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.
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 8 (ANI): The Reserve Bank of India on Wednesday announced a set of measures aimed at simplifying regulations for banks, improving access to finance for small businesses, and enhancing liquidity in financial markets. In its official statement, the central bank outlined steps to reduce compliance burden for banks while strengthening the overall financial system. It stated, "Statement on Developmental and Regulatory Policies... This Statement sets out various developmental and regulatory policy measures relating to Regulations; Supervision; Payment Systems; and Financial Markets". On the regulatory front, the RBI proposed to ease norms related to capital adequacy by removing certain conditions for including quarterly profits in the Capital to Risk-weighted Assets Ratio (CRAR) calculation. This move is expected to provide greater flexibility to banks in managing their capital. CRAR is a measure of a bank's financial strength. It shows how much capital a bank has compared to the risks it is taking (like loans). It tells whether a bank has enough buffer to absorb losses if borrowers don't repay. The central bank also proposed to do away with the requirement for Investment Fluctuation Reserve (IFR) for commercial banks, citing the presence of other prudential safeguards such as capital charge for market risks and updated investment norms. The move is aimed at reducing regulatory overlap and simplifying compliance. IFR (Investment Fluctuation Reserve). IFR is a reserve that banks keep to protect themselves from losses in investments (like bonds). If the value of bonds or investments falls, IFR acts as a safety cushion to absorb that loss. In a bid to improve governance, the RBI said it is reviewing the number of items that need to be placed before bank boards. This is expected to allow boards to focus more on strategic decision-making and risk management rather than routine compliance matters. On the supervision side, the RBI has streamlined its framework by consolidating thousands of existing instructions into a smaller set of master directions. Drafts of 64 such directions covering supervisory guidelines have been released for public consultation, aimed at improving clarity and reducing complexity. To support Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), the RBI announced measures to simplify onboarding on the Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS). The requirement of due diligence for MSMEs during onboarding will be removed, making it easier for small businesses to access working capital through invoice discounting. In the financial markets segment, the central bank has decided to broaden participation in the term money market. Non-bank entities such as All India Financial Institutions (AIFIs), Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), and housing finance companies will now be allowed to participate. Borrowing limits for standalone primary dealers have also been increased. These steps are expected to deepen market liquidity and improve the transmission of monetary policy by linking short-term and long-term interest rates more effectively. The RBI's measures are aimed at reducing regulatory burden, improving ease of doing business, and strengthening the efficiency of India's financial system. (ANI)
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 >
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India's retail inflation eased in November as soaring vegetable prices moderated, boosting expectations of an interest rate cut by the central bank at its next policy review amid concerns around slowing growth. Retail inflation eased in November to 5.48%, lower than 6.21% in the previous month and below a 5.53% forecast by economists in a Reuters poll. Food inflation slowed down to 9.04% from 10.87% a month earlier. Food accounts for nearly half of the consumption basket. Vegetable prices rose 29.33% in November from a year earlier after rising 42.18% in October. Indi ...Read More >
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday received the second bomb threat in less than a month. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday received the second bomb threat in less than a month, which was reportedly delivered via email in Russian language to the bank's official website. Acting on the bank's complaint, the Mumbai Police launched an investigation and filed a case against an unknown individual at the Mata Ramabai Marg (MRA Marg) police station. The Zone 1 DCP of the Mumbai Police sa ...Read More >
