Gold and silver prices surged in Delhi following a shift in global currency markets and a weakening US dollar. Gold prices increased by ₹1,900 to reach ₹1.54 lakh per 10 grams, while silver prices rebounded by ₹4,500 per kilogram. The rally reflected improving international bullion prices and renewed investor interest in precious metals. The primary factors driving the surge included a decline in the US dollar...

Air India and Air India Express have announced a fuel surcharge hike effective October 9, increasing ticket costs for domestic and international passengers amid rising aviation turbine fuel prices.The Tata Group airlines said the revision was necessary to offset increasing operational expenses caused by volatility in global energy markets and geopolitical tensions.Under the revised structure, domestic flights covering up to 500 kilometres will attract a...

Indian Stock Markets experienced severe selling pressure as a sudden stock market crash erases trillions today during Thursday trading sessions. Investors asking why benchmark indices suffered drastic declines will find growing geopolitical tensions and surging global crude oil prices weakening overall sentiment. The benchmark BSE Sensex tumbled 1,232 points to an intraday low of 71,406 while the NSE Nifty 50 breached its psychological support level...

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and regulatory steering committees are actively considering postponing the rollout of the proposed 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on large Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions. Originally scheduled to take effect on October 15, the new tariff framework governing person-to-merchant payments above 2,000 rupees could now be deferred to January 1, 2027. This potential delay comes after merchants and...

Bharti Airtel announced a strategic restructuring of its postpaid service portfolio, raising plan tariffs by three to ten percent across various individual and family offerings. The telecom major confirmed that the updated tariff structure will take effect from October 8, 2026, impacting both new subscribers and existing customers across India. Airtel decided to hike postpaid plan prices to drive subscriber premiumization, increase average revenue per user,...

RBI increased the benchmark repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.50 percent to manage persistent inflationary pressures. This policy adjustment directly leads to higher borrowing costs across all commercial financial institutions. Homeowners with floating rate housing loans will see an immediate adjustment in their monthly repayment schedules and long-term interest burdens. The home loan EMI calculator after RBI rate increase evaluates revised interest rates against...

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has officially increased its benchmark lending rate by 25 basis points, moving the repo rate from 5.25% to 5.50%, marking the first hike since February 2023. This decision marks the first rate hike by the central bank after 43  months of maintaining baseline interest levels. Spearheaded by Monetary Policy Committee chairman Governor Sanjay Malhotra, the policy adjustment reflects a...

The Indian stock market staged a strong recovery on Monday, with the Sensex ending significantly higher and snapping its four-session losing streak. Renewed buying interest and improved global market sentiment supported the rebound. Investors responded positively to easing concerns over aggressive monetary tightening, while stronger international cues provided additional momentum across key sectors during the trading session. Global equities gained following softer-than-expected US jobs data, which...

The Central Government is preparing a massive GST procedural package aimed at reforming tax administration and streamlining digital commerce across the nation. Officially part of a broader administrative shift toward simplified filing, the Centre plans GST 2.0 compliance overhaul measures to assist taxpayers, reduce litigations, and foster operational growth for small business owners. How Will GST 2.0 Help E-Commerce Sellers? The central proposal allows nearly 9.5 lakh...

Brent Crude oil futures experienced a sharp upward movement on Monday after Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi movement claimed responsibility for launching strikes against major Saudi Arabian energy facilities. The military escalation targeted strategic petroleum infrastructure in Riyadh and the Khurais oil-producing area, reviving global supply disruption fears from the region's largest oil exporter. Why Did Brent Crude Prices Rise Sharply On Monday? International petroleum markets responded immediately after...

Gross GST collection rises in September by 14.7% year-on-year to reach nearly 2.04 lakh crore rupees. Official tax figures released by the government highlight a robust fiscal performance driven by increased domestic trade and significant growth in import revenues ahead of the festive season. Domestic Goods and Services Tax (DGST) revenue increased by 10.1% to touch 1.38 lakh crore rupees compared to 1.25 lakh crore rupees...

