Bihar polls LIVE: 64.46% turnout till 8 pm, says Election Commission

Bihar polls Phase I today (Nov 6): voting in 121 of 243 seats, 37.5m voters (1.07m new) at 45,341 booths (36,733 rural). 1,314 candidates incl Maithili Thakur, Khesari Lal Yadav. Key fights: Raghopur, Tarapur, Mahua, Mokama (Anant Singh vs Veena Devi). Digha 458k; Barbigha 232k.

ICICI Prudential Life posted Q2 FY26 consolidated net profit of ₹296 crore, up 18% YoY (₹251 cr) but slightly lower QoQ (₹301 cr), driven by growth in non‑market‑linked products and cost control. Net premium income rose 10.1% YoY to ₹11,843 crore and 39% QoQ from ₹8,503 crore.

Home pools add luxury and value. Options: small (~500 sq ft), lap (8x40 ft), typical 30x15x4 ft ~Rs 13 lakh. Fill once, then top up; build in 8–12 weeks. Cleaning/AMCs matter. Indoor: private but costlier, needs humidity control; outdoor: cheaper, weather‑dependent.

President Droupadi Murmu took a Rafale sortie from Ambala, becoming the first Indian President to fly in two IAF fighters after her 2023 Su‑30MKI ride. Flown by Gp Capt Amit Gehani, the 30‑minute mission showcased India’s air power; she met Rafale pilot Sqn Ldr Shivangi Singh.

Microsoft will enable in-country processing for Microsoft 365 Copilot to strengthen data sovereignty and compliance: India, Australia, the UK, and Japan by end-2025, with 11 more, including the US, Canada, and Germany, in 2026. Local Azure processing builds on data residency and post-Nayara reforms.

At the ADMM-Plus in Kuala Lumpur, India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh advocated an open, inclusive, non‑coercive Indo‑Pacific, upholding UNCLOS and freedom of navigation. He urged ASEAN‑led collective security and MAHASAGAR-driven cooperation in maritime, cyber, and critical infrastructure.

ED has attached assets worth ₹3,084 crore linked to Reliance Group chairman Anil Ambani under PMLA, seizing his Pali Hill home and properties across major cities. The probe ties to RHFL/RCFL fund diversion and Yes Bank investments turned NPAs, part of a wider ₹17,000+ crore irregularities case.

As elections loom, Meta readies a WhatsApp chatbot, teaming with 11 fact-checkers to spot deepfakes. Govt weighs pharma-level rules for surging nutraceuticals. With Nifty50 at record highs, we assess valuations and strategy. Also: skip Paytm Bank FASTags—how to deactivate and buy from 32 banks.

India’s manufacturing PMI rose to 59.2 in October from 57.7, driven by strong domestic demand, GST and productivity/tech gains. New orders and output accelerated as export growth softened. Firms lifted purchases and inventories; input costs eased but prices rose. Hiring moderate; outlook upbeat.

Indian markets recovered late but closed slightly lower Tue. Sensex 82,102 (-0.07%) after 81,777 low; Nifty 25,169 (-0.13%) after 25,085. MidCap -0.3%, SmallCap -0.5%. FMCG led declines; Realty, IT down. PSU Bank, Metal up >1%. Key losers: Trent, TechM, SBI Life, UltraTech, HUL.

Business Standard’s BFSI Insight Summit 2025, India’s largest financial sector forum, runs Oct 29–31 in Mumbai. 120+ speakers deliver keynotes, panels, and fireside chats on banking, insurance, mutual funds, fintech, and housing finance, featuring DFS Secy M Nagaraju, CEA Nageswaran, and SBI’s C.S.

Indian stock markets slumped on July 25, 2025. The Sensex closed down 0.72% at 81,589, while the Nifty50 fell 0.75% to 24,874. Bajaj Finance and Bajaj Finserv spearheaded the decline, each losing around 5%, alongside PowerGrid, Tata Motors, and Infosys. Other significant losers included Shriram Finance, Bajaj Auto, and IndusInd Bank. The downturn was more pronounced in mid- and small-cap indices, which plummeted by 1.4% and 1.9% respectively. The overall market exhibited considerable weakness across major sectors.

