The Economic Times

Jeff Thomasson has donated $100 million to Indiana Universitys Kelley School of Business. Thomasson founded Oxford Financial Group at age 23 with $20,000 in graduate-school debt and went on to build the firm into a major wealth management business with more than $38 billion in assets under advisement. Reports hint that he built his client base by holding 1,000 meetings in a year.

The United States has announced it will exempt certain speciality drugs and ingredients imported from India and 19 other countries from tariffs. This decision follows US President Donald Trump's proclamation imposing a 100% tariff on specified patented pharmaceuticals. Drugs intended for rare diseases and infertility, along with their components, will qualify for the zero-tariff treatment. The exemption applies to 20 other jurisdictions that have trade agreements with the US.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman met with Jordan's Minister of Planning Zeina Zeid Toukan in Doha. The two ministers discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in various sectors, including food security and trade. Sitharaman emphasized the goal of reaching $5 billion in bilateral trade by 2030. Jordan expressed interest in strengthening ties with India, particularly in energy and infrastructure.

Augment India I Holdings sold 85.03 lakh Clean Max Enviro Energy Solutions shares worth about Rs 1,096 crore through NSE bulk deals. Goldman Sachs, HSBC and ICICI Prudential Life Insurance were among the buyers, while brokerages retain positive views on CleanMax.

Delhi liquor shops sold nearly 18.61 crore bottles across categories in the last two financial years, with Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) accounting for a much larger share than imported spirits. Data from an RTI reply showed overall liquor sales rising to around 9.61 crore bottles in 2025-26, while beer sales also increased, with summer months recording some of the highest volumes.

India thrashed Bangladesh 10-0 to complete a fifth consecutive win and finish top of Pool A at the Asian Games 2026. Captain Harmanpreet Singh scored a hat-trick, while Shilanand Lakra netted twice as the defending champions dominated despite heavy rain and a waterlogged pitch. India will now face arch-rivals Pakistan in the semi-final on October 1.

The shift towards larger retail assets is also driving greater concentration among leading developers. The top three listed developers currently account for about 14% of operational retail stock in tier 1 markets as of the first half of 2026, a share that could rise to around 21% by 2031, showed JLL assessment.

India's festive hiring is shifting towards longer-term roles as employers seek to retain talent beyond peak season. Companies are also beginning recruitment earlier in anticipation of higher demand during the festive period. Nearly half of the employers foresee hiring growth in Tier II and Tier III cities as e-commerce expands. Challenges remain, particularly in finding reliable workers willing to adapt to peak-season demands.

Indias wireless subscriber base rose by 5.5 million in August to 1.29 billion, with Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel accounting for more than 4.5 million additions, TRAI data showed. Urban subscriptions grew significantly faster than rural connections, while the overall telephone, broadband and wireline subscriber bases also expanded during the month.

Ethereal Machines CEO Kaushik Mudda said he narrowly prevented two men from stealing his luggage outside Londons Euston railway station. The Bengaluru-based deeptech startup co-founder said one man distracted him by claiming the cabs tyre was punctured while another reached into the boot. Mudda later wrote on X that India is 1000 times safer, prompting users to share similar experiences.

Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri said India has so far insulated itself from crude oil and natural gas supply disruptions caused by the West Asia crisis and Strait of Hormuz volatility. He said logistics remained the key challenge, while India has diversified crude sourcing to 41 countries and strengthened domestic LPG production.

From September 28 to October 11, India and Kazakhstan will conduct a collaborative military exercise aimed at enhancing joint capabilities and interoperability in counter-terrorism operations authorized by the United Nations. Indian troops, particularly from the Garhwal Rifles, will train alongside Kazakhstan's forces, focusing on joint strategies, air mobility, and unmanned aerial systems.

The Sensex plunged 1,124 points to 72,771, triggering fresh 52-week lows in eight BSE 150 Midcap stocks. Procter & Gamble Hygiene, Havells India, Bharti Hexacom, REC, SJVN, ACC, GIC and UPL recorded their lowest prices in a year.

School Assembly News Headlines for September 29, 2026: Todays key updates include the Supreme Courts UPI MDR decision, bank strike deferment, El Nio concerns, Asian Games medals for India, international developments, and Indias upcoming orbital computing satellite launch on a SpaceX rideshare mission.

