The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has requested a meeting with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to discuss postponing the INDIA bloc's November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan. Traders fear significant business disruption during the festive Diwali season due to the expected large crowd. CTI proposes a dialogue, offering to withdraw protests if convinced of benefits or seeking postponement if losses are proven.
The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has appealed to Congress leader Sonia Gandhi to postpone the party's November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan. Traders fear the rally, expected to draw 10 lakh people, could cause significant business disruption and traffic congestion in central and old Delhi during the crucial Diwali festive season, potentially leading to losses of Rs 10,000-12,000 crore. The CTI has suggested either rescheduling the rally or moving it to Burari Ground.
The central government has introduced a 0.4 per cent fee on UPI transactions exceeding Rs 2,000, prompting traders' associations to advocate for cash payments to avoid additional costs on digital payments. This move ends the zero-Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) regime, with traders expressing concerns about operating on tight margins and the potential for increased charges.
Amid the ongoing protests in the national capital, the Bharatiya Udyog Vyapar Mandal (BUVM), Delhi Pradesh, has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Aam Aadmi Party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, appealing for political demonstrations in the capital to be postponed until January 31, 2027, citing the festival and wedding season.
Trade and business associations across India are organising a 'No UPI Day' on October 2 to protest the upcoming 0.4 per cent merchant discount rate (MDR) on Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions exceeding 2,000, effective from October 15.
The INDIA bloc is making extensive preparations for its November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral irregularities. CPI(M) MP John Brittas claims 10 lakh people will attend, despite alleged attempts by authorities to prevent participants from reaching the capital. The rally will be preceded by a symbolic public impeachment of Kumar.
The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has deferred the implementation of a 0.4 per cent Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on Person-to-Merchant UPI transactions above Rs 2,000. Originally set for October 15, the new date will be announced after Diwali, providing relief to users and merchants, especially during the festive season. The decision came amidst opposition concerns about the levy burdening consumers.
Supporters of the INDIA bloc gathered at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan for a 'Chalo Dilli' protest on Sunday, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral irregularities and 'vote chori'. Senior leaders participated in a march, while extensive security arrangements were made for the large-scale mobilisation.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged on Sunday that the BJP had forcibly shut shops in Connaught Place, causing losses to traders. He stated that the INDIA bloc had encouraged rally attendees to shop locally, but the BJP's actions prevented this. Gandhi had previously urged supporters to shop for Diwali, countering BJP's "rumours" about the rally affecting businesses. The INDIA bloc's mega rally at Ramlila Maidan on Sunday aims to protest alleged electoral irregularities.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi encouraged attendees of the INDIA bloc's rally in Delhi to shop locally for Diwali, countering BJP's "rumours" about business disruption. The rally, scheduled for Sunday at Ramlila Maidan, aims to protest alleged electoral irregularities and demand the Chief Election Commissioner's resignation, drawing support from various groups across the country.
The Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) has dismissed Ketan Parekh's appeal challenging Sebi's denial of his request to cross-examine two traders from Capital Group, related to an alleged front-running scheme.
Oracle NetSuite identifies India as one of its highest-priority markets, noting that small businesses, particularly outside major metros, are increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud technologies to expand domestically and internationally. This adoption is driven by India's young, tech-native population, which is less burdened by legacy systems, allowing smaller firms to compete more effectively with larger enterprises.
Indian jewellers reported robust demand for gold and silver on Dhanteras, with gold sales by value estimated to increase by 15-20 per cent to approximately Rs 60,000 crore, driven by a recent drop in prices. However, volumes are expected to remain flat compared to last year due to overall higher price levels.
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has declared Chandrashekhar Aazad as the chief ministerial candidate for the newly formed Samajik Parivartan Morcha in the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections.
Delhi Police has announced elaborate security and traffic arrangements for the INDIA bloc rally at Ramlila Maidan on Sunday. Over 4,000 police personnel, along with CAPF companies, will be deployed, with the venue divided into 14 zones and monitored by over 200 CCTV cameras and drones. Traffic diversions are planned, and organisers have been instructed on crowd management and conduct, while local traders express concerns about business disruption.
The Supreme Court has intervened in the ongoing protests against the Chief Election Commissioner, seeking responses from the Centre and other parties while emphasizing that protest sites cannot be occupied indefinitely, impacting local businesses.
The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has deferred the implementation of a 0.4 per cent Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on Person-to-Merchant (P2M) UPI payments above Rs 2,000, originally set for October 15, until after Diwali.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted extensive search operations across 11 locations in Maharashtra and Gujarat, targeting an international narcotics syndicate involved in money laundering. The raids, stemming from an NCB complaint, led to the seizure of incriminating materials and digital devices, revealing a network dealing in various illicit drugs and using crypto assets to launder proceeds of crime.
