Consumers have clearly benefited from the recent Goods and Services Tax (GST) reform, as the cost of several necessities and electronics has significantly decreased. The decision has reduced the cost of products for the middle class and is fueling a nationwide spike in holiday shopping.

Thanks to the GST cut, people now have more money, and as purchasing power increases, inflation naturally decreases.

Prior to last week, the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA), which represents the Indian auto sector, saw a 34% year-over-year rise in sales over the Navratri holiday, which took place from September 22 to 30.

Sales of passenger cars increased by 34.8% during that time, while sales of two-wheelers increased by 36%. In September, total sales increased 5.22 percent to 1,827,337 units, up from 1,736,760 units in the same month last year.

Inquiries and reservations have grown dramatically in the two-wheeler, passenger, and commercial vehicle segments, according to FADA. Because supply chains are in a good position to satisfy rising consumer demand, industry analysts predict that this could be India’s best-ever festive retail season thanks to improved logistics and transportation.

On September 22, 2025, the major modifications to India’s Goods and Services Tax (GST) system, referred to as GST 2.0, come into force. The “next-generation GST reforms,” which Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally introduced, aim to streamline the tax law, facilitate compliance, and reduce the tax burden on needs.

Chairman of the BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Harvansh Chawla said, “The lower and middle classes have been most affected by the decrease in retail prices. People who could previously purchase a single item, say, for Rs 100, can now purchase several goods“.

“Traders will greatly benefit from the unprecedented sales that will occur this Diwali,” he continued.

Economist Dr. Manoranjan Sharma claims that while food and gasoline costs decreased during the month, India’s Consumer Price Index (CPI)-based inflation rate fell to a record low of 1.54 percent in September of this year, down more than eight years from the same month the year before.

In addition, India’s Wholesale Price Index (WPI)-based annual inflation rate decreased from 0.52% in August to 0.13% in September. Due to recent rate reduction, September GST collections also reached Rs 1.89 lakh crore, indicating a 9.1% YoY gain.

“Millions of people have benefited from the increased disposable income that the average person has today,” Dr. Sharma said.

In the end, GST reforms have decreased costs for both producers and consumers by lowering prices, improving credit flow, resolving tax inversion difficulties, and reducing conflicts.

Traders are hopeful that this season will be one of the best sales times in recent memory due to the rise in consumer confidence.

India has now won a Test series for the first time under Shubman Gill’s leadership after a 2-2 draw in England earlier this year. Even if the margin indicates an easy win, India had to earn it in New Delhi and defeat the West Indies in Test matches for the ninth consecutive time.

India captain Shubman Gill, who secured his maiden series victory as captain with a 2-0 series victory over the West Indies at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Tuesday, said it is a “great honor for him to lead the Test side.” In the first hour of day five, India managed to chase down 121 to win by seven wickets and earn 12 crucial points for the World Test Championship.

India needed exactly an hour on day five to secure a seven-wicket win over the West Indies and seal a 2-0 series sweep. India easily chased down 121 thanks to KL Rahul’s unbeaten 58 from 108 balls, which included six fours and two sixes.

With the help of John Campbell and Shai Hope’s twin hundreds and a valiant 79-run partnership at the end of the fifth day, the West Indies, who were urged to continue, refused to give up easily. Despite an early stutter, India easily won the chase after play began, adding 12 crucial points to their World Test Championship total.

India’s point percentage increased to 61.9 percent after the victory, although they are still in third place in the World Test Championship standings. This was India’s 122nd Test victory overall and their 10th consecutive victory over the West Indies.

“Leading India is a huge honor, and I’m starting to get used to it. It is a huge honor to lead this team and manage all of the players. It’s about making the appropriate decisions under the circumstances. In that game, I strive to choose the most likely choice given the circumstances. Gill commented at the end of the game, “And sometimes you have to make a bold decision, depending on which player can get you certain runs or can get you those wickets.”

