The Economic Times
Elections 2026Company / The Economic Times
In a successful share sale, the National Stock Exchange captured the interest of more than 150 anchor investors. Notably, overseas funds accounted for 43% of the stocks allocated for this category. Domestic institutional investors also played a crucial role, contributing significantly to the anchor book. Overall, the exchange raised 6,746.18 crore from these investors, with the public offering scheduled to open on Thursday.
The biggest bottleneck today in AI adoption is not technology but business workflows and process implementation. This is where we see tremendous growth potential for our portfolio companies, says Jean Eric Salata, Chairman, EQT Group.
Story of Michael Jackson's patented anti-gravity shoes remains one of the most intriguing pieces of music and performance technology from the 1990s. What looked like an impossible feat was actually the product of carefully engineered footwear, concealed stage hardware and precise choreography.
An 11-year-old boy named Yan Hongsen gained attention for his rocket projects in 2024. He taught himself programming, physics, and chemistry to build rockets and code systems. Yan began building his first rocket, Sen Xing, in August 2022 and launched it in June 2023. His initial rocket launch unfortunately ended in a crash due to a parachute issue.
A 40-basis-point MDR on UPI transactions could create a large revenue pool. Issuing banks and UPI apps will receive substantial portions of this estimated revenue. Merchant-side payment apps and acquiring banks will also capture significant revenue shares. This levy aims to sustain UPI infrastructure and support its continued expansion. The charges remain well below card fees and exempt many smaller transactions.
Tata Sons board meets Thursday with legal opinions on RBI listing directive and chairman's reappointment. The nomination committee seeks N Chandrasekaran's reappointment for another five years. Voting rights of Tata Trusts nominees and chairman are under close examination. The board is expected to accept the RBI directive, avoiding a contentious meeting. Preparations for a public listing will begin if the directive is operationalized.
The Reserve Bank of India has clarified definitions for financial activity and core investment companies. This clarification follows the rejection of Tata Sons' application to surrender its registration. Companies must meet specific asset and income thresholds to be regulated by the central bank. Tata Sons, an unlisted holding company, now faces enhanced regulatory scrutiny. The central bank's decision effectively pushes Tata Sons towards a mandatory public listing.
The new framework introduces a 0.4% MDR on person-to-merchant UPI transactions above Rs 2,000, capped at ?300 on transactions of Rs 75,000 and above, while consumers will not be charged. It takes effect from October 15. GST is paid by the service provider who typically recover the amount from whoever receives service.
Egyptian President el-Sisi and Indian Prime Minister Modi discussed the Mecca Pact. They also explored widening their strategic partnership during the BRICS summit. Egypt, a new BRICS member, has avoided joining the Mecca Pact. This decision reflects its strategy of neutrality and growing ties with India. Egypt maintains stability in North and Northeast Africa while engaging with neighbors.
The Wood Horse Receive Day highlights the idea that progress does not always require more effort. Sometimes, the shift comes after you have done everything within your control and leave room for circumstances or other people to play their part. What has seemed stuck may not need to be pushed any harder; it may simply be waiting for the final piece to fall into place.
Manoj Jarange Patil plans to arrive in Mumbai ahead of his protest for OBC reservation, challenging the government to intervene. He has issued a stern warning against any lathi charges directed at protestors, highlighting the potential for drastic reactions. Urging the Chief Minister to expedite the issuance of Kunbi caste certificates, Jarange Patil expressed his readiness to sacrifice everything for the cause of his community.
In Uttarakhand, a thoughtful man spotted a delivery worker braving the rain without proper footwear. From his balcony, he called out and decided to lend a helping hand by giving away his new Adidas shoes. The delivery partner was visibly touched, pausing to appreciate the gesture before continuing on his route. This simple act of compassion has sparked a wave of admiration and praise across social media.
A Finnish couple spent five years searching Google Maps for their dream private island before finding a five-acre property in Finlands archipelago. Aleksi Hautamki and Milla Selkimki bought the island, sold their Helsinki apartment and built a solar-powered, off-grid retreat called Project . The secluded island home, complete with a sauna, private beach and hot tub, was later offered to guests for up to $2,400 a night.
Quote of the day by Jack Nicholson from The Departed explores responsibility, courage, personal agency and success. The line is spoken by Frank Costello, Nicholsons character in Martin Scorseses 2006 film. Its meaning is linked to refusing passivity, taking responsibility and shaping ones surroundings, while also showing why ambition without limits can lead to harmful choices.
Indian equities rebounded on September 16 after Tuesdays sharp sell-off, with Sensex gaining 333 points and Nifty rising 99 points. Large caps led gains, while broader markets declined. Groww, Paytm and Pine Labs featured among the most active stocks.
