The Economic Times

India plans to increase its wind energy capacity by 7.5 to 8 GW in the current fiscal year. The country had already achieved over 6 GW of capacity addition in 2025-26, indicating positive sector growth. Investment considerations show that this capacity increase will require around 50 crore annually. Partnerships with European companies are anticipated to enhance offshore wind development and technology transfer.

India is on track to add 7.5-8 GW of wind energy capacity in 2026-27, according to Ministry of New & Renewable Energy Joint Secretary Rajesh Kulhari. India has added over 6 GW of wind capacity in 2025-26 and another 2.42 GW between April and August 2026, taking total installed wind capacity to 58.52 GW as of August 31.

Visvesvaraya Technological University will honor three prominent educationists and technocrats. Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot approved the conferment of honorary Doctor of Science degrees. Professor T G Sitharam, Dr Sabitha Ramamurthy, and Dr M P Shyam will receive the prestigious awards. These recognitions acknowledge their significant contributions to technical education and related fields. The formal ceremony will take place at VTU's upcoming 26th Annual Convocation in Belagavi.

Brookfield India REITs arm Kairos Properties has agreed to acquire office units across two floors of Delphi building in Mumbais Powai for Rs 75.2 crore. The deal will raise Kairos ownership in the property from 80% to 86% on a gross leased area basis, with completion expected in Q3 FY27.

Telecom regulator TRAI mandates affordable voice and SMS-only plans for consumers. Operators must offer special tariff vouchers with various validity periods. This decision follows opposition from major telecom service providers like Jio and Airtel. Consumer groups argued that existing plans force users to pay for unused data. The new regulations aim to benefit millions of feature phone users across India.

Electric truck sales in the N3 category (12 to 55 tonne) rose from about 850 units in FY26 to around 1,300 in the first five months of FY27, helped by state EV policies in Maharashtra and Haryana, sector-specific deployments in cement and steel, and rising diesel and CNG prices.

Debarment is on account of serious lapses in discharge of their contractual obligations of the independent engineer, including failure to exercise the required degree of professional diligence and effective supervision and quality surveillance in relation to pavement, embankment or slope protection, drainage and associated safety or maintenance assets, NHAI said in a notification.

As many as 21 new memorandums of understanding have been signed between the ministry, participating states and UTs and the Airports Authority of India (AAI), the implementing agency for the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme.

The contract underscores India's growing role as an engineering and technical-services exporter to Africa's energy sector, deepening commercial ties between New Delhi and one of the continent's most influential industrial groups. For Dangote, the plant is intended to cut East Africa's reliance on imported refined fuel, bolster regional energy security, and create additional volumes for export to global markets.

The Mines Ministry will soon launch an incentive scheme to promote domestic processing of lithium and nickel as India seeks to build an integrated critical mineral value chain and reduce dependence on imported processed materials. The government has also cleared critical mineral processing parks in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, while flagging concerns over auctioned mining blocks that remain idle despite securing clearances and leases.

Indias Russian oil imports fell 16.5% month-on-month to about 2.1 million bpd in August, while purchases from Iraq rose sharply and Saudi Arabia increased supplies. The shift comes as Middle Eastern producers use storage and export terminals outside the Strait of Hormuz, while Indian refiners weigh future Russian purchases against potential US trade measures.

The RBI has amended valuation norms for InvIT and REIT units held by all-India financial institutions, introducing separate provisions for quoted and unquoted units. Unquoted units will generally be valued at disclosed NAV, while units of trusts that fail to meet prescribed NAV disclosure requirements, or are classified as infrequently traded, will be valued at Re 1 for the purpose of the directions.

Five equity mutual funds delivered annualised SIP returns of over 19% over 10 years, led by Quant Small Cap at 24.2%. Nippon India Small Cap, Invesco India Mid Cap, Quant ELSS Tax Saver and Union Small Cap also posted strong returns.

Helios Flexi Cap Fund reshuffled its portfolio in August, cutting exposure to HDFC Bank, Reliance Industries and other holdings while adding to Swiggy, Paytm and several other stocks. The fund also exited five stocks and added two new names. Its portfolio stood at 68 stocks across 26 sectors during the month.

Five smallcap mutual funds delivered annualised returns above 17% over three years as of September 16, 2026. Investors should consider risk appetite, investment horizon and financial goals rather than returns alone.

Abakkus Mutual Fund, led by Sunil Singhania, has received SEBI approval to launch its Specialised Investment Fund (SIF) platform under the brand name Fokkus. Approved on 28 August 2026, the platform will offer differentiated equity, debt, and hybrid investment strategies.

