Tobacco products to get costlier? Centre pushes new tobacco & pan masala tax bills

Last Updated: Dec 03 2025 | 11:38 AM IST

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The Centre has introduced two major taxation Bills aimed at increasing excise duty on tobacco products and imposing a new capacity-based cess on pan masala. The government says the move will strengthen public health and national security funding, but states oppose losing their share of revenue. Here’s what the Bills mean, why they matter, and the debate they have triggered.

Putin in Delhi: Can India plug its $60bn Russia trade gap?

India and Russia are chasing a $100 billion trade goal, but India is staring at a $60 billion trade deficit driven largely by Russian oil.

Updated On: 03 Dec 2025 | 8:46 PM IST

Rupee slips past 90/$: What’s driving India’s record low — and what next?

The Indian rupee hit a historic low, crossing 90 per US dollar in early trade. Here’s what’s behind the slide: weaker capital inflows, strong importer demand for dollars, rising hedging, and shifting

Updated On: 03 Dec 2025 | 5:27 PM IST

Meesho IPO opens December 3: What investors need to know

Meesho, one of India’s fastest-growing value e-commerce companies, is set for a major market debut with a ₹5,421 crore IPO. Backed by SoftBank, the issue opens on December 3

Updated On: 03 Dec 2025 | 5:21 PM IST

Interaction with Saurabh Saini, Managing Director of Kintetic Waves

Business Standard BFSI Insight Summit brought together thought leaders from India’s financial landscape, including regulators, leading banks, NBFCs, mutual funds, insurance companies and more

Updated On: 03 Dec 2025 | 5:11 PM IST

Interaction with KV Arangasamy, Managing Director of RUGR

Business Standard BFSI Insight Summit brought together thought leaders from India’s financial landscape, including regulators, leading banks, NBFCs, mutual funds, insurance companies and more

Updated On: 03 Dec 2025 | 5:05 PM IST

Meet Amar Subramanya The Gemini built AI leader now running Apple AI

Apple has named Amar Subramanya as its new VP of AI. He’s a Bengaluru-born researcher who rose through Google, helped lead Gemini’s engineering, briefly worked on Microsoft Copilot’s

Updated On: 03 Dec 2025 | 4:57 PM IST

Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi among 15 ‘fugitive economic offenders’ who owe ₹58,000 cr: Govt

The government has informed Parliament that 15 individuals declared as fugitive economic offenders collectively owe over ₹58,000 crore to public sector banks.

Updated On: 03 Dec 2025 | 12:33 PM IST

Rich Insights from Edelweiss Life Insurance CDO

In this Manager’s Mantra session, Anup Seth, Chief Distribution Officer, Edelweiss Life Insurance provides rich insights on the insurance sector and gives valuable career guidance to the BSchoolers. >

Updated On: 03 Dec 2025 | 10:23 AM IST

Sanchar Saathi row: Security tool or surveillance fear? Govt issues clarification

A government clarification has come after strong criticism from the Opposition over the mandatory pre-installation of the Sanchar Saathi cybersecurity app on smartphones.

Updated On: 02 Dec 2025 | 8:49 PM IST