The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has announced plans to initiate 230 exploration projects focused on critical minerals in FY26, reflecting India’s strategic push toward resource self-reliance and industrial competitiveness. These projects, spanning rare earth elements, lithium, cobalt, and other strategic materials, aim to strengthen domestic supply chains for emerging sectors such as electric vehicles, renewable energy, and high-tech manufacturing.

Tata Motors posted a robust 26% year-on-year increase in sales for November, driven by strong performance across passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, and its growing electric vehicle portfolio. The automaker benefited from renewed consumer demand following festive-season momentum and easing supply-chain constraints, particularly in the semiconductor segment. Growth was led by utility vehicles like the Nexon, Punch, and Harrier, alongside sustained demand for commercial trucks and EV models such as the Nexon EV.

Maruti Suzuki reported a strong 26% year-on-year jump in sales for November, signaling renewed momentum in India’s passenger vehicle market after months of supply-chain stabilization and easing input pressures. The country’s largest carmaker recorded robust demand across its compact, SUV, and premium segments, supported by improving consumer sentiment and festive carryover purchases. The rise in domestic sales, coupled with strengthened export volumes, highlights the company’s diversified growth trajectory.

The Finance Ministry has reiterated that all investments made by Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) in companies belonging to the Adani Group follow strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and established risk-management frameworks. The clarification comes amid renewed scrutiny over public-sector investment practices and concerns about exposure to large conglomerates. According to the ministry, LIC’s investment decisions undergo rigorous evaluation, ensuring alignment with regulatory norms and long-term policyholder interests.

India’s Goods and Services Tax (GST) collection softened to Rs 1.70 lakh crore in November, reflecting a moderate easing in economic activity after several months of robust momentum. While the figure remains historically strong, it marks a slowdown from earlier highs, indicating a possible normalization in consumption and trade flows. Analysts attribute the dip to cyclical post-festive cooling, continued pressure in select manufacturing segments, and uneven recovery trends across states.

MV Electrosystems is preparing to launch its initial public offering (IPO) valued at Rs 290 crore, marking a major milestone for the electronics solutions company as it seeks to scale operations and fortify its position in a rapidly evolving market. The issue will comprise a combination of fresh equity and an offer for sale, allowing the firm to raise growth capital while enabling early stakeholders to partially divest. Proceeds from the offering are expected to enhance manufacturing capacity, strengthen working capital, and support strategic investments.

AU Small Finance Bank has appointed Bollywood actors Ranbir Kapoor and Rashmika Mandanna as its new brand ambassadors, reinforcing its strategy to deepen national visibility and strengthen consumer trust. The partnership aims to align the bank’s youthful, aspirational branding with personalities who resonate strongly across India’s expanding retail customer base. By integrating the celebrity duo into upcoming campaigns, AU SFB seeks to accelerate its outreach in competitive segments such as digital banking, savings products, and retail lending.

India’s Black Friday sales witnessed a sharp 27% year-on-year surge, marking one of the strongest festive-adjacent shopping weekends for the country’s e-commerce ecosystem, according to Unicommerce. The rise was driven by aggressive discounting, wider brand participation, and a noticeable increase in impulse-driven online spending. Apparel, beauty, and electronics led the growth momentum, with marketplaces reporting higher order volumes and stronger conversion rates.

The Union government has introduced the Manipur GST Bill in Parliament, seeking to regularize the state’s taxation framework and ensure continuity in revenue collection despite the administrative challenges arising from ongoing unrest. Presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the legislation aims to empower the Centre to levy and administer Goods and Services Tax in Manipur until a stable governance structure resumes full functionality.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor recorded a strong 19% year-on-year increase in wholesale volumes for November, underscoring the automaker’s sustained momentum in India’s competitive passenger-vehicle market. The surge was supported by broad-based demand across its SUV and MPV lineup, along with an expanding hybrid portfolio that continues to attract environmentally conscious buyers. The company’s steady growth highlights its strategic focus on capacity optimisation, product diversification, and hybrid technology leadership.