India's economic engine is revving up, but navigating the global headwinds requires sharp strategy. The rupee's recent volatility against the dollar underscores the complexities facing Indian businesses, impacting everything from import-export trade to domestic inflation. This week alone, we've seen significant shifts in the IT sector, with major players announcing restructuring and a renewed focus on AI-driven solutions. Meanwhile, the burgeoning startup ecosystem continues to attract substantial funding, despite a cautious global investor sentiment. The government's recent policy announcements on infrastructure development and digitalization are poised to further shape the business landscape, creating both opportunities and challenges for entrepreneurs and established corporations alike. Understanding these market dynamics is crucial for success in today's rapidly evolving Indian economy. Stay informed with Abtak.com for the latest insights and analysis on key sectors including finance, manufacturing, and technology – empowering your business decisions in a dynamic market. Explore the complete business news section now to stay ahead of the curve.
NEW DELHI: The government has introduced four amendments to the Income Tax Act, 1961, relevant for FY 2025-26, but included in the Income Tax Bill, 2025, applicable for FY 2026-27, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said. The major amendment grants tax exemption on dividends, interest, and long-term capital gains to sovereign wealth funds and pension funds investing in infrastructure from April 1, 2020, to December 31, 2030, subject to notification. The Public Investment Fund (PIF) and its wholly-owned subsidiaries will be named directly in the section for exemption. The second major clarification involved the abatement of all assessments for block periods in search cases until there is a block assessment order. It will be a major reform for ease of doing business. Further, the minister said that the amendment provided clarity about the standard deduction of Rs 75, 000 that applies to salaried individuals under the new tax regime. The Finance Act, 2023, introduced Section 115BAC(1A), offering new income tax slab rates for taxpayers choosing the new tax regime, but a drafting error crept in, as a clause (clause iii) was omitted from Section 115BAC(1A). The enhanced standard deduction of Rs. 75, 000 under the new tax regime then became unavailable for the financial year 2025-26 due to this omission. The latest amendment, passed by Parliament, corrected this drafting error.
New Delhi [India], December 2: The IVCA GreenReturns Summit 2024 commenced today in New Delhi, convening over 400 visionaries, investors, policymakers, and entrepreneurs to chart a transformative path for India's green economy. The Summit is dedicated to aligning India's climate goals with its trillion-dollar economic aspirations for a 'Viksit Bharat,' spotlighting high-impact investment opportunities, addressing funding gaps, and driving actionable solutions for net-zero and climate adaptation. Also Read | Mamata Banerjee Says West Bengal Yet To Get INR 14,000 Crore From Centre for Supply of ...Read More >
The Reserve Bank of India raised the interest rate caps on Foreign Currency Non-Resident Bank (FCNR-B) deposits to attract more capital inflows, amid pressures on the rupee. Starting December 6, banks can offer higher rates -- up to 400 basis points for 1-3 year deposits and 500 basis points for 3-5 year deposits -- until March 31, 2025. This move comes as the rupee faces volatility.The Reserve Bank of India on Friday announced a raise in the interest rate caps on the Indian diaspora's foreign cu ...Read More >
Inflows into corporate bond funds have risen to multi-year highs in recent months with the risk-reward dynamics of AAA-rated corporate bonds improving significantly vis-a-vis government securities (g-secs), especially in the near term. The inflows into corporate bond funds jumped sharply in September 2024 to a multi-year high of Rs 5,039 crore. Investors poured in another Rs 4,644 crore in October. Including around Rs 2,200 crore estimated inflows in November, the three month tally rises to Rs 1 ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], January 8 (ANI): The upcoming union budget 2025-26 should focus on giving personal tax relief to common taxpayers by raising the basic exemption limit in the new tax regime from Rs 3 lakhs to Rs5 lakhs and reducing tax rates, suggests global consulting and professional services firm Ernst & Young India (EY India). EY India also asks for deferring tax deduction at source (TDS) on PF interest rate (above 2.5 lakhs) until the withdrawal stage to reduce compliance burden. In the previous budget TDS rate rationalization was undertaken to a certain extent. To further simplify th ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 14 (IANS) The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has achieved 15,547 crore transactions worth Rs 223 lakh crore from January to November this year, 'showcasing its transformative impact on financial transactions' in India, the Finance Ministry said on Saturday. The Finance Ministry also said that UPI is now accepted in seven countries including France, UAE, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Bhutan and Nepal. The UPI system provides a cheaper and quicker alternative to the available channels of cross-border remittances. UPI has succeeded in increasing financial inclusion and promot ...Read More >
