India's central government has notified comprehensive labour reforms under four new Labour Codes, consolidating 29 existing laws. These changes extend benefits to fixed-term, contract, gig, platform, and women workers, ensuring equal pay and expanded work opportunities. The reforms also introduce a national floor wage and simplify compliance for businesses.

The National Council (Staff Side) of the Joint Consultative Machinery has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to significantly amend the Terms of Reference for the 8th Pay Commission. Key demands include restoring the Old Pension Scheme for 26 lakh employees, revising pensions for all existing retirees, and reinstating the 'stakeholders' expectations' clause.

India's merchandise exports showed steady growth, reaching $220 billion in H1 FY26 despite global volatility. While the US remains a key market, its share has decreased, with India diversifying its export destinations. The government is providing significant assistance to exporters facing challenges like US tariffs.

Bank branches nationwide are closed today, Saturday, November 22, 2025, as it is the fourth Saturday of the month, a uniform holiday for banks. Customers needing branch services should plan for the next working day, as digital services and ATMs remain operational for essential transactions.

India's retail boom is shifting beyond metros, with Tier II and III cities now leading organized retail expansion. Rising incomes and evolving consumer tastes for lifestyle experiences are fueling this growth. Cities like Raipur, Vizag, and Bhubaneswar are becoming key hubs, attracting brands and investors eager to tap into new, aspirational audiences.

US government data on October inflation and jobs won't be released due to a record shutdown, leaving the Federal Reserve blind ahead of its December policy meeting. The Bureau of Labor Statistics confirmed the cancellations, citing an inability to collect essential survey information. This data gap intensifies uncertainty for the Fed as it considers interest rate adjustments.

A US bankruptcy court has slapped Byju Raveendran with a default judgment exceeding $1.07 billion. This severe penalty stems from his repeated failure to comply with court orders regarding discovery in a case alleging fraudulent transfer of company funds. The court cited a pattern of delay and obfuscation as justification for the substantial award.

India has unified its labour laws by implementing four new codes, consolidating 29 existing statutes into a single framework. This reform aims to enhance transparency, simplify compliance, and extend protections to unorganised, gig, and platform workers, marking a significant shift in the country's labour landscape.

Sebi is exploring measures to boost liquidity for Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), including discussions to include them in market indices. The regulator is also examining proposals to broaden investment options for REITs and InvITs, while enhancing investor protection and facilitating greater institutional participation.

The Indian rupee plummeted to a record low of 89.49 against the dollar on Friday, experiencing its sharpest fall since May. This decline was driven by strong dollar demand, portfolio outflows, and concerns over US sanctions on entities facilitating Iranian oil sales. Despite the RBI's stance on not targeting specific levels, intervention occurred after the 89 mark was breached.

India Inc faces significant operational shifts, including revised salary structures and mandatory health check-ups, to align with new labor provisions. While demanding these changes for years, businesses also welcome the flexibility in hiring women for night shifts and managing seasonal workforce needs, boosting sector competitiveness.

Gig workers are set to receive a significant boost with the implementation of the Social Security Code. Online platforms like Swiggy and Uber will now contribute 1-2% of their turnover to welfare funds, ensuring nationwide social security coverage, portable benefits, and access to essential protections for millions.

India's health insurance system is losing 8,000-10,000 crore annually due to fraud and waste, a BCG-Medi Assist report reveals. This impacts premiums and public funds, with reimbursement claims showing significantly higher fraud rates. The report advocates for AI-driven oversight and faster data sharing to combat this systemic issue and ensure accessible, affordable healthcare.

Kotak Mahindra Bank's board has approved a 1:5 equity share sub-division to enhance affordability and market liquidity. This decision, made on the bank's 40th foundation day, aims to encourage broader investor participation. The move, subject to regulatory approvals, will split Rs 5 face value shares into five Rs 1 shares.

US inflation data for October is now unavailable due to a federal shutdown, creating significant uncertainty for the Federal Reserve's upcoming policy meeting. This data gap, alongside a postponed jobs report, leaves policymakers without crucial insights into inflation and labor market trends as they weigh rate decisions amidst tariff pressures and economic slowdown fears.