Samsung has announced a price increase of up to 17% for its Galaxy S26 smartphone range in India. The base model is now priced at Rs 1,02,999, significantly higher than its initial price. Other variants of the Galaxy S26 series have also seen price revisions, with every model exceeding Rs 1 lakh. This increase is attributed to rising costs of electronic components impacting the smartphone industry.

Air India and Adani Airports have launched an integrated online duty-free shopping platform for international travellers, allowing passengers to browse, pre-order and pay for products through Air Indias website and app before travel. The service offers discounts of up to 25%, Maharaja Club loyalty points and airport collection at select airports, including Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Navi Mumbai.

On Monday, Indian government bond yields rose due to increasing global yields and domestic supply concerns. The benchmark 10-year bond yield reached its highest level since April 2024 at 7.1848%. Traders are reacting to India's borrowing calendar which shifted toward longer maturity bonds, increasing duration risk. Additionally, fears of more Reserve Bank of India bond sales have contributed to market volatility.

Both Indian men's and women's squash teams successfully qualified for the quarterfinals in the Asian Games. The women's team achieved a victory against Japan while the men's team comfortably defeated South Korea. Anahat Singh lost her match against Satomi Watanabe, but Joshna Chinappa and Tanvi Khanna secured wins for India. The men's team displayed strong performance with several decisive victories over their opponents.

India and the UAE are working towards enhancing bilateral trade by adopting local currency transactions and payment system integration. The two countries aim to reduce transaction costs, improve payment access, and settle international trade using Indian rupees and UAE dirhams. Various sectors, including energy and technology, will see increased investment opportunities as a result of these initiatives.

The countdown to the WPL 2027 Auction has officially begun, with the auction set to take place on October 28, 2026, in Kochi.

Newly appointed Air India CEO Tewolde Gebremariam underlined the importance of enhancing financial performance. He announced plans to encourage employee participation in cost-saving initiatives through rewards for ideas that yield measurable savings. Current challenges to break-even have highlighted the need for disciplined growth strategies and operational efficiency. Gebremariam emphasized the necessity of growing the airline sustainably and profitably to ensure long-term competitiveness.

India's 4G smartphone market is projected to grow by three percent year-on-year in 2026. Shipment shares are expected to increase from 11 percent in 2025 to 13 percent in 2026. Consumers are shifting towards 4G devices, particularly in the sub-Rs 20,000 segment for better value. Original equipment manufacturers are expanding their 4G portfolios to meet this rising demand.

What To Expect From India's Biggest Market Listing To Date

US Vice President Vance warns firms over H-1B hiring; Labour Dept probe may impact Indian workers

India-UAE target $200 bn trade by 2032; Goyal says UAE intends to Invest $25 bn in six key sectors

India's LCA Mk2 medium weight fighter prototype is expected to fly by September 2027. The country's Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, or AMCA, is targeted for its first flight in September 2028. Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh provided clear timelines for these military aircraft programs. Test flights are set to occur between June and September next year. These developments are crucial for enhancing India's air combat capabilities against regional threats.

Malaysia's IHH Healthcare said on Monday that India's top court has disposed of Fortis Healthcare's petition challenging a court-ordered forensic audit relating to a stake purchase by an IHH Healthcare unit in the Indian healthcare provider.

With electricity demand soaring to 256 GW, India's power grid is under greater strain than ever. A recent white paper from Ficci-Nangia identifies eight critical areas of concern, including frequency and congestion problems. To ensure grid stability, it advocates for the integration of cutting-edge technologies and updates to regulatory policies.

BNP Paribas expects Indias economic outlook to come under greater pressure as higher crude prices, rising inflation and weaker rural and industrial indicators weigh on growth. While credit growth, auto sales and food-grain stocks remain supportive, the brokerage says elevated oil prices could also leave the RBI with less room to keep interest rates unchanged.

PETA India has requested the Indian government to ban meat advertisements starting October 2 to honor Gandhi's legacy. The organization cites concerns regarding animal welfare, public health, and environmental issues related to meat consumption. PETA India pointed out similar bans in European cities due to environmental concerns, highlighting the importance of non-violence.