“Team India delivered a dominant performance across the entire series. Consistent and clinical with the bat and the ball. Well done. Congratulations to WI for fighting hard in the second test match”, Former India cricketer and coach Anil Kumble shared on X.

Roston Chase, the captain of the West Indies, thinks that his team’s impressive showing against India in the second Test match may signal the start of a more competitive era for the Caribbean squad in red-ball cricket.

“All I want is for the guys to keep going in this direction and to avoid reverting to those methods.” “Even if we lose, we must lose in a positive manner so that we can take a lot of positive things away from the game,” Chase stated during the news conference held after the game.

At a meeting on Monday, the Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) made the important decision to permit withdrawals of up to 100% of the “eligible balance” in the PF account, including the employer and employee shares, ahead of Diwali.

At the 238th meeting of the Central Board of Trustees (CBT), which was held in the nation’s capital, the decision was made. More than seven crore members will benefit from the measure, which permits 100% EPF withdrawals.

The full withdrawal was previously only permitted in the event of retirement or unemployment. After one month of unemployment, a member could take seventy-five percent of their PF balance, and after two months, the remaining twenty-five percent.

However, the entire amount could be taken out at any time upon retirement.

During its meeting, the CBT, led by Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, made a number of groundbreaking decisions.

EPF members were permitted to withdraw up to 90% of their corpus that was in their EPF account in the event of a partial withdrawal for the acquisition of land, the building or purchase of a new home, or the repayment of an EMI.

Notably, the CBT chose to streamline the EPF scheme’s partial withdrawal provisions in order to improve the quality of life for its members. This was accomplished by combining 13 intricate provisions into a single, streamlined rule that was divided into three categories: housing needs, special circumstances, and essential needs (marriage, education, and illness).

Additionally, the EPFO made the decision to relax withdrawal restrictions. Marriage and education withdrawals are permitted up to five times and ten times, respectively, from the current cap of three partial withdrawals for marriage and education combined.

Additionally, the minimum service requirement for all partial withdrawals has been consistently lowered to only 12 months.

According to a statement released by the labor ministry following the board meeting, a provision has been introduced for 25% of the contributions made to the member’s account to be designated as the “Minimum Balance,” which the member must always maintain.

The Rajputana Royals vs. Prithviraaj Yodhas final was an intense race, and the first Archery Premier League (APL) left its best for last. As the first-ever APL champions, the Royals pulled off a spectacular comeback and won the championship in a nail-biting shootout.

Ojas Deotale and Ella Gibson, the two most reliable Royals compound archers, struck the target in the tiebreaking shootoff in front of Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, but none of the four Yodhas players succeeded in hitting the yellow dot. It was a hit-and-miss contest.

Not only did the Yodhas put up a strong fight against the Royals, but they also became the first APL team to complete a set with a perfect rotation of eight arrows, scoring a perfect 80 with all ten. Their in-form senior compound archer, Abhishek Verma, who paired up with Matias Grande, Gatha Khadake, and Andrea Becerra, led them to a 4-2 advantage, but it was still insufficient.

With just one loss in 12 games, the Royals won the title because to the efforts of recurvers Mete Gazoz and Ankita Bhakat, who teamed up with Gibson and Deotale.

The drama started in the first set itself, which ended with one of Khadake’s arrow getting upgraded by the judges to give the Yodhas a 78-77 win in the first set. However, the Royals roared back in the next with a 78-75 margin to square the final at 2-2.

The third set saw the Yodhas’ archers scripting history by scoring 10s on all eight arrows to win it with an unprecedented scoreline of 80-77.

At the end of the fourth set, when Grande needed a 9 to give the Yodhas the title, the match went to a close call. However, he hit an 8 and the Royals won the set 78-77, making it 4-4, with a shootout to determine the winner. Deotale and Gibson completed the task by striking the shootoff target twice.