India's market watchdog has intervened, prohibiting two companies for their role in stock derivative price manipulation. They reportedly employed advanced options and futures strategies to make significant profits, deliberately incurring losses in stock futures to sway option prices. The focus of this manipulation was notably on smaller-cap stocks, which are more susceptible to such tactics.
InGovern Research Services advises Tata Sons to prepare for a stock market listing. The Reserve Bank of India rejected the company's bid to exit regulatory oversight. A public offering would benefit numerous indirect shareholders across group companies. Tata Sons faces a mandatory listing requirement by September 2025. The board will consider the RBI order and a potential listing timeline.
The Supreme Court mandated the RBI to enforce lawful vehicle repossession rules. Financial institutions cannot seize vehicles without due legal process. The court ordered a finance firm to close loan accounts and refund money. Compensation was awarded for mental agony and livelihood loss. This ruling ensures borrowers are not dispossessed of vehicles arbitrarily.
Indian equities gained as easing crude prices, softer Japanese bond yields and expectations of a largely priced-in US Fed hike improved sentiment. Analysts identified Policybazaar, PNB, PVR Inox, Radico Khaitan and Hindalco as stocks showing bullish technical setups and rebound potential.
The National Stock Exchange allocated shares worth over $700 million to anchor investors. India's Life Insurance Corporation and Norway's Norges Bank were among the top participants. This allocation precedes NSE's significant $2.3 billion initial public offering. The exchange's IPO is an offer-for-sale by existing shareholders. Public subscription for the shares opens on Thursday and closes Monday.
Family businesses will see a significant drop in direct family management by 2035. More companies are now turning to professional managers for operations. This shift involves clearer roles for all executives and defined decision-making powers. Attracting external talent is identified as a major challenge for these businesses. Younger family members will drive innovation and business growth initiatives.
In an unprecedented experiment in 1998, swordtail fish were launched into orbit on the space shuttle Endeavor to explore how life persists without gravity. They initially thrived, swimming well in their custom habitat. However, by the ninth day, they began to exhibit looping movements, a reaction caused by the absence of gravity. Once back on Earth, the fish experienced a brief phase of clumsiness but quickly regained their swimming abilities.
Yellowstone National Park is grappling with an escalating issue of litter left by visitors. This debris often contaminates the park's delicate hydrothermal areas, leading to ecological damage. In recent efforts, staff have collected over 20,100 pieces of trash and 5,600 rocks, discovering items like hats, coins, AirPods, and children's toys among the debris.
Quote of the day by Nick Jonas is about much more than unreleased music. It is about the quiet education that comes from discovering how unpredictable success can be. Life frequently gives people moments that feel like breakthroughs, only for circumstances to change before those possibilities become reality. The answer is not to stop hoping, dreaming or creating.
Today's quote of the day by Stephen King reflects on a difficult truth: our ambitions should have a place in life, not take the place of life itself. His words speak to the quiet tension between work and relationships, achievement and contentment, dreams and the time we give to simply live. The quote invites us to examine what we sacrifice for success, where our sense of self comes from, and whether the life we are building still feels like our own.
Off the coast of Scotland, the innovative Orbital O2 platform is revolutionizing energy generation with its ability to produce clean electricity. With two robust turbines designed to capture ocean currents, this floating tidal system offers a cost-effective and low-maintenance solution. Unlike wind or solar power, tidal energy proves to be a more consistent and dependable energy source.
India's finance ministry rejected claims of foreign pressure influencing UPI transaction charges. A 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate will apply to UPI payments over Rs 2,000. This charge will not affect consumers and most small merchants remain exempt. The revenue will support payment ecosystem participants and infrastructure development. UPI policy decisions are made independently for an affordable digital payments ecosystem.
The psychology behind making origami is not necessarily about revealing a hidden personality trait. Instead, the activity may give people something concrete and controllable to focus on when they are trying to cope with emotions that feel far less tangible.
In a stunning auction in 2025, a prop sled from the iconic film Citizen Kane fetched an astonishing $14.75 million. The sled, unearthed by filmmaker Joe Dante after its decades-long obscurity, reflects a growing trend where nostalgia influences spending behaviors. Researchers assert that nostalgia can often overshadow financial restraint, leading to indulgent purchases. This sale highlights societys longing for meaningful connections through collectibles, reminiscent of the film's deeper themes.
Charlie Kirk's family has filed a wrongful death notice against Utah Valley University officials. They allege inadequate security measures contributed to his fatal shooting in September 2025. The family claims insufficient risk assessment and rooftop surveillance were critical failures. This notice precedes a potential lawsuit over the assassination of the conservative activist. The criminal case against the accused shooter is proceeding separately toward trial.
