A new report by Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd (MOFSL) indicates that inflation, interest rates, and monetary policy have become more significant drivers of gold prices than traditional geopolitical conflicts, with markets increasingly focusing on these economic factors.
India's Rayhan Thomas and Indian-origin Mahanth Chirravuri delivered impressive opening rounds at the AdventHealth Championship, a key Korn Ferry Tour event. Thomas shot an 8-under 64, placing him fifth, while Chirravuri's 9-under 63 put him in fourth, both in strong contention.
Public-sector banks (PSBs) have reported a substantial increase in non-interest income for Q1FY27, primarily driven by the sale of Priority Sector Lending Certificates (PSLCs) backed by their rapidly expanding gold loan portfolios. This strategy has allowed several lenders to book significant profits by exceeding priority sector lending targets.
The Delhi government has notified detailed guidelines for the Delhi Lakshmi Yojana, outlining strict provisions for beneficiaries found ineligible, including discontinuation of financial assistance, recovery of disbursed funds, and potential fraud charges. The scheme provides Rs 2,500 monthly to eligible women, with specific rules for fund disbursement via RD/FD accounts and CBDC wallets, along with clear eligibility and exclusion criteria.
Lack of women in Karnataka's new council of ministers has put the spotlight once again on women's under-representation in politics and policy.
RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra announced plans to launch long-lasting polymer currency notes by the next financial year. He also discussed the central bank's data-dependent approach to interest rates, its focus on aligning inflation with the 4 per cent target, and the orderly trajectory of the rupee amidst geopolitical tensions.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino is campaigning for re-election by positioning himself as the advocate for less wealthy football nations, while UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has ruled out running against him but anticipates an opposition candidate.
A World Bank report highlights how Artificial Intelligence-powered weather forecasts have enabled small farmers in Telangana, India, to save up to USD 560 by adapting their farming practices to specific risks. The report, "The Promise of Artificial Intelligence," advocates for developing countries to rapidly adopt small, low-cost AI tools to enhance productivity, improve government services, and avoid missing out on the AI revolution.
Indian benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty, closed flat on Friday, with elevated crude oil prices due to geopolitical uncertainties and a rebound in US Treasury yields making investors cautious and preventing a decisive market rally.
India's foreign exchange reserves saw a significant increase of $10.512 billion, reaching $692.866 billion for the week ending July 31, driven by a rise in foreign currency assets and gold reserves.
Opposition leaders have questioned how caste responses will be recorded without state-wise pre-prepared lists.
N Chandrasekaran's exit marks a major shift for TCS, leaving its leadership to navigate AI disruption without the group chairman's deep expertise.
Gold and silver prices are anticipated to maintain a positive trajectory in the coming week, with market volatility expected to remain high due to ongoing developments in West Asia and upcoming global economic data, particularly the Federal Reserve's FOMC meeting minutes.
Members of the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) have indicated that interest rate hikes may be necessary sooner rather than later, as headline inflation is projected to rise from its current benign levels in the coming months, according to the minutes of the August review.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has extended the implementation date for its revised loan recovery and agent engagement directions to January 1, 2027, from the previously proposed October 1, 2026, following stakeholder feedback.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has maintained its benchmark policy rate at 5.25 per cent for the fourth consecutive meeting, prioritising clarity on inflation trends, particularly concerning energy costs and geopolitical developments.
Indian benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty, saw early gains driven by lower crude oil prices and buying in Reliance Industries, even as the Reserve Bank of India maintained its benchmark policy rate for the fourth consecutive meeting, reinforcing confidence in the domestic economy.
India's wholesale price index (WPI) inflation marginally eased to 9.78 per cent in July 2026, down from 9.87 per cent in June, primarily due to a cooling in the prices of fuel, power, and food items, marking the first month-on-month drop under the new 2022-23 base year.
A top SBI official has highlighted the challenges bankers face in lending to MSMEs using only GST data, advocating for the integration of alternative data sources like power consumption and telecom records through credit bureaus to improve credit assessment.
Indian benchmark equity indices, Sensex and Nifty, closed lower for multiple consecutive days, with the Nifty extending its losses to a seventh day, primarily due to elevated crude oil prices following the expiry of the US-Iran ceasefire without a diplomatic resolution.
Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty saw declines in early trade, primarily due to elevated crude oil prices stemming from the unresolved geopolitical situation in the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts suggest that while global sentiment improved slightly after a benign US inflation report, the ongoing US-Iran standoff continues to exert pressure on domestic equities. Track Sensex, Nifty on August 13.
