News for '-customs'

PSBs rework branch plan to pare costs

PSBs rework branch plan to pare costs

Rediff.com23 Dec 2025

In order to optimise branch efficiency, public sector banks (PSBs) are reworking their strategies to streamline operations and reduce cost amid changing customer behaviour. The strategies include closing or merging low traffic branches and reducing their size in smaller centres.

Was Maduro's Capture A Warning Shot To China?

Was Maduro's Capture A Warning Shot To China?

Rediff.com24 Jan 2026

China has made serious inroads into Latin America, which the US may now be hinting is simply not ok: Stay in your lane, Xi! In simple terms, China will no longer have access to Venezuelan oil, points out Rajeev Srinivasan.

Bharat vrooms ahead of India in car sales growth

Bharat vrooms ahead of India in car sales growth

Rediff.com7 Jan 2026

Rural India outpaced urban centres in passenger vehicle sales in 2025, recording a growth of 12 per cent compared with 8 per cent in cities.

EV penetration in luxury car segment dips in GST 2.0 era

EV penetration in luxury car segment dips in GST 2.0 era

Rediff.com4 Jan 2026

Electric vehicle (EV) penetration in the luxury car segment has seen a drop by nearly 3 percentage points in the GST 2.0 era with the internal combustion engine versions offering better total cost of ownership, according to industry players. While the trend is also visible in the mass market segment, it is the entry luxury segment that is witnessing a more marked shift towards internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles as price difference between EV and ICE widened under the new GST rates.

'Modi knew I wasn't happy, and...': Trump

'Modi knew I wasn't happy, and...': Trump

Rediff.com5 Jan 2026

United States President Donald Trump has said Prime Minister Narendra Modi 'knew he was not happy' with India's purchases of Russian oil and that Washington, DC can raise tariffs on New Delhi 'very quickly'.

ISRO Fails To Place Spy Satellite In Orbit

ISRO Fails To Place Spy Satellite In Orbit

Rediff.com12 Jan 2026

Based on the broadcast visuals, a rocket expert said the failure appeared similar to the anomaly seen during the PSLV-C61 mission.

Trai Launches Digital Consent Pilot

Trai Launches Digital Consent Pilot

Rediff.com11 Dec 2025

A national rollout will take place after the pilot test in which SBI, PNB, Axis Bank, Bank of Maharashtra, Canara Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, IndusInd Bank, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Indian Overseas Bank and Punjab & Sind Bank are participating.

Bajaj Chetak Takes the Slow Road To Global Reach

Bajaj Chetak Takes the Slow Road To Global Reach

Rediff.com15 Jan 2026

Bajaj Auto is planning a slow, calibrated push to take the Chetak, its electric scooter, to more than 100 countries on the strength of its distributor network and market-specific localisation rather than an aggressive global rollout, reports Sohini Das.

US, Israel mulling operation in Iran: Report

US, Israel mulling operation in Iran: Report

Rediff.com6 Jan 2026

United States and Israeli officials are assessing potential policy options in response to ongoing unrest in Iran, according to multiple indications received by Israeli media reports The Jerusalem Post.

SUVs rule resale market despite small cars getting cheaper

SUVs rule resale market despite small cars getting cheaper

Rediff.com13 Jan 2026

Data from used-car platforms suggest that buyer preferences have remained broadly stable post-GST, with SUVs retaining their dominance even as price adjustments played out across segments.

Bajaj Finserv completes Allianz's stake buyout in its insurance arms

Bajaj Finserv completes Allianz's stake buyout in its insurance arms

Rediff.com9 Jan 2026

Bajaj Finserv on Thursday said it has completed the acquisition of Allianz SE's stake in Bajaj General Insurance and Bajaj Life Insurance, worth Rs 12,190 crore and Rs 9,200 crore, respectively. Bajaj Finserv, along with Bajaj Holdings & Investment and Jamnalal Sons, acquired the foreign insurer's 23 per cent stake in the businesses, marking the largest transaction in the Indian insurance sector.

IndiGo restores 2,200 flights; CEO says 'worst is behind us'

IndiGo restores 2,200 flights; CEO says 'worst is behind us'

Rediff.com18 Dec 2025

IndiGo's CEO, Pieter Elbers, announced that the airline has stabilized operations after recent disruptions, focusing on resilience, root-cause analysis, and rebuilding. The airline had to cancel hundreds of flights due to planning issues linked to new pilot duty rules, crew shortages, winter weather and operational bottlenecks.

ISRO's PSLV encounters 'anomaly'; deviates from path, misses orbit

ISRO's PSLV encounters 'anomaly'; deviates from path, misses orbit

Rediff.com12 Jan 2026

ISRO's PSLV-C62 successfully launched an earth observation satellite along with 14 other commercial payloads from Sriharikota, marking the first launch of the year.

