Theatre group Ank is commemorating its golden jubilee with a new production that returns to one of coastal India’s most formidable historical figures, Veera Rani Abbakka. Written, directed and headlined by Priita Mathur Thakur, Veera Rani Abbakka: The Queen of the Seas, The Flame of Ullala seeks to revive the legacy of the 16th-century warrior queen for contemporary audiences through a blend of historical memory and stagecraft.
Citigroup has shifted its U.S. monetary policy outlook, now expecting the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates by 25 basis points in December after September inflation came in hotter than anticipated. The brokerage said it sees policy holding steady after that move, with rate cuts unlikely before June 2027, underscoring a more persistent inflation backdrop than markets had recently priced in.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has moved to quell confusion over the Merchant Discount Rate on certain UPI transactions, saying the charge will not be passed on to consumers. She stressed that the levy is borne by merchants, is not a tax or surcharge, and applies only to select payments above Rs 2,000 at a rate of 0.4%.
Traditional kolu dolls displayed during Navratri are increasingly being treated as collectible assets, with prices rising each year for rare, well-preserved pieces. From antique Mysore Gowri bommai to intricately crafted religious figurines, families in Chennai and beyond are discovering that heirlooms once valued for sentiment now carry measurable market worth.
Zetwerk’s ₹5,012.3 crore initial public offering got off to a subdued start on its first day of bidding, with the issue subscribed only 8% so far. The slow opening suggests investors are taking a measured view of the B2B manufacturing platform’s valuation, growth trajectory and near-term market conditions.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India’s civilisational journey has, for centuries, been shaped by cultural exchange, underscoring a narrative that links heritage with contemporary national confidence. The remarks place culture at the centre of India’s public diplomacy and identity politics, reinforcing a broader policy message that civilisational continuity remains a strategic asset in governance and global engagement.
Markets and private schools remained shut in several parts of Punjab on Friday after a bandh call backed by the family of anti-drug activist Jhota and supported by multiple political parties. The shutdown reflects rising public anger over the killing and has intensified pressure on authorities to respond to concerns about drug-related violence and law and order.
The latest Indian Super League season has kicked off after weeks of uncertainty over the competition’s future, restoring a measure of stability to India’s top-tier football calendar. As attention turns back to the pitch, the moment also invites a broader look at the clubs that have shaped the league’s identity and the country’s evolving football map.
The Ankita Bhandari murder case has re-entered the national policy conversation after her parents urged that the appointment of Dushyant Kumar Gautam as Sikkim Governor be delayed. Their appeal reflects continuing public sensitivity around the case, which has become a symbol of demands for accountability, transparency and scrutiny of alleged political influence. The controversy also revives attention on the so-called “VIP” angle that has shadowed the investigation since the beginning.
East Bengal were left to rue a series of wasted opportunities after failing to turn pressure into goals against Al-Shorta in a match that exposed the fine margins of continental football. Despite periods of control and promising attacking phases, the Indian side could not find the decisive finish, allowing the Iraqi outfit to preserve their shape and take advantage of East Bengal’s inefficiency in the final third.
The World Bank Group has mobilised $36 billion in India over the past four years, underscoring the scale of development-linked capital flowing into the country. Of that total, $9.6 billion has been channelled to micro, small and medium enterprises, a segment central to employment, supply chains and industrial expansion.
Around 20 financial institutions were targeted in cyberattacks earlier this month, with attackers allegedly using stolen partner-bank credentials and weaknesses in payment APIs to divert funds. India’s CERT-In has since warned banks, NBFCs and fintech firms to suspend compromised interfaces, tighten transaction controls and strengthen customer verification.
Actor Imran Khan has been issued a notice and asked to leave India by October 28 after authorities initiated action under Section 7 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, senior officials told The Hindu. The move follows his participation in an anti-CEC protest at Mumbai’s August Kranti Maidan on October 10, where demonstrators demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The Global Trade Research Initiative has called on the government to withdraw proposed charges on Unified Payments Interface transactions slated for October 15, arguing that any move to monetise UPI could weaken India’s digital payments ecosystem. The think tank warned that fees on UPI would likely raise costs for consumers, squeeze merchant margins and hit small businesses hardest.