China’s factory PMI fell to 49 in October, the seventh straight contraction. A proposed US–China tariff truce cutting duties from ~57% to ~47% may aid exports, but uncertainty lingers. Golden Week travel and a property slump hit output as Beijing shifts toward consumption and high-tech industry.

At BS BFSI Summit 2025, experts said GIFT City IFSC is scaling fast: 1,000 registrations in 3–4 years, $100bn banking assets, 35 segments, and $103bn monthly turnover. NSE Intl has 99%+ share with $22bn OI. They urged fostering Indian rating agencies and longer 15–20 year tax holidays, experts shed .

On Sardar Patel’s birth anniversary, Congress’ Jairam Ramesh accused the BJP-RSS (“G2 and their ecosystem”) of misappropriating Patel and distorting history since 2014, citing Nehru and Indira’s tributes, Patel statues, and a 1948 letter about the climate before Gandhi’s assassination.

Indian stock markets closed higher on September 18th, 2025, boosted by a 25 basis point US Federal Reserve rate cut. The Sensex gained 126 points (0.15%) to 82,820, and the Nifty rose 52 points (0.21%) to 25,382. Top Sensex gainers included Infosys, Sun Pharma, and HDFC Bank, while Bajaj Finserv and Tata Steel lagged. Midcap and Smallcap indices also saw modest gains. Nifty Pharma, Healthcare, and IT sectors outperformed, contrasted by losses in Media, PSU Banks, and Auto sectors.

The Royal Netherlands Navy is acquiring a new underwater ROV co-developed by Blueye Robotics and RVI Tools for engineering, reconnaissance and surveillance. Separately, Türkiye’s Solid Aero unveiled Talay, the world’s first sea-skimming multipurpose drone for maritime and coastal operations.

DPIIT is framing a Rs 13,000 crore scheme to make India a global toy hub, offering five-year Turnover, Localisation and Employment-linked incentives, plus concessional duty for investments over Rs 500 crore. Targeting import cuts and GVC integration, it awaits approvals, aligning with Budget.

India will host Cope India in early November, the Quad’s first joint air drill: led by India and the US, with Japan and debuting Australia as observers. It coincides with Malabar at Guam (INS Sahyadri), showcasing advanced training and deeper Quad ties for Indo-Pacific security.

From Nov 1, 2025, the Banking Laws (Amendment) Act allows up to 4 nominees. Deposits: simultaneous (shares must total 100%) or successive; lockers: only successive. Nominees aren't heirs—align with your will, update after life events. Minors need a guardian.

Gold loans: lump sum against jewellery, fixed EMIs/tenure (6–24 months), ~8–9% rates, predictable costs. Gold overdrafts: revolving credit line—pay interest only on usage but at higher rates, LTV revaluation risk, and require discipline. Choose based on purpose, cash flow, and repayment plan.

US entrepreneur James Fishback urged a halt to hiring skilled immigrants, accusing tech firms of bypassing qualified Americans and abusing H‑1B to cut costs. He backs a full immigration moratorium and tells foreign talent to build at home, reviving the debate as tech defends global hiring.

Budget 2025 extends ITR-U to four years, letting taxpayers correct missed income without notices—but not to cut tax or seek refunds. Late updates cost 25–70% extra. Common slips: interest, dividends, capital gains, foreign income, TDS, e-verification. Reconcile 16/26AS/AIS, file early.

PM Narendra Modi spoke with US President Donald Trump, congratulating him on the Gaza peace plan and reviewing progress in India-US trade talks. The leaders agreed to stay in close touch. Their call follows a Sept 17 birthday exchange and a June G7 meeting marked by tensions.