The Royals defeated the Chero Archers 5-1 earlier in the day in the first semi-final, dropping just six points in three sets (78-78, 79-77, 77-75). Led by their compound archers Deotale and Ella Gibson, who were once again in outstanding 10-hitting form, the league-stage winners maintained their strong run of success.

After a first set that ended in a tie, the Royals stepped up their game to take the following two and won the match outright. Tokyo Olympics gold medallist recurver Mete Gazoz secured the victory with a 10 off the final arrow.

The judges remeasured the match in the fourth set after a thrilling second semifinal matchup between the Yodhas and the Mighty Marathas, allowing the Yodhas to advance to the finals against the Royals with a 5-3 victory.

Compound archer Mike Schloesser had another ideal day for the Marathas, and the match swung like a pendulum. Even though they won the second set and were able to tie the match at 2-2, it wasn’t enough.

The Yodhas won the first set 78-74, but the Marathas came back to take the second set 79-76. Compound man Verma led from the front with flawless 10s as the Yodhas won the third set 78-74 to reclaim their two-point lead at 4-2.

The Marathas looked to have won the fourth set by a point at the conclusion, forcing a shootout in the semi-final. However, the judges’ remeasure improved Yodhas’ arrow, making it 78-78, which was sufficient for the Yodhas to win 5-3.

Also Read: Arjuna and Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Awards – Get to Know the Full Lists

With the launch of the Archery Premier League (APL), the first professional league in archery in the world, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Telugu actor Ram Charan’s contribution to the sport’s popularity and said it will help “countless youngsters.”

The APL’s brand ambassador, Ram Charan, met with the prime minister on Saturday in New Delhi with his father-in-law, Anil Kamineni, and wife, Upasana Konidela.

“I’m glad to have met Anil Kamineni Garu and Upasana. “Your combined efforts to promote archery are admirable and will help a lot of young people,” PM Modi wrote on X.

Ram Charan used social media to express his emotions following his meeting with the prime minister.

It was an honor to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi following the triumph of the first Archery Premier League in history, which was headed by Anil Kamineni Garu. This is our little attempt to uphold archery’s heritage and spread its popularity over the globe.

In his social media message on Saturday, he congratulated all of the athletes and expressed the hope that many more would take up this amazing sport.

The AI Skills Passport, a free online program created to give young Indians the skills and information they need to succeed in an AI-driven economy, was introduced by EY and Microsoft on Sunday in a significant move to close the AI skills gap in India.

Targeting those 16 and older, the program provides fair access to high-quality AI education, equipping students and early-career professionals with critical, employable AI skills.

India’s launch comes after a global roll-out earlier this year that saw over 40,000 people sign up and over 13,000 finish the program.

EY and Microsoft want to enable young people to upskill and be future-ready in an increasingly digital world, while NASSCOM reports that only 31% of Indian professionals feel adequately equipped to use AI tools.

“The launch of the AI Skills Passport addresses India’s growing demand for skilled AI talent in an era where AI is revolutionizing work and redefining career paths,” stated Monesh Dange, Partner and Leader, Alliances and Ecosystems, EY India.

“Many professionals are still ill-equipped to fully utilize AI. We’re dedicated to working with Microsoft to make sure this program is not just free but also effective at scale, giving everyone access to develop critical AI skills,” Dange continued.

With roughly 10 hours of information, the AI Skills Passport is a totally online curriculum that is accessible in both Hindi and English.

Learners can participate at their own pace thanks to the program’s combination of asynchronous evaluations, practical exercises, and modular video courses.

It covers the basics of AI, ethical AI practices, and applications of AI in a variety of sectors, including technology, healthcare, and finance. To help learners apply their skills and improve employability, practical exercises, real-world case studies, and career counseling—including networking techniques, interview preparation, and resume building—are incorporated.

In order to improve their job profiles and career chances in the AI-driven economy, participants who successfully complete the course are awarded a verifiable digital badge.

