharpened his attack on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Lucknow, saying the BJP leader should first ensure his own electoral victory before issuing political challenges over Ayodhya. The remarks, made after Yadav paid floral tributes to socialist icon Jayaprakash Narayan, underscored the continuing intensity of the state’s political confrontation ahead of future electoral battles.
Siennor Trio’s new 11-track album, ‘Ninaivu Maaligai,’ arrives as a live-recorded statement of intent: a work that honours memory without becoming trapped by nostalgia. Blending Sufi textures, rock energy and other influences, the project positions the group as a band seeking renewal through performance rather than studio polish.
New Reserve Bank of India data points to a notable reshaping of the country’s collateralised overnight money market in the first half of fiscal 2026-27. Private sector banks reduced their share in the tri-party repo segment, while public sector banks expanded their presence, with mutual funds continuing to command a strong position in the market.
Poonawalla Fincorp reported a net profit of Rs 375 crore for the second quarter, a five-fold increase from a year earlier, as rapid loan book expansion lifted earnings and improved operating momentum. Net interest income rose 75.6% year-on-year, while asset quality strengthened and capital buffers remained comfortable, underscoring the lender’s continued scale-up in India’s retail credit market.
The creator of Orkut has indicated plans to revive the once-dominant social network, reviving interest in one of the internet’s earliest mass social platforms. The move comes as a petition calling for the platform’s return has crossed 270,000 signatures, with the strongest support coming from Brazil and additional backing from Portugal, Ireland and Paraguay.
S&P Global expects India’s financial sector lending to expand 12-14% this fiscal year, supported by resilient economic activity, steady public investment and improving private capex. However, the agency warned that a weak monsoon could weigh on rural incomes and slow credit demand in agriculture-linked and rural lending segments.
Actor Nana Patekar, one of Indian cinema’s most distinctive and uncompromising performers, is being remembered for a body of work that combined intensity, restraint and social realism across more than four decades. Best known for searing performances in films such as "Parinda," "Krantiveer" and "Ab Tak Chhappan," he became a rare star whose acclaim rested as much on artistic credibility as on box-office reach.
The Tea Board is moving to increase the number of auction centres as part of a broader reform push aimed at improving price discovery and helping tea producers secure better returns. The board also expects its auction modernisation measures to support stronger price realisation across the industry in the months ahead.
Actor Nana Patekar, one of Indian cinema’s most distinctive and forceful performers, has died at the age of 74, closing a career defined by intensity, versatility and three National Film Awards. Across more than four decades, he moved with rare ease between parallel cinema and mainstream films, shaping a body of work that remains central to the modern history of Hindi and Marathi screen acting.
YourStory has launched ShuruKar, a nationwide initiative designed to help aspiring founders move from identifying a local problem to securing their first customer. The programme blends AI-enabled tools, mentorship and community networks, reflecting a broader push to make entrepreneurship more accessible beyond India’s major startup hubs.
Amazon and Flipkart have reported a powerful start to India’s 2026 festive shopping season, with both platforms seeing record day-one activity driven largely by demand from non-metro markets. Amazon said products ordered more than doubled year on year, while Flipkart said traffic peaked at 6.3 million concurrent users per minute, underscoring the scale of online retail demand at the start of the season.
Poonawalla Fincorp reported a sharp jump in second-quarter net profit, rising more than five times from a year earlier as net interest income and fee income both strengthened. The lender also said new loan products contributed meaningfully to disbursements, while a lower gross non-performing asset ratio pointed to improved asset quality.
A potential Reserve Bank of India rate hike is unlikely to cause broad-based asset quality stress for non-banking financial companies, according to a Nuvama Institutional Equities report. The note argues that past tightening cycles, healthy capital buffers and ample systemic liquidity should help absorb pressure, while any spillover from the West Asia conflict remains confined to select pockets rather than the wider lending universe.
Jaandaar justified strong pre-race expectations with a polished performance in the Pune Derby, underlining both quality and race-day temperament when it mattered most. The result added another layer to the horse’s growing reputation and offered a clear statement in one of the season’s most closely watched domestic racing contests.
Foreign currency non-resident deposit inflows are expected to keep a lid on Indian bank deposit rates in the near term by adding to system liquidity and easing funding pressure. Analysts say the benefit may be temporary, with conditions likely to move toward neutrality by the end of December even as banks continue to enjoy support from higher lending yields on floating-rate loans.
Lance Oppenheim’s 'Primetime' is a sharp, unsettling satire that turns the camera back on the culture of televised morality, exposing how performance, punishment and public appetite feed one another. Robert Pattinson delivers a ferociously controlled performance in a film that is as entertaining as it is corrosive, making exploitation itself the subject of the critique.
The Ranji Trophy begins with its familiar promise: a long domestic season that can still reshape careers, revive reputations and influence India’s selection pipeline. With established names such as KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal expected to feature in the opening round, the competition starts under a sharper spotlight than usual.
India’s used-car market is increasingly being reshaped by digital platforms that bundle vehicle selection, financing, and documentation into a single checkout-style experience. The shift is making pre-approved loan offers more visible to buyers, but experts say borrowers still need to scrutinise interest rates, processing charges, and eligibility criteria before signing.