UPI transactions rise by 18% in total monetary value year-on-year during September 2026, reaching a massive cumulative threshold of 29.37 lakh crore rupees. Official data released by the National Payments Corporation of India highlights that the digital payment network maintained exceptional operational momentum nationwide, driven by robust consumer participation and expanding retail adoption ahead of the major festive season. The Unified Payments Interface platform processed 24.07...

Apple Pay India launch marks Apple’s entry into the country’s digital payments market, allowing eligible customers to make contactless purchases using supported Apple devices. The service has initially launched with Axis Bank-issued Visa and Mastercard credit cards.Users can access Apple Pay through iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch, while support for Mac is expected later. Customers can use the service for purchases at compatible physical stores,...

Brent crude remains above $100 barrel today, September 30, as ongoing geopolitical turmoil in the Middle East continues to cloud energy supply expectations. Although crude prices recorded slight pullbacks in recent sessions, global benchmark contracts remain elevated due to uncertainty surrounding maritime traffic through the vital Strait of Hormuz amidst the US-Iran conflict. Brent crude was trading at $102.90 a barrel, which is near $103, while...

Brent crude futures spike to 107 dollars per barrel as renewed US-Iran war uncertainty unsettles energy markets across the globe. Oil benchmarks recorded an abrupt three percent increase during early Monday trading after diplomatic negotiations stalled and military tensions flared near crucial shipping routes. The surge reflects growing investor anxiety regarding potential supply disruptions across Middle Eastern energy export corridors. Brent crude futures spiked because the...

Tax planning becomes a critical priority when earning a secondary income alongside a corporate salary. While multiple income streams bring substantial financial growth, managing dual earnings requires immediate adjustments to tax filing practices, allowable expense claims, advance payments, and overall compliance strategy. A dual income tax planning strategy becomes essential the moment earnings stop coming from a single salary. Combining a ₹20 lakh annual corporate salary...

Public health advocates and legal authorities closely examine TikTok social media design architectures as parent company ByteDance faces escalating multi-state scrutiny over minor online safety, algorithmic engagement loops, and adolescent psychological well-being. The TikTok Alabama teen addiction settlement stems from detailed complaints asserting that infinite scrolling mechanisms, auto-playing video streams, and targeted push notifications intentionally trigger compulsive usage in adolescent users. Legal filings argue that ByteDance...

E-commerce regulations are changing as the Central Government formally announced regulatory amendments to the existing Consumer Protection framework, establishing the new e-commerce rules 2026. This comprehensive legislative update aims to enhance operational transparency, improve search fairness, protect consumer privacy, and eliminate predatory digital practices across online shopping platforms. Under the revised mandate, e-commerce platforms must display the lowest price offered during the preceding thirty days as...

The latest Boston Consulting Group (BCG) payments analysis revealed that the India UPI 20 billion transactions report serves as a transformative case study for real-time payments infrastructure worldwide. Financial institutions are increasingly looking toward India’s digital model to achieve both grassroots inclusion and high transaction volume. The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) demonstrates how digital public infrastructure can expand financial inclusion across hundreds of millions of users...

Public sector banks open this Sunday, September 27, 2026, to serve customers ahead of a scheduled three-day nationwide bank strike called by the United Forum of Bank Unions. The Ministry of Finance issued instructions ensuring state-owned lenders and regional rural banks remain operational to minimize inconvenience to the general public. The Reserve Bank of India granted approval for all public bank branches, administrative offices, currency chests,...

India's domestic air traffic declines by 6.34% year-on-year in August, registering 1.21 crore passengers compared to the previous year. Official monthly data released by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation highlights a broader demand moderation across Indian aviation routes during the traditional monsoon lull. Directorate General of Civil Aviation reports indicate seasonal travel slowdowns combined with operational challenges at key budget carriers led to reduced overall...