Business

New Delhi:Under the GST 2.0 framework, the government has abolished the 18% Goods and Services Tax (GST) on all personal life and health insurance premiums. The reform, effective from 22 September 2025, aims to make insurance more affordable and accessible for the public—particularly first-time buyers and middle-class families. However, a new survey indicates that many consumers are not receiving the intended benefit. Several policyholders reported that they were still charged GST while purchasing or renewing their policies. 18% GST Still Applicable on Group Insurance While personal policies are now exempt from GST, group insurance schemes—such as employer-provided health coverage—continue to attract the 18% tax.The GST exemption is specifically designed to encourage wider adoptio...

New Delhi:India’s booming pet food industry is gearing up for a major shake-up as Reliance Industries, led by Asia’s richest businessman Mukesh Ambani, prepares to aggressively enter the market. The company’s consumer arm, Reliance Consumer Products Ltd (RCPL), is planning to sell its pet food brand Waggies at prices 20–50% lower than established players such as Nestlé, Mars, Godrej Consumer Products and Emami. According to an ET report, Reliance has communicated this pricing strategy to its distributors and trade partners, signalling an approach similar to the one it used to disrupt India’s cola market. Reliance Targets Mass Market, Smaller Cities A senior official familiar with the development said that Reliance’s pet food range will be pushed deeply into general retail stores, ...

The Sahara Group has been facing a prolonged financial crisis, with many of its properties on the verge of sale and numerous employees left unpaid for years. The matter has now reached the Supreme Court, which is scheduled to hear the case in its next session. Supreme Court Hearing ScheduledThe Supreme Court has agreed to list the interim petitions filed by Sahara Group employees seeking payment of their pending salaries on 17 November. The bench, led by Chief Justice B. R. Gavai, had earlier directed the Centre, Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), and other stakeholders to respond to a Sahara India Commercial Corporation Limited (SICCL) petition filed on 14 October. In that petition, SICCL sought permission to sell 88 prime properties to Adani Properties Private Limited. ...

South Delhi has long been known as the enclave of the wealthy, with residential colonies laid out shortly after India’s independence. At that time, multi-story apartments were virtually nonexistent, and plots ranging from 200 to 500 square meters were allotted for independent homes. Many of these houses have now become decades-old, prompting a new trend: redevelopment. Homeowners are tearing down old houses and building new independent floors, often priced higher than premium apartments in Delhi NCR. Independent Floors in High DemandThe property market in South Delhi is heating up as redevelopment projects gain momentum. According to a recent report by Golden Growth Fund (GGF), independent floors in South Delhi have appreciated 12–17% this year alone, reflecting surging demand. The tren...

On Friday, the last trading day of the week, gold and silver prices witnessed a sharp decline, driven by reduced expectations of an interest rate cut in the United States in December. On the MCX, gold fell by ₹3,351 while silver dropped by ₹6,940. Market Update:Gold and silver suffered significant losses on Friday as investors reacted to statements from U.S. Federal Reserve officials indicating a lower likelihood of a rate cut in December. MCX gold futures for 5 December delivery fell to ₹1,21,800 per 10 grams during trading, finally closing at ₹1,23,400, down ₹3,351 or 2.64%. Silver also declined sharply, closing at ₹1,55,530 per kilogram, down ₹6,940 or 4.27%. International Trends:Globally, gold prices dropped 3% on Friday due to a broader market sell-off. Spot gold fell 1.9% to $4...

Despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s relentless efforts, the economic situation in America continues to deteriorate. The national debt has soared to record levels, with no clear solution in sight. This year, the number of bankruptcies among major U.S. companies has reached a 15-year high. US Economy UpdateOver 600 major companies in the United States have filed for bankruptcy so far this year. New Delhi: President Donald Trump has been pressuring countries worldwide to invest in the U.S., yet American companies are struggling. As of now, 655 major companies have declared bankruptcy in 2025, marking the highest number in 15 years. Excluding last year, this is the largest figure since 2010. In comparison, 687 major companies went bankrupt in 2024. Analysts predict this number could ap...

Potatoes, often hailed as a complete food, are a staple across the world, including India, where they are affectionately called the “king of vegetables.” While in India, potatoes cost around ₹25 per kilogram, the price skyrockets in some countries due to rarity and demand. Potato Prices Around the World In Asia, South Korea tops the list with potatoes priced at $4.28 (≈ ₹380) per kilogram in Seoul. Japan follows at $2.95, Taiwan at $2.82, Hong Kong at $2.61, Philippines $2.46, Singapore $2.28, Indonesia $1.51, Thailand $1.49, Vietnam $1.02, China $0.98, and Malaysia $0.91 per kilogram. Le Bonnotte: The World’s Most Expensive Potato The Le Bonnotte potato, grown in France, holds the record for the most expensive potato in the world — costing nearly ₹1,00,000 per kilogram...

New Delhi: The Bihar Assembly election results were announced on Friday, delivering a decisive mandate to the ruling NDA, which won 202 out of 243 seats. The victory had a notable impact on market sentiment, particularly concerning industrialist Gautam Adani and the Adani Group. During the elections, Adani’s name surfaced in political discussions after the Bihar government allocated land in Pirpanti, Bhagalpur district for a thermal power plant project to Adani Power Limited. Opposition parties, including Congress, RJD, and CPI (ML), accused the Bihar government and BJP of favoring Adani. Both the BJP and the state government rejected these claims, stating that the project allocation followed due process. Following the election results, India’s stock markets initially opened lower, b...

The U.S. stock market witnessed a sharp decline on Thursday, impacting the fortunes of the world’s wealthiest. Eight out of the top ten billionaires saw a dip in their net worth, with Elon Musk suffering the largest blow. Tesla shares fell by 6.64%, resulting in a staggering loss of over $20.5 billion for Musk, bringing his total net worth down to $430 billion. Despite this setback, his net worth remains among the highest globally, though it has decreased by $2.83 billion so far this year. Recently, Tesla shareholders approved a $1 trillion package in favor of Musk. Other top billionaires also felt the impact: Larry Ellison saw his net worth drop by $10.8 billion, now standing at $275 billion, despite an overall gain of $82.6 billion this year. Jeff Bezos lost $5.77 billion, b...

In a significant shift in the Indian equity landscape, domestic investors and mutual funds are emerging as the dominant force in the stock market, as foreign portfolio investments (FPIs) continue to decline. Foreign Holdings Hit 15-Year Lows According to a recent NSE report titled “Who Owns India Inc? – DMFs Extend Record Run as FPIs Hit 15-Year Lows”, foreign investors’ holdings in Indian companies have dwindled sharply over the past few years. Total FPI stake in listed companies has fallen to 16.9%, the lowest in 15 years. Specifically, FPIs’ share in Nifty 50 and Nifty 500 companies has dropped to 24.1% and 18%, respectively—the lowest levels in 13 years. During the latest quarter ending September 2025, foreign funds withdrew $8.7 billion from the market, driving this decline. ...