Week 3 (Oct 15 – Oct 21) (2026/10/15 to 2026/10/21)
Knight Crusader enters the spotlight as the feature race approaches, with form, conditions and race dynamics all pointing to a strong chance of a breakthrough performance. In a contest where tactical positioning and finishing speed are likely to prove decisive, the runner is being viewed as one of the most credible contenders on the card.
A new Chennai production, Endaro Mahanubhavulu, has translated the devotional spirit of Tyagaraja’s celebrated kriti into a full-scale dance presentation. Conceived by Dushyanth Sridhar and Anita Guha, the work combines elaborate choreography and striking visual design to reframe a classical Carnatic composition for contemporary stage audiences.
Gujarat is preparing to release water from Kadana Dam to cushion Kharif crops after the state’s rainfall deficit widened sharply in early October. Between October 1 and 10, the state received just 0.3 mm of rain against a seasonal average of 11 mm, a shortfall of about 97%, intensifying pressure on agriculture in a critical stage of the crop cycle.
Kristin Hannah’s fiction has become a cultural touchstone because it treats womanhood not as a single identity but as a series of negotiated roles shaped by love, loss, duty, and endurance. For readers in India’s fast-changing startup and venture capital ecosystem, her work offers a sharp lens on how women balance ambition with care, and resilience with vulnerability.
PSB Bank Chairman Petr Fradkov has described how the A7 international payment system is being used in a sector that remains among the most tightly controlled in the economy: cross-border payments. His remarks to RBC underscore a broader effort to create alternative financial infrastructure as traditional international channels remain constrained. The development is significant for trade-sensitive industries, including automotive, EVs and mobility, where payment reliability can shape supply chains and market access.
The GST Council has drawn a clear line under any immediate expansion of arrest powers or a broad rate overhaul, instead steering the tax regime toward faster refunds, simpler compliance and proportionate enforcement. The move signals a policy shift aimed at reducing friction for businesses while preserving the government’s ability to act against serious evasion.
Former New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee has tipped India’s veteran swing specialist Bhuvneshwar Kumar to make a significant impact in the upcoming Test series, calling the comeback campaign a major opportunity for the seamer to reassert his value. Southee also believes New Zealand can edge the visitors in what he expects to be a tightly contested assignment shaped by seam movement and experience.
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, or AT1, bonds, a move that had been part of the lender’s March 2020 reconstruction plan. The decision strengthens the position of institutional and retail bondholders, who now have a clearer legal route to seek recovery after years of uncertainty over the controversial wipeout.
A BJP leader accused of misusing Form-7, the electoral document used to seek inclusion or correction in voter rolls, has been granted anticipatory bail, providing temporary relief as the investigation continues. The case has drawn attention to the integrity of voter-list procedures and the legal scrutiny surrounding alleged electoral document abuse.
Kerala cooperative dairy brand Milma reported a 15% year-on-year increase in turnover to ₹2,559.71 crore in the first half of FY27, underscoring resilient demand across its milk and value-added product lines. The three regional unions contributed ₹2,328.87 crore, while facilities under the Kerala Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation added ₹230.84 crore, highlighting broad-based revenue growth across the network.
Jammu and Kashmir all-rounder Umar is expected to use the Ranji Trophy clash against Vidarbha as a platform to answer questions after being rested for the season opener against Madhya Pradesh. The match carries added significance for both player and team, with selection calls and form under scrutiny in the early phase of the domestic campaign.
At just 11, Aaradhya Jain has drawn international attention with STAMBHA, a low-cost AI-enabled smart cane designed to assist elderly and visually impaired users. Built for roughly ₹10,000, the device was presented at the United Nations in Bangkok, underscoring how grassroots innovation is increasingly entering global disability-tech conversations.
Non-banking finance companies accounted for nearly half of all new-to-credit loans below Rs 2 lakh as of June 2026, underscoring their expanding role in India’s retail credit market. Despite rapid growth, their retail delinquency rates remained below the industry average, suggesting that asset quality has held up even as lenders broaden access to first-time borrowers.
Bihar’s vigilance establishment has intensified its probe into alleged disproportionate assets by carrying out simultaneous searches at four locations linked to a Rural Works Department engineer. The coordinated raids, conducted in Chhapra, Patna, Katihar and Darjeeling, signal a widening anti-corruption drive focused on suspected accumulation of wealth beyond known sources of income.
Axis Bank shares are drawing fresh attention in early trade as the lender’s recent weekly gains reflect a broader reassessment of India’s banking sector and the market’s appetite for large private lenders. The move comes amid a macro backdrop shaped by expectations around monetary policy, credit growth, and the durability of bank earnings. Investors are watching whether the stock can sustain momentum after a strong run, even as valuation discipline remains central to the outlook.
The government will retain a 15% equity stake in IDBI Bank while Life Insurance Corporation of India will hold 19%, marking a key structural step in the lender’s long-running disinvestment process. Both shareholders will withdraw their nominees from the bank’s board and transition into public shareholders, underscoring a cleaner ownership framework ahead of the proposed strategic sale.