India’s new merchant fee regime for UPI payments may hand a powerful advantage to the country’s largest payment apps, with Bernstein estimating that PhonePe and Google Pay could together generate about $900 million a year by March 2028. The 0.4% fee on merchant transactions above Rs 2,000 is likely to deepen the dominance of incumbent platforms while pressuring smaller rivals to chase higher-value payments and rural expansion.
The Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) has accused police of forcibly removing its leaders from a flight on Saturday and preventing them from consulting lawyers after detention, escalating a dispute already charged with allegations of political intimidation. The group has described the episode as an “open emergency-like situation” and said it will continue its protests despite the crackdown.
Mangaluru International Airport is preparing for a broader winter schedule, with weekly flight movements set to rise to 195 from 181. The increase signals a measured expansion in connectivity for coastal Karnataka, reflecting sustained demand on key domestic and international routes. The revised schedule is likely to improve travel options for passengers, support business and diaspora links, and strengthen the airport’s role as a regional gateway. While the jump is modest, it points to continued airline confidence in the market and a gradual deepening of route capacity.
Rajya Sabha member Bhashyam Rama Krishna said chess can strengthen concentration, discipline and decision-making while inaugurating a chess club at Chalapathi University. He described the initiative as a potential model for other institutions, as the event also featured an All India Open Rapid Chess Tournament that drew 242 players.
Identity and access management startup OTPless has appointed former BharatPe executive Geetanshu Singla as its new chief technology officer, signaling a sharper push to strengthen its technology leadership as it scales. The move comes at a time when Indian startups are placing greater emphasis on security, reliability, and product depth in a competitive digital identity market.
The Keralam Assembly is set to convene on October 12, 2026, in a session expected to be dominated by sharp confrontation between the ruling Congress-led United Democratic Front and the Opposition Left Democratic Front. With both blocs preparing for a combative floor battle, the session is likely to test the government’s legislative discipline and the Opposition’s ability to sustain pressure on policy and governance issues.
Indian equities ended a bruising eight-week losing streak on Friday, with the Sensex and Nifty rising more than 1% as IT shares led the rebound and crude prices softened. The recovery added over Rs 4 lakh crore to BSE-listed market capitalisation, but traders now face a fresh test as Monday’s session opens against a backdrop of global rate expectations, oil, foreign flows and domestic earnings signals.
Kerala coach Asnodkar has called for a broader, format-neutral approach as the state side looks to strengthen its competitiveness in domestic cricket. His message underscores the need for consistency, adaptability and squad depth if Kerala are to make meaningful progress in red-ball and white-ball cricket alike.
Chennai-based sculptor G. Sooriyamoorthy is pushing a deliberately demanding artistic philosophy he calls “art made difficult,” using unconventional materials to test the limits of form, process and patience. His latest works will be exhibited at the Lalit Kala Akademi from October 10 to 15, offering viewers a close look at a practice that treats resistance as part of the artwork itself.
Harmanpreet Kaur, the face of India’s rise in women’s cricket, has stepped down as captain but will continue to play for the national team. Her exit from the leadership role marks the end of a defining era, even as her influence on the sport in India remains undiminished. The decision signals a transition for the team, while preserving the presence of one of its most consequential players.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has declined to meet leaders of the INDIA bloc on October 12, after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi wrote to him seeking an appointment. The scheduled meeting, which was to take place between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Monday, has been called off with reasons, underscoring the sensitivity of direct political outreach to the head of the judiciary.
HSBC has hired Paras Jain, the former Cantor Fitzgerald banker who built the firm’s technology investment banking franchise, to lead its global technology, media and telecoms banking business, according to sources familiar with the matter. Jain is expected to start in November as HSBC sharpens its focus on sectors where it believes it can win share, particularly across Asia and the Middle East.
An IIT Bombay report has cautioned that the proposed merchant discount rate framework for UPI could damage public confidence if implemented without careful calibration. The study argues that digital payments policy must preserve the perception of UPI as a low-friction, low-cost public utility rather than a channel vulnerable to new user-facing charges.
A Hindu right-wing group has publicly backed men arrested in connection with an alleged assault in Delhi, with its chief claiming the accused are his workers and promising to stand by them. The remarks have intensified questions over law-and-order handling and prompted scrutiny of allegations that police failed to act promptly.
India’s electric three-wheeler market posted a sharp September rebound, with sales rising 40% month-on-month and market share advancing to 64.9%, underscoring the segment’s growing role in urban and last-mile mobility. Bajaj Auto led the category, followed by Mahindra and TVS, as established manufacturers strengthened their position in a market increasingly shaped by scale, financing access and fleet demand.
A new wave of medical technology is reshaping how care is delivered, measured and financed, with sensors, wearables, 3D-printed skin, reconstructed organs and personalized medicine moving from laboratory promise to commercial relevance. For markets and IPO investors, the shift signals a broader re-rating of healthcare innovation as clinical validation, data infrastructure and manufacturing scale become central to future growth.
The Uttar Pradesh cabinet has approved a startup procurement scheme designed to improve young companies’ access to government departments across the state. The move is intended to lower entry barriers for startups seeking public contracts and to widen the state’s vendor base with newer technology-led firms.
The government has drawn up plans for a significant restructuring of India’s tax administration, including a revamp of the Central Board of Excise and Customs, to support the nationwide launch of the goods and services tax. The move is aimed at reducing implementation risk, improving coordination across the indirect tax system, and ensuring a smoother transition for businesses and tax officials.