New labour codes drag HCLTech Q3 profit to Rs 4,076 crore

New labour codes drag HCLTech Q3 profit to Rs 4,076 crore

Rediff.com12 Jan 2026

IT services firm HCLTech on Monday reported a 11.2 per cent decline in consolidated net profit to Rs 4,076 crore in the October-December quarter of FY26.

Op Sindoor forced Pak to carry out hurried...: CDS

Op Sindoor forced Pak to carry out hurried...: CDS

Rediff.com10 Jan 2026

Operation Sindoor compelled Pakistan to undertake constitutional amendments, which is an acknowledgement that things did not go well for the neighbouring nation, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan has said.

Value over volume for jewellery growth in H2

Value over volume for jewellery growth in H2

Rediff.com9 Jan 2026

Jewellery makers are set to post strong revenue growth in the 2025-26 (FY26) October-December quarter (Q3), supported by a robust wedding season and rising value growth, even as volumes decline.

Revealed: How US ensured Jaishankar's security during shutdown

Revealed: How US ensured Jaishankar's security during shutdown

Rediff.com9 Jan 2026

The US Department of State highlighted a mission-defining challenge during External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's visit in November amid the US government shutdown, detailing the security measures taken to ensure his protection.

TCS pegs $1.5 bn AI revenue, seeks to become largest AI-led tech firm

TCS pegs $1.5 bn AI revenue, seeks to become largest AI-led tech firm

Rediff.com17 Dec 2025

The country's largest IT services firm Tata Consultancy Services on Wednesday outlined an aggressive plan to become the "world's largest AI-led technology services company" as CEO K Krithivasan shared that the company has logged about $1.5 billion in annualised revenue.

The Puzzling Failure of PSLV-C62

The Puzzling Failure of PSLV-C62

Rediff.com15 Jan 2026

'A solid motor, once ignited, burns until the propellant is exhausted. It cannot simply stop mid-burn,' said a retired senior ISRO official. 'That is what makes this failure puzzling.' Venkatachari Jagannathan reports on the latest PSLV failure.

30 Indians living illegally in US arrested by border patrol agents

30 Indians living illegally in US arrested by border patrol agents

Rediff.com24 Dec 2025

US border patrol agents have arrested 30 Indian nationals, living illegally in America, operating semitrucks with commercial driver's licenses. The arrests were part of a larger operation targeting illegal immigrants operating commercial vehicles.

Deposit Rate Cuts Tough For Banks As Govt Retains Small Savings Rates

Deposit Rate Cuts Tough For Banks As Govt Retains Small Savings Rates

Rediff.com14 Jan 2026

'The government's decision to keep interest rates unchanged on small savings schemes will certainly constrain banks' ability to cut deposit rates further.'

Top realtors bet on plotted development

Top realtors bet on plotted development

Rediff.com22 Dec 2025

India's leading real estate developers are accelerating their push into plotted development, a segment once dominated by unorganised players but now reshaped by branded offerings, faster cash flows and evolving buyer preferences. This strategic shift is visible across markets such as Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Gurugram, peripheries of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and even Tier-II cities.

NPCI sets up unit to scale up digital infra beyond payments

NPCI sets up unit to scale up digital infra beyond payments

Rediff.com5 Jan 2026

Moving beyond digital payments, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), the operator of Unified Payments Interface, is planning to add more muscle to the country's digital infrastructure by setting up a fourth subsidiary, NPCI Tech Solutions Ltd (NTSL).

Deepathoon row: HC bench calls TN govt ban 'ridiculous'

Deepathoon row: HC bench calls TN govt ban 'ridiculous'

Rediff.com6 Jan 2026

The Madras high court's Madurai division bench on Tuesday upheld a single judge's order allowing lighting of a lamp on what is claimed as 'deepathoon' on the Thirupparankundram hill in Tamil Nadu.

Carmakers Gear Up To Hit Refresh Button

Carmakers Gear Up To Hit Refresh Button

Rediff.com27 Dec 2025

'In India's competitive automotive market, staying relevant means continuously raising the bar.'

Coming Soon! Simplified Bank Customer Claim Rules

Coming Soon! Simplified Bank Customer Claim Rules

Rediff.com7 Aug 2025

The move is aimed at making settlement of claims or return of articles from a locker smooth for relatives after the death of a customer.

Golden Globes 2026: Year Belongs To OBAA

Golden Globes 2026: Year Belongs To OBAA

Rediff.com12 Jan 2026

This year's Golden Globes was a test to see if Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another is still riding on an unstoppable train, similar to one that Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer rode on in 2023, observes Aseem Chhabra.