India’s Tea Board is moving to increase the number of auction centres as part of a broader reform push aimed at improving price discovery for tea producers. The board expects the changes, alongside other auction reforms, to strengthen transparency and help the industry secure better realisations in the months ahead.
Delhi Police has allowed a select group to proceed with flag-waving during the CJP’s proposed Tiranga Lehrao protest in the capital, while urging the wider public to avoid the area. The development follows the Delhi High Court’s refusal to restrain the event, setting up a tightly managed demonstration under close police oversight.
Reliance Industries’ share price movement is being watched closely in early trade as investors reassess the balance between domestic growth expectations and broader macroeconomic caution. The stock’s tone is increasingly being read as a barometer for risk appetite across India’s equity market, especially in a period marked by policy uncertainty, sector rotation, and selective profit-taking.
Vidyut Jammwal has opened up about preparing to play Dhalsim in Hollywood’s upcoming video game adaptation 'Street Fighter', describing the role as a rare convergence of martial discipline, physical transformation and global visibility. The actor also reflected on his martial arts journey and said an invitation from Cody Rhodes to attend WrestleMania 42 underscored how far his profile has travelled beyond Indian cinema.
A new Chennai production, Endaro Mahanubhavulu, has translated the devotional force of Tyagaraja’s celebrated kriti into a full-scale dance work shaped by elaborate choreography and vivid stagecraft. Conceived by Dushyanth Sridhar and Anita Guha, the premiere underscores how classical music can be reimagined for contemporary audiences without losing its devotional and aesthetic core.
IIT Bombay spinout MumbaiSemi says it has built a prototype radio-frequency chip capable of processing signals from multiple satellite navigation systems, including India’s NavIC as well as GPS, Galileo, GLONASS and BeiDou. The development positions the startup as a potential domestic challenger in a market long dominated by overseas semiconductor suppliers, with implications for India’s push to deepen its chip design capabilities.
Sanju Samson has praised Shai Hope’s measured, low-risk approach at the top of the order, saying the West Indies batter is succeeding by resisting the modern obsession with constant acceleration. Samson argued that in stiff chases, anchors can become obsolete only if they fail to adapt, but Hope has shown how control and big scoring can still shape outcomes.
Manoj Bajpayee’s upcoming film, earlier known as 'Ghooskhor Pandat', has been retitled 'Gajab Raat' as its trailer and release date are unveiled. Directed by Ritesh Shah, the film is set to premiere on Netflix on October 23, positioning the project as another high-visibility streaming release anchored by one of Indian cinema’s most respected performers.
A fund associated with the late investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala has acquired a stake in Tourism Finance Corporation of India, drawing fresh market attention to the lender’s business prospects. In an interview with CNBC-TV18, TFCI Managing Director Satpal Arora outlined the company’s operating environment and the outlook for demand across tourism-linked financing segments.
Three Kerala nuns who publicly supported a nun accusing former Jalandhar Bishop Franco Mulakkal of rape have brought their clothing venture, Stand By Me, to their home state, transforming years of scrutiny into a visible act of economic and moral defiance. The move underscores how a case that shook the Catholic Church in India continues to reverberate through questions of institutional power, survivor support and the place of women religious in public life.
Bonfiglioli Transmissions’ Rs 2,533.66-crore initial public offering moved into its second day of bidding on Tuesday with a grey market premium of about 24% and first-day subscription at 48% overall. The offer, structured entirely as an offer for sale and priced at Rs 558-586 a share, is drawing attention from investors who are balancing strong long-term automation demand against a fully valued issue price.
Jio Platforms, the technology arm of Reliance Industries Ltd, has filed its red herring prospectus with the Securities and Exchange Board of India, setting the stage for one of the most closely watched public offerings in India’s startup and digital infrastructure landscape. The IPO is scheduled to open for subscription on October 21, marking a major milestone for a company that sits at the center of India’s telecom, digital services and consumer internet ecosystem.
Many young startup employees believe their employer-provided cover and a modest personal policy are enough, but the arithmetic often says otherwise. Rising liabilities, future income replacement needs, and inflation can leave a major protection gap that exceeds Rs 1 crore for early-career professionals.
An exhibition at Ashvita’s in Chennai, Between Tradition and Modernity, is using art to reopen questions about the city’s layered history, cultural memory and changing identity. By placing works that bridge inherited forms and contemporary expression in one space, the show invites viewers to consider how Madras became Chennai without losing the traces of either name.
Rory McIlroy and Patrick Reed have moved to ease tensions at the DP World India Championship, signalling a rare thaw between two of golf’s most recognisable rivals. Reed’s earlier exit from LIV Golf appears to have helped create the conditions for a more civil relationship, even as the sport continues to navigate its fractured landscape.
A broad market selloff is testing the financing model behind the global AI infrastructure boom, forcing companies to delay fundraising or accept higher borrowing costs as investors demand clearer evidence of returns. With interest rates still elevated and computing-power expenses climbing, the capital-intensive data centre buildout is entering a more demanding phase.
Residents in Puthukkad, Kerala, are pressing for a pillar-supported flyover design, warning that the current plan could obstruct natural drainage and worsen waterlogging in an area already vulnerable to heavy monsoon runoff. The dispute has sharpened into a broader governance question over whether infrastructure expansion is being planned with sufficient attention to local hydrology and flood risk.
