The Economic Times

The GST Council is weighing changes to GST enforcement, including ending officials' arrest powers and shifting to court-ordered arrests. Criminal prosecution may be limited to cases involving more than Rs 5 crore, while routine disputes over GST interpretation could be handled through civil penalties and kept outside criminal courts.

Paramount Syntex's Rs 82-crore IPO was subscribed 1.35 times on the second day of bidding on the BSE SME platform. The issue received bids for 82.39 lakh shares against 61.17 lakh shares on offer. The QIB portion was subscribed 119.29 times, while the retail and NII portions saw 10% and 2% subscription, respectively. The IPO closes on October 6.

The RBI could raise the repo rate by 25 basis points in October and signal further tightening as inflation, elevated crude prices and a narrowing rate gap with the US pressure the rupee. Strong reserves and a manageable current account provide crucial buffers.

Ashish Shelar criticised the Shiv Sena (UBT)-MNS protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar, calling it a march of foxes and accusing the Opposition of questioning EVMs and the Election Commission after losing elections. Shelar also defended the EVM system, cited past poll victories using EVMs and questioned the parties opposition to the ongoing SIR exercise.

Asaduddin Owaisi accused BJP members of submitting Form 7 to eliminate Muslim voters from electoral rolls. He called for scrutiny of these forms, alleging that names are being wrongfully removed. Owaisi threatened significant protests in Hyderabad if the actions do not cease. In response, Telangana BJP claimed Owaisi should provide evidence and pursue legal action. Both parties are engaged in a heated exchange regarding electoral integrity and voter suppression.

In a significant announcement, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami revealed a raise in stipends for Senior and Junior Resident doctors, elevating them from around Rs 75,000 to exceeding Rs 1 lakh. Furthermore, the deadline for regularising 'Class B' lands in areas like Dehradun has been prolonged by one year.

India's leading IT firms are projected to exhibit modest revenue growth and stable margins for the second quarter. Analysts anticipate that discretionary spending will remain constrained due to geopolitical issues affecting client budgets. As such, decision-making cycles are expected to prolong for upcoming quarters. Additionally, AI advancements are predicted to impact traditional services and revenue generation timelines.

The RBI is expected to raise the repo rate by 25 basis points in its October policy review as inflation pressures build from higher crude prices, the West Asia conflict and global monetary tightening, according to a PTI poll of economists and bankers. Most also expect a hawkish tone, a higher FY27 inflation forecast and possibly further rate hikes later in the fiscal year.

A Delhi couple who alleged they were lured into buying a holiday membership after being promised free hotel stays and other benefits has secured relief from a consumer commission. The commission directed Royalty Holidays International to refund Rs 65,000 with 9% annual interest, besides paying Rs 30,000 compensation for mental harassment and Rs 11,000 towards litigation costs.

India needs deeper integration into global value chains, lower logistics costs and better use of free trade agreements to boost exports and move into higher-value manufacturing, according to Deloitte India. It also called for stronger supply-chain resilience, tariff rationalisation and greater support for MSMEs facing trade-finance, compliance and currency risks.

After a busy fundraising period, the primary market turns its focus to 29 listings this week. Grey market trends remain mixed, with Vans Electroengineerings signalling a potential 59% gain, while several companies indicate flat debuts.

The ET Alpha Wealth Summit 2.0 set to be held on October 8 at ITC Maratha in Mumbai. Leading investment experts will convene to discuss trends affecting capital flows and investment strategies. Keynote speeches and panel discussions will cover topics such as alternative assets, structured debt, and family office investment frameworks. The summit aims to provide insights into evolving wealth creation methodologies and the role of technology in investing.

Bajaj Finance is down only about 2% in 2026 against a roughly 13% fall in the Nifty, even as FPI outflows reached $26.8 billion year to date. the relative strength rests on a Rs 17,500 crore capital raise (QIP plus promoter warrants), which Jefferies sees lifting FY28e BVPS by 8% with eps broadly flat.

FPIs sold more than Rs 25,000 crore of Indian equities in September as surging US bond yields, elevated crude prices and a weaker rupee reduced Indias appeal. Cooling yields and oil, currency stability, strong Q2 earnings and attractive valuations could bring foreign investors back.

The RBI is expected to signal monetary tightening at its October policy meeting as stronger economic growth, rising oil prices and elevated US Treasury yields fuel inflation concerns. Higher domestic rates could support the rupee but raise borrowing costs for the government and companies while pressuring equities and consumption.

India concluded the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in fourth place with a total of 85 medals. The nation achieved 21 gold, 27 silver, and 37 bronze medals during the event. Notable performances came from archery, hockey, and cricket teams, securing multiple golds for India. However, tennis and badminton underperformed, with a significant historic medal drought in tennis. The overall campaign showcased progress and highlighted areas for improvement in various sports.

