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Industry Trends

Microfinance loan stress at four-quarter low as of September 2025: Sa-Dhan

The ratio of loans outstanding more than 90 days after their due date has fallen to 3.27% in the quarter-ended September 2025 from 4% in the December 2024 quarter.

Industry Trends

Warner Bros deal battle: Company tells shareholders to reject Paramount Skydance bid; Netflix deal preferred

Warner Bros urged shareholders to reject Paramount Skydance's takeover, favoring a Netflix offer they believe benefits customers and aligns with board duties. Paramount's higher bid includes cable networks, unlike Netflix's streaming-focused proposal. Both deals face significant regulatory and political scrutiny, with concerns about market dominance and media consolidation.

Startup Funding

Warner Bros. Plans to Reject Paramount Bid on Funding, Terms

After deliberating and reviewing Paramount’s bid, Warner Bros.’ board will urge shareholders to reject the tender offer, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing confidential information. The board still views the company’s existing agreement with streaming leader Netflix as offering greater value, certainty and terms than what Paramount has proposed, they said.

Industry Trends

Bengaluru is India’s top startup hub: Hurun-IDFC First list

The India’s top 200 self-made entrepreneurs of the millennia 2025 list has 88 founders selecting Bengaluru as their residence city, and 52 companies choosing it as its headquarters.

Startup Funding

KPI Green Energy signs $4-billion MoU with Botswana for renewable energy projects

The collaboration involves a capital investment of around $4 billion (₹36,000 crore) and is expected to increase Botswana’s renewable energy capacity to nearly 5GW. Shares of KPI Green Energy Ltd ended at ₹416.90, down by ₹8.15, or 1.92%, on the BSE today, December 17.

Salary / Compensation

Amazon Pay Adds Support for Biometric Authentication for UPI Payments in India

Amazon Pay has introduced the new biometric authentication feature for UPI transactions. However, the company will only allow users to make payments of up to Rs. 5,000 using the new feature. The tech giant claims that people will no longer have to enter their UPI pins to complete a transaction, as they can directly validate them using their fingerprint and facial biometrics. In the past, companies like Navi UPI, Samsung Wallet, and NPCI have also introduced this feature.

Startup Funding

Experiential tech startup Tagbin secures $10M in funding

The Gurgaon-headquartered firm intends to use the funds to expand beyond India, enhance its technology platforms and prepare the organisational and regulatory groundwork needed for a stock market listing.

Industry Trends

IBM, Walmart sign large office lease deals in Bengaluru

IBM India has taken up 1,61,884 sq. ft on lease from Golflinks Software Park Pvt. Ltd at the Pine Valley building in Embassy Golflinks Business Park.

Industry Trends

How to Log in to the EPFO Member Portal: A Step-by-Step Guide

Many employees find it difficult to access their EPF account. In this article, we will guide you through the step-by-step process of logging into the EPFO Member Portal. Every employee needs to activate their UAN (Universal Account Number) before proceeding. Also, make sure that your mobile number is linked to the UAN for successful OTP verification.

Layoffs / Restructuring

Vedanta demerger likely by March 2026; Anil Agarwal eyes debt-free holding company, capacity doubling across businesses

Vedanta Chairman Anil Agarwal said the proposed restructuring will allow each business to pursue independent growth strategies, with a strong emphasis on deleveraging at the holding company level and scaling up production across key metals, energy and mining segments to tap India’s long-term demand outlook.

Industry Trends

Sebi board approves changes to mutual fund expense fee, stock broker rules, simplified IPO documents

Sebi has introduced major reforms for mutual funds and stock brokers. New rules aim to simplify operations and reduce costs for investors. Broker regulations are updated to reflect modern market practices. Mutual fund rules are rewritten with clearer language and strengthened transparency. Expense ratios are reduced across various fund categories. Brokerage caps are also lowered.

Industry Trends

Sebi revises base expense ratio of mutual funds across categories

Capital markets regulator Sebi has revised the base expense ratio (BER) of mutual funds across categories in a board meeting, according to ET Now. The regulator's board approved exclusion of all statutory levies from the base expense ratio such as securities transaction tax (STT), GST and stamp duty.