Indian benchmark equity indices, Sensex and Nifty, experienced declines in early trade due to elevated crude oil prices and persistent geopolitical uncertainties, particularly following the expiry of the US-Iran ceasefire. Track Sensex, Nifty on August 19, 2026.
"Our endeavour is to bring headline inflation in line with the target over the medium term," said RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra, addressing concerns about the central bank's policy stance and economic outlook.
Indian stock market indices closed on a mixed note, with the Sensex gaining 374 points driven by buying in Reliance Industries and ICICI Bank, while the Nifty remained flat. This divergence is attributed to a new Closing Auction Session (CAS) mechanism introduced by stock exchanges, impacting market liquidity and price discovery.
'The money I owed was all mine. I didn't borrow it from anyone. I didn't owe anyone anything. I just had to sell my own assets and pay back.'
The move comes amid growing demand from organisations in India for local access to Claude.
Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty experienced declines in early trade, driven by a surge in Brent crude oil prices above USD 91 per barrel due to escalating tensions between Iran and the US, alongside an increase in US 10-year bond yields. Track Sensex, Nifty on August 18.
The CPI(M) has strongly opposed the Union government's proposal to levy charges on UPI transactions, calling it a "breach of public trust" and demanding the immediate withdrawal of the legislation. The party highlighted that the government had previously promoted UPI as a free public utility, encouraging widespread adoption, and now seeks to monetise this infrastructure. They also linked this move to a broader trend of increasing banking charges.
The Lok Sabha has passed a Bill to amend the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, authorising the government to permit banks and service providers to levy charges on UPI and other electronic payment modes. This move aims to create a sustainable revenue model for the digital payments ecosystem, shifting from the current exemption of UPI transactions from such charges.
Under bullet repayment, the principal remains outstanding and unpaid interest raises the liability over time. This makes the LTV ratio more vulnerable to a sharp fall in gold prices.
The Indian government has approved the introduction of one billion polymer banknotes in Rs 10 and Rs 20 denominations for field trials, aiming to enhance durability. This move comes as the Finance Minister also addressed Parliament on declining retail inflation, GST reforms, and other fiscal measures taken to support the economy and household consumption.
Indian benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty, experienced significant declines, with the Sensex falling 493 points and the Nifty dropping for the sixth consecutive day, primarily due to elevated crude oil prices reaching USD 91 per barrel and diminishing hopes for a diplomatic resolution in West Asia.
NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL) and Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) have successfully integrated the Maldives' instant payment system 'Favara' with India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI). This enables real-time fund transfers from Maldives to UPI-enabled Indian bank accounts, marking a significant step in cross-border digital financial connectivity and bilateral economic cooperation.
Emirates NBD Bank has successfully acquired a 60 per cent majority stake in RBL Bank through a primary capital infusion of approximately USD 2.75 billion, marking the largest foreign direct investment in India's banking sector.
The Payments Council of India has confirmed that Unified Payments Interface (UPI) services will continue to be free for consumers and small merchants, despite a recent Lok Sabha Bill. This clarification addresses concerns about potential charges, emphasising that while a sustainable financial model for UPI infrastructure is being developed, transaction charges will not be passed on to users or small businesses.
The PM CARES Fund experienced a 30 per cent decrease in domestic donations and an 18 per cent drop in foreign contributions during the fiscal year 2024-2025. Despite this, the total balance in the fund increased to Rs 8,452 crore, primarily held in fixed deposits and savings accounts. The fund's expenditure on the PM CARES for Children Scheme also saw a sharp reduction.
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy's planned visit to the United States has been denied political clearance by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), citing non-conformity with laid down norms, forcing him to cancel the US leg of his 'TelanganaRising' delegation tour and return to Hyderabad earlier than planned.
The Supreme Court has directed the Reserve Bank of India to prepare a standard operating procedure (SOP) within four weeks to deal with bank accounts linked to cyber frauds, including mule accounts. This directive is part of a broader effort to strengthen responses to cyber-enabled financial frauds, with the court also urging states and UTs to adopt and operationalise grievance redressal and money restoration modules.
Indian benchmark equity indices, Sensex and Nifty, experienced declines in early trade due to a surge in Brent crude oil prices, which rose above USD 90 per barrel, coupled with subdued global cues and ongoing US-Iran skirmishes. Track Sensex, Nifty on Auigust 12.
The Reserve Bank of India has approved a three-month extension for Keki Mistry as the interim chairman of HDFC Bank, continuing his tenure until September 18, 2026, or until a regular chairman is appointed.