Brookfield India Real Estate Trust's Rs 2,800- crore QIP has drawn interest from institutional investors such as India's biggest insurer Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), World Bank arm IFC and mutual funds such as ICICI Prudential MF and SBI MF, sources told Moneycontrol. The Canadian investment firm Brookfield-backed firm's QIP, with a base issue size of Rs 2,800 crore, saw a 2x demand from investors, the sources said. "This is the first time LIC and IFC have invested in a REIT in In ...Read More >
Jharkhand supplementary budget: The Jharkhand Assembly on Thursday (December 12) passed the second supplementary budget of Rs 11,697.45 crore for the 2024-25 fiscal year. Following the budget's passage, Speaker Rabindra Nath Mahato adjourned the four-day session of the assembly sine die. Finance Minister Radhakrishna Kishore tabled the second supplementary budget, with the largest allocation of Rs 6,390.55 crore directed to the Women, Child Development, and Social Security Department. This significant funding aims to enhance the government's flagship initiative, the Maiyan Samman Yojana. Und ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], January 21 (ANI): The Centre is expected to continue its fiscal consolidation efforts in FY26, with a fiscal deficit target of 4.5 per cent of GDP, according to a report by Emkay Research. For FY25, the report noted that the fiscal deficit is estimated to track close to 4.7 per cent, while states are likely to record a fiscal deficit of 3.2 per cent of GDP. It said "we do not see the Centre deviating from its consolidation path in FY26, and is likely to target 4.5 per cent GFD/GDP. States, on the other hand, are likely to now hug the 3 per cent of GDP target (+/-0.2 per ce ...Read More >
As per Moneycontrol's calculations, a 7 per cent growth in the remaining two quarters will put India's GDP at 6.5 per cent. The Indian economy would find it challenging to achieve over 7 per cent growth for the fourth consecutive year, economists said. They pointed out that the second-quarter (Q2) Gross Domestic Product (GDP) data, which was announced on November 29, has made the task even more daunting for the government. "A sharper than expected growth slowdown in Q2 has tilted risks to our outlook of 6.8 per cent for the current fiscal downwards," said DK Joshi, chief economist, Crisil. ...Read More >
Mumbai: Two days ahead of the Maharashtra government formation, top sources have said that Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena is likely to be allotted eight portfolios including the Urban Development Ministry. Sources also said that Ajit Pawar's NCP will retain the Finance Ministry. Sources have further said that there is no dispute between Shiv Sena and the BJP over the Chief Minister's which is yet to be revealed by the Mahayuti alliance. Meanwhile, reports are doing the rounds that Sena wants swearing in of its ministers on December 5 itself, along with oath taking of Chief Minister and Deputy Chie ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 3 (PTI) Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will commence customary pre-Budget consultations with various stakeholders beginning Friday. As part of the process, she will meet eminent economists on December 6 to seek their inputs regarding upcoming Budget amid seven-quarter low GDP print of 5.4 per cent recorded in the second quarter of the current financial year. It will be followed by a meeting with farmer associations and agriculture economists and stakeholders in MSME sector scheduled for December 7, sources said. Union Budget 2025-26 is likely to be tabled in Parliament o ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 17 (VOICE) Fitness startup Curefit's consolidated loss has increased by 42 per cent to Rs 888.5 crore in FY24 from Rs 625.5 crore in FY23. The company's EBITDA loss surged by 123.4 per cent to Rs 587.97 crore in FY24 from Rs 263.2 crore in FY23. The reason for the increase in the company's loss in the last financial year is the high cash burn. Curefit's advertising and promotion expenditure has increased by 40.67 per cent year-on-year (YoY) basis to Rs 188.5 crore in FY24 from Rs 134 crore in FY23. At the same time, the company's expenditure on legal and professional services ...Read More >
NAGPUR: The state government presented supplementary demands amounting to ₹35,788 crore on the first day of the winter session of the state legislature. This has taken the total sum in supplementary demands presented in the current fiscal to ₹1,30,677 crore, including ₹94,889 tabled in July this year. The supplementary demands tabled so far are 19.43% of the state's budget, and the percentage is expected to go up further, after the last supplementary demands are tabled in February-March 202 ...Read More >