After eight consecutive weeks of market losses, Axis has identified five small-cap stocks offering up to 40% upside following the sharp correction.

Indian pilot Smit Machchhar is being praised for his bravery in preventing a potential flight crash. During the incident, the co-pilot attacked Machchhar with a crash axe while attempting to take control. Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door after a struggle, allowing other crew members to assist. He initially thought his aircraft was in distress before realizing the true threat was his co-pilot.

Transforming worn-out clothing into functional household items is not only resourceful but also environmentally friendly. Think about turning old fabrics into handy cleaning cloths or stylish reusable grocery bags. You can even craft small storage pouches to keep your space organized, or create unique plant holders from durable fabric, adding a personal touch to your home. These eco-friendly DIY projects significantly cut down on waste while elevating your creativity.

Seven NSE midcap companies, including Poonawalla Fincorp, Nykaa, Laurus Labs and Lodha Developers, reported sequential EPS growth for four consecutive quarters through the June 2026 quarter, according to StockEdge data.

Staying fit does not have to mean expensive gyms or complicated routines. Stair climbing, squats, walking lunges, push-ups, and a few other practical moves cover both cardio and strength training in one go. These seven workouts are simple, research-backed, and easy enough to actually stick to every day.

Air-conditioner and consumer appliance prices have risen 5-8% ahead of the festive season, but manufacturers expect sales to grow in double digits, driven by premiumisation, replacement demand, easy financing and improving consumer sentiment.

India's captain Shubman Gill expressed concern over injuries affecting the performance of his team during recent ODI series. Despite a 2-1 victory over the West Indies, he emphasized the need for a settled squad. Gill highlighted the significance of early wickets and effective fielding, citing dropped catches that affected their momentum. New bowlers had opportunities to showcase their skills although they faced challenges.

Honda Cars India has dropped a teaser of the Elevate facelift ahead of its launch. This revamped SUV promises a fresh front design, complete with sleek horizontal segmented LED DRLs that blend seamlessly into the grille. A noteworthy addition is the 360-degree camera, boosting its tech features. While the exterior design will largely stay the same, major mechanical changes are unlikely.

Indias auto sector delivered a mixed September, with strong passenger- and commercial-vehicle sales offset by weak tractor and domestic two-wheeler demand. Festive buying could support growth, but rural stress, rising input costs and excess dealer inventory pose risks to margins.

This week marks an exciting period for investors as various companies, including NMDC, BLS E-Services, and GTV Engineering, have revealed their record dates for notable corporate actions such as bonus issues and stock splits. Additionally, PTC India and Shankara Buildpro are preparing to issue dividends while executing stock splits. Mold-Tek Technologies and others will reward eligible shareholders with bonus shares.

In recent months, the penny stock sector faced a downturn as several stocks plummeted in value. A total of 14 stocks witnessed price drops between 20% and 57%. Notably, Kalind experienced the steepest decline at 57%. Additionally, Cropster Agro and PVV Infra reported decreases of 52% and 41%, respectively, signaling a tough market for lower-value stocks.

India's stock market has faced a challenging downturn, marking eight weeks of losses, the longest in 25 years. Driving this trend are soaring oil prices and rising US bond yields. The sell-off by foreign institutional investors has intensified the downturn. As companies like TCS and DMart prepare for their Q2 earnings, investors hope for signs of resilience amidst a weaker rupee fueling their concerns.

India's IT sector is expected to see limited growth in Q2FY27 due to various pressures and headwinds. Predictions indicate large-cap firms might experience a modest revenue increase, while mid-cap companies could outperform. Although margins might improve slightly, profitability could continue facing challenges from investment needs. The Nifty IT index has dropped significantly, reaching multi-year lows due to weak demand.

President Donald Trump has announced one-time $90 payments for more than 20 million Medicare Part B enrollees. The White House says the money will come from the Medicare Improvement Fund, which has about $2 billion available. Most eligible recipients are expected to receive the payment in October, without filing a separate application.

Panchayati Raj elections in Rajasthan will be held in four phases, beginning with nominations on October 8. Voting for Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti members will take place on specific dates in October and November. The election process includes the election of Pradhan, Up-Pradhan, Zila Pramukh, and Up-Zila Pramukh later in November. A total of 3.17 lakh personnel will oversee elections at 45,384 polling stations.

A committee in Parliament is in the process of exploring the legal avenues for regulating cryptocurrency transactions and assets within India. They aim to identify technological strategies for tracking these digital assets responsibly. Highlighting the government's earlier stance on cryptocurrencies as unregulated and risky, recent notices under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act have been dispatched.