Mumbai, Feb 10: The rupee on Monday plunged 45 paise and moved closer to the 88 per US dollar-level, weighed down by the strength of the American currency tariff concerns, but eventually settled at 87.45, up 5 paise, following RBI intervention. The American currency gained in the overseas market after US President Donald Trump's plans to impose 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, along with reciprocal tariffs targeting countries taxing US exports. The move has added jitters over the global trade war with China's reciprocal duties coming into effect, they said. At the interban ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jun 5 (PTI) Markets regulator Sebi on Thursday came out with an operational framework for issuance of social bonds, sustainability bonds and sustainability-linked bonds, which together will be known as Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) debt securities. This will help issuers to raise money for more sustainable projects, assisting in closing the funding gap for the Sustainable Development Goals. In its circular, Sebi said the debt securities will be labelled as 'social bonds' or 'sustainability bonds' or 'sustainability-linked bonds' only if the funds raised through the issu ...Read More >
Mumbai, Jun 5 (PTI) The rupee snapped its two-day losing streak and closed 8 paise higher at 85.79 against the US dollar on Thursday, supported by positive domestic equities and a rise in Asian currencies. Forex traders said overnight softening of crude oil prices favoured the rupee. However, a strong US dollar index capped sharp gains. Besides, market participants are now keenly awaiting the outcome of the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI's) monetary policy meeting for further cues, they said. At the interbank foreign exchange, the domestic unit witnessed a volatile trading session -- it opene ...Read More >
Guwahati, Jun 5 (PTI) The Assam Congress on Thursday demanded a CBI inquiry into alleged illegal stone mining in Karbi Anglong district in violation of a Supreme Court order. Addressing a press conference here, former Rajya Sabha member Ripun Bora also alleged that Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council Chief Executive Member Tuliram Ronghang was allowing illegal activities in the district in nexus with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. "Large-scale illegal stone mining is taking place in the hills of Karbi Anglong in violation of the Supreme Court order. The SC had banned mining in and around K ...Read More >
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 6 (ANI): The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Sanjay Malhotra is set to announce the policy repo rate today at 10 AM in Mumbai, as the three-day Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting comes to a close. This policy meeting comes at a time when inflation in the country has been steadily declining. According to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, India's retail inflation fell to 3.16 per cent in April, compared to 3.34 per cent in March. The decline in inflation has brought it below the Reserve Bank's comfort level of 4 per cent, lead ...Read More >
Mumbai, December 4: The domestic benchmark equity indices closed in green on Wednesday as buying was seen in PSU bank and realty sectors. The investors are keenly watching the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) monetary policy committee (MPC) meeting which will announce its decision around the repo rate on Friday. Banking stocks rose amid volatile sessions in the market due to the possibility of Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) cut by the central bank. Sensex settled at 80,956.3, higher by 110.58 points, or 0.14 per cent, while the Nifty ended at 24,467.45, up by 10.30 points, or 0.04 per cent. Stock Mark ...Read More >
India's growth in gross domestic product (GDP) of 5.4% in the three months ended 30 September, or the second quarter of 2024-25, was a shocker. It undershot even the most pessimistic forecasts. It's the lowest level seen since the third quarter of 2022-23 and a sharp drop from 8.1% growth in the same period last year and also from 6.7% in the first quarter of 2024-25. The consensus expectation stood at about 6.5% and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) was expecting around 7% growth till its October policy, only to pare it to 6.8%. Growth in gross value added (GVA), which is the preferred measure ...Read More >
New Delhi: The Reserve Bank has approved the open offer of Burman family -- the promoters of FMCG major Dabur -- to acquire an additional 26 per cent stake in NBFC firm Religare Enterprises Ltd (REL). The central bank also directed maintaining of the current board/management structure of REL. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said it has granted its "approval for the proposed increase in shareholding of existing shareholders" -- four Burman family entities Puran Associates, VIC Enterprises, M B Finmart, and Milky Investment & Trading Company -- in Religare Enterprises Ltd (REL). "The acquirers ...Read More >