Actor Imran Khan is preparing to move the High Court against a notice directing him to leave India after he participated in a protest, according to a draft petition. The petition argues that the directive is “drastic” and contends that no current law or statutory rule bars an Overseas Citizen of India cardholder from taking part in a peaceful demonstration.
The Asian Development Bank and Japan have backed AM Green’s renewable ammonia project in Kakinada with financing that includes a $100 million loan from Asia’s Private Infrastructure Fund 2, which is financed by JICA and administered by ADB. The deal underscores growing international support for India’s green industrial buildout, particularly in hard-to-abate sectors such as ammonia and fertiliser-linked supply chains.
A fresh technical signal has emerged in Indian equities, with eight stocks moving above their 200-day moving averages, a level widely watched as a marker of longer-term trend strength. The breakout suggests improving market breadth at a time when investors are still weighing macroeconomic resilience, fiscal discipline, and the durability of domestic demand.
Nomura said the Reserve Bank of India’s latest policy meeting marked a dilution of its earlier framework after the central bank unexpectedly cut the repo rate by 25 basis points to 6.25 percent. The brokerage said the move signals a more growth-supportive stance, but also raises questions about the durability of the RBI’s prior emphasis on policy continuity and inflation vigilance.
As Raaj Kumar’s centenary arrives, Hindi cinema is once again confronting the scale of an actor who was as distinctive as he was divisive. With his granite screen presence, clipped diction and unforgettable turns in films such as Waqt, Heer Raanjha and Pakeezah, he remains a benchmark for command, style and self-invention.
Jio Platforms is preparing for what could become India’s largest initial public offering, with plans to raise as much as Rs 30,213 crore. If the listing proceeds at the expected scale, the company could rank among the five most valuable firms in the country, underscoring the market’s evolving view of digital infrastructure and telecom profitability.
The Assamese feature 'Rador Pakhi' has won a Special Jury Award at a Moscow film festival, marking a notable international recognition for regional Indian cinema. Inspired by an Assam-based writer living with spinal muscular atrophy, the film has drawn attention for its portrayal of resilience, ambition and the human cost of disability.
India’s latest governance messaging places sanitation at the center of social dignity, public health, and inclusive development. The framing underscores a policy approach that links cleanliness not only to civic order, but also to the uplift of every social group through better living conditions and stronger state accountability.
In North Kerala, Theyyam is more than performance: it is a ritual pathway through which an artist can embody a god. This dispatch follows Vinu Peruvannan as he transforms into Kathivanoor Veeran, the warrior-turned-deity whose story sits at the heart of one of Kerala’s most powerful living traditions.
Bengaluru-based Flipkart has recorded its highest-ever single-day sale, grossing about $200 million in a milestone that underscores the scale of India’s e-commerce market during peak shopping periods. The figure marks the company’s strongest one-day performance since its launch in 2007 and highlights the enduring power of discount-led online retail in India.
Speciality chemical manufacturing startup Scimplify has secured $25 million, or about ₹238 crore, in a fresh funding round led by Hitachi, as it moves to scale its semiconductor chemicals business. The capital infusion underscores growing investor interest in India’s advanced manufacturing supply chain, particularly in materials and process chemicals tied to chip production.
A man and his two grandchildren died after drowning in an agricultural pond in Chickballapur district, Karnataka, in a tragic incident that has prompted a police inquiry. Chintamani Rural Police visited the site, carried out an initial inspection, and later shifted the recovered bodies to Chintamani Government Hospital mortuary for post-mortem examination.
The Madras Players will present Slaves on October 24, a new staging of writer Sujatha’s earlier work Adimaigal, bringing one of Tamil literature’s most widely admired voices back to the theatre. The production reframes themes of fortune, love and loss for contemporary audiences while underscoring Sujatha’s enduring reach across short fiction, screenwriting and stagecraft.
Nelson’s ‘Jailer 2’ arrives as a more controlled and confidently assembled sequel than its predecessor, balancing riotous humour, narrative build-up and carefully timed bursts of Rajinikanth charisma. The film succeeds most when it understands when to step back and let the superstar dominate the frame, turning familiar mass-cinema beats into a rousing crowd-pleaser.
“Matchbox: The Movie” is a predictable but brisk action comedy that relies on a familiar mix of friendship, international intrigue and well-staged set pieces to keep audiences engaged. John Cena anchors the film with enough physical presence and comic timing to make its formula feel consistently watchable, even when the narrative rarely surprises.
Indian banks are projected to deliver 11% year-on-year earnings growth in the second quarter of FY27, according to Kotak, with private sector lenders expected to outpace state-run peers. The brokerage said strong deposit inflows, particularly from FCNR accounts, should support balance-sheet growth but may temporarily compress net interest margins.
Punjab National Bank has launched its 2026 festive retail loan campaign, offering concessions across home, car and other retail loans as lenders compete for seasonal demand. The bank is waiving upfront and processing fees on home loans and car loans, while home loan borrowers will also receive a 5-basis-point interest rate concession.