Russian attacks killed at least six people in Ukraine and damaged Kyiv's Northern Bridge, disrupting traffic for a third day, while Moscow confirmed it targeted the structure. Ukrainian strikes also caused casualties in Russia. Moldova's president warned that the war was increasingly spilling into her country after reported Russian airspace violations.

Chandigarh State Consumer Commission increased the compensation for a senior citizen after inadequate toilet facilities were provided. The complainant, aged 73, booked a retiring room expecting a Western toilet but found an Indian toilet. Following initial acknowledgment of the error, the refund was denied after the room was not used. Initially awarded only Rs 3,000, the compensation was raised to Rs 20,000 for mental anguish and litigation expenses.

Ukraine is evaluating four international proposals to resolve the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, highlighting India's comprehensive approach. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha noted India's newfound willingness to engage in the peace process. Other proposals include initiatives from Turkiye and Egypt for grain truce and a U.S. energy truce. Both Zelenskyy and Putin have acknowledged India's principled stance and Modi's diplomatic efforts.

India triumphed in the Asian Games cricket final, defeating Pakistan by 19 runs to secure their gold medal once more. The match proceeded with remarkable sportsmanship, as both teams placed their emphasis on cricket, avoiding the customary handshakes that are often clouded by rivalry. Pakistan earned silver and Sri Lanka claimed bronze, with the medal ceremony unfolding without any disruptions from the surrounding political climate.

Avenue Supermarts has achieved an impressive 18.4% growth in standalone revenue for the second quarter of 2026, totaling Rs 19,206.18 crore, a substantial rise from Rs 16,218.79 crore compared to the same period last year. This also reflects a 4.7% increase from the preceding quarter's revenue of Rs 18,343.49 crore.

Sebi is actively investigating position limits for non-agricultural contracts to improve market liquidity and depth. Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey has highlighted the importance of phased physical settlement for agricultural commodities. The organization is focused on addressing structural issues and increasing technology integration in commodity markets. Furthermore, Sebi plans to expand its educational outreach through Project Jagrook to better inform market participants.

The technical structure has weakened materially, with the most important development being the Nifty's modest violation of its 200-week moving average, presently placed at 22,606.97. This is the first breach of this long-term average since March 2020 and makes the 22,600 area particularly important over the coming days.

A report from Nuvama Institutional Equities indicates that a potential RBI rate hike may not significantly stress NBFC asset quality. Past trends suggest that rate increases alone typically do not lead to widespread deterioration. Current impacts from the West Asia conflict have been limited to specific segments and are not broadly felt. Additionally, healthy capital buffers and systemic liquidity are expected to mitigate potential risks.

Cube Highways Trust has triumphantly secured Rs. 1,150 crore by issuing senior secured NCDs, boasting a competitive coupon rate of 7.50% per annum, payable quarterly for five years. Major institutional players, Axis Bank Limited and ICICI Bank Limited, were pivotal investors in this transaction. The proceeds will facilitate debt refinancing and support ongoing capital projects, as part of an ambitious financing initiative targeting Rs. 4,500 crore.

Securities and Exchange Board of India will release a framework regarding changes to the Closing Auction Session mechanism. The regulator reviewed comments on its consultation paper about market timings and settlement methodology. Sebi intends to address specific issues related to derivatives settlement prices after consultations. Regulatory measures for corporate bond derivatives are also being developed to promote market growth.

Sanjay Malhotra highlighted the need for vigilance regarding financial vulnerabilities at the Kautilya Economic Conclave. He emphasized that banking and financial stress can develop suddenly yet take years to resolve. Malhotra pointed out the interplay of geopolitical and economic factors complicating current financial stability predictions. He stressed the Reserve Bank of India's role in maintaining financial resilience through appropriate regulations and supervision.

Among these, we highlight 9 large-cap stocks that have surged over 50% in the first half of FY27 so far, significantly outperforming the benchmark. (Data Source: ACE Equity)

Captain Smit Machchhar was the pilot of flydubai flight FZ1073 when a violent incident occurred. He sustained injuries after the co-pilot attacked him in the cockpit. Despite his condition, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door for crew intervention. The flight was safely diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia following the altercation. Both Indian and Israeli leaders have praised Machchhar for his actions during the emergency.

Axis has picked 7 largecap stocks that have robust value after the sharp correction.

The IPO is expected to remain open until October 23, with the anchor book likely to open on October 19. The shares are targeted to list on the stock exchanges on October 28, although the timeline remains subject to market conditions and could change depending on developments in financial markets, the report added.

Over the last five trading sessions ended October 1, the benchmark Sensex declined 2.27%, or 1,671 points, to close at 71,909. The index recorded losses in four of the five sessions.