News Nook: Jul 21, 2025

Indian Sector Specific News:

A) BFSI: 

1) Tax Department Probes 20+ Insurers for Overspending

• The tax department is checking if over 20 insurance companies spent more money on running their business than allowed by rules in the last two years.
• These include around 5–6 life insurers and 15 general insurers like Niva Bupa and GoDigit, and they could face extra taxes if they can’t explain the extra spending.
• Source: Economic Times

2) Sebi Resolves 4,400+ Investor Complaints in June

• Sebi, the stock market regulator, solved 4,415 investor complaints in June through its online complaint system called SCORES.
• It got 4,959 new complaints that month, and about 5,107 complaints were still waiting to be solved by the end of June.
• Source: Mint

3) Jane Street Allowed to Resume Trading in India

• SEBI has allowed US trading firm Jane Street to start trading again in India after it deposited ₹4,844 crore in an escrow account.
• The firm won’t trade in options for now and won’t trade in cash until it explains its previous trades to SEBI.
• Source: Reuters via Moneycontrol

B) Agriculture:

1) Sustainable Agriculture Summit Set for August 7 in New Delhi

• A Sustainable Agriculture Summit and Awards will take place on August 7, 2025, in New Delhi to celebrate and promote sustainable farming practices.
• The event will also honour organizations and individuals contributing to eco-friendly and innovative agricultural solutions.
• Source: Indian Chemical News

2) India Must Focus on Manufacturing for 7–8% Growth: Deloitte’s Romal Shetty

• Deloitte South Asia CEO Romal Shetty said India needs to prioritize manufacturing and ease of doing business to achieve 7–8% annual growth, as opening up agriculture fully is difficult due to small farmlands and subsistence-level farmers.
• He emphasized boosting agricultural productivity through mechanization, cooperatives, and better branding, while also leveraging AI, rare earth exploration, and space technology for long-term growth.
• Source: Fortune India

C) Energy:

1) Winter Oil Surplus May Push Prices Down

• Global oil demand now peaks in summer (July–September) instead of winter due to less heating oil use, hotter summers boosting travel, and emerging nations’ different consumption patterns.
• A surplus is expected this winter as OPEC+ and others raise production, while refinery activity slows, which could push oil prices down despite current stability around $65 a barrel.
• Source: Bloomberg via Economic Times

2) US Firms to Help Rebuild Syria’s Energy Sector After Sanctions Lifted

• US companies Baker Hughes, Hunt Energy, and Argent LNG will create a masterplan to rebuild Syria’s oil, gas, and power infrastructure, which was devastated by 14 years of civil war.
• The move follows President Donald Trump’s decision in June to lift US sanctions on Syria, opening the door for foreign investment in its energy sector.
• Source: Economic Times

3) India’s Green Hydrogen Sector to See ₹10 Lakh Crore Investment by 2030

• India’s green hydrogen industry is set to attract investments worth ₹10 lakh crore by 2030, as part of efforts to boost clean energy and cut fossil fuel dependence.
• The government targets reducing fossil fuel imports by ₹1 lakh crore and avoiding 50 million tonnes of carbon emissions through this push.
• Source: Economic Times

D) Infrastructure:

1) India’s REITs and InvITs to Boost Debt Fundraising as Rates Fall

• Real estate and infrastructure investment trusts in India raised over $2 billion (₹178 billion) via debt in the first half of 2025 and are expected to borrow more as falling interest rates make bonds cheaper than bank loans.
• Embassy REIT, IndiGrid, Cube Highways, and others are tapping bond markets to secure low-cost funding, helping deliver better returns to investors.
• Source: Economic Times

2) Bridges and Tunnels Driving Real Estate Growth in India

• Modern bridges and tunnels are opening up isolated areas, cutting travel time, and boosting land values, making once-remote regions attractive for housing, commerce, and industry.
• These projects spark real estate booms, with developers building residential, commercial, and industrial hubs, while improving local infrastructure and livelihoods.
• Source: Construction Week Online

Indian Stock Market Update:

• Nifty closed near 25,100 and Sensex rose 443 points, with financials, metals, and realty stocks leading gains, while IT, PSU banks, and oil & gas saw declines.
• Midcap index gained 0.5%, smallcap index ended flat, as late buying in ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, and M&M helped markets rebound from early weakness.