The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has signed an MoU with the Drone Federation of India (DFI) to enhance its counter-drone capabilities. This partnership aims to strengthen security at vital installations like airports, nuclear facilities, and oil refineries by fostering engagement with Indian drone startups and technology companies for capacity building, research, and operational readiness against aerial threats.
The 72nd National Film Awards celebrated outstanding contributions to Indian cinema, with Yami Gautam, Kartik Aaryan, Mammootty, Dhanush, and Sanjay Mishra among the prominent winners.
The Supreme Court has expressed serious concern over public health, especially children's, due to packaged foods high in salt, sugar, and fat, urging stakeholders to implement front-of-pack warning labels. The court criticised the FSSAI for delays and proposed a red-coloured hexagonal warning label for products high in two or more specified nutrients, to be implemented in phases.
Industry bodies representing alcoholic beverage manufacturers have welcomed the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which will see tariffs on UK whisky and gin reduced, boosting bilateral trade and supporting premiumisation. However, domestic manufacturers are calling for state governments to withdraw concessions currently enjoyed by imported liquor brands.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to visit India for a three-day trip to attend the 18th BRICS Summit and engage in bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The summit will focus on strengthening strategic partnerships and addressing international issues, with Putin also scheduled to meet other world leaders.
Private corporations in India invested approximately 30.3 trillion in fixed assets during FY25, marking a 7 per cent increase from the previous year, according to the statistics ministry. This growth in private capital expenditure contrasts with a slowdown in government capital spending.
India too can rise to the top if the 1.4 billion Indians back home are given better opportunities to use their innate talent and capacity to work hard, with right incentives in a more meritocratic rules-based system, asserts Ajay Chhibber.
Nine employee associations at ISRO have written to Chairperson V Narayanan, seeking official clarification on the proposed transfer of manufacturing and operational functions to private entities. They raised concerns about ISRO's future role, employee consequences, and recruitment, following comments by IN-SPACe chairperson Pawan Goenka regarding ISRO's eventual exit from launch vehicle manufacturing.
US President Donald Trump is expected to sign the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 later on Friday (local time). A White House official confirmed the development to ANI without revealing further details.
New financial investment funds, including Filmoney Global and CineNow, are entering the 22,000 crore Indian film business, aiming to establish Indian cinema as a new asset class for high-net-worth individuals and institutions, similar to the IPL.
West Bengal could be the Bharatiya Janata Party's real test case of its business-friendly policies, points out Kanika Datta.
India is set to launch Bharat Vecto, its first certification tool for assessing the fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions of medium and heavy commercial vehicles, by December, with a full launch targeted for the Bharat Mobility Global Expo in February 2027.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will commission Mahendragiri, the sixth Project 17A indigenous stealth frigate, into the Indian Navy's Eastern Fleet in Visakhapatnam on Saturday, marking another milestone in India's journey towards defence self-reliance and indigenous warship construction.
Indian mutual fund holdings in overseas equity securities increased by 37.5 per cent year-on-year to approximately '93,602 crore by March-end, according to RBI data. This growth is attributed to mark-to-market gains from a global market rally and heightened investor interest, with the US remaining the primary destination for these investments.
The FCNR (B) stratagem relies on using public money to defend the rupee. The State subsidises foreign borrowing to attract dollars. This tool requires large-scale borrowing to make a material difference against a gross external flow of $11 billion a day. A commensurately large fiscal cost falls upon the exchequer. The ministry of finance will choose how much it is willing to spend in exchange for this round number, points out Ajay Shah.
The Indian government has introduced a 0.4 per cent Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI payments exceeding Rs 2,000 made to merchants, effective from October 15, with a comprehensive framework set to take full effect by October 15, 2026. This policy aims to regulate transaction fees while protecting small merchants and person-to-person transactions.
IICT and Netflix are offering scholarships to 100 students and working professionals, with up to 80 per cent financial support for courses in animation, VFX, gaming and creative technologies.
The Indian government has introduced a 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI person-to-merchant (P2M) transactions exceeding Rs 2,000, effective October 15. This move ends nearly six years of fully free UPI payments, though person-to-person (P2P) transfers and small P2M payments remain free. The charges aim to bolster investment in UPI infrastructure, with specific exemptions and caps for essential sectors.
Six initial public offerings, including Rentomojo Ltd and Karamtara Engineering, were fully subscribed on their final day of bidding, with Rentomojo's IPO subscribed 72.88 times and Karamtara's 62.63 times, reflecting robust investor appetite in the primary market.
