Business

New Delhi, 18 November 2025: As the cost of education, marriage, and other milestones rises, planning for a child’s financial future has become more important than ever. Experts suggest that starting early with a structured investment plan can help parents accumulate a substantial corpus for their child’s long-term needs. Mutual Funds for ChildrenMany parents prefer to open a separate fund in their child’s name for long-term goals like education or marriage. Contributions often begin with small amounts received on birthdays or special occasions and are supplemented with regular deposits over time. One of the reliable options in this space is the ICICI Prudential Children Fund, an open-ended plan designed specifically for children. The fund has a proven track record of delivering consist...

New Delhi, 18 November 2025: According to the latest data from the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), Uttar Pradesh remains the top state for two- and three-wheeler sales, while Maharashtra continues to lead in car and commercial vehicle purchases. Passenger Vehicle SalesIn the second quarter of the financial year 2025-26, India recorded a total of 10.39 lakh passenger vehicles sold. Maharashtra emerged as the leader with 1.32 lakh cars sold, accounting for 12.7% of total sales. Uttar Pradesh ranked second with a 9.7% share, followed by Gujarat (8.5%), Karnataka (7.4%), Kerala (6.7%), and Tamil Nadu (6.6%). Two-Wheeler Sales Dominate in UPTwo-wheeler sales totaled 55.62 lakh units nationwide during the quarter. Uttar Pradesh led the segment with 6.93 lakh units sold, ...

New Delhi, 18 November 2025: Infosys founder N.R. Narayana Murthy has once again stirred controversy by suggesting a 72-hour work week for employees, citing China’s infamous “9-9-6” work culture as an example. His remarks have sparked a heated debate on social media, with many questioning the feasibility of such long hours in India. Murthy’s ArgumentMurthy emphasized that hard work is essential for personal, professional, and national growth. Citing his observations from Chinese Tier 1, 2, and 3 cities, he explained that the “9-9-6 rule”—working from 9 AM to 9 PM, six days a week—has been a driver of China’s economic progress. He also referenced Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who reportedly works over 100 hours per week, as an example of dedication. Murthy believes that a strong work eth...

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...