Indian benchmark stock indices, Sensex and Nifty, rebounded on Friday, driven by value buying in banking, oil & gas, and auto shares following recent sharp losses. The Sensex climbed 315.20 points to settle at 73,895.74, while the Nifty rose 77.40 points to 23,140.50.
Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty rebounded on Wednesday, driven by value buying in banking stocks and select heavyweight counters, with the Sensex climbing 332.63 points and the Nifty ending above 23,200.
Police in Nuh, Haryana, have arrested two individuals and seized over 2 kg of heroin, valued at approximately Rs 4.30 crore. The accused were intercepted in a vehicle after a tip-off, and a case has been registered under the NDPS Act as investigations continue to dismantle the drug trafficking network.
Mahindra has launched the Thar OG, an upgraded version of its popular SUV, built on a new M Glyde 4G platform with advanced features like Frequency Dependent Damping and Electric Power Steering, while retaining an accessible starting price of 10.32 Lakh.
Shares of the National Stock Exchange of India Ltd (NSE) climbed nearly 1 per cent on their trading debut, reaching a market valuation of Rs 4,53,123 crore, following a significantly oversubscribed initial public offering.
Fuel pump dealers in Madhya Pradesh plan to stop accepting UPI payments exceeding Rs 2,000 for petrol and diesel from October 16, citing concerns over the proposed Merchant Discount Rate (MDR). The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has urged the government to reconsider the MDR imposition, warning it could hinder digital payment adoption and impact traders' profits.
Icra predicts that the top seven Indian cities will see an 8-11 per cent year-on-year growth in housing sales value by FY27, reaching approximately 7.9 trillion, primarily driven by the ongoing trend of premiumisation and a favourable product mix.
Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan has expressed strong confidence in Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's ability to contribute significantly to India's 2027 ODI World Cup campaign, stating they will 'add great value to the team and help India win the World Cup'.
75% of India's 60 million digital-payment merchants have never recorded a transaction above 2,000.
NPCI chief Dilip Asbe stated that only about 10 per cent of the total value of UPI transactions might see charges passed to consumers under the merchant discount rate (MDR). He clarified that large corporates are expected to absorb most costs, and a significant portion of transactions will remain charge-free. A new fund from MDR collection is also proposed to boost UPI acceptance among small merchants.
NPCI chief Dilip Asbe stated that only about 10% of UPI transaction value might see charges passed to consumers, primarily from large corporates already absorbing credit card fees. He highlighted that 80% of Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) would come from businesses with over Rs 1,000 crore turnover, and a significant portion of transactions will remain charge-free. A new fund, potentially Rs 3,000 crore, will also be created from MDR collection to support small merchants and accelerate UPI acceptance.
As NSRCEL enters its next phase, the incubator plans to focus on AI, deep technology and global partnerships as it looks to expand its reach.
At a valuation of around Rs 10 trillion, Tata Sons would rank among India's 10 largest listed companies and could qualify for inclusion in key indices such as the Nifty 50, Sensex and the Nifty 100.
India's foreign exchange reserves experienced a substantial decline of USD 14.881 billion, reaching USD 765.901 billion for the week ending September 18, primarily due to a fall in foreign currency assets, as per recent RBI data.
National Stock Exchange (NSE) Chairman Srinivas Injeti stated that post-listing, the exchange's duties as a stock trading marketplace and its responsibilities as a commercial entity will see public interest overriding business interests if the two intersect.
A train attendant was arrested at Thane railway station for allegedly possessing 61 bottles of Goa-manufactured Indian-Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) worth Rs 71,560. The seizure was made by the state excise department based on a tip-off, and the attendant has been charged under the Maharashtra Prohibition Act.
The Jammu and Kashmir government has removed over 4,700 books, including banned publications, from colleges across the Union Territory after a comprehensive review of nearly 2.2 million publications. This action follows a controversy over objectionable content and aims to uphold constitutional values and national integrity in higher education institutions.
The SIP culture has been rapidly growing in India among retail investors. As per AMFI data, monthly SIP contributions crossed 31,961 crore in July 2026, which is nearly a 10x jump from 3,122 crore recorded in April 2016.
The SIP culture has been rapidly growing in India among retail investors. As per AMFI data, monthly SIP contributions crossed 31,961 crore in July 2026, which is nearly a 10x jump from 3,122 crore recorded in April 2016.
Warren Buffett has stepped down as chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, a role he held for over 50 years, transitioning to chairman emeritus while his son, Howard Buffett, takes over as the new chairman.
The Nagpur Crime Branch has intercepted a truck carrying 39,000 bottles of spurious liquor, valued at Rs 15.60 lakh, intended for illegal supply to Gadchiroli. One person has been arrested, and another accused is on the run. A case has been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Maharashtra Prohibition Act.