'You have to get private investment to somewhere between 35% to 36% of GDP. It is hovering about 30%-31%.'
Indian banks and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) are undertaking a comprehensive review and reset of their engagement terms with fintech firms, driven by the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) draft Guidance on Regulatory Expectations for Data Governance and the stringent compliance requirements of the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023, and its 2025 Rules.
Built as an expendable, short-duration turbojet engine for single-mission applications, it can power tactical cruise missiles, anti-ship missiles, and long-range loitering munitions.
'With factories starting early for the next season, fresh sugar will enter market 10-15 days earlier than usual, and sugar price are expected to remain affordable in near term.'
Hardeep Singh Brar, President and CEO of BMW Group India, has urged state governments like Delhi to remove price caps on road tax benefits for electric vehicles (EVs), arguing that such limits deter luxury-car buyers and hinder the transition to cleaner mobility in pollution-affected regions.
India's UPI International payment system is now playing a crucial role in humanitarian efforts, enabling seamless disaster relief donations from Indian users to Nepal's Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund, showcasing its growing global acceptance and utility beyond tourism. UPI IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: Unsplash Key Points UPI International, initially for Indian tourists, is now facilitating disaster relief donations to Nepal's Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund. The embassy of Nepal in India is actively encouraging Indian users to utilise their UPI apps for these contributions. This marks a significant shift, expanding UPI's cross-border use case beyond tourism to include inbound collection for foreign governments. The move positions UPI International alongside global payment giants like Alipay+ and UnionPay for international aid. Donors need to activate the UPI International feature on their apps to transact, with amounts converted from INR to NPR.
'The large number of tariff lines in the 90-99 per cent band highlights how deeply embedded Chinese sourcing has become in India's electronics imports.'
'The prime minister has given us the task of taking at least 300 satellites to orbit in the next five to six years.'
'One important clarification is that the reported US action is not a blanket cancellation of all US tourist visas.'
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian urged BRICS nations to expand trade in national currencies and build an inclusive global economic framework. He criticised "unilateral sanctions" by Western powers, stating they make emerging economies vulnerable and impact global food security. Pezeshkian emphasised BRICS' role in creating a balanced world order and highlighted Iran's geopolitical and energy capacities for cooperation.
IT services stocks have had tough two years, with prices coming under pressure from 2025 and the sell-off extending through the first half of 2026.
Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles (TMPV) is strategically expanding its international footprint by launching the Nexon, rebranded as Osprey, in South Africa, a move set to significantly boost its export volumes and solidify India's position as a major automotive export hub.
Automobile manufacturers are increasingly vocal about the mounting paperwork and delays associated with India's Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for the automotive sector, arguing that compliance requirements are becoming as challenging as meeting technical eligibility conditions. They are pushing for a simpler, faster, and more predictable certification and compliance framework.
India's automobile retail sales reached an unprecedented 24.23 lakh units in August, marking a 17.51 per cent year-on-year growth, with alternative fuels (CNG, hybrid, and electric) collectively surpassing petrol in the passenger vehicle segment for the first time.
Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty experienced a significant slump in early trade, mirroring a bearish trend in global equities, as escalating conflict in West Asia drove up crude oil prices and intensified investor concerns.
The National Jute Board has developed a jute-viscose blended apparel for Indian athletes participating in the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, marking the first time jute-based attire will be featured at an international multi-sport event, promoting sustainable textiles and India's jute industry.
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has announced a five-year strategic deal with German automaker Porsche AG worth 1.25 billion (nearly 14,000 crore), which includes the acquisition of Porsche's wholly-owned subsidiary MHP Management- und IT-Beratung GmbH for 320 million (around 3,574 crore). This move is set to significantly expand TCS's consulting footprint in Germany and the broader European market, giving it access to MHP's customer base and specialised talent.
Indian stock exchanges are actively preparing to implement a new closing auction mechanism (CAS) from August 3, aimed at enhancing transparency in determining closing prices for securities with derivative contracts.
The United States has removed four Indian companies from its sanctions list, which had been accused of supplying advanced technology and equipment to Russia's military-industrial complex. The de-listed firms include RRG Engineering Technologies, Lokesh Machines, Galaxy Bearings, and Shaurya Aeronautics, previously sanctioned for exporting dual-use items to Russian entities.
The combined market valuation of four of India's top-10 most valued firms eroded by Rs 87,960.29 crore last week, with Bharti Airtel experiencing the largest decline, amidst a bearish trend in the equities market.
The last major business daily to launch in India was Financial Chronicle in April 2008, preceded by Mint on February 1, 2007.
