Week 3 (Oct 15 – Oct 21) (2026/10/15 to 2026/10/21)
India clinched gold at the 2026 Asian Games after Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma produced a commanding batting display to overcome Pakistan in a tense final. On a tricky surface that later eased, Abhishek’s 61 off 28 balls and Tilak’s unbeaten 51 off 22 sealed a statement win despite a spirited effort from Pakistan’s Nawaz.
Hospital owners are questioning the practical impact of the Centre’s directive to display service rates prominently, arguing that transparency alone may not reduce the cost of treatment for patients. The move is intended to make billing clearer and improve consumer awareness, but providers say the deeper drivers of healthcare inflation remain untouched.
Indian banks have sought detailed clarification from the Reserve Bank of India on the implementation of its new currency-supporting measures, particularly how foreign exchange risk reserves should be calculated and whether they affect liquidity ratios. Lenders are also asking how costs may be passed on to customers, how exposure limits will be assessed, and whether certain cash reserves can be treated as high-quality liquid assets.
ICICI Bank has received a show cause notice from GST authorities seeking ₹229.14 crore in tax, interest and penalties over services linked to customers maintaining minimum account balances. The notice, issued on September 30 by the Additional Commissioner at CGST and Central Excise Division-IV, adds to the lender’s ongoing legal disputes over similar tax demands. The case underscores the continuing regulatory scrutiny of banking service charges and their classification under India’s indirect tax regime.
Cemindia Projects has raised Rs 1,400 crore through a qualified institutional placement priced at Rs 1,108 per share, with the issue oversubscribed 2.3 times over the base size. The strong response from marquee investors, including Edelweiss Life, Nuvama, and Motilal Mutual Fund, underscores institutional confidence in the company’s credit profile and growth prospects.
The Nilgiris district will hold special camps to enrol first-time voters on the electoral rolls, part of a broader push to widen participation ahead of upcoming electoral exercises. The initiative is aimed at ensuring eligible young citizens are registered in time and that voter lists are updated with greater accuracy.
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner said bowlers are still trying to catch up in the early phase of the contest, underscoring how quickly conditions and momentum can tilt in modern cricket. His assessment points to a tactical battle in which discipline, adaptation and pace of adjustment may decide the outcome more than raw talent alone.
India’s Directorate of Revenue Intelligence has seized nearly 6.2 kilograms of foreign-origin gold and arrested three people in a case that exposes a more sophisticated smuggling method using unclaimed baggage. Officials said the operation highlights how traffickers are adapting concealment tactics to move precious metals through legitimate travel channels. The case is being treated as a significant enforcement success in the fight against customs evasion and illicit cross-border trade.
Astranova Mobility’s lending subsidiary, Novafusion Capital, has secured Reserve Bank of India approval to operate as a non-banking financial company, giving the group a regulated platform to expand vehicle financing in India’s fast-evolving electric mobility market. The company said it aims to build ₹5,000 crore in assets under management over the next five years, positioning credit as a key enabler of the country’s transition to electric commercial transport.
India batter Sai Sudharsan is using the lead-up to the Australia tour to gather detailed information on conditions, opposition patterns and the demands of playing Down Under. The preparation reflects a broader shift in modern international cricket, where success increasingly depends on data, adaptability and early tactical planning rather than talent alone.
Rain and resilient lower-order resistance combined to deny Madhya Pradesh a late victory in their Ranji Trophy 2026-27 clash, as Jammu and Kashmir held on for a hard-earned draw. After skipper Shubham Sharma struck a commanding century to set up a daunting target, the hosts were reduced to 12 for five before Wadhawan and Nabi staged a crucial rearguard stand.
Indian banks are expected to report 11 percent year-on-year earnings growth in the second quarter of FY27, with private sector lenders likely to outpace public sector peers, according to Kotak. The brokerage said strong deposit growth, aided by FCNR inflows, should support balance sheets, but the same inflows may temporarily compress net interest margins. Asset quality, meanwhile, is expected to remain broadly stable.