Emirates will continue operating from Mumbai’s existing airport this winter, saying the new Navi Mumbai facility is not yet ready for a meaningful transfer of international traffic. The airline’s position comes as Mumbai International Airport Ltd. has deferred a proposed reduction in international flights, underscoring how infrastructure readiness is now shaping aviation capacity decisions in India’s financial capital.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has called on the state government to move the Supreme Court against a recent ruling affecting reservation benefits for converted Muslims, arguing that social backwardness is inherited through long-standing structural discrimination and is not erased by a change of faith. His intervention places the issue at the intersection of affirmative action, religious identity, and the constitutional limits of reservation policy.
An Air India flight bound for Delhi was diverted to Jaipur on Tuesday after the aircraft transmitted squawk code 7500, the international transponder signal associated with unlawful interference, including a hijack scenario. Airline sources, however, said the pilots did not deliberately set the hijack code, underscoring the need for a careful technical and procedural review before drawing conclusions.
HDFC Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank have each turned to a new chief executive in a closely watched leadership reshuffle that underscores the depth of succession planning at India’s top private lenders. Anup Bagchi will take over as MD and CEO of HDFC Bank on October 26, while Anup Saha will assume the top job at Kotak Mahindra Bank on January 1.
Chief Economic Adviser V. Anantha Nageswaran has urged a reworking of non-performing asset classification norms for micro, small and medium enterprises, arguing that a one-size-fits-all framework fails to reflect the sector’s uneven cash flows and working capital needs. He also pressed for lower compliance costs, saying lighter regulatory friction could improve MSME efficiency and resilience.
Around 20 financial institutions were hit by cyberattacks earlier this month after hackers allegedly used stolen partner-bank credentials and weaknesses in payment application programming interfaces to divert funds, according to the emerging account. India’s cyber agency, CERT-In, has since urged banks, NBFCs and fintech firms to suspend compromised interfaces, harden transaction controls and tighten customer verification.
US Ambassador Sergio Gor said he is confident Washington and New Delhi will eventually conclude a trade agreement, while stressing that two large and complex economies cannot align every issue overnight. His remarks come as the Trump administration is expected to decide within 10 days on possible Russia sanctions measures, a development that could shape the broader diplomatic and economic backdrop.
Bengal seized firm control of its Ranji Trophy season-opener by posting 429 and building a commanding 189-run first-innings lead over Delhi. The home side then intensified the pressure by reducing Delhi to 101 for three in the second innings, leaving the visitors with a steep climb to avoid a damaging defeat.
Non-banking financial companies will have to charge 18% GST on the service they provide to banks in co-lending arrangements, while interest on the underlying loan will remain exempt, according to the latest tax clarification. The decision is expected to bring greater certainty to a fast-growing lending model that has expanded access to credit through bank-NBFC partnerships.
Bonfiglioli Transmissions’ initial public offering opened for subscription on October 15, 2026, with the company seeking to raise Rs 2,533.66 crore through an offer for sale. The issue is priced in the Rs 558-586 range per share and is drawing attention in the grey market, where it is reportedly commanding a premium of about 30%.
Brokerage view has added to the early interest, with Anand Rathi assigning a “Subscribe for Long Term” recommendation. Investors, however, are being urged to balance near-term listing sentiment against the fact that the issue is an OFS, meaning proceeds will go to existing shareholders rather than the company.
Indian banks are likely to post a 25.4% year-on-year rise in net profit in the second quarter of FY27, supported by healthy loan growth, stronger income and lower provisions, according to Emkay Research. The brokerage cautioned that higher foreign currency deposits and the normalisation of FCNR-B funding could keep lending margins under pressure in the near term, even as profitability improves.
The Finance Ministry will meet heads of banks on Tuesday to assess the pace and reach of India’s financial inclusion agenda, with a particular focus on flagship schemes such as Jan Dhan, Mudra, and key social security programmes. The review is expected to examine how effectively banks are expanding access to savings, credit, insurance, and entrepreneurship support across underserved segments.