500% US Tariff Threat Looms Over India

500% US Tariff Threat Looms Over India

Rediff.com9 Jan 2026

A 500 per cent tariff would effectively shut out India's goods and services exports to the US.

Automobile retail sales up 7.71% at 2,81,61,228 units in 2025: FADA

Automobile retail sales up 7.71% at 2,81,61,228 units in 2025: FADA

Rediff.com6 Jan 2026

Retail sales of vehicles across categories in India in 2025 grew by 7.71 per cent at 2,81,61,228 units as compared to 2,61,45,445 in 2024, with GST 2.0 helping overcome a subdued start to the year, Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations said on Tuesday.

India suspends postal services to US amid new customs rules

India suspends postal services to US amid new customs rules

Rediff.com23 Aug 2025

Under an Executive Order issued by the US administration on July 30, 2025, goods valued above USD 100 will be subject to customs duties in America with effect from August 29 onwards.

Trump backs bill to 'punish' countries buying Russian oil

Trump backs bill to 'punish' countries buying Russian oil

Rediff.com8 Jan 2026

United States President Donald Trump has backed a sanctions bill that could impose 500 per cent tariffs on countries buying Russian oil, giving the White House leverage against countries like China and India to stop them from purchasing cheap oil from Moscow.

Titan hits all-time high on posting Q3 update; here's what analysts suggest

Titan hits all-time high on posting Q3 update; here's what analysts suggest

Rediff.com8 Jan 2026

The shares of Titan Company hit its all-time high on the BSE and was the top gainer in the Sensex on Wednesday after the company released its business update for the third quarter of 2025-26 (Q3FY26). The stock closed at 4,272, up 3.94 per cent as compared to the Sensex, which was a tad down.

'After GST cut, innovation will boost life insurance'

'After GST cut, innovation will boost life insurance'

Rediff.com5 Dec 2025

The reduction in goods & services tax (GST) on individual life and health insurance premiums has been called a "landmark step" for making insurance affordable and inclusive. In a panel discussion at the Business Standard BFSI Insight Summit 2025, Anup Bagchi, managing director (MD) & chief executive officer (CEO) of ICICI Prudential Life Insurance; Mahesh Balasubramanian, MD & CEO of Kotak Life Insurance; Tarun Chugh, MD & CEO of Bajaj Life Insurance; and Ratnakar Patnaik, MD of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), listed what else the industry needs to reach more people.

IndiGo offers travel vouchers of Rs 10k to stranded passengers

IndiGo offers travel vouchers of Rs 10k to stranded passengers

Rediff.com11 Dec 2025

The compensation would be in addition to the amount that needs to be provided to passengers for flight cancellations under DGCA norms.

Mercedes-Benz, BMW eyeing India's luxe realty sector

Mercedes-Benz, BMW eyeing India's luxe realty sector

Rediff.com9 Jan 2026

According to multiple sources close to the development, Mercedes-Benz is already in talks with multiple developers in Gurugram for a luxury branded residence project.

Maruti Suzuki plans to localise EV components in next few years

Maruti Suzuki plans to localise EV components in next few years

Rediff.com15 Dec 2025

Maruti Suzuki India plans to localise battery production and other critical components over the next few years as part of strengthening the overall EV ecosystem in the country. The company, which plans to launch its first electric vehicle - e VITARA in the domestic market next year, is looking to instill confidence in the buyers as it looks to strengthen the overall EV ecosystem.

Fog disrupts flight ops across northern India

Fog disrupts flight ops across northern India

Rediff.com21 Dec 2025

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) on Sunday issued an advisory warning that fog conditions in parts of northern India are affecting visibility and may lead to delays or changes in flight operations at select airports.

How RBI Governor Fared In The First Year

How RBI Governor Fared In The First Year

Rediff.com29 Dec 2025

Sanjay Malhotra has made structural changes to banking regulation to bring down costs and increase efficiency. Plus, he kicked off a benign interest regime. But there are challenges ahead.

GST rate cuts spur credit growth in banking sector in Q3 FY26

GST rate cuts spur credit growth in banking sector in Q3 FY26

Rediff.com7 Jan 2026

Banking sector has witnessed healthy growth in advances in the third quarter of financial year 2026 (Q3FY26) against the same period last year, as the full impact of goods and service tax (GST) rate cuts drove growth. Most of the lenders saw their credit growth outpace the deposit growth in the quarter.

British, Kuwait Airways flights get bomb threat at Hyderabad airport

British, Kuwait Airways flights get bomb threat at Hyderabad airport

Rediff.com6 Dec 2025

According to Hyderabad Airport GMR, British Airways flight 277 and Kuwait Airways flight 373 received the bomb threat. The BA 277 flight travelling from Heathrow to Hyderabad landed safely at 5:25 AM. Following the landing, standard safety protocols were initiated.