The Times of India News

Overall, in 2025-26, the domestic economy with adequate support from monetary and fiscal policies has effectively neutralized any adverse impact of global uncertainties. These factors would continue to remain effective in 2026-27.

Navi Mumbai International Airport became operational on Thursday with the landing of an IndiGo flight from Bengaluru, nearly three decades after it was conceived to ease congestion at Mumbais primary airport. The launch marks a major expansion of the citys aviation capacity, with multiple airlines operating flights on day one and plans to scale up to round-the-clock services, positioning Mumbai as a global multi-airport hub.

Indian Railways has announced a fare ationalisation effective December 26, aiming for affordability and operational sustainability. Suburban services and season tickets remain unchanged. Short-distance ordinary journeys up to 215 km are also unaffected. Mail/Express and AC/Non-AC ordinary services will see modest increases, with specific graded hikes for non-suburban ordinary journeys.

Artificial intelligence is increasingly used in hiring, but research suggests it's making it harder to identify top candidates. Both job seekers and employers report a negative cycle as AI-driven applications and interviews become more common, leading to concerns about bias and potential discrimination.

IndiGo is dealing with another wave of disruptions, canceling 67 flights due to weather and operational issues, impacting key airports. This comes as the airline operates under DGCA scrutiny following earlier mass cancellations linked to new pilot rest rules. The aviation regulator's panel is investigating, with a report on IndiGo's operational woes expected soon.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced India's imminent entry into semiconductor exports, aiming for self-reliance despite a late start. Speaking at the Abhyudaya Madhya Pradesh Growth Summit, he also inaugurated industrial projects worth Rs 2 lakh crore, highlighting the state's progress in power surplus and cleanliness.

India's IPO market is poised for a significant surge in 2026, with over 190 companies aiming to raise more than Rs 2.5 lakh crore. Major listings expected include Reliance Jio, NSE, Flipkart, and PhonePe, spanning telecom, fintech, and e-commerce sectors.

Indian banks are intensifying scrutiny on overseas money transfers, demanding detailed proof of fund origins from individuals and businesses. This heightened caution, particularly for remittances from NRO accounts, arises amid the rupee's slide and increased customer urgency to move funds abroad, leading to compliance hurdles.

Fast-food giants like McDonald's and KFC are set to open outlets at Indian railway stations, with the first expected in 2026. This move aims to elevate passenger experience to airport standards, offering significant sales potential. Brands will secure five-year licenses through e-auctions, potentially boosting Indian Railways' non-fare revenue.

India and the US are actively pursuing a balanced trade agreement, according to Ambassador Vinay Mohan Kwatra. Significant progress has been made in bilateral space cooperation, highlighted by the successful launch of an American satellite by ISRO. Both nations are also collaborating on AI initiatives, with India set to host an upcoming AI Impact Summit.

India's ambitious $1 trillion export target by FY26 appears out of reach, with weak global demand and protectionism hindering merchandise shipments. While services exports offer a cushion, trade deals with the US and EU could be crucial. Diversification is underway, but a shift towards higher-tech products is needed for sustained growth.

ITR filing FY 2024-25: The Income Tax Department is stepping up scrutiny on tax returns, leading to delays in refunds for many taxpayers. A NUDGE campaign is urging taxpayers whose deduction or exemption claims have been deemed ineligibile.

The Indian medium and heavy commercial vehicle (M&HCV) industry appears to be entering the next upcycle, with industry volumes estimated to grow by around 8 per cent year-on-year in FY26 and 10 per cent in FY27, following a period of modest growth, according to a report by Nomura.

India's premium and luxury housing segment is undergoing a structural expansion, with demand steadily moving beyond traditional metropolitan markets into Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, according to industry reports and developers.

Gold and silver price prediction: Gold prices are poised to continue their upward trajectory, with MCX Gold showing strong bullish momentum and potential to reach 145,000. Silver also displays significant strength, having broken out of consolidation and targeting 240,000.

On Wednesday, the S&P 500 soared to a fresh intraday high, powered by broad sector gains in a short Christmas Eve trading day. Enthusiasm among investors soared as they look forward to potential interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve next year, spurred by encouraging economic signals, particularly the strong third-quarter growth recorded in the US.

Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) has commenced commercial flight operations, becoming Mumbai's second aviation gateway. Initially serving nine domestic destinations with four airlines, NMIA anticipates handling over 4,000 passengers on its opening day. The facility is poised to become a major aviation hub, with plans for round-the-clock services and expanded capacity.

Government is in talks with WhatsApp over a surge in banned Indian accounts and the misuse of local mobile numbers for online fraud. WhatsApp disables millions of accounts monthly, but authorities lack details on banned numbers, hindering efforts to track scams. This lack of transparency is a significant concern for national security.

The Reserve Bank of India has delayed the second phase of its faster cheque clearance system, originally set for January 3rd. This decision comes after some banks experienced operational difficulties during the initial phase. The postponed phase aims to clear cheques within three hours of realization, significantly reducing settlement times for customers.