AI is revolutionizing India’s digital economy, with young people at its center, according to Bhaskar Basu, Enterprise Partnerships Leader, Microsoft India & South Asia. Our goal of “AI for all” and our dedication to developing talent prepared for the future are reflected in the AI Skills Passport, which was introduced in collaboration with EY.

By the end of the year, the nation hopes to introduce an Indian Large Language Model (LLM) to lessen reliance on foreign systems, with 12 businesses creating foundation models and 38,000 GPUs accessible for just Rs 65 per hour, the government announced on Friday.

The IndiaAI Mission, which was approved last year, is filling important gaps by enabling affordable compute, developing a national data platform, supporting foundation models, advancing AI skilling, and guaranteeing safe and reliable AI, according to Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary MeitY, CEO of IndiaAI, and DG-NIC.

At the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025, MeitY organized a series of pre-summit activities for the forthcoming India–AI Impact Summit 2026.

These gatherings represent a significant milestone in the run-up to the India–AI Impact Summit 2026, which is set for February 19–20, 2026, at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.

“We have adopted innovative means by learning from the experiences of others to build viable projects and products that will truly make a difference for us,” stated S. Krishnan, Secretary of MeitY, in his inaugural address.

“It is creative and economical to collaborate with the private sector and make it available to the public sector, guaranteeing a level playing field for all providers. It guarantees that we can guarantee availability for everyone while using the fewest resources possible. In order to create a model that can be applied to the rest of the global South, some international organizations have also found our strategy to be quite appealing,” he said.

In order to investigate how AI might promote equitable, secure, and sustainable growth throughout the digital and telecommunications ecosystem, pre-summit events brought together leaders from government, business, academia, and international organizations.

The talks mirrored India’s goal of using AI to promote equitable growth, economic resilience, and societal good, which is in line with the topic of the next Summit, “From Action to Impact.”

The participants looked at the IndiaAI Mission‘s advancements, the country’s expanding AI ecosystem, and potential collaborations that may democratize AI innovation and access.

Global leaders will come together at the India-AI Impact Summit 2026 to promote the ethical design, development, and use of AI under the tenets of “People, Planet, and Progress.“

The eagerly awaited “Kantara 2” sequel has finally in theaters, but based on viewer feedback, it hasn’t quite been as successful as the first. On October 2nd, “Kantara – Chapter 1” was released, and both critics and viewers have given it excellent reviews.

With Rishab Shetty once again serving as both the director and the main actor, the movie delves into the legend’s beginnings by fusing folklore, divinity, and unfiltered human emotions.

‘Kantara: Chapter 1’ has garnered a lot of praise since its premiere for its potent narrative, beautiful photography, and deeply ingrained cultural themes. It is a “cinematic thunderstorm” that challenges the conventions of Indian cinema, according to critics.

Previously, Rishab Shetty’s Kannada smash “Kantara,” which he wrote, directed, and performed in, came out in 2022. ‘Kantara‘, which was praised for its emotional depth and genuineness, became one of the most acclaimed Indian films of the last few years, becoming popular throughout the country and making Rishab Shetty a household name.

“I think what has been really beautiful in the process of shooting “Kantara” is the degree of detail that I have seen Rishab Shetty Sir take on as both the director and the lead actor of a mammoth film like this,” said actress Rukmini Vasanth, who portrayed Kankavati in “Kantara – Chapter 1.”The scope of this movie is simply unthinkable, not only in terms of price or money. I am referring to the period of time it covers because the film is set in the fourth century, and everything had to be created and appear realistic.

The makers of “Kantara: Chapter 1,” the recently released pan-Indian film directed by Rishab Shetty, urged viewers and fans not to encourage piracy , claiming that doing so not only hurt the movie but also the aspirations and labors of thousands of people who put in countless hours to make it a reality.

Additionally, even with the best of intentions, we respectfully ask that moviegoers refrain from filming or sharing footage from theaters as this detracts from the cinematic experience.

