UAE is poised to spearhead India's special FCNR(B) deposit scheme, with enticing dollar rates and beneficial tax incentives attracting considerable client interest. Bank officials project that more than ten billion dollars have already been sourced from the UAE. Although operational limitations for bank representatives create hurdles, the robust Indian expatriate community plays a vital role in enhancing contributions to this initiative.

The National Stock Exchange of India Limited (NSE) has made a payment of Rs 714.74 crore towards a demand raised by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), as part of the exchange's proposed settlement with the market regulator.

In a recent appeal, IndiGo's Managing Director has urged the government to review and lower aviation taxes and airport charges. He emphasized that reducing fares could unlock significant travel demand within India's budget-conscious consumer base. Airlines have managed slight fare increases over the last three years, but airport costs have escalated dramatically. Collaboration is crucial for developing a competitive aviation landscape.

​The continuous selling of Indian stocks by FPIs for nearly two years has impacted the ownership structure for this group of investors. On the other hand, DIIs, especially the mutual funds that were flush with funds through the systematic investment plans (SIPs), absorbed the selling, providing a much-needed stability to leading domestic indices.

Indian companies now prioritize engineers applying AI to solve customer issues. Demand for agentic and forward-deployed AI engineers has significantly increased. Firms are leveraging AI for both customer-facing solutions and internal process improvements. Companies are also developing workforce capabilities in digital and AI technologies. This shift reflects a growing need for talent bridging technology and business impact.

"We are committing about Rs 12-15 crore in the first phase. The plant will have eight assembly lines with an initial production capacity of 1-1.5 lakh units per month. Over the next three to four years, we will add motor manufacturing and plastic injection moulding, taking the total investment to Rs 50-60 crore," Chauhan said.

IRDAI has expanded insurers' investment options by permitting investments in private limited companies, infrastructure SPV debt and repo, reverse repo and government securities lending transactions. The changes aim to improve investment flexibility and liquidity while setting exposure caps, eligibility criteria and disclosure requirements. The regulator has also revised limits for investments in promoter group companies.

More than 5.5 crore income tax returns have been filed for Assessment Year 2026-27. Over 42 lakh returns were filed on July 30 alone as the deadline approached. The Income Tax Department urged taxpayers to file their returns promptly. Taxpayers were advised to reconcile their financial details before submission. Revised ITR forms for AY 2026-27 incorporate updated disclosure requirements.

Rising oil prices driven by recent geopolitical tensions could prompt the US Federal Reserve to resume interest rate hikes later this year if they fuel inflation, according to a report by ICICI Bank.

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs is preparing a new framework that will streamline departmental appeals involving multiple states. Field formations will gain clarity on filing appeals before the GST Appellate Tribunal. Jurisdictional commissioners will independently decide on appeals for each taxpayer. A formal circular will soon be issued to implement these changes.

Swiggy and Eternal shares have rallied sharply in July as investors reassess the competitive landscape following Zepto's IPO valuation reset. Swiggy has gained nearly 24%, marking its best monthly performance since listing, while Eternal is up 17%, its strongest monthly rise in over two years.

India and Bhutan reviewed development projects during high-level talks. A concessional line of credit worth Rs 4,000 crore was signed. Cooperation in health education and research was also expanded between institutions. Forty-five electric vehicles were handed over to support green mobility initiatives. Both nations reaffirmed their strong development partnership and cooperation.

Capital Group bought a 1.49 percent stake in IIFL Finance for Rs 374 crore. This acquisition was made through open market transactions from Fairfax India's affiliate. US-based Capital Group purchased over 63 lakh shares at an average price of Rs 590. FIH Mauritius Investments, a Fairfax India subsidiary, sold an equal number of shares. Following this transaction, FIH Mauritius Investments' shareholding in IIFL Finance decreased.

The Indian stock market extended gains on Friday as the Sensex rose 50 points and Nifty crossed 24,350 amid positive global cues. Bajaj Finance and M&M led gainers, while Nifty IT dragged. Strong FII inflows and stable earnings continue supporting market resilience, with technical charts signalling further upside towards 24,500.

Given the spread between interest offered on FCNR deposits and interest charged on loans, a 10% WTH on loan interest on tax grossed-up basis would erase effective returns. Where spreads are thin and final yield is generated through higher leverage, the tax can result in negative return.

GST Network has postponed two e-way bill system enhancements. These changes were scheduled for implementation starting August 1. Industry feedback highlighted implementation difficulties with existing systems. The government is reconsidering the design of these proposed changes. This decision allows for additional stakeholder preparedness and avoids business disruption.

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs is preparing a new framework that will streamline departmental appeals involving multiple states. Field formations will gain clarity on filing appeals before the GST Appellate Tribunal. Jurisdictional commissioners will independently decide on appeals for each taxpayer. A formal circular will soon be issued to implement these changes.

Nifty 50 companies now contribute only 51% of aggregate profits, down from 87%. Earnings growth has accelerated across the broader Indian corporate universe and mid-sized firms. This shift signals a broadening wealth creation engine beyond just the largest companies. Financials have become the largest profit contributor, overtaking Energy sectors. Investors should consider portfolios beyond just mega-cap stocks for growth.

Companies are gearing up for a stronger festive hiring season this year. Temporary recruitment is expected to exceed last year's levels significantly. This surge is driven by resilient domestic consumption and expanding retail sectors. Ecommerce and logistics companies are leading this festive hiring push. Growth is also accelerating beyond major metropolitan areas.

In the fiscal year 2025-26, HDFC Bank allocated over Rs 1,316 crore towards various CSR initiatives, significantly enhancing the lives of over 10.77 crore individuals. Their cumulative CSR outlay has reached around Rs 7,492 crore, with the Holistic Rural Development Programme now benefiting more than 11,000 villages across the country. This year also marked the bank's commitment to 498 remote border villages.