Payments banks will mainly deal in remittance services and accept deposits of up to Rs 1 lakh.
As many as 24 special economic zone (SEZ) developers including Dr Reddy's Lab and Tata Consultancy Services have sought more time from the government to execute their projects.
Markets in green tracking firm global cues.
The government is expected to dole out some populist policies, especially for the rural / farm sector while presenting the interim budget, given that the country is heading towards general elections over the next few months.
Infosys was the top Sensex loser along with other index heavyweights ITC and HDFC.
The 30-share Sensex ended down 556 points at 27,886 and the 50-share Nifty ended down 158 points at 8,444.
'Investors need to diversify at least 30% to 50% of their liquid wealth across different markets, asset classes, and instruments across the world.' 'Do this with proper guidance and advice.' 'Global investing is complicated, but if done right, is extremely rewarding.'
At the start of 2016, HDFC Bank, Infosys, ICICI Bank, L&T and Axis Bank were the top five picks of fund managers
Broader market underperformed the headline indices
Forbes said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "economic experiments" barely affected India's billionaires while none gained more than oil-and-gas tycoon Mukesh Ambani, who cemented his decade-long hold on the top slot by adding a staggering USD 15.3 billion (67 per cent) to his last year's wealth to become one of Asia's top five richest.
NSE Nifty, after shuttling between 10,809.60 and 10,725.90, finished 30.95 points, or 0.29 per cent lower at 10,741.10.
Risk sentiment received a boost after eight core sectors grew to a five-month high of 4.9 per cent in August
The benchmark Nifty rallied 1,000 points or 17% from 7,000 in 78 trading sessions since May 12, till date to surpass the 8,000 mark.
Speaking at CNBC TV 18's business leadership awards event, Sitharaman made it clear that she was not expecting a jump in the number either.
Asian shares ended higher following a relief rally in global equities after centrist candidate Emmanuel Macron won the first round of the French presidential election.
Ajit Mishra, vice president, Research, Religare Broking, answers your queries
According to the foreign brokerage major, after two quarters of 'near-zero' growth aggregate headline profit for Sensex companies, it is expected to show a weak recovery.
The S&P BSE Sensex closed 318 points at 24,455 and the Nifty50 shed 99 points to end at 7,438.
In the Sensex kitty, ITC turned star performer by surging 2.45 per cent, followed by NTPC rising 2.19 per cent.
Markets extended gains led by financials and capital goods shares coupled with a rebound in IT shares.
The Sensex ended higher by 245 points at 27,372 mark and the Nifty gained 66 points at 8,225.
India Inc is ready to diversify into unchartered areas.
Shares of RIL ended 2.4% higher as it pips TCS to become most valued firm
With inflation down, the government's twin deficits are largely under control.
Ajit Mishra, vice president, Research, Religare Broking, answers your queries.
Strong gains in metal, energy, auto and power shares lifted the key indices to new highs.
Industry asked the government to be 'brave and bold' and said that it will rise to the occasion.
The Sensex and Nifty remained above their key levels of 36,000 and 10,900 throughout the session, indicating strong investor optimism after a prolonged spell of caution.
After a volatile session, Sensex closed the day 563 points lower
Sensex remained volatile through the day.
HDFC, ONGC, Maruti Suzuki, HeroMoto Corp and Bajaj Auto gained the most on BSE Sensex
The BSE Sensex jumped 70.42 points to end at 34,503.49, while the broader NSE Nifty finished at 10,651.20, up 19 points.
The NSE 50-share Nifty also closed higher by 61.60 points, or 0.59 per cent, at 10,504.80 after shuttling between 10,513 and 10,441.45.
Nifty, which has struggled around 8550-8560 levels managed to blast past this resistance and close above the psychological mark of 8600.
The recovery was led by pharma majors led by Dr Reddy's Labs.
President Pranab Mukherjee presented five Padma Vibhushan, eight Padma Bhushan and forty-three Padma Shri awards at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.
The Nifty finished the day at 10,265.65, a hefty gain of 98.95 points, or 0.97 per cent, after shuttling between 10,270.85 and 10,195.25.
Select metal stocks rebounded while power stocks extended losses after SC verdict on coal block allocations.
Ajit Mishra, vice president, Research, Religare Broking, answers readers' queries on stocks they own or want to buy. Here are his replies to some of the 'buy, sell, hold, avoid or exit?' e-mails that we have received.
The Sensex closed the day at 27,490, higher by 479 points and the Nifty ended at 8331.95, up 150.45 points.