In Kantara Chapter 1, every sound, frame, and feeling was intended to be experienced on a large screen. Together, let’s safeguard this adventure and ensure that Kantara remains a memorable cinematic experience,” the filmmakers continued.

“#Kantara has to be one of the best representation and portrayal of the many diverse and intricate cultures of our Indian land in every possible angle!!!” Cricketer Varun Chakravarthy wrote on his social media timelines. Amazing and astounding! @shetty_rishab.

Renowned filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga, who is most renowned for directing the popular movie “Animal,” gave the Kannada movie high marks as well.

Sandeep Reddy Vanga said on his X timeline: “KANTARA Chapter 1 is an absolute gem. Nothing like this has ever been seen in Indian film. It is unadulterated, divine, and unstoppable, like a storm in a movie. @shetty_rishab Rishab Shetty creates and performs a show that is truly one-man work. Special thanks go out to @AJANEESHB’s BGM.

“Thank you, @imvangasandeep sir,” wrote Hombale Films, the production company that produced this movie, in response to his remark. Thank you very much for your kind remarks regarding #KantaraChapter1.

Junior NTR, the Telugu superstar, said, “Congratulations to the #KantaraChapter1 team on achieving a decisive victory. As a superb director and an incredible actor, Rishab Shetty Sir accomplished the unimaginable. Best regards to the whole cast and crew, as well as to Hombale Films, for their unwavering support of Rishab Sir’s vision.”

“Kantara: Chapter 1,” the prelude to the popular movie, takes place during the Kadambas of Banavasi’s rule. It was produced by Vijay Kiragandur under the Hombale Films banner and written and directed by Rishab Shetty. The main actors in the film are Jayaram, Rukmini Vasanth, and Rishab Shetty.

In the face of shifting global growth trends, Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), has praised India as a major global economic growth engine.

Over the longer term, global growth is expected to be about 3%, which is lower than the 3.7% growth rate prior to the pandemic. Over time, global economic patterns have been shifting, with China gradually slowing down and India emerging as a major development engine, according to the IMF chief.

Georgieva’s remarks preceded the annual gathering of central bank governors and finance ministers with the World Bank and IMF in Washington next week.

According to Georgieva, nations have implemented firm economic policies, the private sector has adjusted, and the US tariff crisis has turned out to be less serious than first anticipated.

However, she stated that “global resilience has not yet been fully tested,“ therefore it was too soon to breathe a sigh of relief. There are worrying indications that the test might be forthcoming.

Georgieva stated that “all signs point to a world economy that has generally withstood acute strains from multiple shocks,” citing “improved policy fundamentals,” the private sector’s flexibility, lower-than-expected tariffs, and favorable financial conditions.

She pointed out that although the US effective tariff rate of about 10% is still “far above” the rest of the world, the US tariff rate has decreased from 23% in April to 17.5% today.

However, she cautioned that the full impact of those tariffs “is still to unfold,” and that the global economy’s resilience has not yet been “fully tested.”

In the meantime, India’s growth estimate for FY26 was increased by the World Bank on Tuesday from 6.3% to 6.5%. In the April–June quarter, India’s GDP growth surged to a five-quarter high of 7.8%.

Reserve Bank Governor Sanjay Malhotra announced last week that the RBI has increased its forecast of India’s GDP growth rate from 6.5% to 6.8% for 2025–2026. This is because the implementation of a number of structural reforms that will spur growth, such as simplifying the GST, is anticipated to mitigate some of the negative effects of the external headwinds.

He noted that high private consumption and fixed investment were the main drivers of India’s GDP‘s 7.8% growth in Q1 2025–2026. On the supply side, a resurgence in manufacturing and consistent growth in services drove the 7.6% increase in gross value added (GVA).

High frequency indicators that are now available indicate that economic activity is still robust. According to the RBI Governor, urban demand is gradually increasing while rural demand is still high due to a healthy monsoon and active agriculture.

India is currently the third-largest generator of solar energy in the world, with over 125 GW of solar capacity, said Minister of New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi.