Domestic steel prices have reached a four-year high, driven by costlier raw materials. Hot rolled and cold rolled coil prices have significantly increased since early August. This price surge is mainly due to rising coking coal and iron ore prices. Steel consumption in India has shown a seven percent year-on-year rise. Prices are expected to remain elevated through the fiscal year due to strong demand.

CMF, Nothings consumer technology brand, is charting a path to becoming a majority Indian-owned independent smartphone brand as Optiemus Group joins its upcoming Series A round. The expanded partnership will combine ownership, manufacturing and R&D under an Indian entity, with CMF planning to develop end-to-end smartphone engineering capabilities and local intellectual property.

NPCI states GST on UPI Merchant Discount Rate is not a burden. Transactions under two thousand rupees have zero MDR and no GST. Over ninety-six percent of merchant transactions are below this threshold. Merchants can adjust GST paid on MDR against their tax liability. Small merchants receiving under one lakh rupees monthly are exempt from MDR.

Air India will launch an integrated in-flight platform in late 2027. This new system will combine entertainment, loyalty programs, and e-commerce services. Passengers will access these features through connected in-flight entertainment screens. The platform aims to monetize the captive audience and offer new travel experiences.

Employee with Rs 14.42 lakh salary pays Rs 4.53 lakh income tax in Belgium and asks for credit under the India-Belgium DTAA; Income Tax Dept denied it as no Form 67 was filed; ITAT Bangalore orders relief for him.

The Centre has mandated vegetarian and non-vegetarian origin markings on soaps, shampoos, toothpastes, cosmetics and toiletries. Under rules notified on September 21, products of vegetarian origin will carry a green dot, while non-vegetarian products will bear a red or brown dot at the top of the principal display panel.

PhonePe and Google Pay could earn about $900 million annually from Indias new UPI merchant fee regime by March 2028, according to Bernstein estimates, strengthening their already dominant position. The 0.4% fee on merchant transactions above Rs 2,000 could also encourage payment apps to expand in rural areas and push smaller rivals towards higher-value transactions.

ET Wealth Reader's Query: My sister and I received Rs 37 lakh each from the sale of agricultural land in our native place. She has gifted her Rs 37 lakh to me. Will she have to pay capital gains tax on the gift to me?

The Finance Ministry is advising bank employees to refrain from a planned three-day strike initiated by the United Forum of Bank Unions. In response, the Department of Financial Services has sought additional security from the Home Ministry.

Tenant receives Rs 1.38 crore permanent alternate accommodation, gets Section 56(2)(x) tax notice; ITAT Mumbai gives relief; know why. This judgement was given by Vikram Singh Yadav, the Accountant Member along with Siddhartha Nautiyal, the Judicial Member of ITAT Mumbai.

Top five Specialised Investment Funds delivered up to 15.21% returns over the three-month period from 1 June 2026 to 31 August 2026. According to data from SIF360, QSIF Equity Ex-Top 100 Long-Short Fund led performance across all SIF strategies, followed by QSIF Active Asset Allocator Long-Short Fund.

Bharti Airtel now includes Apple services with its higher postpaid plans. Customers receive iCloud+, Apple TV, and Apple Arcade with these offerings. This move aims to enhance value and attract more premium subscribers. Airtel is focusing on premiumisation and richer bundled digital services. The company seeks to improve average revenue per user through these strategies.

India's semiconductor sector is expanding beyond chip fabrication into a complete ecosystem. This growth includes chip design, materials, and advanced packaging services. The government's Semicon 2.0 program supports this expansion with significant financial outlays. Global companies are investing in India's semiconductor supply chain development and research. India aims to capture more value by developing intellectual property and product ownership.

Puravankara will invest 5,200 crore in a Greater Noida township. This significant development marks the company's entry into the Delhi-NCR real estate market. The project will span 13.44 acres, offering substantial saleable area. Its location near the Yamuna Expressway enhances connectivity and airport access. This investment is Puravankara's largest for the fiscal year 2027.

An insurer's attempt to deny a Rs 1 crore accidental death claim based on alleged income inflation backfired. The consumer commission ruled that insurers must prove deliberate misrepresentation, not just suspicion, influenced policy issuance. This landmark decision emphasizes the need for concrete evidence over mere allegations when repudiating claims.