New Delhi, May 26 (PTI) Niti Aayog on Monday pitched for tailored financial tools, technology integration and a centralised digital portal to transform medium enterprises into future growth engines of India's economy. In a report titled 'Designing a Policy for Medium Enterprises', the Aayog highlighted the critical yet under-leveraged role played by medium enterprises and outlined targeted interventions to unlock their full potential. To address challenges faced by medium enterprises, it recommended the introduction of a working capital financing scheme linked to enterprise turnover, a Rs 5 ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jun 5 (PTI) Fintech firm BimaPay Finsure on Thursday said it has entered into corporate insurance financing and aims for Rs 20 crore in premiums in 2025-26. Launching the pilot phase with insurance partners, BimaPay said the initiative will allow businesses to pay premiums in easy equated monthly instalments (EMIs) instead of bearing the burden of full upfront costs. Also Read | Who Is Pinaki Misra? From Age to Family Background and Net Worth, Here's All About BJD Leader With Whom Mahua Moitra Reportedly Married. The company aims to finance over Rs 20 crore worth of premiums by t ...Read More >
Vastu Housing has raised $100 million from the global consumer internet group Prosus. The Amsterdam-based investor has acquired an 8.4% stake (7.8% fully diluted) in the home finance company. Vastu Housing Finance is a prominent player in the affordable housing finance sector, focusing on underserved communities. In September, Vastu received a $50 million loan from the United States International Development Finance Corporation (USDFC). Housing finance companies have attracted significant funding in recent months. Recently, Easy Home Finance raised $35 million in a fresh funding round led by ...Read More >
Mumbai: The RBI is likely to reduce the key interest rate by 25 basis points this week after keeping it on hold for two years, complementing the Union Budget initiatives to push consumption-led demand, though the sliding rupee continues to be a concern. As the retail inflation has remained within the Reserve Bank's comfort zone (less than 6 per cent) for most of the year, the central bank can take rate action to boost growth hit by sluggish consumption, opined experts. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has kept the repo rate (short-term lending rate) unchanged at 6.5 per cent since February 20 ...Read More >
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 6 (ANI): The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Sanjay Malhotra is set to announce the policy repo rate today at 10 AM in Mumbai, as the three-day Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting comes to a close. This policy meeting comes at a time when inflation in the country has been steadily declining. According to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, India's retail inflation fell to 3.16 per cent in April, compared to 3.34 per cent in March. The decline in inflation has brought it below the Reserve Bank's comfort level of 4 per cent, lead ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], June 6 (ANI): Indian stock markets opened on a cautious note on Friday, as investors remained in a wait-and-watch mode ahead of the Reserve Bank of India's key monetary policy announcement. The policy decision is scheduled to be announced at 10 AM. The benchmark indices reflected this cautious mood. The Nifty 50 opened at 24,748.70, down just 2.20 points or 0.01 per cent. Similarly, the BSE Sensex also opened flat at 81,434.24, down 7.80 points or 0.01 per cent. Experts believe that any decision on the policy rate could significantly influence the market sentiment, especia ...Read More >
Mumbai, Jun 6 (PTI) Reserve Bank on Friday retained GDP growth projections for the current fiscal at 6.5 per cent, saying the Indian economy presents a picture of strength, stability and opportunity in the backdrop of global uncertainty. The FY26 growth projections are compared with the 6.5 per cent economic growth recorded in the 2024-25 fiscal year. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has projected economic growth at 6.5 per cent for the June quarter and 6.7 per cent for the September quarter. For the December and March quarters of FY26, GDP growth is estimated at 6.6 per cent and 6.3 per cent ...Read More >
In the financial sector, the rise of generalist lenders is gaining traction as market dynamics shift. Once overlooked, lenders offering a broad spectrum of services are now favored over specialists like microfinance or affordable housing lenders. Post-COVID, regulatory pressures and emerging risks in niche sectors have driven many lenders to diversify their portfolios, appealing to investors seeking stability. From gold loans to SME lending, diversification mitigates risk and strengthens customer relationships. As the financial landscape evolves, the demand for generalist lenders is expected t ...Read More >