Maharashtra cabinet approves Bamboo Industry Policy 2025 to attract Rs 50,000 crore, generate 5 lakh jobs in 10 years, create 15 bamboo clusters and use carbon credits to boost eco‑friendly farming. It also okays Rs 500 crore for Ambedkar’s People’s Education Society and 2,228 HC posts.

ICICI Prudential Life posted Q2 FY26 consolidated net profit of ₹296 crore, up 18% YoY from ₹250.99 crore but slightly down QoQ from ₹300.99 crore, driven by growth in non-market-linked products and lower expenses. Net premium income rose 10.1% YoY to ₹11,843 crore and 39% QoQ from ₹8,503.19 crore.

India must recalibrate its military doctrine for a tech-driven, multi-domain era, shifting from reactive defense to proactive deterrence. Priorities: counter China with agile IBGs, bolster Indo-Pacific ties, modernize navy, embed drones/AI, enhance intel and water security, and leverage Global South

Microsoft unveiled MAI-Image-1, its first in-house text-to-image model, optimized for fast, photorealistic results. Testable on LMArena with a top-10 rank, it uses curated data and pro feedback to boost diversity. Safety tests are ongoing; Copilot and Bing Image Creator integration is coming soon.

China’s Sept 3 Beijing military parade projected deterrence and a united front, showcasing indigenous drones, hypersonics, and nuclear triad toward a “world-class” force. Critics cite anti-Japan revisionism. Despite tech gains, command purges, inexperience, and economic strain limit capability.

Choose France Tour 2025 returns to India Oct 5–11, stopping in Chennai, New Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai. Over 50 French institutions will showcase programs, scholarships, visas and student life, amid a 17% rise in Indian enrollments, advancing France’s goal of 30,000 Indian students by 2030.

Delhi’s Ladli scheme renews yearly via district-school lists. Benefits: Rs 10–11k at birth and Rs 5k at key school milestones, released at Class 10 or age 18. Eligibility: 3+ years Delhi residency, family income ≤ Rs 1 lakh, up to two daughters, enrolled in a recognized school.

Plum’s survey of 10,000 consultations shows Indians largely rely on employer health cover: 59% lack personal policies. After employer claims, 40% bought private cover. In the past 6 months, 54% faced rejections or 10–50% premium hikes (20% rejected, 34% hikes), leaving 71% of workers vulnerable.

Silver has surged 56% in 2025 to about $44/oz (Rs 134,089/kg), outpacing gold (~49%). Record industrial demand (1,164Moz) vs 1,015Moz supply created a 149Moz deficit, cutting inventories. Solar, EVs and electronics—led by China—drive gains; a gold-to-silver ratio near 84 signals undervaluation.

US plan to impose a $100,000 one-time fee on new H-1B visas is shaking Indian students’ US plans. Experts warn higher risk, fewer jobs—especially at SMEs—loan burdens, and falling Fall 2025 enrollments. Many may delay, stay in India, or pivot to Europe (e.g., Germany), while OPT’s appeal dims.

Inflation has ticked up and remains above the Fed’s 2% goal, despite Trump and some Fed messaging downplaying it. The Fed cut rates, betting tariff-driven price bumps are temporary, but tariffs are lifting costs on goods and prompting price hikes, risking credibility if inflation lingers.

China’s new rare-earth-linked export controls and Xi’s “red line” triggered a US backlash: Trump threatened to cancel their summit, double tariffs to 100%, and curb software. Disputed truce terms, market selloff, and rare-earth leverage raise decoupling risks, though talks may still avert escalatio.

Term insurance offers hospi-cash riders paying Rs 1,000–5,000 daily for 24+ hr hospitalization, easing income loss and non-medical costs. Examples: Tata AIA Hospicare, ABSLI Hospital Care. Waits 30–90 days (none for accidents). Fast claims; NEFT in 2–3 days. Adds living benefits.