Japan is organising a sleeping competition on October 5, 2026, and the winner will receive Rs 13 lakh prize money. During the 90-minute power-napping session, organisers will monitor sleep depth, overall quality, stability, and how long it takes participants to drift off. Organisers have also stated that there would be unexpected disturbances during the sleeping competition to check whether contestants can maintain their sleep or not.
Weather Tomorrow: The Meteorological Department has issued a new weather advisory for various regions of India. On Thursday, September 17, heavy rainfall and thunderstorms are expected in areas such as Delhi-NCR, Bihar, and Odisha, which may also experience lightning strikes. Meanwhile, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan could receive light to moderate rainfall along with thunderstorms. Scattered showers and storms are predicted for Haryana and West Bengal as well.
In the 1970s, Arnold Schwarzenegger made his first millions in real estate, before Hollywood turned him into an action star. The actor and former California governor said real estate, rather than bodybuilding or movies, helped him become a millionaire. He recalled buying a six-unit apartment building for $240,000, putting $27,500 down and selling it two years later for $400,000. Today, investors have other ways to enter real estate.
Word of the Day: Impasse explains the meaning, origin and usage of the word, which describes a deadlock or situation where progress becomes impossible. Derived from French and associated with the idea of a dead end, impasse is commonly used for stalled negotiations, disagreements and discussions in which neither side can find a way forward.
Uttar Pradesh mechanic Sameerul Hasan Liyaqati, popularly known as Lalla Mistri, developed a pumpless kerosene stove after a broken air pump once left him without food. His design uses gravity and fuel heating to generate pressure without manual pumping. Tested in 2002, the Rs 300 stove later received Rs 37,250 in prototype development support.
In the year 2000, Blockbuster famously spurned a $50 million deal from Netflix, a fledgling company struggling for survival. Fast forward to today, Netflix has evolved into a colossal forces in the entertainment industry, while Blockbuster has nearly faded from the video rental landscape. This tale epitomizes the dangers of resisting technological evolution and serves as a poignant reminder of tremendous business opportunities lost.
United Kingdom inflation reached a five-month peak in August, driven by fuel prices. This increase moves inflation further from the Bank of England's target. However, interest rates are expected to remain unchanged at this meeting. Policymakers await data on wage growth and the labor market. Higher rates are still possible later this year as inflation pressures persist.
Due to concerns over misleading practices, the government has mandated that cab aggregators remove the option for advance tipping. Authorities have deemed this tactic an unfair trade practice, resulting in Rapido being fined ten lakh rupees. As investigations into Uber and Ola persist, its established that tipping must remain at the discretion of consumers after their journey.
India's outgoing Ambassador Naveen Srivastava met Nepal's Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal. He conveyed appreciation for strengthening multifaceted bilateral ties between the two nations. The diplomat recalled significant progress in energy and infrastructure cooperation. Nepal's minister thanked India for disaster relief assistance after flash floods. Both expressed confidence in continued flourishing of Nepal-India relations.
In an effort to enable Alexandra Eala to participate in the Asian Games, the Philippines Tennis Association is seeking a WTA exemption. The Asian Games coincide with the mandatory China Open, posing a risk of penalties for missing it. Nevertheless, Eala has decided to compete in Nagoya for her country, showcasing her dedication regardless of the outcome.
IPL 2027 auction: BCCI will hold the IPL 2027 mini auction in India, ending a three year run of overseas venues that included Dubai, Jeddah and Abu Dhabi, according to Cricbuzz. The decision, taken at a Governing Council meeting on September 15, follows franchise concerns over overseas logistics.
India and Canada are working to conclude their Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement negotiations this year. The fourth round of talks is currently underway, with two chapters already finalized. Discussions are progressing across all remaining chapters of the proposed agreement. Bilateral trade aims to expand significantly to fifty billion dollars by the year 2030. Both nations are seeking substantial progress given the tight timeline for this agreement.
Army Chief Gen Dhiraj Seth is visiting Russia for three days starting Wednesday. He will discuss military cooperation and training with Russian officials. Gen Seth will also pay respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The visit aims to strengthen the enduring defence relationship between India and Russia. He will also visit a military academy in St. Petersburg.
Indian composer Joi Barua is merging space science with performing arts. His project, Cosmic Rhapsody, connects NASA's astrophysics research with orchestral music. The project will premiere at the Hollywood Bowl in July 2027. It combines live music, animation, and pop songs for an immersive experience. This collaboration highlights the fusion of science and imagination for young audiences.
Amitabh Bachchan has submitted a building plan for a new dharamshala. This facility will be named after his father, Harivansh Rai Bachchan. The proposed dharamshala will offer accommodation and organized facilities to visiting devotees. Ayodhya Development Authority is reviewing the submitted building plan for approval. This initiative contributes to the ongoing development of Ayodhya as a pilgrimage site.

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