Gurugram (Haryana) [India], December 12: Navanc, a pioneering FinTech startup building India's first AI-powered property score and stack for secured lending and insurance practices, has successfully raised USD 1 million in a seed funding round. The round was led by Prarambh Ventures, with participation from Inflection Point Ventures (IPV), Brigade REAP FirstPort Capital, and marquee angel investors Also Read | US: Joe Biden Commutes Roughly 1,500 Sentences and Pardons 39 People in Biggest Single-Day Act of Clemency. The funds will be directed toward expanding operations across India, with a ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Former head of Air India and chairman of the Railway Board Ashwani Lohani is the new Prime Ministers Museum and Library (PMML) director. The official order for his appointment was issued on Wednesday. A 1980-batch officer of the Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineering (IRSME), Lohani is known for turning around various organisations during his illustrious career. Following his retirement from IRSME service, he joined the GMR Group as the CEO. According to the order dated June 4, his appointment to the post of director, Prime Ministers Museum and Library in the rank and pa ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Backing embattled Adani Group, rating agency CRISIL Ratings on Friday said the conglomerate has sufficient liquidity and operational cash flows to meet debt obligations and committed capex and that there has been no negative actions so far by lenders and investors following the US indictment of group founder chairman. The Adani Group, which has the flexibility to reduce certain discretionary capital expenditure (capex) depending on developments in financial markets and future capital availability, has a healthy Ebitda and cash balance that reduces its dependence on external debt to ...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 >
(Bloomberg) -- Indian bonds are poised to gain while the rupee is set to weaken as analysts bet on a softer monetary policy after the government named career bureaucrat Sanjay Malhotra as the new Reserve Bank of India governor. Most Read from Bloomberg Malhotra, a surprise pick, will take charge from Shaktikanta Das under whom the RBI kept borrowing costs unchanged for almost two years. While Malhotra's views on monetary policy are largely unknown, he recently urged revenue officials to prioritize economic growth, and the markets may read his appointment as dovish. The central bank is expec ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 18 (PTI) Reliance Nippon Life Insurance, a subsidiary of debt-ridden Reliance Capital (RCAP), has initiated talks with IndusInd Bank for bancassurance partnership as the IIHL and RCAP deal has reached the final lap. Mauritius-based IndusInd International Holdings Ltd (IIHL), the parent entity of IndusInd Bank, won the bid to acquire RCAP and entities under it. Also Read | Cancer Vaccine Ready for Use, Announces Russia; What Is the Cost? How Effective Is It? When Will It Be Available?. "IIHL and Japan-based Nippon Life have struck a good understanding and they are absolutely c ...Read More >
New Delhi: Reserve Bank Governor Sanjay Malhotra is announcing the bi-monthly monetary policy amid widespread expectations of a third consecutive rate cut of 25 basis points or even bigger to propel economic growth against the backdrop of trade tensions triggered by Trump tariffs. The RBI's rate-setting panel Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) started its three-day deliberations on Wednesday.The central bank reduced the key benchmark lending rate (repo) by 25 bps points each in February and April this year on the recommendations of the governor-headed MPC. Malhotra will present the monetary polic ...Read More >
MUMBAI -- The Reserve Bank of India on Wednesday slashed its key policy rate to its lowest level in nearly three years, instituting a third consecutive rate reduction as tepid inflation allowed the bank to focus on spurring economic growth. The central bank cut its repo rate by an unexpectedly sharp 50 basis points to 5.5%, the lowest it has been since August 2022. ...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 >
NewsVoir Gurugram (Haryana) [India], December 12: Navanc, a pioneering FinTech startup building India's first AI-powered property score and stack for secured lending and insurance practices, has successfully raised USD 1 million in a seed funding round. The round was led by Prarambh Ventures, with participation from Inflection Point Ventures (IPV), Brigade REAP FirstPort Capital, and marquee angel investors The funds will be directed toward expanding operations across India, with a focus on strengthening Navanc's presence in urban and semi-urban areas. Additionally, the startup will bolster ...Read More >