News Nook: Jun 19, 2025

Indian Sector Specific News:

A) BFSI:

1) Bank Credit Growth Hits 3-Year Low

Bank credit growth has sharply slowed to just 9% in 2025 (till May), compared to nearly 20% in 2024, mainly due to global tensions and weak business sentiment.
Lending to businesses and retail fell drastically, while food credit rose; experts expect RBI rate cuts to improve the situation soon.
Source: CNBC-TV18

2) Jio Financial Becomes Full Owner of Jio Payments Bank

Jio Financial Services has bought 7.9 crore shares of Jio Payments Bank from SBI for ₹104.54 crore, making it a 100% owned subsidiary.
This move was approved by the RBI and finalised on June 18, 2025; Jio Financial's stock fell slightly before the announcement.
Source: Mint

3) Govt Reaffirms Support for Fintech; Urges Action on Cyberfrauds

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman assured continued government support to fintechs and urged startups to tackle rising cybercrimes like digital arrests and frauds.
She highlighted fintech success in rural outreach and digital finance, encouraging firms to scale globally and innovate for fraud prevention.
Source: CNBC-TV18

4) SEBI Eases ESOP Rules for Startups, Relaxes PSU Delisting Norms

SEBI has made it easier for startup founders to keep their stock options even if granted a year before the IPO, and has also simplified the process for government companies to delist from the stock market.
The market regulator said derivatives trading is important for market stability and is reviewing trading fees for more transparency, but ruled out breaking up key systems like clearing corporations.
Source: SEBI Board Meeting coverage, Moneycontrol

B) Automobile:

1) India’s First Automobile Design School Inaugurated at XLRI NCR

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurated INDEA, the country’s first institute for automobile design, set up at XLRI Delhi-NCR to train students in global-standard design, safety, and sustainability.
The school, part of XLRI’s Centre for Automobile Design & Management, will offer a master's program focused on practical skills and industry collaboration.
Source: MM Desk

C) Pharma:

1) Govt Extends PLI Deadline to Boost Pharma Manufacturing

The deadline for applying to the ₹15,000 crore PLI Scheme for pharma has been extended to July 4, 2025, giving firms more time to submit proposals for local production of critical drugs and materials.
The scheme supports 55 projects and is part of a larger plan that also funds raw materials and medical device manufacturing to reduce import dependence.
Source: KNN report

D) Energy:

1) Natural Gas Demand Falls 10% in May Amid Early Monsoon, High Prices

India’s gas consumption dropped 10% YoY in May 2025 due to mild summer, early monsoon, and low power sector demand; LNG imports also fell 15% as prices stayed high.
Gas-fired power plants ran at only 19% capacity; fertilizer plant shutdowns and expensive LNG pushed buyers towards cheaper liquid fuels.
Source: Economic Times

E) Agriculture:

1) India, Ukraine Hold 1st Joint Meet on Agriculture Cooperation

India and Ukraine held their first Joint Working Group meeting on agriculture, discussing collaboration in food processing, mechanisation, digital tech, and genome editing.
India showcased key initiatives like e-NAM and climate-resilient farming, while both sides explored technology transfer, research, and market access.
Source: Press Information Bureau (PIB)

2) 13.4 Crore Farmers Join Viksit Krishi Abhiyaan to Bridge Lab-to-Land Gap

Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the campaign engaged 13.4 crore farmers in 1.43 lakh villages, aiming to connect farm research directly with rural fields.
Over 60,000 programs were held, especially in tribal areas, focusing on farmer income, innovation sharing, and making India a global food hub.
Source: Press briefing by Union Agriculture Minister

F) IT:

1) IBM Trails Accenture in Hiring as IT Sector Recovers

LinkedIn data shows Accenture's workforce grew 11.86% in May 2025, outpacing IBM, which saw an 8.91% rise as it recovers from late 2023 job cuts.
Research firm Thurro highlights diverging hiring trends, with Accenture leading the rebound amid improving IT sector sentiment.
Source: Business Standard

G) FMCG:

1) FIIs Buy Financials, Chemicals; Exit FMCG, Power in June First Half

FIIs invested ₹4,685 crore in equities in June’s first half, focusing on financials, chemicals, oil & gas, and real estate, continuing May’s buying trend.
FMCG and power sectors saw major outflows, with FIIs selling ₹3,628 crore and ₹3,120 crore respectively, reversing earlier buying.
Source: Moneycontrol

H) Infrastructure:

1) SEBI Eases Norms for REITs, InvITs; Relaxes Rules for Merchant Bankers

SEBI approved new measures to simplify operations for REITs and InvITs, stating related parties won’t be considered “public” unless they are Qualified Institutional Buyers (QIBs).
It also allowed merchant bankers to engage in non-SEBI regulated activities within the same firm, under specified conditions.
Source: Economic Times

Indian Economy and Government Initiatives:

India’s loan costs have gone down in recent years, meaning the government is paying less interest when it borrows — thanks to a stronger economy and better financial planning.
Central government employees under the Unified Pension Scheme will now receive retirement and death gratuity benefits like those under the Old Pension Scheme, ensuring greater parity and social security.
India continues to stand out as a “bright spot” globally due to its stable economic performance amid rising geopolitical and economic uncertainties, says CEA V Anantha Nageswaran.

Indian Stock Market Update:

Nifty closed at 24,812, but traders see weak sentiment below 24,800 with 24,725 as key support; a rise above 24,900 may trigger a rally to 25,100.
Global factors like the Israel-Iran conflict and Fed policy are weighing on sentiment, though autos and consumer durables gained on demand hopes.

Bonus Briefs:

The U.S. Federal Reserve has begun its policy meeting as Middle East tensions escalate and new data points to slowing U.S. economic growth.
Market sentiment weakened further after Trump rejected a proposed Israel-Iran ceasefire, pushing oil prices higher and raising inflation concerns.
Trade and geopolitical risks, especially involving China and Europe, are expected to weigh heavily on the Fed’s rate outlook.