HDFC Pharma and Healthcare Fund recorded an impressive 25% return in the last year, surpassing its category average across various time frames. The robust performance is primarily due to heightened demand for generic drugs and recent FDA approvals. Investors are advised to steer clear of merely chasing past successes and instead focus on a sustainable long-term strategy.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation will sign MoUs with 22 states for the next phase of UDAN. This signing marks the launch of Challenge Mode and a new Routes Bidding Round. The scheme aims to expand regional air connectivity and strengthen the aviation ecosystem. The Union Cabinet approved the Modified UDAN scheme for ten years with significant budgetary support.

Corporate bond mutual funds invest at least 80% of their corpus in the papers of the highest-rated companies which makes them relatively safer than other debt schemes such as credit risk funds. They are also safer than gilt funds and long term debt funds that are highly sensitive to interest rate changes in the economy.

Air India Express has cancelled flights IX1346 and IX1348 operating on the Delhi-Patna-Delhi route from September 24 to 30, citing operational reasons. The airline informed Patna Airport authorities about the week-long cancellations but did not specify the nature of the issue or provide details on alternative travel arrangements.

Berger Paints is strengthening its market position against new competitors. The company plans new luxury paint lines and expanding its exclusive outlets. It is also investing in new manufacturing facilities in eastern India. This strategy aims to counter pricing wars and secure market share. The Indian paint sector anticipates growth driven by urbanization and real estate.

8th Pay Commission news: The 8th Pay Commissions report submission and implementation timeline will determine employees arrears. For Level 68 employees, potential arrears depend on the fitment factor and implementation delay. A Level 8 employee may receive nearly Rs 18 lakh for a 24-month delay under a 2.57 fitment factor. However, these are estimates based on basic-pay increases, and actual arrears will depend on the notified recommendations.

Product-market fit can prove that a startup has found demand. Scaling it successfully requires a different set of decisions around people, processes, capital, customers, and leadership.

First-time car buyers are returning to India's market, increasing their sales share significantly. Lower taxes have revived demand for entry-level passenger vehicles, boosting overall industry growth. Maruti Suzuki and Tata Motors report higher first-time buyer contributions to their sales figures. Entry-level SUV sales also saw substantial year-on-year growth following tax adjustments. This trend indicates a broadening market base and renewed momentum towards mass motorisation.

The Reserve Bank of India is actively seeking opinions on the possible appointment of Anup Bagchi as CEO of HDFC Bank. Currently with ICICI Prudential Life, Bagchi is seen as the leading contender for this key position. The RBI is weighing his move back into traditional banking following a break. Furthermore, HDFC Bank has suggested Kaizad Bharucha, which requires adjustments to existing tenure regulations.

CMF, the budget sub-brand of Nothing, is transitioning to become an independent company based in India. With ambitions to design and sell 100 million smartphones globally each year, CMF will be largely owned by Indian investors and headquartered domestically. Through this partnership, Nothing will lend its engineering expertise and supply chain relationships, aiming to create a significant homegrown player in the global consumer electronics market.

Retail associations are voicing concerns that the proposed UPI charge will inevitably be transferred to consumers, either as new fees on bills or by incentivizing the use of cash payments. Small businesses, already operating with tight margins, find it difficult to absorb these costs, leading to fears that additional financial burdens will further strain their operations.

Bharat Biotech is back in action after a two-year post-Covid reset, founder Krishna Ella says, with the company expanding beyond vaccines into cell and gene therapy and monoclonal antibodies. The vaccine maker is advancing programmes for TB, Nipah, Ebola, chikungunya, malaria, Zika and antimicrobial resistance, while exploring an IPO to fund new therapies and potential acquisitions. Ella says the company, which currently has around Rs 2,000 crore in revenue and is debt-free, is focused on accele

This year's Ganesh Chaturthi witnessed a 15% drop in gold sales volume compared to the previous year. Consumers opted for lighter gold pieces and exchanged old jewelry amid high prices. Nonetheless, sales of bullion coins and bars reflect cautious optimism among investors. Despite the decline, both wedding and self-purchase demands from younger buyers remain robust, signaling a potential increase in demand as the wedding season approaches.

The government is considering tougher medical device rules that could give regulators explicit powers to stop the manufacture, sale or distribution of unsafe, defective, substandard or spurious products and order their destruction. The proposed amendment to Rule 30(1) of the Medical Devices Rules, 2017, is aimed at strengthening enforcement, reducing ambiguity and ensuring potentially harmful devices are removed from circulation more quickly.

Bandhan Financial Services will reduce its stake in Bandhan Bank gradually. The promoter aims to comply with RBI regulations by 2030. Recent share sales occurred on the open market, lowering holdings. A proposed stock split will divide shares to attract retail investors. Shareholders will review this plan at the upcoming annual general meeting.