During a speech at the UN General Assembly, Kazakhstan's Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi voiced his apprehensions about the persistent conflicts, particularly the situation in Ukraine. He underscored the necessity for diplomatic approaches to enhance both regional security and economic stability.

The RBI is under growing pressure to raise rates in October as inflation broadens across the economy, growth remains strong and global central banks tighten policy. A Reuters poll shows most economists expect a 25-basis-point hike to 5.50%, while markets are already pricing in further increases over the next year.

Ruchir Sharma says India remains a middling investment story rather than a clear outperformer, with strengths in demographics, inflation and currency stability offset by weak private and foreign investment, high valuations, regulatory intervention and concentrated billionaire wealth. His broader view is that India consistently disappoints the optimist and the pessimist, making a simple bullish or bearish narrative difficult.

Lovlina Borgohain achieved another medal for India in boxing at the Asian Games in Japan. She won the quarterfinal match against South Korea's Seong Suyeon by a unanimous decision of 5-0. Lovlina dominated each round with impressive counterattacks and powerful jabs, leading to a final score of 30-27. This victory follows Parveen Hooda's success in the women's 65 kg competition, confirming her medal as well.

The UAE is set to invest an additional $25 billion in India, strengthening energy cooperation between the nations. India and the UAE are exploring strategic petroleum reserves and subsea pipelines for gas transportation and storage. Bilateral trade between the countries has doubled to $100 billion, with a target of $200 billion by 2032. Local currency settlement in trade is on the rise, currently in double digits.

India's leading recyclers' body has asked the federal foreign trade directorate to replace existing scrap import rules based on overseas certification with local inspection at Indian ports, according to a letter reviewed by Reuters on Monday.

India's transition to renewable energy is expected to demand significant investments in energy storage solutions. By FY32, approximately Rs 4 lakh crore will be needed to meet storage requirements. The current operational storage capacity of 54 GWh will need to expand to 411 GWh. Increasing renewable generation will require complementary technologies like Battery Energy Storage Systems and Pumped Storage Plants.

Boeing identified a software issue affecting 737 MAX aircraft during specific landing scenarios, impacting airlines heavily investing in them. Air India Express and Akasa Air operate around 96 of these aircraft, with hundreds more on order. Boeing is developing a software fix while ensuring pilots can still land safely without automated assistance. Indian carriers have a significant backlog of Boeing orders, reflecting demand for the 737 MAX.

Hybrid mutual funds are gaining investor attention, with assets under management rising sharply in recent years. Five hybrid schemes feature among the top 10 funds by AUM, offering diversification and lower portfolio volatility.

Marico's initial attempt to launch a new snack under the Saffola brand faltered due to a lack of appealing taste. The company quickly learned that a health-focused approach alone wasn't enough for consumer engagement. By meticulously researching regional preferences, Marico revamped flavors in its Saffola Masala Oats product, which ultimately secured a strong market share and established success.

Indias consumer durables face a third price hike in 2026 as copper, steel, aluminium, resin, logistics and energy costs surge. LG, Daikin, Voltas, Samsung and Godrej are raising appliance prices ahead of Diwali. The pressure exposes Indias dependence on imported components and highlights why deeper localisation, domestic manufacturing and stronger supply chains are critical to containing global cost shocks.

Recent trends show Indian government bonds plummeting, thus elevating benchmark yields to a two-year high. The government aims to secure substantial funds through bond sales projected at 7.86 trillion rupees by March. However, a pivot toward longer-dated bonds has intensified trader apprehension over looming rate hikes, compounded by global yield fluctuations and rising crude oil prices that influence local financial conditions.

Ritesh Pal, a 19-year-old from Raipur, has been crowned the winner of Indias Best Dancer Season 5. He won alongside choreographer Pratik Utekar and took home Rs 15 lakh in prize money. After winning, he expressed gratitude to everyone. Read on to know more about him.

India's organized retail real estate is seeing substantial changes as it moves towards a more mature phase. The market is experiencing an increase in demand for experience-oriented categories and larger malls. Bengaluru is currently the largest organized retail market among major cities in India. Upcoming supply of shopping malls is expected to reach 40.4 million square feet by 2030.

The digital rails are ready. India now needs patient capital and founders ambitious enough to build on them.

The fundraise marks an important milestone for Balwaan as it scales its position in Indias growing farm mechanisation market.