HDFC Bank recorded a 12% year-on-year increase in its loan book during the December quarter, underscoring sustained credit demand across key segments of the economy. Growth was supported by steady retail lending, improving traction in corporate advances and disciplined balance-sheet management following the bank’s recent consolidation initiatives. Despite a competitive lending environment and tight liquidity conditions, the bank maintained momentum without compromising asset quality.

Universal Music Group has entered into a strategic alliance with Excel Entertainment, marking a significant development in India’s rapidly evolving music and entertainment landscape. The partnership aims to combine Universal Music’s global expertise and catalog strength with Excel Entertainment’s deep understanding of Indian storytelling and content creation. As digital streaming, film soundtracks and independent music continue to gain momentum, the collaboration is expected to unlock new commercial opportunities and expand artist reach across platforms.

A recent survey conducted by the Indian School of Business points to a decisive shift in how corporate boards are shaping company strategy. Once viewed largely as oversight bodies, boards are now playing a more active role in long-term planning, risk management and capital allocation. The findings suggest that heightened market volatility, regulatory scrutiny and rapid technological change have pushed directors to engage more deeply with management.

Tata Group’s retail arm Trent Ltd. delivered a robust performance in the third quarter, reporting a 17% increase in revenue to Rs. 5,220 crore, reflecting sustained consumer demand and continued store expansion. Growth was driven by strong traction across its core fashion and lifestyle formats, supported by higher footfalls, improved product mix and disciplined execution. The results underline Trent’s ability to scale profitably in a competitive retail environment, even as discretionary spending remains uneven.

The Reserve Bank of India is poised to assume responsibility for managing the banking operations and public debt of the Delhi government, marking a notable shift in the capital’s fiscal administration framework. The move is expected to strengthen financial oversight, enhance transparency and bring Delhi’s debt management practices in line with established sovereign standards. By placing these functions under the country’s central bank, policymakers aim to improve cash-flow efficiency, streamline borrowing operations and reinforce institutional credibility.

Dabur India is expected to report moderate but resilient revenue growth in the third quarter, supported by gradual improvement in rural demand, price stability and steady performance in its core health and personal care segments. While inflationary pressures and uneven urban consumption continue to pose challenges, analysts anticipate that Dabur’s diversified portfolio and strong distribution network will help sustain topline momentum. Margin performance is also likely to benefit from easing input costs, even as competitive intensity remains high.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has once again drawn attention to India’s energy ties with Russia and its tariff regime, framing the issues through the lens of American trade and geopolitical interests. His remarks underscore longstanding tensions in U.S.-India economic relations, particularly around market access, protectionism and strategic alignment. While India has defended its energy purchases as a matter of national interest and affordability, Trump’s comments reflect a broader Western unease over global trade realignments since the Ukraine conflict.

The Tata Group has initiated a significant leadership reshuffle at its aviation businesses, beginning the search for new chief executives at Air India and its low-cost arm, Air India Express. The move comes as the conglomerate accelerates the integration and transformation of the formerly state-owned carrier into a globally competitive airline.

Arunachal Pradesh has reported a robust 36 percent increase in Goods and Services Tax collections in FY26, reflecting improved compliance, expanding commercial activity, and stronger administrative enforcement. The sharp rise underscores the northeastern state’s gradual integration into the formal economy and highlights the effectiveness of tax reforms and digital monitoring systems. Officials attribute the growth to higher registrations, better return filings, and sectoral expansion in trade, construction, and services.

Recent remarks and references by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro have brought renewed international attention to the enduring legacy of Indian spiritual leader Sathya Sai Baba. The episode highlights how Sai Baba’s philosophy of universal values, service, and spiritual humanism continues to resonate beyond India’s borders, influencing political leaders and societies worldwide. Observers note that such cross-cultural acknowledgments underscore India’s soft-power reach through spiritual and cultural traditions.