The minister stated during the curtain-raiser event for the 8th session of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) assembly, which is set for October 27–30 in the nation’s capital, that India has achieved its renewable energy targets five years ahead of schedule and has surpassed the 50% threshold in total installed electricity capacity from non-fossil resources thanks to its clear vision and consistent policies.

With 124 Member and Signatory Countries, ISA is the largest treaty-based intergovernmental organization from the Global South. It was introduced by France and India at COP21 in Paris.

Weeks before COP30 in Brazil, this high-level ministerial meeting is establishing goals for developing skill ecosystems, unlocking transformative finance, scaling solar energy, and mapping out technological and policy roadmaps in order to expedite a fair and equitable energy transition.

“India’s success narrative is about the people, not just the numbers. We have personally witnessed how decentralized solar changes lives, illuminates remote houses, supplies energy to nearby medical facilities, and equips our farmers with new equipment. More than 20 lakh families are using solar power thanks to the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, Joshi said.

He added that “we are taking this transformation to the heartland of India” as part of the PM-KUSUM program.

The three parts of the plan aim to solarize 3.5 million grid-connected agricultural pumps, support 1.4 million off-grid solar pumps, and install 10 gigawatts of tiny solar plants. By working together, these initiatives are making sure that clean energy gets to the final mile. India’s energy revolution is characterized by this mix of inclusivity and scale, the minister said.

We are currently the third largest renewable energy installation in the world, ranking third in solar power and fourth in wind power, according to Santosh Kumar Sarangi, Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.

Furthermore, we are the second-largest producer of solar modules, after China. In addition to solar modules, we also manufacture green hydrogen, which is essential to our energy security. We are working toward our target of producing roughly 5 million tons of green hydrogen by 2031,” he said.

The Director General of ISA, Ashish Khanna, asserts that the world’s renewable energy is reaching a turning point.

Renewable energy doubled that in just two years, but oil took 25 years to achieve 1,000 GW. Renewable energy has overtaken fossil fuels for the first time. “This is a critical time for the Global South to take the lead,” he continued.

State Bank of India (SBI) Chairman CS Setty said on Wednesday that the bank is working on simplifying the Know Your Customer (KYC) and re-KYC processes to make them more user-friendly.

He added that SBI will collaborate closely with the government and authorities to implement these improvements while addressing media on the sidelines of Global Fintech Fest 2025.

“We’re trying to make KYC procedures simpler. Setty told reporters, “We are taking the initiative from SBI’s side to make the entire KYC process easier, even if it means interacting with regulators and the government.”

He went on to say, “I believe banks like SBI are well-versed in acquisition and financing.”

Given the extended transition period provided by the central bank, he said, the move to an asset provisioning system based on expected credit loss (ECL) will not have an effect on bank balance sheets.

“We are technologically prepared in terms of models and everything; perhaps some modifications are needed in light of the final guidelines that have been guaranteed, but more significantly, given the extended transition period, we anticipate that the impact on the banks’ balance sheets will be minimal,” he continued.

As more people join the official banking network, Setty emphasized the need for a more straightforward KYC mechanism.

According to him, in order to improve inclusivity, all parties involved—including legislators, fintech firms, and software developers—must cooperate to expedite KYC processes.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) updated its KYC regulations on June 12 of this year in an effort to provide the procedure more flexibility.

The new rules mandate that banks provide prior notice of KYC deadlines and permit Business Correspondents (BCs) to assist clients with KYC updates.

Additionally, the RBI had observed a significant backlog in KYC updates for accounts associated with government programs like the Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), Electronic Benefit Transfers (EBT), and Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT).

Regarding lending on digital platforms, Setty stated that before adding more credit products to the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), SBI must improve its loan collection system.

“Before releasing additional items on UPI, we must perfect the collection piece. It’s an extremely effective instrument and a crucial component of inclusive credit for individuals,” he stated.