Experience Diwali in places that ring in the festival in a strikingly special manner.
Nepal has banned the import, sale, and distribution of Priyagold biscuits, citing them as sub-standard. This decision follows India's food regulator FSSAI initiating legal proceedings against the manufacturer, Surya Food and Agro Ltd, for using cattle feed bran and other serious violations, and suspending its licence.
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.
A Mumbai court has ordered the release of two Chhattisgarh residents arrested in a cryptocurrency investment fraud case, declaring their arrest "illegal" due to police not following mandatory procedures. The magistrate also directed the DCP to take action against the investigating agency for lapses, highlighting violations of BNSS sections and the failure to obtain transit remand.
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended licenses of 19 food businesses and seized food articles worth over Rs 9 crore during a special festive-season drive. This included Patanjali cow ghee from a super distributor due to suspected misbranding and adulteration. The drive also led to seizures from other major retailers and manufacturers, with 13 FIRs registered and 16 arrests. Additionally, the FSSAI issued show-cause notices to several companies, including Tata 1mg and Amazon, over alleged labelling and advertising violations.
'The Indian market has struggled over the past two years.' 'It peaked in September 2024, and although it has moved up and down since then, investors have not really made money.'
WazirX founder Nischal Shetty stated, "We have outdone ourselves, but it is a journey we are still on, and there is a long way to go," reflecting on the cryptocurrency exchange's year-long journey since restarting operations after a cyberattack and restructuring.
Gold prices in India have fallen for the third consecutive day, shedding Rs 1,800 to Rs 1.5 lakh per 10 grams, primarily due to a strengthening rupee and weak global cues. Silver also saw a significant decline, tumbling Rs 5,000 to Rs 2.21 lakh per 10 grams.
Congress leader Sachin Pilot is set to embark on a five-day visit to Punjab starting October 16, where he will meet families of gang violence victims across 11 districts. This visit aims to amplify their voices and is seen as a strategic move by the Congress to make law and order a central issue against the AAP government in the upcoming elections. Punjab Congress chief Pargat Singh also criticised the AAP government over deteriorating security and extortion threats faced by traders.
Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, and several other opposition leaders were detained by Delhi Police during protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty surged significantly in early trade, driven by a sharp decline in crude oil prices and optimism surrounding a potential resolution to the West Asia conflict following the US midterm elections, which saw the Democratic Party gain control of Congress. Track Sensex, Nifty on November 5, 2026.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has urged people to join the opposition INDIA bloc's 'Chalo Dilli' march on November 1, aimed at saving democracy and protecting the Constitution. He assured participants not to fear police action. Other Congress leaders also highlighted alleged electoral irregularities and announced a "public impeachment" of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the approval of the north corridor of the bullet train project by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighting its 'Make in India' aspect and potential to transform lives. The corridor will connect major cities from Delhi to Guwahati, significantly reducing travel times. Vaishnaw also launched new Vande Bharat Sleeper Express and MEMU services in Varanasi, while criticising previous governments' railway budgets for Uttar Pradesh.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday called for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve global conflicts, stating, "war can never be the answer to war," while addressing the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government meeting in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leader Abhijeet Dipke and AISA chief Neha Bora were preventively detained by Delhi Police on Friday, preventing their participation in the 'Lehra Do Tiranga' protests amidst heightened security in the national capital.
India's banking system liquidity surplus has significantly narrowed due to tax outflows, including GST payments, and higher cash reserve ratio balances. This tightening liquidity has pushed the weighted average call rate closer to the RBI's marginal standing facility rate, with market participants anticipating a persistent deficit in the coming months.
Indian equity benchmarks Sensex and Nifty rallied up to 1 per cent in early trade, driven by strong performance in IT stocks, Reliance Industries, and favourable global market sentiment, rebounding from previous losses.
88 per cent of individual traders lost money during FY26. Until we recognise gambling dressed up as option buying for what it is, we will keep treating the wrong disease, asserts Harsh Roongta.
Delhi Police have taken stringent measures to prevent the Cockroach Janta Party's 'Lehra Do Tiranga' march in Connaught Place, deploying thousands of personnel and citing prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS due to risks of traffic disruption, stampede, and threats to public safety.
The lack of faster growth in salaried jobs may well account for the degrowth in the unemployed educated population who are actively seeking jobs.
The main culprit behind this cost escalation are rising prices of sugar and milk that go into making the sweets.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has expressed intent to invest an additional $25 billion in India, with an ultimate goal of reaching $100 billion in investments, Union Minister Piyush Goyal announced. This comes as both nations plan to enhance cooperation in shipping, ports, energy, and emerging technologies, against a backdrop of expanding bilateral trade.
