India’s pharmaceutical and healthcare industry experienced a remarkable resurgence in the third quarter of 2025, recording USD 3.5 billion (approximately Rs. 29,000 crore) in deal value across 72 transactions. The period marked a strong rebound driven by mergers and acquisitions (M&A), private equity participation, and a series of high-value public market offerings.

Punjab, known as the land of abundance and warmth, is as famous for its spirited culture as it is for its unforgettable cuisine. From the earthy aroma of sarson da saag simmering on a winter stove to the smoky allure of tandoori chicken, every dish from this region tells a story of tradition, generosity, and zest for life. Rooted in agrarian heritage yet enriched by modern creativity, Punjabi food captures the essence of comfort and celebration.

After etching his name in history as the youngest World Chess Champion, D. Gukesh now stands on the brink of another monumental challenge—the FIDE World Cup. The 18-year-old prodigy from Chennai has already redefined Indian chess by dethroning established giants, but the World Cup remains an elusive accolade on his growing list of achievements. With its grueling knockout format and high-stakes encounters, the tournament demands endurance, precision, and mental resilience.

In a high-intensity clash at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, India fought back strongly after a shaky start in the second T20 against Australia. The visitors, reeling from early dismissals, found stability through a determined 50-run partnership between Abhishek Sharma and Nitish Rana, steering the innings past the 100-run mark. The duo’s composed batting helped India reach 104/5 after a turbulent first half dominated by Australia’s pace attack.

In a bold pre-election move, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has unveiled a sweeping manifesto for Bihar, pledging to create 1 crore government jobs and empower 1 crore rural women as “Lakhpati Didis.” The manifesto underscores a dual focus on employment generation and women’s economic empowerment, signaling a push toward inclusive growth and grassroots development. The NDA’s roadmap also highlights measures for rural entrepreneurship, infrastructure modernization, and education reform.

Apple has achieved its highest-ever quarterly revenue growth in India during the September quarter, driven primarily by robust sales of the iPhone 16 lineup and an expanding retail presence. The company’s record-breaking performance underscores India’s emergence as one of Apple’s fastest-growing markets, buoyed by rising demand for premium smartphones and increasing local manufacturing. With strong double-digit growth in both device sales and services, Apple’s India operations have become a cornerstone of its global strategy.

Apple’s latest iPhone 16 Plus has received a significant price reduction in India, making it one of the most attractive premium smartphone deals of the season. The device, originally priced above Rs. 88,000, is now available for around Rs. 64,000, reflecting a discount exceeding Rs. 24,000. This move is seen as part of Apple’s ongoing effort to strengthen its foothold in India’s growing premium smartphone segment ahead of the festive season.

India’s smartphone market is set for a power-packed November with a wave of major launches from both global and homegrown brands. Among the most anticipated devices are the OnePlus 15 and Lava Agni 4, each representing a different vision of innovation—one rooted in flagship performance and the other in value-driven engineering. They will be joined by two other noteworthy releases expected to redefine the mid-range and premium segments.

The upcoming iQOO Neo 11 has surfaced ahead of the official iQOO 15 launch, igniting excitement among smartphone enthusiasts and signaling intensified competition in the Indian mid-premium segment. Poised to rival the OnePlus 15R, the Neo 11 is expected to feature a top-tier chipset, enhanced display technology, and improved battery efficiency. Early leaks suggest the device will strike a balance between flagship performance and affordability—a hallmark of iQOO’s Neo series. As the brand continues to expand its footprint in India, the Neo 11 may redefine expectations in the under-Rs.

In a major step toward enhancing digital privacy, WhatsApp has rolled out passkey encryption for chat backups, providing users with a stronger layer of protection against unauthorized access. This new feature replaces traditional password-based systems with cryptographic passkeys, allowing users to securely authenticate using biometric methods such as fingerprints, facial recognition, or device PINs.