Page 569 - Latest News
Public sector banks' staff count rises for first time in five years
RBI data show public sector banks added staff in FY25 for the first time in five years, while private banks' headcount fell, led by a sharp drop at ICICI Bank
 "Public sector banks' staff count rises for first time in five years")
China, EU lead Russian fuel purchases as India suffered despite cuts
India has gained the least since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 and was penalized the most, while the US, China and the European Union emerged as the biggest beneficiaries from the war
 "China, EU lead Russian fuel purchases as India suffered despite cuts")
NPCI authorised fewer new third-party UPI apps in 2025 after April outage
NPCI approved 13 third-party UPI apps in 2025, with five limited to closed user groups, as tighter due diligence and new safety controls followed an April system outage, sources said
 "NPCI authorised fewer new third-party UPI apps in 2025 after April outage")
Ducati bets on India-EU FTA as 40% GST weighs on luxury motorcycles
Ducati India says the 40 per cent GST on large-capacity bikes has added pressure on demand and is counting on the proposed India-EU FTA to ease import costs from 2026
 "Ducati bets on India-EU FTA as 40% GST weighs on luxury motorcycles")
Bidding adieu: Lives that shaped our times in culture, conscience, and arts
Legacies that endure: Remembering those who left their mark on culture, conscience and creativity
 "Bidding adieu: Lives that shaped our times in culture, conscience, and arts")
Best of BS Opinion: Clear diagnoses but slower cures across key sectors
Here are the best of Business Standard's opinion pieces for today
 "Best of BS Opinion: Clear diagnoses but slower cures across key sectors")
Reliance's AI manifesto eyes 10x boost in productivity for workforce
Mukesh Ambani has outlined a draft Reliance AI Manifesto to make the group AI-native, targeting 10x productivity for over 600,000 employees and a wider 10x impact on India
 "Reliance's AI manifesto eyes 10x boost in productivity for workforce")
MoD signs ₹4,666 crore contracts for carbines and heavy weight torpedoes
The Defence Ministry signed ₹4,666 crore capital acquisition contracts for 5.56 mm CQB carbines and 48 heavy weight torpedoes for Kalvari-class submarines under Project-75
 "MoD signs ₹4,666 crore contracts for carbines and heavy weight torpedoes")
When India chose direct action over deterrence, shifting doctrine in 2025
Marked by Op Sindoor, the year saw a shift in doctrine, thinking on future wars
 "When India chose direct action over deterrence, shifting doctrine in 2025")
Allow private players to operate gold monetisation scheme: WGC India CEO
WGC says fundamentals will keep gold strong in 2026 as India drafts a long-term gold policy, with rising wedding budgets, ETF demand and a push to privatise monetisation schemes
 "Allow private players to operate gold monetisation scheme: WGC India CEO")
Datanomics: At 80%, Delhi's forests most degraded among Aravallis
Supreme Court pauses its Aravalli ruling as new impact studies loom, while fresh data shows Delhi faces the steepest forest degradation in the fragile range
 "Datanomics: At 80%, Delhi's forests most degraded among Aravallis")
Loan growth, margins seen improving for banks in Q3 as credit costs ease
Banks are likely to see better loan growth and margins in Q3FY26, with PSU lenders outperforming as credit costs ease, unsecured loan stress moderates and recoveries remain steady
Import of Russian oil hits 3-year low in Dec amid tighter Western sanctions
Despite sanctions, Rosneft remained India's largest Russian crude supplier in December; Lukoil also contributed significant volumes
 "Import of Russian oil hits 3-year low in Dec amid tighter Western sanctions")
Pre-listing lock-ins of 101 companies to expire in three months: Nuvama
Pre-listing shareholder lock-ins in 101 companies will be lifted between December 29, 2025, and March 2026, covering shares worth $23 billion, though not all may hit the market
 "Pre-listing lock-ins of 101 companies to expire in three months: Nuvama")
Pre-Budget meeting: Reforms to stay on top of agenda, signals PM Modi
Ahead of the Budget, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told economists that policymaking must stay aligned with India's 2047 vision, calling for mission-mode reforms and long-term growth focus
 "Pre-Budget meeting: Reforms to stay on top of agenda, signals PM Modi")
Amnesty scheme on anvil to ease Customs cases backlog, clear disputes
Gold, wilful default, narcotics and smuggling cases to be kept out
 "Amnesty scheme on anvil to ease Customs cases backlog, clear disputes")
Gujarat Kidney ends debut session at 8% discount after listing at a premium
Gujarat Kidney and Super Speciality listed at a 5.2% premium but ended the debut session 8% below issue price amid profit-booking, even as IPO activity stayed strong in 2025
 "Gujarat Kidney ends debut session at 8% discount after listing at a premium")
MF investor additions hit slow lane in 2025 as equity volatility bites
Industry adds 5.8 million investors this year compared to 10.6 million in 2024
 "MF investor additions hit slow lane in 2025 as equity volatility bites")
Low base, safeguard duty to prop steel output this financial year
Exports are also expected to grow 28-30 per cent this fiscal due to better realisation opportunities in key markets, particularly the European Union
 "Low base, safeguard duty to prop steel output this financial year")
Foreign tourists' arrival in India dips 12% in April-September 2025
Vietnam becomes fastest growing market in south east Asia for influx of FTA- hits over 19 million in November
 "Foreign tourists' arrival in India dips 12% in April-September 2025")