Tata Power will acquire a 40% stake in Bhutan's 1,125 MW Dorjilung Hydroelectric Power Project for approximately Rs 1,572 crore. This significant public-private partnership, set to be Bhutan's second-largest hydropower project, will supply 80% of its clean energy to India. The project, scheduled for commissioning in September 2031, aims to bolster both domestic energy needs and cross-border clean energy flows.

Bitcoin and ether experienced significant drops to multi-month lows as investors retreated from riskier assets due to concerns over stretched tech valuations and diminished expectations of near-term US rate cuts. The broader crypto market has seen its value plummet by $1.2 trillion in six weeks, signaling a shift away from speculative investments.

Indian markets saw a positive opening, mirroring a global trend of modest rebounds after a volatile trading session. Hopes for potential interest rate cuts in December provided support, though tech stocks like Nvidia experienced minor dips. Meanwhile, cryptocurrency prices continued their downward trajectory. Asian markets, however, faced significant declines.

India's UPI is set to connect with Europe's instant payment system, TIPS, a significant step towards cheaper and faster cross-border remittances. This collaboration between RBI and the European Central Bank aims to create a direct digital payment channel between India and the Euro Area, enhancing accessibility and transparency as per G20 goals. Technical integration is the next crucial phase.

Mutual funds are now barred from pre-IPO share placements but can participate in anchor rounds of public issues, according to a source. This move aims to boost liquidity and clarify company valuations before listing. SEBI also plans to simplify IPO disclosures with a standardized offer document summary for retail investors, while noting irrational exuberance in retail derivatives trading.

India's foreign exchange reserves saw a significant jump of over five billion dollars. This surge, ending November 14, pushed total reserves to nearly 700 billion dollars. The Reserve Bank of India reported that increased gold valuations were the primary driver. Foreign currency assets also saw a modest rise. This marks a strong recovery after a decline in the previous week.

The Indian rupee experienced its sharpest single-day decline in over three months on Friday, falling past the 89-per-dollar mark for the first time. This significant drop occurred amidst a weak sentiment in both domestic and global equity markets. The currency's fall was influenced by global cues and a flat growth in the country's core infrastructure sectors.

The Congressional Budget Office has revised its deficit reduction forecast for President Trump's tariffs, now projecting $3 trillion over a decade, down from $4 trillion. This adjustment stems from updated data and recent tariff changes. While critics argue consumers bear tariff costs, the White House maintains foreign exporters pay, generating significant revenue.

Navi UPI has joined forces with ONDC to bring QR-based metro ticketing to commuters in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru via its app. This integration allows users to plan routes, book tickets, and pay seamlessly, aiming to digitize a significant portion of daily metro travel and reduce reliance on cash. The service is set to expand to more cities soon.

India's government has announced the implementation of four consolidated labor codes, effective November 21, 2025, to modernize regulations and strengthen worker protections. This significant policy shift rationalizes 29 existing laws, aiming to create a future-ready labor ecosystem that promotes formalization, ensures timely wages, and expands social security for all workers.

Sebi chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey clarified that the regulator is not developing new frameworks for digital gold, emphasizing that only existing, regulated options like gold ETFs and tradable gold securities are under its purview. He also discussed Sebi's efforts to enhance the market for REITs and InvITs, including their classification for mutual funds.

India is seeking to deepen collaboration with Israeli startups in areas like cybersecurity, medical devices, and mobility to bolster its innovation ecosystem. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal highlighted that technology-driven cooperation will be a key element of a proposed bilateral trade agreement, aiming to leverage Israel's frontier innovation and India's market scale.

US sanctions on Russia's Rosneft and Lukoil, effective November 21, 2025, are impacting India's oil imports. Russian crude loadings for India have significantly dropped, forcing refiners to seek alternative sources. While direct procurement from sanctioned entities will cease, Russia's oil may continue to flow through less transparent channels, impacting global trade dynamics.