India’s gem and jewellery exports rose 9% in the latest period, supported by firmer overseas demand and a recovery in key markets. The sector had grown 3% in the first half of the current fiscal year to $14.30 billion, indicating a gradual but uneven improvement in trade momentum.
India’s power sector is moving toward a more data-driven future as policymakers, utilities and technology stakeholders gather for a CEA-led brainstorming forum linked to an international conference and exhibition. The discussion is expected to focus on how artificial intelligence can improve grid reliability, forecasting, asset management and operational efficiency across the electricity value chain.
India is working to repair its strained relationship with China, but the outcome remains uncertain, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said, underscoring that the final shape of the reset has yet to be determined. He also stressed that India’s ties with the United States remain strong and consequential, reflecting New Delhi’s effort to balance major-power relationships while protecting its economic and strategic interests.
Kolkata’s Sonagachi, widely regarded as India’s largest red-light district, has inaugurated its annual Durga Puja amid a renewed appeal from sex workers for dignity, social acceptance and equal citizenship. The celebration, now drawing greater participation from public representatives and local residents, remains for many in the community both a cultural assertion and a political statement.
The International Monetary Fund has endorsed India’s updated GDP methodology, describing the revision as a welcome development and saying it aligns fully with guidance from the Fund’s statistics department. The remarks from Krishna Srinivasan, Director of the IMF’s Asia and Pacific Department, add institutional support to India’s effort to refine how it measures economic output and strengthen confidence in official data.
The endorsement comes at a sensitive moment for macroeconomic policy, when investors, policymakers and analysts are closely watching the quality and comparability of India’s growth numbers. The IMF’s backing is likely to be read as validation of India’s statistical modernisation rather than a challenge to the credibility of its data.
The Defence Accounts Department organised a voluntary shramdaan programme as part of the national Swachhata Hi Seva campaign, underscoring the government’s continuing push to link civic responsibility with institutional discipline. The initiative reflects how public offices are increasingly being used to reinforce cleanliness, workplace participation, and behavioural change beyond symbolic observance.
Food safety officials in Telangana have seized a consignment of khoya being transported to Hyderabad in plastic covers and without refrigeration, raising fresh concerns over the handling of dairy products in peak heat conditions. The action underscores the regulatory scrutiny facing the milk-based sweets supply chain, where temperature control and hygienic packaging are critical to public health.
Canara Bank shares fell more than 6% on Thursday even after the state-run lender reported an 8% year-on-year rise in standalone net profit for the second quarter of FY27 to Rs 5,175 crore. The stock’s decline reflects investor concern that the earnings print may not have been strong enough to justify the recent valuation, even as brokerages remain sharply divided on the outlook.
Morgan Stanley kept an Underweight stance, while Motilal Oswal and JM Financial reiterated Buy calls, leaving investors to weigh improving profitability against lingering questions on margins, asset quality and the sustainability of earnings momentum.
India will host the National Saras Mela outside the Delhi-NCR region for the first time, with Vijayawada set to become the venue for the flagship rural livelihoods showcase on October 15. President Droupadi Murmu will inaugurate the event, following an initiative associated with Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, underscoring a push to broaden the national footprint of self-help group enterprises and rural women’s market access.
Four Nifty 500 stocks ended the October 14 session more than 1.5% above their respective volume-weighted average prices, signalling firm intraday demand and sustained buying interest into the close. Among them was Rainbow Children’s Medicare, a move that points to positive momentum in a market where VWAP is closely watched as a benchmark for institutional participation and price strength.
A new Chennai production, 'Endaro Mahanubhavulu', has translated the devotional and musical depth of Tyagaraja’s celebrated kriti into an elaborate dance presentation. Conceived by Dushyanth Sridhar and Anita Guha, the work uses choreography, visual design and stagecraft to explore the composition’s spiritual and aesthetic resonance for contemporary audiences.
Arvind Sanger, Managing Partner at Geosphere Capital Management, said he remains cautiously optimistic on Indian markets even as the global liquidity backdrop appears less supportive than in recent years. He argued that the next leg for equities will depend less on easy money and more on a convincing revival in corporate earnings.