IndusInd Bank is under formal investigation by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) following accounting lapses related to internal derivative trades. The probe, triggered by a December 2025 letter, concerns issues with derivatives, other assets/liabilities, and microfinance income, impacting the bank's P&L and net worth.

Jaipur-based masala maker Shyam Dhani Industries' IPO on NSE's SME platform Emerge was subscribed a staggering 918 times, raising over Rs 25,300 crore. This makes it the fifth most subscribed SME IPO in India and the most subscribed in 2025. The funds will be used for working capital, loan repayment, marketing, and capital expenditure.

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) is enhancing transparency and control over UPI autopay mandates with a new central portal and revised framework. Users can now view and manage all their recurring subscriptions in one place, combating opaque billing practices. The changes, effective by December 31, 2025, also introduce mandate portability and stricter authentication measures.

Government bonds surged Wednesday as the RBI injected Rs 2.9 lakh crore to ease tight liquidity, pushing the benchmark 10-year yield down to 6.54%. This significant drop follows open market bond purchases and a dollar-rupee swap, aiming to stabilize borrowing costs and support economic growth amidst market concerns.

Bharti Enterprises and Warburg Pincus have jointly acquired a 49% stake in Haier India, a subsidiary of Chinese consumer electronics giant Haier Group. This strategic investment aims to accelerate Haier India's growth and expansion by leveraging global innovation, Bharti's extensive networks, and Warburg Pincus' expertise in scaling brands.

Credit card spending in India saw a notable slowdown in November 2025, with transaction values and volumes decreasing month-on-month after the festive demand from Diwali and Dussehra subsided. This dip reflects a normalisation post-festive surge, with expectations of improved spending in December due to the wedding season and year-end travel.

Castrol India is set for a significant ownership change as Stonepeak, a New York-based investment firm, will acquire a majority stake from BP. This global deal involves an open offer to public shareholders at Rs 194 per share. The transaction aims to reshape BP's business and strengthen Stonepeak's Indian presence.

Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) officially commenced commercial operations today, marking a significant expansion of air travel for the Mumbai region. The airport will initially handle around 30 domestic flights daily, with IndiGo operating the first arrival and departure. NMIA aims to scale up to round-the-clock services by February 2026.

Yatayat Corporation India Ltd has filed draft papers for an Initial Public Offering (IPO) to raise funds, driven by strong demand in the road freight segment. The proposed IPO includes a fresh issue and an offer for sale, with proceeds earmarked for working capital and general corporate needs.

US mortgage rates saw a slight dip this week, with the 30-year fixed rate now at 6.18%, offering minimal relief to homebuyers. While rates are down from last year, affordability remains a significant challenge, especially for first-time buyers. Despite some market improvements, economic uncertainty keeps many potential buyers hesitant.

Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC) has provided a Rs 9,821 crore loan to DFCCIL to refinance its World Bank foreign currency debt for the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor. This rupee-denominated loan aims to reduce exchange rate volatility for DFCCIL and highlights domestic institutions' capacity for large infrastructure projects.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has received Sebi's approval to register Raajmarg Infra Investment Trust (RIIT) as a Public Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT).

US stocks traded near record highs in a quiet session ahead of Christmas. Dynavax Technologies saw a significant surge on acquisition news. Global markets showed mixed movements, while gold and silver continued their upward trend. The US dollar weakened against the yen.

US unemployment claims dropped to 214,000 last week, indicating a stable labor market despite cooling hiring momentum. This figure fell below economists' forecasts, with the four-week moving average also declining.

Captain SPS Suri, who flew hijacked IC 814 back from Kandahar in 2000, has been appointed COO of Star Air. He joins the regional airline as it plans significant fleet expansion. Suri's harrowing experience returning the hijacked aircraft involved spending a night by a bonfire in Kandahar before a daring takeoff.

Silver prices have reached new record highs in domestic and international markets. This surge is fueled by a weaker US dollar, anticipated easier monetary policy from the US Federal Reserve, and ongoing geopolitical tensions. .

Donald Trump's second term has seen tariffs become America's primary foreign policy tool, reshaping global trade and alliances. While aiming to revive domestic manufacturing, this approach has strained relations with allies and rivals alike, leading to mixed economic results and increased global volatility. The long-term impact on American primacy remains uncertain.

Stock markets will observe a Christmas holiday on December 25th, marking the year's final trading closure. Normal operations resume December 26th. Looking ahead to 2026, exchanges have unveiled a calendar featuring trading holidays, including Republic Day, Holi, and Diwali, with a special Muhurat Trading session planned.

Gold prices reached record highs on Wednesday, fueled by anticipated monetary easing from the US Federal Reserve and escalating geopolitical tensions. This surge in safe-haven demand saw domestic futures hit Rs 1,38,676 per 10 grams and international Comex gold futures climb to $4,555.1 per ounce.

ITR filing: The Income Tax Department has said that the Non-intrusive Usage of Data to Guide and Enable (NUDGE) campaign aims to encourage taxpayers to voluntarily review their deduction or exemption claims that have been identified as potentially ineligible through risk analytics by the department.