Vande Bharat sleeper train launch: Indian Railways is set to launch its first Vande Bharat sleeper train in December, with the prototype undergoing modifications for enhanced passenger comfort. Following extensive trials, adjustments are being made to the bogies and seats to meet high standards.

Gold price prediction today: Gold prices are exhibiting an intraday weakening bias, with traders advised to sell on rallies. Technical indicators suggest resistance around 1,22,7001,22,850, and a bearish crossover in moving averages points to further downside pressure.

Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi unveiled a massive 21.3 trillion stimulus package, its largest since the pandemic, to combat inflation's impact on citizens and businesses. This significant fiscal move, featuring energy subsidies and tax relief, aims to ease rising living costs.

Pakistan faces significant corruption challenges, warns the IMF, impacting economic growth. Urgent reforms are needed, including ending preferential treatment for state entities and boosting SIFC transparency. The IMF's assessment, crucial for a $1.2 billion loan, emphasizes increased transparency and accountability across state functions to unlock Pakistan's economic potential.

US President Donald Trump has reversed steep tariffs on Brazilian food imports, including beef and coffee, a move expected to lower costs for American consumers. The 40% duties, imposed in July, are lifted for shipments arriving after November 13. This decision follows growing voter frustration over rising living expenses and signals progress in trade talks with Brazil.

Stock market today: Nifty50 and BSE Sensex, the Indian equity benchmark indices, opened in red on Friday on weak global cues. While Nifty50 was above 26,100, BSE Sensex was down over 250 points.

Asian equities tumbled Friday, led by tech stocks, as renewed fears of an AI bubble and ambiguous US jobs data spooked investors. Despite Nvidia's strong earnings, markets across Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Seoul saw significant drops, with chipmakers bearing the brunt of the sell-off. This downturn followed a Wall Street reversal, as investors reassessed the Federal Reserve's rate path.

Stock market recommendations: Bajaj Broking Research highlights Fortis Healthcare and Jio Financial Services as top stock picks for November 21, 2025. Nifty and Bank Nifty show positive momentum, with Nifty eyeing its all-time high and Bank Nifty setting new records.

India and Israel have officially launched negotiations for a free trade agreement, signing terms of reference to guide discussions. The pact aims to boost trade by removing barriers, facilitating investment, and enhancing cooperation in innovation and technology. Israel has assured India it won't seek market access in sensitive sectors like dairy and agriculture, opening new avenues for bilateral commerce.

RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra clarified the central bank does not aim for a specific rupee level. He noted recent depreciation is driven by market demand and trade expectations. Malhotra expressed confidence in a good trade deal and highlighted India's strong foreign exchange reserves. The RBI remains cautious on cryptocurrencies, focusing on its own digital rupee for payments.

India's largest software exporter, TCS, is forging a multi-billion dollar joint venture with TPG to establish AI and sovereign data centres. This strategic pivot aims to position TCS as a global leader in AI-led technology services. The new entity, HyperVault AI Data Centre Ltd, will offer co-location services, marking a significant capital investment for the company.

The Centre has extended the quality enforcement timeline for specific steel and stainless-steel imports until March 2026. This move aims to prevent supply disruptions of specialized steel grades not yet produced domestically in sufficient quantities. The government also simplified import procedures for steel grades not covered by existing Quality Control Orders.

Bengaluru-based Luma AI secured a massive $900 million in Series C funding, led by HUMAIN. This investment will grant Luma access to HUMAIN's powerful Saudi Arabian supercluster, accelerating its mission to develop multimodal artificial general intelligence. The funding will fuel expansion into simulation, robotics, and design, leveraging vast datasets to understand and simulate the physical world.

India and Israel have officially launched negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement, signing Terms of Reference in Tel Aviv. This comprehensive pact aims to broaden market access, boost capital flows for goods and services, and enhance economic engagement. Both nations anticipate the FTA will strengthen collaboration in technology and innovation, further solidifying their strategic partnership.