B2B manufacturing company Zetwerk’s initial public offering got off to a subdued start on its first day, with the issue subscribed 23% by 19:03 on October 10. The muted response suggests investors are taking a measured view of the company’s valuation, growth trajectory and the broader appetite for new-age industrial technology listings.
CPI(ML)L general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya has publicly questioned Bihar Assembly Speaker Prem Kumar over the continued membership of BJP MLA Raju Singh, arguing that no decision has been taken despite Singh’s conviction in a celebratory firing case. Bhattacharya contrasted the matter with the swift revocation of former MLA Manoj Manzil’s membership after conviction, saying the differing treatment raises serious concerns about consistency and legislative accountability.
OnMeta has signed a memorandum of understanding with Kazakhstan’s QazPost to explore digital financial solutions, marking a strategic step in its international expansion. The collaboration is designed to combine OnMeta’s digital infrastructure with QazPost’s nationwide distribution reach, potentially broadening access to modern financial services across Kazakhstan and beyond.
West Bengal is set to receive four new airports over the next two years, Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu said, as the Centre accelerates regional air connectivity under the UDAN scheme. The proposed airports at Charra, Kalaikunda, Balurghat and Hasimara are expected to deepen access to remote and strategically important parts of the state while supporting broader economic integration.
The CPI(M) has directed its leaders in Kottayam, Kerala, to settle outstanding cooperative bank loans, warning that default will invite strict disciplinary action. The move underscores the party’s effort to enforce financial discipline within its ranks while protecting its long-standing credibility among cooperative institutions and local supporters.
The runaway success of the Kannada film 'Premada Oorali' has revived footfall in theatres across Karnataka’s smaller towns, giving exhibitors and distributors a rare post-pandemic boost. Yet the film’s unexpected scale has also deepened an industry-wide question: whether audiences are signaling a lasting shift toward rooted, local storytelling or simply rewarding a singular breakout hit.
As Tamil cinema prepares for the release of 'Jailer 2', industry executives are openly debating whether Rajinikanth’s enduring star power can propel the Nelson Dilipkumar-directed sequel into the rarefied Rs 1,000 crore club. Producers and theatre owners say the film enters the market with unusually strong commercial momentum, but its final tally will depend on opening-day frenzy, repeat audiences and how far the franchise expands beyond core Tamil markets.
Jio Platforms plans to deploy up to Rs 27,500 crore from its proposed Rs 30,213 crore IPO to repay borrowings, a move that could materially strengthen the company’s balance sheet and push it closer to net debt-free status. Akash Ambani said the listing also positions the business to capture a larger share of India’s fast-expanding digital economy, which he projected could reach $1.4 trillion by FY31.
India’s markets regulator has moved to widen the scope of the Consolidated Account Statement, seeking to bring investors’ insurance policy details into a single, unified financial snapshot. The proposal, outlined by Sebi Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey, is part of a broader push to improve transparency, simplify compliance and make it easier for households to track their financial assets across products and institutions.
OnMeta has signed a memorandum of understanding with Kazakhstan’s national postal operator, QazPost, to explore digital financial solutions that could combine OnMeta’s technology stack with QazPost’s wide distribution footprint. The agreement signals a broader push by OnMeta to expand beyond its core markets and test a partnership-led model for financial services growth in Central Asia.
Tamil Nadu has launched the Semiconductor Ecosystem Scheme 2026, a policy push aimed at strengthening the state’s position in India’s fast-expanding electronics and chip manufacturing landscape. The initiative, announced by Vijay, is designed to attract investment, deepen supplier networks, and create a more integrated industrial base around semiconductors.
ICICI Prudential Life Insurance is set for a leadership transition as veteran banker Sidharatha Mishra prepares to take over as chief operating officer and chief executive officer. His elevation follows Anup Bagchi’s exit after a three-year stint that helped strengthen the insurer’s operating and strategic footing. Mishra brings nearly three decades of experience at ICICI Bank, with a career spanning branch leadership, retail banking and digital operations.