JM Financial downgraded infrastructure, defense, industrials, ports, power utilities, banks, NBFCs, and insurance to "underweight." Fiscal constraints, stemming from anticipated GST and income tax cuts causing short-term revenue losses, are expected to curb infrastructure and defense spending. Weakening credit growth (currently at 10% YoY, down from projected 12%), coupled with rising asset quality stress in retail and now MSME lending, further fuels their bearish outlook on the financial sector. Delayed demand due to GST cuts and US tariffs impacting export-oriented MSMEs contribute to a postponed capex pickup, leading to a projected near-term loan growth of around 10%.

PM Modi and UK PM Keir Starmer held talks to deepen cooperation in trade, defence, security and critical tech. In Mumbai with 125 business leaders, Starmer called the new FTA a launchpad to double trade by 2030. India also flagged pro-Khalistan activity in the UK and sought extradition of fugitives.

On Air Force Day, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh hailed Operation Sindoor’s bold, precise strikes for shaping outcomes and reaffirming offensive air power. He lauded indigenous weapons and air defence, urged adaptive planning and 'train like we fight,' teamwork, and noted IAF crisis evacuations.

DRDO’s DMRL transferred three advanced materials technologies via LAToT: high-strength radome manufacturing to BHEL; DMR-1700 ultrahigh-strength steel  JSPL; and DMR 249A HSLA naval steel to SAIL’s BSP. An MoU with the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau was also signed. Event: Aug 30, Hyderabad.

Operation Sindoor showcased India’s tri-service layered air defence—IAF IACCS with Army/Navy grids—defeating Pakistan’s standoff attacks from drones to missiles. Lessons drive DRDO’s Project Kusha (150–350 km), IACCS-integrated, cheaper than S-400; tests from 2026, induction ~2030.

India’s nuclear journey: from 1974 Pokhran-I (“Smiling Buddha”) asserting capability amid sanctions and NPT/CTBT refusal, to 1998 Pokhran-II under Vajpayee with a no-first-use policy. Despite censure, India proved responsibility, leading to the 2008 US deal, an NSG waiver, and wider civil accords.

Trump at the White House said he has “no idea” about his Nobel Peace Prize prospects, while touting U.S. efforts to resolve conflicts in South Asia.

• Claimed his administration settled seven wars and made progress on an eighth.
• Said the U.S. helped ease India‑Pakistan and Armenia‑Azerbaijan tensions.

Fighter jets are high-performance military aircraft optimized for air-to-air combat, boasting powerful engines and advanced technology. In contrast, "Fair craft" can refer to Fair Craft, a company championing traditional, handcrafted goods. This company supports artisans and the preservation of age-old crafting techniques by selling their products. The juxtaposition highlights the stark difference between military technology and the artistry of traditional craftsmanship. One represents advanced weaponry, the other, the enduring value of handmade artistry and cultural heritage.

Fighter jets are high-performance military aircraft optimized for air-to-air combat, boasting powerful engines and advanced technology. In contrast, "Fair craft" can refer to Fair Craft, a company championing traditional, handcrafted goods. This company supports artisans and the preservation of age-old crafting techniques by selling their products. The juxtaposition highlights the stark difference between military technology and the artistry of traditional craftsmanship. One represents advanced weaponry, the other, the enduring value of handmade artistry and cultural heritage.

India marks Gandhi Jayanti on October 2, honoring Mahatma Gandhi’s birth (156th in 2025). The national holiday celebrates his ideals of truth, Satyagraha and ahimsa with prayers, tributes at Raj Ghat, cultural events, cleanliness drives, and UN observance as the International Day of Non-Violence.

Despite trade strains, U.S.–India maritime ties deepen: 2025 Tiger Triumph, carrier tech talks, Indo‑Pacific MDA.

• Exercises/MDA expand even as tariffs and H‑1B fees bite; calls for sustained naval engagement.
• India’s navy cast as IOR security provider amid China’s rise; Quad may quiet under Trump.

Trump’s proposed $100,000 one-time fee for new H-1B visas is prompting many Indian students to rethink U.S. study plans. Experts cite higher costs, weaker ROI, and tighter job prospects, shifting interest toward Europe and Canada. Top U.S. programs still attract, and OPT remains useful.