Telangana's Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has registered a Disproportionate Assets (DA) case against N Lakshmi Bhasker, an Additional Medical Superintendent at NIMS, Hyderabad. Searches at his properties and associates' places revealed assets worth over Rs 6.13 crore, including apartments, plots, bank deposits, and gold, acquired through alleged corrupt practices. The investigation is ongoing.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has mandated that service providers offer voice-and-SMS-only tariff plans, without bundled data, with a minimum validity of 30 days or less, aiming to provide more affordable and shorter-duration options for consumers who do not require data.
Security forces in Arunachal Pradesh's Changlang district have seized 233 grams of suspected brown sugar, estimated to be worth Rs 46.60 lakh. Two individuals were arrested during the joint anti-narcotics operation conducted by Assam Rifles, Arunachal Pradesh Police, and CRPF. The contraband was found hidden in 21 soap cases.
India's 10 largest pharmaceutical companies have consistently maintained positive average volume growth throughout 2026, while smaller rivals have experienced more erratic performance, driven by a market shift towards chronic and sub-chronic therapies.
The National Stock Exchange marked its stock market debut at the Bombay Stock Exchange on September 24, 2026, with a traditional gong-ringing ceremony.
Used-car financing has seen significant growth, but borrowers must be aware of higher interest rates, conservative loan-to-value ratios, shorter tenures, and the risk of owing more than the car's depreciated value. Understanding these factors is crucial for making informed decisions.
India's foreign exchange reserves decreased by $4.92 billion to $780.78 billion for the week ending September 11, primarily due to a reduction in foreign currency assets and gold reserves, as per the latest RBI data.
Delhi Police have arrested a woman with 12 previous criminal involvements and her alleged bodyguard in Narela, recovering heroin worth Rs 2 crore and over Rs 7.93 lakh in cash. The accused, Parvati and Vikaas Kumar, were apprehended following a raid, with Parvati known for her extensive history under the NDPS and Excise Acts and for allegedly using children in drug sales. An investigation is ongoing to uncover the full extent of their drug network.
RBI Deputy Governor S C Murmu stated that the introduction of merchant discount rate (MDR) on UPI transactions is unlikely to cause a shift back to cash, despite some concerns, emphasising that MDR will help the payments ecosystem recover costs.
The removal of Goods and Services Tax (GST) on individual health and life insurance has led to a significant increase in new policy purchases and higher coverage levels, despite an initial surge moderating, according to industry experts.
Infosys Senior Vice President Vikram Meghal stated that India is experiencing a significant demand window in the semiconductor market and must evolve from merely engineering products to inventing complete systems. He highlighted the massive shifts driven by AI and supply chain challenges, urging a focus on "Invent in India" to capture higher value and leverage decades of investment in the ecosystem.
'Do not approach the conversation as 'your mother versus me'. Approach it as 'We are a team and we need to protect our relationship,' advises rediffGURU Archana Deshpande.
Kerala has formed a new Anti-Narcotics Investigation Team to intensify its anti-drug drive, Operation Toofan. This team will focus on high-value drug cases with interstate and international connections, operating from three units across the state. The announcement follows significant drug seizures and arrests, including a major MDMA haul and the apprehension of key network members involved in other serious crimes.
The government is introducing a 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI person-to-merchant payments above Rs 2,000, effective October 15. This move ends the zero-MDR regime, aiming to fund UPI infrastructure and sustainability, as the previous government subsidy was insufficient to cover operational costs. Payments between individuals and most everyday merchant transactions will remain free.
Police in Shopian, Jammu and Kashmir, have attached a residential house and seized cash, collectively valued at over Rs 21 lakh, allegedly acquired through the illegal trade of drugs and narcotics. The action was taken under the NDPS Act against an individual named Farooq Ahmad Shah.
A high-level committee, including representatives from banks and payment associations, is set to decide on Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) for UPI transactions exceeding Rs 2,000 to merchants. While person-to-person and person-to-merchant transactions up to Rs 2,000 remain free, the move follows a recent amendment to the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, sparking debate and clarification from the Finance Minister that only certain high-value merchant transactions might incur charges.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman clarified that the proposed Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on select high-value UPI transactions is not a tax or cess, and its collections will not go to the government. She explained that MDR is a charge within the digital payments ecosystem, shared among participants to maintain infrastructure, and will not be passed on to consumers. The NPCI's new framework, effective October 15, applies a 0.4% MDR on person-to-merchant UPI transactions above Rs 2,000, with most transactions remaining free and small merchants exempt.
Industry body Assocham has welcomed the new UPI framework for large-value merchant transactions, effective October 15. This framework introduces a 0.4 per cent Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on person-to-merchant UPI payments exceeding Rs 2,000, with a cap of Rs 300 for transactions over Rs 75,000. The move aims to enhance UPI sustainability, support innovation, and mitigate fraud, while protecting small merchants and ensuring most everyday transactions remain free.
Merchants will be subject to an 18 per cent Goods and Services Tax (GST) on the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) for UPI payments exceeding Rs 2,000, but can mitigate this burden by claiming input tax credit (ITC), according to tax experts.