‘Matchbox: The Movie’ arrives as a predictable but effective action comedy, powered by brisk pacing, international intrigue and a series of well-staged action sequences. John Cena anchors the film with enough comic timing and physical presence to keep the momentum alive even when the story leans on familiar genre beats.
New Reserve Bank of India data points to a notable reshuffling in the country’s collateralised overnight money market during the first half of fiscal 2026-27. Private sector banks reduced their share in the tri-party repo market, while public sector banks expanded their footprint, with mutual funds continuing to command a strong presence in the segment.
Paramount Syntex’s Rs 82-crore initial public offering drew 1.35 times subscription by the second day of bidding on the BSE SME platform, led by overwhelming institutional interest. The qualified institutional buyer segment was subscribed 119.29 times, while retail and non-institutional demand remained subdued ahead of the issue’s October 6 close.
Wipro reported a marginal 1.4% year-on-year decline in consolidated net profit to Rs 3,201 crore for the second quarter, even as revenue rose 9.1% to Rs 24,752.7 crore. The company also delivered a sequential improvement in operating margin to 16.5%, but its near-term outlook remains cautious, with Q3 IT services revenue guided to a possible decline of up to 1.5% or growth of 0.5%.
CoreWeave’s sharp stock decline has drawn fresh attention to the debt-heavy financing model powering the AI infrastructure boom. With roughly $50 billion in debt and rising default concerns, investors are questioning whether the sector’s rapid expansion can withstand higher borrowing costs and weaker cash generation.
Delhi have recalled Sarthak to their Ranji Trophy squad, a move that signals a fresh adjustment in the capital side’s red-ball plans ahead of the next phase of the domestic season. The decision suggests the selectors are still fine-tuning balance and availability as they look to strengthen the squad’s depth and flexibility.
India’s Directorate of Revenue Intelligence and the Central Bureau of Narcotics have dismantled a large illegal cannabis cultivation site spread across 2.87 hectares in a wildlife sanctuary in Maharashtra’s Dhule district. The operation underscores the growing use of protected forest terrain for illicit drug cultivation and the expanding coordination between enforcement agencies targeting narcotics networks.
Speciality chemical manufacturing startup Scimplify has raised $25 million, or about ₹238 crore, in a fresh funding round led by Hitachi Ventures, as it looks to scale its semiconductor chemicals business. The capital injection underscores growing investor appetite for India-linked industrial deep-tech and materials platforms tied to the global chip supply chain.
HSBC has appointed Paras Jain as global head of technology, media and telecom investment banking, with the veteran banker expected to join in November, according to people familiar with the matter. The move underscores HSBC’s push to deepen its presence in sectors where it believes it can compete more effectively, particularly across Asia and the Middle East.
B2B manufacturing company Zetwerk’s initial public offering got off to a subdued start on its first day of bidding, with the issue subscribed 23% by 19:03 on October 10. The tepid response underscores cautious sentiment toward new-age industrial tech listings, even as the company positions itself as a scaled platform for contract manufacturing.
IIFL Finance reported a sharp jump in second-quarter profit after tax to Rs 805 crore, nearly doubling from the year-ago period, as stronger operating leverage and lower loan losses lifted earnings. Assets under management rose 38% to Rs 1.24 lakh crore, supported primarily by robust growth in gold loans.
The Supreme Court has upheld the Bombay High Court’s ruling that invalidated YES Bank’s write-off of Rs 8,415 crore in additional tier-1 bonds, a key element of the lender’s March 2020 rescue plan. The decision strengthens the position of institutional and retail bondholders seeking recovery and deepens scrutiny of how bank resolution measures were executed during the crisis.
India’s markets regulator is preparing a new round of reforms spanning IPO disclosures, SME listings, corporate bond trading and short-selling rules, signalling a broader push to improve market depth while tightening investor safeguards. Sebi Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey also outlined initiatives including Demat 2.0 for tokenised bonds, an AI sandbox and easier onboarding for foreign portfolio investors.
India’s proposed BS VII emission standards could materially raise vehicle costs, with SUVs potentially becoming dearer by about ₹75,000 and trucks by as much as ₹2.6 lakh, according to industry estimates. The price shock would come from stricter pollution-control hardware, higher compliance costs and the need for deeper engineering changes across the auto supply chain.