The Supreme Court on Monday stayed further recovery of an outstanding tax demand from news portal NewsClick, directing the company's banker not to release any more money to the tax department based on a 2023 notice, and allowing the portal to use its two bank accounts for daily operations. The order was passed by a bench headed by justice BV Nagarathna on an application moved by PPK Newsclick Studio Limited, which alleged that ICICI Bank was not allowing the company to use its accounts despite a top court order to this effect passed on August 9. The tax department had raised the demand again ...Read More >
Infosys has announced an average 85% performance bonus for eligible employees in Q2 FY25, reflecting its strong financial performance. The bonus, paid to mid- and junior-level staff, will be credited with the November salaries, with individual payouts varying based on performance. This follows Infosys' impressive 4.7% rise in Q2 net profit and a revenue increase of 5.1%, leading to an upward revision of its FY25 revenue guidance. The bonus payout surpasses the previous quarter's 80%, with Infosys outpacing rivals like TCS. Employees are also awaiting salary hikes, with revisions expected from ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 18 (PTI) Net direct tax collection grew 16.45 per cent year-on-year to over Rs 15.82 lakh crore till December 17 this fiscal, buoyed by higher advance tax mop-up, government data showed. Advance tax collection during the period rose 21 per cent to Rs 7.56 lakh crore. The collection includes corporate tax of over Rs 7.42 lakh crore and non-corporate tax mop-up of Rs 7.97 lakh crore. Securities Transaction Tax (STT) of Rs 40,114 crore was collected between April 1-December 17 of current fiscal year. Refunds worth Rs 3.39 lakh crore were issued during the period, registering a ...Read More >
TIPS Music, one of India's leading music labels, has received a 'Buy' rating from YES Securities as it initiated coverage on the firm, with a target price of Rs 1,050, indicating a potential upside of 18% from the current market price of Rs 888.65. Shares of TIPS Music climbed as much as 1.7% on Tuesday to Rs 888.65 on BSE. Yes Securities has valued TIPS Music at a Price-to-Earnings (P/E) ratio of 47 times based on projected earnings per share (EPS) for September 2026, reinforcing its bullish recommendation. The bullish stance comes as TIPS Music leverages industry tailwinds, such as the rapi ...Read More >
Anuj Kumar, Director & CEO of CAMS, highlights that despite recent market corrections, the company expects FY25 to be one of its strongest years. CAMS continues to dominate by winning 70-80% of new bids, focusing on execution and margin expansion, and anticipates significant revenue and profit growth driven by mutual funds and associated business lines.Anuj Kumar, Director & CEO, CAMS, says there has been some market correction and some flattening of the mood in the last two months. But as things come back, we should be holding our projections and FY25 should be one of the strongest years in t ...Read More >
Uber has launched India's first Shikara ride on Srinagar's Dal Lake, offering a unique and scenic experience. This new service allows passengers to enjoy the tranquil beauty of the lake while riding in a traditional Shikara boat. Booking is easy through the Uber app, with rides available daily from 10 AM to 6 PM. This initiative aims to boost tourism in the region while providing locals with a new way to experience the lake. With Uber's entry into the Shikara market, visitors can now enjoy a blend of modern convenience and traditional charm on Dal Lake. ...Read More >
New Delhi, December 4: In a significant move to enhance customer experience and protect citizens, the Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which allows bank account holders to have up to four nominees in their accounts. The higher number of nominees aims to reduce unclaimed deposits in banks. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that depositors will have the option of successive or simultaneous nomination facility, while locker holders will have only successive nominations. Another sweeping change relates to redefining 'substantial interest' for directors ...Read More >
Markets opened on a cautiously optimistic note on Wednesday, with the Sensex and Nifty showing marginal gains, while investors closely monitored global economic indicators and upcoming domestic policy decisions. The Sensex opened higher at 81,036.22 from its previous close of 80,845.75 and is currently trading at 81,168.92 as of 9.45 am, up by 323.17 points or 0.40 per cent. Similarly, the Nifty opened at 24,488.75 compared to its previous close of 24,457.15 and is now at 24,558.20, rising by 101 ...Read More >
For investors, this means that any profits made from selling cryptocurrencies will now be subject to capital gains tax.Source : Ewan Kennedy/Unsplash The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) in Jodhpur has provided much-needed clarity on the taxation of cryptocurrencies in India. The ruling recognises cryptocurrencies as capital assets, setting a framework for how profits from their sale are taxed, especially for transactions made before the Government introduced specific guidelines for Virtual ...Read More >
Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL) shares rose 5% on November 29 a day after shareholders rejected proposal to reappoint Punit Goenka as director. The media firm's shares rose over 5% to Rs 132.69 apiece on November 29. In a regulatory filing by the company on November 28, ZEEL said that the resolution for the reappointment of Goenka was defeated in the annual general meeting (AGM) of the company. Resolution number three in the AGM, which proposed the reappointment of Goenka as director, was supported by only 49.54 per cent of the total number of votes cast while 50.4 per cent voted a ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], December 12 (ANI): The gross NPA ratio of public sector banks declined to 3.12 per cent in September 2024 from 4.97 per cent in March 2015 and a peak of 14.58 per cent in March 2018, the government stated on Thursday, reaffirming the robustness of the banking system. The government emphasised its proactive support for the banking ecosystem, addressing both business needs and employee welfare to ensure stability, transparency, and growth. Also Read | Places of Worship Act Validity: Supreme Court Restrains Courts in Country Not to Entertain, Pass Orders on Suits Related to R ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 13 (PTI) Subscribers of the retirement fund body EPFO may soon be able to withdraw money from their accounts through ATMs, a top official said. Union Labour Secretary Sumita Dawra has reportedly stated in a media report that the labour ministry is upgrading information technology infrastructure to provide enhanced services to the Indian workforce. She further said that claimants, beneficiaries or insured individuals will be able to access their claims through an ATM. According to the media report, the withdrawal will be capped at 50 per cent of the Employees' Provident Fund ( ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], December 18 (ANI): The gross direct tax collections by the government so far in 2024-15 were 20.32 per cent higher on a yearly basis at Rs 19.21 lakh crore, data released by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) showed on Wednesday. During the same period last year, the gross tax collections were to the tune of Rs 15.96 lakh crore. Coming to net direct tax collection, it rose 16.45 per cent to Rs 15.82 lakh crore from Rs 13.59 lakh crore mopped up during the year-ago period. Refunds for the period rose 42.49 per cent to Rs 3.38 lakh crore from Rs 2.37 lakh crore in the ...Read More >
India Budget: The Union Budget 2025-26 should prioritise giving tax relief to common taxpayers by raising the basic exemption limit in the new tax regime from ₹3 lakh to ₹5 lakh and lowering tax rates, according to Ernst & Young India (EY India), a global consulting firm. EY India also recommended delaying the tax deduction at source (TDS) on provident fund (PF) interest above ₹2.5 lakh until the withdrawal stage to reduce the compliance burden on taxpayers. Also Read: India to simplify decades-old income tax filing rules in Budget In the last budget, some TDS rate rationalisation was intro ...Read More >
New Delhi, January 31: The unveiling of the Economic Survey on Friday sets the stage for Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to present the Union Budget for 2025-26 in Parliament on Saturday (February 1), which is expected to continue the government's policy of giving a big push to economic growth with equity. The government has prioritised improving the quality of life in rural areas to ensure equitable and inclusive development, according to the Economic Survey 2024-25. The survey highlights financial inclusion as a key focus, with rural households and small businesses getting easier access ...Read More >
NEW DELHI, Dec 13 (Reuters) - India should do more to tax its super-rich given its high levels of inequality, French economist and author Thomas Piketty said on Friday. The writer of the best-selling book "Capital in the 21st Century" called on India to follow through on a July pledge by finance ministers from the Group of 20 major economies to cooperate on effectively taxing the world's largest fortunes. "India should be active in taxing the rich," Piketty said at an event organised by Delhi-b ...Read More >
By diluting a part of its stake, or by selling shares worth $500 million, Prosus made gains of over $2 billion just from betting on Swiggy. Food tech and grocery delivery company Swiggy reported a revenue of $750 million (around Rs 6,300 crore) in the first half of financial year 2025 (H1FY25), up 40 percent from $536 million (about Rs 4,500 crore) recorded during the same period last year, Prosus, one of the company's largest shareholders, said in its half yearly disclosures. During the same time, its adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) improved ...Read More >