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.
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.
A massive flash flood originating in Tibet has devastated central Nepal, killing 17 people and leaving nearly 500 missing, including 105 Indians. The deluge, caused by a rock slide near the Nepal-Tibet border, swept through districts, washing away bridges and severely damaging at least a dozen hydropower projects.
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.
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.
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.
N Chandrasekaran's exit marks a major shift for TCS, leaving its leadership to navigate AI disruption without the group chairman's deep expertise.
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.
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.
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.
The Reserve Bank of India's concessional swap facility, designed to boost foreign currency inflows, has successfully attracted USD 40.82 billion by July 31, 2026, with a significant portion coming from Foreign Currency Non-Resident (Bank) deposits.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is widely expected to keep its benchmark repo rate unchanged in the August monetary policy review, with economists citing elevated inflation risks and the pending closure of the FCNR(B) deposit scheme as key factors. Most anticipate a 'Neutral' policy stance but with a hawkish tone due to geopolitical tensions, high crude oil prices, and an uneven monsoon.
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.
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 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.
An attempted burglary occurred at a Punjab National Bank branch in Uchi Bassi village near Dasuya, with the intruder failing to access the main safe but stealing a digital tablet.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) maintained its key policy rates for the fourth consecutive time, keeping the repo rate at 5.25 per cent, while the benchmark BSE Sensex closed 152 points higher in a volatile session, recovering from an intraday dip.
'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.'
A think tank, GTRI, has urged India to resist US pressure regarding its UPI policies, advocating for competition, policy autonomy, and a sustainable payments ecosystem. This comes as the Lok Sabha passed a bill allowing charges on UPI, and the US has criticised India's digital payment systems, raising concerns about the future of India's digital payment landscape.
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 income tax department has significantly reduced refund processing times over the past few years. But while some taxpayers receive refunds within days, others may wait several weeks or even longer. Here's why.
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 marginally increased its GDP forecast for the current fiscal to 6.7 per cent while slightly lowering the inflation projection to 5 per cent. The central bank noted that while domestic economic activity shows resilience, global turbulence, particularly re-escalating conflicts and volatile oil prices, continues to pose risks to the inflation outlook.
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.
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.
The biggest challenge to widespread deployment is no longer AI. It is the financial and commerce infrastructure that was built decades ago for deterministic software and human interactions -- not autonomous AI agents.
Poor families, she said, cut corners on their own needs to pay for coaching and fees, and when their child clears JEE, it's the happiest day the family has had in years. So why, she asked, her voice already starting to climb, does the same system that we're told is the best in the country keep pushing those very students toward what she called 'institutional deaths'?
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.
Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty closed lower, with the Sensex dropping 388 points and Nifty declining 112 points, as a sharp rally in crude oil prices, driven by geopolitical uncertainties and concerns over the Strait of Hormuz, dampened investor sentiment and reignited inflation fears.
Gold futures saw a significant rise for the second consecutive day, driven by strong overseas market rallies, increased safe-haven demand due to geopolitical uncertainties, and a weaker US dollar. This surge coincided with the Reserve Bank of India's decision to maintain its repo rate, reflecting a focus on growth amidst global inflation concerns and easing oil prices.
Tata Sons, the holding company of the Tata group, continues to be classified as an 'upper-layer non-banking financial company' (NBFC) by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), despite its application to deregister as an NBFC-Core Investment Company (CIC) remaining under consideration. This classification subjects it to enhanced regulation and a mandatory listing requirement, which remains uncertain.
Indian companies, including NBFCs, filed proposals with the RBI to raise $6.08 billion through external commercial borrowings (ECBs) and foreign currency convertible bonds (FCCBs) in June, marking a significant increase from the previous month.
The Bank Nifty is currently trading at a 43.5 per cent discount to the Nifty 50, near its widest gap since 2015, reflecting investor pessimism despite the banking sector's strong earnings growth.
Vodafone Idea (Vi) significantly reduced its losses in Q1 FY27 to approximately 3,754 crore, driven by an exceptional gain and increased average revenue per user (Arpu). The company also reported its first net subscriber additions since its 2018 merger, indicating a positive shift in its operational trajectory.
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.
Indian benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty, saw declines in early trade, with the ongoing US-Iran standoff cited as a major factor impacting investor sentiment and raising concerns about inflationary pressures and currency volatility for oil-importing nations like India. Track Sensex, Nifty on August 14, 2026.
The Supreme Court has extended its order staying the arrest of Sumit Roy, personal assistant to Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee, in connection with the Salboni land-grabbing case. The West Bengal government alleged Roy was not cooperating with the probe, while Roy's counsel argued he has a right to silence and the case is politically motivated. The court will review a sealed cover report from the police before further proceedings.
The Maharashtra government has declared snakebite a notifiable disease, mandating all healthcare providers to report cases and deaths. This move aims to strengthen monitoring, ensure timely treatment, and improve anti-snake venom availability, following a tragic incident where tribal schoolgirls died from snakebites.
Police in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, have registered a case against 69 former and serving officers and employees of an Indian Bank branch for allegedly embezzling nearly Rs 5 crore from a union account. The case was filed following a court order after the accused failed to return the embezzled funds despite an earlier undertaking.