Green Visakha has moved to press for the cancellation of permissions granted for proposed data centre projects in Visakhapatnam, escalating a local environmental and land-use dispute into a sharper policy challenge for Andhra Pradesh authorities. The demand comes a day after a public rally, signalling sustained civic pressure over the ecological and regulatory implications of large-scale digital infrastructure on the city’s coast.
OnMeta has signed a memorandum of understanding with Kazakhstan’s national postal operator QazPost to explore digital financial solutions, marking a strategic step in its international expansion. The partnership is designed to combine OnMeta’s digital infrastructure with QazPost’s broad distribution network, potentially widening access to financial services across Kazakhstan and beyond.
In North Kerala, Theyyam is more than performance: it is ritual, inheritance and living faith. Following artiste Vinu Peruvannan as he transforms into Kathivanoor Veeran, this dispatch examines how hours of preparation, folklore and devotion converge to turn a mortal body into a vessel of the divine.
Nexedge Capital has appointed Apurva Sahijwani, formerly of Avendus Wealth Management, as co-founder in a move aimed at strengthening its leadership bench and deepening its reach in India’s wealth management market. The firm, which operates across 11 cities and advises more than 1,300 ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families, is positioning the hire as a strategic step in its next phase of growth.
Canadian billionaire Prem Watsa said India is poised to move higher on global investors’ priority lists as capital floods into data centres and artificial intelligence in the United States. His remarks come as the Indian government approved the divestment of a majority stake in IDBI Bank to Fairfax Financial Holdings, underscoring his long-term conviction in India’s economic trajectory. Watsa framed the investment as part of a broader bet on the country’s financial and growth story, not merely a standalone banking transaction.
As Tamil cinema prepares for the release of 'Jailer 2,' industry watchers are again measuring the scale of Rajinikanth’s box-office pull and whether it can translate into an unprecedented global haul. Producers and theatre owners say the Nelson-directed sequel enters the market with rare commercial momentum, but crossing Rs 1,000 crore would still require exceptional audience turnout across languages and territories.
Yes Bank shares plunged as much as 20% after India’s Supreme Court ruled that the bank’s write-off of Rs 8,415 crore in additional tier-1 bonds was unlawful. The decision is a major victory for bondholders and could force a reassessment of how regulators, lenders and investors understand the risks attached to hybrid capital instruments.
Reliance Jio will seek revenue growth through higher-value services rather than steep tariff increases, according to Akash Ambani, who said the company already charges well below the industry average despite heavy data consumption by users. His remarks come as the telecom and digital giant moves closer to a long-anticipated public listing that could rank among India’s largest IPOs.
Non-banking finance companies accounted for nearly half of new-to-credit loans below Rs 2 lakh as of June 2026, underscoring their growing role in expanding access to formal credit. Despite the rapid build-out, retail delinquency rates at NBFCs remained below the industry average, while borrowers who monitored their credit showed better cure rates than those who did not.
Danish golfer Rasmus Norgaard carded a six-under-par 66 to move into the outright lead after a rain-hit opening day at the DP World India Championship. Tom McKibbin, Thomas Detry and Eugenio Chacarra were tied for second, while Rory McIlroy sat in a share of 13th and Om Prakash emerged as the best-placed Indian.
Jammu and Kashmir all-rounder Umar is expected to use the Ranji Trophy clash against Vidarbha as a chance to answer questions after being rested for the season opener against Madhya Pradesh. The selection call has sharpened attention on his role, fitness and place in a side that is trying to balance immediate results with longer-term squad management. His return now carries added significance in a match that could shape early momentum in the campaign.
One 97 Communications Ltd., the parent of Paytm, has seen Indian ownership rise above 56% in Q2 FY2027, underscoring a continued shift toward domestic control of one of India’s most closely watched digital payments companies. Domestic institutional ownership also increased sharply to 29.5%, while foreign direct investment fell to 18%, highlighting a changing shareholder mix with stronger local participation.