Four Nifty500 stocks appeared in StockEdge’s White Marubozu scan on October 14, a technical pattern that typically signals strong intraday buying and decisive bullish control. Among the names flagged was JSW Energy, drawing attention to momentum in select large-cap and mid-cap counters even as broader market cues remained mixed.
Reliance Jio has set its initial public offering price band at Rs 1,065 to Rs 1,119 per share, implying a valuation of about Rs 10.3 lakh crore and positioning the issue as the largest in Indian market history. Analysts say the pricing appears broadly reasonable for a digital infrastructure leader, but caution that much of the expected growth may already be reflected in the band.
Marvel is bringing James Spader’s Ultron back into the conversation through ‘VisionQuest,’ a project that appears to revisit one of the franchise’s most unnerving artificial intelligences at a moment when real-world AI has become a cultural and political flashpoint. With Terry Matalas steering the creative direction, the series seems poised to test whether a machine built for destruction can be reframed through art, memory and the uneasy question of what humanity now means.
Belagavi-based Aequs has announced long-term supply agreements with French aerospace major Safran, marking a significant step in India’s deepening role in global aviation manufacturing. The work will be anchored at Aequs’s upcoming Engine Components Ecosystem in Hosur, Tamil Nadu, underscoring the company’s push to build an integrated aerospace supply base in southern India.
NTPC shares are drawing attention in live trade as investors assess the state-run power major’s earnings resilience amid shifting macroeconomic conditions, firm electricity demand and ongoing fiscal priorities in India’s energy sector. The stock’s movement is being watched closely for signals on how utilities may fare as the market balances growth expectations, regulated returns and capital expenditure intensity.
Asian Paints shares are in focus in midday trade as investors reassess the paint major’s near-term growth trajectory against a mixed demand backdrop and persistent margin pressures. The stock’s movement is being watched closely for signals on consumer demand, pricing discipline and the broader outlook for India’s discretionary spending cycle.
HDFC Bank has appointed Anup Bagchi as managing director and chief executive officer, with the move taking effect on October 27, 2026, subject to regulatory approval already secured from the Reserve Bank of India. Bagchi, a long-time ICICI Group executive who most recently spent three years at ICICI Prudential Life Insurance, returns to banking at a pivotal moment for India’s largest private sector lender.
Day 2 of TechSparks 2026 brought together policy, infrastructure and capital narratives that are shaping India’s startup economy. Karnataka minister Krishna Byre Gowda outlined a technology-led governance and mobility vision for Bengaluru, while Stripe framed the operational realities of taking Indian businesses global and venture investors sharpened their focus on deeptech.
Indian equities were mixed in late-morning trade at 12:36 PM IST, with benchmark indices wobbling as investors rotated across banks, autos and consumer names. Hindustan Zinc, State Bank of India and Force Motors emerged among the most active counters, while Asian Paints, SBI, Tata Motors, HUL and Maruti Suzuki featured among the Sensex gainers and ONGC, Axis Bank, M&M, Bajaj Auto and Hero MotoCorp lagged.
Minakshi Thakur’s Grief Burns Like Fever is emerging as a reflective lens on how people endure loss, rebuild emotional steadiness and rediscover compassion in the aftermath of pain. The work’s central message is not that grief disappears, but that it can sharpen resilience, deepen empathy and reveal the quiet acts of kindness that hold communities together.
Chinese equities fell sharply after hotter-than-expected U.S. inflation data revived concerns that the Federal Reserve may keep interest rates elevated for longer than markets had hoped. Technology shares led the decline across mainland China and Hong Kong, as investors reassessed the outlook for global liquidity and risk assets.
Agriculture department officials in Bengaluru have seized pesticides valued at ₹3.12 lakh, including chlorpyrifos, malathion and bifenthrin, in a regulatory action aimed at tightening oversight of chemical inputs used in farming. The seizure underscores the state’s continuing scrutiny of pesticide trade and distribution, where compliance lapses can carry direct implications for crop safety, farmer health and environmental protection.