Industry Trends

Warner Bros. Discovery urges shareholders to reject ‘Inferior’ Paramount bid

Warner Bros. Discovery urges shareholders to reject Paramount Skydance’s $30 per share bid, favoring its Netflix deal, citing Paramount’s financing risks and Netflix’s superior terms.

Startup Funding

Monarch Networth Capital launches its maiden PMS scheme

Monarch Networth Capital has launched its first Portfolio Management Services scheme, strengthening its full-stack financial services platform and expanding beyond broking and AIFs with a research-driven, value-focused investment strategy aimed at long-term wealth creation

Industry Trends

Why SMEs must prioritise cyber insurance — BimaKavach CEO Tejas Jain explains rising risks

Tejas Jain of BimaKavach highlights rising cyber risks for SMEs using digital systems, with cyber insurance becoming vital as attacks and regulatory penalties increase in India.

Salary / Compensation

Pay hike outlook: India Inc eyes 9% salary growth in 2026; bonuses and skills take centre stage

Average salaries in India are projected to rise by 9 per cent in 2026, with organisations placing sharper emphasis on short-term incentives, performance-linked rewards and skills-based pay frameworks. The IT, ITES and Global Capability Centres (GCCs) sector continues to lead in offering innovative benefits and progressive employee policies, reflecting its focus on well-being, engagement and future-ready talent.

Industry Trends

Dress to Impress Codes (December 2025): Full List of Active Codes, Rewards, and More

Dress to Impress codes allow Roblox players to unlock free outfits and accessories without spending Robux. With several active codes available in December 2025, players can expand their wardrobe using festive and exclusive cosmetic items. Redeeming codes is simple, but they are time-limited, making it important to use them before they expire.

Industry Trends

NSDL pays Rs 15.57 crore to Sebi to settle regulatory norm violation cases

Markets regulator Sebi has settled a case of regulatory non-compliance with National Securities Depository Ltd (NSDL), with the depository paying Rs 15.57 crore to close proceedings linked to lapses found during an inspection in FY24.

Industry Trends

India not planning separate AI law; Digital India Act remains stalled

As per the MeitY Secretary, between the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA) and the IP laws, most issues related to AI use are covered; hence, the govt is avoiding a standalone law. The post India not planning separate AI law; Digital India Act remains stalled appeared first on MEDIANAMA.

Industry Trends

Eutelsat Provides Satcom Connectivity To Help Indian Army’s Relief Efforts In Sri Lanka

Eutelsat and Airtel have deployed OneWeb’s LEO satellite connectivity to support Indian Army relief efforts in cyclone-hit Sri Lanka. The service is enabling emergency communications and telemedicine support. The post Eutelsat Provides Satcom Connectivity To Help Indian Army’s Relief Efforts In Sri Lanka appeared first on MEDIANAMA.

Industry Trends

Persistent, DigitalOcean Partner to Make AI Accessible, Scalable

With the collaboration, the companies project reducing AI infrastructure and operational costs by more than 50%. The post Persistent, DigitalOcean Partner to Make AI Accessible, Scalable appeared first on Analytics India Magazine.

Startup Funding

iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone Fold to Feature Relocated Selfie Camera; iPhone 17e to Offer MagSafe Support: Report

iPhone 17 series, including the iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone 17 Pro, and the standard iPhone 17, was launched by Apple in global markets, including India, in September. Next year, the Cupertino company is expected to skip the launch of a standard iPhone 18, while introducing its first foldable handset, dubbed iPhone Fold. While most details about the iPhone 18 Pro series and the iPhone Fold remain under wraps, their features have now surfaced online.

Industry Trends

Rupee recovers 55 paise from all-time low level to close at 90.38 against U.S. dollar

On December 16, the rupee tanked below 91 per dollar, hitting a low of 91.14. It finally settled at an all-time low of 90.93 against the American currency.

Industry Trends

India, Oman to sign Free Trade Agreement on December 18, Piyush Goyal confirms

Apart from various sectoral benefits, India will gain in terms of the access Oman provides to other markets such as the GCC region, eastern Europe, central Asia, and Africa, Mr. Goyal said.