Business

The Department of Consumer Affairs has mandated that all pan masala packs, including small 10-gram units, display the Retail Sale Price (RSP) from February 1, 2026. The move ensures transparent pricing and facilitates GST implementation on all pack sizes

NephroPlus, India’s largest dialysis network, is launching its maiden IPO on December 10, raising Rs 353.4 crore through a fresh issue and 1.12 crore shares via OFS. Funds will support clinic expansion and debt repayment

India’s digital infrastructure has expanded dramatically, with over 6.34 lakh villages now having mobile connectivity and 6,30,676 villages covered by 4G. Broadband subscriptions have doubled, PM-WANI hotspots increased, and data tariffs reduced, boosting nationwide digital access

The four labour codes are likely to become fully operational from April 1, 2026, with the Centre preparing to pre-publish updated draft rules. The government aims to finalise rules after public feedback and expand social security coverage to 100 crore workers

The Centre has withdrawn its order directing smartphone makers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi cybersecurity app, citing a ten-fold rise in voluntary downloads. The November 28 mandate had stirred political controversy, with opposition parties alleging potential snooping risks

Multiple airports across India reported check-in system disruptions on Wednesday morning, forcing airlines to shift to manual processing and causing flight delays. A message at Varanasi airport cited a Windows outage, but Microsoft denied any such issue. Authorities are assessing the situation

Indian Gas Exchange (IGX), an IEX associate, plans to go public via an IPO through an offer for sale by existing shareholders; details on size and timing are yet to be announced

India and the UAE are streamlining visas, extradition, and legal cooperation to boost travel, business, and security. Talks focus on liberalised visas, faster extradition, mutual legal assistance, and smoother movement for workers, tourists, and professionals amid growing bilateral trade

Vidya Wires Ltd’s Rs 300-crore IPO was fully subscribed within hours, receiving bids for 5.07 crore shares against 4.33 crore on offer. Retail investors oversubscribed 1.91 times. Proceeds will fund new projects, debt repayment, and general corporate purposes

The rupee crashed to a record 90.13 per US dollar on Wednesday amid weak trade flows and uncertainty over the India–US trade deal. The sharp fall weighed on equities, with Nifty slipping below 26,000 and market sentiment turning cautious.

At the floor price, the government would mop up about Rs 2,492 crore by divesting its 6 per cent stake in the state-owned lender

Our financial decisions aren’t in data but in hidden emotional patterns — how we interact with money reflects deep beliefs about safety, control, and self-worth

India has mandated active SIM linkage for messaging apps such as WhatsApp, Telegram and Signal, citing rising digital fraud. While telecom operators have welcomed the move for enhancing traceability, major tech firms have urged the government to pause implementation and review legal concerns

The government will launch ‘Bharat Taxi’, a cooperative-led ride-hailing app aimed at reducing drivers’ dependence on private aggregators. Operated by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Ltd, the platform promises zero commission, transparent fares, multilingual support, security features, and full earnings for drivers

A total of 6,385 recognised startups have been categorised as closed as of October 31, according to MCA data. Maharashtra accounts for the highest number. The government said no rise in startup closures has been observed, citing market and business factors

India’s Russian oil imports dropped by nearly a third after new US sanctions took effect on November 21, prompting refiners to cut purchases from designated companies. Analysts expect December arrivals to fall further as India turns to alternative suppliers and opaque trade routes

Samsung reviewing order, may take up concerns with government

India reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening its Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with the UAE as EAM S Jaishankar extended National Day greetings. Recent meetings underscored progress in consular, visa, legal and defence cooperation, reflecting the deepening bilateral relationship.

India recorded a 16 per cent rise in FDI inflows to USD 50.36 billion in the first half of FY26, the highest ever for the period. Minister Jitin Prasada said FTAs, including the EFTA pact securing USD 100 billion investment, are strengthening investor confidence.

Samsung on Tuesday introduced the Galaxy Z TriFold, its first triple-folding smartphone featuring a 10-inch display, strengthened Armor FlexHinge, and the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset. The slim 3.9 mm device packs a 200 MP camera and Samsung’s largest foldable battery.

Air India said it “regrettable” flew an Airbus A320 at least eight times last month despite an expired airworthiness certificate. The airline has suspended involved personnel and launched an internal probe, as the DGCA investigates the lapse. The aircraft remains grounded.

Apple has appointed AI researcher Amar Subramanya as vice president of AI, reporting to Craig Federighi. John Giannandrea will step down and retire in 2026. Subramanya, formerly at Microsoft and Google, will lead Apple’s Foundation Models, ML research, and AI safety efforts.

Starbucks will pay USD 35 million to over 15,000 New York City workers for violating scheduling laws, as political leaders Zohran Mamdani and Bernie Sanders joined striking baristas. The settlement mandates compliance with Fair Workweek rules and offers reinstatement for laid-off staff.

A closer look reveals that the reforms prioritise employer flexibility over worker security, raising concerns about long-term labour welfare